Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself. Harvey S. Firestone

The people with whom you work reflect your own attitude. If you are suspicious, unfriendly and condescending, you will find these unlovely traits echoed all about you. But if you are on your best behavior, you will bring out the best in persons with whom you are going to spend most of your waking hours.

Some people get spiritual because they see the light and some people get spiritual because they feel the heat!

How do you know if you're truly a servant? See how you react the next time someone treats you like one.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

From The Corner Of My Mind

Yes, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I've been busy. Busy with work, grand kids, road trips to Georgia, playing with my guns, enjoying the brief few minutes alone with W-spouse that we get in between working and doing all the above, but most of all, the negative bullshit comments that I receive in my email EVERYDAY and the countless spam emails associated with this blog are a BEATDOWN.
I started this little place on the web with the intention of being honest and forthright with my daily life and everything that follows along with it. To express my happiness, frustrations, trials and tribulations and whatever else I might feel like writing about that day.
W-spouse and I were watching TV last night. The season premier of DALLAS. While watching, she made a comment that's been on my mind ever since. She was referring to all the drama, and all the twists and turns that the characters were acting out, and said this, "it must take a lot of energy to keep up with all those scenarios". Then it hit me. It takes way to much energy to write a post, something heartfelt, something honest, something I've experienced, something I've bought and shared with you and post it with the hope that it would make you smile or feel better, and then I get a few positive comments from my loyal readers, and 20 comments from people who have nothing better to do with their time than say a bunch of negative bullshit.
Now before you "negative Nellies" start blasting away, know this. I have huge broad shoulders and most, if not all of what you say just rolls off into the trash. I NEVER take what you say about me to heart, but when you start saying things about my wife, children, my cousin, my mother and so on, that tends to get stuck in my brain. I know the truth. You have no clue. You think you do, but you don't. Your vile nature and your despicable comments leads me to believe that you have a lonely soul. Your unhappiness can not be found here. Trust me, I walked through those same lonely times in my life. I lashed out at others with hateful comments and doing bad things. I found peace in two things. God and my current wife. I urge you to do the same. Seek solace in God first, then find something or someone to fill that huge void in your life that allows you to have the time to sit around and judge others. I pray that you will.
I'm quite undecided yet as to whether or not I will continue posting. Not because of the content of the comments, but because of the spam emails (which by the way, I've tried many things to avoid) and then having to go through all the others. It's just not fun anymore. It's not a type of therapy that it used to be.
Some of you will care. I've been told that, and received numerous emails and texts saying just that. Thank you for the kind words and thanks for hearing me out.
WW

26 comments:

Sherri said...

Too much negativity has an impact on anyone, no matter how broad the shoulders. That darkness just creeps in and stays there... even when you try to forget or move on, there's sometimes a little niggling in the mind left over.

You would be missed, no doubt about that at all my friend. But we each have to do what is in our own best interest at all times... I am sorry you get so much negative out of your writing and sharing.

Flippin' trolls.

Anonymous said...

January 29, 2013 at 1:15 PM--Well said.

Mr. Corner you will be missed. I look forward to a good read in the mornings or whenever you decide to post. If you decide to go then MAY GOD BLESS you, and your family.

Anonymous said...

Have you considered just turning comments off completely? It's the best thing I ever did on my blog. No more spam. No more hateful BS. No more pain in the butt. My blog once again became the joyful release that it started out being. People you want to talk to you can give your email address or cell number, but all the haters, spammers, and scammers get squat. Anyway, I enjoy reading your stuff and would surely miss your blog, but you should most definitely do whatever you heart tells you to do.

janneba said...

I was wondering why you hadn't posted, doesn't surprised the reason some people just can't see others happy it makes them feel inferior I think, they just won't admit I have three kids that are so negative in their feelings toward me because I left their dad so just roll with the flow.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I had no idea that people submitted negative crap everyday. I've missed the blog while you were taking a break and was concerned something was wrong. I realize that you have to do what's best for you and your family but...you will be missed if you decide to walk away.

