Insanity Day 1 Photos

  As I am uploading a select few photos, note that the photos displayed were taken Sunday 5-1-2011. I have successfully started week 2 of Insanity and upon completion will attempt The Asylum with Shaun T. Insanity fitness has been pushing my body to the limits, I hope to see some of the great gains in my results as some of the test groups have. I suppose this will put to rest the questions surrounding these home work outs. Here goes the beginning to a first hand experience!

I will do my best to take the future photos in the same position although the same clothes is not guaranteed. The goal is to take photos every 14 days, which are the days we are scheduled to redo our fit tests to track our aerobic progression. 

Hiatus Relatus

Hello all, my apologies for my absence things have been a bit disarray for us here at the Sharlow establishment. Most notably we have not had internet for a while, in fact, even now I am posting from work.With the end of my soccer season and my unofficial retirement from LHS athletics I have found a great deal of time about me in the afternoon. Thusly, I have begun Insanity by Shaun T Fitness from Beach Body.com. I intend to keep myself honest in my endeavors and hope to forgo injury for the remainder of the workouts as there are 60 and I am 5 days in. I started Sunday night this past week and have been diligent thus far, but again, I only started this week so it's easy to be committed. I will be posting progression photos this weekend. I have my day one photos taken and need to sort through them and see which are most appropriate for the viewing private. My goal is to update photos every two weeks and hopefully we will see some progress. The hardest part for me is the eating, I don't have to eat anything in particular, I just have to consume 3000 calories of relatively healthy foods all day long. That gets tedious and cumbersome after about day 2.

Some time ago I posted a short expose entitled "We the Runners of Tomorrow". My running has note been very sharp lately as my job is most demanding of my morning and I am quite exhausted come the evenings so I have, in consequence, allowed my life to become more and more taxed by situations and circumstances that very well should not tax me a bit. Although I have kept my whits about me and that helps a great deal with coping.

Baby number 2 will be here before we know it, and that is putting a bit of pressure on the family, Ashley will be graduating soon and hopefully my poor wife will be able to rest... (if you know my wife you know that will not happen) but I seem like a good husband if I wish it for her. We are well excited to have another little monster in the house. Eden is getting so big she is most excited about the matter as well. So things are great for us, I will post my photos soon. If at the end of my 60 workout be sure and ask yourself what were you doing for 5 hrs per week over the last 60 days, then ask yourself if you can accomplish this? I'm not even sure if I can.

Look At Me Now... White Girl Rapping!

Best White Girl Rapping you'll see all day...

Vitas - Opera 2

The muse-esque abilities of this young man is incomparable. Expound his talents with the vibrato he carries at the end of the note is absolutely amazing. 

A Good Good Friday

Went to the mall yesterday with the family to take pictures with that miserable Easter Bunny. Pathetic little creature. But Eden had a freakin' blast so all was well. Afterwards we went to my Grandmothers house for a fish and shrimp fry accompanied by Seafood Gumbo and Beer, always a good time. Of course what is Good Friday without some good ol'fashioned frivolous easter egg hunting. Eden would follow me around whilst I hid the eggs, then she would pick them up as I put them down and exclaimed very loudly, that she found them. We did for at least an hour. Not monotonous at all. But as long as she is laughing and happy there is fun to be had. She such a wonderful little girl and very excited about her baby sister. 

Wanna Free Run With Me

I have been a big fan of this free running craze, or Parkour as it is also called. I came across this video today headlining the opening of the very first Parkour or FreeRun training facility ever opened. The ever changing dynamics of the "see a need fill it" motto that Mark Zucherberg has made so popular to the preservation of personal hobbies is made more effervescent with the growth of multiculturalism. This is an amazing sport. Enjoy!

If You Don't Like Michael Jackson You Can Go To Hell... I Mean Chelsea

Fulham erects a statue of Michael Jackson outside of the clubs stadium. Al Fayed says, "I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in, they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/04/03/fulham.jackson.statue.ap/index.html#ixzz1IZUPzwxP

Conversation

Me: Eden, please go put this in the utility room, thanks princess.

Eden: daddy, that's urtility room and this is mytility room. Ok daddy.

Conversation

Me: Eden, please go put this in the utility room, thanks princess.

Eden: daddy, that's urtility room and this is mytility room. Ok daddy.

You Think You're Resourceful

With a fifth of the country under water right now, Pakistan is dealing with their own troubles, but if you thought you were the most resourceful creature as a human, look at what these spiders have accomplished. Read full article here. There are a few more photos and the article has a little depression to it. But that would be amazing to see in person. 

Dilbert 3-30-2011

3-22-2011, A Day of All Days

Yesterday as I was pulling out of a Home Depot parking lot (I wasn't out of the lot yet) I noticed I was not wearing my seatbelt, I reached over as normal and attached the safety harness before hitting the main road. As I pulled to the light I noticed a Broussard City Cop next to me, thinking it was someone I knew (small town) I turned to wave but he just starred at me. I accelerated and went on to drive back to work without knowledge of the cop following me. Approximately 2 miles later, I was being pulled over by the same cop from earlier, perplexed by this situation I acquiesced and went through all respectful motions. The cop approached my window in a very polite manner and requested my driver's license and insurance both were produced with haste. Turns out we did know each other, well we had met once before at a bar with mutual friends. He said he'd run my license and I'd be on my way...

The cop returned 15 minutes later (always a bad sign) he informed me that my insurance had expired 3 days ago but I had renewed and was in good standings but needed my card or he would have to tow my car. Then he proceeded to tell me that my license was suspended. You could imagine my facial expressions upon hearing this news knowing full well that the state law for a suspended license is immediate arrest. I asked what the citations were that indited me in such a way, "speeding tickets" he responded hesitantly, there were 2, hence the plural of ticket being used. He was very cautious in his next words as they proved heavy for him to say given our previous knowledge of each other. He leaned in to the car and very quietly, as though someone close by was listening, "Tim, I'm sorry but my hands are tied, I have to take your license, and you cannot drive this car. Can you call someone to drive you home or pick it up?" He leaned away. I was verklempt, undone, silent, void of reality and the current circumstances. It felt like an eternity that not a word was spoken. The silence was indeed broken by his radio which he quickly turned off. The only thing I could muster was, "seriously?" To officer Soileau's eternal credit, he looked down at me and my car and said, "Have a good day sir," and walked away, which to that I quickly said, "seriously?"

