Jeff, for what it is worth, I actually empathize with you a great deal. However, when I read some of the pretty far-out things you are typing, well, I find it harder to take you seriously there brother. In all honesty, and this is by no means of malicious intent, I really thought you were right around 16 to 19 years old until I looked at your profile. The only reason I did that is because you mentioned your degrees in one of your posts, which is also what someone who may have just graduated from college might do, but probably would not. I'm not sure if you are married or have a significant other, but I too have had problems with typing something I was thinking at the moment, but should have kept away from the keyboard. Actually, that is a thing you and I have in common in a big way, but the difference is I am learning not to be so impulsive, and it appears you don't seem to be aware of the problem. One way I found to double check myself is to ask my wife to read some of the things I write before I mail them off or post them. She has a much higher social intellect than I do, and since we all have our own idiosyncracies, I don't mind admitting it.
The whole hybrid/intergrade thing has been hashed out to the point where all anyone is doing is repeating things that have already been typed at least once, but in most cases several times. Seriously, look back over this thread and see if you can find anything to bring to light on the subject that has not been already said, and I'll be glad to reason with you all you want. But if you can't find anything new to bring to that game, why not either close the thread, or focus on some of the other issues here like the fact you are having problems fitting in to your new 'hood? Believe it or not, I am pretty sure a vast majority of the people subscribing to this thread would truly like to help you. I know I would, and I can show you so in one of my first posts, but it gets kind of old if all your going to do is go back to how you were wronged by Jeff B. As far as that goes, just about everyone has said they think it is a jagged pill to swallow, but you basically blew it with your attitude. You need to remember when you are typing away here nobody can see your facial expressions or hear your tone, and approximately 90% of communication is non-verbal, so that leaves you with 10% of your normal ability to communicate in person. Hopefully keeping this simple fact in mind's eye will assist you.
