Long Lost (better forgotten about) Nickname

I'm about to walk you down a memory lane, one I've tried to push down into the deep darkness of unwanted memories....because it makes me look like a ditz.

I turned 16 in December and could have run down to get my drivers license that day, but for some reason I knew that was a bad idea. After much prodding by not only my friends, who wanted another friend to chauffer them around, but also my Mom, who was probably tired of being my chauffer, I finally went down and got my license on Valentines Day. Yes almost two months later. I think I was too busy studying to be able to focus on driving (wink wink), but really we all know I just wasn't very observant.

My brother and his friends would torture me endlessly with taunting and teasing (because that's what little brothers and their friends do), but after I started driving they had plenty of material. You see I wrecked constantly it seems, and even though they weren't all my fault, because I wrecked frequently, I got teased about them all anyway.

Now I'm going to show my age...around the same time there was this great cartoon on, that everyone watched...DuckTales. And if you watched the cartoon you know what name my brother, his friends, and even one of the Dad's of some of the friends called me....

Launchpad

Yes, it was great (whats that new symbol for sarcasm). I was even in a restaurant once and the Dad (who shall remain nameless) yelled "Launchpad", and I looked! Not my greatest claim to fame.

I've tried to live that name and those wrecks down, but unfortunately this week, the ditz appeared again. I'm ok, very sore, and my car is going to be fine. But what is damaged the most is my ego, I don't want to be Launchpad anymore.

BTW...don't try to call me this...I will ignore you, and maybe even "unfriend" you.

If you don't like my Opinion, Quit Reading

I'm about to get political on you all...I'm not trying to offend anyone; I'm just voicing my opinion. That right was given to me clear back on December 15th, 1791, it's called the First Amendment, and I will take full advantage of it when I feel the need.

Because of this Amendment I am free to "speak my mind", as are you, and every other person living in this country. Unfortunately I've found there are quite a few idiots living here so you need to take heed before repeating what you hear.

Every once in a while I receive some great emails from my wonderful Aunt Bonnie (love her), and as always I do my research before forwarding anything on. There was one that she sent me called "I'm 63 and I'm Tired" of course I did some research and found a few small discrepancies, but I also found the blog by the author of this awesome writing, http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/, and an updated blog entry to the what he wrote which was turned into an email, which is a MUST READ... http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/02/robert.html.

I will admit there are probably some of his opinions I'm not on board with completely, but that's probably because I'm not fully educated, so I won't mention which they are. However, there are a few that struck a chord with me that I MUST share. I've left my own little comments on a few, just to clarify my perspective.

**Please remember I cannot take credit for the following words, they were written by Robert A Hall.

"...I’m tired of being told that I have to “spread the wealth around” to people who don’t have my work ethic. I’m tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy or stupid to earn it." (I am not wealthy, but I am proud to say I have always worked hard and have never depended on anyone to pay my way. I don't try to keep up with "the jones" as they say, but we work hard, so if we want something nice, we'll buy it.)

"...I’m tired of illegal aliens being called “undocumented workers,” especially the ones who aren’t working, but are living on welfare or crime. What’s next? Calling drug dealers, “Undocumented Pharmacists”?" (illegal aliens are breaking the law...hence the term "illegal")

"...I’m willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person who can speak English, doesn’t have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military. Those are the citizens we need." (My Grandparents were not from this country, but they worked hard, supported their family and knew what a blessing it was to live in this country and made sure their children were proud to be American's. They didn't cheat the system and enter into this country illegally; they went through long processes and lots of paperwork. I do not believe we should "clear out this country", but there is a difference between immigrants trying to make a better life for themselves and their families legally and responsibly and those trying to suck all the benefits out of this Nation without doing any work.)

"...I’m tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor."

"...I’m real tired of people who don’t take responsibility for their lives and actions. I’m tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination, or big-whatever for their problems..." (I believe it's time for everyone to own their actions and where they are in this world, stop making excuses. If you don't like where you're at, do something about it!)

Please take the time to read his blog, to do your research, to educate yourself on what is happening to this country, and to decide whether or not you're willing to just sit idly by and let it happen.