  Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9655 Registered: 10-2003 |
I had a nice family and grew up in West Bloomfield. I went to a school that probably has a much larger budget than the one you went to, and didn't have any drug pushers or gang members in it. I am a white christian male, but all that aside... Be like me! Have a positive attitude! That's what it really takes to succeed in metro Detroit, a POSITIVE attitude and a strong work ethic. Just work really hard and you'll be fine! Now, I went to a very expensive college, and had education bonds my grandparents had put aside for me to help pay for it, but even if you don't have that, just try hard and you'll be fine. Stay POSITIVE and COMMITTED. Don't give up. The CHALLENGES will make you STRONGER. I wish I had more challenges, because then I could be even stronger than I am, but unfortunately most everything was handed to me on a platter. I am SO jealous of the rest of you who get to WORK HARD and build the STAMINA it takes to succeed. Sure, some vampires will come out of the woodwork here and try to say things like "hey, my family is dirt poor, I have no father, I grew up without a single positive role model, I'm a minority with a long history of discrimination, and you have the fucking gall to tell me how to succeed in life?!". Well, just ignore them. They just can't stand seeing other people happy, and want to drag them down to their level, when the truth is they just aren't POSITIVE and COMMITTED enough to achieve SUCCESS! | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 1258 Registered: 11-2006 |
was that really necessary? I think you've played this think out a bit too much. | ||
Alan55 Member Username: Alan55 Post Number: 2625 Registered: 09-2005 |
Well, all of your advantages sure didn't help you when it to comes to creating interesting posts. Maybe you can do something more stimulating, like sweeping your driveway. | ||
Stosh Member Username: Stosh Post Number: 181 Registered: 01-2009 |
Thanks for sharing. Hello, boys and girls. This is your old pal, Stinky Weaselteats. This is a song about a whale. No! This is a song about being happy! That's right! It's the Happy Happy Joy Joy song! [chorus] Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Happy Happy Joy Joy Joy!   | ||
Downtown_lady Member Username: Downtown_lady Post Number: 616 Registered: 08-2008 |
This was very mean-spirited. | ||
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57 Post Number: 376 Registered: 05-2006 |
This forum needs to take a valium. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3702 Registered: 07-2004 |
What's No. 62 on the list of "Stuff White People Like"? Survey says! http://tinyurl.com/5f4hhk | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 6135 Registered: 04-2005 |
Nicely done, JL | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 2841 Registered: 10-2003 |
Nothing wrong with being positive just don't be a psychophant of all things Detroit. | ||
Haikoont Member Username: Haikoont Post Number: 140 Registered: 09-2008 |
quote: Is that a cross between a psychopath and sycophant -- an antisocial yes man, as it were? | ||
Stosh Member Username: Stosh Post Number: 182 Registered: 01-2009 |
A psychotic elephant? | ||
Benfield Member Username: Benfield Post Number: 168 Registered: 06-2008 |
Haikoont, In all honesty, yes. | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 1442 Registered: 05-2007 |
Yes, whatever you say - now leave me alone. | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 1025 Registered: 04-2008 |
For those of you that didn't get it: JohnLodge was attempting to make fun of another forum member (Doma?) who attempted to start an inspirational thread on how he, a 27 (?) year old was trying to keep a positive attitude in order to survive the current downturn in the economy. | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 1444 Registered: 05-2007 |
I get it now - thanks. The other thread is titled "Keep your head up Detroit......a young guys perspective." which I had not read. | ||
Noodles Member Username: Noodles Post Number: 23 Registered: 02-2009 |
quote: Well, JL got someone to read the original thread who hadn't yet read it, so maybe you should start looking at things from a more POSITIVE perspective. quote: | ||
Thames Member Username: Thames Post Number: 428 Registered: 02-2007 |
JL, you forgot to tell us how CLEVER you are and how RESOURCEFUL you are, nor did you tell us what your income is. Are you making a SUBSTANTIAL living? What about the enormous project you've been working on? Back to the drawing board, JL. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9656 Registered: 10-2003 |
Those "positive, optimistic" motivational speaker posts just get so old. And then we aren't allowed to criticize it without being called an evil malcontent, or fictional blood-sucking monster? If you are one who enjoys people blowing sunshine up each others asses all day, perhaps Detroit is not for you? Maybe California would be a better fit? We're not necessarily negative people, but we aren't a bunch of sun-bleached airheads, either. That's just how it is. Gritty, dirty, and sometimes unpleasant. Just how I like it. And I was actually raised in a shitty trailer park. I exaggerated for my parody. Me and Kid Rock and Eminem, just a bunch of Southeast Michigan trailer trash. Yet we are so proud of Kid Rock and Eminem, aren't we? Because they are "Detroiters" with a gritty background who tell it like it is. Just don't try doing that around here. I say celebrate the Detroit cynicism! Expect to be smacked down when you spout a bunch of namby pamby bullshit. That's who we are, and there's nothing wrong with it. Nothing wrong at all. Our problems involve serious deep-rooted racism and being an industrial city in a post-industrial country. It has nothing to do with us not having positive attitudes. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9657 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ha, sorry Thames. I'll try to do better next time. Great post on the other thread, BTW. | ||
Urbanfisherman Member Username: Urbanfisherman Post Number: 124 Registered: 07-2008 |
Great post JL - very uplifting and empowering! People who are realists and see both sides to issues are SO negative and that makes me sad! | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3704 Registered: 07-2004 |
What a weird little shitstorm this is. Thanks for starting is JohnLodge. I do think that whole "up with people" stuff is ineffective and out of place here in Detroit. My friends who move away say, "Detroit is so negative." I agree, though. I think we have to see the bad things or else we're just putting on blinders. Anyway, all that Panglossian, Pollyanna stuff deserves another board. >Discuss Detroit >Connect >Non-Detroit >HOF >Classified Ads >Full-of-shit daydreaming about how great everything is in Detroit  | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 2520 Registered: 08-2007 |
In this, the best of all possible worlds. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9658 Registered: 10-2003 |
