The Cycle
As I stood in the department head's kitchen this past Saturday, I had the startling realization that I recognized few of the faces around me. Many people had left; many people had recently arrived. It's all part of the constant cycle of academia, and I had experienced it a little bit each year, but this time it made a strong impression. It was akin to knowing you're getting older and older each year, but then looking into the mirror and wondering who the old person is who is staring right back at you. In this case, though, I was the 7th year in the corner, holding a glass of wine and waiting until my obligation was over and I could sneak out the door. I felt obligated because our current department head and his wife have always been good for me (she works in a related department, and I TAed for her one semester--we've been close since). I wanted to say hi to their son and their giant malamute. I also knew there would be alcohol and good food, and I felt I deserved it ...