Most likely to . . .

I spent a few hours this weekend catching up with a friend of mine from high school. When I got home, I continued to wax nostalgic by hauling out my yearbook and the "senior supplement" that went with it. The senior supplement is basically a book of lists reflecting the fads and favorites of our graduating class, and a "most/best/worst" list.

I wanted so badly to be voted most likely to write a book no one would understand, but my best friend won that honor. I, on the other hand, was voted:

• most unique
  
• most likely to change the world
• most liberal
  
• most likely to argue or question authority
• most likely to overthrow a country
  
• most likely to be a groupie

What image do these superlatives conjure in your head? Well, unless you knew me in high school, your mental picture is probably wrong.

I went to a parochial school. I was considered unique because I wore combat boots with my maroon polyester uniform. I was considered liberal, world-changing, anti-authority and revolutionary because I had opinions of my own, wasn't into sports and didn't generally cave in to peer pressure. I was considered potential groupie material because I quoted song lyrics on my notebook covers.

Now it's 15 years later, and neither I nor my friend have written a book (understandable or otherwise). I still haven't changed the world or run off with a band. My political and world views, while certainly liberal, are not by any means radical or revolutionary. I still voice my opinions, but I recognize that they are just that--my opinions. I guess some would call me unique, but aren't we all unique in some way or another? And is there such a thing as "most" unique?