Fleming Studies

I met with Fleming over breakfast this morning at Market Square, a diner that’s been around about as long as the Dundee/McHenry intersection. The best I can do for you is a less chain-happy Denny’s. Fleming is the English/Communication Department Chair at Trinity and, thus, a frequent Professor of mine.

I wanted to get to know her better, maybe gain a little wisdom and direction for my last year of college – and a little accountability. The meeting was on par for awkward, but turned out to be almost comfortable because it was quite surface-level. I needed a “go-ahead” from her about a couple online summer courses I am to register for. She’s been stalling since March and I’m starting to get frustrated. Sometime during the meal she subtly argued against the convention of online education. Bummer. I just want to get a couple Gen Eds out of the way: Math, Poetry and Music.

I’m pretty sure Fleming and I don’t agree on much. She is opposed to sport and is as heavy a reader as she is on the scale. Running around a field with a ball is a very silly idea to her.

I thought maybe we could learn to understand each other a little more if we talked a little more.

Fleming was raised in South Africa (missionaries) and since college has lived as a Midwesterner. Interesting tidbit is that she has family on the west coast: Xenith and Silver Dale – my neck of the woods. She’s been a camper at Lakeside Bible Camp – crazy – and went to an elementary school in Highline, and attended Grace Bible Chapel in Des Moines.

She continued to speak for us as I continued to eat for us. That only meant that there would be a time when the tables would have to turn. I have never been gifted at re-reporting the news or latest gossip, something Fleming is notoriously practiced in. Next time we meet I should watch the previous evening news or pick up the morning New York Times. I’m also not the biggest fan of talking about myself – probably because I get most of it out on my keyboard. So if I had to chip-in I talked about family and mostly my brothers – which inevitably caused me to miss home.

I really don’t know what I was looking for. But what I got was a smorgasbord of Fleming anecdotes – reminiscent of her in-class lecture style. I should earn a minor in Fleming studies. She’s given me plenty of writing material, no doubt. She’s also given me reason to sleep in and miss my 8ams. Fleming is around this summer because she is writing her dissertation – something I want to explore another day.

Three hours and a half-dozen coffee refills later, Fleming picked up the check and said I could get it next time. I left a tip and we parted.




Randomness.

There were a handful of yard sales in the ‘hood last weekend and I snagged a love seat for $10. Still no bed.

I scored my first W-League goal against the Cleveland Internationals on Sunday. It was a full left-footed volley off of a corner kick.

Yesterday was my roommates 21st birthday and long story short I showed up at the wrong bar, alone.

I found a two Trek bikes that I want -- I need one. New or used?: that is the question.