So I’ve already written about the details about my trip: the highs and lows, the places, the people, the experience. But that was truly only a small portion of what happened during the trip. It was the first time I had ever travelled alone in my life, and it taught me a great number of things about myself. Some of those things were good; some were not. I thought I would share some of these discoveries with you.
• I do not know nearly as much about myself as I thought I did.
• I am not nearly as introverted as I thought. I have long thought I could both survive and thrive in solitude, but that simply is not the case. I felt lonely most of the time, and the highlights of the trip occurred when I was with other people.
• I am also a lot more emotional than I even let on to myself. I think I’ve been hurt/disappointed/etc. too many times that I even shut myself off to myself. I need to work on opening up.
• I need to do a better job of appreciating the people in my life, or at least showing them that I appreciate them. I saw a number of people on this trip who were great to me, not to mention have a family who did everything they could to help me get my luggage back.
• I need to be more enthusiastic. Sure, I am not where I want to be, but I don’t have to be completely miserable while I wait for my happy ending. Having the right attitude is a necessity moving forward. I need to be enthusiastic, professional, and hard-working.
• I think too highly of myself in the some areas and am too hard on myself in others. I really need balance, and I need to appreciate myself not only for where I want to be but also for who I am at this point in time. It is good to have goals, but I can’t look down on myself until I get there.
• I need to put myself out more. One of the best parts of the trip was when I was out to dinner with Jon and ZB. I commented to Jon about how I was envious of the numerous meaningful connections he has made, and he told me that these connections primarily happened thanks to putting himself out there. I have realized that I’m really not that bad when I make an effort to connect with people, but I haven’t done that good of a job making an effort. I need to put the past aside and do a better job moving forward.
• If it’s not the right time to do something, don’t do it. Sometimes I make too much of a big deal in my head about making my move, blah blah blah. If it’s not the right time, it’s not going to work. Patience is rarely enjoyable, but it is often necessary.
• From this point on, if I’m known for one thing, I want it to be for how hard I work. If I’m known for two things, I want it to be for my persistence/determination even when the odds are not in my favor.
• I need to do a better job of maximizing my gifts/skillset. I could be doing a lot more.
• I want to live a little, save a lot, and be as generous as possible with what I am given.
• For the first time in quite some time, I not only have an idea of where I want to be in my life, but also how I want to improve as a person. Though this trip was difficult and lonely at times, it can ultimately be considered a success.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
A Synopsis of the Seattle Trip and Some Observations Concerning the Pacific Northwest
It took me a quarter of a century, but I finally ventured west of Minnesota. After completing the marathon, I decided to knock out another item on my 2012 to-do list by taking a vacation. Seattle (and the rest of the Pacific Northwest) has always been an area of particular interest to me, so I finally made the journey out west. In the vein of my “Year in Review” posts, here is a day-by-day synopsis of the trip with some thoughts about the Pacific Northwest following. In the next day or so, there will also be a personal reflective piece concerning the trip, so watch for that as well.
Monday: Not exactly what I’d call a great day. I picked up exactly where my last vacation ended. The flights were good (and the flight to Phoenix was actually enjoyable). On my way to pick up the rental car, my luggage got lost because someone took mine. I was without pretty much everything for four hours. Thanks to the fact I got almost no sleep the night before, this experience made me very emotional. Thankfully, I reclaimed my luggage four hours later, but it threw a serious wrench into my schedule. I was able to see the History of Flight museum that afternoon, but everything else had to be moved around. I was able to meet up with Rex for dinner that night, which is always a pleasure. Still, it was a rough day, and I felt very homesick.
Tuesday: This was still a pretty emotional day. I was worn out from the events of the previous day and from my decision to forgo the trip to Idaho. I still saw a few things this day. I was able to see the view of Seattle from the top of the world (the Space Needle), experienced the eclectic Pike Place Market, and checked out the very interesting EMP Museum. Dinner was lonely by myself, but it was a better day than Monday.
Wednesday: I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of setting foot on CenturyLink Field, the home of my beloved Seattle Seahawks. I was able to tour their facilities early in the afternoon. Fortunately, this was the only day it did not rain. We had a small tour group, so we were able to get an in-depth tour and experience many of the stadium’s amenities. After the tour, I got a doughnut at Top Pot and explored the city of Seattle. It’s a pretty neat place. Wasn’t able to meet up with a couple people, but that happens.
Thursday: This was a pretty awesome day. I conquered the rain during my drive to Portland. I picked up ZB, and we headed to Portland. While in Portland, we encountered the gloriously creepy yet delightfully delicious Voodoo Doughnuts and the very serene International Rose Test Garden. Though I am far from a botanist, I enjoyed the peaceful landscape. After that, we headed back to Seattle to meet up with another GameFAQs user, Jon, for dinner at a restaurant in the UDistrict. It was a very enjoyable dinner, and it was full of excellent conversation.
Friday: My primary objective for the day was to make it back to Chicago without a hitch. Most people would take that for granted, but given my travel history, I did not. Thankfully, everything went extremely smoothly. I traded the Seattle rain for the balmy Chicago weather and made it home in one piece.
Assorted Observations
• Some of those hills are absolutely disgusting to drive on. They are fine to look at and even to walk on, but as for driving, I do not approve.
• If we classified Seattle as a 25 year old hipster just getting his/her feet wet in the world, then we would have to classify Portland as its creepy 14 year old sibling who shops at Hot Topic.
• The area that Voodoo Doughnuts is located might be the sketchiest area to which I have ever voluntarily travelled.
• My tour guide for the Seahawks tour was a Steelers fan. It made me a bit uncomfortable.
• I don’t know why the top of the Space Needle is orange. It should be the same lime green shade that the Seahawks and Sounders use.
• My hotel room was the first I ever encountered that not only was bereft of a clock but also of a Gideon Bible. However, it had an analog microwave. Apparently, I’m a high roller when I travel.
• The Pacific Northwest is a nice area, but I don’t think it’s a place that I would ever call home.
Monday: Not exactly what I’d call a great day. I picked up exactly where my last vacation ended. The flights were good (and the flight to Phoenix was actually enjoyable). On my way to pick up the rental car, my luggage got lost because someone took mine. I was without pretty much everything for four hours. Thanks to the fact I got almost no sleep the night before, this experience made me very emotional. Thankfully, I reclaimed my luggage four hours later, but it threw a serious wrench into my schedule. I was able to see the History of Flight museum that afternoon, but everything else had to be moved around. I was able to meet up with Rex for dinner that night, which is always a pleasure. Still, it was a rough day, and I felt very homesick.