My boss retrieved me from my location, before I was at my desk (a mere 2 miles away) I had spoken to the Chief of Police of Broussard and explained my dilemma. Understanding he told me the necessary steps to take to get all this crap expunged, but first I had to find someone to drive me around, and not close either, the first stop was in Welsh, La, then Opelousas, then the DMV in Carencro. The chauffeur, my mom.

Liz picked me up at 7:30 am in St. Martinville, we travelled to Welsh and arrived at 8:45 a.m. The people there were extremely nice although when I arrived I was told I needed cash or a money order ($164.00), went on to Opelousas City Court, nope you need to go the Parish Court ($220.50). Now to the DMV, ticket number E348, waited all of 5 minutes I'm up, "that'll be $200.00" Sorry we don't take checks was the next thing I heard. Go to the bank to make a withdrawal, "driver's license please?" My response, "give me this money and I'll bring it to you..." Luckily the teller understood, laughed, asked me a few questions and paid me. Went back to the DMV where the lady told me that all was clear, all that was left to do was to return to the Broussard PD, hand them these papers, and they would give me my license back. So I traveled back to Broussard and did as told only to be told in response, "Sir, we mail all suspended licenses back to the DMV, you need to go there and get a new one!"
"I was just there, she told me to come here! Mrs. Rhonda, please understand that this had been a difficult situation for me, I have had quite the cumbersome morning, please help me!!" Was my pouted response. She walked away and returned with a stack of envelopes. We went through each one until we found my license. She ran the number and after it was cleared she gave it back to me and let me go.

This entire situation lasted from 8:0 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. I was spent, so I went got a new Android phone, the HTC Inspire, detailed report on satisfaction to come. The night got better, but I'll save the details for a later date.

Saturday Night

This past Saturday night Ashley and I were heading to our room at about 11:00 p.m. for some much needed rest when we were interrupted by a very odd sound. The above video was being performed behind closed doors. We were able to catch a bit of it before she saw the camera.

Dilbert 3-20-2011

The Weekend Behind...

Beautiful weekend we had, interesting chain of events in the Lafayette Soccer Tournament. My U17 Storm went 1-1-1, I played the entire weekend with 11 men and 2 of them injured for games 2 and 3, but I have to admit that we looked promising more often than not but we just weren't fit to run all weekend with limited numbers. I had to respect the boys perseverance through such conditions. They never quite working, they rested when necessary and worked when they saw the opportunity. I deduced that the problems I am having could not have been fixed with more numbers, rather, advancements in practice. All in all for them I was proud. I look forward to the tournament in Gulf Port, MS this coming weekend.

As for my U12 Titans, these kids have been a work in progress for 2 years now. But 3-0 this weekend was the best showing these guys have shown ever. I was very proud of their ball movement all weekend long. A shut out for them is still elusive, but a work in progress is always a work in progress.

Conversation

Me: Hey Eden, what are you drinking in your cup?
Eden: Je ne sais pas! I don't know!
Me: Excuse me?!?!
Eden: Je ne sais pas! It means I don't know Daddy!!!!
Me: Eden, where did you learn that phrase, who taught you to say that?
Eden: Grandpa...
Me: Oh, well, that's really nice of him.
Eden: Yeah he's not gonna get a spanking, he was a good boy today.

Phone Conversation

Mom: Tim, Where are you?

Me: At Jane's picking up dad's crabs what's up?

Mom: I can't get in my car!

Me: Did you try unlocking it?

Mom: The keys on the door don't work anymore and my keypad has been broken for a while now!

Me: They must have disconnected the battery and reset the ECU... where is your key?

Mom: For my car?

Me: Yes...

Mom: In my hand...

Me: Why don't you just unlock the door with your key, ya know, insert the key in the key hole and turn???

Mom: I can do that?

Me: Seriously??????

Mom: Um... I gotta go...

Dilbert 3-17-2011

Another classic...

Houston Dynamo FC Custom Kit

Dynamo FC Clima Cool Custom

It's safe to say that I have a spending problem, but only when I'm idle. Being down for the 6 hours I was post my teeth removal I had time to do some much "needed" shopping. I purchased that huge watch by Invicta, I purchased another ESQ Beacon (photos to come it too came in today), I bought Ashley a brand new HD Digital Camcorder (that was so she wouldn't say mean things to me about buying all this other stuff), and then there's this; there's some other stuff, but this is my favorite. I was on Soccer.com looking to piece together a new GK kit now that I'm back playing 11v11. With absolutely no luck matching anything together I gave up all hope and decided to search through some of my favorite club apparel. Well that didn't take long, Chelsea had nothing reasonably priced (including the players for the club) Everton's pink jerseys aren't available, and there were no "I Hate ManU" shirts so on to the MLS where my first query led me to the Dynamo uniforms... Sort low to high, click to page 2 and Viola! there it was. I thought, well that's pretty nice, then I saw the shorts, and socks, and well, a new pair of gloves were following shortly. I ordered a pair of White/Red socks but they are on back order and won't be in till next week. The Adidas Elite Formotion Socks are really, really, really comfortable; price justified. The kit is really comfortable, light weight and cool, I suppose that would be the idea since it is a ClimaCool Adidas apparel item. 

