Off the Mark

The mail brought very mixed news today. For one, I still did not get my deposit refund check from my previous real estate agency. By law, they were supposed to have it to me by Friday; that is, the Friday before yesterday (which was the next Friday…).

Barr Real Estate sucks; for many and varied reasons! If you can avoid it at all, DO NOT rent from Barr Real Estate in the Champaign-Urbana area.

Despite that—almost anticipated at this point—I got even more bad fiscal news in the mail. I don’t so much mind being poor, but I do seriously mind all the issues I seem to be having managing my money despite the lack of any money of consequence. Even worse, lately only a third or so of my money issues have been directly, or even indirectly, my fault.

But on a different note, I did receive something in the mail today that made my day. I received an invitation to join the Alpha Chapter of Beta Phi Mu. While the bestowment of this honor really has no wider effect in the world, it is nice to be recognized by the outstanding facutly of my program for my efforts “at education” in its broadest sense.

I am very proud to be included in this honor with one of the first people I met upon starting GSLIS, and my friend, Annette Lesak, who was awarded the Anne M. Boyd Award by the Alpha Chapter at graduation. This award is “given to the person who by a vote of the faculty is considered the most outstanding student.” Again, well-deserved and congrats Annette.

I am looking forward to find out who else has been invited to join Beta Phi Mu. I have no doubt that it will be those, who like me, do what we do because of who we are and not for recognition by others. This is not to devalue that recognition, it is very important; possibly (in an ethical sense) even more so for those who excel by virtue of internal and intrinsic motivations.

Congratulations to all the new invitees/inductees, whoever you may be! And. Yay me!