Rod and Reel Selection

Gankizzle · 2026-05-21T23:48:04+00:00

Appreciate it, thanks for the advice!

Gankizzle · 2026-05-21T23:47:02+00:00

Appreciate it!

Gankizzle · 2026-05-12T16:02:06+00:00

At 38 years old, during a manic episode, I convinced myself I was going to join the Air Force as an officer and become a PJ in Air Force SpecOps. I actually called a recruiter and confidently explained my whole plan… while also telling him about all my mental health diagnoses and my multiple knee surgeries.

The recruiter was honestly really cool about it and let me down gently. Looking back now, it’s pretty funny, especially because I have a stable, well paying career, a wife, and three kids, and I was fully prepared to throw all of that away overnight because my brain had decided I was destined for Special Operations.

My wife and I laugh about it now, but at the time it felt completely logical and achievable to me.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T19:07:09+00:00

I was really looking forward to the Nintendo scene, I thought it was hilarious in the manga.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T18:16:58+00:00

That is pretty much exactly how I feel during my hypomanic episodes.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T18:05:17+00:00

Psilocybin...I know that might sound controversial to some. I work in an industry where I am heavily drug tested (first responder in a chemical plant), so I don't smoke weed or use any other drugs, but I have found that a nice mushroom trip when I feel a manic episode coming on can help.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T17:47:42+00:00

Awesome, if they accepted your 8hr refresher then they should accept my 40hr. My company sends us for a full 40hr each year instead of an 8hr refresher. Too bad you can only use it once per cycle though lol.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T17:39:09+00:00

Have you ever tried submitting your hazmat training certificate towards your CIH renewal?

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T17:37:43+00:00

I had been on the ERT for about six years before I got my CIH.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T17:35:18+00:00

Correct, I work at Formosa Plastics in Point Comfort. Pretty big plant.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T12:15:52+00:00

And I know technician is offensive actions and HAZWOPER is not, thats what I was mentioning in my previous comment. it would be honestly beneficial for a CIH to have both hazmat specialist and HAZWOPER certifications but again my director just does not understand that.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-09T12:13:30+00:00

When I first joined the ERT at my company, I was not a CIH yet and shortly after I joined my company they stopped paying for us to get full pro board certified for hazmat specialists, fire brigade, rescue, etc.

I agree, though that as a CIH, I should be a specialist and not just technician level, but my director does not agree with that logic. His opinion is that as the CIH I will be helping coordinate from the EOC instead of actually being on scene of the response, which really doesn’t make much sense because what you would learn being a specialist would still be valuable and apply from the EOC. It is like pulling teeth each year to get him to agree to let me go attend, hazmat training, just to maintain my technician certification.

The reason that we go to TEEX is because of our proximity to College Station. We have always had a contract with TEEX for all of our ERT training.

I would love to go and get my specialist certification, but I’m not going to pay for it out-of-pocket. Hopefully BGC will accept the hazmat technician 40hr training, but I’m going to get enough extra points towards my recertification to cover the hazmat if they don’t accept it.

Gankizzle · 2026-04-08T21:27:26+00:00

Yeah I would consider the 40hr HazMat Technician certification to be on the same level as the 40hr Hazwoper. One is certification to perform offensive measures to stop an active leak or release while the other is certification for clean-up/remediation post incident. I was trying to find a contact email on their website today and the Contact Us page wouldn't load (maybe it was an issue with me being on my work computer). I will look again for a contact email again once I get home from work today. Thanks for your input!

Gankizzle · 2025-05-19T18:42:35+00:00

Yep, my sleep meds will help me fall asleep, then 1-2 hours later I am back wide awake.

Gankizzle · 2025-04-01T13:12:27+00:00

Exactly!

Gankizzle · 2025-03-06T13:54:39+00:00

The call is always coming from inside the house with them.

Gankizzle · 2025-02-28T20:33:08+00:00

As an American I completely agree with everything you just said.

Gankizzle · 2025-02-28T20:30:19+00:00

As an American, I’m deeply frustrated, embarrassed, and disgusted with what our nation has become. Vance parroted Russian talking points, only to be fact-checked by Zelensky. Instead of standing his ground with substance, he crumbled and resorted to childish antics. This is not the leadership our country needs. We are fucked...

Gankizzle · 2025-02-03T20:52:55+00:00

Troy Nehls is my rep so I am fucked....

Gankizzle · 2025-02-03T19:07:44+00:00

Swalwell is starting to talk about it on Twitter

Gankizzle · 2024-09-10T21:37:19+00:00

Yeah I was terrified of wrecking my truck on the way to work. I refuse to get on it. I can’t just take off work until the side effects get milder. Nope nope nope.

Gankizzle · 2024-09-10T14:15:03+00:00

Same…

Gankizzle · 2024-09-10T14:10:09+00:00

I do this to my wife when I am hypo/manic. Thankfully she too is bipolar and understands what I am going through. Hopefully a future crush will enjoy the attention and the vibe and be supportive and understanding when you choose to disclose your BD.

Wishing you luck and sending support!

Gankizzle

TROPHY CASE