“I’ve got a rad reputation / as a cool dude”

Once upon a time, I had a reputation that preceded me:

Moodle Guide for Teachers — Bojan: “Smile for the camera, dude.”
Simon: “Oh wait, I forgot to tell you-“
Bojan: “What’s that?”
Simon: “Look out for Surfer Rob, man.
He will break your day.”
(Photo credit: st0nemas0nry)

I was the kid that teachers warn each other about. I was the talker, the disruptor, the cut-up; sometimes, I was the kid that made teachers wonder why they even bothered.

It followed me from one school to the next, but the way I remember it, I wasn’t even that bad – many of those teachers suffered from a characteristic (for the educational mentality of the time) lack of patience. Sure, I was loud, obnoxious, self-righteous, and sometimes I stole things. I would often talk out of turn, and that would be enough to get me into trouble.

Then I started swearing. I didn’t know the meaning of the word “profanity” until the sixth grade, but I used it nonetheless as part of my common vernacular. I can still be a little loose with it at times, especially when I’m upset.

“Once a bad kid, always a bad kid”. I was often thought of as a “bad kid”, but as it turns out I wasn’t. Because of the way my life has gone, I have this deep-seated belief that every person has within them a seed of the goodness in their true nature; it waits to be called forth, to become a force in one’s life. Young or old, we all have the ability to call forth this good spirit and to be a better person; the more we call, the more it becomes an integral part of who we are.

Later on in life I would try harder to keep my head down; at this point I feel as though I have elevated that to an art form. But would I like to build a better reputation? As a blogger? I must admit I wouldn’t mind having a reputation for well-written, high-quality content – good stories, inspiring haiku – something to keep my readers thinking all day.

I’m beginning to feel stagnant in my longform posts, or at best, hit-or-miss; I’m not writing the engaging content I once aspired to. If you have comments, suggestions, or criticism, now is the time to lay them out there and help me to become a better blogger.

Well – what do you think?

This post was prompted by today’s Daily Post prompt.

The title of this post is a nod to the Eagles’ Life in the Fast Lane, but I modified the line slightly to refer to me. 🙂

143 other responses have posted thus far:

59 thoughts on ““I’ve got a rad reputation / as a cool dude””

N. E. White says:

January 17, 2014 at 1:15 pm

I like your haikus; short and quick to read. Like you said, sometimes they make me pause and think, sometimes they stay with me the whole day.

As to the longer content, we’ll that’s up to you. What’s your passion?

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 17, 2014 at 1:25 pm
  
  Right now it seems I’m in limbo.
  
  Reply
  1. N. E. White says:
    
    January 17, 2014 at 1:47 pm
    
    That’s a tough one! But you know, I lot of folks are in limbo. Maybe chronicle your journey into or out of that limbo? Why do you think you are in limbo? What do you think would get you out of limbo?
    
    Reply
    1. Rob's Surf Report says:
      
      January 17, 2014 at 1:52 pm
      
      I’ll take that into consideration. I probably just need more time to write now!
      
      Reply
Andra Watkins says:

January 17, 2014 at 1:21 pm

You have to write for you. People are fickle and busy, and the Internet gods are fooling with things again such that we can’t even be sure anyone sees a post. Write for you, and your passion will speak through the words.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 17, 2014 at 1:26 pm
  
  I think that in the end, that’s all I can do. 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Andra Watkins says:
    
    January 17, 2014 at 1:28 pm
    
    I’ve decided it’s all I can do. Multiple times, I have followed the rules and built followings, only to watch my numbers plummet when the rules changed. It used to bug me, but I had to realize that I am writing because I must, for me.
    
    Reply
    1. Rob's Surf Report says:
      
      January 17, 2014 at 1:51 pm
      
      That’s why when people follow me for a bit then drop off because I’m not reading them – I do feel a little guilty about that but I have to remind myself that I can’t read everyone every time they post. I hope I can get back to my stories soon.
      
