I have been busy all day designing some highly fashionable items for Keep Lubbock Flat and Lifestyles of the Poor and Pathetic.
Most of the Keep Lubbock Flat designs will be up as the week continues, but you can get your Lubbock Urban Achiever gear ordered and ready for league night this Friday.
Buy my stuff or I will go on a floss strike!
ONLINE STORE
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Living with Ed
Living with Ed is on HGTV on Sundays at 10pm. I caught my first episode last night. It is a real-life documentary show about actor Ed Begley Jr., his family life in California, and green lifestyle. I rarely stop to see what is on HGTV, but I noticed that Ed was on and knowing him to be a green activist that walks the talk, I decided to check it out.
It was good stuff. This episode happened to be about Ed's birthday. The most important thing that he said during the show was his choices of daily transportation. He has four in order of importance. He either walks, rides his bicycle, drives his electric car, or finally drives his hybrid. To quote him from his website, "Picking up a few small items is not the sort of chore you need a 2,500 pound machine for." Truly a master of the obvious. He walked to the market with a backpack to get some fresh vegetables for his soup. After the meal, his wife Rachelle Carson, presented him with a new electric bicycle. It was a nice gift and he seemed to be pleased. The show is oddly humorous and also entertaining, and while seemingly geared to the Boomer generation, it really has something for everyone.
Interesting is Ed's home. In this episode it showed, without much explanation, a great deal of features. Pictures of solar panels, a solar oven (which Ed used to make a soup for his family), herbal garden, and Ed creating electricity by riding his bike on the porch were curious. Hopefully the show will go into greater detail about all of Ed's "green" friendly stuff.
So far the best details can be found on Ed Begley Jr's website. I have been linking, browsing, and reading up on this stuff for hours. If you are truly ready to get "green", I suggest you take a look. The best links are the FAQ's and Speech at UCLA. If you at least want to save some money at the grocery store, on electricity bills, or live healthier, it is worth the time spent.
For you prideful Texans out there, do not dismiss this as "California hippie celebrity tree-hugging nonsense." I think Ed is on to something. He isn't just providing lip service as many in Hollywood do, this man is trying to lead by example. Something I admire very much. While everyone is sitting around and debating the aspects of energy, hybrid cars, and potential crisis; Ed Begley Jr. is out there solving the problems for his own family. Something the whole could learn from.
SIDE NOTES AND A.D.D. THOUGHTS:
Makes me want a wind and solar farm right near Texas Tech, then all would be good in my world. For the life of me, I cannot understand why West Texas doesn't power the rest of the state with wind, something we seem to have in never ending abundance. Did I mention we get on average over 300 days of sun per year in West Texas? I just did.
This week the State of Texas legislature is deciding the fate of 11 COAL plants for TXU. I bet you it passes. I wonder if their is any money changing hands under the table?
EDIT: I just received an email from the producers of Living with Ed and wanted to pass along the shows official website. It is www.livingwithed.net
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
The Sports page will contain infidel lies in the morning.
Do not believe anything on ESPN either. They may report that the Texas Tech Red Raiders got beat very badly by Missouri. I watched the game myself, it didn't really happen. Several key players did not play, and a great deal of seldom used players saw action. I cannot explain that fully either. Praise be to Coach Knight. Have faith that he will destroy the infidels.If you hear that the Lady Raiders beat Texas by one point by way of a late three point shot, believe it. This is true.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Healthy Lifestyle update
I have gotten a few emails about my status and the expected "what are you doing?" questions.
By status or stats, I have lost 26lbs in 58 days. Probably more because I'm fairly sure I was over 315lbs. I feel better and realize that as good as that is stats wise, I still have a long way to go to be optimum. As of Monday, I weighed 290.5lbs.
My goal is to wear a red Speedo to the Tech-SMU game in September and look dead sexy. Hey, if you got it, flaunt it!
What am I doing?
I exercise on a Cybex elliptical trainer. For those that do not know, it is a machine at my gym that makes me feel as though I'm running up stairs, but it isn't a stair climber. I am able to stay at a high exertion rate for 40 minutes now. It burns over 600 calories in that time. I do this 5 times a week.
I also lift weights 6 days a week. 2 days upper body, 2 days "core" or mid section, 2 days lower body. 3 days a week I punch a heavy bag and do speed punching drills for about 15 minutes. The boxing really takes it out of me. I rest on the day I bowl in my league.
I am probably burning close or over 1000 calories a day by exercise.
What do I eat and drink?
Well let's just start by listing what I have completely cut out:
Soft Drinks
Chinese buffets
Fast food with exception of tacos once a week
Here is what I eat and drink every day:
1 Liter of Organic Green Tea
3 cups of coffee
over 100oz. of reverse osmosis bottled water
1 glass of Cabernet
6oz of Organic Orange Juice
1.5 teaspoons of powdered wheat grass
2 tablets of purified omega-3
Breakfast
5 days is Kashi 7 grain cereal with %2 Organic milk.
2 days 3 organic eggs
Lunch
Organic Chicken breast tenderloin meat 4oz serving
Half an avocado
tomato
Dinner
Salmon steak-6 oz
Asparagus or Broccoli or Spinach
Hummus or Red-Green Bell Pepper
Once a week I eat a meal of whatever I want. This week I had Shepard's Pie at an Irish pub. I also eat organic chips and salsa on Sundays. I only drink beer on Friday's at the bowling center, although I did have 2 Guinness with the Pie.
Like I stated, I still have a long way to go to get optimum, but still even further in making this lifestyle work for more than just a short period of time. The hardest part for me is getting up in the morning and eating something first thing. Sometimes I just do not want to, or forget to, and it ends up making me hungry and sluggish for the rest of the afternoon and evening. If I do eat early, I'm great.
I also have completely gone organic in everything as far as hygiene and cleanliness. Soap, Shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, deoderant etc. I have yet to make the switch to organic in laundry and dish soap, but I'm good where I am at.
A few words on education.
Probably be best to follow the article and conversation on this blog first, as it inspires my thoughts here.
I can tell you that a great deal of students that enroll at Texas Tech are not quite ready for collegiate work, as we were in the late 80's and early 90's. Maybe we weren't either, as many of our blue blooded "tier one" brethren would have you believe.
I give credit to Tech because they are trying to supplement in the first few semesters some of those critical thinking core skills needed. Tech calls it "leveling" work, a term usually reserved for graduate students entering a higher degreed program. I should note here that not all of the entering students do this, just some with lower scores in ACT/SAT tests. With the keen observation that State of Texas high school graduates were not ready for college work, they instituted this to help new students that might otherwise fail. To my knowledge this was done in the mid to late 1990's. I could not find any study or report online to validate its success or failure, but it does make sense to me at prima facie.
What upsets me is this "leveling" should have already been accomplished, at the very least preparation wise in high school. Tech isn't trying to weed them out because that isn't in Tech's best interest as a business or University. However, Tech also wants to raise its academic standing and is investing in doing so, so they aren't going to lighten the depth of instruction to pad the graduation numbers. Something has to give and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. (Our new Chancellor wants to peak enrollment at 35 to 40k students from its present 26k.)
The downside to "leveling" is, a student here may have to spend another year and a half in college to complete a degree. That costs a great deal of money and tuition has skyrocketed since I last paid the bursar.
I think a young person in this generation that accomplishes what many did before, basically borrowing to pay for an education, has it even tougher. Imagine owing over 100k for a STATE University bachelors degree. Very steep bill. But I still believe that critical and higher level thinking are worth it, and not just for a future career.
We need more educated people that can think; and less people that are specialized, narrow, and easily led. I say easily led, because what else could possibly be the goal of the "memorize and regurgitate" doctrine? I know the world needs ditch diggers too, but the world also might need some more people that know how the ditch should be dug, why it should be dug, and where it leads to.
Somehow, the citizens of our State and many others, bought into the abandoning of Dartmouth method inspired education, in favor of standardized testing. What have we gotten for it? But before we answer that question, someone please explain intelligently and without political malice, why we discarded the tried and true methods for high school education?
It takes a village to raise a child, no child left behind, and up with hope down with rewarding excellence. The children aren't getting left behind, they just have to answer A,B,C,D or none of the above.
They just don't get it. Life isn't multiple choice.
I can tell you that a great deal of students that enroll at Texas Tech are not quite ready for collegiate work, as we were in the late 80's and early 90's. Maybe we weren't either, as many of our blue blooded "tier one" brethren would have you believe.
