My experience with Band Bullying.

Here is a pod cast I did on band bullying. and the pod cast speaks for it's self. So, here is a link to it and check it out.

http://mbasman23.tumblr.com/post/110050449178/mbasman23-my-experience-with-band-bullying

Question of the Day: How do you know Michael Odegard?

Q: Hi Joe. My name is Emily. I was listening to the Sword & Scale podcast and a man by the name of Michael Odegard came on. I really didn't see his connection to the entire Toni Ingram saga, so I thought it was just weird. I know that Mike tried to interview you for the podcast. I have to ask, how do you know Michael Odegard? How does your girlfriend Sarah Afshar know him?

Hello Emily. Thanks for the question. Michael Odegard has no connection to Toni Ingram or anyone for that matter. He simply wanted his 15 minutes of fame to blame his lack of success on my girlfriend and others who simply ignore his lunacy. I put out the podcast with actual proof, evidence that he was the one cyberstalking and bullying my girlfriend and me for defending her.

My girlfriend has no clue who Michael Odegard is. She has never talked to him. He has, however, talked to her mother. When her mother was single, her mother recently told both Sarah and I that she did talk to him in a Star Wars chatroom back in 2002. They were friends for only a few months. After noticing Odegard's outre behavior, she stopped talking to him completely that same year and cut all ties with the man completely. Everything he said on the podcast about Sarah is a boldface lie, as everything he has said about me is a lie. I never met the guy in my life. The only thing I am guilty of is defending myself from his allegations against me and my girlfriend.

I have no idea how he even made the connection that I am conspiring with Brian Mann to ruin his life. Like I said previously, the man is blaming his failures on me and anyone who speaks out against him. I never met Brian Mann in my life. I didn't even know who he was until Odegard tried to perpetuate the idea that we are both part of some plan to ruin his life. I never talked to the guy. I filed several police reports against Odegard for harassment. I allowed the police to listen to the voicemails that I received from his phone number along with various from Portland including the state hospital. Odegard visits mental health on a regular basis and has bragged about how he would come up with multiple syndromes using people's names including my name and my girlfriend Sarah Afshar's name. With that said, the police attempted to call the Portland police and the Portland police said they could not find Odegard at the address on file.

Michael Odegard has made hate blogs about me and tried to connect me to Brian Mann. I have never been to Portland at all, let alone the state of Oregon. He claims that I have stalked him when we both were in high school. Michael Odegard is in his 40s. I just turned 37 last month. How on earth could we be in the same grade unless he flunked several? The man graduated in the early 90s and there is record he started PSU when I was still in high school. In fact, I graduated in the mid-to-late 90s. The ideas this guy comes up with to lie and discredit people is as sinister as his political rants against police and Republicans. I think if you put a gun in this guy's hand, you are looking at the next Michael Meyers. With that said, everything Odegard said about me is not true and I have no clue who this guy is.

As for appearing on Sword & Scale, both of us have been busy with a lot and by the time we were interested, the podcast was already published. I know that Boudet has made some contact since, but we haven't been in communication with him. To be honest, when we were first approached about it, we really didn't know what to think because there is still no justice for Morgan Ingram or her family. We both want to appear on Sword & Scale because what Mayra and Odegard said is untrue and we want Boudet to hear our side of the story. We really have no opinion of Boudet. We know he is good as what he does and is all about the ratings, so we are hoping in the future Boudet will give us a chance to hear our side of the story.

Thanks again for your question.

My lowest in life.

Hello everyone. How are you? It's been a while since I wrote a blog that had some meaning, some substance. Well, tonightI am going to do just that. I have had my highs and my lows in life, but several years ago I really hit rock bottom when I joined a band called Gods n Aliens. How everything came about was, when I was searching for places to play in the area open mic, I discovered this local joint called the Revolutionaries Café. The place was pretty much a dive, but it was something to do when I wasn't working making endless subs at the local sub shop just down the road.

When I played open mic, I filled in occasionally for different musical acts that would frequent this place. As time went on, I was approached by the co-owner of this place to become a bass player of the band. I jumped at the opportunity. After all, I love being on stage. There is something gratifying about playing for other people and what else can I say? I love music and any opportunity involving music is an opportunity that interests me.

In 2011, is when I met Andy. Andy was a suave, stern, artistic guy. Sort of a free spirit, he was really nice in the beginning. He persuaded me to take the opportunity. I also met Guy. The guy's name is Guy and he was the guitar player. He was a true talent. Kind of a classic guitar player who was all about the music. These two men made me believe that the band was going somewhere and that the opportunity was just getting started. So, what did I do? I took the opportunity because I loved playing on stage.

