I suppose that I should be eternally grateful to the miracle-working hair stylist who cleverly shaved ten years off my looks two weeks ago with a new layered trim. And I am. But alas! This week’s reentry into the college scene has bumped me back into the realm of the aged. Yes, Thirty-eight has become the New Old!
I knew that I was on student ground when I headed straight for the vending machines for a chocolate fix. It’s a good thing that I did, since somewhere half-way through my first Basic Photography class I glanced around the room and scrutinized the students only to realize that I had become the Ever-Dreaded Auditor. Yes, I have assumed the position of one of those annoying non-student students who waltzes into class and makes life miserable for everyone else by sitting in the front row, keeping the professor going off on informative tangents, and asking questions two minutes after class was supposed to end! I recall having developed quite a dislike for this kind back in my own college years, so I simply had to laugh at myself now. I suppose I will just have to pray that some laser-eyed college freshman doesn’t burn a hole in the back of my head when I make her late for her Tuesday night study group!
Despite the shock and dismay that I suffered at the thought of being older, I was somewhat consoled in my age-wise epiphany, as there just happened to be a woman older than myself hiding in the back row on the other side of the room. She looked older anyhow, but for all I know she could be thirty-seven! (I’m terrible at guessing ages!). In any case, I feel relatively comfortable silently boasting with myself about not being the oldest in the class! Pair that with the realization that I have two darling angels at my complete disposal with whom to practice portrait photography ad nauseam, and I’ve got all the makings of a full-blown delusion that being older has its advantages!
My final source of consolation is that the professor himself is the absolute eldest of the class. He has to be at least the sum of my age plus the older woman’s age. In fact, I’d have a difficult time believing that he wasn’t teaching photography when I was in college the first time around! The up side is that the man is chock full of knowledge and experience, and notwithstanding his hearing aid, I will be able to tap his resources for all he’s worth.
All in all, the fact that I am feeling a little older these last few days is inconsequential. I am convinced that I am precisely where I need to be. Anyhow, I had better habituate myself to being a student. If this class works out I may be going back to school full-time for a degree in photography! My only hope is to avoid the freshman ten!
