Tuesday, April 08, 2008

One of us Peaked in the Eighties...

When I was in high school, I had this friend, Jenelle. We were on newspaper together, we were thespians together, and she was best friends with my not-yet gay ex-Mormon boyfriend. At the time he was still Mormon, and even though if you ask me he knew he was gay, he would have denied it back in 1989. In fact, he denied it up until pretty recently. Now he's out and proud, with an ex-wife and two kids. But that's a different story.

I am bragging about my friend, Jenelle, today. Here is a picture of her then:

Here is a picture of me back then, too:


Here is a picture of the two of us when we worked together on the newspaper (important foreshadowing):

Note that we both enjoyed pinning our bangs back severely on top of our head. All the better to showcase the awesome big permed 80s hair. To say I was a little enamored with Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman is a fair statement.

This is Jenelle now:


And this is me now:Our lives have taken us on very different paths. Jenelle is a playwright, a journalist, and hangs with people on her lunch hour that we mortals get to see on the big screen. This Friday you can catch her on the E True Hollywood Story as she dishes insights into Luke and Owen Wilson. For real. She's the cute brunette wearing the red shirt.

You'll find me parked in front of my television squealing, "I know her!" as my kids make paper chains out of our electric bill and the dog chews on a diaper in the corner.

If only I had joined the high school newspaper staff sooner....who knows...

17 comments:

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Just think of all the sweet little kids you wouldn't have. Who needs glamour and the Wilson brothers when you've got the PTA?!

Beck said...

Hahaha. Michelle Duggar.
I am gleefully thinking right now that no one I went to school with is REALLY famous. Hooray for me!

Amie Adams said...

Dude that looks just like you in that hot little sports car.

Sass said...

A friend of mind recently got back in touch with her school-time best friend. She was still lovely and they see loads of each other now. Do you think it's got anything to do with how her friend has married a rock star, lives in a mansion, hosts star studded parties etc etc? Or am I just bitter?

Don Mills Diva said...

She's probably miserable under that glamourous facade - ya, that's it - miserable...

Anonymous said...

I want to hear about the gay mormon.

Julie Pippert said...

Isn't it funny how different our lives can turn?

My good friend is a big successful executive, AND a mom, and now and again I quiver, "OMG what am I WORTH?"

My high school 20th is like in five minutes form now and I'm all, "I can't go...they all have lives and I just project manage other people's lives. STOP THAT. I am worthy. I am worthy!"

Mary Beth said...

You've got to love the 80's hair! Just keep reminding yourself how MISERABLE people in the spotlight really are underneath all the glamour (yeah right). And really, is she having more fun than you torturing your kids in your glamourous getup?

Anonymous said...

Oh, honey, you still know how to work it....I mean, look at you in yesterday's post in your tiara & full-length gown. looookatchew. The hair-off-the-forehead look says, "hey, I'm still youthful enough to wear this look and NO BOTOX!!!"

So maybe there are a few Cheerios & old french fries in the floor of your car, but I bet your life is just as full as hers, and probably more fulfilling.

However, I am with Beck and am glad too that nobody I went to school with is famous, & that is my big blessing for the day!!!
Sally

Anonymous said...

How has our hair managed to forgive us for the crimes we committed against it in the '80s?

My beloved happened to go to high school with many famous types and their ilk, and I dare say, I wouldn't trade our choices for the circumstances they face.

Jen said...

For the record, I *am* miserable. And you are fabulous. Funny how the grass is always greener!

Missy said...

Funny how much you resemble that Duggar mom with 45 kids... but I do seriously love your 80's hair.
Personally, I rocked the 80's. I was only like 8 years old, but my permed bangs and giant pink glasses were HOT. :)

Anna Sawin said...

WHAT A RIOT YOU ARE!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Dude. You're hott and you still got it. Ask yourself this, does SHE have the most popular blog on the planet like you do? Uh-huh! :)

foolery said...

Gay ex boyfriend -- I have one, almost TWO of those! Only mine weren't Mormon.

You have an advanced sense of humor, I can tell. I'm now going to go looking for your Bossy info, but maybe it comes later?

Cheers!

-- Laurie

Shellie said...

While switching places for a day might be fun, I think I'd take your life too.

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

Oh my god -- is that the Duggar family?!

We here in Arkansas remain fascinated by them.