Oldschool41 : Like I said it is part of the maturing process. I know speaking for myself that I have a totally different head on my shoulders as I’m pushing 30 than I did as a teenager. I just wish that it didn’t take the things that it took to get me to wake up and realize that I had to straighten myself out. The things that bother me most now of days are my regrets and not really being able to remember a lot of what I went through.

In regard to this kid I really do think that there was more to it than you know. From experience I know that I gradually became more and more reclusive as the years went on. I gradually went from being a BS’er to being honest after I got my wake up call but at the same time I keep to myself and unless someone asks me something I don’t volunteer it. As I said before I held a lot of anger toward people who I thought I could trust but I have mellowed a bit over the years in realizing that I may have anger toward myself but it isn’t worth it to have anger toward other people no matter how justified you might feel. In saying this I will admit that I have gotten angry and bitter over the years with regard to certain people but I just think it’s all part of a process and it’s certainly a part of human nature to be angry initially. I throw no stones I’m sure there are some who I wasn’t good to in my teens who want nothing to do with me.

Like I said before it is my hope that those who knew me back then will realize that I was a hurt kid back then who did not have his head on straight and was simply in a bad place in his life. As for the anger I hold on myself that is a different issue.

Being a teenager isn’t easy especially if you’re disabled. I really think that this kid may have been going through things outside of school and probably the stress of everything combined got to him. It’s understandable and I’ve been there. Just remember what I suggested. If you happen to come across this kid at some time in the future I would just be honest and humble. Tell him of your regrets and ask for forgiveness. Remember you were a kid too and everyone makes mistakes.

Oldschool41 : Well I can kind of see both sides of this to be honest. I know what it feels like to be picked on and to be the odd man out so to speak but, I also know what it feels like to be in a group of friends and act a certain way and then end up feeling really bad years later.

Without going into too much detail during my teen years my parents were separated and as a result of that I was pretty much put in the middle of it. When I wasn’t in school odds are I was trying to play peacemaker between them. This went on for most of my teen years. Prior to high school I was someone who was generally liked, hardly ever missed school unless I was sick or had a doctor’s appointment and was mostly content. When I got into high school that all changed. I hung out with people that now years later looking back I wish I never met let alone hung out with. What made it worse was I became a BS’er to a degree. I guess the reason I did that was because I didn’t want people to know what I was going through with my family and such. It also didn’t help that the people who were good for me I more or less ended up pushing away.

I ended up doing and saying things that simply are not who I am as a person a lot of which I can’t really remember. Peer pressure and the stress of everything that I was going through at home eventually led to me changing schools and eventually dropping out completely. Although things eventually worked out with my parents I really didn’t start to straighten myself out until I was in my early 20’s. I’m still working at picking myself up from that period of my life. I have a lot of regret from that part of my life and often say I wish I could go back to that period of my life but with the mind that I have now and redo everything. Things would be different if I were given that chance that’s for sure.

For a real long time I held a lot of anger toward certain people I hung out with that I trusted for things that went on. As I have gotten older I have realized that it isn’t good to be angry at other people. The one I really place the blame on everything for is myself. I hold anger on myself but that’s a different issue.

I do regret the way I was back then because when you really get down to it I was a hurt kid who’s world was flipped upside down. I make no excuses though I was inauthentic, arrogant and was rude to some people. Looking back on it that is something that I also wish that I could change because as I said the person I was back then was not before and is not the person I am now. It wasn’t who I really am and it does bother me that I was that way for several years.

I often ask myself the same question of am I a bad person? Does anyone have any resentment toward me and such? I don’t have the answers to those questions but I will say that everyone regardless whether they admit it or not goes through rough periods in life where they don’t use their minds the way they should. Everyone has things in life where they wish they could have a do over with. In my case I have several things. I don’t know whether or not you were a part of what made this kid leave school. You need to remember you were a kid as well. It isn’t easy and some people don’t mature simply because their chronological age. For some it doesn’t happen until their well into adulthood. In my case I’m grateful that I got my wake-up call while I was still in my 20’s even though as I said I have my share of regrets. I hope that one day I will finally be able to put that period of my life behind me and be able to enjoy life more while helping others, even if it’s by merely listening to people and offering advice if need be.