Invicta, The Russian Diver's Watch

I was recently introduced to this watch company via a website that I read frequently. Interested in the production of the watch I sought to buy one, and buy one I did. (not my proudest moment) I suppose I was merely in awe of its exquisite design, or perhaps merely impressed with the color choice and accented selection; either way I did not do my research properly. Well the watch came in last night and to my dismay it was not at all what I expected. In the magazine and online it looked like such a quaint, classy and sophisticated time piece, when it arrived it looks like it should be on the wrist of some sounding off, "Fee Fye Fo Fum..."





I tried to contextualize its size by putting my Bulova next to it. As you can see the entirety of the Bulova is matched by the crystal of the Invicta. I further took photos of the watch next to an iPhone, again, the watch is longer and almost as wide as the iPhone itself. This monstrosity overpowers my wrist and is no conducive match to any attire I possess. Thusly, it is going back. Although I have to note that boxing and presentation of the watch was amazing, full marks for presentation indeed.

Apparently the over-sized nature of the time piece is meant for divers to be able to see the time whilst maneuvering underwater... I am not certain enough to say I will never go SCUBA diving, but I can assure you, if I do, there will be no immediate need to know the time, nor will I expect with whomever I am SCUBA diving will be asking me the time... under water.

Had My Wisdom Teeth Pulled Today

Two weeks ago I was having some pain issues in my lower left jaw, in a moment of panic and self diagnosis I assumed it was an abscessed tooth so I called a local dentist to schedule an appointment. The Dentist was Dr. Brock Barras and his team of esteemed associates. I went in expecting the worst but was told only, that one of my wisdom teeth had decayed. Brock (as he liked to be called) stated that my teeth were incredibly healthy and small extraction should be sufficient. After looking at my insurance options I realized I could remove all 4 for a small fee so we went about it accordingly. I was literally in his chair for a total of 1 hour. Brock explained that my teeth were so straight and strong it was a super easy job. I was actually able to keep all of my teeth, none of them are broken. Now if I could only find that damn tooth fairy....

Brock's staff of Hygienists and fellow Dentists were phenomenal. They catered to all of my needs and answered all of my questions without hesitation. The staff was super friendly and incredibly helpful. My first appointment was 9:00 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, I arrived at 8:50 a.m. for normal paper work and was in the chair with Brock for 9:05 a.m. For my surgery, my appointment was at 11:00 a.m. this morning. The anesthetics were administered for 11:07 and surgery commenced at 11:25 a.m. I merely had an oral numbing so I was coherent for the entire operation. It was well interesting to hear the sounds your teeth make when being extracted. I felt a good bit of pressure but never any pain. Even now, hours later, the bleeding has stopped and any pain that would have been is now gone. I am in slight discomfort but all is well. I should be back at work tomorrow morning and according to the nurse at the front desk I can return to normal exercise within 5 days. But I'll do it in 3...because I'm arrogant.

And Then There Was Silence

The scene is set, Eden came in to the living room and asked me and Ashley if she could have a chocolate pudding, I replied that she could not because she had already had one earlier, but I did compromise by saying she could have a Jello one. She smiled and acquiesced with out want of an argument or tantrum. Impressed by her demeanor I smiled in approval and with much pride on me and my wife's appropriateness on how well we have raised our daughter thus far. Well if I didn't know what the term, "don't count your chickens before they hatch" meant then...I certainly know now. 30 minutes had gone by and we had not heard or seen Eden in this time. I heard her DVD playing "Bella Bella Dancer-Ella" (her favorite DVD to date, I hate it) but I didn't hear her singing or see her dancing. As it was close to bath time I walked in her play room, again, I didn't see or hear Eden to this point. Concerned I knew something was rotten in the Sharlow Home. I called her name and heard the fastest rustling of a little girl I had ever heard moving through the tent pictured below. I called again, this time I heard a faint giggle followed by more rustling. It was at this time that I noticed the doors to her tent were zipped shut, an informality as she sits in her tent and watches her DVD through the open door ways. Ashley unzipped the tent to find Eden nestled in a corner of the tent with her favorite blanket, covered in chocolate pudding. It was on the walls, on her feet, all over her dancers dress ( a tutu as it is called ), there were even small drops of it from the kitchen to the playroom. Pictured you will also see how she opened it. Knowing full well I had said no before hand, she decided to just punch a hole in the top of the cup and eat it that way. And she was eating as fast as that little hand could travel from within that cup to her mouth still wasn't fast enough. When I opened the tent doors she balled up and shut her eyes as tight as she could and told me, "you can't see me daddy so you can't spank me ok?!?!" I was so impressed by her intelligence in this situation I could only come to laugh, then explain how smart she was, but I had a small level of disappointment. She pretended to understand but after all was said and done she was right on the couch eating the rest. The situation as it happened was absolutely hysterical. Her personality is developing day by day and she is an absolute rout. I am both excited and nervous as to how the next one will be, Ashley is 21 weeks pregnant. We are almost there.

This is where we found her

She thought if she squinted her eyes hard enough, I wouldn't see her

She didn't want to ask if anyone could open it bc she knew we'd say no...

Not really caring the outcome, only the means

Messy Messy Messy

Q

 

So in 1994 my Grandfather purchased this Q45t. It was a luxury sedan (still is) one of a kind machine with 285 hp 291 ft./lb torque, active ride sport suspension and 19 mpg/22 mpg fuel rating. The retail price on this Nissan Production was $52,995.00. My grandfather is always proud to brag how he got this car for $48,500.00. Since about the year 2000 (the year I got my license) I have wanted this car. In that time I was allowed to drive this car only once and that was because his eyes were dilated and I was the only person in ear shot that could help him. Well, last week my grandfather called me and told me that I could have the car just come and get it. The pictures aren't doing much justice to the beauty of this car. The interior is in pristine condition and Eden approves. The car will be being repaired and sold.

Like a Boss

Train Concert at L'Auberge Du Lac

Bought tickets to this event, selling them. So... let me know.

