WORKING ON THE LIST - # 9

For those of you who haven't memorized my list yet, number 9 is, "create a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable". This item directly relates to the next item on the list, which is to "get down to 205".  (I seriously hope all you dear readers memorize the list quickly, 'cause I don't want to have to hold your hand and spoon feed you for the rest of the year. So...chop chop.)

For more years than I can remember, the holiday season was the end of my working out for the year. But not this year. Nope. They are going to live together and be happy about it, dammit.

So, how am I going to make this happen? To create this universe where these two things that have never lived together, live together? Well, sit back and let me tell ya.

I thought back to all of the advice I've received over the years from a lot of wise men and women and the one piece that kept coming back to me was the old acronym, KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid.

So, I made a schedule. (Doesn't get much simpler than that...and I didn't just write down random days. I took a honest look at what we've got going on for the next week or so, and made a realistic list of what is doable. On those days, working out will be my number one priority.

Oh, I used to have a mustache..now I rock a beard. That's the reason you don't recognize me in the above photo. 

So, wish me luck - or don't.

As you were.

S#*T, NOW I'M 37

I get it, in the scheme of life, you want to continue having birthdays. 

And for the most part, turning another year older hasn’t really ever been that dramatic (other than turning 25, that one was kinda tough) of an event. I’m beyond blessed with all that I’ve been given – an amazing wife, a super rad kid that’s happy and healthy, great friends, and the list goes on and on.

But for some reason, turning 37 hit me harder than I thought it would. I mean, I’m closer to 40 than 30, and 40 is closer to 50 than 20. So, I feel like I’m morphing into an old man – which isn’t that great of a feeling.

So, I decided to do something a little different on my 37^th year on this floating orb. I’ve created a list of things that I want to accomplish, or do, during this year. And, just as luck would have it, getting back to blogging is on the list – lucky you.

So, here is my list. And to help me stay on the blogging thing, I’m going to blog about most, if not all, of how I go about accomplishing the things on my list.

Now, for your reading pleasure, here’s the list (It’s not fully populated because I haven’t thought about all the 37 things I want to do – and I want this list to be meaningful rather than tossing a lot of things on there that I don’t really care about…so I’ll update it when I think of the remaining things).

In no particular order, here is the list as it stands now...

1. Attend 5 concerts
2. Install a new wiring harness in the firebird
3. Generally get the firebird up and running (if I listed everything that was required for the car to run reliably, it would be my entire list)
4. Change my hunting tactic (mainly for duck, goose, and turkey) and go fewer times but stay out longer. Basically, reduce the frequency and increase the intensity.
5. Go elk hunting
6. Go deer hunting
7. Go turkey hunting
8. Save an extra $10K
9. Create a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable
10. Get down to 205 lbs
11. Submit an article to Field and Stream
12. Submit an article to Guidepost
13. Read 6 books - 3 for fun and 3 for professional development
14. Make a short documentary video - not sure of the subject matter yet
15. Learn 5 knots and when to use them
16. Become a better duck caller
17. Mountain bike - at least 5 times
18. Take a hut trip
19. Blog more
20. Grow a vegetable garden
21. Make a rabbit stew
22. Take a trip with Jamie
23. Go camping 1 time with the family
24. Create the tradition of making a big healthy meal on Sunday evenings - 2x/month
25. Become a more adventurous cook and cook more (not just the Sunday meals mentioned above)
26. Increase my map reading and navigational skills
27. Teach Brooks to ride a bike
28. Create a plan on how to start a podcast (the actual podcast won't be live until 2020)
29. Create an award winning ad campaign
30. Build on Brooks' love of being outside and introduce him to hiking and more outdoor activities
31. Become a better "recycler"
32. Expand my wardrobe - wear more than the same 2 pairs of pants and same 5 shirts
33. Become an avid morning workout person - now I'm spotty at best (which means I do it once every 6 months) at getting my workout in before 9 am
34. Start carrying around an actual film camera and using it to capture this thing we call life. More of candid shots and less of, "Everyone get together and smile on 3" type of deal. 
35. ???
36. ???

There you have it. Hope you enjoy reading about upcoming adventures. 

As you were. 

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

Making America look dumb, again. 

I've tried, I really have. I've quit Facebook, (Well, I deleted the app on my phone but I know this blog and some of my Instagram posts still populate my newsfeed...but I've quit looking at Facebook); I've taken a break from watching the news 2-3 times a day, and I've quit talking politics...all in an order to protect myself from the constant depressed feeling I was experiencing...due to this man.

But, when I see that America is pulling out of an agreement to help protect the earth, my gut wrenches.

Rather than dwell on this horrific move, I'm choosing to focus on the good of others. Take Colorado's Governor, like many other Governors and world leaders, has publicly stated he intend to keep doing what he's doing - pushing policies and agendas to protect the earth. Without these smart and brave souls, Ol' Donny might actually succeed in making this world a worse place...which seems to be his plan.

I don't care what side of the aisle you're on...who can deny the benefits of having a clean world to live in; fresh air to breathe, and forests that aren't destroyed?

Doesn't everyone benefit from the great outdoors?

Thank you to all the governments, local, state, and national, that are doing all they can to protect the earth. You're a beacon of light and hope amid a terrible storm.

Get outside and enjoy it while you can.

As you were.

BROOKS TRIES TO EAT A CAT

Today it finally happened. The stars aligned just so and Brooks was able to get the tip of a cat's tail into his mouth.   

The cat wasn't thrilled. Thank goodness Chunk was the one who happened to be within arm's reach and not Jack. Although, to be fair, both cats have been much more tolerant than either Jamie or I would have ever thought. 

After the tail eating trial, Chunk simply moved just out of arm's reach and continued laying on the mat which Brooks' "gym" is attached to. And only seemed slightly annoyed that his tail was on the menu. 

Meanwhile, Jack continued chilling well beyond the reach capable of a 6 month old. Here he is, exhibiting his, "I don't give a shit" pose. He strikes this pose on a regular basis...personally, I think he is secretly hoping the dog will come investigate, therefore giving him a great opportunity to scratch the pup. 

We figure it's only a matter of time until both cats get tired of losing tiny handfuls of hair or having their tails grabbed and crammed into a gummy mouth. Hopefully Brooks is a fast learner and only gets scratched once or twice before he realizes "you look with your eyes and not your hands". Although, if he is anything like his old man, we'll be telling him this for years to come.

As you were. 

THIS JUST IN...SCIENCE IS REAL

Busy news day over here...I'd like to think that it's just a random occurrence, but really, I think it's just because I happened to read the news for the first time in a while. The older I get, the more I dislike most people.

It still boggles my mind that people don't believe in science...It's 2017 for F's sake.

I can't say I'm shocked by this story...and I hate the parents and what they stand for. But I really feel for these kids...

HOW NOT TO DO IT

Hey companies -

If you're looking for a way not to treat customers, or a way not to end up in the news, look no further than our friends over at United Airlines.

Here is there newest example of stellar customer service.

I have to imagine all the public relations teachers and professors are having a field day with all of this coverage.

IS THIS FOR REAL???

Now rich white-collar people can look like they spend their time manually working...for only $425. 

How many times have these same people told their kids, "See, you better go to college or you'll end up working outside and getting dirty like that guy." 

What's our world coming to?

As you were.