Saturday, April 18th, 2009
It’s not too late! Even after 50 you can get fit
Attention Boomers! If you are not physically fit, stop with excuses and start exercising! This article provides great tips for those over 50 and reasons why is it important to stay active! Read on the learn more.
Companies open up to Sponsoring Mixed Martial Arts
Once considered too risky, mixed martial arts is now seen by companies as a way to reach young male consumers.
Coffee Lessens the Pain of Exercise
That cup of coffee that many gym rats, bikers and runners swill before a workout does more than energize them. It kills some of the pain of athletic exertion, a new study suggests. And it works regardless of whether a person already had a coffee habit or not.
Experts pin down exactly how much exercise you need to get fit
You should be taking 100 steps each minute for half an hour a day if you want to achieve “moderate” exercise by walking, a study shows.
The Myth of Daily Exercise
Obesity experts agree that daily exercise is essential for good health, but whether it can successfully lead to long-term weight loss is a question of much debate.
31 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise
How do you find motivation to exercise when you just don’t feel like getting off your butt? I ask myself this question every now and then, and I have the feeling I’m not the only one.
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Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. I kept tossing and turning, constantly thinking about tennis. It was absolutely awful. I guess playing tennis until 10:30PM isn’t all that great for my sleep pattern.
Mike beat me pretty bad. He has become a strong player and I missed a lot of easy shots. Shots that may have given me points if I hadn’t screwed them up. I can’t say I was devastated, because I walked in expecting to lose. I did have a plan though…I figured that if I was going down, I was going to make him sweat for it. It gave me joy to see him huffing and puffing over there on the other side of the net. At one point towards the end of the match, I said that I wouldn’t mind being known as the guy who loses, but is the hardest to beat.
During my annoying night of not sleeping, I kept going through different ideas in my head. I thought that maybe I should only go to one clinic per week and take a private lesson. That would give me one private, one clinic and one ladder match. It does seem like a good idea. Then I thought of not going to the clinics at all…just take private lessons. The problem with that is I wouldn’t get the interaction with as many different types of player. I am sure I had many other ideas throughout the night, many of which I shouldn’t have been thinking about while I was trying to get some sleep.
Getting toasted on the court isn’t too much fun. It’s downright depressing.
As I was rolling out of bed this morning, I had an epiphany. I said to myself, “Oh man, what’s happening here is exactly what I didn’t want to happen. I am becoming competitive. This is the reason I didn’t want to play in the ladder in the first place.” You see, I started playing tennis again to get exercise and have some fun. I didn’t want to spend all sorts of money trying to get better to beat people. I really didn’t. But, this is what happens to me. I will confess though that the competitive side of the sport has its fun points.
As Laura and I were sitting in the kitchen this morning having our coffee, we started to talk about tennis. Actually, it was me doing the talking and she was doing the polite nodding. We do a lot of humoring these days. I explained to her that I was feeling terrible about losing a whole night’s sleep. I also felt terrible about almost being sucked into the competitive side of the game I was playing. I told her that I really should shut off the part of my brain that says losing is a bad thing. If I meet my original goals of getting exercise and having fun, there really should be no problem. I should walk away with my head held high. I think she agreed with that.
So, what am I going to do today? I am going to give one of the pros at the club a call. I need to start taking some private lessons again. I have to get better at this game to start kicking some butt.
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Sunday, December 28th, 2008
Hey, do you remember that time I told you that we had about a foot of snow? You should, it was just last week. Well guess what…it’s all gone.
Never in my life have I seen snow melt so fast. Let me correct that; I didn’t actually see the snow melting, it was just gone. I went to sleep a few nights ago and we had about 12 inches and when I woke up, we had about an inch. I am not sure what happened overnight. I was told that it was warm. Warm? What, like 80 degrees? Even if it was 40 outside, I would have trouble believing that all that snow could melt so fast. I think something else was at play. Something like magic.
Every so often, in between real blog posts, I like to write some random thoughts. Stuff like what I have been up to and what’s been on my mind. Let’s see how that works today.
