good for nothin'

Did you ever take any pass/fail courses in college? There was a required Health class at BYU you could test out of on a pass/fail basis. I remember I was too cheap to buy the text book, so I went to the bookstore and sat there for quite awhile reading through it, then I headed straight to the test center to take the test. When I passed I remember wondering how much of a margin I had, in other words, how much time had I wasted learning things I didn't need to know. The concept of learning for the sake of learning was so far beyond my scope of understanding as an undergrad. Which is why I took any short cut I could ethically take to still get good grades. And which is why instead of attending free lectures and the international cinema, I was more often playing guitar or watching the Simpsons.

***

Maia and Sydney have been a distraction at cub scout pack meetings lately. Let's just say they are overly exuberant in their role as spectators. On our way to last night's pack meeting I told them IF and when refreshments were announced, they were both to look at me, and I would either nod my head yes, meaning they had been good and could each take ONE of whatever was offered, or I would shake my head no, meaning their behavior had been unacceptable. They both solemnly agreed. Sydney sweetly promised, "we'll just take ONE, ... IF they even have treats." Long pause and Maia asks Syd, "but what if we're good for nothing?"

Don't worry, they were good. They each got their cookie. But I am wondering, when will they be good for nothing?