On the Rocks

Lindsey and the Garys Boys

2010-03-30T01:37:51Z

abridged: This house fall sway to some rambunctious behaviour.

unabridged: It just so happened one of my favorite people needed some help putting together a website for a school project and asked her good ole uncle for some help. So I picked Lindsey up from school and carted her home with me for the evening. Needless to say, the boys were happy to see her. We all sat down to a nice dinner by Brandy and then all hell broke lose.

Lindsey took the boys outside to play on the swingset and run the yard and then back inside for some homework and Wrestlemania. The boys had a field day being able to wrestle with one of the girls and Lindsey is always a load of fun for them.

The Face Pull; use the rope

2010-03-02T17:34:20Z

A good pulling exercise and way to hit the rear delts and traps is the Face Pull. I prefer this one at the end of the workout after bigger movements and it works for a finisher. And while numerous exercises can be modified many ways I think this one should stay simple and stick with a rope.

Saturday after running some basketball I headed to the weights to expend even more energy. After working myself into an oxygen debt I decided to hit the face pulls. Walking over to the cables a curl bar was already attached so I thought I'd just use the bar instead of the rope. [REMEMBER, I was at a severe lack of oxygen, dripping sweat, and hitting exhaustion.] Suddenly there was a loud clank of metal smacking into the bone of my brow and bridge of my nose. I calmly looked around and switched to the rope. My brow and nose still hurt today.

Pushing Progress

2010-02-01T15:51:19Z

If we're going to put in the time to keep ourselves fit and healthy shouldn't we at least take the time to track our efforts. If the goal is to improve our fitness we need to know how to create improvement. This is where a workout log pushes our progress.
Being a competitive person my workout log allows me to not only see progression, but to compete against myself and to constantly push to be better. Talk about self motivation; it drives me thru my workouts. I know my weights, sets, reps, & times. It's an automatic challenge for improvement.
Keeping a workout log can do wonders for your goals whether you're looking for weight loss, performance, or strength. To create progress you need a means to measure yourself. With a log there are no lies, no self-deception, it's on paper and hopefully in ink. So if you want improvement then hold yourself accountable and the progress will come.

Very Old Barton BIB

2010-01-27T03:29:47Z

One of the best things about being a bourbon drinker is that there are good bourbons to be had for a twenty, or even a ten. Very Old Barton is one of those brands that places itself in that categoy. I've liked the 90 proof and the 86, though this bottle is the bonded 100. This is the number I'm preferring to be around to get that nice bourbon kick along with the rich flavors.

VOB BIB is a good pour at $13 for a 750ml and again, at 100 proof. It has that usual bourbon smell of oak and vanilla with something interesting I seem to pick up on the backend; apple. A nice rich taste though there is a hit of mint and cherry in the mix. Being not too fond of a minty taste it kind of puts me off a little bit. It finishes short and refreshing. I'll go a few more rounds with this, though if I continue to pick up the mint I'll probably stick with the 90 Old Barton, but over all this is definitely a good drink.

My take: 3.0 / $

101 Ways to Watch Football

2010-01-21T16:00:00Z

I've watched many a football games many different ways, but none quite so dear to me. First game of the day was the a playoff matchup that pitted the Cowboys against the Purple People Eaters, the Vikings. This is the game I was anticipating.

Being a father of two boys my football watching has changed drastically. Not too many days of tipping the pints and devouring a plate of hot wings. "THE BONES. LOOK AT THE BONES." They've been traded for intense wrestling matches and watching the game with a canted floor view while being kicked in the kidney. But this day would be a bit toned down from the wrestling and outside activities.

After church nap-time was in full effect, or so I hoped. Rian 'the impossible' was on his usual conquest to defeat sleep and bring down the one known as 'dad'. Well, what can I say, he's a cutie. So I laid on the couch with my boy and let him fall asleep in my arms. This is just hard to beat. And this will be one of those times missed as they grow older.

Coincidentally Martin Luther King Day

2010-01-19T03:50:25Z

Was it just a coincidence I was in a 1-on-1 basketball game between and black guy and white guy at 10 this morning? Hit the gym early on this holiday and just by chance I changed course to the b-ball gym to warmup before getting with other exercises. I'm not sure what the chances were for it to unfold the way that it did but I found it pretty peculiar; on this day.