      Reply
2. Cimmorene says:
  
  January 17, 2014 at 3:36 pm
  
  I agree with this. That’s what I do over at The Dragon’s Lair. I know it’s tempting to try and write for your audience, but your audience should be attracted to your blog by who you are. Don’t change that.
  
  Reply
El Guapo says:

January 17, 2014 at 2:19 pm

I had a reputation that followed me around several bars. I was, briefly, a minor legend.
Ah, the good old days…

What about your longform is hit or miss? Quality of writing? The topic? Your interest in writing that piece?
Ignore the stats. Write the stuff you want. This is your corner of the sphere, and it’s sole purpose is to let you say what you want to say, in whatever form you want.
Like Andra said, write for you, not the stats. Whether they come or not, you’ll have the satisfaction of telling the best possible story you can.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 17, 2014 at 2:22 pm
  
  Lately it feels like I’m just going through the motions. The prompts don’t speak to me and I don’t have the time I need to write what I want. I think that’s the big issue.
  
  Reply
  1. El Guapo says:
    
    January 17, 2014 at 2:34 pm
    
    well, at least you know the problem. You’re still doing the haiku. Why not just wait for something to move you?
    I did my first trifecta in a while recently, because I felt the same way about the prompts – no time, no energy.
    
    You write well. Unless you’re on a deadline, just do it for fun and let it come.
    
    Reply
    1. Rob's Surf Report says:
      
      January 17, 2014 at 3:30 pm
      
      Well thanks, I think I might just do that. 🙂
      
      Reply
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andy1076 says:

January 17, 2014 at 4:22 pm

I think that being a bad boy or a rebel is kind of a right of passage for us guys, Something we take to the absolute max before coming down and seeing the difference it makes. Kudos on having been in both! 😀

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 17, 2014 at 4:36 pm
  
  Lol thanks, I think surviving is more essential, but I gratefully accept the Kudos – I feel like a mother to this life if mine. 😀
  
  Reply
  1. andy1076 says:
    
    January 17, 2014 at 4:47 pm
    
    Try answering a kid trying to tell you “you don’t understand anything i’m going through” after everything you’ve experienced lol 😀
    
    Reply
    1. Rob's Surf Report says:
      
      January 17, 2014 at 5:23 pm
      
      Ha ha right? Like, “you ain’t seen nothing yet, short stuff!”
      
      Reply
      1. andy1076 says:
        
        January 17, 2014 at 5:31 pm
        
        LOL and THAT would be the answer XD
        
        Reply
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Martha Kennedy says:

January 17, 2014 at 5:35 pm

Personally, some of the prompts are completely de-inspiring to me (this one is). I don’t feel obliged to dance on my toes. I’ve also had a bit of a personal dilemma lately about two things. First, the internet can be addictive. Reading, posting, checking stats is a bit reminiscent of a dark time in the world of Facecrack. Second, blogging is not the same (to me) as writing a novel and I THINK it can be a distraction from more involved forms that need intense concentration. If someone is going to “prompt” me to write about something about which I care little, should I even bother with it? I suspect next week, when classes start, I will only write the prompts that authentically “prompt” me. I don’t know if that speaks (as I’d hoped to) to your question about whether you’re writing at a level to inspire your readers. I don’t think you’re obligated to do that all the time. Who could even achieve that?

http://marthakennedy.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/whats-your-favorite-colordaily-promptreputation/

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 18, 2014 at 9:18 am
  
  I definitely feel you on the social networking aspect of the blog, there’s a bit of “responsibility” tied to that and it tends to get a little time-consuming. And like I told Andra, I want to get back to my stories – perhaps that’s what I should be doing!
  
  Reply
Martha Kennedy says:

January 17, 2014 at 5:36 pm

P.S. I like the word “rad.”

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 18, 2014 at 9:17 am
  
  😀 I like it in the context because it rhymes with “bad” (for the quote,) but also it was my junior high school nickname – “Rad Rob”. Blithe self-affirmation, it was, but that was the fun of it.
  
