Who is Really Cool? Redux

     Young adults need to show their coolness to the world. The modern youth culture has largely accepted the practice of applying permanent tattoos as a statement of independence and coolness. Some consider body piercings as a way of wearing jewelry. The students at UMBC choose to temper this type of outward demonstration of their individuality because they truly are "cool". 
     A stroll on the Boardwalk in Ocean City presents the opportunity to observe a bevy of tattoos, body piercings, and other outrageous styles that are sold as signs of coolness in today's generation. Casual observation of UMBC students along the paths, sidewalks, and other gathering places will lead one to determine that there are other ways to be cool. A discrete piercing or a fragment of a tattoo may be observed, but one rarely sees a student with a display of multiple tattoos or  piercings. Visible are other subtle statements of personal differences: clothing, shoes, hats, backpacks, hairdos.
    This dichotomy causes one to wonder: why the difference? Could it be the demographics? Does it make a difference if one is White, Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Latino? Could it be that the students here have already solved questions about their identity and their place in the world? Are they more mature and comfortable with who they are? Could they realize that the outward permanent displays including tattoos and piercings do not separate them from the masses, but instead places them in a group of followers instead of leaders? Are these students so focused on their career paths where such displays are not readily accepted and may hinder employment chances?
    The students here are more self aware, focused, and more confident than the typical young adult on the Boardwalk. They choose not to wear the "uniform" that the "purveyors of cool" are pushing. This makes the students here "cooler" than the Boardwalk crowd.  

Word count- 303

Who is Really Cool?

      UMBC students, like typical young adults, need to show their independence, or coolness, to the rest of the world.The modern youth culture has largely accepted the practice of applying permanent tattoos and many consider body piercings a way of wearing jewelry. The students at UMBC choose, however, to temper enthusiastic outward demonstration of their individuality.
      A stroll on the Boardwalk in Ocean City presents a bevy of tattoos, piercings, and outrageous  hairdos and clothing styles as signs of coolness in today's generation. As one negotiates the sidewalks, paths, and other gathering places on campus, few obvious statements of individuality are seen. A discrete piercing or a fragment of a tattoo may be observed, but one rarely sees a student with a display of multiple tattoos, piercings, or other statements of personal differences.       

Andy Warhol Tattoo

      This dichotomy causes one to wonder: Why the difference? Could it be the demographics of the student body? Does it make a difference if one is White, Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Latino? Could it be that the students here have already solved some of the important questions about their personal maturity and are comfortable with themselves? Could it be that the UMBC population realizes that the overt display of personal choices is really not a demonstration of revolt against the establishment, but instead is a statement that represents something different? Are the students here focused on career paths where such displays are not readily accepted and do not want to hinder their chances of landing their first post- graduate job?

      One could answer that it may be part of one or many of the above reasons. The students here are more focused, more self aware, and more confident than the typical young person on the Boardwalk. You do find many individual differences here in dress, hairdo, and other personal outward statements. The students here do not wear the "uniform" that the purveyors of cool are pushing. I believe that this makes the students here "cooler" than the Boardwalk crowd.
     But this is just one old man's opinion.

Word count- 344

My Voyage Through The Sun

     Beetle Bailey! Blondie! Al Capp! These people helped me begin my voyage through the Baltimore Sun at age ten. My first stop was the comics section- two whole pages daily and two whole sections on Sunday! What a way to start my day- hanging out with my new friends! My second stop was the sports section. My twelve year old mind couldn't get enough stats about my favorite Orioles or Colts.
    Where else to look for my first car but in the classified section? As young marrieds, my wife and I looked there for an apartment and then our first home. Children need all types of equipment, so the used furniture section was my next stop. Young fathers are always looking for a way to provide better for their families, so a trip to the help wanted section was made weekly.

      My first adventure into investing led me to another station along the way- the financial pages. Wow! How could I ever navigate my way through here? I turned around and left my investments to the professionals.

     Free time after retiring gave me time to visit the puzzle pages.Now I leisurely get my coffee and test wits with the puzzle makers. Mondays and Tuesdays are the easiest. My current stop on this voyage, sad to say, is the obituary page. Occasionally I recognize a name from my journey. I reflect to remember something special about them and where our paths crossed. Some day my voyage will end on this page.                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Word count- 250                                                                                                    

Who am I?

    I am not your typical college Junior. I have already lived a majority of my life. As I have traveled through my "American experience" I have seen many wondrous things and felt many emotions. I have experienced love (my wife and family), awe (Alaska ,Yellowstone), sadness (death of loved ones), anger (Vietnam War, 9-11), pride (Apollo 11), satisfaction (business success), fear (health scares), and joy (looking into my children's and grandchildren's eyes).
   All of my experiences have shaped what I believe is important. Love, commitment, and volunteering adds to happiness. Worrying about superfluous short term gratifications detracts from one's satisfaction with life.
  

  
   My hobbies include learning, traveling, and tending to my 1962 Corvette.  I currently volunteer at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington as a Visitor Services Information Specialist. I greet visitors from all over the world and I try to make their "American experience" more enjoyable.
(word count- 150)