Keith Brookenthal

1.) Who do you wish you kept in touch with from high school?

I’ve kept close really only with Dean Hu. I regret not keeping up with everyone - obviously close friends in particular. Josh Gluskin and I were friends when we were real little but not since then, and looking at the pictures makes you think it really would have been nice being friends with almost everyone. I particularly would have liked to keep up with the swim and polo crowd. It is hard though being out of state.

2.) What is something you wish you did after high school or college that you never had the chance to do?

I recently fell into an opportunity to make a lot of money but did not take it when I had the chance. It seems the Minister of Finance in Nigeria was looking to move some money around and needed my help to do so. I do not know how he got my email, but the fact was he had it. Needless to say, it was a considerable sum and it would have been a very profitable venture. Unfortunately my wife nixed the idea and so early retirement is not yet an option. I can’t imagine an opportunity like that comes up more than once in a lifetime, but I am checking my email more carefully now, hoping something else comes up.

3.) What is something you're happy you had the chance to do?

Again, probably the same as most people. Married a wonderful woman and have two fantastic little girls. (Hopefully more in the future) I think the things that are most special aren’t so much the once-in-a-lifetime things as much as the little “daily grind” things … getting the girls ready for school, making breakfast, tucking them in at the end of the day, mountain biking with Josi on Sundays, tearing down the mountains, listening to the screams and anticipating the bruises being thrown over the handles … the daily joys of life.

4.) Where is your favorite place you've been to in the last 20 years?

Same answer as above … weekly grind of mountains and beaches

5.) Name a high school memory that still makes you smile/laugh

Does anyone remember Slave Day? Good times, good times. I may be having my first politically correct thought (surprised, Dean?) but I can’t believe that ever existed. I vaguely remember Jeff Marcus and I paired ourselves up and were auctioned together. I think there was a third guy – I think Steve Tengler? I think Chris Mazzoli bought us, then abused us so we liberated ourselves from him by abusing him back (vague memories … still hazy) and Mr Rockwell intervened. I wonder what happened with him. I think I heard something about gemological institute?

I think for the all-night graduation party (?) we were all instructed from teachers that it would be a great time so don’t get drunk or stoned … it was the greatest time, but I think Dean and I were the only two who actually obeyed that rule. Were we with Howdy? I don’t remember. We ended up driving all over Detroit after the party, going to White Castle somewhere, and I think decided to break all the rules by the end, that largely consisted of stealing our neighbor’s newspaper, hanging out, and making sure to return the newspaper by the time they woke up because we felt guilty. BTW great picture, Howdy, of the swim team. Did we really look like that? I kind of remember being better-looking and less dorky but I guess in retrospect maybe those memories are hazier than I thought … Are you sure you didn’t photoshop that thing?

Great memories looking back at the photos everyone posted – you know until I saw them I remember us as being so cool and knowing it all but gee whiz we were all such dorks. I mean looking back the cool people and the dorky people were all so funny looking. I can’t believe we ever thought we looked good.

Looking at Rocky – wow, man. You were ripped. Also, I totally agree that picture of yours was –
The.
Best.
Yearbook.
Photo.
EVAH.

Too many to recall, and I’ve probably forgotten half of them, so I guess they aren’t really memories then. Air guitar on the bus to meets … Ouch! Didn’t know the ceiling was so low. Am I bleeding? “Sledge parties” “Well Chuck, the date started out fine.” “Deep but not profound” Hacky sack and Dead Milkmen. Poker at Alan Taylor’s. Well, at least making donations to the guys because I don’t recall ever winning. OK to be honest I had to go through my old yearbook for a couple of those, but they were good times. Seichter Special at Tubby’s. Was that Bubble Bobble? Dean – (OK I had to go to the yearbook for this too) Strike first, strike hard, no mercy sir! Fear does not exist in this Dojo! Spengler? Spangler? Mr. Spangler? And thanks, Dean, for reminding me of the blazing intelligence of wearing that stupid T-shirt the last day of school. I can’t believe we were that stupid. And I use “we” in the singular. Paul Shaya – OK maybe a little after HS – Stanley Cup Championship/Red Face and Body Paint/Picking on little kid Capital fans/Stealing the Stanley Cup (Um, were we too old for that?)

6.) Who are you looking forward to seeing at the reunion?

Same as everyone … theoretically looking forward to seeing everyone but more friends I was close with. Unfortunately I am coming in town the weekend after the reunion already and am not sure I can bring the family the weekend before and the weekend after.

7.) Is there anything your spouse/significant other would be surprised to know about you from your high school days?

I don’t think so. I think my personality has decreased a little in volume but the character now is similar enough.

Anyone in Southern California, definitely give me a holla … keithbrookenthal@yahoo.com …