Monday, May 5, 2008

A Flashback

Last night, Squazz and I had dinner at the beautiful home of one of my oldest friends, her husband and their amazing triplets (one of whom happens to be my godson).  Miss Hower and I were suitemates in college, and, as a result, have many tales to tell.  

One that we both remember fondly is that we had a composition class together that was taught by the most provincial man I have ever encountered.  He rued the fact that we didn't have to wear the lay-type gowns like the students at Oxford.  So, instead the boys were required to wear a tie and we girls had to wear a dress.  To his class. Every Tuesday and Thursday.

Oh, and he rarely gave anyone a B.  So you could pretty much forget about an A.  Miss Hower and I, being the naive brave young ladies we were, forged ahead with this lovely exercise, and in spite of the odds, turned in what we thought were some amazing papers.  All came back with a nice big C on the top.  If my memory serves me correctly, I believe he used a red magic marker.

Fast forward to a balmy spring evening.  Miss Hower and Miss Ives are preparing to write their papers on Robert Frost's "The Mending Wall" which are due the following morning.  We have done nothing and it is about 11 pm.  Mind you, dear reader, this was back in the day when we had to type our papers.  With footnotes. On a typewriter.

We decided first that we would prepare to write.  We juiced up on coffee.  Plotted and planned.  We drank more coffee.  And then we poured all our energy and creativity into a masterpiece.

A voodoo doll that would take care of Professor Weatherby and all our woes.  We spent a good part of the early morning hours crafting this sucker.  And boy, were we pleased.  We did all sorts of horrible things to that doll, and I don't know what time it was when we finally tossed it out the window, turned to our IBM Selectrics, and wrote some sort of drivel.  Then we showered, put on our skirts and went to class.  We got B's.  Go figure.

Oh, and Professor Weatherby?  I'd like you to know that Miss Hower has written a screenplay that is about to become a fantastic movie.  And she wears jeans.

16 comments:

abb said...

Your writing skills aren't so bad either. Maybe the old professor had a better effect on both of you than you think. Of course, voodoo dolls always help!

xoabb

Jules said...

Love the voodoo doll....I could have used this for many of my professors!

WORKING MOM said...

Congrats to Ms. Hower! She needs to mail him the script along with the voodoo doll, if the professor is still living and breathing, old codger.

Anonymous said...

Coincidence? I think not!
What a great story! And I love the happy ending...

Meg said...

Loved the story sweetie! Voodoo dolls you say??? Hmmmm, remind me never to piss you off! By the way, is there anything you need? Can I get you anything? Lol!

Anonymous said...

Great story! As you know, composition is all subjective. What is acceptable to a professor has no bearing on actual ability. :)

Debbie said...

I love the voodoo doll and in the past have wished for one a few times LOL. Great story and if it can't be done in jeans or shorts...I don't do it!

Thanks for the sweet comment today on my blog...I'm hanging in there :) Just paid bills..UGH..never do that on a yucky mood day!! LOL

Anonymous said...

Rock on sistah. Of course...I had a small panic attack at the word "triplets" it's hard to come back from that ;)

They're not contagious right?

Anonymous said...

Ha! Love it. I've never a voodoo doll of a prof but oh there were some that it would have been worth the time!

Congrats on your friends movie, are you starring in it?

Snooty Primadona said...

Great story. Thanks for reminding me about voodoo dolls too, lol. I'd forgotten how though provoking they can be, lol.

How fantastic for your friend! Now, what are you going to do?

Anonymous said...

What a great story! LOL And that voodoo doll, spectacular!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I want that voodoo doll for a certain MIL. Is that wrong? Didn't think so. Send it over. :)

Mary said...

Ha, great story! Is the professor still around? You ought to email him a link to this post...
xoxo,
Mary

Leighanne said...

Hysterical!! I wish I had hatched the evil plan myself.

Treasia Stepp said...

Wonderful story! Laughed about the voodoo doll as well. Hum, maybe you and I are alike in a lot of ways. My voodoo doll has a magnet and sticks to the refrigerator, does yours? LOL.

Egghead said...

I think I will have to dig out all my old voodoo dolls. I have one I think for every mean nun in my elementary catholic school. J/K. Love the voodoo doll.