Tear Down This Wall

In 1987, President Reagan was in Berlin. He gave a memorable speech. The most quoted line is, "Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall."

I understand a little about walls. I tend to erect them around myself. Always have.

I'm like a turtle. I retreat to my protective shell. I poke my head out and scope the situation. Many people seem to think that I put our life on display. I don't. It's just a portion, a glimpse.

A friend who has known me for many years called me on it today. She wasn't quite as eloquent as Reagan but the message was definitely, "Tear down this wall."

The Mindset List

Every year at this time Beloit College releases its Mindset List. I've been reading it for years -- it's a great reality check of the college freshman's frame of reference.

It's especially poignant to me this year. The baby is on campus and going through freshman orientation.

Here are a few of my favorites from the list:

What Berlin wall?

They've never "rolled down" a car window.

They have grown up with bottled water.

Pete Rose has never played baseball.

Wal-Mart has always been a larger retailer than Sears and has always employed more workers than GM.

Stadiums, rock tours and sporting events have always had corporate names.

Fox has always been a major network.

They learned about JFK from Oliver Stone and Malcolm X from Spike Lee.

They never saw Johnny Carson live on television.

Food packaging has always included nutritional labeling.

It's a fun list to read but boy, does it make me feel old! Living with the oldies quickly gives me a different perspective. Imagine the changes they've seen and endured.