Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Cashed

I have finally hit my wall, so tired. This is what I get for burning the wick at both ends these past couple of weeks. For the past 2 months I have been getting up at 5:30 AM to run before work. Initially, it gave me an energy boost for the work day but now it makes me feel sleepy. I wonder if I need to up the distance and time I am running. My body feels as though it has adjusted to my new found workouts.

The problem with getting up so early is that I refuse to adjust my nighttime schedule. This leads to me feeling burned out and having erratic sleep behaviors. It also leads me to writers block where I am forced to pass off my tiredness and complaints as a legitimate blog entry. Sorry for this. I am out of town for a few days, hopefully I can get some sleep. Peace

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Working Morals

Sorry for the delay with this post. I had family in this past weekend. Here is what I have been thinking about all weekend. I work for a large corporation. It works for now. It is a job that pays me a living wage. I have a job so I really should not be complaining. PS I hate that expression. Anyways, I can tolerate my job because I can compartmentalize it. When I leave, I completely check out. No more thinking about work until another 15 hours have elapsed.

I hustle and lie for my company. I am told it is okay because there are different rules. This got me thinking. I wonder what I would think of my job if I had kids. How would I feel telling my kids that they should always tell the truth and look out for others knowing that I did not practice what I preached. I wonder if I would truly hate myself. Are there different rules in the workplace? It got me thinking further about how some people in the world live with themselves. I know I know, they have piles of money so what does it matter. Seriously though, how do the heads of some of the evilest corporations get up everyday and go to work. It is just something that is difficult for me to wrap my head around.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Nothin'

I got nothin'. I have been carrying around this great blog entry to write but I always forget when I am home. Now I am at work and it is not something that is 100% work appropriate. You ever get that when you have a great idea to write something but you are somewhere where you cannot do it? Like when you are signing someone's yearbook it is never appropriate to write, "who are you again." Then when you have free time you forget and end up shopping for miniatures on Ebay? Maybe that is just me. Well, have a good one. Hopefully I will have some time this weekend to write. Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Avatar: A Blockbusters Take on History

I saw Avatar on the IMAX last night. I will spare you a description of the movie. If you do not know the plot and storyline yet, you are out of luck. I am not going to go into that here. As for the visuals, they are incredible. I cannot say enough about the visual elements.

What I find to be the biggest disappointment is that the Oscar selection committee let me down. Avatar is nowhere near picture of the year good. The storyline is hackneyed and the acting leaves a little more to be desired. I also find it troubling that James Cameron has essentially tried to undue the wrongs that were done to the Native Americans by producing a blockbuster. It is silly to think that rooting for a group of blue savages can change history. Let me guess, does the sequel involve the US using brut-force to impose its will upon the blue people but then lets them open casinos and names its sports teams after them to show that everything is all good. I do not blame Cameron for making this film. I blame the Oscars for putting it on a pedestal.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Love

What is love? Love is boundless. Love is kind. Love is believing in the person you share your bed with more than anything else in the world. Love is amazing and strange at the same time. Love is coming home from a long day and having your best friend excited to see you. Love has tails and feathers and is not simply reserved for the human race. Love is going to see that same romantic comedy with a different title once a month. Love is not all about you. Love is about faith. Love is about believing in nothing at all. Love is a way for some people to make it through. Love is not always planned. Love is knowing that no one can live forever. Love is a place to find hope and redemption. Love is a lot of different things. Love is such a simple word to spell but nearly impossible to describe. Love is too big for a blog post.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Finding Comfort in a Pair of Shoes

For a blog that has New Balance in the description line, I really do not do much talking about shoes. What is there to say, they are fantastic shoes, end of story. Truth be told, a week or so after I started this blog I realized that writing about a shoe brand and life would be tough. Since I was so stoked about the graphic for the logo and am a bit lazy, I left the tag line. I wear New Balance shoes all the time so really it is more of a statement about me rather than the shoe company. Anyway, here is a shoe story to satisfy my obligation. Enjoy

I was so pissed when I heard that New Balance was discontinuing the 574's. I know it is pathetic and they are just a pair of shoes but I have had a pair continuously for the past 5 years. It was as if a part of me was being discontinued. It got me thinking about my brand loyalty. As weird as it sounds, I have clung to these shoes because they have been through a lot with me. If I look for consistency in my life, the two things I can think of are my wife and these shoes. In the go-go times of the internet think about the consistencies in your life. Wasn't that hard? If you have kids and a dog your list may be a little longer.

When I needed a new pair of shoes 3 months ago, I hoped to send a message. I had tried other New Balance models and they were not the same so I purchased a pair of Saucony's. My initial thinking was that all quintessential retro running shoes were the same. I had heard good things about Saucony so I took a chance. They initially wore fairly similar. The smaller toe box I could get over. There is not as much cushion, okay. Where I have really noticed the difference is now. They do not have the same workmanship of my New Balance. I always considered my 574's as something that got better with age. Every pair I have owned has lasted at least a year. My Saucony's already have me thinking about new shoes. The padding has worn down, the materials feel cheap and they just do not feel sturdy anymore. I never realized I could miss a shoe so much. So here I sit, surfing the net, looking for a store that still sells 574's. I am hoping to recapture a little bit of my past.


PS - I realize I am mourning a pair of shoes and that it is a bit over the top. Still we all have our brands. I am a product of my environment.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Winter's Final Homestand

While the snow continues to fall outside, hope springs eternal with one of the greatest days less than two months away, opening day. First, I want to congratulate the city of New Orleans and its fans. Enjoy the moment in the sun, they never last long enough. Now to the business of baseball.

It no longer matters who won the World Series last season, the Yankees. A new season quickly approaches. It brings with it a chance for redemption. Opening day is the only day of the season when the playing field is truly level. Anyone can win. There is no insurmountable number of games to be made up on Opening Day. Everyone is even. It is a day where everyone can dream big. Hold your head's up high Royals and Pirates fans. This could be your year. Less than 2 months left of winter we are in the home stretch. Baseball is coming. Hope to see you there.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Dog Names


So my wife and I have been discussing getting a dog. I am hoping something changes in my schedule so that I can go home during lunch to walk the dog. The time thing is the only thing that is really holding us back. When I say us, it is more me than her. I just cannot help but feel guilty about leaving a dog at home for 8-10 hours alone. Not to say that my wife is okay with this but she gets caught up in the cuddly factor of dogs.

Anyways, I am such a nerd that I have already started compiling a list of dog names. I know I have to wait to see what the dog looks like before picking a name but I figured having a list helps. I do not want to end up with the misfortune of having a dog named Fluffy or Pumpkin. I am not much or a guys guy but there is nothing more emasculating than having to be at the park and yell out here Tinkerbell. That is why I am going to be prepared. Suggestions welcome?

PS - The Dog pic is from the Maxfund Animal Shelter