How would have Mr. King viewed this game. Besides the obvious; not enough height, not enough skill. It takes me back to a childhood game of football, at my grandmothers apt complex, between two boys playing as if it were the Super Bowl. One of our games ended with my mother taking me to the emergency room with a smashed hand. And the next visit to grandma's took me back to the grass square trying to find my buddy for another game.

The most interesting and innocent aspect of these games was that there were two boys playing an American game, a game of football. We didn't see it any other way. We knew the ball, we knew the rules, and we knew we had to tackle the other before they made a touchdown. And while our parents, grandparents, and the folks who watched may have seen something else, that was all we knew. Two boys playing football.

Mr. King had a dream which would transcend race and politics. He had a vision of the evolution of the greatest country, our America. Martin Luther King Jr looked to bring people together with their eyes wide open while still being blind. Had he been in audience I'm pretty sure he would have viewed the game as it was being played; two guys playing a game of basketball.

Who Needs a Resolution?

2010-01-04T20:57:12Z

Luckily I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions, because had I made one it would have already been broken. Or maybe, if I made it I would have kept to it. Who knows? But if I woulda it would have been to keep this website updated.

Surveys have shown that more people will be focusing on their finances for their resolution putting a small dent into the "I need to get fit" crowd. But why on earth would everyone purposely wait to make a change to better themselves? All I know is the gym will be over crowded again just like every January. But I can endure the annoyance for the 4-5 weeks it takes to weed out the weak.

And I've been told that I can sometimes be a bit judgmental and this is something I really need to work on to further grow as a person. Unfortunately I won't be able to start working on that until 2011 when I can make that resolution.

Here I Go Again

2009-12-11T15:43:13Z

"Here I Go Again", cool 80's Whitesnake song, bad webmastering. To fix this blogging stuff to get what I want out of it I had to break a few things. So I'm going to have to muck through this for a bit and hopefully I'll have it squared away shortly.

Grow Older, Not Weaker

2009-12-07T21:24:21Z

As we ascend into our latter years there are changes within our body which we associate with old age. These changes are a direct result of how we take care of our health now. Both bone and muscle degeneration are the culprits that plague the elderly and many people who are just in there 50's & 60's. Though it starts while we're just in are 30's & 40's. Much like obesity, the loss of muscle tissue and bone density is directly related to inactivity and nutrition. Unfortunately it isn't as easily seen until a person breaks a hip.
These "old age" symptoms consist of; imbalance, lack of strength, bone fractures (hips), and immobility. Thus, depriving the individual of the ability to perform basic functions. And the major issue of concern is osteoporosis. While most people have heard of osteoporosis and fear developing it as they grow older, very few start adequate prevention. Unfortunately for women they suffer more severely from this bone disease then men, however, men best not turn their eye on the issue.
As daily activities start to become a hindrance once the body begins the process of losing structural strength, everyday functions slowly become more difficult by the day. Basic functions which can become hampered consist of climbing stairs, loading groceries, carrying a gallon of milk or even standing from a chair. Because of the body not being required to perform an activity greater than normal movement muscle fibers and bone minerals start to decrease. It's a funny thing that the human body knows when it is no longer asked to neither perform strenuous activities nor to reserve greater strength than what's needed for sitting on the couch watching TV.
The prescription for these ailments isn't a pill, but proper strength training with load bearing lifts. When you begin a strength training program you will begin building a stronger body only weeks after the start. When your body recognizes the need to lift, support, and move heavier work loads it will begin the process of building more muscle fiber and bone density creating the needed strength to support the work load. As your body becomes structurally stronger you can absorb and apply more force in day to day activities.
The good news is it's never too late to begin anything in life if you decide to put yourself in motion and it certainly isn't too late to curb the effects of a deteriorating body. Depending on age and fitness level both training and benefits will vary, though everyone has the ability to make these changes. You can never be too old to begin a healthier life style with better nutrition and strength training, just don't be too late. Act now to improve your overall health and fitness and it will benefit you from now through the years to come.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-30T20:11:13Z

It started off like any other weekend, got to sit down with the boys and have breakfast. Actually, it starts with me standing at the stove with a kid tugging at my leg screaming for food while I make us eggs. Aden had cereal and Rian and dad had scrambled eggs with cheese, raisins, and toast decked with almondbutter. This is our favorite power breakfast.
Rian really wanted to drive so Aden grabbed his safety glasses for "just in case". Though, Dad insisted in driving. The boys got to play with the 'girls' and their buddy uncle Kelly. Rian maneuvered in for some food; always the begger.
A pretty good day of feasting with family at mine and Brandy's mothers. Good food [& tons of it] and time spent with family makes for a good Thanksgiving.

