And it continues...

It has been 30 days to the day since I started the "No beer, no soda" 60-day challenge. And I gotta be honest, it's been a thrill, for more than one reason. But, let's get to the nitty gritty of this first.

First off, I gotta pass his name again, Jason "JBoom" Legaard, for inspiring me to do this. He has his 90-day challenge with his health shakes that he promotes, and I always like to make things tougher on myself, which made me choose this health challenge. I have implemented a health shake for a meal, just like he suggested, and it lets me be healthy full for a few hours.

For those who don't keep tabs on me on Facebook, here is what my calendar looks like after a month.

 The Sunday was a soda, the rest are gym related. Being lazy. But, as I am sure you noticed though, My weight within a two and a half weeks time went from ~265lbs to 256lbs. It could be more, as my 265 was always an estimate, but the point is 256lbs... I haven't been that light in... Well... A few years. As my calendar as proof, it really lit a fire inside of me to continue. Those next two weeks of working out and dietary habits were a breeze. I never, ever, suggest looking at the numbers, as it isn't my weight, but shirt size that matters... But my god was it a positive influence to see. 

I remember my buddy Jake not believing I weighed 279lbs one night after we had Thanksgiving in the beginning of December, 2011. He brought out his scale and I stood on it, no jacket, shoes, or items in my pockets. Sure enough, 279lbs. He owed me a dollar. I never wanted to see a scale tell me that again.

This is my habits of food thus far ----
_____________________________
 My "Morning" (4pm) consists of blueberries, a couple strawberries, banana, ice, and milk, with Vi-Shake nutritional shake mix all blended together and a cup of 100% not concentrated Apple Juice. Take vitamins. Drink shake while on the computer doing my normal morning routine of FB, Gmail, Youtube, and Lifehacker. That is my breakfast.

"Lunch" (10pm-midnight) is whatever I had leftover at home, or some type of homemade meal I made. I didn't restrict myself too heavily on this, but the key was to make it at home, not heat up, make it. The food ranged from tacos, Chicken Alfredo, Spaghetti, or bean and cheese burritos. I have chicken enchilada's waiting at my dads too, which was made by the wonderful Carol and my darling sister Tiffany. The only exception to this rule was leftovers from restaurants. The reason? It's a much smaller portions normally (being leftovers) and the food I order could not be made in a frier.

Dinner (5:30am-8am) is normally something really light, as I head to bed shortly after. Lately it has been unsalted Cashews and some cherries and cranberries, just something to put me in the mood to snooze.
_____________________________

My falters during this month.
-I've had fast food once for lunch, it was Sonic.
-I had a Jack and Coke with my cousin who was on leave for the military.
-I haven't been to the actual LA Fitness Gym in a few weeks, home workouts only.

Time for the fun news. This whole experience has really enlightened the way I feel about certain things. Just changing a few things in my life that I loved, the beer and soda, has really strengthened me to not eat fast food, to cut back on my portions, to drink more healthy liquids and really keep an eye on myself. Even when it came to the mixed drinks I order on the rare occasion I drank. It was "cranberry juice and vodka" and nothing else. I kept it simple so I know what my intake is. I told myself at the beginning, if I am gonna do this, I need to do it full force. And so far, I really felt that I have. I like having this self-accomplishment I got going on.

Second, I really owe my friends and family for their full support in this endeavor. They have really helped me keep myself in check. Sarah and Kelli always encourage me to work out, and have taken it upon themselves to hold me to it. My sister, brothers, and my good friend Mike G are always making sure I don't have beer.
 And with all this being said... My challenge was to not have any beer or soda for 60 days. That was it. Everything else in my normal lifestyle wasn't supposed to change. But my family and friends have really stepped up there game to make sure my choices outside of soda and beer stay healthy as well.

Mike told our server to get me a salad at the Tilted Kilt instead of the Bacon cheeseburger I was trying to order. Chelsie (our server and friend of ours) brought out the salad.

