View Full Version : If you had a time machine, what period in your life would you relive?
Doc Safari
11-27-17, 15:09
1. In 1992, I started buying guns for the first time. My buddies and I would get together on the weekends with our new AK's or SKS's, Garands, or whatever, and we would blow a case of beer and a case of ammo in the desert until we were out of both. Sometimes we would just stay and camp out for the night up in the desert hills. If we needed to re-up our supplies, we'd hit the local gun shows and buy new toys, ammo, magazines, camo, camping gear, etc. Sadly, that only lasted a little over a year. I remember getting together literally on New Year's Day 1993 for a shooting session in the mists up in the hills. I felt like I had to twist everyone's arm to get them to go, but we all went. That was probably the last time everyone was all together for a shoot. Things happened. One buddy's guns got stolen. Another didn't have much of a job and couldn't afford supplies anymore, and everybody's enthusiasm just went to sh*t. By November of 1993 I had pretty much quit hanging around with that group of friends except for the rare trip to a gun show out of town or something. As far as I know, none of them even live in this town anymore.
2. In 1982-1984, I was in college. My buddies and I used to go to the strip clubs in El Paso regularly. We sat around and watched X-rated movies on a buddy's satellite dish (the old kind). Back then, you could pull in XXX porno movies from somewhere--for free. We'd watch those for hours to get primed for a night at the strip clubs. Sometimes we'd start watching movies on Saturday afternoon and by the time we finished we had stayed out at the strip joints until they closed--driving the 50-mile distance back home just a little before sunrise. Of course I lost touch with all those guys. A few months ago I opened the obituaries on my local paper's website and there was one of those guys that used to go with us. He was only a few years older than me.
3. When I met my current girlfriend in 2013, we spent the better part of that year going on road trips to Vegas, Tombstone, and some local attractions. The only reason this one ranks #3 is it's still fresh in my mind and we might do it again!
4. I had about eight quiet years at the ranch, getting to lug an ice chest full of beer a couple times a week out to my favorite desert spot for a peaceful moonlit night of sipping my favorite beverage while just being in the outdoors under the stars. Then circumstances changed and things got stressful and busy, where they've stayed. I wish it could be 2009 again.
If you had a time machine, what period in your life would you relive?
I struggled in school the whole time I was in it. So sometimes I just did what I had to do just to get through the day/week/month/year you get it. If I could go back in time the only thing in my life I would do different would be to get all the help I could and apply myself the best I could've in school. Don't know how much difference it would've made in my life, but it wouldn't of hurt anything that's for sure.
Oh, and would've kept playing baseball. Probably could've gotten a free ride with baseball. My mom never lets me forget it!
NYH1.
None of it. It wasn't as good or as bad as I remember.
I partied pretty hard in the 90s but it was mostly a blur. Its best kept that way.
I can do all the stuff I enjoyed then right now. The times weren't the issue.
People are just squares now.
Dist. Expert 26
11-27-17, 16:27
I'm with FF on this.
I was broke all the time in high school and did some remarkably stupid things. If I did it all again I doubt I'd get as lucky as I did, meaning I'd be in jail or dead.
I had fun times in the military, but spent way more time drinking excessively and generally hating life. No desire to do that again.
No, I'm pretty good just living my life one time. No ragrets.
I'd like to relive some of the summers in rural Maine when I was between the ages of maybe 12 and 17 perhaps. It was just a fun time. And back then the whippoorwills hadn't died off in the area yet and you'd hear them all over the place at night. I haven't heard a whippoorwill in like twenty years.
Another era I'd like to re-live is my early to late twenties, just so I could do a few things differently. Most notably *not* get involved with one certain woman, and get *more* involved with a lot of different ones.
ramairthree
11-27-17, 17:09
Last half of the 1980s-
Free, single, young Ranger Bn stud built like a Greek statue and lots of fun and dating.
First half of the 1990s-
Even ruggeder, college, fun, learning, and America was still pretty damn cool.
