Half Birthday Surprise

I am halfway to my next birthday, an occasion I have always noted. I had an interesting surprise this morning from the past, in the form of an email written to be delivered ten years in the future. I mused about what my life would be like on this date. Fortunately I did get some stuff right like hoping to have gotten an advanced degree and to still be playing music. I didn't think I'd be any better on guitar but I honestly think I am. I mentioned Bob, the guy who played bass in our band then. He unfortunately died three years ago of a heart attack, sitting in a chair watching TV.  That band had broken up but I still kept in touch with him. I was also correct that the company that employed me would no longer exist. Other things I won't mention I did get very wrong but that's to be expected. I am not on the verge of retirement as I thought. I am no longer doing crossword puzzles but still am a big Manchester United fan. I also make no mention of running which is my other passion now. I was running back then but hadn't done any organized races. It is also good to see that I am still the same weight as I was back then: 167 lbs.  The question is: do I write another one for 2027?


I never heard this song before last Wednesday but really like it, especially the reference to Manchester United.

Finally, the evidence.

Last week, the diploma arrived. I was very pleased to receive it. There was no mid-year ceremony so the question is whether I go to the May ceremony and walk with other grads. I didn't go to my undergrad so why start now. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind having a graduation party.

Now I have something to do when I retire. I am in no hurry but if things change for the worse at work, I might reconsider. Bonuses are nice to get every year. Now things are going very well. As much as I detest the buffoon in the White House, he has been good for retirement accounts.too.

Finished!

I passed the oral exam but I wouldn't say it was with flying colors. I hadn't realized that there were three grades I could receive- pass, pass with distinction and fail- until I spoke with a former classmate the night before the exam. I passed but not with distinction so when I was done, I was feeling a bit down on myself.  Not that I thought that I was that great during the exam. I did a bad job on the first question about the way in which liberalism changed from 1898 to 1945 which I think set the tone for the rest of the exam. I made a statement which caused the professor to raise her eyes in disagreement and then it was kind of downhill from there. I thought I did an okay job on the other questions but nothing that merited distinction. I almost felt like I was a beneficiary of "social promotion:" they couldn't very well fail me as I had gotten all A's in the courses I took in the program. As the exam has receded, I am feeling better about finishing. I might even have a graduation party in January.  Of course, if I hadn't talked to the classmate, I wouldn't have known about the the two levels of passing and would have been okay with the result. What I am pleased about is that I can now count myself among the 75% of persons with post-graduate degrees who disapprove of Trump. What a disaster the next four years will be!

Countdown to the oral exam

I have been spending quite a lot of time reading and prepping for the oral exam for my master's degree. It is scheduled for this Thursday, December 8 at 11 am. I asked whether it will be a back and forth and if I will get any further questioning from my interrogators as I answer.  I was told "no" so I will talk non-stop for an hour. I am very happy to be done.

Thinking of having my band do this song



 

A Sort of Disturbing Exhibit

It probably isn't designed to be that way but it is.  PostSecret: The Power of a Postcard is an exhibit of post cards on which people write their darkest hidden secrets, sent to an address somewhere in Maryland. There are a lot of heartbreaking ones to read about lost or unrequited love, miserable relationships, disappointed parents and children. 

Prepping for my oral exam

Not with a dentist, but with a panel of my professors. I need  to answer nine questions posed to me on topics from the courses I took. The exam is an hour so that averages about seven minutes per answer. I need to clarify whether it is a monologue of me blathering for the entire time or a dialogue where they will ask me more questions or challenge some of my statements. Previous classmates have assured me that i will do fine but still I have been doing lots of reading. I know that I can be very inarticulate and inexpressive so I will need to be well-prepared. Presuming I pass, I will get my degree in January. Maybe I will have the grduation party I never had when I finall finished my bachelors at 29 years old.

After a drive through central PA

Also known as Pennsyl- tucky. Not surprising but still.

But just in case