NationStates Jolt Archive

No, I don't generally mean celebs or sports stars etc, but rather someone who ISN'T necessarily famous that inspires you.

I ran into a friend today that I haven't seen in a few months, and I realised just how much I admire this woman. She's 34, a Serbian, and a forensic anthropologist. She grew up amidst the ethnic tensions that boiled over into mass murder, but I'd still say she's pretty sane (for someone who smokes that much pot:D), and is by no means a hateful person. She has done forensic work on mass graves in her home country, in Palestine, and in other conflict zones. She is kind, driven, clear, and honest, and she's seen things that curl my toes to even THINK about. She is now teaching at my University...she was denied a work visa to the US, despite having landed a lucrative contract with a University there. The denial was based on her work in the West Bank and in Serbia-Croatia. Her work has definitely tainted her in the political sense. But she shrugs it off with an amazing stoicism and humour.

So? Who have you come across that gives you that, 'wow, they are really something' feeling?

My favorite aunt who recently passed. She changed the world around her with her constant love for everyone, even if they hurt her. She had major scoliosis (so bad she had a morphine pump surgically placed inside of her, although she said it hardly helped the pain) and many other health problems that constantly had her in the hospital, yet she did all the house cleaning and cooking for her more than capable but intensely rude husband. She was the most forgiving person I ever knew. If ever there was a child around she would always have something like stickers or something to give them to make them smile (nothing made her happier than that). She'd do anything she could for you if she was capable. She always made eveyrone int eh family cool stuff like pillow cases, stuffed animals, crocheted stuff...

I've never met anyone that even came close to her. I don't think I could have handled one day in her shoes.

I admire a good friend of mine, who works 70 hours a week for shitty pay as an aged care/psychiatric nurse. He then comes home to care for his disabled grandparents in his spare time, because his parents won't pay to put them in a home (they already have a nurse living there, right?).

I couldn't do that.

No, I don't generally mean celebs or sports stars etc, but rather someone who ISN'T necessarily famous that inspires you.

I ran into a friend today that I haven't seen in a few months, and I realised just how much I admire this woman. She's 34, a Serbian, and a forensic anthropologist. She grew up amidst the ethnic tensions that boiled over into mass murder, but I'd still say she's pretty sane (for someone who smokes that much pot:D), and is by no means a hateful person. She has done forensic work on mass graves in her home country, in Palestine, and in other conflict zones. She is kind, driven, clear, and honest, and she's seen things that curl my toes to even THINK about. She is now teaching at my University...she was denied a work visa to the US, despite having landed a lucrative contract with a University there. The denial was based on her work in the West Bank and in Serbia-Croatia. Her work has definitely tainted her in the political sense. But she shrugs it off with an amazing stoicism and humour.

So? Who have you come across that gives you that, 'wow, they are really something' feeling?

You.:p

serious answer: my parents.

my cat aristocales.

Dr. Cox from Scrubs (I know it's just a character on a TV show, but he still rocks)

Coach Cole

My dad

Pope John Paul II

Teddy Roosevelt (He was a man's man!)

Jack Bauer.

Dr. Cox from Scrubs (I know it's just a character on a TV show, but he still rocks)

I'll second that one!

As for me...my grandpa and my mom.

We don't always get along, and they're both stubborn as hell, but they've taken everything life has thrown at them...and never flinched.

One of my professors, a Dr C-------, who is as true and intellectual as I have ever met.

A sicilian man who has lived and traveled around the world, and who really understands things.

Also, kurt vonnegut.

Also, the Nobel judge who resigned over the prize being given to elfride jelnik.

My father.

Other than that, no one. Spending one's time looking up is a poor substitute for trying to move up.

[QUOTE=Other than that, no one. Spending one's time looking up is a poor substitute for trying to move up.[/QUOTE]

But you should always admire greatness. So you know what can be acheived. If you're not aiming you've got no where to go.

Leonardo da Vinci. For being possibly the most intelligent and most creative and talented person to ever live. Whilst at the same time I can associate with him as he was too lazy to finish anything he started!

