Reunion Show and Tell

If any event deserves a blog, it's attending a college reunion -- if only that it is so out of character for me and my husband. But I'm not really in the mood for a whole bunch of writing. So, I'll try and do a show and tell.

Background: Spousal unit and myself graduated from Temple University -- same year, same major -- but did not meet until 7 years later, on the job.

Neither of us realized this was a "milestone" year for our class until the invitations arrived. Turns out there was an entire weekend of events that were FREE for members of our graduating class (but $90 for guests.) Since we were both grads of the same year everything was free! (Even parking in downtown Philadelphia!) Free! My favorite word!

Feeling like we somehow beat the system, it seemed only right to attend.

We booked a room in the Marriott that connects to the Convention Center (okay, the room wasn't free, but we did get a group rate.)


We venture over to the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the afternoon to case the setup. No one questions what we're doing there. (Perhaps because I am disguised as a dark blob.)

This space used to be the train shed for Reading Railroad station. I took the train home from this station during college, so the location seems entirely appropriate.


Saturday, March 25th
Founder's Celebration 2006
Anniversary class reception 5:30 - 7 PM Open bar and hors d'oeuvres



Evidently, the Rubik's cube was the defining symbol of my class. I had no idea. Later, I am pissed that we didn't swipe the cube for the kids.

It was at this reception that we discovered that only about 50 folks from our entire class were there -- there was a list, and we didn't know anyone on it. Not even remotely. Only two other names from our school (SCAT -- Communications and Theatre.) We are released from any social obligation -- yay!


My husband owns a tux. How suave! He is smiling because we are getting free drinks and food and not talking to anyone -- the ultimate dream of the anti-social.


7 PM Alumni award ceremony.





Local TV anchors Tracy Davidson and Vince DeMentri present the awards to "outstanding" (translation: actually donate to their alma mater) alumni.


8 PM -- Cocktails, themed food stations, music by Joe Sudler Orchestra (did I mention, it's all free?)




Ice Bell Tower


We find a little stand-up table for two to continue our anti-social fest.


Sushi, baby!

Soon afterwards, we were approached by a gentleman who remembered my husband (or at least his name) from a class -- a fellow RTF (radio-TV-film) major. And I had so been hoping to get through without speaking to anyone (sort of a challenge I set for myself when I realized there was no one there I knew.) Oh well.


Sunday, March 26th,
Room service breakfast.

Not free.


But the granola was homemade.


I appear to be reaching for my husband's sausage.






5:30 PM Silver and Gold Reunion Dinner
Park Hyatt at the Bellevue


Park Hyatt staircase after dinner. We actually had to speak to others during dinner, but no photos were taken. Our dinner companions seemed fascinated by our occupation, so we got to talk about ourselves for an hour. Oh joy.


7:30 PM Kimmel Center for Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choirs


Happy to be back in anti-social mode.



I'm embarrassed to say we'd never been at the Kimmel before. It's a spectacular place. The performances were of professional quality, but Belshazzar's Feast by William Walton is not exactly my cup of classical.

Stuffed to near explosion with free food & drink, we left during intermission to avoid any actual eruptions .


Thank you, Temple University.



We look forward to what is sure to be invigorated fund-raising prompted by our attendance, which we will continue to ignore.