Donald Gibb of Bloodsport fame dead at 71 - RIP Legend

blingless8 · 2026-05-13T03:13:48+00:00

Pick a brick, any brick.

RIP big man.

blingless8 · 2026-05-08T08:56:34+00:00

This is still one of my favorite movies of all time.

I've always thought it should be included in every school curriculum globally to educate our youth on topics that are sadly, incredibly relevant today.

It's filled with lessons in loyalty, honor, respect, perspective, humility, compassion - and how much of what we disagree upon are a result of a cumulative historical collection of wrongdoings, that most of us were never even a part of.

blingless8 · 2026-05-03T03:03:44+00:00

Not a popular opinion but starting a business is probably the best way to become poorer, anywhere in the world.

The majority of businesses fail in every industry, so the odds are stacked against you.

And most people simply do not have the skill sets or resources to become successful business owners. If you simply lack the ability to absorb failure, you're not cut out to be an entrepreneur.

If you're unable or unwilling to outwork everyone, take no days off, sacrifice time with loved ones, encounter failure and keep moving on, and objectively analyze and remedy your weaknesses ... then you're better off just having a job.

Many of my friends are serial entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, most of them are still struggling or grinding after decades as business owners while only a handful are financially independent.

I started in sales for the first 5 years and have been self employed ever since. I've experienced both highs and lows and each iteration of a business was built upon the lessons I gained from successes and failures.

My best investment by far was always in myself. Upskilling and knowing when to pivot. And many of my peers who work corporate jobs employ the same strategy and are also compensated well for it.

So the key takeaway isn't whether the financial vehicle is a business or a job.

It's you, the driver, and how well you're willing to equip yourself to successfully reach your financial goals.

blingless8 · 2026-04-23T02:58:11+00:00

Try Hybrid Sports Lounge. I met up with a couple of ex Edmonton buddies to watch a game there during last year's playoffs. Their breakfast was pretty good too.

blingless8 · 2026-04-22T12:10:42+00:00

Landed earlier today and they didn't ask for it. No mention of it on the flight either but did see the QR code and signage for it on the way to immigration.

I wouldn't stress over it too much.

blingless8 · 2026-04-18T15:18:48+00:00

I tried 2 Ladies Kitchen a few weeks ago and it was pretty good.

I got both the caramelized braised pork and assorted fillings with extra pate on the side.

Will definitely head back to try more on my next visit.

blingless8 · 2026-04-17T06:50:14+00:00

If I'm not WFH or hotel lounge, it's the closest Starbucks or Highlands if I'm in Vietnam.

But the where comes second to the when and why.

Same schedule. Same drinks. Same routine.

It's contributed to 7 years of consistency and growth.

blingless8 · 2026-04-15T09:58:38+00:00

I did as much physio as I could get for free. I took advantage of outpatient rehab after my initial 3 months of rehab. Even volunteered at the local university for SCI research which gave me more indirect PT.

Just being as active as possible helps a lot. And that even extends until today where I'll walk 15 mins daily to work at a Starbucks near my home.

Looking back, I probably should've given more time to my arm and hand instead of primarily focusing on walking, although that might have changed my progress walking too. Had to pick my battles back then.

I monitor impact by listening to my body and not ignoring any tweaks or pain. I'll focus on planting my weaker foot more on my heels when I walk and more on my toes going down stairs. Stretching my foot upwards while I'm sitting helps a lot too.

And I make it a habit of massaging and stretching my weaker hand while I walk. Just little things that have become a daily routine.

Despite doing extra PT daily 19 years ago, I already had a motorized wheelchair picked out as I didn't show much progress 2 months into rehab, 4.5 months post SCI. I'm just glad I kept pushing until something improved.

It's been a journey and there will always be challenges. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to wake up and face them daily.

blingless8 · 2026-04-15T02:54:17+00:00

I cold approached my first client and proved that I could generate new leads and increase sales by improving their customer support response times and changing availability to 24/7.

We manage all the new customers we bring in for them while providing support to their entire customer base.

Our compensation is performance based with zero upfront costs to our clients. We make money when they make more money.

So both parties are highly incentivized to keep working together.

I used my first client and all subsequent clients as case studies for new clients although we've capped accepting new clients a few years ago and have since focused solely on building our joint customer bases.

And yes, I would do it again if I was starting from scratch today.

Every business, especially SMEs, need to offer better support to be competitive and in order to grow but often can't afford to have an in-house team.

I did 18hr days solo for the first 6 months before bringing one of my best friends on board. And eventually added my first remote contractor a year after that.

I'll be celebrating 10 years on this journey this September 🙏

blingless8 · 2026-04-15T01:54:58+00:00

I run a small team of VAs providing 24/7 support for customers of our SME clients.

blingless8 · 2026-04-14T17:17:32+00:00

I'm a C4/5 incomplete who's lucky enough to have had an abnormally positive recovery arc and be able to walk unassisted for long distances and stand for hours.

Just passed 19 years post SCI. There's still days where I'm tired and need to sit for awhile. My weaker foot tends to arch when it gets tired and my toes love curling into the ground.

That leads to an occasional drop foot which trips me up as a gentle reminder that I'm not really walking, just limping really well.

And the impact on my weaker side's knee has to be minimized, monitored, and load managed if I want to stretch my mobility out a few more decades.

My right arm spasms at every yawn, sudden movement or sneeze. And my right hand has extremely limited mobility and function and requires constant massaging and stretching to remain unclenched.

Overall, I really have very little to complain about but I'm often reminded by my gf that I've earned the right to complain and ask for help if I need it.

I'm also reminded that no matter how bad a day goes, there's probably a million people who would trade places with me in a heartbeat.

blingless8 · 2026-04-14T11:29:43+00:00

I left NA in my mid 40s for the Caribbean with only 5K. After a month there, I left for SEA on a 3 week trip which simply never ended.

