Weigh your options. If you can’t take whatever he’s emanating, look for another boss. If that isn’t happening, consider the amount of discomfort you’re having at work versus the pain of looking for a new job.

Avoid “the hive.” Sometimes sharing negativity with others provides instant, temporary gratification, but remember– negativity only begets negativity. Try to stay positive, look toward resolving the problem, not trying to add to it.

Be fair. If your boss is being unfair, stand your ground. As an employee, you have rights. Your job duties were never written with you being kicked around in mind, every company wants employees to be happy. It’s conducive to work output and minimizes workplace issues from occurring.

Document wrongdoings. If you feel like you’re legitimately being wronged, and I mean legitimately being wronged (not being forced to do actual work!), document times, dates, events, and who was involved. Keep notes and if it occurs on a regular basis, take the issue to Human Resources. Remember, despite workplace hierarchy, everyone has rights and no one has the right to violate them.

Find an off-the-clock outlet. Don’t turn to drinking, drugs or anything toxic to your body and psyche for release. These things are a quick release. If you can channel your frustrations into positive energy, say like working out, you’re getting the best of whatever he, she or life is throwing at you. The best revenge is always success.

Utilize vacation days. Get the hell away every now and again. Forget work for a few days and take time to redefine yourself outside the office. Often times, as adults, our very definition of ourselves becomes our jobs. Suze Orman always says your job does not define you. Your job gives you the resources to define yourself.

Motivate yourself. Nothing is a greater source of motivation than an unenjoyable existence, and nothing is more unenjoyable than having a D-bag as a boss. Use this heat to launch your career rocket. Work hard, set goals, and strike at opportunities to move up. With a wink and a smile you can always “thank” your boss for being the driving force behind your promotion(s).

Big picture. Keep in mind your boss isn’t picking on you personally, he or she’s trying to maximize company output in out-of-touch ways. Sure, you may seem like just a cog in your boss’ machine, but big-picture-wise, your boss is just a slightly bigger cog in a bigger machine. The dependency factor is almost mutual.

Keep karma. Take peace in knowing that D-bags rarely excel in life. If your boss is truly the crown jewel of morons, he or she will forever be that. You very rarely see out-of-touch nitwits rising to levels higher than middle management. Keep your wits about you and your big picture goals in mind. Though your boss may be your boss now, if his or her management styles are that out of whack, they’ll be spotted once they try to rise above anything other than mediocre. Use this as memorable fuel for your journeys of exactly how not to be.

His hodgepodge of nonsensical diatribes permeated my psyche and I made a subconsciously conscious decision to go out and get a pack. Not because I was dying for nicotine or trembling with the need for a stress-coping mechanism, but simply because I wanted to. I wanted to have a smoke, and then maybe another after that, and I could no longer find my motivation to quell this moderate desire because I had been tainted by the message of only living once. I’m not saying that if Sheen started a church I’d enlist as a member, but in all his unadulterated, unremorseful sound bites, Sheen’s words resonated of a man living life on the edge and not being sorry for it. He wasn’t dead, he did a lot of things he probably shouldn’t have, and he took his soul places that probably gave it visible scars, but he wasn’t regretting a second of it.

I’m not saying I’m out there banging 7 gram rocks and finishing them, but the fundamental desire to do something and not deny it remains the same. Amid a world of people trying to live better, practice healthier lifestyles, improve upon themselves and their surroundings, came a man who grabbed a global megaphone and verbally gave the finger. Think Cee-Lo’s, “F*** You” single but on a grander scale. A much, much grander scale. Sheen has since became a Twitter and Facebook phenomenon and garnered fans at a Bieber-like speed, except he’s in his forties and knows a little bit more about life. Or should. If some 17 year-old came out blabbering the things Sheen did, no one would pay attention. The world would call on his parents to throw him in a discipline headlock and discard him as a glorified Maury Povich guest. Sheen on the other hand, is an adult. He knew better, yet chose the path of disregard. He shirked everything we’ve been taught as children to make us responsible, productive adults, and gave in to desire, good times, and living a “bitchin’ life.” Deep down, isn’t that what every adult wants? Ironically, to be that 17 year-old again, only this time with the knowledge of being 40.