Alicia was eating a Kitkat and offered me some and then pulled it away, saying "Oh wait, you're on your diet" And I told her my challenge did not involve Kitkat bars and I want one, but she refused! "Nope, you don't get one." and popped the last piece in her mouth.

My sister and Carol made the chicken enchiladas, and Tiffany was nice enough to put some aside specifically for me to take to work, knowing that it fit well into my challenge.

Thank you again to everyone who I did and did not mention. I'd lie if I said it was easy... But I'd be lying even more if I said it was hard. It would be difficult if all of you didn't help me out. Just another 30 days to go... It'll be July 19th when I finish this up... No Excuses.

Just FYI, I love reading comments, and haven't had any as of late... So comment below! You don't need to sign up, just name and e-mail I think. Easy Schmeezy.

~Just a thought.
“We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
Even longer,' Pooh answered.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Vielo the Priest.

Part 2:

“I was once a priest that was possessed by a demon called Seraf. I knew of the demon’s presence before the possession was complete, and I had finished a prayer to banish Seraf at the same moment he possessed me. The mixture of dark and holy magic melded him within me, his soul now attached to mine. Without a pure soul to run the body, I started to age and decay.

                “I spent more and more time away from my people and more within the confines of my studies, trying to find a way to purify my soul and get rid of Seraf without arising suspicion. I was afraid that with an unclean soul they wouldn’t trust me, and I truly loved it there in Swallow. I used to pray for hours on end, but prayer now hurt, as the demon’s soul was now mine and he was not holy. It wasn’t until a month passed that my fellow priests and took notice. My brothers by god, Father Aztha and Father Leo, attempted to exorcize the demon from within me. It was only then did I realize the power within me. The demon was powerful, and he was mine. I did not want him to escape me. Luckily, my conscience had since withered away and I gave in to the demon’s promises. As our two souls became one I rose and escaped, killing Aztha in the process.

                “I was banished for the death of a high priest, and left for six years searching for a home. I practiced the dark magic’s mixed with holy magic. The ability to separate a soul from its body is a great tool when they speak of blasphemy. My flock became large and even those who perished could rise to follow me. I returned to Swallow no longer as a priest, but as a god. My minions ran through the village converting its people. It did not matter to me or my flock if they were alive or dead. Priests and nuns and monks ran out to defend their people, but their holy magic’s could only withstand my influence for so long. I entered the cathedral setting it aflame. On the balcony I saw Father Leo, now a legend and hero among his people.

                “Leo and I fought a glorious battle, dark vs. light, eternal death vs. eternal life. We were perfect for each other. A counter for every swing, a parry for every thrust. It could have lasted forever. There was only one moment of mistake. Leo had stepped back, sword in hand, and raised it toward me and started to utter an incantation. A sword such as his went into his back and out his chest, his partner Aztha, now a member among my flock holding the blade.

                “I put my hand of death onto Leo’s brow, telling him that he will become my disciple and will join Aztha soon.

                “The church was razed to the ground and the people there were now among my flock. I cursed the ground to make sure no life there grew again. I no longer felt it right to call myself Vielo, he was a priest, where I am a god.

                “I am Veraf, the sum and murderer of Vielo the high priest, and Seraf the demon. Necromancer and death dealer. Shunned by demons as a holy man, shunned by people as cursed. And you are the only one who has escaped my grasp, the one I have hunted hoping you would follow me as a disciple, and it is you who has come to kill me… Yet it is I who have you trapped, Drave, the demon hunter. Stripped of both your revolvers, surrounded by lava, and now only holding a femur in your left hand as a club, you still fight a god. You have sent both Aztha and Leo to the afterlife right before me, but I forgive you. I am confident their deaths will be a fine price to pay for someone such as you.”

