Turning a New Leaf: Challenging Myself to Walk in the Footsteps of a Giant

I have been infatuated lately with the musings of a fitness giant: the late Jack Lalanne. He strikes me as the type of rugged yet brilliant individual who comes along and blesses a given field of study only to never be replaced. It may seem that I am riding on the coattails of greatness, but in reality I am seeking to redefine my own existence on my own terms. Some of you may imagine Virgil as he guides Dante through the voyage of a lifetime. This image is one which will accompany me in the upcoming days, as I seek to return, to not only my old level of fitness -running 5 to 7 miles a day- but to also surpass it. There will be a complete realignment that will also help to address some of my other shortcomings, be it a tendency to place clothes in the worst spots, or my aversion to washing dishes. Deep down I know that I have what it takes. Its simply a matter of digging deeper than I have dug recently and to actually apply some of that resolve that has gotten me this far in life. I can't say that I am motivated entirely by complex emotional goals. I saw a television program in which women were going crazy, heads over heels nuts, for men in the prime of their physical lives. A bit of that green monster known as envy struck me while watching, I began to fume but then thought to myself: "Why get angry? Just out do them, out do your competition. You are already smarter than any of these cretins, now apply science and rational thought to your life. If they can do it why not you?" I can't say that I will be looking forward to eating a reduced and counted calorie diet. No more cheeseburgers and chips, soda, and fast food. I will have to plan my lunches, plan my day accordingly to get not only my workout time in, but to also get at least seven hours of sleep. I have a hunch that a lot of the fear and anxiety that I am feeling as of late is connected to the unhealthy lifestyle that I have taken to living. Jack believed that a person's diet and exercise choices should be considered a royal pairing. Times are about to get a little tougher, but I have a feeling that the giant that I am seeking to emulate would have it no other way. 

Feeling a bit Sentimental Right Now.

I was reading about Obama's decision to launch covert military operations in some of the world's most dangerous terrorist locations. This got me to thinking that our world will always be a dangerous place. It is the men and women who fight for our right to exist who deserve all the praise that we can muster. As a country we have failed miserably to do this. A couple of concerts here and there as well as a mess load of "support the troops" bumper stickers does not come close to honoring the cross that many of our men and women in uniform have had to bear. I have listened to the xenophobia and religious fervor that our nation has mustered against the Times Square mosque and can't help but feel that the constitutional values we have lived by are being grievously eroded. Our men and women will continue to bear a large burden on behalf of all of us, it's about time that we lived up to our responsibilities as citizens. Allow this mosque to be built, without anymore debate, the First Amendment has been duly honored.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Those who vehemently opposed it have been given adequate redress in this matter, now comes time to honor the free exercise part of the equation. We can do this as a nation, we have done much tougher things. As our men and women continue to travel into harms way for us, the least we could do is live up to our constitutional values, even when it is emotionally painful to do so. This is not a question about national security, it is a question about us as Americans and the things that we want to convey to the wider world around us. We are a magnanimous people and our troops are polished from proverbial gem which we are fashioned from: thus reflecting perfectly who we are as a people. I don't admittedly care for Toby Keith's politics or his music, but I have to give him credit for his patriotism and brevity. This song is dedicated to the men and women who will quietly fight our Shadow Wars: GOD bless you all!

Amazon gets it right!!!

Ladies and gentlemen.

I am a Kindle owner. There I said it. I know admitting that you have a problem is the first part of the road to perdition. But, Amazon has decided to make my addiction a little harder to overcome. You see, it has actually promised to make the price of my drug a whole lot cheaper. Rats!! Lol. Check it out for yourself. please stop and listen to this beginning at spot 5:20. Bezos you are the freaking man!!!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcop

y/2009/06/for-jeff-bezos-the-great-run-for-books-is-over-really.html

Wow its has been a while!!!

This is nuts I last posted a couple of weeks ago. What can I say, other then I got carried away with tests and all sorts of other stuff. It seems that folks over at the Amazon board are getting a bit testy about their ebook prices, good for them.

Done for now!!

I completed most of my weeks obligations, although not in any sort of admirable way. The battle continues as I have to continue meeting my challenges. Only if I could get a welcome respite, but as they say their is really no rest for the weary.

"Intellectual Transformation: The Birth of a Political Scientist" now available

My e book "Intellectual Transformation: The Birth of a Political Scientist" is now available over at Amazon's Kindle Bookstore. It is a book that is comprised of short essays that show my academic development from a new college student, to a confident college educated man. I will be posting a free sample on this site soon enough. Some of my inspiration comes from the greats such as Leo Tolstoy, and George Orwell.

For now here is the link to purchase your own Kindle copy from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Intellectual-Tranformation-Birth-Political-Scientist/dp/B001TOCHES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1235379830&sr=1-1