Crackerman
Roam Duba Roam

Well folks, I was just reading Evan's blog and about him being at UVA Law. I got to thinking about my life. Just about everybody I know went away to college. What did I do? I did not apply for any scholarships. I did not apply for any great free money scholarships out of high school. I went for the free education at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Now, not to highlight my own accomplishments, but that school was (at the time) one of the top 3 hardest undergraduate schools to get into. Unlike the Airforce, Navy, and Military academies that must take a certain number of candidates from each state, the Coast Guard can take all of its candidates from Iowa if it wants, as long as they are qualified. Kudos to me. Then it all went downhill. Four years of college, five years of service afterwards. All for studying the fine art of Marine and Environmental Science.

So, I looked into my cloudy crystal ball and saw that I did not know if I was studying the right topic let alone wanting to commit 5 years before I figured it out. I know it was a guarenteed job but my satisfaction was uncertain. The backwardness began.

I left the Academy on May 10, 1999 (that date is always in my head for some reason) after finding out 1 month prior that I was accepted by Drexel in Philadelphia. Then, I worked at a warehouse, bought a car, and prepared for school. I commuted, which none of my other friends from home who were in college did. Yeah there was Ed's apartment, not taking anything away from that, but for those who went to college they went away. Whatever, I took the train, met a slew of homeless people and beggars (one of which was actually my neighbor from down the street in Cinnaminson), and got a photograph with then-wannabe-mayor John Street. Then the internship began.

Now, during the summer break, people come home from college. Not Duba. Most people get jobs for internships that work 5 days, Monday through Friday, but not Duba. I had a Monday through Friday with only 18 (18!) minutes of a smoke stack inspection on Saturdays. I was also almost 2 hours away. Oh and did I mention that Drexel went September through March and the internship from March to September? Any weeknight activity with my friends coming home from college was avoided. This resulted in such nights as Duba splitting 100 beers with Brandon and Tim as well as drinking an entire bottle of Southern comfort. Both times resulted in blackouts and me missing most of the night.

The backwardness continues post graduation. I am now about to finish my Master's at the University of Maryland...through the internet. It is common nowadays, however I never felt like I had the college experience. I don't ever seem to be in a position to leave this area (even though I love it here) even on a temporary basis.

My life has been fun, but I just think that from hearing everybody's stories I know I may have missed out. When I went away, I was in a military academy or on internship. Yeah the experience was great, but I earned more professional experience than "fun" experience there. Oh well. Hopefully as time goes by I won't be so bitter about it.