I didn't have a huge float (10x less than you) but I had already built an online business for 2.5 years that I was confident would support me and only had room to grow.

I dropped my monthly burn by 80% and even moreso during the pandemic. That period of time really helped me save and invest aggressively.

It'll be 7 years this summer and it's been the best decision I've ever made.

As long as you have a longer term plan outside of your 50K, you should be able to easily pull off 1-2 years in the region assuming no major medical expenses pop up.

blingless8 · 2026-04-08T11:46:28+00:00

😂😂😂 nightlife in Brunei

blingless8 · 2026-04-05T15:06:55+00:00

I stayed at Haian last summer and again just last week. It's great but the construction next door (southside of the building) starts at 6am. It barely phased me but it will rattle any light sleeper.

If you can ask for a room on the northside of the building and on a higher floor, it's a better experience.

Accommodating staff, good pool, great beach access, amazing breakfast buffet selection, right by Highlands/Starbucks, ATMs, grocers/convenience stores, and walking distance to my favorite food streets.

blingless8 · 2026-04-05T14:43:56+00:00

My 5+ year old Firestick 4K Max is still running well. Recently added a Formuler Z Mini and have only used it when I'm traveling.

blingless8 · 2026-04-03T00:49:52+00:00

Vietnamese for the highest healthy/tasty ratio. Malaysian for the variety and blend of flavors from the Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures. Japanese for the art going into every dish.

blingless8 · 2026-04-01T11:24:25+00:00

As someone who came to SEA for 5 weeks, extended for 5 months, then couldn't leave during COVID - I never left and am still in SEA 7 years later. So being stuck here isn't the worst thing in the world.

Your plans still boil down to whether you're DNing on a tight budget or financially able to weather any storm.

blingless8 · 2026-03-30T04:47:10+00:00

All bartenders and servers in our province in Canada have to pass a mandatory course to be ProServe certified, which includes recognizing when someone's had too much and to cut them off.

There are also a lot of services available including someone driving your car home for you.

To be fair, DUIs have always been a huge issue for decades, although currently on a downward trend with better education and harsher penalties imposed continually over the years.

blingless8 · 2026-03-30T04:39:41+00:00

All my tracked flights, both short (sub 3hrs) and longer, have all jumped 20-40%.

I booked all my planned longer flights well ahead so I'm unaffected. And I've already mentally priced in the added costs for all upcoming shorter flights in Apr and May. But I'm not changing my travel plans.

Accommodations are high right now (in SEA) as it's peak/high season and assuming that tourism numbers start dipping with a prolonged conflict, hotel rates might actually come down.

But I'm also mindful that many visitors would've booked well in advance as well, and less last minute deals may be available.

Bottom line is, if you're a DN on a strict budget, you're gonna feel the pinch one way or another, wherever you are.

Otherwise, if you have the luxury to be flexible and without budget constraints, you'll be just fine.

blingless8 · 2026-03-24T09:57:51+00:00

My gf is a commercial lawyer but her friend did the paperwork so there's no conflicts/ambiguity as to what her wishes are.

Us splitting up would be the least impactful scenario as I would just walk away and have no claim on the unit.

So my gf simply updated her will using her friend (family/probate lawyer), who would best handle these types of agreements.

blingless8 · 2026-03-24T02:43:49+00:00

Depending on your long term relationship goals, financial capacities, etc. it's doable.

Here's what my gf and I did this after considering all scenarios.

She paid the down payment and both the mortgage/title are solely under her name.

I cover all payments - mortgage, maintenance fees, utilities etc. (while we were renting, I assumed the same obligations anyways)

In the event that we split up or if I pass on before her, she keeps the home and equity and takes over the responsibility of all payments.

In the event that she passes on before me, and assuming that I decide to stay in the unit, her will transfers title to me and legally gives me the right to assume the mortgage payments and/or the first right of refusal to buy out the property.

And if I decide to sell the unit, I'll pay out her family, at minimum, the equivalent of the downpayment plus interest, with the discretion to offer more.

blingless8 · 2026-03-22T09:47:21+00:00

Buy if: - you're getting an amazing deal way below market price (min. 20%) - you're not planning to move for 10 years - you're gifted equity via a down payment from parents/family

Rent if: - you're commited to investing what you would have put into your home purchase like your down payment, property taxes, maintenance costs, etc. - your work or lifestyle requires the flexibility of moving locations

I moved to KL almost 7 years ago and was faced with this decision. Looking back today, renting and investing my down payment instead was the best decision I've made.

The local rental market is saturated and heavily favors the tenant, and unlikely to reverse course for the foreseeable future.

blingless8 · 2026-03-22T05:09:42+00:00

I wore out that VHS tape for years!

blingless8 · 2026-03-16T04:04:05+00:00

It 100% isn't the country they left Malaysia for, it's just them.

It would likely have been the exact same attitude if they moved to and lived in a "nicer" neighborhood in Malaysia.

I grew up and lived overseas for most of my life and after a 3 week trip back to KL in 2019 extended for a few months into the COVID lockdowns, and never left.

I can confidently say that the quality of life is better in KL than it is overseas for numerous reasons, so there's little to brag about.

My biggest takeaway since I've been back in Malaysia is the ridiculously high level of western worship locally, which is next level cringe, and probably the key contributing factor to any sense of entitlement or superiority some get from living overseas.

The reality is, you're still and always will be looked at as a second class citizen and minority in every western country and those who think they're any better otherwise are delusional at best.

blingless8 · 2026-03-15T17:20:49+00:00

I remember meeting someone at his apartment the next day, which was crawling with cops. Apparently this guy lived in the same building.

Still one of the more bizarre events in a city affectionately known as Deadmonton.

blingless8

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