20 Things I would do over....

Well, a promise is a promise, so as I had on Facebook said that I would allow the first person to comment on my most recent video pick the category of my most recent blog, I am a man of my word, so here goes..

Thanks to Shannon Cullen-Owens for today's subject.

"20 Things that I would do over again, if I could."

First off, there is absolutely no order to these items, they are being put in as I think of them. I was going to brainstorm them before writing, but to be honest, I work best this way...

1. High School. If I had my way (knowing now what I do) I would completely do High School over again. Looking back, I would totally get over my insecurities, and just forge ahead. My social existence in High School was miserable. I had some great friends, don't get me wrong, but I was so nervous around girls, that I never got my guts out there to ask someone out. And 15 years later, I am finding out there were people who actually liked me enough to go out with me, and I would've never guessed.

2. I would have tried harder in School. I am reaping what I sow right now, having a terrible job. Had I used my intellect to its full capacity, I would probably doing much better now.

3. I would have started to drink Sugar-free Soda/Pop earlier. In the early 2000-2003 time frame, I used to drink an exorbitant amount of Pepsi and Coke, and as a result, I went and killed my Pancreas. Had I drank sugar-free pop earlier, I would have been able to stop my diabetes before it happened.

4. I would have been a better husband. The Former Mrs. Fortier left me because I never changed (In addition to the other stuff) and I regret that, because now I don't get to see Chloe every day. Had I been a better person, then I could be the father I am, every day, instead of part-time.

5. I would have stayed in Barrie. Before I was 14 years old, I had relocated with my family twice, and I think that a lot of that didn't help my Social Anxieties when I was in my teens. Because I had to pretty much start over and make new friends twice, I had a hard time coming out of my shell to meet girls, because I had a hard enough time making friends, let alone girlfriends.

6. I would have tried harder in sports. Especially Volleyball and Basketball. Both of which I was pretty good at, had I actually tried to be an athlete, I might have been much healthier now...

7. I would have had Grandpa's Condition appropriately diagnosed. My Grandfather died when I was 25, and I know now what he had, because I took the time to figure it out, but his jackass of a doctor, didn't diagnose his condition properly, and as a result, he was taken from me well before he should have been. If he were with us today, I'd be benefitting from his advice today, which I could really use.

8. I would have never let The Former Mrs. Fortier buy that Damned Kia! That car was one of the worst things we could have ever bought, but I pretty much laid down and let her buy it, and that was one, of the many things that lead to the downfall of our relationship.

9. I would have not gone away to college, and stayed local. I think part of the reason I didn't really try hard in College, or finish, is because I had no real supervision. Had I stayed home, it might have been a different story, and I would have been able to focus better.

10. I would have taken what I wanted to take in College. I was pressured to take something to do with Computers in College. Because I was so good with computers. I, myself wanted to get into Radio/TV, but I was told that I couldn't make a career out of it, and as a result, I ended up taking Broadcasting about 10 years later. Had I been able to take that when I should have, I may be in a different place now.

11. I would have asked for help when I should have. I lost my house, because I was too proud to ask for help. After the fact, I found out that I could have gotten someone to buy the house, and have me maintain it. And I would still be living where I should be living...

12. I would have never drank as much as I did when living with Adrian. One Word. Concussions.

13. I would have moved to the states when I had the chance. As the most Pro-American Canadian out there, I have had a number of chances to move to the states for work, and I never took them. Most of which were in the last year. But had I taken the first opportunity that I had (10 years ago) things may have turned out differently.

14. I wouldn't have gotten married. The dissolving of my marriage was probably one of if not the most traumatic experiences of my life. Had I known how badly it was going to end, I might've never done it. But I would still probably do it over again, only because of Chloe. But if we never had kids, I would've stayed away from the Former Mrs. Fortier, for many reasons.

15. I would have taken better care of the First ForchMobile. I loved that car, and I miss it every day. If I still had it. I would be a happy camper!

16. I would completely do over the summer of 1995. Most notably, who I dated in the first part of that Summer. Someone I waited to ask out throughout High School, ruined my summer completely, If I hadn't asked her out, the summer would have been much more enjoyable.

17. February 25th, 1994. My first Car accident. I would have been a little more careful that night, and I am still feeling the repercussions of that night, as my right knee is still messed up.

18. September 1st, 1991. The day that my Former Grandfather introduced his new "Wife" to the Fortier clan. I was 14, but I should have spoken up. It would have never done any good, but I, to this day still wish that I could tell that son of a bitch to go to hell. Bert is one of the people who are responsible for me being the pessimist that I am. I wish I had told him off when I had the chance.

19. August 25th, 2002. I would have went to the Orioles-Jays game instead of that stupid family reunion. I was forced to go to that reunion, when my presence was not required. It wasn't even my family, But I was forced to go to anyway, and that was the last chance to have a final "Good Memory" with my Grandfather, Rusty. That would have been nice. The people responsible for that will never, EVER be forgiven for that...

20. August 26th, 2002. If I had known that it would have been the last thing I ever said to Rusty, I would have said something a little more relevant than: "Call me if you need anything..."

There's 20. Thank you, Shannon.

I know that these are things that I can not change, but they are things that I would change if I had the chance.

But that's just my opinion... What do I know???
F.M.