http://www.boston.com/news/...tion_of_nincompoops/

NEW YORK—Second-graders who can't tie shoes or zip jackets. Four-year-olds in Pull-Ups diapers. Five-year-olds in strollers. Teens and preteens befuddled by can openers and ice-cube trays. College kids who've never done laundry, taken a bus alone or addressed an envelope.

Exactly the kind of thing I was talking about in the thread about the college kid who killed himself. Far too many parents think they're doing their kid some kind of favor by doing everything for them, and protecting them from everything. It's insane touchy-feely parenting gone all wrong. Spare the rod, spoil the child.

X2. We don't grow, develop skills and learn to meet challenges by being pampered. Consider this: if you are over 50, these are the people who will be your caretakers in a few years. No wonder Obamacare included death panels.

quote Originally posted by Taijiguy: Exactly the kind of thing I was talking about in the thread about the college kid who killed himself. Far too many parents think they're doing their kid some kind of favor by doing everything for them, and protecting them from everything. It's insane touchy-feely parenting gone all wrong. Spare the rod, spoil the child.

When I was a substitute teacher here in Colorado, the regular teacher left me a very good lesson plan. My job was to teach fractions and the first time one of the kids asked me what key did they press, I knew I was in trouble. Decimal equivalents really had them baffled. A couple very bright kids saw what I was trying to do and they actually shamed the other kids into learning it.

I'd like hear Cooter's comments here. Hopefully he has better students but calculators, the internet(for research)and other modern tools have made a generation ignorant of life--not dumb but unknowing. Incidentally, I think the teacher left me with that lesson because I suspect she didn't know fractions either. She left me with a good lesson plan though.

I dont really see that much of younger (grade-school) kids, but the hi-skool and coll-uge kids that have come thru different workplaces and jobsites the past 5 years scare the pizz out of me....ya just want to send them to the corner where they can do the least damage.

I've seen a 20-something, final year of electrical engineering, standing ankle deep in water, with a live cord in one hand and a piece of equipment in the other going to plug it in--and even after being stopped and told about it, he didnt get what he was doing wrong....at over 20 years old.

I agree completely- I think technology while in general a great thing, has become a substitute for real life. And again, I will place that directly at the feet of parents. When a parent allows their kid to spend a wonderful sunny summer day (or even a miserable freezing-ass cold snowy winter day) sitting at the computer or game box indulging in a pretend life, then they are creating the types of kids we have today.
A kid will never learn street smarts (or anything else) if they never get to spend any time on the street!

We had this conversation the other day at work: Do they still teach handwriting in school? Not printing, but actual cursive handwriting.

We were looking at some reports prepared by one of our older guys, and we noticed it was so old-school it looked like it could have been written in 1950 instead of 2010. Then we wondered if our very youngest employees (who are in their 20s and have awful printing) could even come close to doing a report like that in cursive.

They aren't dumb. Anything they need to know is just a few keystrokes away on their smart phones.

Cursive is obsolete. I am 22 and last time I used it was in 7th grade. It was a waste of time (at least to spend so much time on it, Its good stuff to know tho) then and a waste of time now. I've worked with a lot more people than most people my age, a lot from around the world, different professions, backgrounds, old and young. Not one thing I have ever done had cursive in it either.


Now I think about it, all you old people complaining that "we" are dumb are obsolete and you all should be terminated!

quote Originally posted by avengador1: They aren't dumb. Anything they need to know is just a few keystrokes away on their smart phones.

LMAO, finally something I can post.

Yesterday one of our "engineers", a recent graduate and otherwise really great guy, was seaching and searching the net to find the pin-out for a 4 wire cable with a plug on the end of it.
I picked up an ohm meter and started yelling out that the yellow goes to #1, and the blue goes to #2, etc.
He looked at me like I was some kinda wiseguy or something, and then proceded to the get the rest of the pin/wires with the meter..... guess I am just "old school" at heart.

quote Originally posted by Fosgatecavy98: Cursive is obsolete. I am 22 and last time I used it was in 7th grade. It was a waste of time (at least to spend so much time on it, Its good stuff to know tho) then and a waste of time now. I've worked with a lot more people than most people my age, a lot from around the world, different professions, backgrounds, old and young. Not one thing I have ever done had cursive in it either. Now I think about it, all you old people complaining that "we" are dumb are obsolete and you all should be terminated!

So can I infer from your post that you either A: never write anything down, or B: print everything in block letters like a preschool child?
When you sign your name, do you just use a big "X" or do you just wiggle the pen around a bit and tell people that's your signature?