Tuesday: This was still a pretty emotional day. I was worn out from the events of the previous day and from my decision to forgo the trip to Idaho. I still saw a few things this day. I was able to see the view of Seattle from the top of the world (the Space Needle), experienced the eclectic Pike Place Market, and checked out the very interesting EMP Museum. Dinner was lonely by myself, but it was a better day than Monday.
Wednesday: I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of setting foot on CenturyLink Field, the home of my beloved Seattle Seahawks. I was able to tour their facilities early in the afternoon. Fortunately, this was the only day it did not rain. We had a small tour group, so we were able to get an in-depth tour and experience many of the stadium’s amenities. After the tour, I got a doughnut at Top Pot and explored the city of Seattle. It’s a pretty neat place. Wasn’t able to meet up with a couple people, but that happens.
Thursday: This was a pretty awesome day. I conquered the rain during my drive to Portland. I picked up ZB, and we headed to Portland. While in Portland, we encountered the gloriously creepy yet delightfully delicious Voodoo Doughnuts and the very serene International Rose Test Garden. Though I am far from a botanist, I enjoyed the peaceful landscape. After that, we headed back to Seattle to meet up with another GameFAQs user, Jon, for dinner at a restaurant in the UDistrict. It was a very enjoyable dinner, and it was full of excellent conversation.
Friday: My primary objective for the day was to make it back to Chicago without a hitch. Most people would take that for granted, but given my travel history, I did not. Thankfully, everything went extremely smoothly. I traded the Seattle rain for the balmy Chicago weather and made it home in one piece.
Assorted Observations
• Some of those hills are absolutely disgusting to drive on. They are fine to look at and even to walk on, but as for driving, I do not approve.
• If we classified Seattle as a 25 year old hipster just getting his/her feet wet in the world, then we would have to classify Portland as its creepy 14 year old sibling who shops at Hot Topic.
• The area that Voodoo Doughnuts is located might be the sketchiest area to which I have ever voluntarily travelled.
• My tour guide for the Seahawks tour was a Steelers fan. It made me a bit uncomfortable.
• I don’t know why the top of the Space Needle is orange. It should be the same lime green shade that the Seahawks and Sounders use.
• My hotel room was the first I ever encountered that not only was bereft of a clock but also of a Gideon Bible. However, it had an analog microwave. Apparently, I’m a high roller when I travel.
• The Pacific Northwest is a nice area, but I don’t think it’s a place that I would ever call home.
Monday, May 7, 2012
From Muffin Top to Marathon Man: My 7 Month Journey to the Top of the Fitness Mountain
I have made mention of my immense weight loss in 2008 on numerous occasions. The impetus for that weight loss was two-fold: to get in shape before student teaching began and to impress Stacie. One of those things happened. The other did not. I digress. After getting myself into pretty good shape, I stayed in pretty good shape for about a year. I started sliding down the slope in August 2009. Between different struggles and hardship, the move from Orland back to Tinley, and a nasty illness, I got out of a normal workout pattern. As life’s body blows began to increase, I spent even less time at the gym and more time wallowing in self-pity. Between August 2009 and September 2011 I never even stepped on a scale. I noticed a “muffin top” beginning to form, and I noticed my clothes becoming tighter and tighter. I finally bit the bullet and stepped onto the scale.
I was horrified to discover that I had gained over half the weight I lost in 2008. All the hard work and triumph was gone. This time, the only motivation I had to lose weight was my disgust at falling off the wagon. That was the only motivation I needed.
Starting in October 2011, I worked out seven days a week. As I had done in 2008, I used the elliptical as the focal point for my workouts. Unlike 2008, I focused less on speed and more on intensity. Five days a week I burned 1000 calories whilst on the elliptical. I “rested” the other two days by only burning 500 calories. By the beginning of December, I lost all the weight I had put on. I was in the best shape of my life, but I began to get bored of the elliptical.
Around this time, my dad mentioned that he was going to run another marathon and invited my sister and me to run the marathon as well. With my sister’s work schedule, marathon training was impossible, but I decided to give it some thought. Never mind that I had not run since conditioning before basketball season in junior high. Never mind that I had never run more than 2.5 miles without stopping. I decided to take up running, and by the end of December I would decide whether or not I was up for doing a marathon.
I decided to do my running on the treadmill because I am not a fan of the elements (despite living in the greater Chicagoland area my entire life). I started with three miles. Then I moved up to five. By the end of the year I could run 8 miles. Not only could I run longer distances, but my mile time kept improving. I went from running 10 minute miles to running miles in under 8 minutes. I decided to accept the challenge.
From what I now understand, it is not common for a novice runner to run a marathon. Getting one’s body in marathon shape generally takes a great deal of time and practice. However, if you know me, you know I like to rush things a bit. I do not follow conventional wisdom, especially in terms of establishing timeframes for goals. I was going to do this, and I was going to do it well.
Marathon training was not fun. I ran four short runs during the week and a long run every Sunday. The long run started at 8 miles and increased by one mile every week. For the first five weeks or so, a crazy thing happened. My average mile time got faster with the longer I went! I finished a half-marathon at an exceptionally good clip.
Once I got past 15 miles in my training runs, my body really started to feel it. It would take a couple days for my body to get back to 100 percent. I was able to make it outside for my 18 and 19 mile runs. It was good for me to be able to get out into the elements and away from the controlled environment of the gym.
So, on May 5, 2012, I finally ran a marathon. I was well-trained, but no amount of training could have prepared me for exactly what I was going to experience. It was colder, windier, and damper than I both hoped and expected it to be. The beginning of the race was full of people who should have started much farther back based on their pace. I had to get past all that.
And get past it I did! My goal before the marathon was to not only finish the race but also to finish it in less than four hours. I know… I have the tendency to set some lofty goals. Despite the terrain being damp and somewhat hilly during the first half of the marathon, I was absolutely flying. I made it through the first 20 miles in around 2 hours and 50 minutes. I was well on pace to achieve my goal.
Somewhere between mile 20 and mile 21 my body hit a wall. At this point (and until the rest of the race) we had to run into a pretty nasty headwind. I hit the wind and it literally froze my body in its tracks. Both legs gave out simultaneously, and I was completely spent. My only goal at that point was to finish.
Because my legs were in the condition they were, I pretty much had to drag myself through the last 5.5 miles. Around mile 23 I seriously considered calling it a day and having medical personnel transport me to the finish. My body wanted to quit, but my mind said no. I had come too far to fall just short. I have fallen just short of the prize too many times in my life. I would not let it happen this time.
Eventually I made it to the finish line. I mustered up just enough strength to run as fast as I could through the finish (and looked like a total dork doing so). I finished 37 minutes later than I hoped to finish, but I completed a marathon. The guy who had a muffin top just 7 months ago ran a marathon, and ran it like a complete star for most of it.
