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rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Rob
@rebuildingrob.bsky.social
58 followers 47 following 540 posts
The Blue Sky home for my personal blog www.rebuildingrob.com
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rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Is it possible to be "Strong Enough to Sob?" From Iron Man to Home Alone, I’m looking at fatherhood, legacy, and why it’s okay to let a story break your heart.

Read the new post: rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/27/s...

#Legacy #MentalHealth #Fatherhood #Cinematic
Strong Enough to Sob
Can a superhero movie or a 90s tear-jerker actually define your philosophy on life? From the heroic end of Tony Stark to a ‘George Costanza’ moment during Home Alone, I’m looking at the…
rebuildingrob.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:19 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Federal violence in MN (Alex Pretti, Renee Good) isn't about "safety"—it's political retribution. We demand cheap labor but demonize the hands that provide it. This "Architecture of Hypocrisy" is at a breaking point.

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/26/t...

#Minnesota #ICE #Hypocrisy
The Architecture of Hypocrisy: Cheap Labor and Heavy Hands
As federal enforcement escalates in Minnesota, we must look past the headlines at the architecture of hypocrisy: the demand for cheap labor versus the violence used to “remove” it.
rebuildingrob.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:10 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
I’ve spent 13 years in "survival mode." In 2026, the focus shifts to the blueprint.

My new 2026 Mission Statement is live: The Audacity of Potential. From the 100% Policy to choosing Option C, this is how I’m rebuilding.

rebuildingrob.com/the-audacity...

#The100PercentPolicy #PersonalGrowth
January 25, 2026 at 3:05 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Why does it take a stranger to show us the beauty of our own backyard? From British vloggers Josh and Jase to the Motor City Machine Guns, I’m looking at why Michigan is "America’s Third Coast" and the most recognizable place on Earth. ✋🌊

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/25/f...

#PureMichigan #Travel
From Nottingham to the Mitten: What Happens When the World Discovers America’s ‘Third Coast’
Why does it take a stranger to show us the beauty of our own backyard? From the viral sensations of British travelers Josh and Jase to the iconic “mitten point” of the Motor City Machin…
rebuildingrob.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:29 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
50,000 views on Rebuilding Rob! 🎉

What’s wild? 70% of that happened in the last 2 years. Momentum is real! 🌊

Check out a post that started the surge: rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/02/w...

Like, comment, & subscribe!

#BloggingCommunity #Writing #Milestone #50k
January 24, 2026 at 3:38 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
In 2014, I called this "a good read." In 2026, I see it as a beautiful theory that’s rare in practice. Dismantling your "ego-wall" is the goal, but finding a partner who won't use that vulnerability against you is like capturing lightning in a bottle.

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/23/t...

#OptionC
The Only Good Reason to Get Married (12 Years Later)
Twelve years after first sharing Kelly Flanagan’s famous letter on marriage, I’m revisiting the theory of “dismantling the ego.” Is total vulnerability a beautiful goal or a dangerous r…
rebuildingrob.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:23 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Shoveling snow in SE Michigan has me channeling Marty McFly: "Since when can a weatherman predict the weather?" ❄️

I'm trading the winter blues for sun lamps and ice festivals. Turns out, "thawing out" is a mental game, too.

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/22/e...

#Winter #Reflections #Michigan
Embracing the Sucky
Dealing with the “polar vortex” in Michigan requires more than just a shovel. From using UV lamps for seasonal depression to the “unexpected win” of a unified co-parenting f…
rebuildingrob.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:28 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Be strong enough to be gentle." Re-sharing a foundational piece today. In a world that demands we harden ourselves, I still believe the most audacious thing we can do is remain compassionate. That’s the legacy I’m building. 🚛

rebuildingrob.com/2023/12/14/s...

