Graduation

It's that time of year - proms, graduations, etc. So let me tell you a graduation story.

A friend is getting her Master's degree after MANY years of part-time classes and too much reading and too many papers, etc. She turned to her best friend often to find books on-line or to talk her out of screw-ups on her computer and finally to be interviewed as a "subject" for a very personal and difficult topic (for the "subject" more so than the writer).

Comes time to invite people to graduation. The "subject" hears about the date just two days ago and finds out she's not invited because she "wouldn't be interested." Ouch. Graduation morning: The "subject" receives an invitation to dinner the same evening - no notice. The "subject," you see, has no life. "No thank you." A semi-argument ensues in which the subject points out the interest shown over the past few years, etc... and that it would be nice to see the finished product. Response from the graduate? "I didn't even invite my brother and felt guilty inviting you."

This is, by the way, from a PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR!

The "subject" told her to enjoy her day and the fancy dinner tomorrow night (given by her rich friends), that she had earned it through hard work and should be proud of her accomplishment, but the "subject" has made plans for today to work and then relax this evening.

Needless to say, the graduate was not pleased, but the "subject" is feeling pretty good for standing her ground and refusing to be last-minute or second-best. As a country song says, "Second fiddle is one instrument I never learned to play."