Double Fake Jarhead said...

As January 29, 2013 at 1:57 PM said, but in other words, enjoy your cloistered life, being here all by yourself, where you will not allow any comments. You will be left sad and unhappy because you don't get any feedback be it negative, positive or otherwise. And eventually, you will admit to yourself you were just another attention whore who let it all go, because in truth, you couldn't bear the truth. Silly blogger.

Coxie said...

ATC you will be missed if you quit. I really enjoy being able to keep up with the family posts and your thoughts.

Theresa said...

It was nice meeting you at church on Sunday. I enjoy your posts, your beautiful grandbabies, jeeping (we also have a jeep) and your reflections of a slice of life in Wise County since we know so few people here.

Theresa Copeland

Ratherbesailin' said...

Anon. 1:57 had a good idea. Keep blogging and I will respond on occasion by email......or I will just call you when I have a question.
I would miss the blog otherwise.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your blog. Your writing gave me an insight into you that I never had before. I understand your decision and don't blame you for it. You might consider the suggestion of blocking all comments, otherwise we will miss you. Mom

Anonymous said...

ATC. Love you man. I read this to keep up with our cousin in Houston. I have missed your blog.

Shayne said...

Bubba, I understand your reasons for stopping the blog! I want you to know it is a way for me to keep up with your day to day life. ATC will be missed. Love ya!!

HarveyLee said...

" Listen to your mom."

Kathleen... said...

Another suggestion: go private with only approved commentors. Lock out the nasty lurking chimps.

As far as leaving, taking a sabbatical, etc., I get it. =) Anonymous nasties get hooked reading a blog because there's something they are drawn to -- or LIKE -- about the writer. Then, a part of them can't bear something about how THEY feel over a piece you've written. They throw rocks because they want to damage you....to make themselves feel better. You know the old adage: Tearing someone down in order to build themselves up. Nasty crap is a weak reflection upon the commentor, not an indictment upon the writer.

Hope you don't chunk it though...I love to read your thoughts. You don't give yourself enough credit for the amazing mentoring abilities you possess via your forthrightness, life experiences and pragmatically kind heart. I'd have been rather lost without your help in recent months. You're an amazing friend, father and husband -- I've seen you with W-Spouse [it's a beautiful thing] and I know the pride/heartbreak/worry/love you maintain for all of your children.

And your Friends love you. =)

p.s. DFs are so lame.

Anonymous said...

I care and I miss your writing. Yes, your friends and your family love you very much. Mo

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you know what you need and will do.

Answers? I don't know the questions. said...

Well said. I love you whether you blog or not.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry this has turned into something you no longer want to do. I am sorry there is so much negativity. As for me, I check it every day and love reading about your life and keeping up with you this way. I don't always respond, but know that I always read. Go with what you need to do....Love you and I'll miss ATC!!

Juanita

Jarhead™ said...

Don't let the cowardly anons get you down. They suffer from lack of self-esteem and increased bravado brought on by lack of consequences for their actions or words.

Anonymous trolls that you encounter are simply, without their knowledge, proving "John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory" which states that "...Internet users exhibit unsociable tendencies while interacting with other Internet users. [It has been suggested] that, given both anonymity and an audience, an otherwise regular person can become a 'total fuckwad,' i.e., a very disagreeable person. Clay Shirky, an adjunct professor at New York University who studies social and economic effects of Internet technologies, explains: 'There’s a large crowd and you can act out in front of it without paying any personal price to your reputation,' which 'creates conditions most likely to draw out the typical Internet user’s worst impulses.'"

This can be simplified in a formula crafted from my own exhaustive research on the subject: NP + IA = TFA (Normal Person + Internet Anonymity = Total Fucking Asshole).

