Authenticity II
Adventures In SpaceTime
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 5,827
Such a nice compliment haennie. I'll take it to heart. Thank you. 
Its true my education path was destroyed beyond redemption by my ongoing life challenges with my health. You know what? I always wanted to be an astronaut too. Of course, I fully understood my challenges disqualified me.
When I missed grade 8, I was tutored by the school. Mrs Todd. I really did well with her. When I went into grade 9 after getting out of my body cast of nine months and change, they tested me, and I was reading at a college level. So, I skipped grade nine English and took up speed-reading. Eventually I could get to 1600 words a minute with 80% comprehension. Not too shabby for a 13 year old boy. I've always felt good about that. As well, I held the second highest mark in grade nine science for a semester. A girl beat me out, lol. It became awkward when I would raise my hand to give an answer. Mr. Scouten, the science teacher, would chuckle and say give the others a chance to participate. So, early on Mrs. Todd and I applied for me I skip grade nine entirely and begin grade ten. It wasn't allowed. The most compelling reason for those in authority, including my parents, was they would be doing me no favors with such an advanced work load. Now get this - they really believed my dealing with my obvious physical challenges would be more then enough of a life-long challenge for me.
Sadly enough, as alcohol took over more and more of my best efforts, I by the second semester of grade nine almost dropped out. I did do grade ten. I carried one single notebook and no textbooks class to class. I quickly enough in my early grade 11 semester dropped out.
Eventually Ontario Services for Disabled individuals picked up on me. I underwent two days of psychological testing. They wouldn't show me the exact recorded I.Q. But they did let on it was 130+. Remarkable enough in itself as I.Q. is based on general knowledge of which I really didn't ever pay too much attention too.
I was awarded two fully paid scholarships for college. The first as a 2 year diploma for electro-mechanical draughtsman. And the second as a 2 year diploma for general business. I just continued to drink and drug those years. I spoke often enough with the college psychologist. It didn't really help me because I was still drinking, but I did enjoy the conversations.
Strangely enough, back in my high school town was a live-band tavern. Plenty of times I would by chance meet up and drink with some of my old teachers, especially, my home room teacher who I remember as Doug.
There's more, but I'm actually shy to speak to it, partly because of ghosts in the machine of my life, and also because I just didn't care when I had opportunity to care. That will always be on me. I'm okay with it now. I've a different kind of success that isn't readily taught in a classroom.
Hey (heannie) Thank you for your intuitive recognition. As always, you are able to pierce through the veil. How awesome are you?!
Its true my education path was destroyed beyond redemption by my ongoing life challenges with my health. You know what? I always wanted to be an astronaut too. Of course, I fully understood my challenges disqualified me.When I missed grade 8, I was tutored by the school. Mrs Todd. I really did well with her. When I went into grade 9 after getting out of my body cast of nine months and change, they tested me, and I was reading at a college level. So, I skipped grade nine English and took up speed-reading. Eventually I could get to 1600 words a minute with 80% comprehension. Not too shabby for a 13 year old boy. I've always felt good about that. As well, I held the second highest mark in grade nine science for a semester. A girl beat me out, lol. It became awkward when I would raise my hand to give an answer. Mr. Scouten, the science teacher, would chuckle and say give the others a chance to participate. So, early on Mrs. Todd and I applied for me I skip grade nine entirely and begin grade ten. It wasn't allowed. The most compelling reason for those in authority, including my parents, was they would be doing me no favors with such an advanced work load. Now get this - they really believed my dealing with my obvious physical challenges would be more then enough of a life-long challenge for me.
Sadly enough, as alcohol took over more and more of my best efforts, I by the second semester of grade nine almost dropped out. I did do grade ten. I carried one single notebook and no textbooks class to class. I quickly enough in my early grade 11 semester dropped out.
Eventually Ontario Services for Disabled individuals picked up on me. I underwent two days of psychological testing. They wouldn't show me the exact recorded I.Q. But they did let on it was 130+. Remarkable enough in itself as I.Q. is based on general knowledge of which I really didn't ever pay too much attention too.