I don’t think you’re a bad person. Everyone makes mistakes and does things they wish they can take back later on. We’re all human and for those who realize their mistakes it can be part of the maturing process. As for me I don’t hold any anger any more toward others and have forgiven those who have reached out to me in the years since. At the same time I don’t reach out to too many people because I do feel bad about how I was back then and I am a reclusive person by nature. I do pray though that no one has any anger toward me and I really hope no one does because if they saw the person I have become it is my hope that they’d realize that the person they knew was young, dumb, naïve, and was simply in a bad place in his life. I am nothing like I was back then.

My suggestion is if you happen to come across this kid in the future just be honest with him and tell him of your regrets and ask for forgiveness. I have had to do that a couple of times and it’s not an easy thing to do but you will probably feel better to get it off your chest. It doesn’t make you a bad person to say look I feel bad for the way things were and I’m sorry please forgive me. It would be bad if you didn’t feel bad. Sadly some people don’t grow up and don’t realize those things and some end up thinking they know it all. I like to think of those who are like that as big kids because like I said it isn’t your chronological age that matures you. It’s the stuff that you go through in the time that will mature you if you let it.

I also think that what may have led to this kid dropping out, much like myself had to do with other things not just what was going on in school and peer pressure. In my case I was not thinking straight and just got fed up with school but it had to do more with what I was going through outside of school then the nonsense I dealt with in school. Either way I don’t think you were the soul reason and you shouldn’t think otherwise. People go through things and sometimes it's harder to handle for some than it is for others. I know that I had a real hard time handling things back then. I hope that I have given you a little perspective. If you need someone to talk to please don’t hesitate to ask.

Best of luck to you.

Juliet : I can understand where you’re coming from. I am a writer and have spent most of my life writing in one way or another. Despite years of hard work and sacrificing a lot and paying my dues I haven’t found a good way to make a solid living off my work. It’s frustrating when you do everything you can for people you work for and you aren’t compensated in return for your contributions. I realize you’re situation is a little different but I can relate to where you’re coming from.

It definitely doesn’t make sense to me that you wouldn’t be compensated a little more for your efforts. Since I don’t really know much about programming the only advice I can offer is to keep your head up. As for me, I’m in a down period right now in regard to my work and have felt a bit demoralized myself because of having little to show for my contributions and such. It’s frustrating hopefully this year will be a year that things turn around for me. At least I hope so.

Best of luck to you.

panther1 : I’m probably one of the few sports writers around who rarely watches college football. The main thing I don’t like about college football is the lack of an adequate playoff system or at least that’s the way it has seemed to me. I did catch the latter minutes of the Outback bowl on Monday though. The hit that Michigan player took in the 4th I have no idea how he got up from that. It hurt me just looking at it. I also watched the Orange bowl between Northern Illinois and FSU. NI held their own but FSU was just too much. I do think if given the proper time NI could surprise people in the years to come. USF was once considered an upstart program and they’ve come a long way. It makes things more entertaining to watch that’s for sure. I just wish they had an adequate playoff system.

I’m picking Norte Dame next Monday night over Alabama. From what I’ve seen ND always has found a way to win despite seemingly being outgunned on paper. I just think they have too much momentum. Should be a great game.

Ryuzaki45 : Yeah I’ve been there on more than one occasion. Sometimes you have no other option other than to sit and wait things out. It’s frustrating and can be very trying but sometimes it’s the best thing you can do. I agree with you.

Thank you for letting us know. This thread is closed.

mrfe :

fire emblem10604 :

Thanks for letting us know. This thread is officially closed. Happy New Year to you both.

warmaker : Well it’s been a long time since I was in a real relationship but my last real one (which I now consider to be a mistake) was on and off for a couple of years when I was younger. Young, Dumb, Naïve, and full of stupidity are the best words to describe that period of my life. Knowing what I know now after maturing, wising up and knowing what I’ve been through as a result of being young and dumb I would certainly go back to that period of my life and correct things if I could. Best advice I could offer someone in regard to relationships is to really get to know the person you’re getting involved with to be sure it’s right for you. Jumping into a relationship too quickly could result in regrets, consequences and, grief. It isn’t worth it.

orionfoxgibson : George Carlin is my idol. I learned a lot from watching him over the years and although I will acknowledge that he may not be for everyone and wasn’t for some, the world needs his wisdom now more than ever.

