A week ago today marked my fourth year here on SG.
I'll put up more later...last night was a pretty shitty night at work.
I am actually almost hoping I'll get fired tonight....just so I won't have to put up with this shit anymore.
Anyway, Later.
I'll put up more later...last night was a pretty shitty night at work.
I am actually almost hoping I'll get fired tonight....just so I won't have to put up with this shit anymore.
Anyway, Later.
Nothing to report....just felt it was time for an update. (especially since it's been two weeks since my birthday...so over it now)
I'm overloaded on stock at work. My boss is going to be pissed at me for making a small order for today, but I'll easily be able to throw the amount of overstock I have in his face and he'll have to "Eat Crow" over it, so no real worries there.
That's all I got. Things are just boring here lately.
Later my friends.
I'm overloaded on stock at work. My boss is going to be pissed at me for making a small order for today, but I'll easily be able to throw the amount of overstock I have in his face and he'll have to "Eat Crow" over it, so no real worries there.
That's all I got. Things are just boring here lately.
Later my friends.
Today's my Birthday. I'm now 36.
Yep! I'm three dozen years old now. *sigh*
It has'nt been bad at all really. It's been a pretty nice day in fact. Not extraordinary, but nice. Y'know?
I'm on vacation this week as well. Have'nt got much planned though. Maybe a day trip to Little Rock on the weekend. I need to get myself a really nice bottle of scotch to celebrate.
That's all for now. I'm going to go outside and smoke a cigar..even though it's raining.
Later my friends.
Yep! I'm three dozen years old now. *sigh*
It has'nt been bad at all really. It's been a pretty nice day in fact. Not extraordinary, but nice. Y'know?
I'm on vacation this week as well. Have'nt got much planned though. Maybe a day trip to Little Rock on the weekend. I need to get myself a really nice bottle of scotch to celebrate.
That's all for now. I'm going to go outside and smoke a cigar..even though it's raining.
Later my friends.
Someone had printed out and left several copies of the following story on the break room table at work some time back. I picked up a copy and read it, and thought it was such an insightful and inspiring little tale that I thought I'd share it with you all here.
I've put it up here, verbatim, word-for-word, so please forgive the first paragraph which are obviously not my words.
"DUCKS QUACK - EAGLES FLY"
To start the week off let me share with you a story that comes from Harvey MacKay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, "Swim with the Sharks Without being Eaten Alive." When I read it I could'nt help but think it would be an incredible story to share with you at the beginning of the week.
Harvey MacKay was waiting in line for a taxi at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie and freshly pressed black slacks, Wally the cab druiver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back door. Harvey noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside - spotlessly clean.
As Wally slid behind the wheel he said, ":Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf." Jokingly, Harvey said, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink." Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and diet Coke, water and orange juice." Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke."
Handing Harvey his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today." As the taxi pulled away from the curb, Wally handed Harvey a laminated card and said, "These are the stations I get and the music they play if you'd like to listen to the radio." As if that were'nt enough, Wally told Harvey the air conditioning was on and asked if the temperature was comfortable.
The driver then advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. Wally also let Harvey know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights, or if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his thoughts.
"Tell me Wally," the amazed passenger asked, "have you always served customers like this?"
Wally smiled and looked in the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard some guy on the radio saying that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining. Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'"
"So I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When the customers responded well, I did more."
"I take it that has paid off for you." Harvey said. "It sure has." Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year, I'll probably quadruple it."
Wally the cab driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like a duck and to start soaring like and eagle.
When I read that, i could'nt help but like it!
I took a few copies and passed them around to friends.
It also made me start asking myself this question...a question that I'm now going to ask all of you reading this...
What are you going to do today...Quack or Soar?
I think I'll post this in The Secret group as well.
It's a powerful message about how the right attitude and being positive can change your life.
Anyway, that's all I have for now.
Later my friends.
I've put it up here, verbatim, word-for-word, so please forgive the first paragraph which are obviously not my words.
