Trying New Things & Expanding My Horizons, One Crazy Idea at a Time

So my dear friend and sistah from another mister, Amy, tells me today, "I think you should learn how to scuba dive." (She's a scuba diver herself, so this isn't a strange beginning to a conversation.)

What she didn't know when said this to me, is that I was already thinking of this. On my 2nd trip to Key West, I tried snorkeling and I had a panic attack and sucked down half the ocean (in my head, it was half the ocean, in reality, it was probably what was in the snorkel pipe). I never tried snorkeling again until Key West 2011 and it was so freaking scary to me. Trying to keep myself from having a panic attack, trying to keep myself calm enough to breath, reminding myself that if I relaxed, I could float...in the end, on the near verge of a panic attack, I stopped. Not completely happy with myself, not completely sad. Frustrated more than anything. These memories were all triggered when I saw a vehicle that said learn to dive. I stared at it and thought, well, yes, I do want to learn to dive. I made a mental note and filed it into my research list.

Until, today of course, when Amy mentioned it. I've got to get a few financial things straightened out and then I'm taking scuba lessons. NO MORE PANIC ATTACKS.

Another friend, has inspired me to do a marathon. I followed him along his 12 week body transformation and as he trained for 1/3 of an ironman challenge. (He ran and his other teammates did the swim & bike portion.) He finished his leg, but decided he wanted to do the whole ironman challenge next time.

I am no where near ready to run a marathon and I've never tried a 5k. To be honest, I hate running. I find no joy in it other than the scenery I get to see or the fact that I'm out doors. I am only doing it now because I need cardio in my life and right now, that is free cardio. I could haul my ass down to the gym in my apartment complex but walking/jogging/running on a treadmill does not motivate me. At least being outdoors and in the sun, motivates me.

As for the marathon, I need to drop the weight I want, and then I'll train for a marathon. I don't have a set time to finish one. I don't have an grandiose plans of I can finish it in X amount of time. If I finish it dead last, at least I finished it.

2012 - trying new things and expanding my horizons...one crazy idea at a time.

Day 9 & 10: 3 x 2 = 6 miles

Day 9 - I took the day off from working out. I sat at my favorite bar drinking water and watching hockey. It was much needed and kind of refreshed me for today, Day 10.

Day 10 - I did another 3 miles. Which makes 6 miles this week...HUGE for me. I'm sure I did all of 6 miles in 7 days last week. I'm very proud of myself for doing that. Last week, while walking, I didn't think I'd be able to step another step and on Sunday, I turned stepping into jogging and jogging into running. Shins...didn't hurt so bad. Key to that, yoga afterwards. Thought I'd try it again on Monday, boom...able to do it. Today, I jogged/ran more than I walked, thought I was going to die. Was sure I was going to throw up my lunch, but completed the 3 miles. I didn't do yoga, but I did stretch out and iced my shins down.

I have 18 days left in my 28 day boot camp...

They say it takes 30 days to create a habit...I hope I've created a work out habit.

Rammstein + Marilyn Manson = The Beautiful People

This might be the most fantastic pairing in my little rock world for 2012!!! Rammistein featuring Marilyn Manson performing "The Beautiful People" at ECHO 2012. Sweet Baby Jesus this is awesome!!

Help Get Forest New Wheels

I am fortunate to work with a lot of amazing people and the Charlotte Checkers is by far one of the most amazing organizations I get to work with. Their dedication to the community constantly amazes me and I am always grateful for anything I get to do with the team be it support through attending games, sending a Twitter or Facebook message for anything they are supporting, or by writing on this blog.

On April 7th, with the purchase of the special promo tickets @ $15, $6 from every ticket goes to Wheels for Forest.

Forest Walton is a 15-year-old young man who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at birth. He was able to walk, run and play until he was 12 years old, but due to this disease, he is no longer able to walk. His mother must take him everywhere in a wheelchair accessible van, and their current van is worn out, unsafe and literally falling apart around him.

