Robert Payne:  

School: For the most part, I enjoyed my high school years with all the activities, people, and closeness that is difficult if not impossible to duplicate in subsequent years - at least in a broad scope. Seems I was one of those kids that was just about 1/2 step out of sync with the peers - or maybe they were 1/2 step out of sync with me - either way it was a bit difficult. Didn't adapt all that well socially to being a bit younger than most and found it sometimes difficult to make friends and fit in. As far as teachers go, I don't have any specific memory of any particular one being more outstanding than another. There was a good deal of time spent driving to Louisiana on Friday and Saturday nights to listen to good music and dance - maybe even drink a beer!! Many, many good times and friends at two high schools - mine and P.A. Developed some good friends and a few lasting relationships still intact today. Would I do things differently?? Don't think so - wouldn't make a bit of differenct, would probably make the same mistakes, deal with the same issues, have the same good times, and end up in the same place - WHO KNOWS? Workplace: Haven't had too many jobs if one doesn't count the summer jobs or those before or during high school. After high school and brief college stay, I moved to Houston, TX and went to work as a sporting goods salesman for Oshman's Sporting Goods in downtown Houston. Talk about getting initiated into big city life!! I was drafted in 1969 so I decided to join the USN. Naval aviation was my job and my life for the next 4 years and I got to see and do things that otherwise wouldn't have been possible. It was a good 4 years that helped me to grow up, taught me a lot about life, people, and things. After the military service, I went back to work for Oshman's in Pasadena, TX just outside Houston. I became an assistant store manager,...Expand for more