19th century + 20th century =

I now know why I’ve been suffering recently from the bloggers’ blues [see previous post].

I’m stressed. I’m off to an important meeting this weekend in a cold and windy mid-western American city. It’s the 3,486th meeting of my career but that is not what is making me shake.

I’ve been serving on a committee that’s trying to define 21st century learning skills.
However, I’ve learned that the committee is now a commission. What’s the difference I ask between a committee and commission other than one letter?

Apparently, a commission carries gravitas whereby a committee is… well... just another committee. Blah, blah, blah, you know.

The agenda arrived last week with a cover letter addressed to Dear Commissioner. Me? How does one behave and dress? A little imagination is called for here. I picture some sort of 19th century setting. A grande gathering perhaps?

I’ll stride in as a Prussian count with my walking stick and knee high riding boots. Prince Frederick is fine, thank you, gentlemen. But what’s this Commission about? We have a war to fight in Europe and I’m very busy.

Ah there’s the delegate from California dressed as a down-at-the-mouth Charlie Chaplin. You’re looking rather bankrupt, old thing.

And there’s the dandy who represents New England. He always wearing that tell-tale Harvard scarf and wears it in a tell-tale Harvard way which no one can imitate.

I had better stop – someone might read this from the Commission. There are 25 or so on their way to a cold and windy city. Time to pack and head for the airport. I have both my committee look and Commission look ready.

And what about those 21st century skills? More on this later.