Me and Jim-High school Re-union.

Ron and Jim were good friends. They both lived north of Churchill School in the rich area. At least it was rich to us who grew up in Marpole and lived in modest homes.

I was part of the Little Marpole Gang (There was a older gang, tougher than hell but that’s another story). We used to hang out at the swimming pool in Marpole. Just sitting in the grass and making fools of ourselves. This is where I first spotted Ron and Jim. They had decided to come down to Oak Park and see what the fuss was about. They were both pretty tough and in shape but still it took some courage to invade a bunch of hard asses. We accepted them and they kind of joined the gang.

Ron’s parents were very accepting and we would spend days up there. After I was married I would take my new dog up there and force Ike Shulman to go on walks. He told me he did appreciate it.

Jim’s parents were made of different stuff. Being from the lower working class of Marpole I was sensitive to posturing and people who thought they were better than me. Jim’s parents were rich snobs and didn’t like anyone who wasn’t of their background. I think I met them once. Once was enough. Terrible snobs.

They certainly didn’t like the people that Jim, was hanging out with. Jim managed to get a favour off them. They owned a cabin on Bowen Island and agreed for us to visit it. But NOT to go inside. They locked it. There were five or six of us and we had sleeping bags, all the needs to camp outside. One of us, a fairly heavy-set fellow had mastered the art of faring at will. He kept us laughing all night as he kept up a symphony of farts. We were on foot and left the next day. Aside from the farting maniac it was a boring time.

Jim became a layer and this is where the rot began. Ron and I had some business that we knew that Jim the lawyer could take care of. We went to his office and sat around while he perused our problem. Surprisingly he had adopted his parents snobbishness and it was a very uncomfortable meeting.

Jim met a lovely girl, Darlene, and fell in love. I think they got married pretty early on. Anyways I remember a party somewhere near Victoria where I met her. At one point we were talking between ourselves and she said “You don’t like Jim very much, do you.” I was astounded at her insight. I thought my growing dislike was well hidden. I tried to explain to her why I had trouble with his persona but was still flabbergasted and am not sure she understood.

Anyways I’m 80 now. Both Ron and Jim are dead along with a whole bunch of friends. The most fun now is remembering the past.

Ron’s Mom, Ron Shulman, Jim Blair/1963

Got a story about these two. Maybe tomorrow