Do your part and support the Checkers on home ice against the Abbotsford Heat and in doing so, you'll support Wheels for Forest. Meet Forest Walton

Day 8: Better or Worse

Day 8...after the 7 previous days, I didn't think Day 8 could get any better or worse.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

I live with headaches. There is not a day that goes by where I don't have one. Sinus headache, tension headache, cluster headache, if it's a headache, I get it. I'm use to it. I've been living with them since I was 13. I've tried everything under the sun to get rid of them...anti depressants, muscle relaxers, and so on. Nothing worked in my teen years so I finally just gave up taking all the drugs and figured if I could just power through the day, I'd be all right. On the rare occasion, I don't wake up with a headache, I don't notice it because I'm use to waking up with one. Usually, in the AM, I can tell how bad the headache is going to be during the day. This morning, I felt fine. I actually realized, I didn't have a headache. WOOHOO! That didn't stay long. After about 30 minutes after I had my breakfast (oatmeal) and green tea, I felt the mother of all headaches coming on...the much hated migraine. I don't get these often and I try to stay away from things that trigger them for me: garlic is a huge trigger for me and it wasn't until I became a vegetarian that I discovered this. Bad thing, I love garlic. Sometimes, I will suffer through a migraine just for the garlic, but that is few and far between. Today, I don't know if the oatmeal or the decaf green tea triggered it, and to be honest, I'm not really up for trying which one is the culprit. This migraine was so bad that I sat in my office with the lights off, staring at the keyboard, and held a cold can of soda against my neck, forehead, eyes, and sinuses. The nausea was so bad and the pain was bad, tears were clinging to my eyes. At one moment, I thought, I have to tell my boss I am dying and need to go home, but I couldn't move because the pain and the nausea were so bad that sitting and suffering in silence seemed like a good choice. After about 2 hours, the nausea subsided and the throbbing pain, just throbbed. Around 4:30, I wanted nothing more than to go home and get a work out in. I figured anything to get the blood pumping could be better than doing nothing since the migraine had just turned into my run of the mill headache.

That was the bad...or the worse part of the day.

The best or better part of my day was that I was able to do 3 miles of cardio. I can't say I ran/jogged it all, but I accomplished back to back days of walk/run/jog and I didn't want to cry because my shins were screaming at me. I was able to jog/run more than I walked and I was able to do a session of yoga as well. I was happy. I could retire on my couch with the Red Wings game and a smoothie. My dog isn't exhausted after all that exercise, but I am.

Week One Weigh In: 153
Week Two Weigh In: 151 (2 pounds down)

8 days down, 20 to go!

Broken Strings

I forgot how much I liked this song until it popped up on my iPod. James has such a great voice and it pairs nicely with Nelly's.

Believe

Dmitry Chesnokov had a fantastic interview with Pavel Datsyuk for Yahoo's Puck Daddy on Thursday and I can't stop thinking about the article.

Not only does Pavel seem like the most down to earth hockey player on the planet, he just exudes what being a good person is. I remember reading a tweet from Brendan Shanahan regarding Pavel after Russia's loss in the 2010 Olympics. The tweet was, in so many words, saw Pavel with his daughters hugging and kissing his face and asked him about Russia's loss and he said everything is all right now. And I remember thinking, wow, this guy knows what is important. Yes, winning the gold for Russia was important but nothing compared to the love from his children.

In the article, Pavel briefly talks about the loss of his parents and Dmitry asks him the following questions:
D: What is the most beautiful word in Russian language?
P: 'Mama.' Definitely.
D: And in English?
P: [after taking a while to think] "In my opinion it's the word 'Believe.'

Believe: to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

Again, I thought, wow. Of all the words in English to find beautiful, believe...and then I realized I couldn't agree more with Mr. Datsyuk.

Believe. Seven letters with such a great impact. People believe in a higher being, in miracles, in love, in each other, in hopes, and dreams, and the list goes on.

Believing in something bigger or that something better is out there. Believing in yourself, your talent, your skills, your strength, your power to change yourself and the world. Believing that you can do anything you set your mind to do.

Yes, the word believe might be the most beautiful English word and I would have never thought of it as so, if hadn't been for Pavel Datsyuk.

Read Dmitry Chesnokov's article for Puck Daddy

Day 6 & 7 of 28 Day Boot Camp

Day 6 and 7 of the 28 Day Boot Camp aka no alcohol, no meat, no carbonated drinks, no caffeine were the easiest of all the days this week. It helped that I stayed in on Friday and Saturday night. I couldn't be tempted if I wasn't out.

