Back in high school I had a saying, “At least I’m going to the college of my choice.”
Yeah, Honolulu Community College was right down the street, but for all my smartass posturing I never lived up to my claim. I went to UH, Manoa.
However, I was never accepted into the university. I was only enrolled after attending what I’d call “Scared Academic.”
I met some of the smartest people I’d meet in college while attending “Scared Academic” and they all agreed on one thing:
I didn’t belong there.
But I stuck it out because I didn’t agree with them. I’ve never been to juvi, but I’d imagine the program I attended as academic juvi.
So on the opening day of “Scared Academic” the program director gives up a pep talk:
Now I’ve heard my share of Tony Robbins, up-with-people, motivational clap-trap in my time, but that is the line I remember most from that day.
Yes, it reeks of reverse psychology 101, and I ignored it until a few years later.
That’s when my close friend Susan, one of the smartest and industrious people I’ve known told me…
It was probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me, but Susan could offer up this backhanded compliment because she knew me well.
When I gave a damn I risked things that meant the world to me. I expended all my energies whenever I gave a damn. It’d leave me without anything left for those in my life for whom I loved and cared.
I don’t regret that my upbringing puts family before my convictions, however in the past few months away from Talk Stink I’ve come to understand that I have to pick my spots.
There will be times where I cannot fear success and the amount of energy necessary needed to give a damn, because in not doing so I will let down my family and my readers.
So thank you to the readers who have stuck out this long hiatus. Contriubtors and voices have come and gone, but I have plans for this site and refreshing its contents.
Anyone who’d like to offer input on the graphic design and look of the site is welcome to contact me as I’d like your input.
Thanks to your support I can look back at my pre-collegiate ass and say it took a while, but I think I’m catching on.
