PEP Bus Blues

Before our "more serious academic years," I remember riding the Pep Bus to football games. Do you remember what you did on the Pep Bus? (Please use some discretion when commenting back!).

Ronnie Word and I rode the Pep Bus occasionally when we were in junior high. Now, Ronnie was the kind of kid back then that had sideburns in the 7th grade (and I do hope he reads this). I mean, really, sideburns! To this day, I'd settle for a beard of any kind!

I always thought Ronnie was cool. He had sideburns and long hair! I'd usually do about anything Ronnie suggested, which at times wound up getting me in trouble - but I'll save those recollections for another post. So, during out pre-trip planning, Ronnie dared me to "get some lip" during the bus ride, with someone of my choosing. (That's what we called it in those days - "getting lip." We didn't use words like "kiss." I only wish our kids today were that innocent). We actually planned this, mind you. Instead of paying attention - like we should have been - in Mrs. Scarborough's junior high English class, we were scheming as to the best method for stealing a kiss from our favorite sweetie.

I'm not sure who Ronnie saddled up to ('cause with sideburns, you could play the field) but I think I wound up sitting next to Gina Houston. (Thank you, Gina.) I'm certain that I either won her over with my school boy charms, or else she felt like baby sitting. (At 14 or so, I looked probably 9). You know, Gina was a cheerleader and nothing could be hotter than trying to kiss a cheerleader. In fact, when I think about it...sorry, I digress...back to the bus...

Gina allowed me to sit with her, for which I am eternally grateful. It was either on the way to the game, or the way back...can't remember. But, the following was my "plan" to steal her affections (Ronnie was a mastermind at this, all the credit goes to Sideburn Boy): I was to pretend that I wanted to tell her a secret, see? I'd put my arm around her, have her lean over so that nobody could hear "the secret" then, BAM, lay one on her!

And, it worked...sort of. I was able to execute "the plan" but I think I made her ear bleed! If you'll recall, the roads to wherever we were going were NEVER smooth and the busses were NEVER new and about the time I was ready to unload an "Elvis Presley" style smooch, the bus lurched - and I think I plunged my tooth into her little ear.

It wasn't my best move, to say the least. Ronnie got four kisses, I got ear flesh. But, it sure beat riding with my parents.

That's okay though...I always leaned a bit to the dramatic side. Not everyone got to bite off part of a girl's ear on a Pep Bus.

So, what did you do on the Pep Bus trips (beside singing to the strains of "...nah, nah, nah-nah, nah, nah, nah-nah, hey, hey, hey...goodbye")?

-Ken