Okay, so the end of the year is coming. I think that’s great. I am sick of 2008. I think a lot of great stuff happened, but personally, I don’t like endings, I like beginnings. I would like New Years to be over so people can get motivated and back to work. I always love talking to people at the beginning of each year because they have good ideas of what they want to see happen for the upcoming year. People start projects, start new companies…do all sorts of things. They make new investments, hit the gym, stop spending, start spending, oh the list goes on and on. I like hearing all about it. I like to see the hope in people’s eyes.
For my part, I am tightening up what I have. For the past month, I have been examining all areas of everything. Finances, business, organization, assets, friends…everything. Out with the old and in with the new. I’m like a reptile; I’m shedding off some dead weight. It stinks because I am so full of new ideas and start so many things, but I think being boring and simple for a while won’t hurt. It’ll give me time to get to know myself again.
We went for a walk today. It was about 60 degrees outside, so it felt like spring. All I wore was my salmon shirt and a fleece. Oh yeah, I had pants on too. We did our usual two miles, which takes what seems like 15 minutes now. At times, we don’t even talk, we just walk. We are getting faster and faster. It feels good. I always like to walk during the cooler months because my face feels so fresh and I don’t sweat.
Now that the snow is gone, I took a little “coffee walk” outside to check out the yard this morning. I have all sorts of plans for what I want to do, come spring. I am going to order about 100 more pines from ArborDay.org in a month or so. They will deliver the trees in March. 100 trees might seem like a lot, but really it isn’t, once I start planting. I run out fast. I am going to make pine tree areas out of Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce and White Pine. The mix should look good.
I am also going to have about 30 more yards of mulch delivered in April. I do love mulch and with property of this size, I am going to need every last drop. It’s going to make the pine trees grow so much faster and it’s going to work wonders for the gardens. Man, I can’t wait to get back to it.
There are times when I sit at the computer and want to check out what everyone is up to. I wish you all had blogs and told me about them. I would like to have a list of about 20, but right now, I only have 4. It gets lonely in the blogosphere without you. Hey, maybe you can put that on your list of things to do. I think that’s a great idea. C’mon, think about the benefits…you will know that I will be reading all about your excellent adventures. By the way, this isn’t to say that my list of 4 isn’t the most awesome list ever.
I’m not sure what else I have.
We put all house improvement projects on hold. Nothing is really in dire need of improvement, besides the living room carpet. That needs to be torn up and discarded. We got a price for hardwood, but that’s going to have to wait. I am not falling into the trap of sinking tons of money into a house the first year. Slow and steady wins the race. I wouldn’t mind a pool though…hmmm. It would have to be indoor, so I can swim all year round. Perhaps I could just get one of those little plastic ones and put it in a tent.
Okay, now I am officially out of stuff to say. All the juicy gossip is kept quiet because I have to keep some sort of privacy. I mean, one would have to wonder, if what I write is all the stuff I have going on in life, I would certainly be a little weird.
Over and out. Peace.
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Saturday, October 25th, 2008
After I came back from playing tennis this morning, I moseyed around just finishing up some stuff that needed to get done.
First and foremost, I had to make a new batch of beer. I am almost out of my current beer (Irish Stout). It will be horrific if I run out. I ordered the ingredients for my new batch a few weeks ago. This time, I am not messing around. I mixed things up a bit with a new recipe. Here’s what I did…I went ahead and did my thing with the original recipe. I added what I needed to add and stirred when the directions told me to stir. This time, instead of just sealing up the big jug and waiting for it to ferment, I decided to brew a pot of decaf coffee and pour it in with the rest of the mixture. I also added 100 grams of cocoa powder. When I was finished mixing everything together, I took a big smell. It was like I had my nose in a huge wine glass. Ahhhhh, the aroma of chocolate coffee stout in the making.
Now, all I need to do is to find somewhere in this house that remains between 70 and 80 degrees. Yeah right. Like there is anyplace that hot here. I think I am going to store the beer downstairs, because that is the most heated area of the house. Even if the temperature goes up and down, I think it will be ok.
