This was the weekend that we moved daughter into her new house. With all the work I did not have time to do an adequate job of a Top Ten Post. This post ran on October 29th, 2018. I hope if you missed it you will enjoy it. For those who have seen this one, next week will be better. Also, I’m over at Story Empire today talking about burnout. Here is the LINK
***
This post continues the Top Ten Things Not to Do with history as a backdrop. Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, is founded in Cambridge, Mass on this day in 1636.
The Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Founding of Harvard College in 1636.
10 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not suggest a celebration with a kegger party. If you do, at best the kegger store will be closed. At worst, the administration will create a rule against keggers. (Congratulations, Fyodor. You are the first student at the college to be put on probation.)
9 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not pledge a fraternity where Tiny the WWF champ is a member. If you do, at best Tiny will flunk out before you get there. At worst, Tiny who was just criticized by the dean for necessary hazing had ordered you to bend over. (Let’s hope the dean lecture has not made Tiny even angrier, Frederick. Is that paddle as big as it looks?)
8 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not organize a demonstration protesting the dorm food. If you do, at best no one will join you. At worst, the college put you in charge of food procurement. (Looks like your fellow students are getting tired of squirrel stew, Falcon. I think I would try to raise a few vegetables if I were you.)
7 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not cut class on the first warm day. If you do, at best you can get notes from the nerd, At worst, your professor will pull a pop quiz that is 20% of the term grade. (No amount of begging is going to help, Fallon. I would go to the infirmary and see if you can con someone into an excuse.)
6 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize a football team. If you do, at best no one will know what you are talking about. At worst, you’ll find some players who are ready to play but can’t see a ball. (Looks like you will have to make one, Fraser. Try to get it a little rounder okay. That thing looks like a fat sausage.)
5 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not go outside wearing that Yale sweatshirt. If you do, at best no one will notice since Yale was founded in 1701. At worst, someone will take offense thinking Yale is an acronym for Young American Liquor Enterprise. (You have to understand the Puritan Ethic is still pretty strong, Fiorello. The time in the stocks will go fast. Think positive.)
4 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not fail to return your library book on time. If you do, at best the fine is only 1p a week. At worst, a press-gang will come looking for you. (It would have been easier to return the book, Ferril. Now you won’t get back to the College until your sea duty is over. Five years will go pretty quickly.)
3 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not try to organize the first co-ed dance. If you do, at best your fellow students will just laugh. At worst the administration will pass a rule prohibiting co-ed dancing. (Good luck finding a co-ed, Fabrice. The first sex-blind admissions were not until 1977. Oh, and you need to serve time on the dunking chair due to the rule violation. I hope those hold your breath contests come in handy.)
2 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not park your horse in the faculty parking lot. If you do, at best no one will need the space. At worst, professor Curmudgeon will alert campus security to shoot you on sight. (Never thought taking a tenured professor’s parking place was that big of a deal, huh Faddei. Those musket balls look like they would hurt.)
1 If you are at the founding of Harvard, do not buy your books ahead of time at the used bookstore. If you do, at best you might save money. At worst, the professor will change the course text with no notice. (Well, looks like your used books will make an excellent fire starter, Fadil. Better luck next term)
Fiction Favorites 
I hope your daughter (and her dog) are happy in their new home, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she’ll be real happy. She has a brand new house, fenced yard in the city she loves. Thanks, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
M too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Susannah. She is delighted to have her own home. Since it is new construction everything didn’t go like clockwork but in the end it all managed to come together. It was so nice to see her so happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bet…Daddy’s little girl. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You pegged it. When she was two I convinced my wife to give her anything she asked for. She has always been a source of pride. Equestrian (1.5 meter competative jumper), student athlete, and now a manager with a top investment firm. I never had cause to regret the decesion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She was your very own National Velvet. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. We all enjoyed the experience. Her last horse’s name was Calvin and the two of them were a team for sure. Of course, my heart was always in my throat seeing a 1500 pound animal carrying a 95 pound treasure over a five foot fence 10 times during an event. In 18 years of riding she only had one spill and that was when she was six. She could ride anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Coincidentally, I’m rereading Seabiscuit, by Laura Hillenbrand. Ever read it? It’s a great book. Bet your daughter has. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
She has. I have not. Someday.
LikeLiked by 2 people
When I read a writer like her, I feel almost ashamed at my own feeble prose. Her descriptions that are spare yet vivid inspire and intimidate like a fruit that’s both sour and sweet. I know what a reader you are, so you’ll understand my feelings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do understand. There are times when I read someone’s work that is so impressive that I tear up in awe. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe that’s a good thing. Who knows?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, who knows?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Squirrel stew?? 😂 I’m glad you reposted this, John, because I missed it the first time. Congrats to your daughter on her new home. Now it’s time for you and your lovely producer to rest, share a glass of wine, and toast to a new beginning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were going to do just that, Gwen. Of course we finished up so late that all we could do was grab some dinner and flop. We will catch up today I’m sure. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great re-run, John. I hope your daughter is settled nicely into her new home. Congratulations to her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she is so happy. Her first home is absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Jill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes me happy. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
Now I wonder when cutting class became a thing. Has it always existed?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know we did it in the late 50s and sixties.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I particularly like #2. Faculty parking spaces are sacrosanct. I hope your daughter is settling into her new home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. She had a restful night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good to hear. I’ve always found moving very stressful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too and I only did it 20 times. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s been about that many for me as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did go the first time, but I wore my WVU shirt. Of course, West Virginia wasn’t a state/colony. Tiny took exception to the suggestion. This time, I’m going to dress drab and stay quiet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thre you go. Sounds like a plan. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice rerun, John – hope the move went well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it did. She is there now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super repost, John. I for one enjoyed reading your Top Ten more than once. I hope your daughter’s move went smoothly over the weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it went swimmingly well. Thanks, Jennie. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terrific!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, those textbook switches. Some things never change. I’m glad the move went well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLike
Those moves are always tiring. Hope everyone is settled in now and you didn’t need too much liniment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only one wound. Wine took care of it and the aches. Thanks, Craig. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Y’all are good parents, John — glad to hear your daughter’s nicely settled in her new digs! I remember reading this before, but it’s still interesting. And I’d forgotten about #3!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debbie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never read this so it’s new to me. I love these, as you know.
One of my most exciting moments was being a guest at the Harvard Club seeing the stuffed elk? Teddy shot that hangs majestically. Love the lore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must have been s super visit. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love everything Teddy, as you know, so yes, it was exciting. He also met Alice Lee at Harvard. So much lore connected with him there when you follow the trail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just to walk the same hall would be a thrill.
LikeLike
Yes, it’s how I always feel. Nice that you understand. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to make others understand why visiting the past is exciting. If you listen, you can hear its heartbeat. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well said, Susannah. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is such an entertaining history lesson, John. I’m so pleased that the move went smoothly,
It’s an exciting time moving into that first home. Now its time to recover. 🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Recovery is slow for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed seeing this list again:)
I hope the move went well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it did. She is very happy. Thank you, Denise.
LikeLike
My back and heart can relate having recently helped our Baby Girl and her family move to a new house ourselves.😀 I hope they settle in soon and have a happy life in their new home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a parent’s wish. Thanks, Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True dat! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
All I can say is: Increase Mather. I know, a few years down the line, but still the same mindset as those who founded Harvard.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Andrew.
LikeLiked by 1 person