The last time I checced the west side chronic mental health code

I had another high school friend who shared some great music via word of mouth. Lee had recently got his hands on the N.W.A. album that was literally going viral, before anyone of us here knew what that actually meant in August of 1988.

That night in his garage when he placed the needle on the 12" vinyl it was like the beginning of a bad dream. What our ears heard literally blew our minds. It was at this moment I began to dream outside of this small Texas town. About the conrete LA jungle.

One of music's most provocative yet pivotal supergroups, N.W.A, found a new home in the nation's capital. According to TIME, the Cali natives' debut album, Straight Outta Compton, will be preserved in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. According to Vibe in 2016. Getty Images.

In May of 2019 I had no idea that night in Lee's garage would lead to writing this e-book. I had a goal of writing my first book this year. I just had no plans in writing until all of this tirggered in May. Then my wife Stevie during one of our many arguments says this to me.

"Your focus is fucked up Barry."

True, but not in the way that she actually meant it. That's when the light bulb went off. For 3 years what have I really been doing with this blog? What were my tangible goals? How will I monetize it as a result? I was running from the answers due to the imposter syndrome I'm learning to manage. Suprisingly I discovered theat 70% of the population currently has it.

Quite frankly, at this point of our marriage Stevie and I seem to be within this relational disorder diagnosis stage. A very toxic situation that only adds intensity as each day passes.

This Christmas family photo was taken in 2017. What a difference 2 years can make. From (L) my father David, Bryant, Josiah, Bryce, BG, Lashaun (Stevie's sister) Stevie, and daughter Adrienne. We lost to the Seahawks, but it was a family affair for the record books.

The definition of a BLOG or weblog is as follows according to Merriam-Webster. Noun, computers : a website that contains online personal reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks, videos, and photographs provided by the writer

Many soldiers also find blogging a useful way to help deal with reorientation to civilian life in the United States—what Vietnam vets called being "back in the world." I retired in 2016 abruptly, not under normal circumstances after 23 years of institutionalization however.

To Stevie, my blog is just an expesive hobby that she feels she is competing with. For as many reasons as I gave her to think otherwise, that did not help my case overtime. Which brings me here with you today.

Do you know historically it takes a blog a few years to really get traction before moentizing? With pay 4 play on social media, and new bloggers spawning daily it's a crowded space actually. Especially in a pay to play social media playifing field to garner views and clicks. This is why I built my Facebook group. The long money GAME.

Her patience has ran out finally. I don't blame her either. I'm a mental mess. Connected among other things in our marriage, and now we are on the brink of divorce heading into 2020. At times it feels like 2 poeple standing firm on what they want in life, but can't get past the damage already done to each other along the way. Zero comproimise from us both.

I was a criminal. I became a revolutionary. And people expected me to commit class suicide as a successful writer and become a noted author, and to me, I didn't want to go that way. I didn't want to be the go to guy when they said, 'What about gangs?' Because that's not what it's about." ~Kody

It was this very book that opened my eyes, and help give perspective about a target market I was trying to recruit within during my tour of duty in Los Angeles. Not to mention simply survive. The abstract I took away were those who have gone through the struggle can help others get out it quicker. If you would only take the time to publish it for others to read. Know the rules of the GAME.

Get your blog started here today veterans. Link up with me after on LinkedIn. Start NOW!

Im going, going, back, back to Cali, Cali

When I checked into my recruiting office in Carson, CA in 2001 each day after work was like being a kid in the candy store. The West Coast lifestyle is very fast compared to country living. Until you watch the twin towers fall in on your office TV while enlisting an applicant on Septembet 11, 2001. Know your target audience and their social behaviors.

Hollywood is the mecca of video entertainment. But what if I told you the entertainment machine programs handles through film likely? Be careful what you watch, you just might become it. Or, in my case listen to the programming without caution. The key is how to listen just as much as what to listen too. Remember the Matrix?

I'm the type that is always looking 4 information. There is so much out there to discover and learn about. Most films made currently are with agenda in my opinion. Not always a money agenda either. Silent weapons for quiet wars through hidden colors. BANG!