                Veraf stuck out his hand, now nothing but bone with a purple glow on his index finger. As it came close to Drave’s brow, Drave dropped the femur and pulled his third revolver and fired two silver bullets into Veraf’s chest. He fell to a knee, for the first time in a long time feeling real pain. Drave fired a third shot that sent the priest onto this back.

                Drave stepped onto the priest’s chest; it protruded a dark, coagulated blood. Drave took a fourth shot into the skull, Veraf’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. With a small kick, Veraf rolled into the liquid fire, a brief scream let out before silence.

                The cowboy walked back to the bar where he sat, his whiskey still on the step. He took a swig and then dumped out the remains. He took a parchment from his jacket pocket. The paper was thick with a note already written. He rolled it up and slid it into the bottle and then sealed it. He took off his hat and placed it on a nail on one of the posts. He then slid off his jacket and hung it on another. Lastly, he took off his belt, along with the two revolvers and hung them on a third.

Drave set the bottle with the parchment in front of his effects. He turned around and never looked back.

And so it begins...

The healthy me has battled the 21 year old me for quite some time now making the decision to give up beer and soda for a couple of months. I have doubts myself about completing this task, but at the same time I really, really want to lose this gut of mine. Honestly I think soda and the first month without beer will be somewhat easy, it's the second month, the month after a month of no beer with the guys that is gonna be difficult. But I've seen the lack of calorie intake with the dedication of working out can do to a guy. And that's what I plan to do.

Furthermore, I read an article from Lifehacker that offered tips on how to do daily tasks done (such as working out). One idea was to make a physical calendar about the task and marking it with a Big X every day you complete that particular task. You basically make it a game for yourself, an obligation not only to your task but to see how long you can keep your streak of X's going. And I think it'll work too after a little while, I mean if I get through the next two weeks without any beer or soda, and then working out every Mon, Wed, Fri at least, then I'll want to make sure to get that third week, and then the fourth, etc... I plan on posting weekly photos of the X's and potential failures that come along on Facebook, so people judging can be a motivator too. 

My slew of veggies and fruits have become routine and I'm mixing them up a bit now that I got the amounts corrected so it is a shake and not a yogurt. Unfortunately my mangoes went bad before I had the courage to slice and dice them into my new protein shake mix, but I plan to buy more later anyway. And, speaking of protein shake mix...

Here is my non-professional, but totally fair review of this new protein shake mix that I won in a drawing from my friend J-Boom. He is an advocate for Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake and had a presentation that I went to. Now, to get started in this wonderful review, I wanna talk about my buddy Jason "J-Boom" Legaard first. He's a good guy. A Mensch. He has a wonderful heart, takes love in the little things. He really tries to spread what the simple matter of thinking "I can" vs. "I can't" and what it can do for a person. He invited me and Mike Gulyas to a presentation on this new shake that he is in love with and is trying to help promote, At first I was skeptical, after all I already have a protein shake. I tell him beforehand that I'm not gonna buy it at least until my copious amount of protein supplement is gone. He says that's fine to just come and listen. 

Well, I do. And still I was skeptical. The main reason is because I've heard of companies like Vi-Skate before. It isn't in stores from what I recall, and Vi-Ship is only spread by people who both use it and want to sell it. One of those "You can make money by getting other people to sell it" kind of thing. And it's true, the way to make money in it is to not just sell the product, but to get other people to sell the product with you, who in turn want to get others... You get the picture. The only thing really GOOD about the whole idea behind it is that it is a health product. Something that actually benefits and supports health and losing weight and getting in shape. Which, you know, I'm a HUGE support for if you haven't noticed. It's kind of my thing.

(I guess it is also for people who want to get used to speaking in front of people who want their own business. I've never had that trouble of speaking in front of people though.)

So I go in and listen with LOTS of skepticism, again, I already have a protein shake mix that works for me. But I got a free sample and it tasted good. I listen to Jason and he talks about the shake and a bunch of it makes sense. He's lost weight with it while still remaining completely healthy and not doing any additional exercise. He hands out order forms in case I or the other people there want to purchase one of the four products, and even below you can sign up for the presentation package to have parties and get-togethers similar to J's.