Conversation:

Eden: Daddy, what's that?
Me: Baby, the correct way to pronounce that question is to say, "Daddy, what's this?" (she was holding the object)
Eden: Ok! What's this Daddy?
Me: That's a loofah!
Eden: Don't say that daddy! That's not nice!
Me: It's not a bad word baby...
Eden: Well, um, well, I don't like it a lot.
Me: Why not Princess?
Eden: I don't need a reason Daddy! Just because... It's dirty, this is super duper...not for you ok daddy?
Me: Ok little monster!
Eden: I'm not a little monster, you're a big monster! (running away laughing)

We, The Runners of Tomorrow

I have been without the ability or the permission to run for almost three weeks now, well, at least since my Half Marathon failure in Houston at the end of January. Since then I have dealt with a number of different things in my life that have left me close to depression and quite far from my definition of success and satisfaction. Now I am well aware of the ups and downs of life, I have been dealing with them for 27 years now. In fact, my 2010 set new standards for life's lows. Be that as it may I still have the health of my family and yet no matter the course or discourse of the day I awake once more to see the moon has kissed the sun goodnight and the sun has chosen to greet me again. For the emergencies of life we look to set a cushion between us and disaster. Dave Ramsey said it best in one of his seminars. He said that if we setup a budget for life's disasters of emergencies we create a partition betwixt the two and they are no longer disasters or emergencies. For instance, if we have an emergency fund in a money market account or cash value in our Life Insurance Policies of say $5,000.00 and a $3,000.00 disaster happens, well it's not really a huge disaster because we were prepared. It still sucks, but it's not as bad as if you had no funds whatsoever and then a $3,000.00 disaster struck. I was there last October. I won't let that happen again. Two weeks ago a tree fell on the corner of my house...shitty yes but I had learned my lesson. I made a few phone calls and viola! no more broken house.

This past weekend I didn't have a financial disaster accost me with such burdens, I had a psychological one. One of immense proportions. One that I had never thought would ever plague my life. I realized at that moment that this situation was no more severe than previous situations, the only variable was my running was not present for this one. That 1 hour escape for lunch had eluded me for so long I began to lose my grip on stress. I began to remember past situations, though troubling, I knew every day I had one hour of just me and elements. Whether I did 3 miles or 6 miles I wasn't coming back for 1 hour. No cell phone, no computers, just the wind and the sound of my feet on the pavement. It was euphoric, liberating even, how elemental my runs were. Every Sunday morning a track workout at Saint Martinville Senior High School and then a distance run to ease the muscles. All this was gone from me for so long I hadn't noticed how important is was.

Running is my cushion between life, and what life decides to deliver to me. If I am having a great day, what better way to celebrate than a tempo run through local neighborhoods. If a bad day it is, then how better to sort things out, or forget about them completely, than with a slow methodical run. It's a release no matter what. I am not the fastest runner, but I am a runner nonetheless.

I am released to begin my running again on Wednesday. Hopefully my weekends will be free from too much work. I love life and I love running, they are not my masters but my servants. Despite their status I need them both. 

Daddy's New Office

     Eden made herself right at home today when she came to visit me in my new office. Our move is officially official. I have spent 70 hours this week alone renovating and organizing the facilities of the newest Mechanical Engines Service Company in the greater Lafayette area, Pelstar. It's been an interesting adventure. I was working for a company last year and we hired a gentlemen to start an Engine Department for our offshore cranes. The department grew so quickly in a few short months, it was decided that he would branch off and start his own Engine Company. I was elected by him to accompany, it has been wonderful and things are looking great. Thusly, my commute to work was shortened from the original 30 mile trek every morning now to a very amicable 8 miles. It takes me 12 minutes (with red lights) to get to work in the morning. Although with a new position comes new responsibilities. I have spent all day Saturday and Sunday here at the office, in fact, I am posting from the office now.... no my boss doesn't read my blog. Good times, great weather. I have a very large window, so I was able to enjoy it, I also found reason to walk the yard a few times today, just to get outside.

I'm On a Boat....Shoe

The Boat Shoe has been a staple in the world of fashion for quite sometime. Invented first by Paul Sperry in 1935, Sperry got the idea after watching how well his dog ran across snow and ice he cut sipings in to the bottom of his shoes which helped him repel water more easily whilst out boating. Also known as Deck Shoes, the Top-Sider shoe was initially made for boating/sailing, but as fashion would have it around the 1980's the shoe was assimilated into the world of fashion in America and England as everyday foot wear. The photo pictured here is courtesy of my good friend Wilablog @ BOB. The quandary exists within the perimeters of this outfit and its merits to wearing the shoes pictured. I will take this approach from two angles. The first will be from a point of style, the other from that of fashion.

     Stylistically, I have to say no. That was easy. The first problem starts with the slacks' approach to the shoes. I can only assume, due to the cuffless nature of the pants themselves that these are flat front trousers. Be that as it may, there is not crease in the center of the leg so what needs to be adorning the foot is a laceless loafer. Secondly, boat shoes were made for shorts, jeans, and linen pants that do not require a crease.

     Fashionably, this is quite acceptable. If you walk around most just about any high school campus, particularly a private school you will notice that the slacks the boys are wearing have cuffs, you will also notice them wearing boat shoes (this is also true in the case of no cuffs). So it is only fair that the shoes be accepted outside of the realms of style for this motif. What needs to take place at this point is the upper portion of the outfit needs to be as lazy as the bottom, because that what these shoes are, lazy. That is why, I imagine, they are so popular in our generation. They are a quick and easy fix to any outfit one chooses to wear. The laces are frivolous as they serve no real purpose to secure the shoe to the foot, the leather is unrefined giving the listless look of a laid back atmosphere.

     I believe fashion and style have their place in society. There is a time to overlook certain standards of style and indulge in the self-made individuality of fashion, as it seems there is always a time when an aspect of fashion has become a staple of style. So to this photo at hand, I say its a go for everyday wear. With a nice polo shirt or V-neck T shirt it can makes it way to a good look. Thanks for the pic. 

