You now and you X years ago.

[Stellar]

I got the album Light Grenades today and there's this song Dig that has a line:

If I turn into another,
Dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song,
remind me that we always have each other,
when everything else is gone.

Now Incubus also has another song from their album Make Yourself, Pardon Me.

Pardon me while I burn,
and rise above the flame.
Pardon me, Pardon me,
I'll never be the same.

So it made me compare who I am now with who I was ten years ago. And I am not the same person. I'm almost the exact opposite of who I was back then. In fact, I could go back and slap my younger self upside the head.

So, have you in a course of several years noticed that you've changed, almost completely?

[Tages]

Yes. In fact, I'd say I've undergone a major change over the past several months.

And if I'd met my younger self I would have backhanded him and told him to stop being such a whiny, neurotic pussy and do something about his problems instead of torturing himself over them.

[Stellar]

Yes. In fact, I'd say I've undergone a major change over the past several months.

And if I'd met my younger self I would have backhanded him and told him to stop being such a whiny, neurotic pussy and do something about his problems instead of torturing himself over them.

You should really hear the Make Yourself album. It has a real 'stop whining about your problems and try to actually solve them instead' feel to it.

[DrewTheXenocide]

Well, over the course of the years, I've noticed that I've changed from this:

)(

to this:
)(.

That would by "giant pussy" to "pussy."

[howyadoin]

1992:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c109/partytillyoupuke/New%20Years%20Eve%201992/JesusChristPose.jpg

Present day:

http://static.flickr.com/113/293549935_1958f838bc_o.jpg

[Jeff Brady]

Thirty years ago, I wasn't even a twinkle in my parents' eyes.

Twenty years ago, I was terrified of everyone.

Ten years ago I was just plummetting into a depression that I've only started to deal with in the past year.

Today, I feel better about myself than I ever have.

[Gilda Dent]

I think the answer to this is an unqualified yes. I'm not the same person I was a decade ago, or even five years ago by a huge margin. I hope the same will be true a few years from now. I'm in that "scared of everyone and everything" place Jeff mentions right now, and dealing with a major long term depression that's only very recently started to improve a little.

[Solaris]

I recreate myself every day. Well, I try to remember to do so. It's so easy to just coast on cruise control.

*goes all Zen*

:)

[mattbib]

1992:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c109/partytillyoupuke/New%20Years%20Eve%201992/JesusChristPose.jpg
In 1992 you were Jesus?

[Solaris]

Yes.

He came,

He saw,

He smoked,

He shaved.

Then, after thirty years in the wastelands of the 20th Century, he reached his epiphany, and built The Holy Bar.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Yes. In fact, I'd say I've undergone a major change over the past several months.

And if I'd met my younger self I would have backhanded him and told him to stop being such a whiny, neurotic pussy and do something about his problems instead of torturing himself over them.

You have indeed developed a much different perspective in the past year or so.

I hate to say "I told you so", but I seem to recall telling you that would probably be the case sometime around a year ago, give or take a few months.

[clayholio]

I'd say I've changed considerably over the last 10 years, and I find that incredibly comforting. I'd worry if I hadn't changed at all. Mostly, I'd say that I've become more assertive and focused over the years, and that's a good thing.

[Gumbo Maximillian]

10 years ago I was a kid.

Unfortunately in a lot of ways I'm still quite abit like I was back then.

I've improved but not as much as I would like to have improved.

I guess I would tell myself not to be so anti-social and try harder at school.

That and to be less of a jack ass to those around you.

[Serik]

I'm not as happy as I was 5 or 6 years ago, but I am wiser and less naive...guess that just comes with the turf.

[howyadoin]

I'm not as happy as I was 5 or 6 years ago, but I am wiser and less naive...guess that just comes with the turf.Yeah, that's often the case. Hell, it happened to Adam & Eve.

