Edina High School
I drove my neighbor's kid to school today and coincidentally, he attends my old high school, EHS. I had an awesome experience going back to the high school and walking around in the halls. The same old feelings of chatting with your friends in the halls, going to your locker to grab your lunch, and walking your gf to her next class all came back to me. I loved it, I think that's how I know I liked HS. I got to see Mr. Dornbach, my communications teacher and someone I could talk to about life outside of school. It was kind of sad to see that he's aged quite a bit. He used to be the young teacher who is sharp and funny and puts you at the same level. Now he looks like Michael Douglas, older with a lower energy level. He feels he's been teaching too long at the same place so now he's planning on going to teach in Japan next year, go Mr. D. I also got to see another favorite person of mine in high school, Ida Katz. Ida was a faculty assistant and would monitor our Chinese class because our class was mostly TV based distance learning. Ida is an old Russian lady who was very grandmother-like and would give me advice on how to stay happy despite my troublesome relationship with my gf at the time. She once told me how it's not the end of the world if the relationship is over because it has happened to her before and then she went on to tell me the story about her first love and why they parted. A lot of things she taught me stayed in my mind better than the Chinese class material. One of those things is that "your first love may not last forever, but the memories will." Ida almost didn't recognize me when I saw her, but she said she was very happy to see me come and it meant a lot to her that I came back. And then I drove to the U of M. I waited for the connector and to my surprise when the bus door opened, the music of jazz was the first thing I heard. The Jazzman was working today! If you don't know about the Jazzman, he's basically the nicest and most optimistic bus driver in Minneapolis, everyone loves him. He is known for bringing a boombox to the bus and playing jazz music for all the passengers. He also greets everyone with a sincere smile and personally welcomes you on the bus. His uplifting attitude makes everyone happy, regardless of the fact that you just failed your exam. I think every person who rides the jazzbus of the Jazzman feels the same connection and love from this man. I know I certainly felt the love today. As I was getting off the bus I thanked the Jazzman, he said "take it easy cat" in a very cool tone and gave me a pat on my leg. Now if he were just ANY bus driver and gave me a pat on my left leg, I might've felt a little awkward. But since it is the Jazzman giving me a pat on my leg, it is all good...