Erasing The Years

[Kathianne]

One way or the other, I'm downsizing. Over the years it's been an adventure. From my 20's getting married, from parents with some push, but a closet that didn't 'stretch.' My folks were all about living within their means, with a splurge at Christmas and weddings.

I was lucky, both myself and hubby were making good. Student loans, negligible were paid off within 4 months of graduation. As I said, it was good.

16 months later, I went on maternity leave, 4 months pregnant. Not to return to work force for 14 years. Armed then with teaching creds and 3 BA's. 3 years later, near completion of MSeD. 2 courses waiting, for hire.

[aboutime]

Why is everyone coming here to BRAG about their education?

Is life so terrible, or frustrating that people feel a need to come to this forum and Broadcast Mini-Autobiographies?

Just wondering.

And if anyone is offended with my asking. Oh well.

Merry Christmas anyhow.

[fj1200]

^^The years aren't gone, it's just getting back to basics and what's truly important now.

[SassyLady]

Why wouldn't anyone come here to brag ... others come here to bitch about everything under the sun and then bitch at those who are bitching!!!

I, for one, love to hear the human interests stories of the people who post on this board. Makes me see them in a light other than crazies sitting in their parents basements because they didn't bother to try and better themselves.

Right on Kathianne .... you are a testament that aging has nothing to do with not learning. Never give up the opportunity to further your education because knowledge is power.

And, if anyone is offended with my support of posting your mini-autobios, then "oh, well, Merry Christmas anyway!"

[tailfins]

Why is everyone coming here to BRAG about their education?

Is life so terrible, or frustrating that people feel a need to come to this forum and Broadcast Mini-Autobiographies?

Just wondering.

And if anyone is offended with my asking. Oh well.

Merry Christmas anyhow.

I welcome such information. We need to know who is commenting from the PEANUT GALLERY with limited study. It's not like Education is a REAL degree (also known as an MRS degree because that's what women study when they are just taking classes to look for a husband).

[aboutime]

Why wouldn't anyone come here to brag ... others come here to bitch about everything under the sun and then bitch at those who are bitching!!!

I, for one, love to hear the human interests stories of the people who post on this board. Makes me see them in a light other than crazies sitting in their parents basements because they didn't bother to try and better themselves.

Right on Kathianne .... you are a testament that aging has nothing to do with not learning. Never give up the opportunity to further your education because knowledge is power.

And, if anyone is offended with my support of posting your mini-autobios, then "oh, well, Merry Christmas anyway!"


Sassy. I totally agree, and if I offended anyone. I apologize now. But...that bragging I spoke of does have it's limits. Most of us know, or have heard many members remind us...almost endlessly, about how many DEGREE'S they have. Almost as if it's like the license to patronize those who haven't got those DEGREE'S.

Human interest stories are fine. But there are other places on the Internet where those stories are more acceptable, and appreciated.
They just don't seem to fit here. IMO. That is My Opinion Only.

[tailfins]

Almost as if it's like the license to patronize those who haven't got those DEGREES.

Almost? I'm happy you have at least THAT MUCH figured out!

[SassyLady]

Well, I've been on this board for a long time and for some of this it's our second, extended family. It is exactly the place for this type of bragging. I will admit that in the last few months the environment around here has changed dramatically ... there are far less females posting here than in the past. I wonder why ... perhaps because it's more about bashing each other than it is about sharing who we are under the political beliefs?

I'm not offended by your comments....just letting you know that bragging about one's life and educational experiences are things I like to hear about.

As for my "education" .... let's just say that it's enough to be paid $400/hour or $2500/day for what I know.....doesn't mean I know more than you or that what I know is necessarily the right thing at the right time.