Mike, who just started his physical fitness buys one of the orders and it's being shipped to him. I decline an order, and soon after we go into the drawing. It just so happens I won that drawing so I got a free bag of Vi-Slate-Nutritional Shake. So I tell Jason I'll give it a shot over my regular mix. The flavor of this one is a basic "Sweet Cream" over your basic Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry. 

The next morning I get home from work, strut my stuff into the kitchen, and take out the Vi-Lake mix and my fruit, milk, and yogurt. I pour it all into my blender, blend, add some ice, and blend again. I take a drink... And it was delicious. You know that small complaint in my previous post about tasting my protein shake? Yeah, totally not a problem with this one. It just tastes... Well, good, like a nothing but fruit smoothie should taste like.

I read the label again to make sure, it has good vitamins and minerals needed, and continue reading and it has 26grams of protein per scoop. I check my other protein mix and it shows as 27grams. That confirms, to me, that it IS a protein shake mix. I licked my finger and dipped it into my new mix and tried it. Though the aftertaste of  "protein" is there it is far less significant. It still tastes good. This product convinced me by itself. I am SO happy I got this bag for free, because I would have continued with my regular protein batch. Which is tolerable. Not good.

If you are looking into nutritional diets, or increasing your protein intake, you gotta give this a shot. Just because, again, it tastes good and it IS good for you. I've had about 5 or 6 shakes with this mix and every single one of them is good. Tomorrow I think I am just gonna milk and shake mix and mix it with a spoon like I used to do before the blender and see how it goes. That I haven't done yet, but, I tried it plain off my finger and it is far better than my original mix for certain. Also remember I got just the bag. There are other nutritional supplements they also offer to go along with it. You'd have to ask J-Boom about that, but I know for a fact he'd be more than happy to talk to you about it. He loves the idea of health and nutrition as well.

It is a little on the pricey side somewhat, especially when you get into the bigger deals they got going on right now, but I'll be honest with you, after trying this bag I will probably go back and order a second bag from J-Boom if this continues to taste as good as it is. Flavor with nutritious results IS possible, and this is one of those proofs.

Thanks J-Boom, always keep in touch. I'll see you around at Karaoke. Akuna Matata.

 

Here is some of J-Booms information for you if you are interested. Again, he's just like me, only older, and is happy to chit chat about anything, and loves health and being healthy. If you plan on ordering anything from Vi-shake, contact Jason about it. He does profit from your orders and it's always good to help the little man out.

Personal blog - http://www.jasonlegaard.com

Youtube videos and video blog - http://www.youtube.com/user/jasonlegaard

Vi-Shake - http://www.bodybyvishake.com/

Update: Tomorrow I am going to post the second part of 4 to my very short tale of Drave. If you haven't read it, it is here, or in February. I never got feedback, but I assume people read it, so I'll post part two for people's enjoyment.

~Just a thought

“Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience some-thing and some-one new. Seize the opportunity. Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world.” - Rodney Williams

Promise fulfilled.

So, I'm fashionably late for my post, but I made it.
Unfortunately, it isn't gonna be the actual post I had planned on writing, because I have someone to add to my list of "Who made me" blog that is still a part of this blog. But this is another musing that I am doing instead. But don't worry, the next two to three weeks I have several (four) posts I plan to do.
.......... I completely forgot what I was going to write about. Swear to the holy. <- Why not talk about religion?

I am one of those hipsters who say they are spiritual but not religious.

I was raised in a Christian household and at the beginning of my life we went almost every Sunday. When we found a church we enjoyed, my siblings and I attended Sunday School. My brother Jeremy was baptized, and later my sister and myself were baptized by our favorite pastor named Aaron at that church. Eventually we stopped going. Why? I really dunno, I was a kid at the time, but I can only guess it is because of my and my siblings bickering and complaining about losing two and a half hours of our weekend. We bickered a lot.
(I remembered what I was going to write up above^, but let's keep going with this.) So we stopped going around age 13.

