An opinion is desired....

[squeekness]

I'd agree that neither was very balanced about how they lived their lives. They're two polar opposites on the extreme ends. It's all very subjective, though, and as long as they lived life the way they truly wanted to and on their own terms, then that's all that really matters in the end.

jag

I am going to have to agree with jag on this one. Happiness is in the heart, I suppose if both men were happy with their lives, they were equally blessed, regardless of how their families might have felt about it.

 

[LexCorp]

unless his kid doesn't want to.

his kid may end up being an adult slacker who plays video games all day. Wouldn't that mean his father worked hard all his life for nothing?

Ha Ross produces a Trent...

 

[Drakon]

Opinions are like a$$holes, everybody's got one.

I like the question, however. And I like your writing. I'm at an age where it's a bit of a turning point in my life, settling down, getting good work . . .

I feel like my Trent has died, or is at least terminally ill; Ross is a newborn and growing. I suppose it depends what a person wants out of life -- do you want to be a Stan the man, out at the clubs in your 60s, or do you want to be at home reading to your grandchildren?

I haven't answered your question LOL! I don't think I would be able to, because I have both set of traits.

This, I feel is actually the answer I was looking for. Where, it's not what you think they should want out of life, but what YOU want out of life.

And I'm glad you like my writing. I've got other entries there, too, so help yourself to check the site out to your hearts content. But be warned, I don't update nearly enough like I should.

Drakon, I think you should date Ross more than Trent.

See the whole family thing, sways toward Ross. Even though Ross forego fun and friends for responsibility, he still has his family. His life touched 4 lives (wife and 3 kids) and in essence, he will live on through them. And even though their father was taken from them, he did help shape their lives and what could be more fulfilling knowing your children will carry on some of your legacy.

Dating?

Ross wins of course, but is that because we assume a wife and kids and being loyal to them more right than not. Well of course we all know the aswer. But at what point in each person life did they choose their paths. If Trent met the right girl would he of been "saved"?

No, he wouldn't have.

Ohh yeah I forgot they died...why did they have to die like that?

I needed them both to die at the same time, and I was watching Employee of the Month [with Steve Zahn, not Dane Cook].

unless his kid doesn't want to.

his kid may end up being an adult slacker who plays video games all day. Wouldn't that mean his father worked hard all his life for nothing?

The kid has no choice. He's his father's son, so he has to pass on the bloodline. Maybe not the "legacy" per se, [and really, there's not that much legacy to carry on--job supervisor for a landscaper?]

 

[Badger]

I'd say Ross had the much more fulfilling life, not even close in my opinion. While there needs to be balance with everything, all work and no play makes for a dull life. But, nonetheless, it is still fulfilling because he gave life, happiness, and security to two children. As well as being loved deeply by somebody, wife and children.

Did Trent have fun? I'm sure he did, but there was no fulfillment in just fun. And, fun alone does not equal a fulfilling life. Which is probably why he was the constant party animal. It's like a dog chasing his tail, it my be fun but you go nowhere.

Alcohol and drugs when you are young is natural experimentation. But when it's a life long choice, it's more of a self-induced fog to cover up emptiness or a lack of life fulfillment. Easier to feel good about yourself, when you can't remember your problems.

So, in closing, Ross FTW...

...because I'm so like Ross it's scary.

Drak does this mean I should stay away from buses?

 

[Ghostvirus]

If They were both truly happy, then would say both, but since it doesn't say I would have to go with Ross.

Oddly I have 2 friends who are exactly like this. Once shacks up with one woman after another. They other works 3 jobs. One of them is a job for his mother.

My first friend is extremely happy about his life, so I respect him more.

My other friend all he does is piss, & moan about his life, & does nothing to change it. So it really depends on what you want out of life.

 

[blind_fury]

who really cares about a genetic "legacy"?

your bloodline is going to be diluted to the point of nothing anyway after a few generations.

It's a silly reason to have kids, I don't care how important you think you are.

 

[Drakon]

who really cares about a genetic "legacy"?

your bloodline is going to be diluted to the point of nothing anyway after a few generations.

It's a silly reason to have kids, I don't care how important you think you are.

For the first time ever, I think we agree.

