I am ready to request to play. I decided to spend a lot of time soul-searching and ask for some friend's advice on how they view me, in the interest of objectivity. Problem is, they would have had me puffing myself up to god-levels, describing me
as stronger and faster than I think I am. *sigh* Sorry for the length, but the original draft was twice as long, and included second opinions, from a friend and one from my mom, which I incorporated as much as reasonable (I don't care what my mom says, my intuition is not 2@8!)
Brock Anthony Petersdorf-Nelson.
Age 18, DOB 11/27/90
My mom calls me Brocky, though I asked her to stop. I have been called Broccoli in a derogatory fashion. No positive nicknames. I have been known as ohconan and genericfantasyname on the internet. I request to be referred to as Brock by my friends, just like my friend Carl prefers being called CJ.
Social skills-I am quiet and usually content to let others take charge, but if I see things are getting done inefficiently I tend to take over. No one usually contests that, and I have been asked before to lead groups. I know how to deploy my available resources (the ones that I know of) in an efficient way, and keep organized by using a computer to make outlines. People tend to rely on my advice, and seek me out for it. My advice comes from a logical standpoint, that is people trust me because I have a reputation for being smart and able to multi-task, not necessarily because of persuasiveness. I have never really had an occasion to persuade, I just state what should be done and my reasons, and people usually go along with it. Cajoling is not my thing, and I don't recall a single time I have ever done it, or needed to for that matter. If I am in a group on a day I missed the school bus, I email the classes instructor with the group's materials and instructions for the day. I just tell people what they are doing wrong/less effective, and they listen. Actually, their willingness to listen to me is somewhat bemusing at times. I don't show my sense of humor much, when I find something funny or interesting in a funny way, my reaction is often just a low chuckle. I tutor my peers infrequently. Also, I am classified as a 'nerd' in school hierarchy, but I don't have a bully, and only had one in 3rd grade (I beat him up after he tripped me one too many times). No one chooses to mess with me. I don't know if that's a sign of the cool kids maturity or if there is something about me I am not seeing as different from others. Maybe my understanding of how people really 'work' isn't good enough. One of the reasons I am interested in Psychology :P.
Strength is average? I don;t think I'm strong, but what is average? I don't do much exercise, but I still can bench 60 lbs on each side (plus the weight of the bar)for about 30 reps. Pretty much my only exercise these days is training with my friends once or twice a week (no set day), and some balance exercises.
Stamina is a low point for me. I can sprint for about a minute before being unable to breathe without stopping, and usually take 10 minutes to recover. I am told it may be exercise-induced asthma, but I never bothered to ask a doctor. However, I can do other tasks requiring stamina *over time* a lot better, my limits are just low. Maybe it is a kind of asthma, and it's a weakness instead of a base attribute...I don't know.
Resistance I assume is opposing toxins and includes immune system health and things of that nature? I don't get sick often. I also have all standard immunizations. I used to get bronchitis around this time of hear every year, but I don't now (weird)
Flexibility-I used to be able to put my feet behind my head, but now I can only put one back there. Lack of practice and exercise, you know. Heh, here I am in my room, doing old Yoga exercises to ascertain how flexible I still am. It's ludicrous to think of the fact that I haven't thought about it at all for 1 and a half years. I got to get in shape. Anyway, the level is 'put one foot behind head even while overweight (167% optimal weight)'
Agility-I have a very good balance, enhanced by practice of stances that enhance balance, the type where you try to maintain your balance in awkward positions and the type where you build muscles important to balance (ones that see little use ordinarily), and of course mental exercises, which are just as important. I actually stopped those physical exercises for about 8 months. When muscle-building exercises are stopped, the regression is surprisingly rapid. I started again 3 weeks ago. I spend an hour on it each day. I understand the importance of balance, and know how to strike in such a way as to damage as well as take away the opponent's balance while retaining my own.
Hand/eye is exceptional, even though I only have one useful eye. I can type very fast even considering the fact I do not touch type. I use two fingers in the 'hunt-and-peck' style, except I know where all the keys are and can type 40wpm with almost no mistakes using just the index fingers from each hand. I play many video games like Halo, and can beat Halo 2 on Legendary with some effort, which requires good reaction speed and accuracy. I have fired a bow before, and at 50 paces never miss the bulls-eye. I didn't try at extended range because my dad doesn't react well to being shown up (he was the kind who would get mad at me, then hit my mom, not me. I'll explain later, if anyone wants to know about it), and it was his bow. When playing a video game needing swift coordination, my friends sometimes ask me to use my 'magic fingers' (Chris coined that term) to get the job done if it is too hard for them. Difficult races, tasks that are normally time-consuming made quick, reflex-based games with the 'bad guys' coming at you-you name it. I have to play those kinds of games on max difficulty for any challenge.
Intellect-I am very intelligent, but I don't know many people who are "average". I admit to being an underachiever. I am more interested in studying things that are not taught at my school, and I have always had difficulty waking up before 8:00 no matter when I go to sleep (even before school), and failed a couple classes for lack of work. It's my own fault, so now I will be in the fifth year of high school. I grasp the material in the classes readily enough, particularly in literary and mathematical pursuits, and critical thinking. I took several assessing tests in my early school years, and according to them I was ready for pre-calculus since 5th grade, and reading at what my teacher defined as 'post college level' (is that a real term people use????) since 3rd grade. I did some tutoring in Elementary school and Junior High, because some of my teachers felt it a better use of my time, particularly my math teacher in 8th grade, Mr. Sayer.
Intuition-I don't recall a stressful situation I did not "sense" coming, usually in the form of everything seeming to get quieter. I have a feel for how people around me are feeling, though the why often eludes me. I am aware of my immediate environment as well as the people around me unless deeply concentrating on something. I also utilize an oft used tool in several pagan religions, seeing people's 'auras' by taking in every detail of the person by letting my mind go on 'pause' and seeing a kind of, glow around the people. I believe this 'glow' is really my subconscious assessment of the person based on all the cues I see from viewing them objectively and passively, and the colors are an unconscious association of emotion with color, but that is a discussion for another time. I also have excellent hearing, but I pretend not to to throw people off balance, in the same manner I act absent-minded.
Education level-I haven't quite finished High School. I am a senior. I do spend a fair amount of time studying on my own, though the topics are sometimes esoteric. Oh, and I have tutored my peers in math and English, and could tutor in most high school subjects.
Will-Power-I never intentionally do anything dishonest unless it is necessary in the ultimate defense of Life, Limb, and Livelihood, and I practice meditation exercises (from Buddhism) that help keep a calm mind in all circumstances (and aid concentration). I make few promises, because I will not break my word for anyone, an it cost me my life. I prefer not to hurt anyone for that matter-'an it harm none, do as ye will' is a fine creed to follow in most circumstances (it's Wiccan)
Weaknesses-I have very minimal use of my nearsighted right eye that requires me to close the left one to focus it at all, but it has always been that way, so my depth perception is not that bad, I know how to compensate. As such, I don't rely on peripheral vision, I rely on hearing and a "sixth sense" for detection. I am overweight, at 166% optimal weight. Also, I have trouble remembering things unless I consciously commit it to memory, and ritualizing the memory process by writing the info down greatly enhances the retention rate for me. I keep a notebook with me at all times, with a 'promise section' at the front for all things I have to do first.
Weren't there other threads for basic info about friends and family, and such? What is the thread's name?