Damn, "panglossian" followed by a quote from a 1700s German Philosopher. Good thing there's Google. | ||
Big_baby_jebus Member Username: Big_baby_jebus Post Number: 117 Registered: 09-2008 |
Dang, some people just can't let someone say something positive without becoming a complete ass on a public forum. You should be proud JL, not only did you make yourself look as smart as a 5 year old, you really showed the "transplants" what pure Detroit ignorance is all about. Great job you proved the rest of the us wrong. stay positive you piece | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9659 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm not worried how I look, Jebus. I've been here a long time. Even before the 10-2003 displayed under my name. The people whose opinions here I care about and vise versa are already well established. There is no inherent merit in "saying something positive". Not when it completely ignores reality. But the cheerleaders will all come to scold and scream when you criticize it. That's fine, that's what a discussion board is for. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3706 Registered: 07-2004 |
I KNOW! I try to be positive all day long. No matter how many homeless dudes I see shitting between cars, no matter how many times I see people littering, no matter how many times people cut me off and flip me the bird, I'm still smiling! Nobody's gonna get me down! You can rob me at gunpoint, but you can't steal this smile off my face! I love everybody and everything. Stop the hate! Some people out there are filled with hate, and hate is wrong. I HATE PEOPLE LIKE THAT! | ||
Downtown_lady Member Username: Downtown_lady Post Number: 617 Registered: 08-2008 |
So if someone doesn't delight in making fun of a forum member's sincere, well-intentioned post, then perhaps Detroit is not for them and they should move to California? If they don't feel charmed by how witty you think this post it, that means they enjoy "people blowing sunshine up each others asses all day"? Well, that sounds kind of stupid. As a lifelong Detroiter, I understand that life in Detroit is gritty, dirty and sometimes unpleasant. I understand the reality and don't have foolish illusions about it. It's not about not seeing the bad things. I just don't feel like applauding someone who so unnecessarily feels compelled to mock what someone meant to motivate others. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9660 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: That's not what I said. If you dislike my post, that's fine. Feel free to disagree and comment. Intentions aren't everything though. People were completely vilified on the other thread for disagreeing with it. Where's the respect for their opinion? So my post was a little harsh, it was also extremely exaggerated and an obvious parody. I've called nobody a name, though I've already been called several in response. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 3707 Registered: 07-2004 |
Good points, Downtown Lady. We may not be showing good manners by expressing ourselves this way, but try to think of it as an opportunity to discuss where a normal upbeat attitude ends and delusion begins. Sorry if we sound like the stoner kids in the back of the classroom, though. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 5412 Registered: 06-2004 |
I thought Wednesdays were Nail the Newbie days. | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 1031 Registered: 04-2008 |
Seeing as I have often been considered a "naysayer" about Detroit, it may seem hypocritical that I would defend Doma. But I think the distinction needs to be drawn between giving a realistic assessment of our city and giving a hopeful, motivational (and perhaps a bit idealistic) assessment of one's place in that city. Everyone should try to make the best of the hand they've been dealt (even the privileged - they can fail too, let's not forget). We need to support each other as individuals, otherwise our "shitty" city will just keep getting shittier. Johnlodge, I know you were just trying to be funny, and I really do enjoy your posts, but I believe you have just as much genuine personal motivation as Doma. A lot of folks in Detroit don't have that. They need hope. What can you offer? | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 2126 Registered: 10-2003 |
"There is no inherent merit in "saying something positive". Not when it completely ignores reality. But the cheerleaders will all come to scold and scream when you criticize it. That's fine, that's what a discussion board is for. Johnlodge, you just summed up my dubious existence on this forum. Here since '99 and still skeptical. Some might say cynical, but... | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 9661 Registered: 10-2003 |
Good points, Retroit. What can I offer those who don't have as much motivation because of their personal situations? I really don't know. For some, motivation would sadly not be enough, given what has to be overcome. I think that's what makes some of us upset when those situations are trivialized. One thing is for sure, a post on an internet forum isn't going to do it. But maybe Cub, and his efforts to provide positive role models to the next generation who may not have them, that may go a lot further. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 3497 Registered: 02-2007 |
Quote: "Not when it completely ignores reality." Each is in control of their reality. Just how I see it. | ||
Greebomusic Member Username: Greebomusic Post Number: 38 Registered: 08-2008 |
JL, thanks for the laugh. Something there needs to be more of here. | ||
Benfield Member Username: Benfield Post Number: 169 Registered: 06-2008 |
quote: So you don't believe in physics? | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 1035 Registered: 04-2008 |
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 1331 Registered: 04-2006 |
quote:I can get behind that. Fuck off. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 4235 Registered: 11-2007 |
Johnlodge - on post #9656, I whole heartedly agree. When you do all the right things, and still fall behind, because of "management" or "trade alignment", or "politics". Then to have a twenty something in a third generation family owned business tell us what the "real deal" is, makes me want to puke. Tell it like it is, JL. And let the poster read on here, everything that people have to deal with, crime, cancer, loss of family and friends, personal health problems, loss of employment, etc. I'm a surviver, and always have been, in situations that would have taken out lesser folk. But I don't need a rosy picture painted for me. If I wanted that, I'd turn on PBS, for pledge year. | ||
Daddeeo Member Username: Daddeeo Post Number: 593 Registered: 09-2008 |
Don't worry...be happy!! | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 7918 Registered: 10-2003 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =02zOk_LQCkY It will bring peace to your life. Hee-heee |
