That is me. Freshman year school photos. If I was guessing I would think early in the school year. So the 1982 side of the 1982-83 school year. Fresh out of Catholic School. And, although I left the uniform behind, I see a white rounded collar that my Ma undoubtedly felt I needed to have on under the sweater (complete with gold stitching that sparkled). I still had my braces and my (as close as I could get it) Farrah Fawcett hair flip. I was high on life. I was living the best version of myself.
Well, that was until May Day, 1983. I remember it well. Ma forced me to allow one of my aunts to home perm my hair for the bazillionth (and, for the record, last) time. I DESPISED the home perm. I did not NEED the home perm. Ma did not want to have to look after my hair when I was growing up and with a home perm, well – a pick was all I needed.
How bad could it be, you ask? First, glance up at that sweet, wonderful, full of hope girl.
Now:
Then there is this poor girl. Who did not want to be in any May Day festivities. I did not wear dresses (nor do I now). My toes are hanging over the ends of the shoes. Why? Because I never wore dresses so I never needed dress shoes. Ma thought it would be silly to buy new ones for two hours of wear (in retro, I agree). I can see my slip. What the hell is the yellow scarf? Wait, wasn’t there a dance that went along with these festivities??? I am as skinny as a rail and to top it off (quite literally) is a lopsided perm. There are few things I regret in life, those home perms are at least three of the only five regrets I have. And I have gloves. I bet they smelled like old lady cedar chest… Sigh.
I want to chuckle a little. With the decorations in the back, it looks as if I might be attending a Pride Parade.
I brought out the yearbook from that year and looked up the pictures because I thought I remembered a dance that required the yellow scarf (and there was one):
BUT – just to make a point, the photo below was taken in the days leading up to the event and I stand by my word, few regrets, home perms were three of them!
Look at that sweet kid, she didn’t even see it coming:
Also for the record, I TRIED to not be that skinny. There was a boy I had a crush on who told me if I gained 10 pounds he would go out with me. I ate so much I made myself sick. Side note: I graduated high school, came home from college and ran into him. He asked me out and I said sure. WORST date I ever went on in my life. I made myself sick for that… #Perspective.
May Day Court, 1983, Oak Hill High School
Happy May Day Y’All!
Thoughts and Ponderances 