I’m currently sitting in the computer lab in the Journalism building at Columbia. I’m looking out the window at the Hudson river and New Jersey on the opposite shore. Crazy shit.

The course has been going well…lots of youngins, as predicted, but very sweet youngins. Lots more girls than boys, and it’s actually pretty fun to be in a classroom environment dominated by really sharp, on-it young women. The young men seem mildly intimidated, scuffling their feet and adjusting themselves as they lurk around the edges of groups of chatting girls.

These first three weeks are all about books, and while it’s not of big interest to me (the seminar on educational publishing was especially dry) since I do intend to write a book someday it’s good to know the process I’m going to be working with. We had a panel of agents come speak to us yesterday and they were HILARIOUS! One woman in particular, a alumna of this very course, was just fantastic. She clearly loved her job as an agent, and had a foul mouth that was just great. The best was when she complimented one of her peers by saying that “Sloan has hacked off more balls in this industry than anyone I know–he’s amazing!”

L.H., the organizer of the course who sits in the first row and frequently interrups speakers, winced, turned around and rolled her eyes, but all of us were too busy laughing our asses off to notice. Maybe Lindy didn’t find it appropriate professional behavior, but those of us who don’t intend to lose our spirits when we enter the corporate world loved it and swarmed around the agent when she was done speaking.

The whole swarming thing is sort of weird, actually. After each seminar, students gather around the speakers, some asking questions, but most just sort of standing there hoping that some of the publishing pixie dust will rub off on them.

It’s strange being surrounded by so many people who have never been in the “real world.” They’re all so afraid of not getting work, a fear that I don’t have to deal with. For godsake, I’ve already BEEN working for the last five years…it’s nice not to have that desperation clouding my vision.

Ok, time to head back to the “Pulitzer Room” where all our seminars are taught. We have seminar from 9am - 12:30, then 2pm - 5:30 then 7:30 - 9:30. A little intensive, yes.