But I will brag a little about my ex (whom I met in night school) .... he dropped out of high school and joined the military. Then, when he realized he wanted to move up in the ranks as a career, he went back to school. He Clepped several classes while at AT and earned enough credits to get both an AS and AA. Then he went on to USF and got a BS (with a 4.0 no less). Then he got a MBA when he was 48. He's now 50 and getting his teaching credentials ..... but he will still tell you that I am "smarter" than he is. Oh, and he was a Combat Engineer for 30 years and built our house with only the help of one friend. (PS - he did these things while we were married because I am an excellent support system).

So, smart and educated doesn't always equate to the same thing.

When I see that someone has a degree in something it tells me that they had the determination to finish something they started and that they may be a good person to ask a question of in their field of specialty. I never feel "dumber".

[Kathianne]

Why is everyone coming here to BRAG about their education?

Is life so terrible, or frustrating that people feel a need to come to this forum and Broadcast Mini-Autobiographies?

Just wondering.

And if anyone is offended with my asking. Oh well.

Merry Christmas anyhow.

Considering mine was the only post, you were missing something. I'm in a real problem here. Not sure if bankruptcy is the answer or not. Definitely not bragging about anything.

[Kathianne]

^^The years aren't gone, it's just getting back to basics and what's truly important now.

I hope so, but doesn't seem in the cards. Thank you for that though.

[SassyLady]

Kath ... I, too, am downsizing....just not as fast as some. I have given a lot this year to an organization called the Livingroom (for homeless women). Each time I send something I feel like I'm losing an old friend that's been with me for years ... but at the same time I know it's helping someone else and also freeing me to find something different ... which is what I need right now. Something that isn't anchoring me ... something that lets me be more flexible with where I want to be and what I want to do.

The more "stuff" we have, the more anchors we have. Perhaps this is your life saying .... "let's do something completely different this time".

[tailfins]

Considering mine was the only post, you were missing something. I'm in a real problem here. Not sure if bankruptcy is the answer or not. Definitely not bragging about anything.

[jokemode=off]
You should only declare bankruptcy if you have assets to protect. If done properly charging off debts only last 7 years instead of 10 like bankruptcy would. If you don't own anything you care about getting attached, simply not paying can work better than bankruptcy. If you get real cash stashed, you can informally settle many debts for about 15% in a lump sum. NEVER just pay a little on everything. If you send a cease and desist letter to collection agencies and they don't comply, answer their calls with a smoke detector test button. Racial/gender slurs can also stop collectors because the companies have an obligation to not subject workers to a racially or gender-based hostile work environment.

[Kathianne]

Why wouldn't anyone come here to brag ... others come here to bitch about everything under the sun and then bitch at those who are bitching!!!

I, for one, love to hear the human interests stories of the people who post on this board. Makes me see them in a light other than crazies sitting in their parents basements because they didn't bother to try and better themselves.

Right on Kathianne .... you are a testament that aging has nothing to do with not learning. Never give up the opportunity to further your education because knowledge is power.

And, if anyone is offended with my support of posting your mini-autobios, then "oh, well, Merry Christmas anyway!"

Thanks. I had to go back and re-read to see why some were saying what they were. I can see that, but thought anyone here for more than a few months knew what I've been going through.

I'm legally deaf. I have been since birth. I was laid off my teaching position of 11 years due to a reduction in force, from parochial school, in 2010.

While deaf, I've never collected on SSI, truth is with hearing aids I can function. It's a balancing act. I can 'ignore' many things, make issue of items that need to be. Truth is, probably a better place than those that can hear all from secondary students.

I'm over qualified for both middle school and high school regarding education. That's a good thing regarding wanting to teach either. I'm considered 'highly qualified' for: civics; geography; American history; Ancient Greek History; Ancient Roman History; Western Civilization I and II; Asian History: Chines History; Eastern European History.

Yes, all those are on my certificate. Missing from the list; Journalism and middle school language arts.

Now THAT is bragging about creads.

[Robert A Whit]

One way or the other, I'm downsizing. Over the years it's been an adventure. From my 20's getting married, from parents with some push, but a closet that didn't 'stretch.' My folks were all about living within their means, with a splurge at Christmas and weddings.

