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XXOO Chris |
The 80’s officially ended for me on one of those freaky hot April days in Chicago. You know the kind, the trees and flowers are barely blooming and, all of a sudden, the temperature skyrockets. Windows fly open and everyone rushes outside wearing shorts for the first time that year. I was off to my Aunt Laurie’s house for a birthday party. This was going to be the perfect setting to spring the whole "France" thing on my parents. How could they say "No!" in front of the whole family? That was my plan. But oh, I was so nervous that day! I waited for the party to wind down and held my breath until everyone had eaten and coffee talk had begun. My moment had finally arrived. "Hey, Mom and Dad, can I go to France next year to study?" Their reaction was exactly as I had imagined it would be. Dad just sort of… yelled and Mom began every sentence with "Now, Chris…!" It looked hopeless, but I had back-up. Aunts Laurie, Cindy and Boo took over for me and within a half hour of making my parents feel like mean, awful people, the ladies had achieved the impossible. I was going to France! I couldn’t believe it. That night I drove back to the dorms along Lake Shore Drive. I rolled down all the windows and let the warm wind rush in. "Angel" by the Eurythmics was on the car stereo, Chicago’s majestic skyline unfolded in front of me and, then and there, I fell in love with being alive for perhaps the first time in my life. "Angel" wasn’t much of a chartopper but whenever I hear it I remember that feeling of complete happiness, relief and excitement. I’ll always cherish that moment. A few weeks later it was the end of the school year. I was up in my dorm room studying for exams when all of a sudden…eyes covered, DARK, bag on my head, hands on my shoulders, someone’s got my legs, up in the air, SWOOSH, BUMP, OUCH, laughing, down the stairs, CRASH, BUMP, OUCH, more laughing, SHOOSH, dropped to the floor, bag off…SURPRISE! It was my going away party thrown by Theresa (See 1988) and Tyler (1989). Gosh, I was gonna miss them all so much. Emilee was at the party too. If she only knew the plans I had in store for her… Well, school ended, I said my tearful goodbyes and plowed full force into my summer work schedule to get cash for Europe. I had a tuition waver from school but I still needed some play dough. I ended up getting a summer job at a small architecture firm in Joliet and, of course, I worked for Dad’s carnival on the weekends. It was summer fun, counting down the days for my departure. And summer lovin’, too. Had me a blast! I even strayed a bit from my Emilee obsession. I was on vacation, after all. I had a mini-crush on a girl, Maria Rafac, who I worked with at the office. I also had a crush on a boy, Brian Atwood, who now works for Donatella. Not bad. And I had a big crush on Madonna. Duh. I saw her Blonde Ambition tour twice that summer at the Rosemont Horizon. I even bought a ponytail extension so I could get that "I Dream of Genie" look. When September came I was all crushed out and ready for my departure. The day of my flight, I was so excited I could hardly stand it!!! My mom, on the other hand, was crying. She and my Dad wouldn’t even park the car and wait with me for my plane! So I got dropped off, waved goodbye, checked my luggage and I was now French! The gate was like a big party. All my classmates who I hadn’seen since May were there with their friends and family saying their last goodbyes. I had no one, so I decided I would hang out with – you guessed it – Emilee. She looked stunning. My foolproof plan was beginning to unfold. Oddly enough, Emilee had run into an old friend from high school at our gate named Keith. He was seeing off a mutual friend. I would meet him again many years later, but that’s another long, long story… "Now boarding Air France, Flight 152!" Well, readers, what happens next? I kinda can’t tell you, as this is my cliffhanger, but Cher did win the Oscar! Thanks everyone for reading. I had so much fun and I hope you did, too! Stay tuned for another season of Chartoppers, 90’s style! (Coming sometime soon…) But, I just have one thing left to say…Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it! Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it. "Vogue!" Love, Chris |
Because I Love You (The Postman Song) - Stevie B Black Cat - Janet Jackson Black Velvet - Alannah Myles Blaze Of Glory - Jon Bon Jovi Close To You - Maxi Priest Escapade - Janet Jackson Hold On - Wilson Phillips How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolton I Don't Have The Heart - James Ingram Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice If Wishes Came True - Sweet Sensation I'll Be Your Everything - Tommy Page I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston It Must Have Been Love – Roxette Love And Affection – Nelson Love Takes Time - Mariah Carey Love Will Lead You Back - Taylor Dayne Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor Opposites Attract - Paula Abdul With The Wild Pair Praying For Time - George Michael Release Me - Wilson Phillips She Ain't Worth It - Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown Step By Step - The New Kids On The Block Vision Of Love - Mariah Carey Vogue - Madonna |