Today I had a 3 mile walk/jog/run and it didn't murder my shins. I thought my knee was going to give out during the last 10 minutes but I powered through. My mantra to myself was "fit or fat." I realized that I can't just start out running/jogging and that I need to walk a lot of if. I can jog/run about half of it. I think if I'm going to do this 3 miles, then I need to alternate days of pure walking and adding the jog/run in.

I am feeling better about myself. Out of the 7 days, I worked out 5. I gave myself 2 days to not work out. In the upcoming week, I'd like to work out all 7 but again, if I work out 5, I'd be happy with that too. I have a friend coming into town on Wed and it is the only day I will "cheat." I won't punish myself slipping up. I know that is my day to "cheat." That is my only day in the 28 day boot camp to cheat. I won't abuse and I won't abuse myself for it.

I'm looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow morning and next week.

A Letter to a Friend

I've been working on this letter for a friend for several days now. Every time I write something, it doesn't seem good enough or seems too cliche. I wanted to write this letter so my friend knows I am here for her as she faces a life changing detour. We've spoken and she knows I am there and I check in on her, but that doesn't seem like it's enough. I feel like should do more to help her in this life detour, but my words can't heal her heartache and my being there with her family and other friends can't make things change for her. I wish there was a magic wand I could wave for her to get her past this sucky stage into the finally over and through it stage, but I'm no fairy godmother and I don't have a magic wand that works, so I'll just sit by her side and crack stupid jokes, hand her a tissue, and try to take her mind off things.

This is my letter to a friend.

Dear Friend,
I could throw out 1,001 cliche quotes and speeches, but they would be just that...cliches. You're heartbroken, sad, confused, angry, and nothing makes sense and what once did make sense is a lie and what was once a truth is nothing more than fairy tale. Your world has been turned upside and I wish to hell that you didn't have to go through what you are going through right now. You, of all the amazing people I know, do not deserve this.
As I told you in a text message, after you told me the news, you stayed in the forefront of my mind and as I said, of all the people I know for this to happen too, you were the one I knew that could handle it the best. You of all the people, I know could get through this and to the other side coming out stronger, better, braver, more courageous, and even more amazing than you were before.
Where you stand now probably looks like a dark chasm of hell, but you of all people, could find that one glimmer of light and cling to it and let it carry you through hell. It's who you are. It's the type of person that you are. As sad as your heart is now, I only see bright sun shiny days for you and if it rains, like Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything, "This rain is a baptism..." The rain is your baptism into a new life, a new beginning.
Let your family and friends be the ones you lean on. We all will be there with you on your new journey on this new path. A path you would have never found if the Universe didn't put you at the crossroads, and though you might not see it now, the Universe has a plan for you.
Though I am sad for you, I am also excited for you. I get to watch you take this challenge by the horns and defeat it. Yep, you're just that kick ass of a person and don't you dare forget it. And if you falter and your mind slips, remember all the times you have inspired others in your life, all the times you have helped someone achieve their goals, and all the times you have awakened the dreams of children.
For every moment you are sad, remember the good and happy times.
This moment in life will not defy you. This moment in life will merely take you where you should be. This moment in life, right now, isn't the end of the world even if it feels like it. This moment in life, right now, will pass. This moment in life, will lead you to some of the most amazing moments you have yet to have in your life.
All you have to do is believe.

Rammstein Rave!

There are a few things in life that make me happy with music being one of them. There are certain artists who will always put me in a good mood, calm me down, relax me, or make me excited to be alive.

Rammstein is one of those bands. It's kind of hard to explain my love/obsession for this band. There was a period of time where I refused to listen to them because they reminded me of an ex, but I moved on and the band was still there for me.

I don't speak German. I don't know what they're singing about unless I look it up, and I honestly don't care if they're singing about skipping through a field of daisies while drinking wine or if they're singing about screwing all the women of the world.

I just like their music, their sound, their vibe, and their songs. I don't need to speak German or understand it to know a good song when I hear one.

Today, Rammstein posted this video of them with Marilyn Manson @ Echo 2012. I don't know what it is, I don't care, but if you're dying to know, Google it.

I was just excited to see them perform.

Day 5 - Time for Changes

This is my 2nd time not working out this week which means nothing but works out for the rest of the week. Yoga really did kick my ass yesterday. My upper arms and shoulders are so sore I feel like I've been stressing out for something for 1000 years. I also couldn't do a work out that was heartfelt. I don't want to phone a work out in, I want to sweat and feel the pain. I'm just choosing to listen to my body today and it said rest.

