My card arrived on time which was a relief. Thanks to some good planning whenever iTunes cards are discounted at HEB, I had something to throw in.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe Helen is the person I’ve known the longest from Marquette; we met in CoPA 001. How could I forget her too! Helen had short hair, one of those Eighties sweaters, not the Cosby kind, I think it was something called a shaker-knit, I had a couple. In many ways Helen was the embodiment of the better fashions of the mid Eighties yet not exaggerated or cartoony. More importantly, her personality stood out in the class alongside this rather vulgar-sounding classmate named Courtney. Maybe vulgar is extreme but the poor young lady had already developed that smoker’s voice associated with Lucille Ball. Rather gross and unattractive on top of some other unsavory things I recall Courtney saying.
Let’s talk about Helen though.
Around this time 25 years ago, we were buildingmates in Tower Hall, the more adult sophomore dorm at Marquette. Schroeder was where idiots who enjoyed vandalism more went. I was more obsessed with having a private bathroom. Taking a shower at McCormick was the equivalent going to the gym nowadays, you practically had to schedule it. I was the 14th floor, Paul on the 11th and Helen on the third. I’m not exactly sure why we hung out, we didn’t have any classes together during that semester. My immediate guess would be continuity on top of Paul’s obsession with her. It worked out if you don’t know them, they’re married to each other.
For 2012 I searched the Web and my memory to find something I recall regarding Helen. Then it hit me, the old Kids in the Hall interstitials! These have a stronger, special meaning to us all because Helen always hated her name in college. She said it gave people the impression she was an old lady wearing orthopedic shoes. Once I told Helen her name was fine, I even had an Aunt Helen. She replied, “Was she old?” Sheepishly I had to say, “Umm, well yeah but she was good to me.” Why couldn’t have Helen Hunt and Helen Slater been more famous sooner to help my rebuttal! No, it was the Eighties, the best I could’ve come up with? Helen Reddy, Helen Hayes and Helen Keller!
So I shall close with the best “Thirty Helens Agree” bit due to the Helens explaining the merits of shoes. Meanwhile, drop her some nice wishes. I’m scheming over something for next year.