I’ll probably never run a marathon again. I don’t need to. I set a goal for myself back in December, and I achieved that goal. I’ll find something else to strive to achieve.
I really do appreciate all the kind words and messages I have received throughout this entire process. I am extremely relieved to be finished, and I am extremely excited that my body isn’t going to feel like total junk anymore. I’m not some sort of superhuman for doing this. Just because many of you haven’t done something like this doesn’t mean that you can’t do it. Just takes time, energy, and a lot of stubbornness. Let NOTHING stand in your way.
I was horrified to discover that I had gained over half the weight I lost in 2008. All the hard work and triumph was gone. This time, the only motivation I had to lose weight was my disgust at falling off the wagon. That was the only motivation I needed.
Starting in October 2011, I worked out seven days a week. As I had done in 2008, I used the elliptical as the focal point for my workouts. Unlike 2008, I focused less on speed and more on intensity. Five days a week I burned 1000 calories whilst on the elliptical. I “rested” the other two days by only burning 500 calories. By the beginning of December, I lost all the weight I had put on. I was in the best shape of my life, but I began to get bored of the elliptical.
Around this time, my dad mentioned that he was going to run another marathon and invited my sister and me to run the marathon as well. With my sister’s work schedule, marathon training was impossible, but I decided to give it some thought. Never mind that I had not run since conditioning before basketball season in junior high. Never mind that I had never run more than 2.5 miles without stopping. I decided to take up running, and by the end of December I would decide whether or not I was up for doing a marathon.
I decided to do my running on the treadmill because I am not a fan of the elements (despite living in the greater Chicagoland area my entire life). I started with three miles. Then I moved up to five. By the end of the year I could run 8 miles. Not only could I run longer distances, but my mile time kept improving. I went from running 10 minute miles to running miles in under 8 minutes. I decided to accept the challenge.
From what I now understand, it is not common for a novice runner to run a marathon. Getting one’s body in marathon shape generally takes a great deal of time and practice. However, if you know me, you know I like to rush things a bit. I do not follow conventional wisdom, especially in terms of establishing timeframes for goals. I was going to do this, and I was going to do it well.
Marathon training was not fun. I ran four short runs during the week and a long run every Sunday. The long run started at 8 miles and increased by one mile every week. For the first five weeks or so, a crazy thing happened. My average mile time got faster with the longer I went! I finished a half-marathon at an exceptionally good clip.
Once I got past 15 miles in my training runs, my body really started to feel it. It would take a couple days for my body to get back to 100 percent. I was able to make it outside for my 18 and 19 mile runs. It was good for me to be able to get out into the elements and away from the controlled environment of the gym.
So, on May 5, 2012, I finally ran a marathon. I was well-trained, but no amount of training could have prepared me for exactly what I was going to experience. It was colder, windier, and damper than I both hoped and expected it to be. The beginning of the race was full of people who should have started much farther back based on their pace. I had to get past all that.
And get past it I did! My goal before the marathon was to not only finish the race but also to finish it in less than four hours. I know… I have the tendency to set some lofty goals. Despite the terrain being damp and somewhat hilly during the first half of the marathon, I was absolutely flying. I made it through the first 20 miles in around 2 hours and 50 minutes. I was well on pace to achieve my goal.
Somewhere between mile 20 and mile 21 my body hit a wall. At this point (and until the rest of the race) we had to run into a pretty nasty headwind. I hit the wind and it literally froze my body in its tracks. Both legs gave out simultaneously, and I was completely spent. My only goal at that point was to finish.
Because my legs were in the condition they were, I pretty much had to drag myself through the last 5.5 miles. Around mile 23 I seriously considered calling it a day and having medical personnel transport me to the finish. My body wanted to quit, but my mind said no. I had come too far to fall just short. I have fallen just short of the prize too many times in my life. I would not let it happen this time.
Eventually I made it to the finish line. I mustered up just enough strength to run as fast as I could through the finish (and looked like a total dork doing so). I finished 37 minutes later than I hoped to finish, but I completed a marathon. The guy who had a muffin top just 7 months ago ran a marathon, and ran it like a complete star for most of it.
I’ll probably never run a marathon again. I don’t need to. I set a goal for myself back in December, and I achieved that goal. I’ll find something else to strive to achieve.
I really do appreciate all the kind words and messages I have received throughout this entire process. I am extremely relieved to be finished, and I am extremely excited that my body isn’t going to feel like total junk anymore. I’m not some sort of superhuman for doing this. Just because many of you haven’t done something like this doesn’t mean that you can’t do it. Just takes time, energy, and a lot of stubbornness. Let NOTHING stand in your way.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
25 Lessons Learned on the Road to JD XXV
So I turn 25 tomorrow. For whatever reason, this is whole being a quarter of a way to 100 is kind of a big deal to me. The road from 24 to 25 has had its bumps, but I can say I'm in a better place in life than I was 366 days ago. Here are some lessons I have learned along the way.
1. There is no future in living in the past.
2. When you are exceptional, people take notice.
3. Approach each day as if it is a battle between yourself and the you of yesterday.
4. “Finding yourself” is a never-ending, ever-changing process.
5. People grow apart. This cannot be changed.
6. Always be ready to make fun of yourself. It takes away the incentive for others to make fun of you.
7. Let nothing stand in your way..
8. People will disappoint you. You, as a person, will inevitably disappoint others. Don’t dwell on it. Just move on.
9. Life is more enjoyable in the absence of expectation.
10. Keeping your body and mind sharp is a necessity, not a luxury. Don’t let yourself go.
11. Do not stubbornly persist in the pursuit of something that no longer suits your current position in life.
12. Don’t take work personally. Do your best, but leave your work at work.
13. There will be those who do not like you. But if you like yourself, a lot of people will like you as well.
14. Eliminate filler. Anything without purpose is pointless.
15. Nothing causes credibility loss faster than an inability to keep your word.
16. If someone wrongs you, don’t hold a grudge. That said, be careful to not put yourself in a position where that person could wrong you in the same fashion. Fool me once…
17. Life requires patience. Urgency has its time and place, but life requires patience more often than urgency.
18. It is much easier to fall asleep after a day of productivity than a day of inactivity.
19. You do not have to agree with someone, but you also are not required to voice your disagreement. Act with tact.
20. You’re only as old as you feel.
21. Life is more interesting when you are someone who cannot be placed in a metaphorical box.
22. Be gracious. Be humble. Be generous. But don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you.
23. Life is cyclical in nature. Ride it out.
24. Be accountable to yourself.
25. Never stop improving.
1. There is no future in living in the past.
2. When you are exceptional, people take notice.
3. Approach each day as if it is a battle between yourself and the you of yesterday.
4. “Finding yourself” is a never-ending, ever-changing process.
