I’m not sure where to start. “I was born a poor black child…“1Steve Martin in The Jerk WHUMP! [That’s the sound of my dad rolling over in his grave.] Okay, I was not born poor or black and there is some disagreement about being a child (or rather: my outgrowing it).
Despite a multifaceted nature, I am definitely what you see is what you get. No hidden agendas. No having to guess what’s on my mind. I am wide open. Usually TOO wide open if you ask my wife, Melinda. You probably don’t have the decades it would take to explore the wonder that is me, so let’s cut to the bullet points (besides, I’ll probably be selling the autobiography on Amazon in a few years).
Philosophies
There are two kinds of people in this world: Indiana Jones and people that watch the frigging movie. I don’t want to sit and watch the movie. I want to raid the damned tomb!
(From my sort-of adopted-VERY-Baptist-mom), “There are two kinds of people in this world: People who love Paul and people who hate Paul. The beauty of it is: Paul doesn’t give a shit which one you are!“
(From my sort-of adopted dad), “Paul, I worry about you dying. I’m afraid you can’t get into Heaven and Hell’s afraid you’ll take over.“
Diametrical FacetsPaul “Wingman” Metheney
Like a large (fat, blond) diamond, I am relatively transparent, but with a number of seemingly opposing sides. Some of these contrasts are best exemplified in my variety of interests and hobbies.
Writing – the polar opposite of paintball (which I used to be addicted to), writing is a solitary hobby that allows me to create mental movies, inspire readers to think, and to evoke emotional responses, all without resulting in paintball welts! Oh well, nothing’s perfect. It is however, simultaneously challenging, relaxing, stressful and rewarding.
Motorcycle Riding – epitomizes contrast; a potentially dangerous, wholly physical action demanding focus and concentration that can allow the rider to find peace, think and relax. Another study in contrasts, motorcycling is more fun in a group, but the action itself is a solitary activity that can allow for deep introspection or mindless meditation, while acutely monitoring your surroundings.
Drawing – since I was old enough to hold a pencil, I loved to draw people. Trained as a commercial artist, I lean toward the superhero, comic book genre. In later years, I leaned more toward writing because I could use words to allow the reader to create their own pictures (in their minds). But the artistic side of me will always be present. Maybe when I retire… yeah, like that will happen!
Small Arms Target Shooting – practicing with a pistol is both cathartic and develops a skill that could be handy in the real world (assuming an armed invasion of the Nakotomi Plaza or a zombie apocalypse). Shooting is also an act of creation. I try to create as many holes in a target as close together as I can.
Paul & B.O.B. in Cancun
Reading – typically while holding the dog in my lap. Reading allows for escape. A good book makes you think; feel; re-evaluate. A good dog makes you feel needed; accepted; comfortable.
White Water Rafting – actually fun-yakking2an inflatable one person kayak. The opposite of reading, rafting is completely physical, but still emotionally rewarding on the adventurous level. Fun-yakking is a solitary experience like kayaking, but more fun with others at your side.
Travel – typically to a blue watered, sun-drenched island in the Caribbean with a number of good books at the beach or pool punctuated by an occasional Sea-Trek, B.O.B.3Breathable Observation Bubble, para-sailing, Segway, or ATV adventure.
Poker – a solitary casino sport that pits you against, not the House, but other players. Success is based on your dexterity in assessing your opponent’s ability, psychological state, physiological responses combined with mathematical skills and gaming theory. An intellectual challenge with the immediate gratification reward of winning money from other players.
Personality Disorders…
Opinionated – on some things I have extremely strong views. On many, I don’t know enough to have an opinion. On most, I just don’t care enough. The trick is to guess which one applies.
The King of Nice – I earned this title due to my overtly social nature. I am a people person. Granted, only about 6 people. The trick is again to guess which six. If you make the short list, you can be assured that: you are a Not-Stupid (I don’t suffer morons and it’s amazing what percentage of the universe they take up.); and I will have your back against incalculable odds [assuming you are in the right]. Oh. And I am not big into the Hugging thing. Even the King of Nice has his limits.
Hot Tempered – one of the few things I inherited from Lynn4Lynn Metheney, my father. I have fought against this most of my life, but in the last few years, have come to realize that limited bursts of anger are not necessarily Evil, as long as there is a legitimate basis for it and they don’t cause irreparable damage. Anger is just another emotion and some situations warrant a more extreme response. It’s proof of life and a full range of emotions of a complete person. People without a complete range of human emotions are somewhat stunted, limited, and slightly crippled.
Brief – my outbursts are usually short and once expelled, I tend to move on quickly. Life is too short to stay pissed off. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t forget. I don’t “let it go.” I just catalog it and get back to enjoying life. But some day…
Explosive, but Non-Violent – I don’t believe in striking another human in anger. (there a plenty of other GOOD reasons to do it, but anger isn’t one of them.) I am not above punching a wall and have slapped a desk or two into submission, but never a person.
Non-Personal – except for Stupid People, I usually don’t get mad at a specific person. It’s usually inanimate objects (computer cables tangling is WAY at the top of the list) or corporate stupidity (Customer Service is NOT optional!). I don’t typically get mad at specific people. I do occasionally pity them for a fraction of a moment, then erase them from my memory banks. Hey! I only have so much room in this melon, no point in cluttering it up with the undeserving.
Twisted – Having a sense of humor about life is crucial. No one gets off this planet alive. Not even baby seal puppies.
About From The Hip
I have a web site for my businesses, www.metheney.com, which focuses on the latest projects from Metheney Consulting and Our Marketing Group. I write for client web sites and blogs and have to write with their best interests and business goals in mind. I write for national magazines which provides advertising sales-oriented, sanitized media coverage of paintball events and edutorials. I write short stories and novels.
But what I needed was a place to vent personal ideas, thoughts, reviews, personal news, bits about my writing, rants against stupidity, and whatever is on my mind at the moment. Thus, From The Hip (http://PaulMetheney.com) was born. God only knows what you’ll find here. I’m making it up as I go. I have a tendency to speak my mind and ‘politically correct be damned!’.
I call it “part of my charm”. Melinda says its why we have no friends.
“To thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet.
“Nut up or shut up.” – Woody Harrelson, Zombieland.
You can subscribe to this blog by clicking this link and have it delivered to your email or an RSS aggregator (reader). I have no idea if anyone will read this or not, but my therapist says it’s healthy to express my true feelings and get it all out. (His doctors say he’ll be back on solid foods in a few weeks.)
About Paul Metheney
Drawing – since I was old enough to hold a pencil, I loved to draw people. Trained as a commercial artist, I lean toward the superhero, comic book genre. In later years, I leaned more toward writing because I could use words to allow the reader to create their own pictures (in their minds). But the artistic side of me will always be present. Maybe when I retire… yeah, like that will happen!
I have a web site for my businesses, www.metheney.com, which focuses on the latest projects from Metheney Consulting and Our Marketing Group. I write for client web sites and blogs and have to write with their best interests and business goals in mind. I write for national magazines which provides advertising sales-oriented, sanitized media coverage of paintball events and edutorials. I write short stories and novels.
Paul K. Metheney is the author of the novel Posse Whipped, Concepts for Texas Hold'em, That Boy Ain't Write in the Head collection of his best short stories, the coauthor of Two Minds, No Waiting, and various short stories for the Left Hand Publishers anthologies. He has also designed numerous book covers over the last decade. He has worked in the online marketing and web design industry for the last 30 years and travels the country living full-time in an RV with his loving wife and neurotic dog.