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 10-02-2010).]

What do non-cursive people do when it comes to "sign on the dotted line"--a big X?

We're going backwards folks.

(someone beat me to it)

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 10-02-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Formula88: .............. you just wiggle the pen around a bit and tell people that's your signature?

Guilty....<sheepish grin>

YES, we are. This constantly disturbs me.


One biggie cause: Handheld games CONSTANTLY In their hands, no matter where they are, what they are doing. (the conect that they aren't fully THERE, wherever they are, allways a distraction (or 'reality' is the distratcion)

Inability to focus and complete ONE task (no matter how difficult.)

It's NOT ADHD, it's lack of dicipline.
My kid doesn't leave his chair till his homework is done. NO toys at the homework table. NO candy...
no tv. Nothing but him and him learning what the lesson is supposed to teach him.


No rewards for being mediocre!

No muscle gets/stays strong/gets stronger when it's not used...

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 10-02-2010).]

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: http://www.boston.com/news/...tion_of_nincompoops/ NEW YORK—Second-graders who can't tie shoes or zip jackets. Four-year-olds in Pull-Ups diapers. Five-year-olds in strollers. Teens and preteens befuddled by can openers and ice-cube trays. College kids who've never done laundry, taken a bus alone or addressed an envelope.

My one daughter learned to tie her shoes when she was 4. My other girls knew before they started school. Our 15 year old is really envolved in household duties and out 9 and 11 year old are getting more of them thrust on them each year they age. Our 15 year old even prepares dinners for the family on occasion and not mac n cheese but fried pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy type dinners. We want out kids prepared for life.

Now, that being said our 4 year old boy is still in "pull-ups". However, something people should consider before just judgeing is why. Our son is Autistic. I know alot of people out there will say "Yeah well discipline him!". It's not the same. He's different and in a very real way. He's nothing, NOTHING, like our girls were. He doesn't respond the same, it's wierd. It's hard. He's in his own little world and it's like that's all that matters to him. He can walk in circles for hours on end with 2 cars in his hands making car crashing noises just lost to us but perfectly content with himself. When I say hours, I mean hours... 2,3,4+ until he passes out on his own. He never really cried as a baby when laid down to sleep. He would instead, rock himself in the crib slamming his head on to the side of the crib to sooth himself. Not slight impacts either, they were hard enough that he cracked his head open a couple of times. I don't know... I just wish other people would stop and think "Maybe there is a reason behind why he's got a pull up on." rather then just bash a parent for it. Look at our girls. They KNOW stuff and can DO stuff other kids their age have no clue about. It's not that we don't teach our kids, it's that this one... We don't know how to reach him yet. We are trying though, we try like crazy. He will be starting a Autism specific school in a little over a week. Part of it will be classes for us, so we can learn how to reach our little boy.

[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 10-02-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Formula88: So can I infer from your post that you either A: never write anything down, or B: print everything in block letters like a preschool child? When you sign your name, do you just use a big "X" or do you just wiggle the pen around a bit and tell people that's your signature?

I'm in my 5th year of college and yes I barely write anything down, notes are typically taken on a computer, reports, essays, etc. all done electronically.

I practiced my signature well before I knew cursive

quote Originally posted by Formula88: So can I infer from your post that you either A: never write anything down, or B: print everything in block letters like a preschool child? When you sign your name, do you just use a big "X" or do you just wiggle the pen around a bit and tell people that's your signature?

It's debatable whether or not my signature can actually be considered as handwriting. I guess I was a doctor in a previous life.

That said, I haven't used cursive writing since finishing school (except for the aforementioned signature). Yes, I print everything out. And I frequently get compliments for my neat, easy-to-read handwriting.

quote Originally posted by Khw: My one daughter learned to tie her shoes when she was 4. My other girls knew before they started school. Our 15 year old is really envolved in household duties and out 9 and 11 year old are getting more of them thrust on them each year they age. Our 15 year old even prepares dinners for the family on occasion and not mac n cheese but fried pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy type dinners. We want out kids prepared for life. Now, that being said our 4 year old boy is still in "pull-ups". However, something people should consider before just judgeing is why. Our son is Autistic. I know alot of people out there will say "Yeah well discipline him!". It's not the same. He's different and in a very real way. He's nothing, NOTHING, like our girls were. He doesn't respond the same, it's wierd. It's hard. He's in his own little world and it's like that's all that matters to him. He can walk in circles for hours on end with 2 cars in his hands making car crashing noises just lost to us but perfectly content with himself. When I say hours, I mean hours... 2,3,4+ until he passes out on his own. He never really cried as a baby when laid down to sleep. He would instead, rock himself in the crib slamming his head on to the side of the crib to sooth himself. Not slight impacts either, they were hard enough that he cracked his head open a couple of times. I don't know... I just wish other people would stop and think "Maybe there is a reason behind why he's got a pull up on." rather then just bash a parent for it. Look at our girls. They KNOW stuff and can DO stuff other kids their age have no clue about. It's not that we don't teach our kids, it's that this one... We don't know how to reach him yet. We are trying though, we try like crazy. He will be starting a Autism specific school in a little over a week. Part of it will be classes for us, so we can learn how to reach our little boy.