"DUCKS QUACK - EAGLES FLY"
To start the week off let me share with you a story that comes from Harvey MacKay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, "Swim with the Sharks Without being Eaten Alive." When I read it I could'nt help but think it would be an incredible story to share with you at the beginning of the week.
Harvey MacKay was waiting in line for a taxi at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie and freshly pressed black slacks, Wally the cab druiver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back door. Harvey noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside - spotlessly clean.
As Wally slid behind the wheel he said, ":Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf." Jokingly, Harvey said, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink." Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and diet Coke, water and orange juice." Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke."
Handing Harvey his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today." As the taxi pulled away from the curb, Wally handed Harvey a laminated card and said, "These are the stations I get and the music they play if you'd like to listen to the radio." As if that were'nt enough, Wally told Harvey the air conditioning was on and asked if the temperature was comfortable.
The driver then advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. Wally also let Harvey know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights, or if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his thoughts.
"Tell me Wally," the amazed passenger asked, "have you always served customers like this?"
Wally smiled and looked in the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard some guy on the radio saying that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining. Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'"
"So I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When the customers responded well, I did more."
"I take it that has paid off for you." Harvey said. "It sure has." Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year, I'll probably quadruple it."
Wally the cab driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like a duck and to start soaring like and eagle.
When I read that, i could'nt help but like it!
I took a few copies and passed them around to friends.
It also made me start asking myself this question...a question that I'm now going to ask all of you reading this...
What are you going to do today...Quack or Soar?
I think I'll post this in The Secret group as well.
It's a powerful message about how the right attitude and being positive can change your life.
Anyway, that's all I have for now.
Later my friends.
One of the reasons I started taking Martial Arts was to get into better shape.
As part of this commitment, back in February, I bought a high-capacity digital scale (which will measure up to 440lbs...trust me, I needed it) to help monitor my weight loss.
When I first started using it, I weighed in at 387 lbs, give or take a few tenths.
I just weighed in this morning...I now weigh 365 lbs.
I'VE LOST 22LBS SO FAR!!!
I guess cutting down on the fast food and eating more vegetables, and also cutting down on the amount of sugary soft drinks and drinking more water has helped in that too.
That's all for now.
Later my friends.
As part of this commitment, back in February, I bought a high-capacity digital scale (which will measure up to 440lbs...trust me, I needed it) to help monitor my weight loss.
When I first started using it, I weighed in at 387 lbs, give or take a few tenths.
I just weighed in this morning...I now weigh 365 lbs.
I'VE LOST 22LBS SO FAR!!!
I guess cutting down on the fast food and eating more vegetables, and also cutting down on the amount of sugary soft drinks and drinking more water has helped in that too.
That's all for now.
Later my friends.
Sorry I have'nt updated in awhile...I've been sick.
My week on vacation threw my normal sleep pattern off as well, so what little time I've had off from work since then I've either been sleeping or just too sick. Hell, I was in the ER last Saturday morning (June 27th). I had diarrhea so bad that they had to put me on a IV to get fluids back into my system. I'm better now, but that was one hellascious bout of that stuff...I was literally having it come out both ends at the same time at one point.
I could go into so much more right now, like how I had to take care of my Dad the whole week I was away, cause he started Chemo, and how he spent most of the time talking to me critisizing me and the rest of the family...but I just don't feel like going into a long rant right now. Besides, there's so much other shit going on in my life right now as well.
I just don't feel like ranting...maybe I'll catch y'all up later. I think right now I'm just going to try and catch up on all that I've missed out on here.
Later my friends.
My week on vacation threw my normal sleep pattern off as well, so what little time I've had off from work since then I've either been sleeping or just too sick. Hell, I was in the ER last Saturday morning (June 27th). I had diarrhea so bad that they had to put me on a IV to get fluids back into my system. I'm better now, but that was one hellascious bout of that stuff...I was literally having it come out both ends at the same time at one point.