I was lucky, both myself and hubby were making good. Student loans, negligible were paid off within 4 months of graduation. As I said, it was good.

16 months later, I went on maternity leave, 4 months pregnant. Not to return to work force for 14 years. Armed then with teaching creds and 3 BA's. 3 years later, near completion of MSeD. 2 courses waiting, for hire.

I am confused. I want to look at the link to find out what this is all about.

[Kathianne]

I am confused. I want to look at the link to find out what this is all about.

Boo hoo, you've never been interested.

[Robert A Whit]

When I see that someone has a degree in something it tells me that they had the determination to finish something they started and that they may be a good person to ask a question of in their field of specialty. I never feel "dumber". <!-- edit note -->
Last edited by SassyLady; Today at 11:55 AM.

A degree can fulfill a job requirement. Some choose to learn to hammer a nail and keep hammring nails till they retire. Some of us do not have a degree. But that does not mean we did not spend tons of hours in courses in our fields. When a person with a degree gets a fat head, it may be time to smack them about a bit. Or not.

I wonder how many college grads really can take the same tests they took to pass tests only take the tests 5 years later and still pass the tests.?? That to me means the education stuck to the bone so to speak.

You would be surprised at how many college grads I have taught things to.

[Robert A Whit]

Considering mine was the only post, you were missing something. I'm in a real problem here. Not sure if bankruptcy is the answer or not. Definitely not bragging about anything.

Maybe that is why you have been so snotty to me at times.
One thing about bankruptcy is it removes the load. And one may keep more things than some think they may be able to keep. Homes may be homesteaded to protect a lawful sum of equity.

Anyway, best of luck and of course find a reasonable priced lawyer who is an expert in this. Not all lawyers are. Then the hacks do it all day long and get a bit too eager to take that route.

[SassyLady]

A degree can fulfill a job requirement. Some choose to learn to hammer a nail and keep hammring nails till they retire. Some of us do not have a degree. But that does not mean we did not spend tons of hours in courses in our fields. When a person with a degree gets a fat head, it may be time to smack them about a bit. Or not.

I wonder how many college grads really can take the same tests they took to pass tests only take the tests 5 years later and still pass the tests.?? That to me means the education stuck to the bone so to speak.

You would be surprised at how many college grads I have taught things to.

Do you always take exception to what people say ... just because I said that a degree shows me that the person had determination to finish something does not say that people without degrees have no determination. You certainly do have a way of twisting things around.

When I look at a resume, bio, CV or application and they show a degree or certification, my first ASSUMPTION is that they can complete a goal. If someone hammering nails has a way of showing that they can complete goals, then put it out there. It's not as obvious that you've completed "tons of hours" in course work. Just said that it's something that I associate with a degree.

No slight meant to anyone that is a specialist in their fields ....

[Robert A Whit]

Thanks. I had to go back and re-read to see why some were saying what they were. I can see that, but thought anyone here for more than a few months knew what I've been going through.

I'm legally deaf. I have been since birth. I was laid off my teaching position of 11 years due to a reduction in force, from parochial school, in 2010.

While deaf, I've never collected on SSI, truth is with hearing aids I can function. It's a balancing act. I can 'ignore' many things, make issue of items that need to be. Truth is, probably a better place than those that can hear all from secondary students.

I'm over qualified for both middle school and high school regarding education. That's a good thing regarding wanting to teach either. I'm considered 'highly qualified' for: civics; geography; American history; Ancient Greek History; Ancient Roman History; Western Civilization I and II; Asian History: Chines History; Eastern European History.

Yes, all those are on my certificate. Missing from the list; Journalism and middle school language arts.

Now THAT is bragging about creads.

just because the Khan academy is for free does not mean that those working for them are volunteers. With all that you know, maybe you can work at home and earn money.

Some colleges may indeed have a spot for you.

[Robert A Whit]

Do you always take exception to what people say ... just because I said that a degree shows me that the person had determination to finish something does not say that people without degrees have no determination. You certainly do have a way of twisting things around.

