For a while it felt as though time had frozen. I've been experiencing a bit of a phaseout for about three hours now. To think that just this afternoon I sat in a lecture hall listening to the nasal rants of Professor Leacock seems odd. Classes and schoolwork feel pushed in the past, as if when I awoke from my power nap there was a closed captioned footnote that read, "The Next Weekend..." Life abruptly has this weekendish vibe, a carefree, dog-lazy attitude.

A striking black book channelled me and released me from a trance. How did my senior yearbook get into my apartment? I noticed it during my productive staring-at-the-wall time. Who packed it? Well, no one packed anything except for yours truly. Somehow my when my yearbook was collecting dust in my Pensacola bedroom closet, it must have done what parents always claim objects never do: gotten up and walked away. Off the bookshelf, hopped across the carpet, and hid in one of my bags so I would unwittingly escort him to Gainesville. There's no other explanation. This reminds me of my freshmen year at UF when a few months into the year, this blue dress shirt appeared neatly hung in the corner of my closet. I didn't recognize the shirt and still to this day am convinced the shirt was not mine. It was a good-looking shirt, though, and it's become one of my favorites.

My point about the yearbook: I felt compelled to pick him up and start reading and remember the good old days of Tate High School. The memories overwhelmed my system as I flipped through the pages: activities I used to enjoy, girls I used to have crushes on, teachers who are still in the system I graduated from a few years back. You can brush through all the picture pages, but the essence of the yearbook comes from the messages and signatures you collect from friends, acquaintances, and teachers. The messages from my true friends had deep feeling, inside jokes, and speeches of farewell, good luck, and love. Most yearbook signatures are from casual school acquaintances, people you might have had good times with at school but rarely saw off campus or shared deep talks. Those people give you the cookie-cutter goodbyes that all sort of mesh together. The school acquaintances mention a moment or event that gives each entry a smidgeon of uniqueness, but for the most part they all preach the same speech. Observe:

Anthony- I can't believe it's actually over (yeah!) I had tons of fun w/ you guys in homeroom and in band. Good luck in all you do. I sure will miss you! KIT and always remember... Tarzan rules!

Antonio... Hey buddy! You're a great guy and I loved getting to know you through the years. From Mrs. Cope to Ms. Robertson, it's been fun. May God bless all you do and what you become.

Anthony, It's been fun having Government with you. You are a great man. But remember: one day you and Andrew are going down, cuz we're gonna ace you guys (me and John). Have fun in college and good luck in whatever you do.

Anthony... Well what can I say! You are a bright person and will go far in life! I hope whatever you do in the future you will be happy! Good luck in life! Hope to see you in 10 years ahead!

Anthony, Well dude it's finally over. That's crazy. We have known each other forever and it's been a blast. I know I will see you over time but do great.

Anthony... We have made it all the way from Mrs. Cope's class and now we're graduating. You are so intelligent and have a great personality, I know you will go very far in life. Thanks for always being such a sweety! We will have to get together at UF sometime.

Go back to your old yearbook and read the messages, and you'll see a whole bunch of it's-been-fun-getting-to-know-you's, you're-great's, good-luck-(not-that-you-need-it!)'s, and hope-to-see-you-around's. Of course your real friends write special messages that warm your heart.

I read those too. Shows me how lucky I've been to share so many moments with such great people.