[lit-ideas] Re: Where I'm Coming From
- From: "Mike Geary" <atlas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:40:29 -0500
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
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