When I look at a resume, bio, CV or application and they show a degree or certification, my first ASSUMPTION is that they can complete a goal. If someone hammering nails has a way of showing that they can complete goals, then put it out there. It's not as obvious that you've completed "tons of hours" in course work. Just said that it's something that I associate with a degree.

No slight meant to anyone that is a specialist in their fields ....

Oh my god. Oh my Fecking god. Now what the hell did I do to you?

I did not twist your words. I typed my own words. I did not talk for you. Thus
i did not twist your words.

Always means all the time. I sure don't intend to come off badly.

By the way, this forum does not discuss the area I am an espert in. Also, at my age, I have had several fields. Thus far none of you discuss my power bases.

You can discuss heavy construction and that is in my wheel house as ball players say.
Then you can discuss machine shops and making things out of chunks of metal and be in my wheel house.

Then you can decide you want information about real estate, appraisal and finance and find I am an expert.

Surely you don't think I got to be an espert without hours and hours of courses and diligent work habits? When I was full time, I had crews of men I managed in construction and the other fields I named too.

When I signed paychecks, it was from my company they got paid other than construction where the coorporation issued the paychecks.

As to your post, I did not intend to slight you in the least.

While I don't do this presently, in the past I have also been an expert in managemnt of real estate boards and state associations and did much work on budgets and other issues including interfacing with politicians in their government offices.

I have considerable time spent studying legislation and recommending to the state association positions it may take or not take.

I am not as dumb as some of you think I am.

[Robert A Whit]

Boo hoo, you've never been interested.

You will have a difficult time locating a poster who is more interested in the lives of others than I am.

Do you have a degree in mind reading? I have never claimed I am not interested.

You got silly over my thread about George Bush and I just nudged you back is all. Asking me for a link to my personal e mail. HAH. Fat chance that.

[SassyLady]

Oh my god. Oh my Fecking god. Now what the hell did I do to you?

I did not twist your words. I typed my own words. I did not talk for you. Thus
i did not twist your words.

Always means all the time. I sure don't intend to come off badly.

By the way, this forum does not discuss the area I am an espert in. Also, at my age, I have had several fields. Thus far none of you discuss my power bases.

You can discuss heavy construction and that is in my wheel house as ball players say.
Then you can discuss machine shops and making things out of chunks of metal and be in my wheel house.

Then you can decide you want information about real estate, appraisal and finance and find I am an expert.

Surely you don't think I got to be an espert without hours and hours of courses and diligent work habits? When I was full time, I had crews of men I managed in construction and the other fields I named too.

When I signed paychecks, it was from my company they got paid other than construction where the coorporation issued the paychecks.

As to your post, I did not intend to slight you in the least.

While I don't do this presently, in the past I have also been an expert in managemnt of real estate boards and state associations and did much work on budgets and other issues including interfacing with politicians in their government offices.

I have considerable time spent studying legislation and recommending to the state association positions it may take or not take.

I am not as dumb as some of you think I am.

I might be wrong, Robert, but this post and the last one to made to me sounded like you are a little defensive about not having a degree ... and, in fact, inferred that people with degrees "get a fat head".

Trust me, a person without a degree can develop an inflated ego just as easily as those with a degree....don't you think? :dunno:

[tailfins]

I might be wrong, Robert, but this post and the last one to made to me sounded like you are a little defensive about not having a degree ... and, in fact, inferred that people with degrees "get a fat head".

Trust me, a person without a degree can develop an inflated ego just as easily as those with a degree....don't you think? :dunno:


Those with inflated egos and no degree are known as "inmates".

[Robert A Whit]

I might be wrong, Robert, but this post and the last one to made to me sounded like you are a little defensive about not having a degree ... and, in fact, inferred that people with degrees "get a fat head".

Trust me, a person without a degree can develop an inflated ego just as easily as those with a degree....don't you think? :dunno:

Oh no and I was not jumping your case. I liked your post in fact and you seem to think you were a target. No way. I am not one bit defensive. I have clients that have PhDs and of course value them. The seek me to advise them.