I noticed some minor things, but overlooked them because I wanted to be a part of something great. As time went on, one of the band members ended up getting addicted to drugs. Not just any, but heroin and I witnessed a lot of highs and lows with him. He didn't last long, but he ended up getting help and decided to come back. We went on tour, but it was a joke because we were broke. The money we did have was minimal, so there was a budget. At the time, I was smoking cigarettes and eating enough for 10 people, so this wasn't a good lifestyle for me. During the tour, I was falsely accused of taking money that I never took. I was ganged up on. I was pretty much the guy everyone bullied. The fill out drummer actually came to me and told me that I should quit because music isn't for everyone and I wasn't doing anything to help the band. Nice guy right? The guy was a has been in his 50s, so his words of wisdom really meant nothing and still doesn't. I am only sharing it because it's part of the story. Lol.

The tour was a nightmare, but I put up with it because at the time I had no money, barely any friends (except people far far away), and I knew no one in Georgia. I cut ties from those that mattered. After begging my mother for money, she couldn't lend me any because she didn't have it, I just gave up on myself and just went with it. I put up with being bullied simply because I was too weak and didn't care about myself to even give in to what was happening. I was always being insulted. My band members never cared either. They knew I was at my lowest, but they never helped me. Why is that? Fast forward a few months, I ended up making terrible choices. I hooked up with a bar hag who stalks me still to this day, I ripped my pants and everything was hanging out. No one said anything to me, but laughed that I was humiliating myself. I was the punchline to their jokes. And when they would compliment me, they would follow with an insult. The lead singer did this to me often. I drank so much that I shit myself on stage. You would think that these band members who claim they care would actually help me out of this mess? Well, they didn't.

Last night I was bombarded with messages that I am being attacked again. In fact, here is the screenshot that was sent to me:

This picture is going around. It's going around the internet because one of the band members decided to take a dip at me for no reason at all. I guess he believes I am still the same person in the photo, which is sad. This was taken in 2012 and I was at my lowest, as you can kind of tell by the image. I mean, look at me? That is a person in need of help. I will admit, I lead a lifestyle that I would wish on no one. On top of drinking a 30 pack of beer a day, I was taking 50 mg of Trazadone and 40 mg of Paxil. Instead of feeling happy, I was depressed. I had no job and really no motivation at all. In the picture, I look like a nightmare. Why? Because I was living one. I was living a nightmare. I did not care about myself or my life at. So, in early 2013, I attempted suicide. I did not succeed. I overdosed on pills. I thought it would solve everything and I just thought the world would be better without me. I had no purpose. As I cried myself into oblivion praying to God that if someone loved me, they would help me, that is when Sarah Afshar came back into my life.

You see, at this time, Sarah and I were just friends. We connected in 2011, but we spoke sporadically because of the distance between us. At the time, Sarah was living in Dillon, MT and I was at in McKees Rocks, PA. We talked about getting back together for years, but she always sort of shot me down and told me she just wanted to be friends because she was too busy for a relationship. When Sarah contacted me, it was as if God answered my prayers. Sarah is seriously an angel in disguise. Why? Because she saved my life.

As I confided into her about what was going on, she told me the truth. She also gave me an ultimatum which literally saved my life. She said "Joe, it is either them or me?" That is when I realized there is just no way I would ever choose anyone over Sarah, so I did what any man would do and took her advice. When I didn't look back at those people, cut them out of my life, and not even thought twice about living that lifestyle again, I could feel myself changing. The change was real. I had more motivation and on top of that, I had direction. The good kind, not the bad kind. Instead of having direction towards the local bar, I had direction to better my life. I was unemployed and ended up getting and working a stable, full-time job where I helped other people. I met new friends, as well. It is a great feeling and I am loving how my life has turned out.

In the end, Sarah is the reason why I am at my highest and it is because of her, I realize who I am as a person and my worth. In the end, I am worth something and the changes I made are real. When I look at the picture above, I can't believe I ever let myself go, but I don't see myself as that person in the picture anymore. The point I am making is, if you are at your lowest and feel like giving up on your life, just remember there is always someone out there that will give you that motivation, that little helping hand of tough love to get you going. That angel in disguise will also push you in the direction you are meant to go.