5. People grow apart. This cannot be changed.
6. Always be ready to make fun of yourself. It takes away the incentive for others to make fun of you.
7. Let nothing stand in your way..
8. People will disappoint you. You, as a person, will inevitably disappoint others. Don’t dwell on it. Just move on.
9. Life is more enjoyable in the absence of expectation.
10. Keeping your body and mind sharp is a necessity, not a luxury. Don’t let yourself go.
11. Do not stubbornly persist in the pursuit of something that no longer suits your current position in life.
12. Don’t take work personally. Do your best, but leave your work at work.
13. There will be those who do not like you. But if you like yourself, a lot of people will like you as well.
14. Eliminate filler. Anything without purpose is pointless.
15. Nothing causes credibility loss faster than an inability to keep your word.
16. If someone wrongs you, don’t hold a grudge. That said, be careful to not put yourself in a position where that person could wrong you in the same fashion. Fool me once…
17. Life requires patience. Urgency has its time and place, but life requires patience more often than urgency.
18. It is much easier to fall asleep after a day of productivity than a day of inactivity.
19. You do not have to agree with someone, but you also are not required to voice your disagreement. Act with tact.
20. You’re only as old as you feel.
21. Life is more interesting when you are someone who cannot be placed in a metaphorical box.
22. Be gracious. Be humble. Be generous. But don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you.
23. Life is cyclical in nature. Ride it out.
24. Be accountable to yourself.
25. Never stop improving.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Five Bands Worth Getting Excited About
In a perfect world, this would be posted on my yet-to-be-launched music site. It has taken a little longer to launch than I would have liked. That said, I still really wanted to make this post.
If you are anything like me, you use heavy doses of music to get you through the mundane tedium of daily life. I get particular enjoyment out of “discovering” amazing bands that have slipped through the cracks or for one reason or another have not received the attention they deserve. Since my ear finds the pop punk genre to be most pleasing, my “discoveries” tend to contain many elements of the genre, but my interests are diversified. Without further ado, here are five bands worth getting excited about.
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME
If you asked a fan of pop punk music to select one band that completely epitomizes the genre, some might say Blink-182. Others would say pre-American Idiot Green Day. Still others would say New Found Glory. None of those would be bad choices at all. They are the foundation on which the genre is built. If you would ask me that question, however, I would reply with Better Luck Next time. They are as pop punk as it comes, and they could not care less who knows it. For nearly a decade they have stayed true to themselves and true to the genre, putting out albums and songs that represent pop punk to its core. Their execution is top-notch, and they seem to have the perfect sense of timing in terms of incorporating their signature piano elements into a song. Put simply, BLNT is a champion of pop punk and should be celebrated as such. Their yet-to-be-named fourth full length album is set to drop at some point of this calendar year, so be watchful of that. In the meantime, check out each of their first three albums.
Listen to “Love Answers Everything” HERE
THE DEAD FAMOUS
I am far from an Anglophile, but I will certainly admit that our neighbors from across the pond have enriched the global culture immensely. We have the Brits to thank for everything from snarky humor to “Old Gregg” to thoroughly enjoyable music.
The Dead Famous is the latest in a long line of quality British bands (McFly, You Me At Six, etc.) that loosely fall under the all-encompassing alternative rock/pop punk/pop rock umbrella. In fact, this band contains elements from my two favorite British groups: Go: Audio and Elliot Minor. James Matthews is still the vocal master class that he was in Go: Audio (and is still one of only two people I would ever trade places with). Actually, Matthews’ voice possesses greater maturity and authority than it ever did with Go: Audio. These guys are on the fast track to big things. “I Can Stop the World” is one of the best tracks I have heard in a long time. If only they’d release an EP or full length sometime soon.
Listen to “I Can Stop the World” HERE
HEROES FOR HIRE
The Australian pop punk scene doesn’t get the same attention of their American, British, or even Canadian counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that they are bereft of talent. Heroes for Hire are the best and brightest in the scene, in my opinion. It is virtually impossible to listen to an entire Heroes for Hire song without smiling. They recently released a new single, “Heart Stops”. If this song is a harbinger of things to come (and I believe it is), then this band is certainly one to keep on your radar.
Listen to “Heart Stops” HERE
I CALL FIVES
I Call Fives has been teasing us for years. They have given us little tastes and glimpses of the greatness that they are waiting to release on the pop punk scene and the music world as a whole. They have supplied us with appetizers (in the form of singles or EPs) to get us excited for the entrée, but have never given us that entrée. Until this year, that is. On March 20, they are releasing one last appetizer, Someone That’s Not You, before finally giving us their first full length album. It is not unreasonable to believe that the release of this full length will finally launch these guys into the same echelon of a band like Mayday Parade… if not higher. They’re that good.
Listen to “Backup Plan” HERE
THE SUN AND THE SEA
My love for The Graduate is well documented. They are, were, and will always be a phenomenal band. I realize that I may never connect as deeply with a band as I did with The Graduate. However, if I were to find a band I loved as much as The Graduate, it would most likely be The Sun and the Sea. This band rose from The Grad’s ashes and has set out to make their own mark on the music world, retaining old fans and bringing in new fans. The Sun and the Sea is composed of four of the five members of The Graduate (Jared Wuestenberg, Matt Kennedy, Max Sauer, and Tim Moore) with new vocalist Chris Rhein. The band has released an instrumental EP on their Bandcamp page. I am extremely anxious to hear how the new vocalist is going to mesh with the rest of the band and if the band retains the elements that made them so great. By all indications, it is a match made in heaven. Be on the lookout for these guys in 2012 and beyond.
Listen to “Mad Max” HERE
If you are anything like me, you use heavy doses of music to get you through the mundane tedium of daily life. I get particular enjoyment out of “discovering” amazing bands that have slipped through the cracks or for one reason or another have not received the attention they deserve. Since my ear finds the pop punk genre to be most pleasing, my “discoveries” tend to contain many elements of the genre, but my interests are diversified. Without further ado, here are five bands worth getting excited about.
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME
If you asked a fan of pop punk music to select one band that completely epitomizes the genre, some might say Blink-182. Others would say pre-American Idiot Green Day. Still others would say New Found Glory. None of those would be bad choices at all. They are the foundation on which the genre is built. If you would ask me that question, however, I would reply with Better Luck Next time. They are as pop punk as it comes, and they could not care less who knows it. For nearly a decade they have stayed true to themselves and true to the genre, putting out albums and songs that represent pop punk to its core. Their execution is top-notch, and they seem to have the perfect sense of timing in terms of incorporating their signature piano elements into a song. Put simply, BLNT is a champion of pop punk and should be celebrated as such. Their yet-to-be-named fourth full length album is set to drop at some point of this calendar year, so be watchful of that. In the meantime, check out each of their first three albums.