 

[Abaddon]

[/shameless plug]

Neither led a very full life.

 

[blind_fury]

For the first time ever, I think we agree.

oh noes! there goes my street cred.

 

[LexCorp]

It so nice to see a union and not a fight t:

 

[The Riddler]

www.dickdynamite.com

From the latest article on my site. Since it gets so few hits, I know I won't get the feedback I want, so I bring it here to you. Thoughts?

the answer you seek: fulfillment is subjective as you can see from this thread. 'trent' and 'ross' lived their lives as they each saw fit and in doing so fulfilled their own lives in different ways. any answer choosing between the two people and lifestyles is an opinion marking a certain mindset.

besides, everyone's life is ultimately the same for the reason that everyone ends up the same - decomposing.

 

[LexCorp]

the answer you seek: fulfillment is subjective as you can see from this thread. 'trent' and 'ross' lived their lives as they each saw fit and in doing so fulfilled their own lives in different ways. any answer choosing between the two people and lifestyles is an opinion marking a certain mindset.

besides, everyone's life is ultimately the same for the reason that everyone ends up the same - decomposing.

No ultimately the same. Some live touched and changed the world even if we all decompose. My life has had few affects compared to the legends and leaders of Earth.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

This, I feel is actually the answer I was looking for. Where, it's not what you think they should want out of life, but what YOU want out of life.

If that was the case,then why ask for opinions in the first place?

 

[KALEL114]

This parallel's my own life. I am "Ross" and my brother is "Trent". Up until recently I have worked since I was 16 (now 31) and had a total of 4 jobs. they go in order of length like this: 1 years, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years, and 7 years.I am married with two daughters. I only have 5 close friends. I have never been to a club my whole life. I have never done drugs, but drink on a occasion. Family is truly my reason for living the way I do.

My brother (30) has never held a job longer than 6 months. He dropped out of high school, but later got his GED (I graduated). He has been a strong user to every type of drug imaginable: Meth, Coke, Crack, LSD, PCP, Heroine, etc. He ,up until recently, has bounced around from friends to family for shelter. He has a 12year old daughter, that my mom has had to raise for him. He has been diagnosed with MS and is collecting SS/disabillity checks and now has an apartment. He does not have to work and his daughter still lives with my mom. He party's and has partied his whole life and know's nothing of responsibilty.

You can point to several things that caused us to turn out so different, but you do have to grow up some day. And the problem is he and "Trent" never did and probably never will. Ross has had a more fulfilling life to ME. It would be nice to try to have a little bit of each, but I haven't seen it done successfully yet. Right, now I have deviated from the formula. I have given up my career so my wife could get hers back on track. I am a stay at home dad and love every minute of it.

 

[Mr. Credible]

the thing you never touched on in your article is whether or not each guy was happy... because, isn't that the point?

trent, the loser, could of been having a blast partying and drinking all the time, and could have been the life of every party he went to.

ross, on the other hand, could have been a butthole, and been successful but pissed everyone around him off.

so who, then, led the more full life? just because "society" says you need to have a steady job and this and that and 2.4 kids and whatever... doesn't mean you have to. if everyone fit that mold, we'd have a very, very unbalanced country. not to mention, we simply, in america anyway, don't have that many jobs.

you could die with 10 billion dollars in your bank account, but where you're going, you're not spending a dime. so, as long as you enjoyed your life, and made the people around you happy, i'd say you led a full one.

 

[LexCorp]

the thing you never touched on in your article is whether or not each guy was happy... because, isn't that the point?

trent, the loser, could of been having a blast partying and drinking all the time, and could have been the life of every party he went to.

ross, on the other hand, could have been a butthole, and been successful but pissed everyone around him off.

so who, then, led the more full life? just because "society" says you need to have a steady job and this and that and 2.4 kids and whatever... doesn't mean you have to. if everyone fit that mold, we'd have a very, very unbalanced country. not to mention, we simply, in america anyway, don't have that many jobs.

you could die with 10 billion dollars in your bank account, but where you're going, you're not spending a dime. so, as long as you enjoyed your life, and made the people around you happy, i'd say you led a full one.

Yeah, there is no right no wrong just popular opion.