Friday, January 25, 2013

excellence



I had ESPN on while i was working out this morning, watching Murray vs. Federer, and I had to stop and admire the sheer magnificence on display.  Those two men were crafting shot after shot, and it made me reflect on how I need to do a better job of appreciating excellence where ever I see it.  From the short order cook who folds an omelette just right, to IRO and his mad skills with a geetar and vocals to Mikey & Tom and their superior IT skills, I am surrounded by surpassing talent and beauty.

As for me....I'm pretty good at drinking beer.  I am not sure if there are any overt skills that I could rate myself as excellent at, but then again maybe it's all about the pursuit so I'll keep trying.

Got a good dumbbell workout in today.  Can't wait until the weather breaks and I can get back out on the road.


Friday, January 18, 2013

D I V O R C E










became final today....

One of my resolutions for 2013 was to not let myself be involved in negative relationships if i could possibly avoid them.  Life is too short to continually feel like you're the only one who's really trying to make it work.  So after last night, I've decided that it's time for a divorce. 

That's right, I'm ending my lifelong relationship with Illinois athletics.  For more years than I can remember, I've put my heart and soul into our relationship, only to be left disillusioned and disconsolate.  The 84 & 08 Rose Bowl trips, along with the flying Illini and 'Dee for three' were fun, but really just weekend flings when compared to the heart breaking timeline of being a lifelong Illinois fan.

I'm sure that little J O E and the rest of the team will bounce back and do well without me, but I can no longer afford to let things that are outside of my locus of control affect me like last nights' crushing defeat.  I wish you well, Orange and Blue.  Farewell, and may we part as friends.

In fatboy fitness news, Anthony Ewing and I went 2.5 miles in 41 minutes this morning in the cold and I must say that it's always better to walk with a partner than solo. 


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

fire



Living in a small town like I do, I am always struck by two strong emotions whenever I see firetrucks springing into action.

The first is dread, because chances are pretty good that I'm going to know the person or family whose world could be changed irreparably by the flames, and also because fires are dangerous and those guys dragging the hoses into tight spots are my friends and neighbors, which leads me to......

Pride.  You see, we don't have "professional" firemen here in bucolic VG or the surrounding bergs.  These guys are all volunteers.  They're exterminators and teachers.  Truckers and farmers.  Guys and gals who are willing to put their personal lives on hold for the common good and I am proud to call them my buds.  

So give them a big cheer the next time you see them in a parade, tossing out candy with sirens blazing.  They've earned it.



In fitness news, mapmyrun says I went 1.3 miles in 23 minutes this morning.  Not far, but not bad.   

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I fought the crud



and the crud won.

I've fought off a sinus infection and bronchitis and started (slowwwwlllly) easing my way back into working out.  I did 20 minutes cardio yesterday and followed up with a workout with the dumbbells this morning.
Shoulder presses, squats, curls, triceps extensions with low weight and high reps.  Sweaty and breathing hard and I LIKE it.

Kids have been fighting off the flu as well.  We had two at home yesterday and #1 son has a date with the ENT specialist today.

God is great, beer is good and people (especially those in my world!) are crazy!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

changes





With sincerest apologies to Ozzie and the boys, I'm going through changes.  Not the big D, like Bill Ward in 72 when Sabbath wrote the tune, but more like personal ones.  Changes in attitudes, changes in goals, etc.

Last night was a pretty big step for me.  For the past 10 years plus, Friday night has been pizza night in Hookerville.  We usually either grab a frozen one or pick one up from somewhere if we're feeling rich, and last night was no exception, with one difference.  Last night I didn't partake. Instead I sauteed some shrimp in no salt butter with garlic and mixed them with some whole wheat pasta for a scampi of sorts, and it was good.  Only 500 or so calories and less than 200 mg's of sodium.

Now if only i can fight off this cruddy bug that's invaded, we'll be all good.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Perspective....


or lack thereof.  So after watching the Illini lose to a team that they shouldn't have for about the millionth time in my life, letting it impact my mood to the point where I was angry with the kids, short with the little brown haired girl, and up at 2 am wondering why we played so poorly, it occurred to me that maybe I'm just a little too emotionally attached to my college team.  So, in this spirit of new beginnings for 2013, I'm resolving to blog more, eat less, work out daily and not sweat so many of the petty things, including the varsity teams that represent my beloved University.   So if anyone has anything they need help with at 1:15 Saturday afternoon, give me a call.  I'll be available.

Did ten minutes on the step machine and let the sadistic woman who lives inside the XBOX crush my woefully out of shape body for 20 more today.

Have a great day, and do something positive!