Germany '06

My son, as you can see, is ready for the World Cup, which starts on June 9, 2006. I tried to find him a USA strip, but obviously couldn't on this side of the Atlantic. So he's an England fan, and rooting for the USA in his heart! And, being an England fan, he gets to drink real beer.

I know soccer still isn't a big deal over there, and most people don't realize that the USA has a good team. They did really well in the last World Cup, going all the way to the quarter finals, and beating some of the best teams in the world along the way. So, their first match is on June 12, against the Czech Republic, kicking off at high noon EDT. Spare a thought for them. I'll be watching them, proudly flying my Stars & Stripes while the rest of the country flies the St. George Cross. Here's hoping we go further this year! USA! USA! USA! (but I still get to drink real beer!)

For Randy...

...who is proud to say he's "tits up and randy" and asked me for more British slang (as if your vocabulary isn't colorful enough), I thought I'd carry on with the "tits" theme:

tit: a very silly person. "He's a tit, in't he?"
tits up: out of business or something that went completely wrong. "I was supposed to meet my mates at the pub at 8, but it all went tits up."
arse over tit: to fall over "I was leaving the pub when I slipped and went arse over tit."
on me tits: on my nerves "You're getting on me tits!" Alternatively, you could tell someone to get lost by saying "Get off me tits!"

There is an entire slang dictionary for you here, Randy. Now stop fannying around, have a good read and soon you'll be talking bollocks!

message from Eileen Keyes-Spengler

Hi everyone....
Although I graduated a year later I wanted to take the time out and say hi to the few that may remember me. This blog thing is a great idea and I have enjoyed reading it and the pictures of all the children are just incredible.... I'm glad to see you are all well Cheers, Eileen

Yikes

Such a fine line between a "gun situation" and a school shooting. I'm certain this is not the way the Lehigh Valley wants to make headlines - and fortunately it appears they won't. More information here.

Another Blue Monkey run?

This is last minute, but I am back in town until Saturday. If anyone's interested in meeting at the BM (or other location) tonite or Friday night, post a comment. Saturday we have a gang heading to the Phils game, Matt, Joe, Longe, Mullen, Lew and myself (hopefully, but not 100% certain yet). If I make it, I look forward to telling everyone I'm with the American Idol winner. Dave

Where I have been!

Well where to begin? I am sure that most people don't have a lot of memories of me since I was only a part of the Catty experience my junior and senior year but here is a little info on what I have been up to since then.After graduation I moved to New Jersey to live with my dad. Tried the whole work thing working on cars and wasn't feeling all that fulfilled, that took about 2 years. I decided to move back to Kansas City to get an education. I ended up going to Northwest Missouri State University and graced them with my presence for 5 years and getting my BS in Industrial Technology. Upon Graduation I got a job with Butler Manufacturing in their Customs Engineering Department, specifically their international side of the business. Little did I know that I would be given multiple opportunities to travel. I became what is called an Expatriot, US citizen living and working in other countries for extended periods of time. I helped my company with start-up operations in other countries. Training the Engineering teams on product and process and helping develop the products specific to that region for our plants to manufacture. By the way we design, Engineer and manufacture steel framed building. Most of my time was spent in China. I lived in China for almost 2 years, coming home for vacation once or twice a year. I did the same in Brazil and Mexico. Of course I got married before my first long term assignment and you imagine from there how that marriage went. Divorced after 3 years. I have since given up the long term traveling and now I am in charge of an Engineering team and still with the same company after 15 years. I do have a daughter, Hayli who is 5, you are right, if you do the math you will realize I did not have her with my ex-wife. She is from a relationship I had years after that and unfortunately that relationship didn't work out but we are very good friends and our daughter is very happy and spoiled.

I have recently picked up on a new hobby. I got hooked on American Chopper and thought I would try and build my own chopper. I figure if those guys could build one surely I can. Well after about 4 months of trial and error I finished the bike you see my sitting on in the picture to the left. Pretty happy with it and looking forward to trying it again. Probably a lot more info here then anyone wanted to hear but that is the very abbreviated version of my life after Catty. This whole blog thing is new to me so hopefully I did this correctly. Hope to see everyone at the reunion.


Ray

TAYLOR OR KAT - WHO WILL IT BE??????

We all know that LongE looks like Taylor Hicks.
So who from our class looks like Katherine McPhee?????????
If you dig out your year book and look at senior pictures......some close runner ups would be
Colleen McEntee, Lisa Piller, and MaryJo Jones.

Updated Bio

I have updated my bio and included pictures if anyone is interested.

here is something...

