Partial recall
Even though I haven’t seen him in years, on October third I am always reminded that today is Brian Princer’s birthday.
Brian and I were best friends throughout elementary school and most of middle school. After that, our interests diverged, as they tend to do. But in our single-digit years we were inseparable. Between the two of us we amassed most of the Transformers, He-Men, and GI Joes. In an admirable example of progressive parenting, we also both had Cabbage Patch Dolls. Friday night sleepovers included viewings of Knight Rider, Airwolf, and sometimes Dallas. His older brothers were surrogates for the elder siblings I never had, and while my parents were staunch holdouts in the videogame revolution, I was introduced to the Apple II, Atari 2600, and finally Nintendo at his house.
And for some reason, I always remember his birthday.
I suspect this isn’t unusual. As adults, we find ourselves repeatedly calling up obscure information that no longer seems crucial, arcana that will never be supplanted by more relevent data. For example, I’ve forgotten everything I learned in my college psychology classes, but I’ll forever retain the lyrics to “Bust A Move.”
(Which is useful at parties, I have to say.)
Of course, it would be callous to presume that knowing Brian’s birthday isn’t useful. Maybe it’s my brain’s way of keeping him somehow logged in the chaotic muniments of my personal history.
This is all by way of saying: Happy birthday, Brian. Maybe I’ll see you at the bar on Thanksgiving.
Posted: October 3rd, 2006 under General.
Comments: 9
Comments
Comment from Dan
Time: 4 October 2006, 08:42
This is partially off the subject, but I just had to say that until 2 minutes ago, I thought I was the only person in the world who was a fan of Airwolf.
I now have company.
Comment from John
Time: 4 October 2006, 08:43
Oh, you’re not alone.
Jan-Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine — how could it fail?
Comment from Jenny
Time: 4 October 2006, 15:20
Happy Birthday, Brian Princer! I forgive you for following me and my little brother home from elementary school and yelling poorly thought-out taunts at us if you forgive me for sending you a similarly poorly thought-out mean letter addressed to “Brian Princess,” which your mom intercepted and for which I got grounded.
Comment from Jake
Time: 4 October 2006, 15:34
Oh man. I’ve opened up a whole can of regression-therapy worms.
Comment from Skymother
Time: 5 October 2006, 01:57
That’ll teach you to remember anything.
Like Blue Thunder.
Comment from katie
Time: 5 October 2006, 15:21
yeah, this entry brought up a very vague memory of my slow dancing with Brian Princer at the Limit freshman year of high school. how or why that occurred I have seriously no idea. thanks jake!
Comment from BP
Time: 6 October 2006, 14:11
That’s freaky, I recall July 12th as well. Oh well. I hope this finds you well. I generally don’t come back to Grinnell until Christmas as I work here in Chicago the day after thanksgiving.
Comment from Olivia
Time: 10 October 2006, 15:21
i’ll be either drinking at the bar or drinking at Brian Cochran’s wedding reception. or both.
see you there?
Comment from Jake
Time: 10 October 2006, 15:49
Brian Cochran’s getting MARRIED? [sound of head exploding]
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