Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Well its 1am and I can't sleep

Hello everyone! 

I have been laying in bed tossing and turning since about 1030.  Not unusual for me to toss and turn for quite sometime for falling off into dreamland but really? It's 1am. 

Update on training and weight.  I weighed tonight at 187.2.  Hoping to hit 185 by the weekend and maintain it through the weekend.  183-184 would make me even happier but 185 would be OK.  The training has been taken to a new level!!!  We had been practicing at Genesis and had to move out due to the building we were in renting out.  So we have moved to South Hutchinson in a true boxing gym.  The intensity is well above where we had been and the workouts are much harder.  Obviously this is a good thing but my body wasn't quite ready for it.  I'm sure after a couple weeks though I will look back and see the weight shed, sweat, pain and speed increases and know it was all worth it.  While I was home I got to visit with my buddy Levi over the course of an hour while on a stationary bike on Friday and my older brother Denny on Saturday.  Levi and I haven't worked out together in probably 7-8 years and my brother and I probably haven't worked out together since February of 1992.  I enjoyed both workouts and time spent with Levi and Denny both.  Missed the gym on Sunday and Monday but was back at it on Tuesday for 2 good hours in the morning and 2 hours at practice during the evening.  I finally got started into the weights and found a good app on my phone to help keep me at it.  JEFIT.com.   They have Android applications at this time as well as the web version.  For those of you into weight lifting check it out!!!  Also several of you have mentioned my post on Facebook from CardioTrainer.  This is another awesome application I have found.  Tracks and records all workouts whether it be stationary bikes, outdoor bike riding, walking, running and even boxing!!!  Even puts a little medal on my phones desktop with calories burned for the past 7 days.  So if I don't work out for a day my calorie burn goes down as well as the COLOR of my medal.  Seems funny that the color of a medal on a phone display keeps me going but it truly is a good reminder that if I want to reach my goal I got to get my butt up and go.  I must confess I didn't find this on my own.  2 people on my facebook kept posting there workouts and I started checking into it.  Awesome application.  As for posting the workouts of mine on facebook I'm not looking for a reward but the motivation I get from people who text or call and say don't give up.  Trust me there have been a couple times when I thought---I'm 37, this hurts, it wears me out, I don't heal like I use to, and that maybe even I would quit.  Then the little guy on my shoulder says---Darren, if you quit how can you ever tell Dylan not to quit.  I'm not a quitter, never have been and I'm not going to start 'quitting' at 37.  So the motivation I get from those text and calls really helps.  Thanks. 

Well that is one long paragraph that I'm sure any English teacher would suspend me for but thanks for sticking with me through it.  Moving along.