But more close to home, one of my work colleagues. He was an alcoholic at the age of 17 but has now been completely teetotal for 19 years.
And he did the most amazing thing I'd ever heard.
He was driving home one day and saw a girl he'd known in school but hadn't spoken to for over 5 years. He pulled over to talk to her. It turned out she was now a heroin addict, and was working as a prostitute to try to pay off debts to a loan shark. On the spot he wrote out a cheque for £3000. This gave her enough money to get clean, get off the streets and get a proper job. She now earns more than he does. Bearing in mind he was working as a carer at the time so on ridiculously low pay I think this is the most inspiring and generous story I'd ever heard. He saves this womans life by having the decency to care and the guts to do something about it.
He's now one of my heroes, but don't tell him. :D

I admire the awesomeness of my future self. I hope I can be like him one day.

I find (obviously a mix of real and fictional characters) mad scientists, maniacal RPG villain-like people and grumpy old Real Programmers quite likeable. One day I'll probably be something of a mix of these. I've already got "mad" covered, will soon begin studying computer science (thus becoming a mad computer scientist), and I have my evil plans for world domination. I have to work a bit on my maniacal laugher, though; until then, maybe my mad giggle can suffice.

Certainly not you, Neesika; you made me stop signing my posts...
*is hurt*
:D

Marvin Minsky, Ray Kurzweil, Freeman Dyson, Carl Sagan and a host of others. Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov are also two of my big literary heroes and Sir Seretse Khama is a hero of mine in politics and leadership. I imagine there are plenty more out there I could name, but these are some of my big names in fields important to me.

No one I know, really. I admire certain qualities about many people I know, but I rarely admire the person in his or her entirety.

Perhaps it is because I have such a virulent hate for people...

My main inspiration is Jesus. He got me through the worst part of my life by reminding me that, no matter how bad things get, I'll still have God's love.
I also admire Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luthor King Jr., and Simone Bolivar.

My main inspiration is Jesus. He got me through the worst part of my life by reminding me that, no matter how bad things get, I'll still have God's love.

Despite all evidence to the contrary?

Despite all evidence to the contrary?
Religion War!!1!!!

Jack Bauer.

He yells too much.

Religion War!!1!!!
You're right, it was hijacking - forget it.

He yells too much.
He does indeed.

He also needs far more reliable family/friends/colleagues/guns/computers/Presidents/beards

I hold great admiration for that Dzanjir person. He rocks.

a friend of mine, she is the perfect example of a sweet and gentle spirit, she is very kind and loving. Her children are well behaved and I have never heard her raise her voice to them. She is the type of person who just commands respect. She has helped me through some really rough stuff, and is very wise. I hope to pick up some of her qualities.
Sounds much better than my mother.

a friend of mine, she is the perfect example of a sweet and gentle spirit, she is very kind and loving. Her children are well behaved and I have never heard her raise her voice to them. She is the type of person who just commands respect. She has helped me through some really rough stuff, and is very wise. I hope to pick up some of her qualities.

Me.

Stephen E. Brimmer.

No, I don't generally mean celebs or sports stars etc, but rather someone who ISN'T necessarily famous that inspires you.

I ran into a friend today that I haven't seen in a few months, and I realised just how much I admire this woman.

...[snipped for length]

So? Who have you come across that gives you that, 'wow, they are really something' feeling?

I admire my mom more than I can express. She is a clinical psychologist, has been for over 30 years now, and the shit she deals with is almost unbelievable. Just one example is a little boy who she was working with after he was caught raping his infant foster sister, and they found out that he did it because his own birth parents would make him have sex with his sisters from the time they were still in diapers. He'd been physically and sexually abused his whole life, and had basically become a rapist himself before he even hit puberty. Seriously, this stuff is beyond nightmares.

Yet, despite dealing with this kind of horror all the freaking time, my mother is one of the most positive, out-going, social people you could ever hope to meet. She makes friends with EVERYBODY. She seems to have an endless supply of kindness and compassion, even though she is also blunt and won't hesitate to tell you what she thinks. She pulls no punches, but she also never passes up a chance to hug somebody.

