I resonate with your story, Erik. Class of ‘03 here. Great grades in high school. Dropped out of college from partying too hearty. Wised up some, went back later. Earned an English degree while working at a convenience store. Am a writer now professionally. A father to young children who is skeptical of all the superficial feelings so many people seem to wear on their sleeves these days. Maybe a generational thing? Maybe just a part of the human condition? I hope like hell I have the right of it figured out for most things, but I look back and know the opposite has been true for much of my life.
I guess we just keep on keeping on with the blessings of hard-earned humility.
Well, another English major here (maybe all your readers are English majors- I certainly don't think that's a bad thing.) Anyway, I think higher education is pretty much wasted on the young. First time around, all I wanted to do was get drunk and smoke weed. Now I'm 52 and back in school, getting my degree, and actually enjoying every minute of learning. Maybe there's hope for us oldies after all.
Great piece. I was thinking the other day how I wasted my college years… but differently, I guess. Drank A LOT, but still made it to class most days, and graduated with a high B average from a great school. Also an English major, but didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have. Who felt like she had to graduate and conform and go work in an office and thus sold her soul. 35 years later, there’s money in the 401(k), but lots of stories unwritten, lots of experiences un-had. I’d like a do-over please.
After almost 50 years of self doubt and procrastination I started writing and sharing some work. Now I have a handful of people who read and follow, but just those precious few make it all worthwhile. The line "You're lucky if anyone ever bothers" is so true.
I resonate with your story, Erik. Class of ‘03 here. Great grades in high school. Dropped out of college from partying too hearty. Wised up some, went back later. Earned an English degree while working at a convenience store. Am a writer now professionally. A father to young children who is skeptical of all the superficial feelings so many people seem to wear on their sleeves these days. Maybe a generational thing? Maybe just a part of the human condition? I hope like hell I have the right of it figured out for most things, but I look back and know the opposite has been true for much of my life.
I guess we just keep on keeping on with the blessings of hard-earned humility.
Well, another English major here (maybe all your readers are English majors- I certainly don't think that's a bad thing.) Anyway, I think higher education is pretty much wasted on the young. First time around, all I wanted to do was get drunk and smoke weed. Now I'm 52 and back in school, getting my degree, and actually enjoying every minute of learning. Maybe there's hope for us oldies after all.
How many of us after years of addiction and destructive behavior discover our real addiction was self-hate? It was for me.
Wow quite the story! Love the writing, very evocative.
Great piece. I was thinking the other day how I wasted my college years… but differently, I guess. Drank A LOT, but still made it to class most days, and graduated with a high B average from a great school. Also an English major, but didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have. Who felt like she had to graduate and conform and go work in an office and thus sold her soul. 35 years later, there’s money in the 401(k), but lots of stories unwritten, lots of experiences un-had. I’d like a do-over please.
Relatable...Like, I think I understand too. So it goes.
After almost 50 years of self doubt and procrastination I started writing and sharing some work. Now I have a handful of people who read and follow, but just those precious few make it all worthwhile. The line "You're lucky if anyone ever bothers" is so true.