tracgunny1833

I use to think telling someone they are talented was a compliment. It was never meant to diminish the hard work and effort it takes to develop and refine that talent or belittle the artisan. Now it just seems to be taken as an insult, as if negating the blood, sweat, and tears the artisan endures for their craft and art. So be it. "Talent" is stricken from my vocabulary.

I'm sorry, but it only seems to me people are inventing things to "rebel" against as if it is a fad. "Look at me, I'm a victim, also!"

Okay, that last bit was uncalled for and immature, not to mention really off topic. My apologies.

Q: What's the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?

A: "What time is it." Seriously. All those years in the Marines has me attuned to the time. Nothing worse than oversleeping as there is no excuse to being late for anything. Just bad time management (I've relaxed that ingrained thought a bit since retiring).

After that who knows what my thoughts are until I actually gain real consciousness. Conscious thoughts quickly turn to those I love and always include a prayer for them.

Q: Do you look to the future with hope and optimism?

A : Sometimes others have better words than I to answer questions (okay, usually always do). When they do, I quote them:

"I do believe that most men live lives of quiet desperation. For despair, optimism is the only practical solution. Hope is practical. Because eliminate that and it's pretty scary. Hope at least gives you the option of living." - Harry Nilsson

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn' t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." - Lucille Ball

Q: What's your favorite quality about yourself?

A: I am critical of all my qualities. I do not know if I have a "best" or "favorite" quality. I will let others be the judge of that and be humbled and likely embarrassed by what they say.

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/JaxTracRat

 

Q: Is there one item that has been with you since childhood that, for whatever reason, you have been unable to part with? The item could be an actual object or something more abstract if you prefer.

A:I'm not sure there is anything material that is still around from my childhood. My parents have boxes packed away that I must investigate one of these days. So I will have to say no, there isn't anything material that I haven't been able to part with from my childhood.

Abstract. Tougher question. My morals, values, and world view have changed (and hopefully continues to do so) as I have gained knowledge and experience. Friendships have come and gone. It seems the answer is again, no. Is that sad? I don't feel sad about it...

Q: Name 1 person, object, or thing (no matter what it is) that you, at the moment, can't live w/out and explain y.

A: Object or thing; other than the basic requirements to sustain life, nothing. There is nothing in my life that at one time or another I have had to do without for some period of time. If I survived it then, I would survive it now. I have been taking inventory of my possessions since I first saw this question, and cannot discern anything that could be taken away that I could not survive. Inconvenienced or burdened, maybe, but survivable.

Person. Wow. There are many people in my life, family and friends, that I would be distraught over losing. The sadness and emptiness of their loss would be immense, and perhaps crippling for a time. I would never truly get over their passing or leaving. There are those who haunt my Soul after decades of separation. However, I would survive. I would continue to live my life and hope to fulfill my purpose. I draw strength from my Faith that we will all one day be reunited.

TL;DR: Nothing.

Q: Many people see the New Year as a changing of the page, a fresh start. Does the New Year hold any special significance to you?

A:I know it is an arbitrary date and in reality is just another Solar cycle, just another revolution of the Earth about it's axis and around Sol. But I can't help feeling it is a new page, a new start. Conditioning from hearing it all the time growing up? Doesn't matter one way or the other, really. If it helps people make wanted changes in there lives, I'm all for it.

I do not make resolutions anymore, for it would mean breaking a resolution I made many years ago of not making anymore resolutions. I'm not trying to be funny or a smart-arse saying that, there is a reason for that resolution that I keep to myself.

May everyone have a happy and safe New Years, and may the coming years find you successful in all your endeavors.

I wear a simple U.S. Marine style haircut. No longer as high-and-tight as I wore it while on active duty, but close. The cheapest I can get it cut around here seems to be $12.

Huh.

While on active duty I got into the habit of cutting my own hair in a high-and-tight flattop. I became very adapt at holding a hand mirror in one hand and the clippers in the other, and cutting the back of my hair looking in the bathroom mirror. It doesn't take as long to get use to the reverse images as you think.

I believe I will follow my father's habit of being what he says is frugal, not cheap, and break out the clippers and regain my skill of self-induced shearing.

What do you know, the clippers still work!

Q: Which Miyazaki world would you like to live in? (Studio Ghibli movies) How well do you think you'd actually survive?

A: Spirited Away. On our side it is modern Japan. Having been to Japan I believe I am respectful enough and able to adapt well enough to the culture to be at least tolerated as a foreigner by the locals.

On the Spirit side... I seriously lack Chihiro's innocence, cultural background, and probably her ability to accept the strange world she is thrust in to so quickly and fully. Yet I think I am centered and stable enough to grasp the situation and function.

Chihiro was there for a reason, and had to pass from being a spoiled child on her way to adulthood. I would like to believe that I am capable of discovering my purpose there, the nature of my journey, what it was I am there to learn, to experience. And that I am capable of completing the journey to return from the Spirit World.

I will be honest, although he said they will meet again, I felt a strange sense of sadness when Chihiro left Haku to return to her world. I'm not so sure I would want to leave the Spirit World.

I answered the stock questions on formspring yesterday when I created an account. I'm still not sure why I created the account, but I figured I'd let it be known here first and see how it goes from there...

Do you consider yourself a good dancer?

No. Not at all. However, in true male fashion, I have discovered that my opinion of my dancing skills and willingness to exhibit said newly perceived skill increases proportionately with the amount of alcohol consumed. Unlike my singing, which only improves with the amount of alcohol my audience consumes.

What's the nicest thing someone's ever done for you?

Treating me like a friend. Seriously. I am fortunate that there is more than one person I have known that has allowed me to be their friend, and them mine.

What was the worst place you've traveled to?

Mogadishu, Somalia 1993. It is as bad as you can imagine. Sickness, death, stench, filth. People slaughtering people because of ethnicity, politics, religion, or just because.

http://www.formspring.me/JaxTracRat

I like being amused by the simple things. Like watching the fireflies in the front yard. Not positive, but I think their numbers have increased from last year.

Forgot to bring in the bird feeder last night, found it dismantled on the ground this morning. Silly ole bear!