[Paul Newell]

1992:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/paulnewell/drunk.jpg

Present:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/paulnewell/Movember/30-11-06_1942.jpg

[howyadoin]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/paulnewell/30-11-06_1942.jpg http://accordionguy.blogware.com/Photos/2005/04/zod.jpg

[TheTen-EyedMan]

1992 - Studying law at Polk University. Dating Deborah, living out of home for the first time.

Now - Dating Olivia, living in an entirely different state. Working in a comic store. Trying to break into the comic industry.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

1992:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/paulnewell/drunk.jpg

Present:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/paulnewell/30-11-06_1942.jpg

From Jesus to Elvis Costello.

[Paul Newell]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/paulnewell/Movember/30-11-06_1942.jpg

"Kneel before Zod, sweetie!"

[Paul Newell]

From Jesus to Elvis Costello.
From drunk to sober....Though you wouldn't know it.

[Nikita]

I got the album Light Grenades today and there's this song Dig that has a line:

If I turn into another,
Dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song,
remind me that we always have each other,
when everything else is gone.

Now Incubus also has another song from their album Make Yourself, Pardon Me.

Pardon me while I burn,
and rise above the flame.
Pardon me, Pardon me,
I'll never be the same.

So it made me compare who I am now with who I was ten years ago. And I am not the same person. I'm almost the exact opposite of who I was back then. In fact, I could go back and slap my younger self upside the head.

So, have you in a course of several years noticed that you've changed, almost completely?




Hmmm. I'm a little more outgoing, assertive and confident then I was ten years ago. But I still have old insecurities. (obviously, just read some of my lame whiney threads on here lately)

Guess I'm less worried about certain things then I used to be ten years ago. For now anyway...

[howyadoin]

From drunk to sober....Though you wouldn't know it.You sobered up?

Can't you be deported for that?

[kmeyers]

http://home.student.uva.nl/maria.versloot/Pictures/Freddy_Mercury/statue_20Freddie.jpg

Nothing else matters.

[howyadoin]

http://home.student.uva.nl/maria.versloot/Pictures/Freddy_Mercury/statue_20Freddie.jpg

Nothing else matters.You were Freddie Mercury?

[kmeyers]

[/LIST]You were Freddie Mercury?
I wish.


.

[Chris Nowlin]

Ten years ago I was in high school. I'm a very different person now. No, that's not true. I've grown in all things, but my interests have not altered.

Still love comics, but I read more variety now.

Still don't know what I wanna be when I grow up, but I have more ideas and focus than I did then. I think then I was pretty sure I'd end up in law school, instead of studying math like I ended up. I liked math then, but it wouldn't be a passion until later.

Wasn't religious by any stretch then. Started going to mass 5 years ago. Still coming to terms with what I believe and why.

I drink more now. Didn't start drinking heavily until about 2 years ago. Also get way less exercise. Put on a lot of weight. Blame grad school.

Basic personality remains intact. Tend to be shy around strangers but outgoing and fun once I get to know people. My social skills have improved since high school. Actually, I'm probably the most popular kid in my class (my class of math graduate students). I've realized how well-liked I am by people who don't know me well. I stand out among people's casual acquaintances.

My love life at present is depressingly similar to high school. But college taught me a lot about dealing with females. Still a lot to learn though.

I was better shaven then, but went to a private school that required us to be clean-shaven.

But overall, I've changed very little. Just grown.

[Paul Newell]

You sobered up?

Can't you be deported for that?
Well I have until the home brew matures.

Until then its just one big, zany adventure, on the lam from the cops, full of wacky hijinks and high speed action.

[howyadoin]

Well I have until the home brew matures.

Until then its just one big, zany adventure, on the lam from the cops, full of wacky hijinks and high speed action.You need a bowtie and a funny little car.



(I almost typed "czar" there.)

[TheTen-EyedMan]

From drunk to sober....Though you wouldn't know it.

So sobriety made you lose your hair...fuck that, I'm staying an alcoholic.

[Paul Newell]

You need a bowtie and a funny little car.