I give credit to Tech because they are trying to supplement in the first few semesters some of those critical thinking core skills needed. Tech calls it "leveling" work, a term usually reserved for graduate students entering a higher degreed program. I should note here that not all of the entering students do this, just some with lower scores in ACT/SAT tests. With the keen observation that State of Texas high school graduates were not ready for college work, they instituted this to help new students that might otherwise fail. To my knowledge this was done in the mid to late 1990's. I could not find any study or report online to validate its success or failure, but it does make sense to me at prima facie.
What upsets me is this "leveling" should have already been accomplished, at the very least preparation wise in high school. Tech isn't trying to weed them out because that isn't in Tech's best interest as a business or University. However, Tech also wants to raise its academic standing and is investing in doing so, so they aren't going to lighten the depth of instruction to pad the graduation numbers. Something has to give and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. (Our new Chancellor wants to peak enrollment at 35 to 40k students from its present 26k.)
The downside to "leveling" is, a student here may have to spend another year and a half in college to complete a degree. That costs a great deal of money and tuition has skyrocketed since I last paid the bursar.
I think a young person in this generation that accomplishes what many did before, basically borrowing to pay for an education, has it even tougher. Imagine owing over 100k for a STATE University bachelors degree. Very steep bill. But I still believe that critical and higher level thinking are worth it, and not just for a future career.
We need more educated people that can think; and less people that are specialized, narrow, and easily led. I say easily led, because what else could possibly be the goal of the "memorize and regurgitate" doctrine? I know the world needs ditch diggers too, but the world also might need some more people that know how the ditch should be dug, why it should be dug, and where it leads to.
Somehow, the citizens of our State and many others, bought into the abandoning of Dartmouth method inspired education, in favor of standardized testing. What have we gotten for it? But before we answer that question, someone please explain intelligently and without political malice, why we discarded the tried and true methods for high school education?
It takes a village to raise a child, no child left behind, and up with hope down with rewarding excellence. The children aren't getting left behind, they just have to answer A,B,C,D or none of the above.
They just don't get it. Life isn't multiple choice.
8 BILLION DOLLARS to fight resurgent Taliban
http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,1998986,00.html
The White House announced a major shift in its strategy towards Afghanistan yesterday that will see more aid and military help for the country after four years in which it has suffered from Washington's overwhelming focus on Iraq.
The White House announced a major shift in its strategy towards Afghanistan yesterday that will see more aid and military help for the country after four years in which it has suffered from Washington's overwhelming focus on Iraq.
Facing failure in Iraq, where violence is worsening, the US is anxious to avoid a similar catastrophe in Afghanistan.
Billions of dollars are to be pumped into Afghanistan to help build up the army and for reconstruction projects such as roads, water, schools and clinics.
About 3,200 US troops in Afghanistan from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division who were due to return home are to remain for a further 120 days to help Nato counter an expected Taliban spring offensive.
The White House is to ask Congress next month for $8bn (£4.1bn) in new funds, which is more than half the $14.2bn Washington has spent on Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001.
Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said yesterday: "It had been over five years since we went into Afghanistan and the situation on the ground - economic and security - has changed.
"Substantial progress has been made in many areas, but it's also clear that the policy needed to be reviewed, so that we continue to improve the lives of Afghan citizens."
Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, is to brief fellow Nato ministers at a hastily-arranged meeting in Brussels today. Senior members of Congress, including Hillary Clinton, who recently returned from Afghanistan, have been pressing for more resources to avoid a repeat of Iraq.
Richard Boucher, the US assistant secretary of state, who was in Brussels yesterday preparing for today's meeting, said Nato would "take the initiative" to drive Taliban fighters out of their sanctuaries to pre-empt any spring offensive.
About three-quarters of the proposed $8bn is for the Afghan army and police and the remainder for reconstruction.
The change in direction had its origin at a Nato summit in Latvia in November where George Bush, Tony Blair and other leaders were told of the danger posed by the resurgence of the Taliban.
Ms Rice is to appeal to other Nato countries today to match the US funds. Britain and Canada, along with the US, have borne the brunt of the fighting in southern Afghanistan.
She will also press for tougher action to combat an increase in drug production and trafficking since the US-backed invasion in 2001. The US favours destroying poppy crops by spraying them from the air but the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, has so far rejected this. Ms Rice will reiterate US requests to countries such as France and Germany to play a bigger role in the fighting.
Many Nato countries' forces have stayed in Kabul and the north of the country, which is relatively stable.
Jacques Chirac, France's president, agreed a compromise at the Nato summit that opened the way for troops from other Nato countries to operate outside Kabul. But Ms Rice is not satisfied with this. Poland is sending about 1,200 soldiers and Germany is expected in the next few days to announce the dispatch of six Tornado warplanes.
The US has about 20,000 troops in Nato's 32,000-strong force compared with 132,000, with a further 21,500 being deployed, in Iraq.
In one country we have insurgents, in the other resurgence, and in our own country we have decay.
I will say this now, if the President gets this money from Congress then you can forget about change happening in Washington. As if I held out hope that any would occur. I have been saying this for a while now. There is really little difference between the two political parties because they both worship and pray at the same alter of money. They may sit on opposite sides of the room, but they all eat from the same table and the lobbyist don't care who they feed as long as it is getting eaten. After all, they are just new customers.
Politicians do not want anything other than to stay at the table. That is all, resume Starbucks, fast food, television coma.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
War, Death, and Pestilence
That identifies them from left to right or Right to Left, depending on your perspective.
Jim Webb for President.
All I can think right now is, where is an American LEADER? Where? Evidently it resides in Virginia. Too bad he just got elected to the U. S. Senate. Total waste of this man's talent.
This man is a leader. Guess what this country needs? If you didn't catch the Democratic response, it is posted below. If you got to see it on television, you got to witness the introduction of a future President. Hopefully. That is what separates a hopeful, i.e. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, from a hopefully. I applaud the choice of his party in the honor of giving the Response. I promise the Democratic party pundits and elite are going to wish they never did. This man is ten times the leader of any of their current bell cows.
Former Secretary of Navy to Ronald Reagan, but a staunch Andrew Jackson populist with a in depth understanding of foreign policy in the Theodore Roosevelt sense. Vietnam veteran, father and son to veterans. Marine. He understands the history and gravity of leadership, something our last two Presidents couldn't quite grasp and unfortunately are suffering for. That suffering has spilled over to the current crisis. The crisis isn't going to get solved by politicians, the situation is too complex for them. This situation needs Senator Jim Webb.
I liked it.
This man is a leader. Guess what this country needs? If you didn't catch the Democratic response, it is posted below. If you got to see it on television, you got to witness the introduction of a future President. Hopefully. That is what separates a hopeful, i.e. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, from a hopefully. I applaud the choice of his party in the honor of giving the Response. I promise the Democratic party pundits and elite are going to wish they never did. This man is ten times the leader of any of their current bell cows.
Former Secretary of Navy to Ronald Reagan, but a staunch Andrew Jackson populist with a in depth understanding of foreign policy in the Theodore Roosevelt sense. Vietnam veteran, father and son to veterans. Marine. He understands the history and gravity of leadership, something our last two Presidents couldn't quite grasp and unfortunately are suffering for. That suffering has spilled over to the current crisis. The crisis isn't going to get solved by politicians, the situation is too complex for them. This situation needs Senator Jim Webb.
I liked it.
Democratic Response
Democratic Response of Senator Jim Webb to the President’s State of the Union Address
January 23, 2007
Good evening.
I'm Senator Jim Webb, from Virginia, where this year we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown an event that marked the first step in the long journey that has made us the greatest and most prosperous nation on earth.
It would not be possible in this short amount of time to actually rebut the President's message, nor would it be useful. Let me simply say that we in the Democratic Party hope that this administration is serious about improving education and healthcare for all Americans, and addressing such domestic priorities as restoring the vitality of New Orleans.
Further, this is the seventh time the President has mentioned energy independence in his state of the union message, but for the first time this exchange is taking place in a Congress led by the Democratic Party. We are looking for affirmative solutions that will strengthen our nation by freeing us from our dependence on foreign oil, and spurring a wave of entrepreneurial growth in the form of alternate energy programs. We look forward to working with the President and his party to bring about these changes.
There are two areas where our respective parties have largely stood in contradiction, and I want to take a few minutes to address them tonight. The first relates to how we see the health of our economy how we measure it, and how we ensure that its benefits are properly shared among all Americans. The second regards our foreign policy how we might bring the war in Iraq to a proper conclusion that will also allow us to continue to fight the war against international terrorism, and to address other strategic concerns that our country faces around the world.