Ross Barron, the Talk of Lafayette

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of Coaching for Lafayette High School. We were playing Pineville High School in the first round of the playoffs. I expected this game to be like any other, with the talent and caliber of this, it was to be an absolute rout. I was in for much more. With 20 minutes left to go we were winning 8-0, and things were all well, then the most amazing thing I have ever seen happened. The opposing Coach, Grant Eloi (a Class A Gentlemen and Sportsman) put in a player named Ross Barron. Ross has Downs Syndrome. I was baffled, awe struck, this kid was so passionate in every move he made. Head Coach Jeremy Cart walked over to Grant and chatted him up about Ross' situation. It was to be Ross' last game of his career and come to find out Ross had never scored a goal, other than a PK, well Jer Bear decided to orchestrate a goal for Ross. We had both teams involved, as you will see in the video, it was well planned. Here is something most people don't know, Ross was diagnosed with a disease that caused all of his hair to fall out at the age of 3, he was always very embarrassed by it. When he reached High School, the players caught wind of Ross' inhibition with his bald head. Well one day Ross' mom drove up to pick him up from practice and saw the whole team huddled in the center circle. They were chanting and cheering and then Ross' bald head pops up and everyone was cheering and laughing, the team had made Ross' bald head a good luck token for the team. He told his mom that night that he liked being bald, he felt special. Ross is a great kid, he was so elated to have scored. This video does nothing for the excitement that was on his face. I am very glad to have been a part of such an amazing event. And much respect to Coach Grant Eloi of Pineville for giving Ross the opportunity to fulfill his dream and become the leading playoff goal scorer for the Pineville program for 2010-2011. It takes a man of strong character to have the selflessness of Grant's actions. 

It's a Girl

At Sneak Peek 4D Ultrasound, and it's confirmed, I officially have to
worry about every penis in the world...again. 100% girl. I'm ruled now
by estregenical tyranny.

Sent while traveling.

2011 Chevron Aramco Houston 1/2 Marathon

So yesterday was race day for the 2011 Chevron Houston 1/2 Marathon and Full Marathon. I had the pleasure of running the 1/2 Marathon with some old friends and made some new ones in the process. One in particular, a Mr. Steve Harvel, ran a 1:27 for the 1/2, we told him how disappointed we were with him and his listless effort. By the time we all made it in he had showered and eaten breakfast. I didn't have as much luck. At the 10k mark I was running 48:30, a pace I was very happy with and maintained it for a while. At the 9 mile marker I was at 1:10:32, so with a 8:30 pace I was scheduled to finish around a 1:45:00-1:50:00. I was elated, enthralled as this was to be a person record for me, potentially 18 minutes faster than my time in San Antonio. It was at this point I started to feel a very sharp pain in my left foot at the second toe. I ignored it and pressed on. The pain became greater and the conversation between mind and body went as follows:
Body: Stop!
Mind: No we have to keep going!
Body: Stop running!!
Mind: 4 miles, we can do this!
Body: Seriously, this is agonizing!!!!
Mind: HOLY CRAP THIS DOES HURT, STOP RUNNING!!!!!

My mind convinced my body that walking was also a bad idea, so I stumbled forward, luckily not obstructing anyone in my spill. I was able to hobble over to the side of the road where an EMS agent was standing. I removed my shoe and sock, with much reluctance and revealed a seemingly unscathed foot although the pain was excruciating. The Medic played around the all my toes and deduced that I have a hairline fracture in my second toe. The injury was sustained due to supination, or underpronation. I have a natural tendency to slightly overpronate, it's not threatening to injury but I run in a high stability shoe to assist it. With the negative camber of the roads and the wet streets due to rain the Medic seems to think that I began to supinate to offer a better strike in my stride, all efforts to the contrary of goodness, I am down for 2 weeks. He explained to me that this injury is much like a broken rib, just rest and don't apply pressure unnecessarily. 

Conversation

Scene: Driving to my Parent's house to pick up my mom at 7:15 a.m. yesterday morning. At this point Eden and I are stuck behind a school bus.

Eden: God?...Gooooooood? Where are you God? Oh there you are!!!
Me: Eden, where do you see God baby?
Eden: He's on that school bus going to school!
Me: Is that so?!?! (perplexed by her imagination, though impressed)
Eden: Daddy, God said that all those kids on the bus are going learn, and and and and and if they learn they don't go to jail!
Me: (trying not to laugh) Oh, really, well - yeah, kids who learn and stay in school don't go to jail...
Eden: I wanna go to school Daddy, so the cops don't come get me!


I don't know where she learned this, or how she correlated learning and jail. She is growing up so fast and getting so big and very smart. I know everyone thinks their baby is smart and they all are in their own right, I think every generation these kids get smarter and smarter, not just my little Angel Face.

Contador Suspended From Cycling for One Year & Stripped of Title

2010 Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador, long time rival and arch nemesis of Lance Armstrong, was busted a few months back after testing positive for having the controlled substance Clenbuterol in his system.This allegation proved true and Contador has sustained a one year suspension from cycling and the 2010 Tour de France Trophy will go to the much deserved Andy Schleck, whom Contador beat by only :38 seconds. Read the full article here. The only other cyclist ever to be stripped of a title win in the Tour de France was American Floyd Landis back in 2006 for blood doping and EPO.

