I know I have been on again off again with the writing of the blogs. I have gotten better with a lot of things in my life since starting this, but getting too busy is still a tough one for me. For the both of you who read this I will make a greater effort to get you your blog damn it!
There has been an unexpected side effect to doing this. I really like it. A lot. I don't know if I have what it takes to be a "writer" or anything or really how to even pursue it... maybe I don't need to worry about that and just write on a regular basis for a while and see if I get any more better. Maybe I'll do some kind of 30 day challenge.... Hmmm. Ok. I accept your challenge!
I will write a post everyday for the next 30 days. It doesn't have to be as awesome (kidding!) as my usual posts but it must be more coherent than a grocery list. Ok. I like it! Maybe I'll even work on grammar. Say Whaaat??? Oh yeah!
So on my journey to a thinner, happier, professional writer-y me I have already gotten published!!! No WAY! Way! Hard to believe. I know!
I am proud to be associated with Wood Stove House and honored to be the featured guest blog. Check it out:
http://www.woodstovehouse.com/5-things-i-learned-when-i-was-a-rock-star/
You didn't know i was famous did ya?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Heroes
This has been a strange football season. First off the NFL was on strike and it looked like they would not get things together for the regular season, but they did. Then Jim Tressel, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who was the "straight and narrow" coach in NCAA football, was forced out of his job amid shame and scandal. And then Penn State happened. Joe Paterno was fired in a maelstrom of a sex scandal...
First, I have no words to describe my feelings toward what happened to those young boys. Rage is the main one then it's a whole mess of mixed emotions and unanswered questions...
Child molestation is something that is so unthinkable, horrible and unfortunately unspeakable that it paralyses people with fear and disgust. Because of that, the right thing isn't always done... or enough of the right thing.
This to me isn't about a football coach or about football at all. It's about hope. This horrible event has brought so much real attention to child molestation that maybe, just maybe, we won't be afraid to talk about it and ultimately do something about it. Personally i think they should get the chair.
Joe Paterno was a hero to me. I grew up in western Pennsylvania. Not a huge PSU fan but always keeping an eye on them and Joe. He did it "right", no compromise. He was inspiring. He made you want to be a better person. I read books about Joe and used to wish that I could someday play for him. Never got to play for him. Moved away from PA, to the home of Ohio State of all places, which oddly enough made me MORE of a college football fan and specifically PSU. In the back of my mind over the last few years I have felt that Joe maybe needs to go. I didn't want to see him die on the field. I didn't want to see him got out like this either...
I'm not here to defend Joe.... I'm not even sure i could. I would like to ask something all of you who take the few minutes out of your day to read my run on sentences and ramblings: Look back on you life and think of the times you could have done more. Remember that the next time you are in a position to do the right thing. Try to do more of the right thing.
First, I have no words to describe my feelings toward what happened to those young boys. Rage is the main one then it's a whole mess of mixed emotions and unanswered questions...
Child molestation is something that is so unthinkable, horrible and unfortunately unspeakable that it paralyses people with fear and disgust. Because of that, the right thing isn't always done... or enough of the right thing.
This to me isn't about a football coach or about football at all. It's about hope. This horrible event has brought so much real attention to child molestation that maybe, just maybe, we won't be afraid to talk about it and ultimately do something about it. Personally i think they should get the chair.
Joe Paterno was a hero to me. I grew up in western Pennsylvania. Not a huge PSU fan but always keeping an eye on them and Joe. He did it "right", no compromise. He was inspiring. He made you want to be a better person. I read books about Joe and used to wish that I could someday play for him. Never got to play for him. Moved away from PA, to the home of Ohio State of all places, which oddly enough made me MORE of a college football fan and specifically PSU. In the back of my mind over the last few years I have felt that Joe maybe needs to go. I didn't want to see him die on the field. I didn't want to see him got out like this either...
I'm not here to defend Joe.... I'm not even sure i could. I would like to ask something all of you who take the few minutes out of your day to read my run on sentences and ramblings: Look back on you life and think of the times you could have done more. Remember that the next time you are in a position to do the right thing. Try to do more of the right thing.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
I did whaaaat?
So a few weeks ago i went on vacation. We went down to the beach. The eastern side of the north american continent beach. The location of first flight (although i can only imagine there are as many as 75 to 80 birds who would disagree with that statement. Maybe more) beach. The North Carolina barrier islands beach. The Outer Banks.... beach!
I realize that you might think that seems like a lot of built up to say me and my sweetie drove 12 hrs to spend 10 days lounging in the surf and sun. You'd be right. One more thing happened on that beautiful beach. Me and my lady got hitched. Tied the not. Exchanged vows. Made it legal.... You get the gist. I will say this. It was awesome. She planned it to a tee (she could work for the military!) and she was, is and always will be more beautiful than an old rock guitar player like me should be with. I'm a very lucky man.