I don't think they were talking about someone being autistic, I think they are talking about the parents who let their kids decide when they want to use the potty. It's the new "cool" thing. I call it laziness on the part of the parent. My kids were completely potty triained by 2, my grandaughter started potty training when she was about 20 months. Our friends have a son that's 2 and a half. They haven't even thought about potty training him. I told my husband the kid will be 3 1/2 - 4 before he's potty trained wait and see.

There's a good reason your son wears pull-ups. Hugs to you for being such a good dad to your kids. You're bringing them up so they can function in the real world.

How many kids can't read the time on the clock either? Or give change, or know what a half dozen is. It's the basic stuff that we grew up knowing that the kids lack today. Not the kids fault, it's the parents fault.

[This message has been edited by fierogirls-mom (edited 10-02-2010).]

quote Originally posted by starlightcoupe: I'd like hear Cooter's comments here...

This year, I am teaching US history to 6th graders. So far this year, I have yet to assign a research type project because I am trying to get the kids to understand how a textbook works. Some of them can't even find the page that I have written on the board. I gave a test last week and one of the kids said, "I ain't gonna do no good on dis testes." I asked him why and he answered, "Cause you didn't study me enough." He made a 38 and was an A-B student at his old school. I guess that I should learn to study them more, whatever that means. Each class has at least 3~4 kids that are going to be a leech on society because they feel everything should be handed to them. They probably think that I am some kind of anti-government wacko, but I try to tie personal responsibility into many of my lessons:
Don't sit around and wait for the government to help you- you should be afraid if someone says that they are from the government and are here to help.
Don't tell me that I am lucky that I have something you don't have. I found out long ago that I make my own luck. The harder I work, the more I do, the luckier I get. Its like magic, only real.
Work for something, strive for excellence, make effort and you will achieve. Don't just sit on your butt and complain, get up and DO SOMETHING! Do something right, do something wrong, but do something. If you do something right, I am proud of you. If you do something wrong, learn from that mistake and do it better next time, I'll help you along the way. But don't you dare just sit there and do nothing.
Honestly, most of my kids will make it in life. I have told them that I don't care if they remember everything about US history, I care that they can remember how to work with others and get something done. I care that the lessons learned will prepare them for getting up every morning and going to a job they love and coming home to a family that loves them. I have a big problem with kids who can't listen and follow directions and have often told them, "If you think that I am riding you hard, wait until you get a boss standing over your shoulder and instead of saying go home and do your homework, he says 'Go home, we don't need you anymore.'" I showed them the 'Stairway to Heaven' video about climbing the 1700+ ft tower and said, "If you can't sit, listen and follow directions in this classroom where it is safe, comfortable and quiet, do you think you would ever be able to follow directions well enough to do a job like that?"
The kids may be morons, but I am doing everything I can to make sure they are at least able to think for themselves and not depend on someone else or blame others for the problems they create. Sometimes, I feel like I am fighting a losing battle

