That has a nice ring to it. Man does that demand respect, and as many of you know, I want the respect. Just think, someday I'll have that emblazoned across my chest like Batman's brilliant yellow ensconced black bat or Hester's impure red 'A'. However, this is not a taxicab confession of wanted bat-like power, PhD demanding respect, or carnal cravings indulged, this is about a class - Philosophy 201: Morality and law; a class that reminds me of high school.

Now understand, this is like no class I ever took in HS, but of the cordial, life altering discourse that occurred after, at home. Know that it doesn't resonate with the same distinctly vociferous parental rights afforded those of large stature. But it does have a quality of importance and consistency one finds hard to break through and even understand. You see my professor, we'll just call him dad, well, reminds me of my dad. I find my dad to be one of the smartest people I know. A sort of jake-of-all-trades so to speak. Ask him what he thinks and sit back and enjoy the ride, because what you thought was cordial conversation has just turned into a one man diatribe and a battle of interjection. And at 32, I still lose - every time.

Nevertheless, my teacher, i mean dad, is just like my dad, who is just like my teacher, follow. And of course I love my dad. I needed to say that right. As to not make it sound like I don't, because I do, immensely. But I don't want to take a class with him. And that is what this class is like, everyday. Dad steps to the front of class and for an hour implores us with his personal views on the role morality has played in jurisprudence and how society has been shaped by said role. Interesting though, I believe a lot of what dad says, however, don't believe his job is to espouse those beliefs in a halfhearted attempt to teach us on the perceived, course subject. The 'this is what I learned from living in Europe and have found much validity from the foreign perception of our country in foreign affairs, but that's just what i had learned. You can make up your mind for yourself' doesn't work. Teach me theories and counter theories - Marx, Weber and so on. And then let the class partake. Don't cut every question off as if you've got the answer and then go off on some obscure story about your time in Belgium.

So, as i sat in class today, trying to absorb, while simultaneously participate, Lord of the Rings popped in my head. And suddenly, while I stared at the broken sword once held by my lineage, it hit me. I do that. I cut people off. I talk as if what I have to say is absolutely imperative. I often don't let people partake; and if I do, I am thinking of what to counter with instead of what the other is saying. My God, I am in class with my dad and this time i better pay attention.