I'm doing a bit of research work for a retired Harvard professor who happens to be in Princeton researching, lecturing, and heading up the Center for Semitic Studies. Orthodox Jew from Ethiopia and eccentrically brilliant, this dude knows 17 languages--simply ridiculous. In any event, during my interview he struck with me a line I found hilarious yet insightful. Here's how it went (roughly).
Prof: So did you come straight to Princeton from college?
Me: No, I took a year off and worked a bit.
Prof: I see. And what did you do in that year?
Me: Oh, I worked in a law firm and considered going to law school. (thinking "is getting drunk for a year a legitimate response?")
Prof: And why didn't you go?
Me: I don't know. It wasn't for me. I suppose it didn't seem fulfilling arguing over such futile matters.
Prof: So you'd rather argue with angels than men?
Me: Hahaha. Yes, I suppose so.
Prof: And you find that fulfilling?
Me: Um...so far, yes sir.
Prof: Well good. It doesn't pay very well.
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2 comments:
Fantastic exchange. (Wise to leave out the drinking bit, I think.) I'd love to hear more about this guy and/or the work you're doing with him.
As an aside, do you ever notice how the word verifications seem to... be aware? Mine is werilit (Were I lit...). haha.
jc~
haha. Your wit comes out again.
I actually quit this job after a couple weeks. It was a bit taxing and required much more than was stated from the outset. My duties, during the brief stint, were primarily to organize files and review articles, scouring the texts for anything that had to do with Ethiopian Xianity. Not a bad gig--but simply too much on my plate.
Sorry for the delay. I should really visit my blog more often;-)
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