Article for 2013 Jan 25

2013

2013 Jan

Jan 25 Fri

So much for trying to convince myself that I can cope with a commitment to the chemical industry. I still have this dream of studying Latin at university, and my insight and intellect will span a continent, and I’ll rise through the ranks like Cicero, a quaestor, an aedile, a praetor, a consul, Duncan Sailor, a graduate, a lecturer, a reader, professor.

Such a pleasant dream. They say you should follow your dreams, but everyone knows that’s just pie in the sky. Much like my own pipe-dream. (Or a quiche tossed upwards.)

And with that, I commit myself to Chemistry. Latin’s a time-bomb: it will detonate in a few years time if not defused, spewing me out onto the street with a degree that’s irrelevant to modern life. As a chemical engineer, it’ll be my job to prevent such horrific explosions, in oil process plants. That’s what I should do, what I must do, what I can do. Then I can enjoy the refinery things in life.