Silver And Black Possibilities

I was going to go on a long diatribe about the history of the Raiders moving and the desire to have a stadium without a dirt in-field and unpainted concrete walls.  It just doesn't seem right.  What is weird is having a carrot dangled in front of you.  Just the idea of my team moving to my town is a bit crazy.  Think about it yourself for a moment.  Let's just say that your favorite team (which has a long history but problems with a current and foreseeable business dilemma) mentions where you live as a possible landing spot.  I admit to a lot of denial early on.  With the roller coaster the team has been on with moving, it would have been worse if I got excited about it.  But, I guess things are looking good.  We are hours away from the vote by the NFL owners on the relocation.

Having a good season made for an exciting year as a fan but also to see the excitement of my wife and son is priceless.  I even saw the Mrs. tear up when Derek Carr broke his leg.  Yet, it's even more interesting to see local football fans come to the realization that they could have games come to their town.  They could have something that brings the city together.  I have even heard several talk about a 'Las Vegas first' emotion taking over where they will always pull for a home team win despite being a Cowboys, Steelers or Packers fan.  Pretty crazy.  I guess, it will be an interesting day.  No matter how it goes, it is amazing that it has even become possibility.

Why, How And The Road Less Travelled

Heard of an interesting way to look things earlier today that is still rattling around in my brain.  Those that work for someone know "how."  Those they work for know "why."

Why something so simple runs around in my head, I don't know.  It could be my son's search for a job.  Sometime soon, he will be one of those that knows "how."  Think of all the job's you've had and what you learned there to carry out what was expected of you.  That's a lot of know how.  I still make pizza the same way I did at my first job and look at photos and lighting the same way I did when I worked in a photo lab.

And then there is the "why."  To get a job, you don't care about the "why" right away... you just want to get paid.  After you know the "how" sometimes you stray over and start asking the "why" but that starts encroaching in on the boss' territory.  Some focus so much on it that they start ignoring the "how."

Oddly enough, if you have a better answer to the "why" than the person you work for, you will move on and improve upon that model.  When a young Sam Walton had a better "why" than his boss James Cash Penney (yes, J.C. Penney), he built a better beast.  John Lasseter's better understanding of "why" than his Disney executive bosses took him on an amazing journey.  Lasseter was terminated from his job, he brought that "why" to Lucasfilm creating Pixar... and it would be acquired by Disney 22 years after his termination.

What does it all mean?  I see people often questioning the "why" of things while working on the "how" side of the business.  There are times that I do as well.  But, I also know that a "why" is often not worth voicing unless solicited.  Well, unless I have the next Walmart or Pixar on my hands.  Who knows?  Maybe my son will.

Month To Remember

Note to self: Today was a crazy day and caps off an unbelievable month.  So, let's say it here that October 2016 needs to be recognized here on out.  Martin, when you think something is impossible, that the burdens you carry are too heavy or that you aren't worthy of what you have because of your past...remember this month.

Some clarification for readers: I had two great conversations this month that have given me a missing puzzle piece.  Perspective is like that.  When you are missing it, you feel incomplete.  You are drawn to that spot.  You may even resume searching for the piece at strange moments.  So, I am sincerely thankful and humbled.  No more searching.

The Sky Was All Purple...

It is a classic line and yesterday it ran through a lot of brains.  How does one moment define you?  Although the song "1999" wasn't Prince's first hit, it was the first single associating him with the color purple.  Then "Purple Rain" came and reinforced it... along with a movie and some colorful pseudo-Victorian attire.  That moment in time associated the man with the color.  Very strange.

I was contacted yesterday and reminded that I would have been neck-deep in research and song selection for an episode of the show focused on 'the artist' if I was still doing the show.  I would have also been doing so for David Bowie a little bit ago.  I actually miss it and love the research as much as the presentation.