Sergeant Rick Hunter, from Hunter (portrayed by Fred Dryer)

What do you get when you cross an ex-NFL defensive end, a hot brunette co-star, and Stephen J. Cannell (remember the typewriter paper-throwing guy at the end of shows?)? A badass cop show about a badass cop, oh yeeaah.

Detective Sonny Crockett, from Miami Vice (portrayed by Don Johnson)

Living on a boat? Cool. Having a pet alligator? Cool. Being a cop in Miami? Super cool. Wearing a T-shirt, blazer, and shoes with no socks? Three out of four ain’t bad.

Detective Vic Mackey, from The Shield (portrayed by Michael Chiklis)

Finally, a cop show that showed to take down the bad guys, you have to be badder. Mackey was a cop who not only bent the rules, but also broke them and used them to cut your face. Tough, gritty, unnerving, and provocative, he definitely wasn’t The Commish. Too bad his shield couldn’t stop what went around from coming around.

Officer Tom Hansen, from 21 Jumpstreet (portrayed by Johnny Depp)

Late 80′s/early 90′s alternative rock set to tales of high school sex, drugs, and criminal activity as infiltrated by undercover, baby-faced cops. Yes, this was actually a show, and yes, it was hugely popular.

Lieutenant Steve McGarrett, from Hawaii Five-O (portrayed by Jack Lord)

Cool suits; cool state, cool quote (“book ‘em, Danno”), cool theme song, and an influence to Conan O’Brien’s pompadour. Enough said.

Detective Sergeant Joe Friday, from Dragnet (portrayed by Jack Webb)

The original tough talking, terse, and to-the-point authoritarian criminals hated to see. Though outdated these days, Webb’s portrayal of Friday remains historically Hollywood, hall-of-fame material when it comes to cop characterization.

Detective Frank Pembleton, from Homicide: Life on the Street (portrayed by Andre Braugher)

“Fiery,” “self-righteous,” and “unyielding” are just some of the terms used to describe Braugher’s portrayal of Pembleton. Here’s another one: “really good.” Good enough to warrant a ton of nominations, awards, and an Emmy.

Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncherello, from CHiPs (portrayed by– eek! Erik Estrada, yes Erik Estrada)

Yes kids, believe it or not, Erik Estrada was once a sex symbol, playing Ponch: the sexy, ethnically-enigmatic California Highway Police Officer women dreamed to have pull them over. Well, at least in the scripts.

Detective Christine Cagney and Detective Mary Beth Lacey, from Cagney and Lacey (portrayed by Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly)

Cagney was single and career-minded. Lacey, a mother and wife. Both took to the beat as dedicated cops, regardless of gender. But because their genders are what they are, the duo broke a glass ceiling long held by the Friday’s and McGarrett’s who preceded them.

Film

Officer Billy Costigan, from The Departed (portrayed by Leonardo Dicaprio)

Realistically, Costigan barely makes the cut, as he is seemingly nothing more than two hours of brooding, seething, anger in a fake Boston accent. But hey, with Martin Scorsese driving the car, you already know the destination is not only somewhere good, but a trip that’s going to be enjoyable.

Detective Freddy Newandyke/Mr. Orange, from Reservoir Dogs (portrayed by Tim Roth)

Holdaway: Use the commode story? And with that line, we take a deliriously enjoyable tangent from what was already a deliriously enjoyable film to understand undercover Detective Freddy Newandyke and what he’s gone through to get to this very point. Empire magazine calls Reservoir Dogs the “greatest indie film of all time.” StatingTheObvious Weekly says “no shit.”

Detective John McClane, from Die Hard (portrayed by Bruce Willis)

Willis’ portrayal of McClane has been called the “quintessential American hero:” a maverick with a gun, fighting terrorists some 40 stories up. Sometimes, without shoes. Die Hard remains one of the classic action movies of all time, still untainted despite its less-than-stellar sequels and “don’t see”-quels.

