Useless Conversation

[Merusk]

Yeah, I was never physically bullied in grade school (probably helped that I was one of the bigger kids in the class), but I was always "the smart kid" so there was a lot of social ostracism.  I was lucky enough to go to a high school where I had academic peers and wasn't such an outcast, but I still haven't fully recovered from the social awkwardness I developed during my preteen years.

Social awkwardness was alleviated for me by being a member of several groups throughout middle and High School.  Choir, Band, Swim Team, Water Polo, "The Drafting Group" of 'shop classes' (who were regarded as 'beneath' the rest of shop by those kids. Which was odd.) and 'art class' kids who took more than the 1 required class.

It also helped expose me to a wider variety of people.  Which I suppose assisted in the 'not being picked on' thing.  Unless you're REALLY anti-social/ mental or have a physical deformity (unfortunately true) to use it's hard to be bully kids you know well.

[Samwise]

The single greatest thing to happen to my social life/skills was starting to play D&D in high school.   

[Salamok]

To supplement, I put her in a tae kwon do class that really focuses on discipline and anti-bullying.  I've seen marked improvements in her attitude towards other kids in school and she's only been in it for 9 months.  It's not the best answer for a 4yr old, but when he hits 7-8, I'd suggest it.  The school we have is almost like a second set of parents and has helped us grow her confidence and behavior.

I have had mine in martial arts since 5, they do a phenomenally better job than the school at keeping track of where the 80 odd kids heads are at and attempting to keep them focused on positive behavior.  

Middle school was awful, not just for me but for everyone.  It really was a free for all.  High school got better because if you were one of the smart kids you essentially got segregated and didn't really have to deal with the dangerous kids.  But you had different sorts of bullies in those groups.  Bullying isn't just about pushing and shoving, as Rasix has even demonstrated with his 3 year old.

The worst kids get segregated out after 8th grade, up until then they are mainstream.

[Signe]

I quit school when I was 15, or at least stopped going.  My mother had gone back to her home for a couple of months because her father was dying, my dad took off soon after.  I have no idea where he went but he would come back now and then to check on the dog or change or something.  Dunno.  Whisky and wimmen are my guess... his two weaknesses.  My sister finally took the dog to her house (she was older, married and expecting) so I was on my own and just hung out and had fun.  My mom was NOT happy when she came back.  It was too late, though.  I had a taste of freedom and I wasn't going back to the school prison.  Oh, and I wasn't a bully and never got bullied except sometimes by older boys who were assholes.  Mostly I just got bored.  If anyone bothered me when I was really little, my sister would always beat the snot out of them.  As older sisters do.  I can't imagine being bullied. School was bad enough.  I hated it.  Thank god for drugs.  I remember when ever something happened to my sister in school, it was like the end of the world.  So much sobbing, screaming and door slamming.  It was horrible.  And loud.  

My nephew was bullied, though, and he also took martial arts very young. I think he was 10.  It really gave him confidence.  He did well enough and and still does it.  He has a black belt and something else and can actually teach if he wanted to... but he doesn't.  He'd rather make coffee.

[Salamok]

Sounds a bit like my experiences, I had an extremely difficult time giving a shit about school work (not to mention showing up).  It was a fair bit more interesting in college as there was less busywork but in the end you are doing the same assignment thousands of other kids are doing and it will end up in the trash just like all the others.  I enjoy helping people and the act of learning for someone who finds learning easy just didn't seem like a terribly rewarding or productive thing to be doing. 

Now that I am old and slowing down a bit I realize that it is the shit I know that is holding me back not the shit I don't know, so maybe young stupid me was right in a naive sort of way.

[schild]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QR4kRRlXm4

[Strazos]

Caught a lot of shit going through school - first for being the new kid in school from out of state (both 4th and 5th; different schools), then in Jr/Sr HS for reasons I still don't completely understand. Got shit from the "normal" kids for normal reasons (ie smart and nerdy), and also the Honors kids because...I don't know, didn't really fit in with most of those pricks either. It was compounded because I was rather lazy and largely didn't take honors classes, which just meant I fucked up grading curves in the "college prep" classes and was "that kid" who would actually answer questions in class.

College didn't really help - not that people gave me crap, but I didn't live at school so never really developed many friends there. First job was hell at times as well, as some of the folks there were dicks.

Ironically, I might have to see some of them next week when I fly back for a wedding - the wedding will be great, seeing those dicks possibly less so.

I'd like to think that dealing with all that nonsense as a kid toughened me up psychologically - the reason, for instance, why I wasn't really phased at all when I first moved from DC to bumfuck Africa. But in actuality I'm probably still carrying a lot of baggage I haven't been able to properly deal with due to my job and location.

