Hello. Still trying to figure this out.

[joeoleson]

Hello HAF, this is my first time in a forum and I'm hoping it's an enlightening experience.

joe

[Buddy]

Welcome to the forum Joe! Care to tell us a bit about yourself? 

[Recusant]

Hello and welcome to HAF, joeoleson. Don't hesitate to ask questions, should you need help sorting out how to navigate the software.

Notes for new members from Tank:

The Rules.

Users who comply with forum rules will graduate to full membership after 10 posts. Till that time your ability to post is limited to the "Getting to Know You" section of the forum. It is our hope that this small restriction improves the overall atmosphere of HAF.

Some threads you might find interesting.
Where did you get your username from?
10 Things About Yourself
Tell us A Bit About Where You're From
Photography
Non-religious pet peeves
Pets...what do you have?
How to tell your family you are an atheist.*
"Rules for Conducting a Discussion" by Dr. Mortimer J. Adler*

*You will need 10 posts before you can add a post to this thread, but you can read it at any time.

I hope you enjoy your time reading and posting here!

[DeterminedJuliet]

Hello, joeoleson.
Don't worry, we're all still trying to figure it all out. 

[Anne D.]

Welcome, Joe 

[joeoleson]

About myself, well I'm 48 and just now finishing up my first degree in history.  I started it in 1986 and this is the third time I've went (must be the charm).  I've labored my whole life and I'm tired of working for people who have far more education than common sense.  The only chance I have of putting my sons through college is if I teach; most universities let family attend for free.  That's my plan anyway; my boys are 12 and 14, so I should have enough time to get a Masters and find a job. 

On being an atheist, it started about the time I stopped believing in any of the make-believe characters: santa, easterbunny, toothfairy, ect.  It was solidified when my mom died in 1973 and the main thing said to me was that god had a plan.  god called your mother to him; god has a plan.

It was two months before my 10th birthday; I lost my mother, but that statement about god set me free.  At the time it was all about mom, but 38 years later I can finally see the silver lining.  I'd give a testicle for just 5 minutes with her, but I have lived a life unfettered by religion's threats against my soul.  Not a fair trade, but if I had to lose her I at least got something of value in return. 

Anyway, hello   

[Ali]

Joe, your story about your mom made me mist up.  I have a son that I love more than anything in the world, and the idea of leaving him so young is heartbreaking.  I don't know why people think that "God has a plan" is supposed to be comforting during times of loss.  My reaction that that has been that if God's plans involve taking people's loved ones away from them, he's a sick fuck.

Anyway, welcome to the forum, and I hope you like it here.

[McQ]

Hey Joe! Welcome to the HAF! Thanks for introducing yourself and giving us your background. I had to laugh as I was reading because the thought kept popping into my head that between the time you began studying history and now, a whole lot more history happened! 

I think it's great that you're getting it done and wish you the best success with your work once you nail down the degree(s).

Have fun in here!

[Amicale]

Hey Joe, a warm welcome to you! Glad to meet you.

Congratulations on working so hard at your degree, your kids are lucky to have you.

[Firebird]

Welcome to HAF, Joe. I am sorry to hear that you lost your mom at such a young age, but kudos to you for trying to take something positive from such an experience. Hope you enjoy your time here.

[xSilverPhinx]

Welcome Joe, I hope all the best for you and your kids

[Sweetdeath]

Welcome. The who "god has a plan" thing pisses me off everytime. I lost my mom 4 days before my 26th birthday lasy year. She wasn't even 51yrs old, so i can empathize a little. I would definitely hug you, because i cannot imagine losing her at a young age...

After she died, my dad said a prayer and thanked jesus for being kind. I wanted to vomit.

Anyway, please stay a while on haf and enjoy yourself!! Many of us have stiries to share of how religion has effected us all.

[Tank]

Hi joe

Congratulations on your degree. We have a few members interested in History. You are not alone! The teaching plan sounds good. As long as you can keep your temper with the career teachers with no real-world experience 

Loosing a parent at that age is awful.

Welcome to HAF

Regards
Chris

[Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism]

About myself, well I'm 48 and just now finishing up my first degree in history.  I started it in 1986 and this is the third time I've went (must be the charm).  I've labored my whole life and I'm tired of working for people who have far more education than common sense.  The only chance I have of putting my sons through college is if I teach; most universities let family attend for free.  That's my plan anyway; my boys are 12 and 14, so I should have enough time to get a Masters and find a job. 

On being an atheist, it started about the time I stopped believing in any of the make-believe characters: santa, easterbunny, toothfairy, ect.  It was solidified when my mom died in 1973 and the main thing said to me was that god had a plan.  god called your mother to him; god has a plan.

It was two months before my 10th birthday; I lost my mother, but that statement about god set me free.  At the time it was all about mom, but 38 years later I can finally see the silver lining.  I'd give a testicle for just 5 minutes with her, but I have lived a life unfettered by religion's threats against my soul.  Not a fair trade, but if I had to lose her I at least got something of value in return. 

Anyway, hello   

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you got a good plan by becoming a teacher. No easier way to get your kids through school free unless they actually work for the university.