Turns out that most men worry about stuff that makes little sense to worry about. The difference with men is that we are quicker to keep that stuff quiet. But just to show you that it happens, I'll give a sneak peek into my mind...
So, I'm taking the patent bar examination in a month. Passing this test is necessary in order to practice in front of the U.S. Patent Office (i.e. I don't really have a career without it). Oh yeah, and the test has a ~50% pass rate.
I took a practice test recently and didn't do that great (it is the first time I have really put in any effort). As I sit now, I'm left with a month to study...but my docket is filling up fast with work that will take that month.
Hence the fear. Here is where the irrational part comes in...
I know this stuff way better than the average bear who is about to sit for this exam. In fact, even with minimal effort I will probably be over-prepared. But, I still can't shake the what-if fear. As a result, doing bad on that practice test didn't help my daily cheerfulness yesterday...and it continues into today (and gets worse every minute I work and not study).
Then the uber-irrational slippery slope comes to play. It starts in my mind where I get fired. Then can't provide for those who depend on me. To top it off my wife decides to leave because "hey of I'm going to be poor, my husband should at least be good looking." And so on.......
Chances are that your husband, father, etc., are repressing similar things. So go easy on them the next time they have a hard day but don't express anything to you that appears to be something worthy to be in a bad mood about.
P.S. I know women do this also to an extent...but you've gotta admit, they are more open about it, or at the least you can easily perceive it and address it because it is not well hidden.
4 comments:
The good news about the Patent Bar is that you know whether you passed or not immediately after taking it. So, in reality, if you failed your first time, you could just tell the firm that you got tied up doing "billable" work when you were actually failing the test. Then you could reschedule the test, on your own dime this time of course, for a later date.
The problem you encounter, however, is that they won't let you re-take the test until 6mo after.
But I'm sure you'll do fine...heck, you have FPLC in your court.
Boy, I'm not sure I was ready for that "sneak peak" into your brain. However, being your favorite sis, and knowing somewhat about irrationality, I am sure you will do great. Besides, if the "law thing" doesn't work out, you could fall back on you insanely incredible good looks and flirt your way to a passing grade. Don't take "no" for an answer.
P.S. You're probilly the smartest dude I know in Texas. No need to second guess yourself now.
Love ya like a brother! Linda
Oh Nate - will it help if I wrote that you'll do just fine and that Heidi will not leave you....she'll probably just go to law school and provide for all of ya and you can be the stay-at-home dad that scrapbooks, reads and obsesses over Twilight and does playgroup with the neighborhood moms!
Believe me, I know how you're feeling right now. Bar results come out in two weeks. I already know I failed, I don't even need to wait for the results. I'm just glad I have a job for another 2-4 weeks.
You're right on about the manly fears. That's how I passed my pde's class, remember? I told the professor that I just needed a C-, and that if I didn't get a C- I wouldn't graduate, and I'd loose my job, which would make me loose my house and then Brooke would leave me and take our kid. He must have understood my fears too, because I got a C- and I'm pretty sure I didn't earn it.
Don't worry about the patent bar. I failed every test I ever took until I took the real one. Just print and study the old tests at lunch or before you go to bed. It only takes about 20 minutes to review the answers to one section. 20 -30 minutes a day for the next month plus a couple of saturdays, and you should be totally fine.
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