About 2005-2010-
Kicking ass in the gym, running around with guys half my age killing evil savages all night, chow, sleep, wash, rinse, repeat.
Wouldn't want a do over because it would change the outcome of my existence in terms of the impact it has had on others.
If I had chosen the other woman, none of my sons would exist.
Likewise, had I accepted the Marine Corps fine offer to send me to Annapolis, I am pretty certain neither one of those women would have been in my life, and my sons would not exist.
Likewise, had my first wife allowed us to remain in a merely passable marriage, I never would have ended up adopting my two daughters with my second wife.
Seriously, though, my mother died Saturday, actually in my arms. I wish I had the three days before back. I would have visited her before her stroke and told her again that she is the reason that I've had such a happy life. I hit that one in front of a group of friends and family at her 80th birthday, but it would have been nice to tell her again when I was sure she could hear me.
The life I've had has been good enough, thanks to everyone in it.
If I was the same old foolish me, no way I’d go back. If I took what I know now I’d go back to the summer of 1963 before 10th grade and do it all over. Play rhythm guitar badly and be lead singer in a four piece cover band for fun and maybe get unobtainable Donna S. to give me a shot. Actually do my homework. Work hard for enough $$$ to buy only interesting cars and stash the best ones. Join the army for a 3 year hitch in June of ‘66 -OCS for the maturing experience and talk Kenny M. into signing up with me. Maybe this time he would make it back. Just in time to head to Woodstock.
The only downside would be never experiencing new music or movies. Might make me appreciate classical music. And there would always be all those books I never read and roads not traveled to explore. At least money would be no problem knowing what companies to get in on at the beginning. And Reggie Jackson would have competition buying up muscle cars dirt cheap during the 1973 energy crisis.
Most importantly I would thankful for the chance to be kinder to my parents and brother.
If I had a happy marriage and kids my response would be quite different.
So it sounds like you can't make changes, just relive the time?
I probably wouldn't bother. Life has been good, but I am really excited about whats ahead for me. There would be individual days that would be quite cool, but even those I believe that I probably remember as being better than they probably were in real life. The human mind has a way of adding a positive spin to those types of things.
Averageman
11-27-17, 19:37
I waited forty one years to marry the girl I fell in love with when I was fifteen.
I wouldn't wanted to relive any of those years, they were a mix of good and bad. 21 years of Soldiering, 18 years of being a single dad, more than a few good women along the way. It's all good.
If I could have any wish it would be to continue to have a happy life together with my Wife and be healthy with her for a very, very long time.
I’m a mix of what raimairthree said living the late 80s to the early 2000s. I had a hell of a run. I can’t believe some of the things I’ve seen and done. I saw a lot of good, and some not so good also.
BUT, as 26inf says, I wouldn’t change a thing as I’ve landed in a good spot with the woman of my dreams. I wouldn’t dare alter the timeline. Besides, I might not be as lucky the 2nd time around. The memories will do.
Seriously, though, my mother died Saturday, actually in my arms. I wish I had the three days before back. I would have visited her before her stroke and told her again that she is the reason that I've had such a happy life. I hit that one in front of a group of friends and family at her 80th birthday, but it would have been nice to tell her again when I was sure she could hear me.
Sorry to hear that, my condolences.
NYH1.
I'd go back and right my wrongs. Then I'd go back and avoid all my worst injuries.
Sorry to hear that, my condolences.
NYH1.
Thank you.
She told me not too long ago she'd had a good run, she was almost 83. Lost a lung to lung cancer four or five years ago, three years a go she broke her pelvis falling off a ladder putting squirrel food out. Right after I retired she broke her hip and ended up in a rehab hospital for a couple months. I drove or rode over to see her nearly every day (140ish round trip) so my step-dad could get some R&R.
We had fun, I turned her onto Craig Johnson (Longmire) and John Sanford (Virgil Flowers). A couple times it seemed like I'd been giving her reading assignments as we talked about the books. I always meant to go back and see some of the staff and residents, because it was a good group.