John Cleese in the News Today

Funny man John Cleese, made famous by his assisted findings of the Monty Python, was in the news today. It's always nice to keep up with his goings on as things have not been good for him since is ending of his Python career in the glorious year of 1983. It seems Mr. Cleese has been battling with severe case of depression after the divorce of his 3rd wife whom he paid a whopping £12.3 million to after 18 years of marriage. He has a new show coming up, "The John Cleese Alimony Tour." He has had to sell most of his estates to help fund this divorce settlement. He now claims he is happy than he has ever been dating reknowned jewelry designer Jennifer Wade, whom I might add is 31 years his junior, and things are never better. Apparently he and old friend and colleague Micheal Palin still remain in good communications, as Palin will be the punch line to many anecdotes on the night. I hope the show is a good one, I wouldn't mind seeing the 71 year old Minister of silly walks in live speech myself.

Balance & The Traveling Sounds Daft Punk Cover "Something About Us"

Just sit back and enjoy!

Thinking about A New Staircase....

So my good friends over at thechive.com (NSFW) has given me a great thread this morning. Amazing staircases...view their awesomeness here.

Is It Really the iPhone

Jon Stewart had a great rant on the greatest almost phone in the world, outlining the wonders of the iPhone's software capabilities and slamming its actual phone properties such as talking, and rightfully so, but perhaps Mr. Stewart failed to see the potential criticisms that will be found with the iPhone over at Verizon. Here they are. Please note that all statements made henceforth are certifiably true, they were received from a member of the iPhone Specialist Support Managerial Team within the Apple Company. He is personal friend of mine and for these statements he will remain nameless.

"Verizon has been advertising a 4G network, and although they have this network, they do not have any phone's that can actually support this network, not even the new iPhone. AT&T's 4G will be up and running with phones long before Verizon has theirs. Also, the 3G network that AT&T offers is substantially more sophisticated than Verizon's. I.E. with AT&T's network you can talk, text and surf the web or use Google Maps all at the same time, with Verizon you will need 3 or 4 iPhone's to accomplish this. (On to reception). I would not under any circumstance try to defend the lackluster reception that AT&T offers us and yes, the dropped calls are insufferable but let's look at this subjectively. AT&T covers 97% of American's (supposedly), that would equal 291m people if there are 300m people in America. Within that coverage, AT&T's network is absorbed by iPhone's at a staggering 92% rate. So that means of 291m AT&T customers, 267.72m have iPhone's, and that's 3G phones of better. So, with these numbers it is no wonder the iPhone can have such reproachable reception and call qualities. So before we all jump ship in lieu of the new green grass, remember, when Cingular was small, with it's 51m customers in 2007-2008, our call qualities were great. So regardless of what you hear about the new iPhone this and the new iPhone that with Verizon, remember, it is not the same iPhone as AT&T's. "

Saturday With Eden

 Saturday started pretty great for Eden as Ashley and my mom wanted to go exercise in the park we took the opportunity to enjoy the finer side of the life and partake in the jungle jim that is appropriated for the park patrons children. Eden had a blast, she would intentionally fall in the sand so she could clean her hands off. The conversation in the pictures to the left went, "daddy, push me higher please, use two hands!" She could not get enough fun and it's these moments. It was very exciting to watch her in such a happy state.

Only In Louisiana

I was leaving my Grandmothers house in Carencro and I saw this Goat on
the side of the road grazing.

Vadrum Meets the Barber of Seville

I enjoy a great Classical Masterpiece, and I enjoy percussionary genius. Mix the two and you have an epic win, and as most denouemont's the final 30 seconds of this piece is brilliant. This is Andrea Vadrucci. 

The 5v2 USMNT

All credit to Pele1410 for this video. I am really big fan of the 5v2. This was our warm up when I was playing at the Chengdu Sports University, we would put GK's in the middle sometimes too, really cool variations. It's nice to see the importance of such a rudimentary drills. 

I'm Turning Japanese I Think I'm Turning Japanese I Really Think So...

I find Japanese game shows to be some of the most creative and most hilarious shows on tele today. Enjoy, because everyone needs a laugh.

Lights, Camera, Action

So I have recently reacquainted myself with the workings of Oscar Wilde. Last week I sat to read "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and yesterday I thought I was good for a laugh so I read, "The Importance of Being Earnest." I have the sudden desire to direct a play although I don't know the first steps to go about this. Here is one of the most classic scenes in Act 2. The denouement is most brilliant, but it is also the climax so I cannot give it up. Read it, you will laugh. It's about a 1 hour read, an absolute rout.


Jack. I have lost both my parents.
Lady Bracknell. To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. Who was your father? He was evidently a man of some wealth. Was he born in what the Radical papers call the purple of commerce, or did he rise from the ranks of the aristocracy?
Jack. I am afraid I really don’t know. The fact is, Lady Bracknell, I said I had lost my parents. It would be nearer the truth to say that my parents seem to have lost me… I don’t actually know who I am by birth. I was… well, I was found.
Lady Bracknell. Found!
Jack. The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentleman of a very charitable and kindly disposition, found me, and gave me the name of Worthing, because he happened to have a first-class ticket for Worthing in his pocket at the time. Worthing is a place in Sussex. It is a seaside resort.
Lady Bracknell. Where did the charitable gentleman who had a first-class ticket for this seaside resort find you?
Jack. [Gravely.] In a hand-bag.
Lady Bracknell. A hand-bag?
Jack. [Very seriously.] Yes, Lady Bracknell. I was in a hand-bag—a somewhat large, black leather hand-bag, with handles to it—an ordinary hand-bag in fact.
Lady Bracknell. In what locality did this Mr. James, or Thomas, Cardew come across this ordinary hand-bag?
Jack. In the cloak-room at Victoria Station. It was given to him in mistake for his own.
Lady Bracknell. The cloak-room at Victoria Station?
Jack. Yes. The Brighton line.
Lady Bracknell. The line is immaterial. Mr. Worthing, I confess I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me. To be born, or at any rate bred, in a hand-bag, whether it had handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution. And I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to? As for the particular locality in which the hand-bag was found, a cloak-room at a railway station might serve to conceal a social indiscretion—has probably, indeed, been used for that purpose before now-but it could hardly be regarded as an assured basis for a recognised position in good society.
Jack. May I ask you then what you would advise me to do? I need hardly say I would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen’s happiness.
Lady Bracknell. I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over.

