I'm coming out of hibernation...maybe temporarily, maybe on a more permanent basis.

[Danger Mouse]

It depends. Yeah, my main territory was the lounge...but I don't know if any of the Lounge people I used to talk about hang around here anymore. If you do, stop by and say hello, I miss all of you.
I kind of want to talk politics. I've been in grad school, and I've learned some things that make me question my ideology and change in some ways. Of course, I'm still a pompous jerk.
Honestly, the last time I posted was...2012? Wow.

At some point, I realized that DU just wasn't doing anything for me anymore. In the end, it was easier to leave than I realized. So why come back? I don't know.

Let's see how long I last before I get pissed off and go back into hibernation or do something stupid and get banned.

[fizzgig]

1. how is school treating you?

[Danger Mouse]

4. i'm doing much better in grad school than i did in college...

mostly because i have a clear objective and i am motivated to do well.

i had no idea what i was doing in college, and that contributed to my ennui.

i really enjoy it. i'm seriously nervous about field placement, though. very intimidating process.

[fizzgig]

6. i'm sure that makes a big difference

i want to go back to school but have no idea wtf i want to be when i grow up.

i think it's great you've gone back and know what it is you want to do. what's intimidating about the placement process for you?

[Danger Mouse]

16. well it's basically a job interview. i haven't done a job interview in ten years!

and i can hardly believe it's been that long!
also field work is the 'meat' of the program...the test if i can really 'do' the work.

[steve2470]

2. can I give you some advice ?

If not, I wish you the best.

[Danger Mouse]

3. of course.

[steve2470]

5. imho 90% of du'ers have their minds made up

That leaves about 10% willing to entertain a new perspective/opinion. The trick is to converse with those willing to entertain something new. I'm talking about politics here, not music or movies, etc. People, imho, typically come here to argue their point and "win". I'm not into that. I have my opinions, which are not shared by X% of DU. No sense banging heads and getting hides.

IMHO. It's saved me tons of "pissing matches" over the last 9.5 years. Best of luck to you.


Steve

[lovemydog]

8. So true!

I'm gonna remember that. Have a great evening.

[lovemydog]

7. Hi Danger Mouse

I'm newer here, but always enjoy friendly conversation. Just don't go all medieval on me and we'll be fine.

[cyberswede]

9. If the "old" Lounge people aren't around...

you'll just have to find some new people to talk about.

Hope you have fun here.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. I think I remember you. Didn't you do a name change after the first election of Obama?

I think that is the last time they allowed for name changes. Anyway, good to see you

[Danger Mouse]

18. I was originally ElrondHubbard. It was a cute pun...but honestly I grew tired of it.

I was glad of the opportunity to be rid of it when it came.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. OK, I remember. Yeah, I liked that name but, I can see why it would get old ... maybe.

Good to see you again

[mike_c]

21. I remember you under both names....

Although, to be fair, I don't post/read in the lounge much.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear Danger Mouse...

Your name is certainly familiar......I don't remember any details, sorry.

Many of the old Lounge denizens have left, some through banning, some because of who knows, and we've lost a few who died.

Anyway, welcome back!

Hope we'll talk...

[orleans]

12. hey, how's it going? n/t

[DFW]

13. Except for not getting drafted, I had no clear objective in undergrad, either

Although not getting sent to Vietnam against my will WAS a pretty powerful incentive in those days.

By the time I graduated, I was so tired of school, I only wanted a break. The draft had ended by then, so I had the option of taking a year off. My parents were after me to go to grad school in the worst way. I had "talents to develop," doncha know. Instead, through circumstances I will not go into here, I got recruited by the same outfit I work for now, and though some might consider it a dream (or dangerous, or stressful, or demanding) job, I know it as my ONLY job, and haven't needed to look for a serious job yet. At 62, I now have to face the fact that I'll probably never have one. On the other hand, I'm now station chief for Europe, well-paid, can take as much vacation as I want, and only have the States breathing down my neck when shit happens (shit DOES happen, but not so often that I can't handle it). Who needs to be president of Freedonia anyhow?

As for ideology, just consider never having yours engraved in stone, in case you find out something or other on which you base you opinions turns out to be different from what you originally thought it was. Way back when I was in college, I got confused being called a pinko lefty by the right and a rightist by the left. I just said to hell with both extremes, as countries that tried "pure" ideologies always turned out to be places where people not in power wanted to leave.

[Tobin S.]

14. I'm a senior in college majoring in business administration

That alone puts me at odds with what seems like 90% of DU. In a lot of people's minds here you can't be a Democrat and a business person at the same time. I don't even try to argue my point of view most of the time and I stick mainly to the lounge and a few social groups. I'm just here to kick up my heels. There's enough drama for me in the real world.

[mnhtnbb]

15. See, I think it's sad that people can't understand the benefits

of providing a service or product and making a living from that.
It's how you treat people in the process and what you do with the money you make
that's important.

[Danger Mouse]

17. I feel like I recognize your username.

Well, either way, it's good to be back.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. He went by another name, too ...

Droopy ... maybe ... something like that

[Tobin S.]

22. Yes, but that was a long time ago

I remember Danger Mouse and replying top some of his posts in the past as Tobin. That's probably where he remembers me from. There is also a suggestion to raise taxes for social needs called the Tobin Tax that has been around for a while. I think that's my name's only claim to fame and might be what Danger Mouse is thinking of.