Princeton Reunions, Day 1 + ε
After work on Thursday, I began the drive up to Princeton. As usual, this was a relaxing, ~ three-hour drive except for the various tolls, though it seemed that my GPS device sent me on a different route than usual. Upon arrival, I went searching for the tent at which to collect my wristband and room key. Unfortunately, I arrived at ~ 11:15PM (I had left somewhat later than I had last year), and the tent had closed at 11:00PM! My plan was to go to Ivy Inn for karaoke, so I didn't really need my wristband just yet, but I did need the room key! Fortunately, I found someone who worked the tent, and went inside and got me my room key. A $50 deposit was required, but I didn't have that much on me (I didn't realize it was required, and those tolls can be pretty draining); fortunately, he let me get by with a partial deposit that I'd have to complete the following morning. So with that settled, I went up to Ivy Inn to sing, expecting to see some friends and possibly other alumni. However, the night was relatively quiet, and other than the bartenders and Ron, I didn't really see anyone I knew. I sang some of my standards, being rather uninspired to try anything new, and headed out at the end of the night. Upon actually looking at my key, I learned that I was being housed in the Old Graduate College, rather than the New Graduate College that I had been housed in last year. This meant that I had a bigger room and a restroom that was only shared with one other room. Alas, the restroom was locked from the inside when I arrived, but it was too late to deal with it then, so I resolved to get some sleep and deal with it in the morning.
Saturday, I woke up and headed out to get my wristband (but on the way out I made a phone call to get my restroom unlocked [the people on the other end thought that all such issues had already been dealt with]). In the light, I had no trouble finding the tent, so I collected my things and headed back to room where I could finally take a shower. I then headed over to Peyton Hall to see who was around. I was happy to see that the construction I had noticed last year was complete. There was nice carpeting (including a map of the universe), a shiny new elevator (that I had to ride), and a nice common area replacing the old library. Some office doors were open, so I got a little chatting in; unfortunately, Michael Strauss, my former advisor, wasn't around. There was afternoon tea & cookies followed by the Friday afternoon wine, the latter attracting a larger number of people than usual, including some other visiting alumni. We learned of Jim Gunn's secret award (but not what it was) and enjoyed various wines, good bread, and fresh-picked (as of that morning) strawberries. I then checked out the new dome room with a telescope (albeit only through the window on the locked door) and then headed out. I had a few hours to kill before the tent parties, so I chilled out in my room before heading out for dinner. The line at Hoagie Haven was too long, so I grabbed my food from George's and then walked over to Ivy Inn to eat it. I got to catch up with Justin, who apparently has lots of interesting projects in the works (he wants everyone to check out his trailer). I then wandered over to the 2004 reunion to see who I could find in the crowd. I initially found Mike, Rob, and Piper, then Antoine appeared, and then Annie and Leslie (who I hadn't met before) joined the group. Still, for awhile, these were the only people I had found and, since I was also expecting to see others, I kept cycling between the table, and the dance floor, and the crowd. It took awhile, but eventually I stared finding people in the crowd. Still, I was curious who might be on "the other side," so I wandered over to the 1999 reunion, where I found Mindy and her husband. However, neither the crowd nor the music was as good there, so I returned to the 2004 reunion. Angela found me (she had changed her hairstyle and, to be honest, I hadn't originally recognized her), and I ended up dancing the night away with "her posse." (I didn't remember her dancing much before I left Princeton, so this was certainly a welcome change.) So, overall, the night was kind of slow to get going, but it finished pretty well. We'll see how today goes.
Saturday, I woke up and headed out to get my wristband (but on the way out I made a phone call to get my restroom unlocked [the people on the other end thought that all such issues had already been dealt with]). In the light, I had no trouble finding the tent, so I collected my things and headed back to room where I could finally take a shower. I then headed over to Peyton Hall to see who was around. I was happy to see that the construction I had noticed last year was complete. There was nice carpeting (including a map of the universe), a shiny new elevator (that I had to ride), and a nice common area replacing the old library. Some office doors were open, so I got a little chatting in; unfortunately, Michael Strauss, my former advisor, wasn't around. There was afternoon tea & cookies followed by the Friday afternoon wine, the latter attracting a larger number of people than usual, including some other visiting alumni. We learned of Jim Gunn's secret award (but not what it was) and enjoyed various wines, good bread, and fresh-picked (as of that morning) strawberries. I then checked out the new dome room with a telescope (albeit only through the window on the locked door) and then headed out. I had a few hours to kill before the tent parties, so I chilled out in my room before heading out for dinner. The line at Hoagie Haven was too long, so I grabbed my food from George's and then walked over to Ivy Inn to eat it. I got to catch up with Justin, who apparently has lots of interesting projects in the works (he wants everyone to check out his trailer). I then wandered over to the 2004 reunion to see who I could find in the crowd. I initially found Mike, Rob, and Piper, then Antoine appeared, and then Annie and Leslie (who I hadn't met before) joined the group. Still, for awhile, these were the only people I had found and, since I was also expecting to see others, I kept cycling between the table, and the dance floor, and the crowd. It took awhile, but eventually I stared finding people in the crowd. Still, I was curious who might be on "the other side," so I wandered over to the 1999 reunion, where I found Mindy and her husband. However, neither the crowd nor the music was as good there, so I returned to the 2004 reunion. Angela found me (she had changed her hairstyle and, to be honest, I hadn't originally recognized her), and I ended up dancing the night away with "her posse." (I didn't remember her dancing much before I left Princeton, so this was certainly a welcome change.) So, overall, the night was kind of slow to get going, but it finished pretty well. We'll see how today goes.