Getting into Shape

Posted inColumns, Exercise

A little more than a year ago, I made a pretty big decision. I noticed that I would get up pretty early most mornings, but I didn’t really accomplish much.

In the time I had before I had to shower ad get ready for work, I would usually watch TV or goof off on the Internet.

Most times, I had good intentions of accomplishing something like doing some reading or writing, but I hardly ever followed through and pretty much just wasted my time until I had to get moving.

Even though I am a fan of the sloth, I thought things needed to change. So I decided to start exercising because, well, I could stand to get in better shape.

I started off by going for short walks. I knew I wouldn’t get back down to my fighting weight this way, but I thought I had to do something.

Book Review: Bandbox

Posted inBooks
I don't know why Bandbox caught my eye at the bookstore when I was down the beach earlier this summer. I had never heard of the author, Thomas Mallon. I…

Politics Gets Saucy

Posted inAmerica
Even though I will most likely vote Democrat in the presidential election this fall, I didn't watch a second of the convention this past week. I don't really care about…

New Hobo in Town

Posted inHobo Trashcan
I sometimes have a hard time saying goodbye. Usually, that involves a beverage or a plate of chicken wings, but today it involves one of my favorite web sites -…

Time for a Party

Posted inBeer, Columns, Cornhole, Family, Food, Wii

In the aftermath of my 40th birthday recently, I noticed something about the gifts I received. Almost every one had something to do with food or beer.

Part of me wondered what this said about me. Do I drink too much or do I just enjoy quality beer? Am I a glutton or do I just enjoy eating out? Am I so hard to buy for that people just fall back on the simplest gift?

After talking to my wife, I realized that I had no room to complain. I liked getting beer and oft cards for restaurants. Outside of someone dropping big bucks to give me a Wii, I really didn’t want anything special for my birthday. I really appreciated that people knew my tastes so well.

Olympic Dreams

Posted inAmerica, Columns, Olympics

Over the past few weeks, some of my siblings have done a great deal of genealogy research. We have found out many details about relatives on both my mother and father’s sides of the family.

While I really enjoy learning where I come from, none of the research has turned up the most important thing right now.

I still have no idea how to easily qualify for citizenship in some obscure country so I can represent them in the Olympics.

No More Dealers?

Posted inGambling, Vegas
On my three trips to Las Vegas, I have spent a fair amount of time in poker rooms.I have discovered I enjoy playing poker much more tan blackjack and roulette,…

Joining the Cell Phone Crowd

Posted inColumns, Family

Last weekend, as we drove home after a little shopping, the skies opened up. Rain poured down in buckets. You could almost call the precipitation Biblical.

That didn’t surprise me at all. I saw the storm as God’s way of commenting on the tremendous shift in the universe which had just taken place.

Maria bought a cell phone.

I don’t think that the rain signaled any sort of displeasure with the purchase. I just think the whole thing took everyone by surprise. I honestly thought I would help my daughter buy a cell phone long before I helped my wife make the same decision.