Inspector Harry Callahan, from Dirty Harry (portrayed by Clint Eastwood)

Perhaps the epitome bad-ass cop, Eastwood’s portrayal of Callahan has become so embedded in American pop culture it’s impossible to see his face and not think two things: .357 magnum, and “make my day.”

Lieutenant Frank Bullitt, from Bullitt (portrayed by Steve McQueen)

Steve McQueen: cool. Steve McQueen as a cop: still cool. Steve McQueen as a cop involved in one of film’s greatest car chase scenes? Warm. Just kidding! Ultimate cool!

Detective Jack Scagnetti, from Natural Born Killers (portrayed by Tom Sizemore)

Sizemore’s depiction of Detective Scagnetti broke the mold, as did the film itself. Imagine, a cop on the hunt of crazed, psychotic killers… who may be crazier than they are.

Inspector “Tequila” Yuen and undercover officer “Tony,” from Hard Boiled (portrayed by Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung Chiu-Wai)

If gun shootouts were like a slam-dance ballet, and co-choreographed by Jackie Chan and Quentin Tarantino, you’d end up with Hard Boiled. Or if it was done by John Woo and brought to life by two of the best partners since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Lieutenant Detective Vincent Hanna, from Heat (portrayed by Al Pacino)

Think: the intensity of The Godfather (Pacino), plus the intensity of The Godfather II (De Niro), plus Val Kilmer with a ponytail. Ohh yeaahh. A film so tense it inspired the real thing (North Hollywood, 1997).

Detective Alonzo Harris, from Training Day (portrayed by Denzel Washington)

King Kong didn’t have nothin’ on him, and neither did his badge. Harris was rotten, rough, beyond crooked, and a bully. Think Vic Mackey but without the restraints of television and about five megatons more anger. Also, a goatee.

Cadet Carey Mahoney, Cadet Moses Hightower, Cadet Larvell Jones, Cadet Eugene Tackleberry, and Cadet Laverne Hooks from Police Academy (portrayed by Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, David Graf, and Marion Ramsey)

The coolest bunch of cops a criminal could ever hope to encounter. Everyone appreciates a good underdog story, and though people may debate whether Police Academy was actually “good,” it was definitely about underdogs.

The T-1000, from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (portrayed by Robert Patrick)

Though not technically a cop, he definitely perpetrated as one and was definitely cool… no pun intended. For a relatively unknown actor like Patrick to take on a role opposite the arguably biggest action star ever– more than just “cool.”

Police Chief Marge Gunderson, from Fargo (portrayed by Frances McDormand)

Slow, methodical, smart, and… pregnant? McDormand’s portrayal of Gunderson was an awesome display of the tortoise (herself) versus the hare (plotting kidnappers). Just because she spoke with a slow, Minnesotan drawl didn’t mean she functioned like one. Such a super, super lady.

On a visit to UCLA’s collegiate baseball team Sheen advised, “stay off the crack.” P. Diddy tweeted for Sheen to give him his address. Sheen’s response? “Sending the driver.” Sheen’s headline-making sound bites are nothing less than gonzo personification at its finest. Dr. Thompson would be proud.

Charlie Sheen…

On the cancellation of Two and a Half Men:

“Yes, I was running it — burning it at both ends. And you know I’m not going to say it wasn’t epic and I wasn’t having a ball and all those around weren’t completely enjoying the show. And yes, we were on a rocket ship to the moon some nights, but if you do the crime, you’ve got to do the time.”

(Piers Morgan Tonight, 2/28/2011)

On reports of losing sponsors:

Sheen: Did we lose Gillette, Target, Wal-Mart, Volvo?

Piers Morgan: What is the answer to that? 
Sheen: I don’t know. Maybe you have the answers.

Morgan: I don’t know the answer. No. I don’t know the answer.

Sheen: I didn’t do that research.

(Piers Morgan Tonight, 2/28/11)

On publicly offending Two and a Half Men Producer/Co-Creator Chuck Lorre:

“I am sorry if I offended you. I didn’t know you were so sensitive.”

