My Old School

It's one of those unfortunate circumstances of growing up with particular types of parents that I did not get to have a Senior Yearbook. I can't tell you how much I've regretted that for the last...several...years. It's something everybody should have, no matter what the circumstances. You will regret not having it, I can promise you.

I found this guy online who finds and sells old yearbooks. Without much hope I registered myself on his extensive wishlist, asking for a Grandview, Missouri Yearbook, year of 19....several years ago. Last week, I heard from him. It was a reasonable price and I learned how to use Paypal, so all in all it was an agreeable and educational experience.

I have been watching the mailbox like a seven year old waiting for her cousin to write. Today it arrived. Now I remember why our yearbooks were so pricey for the times. This thing is solid. Huge. And, just like a silly High School Senior, I immediately started thumbing through the pages, counting every time I was in there. Just for the record, between name, quotes and pictures, it was quite a bit. I did all right there.

In my memory we were all a lot better dressed. And cuter. Although, in my memory I didn't remember half the guys being as good looking as they obviously were. Funny how that happens, huh. And some of the guys we thought were so hot...why?

One of my favorite pages today was a little paragraph about the astronomical prices of 1982. There, I said it, all right? I graduated in 1982! I'm going to quote it for you:

As prices soared for everyday necessities and luxuries, students felt the crunch.

Entertainment costs ranged from $3.00 to catch a movie at Bannister Square to $17.00 for Rolling Stones' tickets.

Students were set back $11.00 to see the Chiefs stomp the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead, REO's Hi Infidelity put the cash register at $7.99.

And to be entertained students spent $1.16 for a gallon of Zardas' gas.

Clothes, too, put a dent in pockets. Leather Nikes averaged at $40.00 a pair. Lee jeans depleted wallets of $25.99, while Ralph Lauren Polos dug in for $32.95.

Prices soared for other items, too. A pack of cigarettes ran at 80 cents and a six-pack of Budweiser went for $2.59. [Why we knew that in High School, I'm sure you're wondering. Back then, the legal drinking age in Kansas was 18. Our school was but a scant 15 minute drive to the Kansas border.] A pack of Big Red sold for 20 cents and a can of coke for 30 cents.

McDonalds asked $1.15 for their Quarter Pounders and Wendy's charge 59 cents for a Frosty.

But students managed to keep up with rising costs by finding ways to save and scrimp for that one special concert or that $7.00 Rubiks Cube.


Kinda puts things in a different perspective, huh?

Oh, don't worry, I'm pretty sure this high school yearbook thing is about to become a series. Hold on to your hats, folks. Or your Flock of Seagulls haircuts. Whichever brings you fonder memories and better hair.