Grade and high school weren't all that memorable. But I had a lot of interesting times in graduate school. There are two that stand out a bit.
I was at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, studying political Islam and terrorism with Magnus Ranstorp, who is known for being on a first name basis with some of the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah (you will see him from time to time on CNN as a talking head). Magnus is a great guy, typical Scandinavian. Anyway, he was engaged at the time, but his fiancee broke the engagement. He informed us the next day that all future seminars would be in the pub. Okay. Now our class had members of the Canadian navy, a British major, and post-grads like me. We knew Magnus was upset, but none of us was quite sure how to handle the situation. So, we show up at the pub at 10AM and start ordering coffee and tea. Magnus shows up a few minutes later and asked us what the hell we were doing. This was a pub, and we should all be drinking. He then ordered a pint. The rest of that seminar was interesting. Setting aside the personal stuff, I learned a lot.
The other experience was a rough one. I was in law school at Georgetown on 9/11. Actually, I even had an interview with the CIA (which was cancelled). Georgetown Law is not in Georgetown. It is on Capitol Hill. I drove into DC that morning on 395 past the Pentagon before the plane hit. I was actually doing research in the law library when things started happening. It is interesting. I had my computer set up and learned of the attacks via instant message from friends in Kansas and Scotland. Another student and I informed the librarian of what was happening as there were reports of a bomb at the OEB, which was just down the road. At that time, the powers that be closed the law school. The librarian enlisted my assistance to get the other students out of the law library, many who had no idea what was happening. I got many stunned looks that day. I listened to Tom Brokaw on the radio as I drove out of DC. I knew the Pentagon had been hit, so I headed out through NE DC (not a nice area). I was in front of Union Station when the first Tower fell. At that point, the Congressional staff was pouring out of the Capitol. I had done graduate studies of terrorism and knew that was the time to hit DC and I was in the wrong place. There was no one on the streets in NE DC. I swung around DC on 495 and crossed the Potomac on the Eisenhower bridge. I could see the smoke from the Pentagon clearly. The next day, I drove through that same smoke plume on my way to law school, an experience and smell I will never forget. An interesting side note. In January 2001, I took a course in law school on the international law of the use of force. My professor had been a member of the Clinton national security team. My thesis was that it was entirely legal under international law to preemptorily use force against states that sponsor or support terrorism. She disagreed with me and lowered my grade for political reasons. I ran into her in September 2001, she apologized for being academically vindictive and agreed that in hindsight my thesis was correct. I merely looked at her and said, "you think?"
As another side note, I did eventually get another interview with the CIA. Remember, I have a law degree and a graduate degree in International Security Studies, studied terrorism, political Islam, and gave them a copy of my thesis. Three years after the initial interview, I received a letter saying that the CIA was still checking my background. Aside from a few speeding tickets, I have nothing my record. Oh well, there's your government for you.
Not only did I pee my pants, but I peed my pants in front of my two best friends and the girl I liked.
) knew everyone, to this huge three story school in town, with probably 175 - 200 kids in grades K through 6th. Very scary to a nine year old! 
