James Lear:  

Life after high school: I moved out in '79, got married to someone I met in high school (she was also my "first" when I was 18/senior year), joined the Air Force, went to Turkey and San Francisco, came back to Vancouver. I spent a few years in the early 80's looking for work and got hired on at Mervyn's at VanMall. I worked there for 12 years until office politics got the better of me and I quit to deliver newspapers. I worked a few short-term jobs, had 3 sons, went to jail, did construction, got divorced after 18 years, worked in a gas station/mini-mart, contacted someone on a phone chat-line and then met at a party and moved with them to the Oregon Coast(always wanted to live at the coast). Lived there for 3 years, managed a bookstore, and when It got too dangerous for household members to stay there, we all moved back to Vancouver. Moved here and there, worked a few more short-term jobs and found I really liked selling Ice Cream and driving Cab. Became a partner at LeesaB's Ice Cream business out of Battle Ground, but also liked driving Cab as I found it to be so peaceful and stress-reducing. Yes, it is true, my blood pressure goes down while I'm driving cab in traffic! Go figure! I live in Hazel Dell/Salmon Creek again. One son is married and lives in South Dakota (25), one who lives with me (21), and my youngest(15) lives near me. I have one really good friend I have had for over 20 years and we share the same hobby. I hope to eventually finish my degree at Clark. Honestly, the two things I would do differently in high school if I knew then what I know now, is 1) kicked the crap out of a few jocks(boy, some of you were real assholes!) and 2) put myself out there and mingled more. I was known as a geek/turkey/loner and one picture in the yearbook was very unflattering. High school was not a pleasant time for me, as I had no real friends, was constantly pounded by bullies, made fun of or ignored by the "popular" kids, and my home-life was unbearable(as my stepdad vehemently hated and resented me. We found out years later it was caused by a brain tumor that killed him.) Now, for the silly part: The ladies I had the hots for in high school but who never new it because I was so shy(in no particular order, and please excuse my spellings) were: Kathleen Kimsey(I worshipped the ground you walked on!), Kim Kaleta, Cori Papic, Leah Thompson(yeah, me and 300 other guys!), Kathy Pepper, Cheryl Gold(I could have and should have pursued her, she has really blossomed into a wonderful woman and mother!), Barbara Johnson(not the one you are thinking of but the one from Texas, and who would have been my "first" if she hadn't backed out ;) ), NormaJean Colglazier (class of '81, and who still looks gorgeous when I saw her a few years ago,sh...Expand for more