Freeman's right. blog participation is at an all time low. i figured it would ebb and flow a bit and with the onset of warmer weather i'm guessing people have better things to do. Sonya promised us a pic recently where's that? and of course there are always lots of people who have never posted a bio. maybe if the contact nazi would set an example it would motivate some others...

there are also numerous people who have been contacted and know about the blog that have never made a comment, much less posted a bio. i spoke with one such individual a few weeks ago and was assured he would soon join us with news of his life but alas, nothing. so until he comes around to tell you different, here is my version of Chris Nogales's life. Chris dropped out of BYU after one semester and traveled to LA where he became the leader of one of the barrio's most notorios gangs "The Preps" - so feared, that it is fabled that opposing gangs would quickly flip up their collars when a Prep was spotted so as to avoid a confrontation.

After many years thwarting the law Chris had a change of heart and went back to school and got a law degree. he is now a practicing lawyer selling his services from the back of a cart pulled by a small burro on the streets of Tijuana.

it was great catching up with ya Chris!

Is the blog dried up?

What is going on?
Is everyone busy being an adult?
Are the families and warm weather keeping everyone away?
Is the job actually taking priority over the BLOG?
I can't handle not having anything to read and react to.
It's like my paperboy has forgotten to deliver my paper for a week.
I need something to read. In-School Suspension Duty sucks.
Only a few more weeks and I can relax (if you call chasing around and entertaining to boys all summer relaxing).
The Catty pool has to open soon, my 7 year old (Trae) wants to go on the slides so much. The other day while we were at the Catty playground, he stood at the fence gazing at the dirty water in the pool.
Only 15 more days for me and this school year is over.

way funny

click here.

Brad Schuler Sighting

I ran into Brad at the hokendauqua park yesterday. His boy was playing baseball and apparently is very good at it. I guess he went to nationals in Ocean city. He lives in Coplay.
He says he is aware of the blog. He is Dave's cousin which I didn't know?? He is aware of the reunion from Dave and looking forward to attending. I told him to get his ass on the blog so we can all talk to him. He hasn't changed a bit, same old Brad I remember.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES TO ROBB

Robb's b-day was yesterday May 14th. Sorry I didn't get here to post yesterday but better late than never. Hope you enjoyed your day!

Any Race fans???

All this talk about American Idol makes me wonder is there any Amazing Race fans here? I personally don't watch Idol but love the race. Usually there is one team I can't stand but not this time. I think any one of the 3 teams left could win. My son and I are rooting for the hippies just because they are a little strange and a little funny not to mention they have yet to screw anyone over to get ahead.

And then there were three.

Very big surprise last night. Thought ole Chris was going to cry. But he didn't deserve to go. Kim, how many times did you actually vote for Taylor? His fan base seems to have made him the favorite now.

BIRTHDAY WISHES TO CAROL HAHN

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday dear Carol......Happy Birthday to You. It is Carol's 38th today. I know how your celebrating!!!! Enjoy!!

Classmate update: Scott Holmes

Scott has checked in by email and I've forwarded him an invitation to the blog.

"Dave,

Please change my status from 'Probably Not' to I will 'Try to Attend.'

I have been in prison for the past 17 years. Well, not exactly. I am employed as a Correctional Officer with the Lehigh County Department of Corrections. I have a BA in Criminal Justice and an AS in Fire Technology. I have been a volunteer firefighter for the Borough of North Catasauqua, for the past 20 years. I still reside in the Borough. I have a second home in the Pocono's.

Scott Holmes"

Scott's email reminded me (again) I need to update the contacts spreadsheet on the website. Now that we have a weekend lined up, can everyone verify their 'status' and email what it should be? Please send to cattyclass86@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Is Flounder coming home?

A few weeks ago, Colin made a comment that he was going to be back in "town" on the weekend of May 12th. Colin, is there any truth to this comment? If so, should we all try to get together for a quick "one"? If anyone was interested in what he's up to go to the Virginia Tech Student Athlete Academic Support Services Page.
I think the "Blue Monkey's Music System needs to be checked again", and if Colin could post a time/date, I know I will make the attempt to test the system.

- El Presidente

Let's Go Flyer's !!!

Someone tell my kids the Flyers lost !
Reily 7 and Abigail 5 are avid hockey fans.
(because they have no choice). It took about ten minutes to change their minds about wearing this to school.

Idol Talk

Somebody had to do it. With only 4 left, we'll only have 4 weeks of chatter.

I've been warned by my gang in our blog that my masculinity would be questioned by posting Idol stuff, but I'm willing to take that chance. Besides, I'm very diverse and open-minded (and extremely comfortable in my...oh, like I have to defend myself!!!). I've been a fan the last couple years. The show is entertaining and it's nice to have a 'clean' show that showcases natural talents and personalities.

There is one other from our gang who, until Mandisa got voted out (unjustly in his mind), was extremely verbose in his Idol postings. Can you guess who it is?

Anyway, I'm not surprised by Paris' exit because of her age, but she was one of the top 2 singers left. Of the past couple years' shows, I think she has the brightest future of anyone. Now, can someone explain to me how Longe, I mean Taylor, keeps surviving? He's not THAT good.