Coincidence or Providence?

"Smooth seas do not make a skillful sailor."

-- African proverb

Things happen to us for a reason.  We may not understand them as we navigate through the
storm, but they are definitely not haphazard events.

Some will call it coincidence, I know it is Divine Providence.  We are being sharpened,
via fire and flame, to be stronger for His will.

How can you really appreciate the sunshine if you've never been through the rain?

We all get 1,440

We all get 1,440 minutes in a day.

"It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste."
-- Henry Ford: Founder, Ford Motor Company


Are you wasting yours?**




**Reading this blog does not count as a waste!

B.A. (Bad Attitude)

"Ability:    What you're capable of doing. 
 Motivation:  What you do. 
 Attitude:    How well you do it."

-- Raymond Chandler

Raw & Uncut

Thanks to this great invention, the Digital Video Recorder (DVR), I can now watch shows when I want, where I want on my own time. One drawback to that is I sometimes watch shows that aired 2 or 3 days earlier. When this happens I’m a bit confused when co-workers talk about the happenings the night before. I have had a chance to watch it. I therefore, run from my office fingers firmly planted in each ear yelling “La, La, La, I can’t hear you!!”

That being said I DVR’d (yes, I took an abbreviation and made it a verb) the induction ceremonies for the NBA Hall of Fame.
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Sidebar: “Nah, nah, Kanye, gimme back my keyboard! Imma finish NOW!”

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Sorry about that, I was rudely interrupted; now where was I? So I settle down to watch the ceremonies. I must admit I watched the last speech with bated breath. I’d seen on FB, MSN, ESPN, etc. many people talking about the acceptance speech by Michael Jordan and how ‘bitter’ he sounded. He took shots at his high school coach, his college coach (a legend), Byron Russell (an decent NBA’er, but no star by any stretch of the imagination), the guy who took the final roster spot on his high school team (which he did not make) and even his own children saying something along the lines of--you’ve got a heavy burden to carry, I wouldn’t want to be you—that was kinda crazy in my eyes.

My problem wasn’t with the speech. My problem came when I read/heard the criticism he received for delivering a less than gracious address. Some said he was rude, arrogant, egomaniacal, bitter, etc.

In a world with a 24hr news cycle, it is understandable why athletes are relatively conservative when a mic is shoved in their face. We are flooded with the same clichés: “I gave 110%,” “Take one for the team,” “It’s going to be a war out there,” etc. I really get tired of hearing these over and over, listening to athletes with their sanitized statements that provide no further insight into the game than your typical no-nothing uncle. Granted there are those that should not be allowed to speak, but that’s a different story for a different time.

Here we have Jordan taking jabs at everyone that he felt crossed him throughout his career and really telling us how he feels. I imagine this is how many athletes speak when they are with each other and no cameras and recorders around. The guys that I play sports with talk trash about EVERY aspect of the game. Who scored the most points, who made the most catches, whose socks are the cleanest (I usually lose this one, the NC in me sometimes dictate that I go shoeless), you name it we quantify it and talk smack about it. And this is from a bunch of guys who barely played at the high school level. So what is said in the locker rooms and club houses at the highest level? This my friend, I would venture to guess, is THE real Michael Jordan

I can deal with that…

Ron Dangerous @ RonDangerous.blogspot.com

Wipeout--Wk 1

I did it, I applied to be on the show "Wipeout."

I will now sit patiently next to my cell phone should they decide to text me.

I will also sit patiently next to my high speed internet connection should they choose to contact me via email.

I will sit patiently by my home phone waiting for their call, should they try to contact me this way.

I will do all of these things patiently at my Post Office should they decide to contact me via snail mail.

And these things will be done near a huge window in the event they send smoke signals.

The longer I wait the less tech savvy I become.

Ron Dangerous @ RonDangerous.blogspot.com

Waffle House

In the meantime, I visited NC over the weekend and went out to grab a bit REALLY late on Sat. night (11:30p IS late by Whiteville standards). We don't have diners in NC like NJ. There also is a alarmingly discouraging shortage of IHOPs there as well.

