Dave Tupper

Hello all - 30 years is a lot of time. A lot of great experiences by a lot of interesting people that are wonderfully told in your blogs. I think I enjoyed the stories of your kids as much as the ones about yourselves. I also reflect that as many 47/48 year olds have stickhandled another generation through to graduation, the collective wisdom at a 30th reunion should be quite awesome and most worth experiencing.

Living back in WV with kids in various stages of French Emersion at Sentinel (one graduated, one in grade 12 and one in grade 9). You have no idea how difficult it is for me to attend Sentinel sporting events and yell out in public, " Go Sentinel, Go!" (even after coaching the snr. girls fieldhockey team for 6 years - including for two years after our daughter's graduation - never was too observant). The experience is probably akin to being televised on Shaw cable hollering "Go, Handsworth!" in GM Place, hey Randy? (congratulations, by the way!). Which school was it they torn down again?? Oh ya!

Halfway through the 23rd year of wonderful marriage to Nicky Morgan, a Victoria girl with artistic flair - the one that deserves all credit for everything good around our house!! We have three kids that seem to be living lives more interesting than ours - they have certainly travelled more than we had by 20, 17 or 14 - collectively they have been on more continents than I! Sophie is in 3rd year at Ryerson, interested in PR, although carrying a second major in getting invited to film launches, celeb birthday parties, photographed by the National Post at functions and basically living the life fantastic in TO. Her younger brother Wynn keeps us guessing about which of his many talents he might put to good use after graduating, and then without any lead up announces he is grade 12 rep on student council - huh? Simon plays guitar, soccer and computer. The big iMac downstairs keeps him busy writing and playing and recording music so that girls are only half the distraction they might otherwise be (Facebook and MSN permitting of course). Bottom line, they are great kids that never cease to amaze me with their talents, abilities and confidence!

Me? Still hammering on rocks (geology; Dane - it is what geologists are supposed to use a hammer for) in places where most normal people don't go and where I am often offered things to eat that I can honestly say it is okay if you have missed out on - just in case some of you do feel that you must, I suggest you go with the yahk milk over the fermented mare's milk, but definitely stay away from ballute unless you really like duck (unhatched duckling to be more accurate). Jay - if you want me to consult for this winter's menu, just ask - love the restaurant - also loved the vid of you on your web site - you should all check it out - http://www.usefulandagreeable.com/resorts2.php?id=148 - I think Jay has less hair than I do.

Still riding my bike to work and recently re-discovered that not all wine is red. Who do I still see from school: Dave Zaruba is in a singing group with my wife (how weird is that? - Dave's pretty darn good!). I see Anne every once in a while - reunion and blog manager extraordinaire - great job Anne!! Jan's kid and mine have been known to kick soccer balls at each other on pitches around WV. Bill Mann and I are linked professionally, which allows us great opportunities to eat and drink beer together on expense. If I am not mistaken, Jan now owns Bill's parents old house (how weird is that? I wonder if has she found any stashes of John Seale's lemon gin?). See Brian Sheffield and Dave Mills at times. And I know we all live in awe of Gordon Ferguson and are forced to be content with brief glimpses of him on news casts saving lives with North Shore Rescue ("I knew him when..."). Used to see Alison Holbeck on Savary - we miss you Alison (her brother is a geologist too.) I bought bagels once in the same store as Tana Tocher. If so many of us still live on the NS, how come we don't run into each other more often? I am not paranoid, but I am beginning to think you are all avoiding me!! Not Jane Miller though - she and my wife dragged along with me to Mongolia this September - at least until they dumped me, swamping gers and camel milk cheese for a friend's swank Hong Kong Island apartment and "drinks".

Looking forward to the reunion, although I agree with Mia (a.k.a. - Barbie) - bring on the mosh pit!! It's 2007 and we are not 50...yet!!