THE GOOD LIFE

I have had a gym membership to Fitness 19 since August of last year. I have gone to the gym 10 times or less since I started my membership.

I am going tonight though and am going to work out every day so that by the time the summer season is upon us, I am fit and strong…and good looking!

If you see me around, ask how I am doing with this goal…I think that it will help to keep me going!

It seems every few entries there are a number of things on my mind that I want to talk about but that don’t all fall into one topic. So, I end up making one post and talking about all of them at once! Well, today, this is one of those posts! I promise this wont be too long!

“Mongol”

I was at home today, all by myself and decided to watch a movie. Since I was lazy, I downloaded a rental from iTunes of a move that caught my eye over the last few weeks. I don’t recall seeing a preview for this movie, but read the synopsis and though it sounded stellar! I was very happy to rent it. So much so in fact that I am going to purchase it this weekend for my personal collection. It is called “Mongol: The Rise to Power of Genghis Khan”. Check out this movie trailer!

This move is spectacular! I was so happy to find it! The cinematography was breathtakingly beautiful, the score was fantastically written and matched so well to the movie that it really just make the film even more wonderful. The acting is excellent, and the story is great! It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Yes, it has English subtitles, but is totally worth it! Don’t rent this movie, BUY IT! You will be happy that you did!

If They Can Do It, Why Can’t I?

I was born skinny, have been skinny all my life and will probably be skinny when I die. That is good and I would not have it any other way. But, I would like to gain some weight, perhaps 10 to 15 pounds, and keep it on. I want to do this for a few reasons. Allow me to list them:

• I am under the recommended weight for a male of my age at my height
• To boost self-confidence. I sometimes feel like I am more weak and less powerful (not in a headstrong sort of way) than some others, even some of my friends due to my stature
• To help fill out my clothes, particularly the boo-tay area! It is so hard to find good fitting clothes
• Because some members of my family have gotten to the point that they are creating excuses for their overweight bodies and the ailments that are a result of being obese (and I don’t ever want to be in their shoes)
• And, because I have always wanted to be fit, and have always been envious at the guys who have good posture and a six pack but have been too lazy to do anything about it.

So, no more of that. I know that I have said this in the past, and will probably say it in the future (but hopefully not), that I am bound and determined to gain some weight, and work out regularly. I don’t see any reason why I cannot have good posture and a six pack! I deserve it and I am capable of such discipline in my life. It is not impossible to do. Plus, I am not asking for anything major, definition and a strong, healthy body to prevent future ailments. I don’t want to be old and fat, old and lazy, old and out of shape.

I have a gym membership which I have been paying for for quite some time now (since August I think) and I have not used it hardly enough to merit the $20 per month. But not anymore! Come Monday morning, before work, I am going to the gym and I am going to start my workout routine again. This time I am going to also get my eating plan settled and I am going to do it! I hope you will all keep me motivated!

I Am a Liberal Hippie, According to Some

I think that most people know that I fully support the “Green Revolution” and cannot wait to get into my own place someday so that I can make some more drastic changes in my lifestyle that will further my Green efforts to help save the plant. What can I say, I am a Planeteer! Here is the “Captain Planet and the Planeteer’s” theme song for all those who were kids in the 80’s! Oh, how I loved this show!

So, I have noticed that particular members of my family, and a few friends that I have talked with on a casual basis, not even bringing up this topic of Global Warming and the “Green Revolution”, are so absolutely opposed to both of these movements that it is crazy! These topics seem to just rise the surface in basic conversation and I am tired of just letting people walk all over me (unintentionally of course) about my views. Here is an example of what I mean:

I was riding in the car with a friend a few weeks ago and conservative talk radio was on. I guess that is all that this person listens to or is one of his favorite stations because it was on when the car turned on. Anyhow, there was something that came on the radio that prompted my friend to start bashing those who are trying to do good for the planet like myself. Now, in full disclosure, this friend did not know where I stand on this issue, so of course he probably would not have brought it up if he had known. However, when he started stabbing at this movement, I didn’t stick up for my self or my fellow “Green” buddies. Instead, I just kinda smiled and did a fake laugh and acted like I agreed. Why did I do that?

Then, a few months ago, a family member, who knows my position on these issues, decided to bring up this topic in conversation, and has done so on multiple occasions, and proceeded to say that the Global Warming stuff is all just a bunch of made up garbage and that anyone who believes that is a liberal, crazy, stupid, blah, blah, blah… I really took offense because this family member knows where I stand on these issues! They have ready my previous blog posts and even made comments to my Mom about it! But, again, I did not defend my position.

So, I guess I am a stupid liberal because I believe that we should be good stewards of our Earth and its resources and because I want to have solar panels on my house someday! Yeah, that sounds super liberal to me! A stupid, liberal, modern-day hippie is all I am!

I have decided that I am not going to take it anymore. When this topic comes up in conversation, I am going to voice my opinion and be fairy blunt in my responses to those who assume that I am not a Planeteer and being saying rude and offensive things! They may not like it, but they will at least, hopefully, think before they talk. I don’t want them to not voice their opinions, I just want them to think about who they are talking to before doing so and not make it such an attack. We can have a sophisticated conversation/debate over the topic where thoughts are exchanged in a civil way, which I do not mind, and would actually welcome. But don’t attack. It isn’t nice!

This leads me into my next and last point…

And Conservative Radio is Any Better?

The very same friend and family member that were calling me names and making a big fuss over the whole Green stuff both listen to conservative radio. I think there is a correlation there. I am a conservative but do not listen to conservative radio. Have you ever actually listened to what these big mouth, super opinionated, know-it-alls talk about on these programs? I think that in most cases, and in my humble opinion, they are more liberal and prejudice in their thinking and rational than the liberals are! I have tried a few times to listen but find myself getting mad at the DJ because of what they are blabbering about and have to change the channel. 

Now, I am not saying that all conservative radio hosts are like this, but it is my opinion that most of them are and I have not yet listened to a conservative radio program that I can listen to for more than 10 minutes. So, guess what I listen to. You guess it! Liberal radio! NPR is my best source of news in the morning and at night in the car to and from work. The news is non-partisan for the most part, is non-bias and there are no commercials! Also, my choice of cable news is CNN. Yup, again another liberal media outlet that my aforementioned family member loathes. 

I guess it is just one of those things where you have to roll with the punches, but I am going to start bouncing with the punches and voice my rebuttal when necessary. I am sick of taking the punches and not fighting back!

OK, I think I have RANTED enough tonight! It always feels good to get that stuff off of your chest and voice your opinion to the world! That is why I love blogging!