WilliamM

What bad judgment?

New York, June 30, 1969 I returned from a year in Vietnam the day Judy Garland (June 22, 1969). My aunt lived in Staten Island, so my first time in the city was early July. Congratulations to those who took part in the events 50 years ago.

And @BOZO T CLOWN was incorrect, he was a teacher. But Bozo had a mission here to discredit anyone who disagreed with him about politics. The charade about being a clown was forgotten .

When I was dealing with my high school counselor she also suggested junior college and a transfer. My mother scheduled an appointment to talk to her directly. After that conversation, I was accepted to a university beyond my hopes. One of my aunts was married to a graduate of that university. I have never known whether they used the legacy issue or not. But my mother was more street smart than most people. And I greatly enjoyed college and received better grades each semester.

My dad was an engineer as well, but initially his mother wanted him to be a doctor; he attended Tufts medical school for a year and hated it. My dad told my grandmother he would walk in front of a speeding bus rather than go back to Tufts ( an extreme statement that he meant), He and my mother were fine with me majoring in political science. and history. It took a while for me to find a job. But, when I did I loved the job.

I audited courses at Penn while in the Army stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey and much later after I retired. Mostly literature courses. I already had a masters degree in political science from Penn State from 1967.

Degrees are hardly worthless even if it is a major that does not immediately lead to a job, especially if you are an English major. Writing well is an art. I am not a good writer, so am very familiar with my limitation.

I audited courses at the University of Pennsylvania for ten years, and I talked to the students. It is very difficult to start at a college or university in junior year. You can do it successfully if you are mature for your age and quite determined.

Attending community college and transferring is a bad idea unless it is a college or university that is very, very good in his major. Arizona State on line is even a worse idea, especially for an English major. Literature is far better discussed in person in class rather than on line.

Mistakes of any kind do not bother me in one-night only Broadway concert, out of town tryouts and previews of Broadway shows. "Legends!" did bother me, not the forgotten lines -- the play itself sucked.