I am not an intellectual. I have always been more street-smart than book-smart. My sister was blessed with that special gift where she can just look at a book and instantly know (and understand) the content. I've never been that lucky (or gifted). Whatever I've ever learned has come at an enormous cost - lots of time and incalculable effort.

Now I'm working for the University. The campus initiative is almost purely research (at least 75%). I'm emerged in an environment where people don't typically have just a lowly BS; they have their Masters or their PhDs. They're writing their fifth textbook. They're angling for a million dollar grant. They're carrying briefcases in both hands (with God knows what inside). <= People here don't end their sentences with prepositions. People here would much rather slit their throats.

I know my roots and I am not like these people. I can't be pretentious about my efforts because I remember all my mistakes. It wouldn't matter if I had forty degrees behind my name. Nothing ever changes because it always stays the same.

I drown every lament I have each day with entirely too much chocolate. I smile and I nod. I laugh, even though it's plainly fake. They pretend they don't really notice. Or at least they pretend they don't care. It's a great place for make-believe.