Going back to school after so many years has proved interesting in more ways than one.<\/p>\n
I was sitting on the pavement in my favorite library-wall alcove yesterday, peacefully eating my lunch, when what I took to be another Older Student (ca. 40 male) walked by, carrying a sandwich packaged as though he’d gotten it from a vending machine.<\/p>\n
He stopped, looked at me, and said “I never would have thought to eat lunch there. May I join you and eat lunch?”<\/p>\n
I said sure, it was a great place to eat lunch, I always ate lunch there, and he sat down and introduced himself as Steve. We chit-chatted a bit, the usual small talk, and he asked me if I had a class that afternoon. I had just taken a bite out of my sandwich, so I said “Mmm-hmmm.” And of course then he asked me what class it was, and when I said “Welding,” there was this looonnnng pause.<\/p>\n
“Oh,” he said. “Well. I, uh, think it’s great that they have… um, vocational classes. I had no idea they taught welding here.”<\/p>\n
I gather he thought that Granny in the Alcove had signed up for Introduction to Emily Dickinson, or Art Appreciation, or some other appropriate class for grannies.<\/p>\n
“I’m into Philosophy, myself,” he said. “And I’d love to stay and finish this sandwich here, but I just noticed I have a meeting in five minutes, so I guess I’ll have to finish the sandwich there. If you ever want to sign up for a Philosophy class, be sure to look me up!”<\/p>\n
Ah! Division meeting (everyone seemed to have them today) and he was a teacher, not a student.<\/p>\n
I took a Philosophy class once, as an undergrad, and it was a good thing I was taking it pass\/fail and the prof really, really liked me, so he passed me. Under other circumstances I would have flunked it solid. Chances of my ever taking Philosophy again… um, well, sorry, Steve, but maybe we can do lunch again someday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Going back to school after so many years has proved interesting in more ways than one. I was sitting on the pavement in my favorite library-wall alcove yesterday, peacefully eating my lunch, when what I took to be another Older … Continue reading