I really am more of a lover than a fighter. I'm sure some of you might think I'm a total pussy for saying this, but I think violence is pretty base and barbaric. It has to do with my philosophy on life and my frustration with so much of the human race: that is, we are incredibly complex organisms in a vast and almost infinitely complex universe. Our species has been blessed with the genius to read and interpret our surroundings through intricate codes (physics, medicine, etc., etc...). Our potential is awe-inspiring. What we have achieved of a species in a relatively short period of time is worthy of awe. We live at a time of unprecedented uniqueness. I think about how rare an opportunity we enjoy on earth, both compared to the universe as a whole, and to our 7million year history and I am invigorated with wonder. In light of all this, to see a group of people instigate a fight, often including at least 1 unwilling participant, provoke people to try to inflict trauma to the head of another person is just plain absurd. In defiance of the wonder that surrounds us, it seems that so many people are consumed by trivialitie, from violence, to materialism...
This will go on forever, so I'll cut it short.
The only brawls I've been in have involved people making comments about my sister. On two occassions--one in 7th, one in 9th grade--it came to blows...sort of. On both occassions a jackass pseudo-friend made a comment about my sister's chest. W/O an instant of reflection my fist was busting their faces. I grew up around a lot of tough older kids, and my uncle was a boxer, so I've always known how to throw. Both 'fights' didn't go beyond that punch. The bitches backed down. I hit the first kid in the nose, and two years later we were playing basketball. His nose started bleeding for no reason, at which point he told me that had happened almost every day since I hit him. I don't feel bad at all. He deserved it.
Beyond that there were a few almost fights for the same reason, but they were at crowded parties and too much distance separated us. The would-be-victims were taken out of the house. Despite my pacifist point of view, I had a reputation for being a wee bit crazy. I would never fight if I had time to think about it, but if action was faster than reflection it would be on.
Beyond these types of incidents, noone fucked with me b/c I tend to get along with everyone, and b/c as I mentioned above, a lot of my childhood friends were 1-2 years older and tough as hell. Fucking with me could easily mean fucking with them, and nobody wanted to do that.
BTW, this is a great thread. Good idea HogieJoe. If this were BB.com I would rep you up.