  Reply
The Indecisive Eejit says:

January 17, 2014 at 7:05 pm

I already think you’re a briliant blogger. Smarter than the average bear, I’m a little to stupid to understand sometimes but that means your intellectual, which I think means you fart a lot or something, right?

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 18, 2014 at 9:25 am
  
  Okay, smart, yes – stupid? Not you, dearie. I’m sure it’s just a slight linguistic gap. And you’ve got me on the gas attacks – I can be quite scandalous some days, which makes me glad to work in a noisy, industrial environment. 🙂
  
  Reply
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Silverleaf says:

January 17, 2014 at 9:12 pm

I’ve been feeling a lot the same way lately. The prompts don’t speak to me and though I do have the time, there are days I don’t have the interest or the energy. And I think Reader hasn’t been working properly for a month or so. I miss people’s posts and it seems they miss mine unless I post something right after I do a prompt, then they see both together. It is frustrating but like everyone is saying, you just gotta do it for you and not worry about the rest. And you DO come across as intelligent and interesting.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 18, 2014 at 9:26 am
  
  Thank you, I appreciate that! 🙂
  
  Reply
jaklumen says:

January 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm

I was the kid that teachers warn each other about.

I think you’ve written a lot just with this, Rob. I was elementary education major, so I did receive teacher training at one time. One of the issues that really struck me was how incredibly conformist the public school system continues to be. Many times the issue is cast in an aspect of gender, i.e., that “rough and rowdy” boys are often cowed and shamed to their active natures compared to more “quiet and submissive” girls– but I look at my daughter, who is wild and creative in her own right, and I think schools are just designed to punish kinesthetic learners outside of a P.E. setting.

Run with this, Rob. I sense there’s a lot more to the story, and I would read it.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 18, 2014 at 9:29 am
  
  I’ll have to can-of-worms that, but I’ll take you up on your challenge down the road, Jak.
  
  Coincidentally, I was a secondary English education major, and I do think you’re right about the problems with school design; now they’re trying to attack it using a group-learning aesthetic that seems to be designed to punish introverts. Is it the lesser of two evils? Maybe. I should run with that, too.
  
  Reply
  1. jaklumen says:
    
    January 18, 2014 at 11:50 am
    
    Fair enough, Rob.
    
    And spot on with that observation– I was going to write a bit about that, but figured I’d save it for later, so thank you for pointing that aspect out. My daughter indeed faced that group-learning approach in the school district’s gifted program the past two years, and it was disastrous. It works really well for more extroverted types looking to go into business management (I say that because my youngest sister was also part of this program, and her recent studies for her MBA sounded very similar), but yes, absolutely, it punishes those who are more introverted and learn in different ways.
    
    Fortunately, she’s in a very good middle school and is away from much of that mess– she is much, MUCH happier. If you write on this, Rob, I’ll be looking forward to what you have to say.
    
    Reply
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Sheri Edwards says:

January 18, 2014 at 12:52 pm

Hello, Rob. Spirit. That’s the spark that rebelled causing a bit of trouble for you in school. I see you survived very well — your blog is interesting, well-designed, and full of diverse postings. I imagine you’ve created a life that is the also full of spirit and interest.

It’s a difficult task for teachers to honor the spirit and also rein it enough to focus on the learning. And it’s an even more difficult task to encourage that spirit to grow in a way that guides without controlling. In today’s schools, teachers are mandated to improve scores, not to nurture nature and help students develop their talents, which, in turn, would lead to success in any area the young person would choose. Since my own boys were those with a reputation, I understood the soul behind the scenes, and always looked to begin conversations with those kids before their year with me — what were there interests? what was it that captured their imaginations? how could I use that to bring them into the learning community, instead of skirting the edges? How do I build in movement and humor? These are the questions I would ask and consider, so “that kid” would find a place in our class. But again, teachers are watched and paced and managed to teach to those test scores; and time is taken that would otherwise be the conversations and activities to honor the spirit of each kid.