I could go into so much more right now, like how I had to take care of my Dad the whole week I was away, cause he started Chemo, and how he spent most of the time talking to me critisizing me and the rest of the family...but I just don't feel like going into a long rant right now. Besides, there's so much other shit going on in my life right now as well.
I just don't feel like ranting...maybe I'll catch y'all up later. I think right now I'm just going to try and catch up on all that I've missed out on here.
Later my friends.
As of 4 am this morning, I am officially on Vacation!!
I need it too...I'm Fucking Knackered!
I'm going to try and get a few hours sleep now, then I'm off to Illinois for the week to see my Dad and family up there.
See you all when I get back.
Later my friends.
I need it too...I'm Fucking Knackered!
I'm going to try and get a few hours sleep now, then I'm off to Illinois for the week to see my Dad and family up there.
See you all when I get back.
Later my friends.
Whew....it's been a very difficult past couple of weeks.
My brother has developed a kind of Paranoid/Depressive Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
To give you an idea of how bad it is without actually mentioning the exact types of things he's been obsessing over, I give you this example of the kind of obsessive guilt he puts on himself.
He worries that he might have given people a virus because he blew his nose into a tissue and he's worried someone might have picked it up and gotten sick off of it.
It's made him so germophobic that he's bought four gallons (and I'm not exaggerating on the amount) of antibacterial gel, and he sanitizes everything he touches. Keys, Silverware, Razors, Wallet, Remote Controls, Everything!
A week ago he left the house without telling anyone, and without taking he cell phone and, because of the depressive state he's been in, he scared the living shit out of us all...because we did'nt know where he went or why. For all we knew he could've been going out to jump off a bridge! I gave him one Hell of a royal ass-chewing when he got home! He had out mother bawling, which really pissed me off in the first place.
He's getting help. He's been to the Veteran's Hospital down in Little Rock, and he's on meds right now (I don't know what kind they are...sorry), and he's making weekly visits back down there for psychological visists.
I hope to God he can get through this.
I guess what has me most upset is that He's always been the strong one...emotionally that is.
He's always been the more level-headed, cooler tempered one, while I was the depressed, emotionally unbalanced, hot head.
And now, here I am FINALLY getting my shit togther, getting my head and heart straightened out and gaining some focus in my life...and all of a sudden, he has started losing it.
He's even stopped going to Kenpo Karate. He's missed the last month straight. He's only worked one day in the past three weeks. I'm worried what's going to happen to him.
I guess I'm scared that he's giving up. I hope he has'nt. Because I've been in that dark place without hope...and it almost consumed me.
I guess I'll have to be the strong one now.
Anyway, on a more pleasant note, we had our final belt test tonight at Kenpo Karate...I am now at Orange Belt. I will be offically presented it next week.
I still have a long way to go though. There are ten belt levels in American Kenpo Karate....White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Brown 1,Brown 2, Brown 3 (or Red in some systems, including ours, I think), and Black.
And the time between levels will get longer and longer, as we not only have to prove that we've learned all the new material for each belt, but also that we've retained everything else from each belt level up to that point.
Like tonight, I not only had to demonstrate all the Yellow Belt material, but all the White Belt material as well. And when I test for Purple, I will have to show the White, Yellow, and Orange Belt material. You see?
But the best part is, that with Orange Belt, we start learning our first weapon...Escrima Sticks!!
I have always wanted to learn some form of martial arts weapon, and now I get to!
Also, we've been doing inventory at work for the past week. Official count is next Wednsday..but I think we'll make it ok.
I've been having some trouble with my assistant, my supervisor, and my co-manager, but I think I'll save that for another post, if I decide to post it at all...one frustrating tale per post is enough.
My ear piercings are healing up fine. I caught the left one on my pillowcase this morning and twisted the shit out of it! It' s only a little sore right now, but it hurt like hell when I caught it! Ouch!
