What department do you kick ass in?

[neebob]

Right now in GD there's a thread about Aaron Brown saying he's "better than middle class," and the last post at the time I read said, "AB is kicking our asses in the salary department."

That got me thinking about how we compare ourselves to others and the bases on which we do it - i.e., what the departments are. I'm doing well in a number of departments, none of which have anything to do with material things - except that I get paid enough to do a job that I like and support myself and my son. I feel very lucky in that regard.

But you know what? I kick ass in the awesome kid department. Seriously, I couldn't have ordered a better kid. And I know I'm kicking ass because everybody is always telling me how great he is.

I don't intend this thread to be about bragging or even comparing yourself to others, really - more like identifying the areas of life in which you're successful or the things for which you're grateful or that you take some pride in. Two rules: (1) You can only pick one department, and (2) you have to be kicking ass.

What department do you kick ass in?

P.S. I'm also kicking ass, at the moment, in the loud, uncontrolled sneezing department - but that's not very impressive and won't last.

[DS1]

1. The clothing department?

:shrug:

[Red State Rebel]

11. Great kids :) Both living up to Most Likely to Succeed votes :)

One is finishing her Masters this year at age 22, the other is 25 and just bought a very nice home for his little family. I feel very lucky!

[Misunderestimator]

2. The breaking stereotypes department

And that's so sweet about your awesome kid. :thumbsup:

[Dem Agog]

3. Nothing very glamorous I fear...

I do not kick ass in the reading comprehension at night department... So I'll narrow it to one:

Raising extremely lovable, friendly cats. 3 for 3 seriously purring, hyper-affectionate, verbal lap monsters.

[qnr]

4. Number of states & countries visited

All fifty states, and somewhere around 67 countries, which isn't bad for a kid that grew up in the ghettos of NYC.

[Chovexani]

5. The Nerd Department.

I totally kick ass in the geek department. I'm sure there are nerdier chicks out there than I am (for instance, I don't know shit about Linux), but I am seriously an anime-obsessing, video game-owning, pizza-eating, 20-sided-dice-rolling, fanfic-writing, cosplaying NERD.

And proud.

[happyasaclam]

6. the goofing-off department

which is what I just happen to be doing right now. :)

[camero]

7. Morality department

Not many give up everything they have to make others lives better.

[CanuckAmok]

8. Ass-Kicking Department, right next to Small Appliances.

It's a tough town.

[miss_kitty]

9. Aaron Brown was called 'Arrogant Aaron' during his way too long tenure

here in Seattle. I think the door hit him on the ass on the way out, because no one would warn him that it would.

I kick ass in painting, metalworking, beading, jewelry making, AND gardening/landscape/garden design/plant combinations and horticulture Sorry I broke your rules, but I KICK ASS IN RULE-BREAKING, TOO (actually, those are all different disciplines of Art)

[bearfan454]

10. The cooking department.

Mrs bearfan hasn't cooked in over 8 years.

[Dukkha]

12. I double majored in Kicking Ass and Taking Names

from the University of BAADASSSS!!!

[telex54]

13. The procrastination department--

I am such a slacker. :eyes:

[Endangered Specie]

14. In the working my ass off for Democrats in 2004 department.

[Dukakis88]

15. I kick ass in the orphanage...

Those emotionally vulnerable, parentless children are really easy to beat up. Builds self esteem and muscles.

[Tsiyu]

16. The Jackie of All Trades Department

I've done a bit of everything legal and a few things that weren't exactly. legal. maybe.

Lately I've been like you, neebob, kinda wondering what my specialty or purpose might be. And I've been trying to keep three young people alive and productive and transported which eats up my time so that I don't accomplish much professionally or personally.

But then I have a night like last night. And I feel like maybe there is some value to what I've wrought. Around midnight, I drove to the neighboring town to pick up my 18-year-old son at work. Earlier in the day, I'd been nagging about "help around the house" and I felt kind of bad, because this kid goes to college, has a band and works but he must have HEARD and not just listened to my menopausal monologue as he had washed dishes and done some horse chores before work.

Sometimes I help him with close up, but last night I forgot my shoes. He came out to the car and insisted I come inside.

"Just come in," he said. I don't need your help."

Well, as I half hoped and suspected, it was time to change out the Creme Brulees, so he had saved us two of the discards. He caramelized the tops and stuck some strawberries in there, and I just don't think that there is a finer food known to humans. What an enjoyable moment! What an awesome kid.

So maybe the bank account's dwindled and the leaves need raking and I don't excell at much ( but wordiness sometimes, obviously) but damnit, I had Creme Brulee! And I excell in eating every last drop.

And sorry about your cold. I'm getting one myself and it's that dizzy feeling of impending doom because I saw what it did to the rest of its victims around here. Like you said, it will pass...

[neebob]

18. I would call that kicking ass in the barefoot creme brulee eating dept.

and that sounds like an awesome kid to me. Mine is 15.

I don't have a cold; it's just a sneeze attack. Did I mention I also kick ass in the very hairy cat department? Make that the very hairy weird cat department. Actually, I think it has more to do with the weather. It seems to happen when it rains.

I hope you feel better soon. Me, I kick ass in the being a big whiny baby when I'm sick department.

[HEyHEY]

17. The "meh" department

[VOX]

19. The details department. I'm the guy to turn loose with Lexis-Nexis...

And I will dog down the details.

[neebob]

20. Good ass kicking!

I'm envious in some cases, admiring in others, and the rest are nothing to sneeze at - but you'll have to pardon me if I do, because the fakey red sudafed that I took is not working. I'm out of Benadryl because I don't kick ass in the being prepared department.

[chaska]

21. I'm really good with my fingers and my tongue ... lips.

[Seldona]

22. Same for me.

I could not have envisioned 2 better daughters.

Though they are polar opposites, they take command of the room wherever they go.

But not in a bad way.

And so smart!

I always tell them if God asked me to design my children, they are what I would have come up with.

And I mean it.

[Skittles]

23. I have a knack for sizing people up as soon as I meet them

I think I learned it by being a GI brat and having mentally ill parents - I know far more about people from watching their expressions than anyone I know.

[lady raven]

24. The caring about people's feelings department

I have never been a person who takes pleasure in hurting someone else. Seeing all the people around who do makes me thankful that I've kept this quality.