Life Degree
Nineteen years with the wise hand of public education on my shoulder. Nudging me along. Sometimes gently, other times with a substantial shove. Harvesting the thought crop. And in time reining me and my ideas into some region of acceptability. I graduated. Two years ago now. And here I still hold to that which I had claimed then, “The best thing that I ever did was to go to college. The worst was to graduate.” A year of assorted work, and life with the folks has landed my existence back in my college town. At no point have I been surprised by this end. Something in the academic air that calls me in. Something different than whatever calls in the dude with the Camaro hanging out near the high school. Apparently we have both come back for something we want, and I will not judge. But, the authorities may question such behaviors. His of course. Mine are on the up and up. But I digress…
Unless I do the graduate school thing (not ruled out), I am on my own for academic pursuits. And of them I am far from done. I may have ceased my chase after the carrot degree hung before my nose, though I do not have to cease the chase all together. As I am a very goal oriented person, I have begun to develop a Life Degree. A loose concept, that if nothing else will keep me on the balls of my feet.
The Life Degree will serve as a list of goals new and old that I feel will better round out my life experience. Deeply steeped in the notion that we never stop learning, I am going after the true liberal arts compilation. I post my proposed degree as its own page on this site. Rather brief at this point, but goals/criteria can be added as they arise. To “complete” the degree would be amazing, though unnecessary. Some of it I expect to accomplish, others… well, I am not ruling them out. I am here for the chase.
What is on your Life Degree?