(20/20, 3/1/11)

On whether he regrets taking drugs:

“I guess there is some school of thought that dictates that we are the sum total of all of our experiences. Both good or bad, win, lose, or draw. You know it’s like that. So, I don’t think I would trade any of it because I’m still alive, which is pretty cool.”

(Piers Morgan Tonight, 2/28/11)

On taking drugs:

“When you see how I partied, man, it was epic. The run I was on made Sinatra, Flynn, Jagger, Richards all of ‘em just look like droopy-eyed armless children.
”

(ABC News, 2/28/11)

On marriage:

“I’m 0 for 3 with marriage, with never an excuse, but like in baseball, the scoreboard doesn’t lie, never has. So what we all have is a marriage of the heart. To sully or contaminate or radically disrespect this union with a shameful contract is something that I will leave to the amateurs and the Bible grippers.”

(The Alex Jones Show, 2/24/11)

On pushy people:

“I’m sorry, man, I got magic and I got poetry at my fingertips most of the time and this includes naps. I’m an F-18 and I will destroy you in the air and I will deploy my ordnance to the ground.”

(The Alex Jones Show, 2/24/11)

On his energy:

“I was bangin’ 7-gram rocks and finishing them because that’s how I roll. I have one speed, one gear: go.”

(ABC News, 2/28/11)

On his brain:

“You borrow my brain for five seconds and just be like, “Dude, can’t handle it! Unplug this bastard!” It fires in a way that is perhaps not from this terrestrial realm.”

(ABC News, 2/28/11)

On his blood type:

“I’m different. I have a different constitution, I have a different brain, I have a different heart. I got tiger blood, man.”

(Today Show, 2/28/11)

On ex-wife Denise Richards:

“Shows up looking the way she does. Look at her. Wow! Everybody’s winning. Boom!”

(ABC News, 2/28/11)

On where his kids are:

(Gesturing toward his home) “They’re right in there somewhere.”

(TMZ.com, 2/28/11)

On his “goddesses” and friends looking after his kids:

“Everybody here is parenting the kids. They’re running into walls, but they’re screaming ‘Da-Da’ when they do it.”

(TMZ.com, 2/28/11)

On hitting “rock-bottom:”

“Isn’t that a fishing term?”

(TMZ.com, 2/28/11)

On Michael Jackson:

“Don’t do drugs that are just supposed to be administered in a hospital at home. I mean, read the label. Read the directions, guys. Do your frickin’ homework.”

(TMZ.com, 2/28/11)

On his life:

“I have a grandiose life. I embrace it. Sorry my life is so much more bitchin’ than yours. I planned it this way.”

(TMZ.com, 2/28/11)

On his publicist, Stan Rosenfield, immediately quitting after the TMZ interview:

“P**sy. He’s not allowed to quit, so you’re fired.”

(HuffingtonPost.com, 2/28/11)

On his newfound sobriety:

“I am on a drug, it’s called ‘Charlie Sheen.’ It’s not available cuz if you try it once you will die. Your face will melt off and children will weep over your exploded body.”

(ABC News, 2/28/11)

Myths

The above are just to name a few. The first, and most important thing you need to know is: workout supplements are not controlled by the FDA (food and drug administration). Therefore, companies can claim all sorts of benefits with little to no oversight attesting to how true these benefits really are. Fact: Not all supplements will work for everyone. Everyone’s body is different and will react differently to supplements. Also remember the “testimonials,” or “real” people hawking the product are being paid, likely professional models, and even more likely not an average joe who transformed into a perfect specimen just by using the supplement they are advertising.

So what is the truth about supplements? The truth is some supplements are good and some are a complete waste of money. How do you know which is which? Research, research, research! Get on the Internet and see what people are saying. Blogs, chat rooms, workout forums, even websites where customers can leave feedback and ratings. Bear in mind there will probably be a little trial and error too. You are going to have to find what works best for your body.

The bottom line is you can take all the supplements in the world but without a proper balanced diet (eating 5 to 6 times a day) and a good workout regimen (minimum of 1 hour for a minimum of 4 days a week) to begin with you will just be flushing your money down the drain. You need to be patient. You will not get results over night. It takes time (usually months) to see changes. Supplements are good but unless you want to be a professional body builder there are only a few supplements that are worth your money.