Beer kit thermometer
Today, I also made another batch of ice cream. I decided to make traditional vanilla bean, because I haven’t made a real smooth one yet. I am very proud of myself because this batch came out very well. I believe that if you tried it, you would give me a hug. It’s intoxicating.
Later on, Laura and I went outside to hang the Halloween lights around the door and to trim the Lilac bushes in front of the house. She did most of the lights and I did all of the Lilac trimming.
Rob, just in case you were wondering, this is what I was doing when you called.
I’ll take a picture of the Halloween lights another day. It’s pretty windy outside right now and I might blow away.
Since it was a great “working outside” afternoon, Holly the dog decided to join us. I tapped a metal stake into the ground and put her leash around it. Laura took a bunch of pictures of her and I wanted to show you the one where she (Holly) looks the most buff.
Holly the dog - Norwegian Elkhound
Doesn’t she look like such a punk?
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Hey, guess what guys and gals? Yes, I found another beer. Before I begin, please let me know if I ever repeat any of my beer posts. That would be a little embarrassing.
Ok, I was up in Whole Foods this evening doing a little food shopping. I have this great vegetarian cookbook that has the most excellent recipes. Tonight, I made herb pizza. It knocked my socks off, just like my socks were knocked off in my previous post. Tomorrow night, I am making kidney bean and mushroom burgers.
You know, I have often considered writing blog posts describing the things I cook. I am just starting to get good at it, but I would tell you if what I made was bad. I’m honest like that. I will have to think about that one. The problem with taking pictures of the stuff I make is that the pictures would come out terrible. It takes a very long time to set up those real pictures for cookbooks and stuff, and I fear that my singular reputation as a master chef would be tarnished and I wouldn’t view myself as one any more. I would still cook, but it wouldn’t be as much fun as it is now.
Anyway, back to my story. I was food shopping when I passed the beer area, again. I know, I know, it’s my weakness. Don’t worry mom, I don’t drink too much. This beer area was near the bakery. for some reason, they keep the seasonal beers over in this area, while the regular beer is kept over in the beer aisle. I browsed through the bakery beer area for a while looking for something good. There were mainly ales and lagers, which don’t do it for me. I decided it wasn’t my night for beer and I moved over to the cheese area.
I did most of my shopping when I wandered over to the real beer aisle. I chatted it up with some lady who was trying to surprise her husband with a new beer that he hasn’t tried yet. She mentioned that he liked the Sam Adams Oktoberfest. I told her that I just saw some Oktoberfest in the other area, but by a different brewery. Maybe he would like that. She thanked me and hurried off. That was my good deed for the day and made me think to myself that I was an angel. Remember the last time I thought I was an angel?
As I was now looking over the entire selection all by myself (just the way I like it, hehe), I noticed a six pack glaring at me. It said “Chocolate Stout” right on the side. “Hmmm,” I thought, as I was picking it up and putting it in my cart. That’s a much as I thought…just “Hmmm.”
Fort Collins Brewery Chocolate Stout
Check ‘er out.
I finished up and left. When I got back to the house, I unpacked all the food and started up my process. The first thing I always do is crack open a beer before I start cooking. It makes things glide. I took a few sips and decided that this “Fort Collins Brewery Chocolate Stout” is exactly what my next batch is going to taste like.
Did I mention that I am making chocolate stout next? I have all the ingredients. I was thinking about adding coffee to it, but I think I better not. I like to drink my beer at night and I fear the coffee will make me lie in bed staring at the ceiling. That’s not good for my tennis game.
Speaking of tennis, today was a fantastic clinic. I truly think I am getting better. My buddy and I hit for about a half hour after the clinic and we came to the conclusion that we have both improved considerably. This dude is like a wall at the net, so I don’t mess with him there, but as for ground strokes, we are lovin’ it. Believe it or not, we are signed up for cardio-tennis on Monday mornings now. We’ll see how that goes. I think I’m more into smacking tennis balls than running around, but I’ll get back to you with the verdict.
That’s all. Good night.