#Masculinity #Growth #Reflections
Strong enough to be gentle
Two years later, this remains my North Star. From the voice of Optimus Prime to the reality of modern manhood, I’m revisiting the philosophy I hope to be remembered for: being strong enough to be g…
rebuildingrob.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:16 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
99% of us are closer to the street than to a billionaire CEO. Between 80s policy failures and a 77% spike in local homelessness, we are witnessing a systemic crisis. In a post-scarcity world, "survival mode" shouldn't be the default.

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/21/1...

#Realism #Socialism #AnnArbor
11 Degrees: Survival Mode and the Myth of the American Dream
At 11 degrees, survival is not a metaphor. Explore a Realist perspective on the homelessness crisis in Ann Arbor, the myth of the American Dream, and why 59% of Americans are closer to the street t…
rebuildingrob.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:15 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
In 2020, I broke a 3-year silence to mark what would've been my 20th anniversary. Revisiting it now with a 2026 lens. It wasn’t about the marriage ending; it was about the audacity to start again.

Catch the "Legacy Refresh" with a new prologue & epilogue: rebuildingrob.com/2020/10/21/i...
“It was twenty years ago today”
On what would have been my 20th wedding anniversary, I broke a three-year blogging silence to reflect on omens, memories, and the “unseasonably warm” day that started it all. Revisiting…
rebuildingrob.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:38 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
"Staying in the Room": A question about pet euthanasia opened a door to deeper thoughts on presence, loss, and the nature of the soul. From "luminous beings" to "empty shells," this post explores facing the big goodbyes.

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/20/s...

#StayingInTheRoom #PetLoss #Grief
Staying in the Room
Staying in the Room” explores the reality of pet loss, the “luminous” soul, and the courage to face life’s biggest goodbyes—and the solitude of 51—alone.
rebuildingrob.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:33 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
A decade ago, I wrote a defense of Planet Fitness against the "gym rat" elite. Fitness shouldn't be about intimidation; it’s about showing up for yourself. The best gym is the one where you feel safe enough to begin. Strength starts with gentleness. #Growth

rebuildingrob.com/2014/01/14/i...
In defense of Planet Fitness
Is Planet Fitness really a gym? In this 2014 ‘All-Time Top 10’ classic, I push back against the ‘gym rat’ elite to defend the importance of judgment-free spaces. Now updated…
rebuildingrob.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:07 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
In 2014, I chose to leave my dying father's bedside to be with my partner during a pregnancy scare. My family was furious, but I had seen a marriage end years prior because a man chose bowling over his wife's miscarriage. I refused to be that man. #Fatherhood

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/19/c...
Choosing to Be the Villain
What do you do when you’re forced to choose between a dying parent and a pregnant partner? In this reflective look back at a 10-year family rift, I explore why I chose to be the “villai…
rebuildingrob.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:18 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
"Feelings are."

My EdPsych prof said it years ago, but it took me a long time to get it. Feelings aren't good or bad—they just are. Here’s how I respond when the "negative" ones hit...

rebuildingrob.com/2024/03/15/5...

How do you clear your headspace? #MentalHealth #Writing
Coping Mechanisms
Unfortunately, negative feelings are something i have to deal with more often than I would like.
rebuildingrob.com
January 18, 2026 at 9:30 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
I 100% believed Robert Zemeckis when he said hoverboards were real in 1989. I was 15 and OUTRAGED that “parent groups” had them banned. 🛹✨

A look back at the Hoverboard Hoax and why I still love the “Audacity of Potential.”

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/18/t...

#BTTF #BackToTheFuture #80s #Nostalgia
The Hoverboard Hoax: A Lesson in Cinematic Optimism
Was the Back to the Future hoverboard real? Discover the history of the “Hoverboard Hoax” and Robert Zemeckis’ legendary prank. This post looks back at the 1989 vision of 2015, the R…
rebuildingrob.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
The ocean is nature’s great equalizer. 🌊

It’s one of the few things humans haven't managed to conquer. It teaches a specific kind of perspective: we are just another species sharing a vast, ancient home.

