that follows my lounge posts.
I was actually somewhat precocious as a kid. A few of my little friends in elementary school were getting into to the Cub Scouts back at McKinley (McKinley Tech, we called it) in Arlington, VA. And against my Dad's advice (he thought there were some "unusual" people in the organization...ha, Dad, take a look now from your perch up above). But I signed up, I guess because my Mom was all about service and joining things, etc.
Long story short, after a year or so of badges, projects, contests, whatever...it was somehow determined that should be the "National Capital Area representative of the Cub Scouts", even as a rookie, as it were. Got some ink, got some TV time, and went to the Pentagon to be honored by the Secretary of Defense. My "runner-up" also tagged along, presumably to take over in case I fainted or otherwise couldn't carry on with my title.
Turns out the Secretary had pressing business with the little scuffle in SE Asia, and his assistant was tasked with handing out these awesome models of fighter jets mounted on a rod on a marble base. One of them had a chip on the base - the Harrier - and I was told, that since I was the big wheel, I could choose the Harrier or the perfect other jet. I don't know what the other jet was because, of course, I took the damaged Harrier. That's the way I rolled back then. But...that's the way EVERYONE rolled back then, I wasn't special.

So...I still have it. And I think about where I went astray sometimes. But I'm not too hard on myself. I'm not alone.