Listen to “Love Answers Everything” HERE
THE DEAD FAMOUS
I am far from an Anglophile, but I will certainly admit that our neighbors from across the pond have enriched the global culture immensely. We have the Brits to thank for everything from snarky humor to “Old Gregg” to thoroughly enjoyable music.
The Dead Famous is the latest in a long line of quality British bands (McFly, You Me At Six, etc.) that loosely fall under the all-encompassing alternative rock/pop punk/pop rock umbrella. In fact, this band contains elements from my two favorite British groups: Go: Audio and Elliot Minor. James Matthews is still the vocal master class that he was in Go: Audio (and is still one of only two people I would ever trade places with). Actually, Matthews’ voice possesses greater maturity and authority than it ever did with Go: Audio. These guys are on the fast track to big things. “I Can Stop the World” is one of the best tracks I have heard in a long time. If only they’d release an EP or full length sometime soon.
Listen to “I Can Stop the World” HERE
HEROES FOR HIRE
The Australian pop punk scene doesn’t get the same attention of their American, British, or even Canadian counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that they are bereft of talent. Heroes for Hire are the best and brightest in the scene, in my opinion. It is virtually impossible to listen to an entire Heroes for Hire song without smiling. They recently released a new single, “Heart Stops”. If this song is a harbinger of things to come (and I believe it is), then this band is certainly one to keep on your radar.
Listen to “Heart Stops” HERE
I CALL FIVES
I Call Fives has been teasing us for years. They have given us little tastes and glimpses of the greatness that they are waiting to release on the pop punk scene and the music world as a whole. They have supplied us with appetizers (in the form of singles or EPs) to get us excited for the entrée, but have never given us that entrée. Until this year, that is. On March 20, they are releasing one last appetizer, Someone That’s Not You, before finally giving us their first full length album. It is not unreasonable to believe that the release of this full length will finally launch these guys into the same echelon of a band like Mayday Parade… if not higher. They’re that good.
Listen to “Backup Plan” HERE
THE SUN AND THE SEA
My love for The Graduate is well documented. They are, were, and will always be a phenomenal band. I realize that I may never connect as deeply with a band as I did with The Graduate. However, if I were to find a band I loved as much as The Graduate, it would most likely be The Sun and the Sea. This band rose from The Grad’s ashes and has set out to make their own mark on the music world, retaining old fans and bringing in new fans. The Sun and the Sea is composed of four of the five members of The Graduate (Jared Wuestenberg, Matt Kennedy, Max Sauer, and Tim Moore) with new vocalist Chris Rhein. The band has released an instrumental EP on their Bandcamp page. I am extremely anxious to hear how the new vocalist is going to mesh with the rest of the band and if the band retains the elements that made them so great. By all indications, it is a match made in heaven. Be on the lookout for these guys in 2012 and beyond.
Listen to “Mad Max” HERE
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Taking Leaps in the Right Direction
I rarely get to chance to mention this, but I absolutely love leap years. In fact, I’ve never had a bad leap year. Without getting into too much of a personal history lesson, 2000 and 2004 were two of my three favorite years of the last decade, while 2008 was highly productive (and had its moments of enjoyability). 1996 was even my favorite year of the 90s! Really, you can’t go wrong with leap years. I love the Summer Olympics and U.S. Presidential elections. Most importantly, it gives us one extra day to accomplish our goals.
This year I have made a concerted effort to “trim the fat”, so to speak. After literally trimming fat from my body at the end of 2011, I’ve spent 2012 discarding the things and people that were nothing more than an albatross to me. I go to bed much earlier. I work hard, whether it’s at either of my jobs or training for a marathon. I spend significantly less time on mindless drivel and aimless people, and I feel much better for it.
So how did I spend my extra day? I voluntarily got up at 7:15 to run three miles. After that, I took care of some housekeeping before my sister and I enjoyed the delightful weather out at Oak Brook and lunch at Granite City. After that, I got to tutor some kids.
This year I have been able to see myself take significant leaps forward in my life. While I have not reached the desired end destination, I am excited for what is to come. I look forward to more leaps, greater productivity, and sustained success. Keep moving forward.
This year I have made a concerted effort to “trim the fat”, so to speak. After literally trimming fat from my body at the end of 2011, I’ve spent 2012 discarding the things and people that were nothing more than an albatross to me. I go to bed much earlier. I work hard, whether it’s at either of my jobs or training for a marathon. I spend significantly less time on mindless drivel and aimless people, and I feel much better for it.
So how did I spend my extra day? I voluntarily got up at 7:15 to run three miles. After that, I took care of some housekeeping before my sister and I enjoyed the delightful weather out at Oak Brook and lunch at Granite City. After that, I got to tutor some kids.
This year I have been able to see myself take significant leaps forward in my life. While I have not reached the desired end destination, I am excited for what is to come. I look forward to more leaps, greater productivity, and sustained success. Keep moving forward.
Monday, February 13, 2012
On Love, Life, and the Like
Find your other half. Make love happen today. Fall in love for the right reasons. Blah blah blah blah blah. Try getting through one commercial break without seeing a commercial for a dating site, a jewelry store, or a chick flick/romantic comedy. I don’t want to hear it, not because I’m some bitter hardened scrooge of a loser whose better days have passed him by. Without tooting my own horn, I know I’m a commodity. There are probably more people interested in me now than at any point in my life. I am both flattered and humbled by that. I don’t want to hear it because it displays a distinct lack of perspective. In order to get the most out of life, love, and everything in between, there are two things I believe you need to do.
Love others before yourself.
For the most part, we are inherently selfish and overly indulgent. We do what we want to satisfy our own desires and whims. Most of our actions are done from a “me-first” perspective. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to look out for oneself. Somebody has to do it. However, we take self-preservation and pleasure to extremes and become hypersensitive to our own desires. We need to become more selfless. We need to become as attuned to the wants and desires of those close to us as we are attuned to our own feelings. No one, regardless of their affluence, occupation, or attractiveness, can be successful in a relationship if their sole focus is on the self. Thoughtfulness and understanding is integral to building relationships at the platonic and familial levels, let alone at the romantic level.
Fall in love with yourself before falling in love with someone else.
This is not an argument for narcissism or anything of the sort. It is also not a direct contradiction to the preceding paragraph. It is, however, a fundamental truth when it comes to establishing and maintaining a romantic relationship. It is very difficult for someone to fall in love with a person who has not yet fallen in love with himself. The constant insecurity and self-second guessing is nothing but detrimental to the success of a relationship. On the other side, someone who struggles with love of self is going to have immense difficulty in displaying love towards a significant other. Before even considering the notion of falling in love with someone, fall in love with yourself. Get to know yourself. Take note of the things you like about yourself and work to change the things you do not. Once you’ve gotten a grasp on that, take note of the things you would and would not like in a companion. Stand firm to your desires and convictions, and proceed thusly. Don’t believe the myth of a “better half”.