As several of you know, on Thursday morning Dylan and I headed for lower ground in the great state of Missouri.  OK, Kansas people it's my home state.  It is great no matter what you think.  Kansas is my new home and where my son is from if that helps you all!  My parents also made it home from the wintering time in Texas just a couple hours after I made it home.  I got to spend time with all of my siblings as well and my Aunt Joy and Uncle Augie.  So made for a great trip home.  I know I have said it before but I truly am blessed to have the family that I do.  Not sure to many others could handle me.  Great news is on Friday all my siblings and myself got to hangout over a drink or 10 and NO ONE GOT ARRESTED--that we know of.  Sunday I got to enjoy mom's Sunday meal with all my family.  Sundays at my parents are something I miss a lot so trust me when I say I would have eaten rotten bologna with my family just to be there.  On Monday morning Dylan and I were packed and ready to go by 9am.  Our trip home was something I will remind Dylan about til the day I leave this world.  I'm going to tell you all right now!  Topeka, KS is about the halfway point between Chillicothe, MO and Hutchinson, KS.  So Topeka seems to be a good stopping point for Dylan on trips to or from Chillicothe.  And let it stand that on 3/28/2011 it was to be our 1st stop on the trip back home to Hutchinson.  We chose Quizno's in Topeka for lunch.  Getting there was uneventful, leaving was VERY EVENTFUL.  I was just almost finished eating and Dylan was still chomping on bread, turkey, tomato and I believe a Dorito.  I noticed this elderly couple at the table next to us looking at Dylan with a look of disbelief on their face.  Then I notice they put their sandwiches down.  Dylan isn't choking---1st thing I thought when I seen their faces.  At this point I catch an all to familiar whiff of something NOT GOOD.  I think I better check his diaper when I notice his diaper is overflowing---out the back.  Not just a little.  So I quickly grab his bag and him and head for the bathroom.  NO CHANGING TABLE.  I put Dylan down to get wipes from his bag and a diaper when  realize they won't really be much help.... wait he just leaned against the wall....need wipes.  So as any normal man would do---I began to put together my game plan.  I come up with 2 options.  1) I strip Dylan down and give him a bath in the sink---then strip myself down and we both run out naked.  Me stripping was only so that I would be able to justify him naked outside in the cold weather.  2) I leave his clothes and mine on---with the overflowing diaper which has now reached about shoulder level to ankle level on him and made quite the mess of my sweatshirt as well and make a run for the door.  Hmmm....what to do.  Naked and clean or clothed and covered in the nasty stuff.  Well fortunately for the lunch hour crowd we stayed clothed.  We didn't pass go or collect anything from our table---we headed from the back of the restaurant to the front door and didn't look back.  I got Dylan to the truck, shed my sweatshirt to cover my seat, held Dylan on it while trying to get the wipes out of the bag and got a diaper, then another and 1 more just to be safe.  I got Dylan stripped down, clothes thrown on the ground, used about 75 wipes and the 3 diapers to hold them.  Finally got a clean diaper on him.  Threw my sweatshirt on the ground.  Proceeded to clean Dylan up better as well as the seat of my truck.  Found clean clothes in our bags and got him dressed and in his car seat.  Finally things are looking up.  I got the dirty diapers and wipes rounded up and in the back of my truck.  Picked up all the dirty laundry on the ground and got it in the back of my truck and was ready to leave.  As I went to put my truck into REVERSE the elderly couple came walking out!!!!  I feel for them.  I really do.  I don't know whether they finished their lunch or not.  I do know that the high chair had been moved when we made our getaway.  Quiznos people I tried cleaning up best I could in the bathroom and I didn't leave the diapers laying in the road.   I apologize and promise I will never be back there!!!

I remember after getting back on the highway just laughing to myself and thinking that is one great memory I will never forget.  Trust me when I say Dylan will never forget it either. 

Well its time for me to try sleeping again so til the next time,

Darren

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Untitled---Like a hidden track on a CD.

Hello world! 

Today I have decided to write about the crazy world in which we live today.  Here we are in the midst of several nations trying to topple their government, disasters in Japan, NFL lockout (mute issue compared to all the people suffering around the world), 10 year anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks on US soil among many other horrible things going on. 

I will start with the people of Libya-these people are trying to overthrow a dictatorship who has been in charge for 4 decades.  Now myself being anti-authority I applaud these people who demand change but I also look to our FREE country and wonder what would happen if we all said ENOUGH and tried to overthrow our government.  Look at David Koresh and the Waco situation.  Government went and burned the place down-several kids died without the understanding of what was going on.  No one said lets kick our President out of office over that or we demand change.  Now Koresh was a weirdo but as a college freshman I knew the government had handled that situation very badly.  Still to this day I see the fire burning and a handful of people running for safety with their hands up.  Horrible image.  Anyways, back to Libya.  Now our government has decided its time for this Ghadafi dude to go, along with several other nations.  Why now?  We attacked Saddam Hussein because he had WMD's never to be found by the best military in the world.  HMMM.  He was hung and killed in front of his people like they were attending a rock concert.  Why is it our government gets to decide when these people are no longer capable of running their office?  Because the Libyan people are tired of the ways of the Libyan ruler?  So if Americans jumped up off the couch and said hey lets revolt against Obama, is he just expected to step down?  Or are there going to be police, military, CIA, DEA , ATF, and every other government agency stepping in to protect the president and his office?    Seems to me that if this were to happen people would be arrested, given prison terms, possibly shot and killed to protect the Office of the President of the United States and yet when it happens in another country we demand the ruler step down.  I guess maybe I am confused.  Maybe I just watch to much of the propaganda we see on television or the Internet. 

Anyways give me your opinion on this and lets move on to my next subject!

