Frodo managed to hold on to the One ring traipsing across Middle Earth while everyone from the Shire to Mount Doom tried to snatch it from him. I've lost three wedding rings in two years.
The first one I lost I had managed to hold on to for over 10 years. It was your typical gold band. My wife and I were fortunate enough to go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary. Somewhere between my house and terminal B at KCI I lost it. It no doubt sits at the bottom of a little river, waiting for the day some poor hobbit like creature discovers it and lets it ruin his life.
So, while in Hawaii I bought another ring at the big flea market they have at Aloha Stadium in Oahu. It was made out of some kind of stone. It cost about $3, and I wore it as my wedding band. This one came to an unfortunate end because I took it off while working out in the garage. When I was done I tried to grab it, but the ring deceived me. It leaped from my hand and dove toward the concrete floor. When it hit, it broke into exactly three pieces.
The third ring of power I lost after my warm up swim at the Windsor Tri. It was a Christmas gift from my wife and it was made of titanium. I was sure it wouldn't break. But it did something I did not expect. After my warm up, I interlocked my fingers behind my back to stretch my shoulders, and when I released my hands, the ring flew off into the grass. I looked around but couldn't find it. I was sure that short guy with the big feet hanging around there grabbed it and put it in his pocket, but I couldn't prove it.
So, I've been ringless for a couple of months now, and I still feel naked without my Precious. I feel the urge to tell people, "Yes, I'm married! I lost my rings, that's all."
Being the big nerd that I am, if I get a change to replace my wedding band, I'd like to get one of those replica One rings (it'll have to be a replica because, you know, the real one was destroyed). See.
In other news, I signed up for the K-Swiss Ironman 70.3 Branson. Care to join me?
I intended to run this morning, but when I looked outside there was snow and sleet...oh, who cares? Maybe I'll go anyways.
OK, Merry Christmas! Peace of Christ to you this Christmas, and all year long.
God bless us all, everyone!
Frodo lives!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Running to the Beat
Have you tried to run to one of those tacks with bouncing club music? I have, and I can't quite get it to work for me. Either the beat is too slow or I can't stay on rhythm. I find myself going, "Left, left, left, right, left, OK, here we go...dang it! I'm off again!" Another distraction is the lyrics, which are usually one line for each "song", repeated a few dozen times. The words to a recent one I listened to went something like, "She wants it." I spent about a mile and a half trying figure out what she wanted.
While I run or workout I generally listen to some boring podcast where they're discussing the sociological implications of theistic evolution or some other equally tedious topic. I wonder, however, if I'd run faster with music playing. Obviously I can't listen to that cool, hip dance music the kids listen to in their night clubs, but maybe something else. Would I run faster with Hank Williams playing? Or Rich Mullins? Ace of Base?
Maybe someone should put out a track with that drill Sergeant from Full Metal Jacket screaming in your ears. Or something else more positive and encouraging (K-Love? Ack!)?
Here's something else I wish someone would invent: a device that lets you race a "ghost". You know how on Mario Cart you can race one of the ghosts, or rather, race against yourself or someone else who's already completed the race? As you're racing, you can see where the other person was on the track at that time. What about one of those GPS enabled wrist watches that will do that for you? I don't need a 3D display or anything, just two dots going along a route. Most of the time I'm running along and going, "OK, what was my time when I got to the stop sign yesterday? Oh yes, one minute. No, wait, that's one mile. Wait. The turn at the park is a mile. Wait, you certainly didn't run a mile in a minute, so the stop sign must be one minute, not one mile..." That goes on for about a mile and a half.
OK, speaking of running, it's time to do that.
While I run or workout I generally listen to some boring podcast where they're discussing the sociological implications of theistic evolution or some other equally tedious topic. I wonder, however, if I'd run faster with music playing. Obviously I can't listen to that cool, hip dance music the kids listen to in their night clubs, but maybe something else. Would I run faster with Hank Williams playing? Or Rich Mullins? Ace of Base?
Maybe someone should put out a track with that drill Sergeant from Full Metal Jacket screaming in your ears. Or something else more positive and encouraging (K-Love? Ack!)?