I personally do not like the idea of an “other half”. I don’t want a half of a person. I don’t consider myself to be a half of a person. I am a whole person who wants a complementary whole person with whom I can form a meaningful connection.
The last thing I want to do is to rush into anything or have something for the sake of having something. My mother, bless her heart, has spent the better portion of the last three years trying to set me up with student teachers and coworkers’ daughters. I appreciate that I am considered “setuppable.” Yes, I just made up that word. But that’s not what I want. I am pleased with where I am and look forward to getting to where I want to be. I encourage you to do the same. If you don’t think you’re “enough” without someone, you’re not going to be “enough” with someone, either.
Love others before yourself.
For the most part, we are inherently selfish and overly indulgent. We do what we want to satisfy our own desires and whims. Most of our actions are done from a “me-first” perspective. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to look out for oneself. Somebody has to do it. However, we take self-preservation and pleasure to extremes and become hypersensitive to our own desires. We need to become more selfless. We need to become as attuned to the wants and desires of those close to us as we are attuned to our own feelings. No one, regardless of their affluence, occupation, or attractiveness, can be successful in a relationship if their sole focus is on the self. Thoughtfulness and understanding is integral to building relationships at the platonic and familial levels, let alone at the romantic level.
Fall in love with yourself before falling in love with someone else.
This is not an argument for narcissism or anything of the sort. It is also not a direct contradiction to the preceding paragraph. It is, however, a fundamental truth when it comes to establishing and maintaining a romantic relationship. It is very difficult for someone to fall in love with a person who has not yet fallen in love with himself. The constant insecurity and self-second guessing is nothing but detrimental to the success of a relationship. On the other side, someone who struggles with love of self is going to have immense difficulty in displaying love towards a significant other. Before even considering the notion of falling in love with someone, fall in love with yourself. Get to know yourself. Take note of the things you like about yourself and work to change the things you do not. Once you’ve gotten a grasp on that, take note of the things you would and would not like in a companion. Stand firm to your desires and convictions, and proceed thusly. Don’t believe the myth of a “better half”.
I personally do not like the idea of an “other half”. I don’t want a half of a person. I don’t consider myself to be a half of a person. I am a whole person who wants a complementary whole person with whom I can form a meaningful connection.
The last thing I want to do is to rush into anything or have something for the sake of having something. My mother, bless her heart, has spent the better portion of the last three years trying to set me up with student teachers and coworkers’ daughters. I appreciate that I am considered “setuppable.” Yes, I just made up that word. But that’s not what I want. I am pleased with where I am and look forward to getting to where I want to be. I encourage you to do the same. If you don’t think you’re “enough” without someone, you’re not going to be “enough” with someone, either.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jakob vs. Jakob, or the Rebranding of My Competitive Nature
If you read my apologia or have known me since the late 1990s or before, you know that Mr. Clifton was and is my favorite teacher and holds a great deal of responsibility for my interest in the field of education. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to you that it is always a pleasure to hear from him. The last time I heard from him was a little different. One innocuous tweet unearthed an old wound and spurred hours of deep thought about things that somehow escaped mention in my apologia.
…just heard from Darnell…hard to believe we are (13) years removed from the dirigible incident…
The “dirigible incident” which he alluded to had to do with the last spelling bee I took part in. Before you take any shots at me, yes, I was one of “those” kids. I partook in Spelling Bees, Speech Meets, and Math Olympics. And without tooting my own horn, I was pretty good. Going into 6th grade, I won all four spelling bees I had entered, took home three blue ribbons at the speech meet, and won two of the three math competitions I had entered. However, victory did not bring with it a sense of accomplishment or relief. Of course I enjoyed success, but each victory brought with it a greater pressure to accomplish more. That really came to a head by early 1999.
With the ACSI spelling bees, victory did not end in the classroom for 5th through 8th grade students. There were three additional rounds: the “stage” round (for the first and second place finishers in the 5th through 8th grade competitions), the regional spelling bee (which the top four stage finishers qualified for), and the ACSI National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
That spelling bee was the hardest fought of any spelling bee I had entered. Katie Prosapio and I fought tooth and nail for rounds and rounds before I finally bested her. Neither of us had any time to recover. It was off to the stage!
I drew the 8th (and best) seat for that round. Even if I got my word wrong, there was the off chance that I’d already have qualified thanks to four people before me missing their words. Sadly, nobody had missed by that point.
My word was dirigible. To this day I contend that the spellmaster mispronounced it. That is irrelevant. I misspelled the word and was eliminated.
To say I was crushed would be an understatement. For a number of years I was a fairly big fish in a small pond. Not only did I feel the pond expanding, I could see the fish growing around me. I followed up the letdown at the spelling bee with a (much less desired) red ribbon and a “thanks for trying” honorable mention in the math competition. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t achieving my goals.
The losses of 1999 created a dramatic rebranding in me. I could not carry on in that way any longer. I absolutely could not handle losing. It ate at me. The mere thought of potential loss completely consumed me to the point of reduced functionality. Things needed to change. That was the end of spelling bees, speech meets, and math competitions.
I know that it is very difficult to change overnight. However, it is much simpler to shift some things around in order to create that change. It would’ve been unreasonable for me to believe that I needed to immediately stop being competitive. That just doesn’t go away. It WAS reasonable to believe that I could channel my competitive juices elsewhere. And thus, the Jakob Duehr that you know and possibly tolerate was created.
Do I still hate losing? Absolutely. It still riles me every time my Seahawks lose. Just imagine how it would be if I were actually competing myself! But I try my best to stay as uncompetitive as possible when it comes to other people. Sure, I do the fantasy football thing, but my interest in that has waned over time. Games and competitions against other people fail to interest me because I have spent the better part of the last 13 years in another game. I am constantly at battle with myself. I set goals for myself, and I am consistently trying to be a better Jakob than the Jakob I used to be.
Running has been a great thing for me in that regard. I have a tangible and objective way of determining how much better I have become. This week I ran a 5k in just over 21 minutes. That is 3 minutes better than the time I ran on New Year’s Eve in Matteson, which was 2 minutes faster than the previous best time. I am constantly setting new goals for myself. You may call that being a malcontent. I call it a creative way to channel my competitive energy.
Sure, some people may call me obsessive, and in some regards they would be right. I have had the tendency to burn out at times. I have also tended to have such tunnel vision in regards to my continuous self-competition that I have neglected other areas of my life. Rest assured that part of self-competition is that I am always trying to get better. I’ll wage war on those areas, and I believe I will emerge victorious.
