SLO Bound and Down

Ten years ago, 8 best girlfriends graduated (or didn’t) from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  Fearing that our friendships would fade over time, we vowed to return 10 years later for a reunion. The good news for us is that our friendships did not fade, and in fact only got stronger and more mature…in fact, the only thing that did fade was the promised reunion.  Even with the weekend booked a year in advance, and the numbers originally strong, it took only a few weeks before the big celebration for the group to dwindle down to two.  And with only the non-refundable room keeping us on the hook, Anj and I decided to still keep the dream alive and head down there on Saturday. 

The drive to pick up Anj was an emotional journey to say the least…heading back to my alma mater, my mind was racing through my accomplishments for the past 10 years…did I succeed in what I had set out to do, had I reached those life goals appropriate for someone 10 years out of college?  After 100 miles of driving, I still couldn´t remember what my 22 year old self had in mind for me 10 years ago.  I just know that I graduated from college with a job lined up in San Francisco, with a great group of friends to see me off, with a supportive family and without a care, worry or passport.

After picking up Anj, we rolled into town around 1 and immediately went for the ultimate comfort food, Firestones, to ease my worried mind.  With no big plans for the night, we decided to create and complete the ultimate bucket list for SLO with all of the things we had to do while in town.  While I couldn’t remember if I had completed my life goals after 10 years, I could at least attempt to complete this simple list. 

Ten hours and a few drinks later, we had gotten through 10 of the 15 items on the list (plus a few additional ones added along the way).  And while I couldn’t convince anyone I was still in college (#15 on the list and one I really didn’t try that hard to accomplish) I did manage to be called a cougar (for better or worse).  Other highlights from the journey included watching Anj make a guy take a Bull Sweat for her phone number and realizing that the biggest difference between college kids and 30 year olds is that 30 year olds drink during the day and get to the bars around 9, while college kids eat and drink at home and get to the bars at 11pm…ah to have homework and be college poor. 

Number 10 - Bubble Gum Alley

The Final List

We ended the trip just as I ended my college career – with a hangover and cowboy benedicts for breakfast at McClintock’s…thankfully this time around didn’t involve a police escort home.

Here are us girls on graduation day 10 years ago and the lonely me this past weekend…Almost the same, just older, fatter and none the wiser.