We did a small beach ceremony presided over by one of my dearest friends and we were surrounded by our closest friends and our family. It was amazing and I might have even cried. A tiny bit. Barely noticeable.
We just got back to our home and real life has already set in: jobs, chores, fantasy football, DVR's and whatever else gets in the way of just enjoying life. It's ok though. I can take it for a little bit. Christmas is just around the corner!
Best. Vacation. Ever.
I realize that you might think that seems like a lot of built up to say me and my sweetie drove 12 hrs to spend 10 days lounging in the surf and sun. You'd be right. One more thing happened on that beautiful beach. Me and my lady got hitched. Tied the not. Exchanged vows. Made it legal.... You get the gist. I will say this. It was awesome. She planned it to a tee (she could work for the military!) and she was, is and always will be more beautiful than an old rock guitar player like me should be with. I'm a very lucky man.
We did a small beach ceremony presided over by one of my dearest friends and we were surrounded by our closest friends and our family. It was amazing and I might have even cried. A tiny bit. Barely noticeable.
We just got back to our home and real life has already set in: jobs, chores, fantasy football, DVR's and whatever else gets in the way of just enjoying life. It's ok though. I can take it for a little bit. Christmas is just around the corner!
Best. Vacation. Ever.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Top Five things I learned this summer
This has been a summer of great change for me and through these changes I learned a few things.... and here I thought I knew everything already!
1. Smoking is bad for you:
I know, I know.... who doesn't know this? Well. Me, that's who! Over the last forty years or so I have come up with the theory that if it was REALLY bad for you then it would be banned. That it is such a heavily taxed and profitable business that the powers that be didn't want it to go anywhere and that in fact they use a smear campaign on purpose to draw people in. Reverse psychology Jedi Mind Trick style! I'm not UN-convinced of my theory in the slightest but after several weeks smoke free-ness. I feel a ton better. I didn't even realize that i felt bad!
2. My cat is right about most things:
Shamus (my cat) has the best decision making skills on the planet. Tired? Sleep. Hungry? Eat. Mad? Chomp.
It seems so simple but people (at least I do... maybe you have no issues with this and I applaud your feline abilities) have the need to complicate things. Keep it simple. If it needs done, do it.
3. People stink:
I can only assume it has something to do with the no smoking and my senses have sharpened up a bit or something but HOLY SHIT! I seriously had no idea how bad a dumpster smells or a bar for that matter!
4. I have always hated running... and I still do:
I am getting better at it but I have yet to experience these thing runners speak of like runners highs and such. I kinda think it's a bunch of malarky just to convince people to run further (Jedi Mind Tricks again!) and buy more shoes... still I'm glad I'm getting into it more but I still hate it!
5. Eight hours of sleep is maybe the greatest thing in the whole world!:
If you are not getting eight or close to that try it. it will change your life! It's not hard. Just go to bed. Turn off the tv and the computer and go to bed. Facebook will wait until tomorrow... or even the next day.
1. Smoking is bad for you:
I know, I know.... who doesn't know this? Well. Me, that's who! Over the last forty years or so I have come up with the theory that if it was REALLY bad for you then it would be banned. That it is such a heavily taxed and profitable business that the powers that be didn't want it to go anywhere and that in fact they use a smear campaign on purpose to draw people in. Reverse psychology Jedi Mind Trick style! I'm not UN-convinced of my theory in the slightest but after several weeks smoke free-ness. I feel a ton better. I didn't even realize that i felt bad!
2. My cat is right about most things:
Shamus (my cat) has the best decision making skills on the planet. Tired? Sleep. Hungry? Eat. Mad? Chomp.
It seems so simple but people (at least I do... maybe you have no issues with this and I applaud your feline abilities) have the need to complicate things. Keep it simple. If it needs done, do it.
3. People stink:
I can only assume it has something to do with the no smoking and my senses have sharpened up a bit or something but HOLY SHIT! I seriously had no idea how bad a dumpster smells or a bar for that matter!
4. I have always hated running... and I still do:
I am getting better at it but I have yet to experience these thing runners speak of like runners highs and such. I kinda think it's a bunch of malarky just to convince people to run further (Jedi Mind Tricks again!) and buy more shoes... still I'm glad I'm getting into it more but I still hate it!
5. Eight hours of sleep is maybe the greatest thing in the whole world!:
If you are not getting eight or close to that try it. it will change your life! It's not hard. Just go to bed. Turn off the tv and the computer and go to bed. Facebook will wait until tomorrow... or even the next day.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
when the chips are down...
So i've been on the running wagon for about 5 weeks. I could look it up on a calendar and get you the date but do you really have to know at this exact minute how long i've been wheezing around my neighborhood? Also, I have fought the future as long as possible. Stayed away from "gadget phones" and cool tech stuff. What i'm alluding to here is I don't have a google calendar with every bowel movement and twitter post scheduled for 2 months straight. So if you really wanted to know the date i would have to look up the Warrior Dash and reverse math it from there. Detective work. Old School!