She limped pretty good after that so I started calling her Duke because she tottered along like John Wayne did.
Going to miss her, but I'm not too sad, she was ready.
Seriously, though, my mother died Saturday, actually in my arms. I wish I had the three days before back. I would have visited her before her stroke and told her again that she is the reason that I've had such a happy life. I hit that one in front of a group of friends and family at her 80th birthday, but it would have been nice to tell her again when I was sure she could hear me.
My condolences, I lost my mom to a couple of strokes over a weekend in 2015. She was independent until the end and I was grateful that she didn't get stuck in stroke limbo like my father. He went almost 2 years on a feeding tube and bed-bound. He never complained and kept his sense of humor.
Sounds like your mom had a great son who she knew loved and cherished her.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Wouldn't want a do over because it would change the outcome of my existence in terms of the impact it has had on others.
If I had chosen the other woman, none of my sons would exist.
Likewise, had I accepted the Marine Corps fine offer to send me to Annapolis, I am pretty certain neither one of those women would have been in my life, and my sons would not exist.
Likewise, had my first wife allowed us to remain in a merely passable marriage, I never would have ended up adopting my two daughters with my second wife.
Seriously, though, my mother died Saturday, actually in my arms. I wish I had the three days before back. I would have visited her before her stroke and told her again that she is the reason that I've had such a happy life. I hit that one in front of a group of friends and family at her 80th birthday, but it would have been nice to tell her again when I was sure she could hear me.
The life I've had has been good enough, thanks to everyone in it.
Sorry for your loss 26-
OP, I am so lucky to be here, I would never tempt God/fate by trying for a second run...but as most have stated, there are a lifetime of mistakes that could be corrected.
the_accuser
11-28-17, 05:44
I would go back to 1982 - 1985. I was 10 when we moved to Fulda Germany..."The Fulda Gap". I lived in a German village about 20 minutes outside the base. I befriended several locals and had a blast helping on their farms. The exchange rate was awesome so my parents took me and my siblings on some nice vacations and would send me on a couple of ski trips a year.
I get nostalgic this time of year, especially for the Christmases of my youth. I can still smell the smells...the oranges, the fake snow from a can you sprayed on windows, the food. I loved the lights...the big, fat bulbs...the cheap-ass ornaments that came a dozen to a box. I would like to 'see' those again.
Also, having just rewatched Band of Brothers and watched The Pacific for the first time, I'd like to go back to the 80s and interview some family members that were in WWII...my uncle was in the 101st in WWII (not BOB company), one of my mom's cousins was a major in the Army in WWII, another cousin was in the Marines (WWII, Korea, and VN). I wish I had the wherewithal as a teenager to appreciate the history and have recorded it.
I met my best friend Ken in September 2001 at a big car (LS1 FBodies) gathering that he put on. We quickly became best friends and I looked up to him like the older brother I've never had. Eventually I was best man at his wedding. He moved to NC and I would visit him every chance I got. A few years later he and his wife got a divorce. I went there to see him, we cried together. He was family. The closest person to me other than my wife.
He met another girl and I was about to get married. We were getting married in the Dominican Republic and he gave me some BS excuse about not wanting to "waste" his vacation time. It really hurt and we stopped talking. I got married, he got married. His wife ran off with some other dude and unknown to me he started drinking. One day in December, three years later he texts me asking if I would talk to him. How could I not? He came by, apologized and we buried the hatchet. We started texting and talking on the phone every day like old times.
On March 3 our mutual friend texted me to tell me Ken died. He was 39 years old. I cried like a little baby, angry with myself about all the time we missed.
If I could I would go back to tell myself to not be mad at him. To forgive him and not lose his friendship for 3 years. You never know how much time you have with someone. I regret it every day and think of Ken.
Doc Safari
11-28-17, 08:49
I waited forty one years to marry the girl I fell in love with when I was fifteen.
