Whooshes & Whooshes

Thank you Angie for recording this on your DVR and sharing it with us. This could truly be an addition to the Why I Love Utah series! Probably the best Utah news story ever!

It's Time...

Time for change. I’m not talking Obama-size change. More like Stumpe-size change. Personal change. Easier said than done, I realize, but this is a first step in achieving my goals. So here it is, let me lay it on you: By the end of 2009 I will weigh 170 pounds or less.

By publicizing my intentions here I hope to create a little added accountability and a system for reporting. Feel free to hassle me if I seem to be slacking in my attempts to get healthy. In order to gain perspective and keep me motivated I have outlined three basic sections that I believe will help me succeed:

How I gained all the weight:

• I was eating out way too much
• I gave in to my soda/caffeine addiction
• I was lazy (thanks to television and video games)
• I did not go to bed early enough and did not get enough sleep
• I gave in to depressive thoughts and behavior
• My eating habits have been inconsistent and unhealthy
  

How I will reach my goal:

• I will begin eating healthy
• I will make health shakes
• I will eat a good breakfast
• I will make lunches rather than eating out all the time
• I will include fruits and vegetables in my diet
• I will eat 4-6 meals/snacks a day
• I will avoid eating late at night (especially bad foods)
  

• I will keep myself hydrated
• I will begin the day with no less than 8 oz of water (kick-starts my metabolism)
• I will replace soda with water throughout the day
• I will drink 0.5 gallons (64 oz.) to 1 gallon of water a day
  

• I will exercise regularly
• I will workout at the gym at least 4 times a week first thing in the morning
• I will take other opportunities to participate in recreational activitiesWhen I have nothing else to do and find myself sitting in front of the TV I will find some other physical activity even if it means going to the gym twice that day
• I will combine cardio exercises and weight lifting (cardio will most often involve intervals)

• I will go to bed early and I will rise early
• I will keep a positive mental attitude
  

Reasons why I want to do this

• I want to be more competitive in the sports I participate in
• I want to be generally more confident
• I want to avoid injury preemptively
• I want to be more physically attractive
• I don’t want to be embarrassed when I take off my shirt (and I really like to be shirtless)
• I don’t want to be embarrassed when I’m at the pool, waterpark, lake, etc (kind of goes back to the whole shirtless thing)
• I want to have enough strength and endurance for everyday activities and more
  

I know some of these things sound pretty general but losing weight does not have to be complicated. It is my belief that four simple things (simple in theory but not in action) can lead to weight loss: Healthy eating, exercise, self-discipline, and a positive mental attitude.

Here’s the lowdown: I weigh in, on average, at 200 lbs. I will have to lose 30 lbs by the end of the year. That’s roughly 4.5 lbs a month. Not too bad, right. Really, I would like to be at 165 but shooting for 170 felt realistic but significant. I can then go from there. Six months from now I should be skinnier, healthier, and happier!

Juan Es Su Nombre

Translation: John is his name. Such is the motto of La Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico. Apparently it refers to John the Baptist. All in all, kind of weird. I still love Puerto Rico, regardless. Here's why:

The world's best bioluminescent bay resides off the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. Mosquito Bay hosts more than 700,000 microscopic bioluminescent organisms per gallon, the highest concentration in the world. The result is something that must be experienced in person and in the water. Don't be afraid to take a swim! And when you do go may I suggest taking the kayak tour provided by Heaven Karibe and my friend Jorge.

Old San Juan is one of the most visually enticing cities I've ever been in. The views are fantastic. Being on a small islet Old San Juan boasts oceanic views from any side of the small city, and even from the center of the city if your high enough. The architecture of Old San Juan is colorful and far different than anything I've seen in the States. Accentuating the beautiful buildings old blue cobblestone paves the narrow streets. Furthermore, attractive plazas spot the city which must be shared with the pigeons and statues. My favorite of these statues involves naked people and upside babies...

