Still here.. kinda

In response to Rae's comment - I am still here, but (obviously) haven't blogged in a while. My plans have changed and I am unable to make it to the race in 09. Shooting for 2010. I will reveal why later, but for now, I apologize for the disappearance.

Thanks.

Spring (Training) is in the air.

First, let me apologize for disappearing for three weeks. No excuse, just lazy. But that doesn't mean I was lazy with my training. Actually, I am doing bettter than ever with my excercise. For the month of February I have missed two days at the gym (last Sunday and Monday.) Sunday was purely a day off and Monday the baby wasn't sleeping well, so I was rocking her into the wee hours. Yesterday, I realized how bad I want this. We got hit with a nasty snow/ice storm overnight and everything was a mess when I woke up. Instead of jumping back into bed, I got ready, went out and shoveled my car out so I could go the gym. Let me say that again. I SHOVELED MY CAR OUT AT 4:45 AM BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO THE GYM.

I am averaging 5 miles on the treadmill each visit, which puts me on a great pace for the Team Voice February challenge. My weight on 1/1 was 255. Today's weight is 237. Things are going well.

I am looking forward to Spring. I hate the snow and want to start running outside. The treadmill is great, but I wants me some scenery.

I still haven't registered for the half, because I have to work out finances (the $100 fee hurts, and would hurt more if I wasn't able to go next January). I know that registration is almost full, but I plan on finalizing things this weekend.

Also, lest I forget. Today is February 14th, which is a very special day! That's right! Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training today! It warms my heart. After that game that I won't mention two weeks ago, I REALLY need baseball. I miss my Sox.

Thanks.

A little bit of Resolve

I decided against entering the CMO contest. (Actually, I just don't have the time to enter. I was planning on doing a video last weekend, but my daughter was sick. I was too preoccupied to brainstorm. And then there was a football game on Sunday that I HAD to watch...)

The gym is going well. My fat butt is there at open (5am) and I am getting almost 5 miles in everyday. This morning I pushed myself by trying to do a full song at 6.5 mph. I have an iPod shuffle and I change the songs out three times a week, taking them from a playlist of around 500 songs I my computer. Today was weird. I wanted to quit but the songs kept me going. The succession of songs each had a message for me.

"Resolve" by Foo Fighters - "A little bit of resolve is what I need now." This is my mantra now. Talking about doing this is fine and dandy, but actually doing it is a different story. I want this so badly and the only one to stop me is me.

"Push It" - by Garbage - It hurts? Good. That means it is working. Keep going. Don't let a little pain stop you.

"Move Along" - by All American Rejects - I honestly don't know why this was on my iPod because I don't particularly like the band, but this song helped me.

"Numb" by Linkin Park - Okay, I should probably stop now so that I don't kill myself. Pick it up again tomorrow.

Thanks.

Quick check-in

This week began the early morning gym visits. Drag my butt out of bed at 4:45, head out into 20 degree weather to work out. It energizes me throughout the day, but I am doner than done by 9pm. Hopefully, I will adjust.

Since friday I have run 19.8 miles. I am definitely on pace for the January challenge for Team Voice.

Hear about the Dream Job contest? The prize is unbelievable. I have been brainstorming some ideas for my video resume (of course I am entering!) Does anybody have any suggestions?

Got to get to work now.

Thanks.

Rats and Pats

I have been slowly reintroducing myself to the Gym these past two days. Yesterday I ran 2.5 miles in and today 2.85. I am making it a family affair this time, with my wife joining me on the treadmill (well, not really, she was on her own). We also took our daughter there today to play in the daycare. We cut short the workout today because she looked like she was getting a little lonley and a breakdown could have been on the horizon. We might try again tomorrow.

I finally saw Ratatouille last night. I got it on DVD two months ago but never had the time to watch it. I thought it was really good. Not my favorite Pixar film (that would be Toy Story), but not my least favorite either (that would be Finding Nemo, couldn't understand the hype). The animation was incredible, though. Best I have ever seen, personally.

Tonight - Pats-Jags. I cannot wait. I have my Brady jersey on and am ready. This season has been so much fun, and I am fairly confident it does not end tonight. I don't want to get cocky, though. GO PATS!

