Such a charged question, eh.
What are you good at?
Depends, as always, on who you ask.
If you asked my uncle the question 25 years ago, he’d tell you that his nephew was going to amount to nothing.
If you asked my dear departed mama, he’d tell you her only son was a genius, who could do no wrong.
If you asked my grandmother, he’d tell you her nephew ought to eat less, work (out) more, and be early in bed, and stop going out so much. And no, she was not using the phrase “to go out” as in the 19th century definition, which meant to go out to challenge others to duels. My dear grandma used to think that I was “branza buna in burduf de caine.”
Both she and my head-teacher in high-school shared this opinion that I needed to make sure I did not end up all over the place, by chasing too many cars. Meaning I had a solid mind, but I should apply myself more to the matter at hand, and avoid temptations and a life of dissolution.
If you asked my friends, they’d tell you that I was a good guy, who had a capacity for assholness and abruptness. But who doesn’t when they think they’re young and beautiful and smart and that life goes on forever?!
They’d also tell you I could get plastered drunk and embarrass them. and that my way of courting members of the fairest sex bordered on that of a WW1 cruiser Kapitan aka:
For instance, when I saw a beautiful girl coming down the path, I’d lift my index and point at her, quite ungentlemanlike and ejaculate:
Ziel or kreuzer in sicht – Target in sight, gentlemen! Prepare to board!
That, and I’d tip my hat over the back of my head to gain a better resolution of the “target”. That way, I could estimate if the ziel warranted engaging with torpedoes, deck gun, or direct boarding.
Just making sure those of you who aren’t up to date on their metaphors, I did not engage any female using firearms or explosives. In my book, all “engagements” warranted different strategies or tactics, depending on the “target’s” disposition, mood, or general attractiveness.
If you’d ask my wife and daughter, they’d tell you I am loud, annoying, useless, or just a big oaf.
If you’d ask me, they’d all probably be right.
I’d also add that I’d die to protect my family and friends. And that while I am alive, I would provide, protect, and secure the existence of my own family to the best of my abilities.
But that’s just my biased opinion.
So, what am I good at?
Wow, such an easy question.
I am good at whatever life throws at me, including but not limited to pesky bosses, moody daughters, difficult to understand wives, and above all else, ready to understand that no matter how much I try, I will never meet anyone’s expectations.
And that’s fine by me. If and when I fail, I will then decide my next steps. But failure in life is more often than not a matter of lack of willpower. Because most people will win something, if they just keep going at it. Only those who give up, truly fail… themselves and only then, others too.
That’s why it’s vital you keep your eyes on the target, your finger on the push button, and “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
Götterdämmerung 