FreeLists / lit-ideas / [lit-ideas] Re: Where I'm Coming From

["Mike Geary" <atlas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

DR;

> Like any society, this one had its samurai, all of whom had thrown up 
> earthworks a while back and were now engaged--in classic academic 
> manner--in the game of lobbing, from time to time, mortar shots at anyone 
> who seemed to be interesting in storming their particular hill.  When they 
> weren't shooting they were, of course, giving polite waves and then 
> sweeping feathered caps with grand motions, classic eighteenth century 
> bows, deep genuflections.  And then there were the graduate students and 
> new-minted temps, whose task it was to take one of the balls that had 
> rolled down the hill from an earthwork and add something humble to it, a 
> change of direction, a new layer, a bit of sparkle.  Which efforts were 
> approved from the top of the hills, or given the old raised eyebrow.  And 
> then there were one or two versions of me, middle career people who 
> strolled around in sturdy garb, behaving as if there weren't a war on. 
> Some of us won considerable applause...from all but the samurai.


Thank you for this paragraph.  It reminded me of why I chose to work in 140 
degree F. attics instead of air conditioned classrooms.  I was having a 
very, very hard time remembering why all day today.  Yes, I sometimes want 
to kick myself, but then something or someone kindly reminds me.  Thanks 
again.

Mike Geary
Mr. Coldfinger
of Memphis


------------------------------------------------------------------
To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off,
digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html