Thanks for the reflection; it inspires me to continue the quest to honor each spirit.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 18, 2014 at 1:50 pm
  
  I really appreciate that there are teachers like you out there, because I’m sure my daughter will have the same spirit. I know it’s tougher than ever to teach in a natural fashion rather than trying to make the government happy, but keep on truckin’ the best you can, and thanks for all the hard work you do, Sheri!
  
  Reply
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Susan Honthumb says:

January 18, 2014 at 3:44 pm

There are so many conversations going on here, I don’t know where to start. I’m responding to the main thread about being tagged as a bad kid. The other day while waiting in an outdoor queue to drop off a couple of prescription requests, this young woman started to talk to me; the conversation went this way and that and it finally arrived at the question, “Do you think that people are inherently good or bad?” Not the run of the mill kind of question, but provocative just the same. I have never seen an evil baby. When I see babies and children, I see innocence. I see curiosity. Same thing with puppies. But I have seen good kids turn “bad” and pups that become aggressive. They why and how can we prevent this is the million dollar question. We wouldn’t need prisons if we could solve this dilemma.
As a teacher, I come across students who make the wrong choice. perhaps they are bored and get restless; I know I get agitated when I get bored. perhaps they need attention and aren’t getting it at home. perhaps they need acceptance. I know that I have this sarcastic side and have been known to use it to create a laugh, a laugh is a sign of acceptance, and I admit I’ve done this at the expense of other people. I’m working on not doing this, but I don’t always succeed in holding my tongue.
The other day I was working with a fifth grade class. Emma had a tough time with her temper. The teacher had told her twice to be nice and not be so defensive when talking to her classmates. After one time of being talked to, I went over to her and asked her if she were mad. It’s was very apparent as she sulked at her desk. Frown on her face. Face scrunched up. Arms crossed. She was good at pouting. She said she was mad. I asked her what benefit she got from staying mad; she said she probably would stay mad for a while. I asked her why she got mad and she said she was cool. Another student overheard this comment and said, “No, Emma you are not cool.”
Because I’m a substitute teacher, I may never see this child again, but I wonder if anyone is going to take the time to help her sort this out or will she just get labeled as having some sort of anger disorder.
Thanks for the blog as it certainly sparked me to write.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 19, 2014 at 12:01 pm
  
  Well, I’ll tell you what: I bet that child has benefitted from that one instance of introspection into her emotional reaction. I get the feeling if kids got more of that, they might learn to be more thoughtful and deliberate about how they choose to react to things. Instead of being feral human beings, we have the opportunity to reflect the civility and intelligence that are the hallmarks of being human in the modern world, but I just don’t think there’s enough emphasis on emotional intelligence guidance in schools, and I think that’s part of why the American education is in this partially lapsed state.
  
  Thanks for your thoughts, and feel free to add anything if it comes up!
  
  Reply
  1. Susan Honthumb says:
    
    January 19, 2014 at 12:36 pm
    
    Since the teacher was in the classroom, and it was the teacher that scolded the child, I wasn’t sure if it “were my place” to talk to the child. Instinct told me that she needed more than a scolding in front of the other children; this only seem to create more distance. I wanted to open a dialogue. I was also at a disadvantage as this was the first day I had ever been in that classroom, and Emma didn’t know me from Adam. I can only hope that by my reaching out to her will have an impact down the road. We are all at choice when it comes to our feelings.
    
    Reply
    1. Rob's Surf Report says:
      
      January 19, 2014 at 1:28 pm
      
      Right, but we have to learn that, and if nobody ever tells us, then the world may never give us a chance to figure it out for ourselves – as a teacher, that puts you and the others in a position of power: to enlighten the young as you educate them.
      
      Now that I’m better with children (having a daughter who is almost two years old) I wish I had a chance to take another crack at the education program.
      
      Reply
      1. Susan Honthumb says:
        
        January 19, 2014 at 2:58 pm
        
        I do what I can do.
        
