the phagos blog

So, if you were paying attention to my last blog post, you noticed that I mentioned doing the P90X workout. Actually, if you’ve followed my blog for more than the last month, you’ll know that my attempt to lose weight has met with limited and temporary success thus far. My goal has been to reduce to 175 pounds, about 25 – 30 pounds less than where I am now. Last year I made it to 180 before getting sick and put it all back on over the next several months trying to get my system to balance back out. Given the way things have been going lately, I’ve decided it’s time for a different approach. (more…)

As I’m writing this I’m a little over 24 hours away from starting my vacation, No, I’m not traveling anywhere, but I won’t be just sitting around the house. I have quite a bit I want to do. Prepping the garden, starting some seeds, some intensive cleaning, doing my new P90X workout, and doing some Android coding – it’s going to be a busy vacation! That’s on top of some motorcycle riding and possibly a day trip or two. It all kicks off Saturday with the spring celebration at Riverbanks followed by the hot party at a friend’s house. It’s not what you think. (more…)

So it’s been 8 days since my 45^th birthday has come and gone. What I described 8 days ago as being unleashed has been more of moderate indifference. While I can’t say things are the same, I really can’t say they’re different either. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it isn’t. (more…)

Today is my birthday.  According to the calendar, I am another year older. Having said that, it’s unimportant, except that I have decided to do something different today, and for the rest of my life.  I have made the decision to live my life the way I want, and today I start putting that into practice.

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Next Monday, one week from today, is my 45^th birthday. The past few years I’ve spent my birthday by myself, in part because of its proximity to the passing of my late wife, and partly because it was a good excuse to be lazy for an entire day and not do anything. In breaking with recent traditions that no longer serve, next Tuesday some people are going to be in for a big surprise. Not Monday, as I won’t be at work, though I am starting them Monday. Monday I’m unleashing an improved version of myself on the world, a major upgrade in several respects. (more…)

If someone were to ask me what my biggest challenge is, I would have to say it is remaining consistent over time, as my sensei has noted. In jujitsu, this has expressed itself as the tendency to not attend class regularly. I can give you any number of reasons why I have not done so, but the truth is, it’s a character flaw, plain and simple. I’m telling you this not because I’m proud of it, but because I need to think, and I do some of my best thinking while I’m writing, among other things. Maybe it would be more accurate to say I do some of my best thinking when I’m not actually thinking, or at least, not thinking about a particular subject. (more…)

Last Thursday was an interesting day, way too interesting for my taste. It started out well enough, and looked to be a very promising day – until I’d been at work for about 10 minutes and the day went to hell for a while. A hell of my own making, but hell nonetheless. Today, rather than letting it stay there and stewing about it, I decided to do something about it. (more…)