Patrick Payne:  

Life Most would remember me by the nickname "Sleepy." In fact, I wish Classmates would allow nicknames because only a handful of people from school ever knew that my name is Patrick. Anyway, a lot of years have passed since school, though it is hard to believe sometimes. Like most of us (I'm sure) work and family entered our lives and those things have a way of making life fly right on by, don't they! For me, I left school and joined the navy to see the world. In 1991, I came back to the Atlanta area and stayed around a few years working for Mindspring. Mindspring (now Earthlink) is now no different than any other ISP (or any other large business). Blah. So what did I do??? I took a break for a year to write a history book (that I still haven't published) and ended up going to work for even larger corporate monsters- Lockheed-Martin and Northrop-Grumman! Life is full of irony... At some point, I hope to move back to the Atlanta area. It's always been home to me. I'm always open to suggestions and opportunities! School "Who was your biggest crush? Which teacher inspired you most? And if you could do it all over again, would you?" All interesting questions. My crushes? I thought Lucinda Sheppard was really sweet (read today's hottie), but she was also taken and outta my league. I got into a fight with my cousin over Christy Owens. I think someone told him I was trying to steal her away from him or something (and I suspect that Christy had something to do with that) but it was all innocent. I liked her, but never considered her as anything more than a friend. A good friendship down the tubes over a "perceived" crush :-) Then there was Tami McWilliams. But she knows about that... If you knew me at all in school, you'd likely think that no teachers inspired me. But you'd be wrong (I was so misunderstood)! Ms. Eifil (sp?) inspired a lot of people and I was no different. Ms. Mote inspired me (because I have always liked Science). They were the only teachers that I ever had in high school that showed any interest in me. As a result, I responded to them. Ms. Mote believed I was bored. So she got me involved in "impact" courses. I had been failing nearly every class (because I rarely went), but began making A's in impact classes (because they were challenging I imagine). That made a difference in my life. Ms. Eifil... she just genuinely cared about her students and was always (nearly anyway) happy to see them. Still is. Would I do it all over again? You bet. I don't believe I lack anything in my life today as a result of my "rebelliousness." I've never had a situation when I slapped myself on...Expand for more