Where was I even going with this.... Oh yeah! So I also have quit smoking due to, in no small part, the training and running. I got fed up and angry with not being able to make progress. So I stopped. 18 days ago? Sounds right. Anyway, my point is i had to get out of my lazy ass comfort zone and get a little riled up and the quitting was... i almost hesitate to say it... easy. I hope i'm not cursing myself here. I feel motivation is the key to sticking with anything. If i continue to run and do races and events then i'll want to keep pushing myself. So it turns out that running might be my anti-smoking program. Great. Now i'll always be running somewhere...
So tonight's run (i run early morning or very late at night) brought something to the very front of my fury. I got home from work and it's too hot (today was about a hundred degrees) to do anything so i cooled off in the pool (nice!) then had an admittedly too large dinner then took a little nap to prepare for my night's run. I wake up ravenous and begin to systematically seek out and devour any and all salty chip or cracker in our kitchen. Crap. I have to run in an hour! Take a couple tums and drink a bunch of water. That will do the trick! Or it will make you want to vomit for 2 of the 4 miles you ran in the hot humid bayou-esqe climate.
I got home and was mad. Very mad. I decided that this kind of thing is what i've been using for motivation so... No more salty chips on any kind of regular basis. The occasional tailgate party? Have at it but with some restraint! Salt is my biggest addiction. Time to cut it loose.
I'm saying it out loud. Chips not welcome here.
Where was I even going with this.... Oh yeah! So I also have quit smoking due to, in no small part, the training and running. I got fed up and angry with not being able to make progress. So I stopped. 18 days ago? Sounds right. Anyway, my point is i had to get out of my lazy ass comfort zone and get a little riled up and the quitting was... i almost hesitate to say it... easy. I hope i'm not cursing myself here. I feel motivation is the key to sticking with anything. If i continue to run and do races and events then i'll want to keep pushing myself. So it turns out that running might be my anti-smoking program. Great. Now i'll always be running somewhere...
So tonight's run (i run early morning or very late at night) brought something to the very front of my fury. I got home from work and it's too hot (today was about a hundred degrees) to do anything so i cooled off in the pool (nice!) then had an admittedly too large dinner then took a little nap to prepare for my night's run. I wake up ravenous and begin to systematically seek out and devour any and all salty chip or cracker in our kitchen. Crap. I have to run in an hour! Take a couple tums and drink a bunch of water. That will do the trick! Or it will make you want to vomit for 2 of the 4 miles you ran in the hot humid bayou-esqe climate.
I got home and was mad. Very mad. I decided that this kind of thing is what i've been using for motivation so... No more salty chips on any kind of regular basis. The occasional tailgate party? Have at it but with some restraint! Salt is my biggest addiction. Time to cut it loose.
I'm saying it out loud. Chips not welcome here.
Friday, July 8, 2011
5K for fun? Oh hell no...
I've done my share of little races and 5K's and I have NEVER tried to finnish with any kind velocity or real pace. That has never bothered me even in the slightest. Until now.
Tomorrow morning I'm doing a 5k that i signed up for before i "transformed" into a runner and i am planing on CRUSHING it! I mean come on! I've already run 3 5K's this week!
This will be my first attempt at not finishing in the back of the pack. There will be the normal front runners who will scorch the 3.2 miles then run home to continue the work out they need to get to be a considered a real run. I used to (and apparently still do!) really dislike these guys and gals who grace the race with their presence only to then embarrass everyone (ok... me) then vanish into the misty morning clad in spandex. I mean i really hated these people... Now i get it... at least a little bit. I am certainly going to try and crush everyone at the charity event tomorrow. I am my own arch enemy! Great.
Tomorrow morning I'm doing a 5k that i signed up for before i "transformed" into a runner and i am planing on CRUSHING it! I mean come on! I've already run 3 5K's this week!
This will be my first attempt at not finishing in the back of the pack. There will be the normal front runners who will scorch the 3.2 miles then run home to continue the work out they need to get to be a considered a real run. I used to (and apparently still do!) really dislike these guys and gals who grace the race with their presence only to then embarrass everyone (ok... me) then vanish into the misty morning clad in spandex. I mean i really hated these people... Now i get it... at least a little bit. I am certainly going to try and crush everyone at the charity event tomorrow. I am my own arch enemy! Great.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Day 11
I have been eleven days smoke free. I almost can't believe it myself. Actually no. I can't believe it at all. I really had decided that i would probably smoke forever in some capacity. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not getting all cocky and bad ass saying I kicked smokings ass! No... more like I have this plan and up until 11 days ago smoking wasn't interfering with it. Once I realized that it was preventing me from reaching my goals i got angry. I have been ashamed of my cigarette habit for years but it wasn't until i got mad that something was going to happen.
Spirits are high and breathing is better. Baby steps.
Spirits are high and breathing is better. Baby steps.
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