(I almost typed "czar" there.)
ANYTHING would be better than Jerry fucking Reed singing the same Country & Western song over and over and yabbering over the CB twenty four hours a day...Stupid sumbitch....Though I do like wearing the cowboy hat, yall.

[Paul Newell]

So sobriety made you lose your hair...fuck that, I'm staying an alcoholic.
Using beer shampoo made me lose the hair!

[howyadoin]

Using beer shampoo made me lose the hair!You're not supposed to drink it.

[(A)//(E)]

You're not supposed to drink it.
"muRFF?!" *suds foaming from mouth*

lets see.. ten years ago i was a... little butterball that liked punk rock and M:TG with a mad-on for "authority".
Now, I'm skinny.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

Using beer shampoo made me lose the hair!

All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.
All Shampoo and no washing makes Paul a bald boy.

[Winslow]

I'm going through some mid-life transition and blues.

I actually liked who I was ten years ago more.

But this too shall pass . . . .

[TheTen-EyedMan]

I'm going through some mid-life transition and blues.

I actually liked who I was ten years ago more.

But this too shall pass . . . .

I liked who you were 10 years ago...I didn't know you then.

[Winslow]

I liked who you were 10 years ago...

We've reached an agreement on something!

[Typo Lad]

Ten years ago I was finishing my first semester of college (all A's, baby), working on a pretty cool comic book, and completely unaware that most of the girls thought of me as "the Dean's hot son". I was also a virgin (by choice, opportunity had arrisen).

Ten years later, I'm working a job I love that has nothing to do with my major, have been published in the same anothology as Scott McCloud & Shannon Wheeler (amung others) and am married to a woman who was the most popular girl in college and basically out of my league. I also have an amazing, brilliant, well-mannered child who is excelling at school.

Frankly, I really don't think I could be happier.

[Tages]

Ten years ago I was finishing my first semester of college (all A's, baby), working on a pretty cool comic book, and completely unaware that most of the girls thought of me as "the Dean's hot son". I was also a virgin (by choice, opportunity had arrisen).

Ten years later, I'm working a job I love that has nothing to do with my major, have been published in the same anothology as Scott McCloud & Shannon Wheeler (amung others) and am married to a woman who was the most popular girl in college and basically out of my league. I also have an amazing, brilliant, well-mannered child who is excelling at school.

Frankly, I really don't think I could be happier.
You could have a million dollars.

Or you could have an amazing, brilliant, well-mannered child...with the power of ROCK!

*bitchin' air guitar solo*

[Tages]

You have indeed developed a much different perspective in the past year or so.

I hate to say "I told you so", but I seem to recall telling you that would probably be the case sometime around a year ago, give or take a few months.
That was you? I could have sworn it was Paul.

Maybe both of you said it.

[Stellar]

So wait, Kramer and Paul have precog? I want in.

[Tages]

So wait, Kramer and Paul have precog? I want in.
Both of them do, but in either case it's very context-specific. For instance, Paul is able to predict, with uncanny accuracy, when he's going to be drunk whole hours before he even drinks anything.

[Winslow]

So wait, Kramer and Paul have precog? I want in.

I'm clairvoyant, what do you want to know?

[Stellar]

I'm clairvoyant, what do you want to know?

Why, winning lottery numbers, of course.

[Chris Nowlin]

Why, winning lottery numbers, of course.


That's a dumb question for a psychic.

I ask things like "Will life more or less work out for me", and they tend to be more confidant about their answers.

[Matt Algren]

Ten years ago I believed that people are basically good, and that if you give them a chance, they'll show their goodness in surprising and diverse ways. Persevere, work hard, and do your best and you'll succeed, I thought.

Today I've been fucked over so many times I've given up counting. Ten years ago me was a complete moron. He needs to be hit with a brick.

[Stellar]

Ten years ago I believed that people are basically good, and that if you give them a chance, they'll show their goodness in surprising and diverse ways. Persevere, work hard, and do your best and you'll succeed, I thought.

