On Your Marks, Get Set, Oh Shit

So today, Saturday, April 10th, is a good day. Why you might ask? The question is rhetorical, I will answer it for you.

1) I got on the scale today and for the first time since 2003ish I weighed in under 200 pounds. That is right folk I was a slim and trim (with two love handles that you could crab hold tight enough to ride a bull on) 199lb.

2) I then:

• swam 1/4 mile: 1 lap around a track
• biked 10 miles: 40 laps
• ran a 5k: 12 1/2 laps (well what I call running, similar to a brisk walk for most)

I did all of this is 1 hour 30 min and 21 seconds. Why did I do this? Again, the question is rhetorical, I will answer it for you. I did this because next Sunday, April 18, I am doing those same distances in a Sprint Triathlon in Carmel, Indiana.

Why the hell would I do that and who took over Andy's body? Two valid questions. There are several reasons:

1. About 5 months ago I had a health screening and almost all levels of health that they measured were in the yellow or red.
2. Several people around me workout a lot and eat healthy, so I had support.
3. I have been told a slimmer man is a bit more attractive (true it is what is on the inside that counts but for me that was arteries that were slowly closing and fat deposits building).
4. The Miller family gene pool tends to favor diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and double chins. I grew a beard for the chin thing.
5. Health Care is getting more and more expensive. If every American lost 5 pounds and moved their nutrition plan 5% closer to what it should look like, can you imagine how much money would be saved and how much healthier we would be.
6. I also realized that I am not in college any more. What I eat and how I take care of my body does matter.
7. Last but by no means least... I look hot in a pair of jammers... ok not really.

3) Now after burning what I am guessing was close to 800 calories and realizing that I am so close to accomplishing the goals I set back in the Advent (Catholic New Year) that it was time to have a mini celebration. So what did I do? Only one of the most amazing things ever. Something that truly proves God loves us. Something that melts all the cares and pains right off the body like a butter cow left in the sun (go to the Iowa State Fair). That is right, I had a beer shower. For those of you that don't know what a beer shower is, I truly feel sorry for you. It is not showering in beer, but rather taking a shower while drinking a beer. It is even better if there is a large green plastic lawn chair to sit down in while you are in the shower, but I have a small shower. O, that moment when the water hits the back of your head and your spin tingles. If you time it just right your mouth tingles with the cold beer at the same time and a little piece of heaven comes out of the faucet (that is not actually church doctrine, but it should be... I'm looking at you Benedict).

4) What could top a day like this off? Well I am on my way to get the Scooter out for the summer. The time has come and I am ready.

5) After a Scooter ride I then get to go to Mass. Nothing like some Grace from God to top off the day. Then home to bed at around 6:00 because man am I tired!!

Keep up the fight

Bacon-Wrapped Maple Pork Loin

So last week I had the best pork I had ever had in my life. Normally even good a pork loin is either dry or sometimes a bit on the chewy side, but not this one. It was juicy, moist and you could cut it with a fork. So tender that it melted in your mouth. It had a touch of the sweet Maple flavor but not overpowering to make you feel like you were eating a pancake. The Bacon it was wrapped in was nice a crisp and helped hold the loin flavor but it didn't give off an overpowering bacon flavor.

This was course 4 of a 7 course meal that Mr. Pat Hurley was the masterminded. I had the special privileged to be his right hand man in the kitchen for the feast. It was served with roasted asparagus and sweet potatoes with a chipotle honey glaze.

If you do not have plans for Easter yet you might want to give this loin a try.

Keep up the fight

WOW Goodbye March

I noticed that I only had one post in March so far, and then I noticed March was almost over.

Well WOW is coming up this week. The guys are on their way to my place tonight and we will take off tomorrow morning for the drive down to TN. I really do look forward to this week for the whole rest of the year. Such a great time with so many great people.

I also wanted to make note of some of the Saints feast days we had last week. It was an amazing week for men if they were paying attention. If not take a quick look at this link and follow along while I highlight some.

St. Maximilian: A solider not of man's army but God
St. Patrick: Want to talk about spreading the word of God, here's is a guy for you
St. Cyril: A Doctor of the church
St. Joseph: The man of all men who truly teaches us how to treat the women in our life.

These four men really call us to task as we enter the last few weeks of Lent. I think each one of them highlights a different aspect of what it means to be a man today.

I think it is also interesting that it takes 4 men to get still a fragmented picture. I think this a very humbling reminder that even the best of us still fall short.

