Some refer to this as sheepskin, but I think of it as A BIG ASS RAISE AND PROMOTION. How sweet it is.

Yesterday I received in the mail an invitation to join the honor society for MLIS. I wondered why I hadn't been asked before, considering how hard I worked to graduate with a high GPA. But I suppose 'tis the way of things. In case my grades were to suddenly plummet, perhaps from my giving in to a latent life of debauchery, this esteemed society had to be sure of success before it went offering.

I graduated in two honor societies with my B.A. degree – one the college's own honor society, the other the English Literature Honor Society – Lambda Iota Tau. Neither asked me for money, which is why I'm left scratching my head. The MLIS society is asking me for $ 85 in order to accept me as a member. Eighty-five dollars? Are ye mad? Is this usual? I wouldn't think so.

As my daughter put it, "You already have a job. Why would you need that?"

Point well taken, but it's something that looks good on the resume. Not that I plan to leave, but what if Paul gets transferred (GOD FORBID) or something and I'm thrust out into a cold and cruel world?

Fiddlesticks. I can't decide what I should do. The certificate would be great to have, giving me ONE MORE THAN PAUL HAS ON OUR DEGREE WALL. Hard to put a price tag on that. But $ 85?

Ouch.