When I was fourteen, my parents divorced. With my very strong household shaken so suddenly, I turned to something, the Bible. I remember talking to my pastor named Jeremy Mustard and he didn't really know how to respond to "Where do I begin?" when I asked him. He told me the New Testament, so I started, and I read it like a book. Just page after page. I took it with me places that had a waiting room and just read. I'm sure I got looks, but I didn't care. I can honestly say I have read most of the Bible. Mostly New Testament, and then my favorite stories of the Old Testament (The stories of Noah, Job, Moses, etc) I must have skipped a few of the books in the New Testament, I know I've read Revelations, but I think I would remember finishing the entire New Testament entirely.... I'm getting off track.
--I switched Bibles at one point from a plain "Holy Bible" that you find in Hotels to my Student Bible. It had an index of topics to read about. So I looked up every section of divorce and read that too. It comforted me in having knowledge of it and I took in comfort from God and Christianity. I asked my dad more than once for rides to churches that I was trying out, went to camp with one after just two days of being reacquainted there, met Austin, Corbin, and Jordan, all of whom I no longer speak to unfortunately. Eventually I found one with a friend Aleah who's father was the minister. Joined that Sunday School too. I brought many friends and went every Sunday and Wednesday night. This was all between the ages of 14-16, before my license. So what happened you ask? Well, to be completely honest with you, I was kind of tired of always putting God first and giving him all of the credit... Sounds selfish right? I mean I definitely turned to him when I needed, and the whole religion and religious experience help me through turmoil... But to this day I think that is what he, God, wants.

----Before continuing, I have tried to make this as neutral as possible, so if I offend anyone, I am very sorry. Any debated comments will be read but ignored. Thank you.

I personally think God isn't Sexist, Racist, or Prejudice  in any way. He loves us the way the Bible describes, as his children. If you want a different perspective, look at the way you look at animals, all of them are beautiful and unique.
That being said, I don't think religion matters. I don't think God cares if you call him God, or Allah, or YAHWEH, Shiva, or any other who may have some type of religious deity that doesn't have to do with human sacrifice or pain.
I think that if you are a good person, and love people the way he does, he couldn't deny you into heaven. Why would he?
Let me give you two men.  They work hard, pray every day, love their wives and children, treats themselves well and treats people around them with respect. One is Islam, one is Christian.
What makes one better than the other? Do you really think God cares about one more than the other? Accept one into heaven while denying the other? I certainly don't.
Time to make it slightly more interesting...
 Let me give you two men.  They work hard, pray every day, treats themselves well and treats people around them with respect. One has a husband and one has a wife. I still don't think that God cares about one over the other. I still can't believe an all knowing, all forgiving, all loving being would deny the homosexual over the hetero. And no, I don't care what your Bible or Koran say. If they bash being gay or lesbian, than they are wrong. <Funny thing, BTW, they say very, VERY similar things in the books. If your Christian, read the Koran, if you are Muslim, read the Bible, and then be friends.>

I love people. I love the interaction, the rational decision versus the irrational emotion. I love brainstorming, I like how best friends become twins, and how strangers fall in love. I love the eyes. You can see right into someone's soul and learn all about their feelings in an instant when you look in the eyes. Least I can, I dunno about you.

I would never abandon someone based off their age, sex, sexual orientation, disfigurement, religion or what they think about me. And I don't think God would either.
It's what they do that matters. What they do in the world. Whether their spirit is of good or evil.
I could be wrong and I am fine with it if I am. But People are worth fighting for and I will forever fight for good people, so long as they are worth defending.
If the Christian religion is right, and judgement day comes and all of the Christians disappear into heaven, I will be happy to dine with the Muslims.
If Islam is the right way to go, and everyone praying to Mecca, with the women wearing their hijabs get sent off to the Pearly Gates to be greeted by Allah then I'll be more than happy to sit and dine with the Christians.

