Headwinds and Tailwinds

I found this podcast very interesting. It's an interview with two social psychologists who have researched why people overvalue the obstacles they encounter in their life and undervalue the benefits they have received. They call them, respectively, "headwinds" and "tailwinds." They use the analogy of a runner who is  really aware if he is running into a strong wind which makes the run more difficult. As long as the wind is blowing in his face, he notices it. However, when the wind shifts to behind him, the run becomes easier. After a little while, he forgets the added benefit of the tailwind.  Thinking of my own life, I know I have experienced a lot of tailwinds and really don't think the headwinds I have faced have been that strong. I can think of many times when I was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time or derived some advantage by simply being a reasonably intelligent white guy.

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.