I was awarded two fully paid scholarships for college. The first as a 2 year diploma for electro-mechanical draughtsman. And the second as a 2 year diploma for general business. I just continued to drink and drug those years. I spoke often enough with the college psychologist. It didn't really help me because I was still drinking, but I did enjoy the conversations.
Strangely enough, back in my high school town was a live-band tavern. Plenty of times I would by chance meet up and drink with some of my old teachers, especially, my home room teacher who I remember as Doug.
There's more, but I'm actually shy to speak to it, partly because of ghosts in the machine of my life, and also because I just didn't care when I had opportunity to care. That will always be on me. I'm okay with it now. I've a different kind of success that isn't readily taught in a classroom.
Hey (heannie) Thank you for your intuitive recognition. As always, you are able to pierce through the veil. How awesome are you?!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Haennie, I don't know, I liked The Glass Bauble and Siddhartha but I'm not very sophisticated.
Robby and all, I never got into trance and forgot anything. I never lost awareness of my surroundings either, with three different Master Hypnotists. However, using tapes and on my own in a place I felt safe, I can go into trance enough that things seem like a "good idea" but I do have to practice these daily. I do notice the breathing bits help the most consistently with relaxation.
It's the creative visualization that helps with other things, I think. Courqge mentioned the breathing, I think I can get into a time and space thingy. Sheesh, I don't have the words. Like a space ship. LOL. Nah, I'm just being silly, but maybe you more evolved one with better language skills know what I mean.
or not. LOL
Love from Lenina
Robby and all, I never got into trance and forgot anything. I never lost awareness of my surroundings either, with three different Master Hypnotists. However, using tapes and on my own in a place I felt safe, I can go into trance enough that things seem like a "good idea" but I do have to practice these daily. I do notice the breathing bits help the most consistently with relaxation.
It's the creative visualization that helps with other things, I think. Courqge mentioned the breathing, I think I can get into a time and space thingy. Sheesh, I don't have the words. Like a space ship. LOL. Nah, I'm just being silly, but maybe you more evolved one with better language skills know what I mean.
or not. LOL
Love from Lenina
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Robby, so odd. It seems to me now we know your body wouldn't be an issue out in space as an astronuaut. Stanislaw Lem, was it? well, I'm glad you're here on earth with us and thank you for sharing. Man, I guess those educators did the best they could for what they knew at the time.
I'm terrible at cards. I can barely do numbers. I have a form of dyslexia that never fully resolved, I have troubles with spatial issues and such.
I am very good at reading other people although I sometimes fail to believe what I read. I guess I just need to believe in the better nature of humans. I'm also good at creative problem solving and general lying, which helps in sales and law. LOL
Love from Lenina
I'm terrible at cards. I can barely do numbers. I have a form of dyslexia that never fully resolved, I have troubles with spatial issues and such.
I am very good at reading other people although I sometimes fail to believe what I read. I guess I just need to believe in the better nature of humans. I'm also good at creative problem solving and general lying, which helps in sales and law. LOL
Love from Lenina
Adventures In SpaceTime
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 5,827
Thanks Courage and Della .
You know what, in primary school I would organize black jack and play it under casino rules ie dealer has to stick on 17. I would make a fortune, and then treat "my gang" to whatever we desired at the local corner store. It was pretty plain they didn't mind losing as I always shared my winnings. I was all of 8 and into 10 years of age, lol.
5-card and 7-card stud in my teen years. I would also make some easy cash arm wrestling whomever. Since polio wiped out my walking ability as an infant, I crawled and hopped when not wearing my brace. I had phenomenal upper body strength. At 10 years old I could beat the average adult in an arm-wrestling match. I could also win the game where two guys lock fingers and attempt to bend back the wrist of the other until he yells uncle. At fifteen I could bench press 450 lbs and do eight reps.
Anyways, that stupid hip fusion age 12 in 1969 forever destroyed my abilities to be an athlete. This was all back in the mid to late '60's and early '70's. Well before any Year of the Disabled. In gymnastics I was as happy as could be. I always walked around with a kind of half smile, like I was okay with myself. Drinking eventually wiped the smile right off my face.
