What was your passion growing up

Gulfstream

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It was a tough league. My claim to fame was scoring 25 against Moten’s team. Of course, he scored 56! He could flat out play. He’s currently coaching at Gadsden County High School, the county’s only public high school after consolidation. He previously coached at West Gadsden HS in Greensboro (now a MS) and won a state title a few years back. One of his assistants was William Moody, a high school phenom from Greensboro (69-72 I believe) who played as a freshman at UF. He was the best basketball player I ever saw.

Gator Football (and all Gator sports really) are also a passion of mine, though I don’t follow basketball as closely. I kinda hate how the game is played now, rules “loosely” interpreted and not enough teamwork. Ironically, the sport offers some of the best athletes you’ll ever see.

I appreciate your passion for reading. I don’t read as much as I used to, but was once very avid. I guess I have a passion for cooking and look forward to being the chief cook when I retire. I like to concentrate more on “tastes really good” than any of the intricacies or presentations. Here’s what we had at the lake the other evening...
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Detroitgator

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I did most of the normal stuff, but my passion starting in about 3rd Grade was reading WW II history. I know, sad... pathetic even! :(
 

crosscreekcooter

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It was a tough league. My claim to fame was scoring 25 against Moten’s team. Of course, he scored 56! He could flat out play. He’s currently coaching at Gadsden County High School, the county’s only public high school after consolidation. He previously coached at West Gadsden HS in Greensboro (now a MS) and won a state title a few years back. One of his assistants was William Moody, a high school phenom from Greensboro (69-72 I believe) who played as a freshman at UF. He was the best basketball player I ever saw.

Gator Football (and all Gator sports really) are also a passion of mine, though I don’t follow basketball as closely. I kinda hate how the game is played now, rules “loosely” interpreted and not enough teamwork. Ironically, the sport offers some of the best athletes you’ll ever see.

I appreciate your passion for reading. I don’t read as much as I used to, but was once very avid. I guess I have a passion for cooking and look forward to being the chief cook when I retire. I like to concentrate more on “tastes really good” than any of the intricacies or presentations. Here’s what we had at the lake the other evening...
View attachment 20654

That presentation looks pretty damned good bro. Around the Cooter house, dat's haute.
 

cover2

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I did most of the normal stuff, but my passion starting in about 3rd Grade was reading WW II history. I know, sad... pathetic even! :(
Not sad nor pathetic at all. That’s about the age I got interested in WWII. Granddaddy was a machinist in the navy and my Uncle Jack was a paratrooper in the 101st. Neither talked a whole lot about it, but just seeing the pictures and some of the artifacts was enough for my inquisitive nature. Been hooked ever since. I remember reading Ambrose’s Band of Brothers before it was made into the mini series. It was excellent and I couldn’t wait to watch it when it came out. In the beginning, however, I checked out every book on WWII that the school library had and supplemented that with Sgt. Rock (DC) and Sgt. Fury (Marvel) comic books that I bought with change I made picking up Coca Cola bottles or pecans. I couldn’t get enough of it.

That whole period in American history is fascinating to me. The spirit of the American people that it took to hurriedly enter the conflicts and turn the tide in two theaters was remarkable, especially considering the diverse cultural make up of our nation. Brokaw’s Greatest Generation made me appreciate my grandparents even more and helped build my interest on the subject beyond the militaria that was so appealing. Glad to know there’s still folks around that share that interest. I wish there were enough with the spirit of the Greatest Generation to lead us and bolster us through these current times.
 

soflagator

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Like most, I evolved over time.

First passion was trains(from my grandfather) and football(also from my grandfather). But football always won out if it were head to head. I’d beg him to throw passes to me over and over, which he never refused, and would stand in my front yard as he sent underhanded bullet spirals at me. I still throw that way to my kids at times. When he wasn’t available, and no friends could play, I’d simply throw the ball and run to catch it, over and over for hours. I was/am smaller, so I had to just be great at the fundamentals. My whole life literally centered on the Gators football, which I learned from him.

At nine, I discovered surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. In my early teens that was my primary passion, though football—specifically UF football under Spurrier—still determined everything for me.

In that period I became obsessed with reggae which went hand in hand with my love for surfing.

Then it became, as pe alluded to, girls and beer to round out my teen/early 20s years.

But basically the constant was UF football.
 

Gatordiddy

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Like most, I evolved over time.

First passion was trains(from my grandfather) and football(also from my grandfather). But football always won out if it were head to head. I’d beg him to throw passes to me over and over, which he never refused, and would stand in my front yard as he sent underhanded bullet spirals at me. I still throw that way to my kids at times. When he wasn’t available, and no friends could play, I’d simply throw the ball and run to catch it, over and over for hours. I was/am smaller, so I had to just be great at the fundamentals. My whole life literally centered on the Gators football, which I learned from him.

At nine, I discovered surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. In my early teens that was my primary passion, though football—specifically UF football under Spurrier—still determined everything for me.

In that period I became obsessed with reggae which went hand in hand with my love for surfing.

Then it became, as pe alluded to, girls and beer to round out my teen/early 20s years.

But basically the constant was UF football.

