"What's the rate of change for this equation?"
How the heck should you know, she just wrote it. Your stomach growls from skipping breakfast. You stare blankly at the smart board, feigning interest.
"What does the derivative tell us about the function?"
Day after day. Number punching, number punching, answer. That's it. Can't wait for Thursday. Hopping a train to Port Jeff. to see your sister. Match day, one of the most important days for her this year. She's vented to you about it so much, you feel like it's yours to. Going to have lunch with her.
You can miss the endless notes, lectures, tests, quizzes. The mind numbing routine. It's silent on the LIRR. The hum of the wheels scraping on the track barely noticeable. You sit back, reading, music playing in one of your ears. You look around, giving stories to faces. The guy in a business suit trying to look as sophisticated as can be or the pretty twenty something with red, puffed eyes who gives you a smile. You sit there, knowing that as you celebrate with your sister, someone else is dealing with their bad news.
Lunch at a simple sushi place. It's fun, sitting there with your orders of sushi and saki, reveling in the good news. The familiar pit starts to grow in your stomach and not from the food. Knowing that it is all to end far too soon. Knowing it's back to the same routine the next day. The unyeilding pen pushing.
And back on the train you go. Back to the scraping of metal. Back to sitting around. Back to trying to stay occupied. Back to staring. Staring at them. Them and their problems.
I like the line "Staring at them. Them and their problems." That line made me think about the times I stared at peoples problems. Great Story
ReplyDelete"You look around, giving stories to faces" that is a really great line. I think its true that when you notice a lot of people and dont have much to do you look at those around you and try to entertain yourself by figuring out what others could be going through.
ReplyDeleteI also think its amusing that we both used math in our stories and not in a positive way. I think you did a really great job on it.
I like this piece due to its interesting and good perspective. My favorite line is "You can miss the endless notes, lectures, tests, quizzes. The mind numbing routine. It's silent on the LIRR." That was a nice metaphor. I also llike the beginning with the vivid details of how calculus is wack. It was humorous.
ReplyDeleteI like how you started off your piece with dialogue instead of with waking up in the morning. Overall, your story was interesting to read! My favorite line is "You look around, giving stories to faces."
ReplyDeleteThis piece was very good. I liked how in the beginning when waiting for the train you were so happy and everything you noticed turned out to be a good thing. Then on the way home when you thought of school the next day all these things you saw seemed to turn bad. Good job.
ReplyDeleteGreat story! Yuo had great detail. I realy liked your response to the teacher's question, "How the heck should you know, she just wrote it." It is true.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the style in which you wrote this piece. You describe your emotions very well and really get your feelings out. I like how you speak of the other passengers unknown problems as yours is obviously not wanting to return to school. Great job
ReplyDelete"What's the rate of change for this equation?" and "What does the derivative tell us about the function?" these two lines really remind me of calculus. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI like the easy going vibe conveyed in your piece when you spoke about the notes and lessons you would miss in school that day. The line about "giving stories to faces" is exactly what I do when I'm on the train with nothing else to do. Very funny. Really great job!
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