I guess, the hard part about defining ourselves by something, even for a short time, is that we can let ourselves become a template.  Kind of like cookie dough filling in the area of a cookie cutter, we will never be more than that shape until we ditch or change the cutter.  Ending the show was a moment to reclaim the rest of the dough.  Some artists do that to avoid being stereotyped (search MC Hammer Funky Headhunter for kicks) and, heck, a lot of people would like to confine an artist to being defined by one hit single.

Today is a day to remember that you are more than your public perception, definition, color or greatest achievement.  Unless, you happen to be happy with that.

BDC Release "Blow Me"

I was fortunate enough to interview Nick Richards of Boys Don't Cry a few years ago and got to hear an early demo of a few of their new recordings.  Well, one song called "Blow Me" is now being released as a single via iTunes.  It's fun, funky and a little brash.  I personally love the little keyboard bits here and there and tension it adds to a fun song.  I'd urge you to pick it up but, heck, why not hear it first?

Distance And The Eye Of The Hurricane

It intrigues me the perspective we gain when we are far enough removed from something.  Time is the distance that I found helped me understand a few things.  You see, as happily married as I am now, I believed that I was very shortly happily married at one time.  The big point is that the lessons you learn or didn't learn from your first car will make an impact on your current vehicle.  The habit formed from riding the gas level to its lowest point could cause problems in a newer vehicle that creates vapor lock.  So, something clicked with the past recently and I thought I'd use my regular vague way of expressing it.

At that point of previous happiness, I was really unaware of how unhappy she was.  The first hints were her wanting to take jobs in other states and later telling me that, when we were next to each other, everything is great but when we are apart -- she was unhappy.  I asked about therapy but that was turned down.  After asking for a separation and later an exit, I would look back thinking that maybe postpartum depression was involved.

During the last few years, I've regained my physical health.  I have a rather physically demanding job.  I had a moment of clarity recently when I started thinking about my previous physical well-being.  I had an earlier workday.  I would come home sore and tired.  I was popping ibuprofen and wrapping my wrists/ankles because of what I believed (and was told by doctors) were strains.  I gained weight.  My blood pressure went up.  I was chronically tired and also slept a lot more.  We stopped going out to do things.  Mentally, there were unresolved questions that I promised to brush aside for the stability of the relationship.  All these things have now made me think of one thing... I may have been going through depression.

Being in the moment, on the football field, you have only your vision around you, the sounds around you and your awareness.  Living is like that.  You are really in the eye of the hurricane and the ability to step back and review isn't often there.  Would things have been better if I stretched or exercised more back then?  Maybe.  Would things have been different if I got therapy?  It's very possible.  It took several years but I am in a much better place right now.  I forgive that younger me for being stuck in a moment and the ex for the direction things went.

All I know is that things seem more clear.  Now, it is all about how I put that knowledge to good use in the here and now as well as the future.  I am happier, healthier and hopefully a little more aware.  If this helps someone, I feel like I passed something on.

Life Update: 040214

Last month was pretty busy and it's a good time to wrap it up here.

We signed an offer on a home (still in Henderson) and should entirely be moved in by July 1.  A lot of work will be involved (with a month or more of projects before moving) but it just means all my viewing of DIY Network and HGTV will come to good use (and will probably include new ones to join my other TV show recordings.)

Moving is kind of like spring cleaning for pack rats.  So much so that you'd probably hear me squeak every time the family decides on what makes the cut and what goes to charity.  Books, DVDs, furniture... they will all go through some American Idol type of contest.  Which reminds me of that one series of posts I did years ago with my shirts here on the site.  Speaking of that, our first bags of clothes have been sent out.  I had 4 of those zip-lock type storage bags for clothes full of things Kerry had never seen before... some about 2 decades old.  I modeled the stuff and let her decide if she could bear seeing me in them.

