JOURNAL: August 25, 2006

Several truths became clear to me yesterday. First, it’s obvious that summer tutoring is an almost effortless way of earning money. I guess I’ve been doing it for so many years that it’s become as easy as sitting in a comfortable chair in an air-conditioned library and chatting with some very cordial young people. Perhaps it’s the sense of luxury and well-being I feel in the library, or perhaps its just the utter goodness of the students; whatever the reason, this summer’s teaching has been a joy. I’ve earned a sizeable amount of money, and there’s no doubt I’ve had great fun doing it. It also became apparent to me yesterday that working out in the morning before school has many advantages. My morning workout yesterday was neither easy nor especially enjoyable, but I reaped the benefits later in the day. I felt stronger and livelier almost from the start, and it was wonderful to realize that I had gotten that most difficult chore of the day over with. I sort of floated through the day, knowing that, instead of going to the gym in the afternoon, I could practice some welcome indolence and idleness.