1. Opening Statement Monday

Dave Donaldson introduces himself as the author of "Rebel at Large," sharing tales of mischief and misadventures he's encountered. He believes that well-behaved people rarely make history and reflects on the risks he's taken in life. He emphasizes the importance of living fully and embracing adventure, bravery, and courage. The stories in his book are true and meant to be shared with friends, possibly over drinks. Despite the dangers he's faced, he's grateful to still be alive. Welcome, welcome, welcome. My name is Dave Donaldson, and I'm the author of Rebel at Large. It's a memoir of mischief I've been into and the misadventures I've had. Keep in mind, seldom do well-behaved people make history. I doubt I'll ever make history, but I've never been well-behaved. All I can say at this point is I haven't simply lived life I have experienced it. Most of the mischief I will talk about didn't just happen. For the most part, I either planned them or was confronted with a situation where I would ask myself, I wonder what would happen. As for the misadventures, these just happened. Although it's apparent I made it through, I keep asking myself, why would you knowingly put yourself in a position where you might lose your life? To me, it's all part of the game. Many years ago, I made the commitment to myself that I would never say these words. I wish I had, shoulda, woulda, and coulda. Walter Mimmi's third rule of life is lived by the ABCs. Adventure, bravery, and courage. I have always believed you only go around once. Life is to be lived to its fullest. Early on, I discovered life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Once you leave, you'll never go back. This book is a collection of short stories that will be told while sitting around a table, sopping stories with friends. Who knows, there might be liquor involved. Enjoy the stories, they're all true. Don't laugh, get a little serious, and be scared. In the initial offering to a reading group prior to publishing, the overall impression from them was, I'm surprised you're still alive. So am I.