I wouldn't wanted to relive any of those years, they were a mix of good and bad. 21 years of Soldiering, 18 years of being a single dad, more than a few good women along the way. It's all good.
If I could have any wish it would be to continue to have a happy life together with my Wife and be healthy with her for a very, very long time.
I used to hate the fact that I didn't find my "soul mate" in college. I fooled myself into believing I should have married so-and-so (who wanted to), and had the associated guilt trip. Lately I've realized that 1) I didn't have the maturity to find "the one" when I was nineteen, 2) I didn't have the good job or reliable vehicle to do more than "date once in a while" during my college years, and 3) So-and-so wanted kids and to this day I do not. So, it wouldn't have worked out. I'm finally at peace with the fact that the logistics weren't there and I've seen enough of my friends divorce to realize love does not conquer all--at least not in a marriage.
On March 3 our mutual friend texted me to tell me Ken died. He was 39 years old. I cried like a little baby, angry with myself about all the time we missed.
If I could I would go back to tell myself to not be mad at him. To forgive him and not lose his friendship for 3 years. You never know how much time you have with someone. I regret it every day and think of Ken.
I met my best friend in 1987; I was a freshman in college, his older brother was a frat brother of mine, and I met Tom through him (Bill). After college Tom went through police academy local to me, and we remained tight. When I got married we drifted some, but remained pretty close. He died 2 1/2 years ago from a brain tumor. I loved him like a brother and I miss him. His parents are an hour and a half away so my family and I go down every couple or three months to visit, do yard work (they are retired now with health probs).
I was closer to him than any of person except for maybe one or two other guys, far closer than anyone with whom I served in the military. Time is fleeting and there are no guarantees. When my own kids get pissed at each other I tell them they need to find a way to work through it and make amends because if something happened when they are on the outs, they will never forgive themselves.
My condolences, I lost my mom to a couple of strokes over a weekend in 2015. She was independent until the end and I was grateful that she didn't get stuck in stroke limbo like my father. He went almost 2 years on a feeding tube and bed-bound. He never complained and kept his sense of humor.
Sounds like your mom had a great son who she knew loved and cherished her.
Thanks.
It sounds as if we both cherish the memories of our parents.
My life right now is actually pretty damn good. I have a job where I work 7 days on and get 7 days off. You really can't beat that. During my weeks off, while my wife is at work, and my kids are at school, I do whatever the hell I want. Life is not perfect, but it is good.
If I could go back, I'd probably go back to the early 90's. No job, no bills, no responsibilities, didn't give a shit about females, no worries. I'd be outside all day everyday either playing sports with the neighborhood kids, riding my bike, or building forts out in the woods.
BuzzinSATX
11-28-17, 17:18
"If you had a time machine, what period in your life would you re-live?"
The older I get, the more I understand that the regrets, mistakes, heartaches, and ass-whoopings I got in the past were for a reason...to make me appreciate when times were good, friends were there for me, and my family was moving ahead.
Sure, I'd like to have some dumb life decisions back at first, but when I really think about things in the past, I'm glad most of them are back there, be it for the lessons learned or the memories gained...
YMMV
sundance435
11-30-17, 13:20
"If you had a time machine, what period in your life would you re-live?"
The older I get, the more I understand that the regrets, mistakes, heartaches, and ass-whoopings I got in the past were for a reason...to make me appreciate when times were good, friends were there for me, and my family was moving ahead.
Sure, I'd like to have some dumb life decisions back at first, but when I really think about things in the past, I'm glad most of them are back there, be it for the lessons learned or the memories gained...
YMMV
Great thread, Doc. I agree, Buzzin. There's a reason nostalgia is called one of the most powerful emotions; I try to remember that when I look back. If I could go back knowing what I know, the main reason would be just to be nicer to people - friends, family, and people I barely knew.