Hope I'm not coming off as boasting. I'm just sharing is all.
and Della .You know what, in primary school I would organize black jack and play it under casino rules ie dealer has to stick on 17. I would make a fortune, and then treat "my gang" to whatever we desired at the local corner store. It was pretty plain they didn't mind losing as I always shared my winnings. I was all of 8 and into 10 years of age, lol.
5-card and 7-card stud in my teen years. I would also make some easy cash arm wrestling whomever. Since polio wiped out my walking ability as an infant, I crawled and hopped when not wearing my brace. I had phenomenal upper body strength. At 10 years old I could beat the average adult in an arm-wrestling match. I could also win the game where two guys lock fingers and attempt to bend back the wrist of the other until he yells uncle. At fifteen I could bench press 450 lbs and do eight reps.
Anyways, that stupid hip fusion age 12 in 1969 forever destroyed my abilities to be an athlete. This was all back in the mid to late '60's and early '70's. Well before any Year of the Disabled. In gymnastics I was as happy as could be. I always walked around with a kind of half smile, like I was okay with myself. Drinking eventually wiped the smile right off my face.
Hope I'm not coming off as boasting. I'm just sharing is all.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bethlehem, PA.
Posts: 1,781
Thanks for sharing your journey through all of this Robby, your courage is contagious. The school of rolling with your emotions is one I still work at, don't know if I'll ever graduate. When I wish you well, if only in thought it has an uplifting effect, so again, thanks for that!!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Posts: 1,202
Ahhhh.....books, poetry, childhood stories and dirt-gritty tales of trying to Live. What a community you have around you Robby. I know why I feel so at home here, sometimes more so than IRL. Mind-stopping awesome! (as you'd say).
Now: listen, speaking of dirt-gritty details and let's not muck about here, sir: I'm already salivating for The Great Meatloaf and Gravy Post. Haven't had a decent meatloaf in YEARS. Have made some quite decent ones myself when I cooked a lot as a young housewife (WTF, was I one of them?).
But nothing to date ever surpassed one which then-new-hubby David and I drove several Melbourne bayside suburbs to get. Late 70s: Barkly St, St Kilda continental butchers and small-goods shop. Family-run, several generations, all Polish (I think) Jews - gorgeous people. They treated us like family every time we forayed up to get their divine veal schnitzels - kosher super young, very pale and melt-in-mouth when you cooked them. Old Mrs would insist on feeding me over the counter, as I grew ever larger with the twins in vitro: a slice of rye with their homemade lunch meats. And the piece de resistance: the meatloaf, also cooked freshly by Old Mrs every few days. Can't exactly recall its ingredients - and rightly so, as same were never divulged by anyone. State secret, as it were.
So, here's the other challenge for after you've got through these next few days and their difficulties: a full account of whatever meatloaf (and the gravy!) you eventually enjoy. I know you can do it! Who knows, it might even surpass - if that's possible - Nons' old riffs on bacon. Now, that WOULD be a feat!
Maybe this notion will give you nicer dreams tonight, chook.
xx
Vic
Now: listen, speaking of dirt-gritty details and let's not muck about here, sir: I'm already salivating for The Great Meatloaf and Gravy Post. Haven't had a decent meatloaf in YEARS. Have made some quite decent ones myself when I cooked a lot as a young housewife (WTF, was I one of them?).
But nothing to date ever surpassed one which then-new-hubby David and I drove several Melbourne bayside suburbs to get. Late 70s: Barkly St, St Kilda continental butchers and small-goods shop. Family-run, several generations, all Polish (I think) Jews - gorgeous people. They treated us like family every time we forayed up to get their divine veal schnitzels - kosher super young, very pale and melt-in-mouth when you cooked them. Old Mrs would insist on feeding me over the counter, as I grew ever larger with the twins in vitro: a slice of rye with their homemade lunch meats. And the piece de resistance: the meatloaf, also cooked freshly by Old Mrs every few days. Can't exactly recall its ingredients - and rightly so, as same were never divulged by anyone. State secret, as it were.