I'm kinda jazzed about them...I've already bought two sets of earrings for when I take these primary ones out.
Well, that's all I have for now.
Later my friends.
My brother has developed a kind of Paranoid/Depressive Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
To give you an idea of how bad it is without actually mentioning the exact types of things he's been obsessing over, I give you this example of the kind of obsessive guilt he puts on himself.
He worries that he might have given people a virus because he blew his nose into a tissue and he's worried someone might have picked it up and gotten sick off of it.
It's made him so germophobic that he's bought four gallons (and I'm not exaggerating on the amount) of antibacterial gel, and he sanitizes everything he touches. Keys, Silverware, Razors, Wallet, Remote Controls, Everything!
A week ago he left the house without telling anyone, and without taking he cell phone and, because of the depressive state he's been in, he scared the living shit out of us all...because we did'nt know where he went or why. For all we knew he could've been going out to jump off a bridge! I gave him one Hell of a royal ass-chewing when he got home! He had out mother bawling, which really pissed me off in the first place.
He's getting help. He's been to the Veteran's Hospital down in Little Rock, and he's on meds right now (I don't know what kind they are...sorry), and he's making weekly visits back down there for psychological visists.
I hope to God he can get through this.
I guess what has me most upset is that He's always been the strong one...emotionally that is.
He's always been the more level-headed, cooler tempered one, while I was the depressed, emotionally unbalanced, hot head.
And now, here I am FINALLY getting my shit togther, getting my head and heart straightened out and gaining some focus in my life...and all of a sudden, he has started losing it.
He's even stopped going to Kenpo Karate. He's missed the last month straight. He's only worked one day in the past three weeks. I'm worried what's going to happen to him.
I guess I'm scared that he's giving up. I hope he has'nt. Because I've been in that dark place without hope...and it almost consumed me.
I guess I'll have to be the strong one now.
Anyway, on a more pleasant note, we had our final belt test tonight at Kenpo Karate...I am now at Orange Belt. I will be offically presented it next week.
I still have a long way to go though. There are ten belt levels in American Kenpo Karate....White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Brown 1,Brown 2, Brown 3 (or Red in some systems, including ours, I think), and Black.
And the time between levels will get longer and longer, as we not only have to prove that we've learned all the new material for each belt, but also that we've retained everything else from each belt level up to that point.
Like tonight, I not only had to demonstrate all the Yellow Belt material, but all the White Belt material as well. And when I test for Purple, I will have to show the White, Yellow, and Orange Belt material. You see?
But the best part is, that with Orange Belt, we start learning our first weapon...Escrima Sticks!!
I have always wanted to learn some form of martial arts weapon, and now I get to!
Also, we've been doing inventory at work for the past week. Official count is next Wednsday..but I think we'll make it ok.
I've been having some trouble with my assistant, my supervisor, and my co-manager, but I think I'll save that for another post, if I decide to post it at all...one frustrating tale per post is enough.
My ear piercings are healing up fine. I caught the left one on my pillowcase this morning and twisted the shit out of it! It' s only a little sore right now, but it hurt like hell when I caught it! Ouch!
I'm kinda jazzed about them...I've already bought two sets of earrings for when I take these primary ones out.
Well, that's all I have for now.
Later my friends.
UPDATE, 05-14-2009
I got my ears pierced again!!
Ok. I FINALLY set myself up a youtube account and put a few videos on it.
I would've put the videos up here, but the powers-that-be here at SG won't accept a video over 100 megs.
So here's a video of one of my workouts for you. Just so you get an idea of me in action.
Yeah. I know. I'm a big, fat bastard. But that's the reason I started doing all this in the first place...to shape up. I've lost ten pounds so far.
And if it looks like I'm really sluggish, that's because this was in the middle of a full 1 hour workout. (note the sweat soaked gi I'm wearing).
Also, the blue wrapping on my right hand is because I was holding the bag earlier, and I was'nt prepared for one of the incoming blows. Norman (the other fellow in the video holding the bag) throws a Hell of a mean left!!
