A Grown Up Life
Hello. I am Sam. Being a faithful Chimps reader, you are perceptive and realize that this is, in fact, my first entry here. So I thought I would spend a couple of paragraphs to introduce myself.
As with most people who live in middle-class suburbia, the first eighteen (18) years of my life were (1) dull, (2) predictable, and (3) otherwise void of anything worth hearing about. So let’s teleport to college. Or better put- my attempt at college…
After two semesters at the University of Arizona in Tucson, I had earned enough credits to be an incoming freshman. So I decided I should spend my time on something more productive, like going to class. I moved back to Glendale (doubly depressing- my parent’s house), and sulkily set foot on campus at Glendale Community College. I have taken four semesters of classes there now, and fervently align myself with the guy who said, “I enjoy learning, but I dislike being taught.”
I start at Rio Salado this semester and I have no more clarity about my future than I did when I walked across the stage to grab my diploma, and flashed my graduating class five (5) years ago.
I’m only kidding. It was four (4) years ago.
But seriously. I am learning so much about life recently. And none of it is being taught to me in the traditional sense of the word. I am learning that clarity shouldn’t necessarily be the goal I aim for. The misty, low-visibility conditions I wake up to every day actually stretch me. This fog of life is teaching me that the only way to get through it is to put one foot in front of the other and embrace the uncomfortable situations life brings me.
I desire life to be easy. Full of loud neon signs that point in all the directions I need to travel. I wish there were a soundtrack to my life. So when I turned a dark corner and heard the high-pitched violin suspended on an ear-piercing note, I would know to turn back and walk away. And when the full orchestra came in with trumpets blaring and majestic French horns richly announcing my entrance to a room, I wouldn’t be so nervous and know to stay and work the crowd a bit.
But easy doesn’t enter into grown up life.
My driver’s liscence is horizontal now, so I guess that’s what I got. A grown up life.
Cheers,
Sam
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
greg
it may be the rum and coke I’m drinking, but i look forward to having you as a part of chimps. nice post.
Aug 17th, 2006
sonath
it’s good to see a new chimp posting. i am curious about how you always seem to have a quote to use
Aug 17th, 2006
melanie Smith
that was brilliant. my favorite part, you ask? well, i’d have to say 1. the fact that you numbered off the first eighteen years of your life. 2. the way you made the joke about flashing your graduating class and then corrected yourself on how long ago it was…that was hilarious. 3. when you said what the fog of life was teaching you…
how exciting to know that easy doesn’t enter into grown up life. all the more reason to embrace it and let go all at the same time.
Aug 20th, 2006
Melody
Way to stick with the school thing. You make a great gaucho. If you wanted a soundtrack to your life, you should’ve asked Quinn to mix one for you
When are you coming over for dinner?
Aug 20th, 2006