So, here's the other challenge for after you've got through these next few days and their difficulties: a full account of whatever meatloaf (and the gravy!) you eventually enjoy. I know you can do it! Who knows, it might even surpass - if that's possible - Nons' old riffs on bacon. Now, that WOULD be a feat!
Maybe this notion will give you nicer dreams tonight, chook.
xx
Vic
p***enger
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 19,025
Two of the keys to meatloaf are the % of veal & the grind of the meat.
I remember when I learned to love meatloaf. I was probably less than 10. My parents for the first and only time in memory let me take my plate away from the dining table to the other room where the television was, because the Wizard of Oz was on TV during dinner time. Dinner was meatloaf, and I was so engrossed in the film, I actually ate it. With ketchup!
My father preferred my mother's meatloaf cold as leftovers. He called it pâté .
I remember when I learned to love meatloaf. I was probably less than 10. My parents for the first and only time in memory let me take my plate away from the dining table to the other room where the television was, because the Wizard of Oz was on TV during dinner time. Dinner was meatloaf, and I was so engrossed in the film, I actually ate it. With ketchup!
My father preferred my mother's meatloaf cold as leftovers. He called it pâté .
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Bunny! Your folks was posh! Veal? Pate? Nah, we had hamburger and pork sausage mixed together (yer right, it's the percentage) and cracker crumbs (Italian or plain, ritz is nice if you have some about to go stale) or you can use oats for a stretcher. Salt and pepper and then decide if you want an Italian or Mexican taste and season to fit.
Ohh, here's the German way. Use ground rabbit. And you can make a trough in the meat and lay a row of peeled hard boiled eggs! Wrap the meat around to cover the eggs and cook. You get a nice slice of egg in every slice and it's fun with open face sandwiches cold the next day! It's actually a German Easter dinner, in the shape of a rabbit. If you're creative in the kitchen.
You can add some powdered beef bouillon to the meat (or bovril, I think you Brits call it? ) for extra seasoning. Kicks up the taste a bit.
Love from Lenina
Ohh, here's the German way. Use ground rabbit. And you can make a trough in the meat and lay a row of peeled hard boiled eggs! Wrap the meat around to cover the eggs and cook. You get a nice slice of egg in every slice and it's fun with open face sandwiches cold the next day! It's actually a German Easter dinner, in the shape of a rabbit. If you're creative in the kitchen.
You can add some powdered beef bouillon to the meat (or bovril, I think you Brits call it? ) for extra seasoning. Kicks up the taste a bit.
Love from Lenina
p***enger
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 19,025
Poshified farmers. Ground veal is actually (or used to be) cheap -- I think she preferred 1/3 veal, 1/3 pork, 1/3 beef. Don't ever try to substitute ground turkey! My mom put in an egg or two and milk and ritz crackers. Onions but no bell peppers like some use. Salt & pepper & maybe a dash of Worcestershire? Oh and she'd drape slices of bacon over the top before she baked it. It was mild and rich, didn't need no kick.
My dad liked to say "pâté" but I can't imagine how he would have tried to spell it LOL. A sweet man (when he hadn't been drinking).
My dad liked to say "pâté" but I can't imagine how he would have tried to spell it LOL. A sweet man (when he hadn't been drinking).
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Posts: 1,202
Great memories, all! I've never actually noted this before on SR (I hope not), but you Yanks and Canadians have the most astounding combinations of foods in one dish. Some of the recipes and drinks I've seen described, I've never heard of. PS Lenina - I'm Aussie, but with Irish / English ancestry a couple of generations back.
We're fortunate here in Aus, especially since we FINALLY had so many immigrants arriving, after WWII and beyond and so, much later than in the States and elsewhere. Prior to that and well into even the 60s, any foods of interesting textures / flavours etc from other cultures just didn't exist for most of us. Mind you, having said that, a GOOD English-style meatloaf, for example, can be a lovely heart-warming staple for cold nights.
Courage, I think it's rather cute that your dad called your mum's leftover m/l 'pate' - I hope it wasn't a jibe. Indeed, I recall the Barkly St meatloaf being so finely ground and packed so tightly and moist, that, cold, yes, it could have an almost-pate texture. But not sloppy in any way.