And yes, it'll be worth it, for all eternity.

~Just a thought.

To err is human - but it feels divine. - Mae West

It is because humanity has never known where it was going that it has been able to find its way. - Oscar Wilde

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Anne Frank

The measure of mental health is the disposition to find good everywhere. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A mere month.

I promise that I hadn't planned on leaving my blog alone for a month, for those who enjoy reading my rants about my life, I sincerely apologize. The good news is I have stuff to share, along with another post I am going to write later and post in about a week or two I think. So everyone will have a more regular dose of Justathought this month of May.

SO - It's been a month. If you are curious, I had put my computer back together and had it up for a while because I was Skyping my friend in MN, when I noticed I was being lazy again about a week ago, I shut it off. It's still hooked UP, but shut down all the same.

Good news is is that despite being somewhat lazy on the computer I have yet to purchase fast food. I bought Subway once, some frozen yogurt, and Chipotle, none of which really count in my book. If you disagree, do so silently. I had soda with these purchases, but other than going out with friends, my soda and caffeine intake has been an all time low.

I have purchased a blender!! I don't think you understand how ecstatic I am about having this wonderful thing. I was walking around in Wal-mart with my friends Janet and Jake and we were looking for shot glasses and happened to pass by the blenders and the recommended me one. It looks like a smaller version than the one my friends Amy and Ray let me use, so I bought it.

MmmMmm GOOD.

I have only made a few shakes/smoothies so far, and it kinda bums me out I can still taste the whey protein with the fruit/veggies I threw in it, but for a protein shake it is DAMN good. If that is my only complaint, then trust me they are awesome shakes. At least in my opinion. I have been eating one every morning since I got it hooked up, which had been a few days after the purchase. The veggies and fruit in my fridge won't be spoiling anymore, that's for certain.

Going along with being healthier, I have been heading to the gym on a semi-regular basis, and my friend Amanda invited me camping with her and her friends and it was a blast. Amanda started a health kick kinda with me, she's been my semi-regular gym partner, and we definitely encourage each other to be healthier. She is also into hiking. And when I say hiking people, I mean some serious hiking business. She made me promise to go to the Grand Canyon to hike the 9.5mi hike in September... So say your goodbyes now, because that's the day I die.

Anyway, back on track here, she invited me to go camping. I went, knowing full and well that she had SOME type of hike planned. She didn't really, but that didn't stop her from finding one. Now people, she found one when we were in the middle of no where, with no cell phone signal, and no one else around but the six of us within a 5 mile radius. She found one, well, a walk anyway. We drive to this lake, and she just suggested we walk around. Thinking that it was rather a small lake, I accepted. People. I was wrong.
 4.5 MILES later I'm walking back up to my Charger thinking I just wanna pass out. But I needed to head into Winslow and buy a sweater. So I park nearby what looks to be a popular location (for Winslow) and get out and walk around... 2 MILES later I have a sweater and beanie. So 6.5 miles walked within about a 4 hour time frame. I know to some of you that isn't a HUGE deal, but for me, WHEW! Didn't know I had it in me. Without my friend Amanda pushing me to keep going around the damn forever-lake, I would have turned around before I reached three miles. But we did it and it was fun.

Time for recap...
My New Years Resolutions were:
Eat Better.
Lose Weight.
Budget.

Well, Clearly I'm eating healthier now that my computer has been off. What hasn't been documented is that I am down like... 15lbs. I've been told not to really keep score, because the muscle mass I plan to build will weigh more in the long run, but it is slightly encouraging none the less. I've been to a thin 210 and a sexy 225 in high school, so that's kinda my goal. I started at 275 or a bit more. Last I checked, sans shoes, I was 260. I'll continue to keep you updated as time goes along.