But firearms continue to be the most common method of suicide, according to the report, with 60% of active-duty personnel, 62% of reserve members and nearly 70% of National Guardsmen taking their own lives with a gun according to Military.com

Every time I visited my counselor I had to fill out questionaires about guns in my home. Due to the firearm statistic of 69% likely. Then we see "Lone Wolf" stereotypes of veterans who have mental illness conducting mass shootings. When in fact days ago Washington legislator Matt Shea was accused of "Domestic Terrorism" himself. The GAME is 4ever changing.

The Walmart that Patrick Crusius drove from Allen, TX to El Paso was a hub for hispanic tourists. Accoring to NPR as he drove away from the bloodbath he surrendered to authorities afterward.

As we witness all the social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube dominate the video spectrum it's all designed to keep us in their applications consuming it's user, brand content. Then spending our dollars in between visits. It can become a distraction.

My 2 plus years at Comcast was a revelation. Learning how the media machine programs, markets, and sells its video rich content to keep our attenton span distracted from achieving real success on our phones. This is why I have no TV in my bedroom, and only watch live sporting events only. I take that back, Netflix is actually my research digital library. But now they are a major target by video subscription models to get their peice of the streaming pie.

Many of you may not know that Facbeook owns Instagram, and Google owns YouTube. Any coincidence? Getting out of the trenches of social media will allow you to peek above the forest trees, and get a good glimpse of where shit is actually headed. Elections 2020.

Have you taken notice at all the video subscription options now among these platforms themselves? Big money in media. Americans consume video at the rate of of over 5 hours per day. Let's take a look at the recent PEW Research on adultis in America who said they don't use social media on their cell phones. Instagram is on the rise 4 brands just FYI.

Finally, my Lakers are back to their winning ways early this season. Staples Center has yet to be blessed with my presence, yet. After living there 3 years from 01-04, and not attending one game I feel embarrassed to even type that as a fan for you to read. This year will bring change 4 sure. Sitting in front of a screen can rob you of family expriences in the GAME

Thank's to Stevie she booked us tickets to Lakers Vs Trailblazers in Portland this month. Allowing our kids to have attended an NFL and NBA game in the same year. Lakers Cowboys fans, well minus my daughter who just came along 4 the expeience. We have Staples Center in our sites now for 2020.

I guess it's no worse than NOT attending any games in Dallas while I resided in OKC for 3 years. Literally less than a 3 hour drive to the GAME. I have spent 3 1/2 years and thousands of dollars on the road chasing this blog dream of mine. At the expense of my marriage too.

Or is it more than a blog? When you get your assignement from above, be ready.

"My thing is that I don't give no person that much power over the path that I'm walking. Not one person can make or break what I'm doing except me, or God."

~Nipsey Hussle

Before each home game in Dallas you can tour the stadium in it's entirety to capture the full experience of your first Cowboys game through what's called "Rally Day" the Saturday before each home game. Learn about DC United.

Little did I know how valuable being a fan of both teams might be

Are you aware of the number of fans who both have an affinity 4 the Cowboys and the Lakers? The 90's were a great time to be alive and experience through professional sports. Hopefully our Celebrity Cowboys fan Mr. Lebron James will lead us to another ring this year. But after seeing what the Bucks did to us this week, then the Mavericks. As I digress.

WEED has been legal in California for quite some time now. I remember recruiting in Santa Cruz, CA and interviewing a kid who purchased a medicinal WEED card 4 twenty bucks. This was in 2007.

WEED was not legal recreationally in CA then at the time either. Or even a thought in my brain. In the miltary especially recruiting we looked at applicants sideways who experiemented with cannibis.

What about all the people who were locked up for crimes centered around WEED? It's a cold GAME that you must always keep up on the rules. Or else you will fall victim to it. My point is this, we have a tall mountain to climb with this new WEED industry. Google "Early Adopters" and exhale on that.

Not to mention that once the GAMBLING GAME comes online. As we see the land grab initially take place now once the dust clears those who were "Early Adopters" will reap what we have sown together here collectively 10 fold.

Now think about it. A Cowboys Lakers fan who smoked flowers long enough to bring you this vision of the 2 industries thorugh my life experiences. This will be valuable being a fan of them both from a sports marketing strategy. Not becasue I say so, but because I'm trying to beat you to the land grab of opportunity with it.

"Thought is powerful in all phases. Even in my career, even in my life, things end up exactly how I visualized them."