When one looks at the health of our economy, it's almost as if we are living in two different countries. Some say that things have never been better. The stock market is at an all-time high, and so are corporate profits. But these benefits are not being fairly shared. When I graduated from college, the average corporate CEO made 20 times what the average worker did; today, it's nearly 400 times. In other words, it takes the average worker more than a year to make the money that his or her boss makes in one day.
Wages and salaries for our workers are at all-time lows as a percentage of national wealth, even though the productivity of American workers is the highest in the world. Medical costs have skyrocketed. College tuition rates are off the charts. Our manufacturing base is being dismantled and sent overseas. Good American jobs are being sent along with them.
In short, the middle class of this country, our historic backbone and our best hope for a strong society in the future, is losing its place at the table. Our workers know this, through painful experience. Our white-collar professionals are beginning to understand it, as their jobs start disappearing also. And they expect, rightly, that in this age of globalization, their government has a duty to insist that their concerns be dealt with fairly in the international marketplace.
In the early days of our republic, President Andrew Jackson established an important principle of American-style democracy that we should measure the health of our society not at its apex, but at its base. Not with the numbers that come out of Wall Street, but with the living conditions that exist on Main Street. We must recapture that spirit today.
And under the leadership of the new Democratic Congress, we are on our way to doing so. The House just passed a minimum wage increase, the first in ten years, and the Senate will soon follow. We've introduced a broad legislative package designed to regain the trust of the American people. We've established a tone of cooperation and consensus that extends beyond party lines. We're working to get the right things done, for the right people and for the right reasons.
With respect to foreign policy, this country has patiently endured a mismanaged war for nearly four years. Many, including myself, warned even before the war began that it was unnecessary, that it would take our energy and attention away from the larger war against terrorism, and that invading and occupying Iraq would leave us strategically vulnerable in the most violent and turbulent corner of the world.
I want to share with all of you a picture that I have carried with me for more than 50 years. This is my father, when he was a young Air Force captain, flying cargo planes during the Berlin Airlift. He sent us the picture from Germany, as we waited for him, back here at home. When I was a small boy, I used to take the picture to bed with me every night, because for more than three years my father was deployed, unable to live with us full-time, serving overseas or in bases where there was no family housing. I still keep it, to remind me of the sacrifices that my mother and others had to make, over and over again, as my father gladly served our country. I was proud to follow in his footsteps, serving as a Marine in Vietnam. My brother did as well, serving as a Marine helicopter pilot. My son has joined the tradition, now serving as an infantry Marine in Iraq.
Like so many other Americans, today and throughout our history, we serve and have served, not for political reasons, but because we love our country. On the political issues those matters of war and peace, and in some cases of life and death we trusted the judgment of our national leaders. We hoped that they would be right, that they would measure with accuracy the value of our lives against the enormity of the national interest that might call upon us to go into harm's way.
We owed them our loyalty, as Americans, and we gave it. But they owed us sound judgment, clear thinking, concern for our welfare, a guarantee that the threat to our country was equal to the price we might be called upon to pay in defending it.
The President took us into this war recklessly. He disregarded warnings from the national security adviser during the first Gulf War, the chief of staff of the army, two former commanding generals of the Central Command, whose jurisdiction includes Iraq, the director of operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and many, many others with great integrity and long experience in national security affairs. We are now, as a nation, held hostage to the predictable and predicted disarray that has followed.
The war's costs to our nation have been staggering. Financially. The damage to our reputation around the world. The lost opportunities to defeat the forces of international terrorism. And especially the precious blood of our citizens who have stepped forward to serve.
The majority of the nation no longer supports the way this war is being fought; nor does the majority of our military. We need a new direction. Not one step back from the war against international terrorism. Not a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the possibility of further chaos. But an immediate shift toward strong regionally-based diplomacy, a policy that takes our soldiers off the streets of Iraq's cities, and a formula that will in short order allow our combat forces to leave Iraq.
On both of these vital issues, our economy and our national security, it falls upon those of us in elected office to take action.
Regarding the economic imbalance in our country, I am reminded of the situation President Theodore Roosevelt faced in the early days of the 20th century. America was then, as now, drifting apart along class lines. The so-called robber barons were unapologetically raking in a huge percentage of the national wealth. The dispossessed workers at the bottom were threatening revolt
.
Roosevelt spoke strongly against these divisions. He told his fellow Republicans that they must set themselves "as resolutely against improper corporate influence on the one hand as against demagogy and mob rule on the other." And he did something about it.
As I look at Iraq, I recall the words of former general and soon-to-be President Dwight Eisenhower during the dark days of the Korean War, which had fallen into a bloody stalemate. "When comes the end?" asked the General who had commanded our forces in Europe during World War Two. And as soon as he became President, he brought the Korean War to an end.
These Presidents took the right kind of action, for the benefit of the American people and for the health of our relations around the world. Tonight we are calling on this President to take similar action, in both areas. If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way.
Thank you for listening. And God bless America.
Saw em off contraversy
The issue doesn't revolve around this shirt, there is another much more popular shirt worn by Aggies. I will be interested in how this legal fight comes out. If it succeeds, Maggie said she will be suing on behalf of all collies everywhere.
If UT wins, will they sue OU for the "upside down horn" logo? Doubtful, UT probably gets a great deal of income from the licensing Oklahoma fans indirectly pay to wear the shirt. A great source of humor for me.
Good read
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Texas Tech Red Raiders
baaaaaaahahahahaha
YEAS!
Texas Tech 69
#5 Kansas 64
Final
I have happiness. KU had one great comeback going, and tied Tech (2nd half 12 point lead), but the men stepped up and closed the game.
I like KU basketball, except of course when they play us. Two good teams that are well coached make for the best college basketball.
YEAS!
Texas Tech 69
#5 Kansas 64
Final
I have happiness. KU had one great comeback going, and tied Tech (2nd half 12 point lead), but the men stepped up and closed the game.
I like KU basketball, except of course when they play us. Two good teams that are well coached make for the best college basketball.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Poetry Friday: Questions
Godfather?
James Brown
King of Soul primogeniture
Did you have an heir?
Cruel joke
you not buried yet in cape.
will you jump back?
Please, please, please.
Predictions?
Pacific moisture
fills our air
heating up above freezing
Denies wintry mix prediction
whatever that is
are there Chex in it?
for the moment
err on the side of caution
late arrival from Arctic comes
or will it deliver?
Bowling?
Pins will not fall
unless they are hit
but do they make a sound?
if you aren't there
to hear it.
James Brown
King of Soul primogeniture
Did you have an heir?
Cruel joke
you not buried yet in cape.
will you jump back?
Please, please, please.
Predictions?
Pacific moisture
fills our air
heating up above freezing
Denies wintry mix prediction
whatever that is
are there Chex in it?
for the moment
err on the side of caution
late arrival from Arctic comes
or will it deliver?
Bowling?
Pins will not fall
unless they are hit
but do they make a sound?
if you aren't there
to hear it.
No wintry mix yet.
The city is at Defcon 2. I am at bullshit factor 4. I am beginning to question the validity of Nexrad, Doppler, Super Doppler, and All Temperature Cheer.
They already canceled school tomorrow, there will be quite a bit of "Ferris Buellering" going on should nary a snowflake fall.
It's all good either way, I'm bowling tomorrow.
They already canceled school tomorrow, there will be quite a bit of "Ferris Buellering" going on should nary a snowflake fall.
It's all good either way, I'm bowling tomorrow.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Grand Wintry Mix hours away.
The parking lot was full at 3:30pm.
Line to get a cart
Line to check out took 20 minutes, it was less than I expected.
Lots of people. EDIT: I realize that this isn't a Wal Mart in Mexico City, but this is Lubbock. We have no concept of "line" here. There is always ample parking, no traffic, and a new freeway to cut the "downtown" commute from 10 minutes to 5. We got high speed internet and phones you can carry with you all day also. Damn Straight! I better quit telling you how great it is here, because my worst nightmare is all ya'll will move here and ruin my day, EVERYDAY. Stay away people.
Only about an hour, start to finish. I am not making chili. The fixins were gone. No firewood either so I am going to chop up my dresser if the power goes out. Maggie is glad she isn't in Koreatown. So am I.
Weatherfest 2 starts tomorrow on local TV. There is another storm on the way for Monday.
