Have you ever completely forgotten something about yourself? I was flipping through an old yearbook (very old: 1982), and I read the caption underneath a picture. I recognized myself in the photo, but it looked very formal– after all I was wearing a blue blazer (one that in revolving fashion was sold last year at J Crew, I believe). It had “Pres.” next to my name.

Pres? Present? Yes, that much is obvious, as I am after all in the picture. Prescient? Were they make a commentary on my ability to anticipate future events? Probably not. No, evidently I was President of the 7th grade class. This is a fact that I don’t remember at all. Zero. In my version of my life, this did not happen.

Did I run for office? That seems awfully forward of me. Did I have to give a speech? Did I pass out? Was it a pity vote? That may be the only explanation.

Now I’m wondering what else I have forgotten. Did I end up in student council at one point? I thought of myself as a theater and choir geek, but what if I actually had a highly organized political (or revolutionary) agenda that has since escaped me? Or did the early political experience damage me so severely that I blocked it, and never did anything like it again?

Mystery.