Where Have The Last 20 Years Gone?

June 3, 1989

On one hand that date seems so long ago - hell it was a long time ago.

Then on the other hand it does not seem possible, that it has been 20 years since I graduated from good ol' PHS.

How can I be almost 40 years old? I remember when my parents turned 40. Now they are in their sixties, I am rapidly approaching the big four-zero, and my oldest son is about to be a Junior at PHS. Holy S*&T!!

As our twenty year reunion approaches, I have been spending time thinking about where the last 20 years have gone, and how much things have changed here in Fort Collins.

I was having drinks the other night with a friend, Pat Garcia. Pat is a Fort Collins guy - A PHS Guy. We spent part of the night talking about the good ol' days in Fort Collins, and places we hung out at in High School, that don't even exists any longer. It was a great time reliving the old days, the "we used go here" or "remember when" or " do you remember so and so". And honestly, the beers weren't so bad either.

Here is a list of some of the things from the old days that unfortunately, aren't around any longer for the kids at PHS to enjoy like we did.

WC Frank - remember all you can eat footlongs on Wednesdays? Pauls Pizza, Odyssey Fun Center, 3.2 Beer at Lunch, Valentino's Pizza, The Little Mall(Montgomery Wards), Fox Theatre, The Aggie(when it showed movies), Cruisin College on Friday and Saturday, Campus West Movie Theatre, Dave Cook Sporting Goods, The McDLT, Old Town Arcade, Fourth Of July at City Park, Hamburger Stand, Cables End, and last but in no way least - COLLEGE DAYS. I also grin every time I hear someone talk about Lake No. 4, and Watson Lake.

I am sure that there are more things that you remember, and things that Pat and I talked about but I don't remember. I am getting old, and the beers and shots were flowing at a good steady pace that night.

Not all is lost in the last 20 years. There are still some places and people that are part of my fondest memories from back in the day. The list is quite a bit shorter, but I still enjoy these places and seeing the friends in 2009.

Panhandler's Pizza - EVERY CHANCE I GET. French Field on Friday night in the fall, The Finest Record Store (do they still call it a record store?), and I am still great friends with Hector Avalos and Dave Harris. Hector is still the same grumpy ass he was 20 years ago, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Dave is.................Dave. Enough said! I can't imagine my life now, 20 years later, with out these two characters in it. I'll tell you all one thing -I would have a lot less stories to tell.

So where have the last 20 years gone? Well, they haven't "gone" anywhere. They have been an adventure, an adventure with no regrets, an adventure that is my life, an adventure that I have loved every minute of.

I am really looking foreword to our Class Reunion. Getting on Facebook, while addictive like crack, has been good. It has put me in touch with friends that I haven't seen since June 3, 1989. Friends that I can't wait to see next month.

Safe travels to all of you as you come home for the reunion. I can't wait to see everyone, and see what we can add to the list of places lost in the last 20 years.

Jeff

PS - The biggest thing missing from 20 years ago - being single and no children. Just Kidding guys - I love you all and can't imagine my life any other way.