The teenage daughter of one of my longtime colleagues is about to graduate from high school.

I was talking to her about that and happened to note that I had skipped my own high school graduation, though my parents went ahead and attended the ceremony.

(If you know me and cannot outrun me, chances are I have forced you to listen to that story.)

Anyway, at some point in our conversation, she said "Maybe I should do that."

For a fraction of a second, I faced the awful prospect that she was serious.

She wasn't. Thank God.

All I need is her dad remembering forever that I talked his daughter out of attending her high school graduation.

"What happened? Why isn't she going?"

"Paul Turner convinced her it would mean she's a total corporate lackey."

I no longer believe that. Well, not entirely. And besides, we longtime corporate lackeys can always use some reinforcements.

---

---