In this case, my angel is Sarah Afshar. Sarah, I cannot say thank you enough. I love you more than you know. I do believe Sarah is responsible for my change, but I will say that I changed my life for the better and as for those people from my past who continue to talk about me and belittle me for being depressed and at my lowest, I am living in the present. The Joe Valo 3, 4, and even 5 years ago is not the same Joe Valo now. I am happy and I am living my life. If I can do it, you can too.

Experience with Michael Odegard

More from the man from Portland who I have never met.

Is Michael Odegard drunk or just so obsessed with me that he failed to read what he typed before hitting submit? The guy just won't stop. Still trying to understand how I can conspire with someone whom I have never met. With that said, I have filed multiple police reports and have case numbers to back it up which leads me to ask, who is stalking who?

Review of Dr.Jart+ Pore Minimalist Mask

Being a man, we have bigger pores than women, So we have to make sure the skin is cleansed and our pores are unclogged. When the pores get clogged you can get infected hairs, pimples boils and so forth. But there are products out there to help us to deal with this problem.

Most men look at masks as an unmanly thing. but the reality of this is that the skin is the largest organ of the body. So, what all can we do? Well, other than washing with soap and water and doing the skincare routine (cleanse, exfoliate, and apply the serums and then the moisturizers), you can use masks. And they do work as well. So this brings me in this review. I was in that mindset where, "that masks are for women" but I was wrong and my girlfriend Sarah, showed me the importance of skin care.

So here is the review, Dr.Jart+ Pore Minimalist Black charcoal sheet mask.  You can find this amazing mask at Sephora for a single use mask its $7.50 and a box of 5 is $35.00. This mask is good for large pores, excess sebum and pimples. You can use this amazing product anytime and it also detoxes you skin with the charcoal in the mask and draws out the things that clogs pores. This had activated charcoal spearmint extract and arginine as well. All you do is take it out of the package and carefully unfold it and put it on your face and smooth out the mask and leave it on for about 15 - 20 minutes and then just massage the excess serum in your face and hand.

When I first opened the package I noticed that it was neatly folded and soaked in the serum and that the mask was black with the charcoal, and no the charcoal don't rub off on the skin. I went and put the mask on and it felt cold and wet when I put the mask on. Then I smoothed out the edges. and I noticed that the mask didn't stick to my facial hair. I left it on for 20 minutes and in that time at first it felt a little tingly cold. the mask formed to my face and felt great. I know that my skin after I took the mask off felt smooth and was glowing and also that the pores were not as noticeable too and also not that oily as well.

Pros: Helps clean pores, closes pores and helps with the oils on your face, hypoallergenic, makes your skin smooth. And both men and women can use this product. Helps with blemishes, Paraben, Sulfate, Phthalate free. Clearer, healthier complexion. Dermatologist tested.

Cons: You must read everything on the label. And if you have facial hair and you want the full effect you need to shave.

I would recommend this product to anyone one who wants to have great looking skin and small pores and healthy looking skin too. In closing, this product does what it says and is a great quality product. And I cannot stress that skin care is not only for women but for men as well. And Also of you want to see what all other products are from Dr.Jart+ just visit there website at http://us.drjart.com/products

Until next time think positive and pay it forward.


Product Disclaimer: The said product is a Birthday Gift from my girlfriend.

More from Michael Odegard, the man from Portland who I never met.

Ok, these messages from Odegard just keep coming. I have no idea why Michael Odegard assumes that I am conspiring with Brian Mann, but the truth is, I have no idea who either of them are. I never met Brian Mann and didn't even know who he was until Odegard tried to perpetuate the idea that I am part of some sort of brigade that is out to "get him" as he claims. I want others to know too that this claim he is making is 100% false. And again, I just want to make it known now that I have never been to Portland. In fact, I have never been to the state of Oregon. I do not know who Michael Odegard is, like at all. Never met the guy and I never met this Brian Mann guy. I'm beginning to think that Odegard has an obsession with this Brian Mann guy that goes beyond what he's trying to insinuate. It's none of my business but, what I can do is continue to post of the threats and the lies this guy is spreading about me, which will leave a paper-trail for law enforcement in case Mr. Odegard acts on his threats towards me and my girlfriend Sarah.

I think that Mayra Martinez (the woman that goes by MayraMM that is stalking both Toni Ingram and my girlfriend Sarah Afshar) is possibly coaching Odegard to blame his lack of success on me. Think about it. Very odd that after the podcast I did about channeling Morgan Ingram, Odegard comes at me with threats. In fact, the one threat posted I received about a day or so after I uploaded it to Soundcloud.

And here is the link to the podcast on Soundcloud about What happened to Morgan?