Here's something else I wish someone would invent: a device that lets you race a "ghost". You know how on Mario Cart you can race one of the ghosts, or rather, race against yourself or someone else who's already completed the race? As you're racing, you can see where the other person was on the track at that time. What about one of those GPS enabled wrist watches that will do that for you? I don't need a 3D display or anything, just two dots going along a route. Most of the time I'm running along and going, "OK, what was my time when I got to the stop sign yesterday? Oh yes, one minute. No, wait, that's one mile. Wait. The turn at the park is a mile. Wait, you certainly didn't run a mile in a minute, so the stop sign must be one minute, not one mile..." That goes on for about a mile and a half.
OK, speaking of running, it's time to do that.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Product Reviews
Whoa! I just noticed that my iTunes account has 666 podcast episodes. What other sign do we need to prove we're living in the Great Tribulation?
Actually, I converted to Preterism some time ago, so I don't know what the heck's going to happen in the next seven years.
Some of the blogs I try to emulate have many followers and offer product reviews. My blog does not have many followers, and I have not offered any product reviews. Perhaps I don't have many followers because I haven't offered any product reviews. I shall rectify that today.
No, a sponsor (like, say, Under Armour) did not recently send me an item hoping I'd praise its virtues on my blog. That only happens to the popular bloggers, evidently. I did, however, receive some free workout attire some time ago that I shall review today. Full disclosure: These clothes were made available to me by the United States Department of the Navy. Go Navy!
The very comfortable matching sweat pants and sweat shirt I'm wearing now were manufactured by the Soffe company, right here in the USA! In NC no less! Not some soft, west coast state in the Pacific Northwest (or China). The style I have is a grey sweat pants color, which, according to me and Miley, never goes out of fashion. Think Rocky. Think Burgess Meredith. Think sweat. Perfect for boxing and pilates.
I can actually hear Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah as I run through Philadelphia when I'm wearing these bad boys. For some reason, I even put a towel in my collar. I don't know what that's for, but it was good enough for the champ.
Fifty percent fortrel polyester, fifty percent cotton allows for breathability. I'm not even kidding about that. The draw string on the pants is superfluous for me as the elastic waistband is enough to hold 'em up. The elasticized gathered ankles keeps the bottom of my pants from flapping all around like some kind of commie Oregon state flag.
Don't be a bum! You have to get some of these. When they gave me these at Camp Geiger in NC (Marine combat training for the rest of us) in 1995 the idea was to make us all look the same. That is not a problem here in the civilian world. Nobody ('cept Miley and pregnant girls) sports these grey sweat pants anymore. Stand out from the crowd with Soffe Sweats sweat pants and shirts.
And yes, you read that right, 1995. I've rocked these for 15 years, and they're as gray as the day I got 'em! Are your Under Armour garments going to last that long? Sheah, right.
(BTW, I love Under Armour and would gladly pimp my blog for them if they'd send me something!)
Actually, I converted to Preterism some time ago, so I don't know what the heck's going to happen in the next seven years.
Some of the blogs I try to emulate have many followers and offer product reviews. My blog does not have many followers, and I have not offered any product reviews. Perhaps I don't have many followers because I haven't offered any product reviews. I shall rectify that today.
No, a sponsor (like, say, Under Armour) did not recently send me an item hoping I'd praise its virtues on my blog. That only happens to the popular bloggers, evidently. I did, however, receive some free workout attire some time ago that I shall review today. Full disclosure: These clothes were made available to me by the United States Department of the Navy. Go Navy!
The very comfortable matching sweat pants and sweat shirt I'm wearing now were manufactured by the Soffe company, right here in the USA! In NC no less! Not some soft, west coast state in the Pacific Northwest (or China). The style I have is a grey sweat pants color, which, according to me and Miley, never goes out of fashion. Think Rocky. Think Burgess Meredith. Think sweat. Perfect for boxing and pilates.
I can actually hear Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah as I run through Philadelphia when I'm wearing these bad boys. For some reason, I even put a towel in my collar. I don't know what that's for, but it was good enough for the champ.
Fifty percent fortrel polyester, fifty percent cotton allows for breathability. I'm not even kidding about that. The draw string on the pants is superfluous for me as the elastic waistband is enough to hold 'em up. The elasticized gathered ankles keeps the bottom of my pants from flapping all around like some kind of commie Oregon state flag.
