Darrell Standring:  

Life Hey, there! I have to say, although I've missed all the reunions, seeing pictures from the 20th brought a smile to my face. I'm so happy to see you are all doing well, and although we've obviously changed, you all are so beautiful! Keep those smiles on your faces, and keep pushing forward, so that when we're all old and wrinkled, we can sit back and say "job well done"! I can't believe I'll be 40 this year (yes, I'm one of the older ones). I currently live in San Francisco, and have lived here from 1996 to 2000, and from 2003 to present. I really can't imagine living anywhere else on earth. I get the beauty of the Bay Area, the cool temperatures and fog, and a very diverse community that transcends racial, ethnic, religious and gender stereotypes (to name a few) to create a true melting pot brimming with creativity towards a peaceful planet. Yes, we have our problems, yet we're constantly striving to change them. I'm a Nichiren Buddhist and belong to the Soka Gakkai International (a lay Buddhist organization dedicated to the creation of peace though peaceful living, cultural exchange and education). I've been practicing for 12 years, and I've developed a true belief in the power of the people to effectively change society. In a nutshell, if you've ever seen "What's Love Got To Do With It", Tina Turner chants "nam-myoho-renge-kyo". This is the Buddhism to which I'm refering. I currently work as a Team Lead with a national Customer Service department that's in it's infancy stages. I'm sure it will take off sooner or later, but my heart just isn't in it. For years I've been raising orchids as a hobby, and actually specialize in rare cool-growing species. There hasn't been much of a market for these orchids, and there's very little reference material regarding their care. I'm hoping to change all that through writing a book on the care and culture of these orchids, and hopefully teach people that orchid growing is fun, relaxing and rewarding....Expand for more