In September, I went back to school.
Back because I grew bored in my life before. And because the job prospects are pretty poor for a college dropout with nine-tenths of Liberal Arts degree.
Human beings are silly. We spend our lives convincing ourselves that what we do Matters and Every Day is a new chance to Change The World for the better.
Usually, it's not.
At the same time, there's a second, opposite, set of humanity that's completely given up. Life Sucks, People Suck and we're just spending time putting in our hours so that after work we can Do Things That Matter.
Also, mostly wrong.
It may make me weird, but I believe there's a different way. Maybe, just maybe, there's a way to find something that you Love to do, but also Matters. That makes a difference, a significant difference, in your edge of the world.
I got tired of convincing myself that what I was doing mattered when really it didn't.
If I don't sell you this cell phone, you'll get it from someone else. If you don't buy this game here, you'll buy it elsewhere. Corporations spend thousands on telling their employees that they are a part of something bigger, something amazing, that is changing the lives of those around them, when it's not even close to being true.
And I got sick of it.
So, in September, I went back to school.
Since then, I've spent more time studying then in 5 years of traditional college. I've used more notebooks, pens and highlighters then I thought were possible and spent more time stressed out while bored then I thought was possible. The list of diseases I've been exposed to would make an infectious disease doctor blush, and the chances of catching a blood-borne disease rise each day I slip on my work clothes.
The average length of career is five years. 1 in 10 sustain serious work related injury with that number moving to 1 in 5 in busier locations, thirty times the average work place injury rate in the United States. The death rate is often in the top ten of deadliest jobs in the United States, which increases sharply with more training, all while drawing the same pay as a high school teacher.
But many of the people in school show the same love for this crazy world as I do, and even better, seem just as insane as I am for wanting to begin this life.
That's right, folks. In September, I started learning what it takes to become a Paramedic, easily one of the best, craziest and most rewarding ideas I've ever had.
And I don't even have to pretend it matters.
This blog is my journey from Wanderer to Ambulance Driver ... which is odd, given that there's only two months left of school at this point, then a few months of internship.
Stories, thoughts and my way of venting on the worst days, and cheering the world on the best days. Because my good days are spent tending for you on your worst, and I'll tell you what.
I love every minute of it.
But then, I probably am crazy.
