Way back in 1983, I was chosen over every other mush-brained highschool art student in the country to receive the president's scholarship, which is the top scholarship of the "big eight" institutions that are considered the top art schools in the U.S.. Anyway - I blew that because I was anything but a dedicated student. I did, however, meet some very interesting people, and had more than my share of enriching experiences. One such person was Stretch - He came from Phillidelphia, and lived in the dorms as well as me. We were not the best students, and at the time Stretch, as far as I could tell, worked in the medium of scotch tape, paper, and string. Stretch was rather short and stocky, and was always smiling. He could cheer up the most grim of faces. We worked on a project together last term and actually got into a full-blown fist fight over it (I still have the scar over my right eye). Anyway - Thanks to Myspace, I discovered that Stretch has made quite a name for himself in the world of sculpture. He travels the globe installing his works and lecturing, etc... He also became a business owner in Kansas City. After completing his classes at the art institute in Kansas City, he finished up in Virginia. Anyway - He couldn't believe that it was me e-mailing him, and we kept in touch for nearly a year, then, last weekend, who should appear at my front door? You guessed it. It had been 23 years since I last saw him face to face. He was installing a peice in his Des Moines gallery and went four hours out of his way to drop in on me. We talked at the house, went to dinner at the Happy Chef, then talked a bit more, then he went on his way. It was great. It sort of made me realize that art school really happened and the Kansas City Art Institute hosted me, indeed, for a year. He had not changed at all. Still Stretch after all this time. It made me feel good. Although my school experience was not the best, I still feel special that I got in in the first place. I was put on academic probation and maintained a 1.58 GPA there, but I still get a little glow of sunshine when I think back to my art school days. I learned, if anything, that all of our life experiences are both good and bad, but in the end - The good prevails, man. The good prevails.