And you are right. They most certainly can have fat heads.

I had in mind some other poster and not you.

[Kathianne]

I'm confused. I was under the impression that Robert, Bob, Bobby has an engineering degree and perhaps several others? He made like in convos.

No here or there, as SL said, not worth powder to blow up, other than for those that are insecure.

[Robert A Whit]

tailFART

Those with inflated egos and no degree are known as "inmates".

Can be but not all of them are inmates.
:laugh:

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Considering mine was the only post, you were missing something. I'm in a real problem here. Not sure if bankruptcy is the answer or not. Definitely not bragging about anything.

My older sister went through a bankruptcy about 11 years ago. Since then she has rebuilt her life minus the guy that got her into such deep debt. It was the right thing for her that is for sure. Quite possibly could be for you as well, only you can decide that.. Just remember if you decide to file look upon it as a SAVING GRACE THING, POSITIVE INSTEAD OF NEGATIVE.Good luck.. -Tyr

[aboutime]

Please, everyone. Forgive me for starting this PISSING CONTEST. All I did was offer an opinion, and commented on my opinion.

Hate to sound this way...like RODNEY KING (May he rest in peace?) 4195 But.

Why can't we all just Get Along? Who also looked like Mike Vick...4196

I do believe we are all adults. Or did jimnyc make a huge mistake...opening up his forum to Day Care Students????

[Abbey Marie]

Unfortunately, tis' the season that magnifies what we all feel might be lacking or wrong in our lives. Hence, my relatives' divorce, I think.

As AT alluded, let's all just try to be a little bit kinder to each other. In the end, we are all just humans trying to get by as best we can.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/154937_10152333123195302_2125634747_n.jpg

[aboutime]

Unfortunately, tis' the season that magnifies what we all feel might be lacking or wrong in our lives. Hence, my relatives divorce, I think.

As AT alluded, let's all just try to be a little bit kinder to each other. In the end, we are all just humans trying to get by as best we can.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/154937_10152333123195302_2125634747_n.jpg


Thanks very much Abbey. My wife looked over my shoulder at the cartoon above....and laughed.
Sorry to drag this down to that kind of humor but...the cat on the right causes a Double-take.
IT DOES BRING A HUGE SMILE....and we ALL need that these days.

[tailfins]

Please, everyone. Forgive me for starting this PISSING CONTEST. All I did was offer an opinion, and commented on my opinion.

Hate to sound this way...like RODNEY KING (May he rest in peace?) 4195 But.

Why can't we all just Get Along? Who also looked like Mike Vick...4196

I do believe we are all adults. Or did jimnyc make a huge mistake...opening up his forum to Day Care Students????

No worries, I knew you meant it all in good fun all along.

[KarlMarx]

The other night, I got together with some friends that I haven't seen in over 30 years. Back in high school and the early part of college, I used to hang out with these guys. We had our good times, basically doing the crazy stuff of youth.

A chance email by someone a couple of weeks ago started a chain reaction and before you knew it, someone decided to have a reunion at a local pub that we used to hang out at when we were kids (and I mean "kids" literally.... the drinking age was 18 back then, and we were masters at making fake IDs... we were drinking at bars and didn't yet have our drivers' licenses... things were a lot different back then).

As I said, I hadn't seen or had contact with any of these guys for nearly 30 years. Some of the relationships back then ended on not the best of terms.

When I got to the pub and met the guys for the again, it was like nothing had happened. Everyone was happy to see each other, whatever happened in the past was forgotten, and we were back to busting each each other (that's a local term to poking fun at each other)... for a few hours, it was like I was back in the old neighborhood and was going to high school again. We were kidding each other about going out and throwing snowballs at cars after the bar closed, and we recalled some of the really dumb things that we did which although funny in retrospect were just downright reckless and dangerous. One guy said, it's a miracle none of us got hurt or got thrown in jail... he was right... I said that we probably had an angel looking over us, but he probably wore himself out trying to keep up with us.