She's an amazing lady. I would go completely insane if I had to face what she faces every day at work, but she faces it and still manages to be a warm and wonderful person. I don't think I'll ever understand her, but I admire the hell out of her.

Stephen E. Brimmer.

Oh, and I don't think I'm going to get into this "who is more beggarly, or more noble, or who has the bigger E-peen thing" in order to establish which of our nominees is a better person.

Sounds much better than my mother.

I have actually seen her have a few "bad days" with major tragedy in her family, but she dealt with it in such a graceful way, I just was in awe.

She claims that she looks up to me........:confused: I don't think I will ever understand why.

I have actually seen her have a few "bad days" with major tragedy in her family, but she dealt with it in such a graceful way, I just was in awe.

She claims that she looks up to me........:confused: I don't think I will ever understand why.

From what I've seen so far, you're an esy-going person who's hard to offend and doesn't get worked up over small annoyances.

From what I've seen so far, you're an esy-going person who's hard to offend and doesn't get worked up over small annoyances.
oh, I am usually much better, I have been quite whiney and annoyed for about a month. :)

oh, I am usually much better, I have been quite whiney and annoyed for about a month. :)

This is you whiney and annoyed? You must be as mellow as an iguana on pot.

I admired my paternal grandfather. He was a fighter pilot during WWII, but he had tinnitus and couldn't fly in combat. So he trained pilots on P51 Mustangs and a couple of others. He was a truly great guy - very funny and a saint for putting up with my grandmother. I adored him so much, it still hurts to think of his death, even almost twenty years later.

My father.

Other than that, no one. Spending one's time looking up is a poor substitute for trying to move up.

If you never look up, you'll walk into traffic.

She claims that she looks up to me........:confused: I don't think I will ever understand why.

Something about "the truly great are those who accept their insignificance" may apply here.

Something about "the truly great are those who accept their insignificance" may apply here.

I am like mega-flawed. Maybe she looks up to me as 'what not to be like' :P

Not Don Imus.

I've always looked up to my father. He worked hard,overcame huge odds and has always been a rock-honest,strong,compassionate and very charitable.

I aspire to be half the man he is when I grow up.

oh, I am usually much better, I have been quite whiney and annoyed for about a month. :)

dont worry about it-we all hit a rough spot.

I still like you either way.

I am like mega-flawed. Maybe she looks up to me as 'what not to be like' :P

You are not mega-flawed. You are a decent person. If you want mega-flawed, I once completely ruined a man's life. He was already going to jail for 25 years, but I made sure that his time in there woul be a living hell. Don't ask me how or why. Just know that you're a comparatively good person.

Okay, you can ask me how or why if you want to.

I am like mega-flawed. Maybe she looks up to me as 'what not to be like' :P

Perhaps; or maybe because she believes you've been successful despite your flaws.

The person i admire is John Smith he has no high faluted fancy job, also he is just the sound man for the church I go , he may not get paid much but he still keeps his cheer about him that why I admire Him , He s one of thoose that are worth Millons compared to many

No, I don't generally mean celebs or sports stars etc, but rather someone who ISN'T necessarily famous that inspires you.

I ran into a friend today that I haven't seen in a few months, and I realised just how much I admire this woman. She's 34, a Serbian, and a forensic anthropologist. She grew up amidst the ethnic tensions that boiled over into mass murder, but I'd still say she's pretty sane (for someone who smokes that much pot:D), and is by no means a hateful person. She has done forensic work on mass graves in her home country, in Palestine, and in other conflict zones. She is kind, driven, clear, and honest, and she's seen things that curl my toes to even THINK about. She is now teaching at my University...she was denied a work visa to the US, despite having landed a lucrative contract with a University there. The denial was based on her work in the West Bank and in Serbia-Croatia. Her work has definitely tainted her in the political sense. But she shrugs it off with an amazing stoicism and humour.

So? Who have you come across that gives you that, 'wow, they are really something' feeling?Ruffy, of course (and WYTYG)!