He could be quite vulgar at times but if you read between the lines of the vulgarity he always struck a cord with what he had to say and more often than not was right about the things he’d talk about. Like the political system and financial system here in the US. I would love to hear what he would say about how things are right now in regard to everything since one of his recurring themes over the years was the system is collapsing and everything is slowly breaking down. It’s a crying shame he’s no longer with us to give his opinion. The man had a way of using language and controlled anger to poke holes in things, break things down and often times exposed hypocrisy. He was the master. I patterned my writing style after him although I don’t nearly have the freedom to use a full spectrum of language like he did.

I am grateful that I got to see him live in person a few years before he passed. I waited twenty years to see him live in person, it was well worth the wait.

In regard to what you said I think it boils down to someone who is responsible, has strong character and moral fiber. I do agree with you though that there is no real guidelines and it pretty much boils down to the individual.

DwarvenKnuckleBuster : I have had ten surgeries so far in life. It isn’t something I would recommend to anyone but that’s how it is. Most of them were very painful and I’d be laid up for a couple of months at minimum recovering from surgery and doing physical therapy and such. There were other surgeries though where I was released the same day and such but more often than not I was in the hospital or in and out of the hospital for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after surgeries.

Although it wasn’t enjoyable the odd thing is whenever one of my family members or close friends goes in for surgery and or is dealing with some kind of illness I will often say that I wish it were me going through it instead of them because I’m use to it and would rather be the one going though it than those I'm close to. Most of my surgeries have been for orthopedic reasons.

I wish you the best. Keep your head up and don’t worry. Best of luck to you.

ruesen : If I were around to see it I would react favorably to the news. I do not consider myself to be deeply religious although I do pray daily and try as best as I can to observe mass online whenever I can. I do believe that God reappearing would not only confirm the beliefs of many but it just may offer hope to a world that needs some.

More and more it seems like things are getting worse especially in regard to the economy and such. As for me I dealt with a health scare several years ago and I am convinced that God got me through that. The last couple of years in particular have not been the easiest for my family and I. It has been very trying, very emotionally draining and frankly at times seemed hopeless. My faith has been tested more than once believe me. I do believe however that had it not been for my faith that I would not have gotten through what I have.

I have never doubted God’s existence but I won’t lie there have been times as I said that my faith has been tested and I have been very angry with God at times. Whether or not I had a right to be angry with God is a different discussion for a different time but I think in a way it’s part of what brings you closer to God. After all, life is not all milk and honey and I think it’s foolish for one to expect things to be 100% perfect although sometimes it would certainly be nice.

The one thing that I try to do above all is not judge others. I think that is one thing the world could do with less of quite frankly.

Oldschool41 : I don't see the problem in that. It is playoff time after all and there should be something for us football fans, even though my team (The Giants) got eliminated yesterday I am very much looking forward to the post-season. Minnesota and Green Bay played great yesterday so too did Dallas and Washington.

Oldschool41 : Thanks for letting us know. This thread is officially closed.

Elpizo : Don't worry someone almost always makes a post season thread for all the respected sports. If someone hasn't made one by mid week this week I will go ahead and make one.


Happy New Year to all.

Singelli :

Seishiro Leonhart :

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Yona_db : Please observe the forums before posting to be sure that you do not post a thread that is duplicate to someone else's thread or similar. If you need any help please don't hesitate to ask.

mrfe : This thread is officially closed. Thanks for letting us know.

Yona_db : Please always double check the forums to make sure you're not posting something that someone else already has and please do not make duplicate threads.

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Seishiro Leonhart : Thanks for letting us know this thread is officially closed.

Popeye116 : I don't see a problem with it but I would ask the higher ups. Will try and get the question answered for you.