Tuesday, January 17, 2006
(9:55 PM) | Adam Kotsko:
If I weren't a grad student
What would I be doing? I'd probably be working as much as possible in order to pay off my student loans as soon as possible, which I'd be doing in order to give myself something to do, some kind of goal. Maybe I would go to the Art Institute on Tuesday mornings, more often than my current once-a-year visit. Maybe I would be wearing better clothes, or at very least, I would get new clothes more often than once a year (viz., Christmas). Maybe I would "go organic."I would buy a bike and start riding places. Maybe I'd get a gym membership. I would buy a cookbook and learn how to cook. I'd play piano more -- maybe once my loans were paid off, I'd actually buy a piano (used). I would visit parts of the bookstore other than philosophy or religion. I'd finish reading Middlesex after being approximately halfway through it for a year and a half (and counting). I'd go out more often. I'd play Grand Theft Auto, all the versions, just to catch up. I haven't played a new video game in years -- I'm afraid of becoming addicted. I would find restaurants and tell my friends about them.
I would get my hair cut more often. I wouldn't have a beard right now. I'd eat fewer egg sandwiches. Maybe I'd go to church, just to pick up some tail at the singles group.
I assume I'd still read, but what? How does one even read nowadays, without having to make something else out of it, "use" it? I'd read about science more, probably. I'd read about Islam, and I'd read leftist economic theory. I'd give myself a decade or so to work my way through Proust.
One thing's for sure: I wouldn't be learning Latin. Or maybe I would. I'd go to the symphony, and I'd also go to more shows. I'd subscribe to Netflicks. Would I have my own cat? I guess this is quickly turning into a "what if I weren't a grad student and I could afford my own place" -- in that case, I'd put a lot of maps on the walls. Maybe a studio apartment wouldn't be bad -- think of all the time I'd save not having to open doors all the time.
I'd definitely buy Nutter Butters more often. In fact, that's something I can do right now, even though I'm a grad student. Next time I'm at the store: Nutter Butters. But from now on, I think I'm shopping at Trader Joe's for toothpaste. That Tom's of Maine stuff is awesome -- my mouth has never felt cleaner. That's what I'd do -- I'd research which stores carry Tom's of Maine toothpaste.
Maybe I'd write. Maybe I'd write better.