[This message has been edited by Cooter (edited 10-02-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Cooter: This year, I am teaching US history to 6th graders. So far this year, I have yet to assign a research type project because I am trying to get the kids to understand how a textbook works. Some of them can't even find the page that I have written on the board. I gave a test last week and one of the kids says, "I ain't gonna do no good on dis testes." I asked him why and he answered, "Cause you didn't study me enough." He made a 38 and was an A-B student at his old school. I guess that I should learn to study them more, whatever that means. Each class has at least 3~4 kids that are going to be a leech on society because they feel everything should be handed to them. They probably think that I am some kind of anti-government wacko, but I try to tie personal responsibility into many of my lessons: Don't sit around and wait for the government to help you- you should be afraid if someone says that they are from the government and are here to help. Don't tell me that I am lucky that I have something you don't have. I found out long ago that I make my own luck. The harder I work, the more I do, the luckier I get. Its like magic, only real. Work for something, strive for excellence, make effort and you will achieve. Don't just sit on your butt and complain, get up and DO SOMETHING! Do something right, do something wrong, but do something. If you do something right, I am proud of you. If you do something wrong, learn from that mistake and do it better next time, I'll help you along the way. But don't you dare just sit there and do nothing. Honestly, most of my kids will make it in life. I have told them that I don't care if they remember everything about US history, I care that they can remember how to work with others and get something done. I care that the lessons learned will prepare them for getting up every morning and going to a job they love and coming home to a family that loves them. I have a big problem with kids who can't listen and follow directions and have often told them, "If you think that I am riding you hard, wait until you get a boss standing over your shoulder and instead of saying go home and do your homework, he says 'Go home, we don't need you anymore.'" I showed them the 'Stairway to Heaven' video about climbing the 1700+ ft tower and said, "If you can't sit, listen and follow directions in this classroom where it is safe, comfortable and quiet, do you think you would ever be able to follow directions well enough to do a job like that?" The kids may be morons, but I am doing everything I can to make sure they are at least able to think for themselves and not depend on someone else or blame others for the problems they create. Sometimes, I feel like I am fighting a losing battle

Cooter, your students don't know how lucky they are to have you for their teacher. I sent a link for your post to my two teacher nieces and sent an earlier one about the little girl who needed a daddy and you wanted to help her (I mean hold her--I felt the same way) and my older niece wrote me and said she cried as she read it and showed it to all her other teacher friends in her school.

Keep on keepin' on! You're a gift to your students.

quote Originally posted by Cooter: Sometimes, I feel like I am fighting a losing battle

You will lose some of them. But you'll reach others.
You may never know it, but you will make an impact on some of them and it will change their life.

Milton Dixon was an instructor of mine when I went to Technical College. I was studying HVAC service. While I learned what I needed to pass the course and service HVAC equipment, I learned so much more about life from him. Responsibility. Admitting your mistakes. Saying you don't know rather than trying to BS your way through something.

I will always be grateful to him for everything he taught me - and most of it was just by watching his example.

This is what happens when the kids only know how to use a computer and nothing else.
here most people not matter how old that are wouldn't even know if they have a 4 - 6 - or how many CC's in their cars
the Kids have never heard AM radio
the kids have never seen black and white TV

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: http://www.boston.com/news/...tion_of_nincompoops/ NEW YORK—Second-graders who can't tie shoes or zip jackets. Four-year-olds in Pull-Ups diapers. Five-year-olds in strollers. Teens and preteens befuddled by can openers and ice-cube trays. College kids who've never done laundry, taken a bus alone or addressed an envelope.

I do think many of us are dumb. I think a lot of it has to do with the attitude of "Oh no, I can't fail a student. It'll hurt their feelings" So they just keep pushing them through no matter how little they care.

But at the same time, not very long ago we NEEDED to know how to skin an animal to survive. We needed to be able to make our own clothes and houses. Sure, I have learned some of those things in passing but it's not a necessary skill anymore. It's outdated. Why do I need to learn cursive? Actually, I DO write all of my notes in cursive because it's faster than print but still helps me remember, but is it necessary? The ONLY place where cursive is necessary is a signature.

The article talked about ice trays, too. Yeah, I know how to use one, but that's not important anymore!

At least I can do adequate research online, design parts with my computer, use photoshop to alter photos and make images, and use Microsoft Office applications better than most grown men. That is something that IS necessary for me.

I don't like most of this generation. They feel they are entitled to everything and there are a lot of idiots that get pushed through our education system even though they don't deserve it. But just because I don't know how to skin a wolf doesn't mean I'm dumb. Not to mention writing a letter, which again I DO know how to do, will not be necessary much longer. Everything is done electronically, and my generation can figure that stuff out in seconds while it may take your generation quite a bit longer.

My dad types at about 10 words a minute, can't format any of his e-mails, and hardly knows how to install a program. But he uses all of those things for work every day. I could go in there and do his job about 20 times faster than he could, and the end result would be neater. My dad is awesome at what he does, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying different skills are necessary for each generation.

Do you remember the "clip-on" tie? Commonly, it was ment for young kids( 4-10), but somehow many adults used them too. Get this-many still don't know how-to tie. A family member called me this year about her boy friend (29 yrs old) didn't know how-to tie. My dad dosen't know how-to either and he's 76 yrs old (LOL). I learned how-to when I was about to graduate from high school. To this day, it takes me at least 1-2 try outs before I get it right.



