a guy who knows about a community

I grew up in a small town. I returned to that small town (Red Bluff, Ca) back in 2004 after my 4 year contract with the US Navy. Since returning home, I've met hundreds of people who make a great impact in the Community. From sports organizations to non profits to your everyday heroes that help a small town stay alive and in our case, thrive.

About six months ago, I was sent a friend request by a dog... Yes a dog. His name? Kaiser Von Hindlick... I got the notice on my phone and at first glance, I thought this was some kind of spam account or something even worse. To my surprise, when I got home, I got on the computer and checked the account out. The dog's owner, Dan Mabry, sent me a friend request shortly after. From first glance, Dan seemed to be just an average guy who had a funny sense of humor. However, after a few weeks, I realized he was much more than "average".

And so now over the past 6 months or so, I've seen Dan jump head first into the topics and problems that face our local community. We had a missing teenager, and he spent his days and nights tirelessly asking people to get the word out. Missing dogs, homes lost to fires, home insurance rates skyrocketing because of ISO ratings.... You name it, if its a problem for our local community, he's there trying to find a solution for it. He's a Rudy. To him, no problem is too big if you get enough people involved. He isn't pushy in trying to get people to purchase insurance through him. He's too busy trying to make a real difference in the area.

About two months ago, he shared a story of a neighbor who had been battling with Wells Fargo. The story goes that his neighbor had reached a deal with Wells Fargo Mortgage and weeks after the "Deal", she was served with a foreclosure notice. Being the hero that Dan is, he hopped on the horn and shared the information of the CEO of Wells Fargo along with email, fax, and phone numbers for the office of the CEO.

I have had many conversations with Dan, and I consider myself lucky to have met him and his lovely wife Debi, and their awesome dog Kaiser. If there were a photo in the dictionary next to the word Local Hero, Dan's face would be there. If you have a chance, swing by his page and say hi. Send a friend request to his dog who responds with "ARRF", and see just how much of a difference this man is doing in our community. I wish everyone had a man like Dan in their community.

Happy New year everyone!

Bullying, Self Worth, and It Gets Better

Underdog- a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict.

a victim of social or political injustice: The underdogs were beginning to organize their protests.

the competitor least likely to win a fight or contest

a person in adversity or in a position of inferiority

Ever felt like an underdog? Ever felt like giving up? Ever felt like the whole world is against you? ever felt like the target of someones' aggression?

My answers: Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes.

I've always felt like an underdog. Like a Rudy. No matter how hard I try, sometimes, I feel like a "cantgetright" that nickname by the way, was given to me while in the Navy. The Navy made me strong, but there was a time when I thought I couldn't handle it anymore. There was a time that I was five feet away from the edge of the flight deck looking over the edge thinking to myself, just a few more steps and all this pain and anguish goes away. I have felt like completely giving up and giving in before.

I've felt that no matter how hard I try to please everyone and myself, I always fall short. I've felt as if no matter how hard I try to make something work, it is destined for failure. That while the rest of the world is just smooth sailing, I'm stuck in the middle of the Perfect Storm.

I've been the target of bullies before. From the guy in high school PE who kept dunking me underwater and causing me to believe I was going to drown. To the guy who was the star football player who threw apples and oranges at me, who went out of his way to punish me for not being like him. I've been verbally bullied for having a gut, having pimples, and not wearing the "cool" clothes.

Now, I have my stepson who is the victim of bullies. last night, he told me about what has been going on in junior high. how 4 boys teamed up on him, shoved him to the ground, and shoved their crotches in his face. How another boy at school comes up to him every day from behind and chokes him till he thinks he can't breathe anymore. Is your blood boiling yet? It should be. Here's the punishment the boys got: a warning. a slap on the wrist. a "don't be bad to him anymore". GREAT.. Absofuckinglutely fabulous! Now those boys will come at him with a vengeance. Thank God i'm here to console this poor kid because I've been there before. I've endured the sadness, the feeling of helplessness, the despair. I'm here to make sure that he is protected. I'm here to make sure that the underdog prevails.

I say all this to bring to the light a few things I have witnessed recently that actually give me hope and encouragement. First off is the Self Worth Project. This project has only been on facebook for a week. It is helping people face their fears, their insecurities, their perceived shortcomings. And in facing it, they are slapping the ugly off those fears, insecurities, and shortcomings. When I first found this page, I read, and cried. I was so happy to see something like this to help people become stronger in themselves and more confident. Please, take a moment and go check it out. I promise you won't regret it.

Second is the sad reality of bullies in school. from grammar to middle to high school to college. Bullies are so prevalent today that it has become an epidemic. kids nowadays aren't being bullied for simple not fitting in. Its due to ignorance of difference. Black, White, Brown, blue eyes, red hair, physical traits, and then also on lifestyles. The harassment that people shell out because someone is attracted to the same sex, beliefs, morals, you name it! Unfortunately, it took a young man killing himself to bring this horrible reality to light. The It Gets Better Project has become the haven for people of all backgrounds, sexual preference, and ethnicities. This is the light at the end of a VERY long tunnel for those who are persecuted every single day.

and Lastly, last night, I attended a vigil that was put on by the RBHS GSA. I recorded some video of the kids and the teacher who are part of this group. If you can take a few minutes to watch the video and share it with someone who might benefit from watching it, I would appreciate it! These kids are the future of our nation. I'm proud of them for what they did and hope to help them in any way possible.

Here's a song that helped me get through much strife and difficulties when feeling like an underdog. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TNxLBDrhkA

Bullies be gone! Kindness and love be spread to all! Underdog FTW!