Needing Heads Examined.

Little J had her head examined to the extent of looking like something from outer space. An EEG examination is recommended for trying to find the reasons for seizures. Now we wait with bated breath to see if anything emerges.

Then, her mother and I proved we needed our heads examined by being examined for a swimming qualification today. We had received course material to study, and then we spent the morning sitting at school-type desks for a couple of hours being lectured at. After that came the written examination. I found that one doesn’t lose the capacity for panic that exams gave in school or university. Well, I haven’t, anyway.
I can only hope that I kept my wits sufficiently gathered to earn the 80% mark needed for a pass.

That mark should be challenged as being out of tune with regional norms. I mean, come on now! In South Africa you can pass the school leavers Grade 12 with 40% in three subjects, 30% in another three, and a big fat zero in the seventh subject. How I wish that had been the case when I did school/university.

Should we pass this exam, we will become qualified Level 1 Timekeepers under the international swimming federation rules. How, you may ask with tears in your eyes, can there be notes and lectures and exams to cover the process of pushing a button when a swimmer starts, and pushing it again when that swimmer finishes? You’d be surprised. I was!

Still, it seems amazing that one has to pay for a course to be entitled to volunteer free services, and still have to pay registration and membership fees, and in addition be required to buy navy pants, white shirts, and white shoes, if such items are not already in one’s wardrobe. All of which garments are going to get violently splashed at if the job is done properly.

© August 2018 Colonialist