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"Friends don't let their friends drive stock."

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 10-02-2010).]

quote Originally posted by heybjorn: X2. We don't grow, develop skills and learn to meet challenges by being pampered. Consider this: if you are over 50, these are the people who will be your caretakers in a few years. No wonder Obamacare included death panels.

What the hell, dude. Is it really that hard to control those impulses to try to make thIngs all about politics? So very sad.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Do you remember the "clip-on" tie? Commonly, it was ment for young kids( 4-10), but somehow many adults used them too. Get this-many still don't know how-to tie. A family member called me this year about her boy friend (29 yrs old) didn't know how-to tie. My dad dosen't know how-to either and he's 76 yrs old (LOL). I learned how-to when I was about to graduate from high school. To this day, it takes me at least 1-2 try outs before I get it right.

That's only the hand-knot, though. Personally, I like the full-windsor better but usually tie a half-windsor because every time I go for the full-windsor the part around the neck gets all twisted. I know it doesn't matter but it just bothers me haha.

EDIT: Out of curiosity I looked at other knots. This one seems really simple and looks very clean. I think I found my new knot!

[This message has been edited by theBDub (edited 10-02-2010).]

I'm not even going to bother...not even..............

didnt some of the guys on this forum say they can fly ??............well, this planet is fracked...lets go find a new one.

I work in tech services at a local college. We get emails to the helpdesk from parents "my son can't get his laptop on the wireless" etc... the student is never involved. The parent does it all for them. I thought that was half the point of going to college?

[This message has been edited by kwagner (edited 10-02-2010).]

Topic: Are we raising morons ?

Yes we are and we even have some on here.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/078638.html

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by kwagner: I work in tech services at a local college. We get emails to the helpdesk from parents "my son can't get his laptop on the wireless" etc... the student is never involved. The parent does it all for them. I thought that was half the point of going to college?

I'd tell them to have their son call the helpdesk and you'll be happy to help him.

quote Originally posted by fierogirls-mom: It's the basic stuff that we grew up knowing that the kids lack today. Not the kids fault, it's the parents fault.

EXACTLY - It isn't that they don't know 'old' things, It's that they don't know some of the most BASIC things...like being in the 8th grade and not knowing what type of coin is = 1/4th of a dollar...

...and also, too many kids don't WANT to know more. They want to be entertained, be placated, pretty much be rewarded for just sitting there.

Not ALL kids are like this, but a lot are.

madcurl, im 54 and donot know how to tie a tie. i do own a few clip-ons though.my wife ties it for me when i need it tied. i am disabled so i donot need a tie. i donot spell well, wright like crap but i can print verry well. i was a property survey draftsman for 15 yrs. and printed all my maps by hand, no computer. i have a flare that even won maping contests. even my own mother was amased what i did for a living becaust i did so crapy in school. i did type this with 2 fingers, everyone needs to know how to type, i think you spell better. my wife told me my 18 year old niece is working as a beer girl in a bar. i am now bummed out. not my niece, oh man. i though she would use her brains not her ass.ahhhh

quote Originally posted by jim94: madcurl, im 54 and donot know how to tie a tie. i do own a few clip-ons though.my wife ties it for me when i need it tied. i am disabled so i donot need a tie. i donot spell well, wright like crap but i can print verry well. i was a property survey draftsman for 15 yrs. and printed all my maps by hand, no computer. i have a flare that even won maping contests. even my own mother was amased what i did for a living becaust i did so crapy in school. i did type this with 2 fingers, everyone needs to know how to type, i think you spell better. my wife told me my 18 year old niece is working as a beer girl in a bar. i am now bummed out. not my niece, oh man. i though she would use her brains not her ass.ahhhh

Wait a minute. Your wife knows how to do a tie? She’s a keeper....Cool. Just like your wife-my family relies on me to be the tie-keeper cause they're wives don't know how-to tie. LOL. It's pretty bad when there's a death in the family. I have a few relatives who show up wearing nothing but blue jeans and I even had to take a few women to buy dresses.

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 10-03-2010).]

I recently met a lot of people who were anywhere from 20-35 years old, went to high school and finished 10th grade, yet could not read/write. That really really shocked me.

I did learn to write in cursive, but I too never really use it. When I recently found myself having to hand write letters, it was a mess. I was writing half print/half cursive. Once I focused it became all cursive. (still a mess though from lack of use).