Budgeting... Yeah, that's for... Later... In the New Year... Yeah....

So that's the update on my life, sticking to the guns, Being healthy and making smoothies. One day I'll have the body I want. And that day will be a good day.

Rocky Balboa: What's so crazy about standing toe to toe with someone saying "I am"?
Rocky Balboa (2006)

A mere week.

It's been a week since I tore down my computer rig, boxed up the cables and moved them and the tower to my closet. I can tell you I've thought about putting it back up once, but ultimately chose not too.

And how was it you ask? At first, quiet, very quiet. Then very, very refreshing.

At first it was very quiet, I couldn't sleep very well because of it, but I had a small fan that was on top of one of my boxes; I hooked that up and aimed it at my bed, Just a bit cooler and the noise was just about the same. Win-win. Since then I have turned off the fan and enjoy the stillness of my room.

 So what have I done? Well, for starters, I finished a book that I have had for a little over a month and never got around to reading. What might baffle you is that I have always, always wanted to read this series since it's 8th book caught my eye. I borrowed it from a friend and it sat there. Well, no computer and a full day to waste, I read. And read, and read. I finished it that day. I really can't wait till I can borrow the second book.

I was also just about caught up with my articles to read in my e-mail, but I got sick (as I'm sure you are aware) and didn't check my mail for a few days... They send me about 3 a day minimum, so I'm a bit behind now.

I have scrubbed the floors again thanks to my wonderful dog Joey who needs to be neutered now that he has impregnated more bitches than he would care to admit to me, (He used to be a stud dog till I got him, in which my ex Ace got her dog preggo too.) But the scrubbing has been working well and the stairs are the biggest concern now. He's no longer allowed upstairs either. :)

I have picked up my bathroom and cleaned out my car.. I now do push ups randomly throughout the day, just PLOP and do a set. It's easy.

I was hoping to brag that I fixed my curtain this week as well, (Linux knocked it down tearing the mounting piece off the wall) but I cannot. I have fixed the hole with stucco and it's all good to go, but I need a drill and a few screws I have yet to steal from my dad. I'm probably going to do that tomorrow after shopping for groceries but before sleeping.

Speaking of groceries... This is the next step of "Time without my computer". I'm kinda excited and nervous about it.
I have been known to purchase groceries and then let them sit in there while I run out and grab a burger. BUT, without the PC to kill my time before I rush away, I am hopeful this will be different. I'm still gonna purchase all fresh veggies and fruits and food I need to cook rather than heat up, and just see if this extra time can be put toward my diet that I want as my lifestyle change. The exception is Mac N cheese.. because, let's face it, Mac N Cheese is fantastic. And bread, because I like bread and sandwiches.

I was thinking about purchasing eggs as well... But I think I'd 'make more french toast than hard boil them or make actual scrambled eggs. But, they're cheap, maybe I will - Hard boiled eggs are great for protein.

But, I am gonna take some time and make a small area in my backyard that I can level and throw the grill on. Least that's my plan, Dunno how well it will work out, because I don't have any wood or a shovel.. But hey, who knows?

Overall, pretty great results so far. Admittedly I have watched Netflix on my phone just a bit more, like when I'm eating breakfast since that's what I did on my computer during meal time, but it'll probably change around to reading e-mails.

How was your week?

~Just a thought.
Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?
Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

An epiphany of sorts.

e·piph·a·ny
1. A sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality oressential meaning of something, usually initiated by somesimple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

I went and met my friend Megan for breakfast the other day. Her and I hit up McDonald's, as it is cheap and I don't like their breakfast, so my spending is $2 on a drink and hashbrown. I get their early since I was at work, and I proceeded to bring in my laptop from work, because I have been meaning to do some productive work, and why not do it there? Free Wi-fi anyway. So I load up, browse CareerBuilder and Craigslist for jobs, a few potentials. In case you didn't know, I've been looking for a second job, preferably part time, but full time is looking for promising. Anyway, so I do that, read a couple articles that I have flagged from LifeHacker and Gizmodo send me that I would find interesting. She shows up, have a great laugh, she gets a business card from a creeper who is failing at his own career (it sounds mean, but he was a joke in my opinion.) We had fun and she went off to something she had going on and I end up mailing myself these potential job choices to review when I get home then I drove home.