Goals and attaining them, we finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.  We've bee working with David on driving for quite some time.  First it was weekends in parking lots.  Then it was a few streets here and there.  During our summer trip, he drove a leg from Las Vegas to Baker.  David's next step was taking his driving test and, on top of a few other errors, one big one (in timing his entering into traffic) prevented them from passing him.  For the next few weeks, I had him drive to school with me while I drove the car back home.  Kerry would also take him out at night when she could.  He passed with a 95 on the last day of the month.  Yesterday was his first day driving to school without anyone in the care with him.  Ok, sure, I followed him... sue me.  He drove back home by himself.  Today he told me he was ready to go and I told him, "I think you are ready.  I'm not following you today."  He sent me a text when he arrived.

We've been pricing all the new appliances, tile and all sorts of things needed for the new house and the wife has been trying to calm me down.  I don't like numbers.  I really don't like numbers that have a real world meaning.  I like them even less when I start thinking, "Isn't someone giving something like this away on Craigslist or something?"

Kerry and I celebrated our 6th anniversary and decided to keep with our go to a different town each year trend with a trip to the Pahrump Winery and their Symphony restaurant.  Last time I was there was over 20 years ago.  The wine that is named for their restaurant was impressive as well as their red blend.  Wish I could have picked up a few bottles there but It looks like we will just have to make a return trip.  Kerry was pretty impressed with the food.  I was impressed with the company.  I am a lucky and blessed man that doesn't deserve to live this well.

Started a new workout called Focus T25 today.  I'm sure, once I adjust, I'll be alright but it's quite different from Les Mills Combat and I had a few shaky moments starting out.

Been doing some research on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.  I really haven't talked about that part of the family here much but I am part Chippewa.  I think that I have visited there, at most, 3 times.  Once for St. John, North Dakota's 100th anniversary in 1982, once for grandpa's funeral and I believe once on a quick trip through on vacation (which could be confused with the first one as I was just about to turn 11.)  As one of the oldest structures in town, Grandpa's house has became a visitor's center.  I recently learned that he used to give out pennies during Halloween.  Well, you have to account for inflation but it was worth more back then.

Looks like we are going to be spending a lot of our vacation time this year working on the house.  We will still make it off to Sacramento and a few days in November for my brother's wedding.

Relocation Proposition

I know that I've been quiet.  After a lot of deep thought and meditation under a waterfall of red wine (ok, maybe not the latter,) we started looking at houses.  We started looking at houses.  I know people are struggling finding houses in this market but I really believe there is a reason for everything.  Less than a week after our first visits, we've signed paperwork.  Now it is just more paperwork, inspections and the financing gods.  Will know more soon.  If you remember the tiling job I did a few years back on the shower, I may be putting it to shame in the near future as there is purple carpet in most of the house.  Weird, I know.  I think it was to match their sofa and not a fetish for Barney.  Gotta run.  So much to do, so much on my mind and, yes, lots to look forward to.

Travel Tip #483

You have been busy with life.  Things get hectic but you still need to get some things done right or it will take more effort to fix it or you'll remain frustrated later.  That is where this tip comes in handy.

Guys.  If you are taking the girlfriend on a trip, you must book the room yourself.  Yes, this could be out of your comfort zone.  You may get yelled at for picking a lousy hotel, room or view but, trust me, you must do it.  Why?

Hotels have stepped up in the last dozen years.  The idea of customer service ranks high and to them that means familiarity.  So you will find you are asked for your name, called by that name and it will sound forced while it is repeated often.  Technology is amazing because they have your name in the computer once you book the room.  You use that name again when you check in.  So, they will repeat it thinking customer service wins over customers.  If the name is wrongly spelled, expect to hear it mispronounced often.

Ladies.  I will not leave you out.  If you really want to mess with your boyfriend, book the room yourself.  Why?  Because nothing upsets a guy more than being called Mr. (enter your last name) more than once per time you meet an employee.  He may even correct that one person but it will not be changed in the computer and he will get called that way again by the next one.  That could be about 8 times a day if you work it out right.

Guys.  If you are reading this too late, do not answer the door, phone or approach a desk of any type to avoid this issue.  My apologies if she read this first.