You can control most of your health (body image/looks) with your diet and exercise routine. What I would recommend for the average person looking to gain some muscle is some sort of Whey protein, Amino acids, and maybe some Creatine (which you should cycle and only use for a couple months then take 4-6 weeks off without use). Everyone should also be taking a good multi-vitamin, vitamin C, and a fish oil vitamin (to get your omega 3 fat).

Supplement companies are out to make money and will sell you anything. Invest in yourself, and don’t waste your time or money on gimmicks that will not produce results. Research, research, research.

In his first year as point guard for the Boston Celtics, Rondo was called reclusive and unopen. He kept to himself, never letting people in any deeper than surface level. He only spoke when necessary and didn’t show any trust. This may have had more to do with the absent parent issues he’d been carrying with him since age seven, but his NBA debut wasn’t making things any easier.

By all accounts, being drafted into the NBA should be a dream-come-true. Rondo’s immediately became a pressure-filled nightmare. Imagine, being a rookie point guard and suddenly finding yourself flanked by three of the best basketball players in the league: Paul Pierce, the tough, longtime captain of the team, the stalwart of the Celtics, and since forever– the centerpiece of the franchise. Kevin Garnett, loud, aggressive, intensely passionate about winning, and brought here for one reason and one reason only: to win a championship. Same with Ray Allen, a future Hall-of-Famer and career three-point shooting record breaker. He also played “Jesus” in Spike Lee’s film about professional basketball. Imagine these three, brought together on a mission for NBA rings, and your job, newbie, is to run the plays for them.

Most everyone else would have crumbled, but not Rondo. In his second year with the Celtics, he helped these three legends get their rings, including a deserved one of his own. But it isn’t so much the fact that he contributed to their championship run, as it is how he did it. As the new blood, the greenest one among the green, he created a new way of playing for himself, which is not an easy thing to do when you’ve worked your whole life to improve the style you play now. But he did, to make getting the ball to these three franchise pillars his priority, and he not only got them the ball where and when they wanted it but he also filled in the scoring gaps during rare offensive droughts. He was given a role so specific it would’ve eaten away at any other player’s psyche, ego, and drive. All this in a nation of green, a place historically accustomed to basketball championship dynasties.

Rondo was handed a roadmap to Pluto, written in Chinese when all his life he’d been studying a map of Earth written in English. He had two options: success and a championship, or failure and the door. Even for a veteran the challenge would be daunting, and that’s not to say it wasn’t for Rondo, nor does it continue to be. So given the opportunity, do not let a chance to watch him work pass, for you will truly miss a story so unique it almost went by unnoticed. Despite the severity, intensity, and overwhelming nature of the challenge handed to him, Rondo took it head on and succeeded. What’s more, he continues to improve on it.

Degree: English

Be Ready To: Read, study, and discuss a bunch of old, dead white guys.

Possible Careers: Teacher, Professor, Journalist, Writer, English Tutor in China

Degree: Mathematics

Be Ready To: Kill yourself if you’re not naturally inclined to do math.

Possible Careers: Teacher, Professor, Engineer, Professional Gambler

Degree: History

Be Ready To: Not only study boring things, but their even more boring origins.
Possible Careers: Starbucks Barista or Manager at Wal-Mart

Degree: Film

Be Ready To: Have the joy of watching movies stomped to death by over analysis, snobby criticism, and unsolicited opinions of how “they” would’ve done it better.

Possible Careers: Producer, Director, Actor, Stagehand, Lighting, Sound, Waiter

Degree: Law

Be Ready To: Read, write, study, discuss, and argue more than you ever have in your life, or will likely do again.

Possible Careers: Attorney, Legal Rights Advocate, Ambulance Chaser, Person Relatives Call For Legal Advice Whenever They Want to Sue Someone

Degree: Pre-Med

Be Ready To: Study your ass off, or research good medical schools in Mexico.