Thanks for sharing...

So where did you get your sense of humor? I always enjoy your posts...
 

soflagator

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Thanks for sharing...

So where did you get your sense of humor? I always enjoy your posts...

Ha. Not sure. My parents and others always said was that I was 40 when I was 4. I thought like and had the confidence of an adult, and could find sarcasm anywhere. Probably also from him.
 

deuce

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Basketball Jones was written about me.
 

Zambo

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My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.
 

cover2

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Re-reading this thread made me realize that I’ve got or had a lot of passions during my life. I guess they have been subconsciously categorized into majors (that have been a constant) and minors (that I occasionally take a break from). Sports, playing that transcended into coaching, has been my biggest major.

But another major passion that I’ve maintained is firearms, specifically shotguns and handguns. The affection for shotguns was born from my beginning as a hunter and being allowed to carry a gun to the dove field at age eight. It was an old Stevens .410 side by side and I killed two birds that first time. I’ve been hooked ever since.

When I got a little older, I was allowed to graduate to an old Remington 16 ga. Sportsman 58. I shot that until I graduated from HS when I bought a 12 ga. Remington 1100. It was a good shooter, but I’d always had my eye on my granddaddy’s Browning Auto 5 Sweet Sixteen.

When the 1100 started hanging up, that was all I needed to trade it on a 12 ga. Auto 5. That’s about all I’ve shot for the last 43 years. To date I have 9 A5’s and I’ve settled on a 20 mag as my go-to for bird hunts. Something about the old humpback recoil design just fits me. Not real good looking to most, but like the Eagles said “brutally handsome” and definitely reliable!

Where sidearms are concerned, I’ve had a bunch of different ones. Best pure shooter that I was good with was a S&W Model 19. I hate that I don’t have it anymore, but I swapped it for the aforementioned 20 mag. I’ve had 60+ pistols during my time, but my favorites are my two Browning Hi Powers, a Mk I in 9 mm and a Mk III in .40 cal. These models just have a good fit and feel for me. It doesn’t hurt that I believe John M. Browning was one of if not the best firearms designer and manufacturer ever. I’m down to just seven pistols now, but I’m about to purchase a Taurus Judge as a “just in case.” ;)

Along with the enjoyment and confidence I have in firearms, there’s also a very healthy respect and regard for safety. This was requisite for being able to begin hunting and shooting way back when. I’ve passed that along to my children and they practice it each time they hunt or shoot. I’m glad they enjoy this sporting outlet as I do. I have many positive memories.
 

crosscreekcooter

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My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.
Funny, I always assumed you had no testicles.
 

JDW

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My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.

One Million Dollars!!!!
 

Detroitgator

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Re-reading this thread made me realize that I’ve got or had a lot of passions during my life. I guess they have been subconsciously categorized into majors (that have been a constant) and minors (that I occasionally take a break from). Sports, playing that transcended into coaching, has been my biggest major.

But another major passion that I’ve maintained is firearms, specifically shotguns and handguns. The affection for shotguns was born from my beginning as a hunter and being allowed to carry a gun to the dove field at age eight. It was an old Stevens .410 side by side and I killed two birds that first time. I’ve been hooked ever since.

When I got a little older, I was allowed to graduate to an old Remington 16 ga. Sportsman 58. I shot that until I graduated from HS when I bought a 12 ga. Remington 1100. It was a good shooter, but I’d always had my eye on my granddaddy’s Browning Auto 5 Sweet Sixteen.

When the 1100 started hanging up, that was all I needed to trade it on a 12 ga. Auto 5. That’s about all I’ve shot for the last 43 years. To date I have 9 A5’s and I’ve settled on a 20 mag as my go-to for bird hunts. Something about the old humpback recoil design just fits me. Not real good looking to most, but like the Eagles said “brutally handsome” and definitely reliable!

Where sidearms are concerned, I’ve had a bunch of different ones. Best pure shooter that I was good with was a S&W Model 19. I hate that I don’t have it anymore, but I swapped it for the aforementioned 20 mag. I’ve had 60+ pistols during my time, but my favorites are my two Browning Hi Powers, a Mk I in 9 mm and a Mk III in .40 cal. These models just have a good fit and feel for me. It doesn’t hurt that I believe John M. Browning was one of if not the best firearms designer and manufacturer ever. I’m down to just seven pistols now, but I’m about to purchase a Taurus Judge as a “just in case.” ;)

Along with the enjoyment and confidence I have in firearms, there’s also a very healthy respect and regard for safety. This was requisite for being able to begin hunting and shooting way back when. I’ve passed that along to my children and they practice it each time they hunt or shoot. I’m glad they enjoy this sporting outlet as I do. I have many positive memories.
Yeah, we have a lot in common... and while I don't own one anymore, I'll forever be a fan of the Hi Power as well. A Hi Power in .40S&W was the first pistol I ever purchased on my own. It was the only double-stack magazine semi-auto at the time that felt good in my hand. And while my daily carry is a CZ, I'm a 1911 guy to the core... I think I have 5 or 6 of them, including a true 1911 with a serial # from 1918 and Property of U.S. Government stamp.
full-873-95028-282fegz.png
 

cover2

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Yeah, we have a lot in common... and while I don't own one anymore, I'll forever be a fan of the Hi Power as well. A Hi Power in .40S&W was the first pistol I ever purchased on my own. It was the only double-stack magazine semi-auto at the time that felt good in my hand. And while my daily carry is a CZ, I'm a 1911 guy to the core... I think I have 5 or 6 of them, including a true 1911 with a serial # from 1918 and Property of U.S. Government stamp.
full-873-95028-282fegz.png
Anybody that’s a Hi Power fan, owns more than one 1911, and knows, much less listens to, Red Sovine is good people where I come from.
 

