I long for the day when sensitivity and intelligence reign over boorishness and superficiality.

[Tobin S.]

I bet you never thought you'd hear something like that come out of a truck driver's mouth.

In our society mere confidence is key to getting what you want. You don't have to be smart or well-spoken or classy. Eighty percent of the battle is just having the guts to try something. I've also found that being talented is not necessarily and indicator of intelligence. If you can run fast and catch a ball you can be a millionaire in America. If you can play power chords in time and sing in tune you can be a star no matter how uninspiring your lyrics are.

I've learned in my life that intelligence can be a learned behavior. It certainly has been in me. I was pretty dumb when I was 20. But I was raised in an environment that did not value intelligence- didn't even know what it was. I had to figure things out for myself. It took me a while. It was like being told to rebuild a car's engine when you have no training in automobile repair. There was a lot of trial and error involved.

I guess I'm kind of flying below the radar right now. You have to pick and choose what you decide to reveal, to whom and when. Most of the people around me seem beyond help. But I could be wrong. Yup, I could be wrong.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Damn right, my dear Tobin...

I agree with everything you've said.

You've figured out a lot of things as your life has progressed, and this is a biggie. Your child will benefit from your wisdom, too...

[Denninmi]

3. Hello, my dear.

Looking forward to seeing the artwork.

Love always, D

[cbrer]

4. Merry Christmas to both of you.

And may both of yours insight catch hold, light a flame, and spread to the world!

[Tobin S.]

5. Thanks, Peggy

I'm not sure where the OP came from. I guess it just struck me that you don't have to be very smart to be a mover and a shaker here in America. A lot of success just seems to come from sheer will.

[Denninmi]

2. Flying below the radar?

Well, maybe flying in stealth mode, but any guy who aces his classes while working 60 hours a week is soaring pretty high in the stratosphere.

[Tobin S.]

6. Thanks, man.

My professors know I've got some brains about me, but it's only because I have to show them if I want to succeed. It's all about brains when you're in college. But the people I spend 60 hours a week with at work don't really know for the most part. It doesn't pay to think and be bright where I'm at right now. So I shut my mouth and get paid.

[Nikia]

9. You play the part for certain audiences

In the lab, with my supervisors and master's degree graduates, I'm all brains. Out in the plant, I downplay that a bit to get along.
Sometimes, I feel like that I'm at least two different people while I'm there.
Confidence is probably about 50% of excelling. People that have nothing behind that confidence usually eventually fail. While it is a great honor for others to have more confidence in you than you are broadcasting, it doesn't often happen.

[In_The_Wind]

7. I do hope you're wrong.

It would truly be sad if they were beyond help.
[IMG][/IMG]

[Tobin S.]

8. This is me right now

Me --->

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. Good for you for going to school!

Knowledge is valuable in
and of itself.

I finished a semester of welding at the local junior college branch. I'm going to take it again in the spring. I am doing this to learn to make jewelry and sculptures.

I've learned how to operate an oxy-acetylene torch without setting myself or anyone else on fire!!
And I have the correct combat gear/do-rag/shirt/helmet/goggles!

They even make girly-style welding gloves with gauntlets.