1. Didn’t you train for this! 8/20/2015
Ok, so the instructor is calling the class to order. The door opens and a Giraffe walks in.
Walking down the middle of the seating arrangement he takes a front row seat, takes out his
laptop and places it on the desk. Shaking his head in wonderment the instructor informs the
class that laptops are not needed for today’s assignment, it will be a written project.
Focusing his eyes on the Giraffe the instructor laments; out of respect I will not call you by your
book term name. He goes on to say, I can’t do this. He says, you are a Giraffe, you are sitting
there with your head down and this is very distracting. Why are you here? He says. Can you just
leave? I can’t concentrate. It is obvious you have this long-ness about you, and you do not care.
The class stares in amazement while the instructor’s countenance is drawn down. For 15
minutes the silence regulates the class with all eyes fixed upon the Giraffe.
Finally raising his hand, (leg) he motions to speak. Grudgingly the instructor responds, go
ahead.
The Giraffe replied,
I am sorry……..
I was looking over my notes, is this assignment to be hand written traditionally or would cursive
writing be ok?
The thought is this;
No, my thoughts are not for consideration. Focus on the present assignment and what you can
get out of it. Additionally that I referred to is not the instructor, it is you. Sometimes the worry
is too much about our long-ness, what peers may think about us. Albatrosses around our neck,
a small measure of focus is required, the present assignment and what you can get out of it.
Oh, and our peers, the guy you thought was mimicking your learning style and who also had
time to focus on receiving superior grades on all assignments. Now a private discussion with the
instructor is demanded to insure no one peeks at your grade except you. If not understanding is
the issue, ask. There is no such thing as a dumb question; however this famous quote has never
been followed by a reference.
Also that calls to mind a high level person who did not know how to spell a certain word,
(https://highered.nbclearn.com/portal/site/HigherEd/browse/?cuecard=33589) among his, I
would not say colleagues. Let me phrase it this way – constituents. These scholars were much
smaller in stature but they were sharp.
So, if you do not know what letter comes before A in the alphabet, don’t ask. Well, at least do it
in a private setting. Conferences have a way of going public. Those that reside in Sr. Level

2. positions should remember this when they make intellectual comments. They should not want
the reminder to show up as a negative portfolio the next morning. It is always considerate to
meditate before speaking. So, this colleague of mine asked the alphabet question in a different
format. Interjecting, I suggested the continued conversation be in the past tense while leading
the way to the door.
Admittedly though, don’t worry about that not so bright question you asked. If someone
laughs, share the laughter with them, I do it all the time.