Luck

[cjsmith]

At physics lecture yesterday, the professor was making the point that she had given ample opportunity for students to earn extra credit. She pointed me out as an example, saying I had accumulated five percent. (This is the maximum, and it was earned by, get this, 1) showing up to lecture and 2) doing my homework. I wish I were kidding.)

Five or six people in the room yelled in an only-somewhat-friendly way "Oooo, luckyyyyyyyy!" That was the dominant word: lucky. The professor tried to point out that I had worked hard in this class, but I don't think that part of her message got across at all. It was as if the vocabulary she was using was in some other language.

Sometimes I worry about the future of this country, I really do. Lucky because I showed up to class? Lucky because I did the work after the professor told everyone we'd get credit for it? No. I don't think so. Lucky because I don't have cancer, that I'll buy. Lucky because I live in an area with ready access to community college courses, yes. Lucky because I bust my ass once I get there? No.

Comments

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Isn't it though? I wonder how much is age, how much is demographic (local Bay Area California), how much is generational, etc. I felt like telling them that HEY, folks, most of YOU have your RENT PAID BY OTHER PEOPLE while you do this, and most of you are COMPLETELY PHYSICALLY HEALTHY, so shut up about luck. But I may have been just the same during my first set of undergraduate years. Maybe I should be thankful I don't remember clearly enough to say. :-)

[zianuray.livejournal.com]

BTW, I assume you get robbed by the IRS every year like the rest of us, so THANK YOU for paying for my LMT training and licensing earlier this year. I promise I worked hard for it, though! A brain may not have muscles, but I swear it can cramp!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*laughter* Yeah, I've paid for this schooling of mine as well! And boy do I know what you mean about brain cramps. It feels good, though, y'know? Like that feeling after a physical workout: I can do just a tiny bit more today than I could do yesterday.

[zianuray.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. I was trying to filk muscle names to Kokomo.