I tried a raw & vegan cheesy quesadilla today and it was amazing. (I found a recipe that seems similar HERE) I might try to incorporate a raw or vegan day into my life after this boot camp. I have an excellent recipe for a raw "tuna" salad a friend gave me and it is fantastic.

Today was a day of epiphanies. I want to change more in my diet after this boot camp. I want to try and eliminate processed food and I want to stay a vegetarian. The hard thing, I find, about being a vegetarian is the eliminating the processed food like the veggie burgers, etc. Though I have found a few good looking recipes for non processed veggie burgers I'd like to try. I figure I'll do this after the boot camp. It will be easier to focus on because trying to eliminate alcohol, caffeine, meat, and carbonated drinks has been trying. The other dayI had a small glass of tea because it wasn't carbonated, but I realized half way through it, that it had caffeine. I felt bad but I didn't punish myself for it. I'm going to slip up and I'm going to make mistakes. I just have to remember to not let those mistakes throw everything off the track.

Some have asked why I'm doing this so called boot camp and it's just to get me focused. I'm not going to loose the weight I want with it, but it will discipline me and right now, I need a little of that in my life.

So here's to discipline and changes...here's to developing a new me...

Because It's The Cup

The NHL knows how to market the Stanley Cup and do such a great job connecting fans to their favorite sports. I look forward to the Stanley Cup commercials every year. I cannot wait for April 11th!

Because It's the Cup: Henrik Lundqvist


Because It's the Cup: Pavel Datsyuk


Because It's the Cup: The New York Rangers

Day 4...I'm Hanging Tough

Not like the New Kids on the Block song though...

I would like to say I had some profound "aha" moment but I didn't. I had a few I wish I would have, could have, didn't have, moments and that's about it and that is nothing from the daily norm.

Walking/running is murdering my shins. I mean murdering. It hurts to touch them and it hurts to move them. If I could replace them, I would. I'm going to have to find a cardio alternative or reduce the number of days I walk/run.

I did yoga for the first in a long time and it nearly killed me. I use to do yoga two times a day and then stopped and boy can I tell the difference. I am one tight ball of human muscle with the flexibility of wood. Good news, I know after about a month, I'll get those limber muscles back.

All in all, Day 4 didn't suck like Day 3 did.

Heads Up, Look At An On AHL Ice Official

You sit in the stands and you hear the players chirping at each other but have you ever wanted to know what the linesmen are saying to each other or to the guys on the ice?

The Charlotte Checkers mic'd up AHL Linesman, Paul Carnathan on the Feb 25th Pink in the Rink. Here's an up close look at what he does.

LISTEN TO: The Constellations - Sold Out EP

If you know me, you know I love the band The Constellations and will push their music to anyone who will listen to it or listen to me talk about them. Don't roll your eyes, I have to listen to a lot of crappy music sometimes and when I find something that gives my ear an orgasm instead of vomiting, I will share it.

If you don't know who The Constellations are, well, you are about to be introduced to one of the most fun, funkadelic, funky, southern gothic, rock and roll bands that EVER came out of The A-T-L. Yep, that's right, I just said EVER and I'll stand by it.

Tuesday, the band tweeted, they were releasing an EP today on iTunes.

WOOOHOOO!! My tweet back actually was "Oh hot damn, new jams."

As of 9:17 am today, I still hadn't found the EP on iTunes. Yes, I was stalking iTunes. Music I'm excited for is hard to come by. After waiting around, I finally text the band and ask if there was a direct link and I discover the label is having problems with the link and the label is working on it. At 4 pm, the link is now working but you have to search The Constellations Sold Out or click here.

WOW! OH! WOW!
I was told by one of the members of the band that if I liked certain songs of the last record, then I was going to love the new stuff. Boy, was he right!

Here's the 4 song EP breakdown:
"Old Fashion Freedom" - when this song starts, I am instantly thrown back to the 70s slow funk with the guitar and bass. The music to the song is seductive and the lyrics have a message of standing up for what you believe in and that if we unite, it's hard for people to stop those that are passionate about something they believe in.

"So It Shall Be" - a great slow song (not a freaking ballad...don't make me have a music 101 class)...A song about losing love and letting go and being okay with it. Did I mention it has a saxophone solo? No? IT HAS A SAXOPHONE SOLO!!! Seriously, love that.