Sorry! Getting carried away here.
We're fortunate here in Aus, especially since we FINALLY had so many immigrants arriving, after WWII and beyond and so, much later than in the States and elsewhere. Prior to that and well into even the 60s, any foods of interesting textures / flavours etc from other cultures just didn't exist for most of us. Mind you, having said that, a GOOD English-style meatloaf, for example, can be a lovely heart-warming staple for cold nights.
Courage, I think it's rather cute that your dad called your mum's leftover m/l 'pate' - I hope it wasn't a jibe. Indeed, I recall the Barkly St meatloaf being so finely ground and packed so tightly and moist, that, cold, yes, it could have an almost-pate texture. But not sloppy in any way.
Sorry! Getting carried away here.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South East England
Posts: 8,008
What the heck is meatloaf? Sounds disgusting...we don't have such things in England.
Now Robby, I'm no cook at all. Never had the interest or the patience. I went through a spell of home cooking for the kids when they were little as part of operation 'perfect Mother', but it didn't last long...
So I would instead suggest fish and chips. Yummy food of the Gods...
Hugs to you and Melissa...I think of you both frequently and this thread is the first thing I look up every day. It is helping me appreciate the journey through serious illness that my Dad must have made, and it's helping me appreciate his strength even more than I once did.
There is something truly magical about this place. We all live in culturally diverse parts of the world, and in different time zones...yet when one of us is hurting, when we switch on our light at night because we are full of fear and anxiety...there is always someone ready to listen and to empathise and support.
So reassuring. Have a good day friends xxx
Now Robby, I'm no cook at all. Never had the interest or the patience. I went through a spell of home cooking for the kids when they were little as part of operation 'perfect Mother', but it didn't last long...
So I would instead suggest fish and chips. Yummy food of the Gods...
Hugs to you and Melissa...I think of you both frequently and this thread is the first thing I look up every day. It is helping me appreciate the journey through serious illness that my Dad must have made, and it's helping me appreciate his strength even more than I once did.
There is something truly magical about this place. We all live in culturally diverse parts of the world, and in different time zones...yet when one of us is hurting, when we switch on our light at night because we are full of fear and anxiety...there is always someone ready to listen and to empathise and support.
So reassuring. Have a good day friends xxx
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Posts: 1,202
Oh, sage scholar, Dee. Fantastic. I'd never bothered to look up all the countries' variations. Just eat 'em. Sometimes cooked 'em. Feel a resurgence of same comin' on now, in honour of you Robby.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,326
Bunny, I forgot about the egg and Worcestershire sauce! Must have both! Bacon on top is very good too! Chopped onions too and yuck! I hate bell peppers. No bell peppers!
Bemyself! Immigration has been a wonderful thing. I just think about all the different foods we had growing up. Some of it the real deal too! Chop suey and stir fry! Spaghetti and marinara sauce!
Jeni, of course fish and chips! It's hard to find decent cod what with the ocean being mostly fished out. Scrod will work. Now, you must try some meatloaf. It is lovely. Traditionally served with peas and carrots. Or mashed potatoes. I can't make decent gravy, I think you might like it.
OK baby dolls, I need to try and sleep with visions of lamb legs dancing in my head.
Love from Lenina
Bemyself! Immigration has been a wonderful thing. I just think about all the different foods we had growing up. Some of it the real deal too! Chop suey and stir fry! Spaghetti and marinara sauce!
Jeni, of course fish and chips! It's hard to find decent cod what with the ocean being mostly fished out. Scrod will work. Now, you must try some meatloaf. It is lovely. Traditionally served with peas and carrots. Or mashed potatoes. I can't make decent gravy, I think you might like it.
OK baby dolls, I need to try and sleep with visions of lamb legs dancing in my head.
Love from Lenina
Marchia in Aeternum
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,094
Yes, Meatloaf. Find an appealing recipe and try it Jeni. Our family always makes it with all beef. Since my parents grew up with an abundance of pork and chicken, beef was a treat. I remember my grandmother using a hand grinder to turn some inexpensive roast into the starter. She made her own "ketchup" for topping and even made crackers for filler.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
