The anniversary passed without any acknowledgement whatsoever; no surprise since no one was even here. What is surprising is that today is Fasnacht Day and nobody brought any doughnuts to work! Granted, any old doughnuts wouldn't have been appropriate, and I doubt that anyone felt like going to the trouble of making fasnachts. Ah well, I suppose the last thing I need right now is to fill up on potato doughnuts anyhow. One would have been nice, though.
I may not need doughnuts, but a pat on the back is always appreciated, and my ego has been stroked mightily today. My alma mater has invited me back again this year to give a half-day seminar. This will be the fourth year I've given this seminar, and I really enjoy both giving the talk and getting a chance to see some of my old teachers who have become my friends.
It's a novel situation for me. If I encounter one of my old teachers from high school or college, I usually still feel like the student. It's one of those little respect/conscience things that adulthood hasn't freed me from. The only exception to this has been with the people from the department I'll be giving this seminar for. From the day I graduated, they treated me like a colleague instead of a student, something I've found to be rare among the other professors. They've encouraged me to share some of my insights, and through this I've discovered that I have unique knowledge due to my job that is valuable to them. Since many of these people are Important Names in Their Field, this has been a particularly heady experience. I don't delude myself that I could do the amazing stuff they do. But it's still flattering to know I have their respect.
OK. It's been a while. Apologies to all the appropriate personages again. It is definitely Gloria I hear singing this, though.
- Original words by Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren
At first I was afraid, I was petrified.
Kept thinking that I'd never manage without you inside.
But then I spent so many nights
Thinkin' how you've done me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along
So now I'm on
A transplant list
I'm counting down the days and
there is no way you'll be missed
You should have changed your stupid ways
You should have kept yourself healthy
Don't you think for just one second
You've future here with me.
(chorus)
Soon now you'll go
I'll be restored
I'll get a new one
'Cos you're not working anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye?
Did I crumble? Did I lay down and die?
Oh no not I. I will survive
Until I get my new liver I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And you've got no more left to give
I will survive, I will survive
Hey, Hey!
It took all the strength I have not to quiver
Feeling mournful for myself over my liver
And I spent oh so many nights
Just feeling sorry for myself
But I won't cry
I'm gonna hold my head up high
And so I'll get a liver new
I'm not that chained up little person still in love with you
And when we drop the new one in
I will once again be free
So I'm saving all my money
For a great big surgery.
(chorus)