All Forum Posts by: Chris John

Like a phoenix from the ashes!  You know, this thread was getting a little bit tired for me, but it turns out that taking a couple of days off put me right back in that happy place.  haha.

@Berridge Thomas

Whoa, man.  I'm sorry if it looked like I was saying anything against you, but rereading it I can definitely see where I'm guilty of miscommunication. 

The "nonsense" I speak of is the societal nonsense that keeps us apart and from agreeing with each other when we're really 95% in agreement about almost everything.  The "nonsense" makes us focus on the 5% we're off, not the 95% we're on.  I was just saying that I thought that Evan did a nice job of translating a feeling like that (I could definitely be wrong).

I see myself in your story.  Believe me.  Child of a single parent, lived with my grandparents otherwise I'd have been homeless, worked 15-25 hours a week all four years of high school, 30-60 hours week all four years of college...  I totally understand the frustration that comes with being told I didn't earn something.  Like, uh, yeah, I actually did.  haha.

Apologies though.  Man, the internet sucks.  This conversation would be a lot better over a beer!

@Evan Robertson

Boom!  We're all so close to being on the exact same page, but the nonsense always seems to gets in the way.

@Rebekah Keller

I don't know Rebekah.  Until you mentioned paying them, I thought you were onto a pretty good scam.  haha.  Of course, kidding.  That's awesome!  Nothing like the pure, unadulterated fire of motivation!

As a rural guy my entire life, I have a question regarding cities that might be considered ignorant, but that's never stopped me before, so here goes...

Where is the line between urban renewal and gentrification?  I hear about money moving into a city, cleaning up the buildings, etc. and I think of it as a good thing.  I then hear it's gentrification and bad.  I guess I'll google it to try to see, but if any of you have some insight that you might want share, I'd appreciate it.

@Evan Robertson

Amen.  It's great that corporations pay the lip service, but where are the jobs and why do they continuously get a free pass for operating in countries with child labor, slave labor, etc.?

I really wish we could address social class and ignore race.  I get that there's a big overlap, but that could change over time if we focused on helping the socioeconomically disadvantaged - whoever they were. 

Whether you're from a rural, terrible school or from an urban, terrible school, the power of low expectations can have savage consequences for you.

@Ray Evans

Awesome.  Thank you for the insight.  I'll have to kick the tires, for sure.

"Should my mom co-sign for my mortgage loan?"

Only if she's willing and able to pay it if things go south.

@Jack B.

haha.  Good times!  Man, you really do meet all kinds...  Good on you for dodging that bullet.