I got a follow up tweet from Mr. Clifton. It read as follows:
…[you] would have been dominant in 7th grade… D.C. Fo Sho…
While I appreciate the sentiment, I likely wouldn’t have. The fear of loss would’ve consumed me, and the competition was steadily improving. Even if I had won, the fleeting contentment I would have gotten from the victory would not have been worth it. Could things have been different? Maybe. But I’m fine with the way things worked out.
…just heard from Darnell…hard to believe we are (13) years removed from the dirigible incident…
The “dirigible incident” which he alluded to had to do with the last spelling bee I took part in. Before you take any shots at me, yes, I was one of “those” kids. I partook in Spelling Bees, Speech Meets, and Math Olympics. And without tooting my own horn, I was pretty good. Going into 6th grade, I won all four spelling bees I had entered, took home three blue ribbons at the speech meet, and won two of the three math competitions I had entered. However, victory did not bring with it a sense of accomplishment or relief. Of course I enjoyed success, but each victory brought with it a greater pressure to accomplish more. That really came to a head by early 1999.
With the ACSI spelling bees, victory did not end in the classroom for 5th through 8th grade students. There were three additional rounds: the “stage” round (for the first and second place finishers in the 5th through 8th grade competitions), the regional spelling bee (which the top four stage finishers qualified for), and the ACSI National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
That spelling bee was the hardest fought of any spelling bee I had entered. Katie Prosapio and I fought tooth and nail for rounds and rounds before I finally bested her. Neither of us had any time to recover. It was off to the stage!
I drew the 8th (and best) seat for that round. Even if I got my word wrong, there was the off chance that I’d already have qualified thanks to four people before me missing their words. Sadly, nobody had missed by that point.
My word was dirigible. To this day I contend that the spellmaster mispronounced it. That is irrelevant. I misspelled the word and was eliminated.
To say I was crushed would be an understatement. For a number of years I was a fairly big fish in a small pond. Not only did I feel the pond expanding, I could see the fish growing around me. I followed up the letdown at the spelling bee with a (much less desired) red ribbon and a “thanks for trying” honorable mention in the math competition. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t achieving my goals.
The losses of 1999 created a dramatic rebranding in me. I could not carry on in that way any longer. I absolutely could not handle losing. It ate at me. The mere thought of potential loss completely consumed me to the point of reduced functionality. Things needed to change. That was the end of spelling bees, speech meets, and math competitions.
I know that it is very difficult to change overnight. However, it is much simpler to shift some things around in order to create that change. It would’ve been unreasonable for me to believe that I needed to immediately stop being competitive. That just doesn’t go away. It WAS reasonable to believe that I could channel my competitive juices elsewhere. And thus, the Jakob Duehr that you know and possibly tolerate was created.
Do I still hate losing? Absolutely. It still riles me every time my Seahawks lose. Just imagine how it would be if I were actually competing myself! But I try my best to stay as uncompetitive as possible when it comes to other people. Sure, I do the fantasy football thing, but my interest in that has waned over time. Games and competitions against other people fail to interest me because I have spent the better part of the last 13 years in another game. I am constantly at battle with myself. I set goals for myself, and I am consistently trying to be a better Jakob than the Jakob I used to be.
Running has been a great thing for me in that regard. I have a tangible and objective way of determining how much better I have become. This week I ran a 5k in just over 21 minutes. That is 3 minutes better than the time I ran on New Year’s Eve in Matteson, which was 2 minutes faster than the previous best time. I am constantly setting new goals for myself. You may call that being a malcontent. I call it a creative way to channel my competitive energy.
Sure, some people may call me obsessive, and in some regards they would be right. I have had the tendency to burn out at times. I have also tended to have such tunnel vision in regards to my continuous self-competition that I have neglected other areas of my life. Rest assured that part of self-competition is that I am always trying to get better. I’ll wage war on those areas, and I believe I will emerge victorious.
I got a follow up tweet from Mr. Clifton. It read as follows:
…[you] would have been dominant in 7th grade… D.C. Fo Sho…
While I appreciate the sentiment, I likely wouldn’t have. The fear of loss would’ve consumed me, and the competition was steadily improving. Even if I had won, the fleeting contentment I would have gotten from the victory would not have been worth it. Could things have been different? Maybe. But I’m fine with the way things worked out.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Ultimate Test of Body and Mind (Yes, I'm really running a marathon)
As I have said countless times, I like to set very high goals for myself. The sense of accomplishment is that much greater, and the pursuit of the goal is much more enjoyable and exhilarating. It’s about time to officially (though many of you know this already) announce the top item on my 2012 To-Do List.
In the last few months I have gotten myself into excellent shape. I eat better, but more importantly I exercise like it’s going out of style. I hit the gym anywhere between five and seven days a week. The majority of my exercising is of the cardiovascular variety. When I lost weight in 2008 (and again in late 2011), I did it primarily through the use of the elliptical. Towards the end of 2011, I began to get bored with the elliptical, so I finally gave running a try. I was surprised to find out that I was actually pretty good at the whole running thing, so I kept it up.
When I began to lose weight again, my dad jokingly invited my sister (a top-class sprinter in her day) and me to run a marathon in spring. Heidi isn’t much for long-distance running and her work schedule is pretty hectic, so she quickly bowed out. I, however gave it some thought.
The more I thought about it, the more I embraced the idea. I am going to be 25 in spring. It’s about time I start doing some amazing things. I’ve accomplished some decent things in my time, but nothing quite to this level. I’ve gotten myself in excellent physical condition. I might as well put that to good use.
Starting at the end of this month, I will be officially starting my marathon training. I even got new running shoes today! The race is the first weekend of May. At this point I can run 8 miles without any discomfort. I look forward to the challenge of working my way up to 26.2 miles. It is the ultimate test of body and mind, and I am excited to achieve this goal. This is my time. I will let nothing stand in my way.
In the last few months I have gotten myself into excellent shape. I eat better, but more importantly I exercise like it’s going out of style. I hit the gym anywhere between five and seven days a week. The majority of my exercising is of the cardiovascular variety. When I lost weight in 2008 (and again in late 2011), I did it primarily through the use of the elliptical. Towards the end of 2011, I began to get bored with the elliptical, so I finally gave running a try. I was surprised to find out that I was actually pretty good at the whole running thing, so I kept it up.
When I began to lose weight again, my dad jokingly invited my sister (a top-class sprinter in her day) and me to run a marathon in spring. Heidi isn’t much for long-distance running and her work schedule is pretty hectic, so she quickly bowed out. I, however gave it some thought.