Line to get a cart
Line to check out took 20 minutes, it was less than I expected.
Lots of people. EDIT: I realize that this isn't a Wal Mart in Mexico City, but this is Lubbock. We have no concept of "line" here. There is always ample parking, no traffic, and a new freeway to cut the "downtown" commute from 10 minutes to 5. We got high speed internet and phones you can carry with you all day also. Damn Straight! I better quit telling you how great it is here, because my worst nightmare is all ya'll will move here and ruin my day, EVERYDAY. Stay away people.
Only about an hour, start to finish. I am not making chili. The fixins were gone. No firewood either so I am going to chop up my dresser if the power goes out. Maggie is glad she isn't in Koreatown. So am I.
Weatherfest 2 starts tomorrow on local TV. There is another storm on the way for Monday.
Jethro Tull Snow Storm: Thick as a brick
One of the weather men here in the Hubaplex said we, "MIGHT" and "There is a good chance for a foot of snow." Evidently two moisture sources from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico are feeding directly into the frigid that is the South Plains. Snow starts tonight, or tomorrow, we have vague weathermen.
So I looked at Maggie the dog, and said, "It might be thick as a brick." Of course she did her Ian Anderson impression. One of my favorites. The Maggie cannot fetch, play dead, or speak on cue, but she can do Tull.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Geopolitics is like Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
Idea inspired from reading this blog today. http://hiphoplawyer.blogspot.com/
I do not do photo shop, but if I did I would put Dick Cheney's head on the Midget riding the retarded giant. Dick Cheney controls the worlds energy like the midget in Bartertown. Guess who is inside the helmet?
If you don't get it or haven't seen it, here it is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Max_Beyond_Thunderdome
Would you rather be Hall or Oates?
Did you answer? Say it isn't so. I will put those mullets up against any hair band any day.
I might as well join Hall and Oates anonymous. I feel like there in inner 'consultant' in my brain like the one played by John C. McGinley in Office Space. I am a huge Hall and Oates fan and I celebrate their entire catalogue.
The reason why I bring this up is because yesterday while I was working out, doing 'cardio', crunches, and punching on the heavy bag. I was in the bliss of my MP3 player. Here were just a few of the songs I listened to.
"Blame it on Mexico" by George Strait
"Patience" by Guns and %&*#ing Roses
"Jane Says" by Jane's Addiction
"Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot
"One Bourbon, one Scotch, and one beer" By George Thorogood
"Sabotage" and "Intergalactic" by the Beastie Boys
Apollo Creed never punched to "Method of Modern Love", but I did. Even Rocky had a montage. None of those songs should be played together. I agree that if there is some kind of Judy Judy courtroom show for music abuse, I would be guilty.
I don't know about any of the rest of you, but I think that youtube is the greatest intention of the 21st century. Almost every evening when I get back from working out, I can find and old music video or movie scene I remember as a kid, teenager, or young adult. That is quite a luxury. Inevitably it brings me back to a place of small joys I can relive again.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Nice game Baylor.
I'm sure Barry, the biggest Baylor fan alive, is trying to get everyone to go streaking through the quad right now.
I already forgot the score, it matters not. Losing to Baylor is like the feeling you get after you first get in a fender bender that is your fault. That stomach tightening sickness that overcomes your body and makes you near nauseous. That is it exactly.
I would go out and beat on the punching bag at my gym, but there is a sheet of ice on the roads. Vicious coincidence or divine interdiction? Oh, let's make the pain worse and last a while longer. We don't play again for an entire week and when we do, we play KANSAS. At least it is at the USA.
The temp is 25 degrees outside. Good times!
Enjoy the win Baylor fans.
Donating to Scouting
Think twice about giving money to the Friends of Scouting campaign.
If you like the Boy Scouts of America and want to support them, give money to your local Troop or Cub Scout Pack. Chances are they need it and who better to use it than local unit helping local youth. The BSA Councils and executives will dissuade you by saying that you can't do that. But you can, this is America and you can give your money to whoever you want to. You may not get the tax break but you will be most likely helping boys that are actually in the program. If you donate it to their charter organization, and it is a non-profit organization, that is tax deductible.
I would avoid giving it to a local Council, although the one in Lubbock seems to be run well.
If you know a adult BSA volunteer, take some time today and thank them for their dedication. They are the real heroes that keep Scouting going.
If you want to gripe about this please feel free.
If you like the Boy Scouts of America and want to support them, give money to your local Troop or Cub Scout Pack. Chances are they need it and who better to use it than local unit helping local youth. The BSA Councils and executives will dissuade you by saying that you can't do that. But you can, this is America and you can give your money to whoever you want to. You may not get the tax break but you will be most likely helping boys that are actually in the program. If you donate it to their charter organization, and it is a non-profit organization, that is tax deductible.
I would avoid giving it to a local Council, although the one in Lubbock seems to be run well.
If you know a adult BSA volunteer, take some time today and thank them for their dedication. They are the real heroes that keep Scouting going.
If you want to gripe about this please feel free.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Marketing genius.
People wear plastic bracelets that say, "What would Jesus do?", "Livestrong", and "Support the Troops", to name a few.
If I were to wear one, which is highly unlikely, mine would say,
"Jesus drives a time travel Delorean, or a phone booth if you prefer, and presumably already knows what we did and will do at the same time."
Still another would read,"Liveasgoodasyoucanforaslongasyoucanandtrynottofuckuptoomuch."
And my favorite would be, "I support the taxes that pay for the interest on the loans that were borrowed from me to support the troops."
In fact, I have now proclaimed myself marketing genius of the day. I am calling the plastic bracelet companies for bids.
Want one?
Poetry Friday: Ode to Ty Webb
He was born to love you,
he was born to lick your face,
he was born to rub you,
but you were born to rub him first.
A flute with no holes
eternal question
what can it be?
The answer lies
in the donut without
Zen of golf
He does not judge
Smails tremendous slouch
unless it is by height
thank you very little
Mitch Comstein
roommate tragedy
could have gone pro
Night putting with 15 year old
daughter of dean
Has a pond
would be good for you
This isn't Russia
Is this Russia?
In touch
rather attractive Laci
For beautiful girl
with great body
Force in universe
Shortest distance model
straight line in opposite direction
stop thinking
Be the ball.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Meet BOB
Bob is from Alvord. He writes letters to the editor of the Wise County Messenger. He is a mans man. His turn ons are Lee Greenwood, Patrick Swayze, and rastlin.
His hobbies include: trolling on the internet, dog kicking, and shaving his ass.
He believes in America and anyone that disagrees with him is a "faggot" and an "Islamofascist."
Tech QB walk on
His name is Uncle Rico. His biography is sketchy but after brief stints at selling Tupperware and breast enlargement supplements, he has decided to give college football a try.Uncle Rico's career highlights include being the backup QB for Preston, Idaho High School in 1982. Rico claims to be able to throw footballs over mountains and boasts that had he been put in the fourth quarter, they could have taken state.
He will be majoring in time travel.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Watching FOX News
It's like the President never spoke tonight.
Just flipped over and they had a BIG Geopolitical story about a woman being kidnapped and missing.
On MSNBC Pat Buchanan said,
"If we can't rebuild a city of 1 million on the gulf coast, what makes them think we can control a city like Baghdad in the Middle East."
Isn't Pat a Conservative Republican?
Just flipped over and they had a BIG Geopolitical story about a woman being kidnapped and missing.
On MSNBC Pat Buchanan said,
"If we can't rebuild a city of 1 million on the gulf coast, what makes them think we can control a city like Baghdad in the Middle East."
Isn't Pat a Conservative Republican?
Predictions
We will have a Democrat as President after the next Presidential election.
That President will inherit
A. A civil War in Iraq
B. A hot War with Iran
C. there will be a draft
D. there will be protests and rioting
This whole scenario will do more damage to the United States, its Constitution, and its people then anything the terrorists could hope to achieve.
Coming up next: War with Iran.
Bush just threw the gauntlet down to Iran.
Since we are in the fix we are in, trying to interdict the flow of supplies and insurgents from Iran is the right thing to do militarily. Sending a carrier battle group might be able to do the job. Just to remind you, 6 carrier battle groups and 2 full Air forces couldn't stop the Ho Chi Mihn trail. But this war has no similarities with Vietnam, right?
Coming up next, War with Iran.