The Family Mode: Musical Bonding

Fans of the band Depeche Mode will really enjoy this but it's still a curiosity for non-fans and maybe a hater or two.  Dicken Schrader is simply a creative man -- the native Colombian is a video artist with skills that become more apparent (a parent... didn't expect that one to slip in here) as we go.  Possibly his biggest gift is being able to bring his family together with music.

In 2010, Dicken started recording music videos with his kids Milah and Korben under the name DMK covering songs by Depeche Mode.  The first one, a version of "Shake The Disease," started the ball rolling and you can see the the kids' progress.  The videos are getting... well, let's put it this way, their version of "Everything Counts" now has 2.6 million views (not counting yours of course.)  They have even moved on to performing live -- as seen in the final video posted below.  So, chronologically, enjoy the DMK!



Shake The Disease


Strangelove


Everything Counts


Black Celebration


Enjoy The Silence


Just Can't Get Enough



I hope you enjoyed this journey.  Makes you want to find a favorite band and teach the kids some songs, doesn't it?  Oh, btw, the kids have another sibling that was born this year.  So, I don't know if they will need to change the group's name by then or if they will have to start doing New Order covers.  Have a great weekend!

Strange Days Indeed: The Long Search?

As any of you may know, I'm a research nut (as well as an 80s one.)  To my left at this moment are about 40 books -- easily accessible -- that I can reference music data at a momentary mention.  I have people come to me to find things all the time and I get ticked that they don't bother to look for themselves when all it takes is a few words in a search engine.  But, there has always been something that I couldn't find online but was reticent to pursue too heavily.

I'm not going to say what it is but I mentioned it years back in one single post.  But, it's funny how you decide to try typing something into a search engine for the hundredth time or so over the last... well, there was a point when the Internet wasn't available... anyhow, suddenly things pop up.  You see a connection, then 1, 2, 3... all corroborating it.  So, take the feeling of trying to find a rare song from your youth that you only know a few words to and multiply it by a few hundred.  Strange days indeed.  It must be why I'm shaking.

A Little Downgrading In The Near Future

Was checking a couple sales specials at Sam's Club while talking with the wife and stumbled onto this.  We do have plans to move into what we hope is our final home in the next few years and this outdoor storage enclosure looked pretty interesting.  (Except the idea that I'd probably be putting it together myself and have many extra screws and washers.)  So I asked Kerry, "What do you think?"

She liked it.  I told her that it would open up the garage a bit more for car space and that it would be a lot less cluttered.  Then she hit me with it.  I don't know if she was holding it back for a minute or two but she said, "That could be your new mancave!"  Crap!  She's after my mancave, guys!  Nothing is sacred anymore.

The Wheel And When To Let Go

I think there really is a time that you need to just let go. 

Not just of the steering wheel, although I remember my father scaring the piss out of us while doing so as he drove over bridges, but of the things we think we have control over.  I say "think" for a reason.  Making a plan or schedule is a great way to organize things but not often do they go exactly as intended.  I also know that some people avoid thinking of their future and, because it is so uncertain, they shy away from creating anything resembling a road map to life.  I'm getting better about that, myself.

So, when David turned 15 1/2 years old this summer, we had a game plan.  Take him out driving each weekend starting with parking lots and working our way up to the highway.  Things went really well despite a hiccup or two that turned into learning experiences (for him and us.)  If I have one thing going for me, it would be patience.  That serves me well in life, work and this particular circumstance.  Well, the weekly practice evaporated as David's weekend schedule was adjusted and, when he did get a chance to drive, he reverted to some earlier bad tendencies.  After an incident where he ran a red light, drifted into a different lane after going through an intersection and changed lanes without checking his mirrors, we had to re-evaluate.