Some of the intelligent adults on here need to either learn to spell (old school) or learn to spell check (new school). I didn't list any of the mistakes, because then someone will turn around and do it to me.

Today I heard two people explaining that if they bought a pack of cigarettes for $7, and sold them individually for $.50 each. They would make $13 off a pack.
(oh and there are 20 in a pack). I waited for the speaker to realize the mistake, but he didn't and kept talking about it. So after a few minutes I explained it to him.

[This message has been edited by Gecko (edited 10-03-2010).]

How about this - to help get though tight economic times, we're renting spare rooms in our house. One night, this genius 21 year old woman leaves a pot of oil going, unattended, on the gas range. It starts a small fire that ruins the range and microwave and fills the house with black smoke. Long story short, we have to pay the $1000 deductible to the insurance company to fix the damage. They move out, so we send a letter reminding them they were supposed to work out a plan to pay us back. We get a reply that they think since our rental agreement was for a *room*, they aren't responsible for the damage to the kitchen. Not only that, but she ADMITS in the letter that she caused the damage.

Another moron for your club.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: How about this - to help get though tight economic times, we're renting spare rooms in our house. One night, this genius 21 year old woman leaves a pot of oil going, unattended, on the gas range. It starts a small fire that ruins the range and microwave and fills the house with black smoke. Long story short, we have to pay the $1000 deductible to the insurance company to fix the damage. They move out, so we send a letter reminding them they were supposed to work out a plan to pay us back. We get a reply that they think since our rental agreement was for a *room*, they aren't responsible for the damage to the kitchen. Not only that, but she ADMITS in the letter that she caused the damage. Another moron for your club.

While not the right thing to do, in a way, the claiming they only rented the room is kinda smart way to get out of it. But then to go on and admit you caused the damage.....well back to the corner of the classroom for them.

quote Originally posted by Gecko: While not the right thing to do, in a way, the claiming they only rented the room is kinda smart way to get out of it. But then to go on and admit you caused the damage.....well back to the corner of the classroom for them.

We have a written and signed rental agreement that specifies kitchen priveleges, and she would have to deny that she left the pot of oil going, in court, and the judge would have to believe her over us. We have a LOT of documentation from the insurance company for damages, which didn't come out of thin air. Her admission is just gravy.

You know i look at it like this: Im 19, spent most of my childhood wishing i had all the cool toys my friends in the neighborhood had, had more than just "old" toys handed down from the 80's kids my older sisters are, and could watch Cable t.v. on a tv bigger than 15x18(? could have been smaller IDRC).

I still write in cursive when i have to, barely know how to defrag my computer, have known how to tie my Boots and Tie since i was about 4 1/2 and my last "accident" was when i was 3ish and that was on a long trip to New Jersey to visit family (yeah i checked with mom lol).

I STILL have my Nintendo 64 and i only got that in 2002, used and with Super Mario 64 and didnt get another game for it untill i saved what little change i found here and there in order to buy one used. (Turok 2 if it matters lol)

I played with a Yo-yo untill 8th grade when my friends introduced me to Airsoft, something of which i had no idea even existed and up to that point we were just shooting eachother with BB guns on 2 to 3 pumps XD

Looking back to those that i graduated with 2 years ago i can safely say that maybe a handful of us are actually going to make something in life. I remember even getting into an argument with another student over the fact that being an "Historical Art Major" was not going to bring home dinner for hungry tummys and she promptly looked over at her BF that was also in class and said with a straight face "thats fine my Husband will provide that, i wont have to worry"

COUGH um no dumbass you sure as **** better worry cuz your stupid BF is now working for the Mill making dirt wages and has a laundry list of fines to pay off.

And another thing:
Im getting sick and tired of hearing the sterotypical "you're a teenager ofcourse you smoke pot and drink all the time"
Uh for those that know me personally they know that i definatly dont smoke pot or cigarettes for that matter and i Sure as **** done drink cuz ive seen what that can do and im bigger and More of a Man than to do that.

I 'can' and do write cursive---but ya really don't want to try to read it. I've simply never been able to have really neat and legible handwriting--tho it has improved over what it was when I was 19-20. After my mother passed away in 1985, my sister was going thru her things, gathered up and and sent me a big envelope containing every letter I had written home while in Vietnam. Two things jumped out at me as I read thru them--there were nearly 100--and I thought to myself:

1. "God, how did she even read this henscratching?"
2."Was I really this stupid back then?"
(I said and did some really dumb things at age 20--just as every 20 yr old does--regardless of which generation they belonged to)