Don't be a bum! You have to get some of these. When they gave me these at Camp Geiger in NC (Marine combat training for the rest of us) in 1995 the idea was to make us all look the same. That is not a problem here in the civilian world. Nobody ('cept Miley and pregnant girls) sports these grey sweat pants anymore. Stand out from the crowd with Soffe Sweats sweat pants and shirts.
And yes, you read that right, 1995. I've rocked these for 15 years, and they're as gray as the day I got 'em! Are your Under Armour garments going to last that long? Sheah, right.
(BTW, I love Under Armour and would gladly pimp my blog for them if they'd send me something!)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
American Top Gear
It's not you, it's me.
Honestly folks, it's the same show.
Well, yes and no.
I've been down on the American Top Gear for a little while now, even before I saw it, which is proof of my amazing ability to prejudge. But now I have seen the first two episodes and have to conclude that all the elements are there, except the chemistry.
The banter between the above hosts, whose names I can't remember, seems awkward, forced, and most often, dull. Also, when they directly address us, the audience, it doesn't quite resonate. It's a bit like trying to talk with a friend of a friend.
All of that, however, is probably just me. Others may find these guys quite engaging. And over time they may find their comfort zone and become more interesting.
Aside from that, it looks to me they replicated the BBC version of this show. There are challenges, a Stig, a test track, celebrities driving a reasonably priced car, reviews of cars you can't afford, etc. Surprisingly, at least to me, they even retained the standing studio audience. The graceful and artistic presentations of the cars they are reviewing is also a part of the American version. The theme song is even the same.
The American version is only an hour long, with commercials. I have not seen them do a news segment yet, so that is at least one part they did cut out. The BBC version so far has gotten bigger celebrities to drive their small cars. For instance, Tom Cruise holds the record with their current car on the test track. The American version has had Buzz Aldrin and Meriadoc Brandybuck.
My favorite challenges on the BBC version are when they race from point A to point B across Europe, like from London to some ski resort is Switzerland, James and Hammond using traditional transportation, and Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron, or some other fantasy car. So I hope that sort of thing makes into the American version, though I haven't seen it yet.
The first challenge on the American Version, however, was promising. Two of the American guys, in a Dodge Viper, had to elude a Cobra attack helicopter trying to get a missile lock on them. However, the whole bit seemed overly produced, and the repartee lacking. To be fair, though Clarkson and his fellows come across much more natural on the BBC version, I recognize that their bits and challenges are overly produced as well at times.
So, I wish the History Channel success with this endeavor, and I hope the show makes it. I believe they need to give it some time to gel. Perhaps some day the American hosts can quit explaining all the bits. If you're a fan of the BBC version, you might as well watch the American version. If you haven't watched either, it's worth looking at, just don't expect to like the hosts right off the line.
Oh, one other thing. When they are actually in the cars, driving, testing, what have you, if you watch through a mirror, it appears they are on the "correct" side of the car.
Honestly folks, it's the same show.
Well, yes and no.
I've been down on the American Top Gear for a little while now, even before I saw it, which is proof of my amazing ability to prejudge. But now I have seen the first two episodes and have to conclude that all the elements are there, except the chemistry.
The banter between the above hosts, whose names I can't remember, seems awkward, forced, and most often, dull. Also, when they directly address us, the audience, it doesn't quite resonate. It's a bit like trying to talk with a friend of a friend.
All of that, however, is probably just me. Others may find these guys quite engaging. And over time they may find their comfort zone and become more interesting.
Aside from that, it looks to me they replicated the BBC version of this show. There are challenges, a Stig, a test track, celebrities driving a reasonably priced car, reviews of cars you can't afford, etc. Surprisingly, at least to me, they even retained the standing studio audience. The graceful and artistic presentations of the cars they are reviewing is also a part of the American version. The theme song is even the same.
The American version is only an hour long, with commercials. I have not seen them do a news segment yet, so that is at least one part they did cut out. The BBC version so far has gotten bigger celebrities to drive their small cars. For instance, Tom Cruise holds the record with their current car on the test track. The American version has had Buzz Aldrin and Meriadoc Brandybuck.
My favorite challenges on the BBC version are when they race from point A to point B across Europe, like from London to some ski resort is Switzerland, James and Hammond using traditional transportation, and Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron, or some other fantasy car. So I hope that sort of thing makes into the American version, though I haven't seen it yet.
