Hmm, what to talk about today? Since I'm on the subject of childhood, I'll talk about school and teachers. Ah, back then my goal was not to make straight A's, it was to get out high school. As you all know my sister is a bookworm genius. I remember in high school getting straight A's was like her dream. She would come home after school and study every day. Towards the end she became vicious about being valedictorian, discussing it with the principal all the time, making sure she was at least tied with her nemesis, David Minor.  We all thought she was crazy. I still do. No one should love studying that much. Now, try being the brother of such a prodigy. I got told by many a teacher "how come you're not like your sister?" Since she was just a year ahead of me all of my classmates knew about her. They all thought I was similar and thus I was labeled a nerd as well. I suppose it didn't help that I was really good at computers back then. I remember making programs for science teachers to use in their classrooms. To top it off my mother, being a teacher, made sure all the other teachers knew I was her son. I remember hearing my mother get reports from my German teacher on a daily basis.  "Brian is notten trying hard, I know he can do betta. Bitte." I remember me knowing I could've done the exact same as my sister if I would've tried hard. My mother got told by my teachers that I wasn't putting in the effort. They were right. Now that I look back, would I have tried harder and gotten into a better college? Would I have worked hard every day studying just so I could eventually do what I am doing now? Not on your life. So who is the smart one - the one who looks to the future and plans their intellect or the one who has no idea of the future and plans for everything? Eh, either one works.

Thought of the Day

"I knew when Mrs. Shields would read my essay I could then get the illustrious sought after BB Gun. Words flowed from my penny pencil with feverous fluidity."

"Margins, Margins you dolt! What do we have here? ... Ralphie Parker, A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++!"

-- A Christmas Story (paraphrased)