I have come to the conclusion that the main catalyst behind my drive and anger is because of the way I was raised.

I had a father who was old-school military.  He was in the Marines, one of the toughest sons-of-bitches I had ever known.  Nothing got past him; one could not get away with anything!  After the war, he was discharged and tried to kill his pain by drinking himself into oblivion.

While he didn't batter our mom around (if he had I, being the oldest, would have probably put his happy ass into the grave), he sure played head games and beat the living shit out of us kids.  I can still remember the beatings I would get if I didn't do my homework on time (or correctly), if I didn't do the chores or watch over my younger siblings, or if I wasn't home on time for supper.

He terrified all us kids, but me especially.  I was so afraid he was going to kill us (or, at the very least, put one of us into the hospital).

As a result of my not-so-pleasant upbringing, I have an issue with anger.  I absolutely hate to see people getting hurt or taken advantage of, and as a way to deal with my rage, I have turned to boxing.  Somehow fighting an opponant or beating the crap outta him makes me feel better.  I don't know why, but it does.

People say I am a very talented boxer: I could be a future Muhammed Ali or Joe Frazier.  I may be good, but hell: I am in no way near their caliber when it comes to sheer ability!

In addition to boxing a couple times a month, I coach inner-city kids (boys, some girls, but mainly boys) the finer art of boxing or how to protect themselves from innement danger.  It is my therapy.  It's extremely gratifying to see kids try to better themselves or at least learn discipline and self respect.

If I can help just one kid or give them hope, then I will have done my job.  I know my Dad is looking down on me from Heaven with a shit-eating grin; hell, he is probably telling the angels up there, "That's my boy.  All these years of him being a wuss, and he has finally become the man I wanted him to be.  Way to go, Son, way to go!  Yer old man is right proud of you, Boy!"

~End of part one.~