The more I thought about it, the more I embraced the idea. I am going to be 25 in spring. It’s about time I start doing some amazing things. I’ve accomplished some decent things in my time, but nothing quite to this level. I’ve gotten myself in excellent physical condition. I might as well put that to good use.
Starting at the end of this month, I will be officially starting my marathon training. I even got new running shoes today! The race is the first weekend of May. At this point I can run 8 miles without any discomfort. I look forward to the challenge of working my way up to 26.2 miles. It is the ultimate test of body and mind, and I am excited to achieve this goal. This is my time. I will let nothing stand in my way.
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012: Let NOTHING Stand in Your Way
Over the last three years, I have definitely felt myself getting “older”, so to speak. Somehow, I have managed to get a small bit wiser over that period of time as well. One way I have managed to get wiser is in making New Year’s “resolutions”. If you look at them in that light, you increase the pressure on yourself and put way too much stock in one day out of the year. If you want to get something done, you don’t need to wait until the next January 1st to get started. If I had done that, I would not be in the physical condition I am now. That said, I am all for setting goals, and I am a proponent of making a “To-Do List” for the year. This list can be amended at any time. Goals can be deleted, added, or altered to fit the landscape of the year. Here is my To-Do List for 2012.
• Run at least 1000 miles over the course of the year. This goal originally was to burn 250,000 calories with my cardio in 2012, but plans have certainly changed, as has my workout. I am no longer exclusively bound to the elliptical. I am actually enjoying my current workout, and I look forward to increasing my mileage. I have another major goal related to this goal, but it is getting a blog post of its own. It’s that big of a goal.
• Continue work on getting the abdominal six pack. At this point, that region of my body looks better than it ever has, but I am not quite there yet. With a smart diet and a consistent exercise regimen, I fully believe that this long-elusive goal can be met this year.
• Become a more patient driver. When I have some place I need to be, I like getting there as early as possible. When I am on my way home, I like getting home as quickly as possible. Because of those desires, I can be a bit impatient behind the wheel. While I have never been prone to road rage, it is one of the few areas of my life that I have difficulty holding back my frustration. I want to see marked improvement in that this year.
• Figure out my professional life in the moderate-term. I have my job situation pretty well figured out in the short term. I have two jobs, and I enjoy them both. That said, I do want a full time career, whether it’s a full time teaching job or something full time that is closer to what I do at the learning center. I’d like to get something in place this year so I don’t have to continue to look/worry/fret/etc.
• Take a vacation. I have wanted to go on trips for the last two years. I didn’t work hard enough to justify doing so. I have put a lot of time and effort into both my jobs in the past year, and after I accomplish the year’s “Big Goal”, I’d like to reward myself and hopefully get the chance to meet some people I have yet to meet in person.
• Cut down on the use of social networking. I enjoy Twitter, Facebook, and Stickam as much as the next person, but in the long run, it’s nothing more than an entertaining diversion. I have enough going on between my jobs and my physical training that I don’t need to spend a ton of time on any of these. While I still plan on using my Facebook and Twitter often, I intend to reduce the volume of time I spend on them. As far as Stickam is concerned, I intend to drastically cut down on the time spent there.
• Expand my writing kingdom. I enjoy having this blog. I really do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have 130+ posts to this point. That said, there are other arenas that I enjoy that I have yet to explore in terms of putting my writing skills to use. That will affect this blog. I intend on drawing back on posts with this blog to approximately 25 this year. All the annual posts will still be done, so there will be no change that way. In addition to this blog, I plan on launching two new websites. One of these sites coincides with my love of pro wrestling (primarily the WWE), and the other will be a music site. I have a lot of ideas for both of those sites, and I hope to get them launched and running by the end of this year.
I am excited about my 2012 To-Do List, and I am very confident that this list will be completed in its entirety. I intend to add and amend as I go along this year. I encourage all of you to set a number of short and long-term goals and attack them with confidence, intensity, and intelligence. As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or that you can’t, you’re usually right.” Our moment is now. Let NOTHING stand in your way.
• Run at least 1000 miles over the course of the year. This goal originally was to burn 250,000 calories with my cardio in 2012, but plans have certainly changed, as has my workout. I am no longer exclusively bound to the elliptical. I am actually enjoying my current workout, and I look forward to increasing my mileage. I have another major goal related to this goal, but it is getting a blog post of its own. It’s that big of a goal.
• Continue work on getting the abdominal six pack. At this point, that region of my body looks better than it ever has, but I am not quite there yet. With a smart diet and a consistent exercise regimen, I fully believe that this long-elusive goal can be met this year.
• Become a more patient driver. When I have some place I need to be, I like getting there as early as possible. When I am on my way home, I like getting home as quickly as possible. Because of those desires, I can be a bit impatient behind the wheel. While I have never been prone to road rage, it is one of the few areas of my life that I have difficulty holding back my frustration. I want to see marked improvement in that this year.
• Figure out my professional life in the moderate-term. I have my job situation pretty well figured out in the short term. I have two jobs, and I enjoy them both. That said, I do want a full time career, whether it’s a full time teaching job or something full time that is closer to what I do at the learning center. I’d like to get something in place this year so I don’t have to continue to look/worry/fret/etc.
• Take a vacation. I have wanted to go on trips for the last two years. I didn’t work hard enough to justify doing so. I have put a lot of time and effort into both my jobs in the past year, and after I accomplish the year’s “Big Goal”, I’d like to reward myself and hopefully get the chance to meet some people I have yet to meet in person.
• Cut down on the use of social networking. I enjoy Twitter, Facebook, and Stickam as much as the next person, but in the long run, it’s nothing more than an entertaining diversion. I have enough going on between my jobs and my physical training that I don’t need to spend a ton of time on any of these. While I still plan on using my Facebook and Twitter often, I intend to reduce the volume of time I spend on them. As far as Stickam is concerned, I intend to drastically cut down on the time spent there.
• Expand my writing kingdom. I enjoy having this blog. I really do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have 130+ posts to this point. That said, there are other arenas that I enjoy that I have yet to explore in terms of putting my writing skills to use. That will affect this blog. I intend on drawing back on posts with this blog to approximately 25 this year. All the annual posts will still be done, so there will be no change that way. In addition to this blog, I plan on launching two new websites. One of these sites coincides with my love of pro wrestling (primarily the WWE), and the other will be a music site. I have a lot of ideas for both of those sites, and I hope to get them launched and running by the end of this year.
I am excited about my 2012 To-Do List, and I am very confident that this list will be completed in its entirety. I intend to add and amend as I go along this year. I encourage all of you to set a number of short and long-term goals and attack them with confidence, intensity, and intelligence. As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or that you can’t, you’re usually right.” Our moment is now. Let NOTHING stand in your way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)