The Jarhead Corollary to The Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory (also referred to as “Jarhead's 95/5 Rule”) states that "Of all the people you interact with on a daily basis, whether online or in person, only about 5% of them are either sane, friendly, or moral enough to interact with on a regular basis. These 5% are the people you have chosen as friends or your immediate close family members. The remaining 95% are not worth the time or effort because, for the most part, they are partially or completely insane, corrupt, or just plain assholes."

Choosing to address the 95% only gives them the power they crave and makes them feel like kings in their pathetic world of dysfunctional family, broken down economic situation, stagnant job, sexless marriage, porn addiction, closeted homosexuality, overcompensation for small or dried up sexual organs, etc.

Wendell, the only reason they're lashing out is jealousy. You have what they can never possess and it drives them insane, so they have to run you down to make their shitty situation seem better. Unfortunately, that equates to mental illness and ironically, no matter how much they talk shit, they are predestined to always remain beneath you.

Try calling them out. They dry up. Every single time. I've done it a hundred times. Invited them to contact me via email, phone, telegram, two tin cans and a string... never a peep. They're cowards. Why do you think they lurk in anonymity?

Stick with the %5. You'll be happier.

P.S. Making your blog private will allow you to reach your audience and will frustrate the trolls.

I'll leave you with a final thought:

Internet trolls are like zombies: you take away their source of sustenance (brains, ironically) and they shuffle on to the next blog in search of more people to prey upon.

Simple. Problem solved.

Anonymous said...

W-
I would hate it if you left the blog world, I have only a few I look at on a daily basis. I have know you pretty much all my life and I can say these past few years seem to be some of the best years for you. I wouldnt have realized that if it wasnt for ATC. But, I would understand if you stopped and wouldnt blame you if you did. Take care and i hope to see you ATC!


Will C.

RPM said...

Just turn on word verification. Cuts the spam off and most trolls don't have the patience to go thru the process.

janneba said...

I think Katleen and Jarhead hit it right on, but of course I enjoy their blogs also.

Anonymous said...

OK, not to be mean but someone should just tell you how it is. I will.
I tried your blog and didn't find it interesting. I quit visiting.

I'm addicted to Barrys blog, but more accurately, to his commenters. His content I find to be generally offensive in tone, but I like the repartee amongst the commentors. That's his niche.
Bag of Nothng guy is the king of eclectic and interesting web surfing, and the hardest working guy in the biz.

Your personal life and preachings aren't real interesting, get over it. Disappear. Whatever. It was pretty presumtuous to think you were that damned interesting. Or something else is amiss with you. I don't know, I have no desire to share my personal life with you all. Hence, the "anon" status.

Not sure what motivates you

aroundthecorner said...

Anon at 8:29 PM, if you quit reading my blog, what made you look at it this time, and feel the need to respond.
Being addicted to Barrys blog is akin to being addicted to crack. Its wrong, its worthless, it does nothing towards achieving anything, and most people that are addicted to it are pretty much just the scum of the earth.
Addicted does not equal reading it from time to time.
As far as visiting my blog anymore, don't. I'm good with it.
As far as telling me "like it is", you are late.
As far as not wanting to share your personal life with me/us. I don't ask that you do, share it with God. He will be more help to you than any of us.

Kathleen... said...

I always leave comments at blogs that I don't, er, read.

(and that word verification voice option may result in me sleeping with all of the lights on tonight....creepy as ****!)

Jarhead™ said...

"I'm addicted to Barry's blog..." tells us all we need to know about the intellect, nay, lack thereof, that you possess, anon.

So, basically, you're stating: "You're not interesting, but I'll waste my time with a 136 word comment on how uninterested I am in what you have to say."

Makes perfect sense. Again, this speaks to your intellectual retardation, as does your absolute lack of spelling and punctuation acumen. Jesus, Man! That's 3rd grade stuff!

"I have no desire to share my personal life with you." Yet you are presumptuous enough to think that everyone else gives a tuppenny fuck what you think. You think too highly of yourself, you coward.

Good day to you, Sir!