Co blogger Josette and I were having a very casual text conversation the other day. We have them a lot. She's a good texter. She's also ridiculously practical.
"So what do philosophers do?" she asked me.
"They write books, they give lectures, they teach classes."
"Yeah, but how do they make money? How are you going make money?"
"Didn't I just answer that? They write books, they give lecture, they teach classes..."
"This is how you plan on making a living?"
You can't really see people when your texting. But, God, I sensed the hugest eye roll on the planet. Because Josette has them mastered so well, she can practically see her brain when she rolls her eyes. It's quite impressive. Maybe she could give me classes. Oh wait, I won't have money for classes.
I wish I could say this is the first time someone's asked me how I think I'm going to feed myself after I rattle off about my potential careers. It's not. It's the first time from Josette. It's the 200th time from a human being. My parents probably make up 57% of that number (yeah, I counted). I don't even have a job yet, I'm not even out of the house yet, and my little brothers already call me "The Poor One."
Who am I to deny them? My younger sister and my younger brother already have part time jobs. My younger, younger brothers sell stuff. My five year old brother somehow makes money. (I don't know how, but I think it's illegal)
And me? I bite my nails, and nervously wonder if I should just start applying for welfare now. Some philosophers are successful. Aristotle was successful. He got to teach Alexander the Great. I could teach Malia and Sasha Obama.
In the mean time, I just make lists. The following might save me if Mr. President decides not to hire me.
1. Waitress at the Hard Rock Cafe: The food kind of sucks, but free music all day long will compensate.
2. Cobbler: I've wanted this one since I was five. And I'll never have to buy shoes ever again.
3. Gardener: I like plants! They like me! I don't like bugs, though. This may or may not pose a problem.
4. Mime: It's probably below minimum wage, but you guys will help, right? Right?
5. High School Teacher: I was probably dropped as a child, because I really like this idea.
The funny thing is, these are probably the most practical ideas I have. I really want to be a painter or an art historian, or a photographer. I might want to be a journalist. I kind of want to write children's literature. My cousin rode her bike around South America and took pictures of all the sights she saw. Isn't that awesome?
It's also not going to make me money.
But at the end of the day, I don't really care for nice clothes, or nice makeup. I don't care too much for gadgets. And library cards are free, right? If all else fails, I can live with my parents. It's only a big humiliating deal in this country. And neither of them of are from this country.
Or I'll just live off of Sofi. There are no chances of Sofi not succeeding in life.
So there Josette.
