1985

Top 10 things to ask yourself before reunion (a.k.a. things going through my mind):

1. What if I see (fill in the blank)?

2. Should I have apologized to (again, fill in the blank)?

3. Can I really lose 20 pounds before June 16?

4. What T-shirts did I wear last reunion?

5. What have I accomplished in the last five years?

6. Will Barry Bass really know that I didn't contribute to the Annual Fund?

7. If I had known so and so would look so great, would I have been nicer to her/him?

8. Was that really half my life ago?

9. Can I still drink Busch beer? And, finally...

10. How come AXA guys are still so cool and desirable even after 20 years?

I'm sure you may have other questions or musings as you prepare for reunion. One may be, "How can I serve my class and run for a position as a class officer?" If that's your question,you're in luck. Version 1: After an exhaustive and extensive national search complete with background checks and personal interviews, the class of 1985 has identified its nominating chairman. Version 2: As the only one who responded to the e-mail from Margaret Marder looking for a volunteer, I was chosen as the nominating chairman. Whatever you believe, if you want to run for a class officer position, contact me and let me know.

There is news this month from Matt Dickerson, who has written a new book titled From Homerto Harry Potter A Handbook on Myth and Fantasy. His previous book, Following Gandalf: Epic Battles andMoral Victory in The Lord of the Rings, was one of four finalists for last year's My thopoeic Scholarship Award (for those who had wagered whether the word my thopoeic would appear in this column, you win) for the best new work of scholarship on J.R.R.Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. Matt has yet another book, Ents, Elves and Eriador: The EnvironmentalVision of J.R.R. Tolkien, due out in November. The book explores the ecology of Middle-earth with a reading of Tolkien's works and the environmentalism pervasive in his works. It does not explore the use of acronyms in book titles.

Now in his 17th year at Middle bury, Matt is a full professor in the computer science department and the environmental studies program. He also teaches occasional courses for the writing program and is the director of the New England Young Writers Conference at Broadleaf. The similarity between his work and my job selling French fries is truly amazing. Thanks, Matt!

Top 10 things to ask yourself after reunion:

1. What did I say to (fill in the blank)?

2. Should I apologize to (again, fill in the blank)?

4. When will I wear all this stuff I bought at the Co-op?

5. Did my kids see me do that?

6. Was I right that my college GPA didn't matter?

7. Man, didn't so and so look (fill in the blank)?

8. Can I really act half my age?

9. How much Busch beer did I drink? and finally...

10. What did I ever see in those AXA guys? Have a great spring, send in news and nominations, enjoy reunion!

118 Ringwood Road, Rosemont,PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com