“The lecturer is nice. I only saw him twice in this entire course, but we communicated more via emails. He is quite a good fellow. I like him. Peculiar with his red leather boots, but nice.”
Ah, the red leather boots. I will never forget them. How they strutted into the lecture hall with Ian Dury & The Blockheads’ Sex and Drugs and Rock & Roll playing on repeat in the background. It was probably the coolest class I have ever attended during my two years of Uni at Queensland University of Technology.
I never really got to know Dr Steve Dillon though. I skipped a lot of his lectures. Not because he was a boring lecturer. I never went to enough of his classes to decide if he were a boring lecturer. Couldn’t have been too boring, what with his red boots and mandatory introduction song. But from what I got recorded in my old blog, he had been as much a helpful lecturer virtually. I just – let a lot of what could have been a good life pass me by during those two years in Uni.
Looking back now, I barely remember what went on during that semester. One of the few things I remember was my take-home exam. One question particularly. Well, not really what question it was, but what I answered. For some reason, it inspired me to write about one of Damien Rice’s songs from the Live From The Union Chapel album. Could be Amie. Best answer I ever penned down throughout my Uni days. In fact, that was the only subject I ever scored a High Distinction in. Bestest accomplishment at that point of my life.
I cannot say that I am there yet as a music writer. But at least, I have this blog, and a job that allows me unlimited access to do something music related.
So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that, Dr Dillon lent a hand in making me realise what I want to do for the rest of my life. Subconsciously. Indirectly. He provided a fun course in Uni to take up, and an interesting class that anyone could have easily latched on to, when music comes into play. For me, it was quite important back then. It made the three months of my two-year Uni life a bit more bearable, and made me confident again for choosing a course I thought might eventually just ruin my life.
It felt rather surreal when I saw an ex-tutor post up his RIP post for Dr Dillon on his status, right smack at a moment when I am going through something bad in my life. Lovesong by The Cure was on the radio when the news hit me yesterday evening. I did not know why it was important I remembered that.
Thank you, Dr Dillon. For whatever little help you have provided me five years ago, it has led me to where I am today. I believe you played a part, however small. I appreciate it, and I am grateful to have made your acquaintance. However short, however meagre. And I hope you know that somewhere out there, in that big sea of students you have came in contact with, you made this one realise a rather important dream that could have easily slipped away.
RIP Dr Steve Dillon. May you walk among the clouds with that kickass burgundy leather boots of yours.
Backseat Radio II 