Pomp and Circumstance

I was wandering around school yesterday, pandering for coffee, when I ran into two girls who were in my History class during their freshman year. They are the first group of girls that I taught here at the "H" who will be graduating. They were both exceptional students in a very eclectic class. One is heading to Washington and Lee and other to Santa Clara University. Both excellent schools. I can not believe I have been at “H” for four years. Time really flies by.

Talking about colleges made me wax philosophic for my college years, all six of them. The other day I was reading an article about 101 things to do in college before you graduate. Good times and memories. My own list would include more items. I can truthfully say there was not much I didn’t do in college, as a consequence two sophomore years. Mohawks at Mardi Gras, a hastily planned and wonderfully executed drunken trip to Nantucket, many road trips, and lots of booth time at Alex’s Tavern. Are you getting the picture why it took me six years, two countries, and two colleges to graduate?

Anyway, the whole sequence of events brought me back to my “graduation day”. I actually walked in a graduation ceremony before I actually graduated. The school gave me the option and my parents were in town (they were living out of the country at the time) so why not. Why would anything about my college experience be normal? I had to take two classes to be done. So in the second summer session later that summer I finished up. It was a normal summer day in the M-town, blazing hot and sticky humid. I finished the class got into my car and headed to my job at Fino’s Italian Deli, one of the few constants in during my college years. Normally when one thinks of graduation from college you think about going with all of your friends on some senior trip or some massive road trip. Not me. In a way it was a natural consequence to my poor decision making skills in college. Natural consequences are always the best. As I drove down Central Avenue on my way to midtown the song “These are the days” by 10,000 Maniacs came on the radio. The moment will be emblazoned in memory forever. When I hear the song it always instantly transports me to the thoughts and feelings of that ten minute ride across Memphis that day. I realized that it could not have happened any other way. It was fitting that I finished my college experience by heading right form the classroom to slinging sandwiches at the Deli that for intent and purposes saved my life. Some time I'll explain that statement. Fittingly I heard the same song driving home yesterday.

Why do people like roller coasters? Because they make one experience a full gamut of emotions. Trepidation, fear, terror, and exhilaration. And at the end of the ride the as the adrenaline rush wears off you sit in cart and wished you had enjoyed the ride more. I don’t think I could describe my college years any better.

Sports article of the day. Trust me; even the non sports fans will enjoy this. Careful dads your “allergies” may get you.
Out of the darkness

Pete is BACK!?!?!?!?!

The long winter is over. Pete Big Bear is finally stirring from his long winter/academic hibernation. The adventures of Pete Big had moderate success last summer. Some liked it, some loathed it, most did not care. Some asked me to keep updating it. Quite frankly despite the perceptions of most, my life during the school year is quite bland. Wake up, drink too much coffee, teach class, correct papers, coach a sport, than get home, watch TV, read till I fall asleep, repeat. I have lots of fun on the weekend but nothing blogworthy.
Well as the school year draws to a close and summer approaches my life gets a lot more interesting. By all of the above I mean this. I love my life, family, friends, and pastimes. That being said I quite frankly don’t think they would be interesting to anyone else.
As it stands now I am about three weeks away from being free for the summer. As long as I can remember my life is defined and measured in terms of semesters and school years. This is fantastic. I can not fathom operating in any other way. The thought of cubicle life gives me office space type horrors.
My summer plans are relatively set. I again will be joining the faculty in DC at Albans. I thoroughly enjoyed it last year. Here is an axiom I live life by. “If something is fun or good do it more”. Therefore I’m back. I will be in the classroom a little more this summer which pleases me. I look forward to revisiting my “other” life in DC.
So I’ve been thinking about what direction the Adventures of Pete Big Bear should take. Here are some initial thoughts. There will less play by play of the summer program, been there, done that. In light the days of digital black mail I’ve also decided to go with pseudo names for everyone. This is a two fold plan. It keeps up some level of anonymity and it allows me to come up with a few names. This plan may not last but let’s face it, who really cares.