Not A Resolution, but...

I am not one for resolutions. I typically subscribe to the fact that if you are going to make changes in your life, why do you need to wait for a new year to get it started? What makes it easier to change that bad habit on January 1st, versus September 23rd, or April 4th? I am pretty sure I have said it before, and I will say it again, in the immortal words of Bono: "Nothing changes on New Years Day."

So that being said, on January 1st, 2011, Rebecca and I started a quasi-cleansing diet/eat better initiative. I have never dieted in my entire life, unless you count the "see food" diet I have subscribed to since about age 12. ( See food? Eat it.) I didn't think it would be as hard as it is. I am having such weird cravings that I peed on a stick the other day just to make sure everything was okay. (Yes, this is Chad writing.)

I have approached this diet with the worst attitude ever. Kicking and screaming and complaining and wanting to quit everyday. Rebecca's usurpations and demands (read: encouragement) have been the only things that have kept me in the game. I like my sugar. My chocolate chip cookies. My flavored drinks. A day old donut is better than no donut at all. Water is so good, but I like a little Root-beer in my water too.

I wish I could say that the diet is a sham, that it doesn't work, and be a huge naysayer...but I can't. This simple diet has sucked almost 10 pounds (7) off of my fat. It has reduced my BMI as well. If I am ever in charge of worlds, however, I am going to make healthy food taste good. The foods get so bland. I can only handle so much of the leafy greens without dressing. I like my white bread. I could go on forever.

We are celebrating our success as dieters by going to Leatherby's. I plan to eat an equal amount of ice cream, in pounds, as I have lost in weight. Don't worry though, our "resolution" is that we are going to eat healthier over all. No more crazy diets, just healthier habits. Wish us luck. Well, wish me luck at least, Rebecca isn't struggling like I am.

Inspirational Times

A few years ago today, Pearl Harbor got rocked. Lest ye be confused, not the good kind of “rocked” that Def Leppard penned lyrics to. The “meet me after school at the church” rocked. In the days that followed the Pearl Harbor disaster, America stepped up to the plate and smacked in RBI after RBI. I have mentioned it lightly before, but that generation is so inspiring to me. Citizen and celebrity alike stood in line to join our armed forces. Those who could not qualify for military service obtained medical training, or worked in factories to build war machines, or did something. They did not lead protests against our nation, or give interviews calling our leaders cowards and murderers. A truly inspiring generation. I love their stories, I love the books about those days, and I am mesmerized when I happen to meet those who remain.

So this is my thank you to them, and to former and current soldiers of all time. Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Nam, etc etc etc. Thank you thank you thank you.

No Tonto in Thanksgiving

I feel so bad for Thanksgiving. Why do we neglect such an important holiday? Doesn’t anyone remember the huge significance for the pilgrims at Plymouth, struggling to survive that first winter of 1620? Remember that they had such a hard time getting crops to grow in their new land? Remember how the friendly tribe of Indians, the Wampanoag tribe, helped them in their troubles? What a feast that must have been! Imagine sitting at the tables carved from large trees, chomping rows of Maize? Our culture is too quick to forget, to quick to move forward to Christmas.

Thanksgiving was previously celebrated on the last Thursday of the month, as decreed by Abraham Lincoln when he declared it a National holiday. However, in 1939, President Roosevelt changed it to be observed on the fourth Thursday, because it was to overshadowed by Christmas. See, even then the importance of Thanksgiving was realized, and the overshadowing of Christmas was addressed. Would Chief Massasoit still allow his loyal tribe members to offer assistance if he could look into our day and see that we now trample it down? Would Mayor William Bradford be proud of his heritage if he knew our actions?

And what of Thanksgiving itself? It must have some feelings, right? So trampled, so insignificant. We just speed past Thanksgiving to get to the shopping deals of the next morning. We play Christmas music as soon as our bellies are stuffed with Halloween Candy. Well, not me. I for one look forward to the smashed potatoes. And Christmas carols, though I love them, stay silent until December 1.

Thanksgiving is such a great day to stick it to PETA also. Homer and Bart said it best when they sang, “You Don’t Win Friends With Salad.” With so much to be Thankful for, I am abhorred that we treat Thanksgiving like the last kid picked at recess.

There is so much good about Thanksgiving. Turkey. Growing Pains reruns. Smashed Potatoes. Football games. Messing up someone else's house. Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving special. Time with family. Stuffing yourself so full that you can do no more than lay on the couch. Pumpkin Pie. Homemade rolls. Leftovers. 16 extra pounds to insulate ourselves for winter. I love Thanksgiving. No animals were hurt during this post. (But they are gonna be.)

"Luke. I am your Father."

I was criticized the other day for discussing a movie with a co-worker. It turns out that not all of those sitting around the water-cooler had seen the movie, and after our detailed discussion, these individuals felt like we had ruined the movie. Sure, we talked openly about the ending. We dissected plots and plot errors like it was an earthworm in 8th grade science class. We talked about better scenes and created our own sub plots just like we would if we were Trekies. (We aren’t, thanks for asking.) We did all of this without even warning the other individuals that were within ear shot. When it was all said and done, it was pointed out how wrong it was of us to do such a thing. Normally, I would agree with that assessment...however, we were talking about The Dark Knight, released in 2008.

So my question to you is this: What is the statute of limitations on spoiler alerts? How many people out there would get mad at me for now mentioning that Luke Skywalker is the son of Darth Vader? Do I need to preface any future Groundhog Day references with a spoiler alert tag?

At first, I thought these guys were joking. They were absolutely irritated that we had not warned them about our discussion. One-hundred percent, honestly offended. I was speechless. I didn’t even know how to respond in my defense. It was as if Mr Belding had walked into the room while Zack and the gang were devising how to sluff class next. Complete silence.

A podcast I listen to gives spoiler alerts. They sometimes discuss Mad Men and Survivor, as well as the various MTV Real World shows. They give a warning when they are about to talk about something that happened at the end of one of these shows, but these usually played within the past week at the time of the podcast.

I wish I could go back to that "spoiler"moment at the fire station, because now I am full of comebacks. I would have told them that the Goonies find a Pirate Ship and save their houses. I would have told them that Apollo dies in Rocky 2. I also would have told them that Sleeping Beauty wakes up at the end and runs off with Prince Phillip. Also, since we were at the fire station, I should have told them that Bull dies at the end of Backdraft.

What are your thoughts?

Eff Ewe Murphy

I've been good. Tried to be responsible. Held out for so many years on getting a nice TV...even after watching so many friends, family members, and complete strangers all upgrade to such nice equipment. I saved (somewhat). Worked extra hours. Worked a second part time job. Been trying hard to not get consumer debt. Finally, the time came that I felt like we could upgrade. So I did. Brand new 1080 P (whatever that means) LCD big screen, flat screen TV. Love it.

Two days later: Washer dies. (true, this should have happened years ago. I have had it for almost 10 years. I bought it for 25 bucks. It is a 1959 (I think) Maytag, so it should have been somewhat suspected, but this week? After getting the TV?)

Four days later: Disposal goes out.

Four days and one hour later: forget debt free. Its time to live it up.