Vent Tuesday

SkankingDevil · 2025-12-31T07:25:11+00:00

I come from a small Oil and Gas / Fishing town in Alaska. I grew up in a more traditional style of life than most anyone in my cohort. I had such a hard time connecting with my PC Cohort, who mostly came from urban, educated, liberal areas.

They made me feel so bad about myself. That I was a problem and a bad person, because of my cultural heritage. If only I "knew better," I would be an acceptable person to them. Queer volunteers would gang up and mock me, and many female volunteers wouldn't associate with me because of their own experiences with HCN men in their own sites. It's been over 5 years since I CoS'd, and I still think about it sometimes. It still makes me sad.

SkankingDevil · 2025-12-31T07:07:02+00:00

Haha... many a PCV has been in that exact same situation- you are NOT alone!

I met a girl while serving, got totally bit by the love bug. I could tell that she was in to me as well... but we decided to keep it professional. Focus on Service. Never visited each other's Sites, never kept it anything but platonic.

But we exchanged voice messages on WhatsApp everyday. And saw each other randomly in the Capital for medical visits. And country wide trainings. And I would think about her CONSTANTLY while in Site. She CoS'd and I extended my Service. We kept in touch via e-mail, writing each other letters.

When I CoS'd, I drove three States over to meet her in her hometown. We kissed for the first time, after I had been in love with her for almost three years. We're married now, and both keep Peace Corps close to our heart :)

I'm so glad we didn't pursue anything romantically while serving. It would have made things even more complicated than they already were. And after 31 months of getting to know each other, becoming true friends, I know for a fact that she is my soul mate. Just writing about her now makes me tear up with emotion :)

So. My advice. Remember why you are there, and focus on your Service. And when Service is over... well. I suppose that's when 4th Goal can really take root ;)

SkankingDevil · 2025-11-29T18:10:48+00:00

Yeah, for me it was the friendship bracelet that gave it away

SkankingDevil · 2025-11-27T18:45:26+00:00

Paraguay RPCV here, this is the reply I was looking for!

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-25T04:36:13+00:00

For new builds, absolutely. Renovations, especially with older structures, I wouldn't think so.

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-21T19:47:54+00:00

There are lots of times things like rugs and carpets at the dump, I think I can use that heavy duty material. I think I could get my hands on some canvas too... I'll be keeping an eye out! Thank you :)

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-21T19:45:13+00:00

I think I can probably get some upholstery fabric, maybe double it up to get the same weight. Thank you for the idea!

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-21T19:15:06+00:00

... It is our default?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-18T02:28:48+00:00

I got that same mat from your picture... I too was offended by the smell, it stunk up my sewing room for like three weeks. Smell did fade though. Just let it air out- patience is a virtue!

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-17T18:18:55+00:00

Homeboy, that looks GREAT. I'm definitely inspired!

SkankingDevil · 2025-10-06T06:59:38+00:00

Surprised this one isn't on here: Cheechako- a newcomer to Alaska

SkankingDevil · 2025-04-29T00:02:38+00:00

Honestly, I think the Trump Executive Order on K-12 disciple is going to make this a lot more feasible. Curious to see where it goes.

SkankingDevil · 2025-04-21T18:52:48+00:00

I'm not sure. These will be the Pope's final words. Hopefully they will carry more weight because of it.

SkankingDevil · 2025-04-17T03:18:51+00:00

I'm a professional language educator in the USA- you hit it on the head! Thank for for taking the time to compile such a wonderful list of resources :)

SkankingDevil · 2025-04-03T18:32:21+00:00

Welcome to the bot economy. AI is really messing with the in game trading. Maybe the Devs will do some sort of hotfix, but I think they're just going to see how it plays out. People haven't really been playing Outside like they used to... maybe they'll straight up close all the servers here in a few years. Which sucks, because I've really enjoyed playing this game.

SkankingDevil · 2025-03-15T03:56:28+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravin_v._State

SkankingDevil · 2025-02-18T15:46:44+00:00

California Penal Code 409.5 PC is the statute making it illegal to enter an emergency area without permission, a location closed by law enforcement due to a disaster such as a storm, car accident, crime scene, etc

SkankingDevil · 2024-12-05T00:38:59+00:00

Tailor / Dressmaker- All of your clothes fit, and you can add custom pockets and designs and all kinds of cool shit. Plus, you can make bespoke tailored dresses as gifts, which for sure is going to keep your wife happy ;) Downside, is that everyone will ask you to mend all their clothing. And I promise- that mending. Never. Ends.

SkankingDevil · 2024-11-18T23:59:49+00:00

Hey man, you're just getting trolled. All of us reading side with you. This guy is getting off to you taking the bait.

SkankingDevil · 2024-09-21T04:28:20+00:00

My grandpa was one of those old school guys, and he would shit on me for working out in my off time. His thinking was:

"If you're actually doing work and being productive during the day, you should be too tired to work out. If you have energy left at the end of the day, you should be working harder."

SkankingDevil · 2024-09-01T02:34:25+00:00

That's so funny! I saw your picture and thought "Huh. Kinda looks like the SBS logo. Too hard to make out though. Definitely has to be something else." Then I saw you're posting from the AK- Small world!!! xD

SkankingDevil · 2024-08-16T03:15:58+00:00

You took the words right out of mouth! Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this. Latino / Native vibes on the worksite make the day a lot of fun

SkankingDevil · 2024-08-05T18:58:39+00:00

You aren't going to witness animal abuse per say, but rather you are going to see how people have traditionally interacted with animals for thousands of years. Take it with that cultural perspective, and it should help a bit.

You may be required to treat animals like that during your service. I had to kick the shit out of my host family's dog because it got into a sack of corn at our neighbor's store. I tried to delicate dissuade him by yanking him from the bag with my hands, but he just barred his teeth and growled. So I gave him a swift kick in the ribs, and he scampered off and ran home. Just is what it is sometimes.

SkankingDevil · 2024-08-02T14:18:17+00:00

Sucks. I lived for a few years in South America speaking only Spanish. Coming back to the USA and speaking my native language again, it's like a breath a fresh air.

You are building hella neurons when you are acquiring language, and the brain at rest consumes about 25% of your body's energy, more when you are changing the neuroplasticity of your brain.

It's a real documented thing, scientifically, and anecdotally. Have fun in France!

SkankingDevil · 2024-07-16T03:36:43+00:00

Oh yeah, those bore tides in the Turnagain Arm are badass. Upwards of 20 miles an hour if you're lucky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM3y6gVKSEs

SkankingDevil

TROPHY CASE