deuce

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Yeah, we have a lot in common... and while I don't own one anymore, I'll forever be a fan of the Hi Power as well. A Hi Power in .40S&W was the first pistol I ever purchased on my own. It was the only double-stack magazine semi-auto at the time that felt good in my hand. And while my daily carry is a CZ, I'm a 1911 guy to the core... I think I have 5 or 6 of them, including a true 1911 with a serial # from 1918 and Property of U.S. Government stamp.
full-873-95028-282fegz.png

Wish I could give you more likes for being a 1911 guy!

Nothing compares to a finely machined hunk of metal in your hand......

Maybe we should post some pictures?
 

bradgator2

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It was anything and everything outside. My dad smoked. A lot. That very distinct sound of a Zippo flipping open would wake me up. I would bounce out of bed and had to be in when the street lights came on. I have no memory of ever eating breakfast or lunch. But the key was: be home within seconds of the street lights.

When I was real young, I’d tag along with him to the local coin shop. Where everyone smoked. I could sift through old pennies while he looked at other things. It’s an odd hobby that has stuck with me for a lifetime. Except now I have more time and money and have moved on from the penny jar.

My friends and I would spend full days setting up green army battle fields. Then mow them down with BB guns and firecrackers from opposing sides. The “friend” was not free from the occasional rogue BB. If I shot an animal, I would have to eat it. For the record.... Bluejays really dont taste that good.

Baseball. From tball through highschool. Every season. Every Saturday. That was in the day where you played for your local athletic association. The all star team traveled a little.

My best friend lived in a house that bordered the woods. We cut hundreds of miles of trails through that. It’s a miracle we didnt burn it down. One evening we heard a deafening roar of a cougar. It was shockingly close. It’s probably the same one that ate Carol Baskins husband.

Starting 6/7th grade... skateboarding. 9/10 when I could be friends who drove.... it was surfing. Discovered music in the 10th grade when I head Smells Like Teen Spirit for the 1st time.

After that.... it was pretty much all poon.
 

Detroitgator

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Wish I could give you more likes for being a 1911 guy!

Nothing compares to a finely machined hunk of metal in your hand......

Maybe we should post some pictures?
This is the true 1911... Not A1 20131031_193157_IMG_0766.JPG
Here it is with my Wiley Clapp Colt Commander...
20161129_082418_IMG_3964.JPG
 
Last edited:

AugustaGator

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It was anything and everything outside. My dad smoked. A lot. That very distinct sound of a Zippo flipping open would wake me up. I would bounce out of bed and had to be in when the street lights came on. I have no memory of ever eating breakfast or lunch. But the key was: be home within seconds of the street lights.

When I was real young, I’d tag along with him to the local coin shop. Where everyone smoked. I could sift through old pennies while he looked at other things. It’s an odd hobby that has stuck with me for a lifetime. Except now I have more time and money and have moved on from the penny jar.

My friends and I would spend full days setting up green army battle fields. Then mow them down with BB guns and firecrackers from opposing sides. The “friend” was not free from the occasional rogue BB. If I shot an animal, I would have to eat it. For the record.... Bluejays really dont taste that good.

Baseball. From tball through highschool. Every season. Every Saturday. That was in the day where you played for your local athletic association. The all star team traveled a little.

My best friend lived in a house that bordered the woods. We cut hundreds of miles of trails through that. It’s a miracle we didnt burn it down. One evening we heard a deafening roar of a cougar. It was shockingly close. It’s probably the same one that ate Carol Baskins husband.

Starting 6/7th grade... skateboarding. 9/10 when I could be friends who drove.... it was surfing. Discovered music in the 10th grade when I head Smells Like Teen Spirit for the 1st time.

After that.... it was pretty much all poon.
I've never really had passion. I like everything as long as it was active. Doing something. Never been a sit down type person. Did a little in college and immediately after, but those were depressing times for me. Hell I cant watch a movie any longer without getting bored. Even on here I'm up and down.
 

soflagator

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I've never really had passion. I like everything as long as it was active. Doing something. Never been a sit down type person. Did a little in college and immediately after, but those were depressing times for me. Hell I cant watch a movie any longer without getting bored. Even on here I'm up and down.

Glad to hear I’m not the only one like that. It’s extremely hard for me to sit and watch an entire movie from start to finish. And if I do, it’s the same 5-10 movies over and over again. I just don’t like most of what’s come out over the last 20 years. If I do watch something new, within the first 30 min I’ll typically Wikipedia it to see how it ends and then move on to something more productive.
 

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