I don't know about some of you but once upon a time, I was an idiot teenager. Now, now, don't get all maternal/paternal on me and poo-poo what you may surmise is feigned self-deprecation. It's true. If Forrest Gump's mom was correct in saying that stupid is as stupid does- well, let's just say I was proof to her pudding. Now, there are sundry examples from several categories of idiocy so, for the sake of time and bandwidth, I'll focus on one little event that lends insight to just what exactly was the root of my malaise.
I loved to drive- fast. Really fast. My friends and I were into muscle cars and we flexed them constantly. I can't tell you how many speeding tickets I acquired during my seventeenth year of life; truth was I really didn't pay attention. Usually going somewhere, anywhere, was an opportunity to test the limits of big-block durability during what the authorities called "high-speed pursuit" in my Dukes of Hazzard-like existence. Back then speeding tickets were cheap and I figured I was paying for school books with all the fine-money I was paying. Good deeds via punishment, yes? It was worth it 'cause Steve had to go fast. Stupid, reckless, idiot teenager.
Well, one day I was ticketed for speeding in this tiny neighboring town. Nothing outrageous, just a dozen or so mph over the limit. The officer was as professional and cordial as all the others I had come to know. He even smiled as he told me I would have to appear in court to take care of my fine. This was unusual (most of the time I would just mail it in) and the lights should have started blinking in the empty expanse of my skull- but they didn't. I really wasn't paying attention. The officer wrote the court date on the ticket, asked for my autograph and went on his way. I waited a few minutes, did an awesome power-braked smoke show and left the little town and two big black stripes from my BFG Radial T/A's behind. I didn't come back until my court date, a week or so later.
You're probably wondering what this little trip down memory lane has to do with weight loss. Amazingly, everything. What happened changed me and dredging it up in my mind just now still affects me. What I learned helped me lose all the weight I've lost so far and will help me achieve the goal I've set for myself before my next birthday.
I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.
(Day 453 / -151 lbs.) I Was An American Teen-Aged Idiot. No, Really! I Swear!
8/18/2008 05:39:00 PM | motivation | 5 comments »
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haha, we've all been there (idiot american teenagers!) those were the days!
Okay, you've reeled me in, I can't wait for the rest of this story. Hmmm...you said you "loved" driving fast...so that's past tense...LOL.
Ellie
When I was 16 my dad had a Saab Turbo that he let me tool around in sometimes. Probably best he doesn't know how irresponsible I was in it. Cranked AC/DC still in my head....
@htngc - I now have teenagers of my own. There's some truth to "what goes around comes around".
@ellie - I drive as little as possible anymore. I've been driving since I was 8 and my interest has waned. I guess I just peaked early.
@John - I had "Scandinavian Rocket" when I was in college. Did you know that the was designed to run even when it's inverted? Born from jets, baby! Ahem. Another story for another time.
Aargh...I need the next installment!