Rodney's rules, for what its worth

Rodney's rules: A couple of these may seem harsh, but have proven true. And yes, my life growing up was a bit rough sometimes, and I have had some less than safe occupations. 1) Be nice/kind. You never know what someone is going through. A) But keep your guard up. Some assholes prey on nice ppl. B) Get new winter wool blend gloves when yours are broken in and a little worn. Give the old ones to a homeless person. They will get their ass kicked wearing new stuff. Give it straight to the person, not a company to resell. Learned this living in Chicago. 2) If you borrow a vehicle, return it with the gas tank full 3) Learn to drive off road, especially in a truck or SUV, but at least your car. You don't know when that skill may come in handy. Storm damage, floods, can close roads. If you have a medical emergency, you are the ambulance. A) Bonus points if its a Jeep Wrangler. 4) Travel as much as you can. It will make you a better person, and learn other ppls perspectives. A) When traveling to other countries, DO NOT go to places Americans vacation (Acapulco, Cancun, etc). Those places are pretty much just America. Meet the actual ppl in those countries. B) Volunteer for a mission or NGO work. They will pick up much of the tab, and you will truely meet the ppl of that country, and do good. 5) Study a martial art. Not only will you be able to protect yourself, it is great exercise, and builds confidence. A) Not all gyms are good, some are filled with assholes. Don't be afraid to switch gyms until you find a crew you like, but the will still make you work your ass off. 6) If you have to tell ppl you're the Alpha, you are not an Alpha. A) There is no such thing as an Alpha, not even in wolves. That designation was made upon stressed animals in captivity. That behavior doesn't exist in nature. 7) Get punched in the face, and know what it feels like, so if it happens unexpectedly, you don't stand there like an idiot thinking " WTF" while your attacker proceeds to kick your ass. A) If you are in a job where violence happens frequently, ie cop, bouncer. etc, get punched so hard it almost knocks you out, so you can train through it. 8) Work out. With a friend for motivation, when you feel sluggish. 9) Work in the service industry, even if only as a part time job for the experience. Only then will you really see how nice some people are, and how selfish even more are. 10) Learn to ride a motorcycle. It is incredibly liberating. And will also teach you to look out for bikes when driving your car. Most bike accidents are the fault of the car not paying attention to those little bikes. 11) Don't tailgate. You never know when the vehicle in front of you may slam on the brakes (deer, kids in street, etc) A) Doubly true for semis and other big trucks. If you can't see their mirrors, they can't see you. 12) Breathe. A) It relaxes you, and brings clarity to complicated situations. Learn how to breathe properly. 13) Read. Learn. A) To include the news. Read everything from the far left to the far right, not just what makes you feel good in your culture bubble. 14) Get away from everyone/be alone occasionally. It will do your mental health good. While alone, do something you really enjoy. 15) Get outside in nature. Ground yourself. No music/head phones. Listen to nature. Reading a book under a tree is ok, just take breaks to enjoy the beauty around you. Even the most desolate desert is filled with life and sound. 16) Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. 17) There are lessons to be learned in everything you do, and everything that happens to you. 18) Pay attention to what is going on around you. Do not get lost in your own world. 19) Be tolerant of "stupid" ppl. Because you can be that "stupid" person. 20) Teach. 21) No one can make you feel anything (bad, worthless, etc.) unless you let them. Don't listen to the negative. If there is a lesson, learn from it. They don't matter. That said, enjoy the positive. Those are the ppl who enjoy you for who you are. * This list is non-inclusive

Test blog

Just testing to see if this site is still active

Story time- Deep in the woods of Houston

UV therapy

Started tanning again, works best for my skin. Was told not to for the drugs I'm on for my auto immune diseases. Choosing not being a skin rash ball that has gotten infected twice this year over quality of life. I will die of cancer, at least I get to pick it

a friend died

I started to post this in 2015. But didn't. But in September of 2015, the death toll by suicide passed the number of deaths in combat zones in the two units I deployed with in the wars since 2001. Just sayin.

Bad Rodney?

Late, drinking, and thinking. I think it's time Bad Rodney came back. Now, a lot of people know me from specific time frames, and, honestly, different Rodneys. I'm not talking about the "Pub mean guy" that was most of my tenure at The Pub in Athens Ohio (world's second greatest pub behind "The Split Crow" in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada you fucking twat waffles), but the last two years I worked there, not an act, just fucking hating every air pirate on the planet. Then I went to Iraq and centered myself. Might be time for that Rodney to come back, because of all the Goddamn self-centered pettiness that has taken over. Think of someone other than yourself, try to think critically about the things that happen around you, and make decisions to make this better. Too many narcissistic self-centered twatwaffles making decisions that affect you, pay attention. Everything you do affects people around you. KNOW THIS. The "not here for a long time just a good time" holds the same weight as " kill them all, let God sort them out". No matter your age, please, have a good time and enjoy yourself. But realize that everything you do, no matter how small, affects someone else. Unless you Antifa. Which are the most fascists assholes on the planet. Bring your black block to me bitchs, I'm going to Valhalla regardless. Beware the old man who lived in a world where men die young. This message is sponsored by Grammarly because I am drunk.

update?

Been a while since I have posted. Bad Rodney. But since no one, well almost, some friends do. Just had to say this. I have wondered about some of my critical thinking since my time in the wars. Yeah, in my undergrad studies, it took me a while to get my degree, but yet there I was, taking 2 to 3 classes a quarter, while spending 60-70 hours a week at work. When I came back for grad school, all I had to do (initially, thank you government sequester) was go to school. I had a much rougher time. And it wasn't because of class load. I actually thought the classes taught were easier. But I wasn't making the higher level critical thinking as well. Was it PTSD? It didn't help, but I have been dealing with that since birth. Family upbringing was worse than war. Not nearly as much boredom between the violent parts. My Iraqi office mate? Still friends with him. So no, not it. Then I find this. http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2016/08/11/malaria-drug-causes-permanent-brain-damage-case-study/88528568/ The malarial drug, which I first started taking in 1989, and in every country I have been to, including most of 2001 to 2010, causes brain damage. Permanent. Wow. Just had to type this out. Have known since August, been digesting the info. I ate that shit like candy for ten years.