I am too. In 8th grade I wrote a paper that got me a scholarship
   into a private school. [which was great 'cause we had no money
   and my public school system stunk] - anyway, the subject?

   The power of making do.

   and I gave examples of how it's good to make use of what you
   have, even if it's not perfect and stuff like that. Wish I had
   it - I was proud of it - but I hold the way of thinking close to
   me, as it keeps me grounded. Otherwise, I can easily get my head
   up in the clouds about ideas. I have to ask, "Does it blend?"
   [with reality] from time to time, check my sources, and all that
   type of stuff.

   I know it's two different senses of "pragmatic" but they use the
   same word for a reason.