52.12 .... Peasantstock
I feel very lucky. I grew up in a warm and stimulating working class neighborhood, I worked my way through an upper class education, and- even now despite the unemployment debacle- I live a comfortable middle class life. With this background, I can talk to pretty much anyone, and feel comfortable in any neighborhood.
Gotta admit, though, that in terms of behaviors... I may love going to museums and fancy restaurants, but when push comes to shove, it's my peasant ancestors I relate to best. The practical skills are what I tend to excel at.
So it's no surprise that, when I was in my early high school years, I was thinking I would study in college to be a home-ec teacher. Made perfect sense to everyone I knew.... except! to my narrow-minded guidance counselor.
Silly man. He thought that, because I got good grades in it, that I should study physics. Or maybe higher math. No amount of explaining that I didn't REALLY understand either despite my good grades, and that I wasn't exactly fond of those subjects, seemed to hold any sway with him. Every session with him was a philosophical tug-of-war.
Finally, he agreed to stop badgering me if I would take an aptitude test. Sure, I said. I was actually fond of taking tests in those days anyway. So I go into the big city (well....Hartford) to take the test and- knowing it's the fair thing to do- I answer all the questions as honestly as I can.
Two weeks later, when the results arrived (this was a very long time ago... no computer collating) he called me into his office to consult. The big grin he had when I walked in had me convinced that the mysterious cabala of the test had affirmed his theories. Imagine my surprise, then, when instead he threw up his hands and said- OK, you win!
The results?
My # 1 aptitude was to be a farmer's wife.
My # 2 aptitude was to be a window dresser.
Just a year later I headed for college in pursuit of an English degree- my 11th grade teacher was quite dreamy... and I loved reading anyway. But as time passed...
I ended up a set and costume designer- pretty close to a window dresser, eh?
And for all my skills and various, dubious accomplishments... what I'm best at are cooking and sewing.
Me- I think I woulda made a pretty good farmer's wife.
52.12 .... Peasantstock
I feel very lucky. I grew up in a warm and stimulating working class neighborhood, I worked my way through an upper class education, and- even now despite the unemployment debacle- I live a comfortable middle class life. With this background, I can talk to pretty much anyone, and feel comfortable in any neighborhood.
Gotta admit, though, that in terms of behaviors... I may love going to museums and fancy restaurants, but when push comes to shove, it's my peasant ancestors I relate to best. The practical skills are what I tend to excel at.
So it's no surprise that, when I was in my early high school years, I was thinking I would study in college to be a home-ec teacher. Made perfect sense to everyone I knew.... except! to my narrow-minded guidance counselor.
Silly man. He thought that, because I got good grades in it, that I should study physics. Or maybe higher math. No amount of explaining that I didn't REALLY understand either despite my good grades, and that I wasn't exactly fond of those subjects, seemed to hold any sway with him. Every session with him was a philosophical tug-of-war.
Finally, he agreed to stop badgering me if I would take an aptitude test. Sure, I said. I was actually fond of taking tests in those days anyway. So I go into the big city (well....Hartford) to take the test and- knowing it's the fair thing to do- I answer all the questions as honestly as I can.
Two weeks later, when the results arrived (this was a very long time ago... no computer collating) he called me into his office to consult. The big grin he had when I walked in had me convinced that the mysterious cabala of the test had affirmed his theories. Imagine my surprise, then, when instead he threw up his hands and said- OK, you win!
The results?
My # 1 aptitude was to be a farmer's wife.
My # 2 aptitude was to be a window dresser.
Just a year later I headed for college in pursuit of an English degree- my 11th grade teacher was quite dreamy... and I loved reading anyway. But as time passed...
I ended up a set and costume designer- pretty close to a window dresser, eh?
And for all my skills and various, dubious accomplishments... what I'm best at are cooking and sewing.
Me- I think I woulda made a pretty good farmer's wife.