        Reply
        
        Rob's Surf Report says:
        
        January 19, 2014 at 4:59 pm
        
        I hear that. When I was in pedagogy classes we were told that in our practicum that we weren’t in a position to correct student behavior and so I ended up looking pretty dumb when the teacher stepped out for about five minutes and a group of four boys started with some Jew-baiting talk, and I just sat there until the other students started to look at me like I was supposed to do something, at which point I said, “do you think we could change the subject, guys?” I know it’s not my classroom but some things don’t really need the rules to apply. I think you did good, and that I should have acted a little faster.
        
        Reply
        
        Susan Honthumb says:
        
        January 19, 2014 at 5:06 pm
        
        My first teaching job was at Willamette Leadership Academy, a military-style school, where the majority of the focus was changing behavior. It is impossible to teach academics if there are behavior issues. Are you a teacher currently?
        
        Reply
        
        Rob's Surf Report says:
        
        January 20, 2014 at 5:02 am
        
        No, I’m not. I had a change of vocation that made it impossible to continue my education so I never finished the program.
        
        Reply
        
        Susan Honthumb says:
        
        January 20, 2014 at 8:35 am
        
        Darn it. What is your vocation?
        
        Reply
        
        Rob's Surf Report says:
        
        January 20, 2014 at 9:28 am
        
        I’m a machinist and fabricator for a company that makes skid-steer attachments for another company. It’s a 50-60 hour a week job, but it pays the bills.
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ladyharvey says:

January 18, 2014 at 6:56 pm

It is amazing how the labels others give us can start to affect the way we behave. I hope that today’s teachers and parents are more enlightened in terms of the verbiage they use around children. I am sure if your teachers had chosen to treat you as a “good kid” your thoughts about yourself would have been much different. I completely agree with you that everyone has goodness in them. I don’t believe that any label you were given by someone else defines who you are or determines who you will be.

Harvey

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 19, 2014 at 1:24 pm
  
  Thanks for that. I’ll tell you what, I think you hit it when you said that if they had treated me as though I weren’t being “bad” so much as “sidetracked” (maybe?) that I would have responded differently, because one thing I remember is how weird it felt when one of these teachers were actually nice to me for a change, and how somehow that brought my focus on them for a good chunk of time – proof positive that patience works wonders with kids, and that’s how I try to approach raising my daughter. I think it’s a good philosophy.
  ~Rob
  
  Reply
Anonymous says:

January 19, 2014 at 1:06 pm

Sounds like you turned out okay after all. My advice is to just keep writing. You’ll find your voice eventually. I’m no expert though.

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 19, 2014 at 1:29 pm
  
  Thanks, someone. 😉
  
  Reply
Pat(ricia) says:

January 24, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Listen – your blog is your blog – and the content will change – in form, style, subject – much like the moon waxes and wanes.

Go with the tidal flow.

You wanna publish something short and pithy as a response to a WPPrompt? Do it!

No one says you have to “dig deep” all of the time.

Sometimes man, you have to let go and fill the well with what inspires you – an image, a reblog, a whatever ….

So just be cool – ride the waves man – just get in the water and let the surf take you where it will. Besides, it may lead you to a whole other place, and it can’t be all “bad.”

Water nourishes and cleanses … so …. surf’s up, yes?

By the way … if you have been writing “your private stuff” – this may be part of the reason why you ain’t necessarily feeling all together “together” here – it takes time, effort and can be a brain drain, as well as inspirational, so from one “bad kid” (hid behind the “angel face”) to another – stop busting your balls.
(Can I say that here? 😉 )

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  January 25, 2014 at 4:26 am
  
  Your point is taken 🙂
  
  Surf’s up!
  
  Reply
rugby843 says:

January 8, 2021 at 2:41 am

I love it when I can get a smile a chuckle or laugh from reading a blog post – thanks!

Reply
1. Rob's Surf Report says:
  
  February 17, 2021 at 8:49 pm
  
  I aim to please! 😀
  
  Reply