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Thursday, September 18th, 2008
I think I may be the first person on the planet to return a six-pack of beer. Oh well, they had it coming to them.
Today, I ran over to the local beer place and handed them the bad six-pack of Gritty McDuff’s Black Fly Stout and replaced it with a four-pack of Celebrator Doppelbock by Ayinger Brewery. I must say, this is a rather well tasting beer with great reviews over at the Beer Advocate. It’s pretty rich with a nice smooth finish. They even gave me little plastic rams on each beer.
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
It’s a pretty good beer that I would consider buying again.
I am still searching for another black, slow dripping, syrupy beer that sticks to my ribs. So far, the only two that have come close were the Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout and the Samuel Adams Double Bock. These were truly fabulous beers. I know, I know, they aren’t for everyone, but as long as you give them a good try, you’ll make me happy. It’s like telling your kid to eat his peas, just try the beer.
For my next brew, I am going custom. I am going to get on the horn with the people over at MakeBeer.net and talk recipe. I want it thick. I want it rich. No excuses and no more lazy thin beer. I will throw a few Hersey bars and coffee beans in there if I have to. By the way, MakeBeer.net has a new blog where they do talk recipe, so if you are interested, stop on by.
Cheers.
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Saturday, August 11th, 2007
Ooh aah…Not only did I drink my coffee on the porch this morning, I had the opportunity to set up my laptop and drink a beer at the table this evening. I have to tell you, it’s very nice.
There is nothing like surfing the web with a wireless connection on the porch while drinking everyone’s favorite Double Bock. I am actually writing this post out here right now. all I hear is crickets. Laura and I just finished dinner and are pretty pleased with the whole thing. I am not sure if she is more pleased with the fact that I made dinner or if I made her eat out here with me.
Well, here is a picture I took for you…
The oil lamp on the table is the one Laura just got from her grandfather’s house. The two candles are the “Off” candles that I bought for the Tanglewood concert. I was a little forced to start up the laptop tonight because I haven’t ran it in a while and I was feeling a little guilty. I miss it. This will also give me the chance to renew the Norton System Works that it came with. Also, there are a bunch of updates that it needs. Hey, maybe this will be a nightly thing for me. All we need now is the futon, so I can sleep out here.
PS – The picture is a little blurry because it is an almost-night shot. I had my camera on the night setting, which acts really weird.
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Saturday, August 11th, 2007
Yeeeeees, our Sean Conwayâ„¢ Tiverton 2006 Dining Set has arrived.
I came home yesterday to see two big boxes on the front porch. I was wondering how they were going to ship this thing. Well, they put the four chairs in one big box and the table top and other parts in another big flat box.
I took the chairs out and attached the cushions. Then, I had to put together the table. It came with legs and individual tiles to put in their places as the table top. I was a little concerned that the tiles would crack in transit, but they didn’t. They were packed pretty well. Two extra tiles came as well, which is good, because two tiles have chipped corners. It looks like they were that way before the set was packed up. I think the tiles are regular 12″ square tiles, which is cool, because if we ever want to change the look pf the table, we can pick up some tiles from Home Depot or Lowes.
Anyway, here is the table all set up…
It’s pretty nice. I sat at it this morning and had my coffee while reading a magazine.
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Friday, January 26th, 2007
I really wasn’t looking forward to this morning’s flight lesson. It was about 7 degrees outside…the coldest day of the year so far. As I lay there in my warm bed, I could only imagine what my 15 minute pre-flight was going to be like.
There I was, fingertips twanging with pain, checking over the airplane. I had to stop three times to run inside to warm up. Things were not looking good. Yigal was out there with the tractor and airplane preheater. We had things going fine, but when I tried to start the airplane, I must’ve primed it too many times…or something like that. I really blame the arctic air though. We could not get that engine to start. Yigal tried it and the battery wouldn’t give anymore. My lesson was dead.
I sat in the plane and Yigal tried to hand prop the engine. No go. We decided to go over to Rick’s Runway Cafe for some coffee instead. Oh well, next lesson I will get to go to Columbia County (1B1). Â
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