But, the stories reflected the reality of the day... "remember when we went to <place> and did this?" Everything was in past tense, many of our old hangouts are gone and either empty buildings, or parking lots. Some of the guys left town to go to other states to find work, some of us are divorced, some of us survived layoffs, many of us no longer had parents, or were close to becoming grandparents.

I guess that's life.

There was talk of us getting back together again next year, whether it happens or not is anyone's guess... I'm grateful, though, that it happened... it erased a lot of regrets on my part, it helped me to see what caused our break up in a new light... it was nothing I did... the old gang just outgrew each other and each of us moved in our own direction... better yet, the old animosities that sprang up during that break up did not survive the years... I'm glad....

[Kathianne]

How nice, Karl! I am very lucky that I'm still friends with my 1st friend. There's a group of us from grammar school years that still get together usually a couple times a year. Yeah, we revert to the 70's pretty easily. LOL!

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

The other night, I got together with some friends that I haven't seen in over 30 years. Back in high school and the early part of college, I used to hang out with these guys. We had our good times, basically doing the crazy stuff of youth.

A chance email by someone a couple of weeks ago started a chain reaction and before you knew it, someone decided to have a reunion at a local pub that we used to hang out at when we were kids (and I mean "kids" literally.... the drinking age was 18 back then, and we were masters at making fake IDs... we were drinking at bars and didn't yet have our drivers' licenses... things were a lot different back then).

As I said, I hadn't seen or had contact with any of these guys for nearly 30 years. Some of the relationships back then ended on not the best of terms.

When I got to the pub and met the guys for the again, it was like nothing had happened. Everyone was happy to see each other, whatever happened in the past was forgotten, and we were back to busting each each other (that's a local term to poking fun at each other)... for a few hours, it was like I was back in the old neighborhood and was going to high school again. We were kidding each other about going out and throwing snowballs at cars after the bar closed, and we recalled some of the really dumb things that we did which although funny in retrospect were just downright reckless and dangerous. One guy said, it's a miracle none of us got hurt or got thrown in jail... he was right... I said that we probably had an angel looking over us, but he probably wore himself out trying to keep up with us.

But, the stories reflected the reality of the day... "remember when we went to
and did this?" Everything was in past tense, many of our old hangouts are gone and either empty buildings, or parking lots. Some of the guys left town to go to other states to find work, some of us are divorced, some of us survived layoffs, many of us no longer had parents, or were close to becoming grandparents.

I guess that's life.

There was talk of us getting back together again next year, whether it happens or not is anyone's guess... I'm grateful, though, that it happened... it erased a lot of regrets on my part, it helped me to see what caused our break up in a new light... it was nothing I did... the old gang just outgrew each other and each of us moved in our own direction... better yet, the old animosities that sprang up during that break up did not survive the years... I'm glad....

Most of my friends (that were my age) from the early 70's are either dead , in prison or drugged out people not worth associating with today. Only two of them have I kept in fairly close contact with and they turned out to be decent guys , married with families --NO drugs! The many gals and my two ex-wives are a different lot entirely. The very best ex-girlfriend that I remained good friends with for over 35 years died back in March of this year after a life as a single lady , having never married/no kids. Always said it was because of me , jokingly I believe.. I regret not making the trip to attend her funeral but did so because my wife wouldn't have properly understood that we were just friends. My caution to not hurt my wife's feelings were correct but still I regret not paying my last respects because Joan was a beautiful person and a very good friend.
What I wouldn't give to go back and have a week at that age again with those people. Life was exciting and even a bit dangerous but man was it ever FUN!!!! Live life large, live life hard, die young and leave a beautiful corpse may have a glorious point but also bears the fruits of regrets should one venture not to check out early. All one can do is live well in the time that's remaining, ponder the what-ifs and smile about the glorious good times be they past , present and of course future!-Tyr</place>