I haven't touched those e-mails since.

..... So I am lazy. I know this, those who know me know this, those who have read my blog know this. I have started as many diets on HERE than I ever have. I've been motivated and unmotivated so many times I really think it is a syndrome. Not depression or Bi-polar, mind you, but laziness-syndrome.

I have always been frustrated as to WHY. The WHY that made me lazy. I've tried many things, but the only conclusion I could come up with was that I had Willpower before, and now I don't.

But that couldn't have been the case when I was at McD's right? At first I thought it was because I was on my work computer and there isn't anything better to do, but I think that's the point. I never really understood why people go to Starbucks and sit there on their computer for hours. For some reason I thought they just didn't have internet at home, which is probably true for a few, but being at Starbucks, or McD's, or OUT of the house gets rid of the distractions. I was amazingly productive when I was at McD's just waiting for Megan.

So again, I ask myself WHY am I lazy at home? I finally believe it to be my computer... My room is designed for no laziness except my computer! My alarm clock and closet are the farthest away from my bed as possible, I have work out equipment on both sides, a calendar that says "10 PUSH UPS AND 50 SITUPS EVERY MORNING) on my wall... But I sit here on my computer and do NOTHING for hours on end. Seriously... A part of me aches when I am on my computer browsing old comic strips looking back at my unfolded laundry, I find folding very therapeutic and lets me think, but I accept it sits in my basket. From my computer desk I also look at my push-up bar, in which is laying against my wall, KNOWING that doing ten push-ups and twenty crunches would take less than 10 minutes, 15 if I pushed myself. Then, when I get hungry, I look downstairs from my chair, complaining cause I am hungry and I want to cook something, but have nothing in the cupboard. Now I'm thinking which fast food joint sounds good, and then start scouring Facebook for someone to go with me so I have the excuse to go to Burger King instead of Wal-mart. If I can't find anyone, I head to fast food anyway, then just head to my dads. Company is always present there.

Even on the computer itself I can't seem to do productive work. Facebook is always up, so are my comic strips I read regularly, Gmail, and then your selection of Youtube/Hulu/Netflix/Escapist or porn. That is what I do on my computer at home. This PC is just not being used for any productive work anymore. I don't have Photoshop, nor do I write while I'm here.

That being said... I have decided to take my computer rig down. I mean, I don't even play video games on it anymore. I have a list that I have purchased, but not played. I just don't do it really. So I am going to unplug it and move it to my closet. I think the only reasons to bring it out is if for some reason I have friends who want to play a multiplayer game (SC2, LFD2, and Minecraft). Or if I have arranged Skype time with friends from around the world.

I have Facebook at work and on my phone. I have my work laptop when I quickly need to get online for something important. But this whole wasting of my day needs to stop.
So I am an IT guy without a computer.

I think I am going to take a day or two out of the week to visit various Starbucks's and do work on my laptop for myself. Maybe right after I hit up the gym, which is sporadic, but I do go. Drink a nice tea or something.

I also plan on hanging my dogs leashes on my walls to get me to go more. I used to love taking them for walks. I leave their leashes in my car normally, I tell myself it's because when they get IN my car I want to make sure I have them. Unfortunately, out of sight out of mind works that way too, and if it isn't RIGHT there for me to grab, my computer just looks far more comfier.

Even IF my laziness turns into just a lot of reading from my unfinished books or Gizmodo off my phone, that is a win for me.

That's the latest updates I want to share today. Have a good one, and always find a way to better your life. You only got one.
~Just a thought