Plan B

Today’s subject is yet another takeaway from “This American Life” but it is an interesting subject. I refer to that program often because it is well written, full of surprises, and part of my Sunday ritual. (Ira, I expect a check in the mail anytime now.)

The idea was that we all have a Plan A. That is what we intend to do with our life. It is what we are trained and prepared to do. Supposedly our Plan A is what we do to follow our passion.

From what I remember, middle school was when everyone was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This was done so we could plan the courses that will allow us to accomplish our dreams. Then again what did we know?

We had our basic training in elementary school of how to read, write, and arithmetic. Our parents had formed our philosophical ideas and social interaction. So what do you say when asked, “What is your passion?” Like we were not having enough trouble with our bodies and racing hormones.

Not being interested in sports and not a good reader I didn’t have a passion. I was not involved in music yet or I would have said, “I want to be a rock star” but I’m not sure there was a curricular for electric guitarist. The porn industry was still in its infancy and besides I didn’t know you could make money doing that. So the only other thing I liked to do beside watching television and eating chocolate was drawing pictures.

“Artist” was my Plan A. It didn’t seem difficult or require taking a foreign language but gave me a reason to take two art classes and work on the yearbook design. Getting into the local art institute seemed pretty easy even with poor grades and even though my counselors told me I would never graduate or make my Plan A work, I kept going.

Either by talent or deception or sheer luck, I made a career of my Plan A. It was a good thing because I didn’t have a Plan B for employment.

We all plan but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. You get the right haircut and wear the right clothes and go out with the best friends, but the girl you are attracted to likes another guy. What is your Plan B? You know how it works. A group gathers with one attractive person and the rest become the second or third choice.

Sometimes Plan B turns out better than Plan A could. Sometimes there is a Plan C.