I have been perhaps as guilty as anyone as far as name callin, startin trouble, ect. However, whether yall have noticed it or not, I have toned myself way down for some time. Yeah, I'm still a smartass and I have a ways to go to work on that. But just out of who I am, that will not go away 100%.
What I have come to the realization of is this. There are a lot of top notch people here. Lots of experience. As such, people sometimes get caught up wanting to "prove themselves" if you will. I'm man enough to admit I did. But you know what? The bottom line is, what I think of myself. I don't give a damn anymore whether somebody thinks I know a lot. I know what I know and I'm the only person who needs to know it. Somebody doesn't want to know something the way I do? Great, go learn it from someone else. That doesn't make my way right or anybody else's wrong, or vice versa.
It's just not necessary to be mean spirited and call people names.....unless it's in the spirit of good fun, and everybody KNOWS you're jokin around. Other than that, it's uncalled for and quite frankly, classless. It adds nothing to the conversation and in fact, does the opposite. It also takes away credibility from the person who said it.
I have had enough for a while. I got rubbed the wrong way when more than one member called me names in a thread where all I did was voice an opinion in a polite manner stating what I thought would be the right thing to do. I still feel the same way. Every member that called me a name was on my friends list. I was not under the impression friends treated each other in that manner. Even if that motorcycle rider was a member of my own family, I would turn him in. Some people think because someone is your friend or family that is reason enough to help them hide the dead bodies in the back yard. Sorry, but I just don't believe that. Wrong is wrong and if that makes me a "rat", "squid", crybaby", or anything else, then so be it. Those that think that of me, don't have to associate with me anymore. Although I think the name calling was wrong and childish, I don't harbor any ill will toward anyone. I find it amusing that those who did the name calling find their position so weak, that they had to resort to name calling in the first place. They knew their position was wrong, and that's the only leg they had to stand on, and that's ok. I've been hard headed before myself.
Also, something else I have mentioned several times on here. I am disabled. My disability is pretty debilitating at times. It has to do with inner ear and brain nerve damage due to an explosion that was a practical joke that was played on me at work some years back. I cannot do anything like I once could. Although I make out on here like I still do a few things, I cannot do much at all without having to rest from literally taking all of my strength just to remain balanced while standing even for short periods. This in itself is why I have not been to Fort Valley in a little while now to be with and check on Bruce. I have been having a bad time as of late. It comes and goes in cycles. Now is not a good time for me. I say all of that to lead into this. Winter does seem to bring out the crazy in people. Not being able to do some of the things we do during the warmer months. For me, it is like that all four seasons. Perhaps that's one reason why I am a little testy at times. And in no way shape form or fashion am I asking for or expecting special treatment. I am merely stating something that yall may not have known. I know full well I am not the only member here who is disabled, so I expect treatment no different than the next guy.
So, here is what "I" will do. "I" will do my best to improve the way I interact with people. I cannot propose to change or even try to change someone else, but I can do something for myself. I resolve form here on out to treat people with more dignity and respect. After all, we are only here for a short time, regardless of what your beliefs might be, that much is fact. So why not try to make the best of it?
Lastly, when I got mad the other night, I dumped my entire friends list. It was a stupid thing to do in hindsight and I apologize to all of you who were on it. I don't blame any of you if you don't want to be on my friends list again, but if any of you wish to be there again, I will certainly not refuse your request. We all do stupid things and that was mine for the time being. Who knows what's next? Anyway, that's my ramblin on it all and that' my promise. That I will try my best to improve.