Keep of the fight.

Febrile

I got a fever yesterday at about 4:15. I was heading home from work when it hit me. The song, "The Boys are Back in Town" (thank you Thin Lizzy) was playing on the radio.

I looked outside and realized it had been sunny all day and in the mid 40's. It was so nice out and the snow is almost gone.

The sickness got worse today when I was driving from camp to the Y this morning at almost the exact spot on the road as it hit me yesterday. I looked off the road to my right and there where two artist painting out in a field.

Today the cement guys are laying the new sidewalks to our office because the ground over there is dry and the weekend calls for highs in the mid 50's.

It is only 18 days until my trip to TN.

Yes, I have SPRING FEVER.

Keep up the fight

I love you Grandma

I am sure many of you know this already but I wanted to blog about it anyways. My grandma Irma Miller passed away last Friday. I flew home to Iowa on Saturday to spend time with family and returned to Indiana late Wednesday night.

Grandma's death was in no way sudden, but is still a loss to all those who knew her. Over the last 5 years she has been in and out of different care facilities and it was time for here to go.

My theory is that God simply wanted someone to bake for him. Grandma always made the best rolls even if Steve and I mashed them up. I have never tasted a better carrot cake and hers other cakes are the measure in which I measure all cakes.

I will also remember rides on her wheelchair, her playing croquet in the front yard with us kids, driving all around the county in the silver van, her and grandpa peacefully talking things out, her hamburgers, chocolate pudding, the blankets she made me, the way she shuffled the cards with only the tips of the cards, where she sat at Mass, working on puzzles with her and so many other little things.

Grandma was a true inspiration to many and to all of us who knew her, we can call ourselves blessed for being in her presence.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. ~ 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Amen

Good Bye Good Time

There was a story this week which received some media attention, but not the extent that our staff at A Cage of Words felt like it deserved. So, we are using our soap box to spread the word of the death of another great man in American politics.Who was this man that once had the guts to call Pat Schroeder, "Babycakes?"

Who was this man who said in a book:
"The girls had cocaine, and the music was loud. It was total happiness. And both of them had ten long, red fingernails with an endless supply of beautiful white powder....The feds spent a million bucks trying to figure out whether, when those fingernails passed under my nose, did I inhale or exhale, and I ain't telling."

Who was this man that funneled millions of dollars into arming Islamic Fundamentalist in the 80's to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan? (It also helped to cause many of today's issues, but never mind that.)

Who was this man that recieved the second highest amount of demerits when he was at the Navel academy, and then made lieutenant?

Who was this man who got into politics to spit his neighbor for killing his dog?

Who was this Democrat that represented the 2nd district of Texas for 12 terms? (The fighting 2nd is a bible belt good Christian district...hardly a place for a blue tie.)

Who was this man who had to testify to congress about his love of a Russian model which some in congress believed to be a spy?

This man was Charles Nesbitt Wilson. Know in the big show as Good Time Charlie. He partied hard and brokered enough back room deals to make even an Illinois politician blush. It was Tom Hanks who portrayed this man in Charlie Wilson's War. Yes, Wednesday was truly a sad day for American politics. I can only hope that he and Strom are watching over us now. Thank you Charlie for all you did for us. Rest in peace, servant of our freedom.

Keep up the fight... we must carry on for Charlie

To Swim A Mile

I remember a few years (7ish) when I first because a lifeguard. I did my training with Bonnie in the Ho Chunk House of Wellness pool. The hardest part of the training was not the brick, not the written test or recovery of a passive deep water victim with a positive MOI spin who needed back boarded, it was the 1 mile swim. I remember that it took me a little over an hour to do this task. All the other people in the class where done and on the side eating lunch before I was done, but I did it.

You may or may not know this about me but I swim at least 3 times a week. Most of the time my workout is about 1 mile in length, but I stop on average twice. Yesterday for some reason I just didn't stop. I was feeling good and the water was the right temp so I just kept going right through my first break and into my second set. Then I went right into my third and before I new it I was only 4-5 laps away from the mile so I just did it.

Now I know swimming a mile is not that big of a deal. Most swimmers will do this several times a week. There are a few lightweights out there who might not be able to handle it but that's ok. I also know that the distance is not important but how much effort you put in. Shorter workouts can be more productive and all that. It was just a small personal moment I wanted to share with you all because it was only the second time in my life I have done such a thing.

Keep up the fight