Remembering long lost friends, preparing for a trial by fire

Long ago there was a cat. His name was as intimidating as any beast, yet he a was a kind and gentle soul. As a kitten, he was the smallest of the kindle, but grew up to be a larger than life character.

Whether he was relaxing on the couch, speeding across the linoleum in the kitchen, or simply looking out the window, he was always one to turn to if things got rough.

It has been almost ten years since he passed. Named after the monster that terrorized Tokyo in so many films, this Godzilla never had to battle Mothra, King Ghidora, or King Kong, but did fight a disease that ultimately caused his liver to fail. Inevitable as this confrontation with mortality was, I did not stop believing in him. (Insert tears here.)

As the new year gets underway, I cannot help but think of where I came from and where I will go in the future. Godzilla's spirit endures in my memory, and I'll look to his (and other individuals' as well) as I am faced with the latest tribulation in my life, a grand graduate school and career-altering conundrum.

While I am not alone, nor am I the only one this has ever happened to, I do feel like I have to stand up about this issue on my own. My career and education are my responsibility, and dealing with broken systems in favor of the house are all part of the game, I suppose. However unjust and unfair it may seem, there is hope. Like the companionship and happiness that Godzilla and I shared, I have friends, cohort members, and family for which to be thankful. For those of you in those categories that read this blog, thank you. My tale could not be complete without including you within its pages.

By now you have probably wondered what this "trial by fire" business all means. After these accolades have been given, and the memories recalled, perhaps some details would help to enlighten those seeking some depth. Quite frankly, and presumably, I'm probably making this into a bigger dilemma than it actually is, but there is still a degree of severity in my writings.

After being advised to step back my education to part time status for one semester, it is now coming back to bite me. For this semester, it looks as though I'll be enrolling in fourteen credits, as well as applying for a position that requires a master's degree. Getting into all of those credits will be the easy part if the appropriate ducks are in a row. The hard part will be taking off the gloves for an all out bout to have my student requests approved. The oldest of those requests are now six months old. I have evidence that other requests, submitted well after my first request, were submitted and approved within a matter of one or two days.

Historically I have not been the confrontational type. However, I am not above looking out for my future by making some telephone calls, copying the president of the university in an email, or contacting the appropriate movers and shakers to get things done. I'll finish this post with one of my favorite scenes from the film V for Vendetta. Look beyond V's words in terms of the plot. Focus instead on the meaning of this scene. This scene should not be taken literally or as implying a solution to my problem. Rather, it is encourage others to not fear power. Something only has power so long as we give it power.

"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson (http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/when-governments-fear-people-there-libertyquotation)