The first challenge on the American Version, however, was promising. Two of the American guys, in a Dodge Viper, had to elude a Cobra attack helicopter trying to get a missile lock on them. However, the whole bit seemed overly produced, and the repartee lacking. To be fair, though Clarkson and his fellows come across much more natural on the BBC version, I recognize that their bits and challenges are overly produced as well at times.
So, I wish the History Channel success with this endeavor, and I hope the show makes it. I believe they need to give it some time to gel. Perhaps some day the American hosts can quit explaining all the bits. If you're a fan of the BBC version, you might as well watch the American version. If you haven't watched either, it's worth looking at, just don't expect to like the hosts right off the line.
Oh, one other thing. When they are actually in the cars, driving, testing, what have you, if you watch through a mirror, it appears they are on the "correct" side of the car.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Pumped Up
You can hear me now and believe me later, but I am getting pumped up. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see how my body is responding to all of my work outs.
Actually, I'm still weighing in at a girly-man 160 pounds, or 11 and a half stones for fans of Top Gear. But that's OK, I'm not really trying to gain weight, I dejectedly tell myself. I'm just trying to get stronger and stay fit. Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to do.
I'm not trying to injure myself, but I have this nagging pain in my left should and left side of my neck. There's been a stiffness on the left side of my neck for quite a while. Many moons ago, when I started riding a bike again, I noticed it was hard to look over my left should at traffic. I have to basically turn all the way around in the saddle like one of those equestrian trick riders. The pain, however, is not from lifting. I think it's my bed, but more on that some other time, including how I had to go to Wal-mart and buy a new pillow.
I've been reading this guy's blog about his 5X5 system. He's sort of a self help lifting guru, and he's a bit of a contrarian, which always appeals to me. He stresses squatting and places a high priority on that lift. Through the years I've always avoided squats, though I do believe you need to do them. At home, however, what I can squat is limited to how much I can lift over my head. Needless to say, that's not a lot. I may have a solution, though. Some time ago I built some saw horses. I got to looking at those one day and here's what I came up with:
Now I can appropriately hurt myself by trying to squat more weight that I can lift. (I do not recommend this set up for you. If you try this at home, or anywhere, you will die and/or become seriously disabled and injured with no hope of recovery. The saw horses are designed for carpentry projects, not to act as a proper squatting rack.)
Speaking of musclely guys from Belgium, a movie you should see is JCVD. Jean-Claude plays himself, a once-popular actor still trying to get work, and gets mistaken for a bank robber. There's a weird soliloquy in the middle, but it's still pretty good. Check it out if you get the chance.
And now, the new me:
Actually, I'm still weighing in at a girly-man 160 pounds, or 11 and a half stones for fans of Top Gear. But that's OK, I'm not really trying to gain weight, I dejectedly tell myself. I'm just trying to get stronger and stay fit. Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to do.
I'm not trying to injure myself, but I have this nagging pain in my left should and left side of my neck. There's been a stiffness on the left side of my neck for quite a while. Many moons ago, when I started riding a bike again, I noticed it was hard to look over my left should at traffic. I have to basically turn all the way around in the saddle like one of those equestrian trick riders. The pain, however, is not from lifting. I think it's my bed, but more on that some other time, including how I had to go to Wal-mart and buy a new pillow.
I've been reading this guy's blog about his 5X5 system. He's sort of a self help lifting guru, and he's a bit of a contrarian, which always appeals to me. He stresses squatting and places a high priority on that lift. Through the years I've always avoided squats, though I do believe you need to do them. At home, however, what I can squat is limited to how much I can lift over my head. Needless to say, that's not a lot. I may have a solution, though. Some time ago I built some saw horses. I got to looking at those one day and here's what I came up with:
Now I can appropriately hurt myself by trying to squat more weight that I can lift. (I do not recommend this set up for you. If you try this at home, or anywhere, you will die and/or become seriously disabled and injured with no hope of recovery. The saw horses are designed for carpentry projects, not to act as a proper squatting rack.)
Speaking of musclely guys from Belgium, a movie you should see is JCVD. Jean-Claude plays himself, a once-popular actor still trying to get work, and gets mistaken for a bank robber. There's a weird soliloquy in the middle, but it's still pretty good. Check it out if you get the chance.
And now, the new me:
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