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I feel like some of our most hectic moments can obscure some of our greatest accomplishments. I use the word "great" loosely here, but the last 3 days have been pretty hectic. Lots to get done and lots to be responsible for. And I came through. A new piece of business at work, a newly re-certified suffix on my email signature, odds and ends. Perhaps one of the most significant things, however, is that I'm being good. I'm watching what goes down the gullet. Today, the scale did not say MAX. One step...one tenth of a pound...but that is a big deal. Seeing a number versus hearing the Bankrupt siren from Wheel of Fortune go off in my head. I often say that you have to start somewhere as a means of encouragement to others. Perspective. So today, I say it to myself. I started somewhere. Now, it's time to continue. I can handle that.

Keep it going

Perhaps I wasn’t clear… Perhaps I was not loud enough?... GET OFF YOUR ASS!! Its been two days, and the progress report is not a hair better than a couple of shrugged shoulders and a nasal “ehh” sound. Come on man, you are better than that. You know what you want and you know what you need to do to get it. So, DO IT!!!

Getting things rolling can be tricky. You have to do it for you. You have to support yourself in what you want to do, before you can support someone else. Don’t sabotage yourself, because in so doin, you’re sabotaging others. Don’t forget that. Don’t forget why you started this. Be strong.

Often, I ask God for help in doing things or achieving things. In my own mind, I’ve struggled with asking him to just give me something. I find it much easier and more appropriate to ask him to help me get something. I’ve boiled these pleas down into two simple thoughts. “Lord, please give me the strength, patience, perseverance, wisdom, courage, and knowledge to handle everything that comes my way today. Please make me calm positive and confident.” The way I see it, if you have these things, and believe in them…subscribe to them…then you have the tools necessary to face the world. Some might think, “well, he didn’t mention faith, or spirituality, etc…” Remember to whom I am asking these things.

So, here we go…day 3. It’s going to be a good day today.

Revolution is My Name

So, here we go again. It’s a new take on an old adventure. Here’s the coo thing. At first, it will be a road previously traveled, however, at a certain point, it will be uncharted territory. What’s the journey? Getting healthy.

No more shenanigans. My love of enchiladas is not as strong as my love of myself and of my wife and of our life together. I don’t think that anyone knows I still have this thing, so here goes. You’ll be hearing a lot from me. Struggles. Successes. Ideas. Passions. Maybe I’ll write all of this down and never think of it again. Maybe I’ll read over it when I’m having a tough day…

So what do I tell myself when I’m having a tough day and the goal seems out of reach… OK… First, YOU ARE F’ING TIRED OF BEING HUGE!!!!! You are tired of going back and forth between beltloops. You are tired of looking at those shirts in the closet that you really want to wear. You are promising yourself that you’ll keep fighting the fight. You are making you peace with the fact that, for you, it is a fight. Everyone has their battles and wars. This is your’s. Don’t rebel against it, because you will lose and be back here again.

Second, get off your ass! No whining. You are completely capable of being a success

Third, remember the promises you made to April to be a supporter and a good influence. Don’t go back on them. Stand on them. Let them push you up.

That should do it. Still doubting yourself? Well, F U!! That’s what huge Stephen has to say to you. It’s simple.

Onward through the fog. Off like a herd of turtles. Alright already!!

Screaming to Get Out

I've been known to daydream and ponder. Sometimes it happens at the expense of other tasks. Sorry about that! Anyway, sometimes I'll get an idea in my head that I cannot shake. Sometimes the idea evolves into something larger or more detailed. Lyrics (or at least lyrical prose), a picture, an event, on and on. AHHHH!!...the voices in my head. That cracks me up, because I believe we all have voices in our head. Some are more constructive than others. Some won't shit up. Some won't speak up. Mine can be pretty entertaining, albeit distracting. They are important, though. Trust me. My conscience, filters, logic, etc can manifest themselves as voices in my head. Can't ignore them! I digress...

