Being an avid deerstalker, I note that late August is when our whitetail begin transitioning out of their gorgeous fox red summer regalia into their dusky brown winter pélage. The lesson: Creatures change with the seasons. Of course, we humans are no different, which is something I see in my own life. For just as students are now returning to university, I chanced upon this photograph of my regalia, reminding me that I was once a professor. Those days, however, are gone and I no longer think in terms of my former profession or even about it.
Yet the truth of it is that, from the very beginning, I hated school and it always showed. Exhibit A: View the photo of the collection of report cards from my early days. Moreover, I still recoil at coursework, counterfactually speaking.
Interestingly, while high school math and science teachers generally disliked me on account of being disruptive, I got on well with their colleagues in the humanities (Although Mme Wilson, you gave Étienne too much credit.). But life is paradoxical. I had a head for math and science. Thus, I subsequently trained as a chemist.
One thing led to the other, though. I stayed in the game as a student and earned the coveted PhD. Yet when I was one semester away from defending, my advisor’s funding was cut and I ended up teaching an advanced undergraduate chemistry course and a physics lab to augment my income, which led to an epiphany. Despite planning to enter industry, I discovered that I was a natural in the classroom and consequently opted for an academic career instead.
Then three years in, I developed my signature style of teaching chemistry in the context of a larger theme or idea. View Exhibits B and C and you’ll see what I mean. Even better, take a look at Exhibit D, a draft outline of a theme I was developing in early 2020. While this one was in the concept stage when I retired from chemistry, I think I was on a roll.
Retrospectively, though, I should have opted for mechanical engineering and industry because mechanical engineers build firearms, fly-rods, fighter jets, fast cars, etc. In sum, they concern themselves with many of the best things in life. Although it’s a moot point, really. For some odd reason, I physically can’t tolerate desk work, especially when it entails using devices such as a computer. I cramp miserably throughout my neck, shoulders, and back. This silly post, in fact, has now left me in a great deal of pain despite being fairly short and direct. But upper torso cramping is the reason why my having to leave the chemistry lab due to the damage it wrecked on my upper respiratory track meant leaving the profession altogether.
The one remedy is to use a wraparound heating pad while plugging away at desk work. However, it’s a seasonal one. Between mid-April and late September, the weather’s generally too warm for it. Which means that if I write something lengthy and involved between tax deadline day and the Autumnal Equinox, then it’s only because I believe it to be supremely important.
Ah well, horses for courses, it’s time to channel David Bowie’s song, Changes. Today, I’m a fly-fishing guide. What’s not to like?