Steve Johnson must have said “WOW!” ten times after we first spotted each other at the Pub at the Greene on Thursday, May 21, 2009. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had changed so much after eighteen years or because I hadn’t changed at all. Steve claimed it was the latter, but I’m not sure if I believe him. I think the last time we probably saw each other was when we were both Freshmen at Wright State University just beginning to get our feet wet with college.
Steve and I didn’t go to elementary school together, but we did attend Ankeney Junior High together from 7th through 9th grade, and then all four years at Beavercreek High School. I’m not honestly sure when I came to know Steve, but one of my distinct memories of him was during ninth grade when we ate lunch together every day along with our mutual friend Rob Bradford.
Every day was a laughfest of some sort as we liked to people-watch and make cracks about events that we saw. Once I noticed that a guy who ate near us always had his arm in one position every day, so I fixated on it in an attempt to amuse and annoy my tablemates. Also noteworthy were the days when Steve would get up from the table to get something and Rob would smash the Little Debbie snack cake that he would leave behind. I have a very strong feeling that I might have egged that on. In my ninth grade yearbook, one quip from Steve was “…it’s been a pretty fun year – especially in the cafeteria!”
Steve and I continued to be friends throughout high school and one of my most pleasant memories was our Cartooning class that we had together with fellow friends and students Jennifer Crum and David Graeter. While I came up with the character Brashley, Steve created a cartoon character named Fisherman Bob. All good times.
So I hadn’t seen Steve since those days when I located him on Facebook. It was difficult to arrange a meeting as he was getting ready to go on a new life adventure and move to Berea, Kentucky. However, I was determined to get a meeting in with him before he left sometime in between my trips and his packing. And so we finally made it happen.
After the initial pleasantries over a couple of beers (another plug for Strongbow!), we began to chat about some of our interests that we had developed over the years. Steve is a musician who writes his own songs and performs in local venues solo with an acoustic guitar. His musical prowess had really developed since his days as a drummer for the college band Pure Plastic Tree.
And also to my amazement was that Steve had become quite a film buff, taking not only an interest in vintage comedy such as Laurel and Hardy and the Our Gang, but actually collecting 16mm films. Our musical interests, political thinking, and life philosophies were strongly paralleled as well. So yes, it was great to arrange a meeting before he moved, but I couldn’t help but think what poor timing our meeting was…all these similar interests and now he was moving out of state. I asked where he had been all the time I was running my Sons of the Desert tent and showing vintage 16mm films for fifteen years!
Steve promised to keep in touch and look me up during his visits to Ohio with his wife and young son. I certainly hope that this will be the case.
Return to Memorial Day week…
Continue to the next reunion…
Hi! Been meaning to comment on this post for quite some time. Seeing Brad for the first time in years was great.The first thing I noticed about him was that looks wise, he hadn’t changed much at all! Yes, obviously he had cut the mullet, and he looked more muscular like he exercises (no, i don’t swing that way).But over all he looked basically the same. We sat down with our beers and got to talking. I starting asking 101 questions about Brad’s many travels because I have never been out of the U.S. and traveling to other countries seems fascinating to me. Like traveling to another planet.One thing I noticed is that Brad still had his great sense of humor, not quite as “biting” as it used to be…a bit more toned down(we are supposed to be “adults” now), but still,I always felt a humorous connection with Brad. It was really great reminiscing, talking about family and our interest in vintage film.
Since meeting up with Brad I’ve moved out of Dayton and down to Berea, KY.I told Brad that during one of my vists to Ohio I want to come see his house and his movie collection!
Steve Johnson
August 31st, 2009