~Nipsey Hussle

Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James made a vow to hip-hop star Nipsey Hussle. Photo credit ClutchPoints.

True leadership is measured in breeding other leaders not followers

To all the veterans who are reading this e-book I wrote it with you in mind. To wake up a sleeping giant lying around out there like I was 6 months ago. You're worth more alive than you are dead. There is aworld full of opportunity after you depart the ranks.

Each of us has something to giveback. The very things we learned in uniform gives us a distinct advantage. An advantage we often overlook because that is how we are programmed by the machine to think. The icing on the cake is the personality you brought to the ranks. Find it if you lost it, it makes a world of difference. Especially on social media.

I need you 2 wake up in 2020 and ride with me shorty. There is a world full of opportunity out there. I'm very thankful for all the LA ties I have been able to keep over the years. I understand how Hollywood plays in all of this too now with my constrcut in the GAME.

Especially my anchor "Cowboy Kev" with Star Status Cowboys Connection.

But, if you're out here weirdin out on your cell phone, and having suicidal thoughts like I still have you need to actually get some goals. Or else you will waste years of your marriage like I did. BANG. When one area of your life succeeds, another area suffers. Coincidence?

Instead of competing wth everyone online within the Cowboys fan base I chose to connect and link up with them. I built a massive word of mouth marketing WOMM engine ran by some real players in the GAME. Take 4 example how many creators Eazy-E's content blood line has spawned since 1988. What abuut Dr Dre and the impact he is still making on us?

During my "Suicide Mission" video campaign I launched this week on social media with my Lebron shirt on I recieved some great feedback, and not so great feedback. Again, they call it your vision because only you can see it. Remember?

"I like how you had the nuts to go on social media and fire up a blunt as an alternative to opiods in your video to your followers. I'm not currently in a position where I can voice those concerns actually. The fact you flew around for 3 years and built this massive fan network is pretty neat. I support you and thank you for being a voice 4 others." ~ Russ

Work with the end goal in mind. There is not a day that goes by I don't envision what my interview of a major network, or news anchor about my e-book will sound like. I have already thought about the very words I will say when asked each question. This is how isolation with focus can work to your benefit. Without product though it is actually hard.

Remember that focus comment above?

They call it "Your vision" because it is yours, and nobody else can see it but you. Learning to talk to people about what goes through your mind is an education in itself. Learned by talking with others. In addition, medicating naturally as opppsed to opiod consumtpion also helps tremendously

Not everyone cares, nor do they care to know about your story. That's why we have 2 ears and one mouth. To listen twice as much as we speak. But for veterans, speaking out is the first step to developing the "Bullet Proof" mindset. In your moment of truth defer to help, not resort to taking your own life. Despite the circumstances. I share my story with you to give you courage and strength. Allow music to help you grieve, express, and heal.

I had some very meaningful conversations during this "Suicide Mission" week with others who contacted me, and those I reached out to. It was like throwing gasoline on a fire.

Just as we see other veterans stories come out like yours and mind, so will the PHAWKERY of the frauds who portray this behavior to attempt to capitalize off of it. The same way they portray to be veterans for their advantages. Transparency is the key.

Just like the social media frauds that real creators in the GAME notice, so do those who portray to be veterans and get caught while in the act of Stolen Valor. Stay true to the GAME and the GAME will stay true to you.

My very first self published product in the GAME thanks to the OAT journey. Givng back by sharing my experience & wisdom gained for your efforts in 2020. Click here to buy now.

Plan all the way to the end and have an exit strategy, BANG!

My 3 year education of social media not only taught me a great deal to be able to share with you my story, but what it can do to your mind if you allow it. How many of you reading this have a skeleton in the closet?

Your path is more difficult because your calling is much higher. Understand that this universe can place nothing on you that you can't handle. Veterans are built 4 this. If this e-book only saves my life in the process then my job here is done. I hope it saves yours too.

Your life is filled with things your very passionate about. Working on cars, computers, public speaking, etc. You can leverage that passion and talent into something to share with the world. Especially through social media, and I want to help you if you choose too.

Remember there are no more new ideas out there, it's just how you reverse engineer whatever your target avatar maybe. Learning how to turn the saying "Delsuional Cowboys Fan" into a legitimate thing of power is exhilirating.