Since we are in the fix we are in, trying to interdict the flow of supplies and insurgents from Iran is the right thing to do militarily. Sending a carrier battle group might be able to do the job. Just to remind you, 6 carrier battle groups and 2 full Air forces couldn't stop the Ho Chi Mihn trail. But this war has no similarities with Vietnam, right?
Coming up next, War with Iran.
Bush plan will not work
Before the President gets on television tonight to announce to the country that he is sending 21,500 more soldiers to Iraq, I have a few points to consider.
First, the military situation in Iraq is untenable. It might not be if we had 500,000 troops there. We don't have them in reserve, and if we did the political ramifications of escalating action and casualties would be too much of a price to pay politically at home.
Why is it untenable? With the backing of Iran and Syria, a steady flow of arms and fresh insurgents continue to pour into Iraq. Their mission isn't to defeat the United States in an armed conflict, they can't reasonably do that at present. Instead, their goal is to bleed the fight out of America and at the same time increase the instability of the government by promoting the sectarian Civil War. It is working. The resent elections in the U.S. are proof of the discontent at home.
Second, the real problem isn't our troops, or their training, or their effort. It seems that the leadership in the White House doesn't seem to understand the plight. It is hard to fight an enemy that can slip in and out of the local populace. The rules of engagement at that point would negate the advantage of air power, armor, and technology. It's down to a rifleman, something we do not have enough of. It seems like no matter how many insurgents are defeated, captured, or killed, the local populace gets upset at the unrest and destruction. They also have many more insurgents that are willing to die as a martyr. A tough enemy that I believe has been underestimated. They probably aren't now. Also our enemy has the tactical advantage of knowing where we are, how we operate, and when to hit us. They know that time is on their side and as long as they keep killing American soldiers, they will eventually get what they want.
Third, we will leave with an Iraqi government in place. I think it is not impossible but likely that this government will be unable to survive. It cannot even operate properly right now with the Coalition presence in place. Tonight Bush is going to tell us that the Iraqi's need to step up and take the burden. If it is one thing that I haven't learned yet, it is what an Iraqi is. I know there are Shiites, Sunni's and Kurds. I just don't think they think of themselves as Iraqis. And that brings me to my next point.
As long as these people are going to hate and fight each other, they are not going to live together in a democracy like ours. At best, we can hope for a dictatorship to return and at the worst an Islamic Republic. Want to guess who would be influencing that regime? It probably wont be us. Hell, there is lack of trust within the government we installed and aid.
Sure, you scare mongers can preach about how terrorism will flourish and that by us being there keeps it off our soil, and that might be so. But you cannot prove that. The fact is if they want to get to us now, they can. Evidence that we cannot stop illegal immigration is proof enough. That 'occupy the terrorists in Iraq' thinking is called, Exstrapolostrategery.
Finally, the bipartisan commission that Bush charged with the study recommended he involve Syria and Iran. He is ignoring that, and instead staying the course with his own solution. More troops? Probably some of these have been there multiple tours already. How long we stay is nothing more than a guess. We don't have an exit strategy and that shouldn't surprise you, we didn't have a plan to occupy either. The time hasn't come to escalate, the time has come to get out! So there you have it. We are stuck in a war we can't win. Our leader doesn't have a plan. He doesn't want to negotiate with the enemy and he doesn't want to leave. The bad in that is too ignorant to fathom. I feel bad for our soldiers most of all because their Commander has too much pride to be Chief.
Flame Away and look at the bright side, at least we will have more troops to look for the WMD's.
First, the military situation in Iraq is untenable. It might not be if we had 500,000 troops there. We don't have them in reserve, and if we did the political ramifications of escalating action and casualties would be too much of a price to pay politically at home.
Why is it untenable? With the backing of Iran and Syria, a steady flow of arms and fresh insurgents continue to pour into Iraq. Their mission isn't to defeat the United States in an armed conflict, they can't reasonably do that at present. Instead, their goal is to bleed the fight out of America and at the same time increase the instability of the government by promoting the sectarian Civil War. It is working. The resent elections in the U.S. are proof of the discontent at home.
Second, the real problem isn't our troops, or their training, or their effort. It seems that the leadership in the White House doesn't seem to understand the plight. It is hard to fight an enemy that can slip in and out of the local populace. The rules of engagement at that point would negate the advantage of air power, armor, and technology. It's down to a rifleman, something we do not have enough of. It seems like no matter how many insurgents are defeated, captured, or killed, the local populace gets upset at the unrest and destruction. They also have many more insurgents that are willing to die as a martyr. A tough enemy that I believe has been underestimated. They probably aren't now. Also our enemy has the tactical advantage of knowing where we are, how we operate, and when to hit us. They know that time is on their side and as long as they keep killing American soldiers, they will eventually get what they want.
Third, we will leave with an Iraqi government in place. I think it is not impossible but likely that this government will be unable to survive. It cannot even operate properly right now with the Coalition presence in place. Tonight Bush is going to tell us that the Iraqi's need to step up and take the burden. If it is one thing that I haven't learned yet, it is what an Iraqi is. I know there are Shiites, Sunni's and Kurds. I just don't think they think of themselves as Iraqis. And that brings me to my next point.
As long as these people are going to hate and fight each other, they are not going to live together in a democracy like ours. At best, we can hope for a dictatorship to return and at the worst an Islamic Republic. Want to guess who would be influencing that regime? It probably wont be us. Hell, there is lack of trust within the government we installed and aid.
Sure, you scare mongers can preach about how terrorism will flourish and that by us being there keeps it off our soil, and that might be so. But you cannot prove that. The fact is if they want to get to us now, they can. Evidence that we cannot stop illegal immigration is proof enough. That 'occupy the terrorists in Iraq' thinking is called, Exstrapolostrategery.
Finally, the bipartisan commission that Bush charged with the study recommended he involve Syria and Iran. He is ignoring that, and instead staying the course with his own solution. More troops? Probably some of these have been there multiple tours already. How long we stay is nothing more than a guess. We don't have an exit strategy and that shouldn't surprise you, we didn't have a plan to occupy either. The time hasn't come to escalate, the time has come to get out! So there you have it. We are stuck in a war we can't win. Our leader doesn't have a plan. He doesn't want to negotiate with the enemy and he doesn't want to leave. The bad in that is too ignorant to fathom. I feel bad for our soldiers most of all because their Commander has too much pride to be Chief.
Flame Away and look at the bright side, at least we will have more troops to look for the WMD's.
The Caveman
I am sure that by now you have probably seen at least one of these Geico commercials. I think they are genius. I am not sure they get anyone to buy insurance, but they are so funny.The genius is, it makes fun of perceived stereotypes. I like it that the 'caveman' embodies a white upper middle class to rich cultured urbanite. I think the reason why I like these commercials so much is because it makes it fun, for a moment, to laugh at our differences.
I'll have the roasted duck with the mango salsa.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Texas Legislature is in session
I hear the first item on the agenda is repealing the tax on hairspray. I hypothesize that the reason why the State of Texas has failed to solve its school finance crisis is because of the dangerous chemicals found in Governor Rick Perry's hair. It is seeping through his scalp and altering his brain chemistry, thus making his ideas stupid.
I hope they pass the English only law. After all, if it was good enough for Jesus, then it ought to be good enough for Texans as well. Frankly, I am tired of all of these Mexicans contributing to the economy in Spanish. If they are going to earn money, spend money, and do jobs at lower wages, then they ought to speak English.
Can we please get rid of the court system. They are standing in the way of progress. If Governor Perry wants to pillage the Teacher Retirement Fund to help pay for his cronies to build stuff we do not need, then he ought to be able to do so without fear of retribution in court. Besides, you know Governor Perry is going to make sure those teachers earn more after his School Finance Bill is finally passed. That is if we can get the chemicals out of his hair.
Whatever the legislature does, I hope they can carry on this Speaker showdown on for a few more weeks. It has been a good distraction from the problems that face the state.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Its good to be a Florida Gator.
Florida won by too many points to have a convincing argument for a College Football playoff. Nevertheless, an argument from Boise State can be heard. The Broncos finished the season undefeated, but its doubtful they could have dealt with the SEC tempered Gators tonight in the BCS title game. Unfortunately, we will never know.
The University of Florida now holds both the Men's Basketball and Football NCAA National titles currently. That is quite a feat considering it has never been done before. I have to admit that the way they won those two championships were very convincing.
