Theory and Practical

Back in the secondary school days, the sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) were taught as theory (inclassroom) and practical (labs). The idea was that by doing practical applications of the Theory learned in class, we have better understanding. It all seemed pretty trivial back then but apparently, it has become very much the way I handle new concepts I encounter. This is especially true of late given the recent events that strongly suggest that just because it seems reasonable in our heads or on paper, does not mean there is any practical application or any basis in reality. The conversation with arrow and deez after the game (111205, we won by the way) brought this issue to mind. Arrow was saying that the height of a high jumper is a factor in his ability to jump i.e. the taller the athlete was, the more advantage he had over a shorter athlete since, he argued, a higher center of gravity (in the taller person's case), the less work needed to go over the bar.
Sounds reasonable when you think about it but I disagreed on the basis that from high jumps that I have seen, height difference does not seem to play a role. Furthermore, in order for me to accept the height factor, I would have to see data that supports the assertion. In the typical arrow fashion, since I did not seem to have a reason for disagreeing, he surmised that I merely wanted to drag. Maybe I was...but I think it simply represented my growing disillusionment with my ideas of the way life works. Here I am without a job, a year after graduation with a degree and GPA that in theory should have gotten me a job fairly quickly. In theory, when I was called to the Baker Hughes interview, I should have gotten the job. In practice, oksy who wasn't even deemed qualified for the interview got the job over me. In theory, being a nice guy, having a sense of humor,attending social events etc should have gotten me a girlfriend but in practice, the drought has been so bad that I have become a laughing stock of everyone including those girls who think that I am now so desperate that I would ask anybody out.
Bad as the situation is, some good comes out of it. At least I am understanding better the idea that 'talk is cheap'. The world moves according to its own law. Part of that law allows man the illusion and arrogance to think he can control part of it. Part of it periodically removes that illusion to advance a greater picture we can never hope to comprehend. It is this twin forces that are known as destiny and fate. As I understand them better, I can, like the learning swimmer, learn to let the waves carry me and keep me afloat and in the midst of the turmoil, I may advance.