Spinning Yarns

They say that time flies when you’re having fun, and this past term was no exception. Since I was teaching a course on my own for the first time, I had anticipated it would take over my schedule to a certain degree — but I never had any idea how much until it was already upon me. Nevertheless, I must say that this past term was one of the most exciting, rewarding, terrifying, humbling, and fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to do it again. I’m only sad that it went by so quickly.

I read somewhere that the difference between theory and practise is that in theory, there is no difference between theory and practise; while in practise, there is. At first, I thought this was a mildly amusing semi-truth. Now I realize that, in fact, it is a fairly profound observation. You always imagine you can get everything perfect — find the best analogies, work out the best examples, anticipate all the hard questions. But that assumes you have an unbounded quantity of time — and, in general, you don’t.

Although I will miss it now that it’s over, one positive feature of being finished is that I will have time to attend aikido practise more consistently again, and also to focus on my research. But I’m happy I got to have the experience of teaching, since that is what I consider my life’s most important work.

Filed by Michael at 13:01 under Personal
Comments Off