Japan---Hey didn't you blow up thousands of our people on D-Day? Well here we are helping you all out and I agree with this.  Japan has had a horrible tragedy and I think people of all races, faiths and beliefs should stand up and help out a nation who has been pummeled like Japan has.  I mean they have had a major earthquake, tsunami, Nuclear reactors not behaving, aftershocks, food shortages and not to mention the thousands of lives lost and families torn apart due to the unbelievable destruction. I know there are Americans saying we shouldn't be there helping, but these are people not a nation.  They are people hurting. They are people who have lost everything. They are people who will have generations that never live the same again.  People help people.  Its just the way its suppose to be.  What I ask of those thinking we shouldn't be there helping---what if this was your family, what if this was your child, your grandma, your mother?  I guarantee you would accept help whether the person was white, black, non English speaking, wearing a rag on their head, or holding an AK47.   Well that's my take on Japan---be proud and support the people of Japan who are hurting. 

Moving right along.  Greatest American past time EVER.  NFL. National Football League.  $9 billion.  Strike.

OK, so I am sure this really shouldn't be put on the same blog as Libya and Japan but this is my blog.  Read it or don't. Nuf said.  So I have said I side with the players and I still do.  Yes they make crazy money but I feel they deserve it.  Hopefully I remember to explain in a minute but this is how I look at it.  Sam Walton. Remember him?  I don't think the chain he built does but that's a whole different issue.  Mr. Walton was not always a millionaire.  He turned Wally World into the largest retail store chain in the nation. He became filthy rich and no one cared.  That's the great part of living in the US.  If you can dream it you can do it.  So why can't a football player who has been practicing his craft since the time he learned to walk also become filthy rich doing what he does for a living? I believe that every NFL team is owned by someone who is a millionaire. These people became millionaires because they are business savvy or maybe just plain lucky.  Either way they have hella cash.  Jerry Jones has so much money he tells people how rich he is.  I also think hes an asshole but whatever.  So I think when the NFL said we are fighting over $9 billion I lost my respect for them.  Not the players.  Simple math for those of you who are numbers challenged---$9 billion.  Owners last year got $1 billion off the top.  That is 11.1% of the $9 billion.  This year they want another $1 billion.  Or what I look at as a 200% raise.  Nice raise in these economic times and who wouldn't want that.  When is the last time your boss said hey---GREAT NEWS we are going to give you a 200% raise.  I think everyone should walk in on Monday and ask their boss for a 200% raise and see how it goes.  Well some of you mathematicians have probably already figured out that if this were to happen with the owners getting their 200% raise that would also mean the players take an 11% PAY CUT.   WHOA---now hold on boss.  You want me to keep doing what I'm doing and you want to cut my pay by 11% while giving the owners a 200% raise?  We need to talk cause now this shit isn't funny.  So this is why I side with the players.  Disregard the fact that we have multi-million $$$ contracts for the players.  Have you read all the studies about the brain defects in football players from numerous hits to the head?  Did you see the documentary on 'The Fridge'?  Have you seen the retired players who are barely 40 walking with canes?  Killing themselves? I could go on and on.  Last time I went to an NFL game I spent well over $150 between ticket, parking pass, beer(s), hot dog, nachos, beer(s) and I had an awesome time.  Now in my profession or lack there of right now that's a lot of money to spend but I did it and didn't care.  I wanted to watch football.  So I thought it was worth it.  They entertained me.  I paid for entertainment.  Just like people did to watch Garth Brooks become one of the richest country 'ENTERTAINERS' of all time.  No one complained about how much he made, they just kept buying his tickets, cd's, western shirts that looked like his and whatever other GARTH stuff they could spend their hard earned money on.  So as entertainers, who cares how much a player gets paid.  If you love football and spending Sunday afternoons on the couch watching football---who really cares how much a player makes.  Apparently the NFL.  Mr. Goodell I just don't get it.  How could the league believe the players would settle for less of the pie while giving the owners 11% more also doubling their last years pay.  IS anyone with me here?    If the team owners were to manage their business, like I have to manage my money I think this would be different.  Plan for tomorrow not just today.  OK, so enough, actually way to much about the NFL.  I will close this out with saying if you continue to be idiots I hope you end up arguing over $5 billion and lose $4 billion due to your stupidity. 