"Going Down in Flames" - This is dirty. The vocals are dirty, the lyrics are dirty,the music is dirty, and the whole damn song rocks! You are singing along within seconds and tapping your toes even before that. It's a song you find in the dark alley you hurry across because you're afraid someone might grab you. It's the song that leads you down that dark alley and tempts you to the dark side and ends up opening your eyes and your soul. It's just that damn good!

"Love Is a Murder" - this song is from their Southern Gothic album and features Cee Lo Green (yes, of the Voice) and it rocks.

LOVE THEM, LISTEN TO THEM, WATCH THEM.

Felicia - this is the video that hooked me.

WATCH: Video for "Love is a Murder" featuring Cee Lo Green and Kate Micucci.





"Felicia" by The Constellations @ 1065 The End

Day 3...I Hate You

Day 3...boy what a day you were.

A late lunch and a sinus shut down triggered by spring, pollen, allergies and so on, gave a lunch time migraine that at 7:47pm is still raging.

So I haven't worked out today and I ate somewhat healthy. Of the 3 days, this has been the worst. I want lots of chocolate and crappy food.

I almost folded after lunch and broke down with a soda but I filled my water bottle and miserably walked back to my desk.

Day 4...please be kinder.

1 on 1 with Nicklas Lidstrom

From NHL.com: Nicklas Lidstrom will miss his 11th straight game tonight.

Motivation From Friends

My friend, Nikki, sent me this via Instagram for motivation. Not only did it motivate me, but it also made me smile to know she was in support and may give her own life a boot camp kick.

Day 2...A Rant

So this is Day 2 of the 28 Day Boot Camp

First the raves...
- Worked out
- Ate healthy
- On track with goals
- The Constellations are releasing a new EP tomorrow (a review will follow)

Now the rants
- People who take photos with a camera or cell phone, send them out into the internet and then go NO WAIT, DON'T USE THAT OR THAT WAS PRIVATE!!!
     Let's be honest, if you don't want anyone else than the person you shared the photo with to share it with anyone else. The best thing to do is do not send it to them.
     In this day and age of cameras on every cell phone, if you don't want to be caught on film doing something you shouldn't be doing, then you shouldn't be doing it. Don't take a photo and then cry whoa is me, I didn't think I'd get fired for having a naked photo of myself on the internet. Hey dumb ass, you know that small voice in the back of your head that you ignored when you took that nude photo of yourself, you should have fucking listened to it.
- If you aren't capable enough to do something for yourself, then you should still be living with your parents or guardian. Last time I checked, I was a single woman without a child. I haven't given birth and I haven't given birth to you so no, I don't want to help you.
     Now before you get your underwear all up in a wad, I'm talking about legit helping someone like co-workers with work questions, friends who need help moving, and so on. I'm a helpful person. I am however not going to coddle you. You're an adult. Act like one.

This concludes Day 2 post....

Rangers vs Devils

03.19.12 - 3 fights, 3 second into the game!
Playoffs are so close!!!

WTF is Gogol Bordello

Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from New York.

Gypsy punk...shut the front door.

I didn't get it either even though I had heard and seen the band's name associated with one of my favorite ATL bands The Constellations. Last May, I flew to Vegas to see Rammstein but stayed an extra night to catch System of the Down and Gogol Bordello was the opener.

WOW!

The entire time they were on the stage, I was in awe. Awe of the number of people in the band, the number of instruments, the age range of the band, the ethnic diversity of the band, and the intense performance of Eugene Hutz.

Well Charlotte, you're going to get your own chance to see Gogol Bordello play on Monday, May 21st @ The Fillmore. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 23rd @ 10 am.

This is a show that everyone needs to see at least once in your life. You will not be disappointed and though you're probably sitting there thinking, I don't like gypsy punk, have you tried gypsy punk?

Gogol Bordello is kind of infectious and you want to be in the middle of the crowd dancing and singing along with everyone. If not, check your pulse, you might be dead.

Day 1 Revelations

     Decaf coffee is no where near as good as regular coffee, but I suffered through a cup because I like coffee.