We do try to maximize the time we do have with our busy child.  It's astonishes us all the things he has to balance when it comes to school work (several AP and honors classes) and a recently begun workout program.  We decided we needed to let go of the wheel.  When you don't have control of a situation, sometimes the best thing to do is hand it over to someone else... A-1 Driving School.  After 2 of his 3 two-hour sessions, I can see a little more confidence in him and I'm expecting that I will let him drive me to the store later today.

I guess there was always a fear of letting go of the wheel.  Despite watching my father do it (to the astonishment of his children), I knew there was a risk being taken.  It was later that I noticed he had been bringing his knee up to hold the wheel steady.  He wasn't really letting go but I have to say that my doing so may have been the best thing for my son.

How To Accidentally Stick Yourself With A Pin

There is something wonderful when we share things.  People are just wired that way.  It's the reason why language developed and why social media is dominating people's lives today.  Whether it is opinion, product, recipe, motivational message or D.I.Y. how-to, people like to let other people know about the things that interest them.  Heck, some of us go out and solicit those things from others.  The human experience includes moments when you've had someone come up to you and ask, "How did you do that?," when it comes to weight loss, auto customization, home decor, physical feat... etc.

That's where Pinterest becomes interesting.  I have to admit that it took me years before I decided to sign up for the site.  Probably because most everything that I saw on there had to do with holiday creations, hairstyling, wedding dresses, nail designs... well, let's just say that I thought it wasn't for guys.  It didn't help that my sister recommended it.  But, the idea behind it is basic.  You link a favorite site or image and explain it while allowing other people to "like" it, "pin" it or ignore it.  Pinning something is like putting it on a bulletin board to file it away.  Liking it does the same thing except it is all clumped together and not shared with your "friends."

As many of you readers would know, my interests are rather diverse.  Heck, you could see from my account what weird crap that I'm posting errr... pinning.  I usually use it to bookmark items, research recipes and find new health/workout tips.  But, I think some people really don't use the site appropriately.  Let's think about it for a second.  If you pin something, all your friends and, actually, everyone sees it.  If you like it, they don't.  So, if you "pin" a recipe, it better be good or your friends will think your taste buds don't work.  If you "like" a recipe, you can try it first and share it with people if you think it's worth anything.  Think of this as a reputation defender.  You wouldn't share a "how-to" tip on making a bookshelf if the end product doesn't hold books, would you?  Just remember, your friends... or future friends are judging you.

Making Coffee Drinkable

It took a long time to talk me into adding coffee to my routine.  My biggest issue was taste and Diet Coke takes no prep time.  But, it happened a couple years ago.

Afterwards it was all about how to make it.  Usually it was vanilla creamer and some artificial sweetener.  A few months back, Kerry and I were throwing things out of the fridge that had multiple chemical compounds we couldn't pronounce.  We started staring at the creamer.  Big time offender there always making its way into my coffee.

It took a lot of willpower but we changed to 1% milk, stevia and teaspoons of unsweetened chocolate and cinnamon.  So, why tell you this?  If you happen to stop by and eye the coffee, be warned.  It isn't what you may expect.

Somethin' 'Bout A Truck

There's something about a truck.  I have fond memories of riding in the back of Michael Barrett's truck with a few friends on Saturday nights in high school.  Of course, that's frowned upon now.  I also remember when my father dug me out of a hole I created for myself.  I was living with friends after my car broke down and I had lost my job.  So, that VW bug had to be sold.  It was a very basic 1988 Toyota pick-up but it took a beating.  It got abused, wrecked and dealt with overheating issues after I cracked the weld where the hose going to the radiator was.  I still remember a few times where it died from abuse (let's face it, I wasn't really a responsible person at this point in my life) and I would be sitting in the truck with my friend Tracy on the way to Barley's to watch Monday Night Football.  Getting rid of that truck was really a transition to adulthood for me.