Shit, I probably didn't start to finally normalize until I got this job in my mid-20s and started finally interacting with people "on my level" on a consistent basis who were not my childhood friends of 20+ years. 

[Fraeg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QR4kRRlXm4

one of my favorite songs from the 80's... interesting cover

[Abagadro]

Had a crazy chick hold a butcher's knife to my throat and threaten to kill me in middle school. That was fun. 

Had the usual nerd- bashing until about high school at which point I was so focused on getting out of town to a good college that I couldn't give a rat's ass about anyone and basically looked down on all the fucktards knowing I would leave them in the dust (and you could see it in their eyes that they knew it too). That gave me enough armor not to care.

[lamaros]

Had a crazy chick hold a butcher's knife to my throat and threaten to kill me in middle school. That was fun. 

Had the usual nerd- bashing until about high school at which point I was so focused on getting out of town to a good college that I couldn't give a rat's ass about anyone and basically looked down on all the fucktards knowing I would leave them in the dust (and you could see it in their eyes that they knew it too). That gave me enough armor not to care.

I can see the ex-randite stains from here.

[Yegolev]

If your network cable request specifies fiber, and you find out that it is actually copper:

a. Contact the engineer for a revision of the request
b. Just plug it into any old switch port, update documentation
c. Just plug it into any old switch port, go have lunch

[Chimpy]

If your network cable request specifies fiber, and you find out that it is actually copper:

a. Contact the engineer for a revision of the request
b. Just plug it into any old switch port, update documentation
c. Just plug it into any old switch port, go have lunch

Is this like the ACT where C is the most common answer?

[Signe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QR4kRRlXm4

Love them.  I have family who live in Østfold County, which is how I heard of them.  I really like this Major Tom.

[Yegolev]

If your network cable request specifies fiber, and you find out that it is actually copper:

a. Contact the engineer for a revision of the request
b. Just plug it into any old switch port, update documentation
c. Just plug it into any old switch port, go have lunch

Is this like the ACT where C is the most common answer?

Your scores will be mailed to you at a later date.

[Merusk]

This is a trick question. Clearly the answer is "D"  'yell at the exterior consultant who had no association with the project.'

[Yegolev]

Does that include plugging in the cable while everyone assumes the request was completed accurately?

[ghost]

Went to the range today for the first time in about 2 years and ran through about 300 bullets.  That was a bad idea.    Forgot how much I like shooting though.  Goddam ammo is high right now.  Don't think this will be a regular deal.

[Sky]

You should paint minis instead! 



But really.

[taolurker]

Is my envisioning you painting minis, while making "pew pew" sounds, accurate Sky?

[Sky]

They sometimes have dialogue. My last project was three zombies. *scintillating* dialogue.

[Signe]

HA!

[schild]

Invented a word today. Oblufescence. It is the maximum measurement by which I can describe my hatred for a thing. It is very specific to me as a person. Was chatting with someone about burnt-out no-creativity left gaming industry people who cling to their past to continue making money - particularly in regards to Kickstarter.

I am oblufescent with them.

5 points to whoever can figure out which 3 designers were brought up in the discussion. If no one can guess, all 5 points go to Gryffindor.

[Ragnoros]

Richard Garriott, Serek Dmart and Peter Molyneux?

[Rasix]

Garriot, Molyneux, Jacobs.

[Signe]

Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, Alice + Olivia?

(shoes)

[schild]

I KNOW THOSE ARE SHOES

Though, isn't Alice + Olivia known more for their dresses?

Anyway, Serek Dmart never got rich as far as I know. Peter Molyneux, bless his stupid arrogant heart is still actually trying. I have no reason to shit on Jacobs, as he's like, applicably passionate though woefully misled by his own desire to succeed rather than create fun.

Garriott nets you both zero points, but obviously he was one of them. He was the easy one.

[Velorath]

I'd say Dyack, but I think his Kickstarter failed twice now.

[Rasix]

Schafer, Roberts?

[schild]

TWO DOWN

[schild]

I don't even waste my time thinking about Schafer. He's on another fucking planet. Molyplanet.

[schild]

Molyplaneux.

[Cheddar]

Samsung galaxy 10 has surprisingly good sound.  Any suggestions on cheap tablets for early teens?  Holy random post!

[Khaldun]

Serek Dmart actually sounds weirdly sane lately when he pops up in Lum's Facebook posts. Almost as if he's briefly had a glimpse of reality and is rather intrigued by its potential.

Will Wright?

[Signe]

Oh, right.  Marc Jacobs.

[schild]

Nope and Nope.