     I should have eaten a bigger breakfast but when that 3 pm, I'm starving and I wanted an almond joy milkshake urge passed, I realized I would be all right.
     I ate around 1200 calories. When counting calories and trying to maintain a minimum goal, it's hard to get the calories you need while getting the carbs and proteins you need as well.
     I don't normally drink sodas so kicking the carbonation is easy. Kicking the caffeine when you have a cup of coffee a day...made me wonder if my headache was from all the lovely pollen floating in the air or from the lack of caffeine.
     Getting up at 5 am is still hard for me even with this "do or die" motto I've given myself. I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. I realize, I'm going to have to go to bed earlier.
     I did work out. I got in 3 short walks with the dog, 1 long walk with the dog, and 2 Nike Training Guide (NTG) workouts done.

Week 1 Weigh In: 153 lbs

     People never believe me when I say that number, but that's my weight. If it were 153 lbs of muscle, I'm sure I could bench press a semi...but it's about 30 lbs of blah that needs to go away.

     I am more than embarrassed to put that number out there, but maybe being embarrassed will help me stay motivated.

All in all...day 1 was a good day. 1 down, 27 more to go!

Touch

If you've read anything I've posted before, you probably are aware of my belief of the Universe and the signs it gives you. I believe if you're tuned into your surroundings and aware of what's going outside of your own head, that the Universe gives you signs.

Some are subtle, some are smack dab in front of you, but it's up to you to read the signs. Some you may not think anything of, like the car that speed through the red light, but because you were changing the radio station or staring at the light waiting for it to turn, the car that could have hit you, missed you. The gut feeling you have when you meet someone that your friends love but makes the hair on the back of your neck stand...and in the end, you were right because that person turned out bad.

Today was a day filled with signs.

I took a stronger notice when my inspiring friend, @Stranger2Friend, tweeted:

I thought, what the hell is Carlyn talking about, but didn't think anything about it. Then as I scrolled further down in my Twitter feed, I noticed she had tweeted about it previously, so I, being the person I am, wanted to know what the hell Carlyn was talking about. So I read through her tweets and it didn't make sense to me until I checked out the hashtag which was talking about the TV show Touch.

My boss had told me about this show when the pilot aired and he said, "This show is so up your alley. You will understand it. It is you and how you see the world." I remember telling him, that I'd watch it on his recommendation, but I never got around to it. Until today. 3.18. Which is, if you've seen the pilot episode, very significant in the show.

Now, if you're not a believer in signs, then you are rolling your eyes as you're reading this. That's okay. You're allowed to believe what you want as I am allowed to believe in what I want.

As I watched the show, I realized I was suppose to see the show on this day. Be it from the commercials that aired during it, the theme of the show, the things that certain characters said, and so on. They were things I needed to hear, see, and feel.

Like Carlyn, I feel that I'm on the right path. Like Touch, she and I were connected for a reason. (We met while she was in town to visit a mutual friend. We went out for drinks and after I left them, I realized, I was meant to meet her because of my planned trip to Australia, a fellow writer, and all around kick ass person.)

I do believe, that we are sent into others lives for a reason and it doesn't have to be on a personal level. It can be on a strictly non personal level...using social media, texting, emails, etc. One example, I can use from personal experience was that many, many moons ago @DevonMonk, a writer I follow on Twitter tweeted about a song called "New Beginning" by the band 26. I dug the song, bought everything I could from them and followed @26TheBand on Twitter. While I was in Australia, Nick, their wonderful lead singer, helped me, Heather, and Suzanne along the way through Twitter. Would this had been possible, if Devon hadn't posted anything about the song? No. I hope I can reciprocate Nick's kindness and suggestions if his band ever comes to the States. I also owe him a few beers as well. I don't personally know Devon or Nick, but they have touched my life just the same as Carlyn has.

You can call it coincidences if you must, I believe the people I have met in real life, through the internet, or just passing by have been sent into my path for a reason.

It's up to me to see the reason. It's up to me to touch their lives as I let them touch mine because they are my lessons for me to learn and teach from.

Read Carlyn's blog: www.strangerstofriends.com
Listen to 26: www.26theband.com

God Gave Me a Brain

This week was my final week to "act a fool" as my Grandmother would say. I'm tired of being a fat ass and though my friends and co-workers reassure me I am not a fat ass, what I see in the mirror is someone I'm not happy with.

So with all the craziness that came with work this week, I decided this week, was my final hurrah before I turn over a new leaf and super glue the bastard down so it doesn't get blown away.

I'm putting my life through boot camp for the next 28 days.