Hard to argue that the SEC isn't the best Conference in college football. Every week is a rivalry with huge implications and every week the expectations of great games are met. The best teams may lose a game on its way to a conference championship, then they determine a true winner in one final game. LSU, absent from the SEC title game, beat Notre Dame in the Sugar bowl by 20. Then Florida follows it up with a pasting of the seemingly invincible Ohio State team.
Could Florida do it again in both sports?
The current basketball squad in Tallahassee returned all 5 starters from its National title win. The football team returns quarterback Tim Tebow. The only thing that can get in the way is next seasons schedule. No matter what the non-Conference schedule brings, the SEC awaits each and every week to take their shots, in both sports.
Next season should be even better, but then again without a football playoff it will never be complete. There is never a dispute or computer formula needed in March.
It ends today
If Florida wins, let the playoff argument gain momentum.
Sometime tonight at approximately 10:30pm CST, the college football season will end. I am rooting for Florida but I am picking Ohio State. Coach Tressel has a great record in championship games dating back to his tenure at Youngstown State.
So that should tell you something. Bet the farm on Florida. If reading my picks has taught you anything this season, it is that I almost always get it wrong.
Also, Texas Tech plays Kansas State (Men's basketball) on ESPN at 9pm.
Diets don't work for me.
I have been on my new plan or lifestyle change for the better part of 30 days now. I am feeling better.
I hate the word diet for alot of reasons. If you have ever been on a diet, then chances are you have probably failed at it, as I have so many times. You might hate the word too.
I already know what you want to know. You want to know what it is, how to do it, and will it work. That is the easiest part. The difficult question to answer and discover is, will you keep it off?
Most people avoid things they dont like about themselves and instead focus on what makes them forget and/or content. At least that is my take. We have all heard the phrase, "diets don't work." For the most part they do not and that statement is painfully true to the masses of people.
Some people have to get, or feel like they need staples in their stomach. Others get plastic surgery. Some people take prescription medication (as I have recently). Others do South Beach, Atkins, Dexetrim, Slim Fast, Nutrisystem, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, Deal A Meal, the Zone, and many others.
My personal favorite to pick on is the Subway Diet. But a hasten to throw stones when it that and many others have worked for so many.
BUT what does work really mean?
Simply losing weight and gaining it all back couldn't be a favorable outcome. I have read that many doctors and experts know that most people gain it all back plus some. If you have an eating disorder, it is almost a certainty it will happen. They find themselves with poorer health and presumably a worse mental condition than before they started. A real tragedy.
In my case, I gained alot of weight in college 18 years ago. Since then I have gone on several diets and exercise regimens. I have lost weight. I have eaten carbs and no carbs, I have run 10k races, swam thousands of laps in a pool and spent many hours in a weight room. I have been in many aerobics classes. Logged many a mile on the various cardio machines. I have eaten nothing but vegetables and fruit. I have tried alot of fad diets. I still have the weight, and also alot of different sizes of clothing. The only consistent thing I got was bigger.
My weight has steadily climbed from 195lbs in 1989 to a peak at 315lbs last year. There are many reasons why I am at what I am at. I didn't consistently exercise. I drank too much alcohol. Worked too much. I ate fast food, Chinese buffets, grande Mexican platters, and ate everything I cooked in the house. Depression. Did I mention I drank alot? I also smoke. It is a sorry way to live and I will be lucky to make it to 50 years old. People that are over 300lbs that drink, smoke, eat, and have high blood pressure don't make it very long. But please, don't leave any comments about how I can change, or this or that will work. I have been there and done that.
Let me explain to you what I think will work.
First and foremost, the only thing that matters is sacrifice, moderation, and consistency. Second, quit eating and drinking poison. Third, do not go on a diet. Finally, get a lifestyle.
Sacrifice means that I am willing to be poor, by my standards, the rest of my life if that means I can be healthy again. I am not going to slave away at some job for 60 hours a week anymore. I am not going to get stressed out because some walking idiot needs to climb on my back to get to the top. Stressing me out and gaining me nothing but what I mentioned above. Being too tired and stressed at the beginning and end of long days isn't worth it. Besides, nobody ever says, "I should have worked more" on their deathbed. I wonder how many wished they would have lived healthier?
I am also going to sacrifice fast food, sodas, and multiple trips to the buffet. I know that sounds like a diet, but to me it isn't. A diet implies you give up something for a limited time to achieve a goal. A lifestyle change is presumably for life. I hope you can see the difference, and also hope I have the strength to see it through. I have been exploring the realm of eating organic foods. I am still learning but so far my practice has led me to feel better. The 'treehuggers' might be right again.
Moderation. I first heard and learned that word from my father. He is an extremely healthy man and I have never known him to not be. He works hard, he plays hard, and he ALWAYS never fails to take care of himself. My step-father is the same way as well. Both of them probably marvel at my choices and my size. It goes both ways. What moderation truly is comes hand in hand with consistency. Did you notice I said 'never fails' earlier? That doesn't mean adopting a dogma of this and not that, although that probably happens. What it truly means is that they have mastered their bodies. They never go overboard and never let the emotions or cravings of a moment turn into a routine. They get back on track. They live it. It is okay for them to have a fattening meal that tastes good. They probably don't even think about it like that. They have a...
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
In my humble opinion, there are no quick fixes or magic pills people. Research continues in genetics, surgeries, metabolism and if your not careful, you could be caught in that trap. The pharmaceutical companies can surely sell you something. Ever heard or read the side-effects on a drug advertisement. No thank you. I will keep my money and take my chances on my own volition. I'm not going to cheat myself from this life experience even if you can safely 'fix' me. I want to gain moderation, sacrifice, consistency, and a healthy lifestyle. I doubt they make a pill to gain that anyway.
Losing weight is a trade off. What you gain is an achievement. If you do it right, the real success lies in the gift you can give yourself everyday.
My favorite line from any movie is in the Shawshank Redemption by the character Andy Dufresne
I weigh 298lbs today and I got alot more living to do.
I hate the word diet for alot of reasons. If you have ever been on a diet, then chances are you have probably failed at it, as I have so many times. You might hate the word too.
I already know what you want to know. You want to know what it is, how to do it, and will it work. That is the easiest part. The difficult question to answer and discover is, will you keep it off?
Most people avoid things they dont like about themselves and instead focus on what makes them forget and/or content. At least that is my take. We have all heard the phrase, "diets don't work." For the most part they do not and that statement is painfully true to the masses of people.
Some people have to get, or feel like they need staples in their stomach. Others get plastic surgery. Some people take prescription medication (as I have recently). Others do South Beach, Atkins, Dexetrim, Slim Fast, Nutrisystem, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, Deal A Meal, the Zone, and many others.
My personal favorite to pick on is the Subway Diet. But a hasten to throw stones when it that and many others have worked for so many.
BUT what does work really mean?
Simply losing weight and gaining it all back couldn't be a favorable outcome. I have read that many doctors and experts know that most people gain it all back plus some. If you have an eating disorder, it is almost a certainty it will happen. They find themselves with poorer health and presumably a worse mental condition than before they started. A real tragedy.
In my case, I gained alot of weight in college 18 years ago. Since then I have gone on several diets and exercise regimens. I have lost weight. I have eaten carbs and no carbs, I have run 10k races, swam thousands of laps in a pool and spent many hours in a weight room. I have been in many aerobics classes. Logged many a mile on the various cardio machines. I have eaten nothing but vegetables and fruit. I have tried alot of fad diets. I still have the weight, and also alot of different sizes of clothing. The only consistent thing I got was bigger.
My weight has steadily climbed from 195lbs in 1989 to a peak at 315lbs last year. There are many reasons why I am at what I am at. I didn't consistently exercise. I drank too much alcohol. Worked too much. I ate fast food, Chinese buffets, grande Mexican platters, and ate everything I cooked in the house. Depression. Did I mention I drank alot? I also smoke. It is a sorry way to live and I will be lucky to make it to 50 years old. People that are over 300lbs that drink, smoke, eat, and have high blood pressure don't make it very long. But please, don't leave any comments about how I can change, or this or that will work. I have been there and done that.
Let me explain to you what I think will work.
First and foremost, the only thing that matters is sacrifice, moderation, and consistency. Second, quit eating and drinking poison. Third, do not go on a diet. Finally, get a lifestyle.
Sacrifice means that I am willing to be poor, by my standards, the rest of my life if that means I can be healthy again. I am not going to slave away at some job for 60 hours a week anymore. I am not going to get stressed out because some walking idiot needs to climb on my back to get to the top. Stressing me out and gaining me nothing but what I mentioned above. Being too tired and stressed at the beginning and end of long days isn't worth it. Besides, nobody ever says, "I should have worked more" on their deathbed. I wonder how many wished they would have lived healthier?
