Time

The buzzing noise pierces my ears. I turn reluctantly to my alarm clock, realizing that my peaceful slumber would soon come to an end. In a petty attempt to delay the inevitable, I press the snooze button and turn on my side once more.

Ten minutes pass and I toss myself to the ground. I shower, dress, and brush my teeth before I sit down at my beloved computer.

Time. It charges relentlessly like an 18-wheeler over a helpless cat. Get on board, or get crushed by its unmatched power.

Checking my email, I'm pleased to see that Professor Jim has cancelled Physics Lab and Physics Lecture today. I ponder the period just two days prior, when he showed up a half hour late for a 75 minute class. In a world where schedules brutally tyrannize the lives of all who hope to progress, here is a man who couldn't care less about his image in the eyes of Time.

"You better hope I don't die over the winter," Jim apathetically stated that Tuesday, "or else you'll all be screwed next semester." Indeed. Great Ideas II requires completion of Great Ideas I, and at this snail's pace, no one knows for sure how far behind we are.

Free Time. A luxary plated in Fool's Gold. Those who fail to use it wisely will fall victim to the unfortunate "Monday Morning Quarterback" illness. Second guessing rises to the top of everyone's mind, but those who realize that Time will not wait for mourners are the only ones with a chance to succeed.

Lunch:
Chicken. Fry it. Melt cheese. Gently rest bacon on top. Sandwich it on a bun. Eat it.

Calculus. Find the maximum curvature of a three-dimensional figure. The maximum only ever occures once along Time, t. Unfortunately, in most cases, people fail to realize the maximum has taken place until long afterwards. But don't look back and reminisce. Time has no patience for nostalgia.

I eagerly wish away the 75 minutes of Time in Philosophy of Law. I listen silently as my classmates discuss Tuesday's election and (what we were supposed to be talking about) Affirmative Action. Keep Affirmative Action in place, and people who tirelessly build their resumes under the brutal constraints of Time may find themselves on the outside looking in. Do away with Affirmative Action, and people born into situations where it's impossible to succeed will turn their wheels in mud for all eternity. Time is a bus without enough seats. A bus that enjoys running over small children.

Dinner:
At the Connelly Center, Vincent, Jeremy, Jakob and I dine peacefully. I consume a slice of plain pizza and a piece of pizza bread. When you get the oppurtunity to experience both sides of the same coin, you'd be wise to do so.

Leave it to Professor Nesto to claim authority over which he knows nothing about. In my evenings, I coach an Intermural Volleyball team consisting of friends in my hall. During matches, I bellow things like "Get the ball!" and "I wanna see intensity!" A short while after dinner, we hold our first practice (after already playing for three weeks). The flow of Time is never more prevelant than in the midst of a Volleyball game. One small mistep, one small arm motion error -- the ball has already passed. Time enjoys seeing you fail.

Time is a jerk.