Between then, I had a Rodeo and a Tucson.  Ok, still have the Tucson but someone else in the family will be driving it more in the near future.  But we had some serious conversations about what to get next.  I really wanted to have something I could put our mountain bikes in the back of and go off riding.  Something dependable but depreciated (which really is like wanting a dog without fur... they are out there but seldom found) and maybe not even a truck.  It could have been a beater for David to use.  But after talking about different options and we said, "If it is meant to happen soon, it will just pop up."  A few weeks later, this truck was sitting outside our door with a 'for sale' sign on it.  We eyed it over curiously and a friend of the owner (a neighbor) came and told us about it.  Well, it's done.  It's now a new member of our family.  All we can hope for is the dependability but I can say that my responsibility level now will allow me to appreciate it a lot more than that little '88 Toyota.

Putting The Socks In The Right Drawer

Yes, you know that I can take on more than I should sometimes.  But someone once told me that "if you want to get a project done, put it in the hands of the busiest person you know."  It's time for me to start getting busier once again.  So, I should be announcing a new project later this year.  That is... after I announce this one.

Things can get cluttered.  Heck, ask any parent of a teenage boy that stares at his bedroom in frustration.  Once I started posting about my progress in taking back my health, I did a good job of confusing myself on the future of my own writings here.  As my physical changes began, my enthusiasm increased and I stopped babbling about about music, personal musings and technological advances.  It didn't mean there weren't any but I lost focus.  Let's just say that the socks started getting into the shirts drawer and after awhile there were more socks than shirts.  To fix that, I've decided to corral future posts in the health, fitness and nutrition areas off into a new site called My Fitness Future where I will talk about and hope to inspire others to making a change for the better.  There is a lot of design work left to do but it launched today and I feel it's worth letting you know about the change.

80s music fans should enjoy my upcoming project.  I am in the early planning stages and will give you an early preview when possible.  Stay tuned.

Photo Update 041413

I take a lot of photos but none of myself.  I tend to lean towards more interesting subjects.  hahaha  So, after taking a very bad one (that had more of a problem with posing), I had to put up something more recent... with clothes on.  (Ok, that sounds so wrong.)  So, 31 pounds later...

New Numbers For A New Martin

I stopped in to the doctor's office today to get my latest blood test.  So, I thought that I'd do a little side-by-side comparison.  I'm on this journey, as I've said, and it's nice to have a little science to back up the changes.  (Ok, 31 lbs. is still a scientific measurement but let's look internally.)

                                 18 mos. ago             Now

Cholesterol                   218                       130
Triglycerides                  285                       89
LDL                              123                       73
HDL                              38                        39



So, amazing drop in triglycerides, isn't it?  Weird to think that you can be proud of your blood.  All positive numbers.  Even the least positive, my HDL went a point in the right direction (up.)  Still need to work on adding a few different things to my diet to try to bring that higher.

Post Cleanse 2 Check-In

Figured that I'd keep my shirt on and do as close of a full body shot as I could.  Today is the first day after a second round of the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse.  I started this journey after Thanksgiving with a cleanse and was urged to do another one as someone wanted to do it with me.  (No, not that, the cleanse.)  Anyhow, I started this voyage at 222 lbs.  Over the course of time, I worked my way down to 196 lbs.  26 pounds is pretty good when you aren't really focused on just the numbers but how your clothes fit and how you feel.

This morning, I weighed in at... 191 lbs.  Cleanses like this can yield varied results.  I also added Yoga Flex (from 10 Minute Trainer... which I'm now wearing the shirt from) to the daily routine.  Why?  Well, I had 2 of the next 3 days of it listed on my monthly program.  I don't like quitting and I'm almost halfway through the month.  Which is why you get a new photo.  It also looks like I'm hovering below a size 34 waist now... after I changed out all those 40s, 38s and 36s.  Can't see myself going lower than that, though.

I also talked with my chiropractor about my ankle and a shoulder issue that I've been dealing with.  Looks like I have a little work to do to rehab those muscles and ligaments but hard to believe that I'm not 100% most of the time... because I'm starting to feel it.

(The wife thought the self-photo looked a little strange... so we'll take another one later.)