mediatinker: 40x365

349. Gail

2007-03-15T00:02:42Z

Gail was my friend throughout high school. She had Princess Diana hair, twirled flags for the team, edited the yearbook, and sewed her own prom gown We wore the preppy style, but she was a real one and I wasn’t.

350. Emily

2007-03-15T23:57:07Z

Although we are cousins, I’ve only met Emily twice. As a pre-teen, she doted on my baby niece. At17, Emily had become a hard-edged goth/punk with an acerbic humour and contempt to hide insecurity. She should have been named Enid.

351. Bad Girl

2007-03-17T12:53:33Z

A third grader with a bad home life and nothing to lose, she preferred to go see the principal than to sit in class. She hated anyone who tried to reach her. My teacher training failed me (and her) completely.

352. Bernie

2007-03-18T11:00:05Z

Bernie was the university theatre’s “token black” but he didn’t seem to mind – he got all the black male parts! He also bossed the scene construction crews, persuading members to saw, screw and paint to the tunes of Steely Dan.

353. Nick

2007-03-19T10:50:31Z

Nick was laid back, working slowly and carefully to get a job done. We hung a door together one Saturday afternoon. It was perfect. He was reserved and private, hiding his sharp, wry wit until he knew you well enough.

354. Thom

2007-03-20T10:45:51Z

Thom had vision. As artistic director of a small theatre, he put it to good use. But he had a creative temperament and a short temper. Actors wailed. Crew seethed. Thom got what he wanted. The show always went on.

355. Debra

2007-03-21T09:51:51Z

Debbie was a petite redhead in my class at school. Naturally athletic and smart, too, she was the shortest girl on the basketball team, but she was also among most skilled. Nothing seemed to frighten her; she had older brothers.

356. Heather

2007-03-22T00:10:31Z

Heather was voluminous wavy hair, generous womanly curves and a high-spirited, strong will. Admirably creative, she designed tattoos, made her own glass beads, collaged an entire room of her old house. We lost touch when her ex met my sister.

357. Jeremy

2007-03-22T15:38:18Z

Jeremy does not swim so much as lope through the pool. He moves in water like a Labrador running joyously and triumphantly across a field. So natural, so seemingly effortless. Perfectly gorgeous. He is an inspiration and an unwitting mentor.

358. Samir

2007-03-24T09:35:02Z

Samir was not pleased when I joined his project team. He was less pleased when my organization skills put me in a leadership role. He quit the team because he couldn't stand to work for a woman. Classic male chauvanist.

361. Helen

2007-03-27T09:45:25Z

Helen is a teenaged mystery to me now, but I remember bundling her into a baby backpack for her first floppy foray into the outdoors. She's grown up fast and far away – I'm very sorry I missed most of it.

362. The Dish

2007-03-28T09:41:30Z

Taking reverse sexism by storm, each girl in my office clique claimed a dishy coworker. My Dish had a cleft chin, a sparkle in his eye and a haircut that made him look like he'd stepped out of a movie.

363. Jenn

2007-03-29T09:46:04Z

Jenn seemed to have it easy; Mom & Dad never yelled at her for fighting with me even when she started it. We were (usually) best of friends as kids and though distance separates us now, I love her hugely.

364. Joe

2007-03-30T09:31:46Z

Joe figured out early that if you couldn't be book smart, it paid to be funny. He was the class clown, always cracking jokes and doing silly things to deflect attention from his lack of homework preparation. Schoolgirl crush material.

365. Dad

2007-03-30T15:36:19Z

The bookend of my world and 40x365. Dad spoke wisely, believed in joy, thought logically. He invented and created, kept his workplace tidy, preferred home to abroad. He knew and shared the tricks to get through life. I miss him.