Archive for September, 2007

I will never forget day one of the introduction of the Free University of Amsterdam, bachelor’s degree Communication and Information Sciences. It was the first day of my life that I, twenty-four years of age, felt rather old. While I was shuffling into the seminar benches with my cane in my trembling wrinkled hand, I was amazed looking at the highschool girls around me. As soon as I had gently placed my dentals on the table in front of me, I started watching them buzz around me, busily internally discussing whether this bag made them look a bit older, and whether or not this MTV agenda was as cool as that sort of popular dude had said on the television. These girls of course attracted the attention of the awkwardly sweating boys. ‘Sigh, such youngsters’ were the thoughts shooting through the head of this tough veteran. Until I started realizing that they were kind of looking back at me too, and their eyes had a different, yet very clear message: What’s happenin’ grampa?

The rest of the day I tried to focus on the information, which was hard enough, considering I just spent more than two years shutting up and looking pretty. I was trying to not to get distracted by the grown man sitting next to me, who was born in 1990, and the fact that I had more hair on my ass than he had on his chin. Yes little Timmy, it has been a while since I left highschool. No, sorry Timmy I forgot my pencilsharpener. Yes, I like your bag too.

Later in the afternoon I was tired but proud and satisfied. I might have missed my nap, but I had a lot more information. I decided to pee before returning to the train (on my age your bladder just isn’t what it used to be), although I had no idea where the toilet might be in this vertical learning factory. Without thinking too much I followed a guy in front of me who seemed to know where to go. For the second time this day I was receiving the same looks: what the hell is he doing here? While I was trying to figure out where the urinals were, I realized the little situation I was in. The guy looked back at me with a disturbed look, and the guy turned out to be a slightly masculine girl with very short hair.

I made my way out while mumbling an apology, and I decided to hold my pee till I was safe at home again.

This is the time to live our lives yeah, and I am free yeah. Just a song. In fact, this is the only time to live our lives. Yeah.

I am swamped at the moment. Sometimes drowning, sometimes swimming in my new life. Uni’s properly kicking my ass, amongst other things. Doubts are too. Am I old and wise enough for tomorrow? Can I, to put it very American, put my money where my mouth is? Will they allow me to? I am not sure if I would.

I suppose I should just make a wish and try to get some sleep.