LOL!
And here's another of my Sensei showing me how it's done while I hold the bag.
That's all I have for now.
Later.
I got my ears pierced again!!
Ok. I FINALLY set myself up a youtube account and put a few videos on it.
I would've put the videos up here, but the powers-that-be here at SG won't accept a video over 100 megs.
So here's a video of one of my workouts for you. Just so you get an idea of me in action.
Yeah. I know. I'm a big, fat bastard. But that's the reason I started doing all this in the first place...to shape up. I've lost ten pounds so far.
And if it looks like I'm really sluggish, that's because this was in the middle of a full 1 hour workout. (note the sweat soaked gi I'm wearing).
Also, the blue wrapping on my right hand is because I was holding the bag earlier, and I was'nt prepared for one of the incoming blows. Norman (the other fellow in the video holding the bag) throws a Hell of a mean left!!
LOL!And here's another of my Sensei showing me how it's done while I hold the bag.
That's all I have for now.
Later.
Well, Dad's surgery went well.
The doctors said that if they found cancer in the lymph nodes that would'nt operate, but instead move on with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
But they went in, found no cancer in the nodes and went ahead and removed his entire left lung. The next day, the doctor reported that they think they got all of it. Dad should only be in the hospital for a few more weeks for physical therapy, and then he'll be able to go home.
It's going to mean some major lifestyle changes for him...and I don't mean just quitting smoking. He'll have to leave his job at the airport, which is way too stressful. But that's not really too big a deal since my Dad runs his own online hobby buisness. He's just going to have to start taking it easier from now on since he's only got one lung.
Now for a little story on the homefront.
For the past few months I've been see-sawing back and forth on the decision to get my ears pierced. I've seen alot of other dudes with them both pierced, including my Kenpo Karate teacher, and have been wondering how I'd look with them.
So finally, yesterday morning, I went out on a whim, and did it. I got both my ears pierced. But right away, something just did'nt feel right about it. I kept worrying about them and wondering what others would think of it. And late last night I finally realized that I'm just not ready for it yet. I still need to build a little more self-confidence first. So I took them out.
Yeah, I know. I wimped out. But, truly, if I worry about it that much I need to wait.
No. I'm not giving up on the idea. Not at all. I'm just going to wait a little while longer on it, that's all.
Maybe I should go for a tattoo first.
Anyway, that's all I got for now.
I think I'll set up a youtube account. I have some video from Karate I might show here.
Later my friends.
The doctors said that if they found cancer in the lymph nodes that would'nt operate, but instead move on with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
But they went in, found no cancer in the nodes and went ahead and removed his entire left lung. The next day, the doctor reported that they think they got all of it. Dad should only be in the hospital for a few more weeks for physical therapy, and then he'll be able to go home.
It's going to mean some major lifestyle changes for him...and I don't mean just quitting smoking. He'll have to leave his job at the airport, which is way too stressful. But that's not really too big a deal since my Dad runs his own online hobby buisness. He's just going to have to start taking it easier from now on since he's only got one lung.
Now for a little story on the homefront.
For the past few months I've been see-sawing back and forth on the decision to get my ears pierced. I've seen alot of other dudes with them both pierced, including my Kenpo Karate teacher, and have been wondering how I'd look with them.
So finally, yesterday morning, I went out on a whim, and did it. I got both my ears pierced. But right away, something just did'nt feel right about it. I kept worrying about them and wondering what others would think of it. And late last night I finally realized that I'm just not ready for it yet. I still need to build a little more self-confidence first. So I took them out.
Yeah, I know. I wimped out. But, truly, if I worry about it that much I need to wait.
No. I'm not giving up on the idea. Not at all. I'm just going to wait a little while longer on it, that's all.
Maybe I should go for a tattoo first.
Anyway, that's all I got for now.
I think I'll set up a youtube account. I have some video from Karate I might show here.
Later my friends.