This playact literally had me laughing out loud. I had seemingly forgotten the comic wit and brilliance of Oscar Wilde.

What's In Your Wardrobe... Part 1

Purple Label R. Lauren 

  "In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing," Oscar Wilde. Such is the phrase of our armariums to the engenders of our day. It is no small matter to appropriate our habiliments to the accordance of our lifestyle's. As the wardrobe of a Gentlemen goes, there are however, some aphorisms or a perennial dictum at hand. Be that as it may, it is not the agglomeration of a mans wardrobe but the assemblage that is the staple of his profligacy. It is better to have one expensive suit than five cheap suits.  When donning ones wardrobe with its first suit, I think it wise to avoid black. Undertakers, Hitmen, and the dead wear black. Consistency is the refuge of the unimaginable and black is insufferably consistent, and limiting in the same fashion. One can do very little with a black suit. Therefore, I beseech you in your purchase, again, if this is your first suit, to procure a Heather Grey Suit or a Grey suit of some type. Grey is incomparably versatile as it can be worn with either black or brown accentuation. There are two outer wear garments one should obtain, a trench coat of brown or gray aesthetic in a wool, or wool/cashmere blend, and a traditional Pea-Coat, preferably in a Navy Blue as if one is wearing a Pea-Coat it will most certainly not be a convivial event and will require a more subtle touch to his kismet. His shoes should be as complimentary to his wardrobe as his shirts, these are one in the same. One's shoes should be selected carefully, and spare no expensive on the pier nadir of your stature as it is the foundation for our posture, and a Gentlemen's playact speaks volumes to his character as he is the main protagonist in the dramatic persona that is his life. Upon the anthology of shoes there should be 1 pair of black dress shoes of considerable refinery and shoes trees - as well as box and shoes bags kept appropriately; 2 pair of brown dress shoes, I recommend a lace up oxford and a monk strap or slip on. (Not to be confused with a loafer, loafers are old and fashionably ugly, especially the one with tassels on the top, those bloody tassels are most insufferable. Loafers have their place, another topic for another day I'm sure.) The hue of browns should not be same, one should be of a mahogany or walnut and the other of a tan or camel color (it's safe to suggest the shoe that is to be most worn should be the mahogany or walnut depending on your pleasentaries). There should also be a pair of each black and brown casual tennis shoes, and by tennis shoes I am not referring to a proper athletic shoe, rather a more informal driving shoe or wonderfully athletic inspired shoe that can be worn with jeans or khakis. On a very quick note, your dress socks are an extension of your pants, I cannot stress that enough, and they should never be bunched around your ankles. The dress shirt is the pinnacle of style, the collar of your dress shirt should be complimentary of your physique (see your local upper echelon clothier for fittings in this matter i.e. F. Camalo in the Oil Center) and should be as crisp as the crease in your pants. The foremost worn dress shirt is the traditional, yet always classy white Oxford. Again, no expense should be spared in this purchase, you should expect to pay $150-$225 for this calico. The white dress shirt is of most importance in the wardrobe of any man, not just one of supreme declamatory fortitude. As a final point of wardrobe reference is the sweater/sweater vest of which I think both should be an obligation, although many opinions are not of mine. If this is the case then it is becoming to keep in part with a Cashmere, Wool, or Cashmere/Wool blend in a sweater. Here, unlike many other areas of the trousseau conglomeration there is some margin of expense that can be spared. Sweaters of the aforementioned materials range from $49-$349, purchase to your liking in congruence with your chiffonier of course.

A Gentlemen knows that dressing up may require going to great pains, but it does not require that he feel any pain at all.

PS - The shoes pictured are by Romano Martegani, one of my personal favorite designers. I can orate for days about shoes...

Can You Pass the American Citizen's Test

Think you can past he 96 question history exam to become a US Citizen. Test that theory here. I scored an 80%. Not my proudest grade, but apparently enough to pass. It's amazing, not being pressured to answer certain questions I would've answered them no worries, but with all these other choices you realize how little you pay attention to our daily knowledge.

Man Purse; Fashion Forward, or Fashion Faux Pas?

Man Clutch by Gucci

Duffle Purse by Louis Vuitton

It's come up recently, this question of the "Man Purse", what is its place in society? The metabolic process of fashion in America has had many staples in society. From the baggy habiliments of break dancers in the 80's, to the lavish palatable colors of the artists of the 90's. But the one thing that has carried on is the procurement of items, and how one should carry them. Let's take the fanny pack for instance, a miserable little bag that straps carelessly to your waist in the most awkward of fashions and holds your personal effects. Once a staple of fashion in America, Canada & South Africa, now they're more associated with nerds or tourists, and if you are a tourist with a fanny pack then you are most likely a nerd as well. Is the fanny pack the ear mark for the infamous Man Purse? There are many different faces of the Man Purse, there is the Man Clutch (a Cristiano Ronaldo fave), the Man Purse Duffle (which Snoop Dogg has been seen wearing), and the self titled Man Purse, or European Shoulder Bag.

European Shoulder Bag by Etro

     There is a question that beckons, where does the brief case fit in to all of this? The brief case has it's place as I am sure we all know. Although no longer as popular as it once was, no one questioned a man with a brief case. In theory no one would question a man with an over-sized duffle bag on his shoulder...if he were walking through an airport or delivering your mail. But I find the perpetration and perpetuation of the "Man Purse" unmerited. Woman have a need for a purse, men do not, at least not the ones I know. I consider myself a stylish person, I feel as though I possess a clever form of style and fashion, and I have never, under any circumstances, been walking about thinking, "man, I really need an additional Bucephalas to tote my personal effects!" No, that statement has never arose. Other designers, namely Louis Vuitton, have gone a step further to bridge the metro-sexual gap and designed a sort of book sack or nap sack as means of a garment carriage. I actually owned one of these, although I only used it for travel, for my daily commutes with soccer and marathon training I use a standard black JanSport book sack I have had since the 7th grade.