Drop the BS -n- Pickup the Weight

2009-11-24T20:17:12Z

If you really want to improve your fitness then you need to make compound movements the cornerstone of your plan. Drop the BS and get real. Aside from a few people the majority of gym goers are doing the same thing. Many guys really like pumping up those muscles they see in the mirror. They show up on chest and bi days, might do a good back exercise, but most likely will find any excuse to miss working their legs. Lets not even mention full range of motion. Barely lowering the weight on the bench or pushing their butt back just a tab and calling it a squat.
And I just giggle watching women use these mouse wheel machines set on 1 and their legs flailing to the task of takeoff. Their body composition will be the same as last year, but I guess it's better then molding the butt to the couch.

x Strength
x Athleticism
x Bone density
x Higher metabolism
x Increased fitness

I think most of us are looking for many of the same benifits from exercise. It's just a matter of who wants to put forth the effort. Are you going to have an excuse to not show up, possibly find the path of least resistance, or are you going to challenge yourself to do and be better than the day before.

Rittenhouse Rye 80

2009-11-17T22:00:00Z

Rittenhouse Rye was originally produced out of Pennsylvania until prohibition closed the doors to many great distilleries and then later revived by one of the bluegrass' top spirits producers, Heavin Hill. Rye has a long history is this country, old in it's tradition.
Rittenhouse comes bottled in Bond at 100 proof or a toned down 80. This bottle is of the latter. On the nose there's a dryness with a bit of earth and fruit in the mix. Once the glass was in 'tilt back' position there was a hint of spice and oak and no real hit of heat or alcohol.
I'd imagine this is the little brother to the Bottled In Bond. This isn't an in-your-face glass of whiskey and doesn't bring that slight bourbon punch, though sometimes that can be a good quality. For the price I say this is a must try and a good place for a person new to whiskey to start. Nice and clean, easy to drink.

My Take: 3.5 - $

Evolving Pains

2009-11-12T20:23:11Z

Every couple of months this place gets turned upside down with me making changes to the design. The website really hasn't been complete in my eyes for several years because I continuously change the layout looking to close the distance of what I want from the site. Well, here we go again

I have decided to install blogging software so I can quickly post what ever it is I may have to say. The problem is testing which software I prefer. Behind the scenes I'm going to have to work with code for CSS and PHP to customize the design to my liking. So this is going to be a bit of a process. But, while I work on this I'm going to try to keep the activity current and flowing. [We'll see!]

Sprickets: The Invasion

2009-11-03T18:00:48Z

Sprickets, a.k.a. the freaky bastards that chase my wife up ontop of a chair screaming, apparently come out of their dwelling as the outside temp drops to their liking. Take a trip into my basement and you may find yourself in a situation that rivals a scene from Starship Troopers. Their appearance leaves little doubt that you do not want to scoop them up into your hands to gently toss them out the front door so they can continue a productive insect life. Add in the military like maneuvering in which they form a tactical line to march onto you providing a frontal distraction to move in under the flanks, and you know you have a fight that you just can't walk away from.

It seems these creepy jumpers are actually Cave Crickets. This would explain why every winter my house is plagued with them. Umm, no it wouldn't!

If you aren't ontop your your Karate Bo Staff techniques wielding a broom recklessly around the house could be hazardess, so I'm here to give you my sure fire way to get these sprickets all together and dead and forego any need of your questionable hand-2-hand skills. Glue Pad mouse traps. That's all I have to say. I don't know how or why, it just does. Lay a couple of these down where you notice the little buggers and they will all be dancing to get stuck in the muck. Fill up and replace.