Finally, all the idiotic stuff I like to talk about it, I’m learning about in my classes at Pensacola State College! Way cool.
Actually, the topics aren’t idiotic; just my half-educated, half-baked discussions of them. The topics themselves are fascinating, and, in some cases, mind blowing.
Like time.
I’ve been obsessed with what time is and does for about 20 earth revolutions around the sun now. But usually, it’s been me and my fellow-idiot friends sitting around speculating about stuff of which we have little grasp. (Cue the line from my favorite movie ever, ‘’Miller’s Crossing”: “I was just speculating about a hypothesis, that’s all. I know I don’t know nothing.”)
It got so bad that, about 10 years or so ago while at the Pensacola News Journal, I did a little column on a local clock repair factory but ended up making the column about “time” instead of the business and such. When I was interviewing the folks from the business, surrounded by all these machines we use to measure time, they had no interest in discussing what time is/was and means. They just fixed clocks and it was no big deal. My editors hated my finished product, but a few interesting people did respond with their own theories and knowledge about time.
But yesterday, watching and listening to my astronomy instructor’s video lecture on black holes and neutron stars, I was told that time travel is possible, but probably not in the way we think. I’m in a college science class where we are talking about time travel! And no one is smirking or rolling their eyes, which usually happens when you bring that kind of goofball stuff up. I mean, it might be on the test even! This is important stuff, a true exploration of the nature of the universe and a better understanding of where, and even when, we are. I’ve learned a lot.
I’m really psyched about being back in school. Truly. I wish I could take more than two classes each semester, but, you know, work and all. Still, Astronomy and American History-Post 1877! Two of my favorite classes ever, with great instructors working diligently through challenging times.
Personally, I like the online classes and the ability to study and complete assignments on my own schedule, and both my instructors (Bruce Cordell, Astronomy and Andrew Barbero, History) have made the online experience easy and convenient.
And I’m even considering a big life change. Remember I started my college experience at Pensacola Junior College in the 1980s with the goal to major in journalism. Then, hired by the Pensacola News Journal, I left college for a three-decade journalism career. I’m just now finishing up my associate degree – I have four more classes to finish after this summer term – and I think I still might be able to change majors.
I think I want to be a history instructor when I grow up instead of a journalist or baseball player or Triple Crown jockey or lawyer or the next Donny Osmond. Seriously, history is for me. I feel it. I love it. I’m doing fairly well in it. And now, more than ever, it seems important.
Because, we all know the saying about those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. (Interesting note: That quote is usually attributed, if I remember correctly, to guitar god Carlos Santana!)
History repeating? Maybe it’s a time loop or something. I’ll ask in astronomy class.
The point of all this rambling is that it’s never too late to go back to school and learn stuff. I hit 58 next month and will be in my 60s when I finally earn a bachelor’s degree, hopefully in history. I’m excited as an old guy can be about anything. And to those incoming PSC students straight out of high school, welcome and don’t fret. If you have to do a few online courses, you’ll be fine. And if you don’t really know what you want to actually do, there’s no rush. Just get those general courses down and it will come to you. It might be something that is inspired by an elective you take, or even those core math, science and history classes. Learning stuff is cool and will score you big points with your idiot friends.
(Speaking of idiots – my bad! I double-checked that quote. It wasn’t Carlos Santana. It was philosopher George Santayana, who, I’m thinking may or may not have also been involved somehow with the Alamo. I’ll look that one up and get back to you.)
-- Troy Moon