I am also going to sacrifice fast food, sodas, and multiple trips to the buffet. I know that sounds like a diet, but to me it isn't. A diet implies you give up something for a limited time to achieve a goal. A lifestyle change is presumably for life. I hope you can see the difference, and also hope I have the strength to see it through. I have been exploring the realm of eating organic foods. I am still learning but so far my practice has led me to feel better. The 'treehuggers' might be right again.
Moderation. I first heard and learned that word from my father. He is an extremely healthy man and I have never known him to not be. He works hard, he plays hard, and he ALWAYS never fails to take care of himself. My step-father is the same way as well. Both of them probably marvel at my choices and my size. It goes both ways. What moderation truly is comes hand in hand with consistency. Did you notice I said 'never fails' earlier? That doesn't mean adopting a dogma of this and not that, although that probably happens. What it truly means is that they have mastered their bodies. They never go overboard and never let the emotions or cravings of a moment turn into a routine. They get back on track. They live it. It is okay for them to have a fattening meal that tastes good. They probably don't even think about it like that. They have a...
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
In my humble opinion, there are no quick fixes or magic pills people. Research continues in genetics, surgeries, metabolism and if your not careful, you could be caught in that trap. The pharmaceutical companies can surely sell you something. Ever heard or read the side-effects on a drug advertisement. No thank you. I will keep my money and take my chances on my own volition. I'm not going to cheat myself from this life experience even if you can safely 'fix' me. I want to gain moderation, sacrifice, consistency, and a healthy lifestyle. I doubt they make a pill to gain that anyway.
Losing weight is a trade off. What you gain is an achievement. If you do it right, the real success lies in the gift you can give yourself everyday.
My favorite line from any movie is in the Shawshank Redemption by the character Andy Dufresne
Get busy living, or get busy dying.
I weigh 298lbs today and I got alot more living to do.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Earl Scruggs: everday is his birthday
You have all heard the Ballad of Jed Clampett. There is another video on youtube that is awesome, link is below. If you don't like this, you don't have ears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vz1LMylZSY
Bonnie Franklin is SIXTY THREE!
To quote a line from Reality Bites, a movie about the discontent of my generation.
If I could bottle the sexual tension between Bonnie Franklin and Schneider, I could solve the energy crisis.
Something I think the Kyoto treaty failed to mention.
Sooners in town
12:30pm at the USA!
Got to admit, I dislike them less now that they don't have Coach Sampson. Their graduation rate of basketball players has to improve. Under Sampson it was close to zero. Coach Jeff Capel, a four year starter at Duke and former Virginia Commonwealth coach took over this year after Sampson left for Indiana.
OU did itself a favor by finally getting some class. Maybe they will get their players to actually attend some as well.
Britain's Armed Forces to be cut.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1983613,00.html
This is sad. As a historian, I have always been fascinated by the history of the Royal Navy. Had it not been for the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, the world would be a much different place. English as a language might be as prominent as Gaelic.
Where is the Cold War when you need it?
This is sad. As a historian, I have always been fascinated by the history of the Royal Navy. Had it not been for the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, the world would be a much different place. English as a language might be as prominent as Gaelic.
Where is the Cold War when you need it?
Friday, January 05, 2007
Well, Well, Well!!!
This is from Liberally Lean.
Please read the comments.
It only took me a couple of hours to 'out' this one. But my sources reveal the true identity of this poster harassing me on the comments. As it turns out, it is somebody I know personally. Do I have the goods to humiliate? YES. But I wonder if I should?
So, I have a quandary.
Should I:
A. Humiliate
B. Give the person a chance to apologize
C. Drop it
Hmmmm?
This is a great day! I loves me some internets drama.
Also on this day...
Buddy Holly releases his last record in 1959 called, "It doesn't matter."
And I hate to mention this but Boston Red Sox player Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees in 1920. This moment in history is also partially responsible for one of my break-ups with a former girlfriend. She knew nothing about baseball and after i explained the 'curse' during the 2004 American League Championship Series she started rooting for the Yankees because, "my best friend lives in New York." It was the proof I rediscovered about women/girls in my childhood. Girls are mean and were happy that Darth Vader killed Obeonekanobe.
After the Red Sox broke their curse, I broke mine a month later.
Today, the Lubbock Urban Achievers bowling team and social club begin league play.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Nick Saban gets 4 million a year...
so that Alabama fans don't have to hear their rivals (Auburn) taunt them with their own victory cheer (Rammer Jammer) again.
It's just not worth it.
It's just not worth it.
Steven Stills is 62 today
Steven Stills on wikipedia.
I saw Crosby, Stills, and Nash on June 7, 2003 at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Knight880.com
Here is the link.
Excellent work by the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. There has yet to be an avalanche by the way.
Excellent work by the Lubbock Avalanche Journal. There has yet to be an avalanche by the way.
Expectations
My analysis starts by simply stating, this 2006 Texas Tech football team underachieved to our expectations. Maybe the expectations were too high after a 2nd place finish in the Big 12 and a Cotton Bowl berth last season. Few could argue that a better receiving corps could be found in the nation. I thought our experienced defense would be good, not great, but good. The new Quarterback was one of the highest rated recruits in school history. Great things were gotten with less talent in Lubbock. We had already come along way in just a few seasons and the schedule looked favorable for a great run.
Then the ineligibility plague hit, costing Tech several of its prize recruits and one impact defensive lineman. Jarrett Hicks, the most talented receiver in school history was also out pending yet another waiver from the NCAA. Jarrett would get back but only after the dam busted in Ft. Worth. The losses were in key areas and they hurt Tech all season.
Then the season started, a nice win over the improved SMU Mustangs in Lubbock. I thought we were off to the races again, but I was so wrong.
Tech squeaked by the UTEP game in El Paso in overtime. Had the ball not doinked in off the upright for a field goal, Tech may have very well lost that game.
3 points in Ft. Worth. By far the worst loss in the Mike Leach era. Packed and partisan Tech away game. It was terrible to watch and I suspect that the Frogs will never let us forget that game. Tech never crossed the 50 yard line in the second half. Despite the good performance from a defense left on the field most of the game, 30 points is rarely enough for us, much less THREE.
Two weeks later we fool Texas A&M again. We also fooled ourselves. Tech had that game won easily had it scored in the second half. We let the Aggies back and then let them take the lead. Only the remarkable play at the end saved the day for Tech. I was hoping that they had finally shaken the inconsistent play. The highlight of my season was being there in person. It is always great to beat the Aggies at Kyle Field.
The next week, Missouri is gifted two touchdowns from interceptions in back to back offensive series. The Homecoming crowd was stunned and angry at the performance. It only gets worse when the Red Raiders get blasted in Boulder by winless Colorado.
Expectations were that Iowa State would finish us off in Ames. But somehow our football team put together a great game and won. Probably the best overall performance of the season. The monkey was finally off the back with a 21-0 lead, at home, against the Defending National Champion Texas Longhorns.
The monkey got back on in the second half. Tech failed to score and Texas caught up and then passed us. Despite the obvious errors of Big 12 officials, Tech should have put them away anyway. We had them beaten.
We also had Oklahoma beaten in Norman, but again the offense fails to score in the second half. It's emotionally tough to have the giants down only to watch us cut the ropes, let them go, and watch them crush us.
Higher expectations do not include moral victories. Thankfully, Tech had just enough on Senior Day to beat back the last second throws in the end zone by Oklahoma State. Again, that game shouldn't have come to that.
I also forgot Baylor. To our teams credit, they put Texas aside and didn't forget to beat Baylor.
It was a tough season, and after it was fitting that we didn't know where we were going to play in a bowl game. We didn't know if our Coach was leaving. We didn't know who to blame, although many of us know how to shoot blind. When we finally found out our destination, we didn't really know what to expect from our opponent. Tech fans, if honest, didn't know what to expect from our own team.
So here we are, days after the greatest comeback in bowl history. I am so proud of our Texas Tech Red Raiders. They went through alot this season. In my opinion, they could have quit at any number of times this year and I think its a credit that they never did.
38-7 deficit with 7:47 to go in the third quarter after giving up an 18 play drive.