Thanks.

Up to the challenge

Friday is the day I hit the gym again. I just finished my antibiotics and my left ear is still blocked from the infection, but I hope this will clear up soon. For New 08, a bunch of us at work have resurrected the weight loss challenge. Eight weeks. Fifty bucks per person. Weigh-in at week four and eight. Highest percentage lost at week four gets their money back automatically. Highest lost at eight wins the pot. It is fun, because we talk a lot of crap to each other, but the weight really does come off. I don't expect to win, because I am not going to extremes to lose, but I will feel like I won if I do lose weight. (I just read that sentence ten times. Still not sure it makes sense.) Anyway, that will be a good jumping off point for 2008.

I am excited about January's challenge for Team Voice. 24.1 miles seems doable and I can't wait to get tallyin'.

Last night I went to the Imax to see I Am Legend. It was only my second Imax movie ever, the first being Beauty and the Beast. Before the movie they showed a scene from the new Batman that was shot especially for Imax. Freakin incredible! I cannot wait for that movie. Heath Ledger makes a great Joker, if you ask me. Anyway, the movie was very good. I don't think Will Smith has been better (I haven't seen Pursuit of Happyness). I went in to this with very high expectations, as Richard Matheson's book is one of my favorites. If you have ever read the book, you would know that it is hard to stay totally true to it while keeping the movie visually thrilling. They had to make some changes, which I was okay with, because the overall feel was still the same. Overall I was very satisfied.

Thanks.

Big plans

Okay, so I wanted to start this year with a brand-spankin' new blog, complete with pictures and snazzy new colors and fireworks and all that crap. I logged on today with the intent of doing that until I realized I have no clue how! Sure, I can change the colors and user blogger's templates, but I wanted BIGGER. So I will add that to my to-do list - learn HTML. That should be fun, right? So, if I keep my word, be on the lookout for a great new Asylum in your near future!

2007 ended without much (any) fanfare. I was sick on New Year's Eve, so we left my friend's house soon after the ball dropped. I am not much of a fan of New Year's anyway, so it didn't bother me a bit.

When we left for WDW in November (trip report soon, I PROMISE!) I weighed 237 pounds. Not too bad for someone who clocked in at 290 when '06 became '07, huh? Unfortunately since then I have gone off track maybe a mile or ten. On January 1st, I weighed in at 255.4. I really enjoyed Christmas and every treat it had to offer me. Also, that damn exam I took nearly broke me. I studied HARD and stressed big time about it. When I stress, I eat, and eat... and eat. I eventually passed (76%) and am now a certified Series 4 Options Principal, although I have yet to use my license and did not see any increase in my paycheck once the exam was over. But it is a big deal for me and I am pretty damned proud of myself. But now I also must regroup and lose the weight I gained.

My plan was to go to the gym to start the New Year (okay, I officially hate the term "New Year" and I ain't typing it no more. From now on, let's just call it '08.) Unfortunately I got hit with a nasty cold and infection on Sunday that I am still fighting. I am on antibiotics, but I still feel ragged and haven't been to the gym once since the New, um, I mean since '08 began. But that does not mean I have put my plans off. I curbed my eating and have already lost 4 pounds since Tuesday. Sweet!

So, my plan for 2008 is to eat better, lose weight, and have fun doing it. I want to read more books, watch more good movies, and help my daughter grow into the little monster that she is slowly becoming. Wait, did I say monster? I meant princess. (Speaking of princesses, she LOVES Cinderella and watches it ALL THE TIME, which makes me HATE Cinderella). So hopefully this blog will be more than just weigh-ins and whatnot. I will let anyone who cares to know what I think about stuff I just read, watched, etc. Yeah, we'll see how long that lasts.

Another plan was to erase all my old posts and start fresh. I was about to do that when my wife caught me and nearly kicked my ass. She is big on journals and loves that I am doing this, but she compared my deleting old posts to burning a diary. So, the posts stay.

Okay, I guess that is it for now. We got Rock Band for Xbox 360 and it freakin rocks! The drums, they are a-callin'! (WOW, I am a DORK!)

Thanks.