Doc Safari
11-30-17, 15:02
BTW, for those that have asked. If you want to relive a period in your life and not change it, fine and dandy. If you want this fictional time machine to allow you to "right a wrong" or something else--do tell.
Me? I chose to not change anything. The periods I chose to revisit were some of the ones I had the most fun and had the least stress.
If I could CHANGE anything, I'd have begged and pleaded with my grandfather to let me go fishing and hunting with him. Sadly, he died before I was really old enough for him to invite me along.
BoringGuy45
12-01-17, 02:54
If I could relive any time in my life, it would probably be my college years. Now, compared to the stereotypical college years, mine were anything but wild. I was sober pretty much the entire time, never did any drugs (even pot), never committed any crimes, didn't have any one night stands, and only dated one woman, who I have now been with for nearly 12 years, married to for 7, and we're expecting our first child, a son, in March.
So, I don't miss a time of bad decisions and a (seemingly) consequence free environment. I'd say I pretty much lived how I do now. But what I miss was that I was so much happier and more optimistic back then. Some of it was no doubt naivety and the simplistic view of the world typical of the late teens/early 20s (though, thank God, I've never been a leftist; always been a conservative). I was less cynical and more creative; I used to be able to write books (I actually wrote 2 novel-length books at age 20 that I will never have published). When I was in school, my life consisted of going to class (most of which were awesome), hanging out with the now-Mrs. BoringGuy and our friends, playing intermural sports, working out, watching movies, and heading into Boston to see what the city had to offer. When I was at home for the summer, I was playing volleyball, swimming, playing guitar, and watching movies all summer long with my old friends from high school and church. I had a couple summer jobs, mostly odd jobs for family friends, but for the most part, I was carefree. I knew that I was going to graduate and have to make myself useful to the world, but it was great enjoying that time in my life.
Of course, I kind of regret that too. As much fun as it was, I think I wasted a lot of time that could have been spent building my resume and improving organization skills and work ethic. I probably should have put off some of the fun I had and tried to hold down a full-time job while in school. I graduated in 2008, and I didn't get a full-time job until 2013. Not for lack of trying. It's just that nobody wanted to hire me full time. I held down part time jobs from the time I graduated until I got the full time gig at the gun shop. And then, I finally broke into the law enforcement career last year, which is where I am now. But had I been more organized and started working earlier, I probably would have gotten my job of choice much sooner.
BrigandTwoFour
12-01-17, 06:53
Honestly, there isn't really any part I would ant to relive because it was fun. But, if I could go back and get a "do over," it would be the period spanning the end of high school and first couple years of college. I wound up getting pretty frustrated with the whole game of grades and extracurriculars. I recognized it for what it was, and while fully capable of doing so, I just didn't want to "play." I later figured out how to adult and take care of the things I had to take care of, but those span of years set me back a lot and I had to do a lot of work to recover.
For a brief time I had two girlfriends who were "friends" and they knew about each other but I was too young and inexperienced to fully appreciate my situation. That is about the only "do over" I'd be interested in. The rest was mostly a mix of good and bad, the good not as awesome as memory makes it seem and the bad probably a bit worse than I fully appreciate. Would be nice to do some things knowing friend from foe in advance but that's about it. I have also come to realize I'd probably just make different mistakes anyway.
For a brief time I had two girlfriends who were "friends" and they knew about each other but I was too young and inexperienced to fully appreciate my situation. That is about the only "do over" I'd be interested in. The rest was mostly a mix of good and bad, the good not as awesome as memory makes it seem and the bad probably a bit worse than I fully appreciate. Would be nice to do some things knowing friend from foe in advance but that's about it. I have also come to realize I'd probably just make different mistakes anyway.
Without going into much detail, I wish to address this in a mature manner.
I had two girlfriends who were girlfriends and it was like the whole Betty & Veronica deal. At first it seemed like "harmless" fun until the fateful day came to 'choose' and I picked neither. It was fun for a very brief spell and they thought it was youthful enjoyment. It was "safe" because we all knew each other but....
