Wednesday Wickedness - 20110209

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Wickedness! We are like other memes in that we will ask you ten questions each and every Wednesday. But our little "twist" is that each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Got it? Great! Let's
begin this week's meme!


I know this is a week late, and is probably not as "current events", but... it is what it is.

Today we picked Charlie Sheen. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. As kids we're not taught how to deal with success; we're taught how to deal with failure. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. If at first you succeed, then what?

What is something in which that you did not expect to succeed, but ultimately you were successful?

The National Guard.  When i first enlisted it was because all of the full time jobs had stopped interviewing me.  Understandable since i never kept a job longer than three months, and the companies were beginning to detect a pattern.  It was my intention to join for the least amount of time (which was 3 years active reserve, 5 inactive ready reserve) and then move on with my life.  Within those first three years i obtained my GED, was planning on attending community college, was on the books with the guard for some high speed training, and had been promoted to Sergeant.  Not unheard of, but nothing to sneeze at either.  In the end it turned into a twenty two year semi-career that saw me in the roll of First Sergeant for a time.

2. Dad kept us out of school, but school comes and goes. Family is forever.

What do you think about home schooling?

I think home schooling is an great option - but only for those where the parents are diligent and ensuring the students are learning and progressing, and where the students are willing and able to learn in such an environment.  It is NOT for everyone.  It also allows for the customization to help facilitate advanced learning in specific areas if such an aptitude exists. It also allows for an increased focus on deficient areas of skill.  While the Public School systems do strive very hard to allow for both of these, it is often very difficult for the teachers and aides within the system to be able to adjust for all students.  It is my understanding that in order to maintain the highest level of education a certain middle ground must be maintained in order to provide for the broadest range of students attending.  Now, having said all that - school teachers, of all grade levels, whether in the public or private sector, and this includes special needs teachers, and the aides of all teachers... they have my utmost respect.  Often a huge burden is placed upon their shoulders, often with insufficient funding, and they put everything they have into their jobs and their students.  Teachers, in my opinion, are often WAY underpaid for all that they do.  May God richly bless each and everyone of you.

3. I just didn't believe I was like everybody else. I thought I was unique.

What makes you unique?

My DNA, my fingerprints, and i am pretty sure my retinas too.  Oh, you meant what about my personality makes me unique?  I honestly have no idea.  AS far as i know, there is nothing new under the sun.

4. I just don't want to live like I used to. And at some point, I'm going to put a gag order on myself in terms of talking about the past. I've got to slam the door and deal with the present and the future.

When you meet someone, how much of your past do you reveal?

Well, unless it comes up in conversation, and is relevant, i am not seeing why any of it should be revealed.  To be honest i do not remember most of my childhood, nor do i care to.  Even now i do not dwell on even recent past events.  The past is the past and cannot be undone.  Learn what you can from it and move on.

5. I saw 28 Days. I don't remember rehab being like a day camp or being that funny. Rehab is a dumping ground. It's a big landfill.

Has rehab helped either you or a member of your family?

I attended AL-ANON a couple of times.  I don't remember if i got anything out of it (Thank you for trying H.P.).  I do have a member of my family who is attending Narcotics Anonymous.  He is extremely diligent in making sure he attends the meetings and talks with his... i can't remember the name, but like an accountability partner.  He also volunteers to help others and try and steer them to support groups and treatments.  In the end, he loves his wife and children very much, and works very hard for them.  So, yes.  rehab has helped me and a member of my family.

6. I still don't have all the answers. I'm more interested in what I can do next than what I did last.

Do you dwell on your past?

Please refer to question # 4.

7. I think what drove me insane for a long time is feeling like I hadn't earned most of what I achieved because it came so fast.

Have you ever profited from something that at the time you felt that you did not earn?

Aside from salvation in Christ?  DS1, aka LONG SHANKS, is a marvel to me.  Despite of all of my many faults and failures as a father (i once yelled at him to stop crying), he has been growing up a strong and self motivated young man.  He is consistently on the honor roll,he is regularly honored by his teachers, and he deeply wants to learn more about his Lord Jesus and be involved with things around the church.  I know i have not earned such a son, it is only by God's amazing grace and the Holy Spirit working in and through him.

8. I've got volumes on how not to behave. I've got more information now than a guy should have at my age.

Have you ever behaved in a way that you should not have?

All too often.  Just this morning actually (at the time of me writing this).  Despite my best efforts i screw up all the time.  A lot of people refer to the innate goodness of man.  I disagree with that generous statement of both myself, and my fellow mankind.  Yes, there are times when people reach down and help each other, but if you look at the heart of each man, woman, and child, you will see a selfishness that will override such charity should the person's idols be threatened. None of us behave the way we should all of the time. "For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23, ESV)  and "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1a, ESV)"

9. The paramedic called the press and sold me like a loaf of bread. This was news, and he wanted to be the one to report it.

Have you ever been in an ambulance? If not, have you ever been present when an ambulance was used?

Once that i remember.  Not sure why now that i think back on it.  I had broken my collarbone and my mom had called the paramedics (this was before 911).  I have been very fortunate in that my family has not needed emergency services very often - so far.  Another underpaid profession in my opinion.

10. Uncertainty is a sign of humility, and humility is just the ability or the willingness to learn.

Is there any uncertainty in your life at the present time? In the past?

Each day is a gift.  The only certain thing in life is uncertainty.  I am not a chaos theorist or anything, but when is anyone ever 100% certain about anything?  While i like order and symmetry and predictability... i have come to realize i will never be comfortable this side of heaven because "everything in the universe is on schedule, and everything in the universe is subject to change".

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