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This is very long so I commend all who can make it though it. Well, I have posted quite a lot, but I still consider myself a newbie. I have only been here since December. I have noticed that a lot of the people here are what I would consider friends if I knew them face-to-face. I can’t believe how fast this came up. I am thinking there is some kind of format here for a landmark post. I suppose I’m to tell you all my life story right? Here we go.
Ok, I was born I Carmichael, California on October 18, 1984. I have very little memory before the age of 5. The only memory is when my arm got ran over by a van, (of course it was an accident) and when I fell down the stairs and hit my head. I guess painful memories stay with you right? Before long, I moved out of the main part of Sacramento and moved to a suburb to the south, which is where I live now. I have had a generally happy childhood, but that was before I went to school.
I did very well in preschool and kindergarten, but when I got to first grade, things went downhill. I was doing very well in knowledge, but my work output was not something I am proud of. This went all the way up until sixth grade. I was labeled as a bad kid as soon as I got to middle school. To top it off, I got into a lot of fights with other kids. I hung out with kids who had the same habits as I did (They didn’t do work, fought), and they validated my mindset that it was alright. Of course, I wish I never met those kids because they made it a lot harder to finally succeed in getting an education. I was threatened to be put into a “special school” but when they had a sit-down meeting with me, they found that I was not the type for that.
I got to high school and started the same routine throughout the middle of my sophomore year. In my freshman year, I read the book Ender’s Game in English class. It was first book I had ever read cover-to-cover. I wished there were more books like Ender’s Game out there (not knowing of the Alvin and Homecoming books, ECT). I didn’t give it much thought after that. The thing that was different was I discovered a certain type of plant that had THC in it. Most of you know what I’m talking about. I am actually ashamed to be telling this but it needs to be said. When I was told that I could not graduate, I started to work enough to get by. Apparently, it wasn’t enough to get by. They said I would have to go to a continuation school. I was 16; I had nothing lose, so I said, “okay.” I didn’t actually do the paperwork until later.
Here is where I turned around. My parents (who have had a problem deciding which church to go to) suddenly decided they were going to start going to church. I naturally said I didn’t want to, but my parents gave me no choice. I thank God every day for that decision. We went for a year and I didn’t hate it as much as I thought. One of the pastors there thought the church was too liturgical. He started another church (with the support of the church that he left). This church used music for worship with a live band. They had a youth trip going on. The trip was to Estes Park, Colorado (near where the movie The Shining was filmed). It was the most amazing trip I ever went on. (Let’s keep the ridicule to a minimum please) I found God on that trip. It was amazing.
I came home a different person. I strived in school and got straight A’s, but it wasn’t enough. I ended up going to the continuation school at the beginning of my junior year (where I’m at now) and it’s not bad at all. I kept getting good grades. I was walking in a bookstore and I asked where the book Ender’s Game was.
I read a library copy the first time. I saw all the other books. I went through Speaker, Xeno, and Children like water. Then I moved on to read the Alvin and Homecoming series. I decided to do a search on Orson Scott Card, and guess what came up? www.hatrack.com, the official website of Orson Scott Card. That was about 6 months ago. I found the forums in December, and that’s how I met all you cool people. Anyway, this is getting very long so I think I’ll stop here.
[ March 27, 2003, 09:41 PM: Message edited by: Nick ]
Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Thank you for sharing. That is a good story. I am glad you have had such good experiences that helped find your way in life. We'd never mock you for it - I love that you felt you could share it.
Good luck with everything. I am glad you found Hatrack. Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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I originally typed it in Microsoft Word so it didn't paste well. I cut it into paragraphs for easier reading. Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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((Nick)) It's so great to hear that you have turned your life and around and found God, (and some good OSC books, lol).
Posts: 1261 | Registered: Jun 2002
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I've made it my personal mission to chill you the hell out. That means I'm glad you're still posting. I think you're already a little less retentive than when you started. If we work hard at your corruption then in just a few months nothing will phase you.
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You are one of the few people I know that can insult and compliment a person all in one sentence. jk
Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Congratulations, Nick, both on the 1000 mile marker and on finding your way in life. Nice to have you at Hatrack. Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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Congratulations and thanks for letting us get to know you better! My youth sounds a lot like yours, wish I had gotten myself together like you have! Keep doing what you're doing!
Posts: 2848 | Registered: Feb 2003
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No, I'm only posting about 1-2 times daily. I think my interest of posting in Hatrack is fading, but I'll still lurk. Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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