Renewing a old love

Even though I am a total hopeless romantic type. This isnt a tale of a lost love found. Well not in the romantic sense. But, rather my renewed love of taking care of my self through exercise. For about 2.5 years I had a great habit of going to the health club 5 days a week to work out. I loved it and really craved that time to myself. I lost almost 40 lbs and felt better than ever.

Then....I lost my love ( violins play here)

I began to love Mcdonalds. Taco bell beckoned my call and seduced me away from my healthy living. My temple of a body ( quiet...no laughing) began to look like a dirty old house. It was sad, the great foundation that was built was shaken and tossed aside. Memories of the good days were a distant memory.

But like all great true loves. The love never dies. As much as you try to block those memories...they are always there....if you choose to remember them. Yes...the health club has welcomed me back with open arms. Forgiving me for my past transgressions and trusting that I wont make the same horrible mistakes again.

I have lost 8 lbs and am finding my way back to the place that makes me feel complete! Thank you Health Club! Its good to be back in your arms! ( See how a romantic can make a trip back to a health club sound like a Oprah book of the week! not bad eh!)

Condolences

Got news from my childhood bud Jeff Smith that he lost his sister to a brain tumor. My prayers go out to his family.

Catching up !

There is a gap in time here that I didn't do much writing. I know there a still a few people that read this and kinda care. So here is a recap.

Reggie graduated from his agility class. He finished in the top 5 in his class. We are moving on to the next level ,beginning this week.

Cherol,Steven and I journeyed down to the St.Paul Riverplace to hang out at the Land o lakes dog show for an afternoon. Lots of stuff to look at if you are a dog lover. We spent a fair amount of time looking at the agility dogs. All sizes and speeds....was interesting. For me :-)

Cherol and I had the chance to go see Walk the Line. I really enjoyed it. Thought they did a good job capturing Johnny Cash. Warts and all. I give it the stamp of approval!

I have been enjoying my Sirius Radio. Stern made his appearance on the airways about a week ago, but I still am really enjoying the music. Personal fave at the moment is a station called "The Vault". Its a really nice mix of deep album ( remember those kiddies?) tracks from obscure artists and better known artists. When was the last time you heard "White Punks on Dope" by the Tubes? Well its on here. I guess the better question is....have you ever heard that track at all? If I have peaked your curiosity.....give it a listen!

That should satisfy all of your cravings for info. related to yours truly! :-)
Your fan club tee-shirt is in the mail!

A surprise find!

I think I have written about this before...but...I love to go to the library to pick up music to listen to. Its lead to many discoveries musically that I would have never explored had it not been for the free library.

I came across this gem the other day!

James Brown- Soul on Top -1969

Most people of my age think of James Brown as the guy that NOBODY can understand a word he sings or the guy that Eddie Murphy impersonated on SNL in the 80's ( Da hot tub....heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey it toooo hot!).

I have always been a fan....and this CD proves why. This was James attempt at a Jazz album, but not in the traditional jazz form. James decided to use strings and horns to augment his R/B sound. He changed the way he phrased his singing style. The results are very exciting.

Take a listen to the way he reworks "Its a Mans,Mans,Mans world". Most James Brown fans know this song inside and out. This version is much more powerful. Clocking in at almost 7 minutes....I played it over and over...and still cant get enough of it. The rest of the CD is full of surprises . I think the casual fan will be shocked on how well James sings. He blows away all the ill informed that think he is just a screamer.

Check it out if you can get your hands on it!

back in the saddle

Been out the blogging loop for a little bit! Dont worry! I have been busy! Just havent had the itch to write,...but I am back! Please dont hurt yourself with frantic applause!

Its January 12th and guess what kind of weather we have in the northern icebox? RAIN! Very odd for this time of the year. I dont mind it. At least we had a little sun this morning!

This was lame...11 days without writing and I breakthrough with a weather report! Pathetic!

I will return with a music review.....something meaty,beaty,big and bouncy! (great WHO album reference!)

A New Years post from Pete Townshend

Below is a edit of a post from http://www.petetownshend.com
I found what he said to be very close to what I feel at this time . Yeah...he has a Adrien Brody like nose...and you know who I am talking to out there!

Happy New Year to everyone who visits here. I've had a good year. I wish some of my brothers and sisters on this planet have better luck next year. Faced with the sheer magnitude of trouble on the planet, it's good to remind myself that there are now more than seven billion of us. We are mostly well behaved, kind to each other, work to help each other or provide a service of some kind. Kids all over the world smile almost every time a camera is pointed at them. We aren't doing bad. We should remember that. This not to suggest we should rest; but there is a lot of joy out there.

What I have in my life is comfort. Tidings of comfort and joy. Comfort doesn't necessarily bring joy, especially if one is constantly made to feel ashamed. Comfort without joy is not a lot of use. So let's try to make the needy out there more comfortable, even if we can't fix their problems at one stroke.

Message to the political, ecological and journalist doomsayers: if you make me feel ashamed, I start to slowly but surely kill myself. So give it up. Tell me I can help. Tell me I can change things. Tell me my vote matters. Tell me the people I put in power can be influenced and steered.

The main point is.....see the good....understand the evil....dont let the media dictate what you can and cannot do in this world.

Now go out and make 2006 the best for you and others around you!

Mike