Seriously though, my sifu. Cobbleism, Peter *last name withheld*, and Ben "Gunnar" *name withheld*.
Each one of these folk clearly recognize a few paths from the norm for an existence both unique and yet intricate to people who associate with them.
And, as always, Grave_n_idle.

No, I don't generally mean celebs or sports stars etc, but rather someone who ISN'T necessarily famous that inspires you.

I ran into a friend today that I haven't seen in a few months, and I realised just how much I admire this woman. She's 34, a Serbian, and a forensic anthropologist. She grew up amidst the ethnic tensions that boiled over into mass murder, but I'd still say she's pretty sane (for someone who smokes that much pot:D), and is by no means a hateful person. She has done forensic work on mass graves in her home country, in Palestine, and in other conflict zones. She is kind, driven, clear, and honest, and she's seen things that curl my toes to even THINK about. She is now teaching at my University...she was denied a work visa to the US, despite having landed a lucrative contract with a University there. The denial was based on her work in the West Bank and in Serbia-Croatia. Her work has definitely tainted her in the political sense. But she shrugs it off with an amazing stoicism and humour.

So? Who have you come across that gives you that, 'wow, they are really something' feeling?

My dad. He lived the quintessential rags to riches story, and is one of the last people alive who still believes in the American Dream.

Other than my mother, who I can't help but admire for a million reasons, I would have to say that I have nothing but admiration for a high-school friend of mine.

He was the stereo-typical high-shcool nerd. He introduced me to anime back in the early 90's, just before it really exploded and became mainstream. I was watching subbed copies of Video Girl Ai and Orange Road before they were released in North America at all. He was seriously interested in becoming an animator for a living.

He didn't end up becoming an animator. But he did fantastically well, all things considered. He studied animation at Sheridan College, left before the whole course was finished to help start a new animation studio in Calgary. That studio failed. However, since he also decided to teach in Calgary as a side gig (and because he's a workaholic), he ended up switching to teaching full time.

Long story short, since I'm rambling. He worked on his own on-line comic that was received very well, and ended up working for an art studio as a one of the principle directors of the company. He draws and colours and assembles the type of art he grew up with; comic books, manga, RPG's, etc. He goes out and meets contacts for firms like Wizards of the Coast and White Wolf, and parties hardcore with them.

I have another friend, who was just artistically gifted, perhaps more-so than him. This other friend, works in a warehouse and has no plans to do anything with his 7 years of art-school. My friend Jim, however, through sheer determination, and hard work, is living the kind of life he always wanted to. And I have nothing but respect for a person who can live their childhood dream through the force of sheer determination.

Genghis Khan and MacGyver, mainly.

Genghis Khan and MacGyver, mainly.

Now there's an eclectic mix!

My aunt's a famous scientist.

I swear, she is. (http://pr.caltech.edu/periodicals/CaltechNews/articles/v36/wold.html)

Now there's an eclectic mix!

Well, contrary to popular belief, Genghis Khan conquered the civilized world wihtout actually using weapons. He simply created handy inventions out of the materials available to him.

Which wasn't much. Mare's milk and mare's blood. It did the trick though.

Well, contrary to popular belief, Genghis Khan conquered the civilized world wihtout actually using weapons. He simply created handy inventions out of the materials available to him.

Which wasn't much. Mare's milk and mare's blood. It did the trick though.
*is unable to think up a witty reply to this*

*is unable to think up a witty reply to this*

Mwua-ha-ha...

*drinks mare's milk mixed with mare's blood*

there have been people i have admired, but i can't think of any who, on getting to know them better, i have lost a deal of respect for. not particularly because it turns out that they are bad or anything, just that it turns out they are just as human as everyone else.

The person I admire is the individual whom I strive to be.

there have been people i have admired, but i can't think of any who, on getting to know them better, i have lost a deal of respect for. not particularly because it turns out that they are bad or anything, just that it turns out they are just as human as everyone else.

Yeah...I don't like to learn about the personal lives of singers or writers whose work I really enjoy. Because I usually find out how flaky they are, and I prefer to keep my false image of them.