Now you may read this, and say OMG is her serious? Ask yourself this Cowboys fans. How does your week go after a loss over a win? For those fans who feel that this organization has caused depression in your life as a sports fan, your absolutely right.

And the main clown who makes a living off his platform talking about delusional Cowboys fan, he has seemed to walk back his tone this holiday season. Even jumping on the train after we beat the LA Rams WK 15. Several times I have mentioned him in my videos. I think it's time we both sit and talk Mr. "Accident Waiting 2 Happen" don't you? Do you want the smoke, or nah? Maybe he is just out of touch with mental health altogether. 4 my veterans.

Just reverse engineer your mental health circumstances to your advantage. Like I currently am. What I need you to understand that is each day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. Many things we learned in the ranks have allowed us to be successful in the GAME of life. Those same things can lead to a fatal BANG!

Yes I suffer still, and have atrotious days still too, but I perservere thorugh content creation as such. Remember, you're worth more alive than dead. If you breathing you achieving.

Watching Magic battle Bird in the 80's was a treat. Watching Jordan dominate the GAME however won many basketballs heads over like myslef in the 90's. That killer clutch gene. Witnessing the birth of the Kobe Shaq era in the 2000's, and also residing there through a portion of that was unbelievable as a fan.

Now if Lebron, a certified Cowboys fan can actually take the Lakers to their 17th championship I will die one happy fan witnessing the era of greatness that we have all watched on TV from the WEST COAST since the 80's.

Growing up in the 90's we seen the manifestation of gangsta rap, and the massive amount of content coming from the West Coast altogether. I mean, who wasn't a fan of the Cowboys and Lakers in that era?

What's crazy is when you grew up listening to the 90's gangsta rap, and then meet an actual Cowboys fan from their rap group, South Central Cartel. Star Status Cowboys Connection.

Although I may be a Texas boy at heart, the WEST COAST has left a major fingerprint on my DNA throughout life. Thank's to the Navy I was able to experience all of this. Do you think when I recruitied 4 the Navy I used travel to sell? The GAME sold itself.

Whatever your plan it will require patience, understanding, and alot of blood, sweat, and tears. Many times I have considered giving up. BANG! If it weren't 4 this keyboard 4 me, BANG! I have invested so much into this hobby it is now actually becoming a business. Invest in your own dream over time. Build a legacy to leave your kids as a result. At what point will you stop exchanging time for money in the rat race?

"As gang members, as young dudes in the streets, especially LA we're the effect of a situation. We didn't wake up and create our own mind state, and our enviornment; we adapted our survival instincts." ~Nipsey Hussle

In the summer of 2017 I was fortunate to attend the first ever National Fantasy Football Convention in Dallas. I met with Josh Orozco, AKA "Hollywood" an origial Admin for OAT. He personally drove me around 2 days between the stadium, the Star in Frisco, and my departure flight out. Here we are pictured with the champ Dareen Woodson.

How to flip the social media GAME and avoid the BANG

In my opinion social media should be viewed more as a tool 4 good than a distraction. Many smart business owners and operators in the GAME however have learned how to leverage this for monetization, instead of it being a distraction. Make the internet your bitch.

Going back to that thing that you're passionate about. You can learn alot by watching YouTube videos. It actually taught me how to construct and operate a blog. Now granted I had a few failed blogs before OAT, just keep showing up every day. Have patience and stay the course and things will happen!

Learning how to reverse engineer social media is the first step to not allowing it to be a distraction which leads to those long rabbit holes we chase after. Why are you there to begin with? If it's about a business or personal brand, and you're not into social media yet you are actually heading for extinction my friend. I can help you however.

Is social media a bad thing? I hear people say all day long I'm no good at it. Well neither was I. Some people just pay others to do it too. But if you want to build a brand, or run a business it's actually a great idea 2 be familiar, and understand the code of the street GAME.

Just like the neighborhoods I recruited out of in Compton. Knowing your audience and how to engage with them and when is the key to social listening and getting the most BANG for your buck out of social media, your blog, vlog, or digital hustle you may have as a veteran.

Are you a veteran that either has, or have had suicidal thoughts like me? Please call here. I know exactly how you feel because I 'm there with you right now. Just remember, Life is...... Too Short. Sharing your story could save 1 life in the process.