Archives
August 2007
8/18/07
The Calm Before the Storm
8/10/07
Saturday, August 18, 2007
1:56:00 AM EDT
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing KJAZ Radio
The campus is hushed and still as the last rays of sunshine slant through stately elms who stretch their leafy branches protectively across manicured lawns. It’s the calm before the storm, the last bit of solace before students begin swarming the campus tomorrow for orientation and then Monday when classes resume. This is my favorite time of day, when night and day meet, exchange a handshake and collaborate to paint the western horizon. Sometimes their work is dazzling with brilliant colors strewn out across the heavens. Other times their efforts are thwarted by an evening storm or a sky so devoid of clouds that the sun can only slide beneath the horizon in a blaze of red and orange. Today’s sunset is partially obscured by incoming clouds from the west holding the much-anticipated promise of rain. Although the colors are not stunning the escaping light has turned many of the approaching storm clouds deep purple and a velvety azure.
Out of the silence emerges the clickity-clack sound of wheels rhythmically striking cracks in the sidewalk. Soon a young lad makes his way past a line of buildings, his long hair swept behind, hands dangling at his side while he occasionally kicks out at the sidewalk to propel himself forward. He seems much too young to be attending university … or is it that I am getting too old? As he rounds a corner and disappears two red squirrels dash my way, engaged in a game of tag or chase. Their chatter echoes off the nearby buildings as they begin running round and round a sculpture to my left. From the frantic sound of their chatter they could be arguing about who’s tree is the highest or warning one-another to stay away from their winter stores. The lead squirrel sprints for a tree, gets halfway up, runs back down the other side and is off like a shot into the distance. Two girls and a boy stroll by, steeped in conversations about parents, work, and a boring summer. “My parents are so fr****ng dull. They are like in bed every night by 9:30! It’s barely dark and they’re like soooo tired!” They all laugh. The other girl pipes up, “Sh…it yeah. Half the time I’m not ready to go out until my parents are in bed. Then they get all pissed cause I didn’t like tell them I was going out.” All three roll their eyes while the petite blond continues, “Like I’m going to barge in and maybe…” she pauses as if loathe to continue, “…like interrupt them doing SOMETHING.” A chorus of moans and shudders erupts from the group as they move on.
Next week the campus will be so crowded with bodies, so full of conversations that everything and everyone will blend together. Tonight however, every passing creature is an intrusion easy to notice and comment upon. Even the dull roar of distant cars can be clearly distinguished in the distance. As for me I sit here and watch the night overcome the day.
I still can’t believe another school year is about to begin. Although I don’t have my dissertation to worry about it seems like there are already several new tasks to replace it. There is new committee work to accomplish, articles to write, and of course the BIGGIE is the accreditation visit that will happen this spring. Lucky me I get write the early childhood report for this visit. Another document that should consist of many pages… more trees to be sacrificed for our requirements. However, the biggest task to accomplish is selling our house where I used to work and buy another up here. Not going well so far although it has only been 36 days or so. Yet my love is getting quite antsy and discouraged at being left alone again all week when I travel up here to teach. She hates us being separated and it is taking a toll on her. We’ve been trying to spiff up the house a bit… painting the insides, getting rid of the old carpet, emptying out the house of our belongings.
But that’s for another time as I’m all done in and need to get up early to meet with some of the freshmen and share my insights as professor poor blokes. Thanks for listening and leaving a comment, it means a lot to know you are here.
Until next time… Be well… Laugh often … Play hard.
“Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forgo and advantage.”
- Disraeli
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1:56:00 AM EDT
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing KJAZ Radio
The Calm Before the Storm
Out of the silence emerges the clickity-clack sound of wheels rhythmically striking cracks in the sidewalk. Soon a young lad makes his way past a line of buildings, his long hair swept behind, hands dangling at his side while he occasionally kicks out at the sidewalk to propel himself forward. He seems much too young to be attending university … or is it that I am getting too old? As he rounds a corner and disappears two red squirrels dash my way, engaged in a game of tag or chase. Their chatter echoes off the nearby buildings as they begin running round and round a sculpture to my left. From the frantic sound of their chatter they could be arguing about who’s tree is the highest or warning one-another to stay away from their winter stores. The lead squirrel sprints for a tree, gets halfway up, runs back down the other side and is off like a shot into the distance. Two girls and a boy stroll by, steeped in conversations about parents, work, and a boring summer. “My parents are so fr****ng dull. They are like in bed every night by 9:30! It’s barely dark and they’re like soooo tired!” They all laugh. The other girl pipes up, “Sh…it yeah. Half the time I’m not ready to go out until my parents are in bed. Then they get all pissed cause I didn’t like tell them I was going out.” All three roll their eyes while the petite blond continues, “Like I’m going to barge in and maybe…” she pauses as if loathe to continue, “…like interrupt them doing SOMETHING.” A chorus of moans and shudders erupts from the group as they move on.
Next week the campus will be so crowded with bodies, so full of conversations that everything and everyone will blend together. Tonight however, every passing creature is an intrusion easy to notice and comment upon. Even the dull roar of distant cars can be clearly distinguished in the distance. As for me I sit here and watch the night overcome the day.
I still can’t believe another school year is about to begin. Although I don’t have my dissertation to worry about it seems like there are already several new tasks to replace it. There is new committee work to accomplish, articles to write, and of course the BIGGIE is the accreditation visit that will happen this spring. Lucky me I get write the early childhood report for this visit. Another document that should consist of many pages… more trees to be sacrificed for our requirements. However, the biggest task to accomplish is selling our house where I used to work and buy another up here. Not going well so far although it has only been 36 days or so. Yet my love is getting quite antsy and discouraged at being left alone again all week when I travel up here to teach. She hates us being separated and it is taking a toll on her. We’ve been trying to spiff up the house a bit… painting the insides, getting rid of the old carpet, emptying out the house of our belongings.
But that’s for another time as I’m all done in and need to get up early to meet with some of the freshmen and share my insights as professor poor blokes. Thanks for listening and leaving a comment, it means a lot to know you are here.
Until next time… Be well… Laugh often … Play hard.
“Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forgo and advantage.”
- Disraeli
Written by madmanadhd Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has 9 comments: (Add your own)
-
Hi Michael,
So glad to hear that you are back at school doing what you love to do. Good luck at your new school, and good luck with the new semester. Oh, and good luck relocating.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay -
I do hope we will still be treated to your visits.... I missed you so... oh the brain tumor thingy... inoperable. Read the entry "Doctor Doctor" in my June archives... gives you the results of almost months worth of scares and tests and wrong docs... etc..
Life... CARPE DIEM!
be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/ -
Best wishes and prayers for getting the house sold and all settled in your new locations! You have real talent for descriptive writing. I could see the campus at sunset and hear the wheels clattering on the sidewalk. Being drawn right in is a treat for your readers.
I hve a question -- maybe it is tacky to ask so it's OK not to answer. Our daughter (age 30) was dating a man with ADHD and their relationship (recently) went down the tube due to his being unable to 'get it' that being reliably there when he promised to be there was important. If he 'got it', he was unable to say so and deal with apologizing in an adult way and making an effort to change. Instead he tried to pretend it could be fixed by ignoring the problem and then he lost his temper and spouted off. Is this something connected with his ADHD or would it just be his attitudes being immature? I thought maybe you could give me some insight into this?
Loving you with His love
karyl -
I'm always amazed at the difference on campus between summer and fall. I much prefer the summer. It seems as if time is standing still and the campus is so peaceful and lovely. Good luck with the house. I know the housing market here is the pits! -Kelly
8/26/07 5:02 PM
http://journals.aol.com/rdaut