Louis Vuitton Bosphore Backpack

I purchased this item about 3 years ago whilst on holiday in New York. Upon returning from one my trips it was "lost" by the airline and never recovered, as was a Louis Vuitton duffle bag I received as a gift in 2002. The additional reticule's that may be required for a man certainly can find their place. The clutch makes for a great shaving/grooming kit bursa, the duffle makes for a wonderful habiliments tote, or book carrier, and the European shoulder bag is great for school goers or messengers. I cannot say that I agree with any of these items as a mandate for style or fashion. I emailed esquire the following question, "Is there an acceptable man purse on the market right now?" Their response, "No, we've looked." So without further ado, the Man Purse is indeed a Fashion Forward Faux Pas. I do not recommend one for use while gallivanting around the town. There is so much more to this topic than what is depicted here. But I am afraid anything further would be quite boring. I'll say it again though, there is a metabolic process that takes place within the fashion world every couple of years or so, but that is why it is called fashion, because they fade away, the style in dress will always be here. Fashion is not a bad word, but it is not how our wardrobes should be orchestrated.

P.S. Next topic will be on entitled, "What's in your wardrobe?" (in my mind I envisioned one of those capital one guys saying it, like the what's in your wallet guys, so reread it with that voice in mind.)

Good Luck in the New Year...2011

Well, 2010 is behind us. I for one would love to give 2010 a nice warm middle finger. 2010 was the worst year of my life thus far. I am looking forward to a new 2011 and so far, it's started off pretty nicely. I recently received a very nice promotion at my job with a contract to move in to outside sales by 2012. Well I wish everyone the best. Drinks up!

A Little Holiday Style

V Style Layering has to be complimentary on all accounts

I was toying with a few articles in my wardrobe one morning, it was chilled outside, but nothing worth a leather or wool jacket/coat but certainly worthy of a sweater. I'd been having this 120's wool full zip sweater in my possession for a while but had not yet merited an outing worthy of it's accompaniment. After buttoning the grey Jos. A. Bank Executive shirt and swiftly tying a turquoise tie with white and brown polka dots compliments of Salvatore Ferragamo, I began looking for the missing link. It came with a cashmere maroon/burgundy sweater vest by Pronto Uomo and here was my opportunity for this wool Jos. A Bank Zip Sweater to bring it together for me. When wearing a sweater vest, it is imperative to pair any outer wear according to that sweater vests' drape/silhouette. Given the V style from collar to vest, it was only fitting I do a full zip (although a 3/4 zip would've sufficed) for the necklines denouemont.

The Perfect Fall

It's important not to over-think slacks in this situation or ever for that matter (traditional navy blue Canali), but your shoes... that's where creativity is at it's most assertive. There were a few options I had at my leisure, the first was a pair of brown chelsea style boots by Donald Pliner, a python boot I've owned for years, always a great look; I had also a pair of antique calf amber Romano Martegani, a hard to come by shoe, but if it's in you, I strongly recommend them. But for the final choice I went with a very classic cap toe Donald Pliner Radley-61 antique calf. These shoes are 8 years old, but thanks to shoes trees and a little OCD, I can keep them looking great all the time. The color is what sold me on these, as it extended the simplicity of the vest through the entire outfit with a design as classic as they are stylish.

An ideal Crescendo for Time...

Playing with colours

I was given this beautiful sweater as a Christmas gift from my mom, I am still to this moment impressed by its color. You can imagine my surprise to learn it's a Merona from Target, so I pair it with a Pink and White Ghilardi dress shirt.

For all your shopping needs in the Greater Lafayette area, please visit F Camalo Men's Wear in the Oil Center. Frank (owner) is the best dressed man I know, and if I aspire to be dressed the best, I must address the best.

P.S. Just picked up a new Ralph Lauren Suit, photos to come, no it's not a Purple Label, but one day....

Dayton Marze Signs with Blue Jays

Dayton Marze

Approximately one month ago we hired a young man here at Seatrax Marine Cranes by the name of Dayton Marze. Dayton is a wonderfully intelligent and athletically sound individual with quite the story behind him. Dayton is/was the closing Pitcher for University of Louisiana at Lafayette for the past two years, with an amazing record to boot. Upon my interaction with Dayton I found out he was signing a contract to play baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays and was leaving for training camp in March. Taken back by his poise and nonchalance in this statement, I found this staggering 21 year old was more mature than his youthful exuberance lead on. Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 14th round, 426th overall, Dayton was the #39 best prospect for the Jays in the Jays Journal top prospects and picks. He signed his contract with a guaranteed paid education and a cost of $112,500. You can read his entire article here. All of his stats and accolades are listed there. A very well written article complimenting and accentuating the greatness Dayton has brought to the forefront of ULL's success and his own personal success. Although my words in this article and meant to promote the talents and support we here in Lafayette should have for a local going Pro, don't be mislead, Dayton is quite the character. He's a thrill junkie, no other ways to describe him, I will spare the details of some the stories he's shared with me suffice it to say, he would find himself in comfortable company with the likes of Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville in an episode of Jack Ass.

Ever Wanted a Yeti Cooler...

Ever wanted a Yeti Cooler but couldn't justify the price? Yeti is the only cooler in the world to be Grizzly Bear Approved.

Conversation

Me: Eden, baby let me wipe your face please!?
Eden: Wait daddy, you gonna wipe off my lipsticks!
Me: Oh I'm sorry, we can redo it, I promise.
Eden: (now crying) But daddy I just did it and you're gonna wipe it off, please don't wipe it off daddy!!!!
Me: But baby your face is crusty, let's go redo your make-up princess...
Eden: (sniffling) O-o-o-o-o.....ok.