That is a mountain. After a year of not meeting expectations. Nobody but them really believed it could be climbed. Some will say different and I will flatly say they are not telling the truth. There is a lesson here. Maybe we shouldn't worry about expectations and instead believe we can achieve. That applies to more than just football.
I learned something else:
No matter the sport or the season, its always tough to be a Red Raider fan. That is what makes it fun.
I was going to finish by giving an in depth analysis and finger pointing of who needs praise, get fired, or is to blame for the overall season. But I think now I will skip it. Even though it appears we took two steps forward and two steps back this season, the victory in the Insight Bowl was a comeback.
My expectations for next season:
13-0 and playing for National Championship.
I want to thank my friend Helmut. Helmut and I attended the 2004 Holiday Bowl in San Diego and I think I speak for both of us when I state, that was the greatest moment in Texas Tech football for us. We have seen some great ones over the last 14 years, and we sure have been to some rough games too. It seems this season we had a tough loss every other week. But through it all, we still bleed the Scarlet and Black. Helmut is the man and always makes sure I have a seat. I appreciate it. Guns Up brother!
Then the ineligibility plague hit, costing Tech several of its prize recruits and one impact defensive lineman. Jarrett Hicks, the most talented receiver in school history was also out pending yet another waiver from the NCAA. Jarrett would get back but only after the dam busted in Ft. Worth. The losses were in key areas and they hurt Tech all season.
Then the season started, a nice win over the improved SMU Mustangs in Lubbock. I thought we were off to the races again, but I was so wrong.
Tech squeaked by the UTEP game in El Paso in overtime. Had the ball not doinked in off the upright for a field goal, Tech may have very well lost that game.
3 points in Ft. Worth. By far the worst loss in the Mike Leach era. Packed and partisan Tech away game. It was terrible to watch and I suspect that the Frogs will never let us forget that game. Tech never crossed the 50 yard line in the second half. Despite the good performance from a defense left on the field most of the game, 30 points is rarely enough for us, much less THREE.
Two weeks later we fool Texas A&M again. We also fooled ourselves. Tech had that game won easily had it scored in the second half. We let the Aggies back and then let them take the lead. Only the remarkable play at the end saved the day for Tech. I was hoping that they had finally shaken the inconsistent play. The highlight of my season was being there in person. It is always great to beat the Aggies at Kyle Field.
The next week, Missouri is gifted two touchdowns from interceptions in back to back offensive series. The Homecoming crowd was stunned and angry at the performance. It only gets worse when the Red Raiders get blasted in Boulder by winless Colorado.
Expectations were that Iowa State would finish us off in Ames. But somehow our football team put together a great game and won. Probably the best overall performance of the season. The monkey was finally off the back with a 21-0 lead, at home, against the Defending National Champion Texas Longhorns.
The monkey got back on in the second half. Tech failed to score and Texas caught up and then passed us. Despite the obvious errors of Big 12 officials, Tech should have put them away anyway. We had them beaten.
We also had Oklahoma beaten in Norman, but again the offense fails to score in the second half. It's emotionally tough to have the giants down only to watch us cut the ropes, let them go, and watch them crush us.
Higher expectations do not include moral victories. Thankfully, Tech had just enough on Senior Day to beat back the last second throws in the end zone by Oklahoma State. Again, that game shouldn't have come to that.
I also forgot Baylor. To our teams credit, they put Texas aside and didn't forget to beat Baylor.
It was a tough season, and after it was fitting that we didn't know where we were going to play in a bowl game. We didn't know if our Coach was leaving. We didn't know who to blame, although many of us know how to shoot blind. When we finally found out our destination, we didn't really know what to expect from our opponent. Tech fans, if honest, didn't know what to expect from our own team.
So here we are, days after the greatest comeback in bowl history. I am so proud of our Texas Tech Red Raiders. They went through alot this season. In my opinion, they could have quit at any number of times this year and I think its a credit that they never did.
38-7 deficit with 7:47 to go in the third quarter after giving up an 18 play drive.
That is a mountain. After a year of not meeting expectations. Nobody but them really believed it could be climbed. Some will say different and I will flatly say they are not telling the truth. There is a lesson here. Maybe we shouldn't worry about expectations and instead believe we can achieve. That applies to more than just football.
I learned something else:
No matter the sport or the season, its always tough to be a Red Raider fan. That is what makes it fun.
I was going to finish by giving an in depth analysis and finger pointing of who needs praise, get fired, or is to blame for the overall season. But I think now I will skip it. Even though it appears we took two steps forward and two steps back this season, the victory in the Insight Bowl was a comeback.
My expectations for next season:
13-0 and playing for National Championship.
I want to thank my friend Helmut. Helmut and I attended the 2004 Holiday Bowl in San Diego and I think I speak for both of us when I state, that was the greatest moment in Texas Tech football for us. We have seen some great ones over the last 14 years, and we sure have been to some rough games too. It seems this season we had a tough loss every other week. But through it all, we still bleed the Scarlet and Black. Helmut is the man and always makes sure I have a seat. I appreciate it. Guns Up brother!
Never give up!
Tying field goal
Overtime Texas Tech Touchdown!
The audio is from Texas Tech Sports Network via Raiderpower.com
BOISE STATE....
will never be Oklahoma. I like that. Tonight, if you were watching, you got to see a truly classic game between speed, talent, and arrogance versus a college football team.
Inspiring. To my knowledge Boise State doesn't have 5 star recruits, paychecks from the car dealerships for no actual work, or excuses. What Boise State has is respect. They earned it.
Boise State...they had the lead, they lost the lead, then they decided to win. Then they won.
To be frank, I don't know why, other than money, why a school like Boise State or any aspiring mid-major would want to compete with cheaters. They are too good for it. They have done more with less for so long with actual student-athletes, why would they need to prove they can be pro.
Nevertheless, OU will be OU, and for tonight the Boise State Broncos will be better. I enjoyed the win.
Inspiring. To my knowledge Boise State doesn't have 5 star recruits, paychecks from the car dealerships for no actual work, or excuses. What Boise State has is respect. They earned it.
Boise State...they had the lead, they lost the lead, then they decided to win. Then they won.
To be frank, I don't know why, other than money, why a school like Boise State or any aspiring mid-major would want to compete with cheaters. They are too good for it. They have done more with less for so long with actual student-athletes, why would they need to prove they can be pro.
Nevertheless, OU will be OU, and for tonight the Boise State Broncos will be better. I enjoyed the win.
Monday, January 01, 2007
You're the greatest Coach Knight
Texas Tech wins. The ceremony afterwards was worth every penny of every basketball ticket I ever bought.
Personally, I like Coach Knight's graduation record better. Thanks for being at Texas Tech. Congratulations!
Personally, I like Coach Knight's graduation record better. Thanks for being at Texas Tech. Congratulations!
Eight Hundred Eighty
We are heading to the USA in an hour or so. I will post pictures from the game and hopefully report on a win.
I am also hoping that "TSO" will be there and gives us a glimpse of the Insight Bowl trophy.
Never give up!
T-shirt fan sighting: I just went to get the paper and saw a local walking his dogs. One dog, a pit bull aptly named Diesel, was off his leash peeing everywhere. This man had on the cheesiest Dallas Cowboy parka, Longhorn National Champion hat, pajama bottoms, and a black t-shirt that said "Got Weed?". He had a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth that he never removed as he was screaming at Diesel to quote, "Diesel you bitch, get your ass over here I'm yeelin at you!" He might as well be Cousin Eddie incarnate. Thankfully, I do not have a picture. But I did find this on Al Gore's interweb.
I was thinking as I tried to contain my laughter of condescend, "It may be a new year, but it aint a new you, buddy." I wonder if he will get a Florida or Ohio State hat after Monday night?
I am also hoping that "TSO" will be there and gives us a glimpse of the Insight Bowl trophy.
Never give up!
T-shirt fan sighting: I just went to get the paper and saw a local walking his dogs. One dog, a pit bull aptly named Diesel, was off his leash peeing everywhere. This man had on the cheesiest Dallas Cowboy parka, Longhorn National Champion hat, pajama bottoms, and a black t-shirt that said "Got Weed?". He had a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth that he never removed as he was screaming at Diesel to quote, "Diesel you bitch, get your ass over here I'm yeelin at you!" He might as well be Cousin Eddie incarnate. Thankfully, I do not have a picture. But I did find this on Al Gore's interweb.
I was thinking as I tried to contain my laughter of condescend, "It may be a new year, but it aint a new you, buddy." I wonder if he will get a Florida or Ohio State hat after Monday night?
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