#Ocean #Resilience #Nature
The Great Equalizer
What is the difference between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean? For me, it’s the salt in the air and the ‘communion with nature’ that happens in the surf. Read my reflections on …
rebuildingrob.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:47 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Twelve years ago, I was living out of a suitcase and a 2-hour commute away from home. I called it "Treading Water." 🌊

Refreshing this 2014 post to show where the journey began. Sometimes survival is the first step toward potential.

#RebuildingRob #LegacyRefresh #TeacherLife #TheArtOfMovingSlowly
Treading water
A look back at October 2014: the week I took a job I didn’t apply for, moved into my parents’ spare room, and started the long commute that would change everything. At the time, it felt…
rebuildingrob.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:32 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Just posted my #RobReviews of the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiere.

Ep 1: A (Giamatti is amazing!)
Ep 2: B (Solid world-building)

Is the 32nd century the right move, or is Trek at a crossroads? Read the verdict:

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/15/r...

#StarTrek #StarfleetAcademy
Rob Reviews Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Does the New Class Pass the Test?
Rob Reviews the 2-episode premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Paramount+. Is the new 32nd-century era a pass or a fail? See why “Kids These Days” earned an A and “Beta Tes…
rebuildingrob.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:21 AM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
My dad was a cop who let me roam. I’m a dad with a smartphone who can’t let go. 📱🚔

Why is Gen X—the "garden hose survivalists"—now the generation of helicopter parents? Is 24/7 digital dread changing how we raise our kids?

Thoughts? rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/15/t...

#GenX #Parenting
rebuildingrob.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Is it "moving slowly" or just standing still? I’m auditing the breadcrumbs I’ve been settling for. At 51, I’m realizing that if a relationship isn't 100%, "Option C"—my own peace—is the best path forward.

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/13/t...

#RoadTo1000Days #Midlife #Dating #100PercentPolicy
rebuildingrob.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
I just posted my review of Tron: Ares. It’s a mix of stunning visuals, a killer Reznor/Ross score, and some very timely questions about the "permanence" of our digital lives.

Read it here: rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/11/r...

#Tron #TronAres #NIN #MovieReview
rebuildingrob.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:26 AM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
Earlier today I talked about the road ahead. This afternoon, I’m looking back at a 'Rebuilding Rob' classic that was even used in an academic paper. Sometimes looking back is the only way to see how far you've come.

rebuildingrob.com/2014/01/22/a...

#RebuildingRob #Gaslighting
A leopard never changes its spots
A store-bought pie and a 1995 Thanksgiving dinner: the moment Rob realized he was dealing with an ‘affinity for bullshit.’ Revisiting a 2014 classic about honesty, gaslighting, and the …
rebuildingrob.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
The older I get, the less patience I have for bullies and willful ignorance. Today I’m diving into the "Sanctuary Classroom" I’m building and why true strength is being assertive, not aggressive. 🛡️🌱

What’s on your "zero patience" list?

rebuildingrob.com/what-bugs-me...

#Boundaries #Education
rebuildingrob.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:03 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
At 52, the hardest temptation is the urge to trade my peace for a traditional role that doesn't fit. I’ve got about 18 good years left; I’m not spending them invisible just to be "useful."

rebuildingrob.com/2026/01/12/t...

#MensMentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #Masculinity
rebuildingrob.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:03 PM
rebuildingrob.bsky.social
To know where I’m going, I had to look back. I just refreshed the very first post of Rebuilding Rob from 2012.

It’s the raw "Day One" of moving home at 38 with just a suitcase and the Audacity of Potential. Rebuilding is worth the walk. 🌅

rebuildingrob.com/2012/07/30/h...

#AudacityOfPotential
The story so far…
Every journey has a Day One. In July 2012, at age 38, I moved back home to start over. This is the raw, unedited first post of Rebuilding Rob—the foundation of a 13-year blogging journey and the or…
rebuildingrob.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:09 PM