Today I've been fucked over so many times I've given up counting. Ten years ago me was a complete moron. He needs to be hit with a brick.

Ah, the Naive Benevolence Phase. I knew him well.

[clayholio]

Ten years ago I believed that people are basically good, and that if you give them a chance, they'll show their goodness in surprising and diverse ways. Persevere, work hard, and do your best and you'll succeed, I thought.

Today I've been fucked over so many times I've given up counting. Ten years ago me was a complete moron. He needs to be hit with a brick.
It helps a little bit if you start out with a negative opinion of people in general. Nowhere to go but up!

[JeffreyWKramer]

That was you? I could have sworn it was Paul.

Maybe both of you said it.

Paul probably did too. I said it that one time we talked in the phone.

[Justin Davis]

The me from ten years ago would have some conflicting emotions if he met me today.

He'd be upset I haven't achieved some of the things I wanted to achieve then. The Justin-from-10-years-ago would be upset I didn't become more adamant about my creative endeavors. He'd want to know where my novels/comic books/screenplays are.

However, the Justin-from-10-years-ago would likely be impressed by where I am currently in my life. He'd admire me for many of the choices I've made in the last year from relationships to where I currently live. Frankly, I think the Justin-from-10-years-ago might just be jealous of the Justin of today.

[HomerJay]

I was definitely more intellectual 10 yrs ago. However now I'm too busy trying to keep my head above water (work & family) to expand my knowledge. I am definitely wiser and more confident though.

[Chris Nowlin]

Frankly, I think the Justin-from-10-years-ago might just be jealous of the Justin of today.


I know the me of 10 years ago would be jealous. I, at this moment, live the best life I could possibly imagine*. Nice weather, good friends, no noticable responsibilites, plenty of time and money to read all I want to. It is, unfortunately, a temporary situation, as I will one day be kicked out of school. But when it comes to that point I will keep up the "just need to tweak my thesis" line as long as they will fund me.

*That's not true; I'm presently single and could probably use a fulfilling relationship. On the other hand, I'm really happy being able to dedicate all my time and money to myself and not sure I want to rock the boat.

[Fenris]

Geek prelude: this reminds me of a Star Trek novel (http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Raven-Star-Trek-No/dp/0671743562/sr=1-1/qid=1165015990/ref=sr_1_1/105-2457827-2809210?ie=UTF8&s=books) about Doctor McCoy. He suffers a head injury, and it gives him an odd kind of amnesia; it suppresses his memories of the past forty years. So he wakes up thinking like the 19-year-old he'd once been.

And he hates the life he wakes up to. He doesn't like Starfleet. He doesn't think much of his best friend Captain Kirk. Looking back at his records, he discovers a failed marriage that started just months into his "future"; but he doesn't even know the woman.

He can't figure out how he ended up making these choices. It's like his future self turned into an entirely-different person.

----------

Fenris 1996 was working at Domino's Pizza, and was pretty comfortable just drifting along with life. The closest thing I had to an ambition was the vague notion that maybe I should try to go back to college someday.

Was I still a pacifist at this point? I don't think so, but I'm not sure. It would have been a pretty recent evolution in my thoughts, anyway.

He'd be really surprised at my current life; not just because I work for the military, but because I'd pretty much talked myself into believing that I couldn't make real changes in my life. I'm not sure he'd believe that I've gone on to do other things.

He'd be really surprised that I was still hanging out at the Kingdom Come Message Board!


õ
Or its grandchild, anyway!

[Gilda Dent]

________________

[i_mmmchocolate]

My dad is several years older than Howya and Paul and even he has a Jesus photo.

[cactusmaac]

Ten years ago I believed everything in the Guardian was true.

[Jeff Brady]

________________

Oh come on! It was a good post!

[Gilda Dent]

Oh come on! It was a good post!