Ever have an idea inside that is screaming to get out? I seem to always get them when I don't have time to expound on them...kind of like right now!...

White Elephant Parties

Umm...I have a question for everyone: What does the phrase "$20 limit" mean to you? I thought it meant don't spend more than $20. Evidently, some people take it to mean "Jibba Jabba Blah Blah Bibbity Boo." I brought a modest gift to our Christmas party today, and it turned out to be the dreg of the party. I ended up with it. Oh well...Merry Christmas right?

Give me Thanksgiving...food and done.

Rolling Stone Magazine

OK...have you ever read Rolling Stone? By "read," I mean actually go through the articles and soak up the contents...not just your typical Barnes and Noble flip-through. They have some incredibly well-written articles, but sometimes they make some outrageous claims. This is completely aside from their political views, which I find mildly amusing as well as typically aggravating.

What I am really referring to is their way of rating music; I seek out a great deal of music that Rolling Stone holds in high regard. Why not? I am always down to experience something new. Monsters of Folk, the New Black Crowes album (Before the Frost...Until the Freeze), and others have been well received by my quditory processes. However, sometimes Rolling Stone makes claims that confuse me. I just got their issue dedicated to the top music of the last decade. In it, they praise U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Radiohead as the greatest artists of the decade. I am neutral on the first two...don't really listen to them, but I have always heard good things about Radiohead, so I decided to investigate.

Among the scads of music on my hard drive that I have yet to ingest, I have 3 Radiohead albums. I listened to them, as they are all from this decade, and they were all mentioned by Rolling Stone as being amazing and that they are emblematic of some sort of beautiful resurrection in music. Well, the First, titled Kid A, was interesting and viciously original, but never in all my years would I view that album to be as symbolic and important as Rolling Stone did. I listened to the next album, Amnesiac, and I really liked it. I can safely say I "get it," but, again, I would not call it the music of change. I'm not saying I know more about music than Rolling Stone, but it is just interesting to me.

This difference of opinion is what makes music so great though. There is a type for each person on the planet ,and for those that claim not to like music...how hard did you look to find something you liked? Maybe it didn't matter...hmm...sounds like you might have the inner workings of an Emo fan. Maybe you are too stubborn or independent to be labeled by music like that...hmm, sounds like The Ramones and the rest of the punk revolution are waiting for you. Maybe you are just lazy...well, I don't have something witty to write here for that one. There's a tune for every attitude, and there's a song for every spirit. ...at least that's this guy's opinion...

Jingles to Jam:
Radiohead - I Might Be Wrong
Jimi Hendrix - Villanova Junction

RE: Christmas Addendum

After posting my rather strong words yesterday about holiday music, I did some looking. I heard a CD that James Taylor put out through Hallmark that was really good. He did a bluesy version of Jingle Bells that rang my bell (couldn't resist that one hehe). Anyway, I am now on a mission to find more of the same. Musicians that are doing Christmas songs within their style and comfort zone are, I believe, what I was speaking of in my post yesterday. James taylor doing a "Steamroller"-ish Jingle Bells is a great example.

Now what I am waiting for is AC/DC doing a "Night Prowler"-ish holiday tune, or, perhaps, Eric Clapton laying his expertise down on a carol with the feel of "Tears in Heaven" or "Let it Rain." We'll see.

In other news, it's Friday!!!!!!!!!! Not a moment too soon either. I don't think it could ever be too soon for a Friday. Everyone around the office is in a subtly (spelling?) jovial mood, and conversations of Christmas shopping, holiday obligations, and weekend plans are floating around the office, which is uncomfortably warm today. Good times...heaters make me tired.

Anyway, I hope this post finds everyone enjoying their day. Talk to you soon.

Tracks upon which to snack:
Masters Apprentices - Easy to Lie
James Taylor - Jingle Bells
AC/DC - Night Prowler (and the rest of their tunes from pre-1980 that aren't on the radio)
Eric Clapton - Let it Rain