1-2 daily walk/runs
1-2 daily yoga sessions
1-3 daily Nike Training Guide workouts
NO: Alcohol, meat, caffeine, carbonated drinks

As I listened to the lyrics from my friend's former band, Superfine, they clicked in my head.
"I need to believe in something now. I've got to do it to save myself, that's why God gave me a brain. I'm tired of being small it takes too much out of me. Im tired and it's my fault. Gotta do something. I've got to do it to save myself that's why God gave me a brain. Now i'm gonna use it i'm gonna use it."

My mom always told me, I could do whatever I wanted but I just needed to get off my ass and do it. So in honor of my mom and my friend Rob's inspiring lyrics...I'm using my brain and getting off my ass and changing my life.

Luckily, I have friends who will hold me accountable. Amy & Cristina, I'm staring at you two through the internet. For those that will not be helping and only hindering my boot camp, I will keep them at arms length to stay strong.

Let's. Do. This.

Life is Just a Place Where We Spend Time Between Games

“We know that hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death. Life is just a place where we spend time between games.”

—Fred "The Fog" Shero, who was the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers during their Broad Street Bullies days.

When I read that quote, I thought, that is it. This is what hockey means to me.

If you have never watched a game or been to a game, if you have never been with fans of the game, then you are probably reading this and thinking, crazy.

I wish I had read that quote when my mom passed away in 2009, because if weren't for hockey, I'm sure getting over her death would have been ten times harder. Luckily, I did have hockey. For two and half hours, the only thing that mattered was the game. The only thing I thought about was the game. And for those moments late at night, when I couldn't sleep because I would wonder if I did enough, I'd read stats of players. It took my mind off the what ifs.

So, yes, I'm passionate about hockey. I might even be a little obnoxious with my passion, but I look at it this way...

For two and half hours, the world outside of the rink or outside of me watching a game, ceases to exist for me...and for two hours and half hours, all is right in the world.

Follow my hockey alter ego The Hockey Maven: website | Twitter | Facebook

Words That I Believe In

“We know that hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death. Life is just a place where we spend time between games.”

—Fred "The Fog" Shero, who was the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers during their Broad Street Bullies days.

You Can Play

Yesterday at the Charlotte Checkers vs Chicago Wolves game, the team aired a "You Can Play Project" video prior to the start of the game and I was so moved by the video and so proud to love a sport that is making efforts to change the way people think of LGBT community.

Some of my closest friends are gay and watching this spot, made me realize that though I am open minded and think love is equal that I did find myself using "casual homophobia" slang, like Patrick Burke mentions in Puck Daddy's post. We all do it without thought and without meaning harm. Though my gay friends and my straight friends know I am not being anti-gay, I never thought about what a friend who isn't out of the closet might be thinking or feeling by my poor choice of words.

Playing a sport or doing almost anything in this Universe isn't about the color of your skin and it's not about your sexual orientation. It's about your work ethic, your passion for doing what you love, and skill.

Like the video says, "if you can play, you can play."

I'm so impressed with the players, coaches, staff and the NHL for taking a stand and for making a difference. It makes my love of hockey and my passion for the sport mean so much more. The initiatives I see that come to life from the hockey world truly amazes me and to see fans get behind causes and show their support, is even more amazing.

And this isn't the first time players or a team have stood up for the LGBT community. Brent Sopel (formerly of the Chicago Blackhawks) spent his day with the Stanley Cup in Chicago's Gay Pride Parade and Sean Avery of the New York Rangers took a stand for marriage equality.

This won't be the last stand for the hockey community and it won't be just another article or commercial I saw that inspired me. As of yesterday, I am making a conscious effort to stop using words that might offend or hurt others. I support my LGBT friends and I promise to stand by them proudly.

We are equal and we are one human family.

For more information on We Can Play visit www.youcanplayproject.com

Love Bites

"Love bites, but so do I...I'll kiss you in a way you'll never forget about me..."

Let's be honest ladies, we all have felt this way...

Check out the new badass song from HALESTORM

Sunday Sing-A-Long

This little gem is my niece, Taylor, using her crayons as a microphone to sing along to Eric Church. We listened to the song over 20 times today.

No Better Feeling

There is no better feeling than hanging out with friends and there is no better feeling than running through the rain and jumping in puddles of water up to your knees.

As one of my favorite quote says: it's not about waiting for the storm to pass it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Tonight...I danced in the rain!