Sorry. There was some fairly complex reasoning behind what I said there and the simplified version I posted seemed to read differently from how I intended it when I read it back, so I deleted it to prevent any misconceptions.

[Gingold]

The me ten years ago might think the current me is kind of lame, but I'm a lot happier and smarter than he is, so I win. He's in a lot better shape though. Bastard.

[Paul McEnery]

My dad is several years older than Howya and Paul and even he has a Jesus photo.
Oh, I'm soooooooo Jesus right now. And that's the first time.

On and off over the last fifteen years, I've done the chrome dome, grown in back in, cut it myself until it was a complete disaster, then shaved it all off again.

However, I still can't pull off the walk on water trick yet.

[Winslow]

My dad is several years older than Howya and Paul and even he has a Jesus photo.

I have the Neo-Con clean-cut Jesus photo.

[Ed Cunard]

There's a solid chance that me circa '96 would have killed himself to prevent the creation of contemporary me.

[JeffreyWKramer]

However, I still can't pull off the walk on water trick yet.

I do that one all the time.

Of course, around here the water is frozen a few months out of the year.

[K'Nort]

10 years ago me would be impressed I'd finally picked a career and made it both into and through grad school. And managed to integrate my BA to boot.

Would also be very impressed by my love life. But not so thrilled with the continuing bad luck with money and other forms of self-discipline.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Would also be very impressed by my love life. But not so thrilled with the continuing bad luck with money and other forms of self-discipline.

You're in ND. Not drinking yourself into a stupor every single night should count as self-discipline.

[K'Nort]

You're in ND. Not drinking yourself into a stupor every single night should count as self-discipline.

Good point. Ten-years-ago me would have a major WTF for the North Dakota thing.

[StarsAndGarters]

Ten years ago I was more interesting in Nintendo than girls. In that respect I say things have changed for the better.

Also am living in Portland instead of Southern California. Not so bad really, though I would have been majorly confused by that fact.

Ten years ago I didn't read comics! Horrors!

[Dan Apodaca]

Feel about the same, but I'm ten years older.
Watched my cat die for a month.

[redlantern2051]

1996 me-Actually I was doing *a lot of pot*, struggling with my studies, but still keeping afloat, (just!) unhappy in a vague sort of way, in the midst of getting my heart broken, and the next year would have the first of my 3 breakdowns. I stil had my sense of humor though, and good family support.

2006 me-Have moved states, been employed since mid '98 in the finance industry, the last couple of years starting to get get good pay, writing my novel, playing a lot of computer games, really enjoying my comics, not going near drugs, no breakdown since 2001-I'm pretty happy. No girlfriend for the last couple of years, but not really missing that.

Overall, I'm good! The me of ten years ago wasn't so very different, other than he was just a bit younger, in every way, and hadn't discovered Sinatra and Audioslave yet. :-)

[Stellar]

I have the Neo-Con clean-cut Jesus photo.

And the Lord created razors...and it was good.

[Zombienorthstar]

Im nearly 19...in the last year ive grown up so much and i know ill change in the year to come.

-Ive moved away from home.
-Made peace with my sexuality, coming out to all my family.
- Lost people.

All this is relevant but none as relevant as my last bullet point.

-I've fallen in love.

I've realised that love isn't always easy...and that two people who maybe SHOULD be together, dont always end up together. We dont live in the comfortable three act structure of Hollywood. I've learned that havign unrequited love is painful and that hearing someone say i love you back is like being caught when you think your about to fall...its the most reassuring thing in the world if you know its meant.

I hope next year this love works out.

[Stellar]

Well love is a complicated thing, regardless of age. Too many variables, too many uncertainties, too many risks.

[TheTen-EyedMan]

Well love is a complicated thing, regardless of age. Too many variables, too many uncertainties, too many risks.

When men say "I'm in love with you" to a girl, they mean they want to fuck you.

When men say "I love you", they mean they wanted to fuck you when you're 80.