We are kinda meant to be monogamous and even the best answer was the wrong one. The hurt feelings and fallout totally canceled out any carnal enjoyment. Three people just ended up never speaking again. This was before texting or anything.
What I have learned, the hard way, about women is that they have physical needs but their emotional needs are far stronger. We males don't always think about it like that. But there comes a reckoning. Even if you picked one, it will always haunt and taint whatever relationship you may try to have.
I dont care how "worldly" or "open minded" she is.....she's still a little girl deep inside and rejection is just her biggest fear.
Women, during the passion phase, will do anything for a guy hoping for the pay off. And depending on how far it goes; its a debt you'll never be able to cover.
So....to anyone out there. One at a time. Be a man about it. Women invest a lot emotionally and sonetimes their imagination gets too vivid.
We men can be 50 with our guns, video games, DVDs, records, and trucks and be happy. But women view life as musical chairs and they want to be with someone and have children. Even if they say they don't, they do.
I say this without arrogance, but I've broken hearts in my day. At the time, I thought nothing of it. Now as I get older, it bothers me. They may have moved on, but it's still something that bothers them I'm sure.
People's feelings aren't a game. I sometimes wish I could kick my own ass for thinking it was cool not to care.
If I had it to do over, in a perfect world, I would've married at 22 and just been a rock.
Its an empty gesture, but I regret every woman who had these devices on me and letting them down just because of my stroked ego and personal satisfaction.
Nothing alpha male about it.
That's what I regret but can't change. It's also why I make female acquaintances slowly.
But that's a personal issue.
https://i.imgur.com/GwDdDRz.jpg?1
Me I might go back to the 1870's with a bag of good condition period correct silver dollars buy some brand new Colt SSA's come back to today and profit. ;) Or might go back to the late 20's, pick up a couple of Colt Thompson SMG's, stop off in 68 to register them under the amnesty. But most likely would go to 1969 Vegas before the baseball season starts and bet on the Mets to win the World Series and the Jets to win the Superbowl at 200 to 1 or better. If an old fart like me is going to time travel might as well make some money. :cool:
https://i.imgur.com/GwDdDRz.jpg?1
I'm going to Hell for laughing but at least it'll be warm and I'll know people
RetroRevolver77
12-03-17, 10:53
Great Scott! That is hilarious. LOL
Doc Safari
12-04-17, 09:36
I say this without arrogance, but I've broken hearts in my day. At the time, I thought nothing of it. Now as I get older, it bothers me. They may have moved on, but it's still something that bothers them I'm sure.
People's feelings aren't a game. I sometimes wish I could kick my own ass for thinking it was cool not to care.
.
Same here. There was a girl who borderline stalked me in college. What she didn't know is that I despised even the air she exhaled. She was pretty, but arrogant and self-satisfied in that familiar "spoiled rich bitch" way. I ended up letting her know in no uncertain terms that I thought she was just playing the game and wanted me because she couldn't have me.
Now I look back and wonder if I had to go that far to stomp on her feelings or if I could have just "waited her out." She got married to a guy who could have been my twin a couple years later. When I saw the announcement in the paper, I actually went out and partied that weekend to celebrate being rid of her. The guy she married ended up snorting coke ten years later and it stopped his heart. At the time, I thought, "Oh no, she'll be coming back for me."
But it didn't happen and I was relieved. That reminded me how much I had despised her to begin with and that lead to "closure" where I realized there was no way we would ever get together.
Without going into much detail, I wish to address this in a mature manner.
I had two girlfriends who were girlfriends and it was like the whole Betty & Veronica deal. At first it seemed like "harmless" fun until the fateful day came to 'choose' and I picked neither. It was fun for a very brief spell and they thought it was youthful enjoyment. It was "safe" because we all knew each other but....
Well we were more of a group. What I didn't know at the time was when it came time to choose, they weren't asking me to make the decision so much as they had already made one concerning the two of them and their relationship.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.