Possible Careers: Doctor, Physical Therapist, Chiropractor, Vet

Degree: Philosophy

Be Ready To: Read thick, convoluted texts, ask tons of questions, and get no answers.

Possible Careers: Unpaid Philosopher, Professor, General Annoying Person at Parties

Degree: Sociology

Be Ready To: Declare a major often referred to as “cake” or “I had to declare something!”

Possible Careers: Social Worker, Activist, Anything Else

Degree: Physics/Sciences

Be Ready To: See where skinny jeans originated, and where the bifocal industry makes most of its revenue.

Possible Careers: Scientist, Teacher, Astronaut, Extra on The Big Bang Theory

Degree: Economics

Be Ready To: Crunch numbers, study trends, worship Ben Bernanke.

Possible Careers: Financial Analyst, Teacher, Broker, Banker, Embezzler

Degree: Business

Be Ready To: Learn the business techniques, strategies, and approaches you will utilize in today’s marketplace before your mid-life crisis at 40.

Possible Careers: Business Owner, Business Manager, General Slave in a Monkey Suit

Degree: Computer Science/IT

Be Ready To: Compete with a bunch of snot-nosed tech-geeks who speak better HTML than English.

Possible Careers: Web Designer, Technical Support, Computer Tech, Shut-In

We asked our friends, Trina and Ryan Sessler, to write an article about what it is like to raise a child with Down Syndrome, and they graciously have done so. We hope that they provide you with as much inspiration as they do us. Blake is an extraordinary boy who exceeds our expectations every day. It is time that we as a society strive to exceed Blake’s, and all those affected by Down Syndrome expectations too.

Below is a link to the Down Syndrome “Buddy Walk” of Orange County. Blake’s Team is “Blake’s Buddies.” Every little bit helps and we hope that you, our readers, will take the time to see what you can do to help, no matter how big or small. We hope to see you out there.

Buddy Walk Links:

OC Buddy Walk Website

Blake’s Page

Trina and Blake

We’ve been blessed with the fact that Blake has been extremely healthy
since birth. He had surgery at 2 months to treat pyloric stenosis, which is completely unrelated to Down Syndrome. He had ear tubes put in at 9 months and other than the occasional cold, he’s been a super healthy boy. So, in many respects raising Blake has been much easier than raising Alexa or even our twin girls, Kayla & Brianna. There is definitely less drama with Blake.

We do recognize that it’s a much slower pace with Blake. It will and has taken him a bit longer to reach certain milestones. He has amazed us with his persistence and dedication and is doing amazingly well in our opinion.  Yet, we definitely notice that Blake is delayed compared to any other 19 month-old typical child, and we’re OK with that. We’ve accepted Blake’s disability.
Although the road to “acceptance” was not an easy one for me personally, I’m glad to say that I’m in a much better place now. Learning that my son had Down Syndrome was the hardest thing I’ve experienced in my life and I’ve had my fair share of losses. I lost my father and sister at a very young age. But somehow learning that my child had a mental disability was something that turned my life upside down. I honestly thought I would never laugh or feel joy again.

Blake

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that an experience like this could have torn my family apart yet it managed to bring us back together making us stronger and closer than we’ve ever been before. I’m a new person because of Blake. I like to think I’m less judgmental, more compassionate, patient and accepting of life’s challenges.  When I see my son now, I see Blake not Down Syndrome. I needed time to fall in love with my son, accept him as he is, and realize that God chose me as his mother for a reason.

Regardless of this disability, we have high hopes for Blake’s future. We don’t want to
underestimate his abilities. We will do everything we can to help him reach his full potential. This is one of the reasons why we chose to have another child. We wanted a rich home environment for Blake and another child to help our older daughter, Alexa, look after him once Ryan and I were gone. We also knew that siblings were the best therapy for Blake. God once again had different plans for us, since he gave Blake two more siblings (identical twin girls) instead of just one.

For those of you who are reading this now and have gone through, or are going through a similar experience, all I can say is it gets better each day and I wouldn’t change a thing.

- Trina Sessler

Please check it out:

http://www.inkdchronicles.com/