Werkin’ It Out

I’ve had a roller-coaster of “health and wellness” levels in my life.

Early 1990s
In High School, I was actually quite fit and didn’t really know it. Participating in the Marching Band as the 4th Bass Drummer is a great way to get/stay “fit.” I was also on the Tennis team albeit being “last seed” is basically a nice way of not having to say no to everyone who tried out…
Average Weight – 165

Late 1990s
In College, I got lazy and discovered 1LB boxes of Cheez-Its and Playstation. Ridge Racer baby! Ugh. I was reasonably in shape due to the large amounts of walking and having a dorm room on the top floor and no working elevator. I tried a little here and there to get active; Wally-ball, Golf, and a little Nordictrac every now and then helped, but wasn’t enough.
Average Weight – 190

2000s
After I got settled into a “career path” and getting married, I pretty much let my health and wellness go. And go… annnnnnd go… I always had good intentions and a desire to be healthier, but would act on them rarely or give up soon thereafter. Take-out, fast-food, snacks, and way to much TV take their toll.
Average Weight – 215

2010
Post-divorce. After a succession of jobs and other situations that I didn’t necessarily love, and having been forced to move home (mortgage and apartment payment just wasn’t feasible) due to monetary restraints: I decided to make some changes. I started eating better, and portioning properly. I began walking my dog like he (and I) needed to be walked. I started dating. I got a GREAT new job.
The accumulation of all of the changes did wonders. I got off my ass and started a Couch-to-5K program with an awesome group of people in East Nashville (EAST NASTY!). I dated some more. I did the Country Music 1/2 Marathon!!? Two years prior to this feat, I couldn’t have imagined EVER doing this: finishing in 2:16:38!! This is a pace (10:26/mile) that even up until today I have a hard time fathoming that I maintained for TWO HOURS AND SIXTEEN MINUTES.
Average Weight – 172

2011 and Onward
I’ve maintained a lot of the benefits health-wise, but have backslid a bit on my diet. From a low of 172lbs, I’m now hovering around 185… I’m walking the 1/2 Marathon this year with my family, and am considering P90X, Insanity, or something similar to get me back where I want to be and even past that. I CAN AND WILL.
I’ve met someone (stopped dating!) I love and after a year together, we’re getting a place together around May. She’s a little whip, so I have no doubt that we can work together to get, and stay, HEALTHY!
Average Weight – 180 (and going down…

-e

Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick.

Some links I find interesting:
Beach Body! – A great range of workout video series that fit most styles, aptitudes, and goals…
Simplefit.com – Says it all. Found out about it at Lifehacker.
RunKeeper – I can’t begin to tell you how useful this is. I use it EVERYTIME.

 

 

Photoshop is the new… Me?

I am a high end photography retoucher. Every couple years Adobe releases a refreshed and amazing new tool, chock full of terrific and mind-boggling ways of getting things done in the worlds of photography, design, and meme-generation. They call it Photoshop. Well with Adobe Photoshop CS6, there are a smattering of new features that aim to make my job more “button click-y” than “skilled work-y.” I’m sure I’m just exaggerating a bit here, as this kind of hysterical, rediculous rhetoric has been thrown around with pretty much every PS release (see “internet comments” on the “internet”), but THIS time “blah blah blah…”

I’m sure I’ll still be able to skillfully remove tattoos, carefully sculpt a jawline or lovehandle, blissfully extend an image 4″ to the left (right, ANNNND bottom), and patiently even out pocked/acne-d/razor-burned flesh tones as per usual… Right?

Content-aware “move”? Gotta love it…

I’m excited. You’re excited. We’re all excited!

I keep hearing about the next Macbook. I am currently Macbook-less. Something has got to give.

While the ideas and specs being thrown around are all speculative for now, they are exciting nonetheless… Anything coming close to a Retina display on a laptop (ohhh, iPad 3!?!) makes me a lot bit excited. SSD drives? Sexy, sexy. Thunderbolt? I can be sold on them, I’m sure.

Gizmodo says it all for me. 2012 Macbook Pros?

Grrr baby… Verrrry grrrr!

While I loved the “nude M&M” spot, the commercial that had our friends bursting out laughing was the Fiat Abarth piece with the sexy woman acosting the geeky looky-lou…

We collectively groaned at the “Tear jerker” Chrysler commercial and kept yelling out “brought to you by (insert political candidate name)” and other “inspirational” sarcastic phrases as seemed appropriate/inappropriate…

The Bud Light commercial with the scruffy dog named “Weego”was a nice surprise. I was happy to see the “Help Rescue Dogs” message at the end as well.

While I didn’t have a horse in the race, I really enjoyed the game and was surprisingly happy/excited for the Giants! What a great evening.

One more time! Fiat Abarth!

Weego the Beer dog story!

Cross stitching is my new jam

My Ladyfriend has been on a cross stitching kick for a while now, and now I’ve got the bug. I’ll be starting with a children’s starter kit called “Cute Kitty” and work my way up from there…

“These Small Things” Magazine is done!

Hey guys and gals!

I  finished the magazine I have been working on commemorating the “These Small Things” exhibit that I had a couple months back at Blend Studio in the Nashville Arcade. I am SO PROUD of the kids and hope that you check it out! The magazines are printed through MagCloud and I am really happy with the quality, turnaround, and the company as a whole!

From the original Press Release:

“Featuring new works by Eric Denton, Haddie Salchow, Ethan Howard, Caroline Howard, and Chad Gocking; the show is curated by all participants, and showcases the variety of styles amongst the participants.”

My photography page on Facebook!

While it’s not perfect, Facebook does have a pretty decent way to get your work out there to people you actually know! It’s (sadly) probably the best collection of my work yet, and I’m enjoying trying to “datamine” the “Insights” that they provide to page holders!

Please feel free to become a Fan, or just poke around in there!

PS-  Happy New Year!