Last subject---10 years since 9/11.  Wow.  I remember the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion like yesterday and was the 1st major event in my generations time if I remember correctly, but 9/11 is the first major catastrophe and loss of life during my generations time.  The world changed that day and so did every American that ever said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the words to the Star Spangled Banner or has enjoyed the freedoms we do as Americans.  Now I know its not officially 10 years but I read an article in the news today talking about the building going up where the Trade towers stood.  Its just hard to believe that 10 years have passed.  Most anyone old enough to read this blog knows exactly where they were, who they first called, where they spent their morning, afternoon and evening that day.  I do.  

Well that's my ramblings for the day.  I want to make clear---I have no intention of trying to overthrow my government---so Obama ninjas please stay where you are and leave me alone---I have an ex-fiance don't need ninjas causing me problems too.  David Koresh was crazy.  Japan needs our help.  Libya is a mess.  Roger Goodell should step down (by the way he did say if they went into a lockout that he would cut his salary to $1--wonder if that happened).  9/11 is a day we can't ever let happen again.  Thanks to the people who have given their lives that allow me to write this blog and not worry about disappearing into NOWHERE I hope. 

Well if you made it through all that---give me your opinions,

Darren

Friday, March 11, 2011

Weight loss and training

Good afternoon!  I hope this Friday finds you all enjoying the beautiful weather like Dylan and I have been able to today.  It's currently 74 degrees here.  Hardly any wind which is strange for Kansas.

Well in my blog yesterday I said I would post another talking about my weight loss and training. So here it is.  After Dylan and I both being sick, I had a hard time getting going again. My weight was stagnant at about 193-194 and my motivation was at an all time low. This week I have got the motivation back but have been very sore.  Last Friday we did some grappling for the 1st time in my training and lets just say my body doesn't repair itself like it use to.  Monday, we did some more grappling and then last night again.  The conditioning part of 3 minute rounds grappling has been very good for me but I continue to stay sore and hurt myself.  As a kid I wrestled for 14-15 years and never got hurt.  Now every time I walk into the training gym I get hurt.  I am taking today off from the gym and training in order to let my body heal but figure I will be in tomorrow sometime for at least some cardio. My weight this morning was 191 even and was really hoping to break 190 by the end of this week.  Keeping my fingers crossed. 

As for the training, I have been learning some submission moves and have had several tested on me.  Feel like I'm overloaded with the things I have been taught but I just don't think I learn as quickly as I used to.  I enjoy working out with the people I do as we have several boxers, a few mma guys, taekwondo, and jiu jitsu backgrounds. So I have been learning lots. 

It has now been over 60 days since I have had a coca cola.  I have had a couple diet cokes in a mixed drink but none alone.  Also, maybe even a little bigger deal is I haven't eaten McDonald's, Burger King, or Wendy's once in that same time frame.  I have had Subway and eaten out a couple other places but I always watch what I am ordering now.  Although a Big Mac would taste pretty darn good, the consequences just aren't worth it to me right now. Truly my weight loss has not been about NOT EATING but just eating the right things.  A couple of times I have been out to eat---I ordered healthy stuff but found after eating that I was miserable due to the portion sizes.  So I have to start being better about ordering half portions or just leaving half my meal on the table.  Seems like a waste but restaurant portions are way more than ANYONE needs. 


Well I have to tell this story real quick and then will end this post.  I logged onto Facebook a while ago and had a message from a good family friend who challenged to me a weight loss competition.  I won't name any names right now but lets just say we have a 12 pack of ice cold Bud Lights on the bet.  Now I have somewhat of an unfair advantage at this point but took him up on the offer.  For a couple reasons really.  1 is I like the extra motivation it gives and 2 even if I lose the contest I think we both end up winners by being healthier.  We are basing it off of percentage of weight lost.  The contest last for 2 months.  As he starts losing his weight I will add his progress here for some of you to keep up on as well. 

That's all I have for now!  We are heading back outside!

Darren

Thursday, March 10, 2011

191 pounds

Well here I am at 191 lbs.  Was going to post my pics in just my shorts of me at 210 and 191 but decided to keep them for myself!   lol. 

21 pounds left to lose!