Dear Wigleaf, I've been thinking a lot lately about high school yearbooks. I can't find mine anywhere, but I'm not sure I really want it. I remember it as a document deeply personal, full of witty observations and personal notes. The truth, likely, is that most of what is written in it is deeply generic, the things that teenagers say to each other when they have nothing to say: Have a great summer, Stay cool, Never change, See you next year, can't wait! Can't wait to see you next year. Have a great summer! Stay cool! I hope you have a fun summer! It is possible to say something while also saying nothing. I remember toward the end of high school the style was to write HAGS, to say have a great summer without even saying the whole thing. Shorthand for shorthand. You know what I mean, when I say, I'm not saying, I'm just saying, etc. But that was so long ago. I would probably do the same now, if presented with a yearbook, or write some fabulous lie, or I would refuse to sign at all. There are so many other ways to lack depth of sentiment now. Are yearbooks the same in the age of social media, when you can be deeply generic at hundreds of people at a time without much effort? Maybe they have turned beautiful and heartfelt in response. Stay cool, never change, have a great summer, love ya 4ever, Zach - - -
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