So where does a fella go, at 11:30p, to get something to eat? I think I hear you all saying it outloud..."Waffle House!" Apparently, there is some sort of gentleman's agreement between Waffle House and IHOP. One dominates the Northeast while the other handles the Southeast. Who handles the West--Mid, South and otherwise?

I had forgotten how much I do like a good Belgian Waffle. I get back to NJ, made my usual run to Costco and in the morning..."I'm making waffles!"

Big Swoll's Calendar

In my constant quest to fight the hands of time that ravage my body, I’ve pretty much conceded that I have to exercise. I think the “Smiths” put it best in their song “Suicide is Painless” (better known as the instrumental theme song to M*A*S*H):

“The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but... “

Well I can really feel the sword of time working its way on in. With that being said, I have to do something strenuous for as long as possible as often as possible.

The Mrs. put me onto a website dontbreatkthechain.com that is helping me reach my goals. Simply put in order for something to become a habit many experts feel you have to do that something at least 18 times for it to go from random occurrence to habit. Once something becomes a habit, if you don’t do it then you (and your body) feel strange not doing it.

When a sculptor is carving figures in their stone, it’s not the 100^th strike that makes the most impact it’s the 99 preceding, incremental strikes that are impactful. To make a change, first determine what you want to change. Develop a plan as to how to get there. Work on that plan EVERY day; no matter how small the tasks are.

In the right navigation pane, you’ll see “Big Swoll’s Calendar.” Big Swoll is my exercise alter ego. Everytime Big Swoll works out for 45 mins. or more another day is checked off on Big Swoll’s Calendar. The more days he can string together the better he’ll be for both himself and his family.

Big Swoll is taking his calendar to the masses (or at least the 3 people that regularly read this blog) so you can help hold him accountable. If you see that I’ve missed a day (or more) you have permission to inquire as to what the problem was/is.

As I work towards other goals you may find additional calendars added.

Ron Dangerous @ RonDangerous.blogspot.com

Wipeout--Wk 1

As you may have seen, I applied to be on "Wipeout" about a week ago. It has been 7 days, 2 hours, 9 minutes and 45 seconds since I officially sent in my application.

I have yet to hear ANYTHING from ANYBODY. Once I get the good news, I will let you know.

Failure 2 Launch

Ok, people it has been a WHILE. Ron Dangerous is back!! I’m looking at the posts and it has been, well, let’s just say a minute since I last shared my thoughts.

My goal is to post more and be more consistent with said posts. Many people have told me my blog was the lone bright spot in their lives. Can you believe that?! After I suggested a counselor (and meds) for them, I decided it was time for the world to hear my voice. As one of my favorite sites despair.com puts it “Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.”

I’m re-launching the blog, some things will be different some things will still be the same. As new things appear, I’ll let you know.

I hope you enjoy reading more than I loathe writing it!

Ron Dangerous @ RonDangerous.blogspot.com

Wipeout Casting

I applied to be on "Wipeout" today. Below is the personal letter they sent to me, can you believe it? Little old me?!?

==========================

Wipeout Casting:

If you want to audition for the hit TV Series Wipeout please go to

www.mysticartpictures.com

Fill out the registration and profile, upload a photo, and make sure
you click to receive the newsletter. You will be called and notified
of upcoming projects and to receive more information on upcoming open calls
for Wipeout.

We appreciate your taking the time to fill this information out and
you have a much higher chance of getting called in if this information
is complete.

Thank you,

Tim Safford
Director Casting and Production
MysticArt Pictures

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All for your boy!

Ron Dangerous @ RonDangerous.blogspot.com

Let's Get D@ng3r0)$!!

Whatca gonna do when the R0n gets all D@ng3r0)$ on YOU!?!?

Coming Fall 2k9.

RonDangerous.BlogSpot.com