Then and Now

Yesterday was the 20th Anniversary of the first date I had with this girl named Nicole, who became my wife. While not the event of an anniversary, this was definitely cause for celebration. We went to see Quantum of Solace, the latest installation in the 007 Series. Along the way we grabbed a quick meal and bought Nicole some sunglasses. (How 1980s of us to hang at the mall.) We almost toilet-papered our friends’ house (we got caught trying to TP his parents house on that fateful day) but decided against it. I thought a then/now was in order, so here goes:

 

1988

2008

President

Ronald Reagan

George W. Bush

We drove in… 1979 Chevy Nova, manual transmission on the column, later changed to a 3-speed Hurst shifter. This car was two shades of brown (three including the rust).

Black 2001 Saturn LS200

Job

Student and carpet-store helper

IT Consultant

I wore… Bugle boy jeans (tight-rolled, baby)

Oversized polo

Red Knight swim jacket,

Sebago Campsides with no socks

Dress pants, shirt and coat.

US Enemies Communism and the Eastern Bloc (We didn’t know the Cold War would end soon.)

Militant Radical Muslims

We went to…

Cocoon: the Return

(The Naked Gun was sold out – I should have picked Rattle and Hum.) NEVER take a date to a sequel when she hasn’t seen the original installment.

Quantum of Solace

Cost of gasoline

$1.05

$1.79

Before the movie… I was late. It takes a lot of time to shower and preen after swim practice.

Eyeglass shopping without the kids.

Height

5′ 10″

6′ 1″

After movie food/drink…

Dessert and coffee at The Coffee Trader (R.I.P.)

Leftover pumpkin pie and a Vesper

Weight

150 pounds

More

Curfew

Midnight (from my parents)

~10:00 (The sitter can’t stay forever.)

Hair

Blonde

Brown (OK, a little gray too!)

Written Communication

Notes passed between classes

E-mail, IM, texting

MLHS Freshman Religion Teacher

Mr. Pollock

Mr. Pollock

Theater Admission

$5.50

$9.50

Quick fact lookup

Milwaukee Public Library’s Ready Reference (people who took phone calls and found facts for you)

Google/The Internet

Brewer pitcher most likely to wind up on the DL

Teddy Higuera

Ben Sheets

Person I most wanted to go on a date with

Nicole Potosnyak

Nicole Strelow