Tuesday, February 15, 2005

CALCULUS AND THE THEORY OF REALITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDICTED TO LOVE  (part XVII)

I immersed myself into attending night classes at the University of Louisville. I was accounting clerk by day, student by night, and mother by the seat of my pants. Every business degree required that you complete a calculus class! My first attempt at the subject resulted with me dropping the class and enrolling in an algebra class during the summer break.

I was very prepared to tackle the calculus class that fall. As a matter of fact I had surprised myself by having a knack for algebra. Who would have ever believed it? Certainly not my high school algebra teacher nor my tutor! I was a miserable student then, but somehow I had blossomed into a deductive reasoning fool.

When I entered the classroom for my second try at calculus, I was amazed to find the most attractive and a very young man was teaching the class. In other words, he was a babe!

He passed out a test to gauge our algebraic abilities. I was quick to hand mine in first and scored a 100%.   Let the games begin! ....every test he gave seemed to be composed  for me.  It became his quest to find a problem that I  would have difficulty solving. It was a great class for me. A terrific challenge. It would be an understatement to say it was an epiphany for me. 

The evening of the final exam finally arrived. I took my time completing the test, going over every question, completing both the extra credit problems. I was biding my time until everyone had handed in their papers and then I made my move.

We walked outside together and  I told him how much I enjoyed his class, and what a great teacher he was, so inspirational. He asked me if I would like to go to The Cardinal Inn for a beer. Would I?!!!!

I am not certain how long we sat and talked. I do remember conversing about my amazing mathematical gift! And what a joy I was to have as a student. Afterwards, he walked me to my car and as I turned to say goodnight he grabbed me and laid on me the most wonderful and memorable kiss that there ever was! He said, "I've wanted to do that for a long time." and then, "I'll call you."

I waited and waited and waited. I finally gave up hope. He never did. Call me. I thought my magical mathematical powers were irresistible! I was crushed.

The next semester I saw him driving on campus. Along side him in the front seat was a woman. Our eyes met. His eyes said it all. I nodded and he smiled.

And that is all I have to say about calculus.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, that's a great story!  Who ever knew calculus teachers could be sexy!  (i'm a former calc. teacher myself, so what does that say....)

Anonymous said...

Goodness! You got a cute hairdo on your college ID. Believe it or not, I am sporting the same hairdo now!  Let's just say professors are not suppose to fraternize with students that is why he did not call.  

Anonymous said...

wow calculus and cute teacher lucky you. Lori

Anonymous said...

Sad that it didn't add up....1+1=0......Anne     (Cute picture)

Anonymous said...

I loved math, and started out college as a math major. I know what you mean - suddenly it just all clicks and makes so much sense! Math and ballet are good backgrounds for just about anything!

Cute picture!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wife?  Dodged a bullet on that one, I'd say... Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Cute Picture! What a story, what a life you've had!

Monica

Anonymous said...

Very cute picture!  Now I have another excuse to hate math of any kind...math teachers...you deserved better than that...especially with your obvious brilliance!JAE

Anonymous said...

love the pic and what a story...


~JerseyGirl
http://journals.aol.com/cneinhorn/WonderGirl

Anonymous said...

HIS LOSS!

Anonymous said...

I am so addicted to your journal! the pics bring back my memories of that time.
Marti

Anonymous said...

I felt the same way about algebra! I was a B student in high school but in college I took AlgebraI and AlgebraII and aced them. Satistics too. The year I would have had Calculus was the year my son got sick and my college career ended. I don't have the time, energy or money to go back now. Perhaps someday.
Nelle

Anonymous said...

I think that pic of you is darling...what an expression! And  that entry would be a great short story to send somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Math and I have never gotten along. I'm OK with regular old general math. I can add, subtract, etc. but, when it comes to the "higher" math I'm at a loss. So, you tell me, How did I wind up married to a woman who worked for NASA as a Mathmatical Technician?. After 35 years of marriage it still amazes me. She did calculations using a blackboard and a slide rule. You know, in the mid 60's prior to the computer boom. You are right, everything is relative. She is an Accountant today and handles all the money in the house. I have no idea what's going on with our funds. I can't even balance the check book. Sometimes people meet and they "click" together for no rhyme or reason. My Regards, I enjoy your writing. Bill. "Comments on the events of my life".

Anonymous said...

Heh I just watched "A Beautiful Mind." Go see it, and be glad you didn't go with the math teacher :)

Anonymous said...

Sometimes all it is meant to be is a 'kiss'; notwithstanding the fact that you found out that you were a math whiz!  Lovely story.  Pennie

Anonymous said...

Hey, I have an old U of L ID that looks just like that! (well, except for the picture...LOL!).  They've finally stopped using those and gone to a new credit card type one.

I took calculus my first year there, but I didn't get a babe for a teacher, unfortunately. :(

Anonymous said...

Great story!
V