Honestly, I can't boast too much about the food. I do love the word Mofongo and I thoroughly enjoy a chimichurri steak. When it comes down to it there's too much fried-ness for me. However, I can't get enough PARCHA! Any way it is served: frappe, juice, ice cream, "con rum", you name it, I love it! In fact I want some right now!

Now on to Vieques, where the horses run wild and enjoy showering with the guests. It is just fantastic sitting and eating and watch young Puerto Ricans trot by on their horses with a rope and a blanket as a saddle. I saw my first wild Sea Turtle the first time I was there. Vieques is a wonderful wonderful place.

And finally, Culebra. Home of Playa Flamenco. A beach with beautiful soft sand and warm, clear blue Caribbean water. The waves during this last trip were excellent for body surfing, boogie boarding, or even possibly surfing. Although the locals love to visit Playa Flamenco the beach rarely feels crowded. The camp ground is roughly 20 feet from the beach. When hungry head to the beach entrance for some chicken, pork, swordfish, or shark pinchos (kabobs). They are tasty and cheap!

Truly, a lot more could be said for Puerto Rico. These were just a few of the things that will keep me going back. I feel bad leaving things out like El Yunque, Rincon, Desecheo, and Camuy Caves. All of which are impressive in their own right. My advice: GO TO PUERTO RICO! No passport required!

Just in case...

...you haven't heard enough about Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer you should check out the article written by our good friend and master editor Angie Smith at the SUU Journal. It even has a couple of pictures for ya. Here' the link:

http://www.suujournal.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=1051b4d9-6512-43db-a190-0c71355428fe

The Good Life

So, I was completely unaware that today was a clock change day. It threw off my whole day. And now I can't sleep. So I'm blogging. You know what else?!? I didn't get to eat Ravioli and throw confetti on my bushes because I just wasn't prepared!

The last few weeks have been pretty great. Here's the run down:

• Went camping hyped up on a BFC (bad idea by the way)
• Hung out with Angie
• Danced my face off on several occasions
• Perkins moved back to Utah
• Completed power hour after a night of enchiladas, chips, salsa, and a full stomach (another bad idea)
  
• The night before the power hour party found myself at Beto's (and another bad idea) after a night at Piper's Down
  
• A weekend that consisted of Metal Gods, MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Angie (as mentioned before), Slurpees, dress-up, Rockband, Scene it, Blue Plate Diner, Pineapple Express, good friends and good times!
• Runnin' Utes won a share of the MWC title with a convincing win over TCU (I would have preferred them not sharing, though)
• Utah Jazz have a healthy team and are on a 10-1 run after a Friday night victory over the Denver Nuggets
• Hung out with the fam (which I haven't done in too long)
• and the list could go on...

The weeks to come seem to want to continue the trend:

• Corporate games: Volleyball and Dodgeball
• Spring Break = sunny beaches, parcha, and bio luminescence
• St. Patty's Day
• March Madness
• and warmer weather (keep your fingers crossed)!!!
  

Too Legit, Too Legit to Quit

MC Hammer could not have said truer words twenty years ago. He's been gone for a while, but he never quit. I witnessed living proof of that this past weekend. The man is still rapping and dancing at 46 years old. Not only is he doing it, he is doing it well. Initially, I went thinking I would know two of his songs: 2 Legit 2 Quit & U Can't Touch This. I was wrong. Turn This Motha Out, Pumps and a Bump, Addams Grove, and of course Pray were a few of the amazing performances that were unforgettable and kept me singing along. Once his set was over he turned the place into a dance party with tracks off of his new CD: Dance Jams the music. What were we to do but to dance!?!?



As for Vanilla Ice. The dude is hardcore. And yet, very sentimental. At one point he had the crowd chanting "Family, Family, Family..." Odd and intriguing. It was from his heart. For Vanilla Ice, he got caught up in the music game before he grasped the true nature of his talent. And because of that Vanilla Ice will never be taken seriously. Ice has skills. He is an incredible performer and could out perform a handful of these so-called rappers today such as Sojua Boy, Mims, Lil' Wayne (and his stupid synthesizer)--yeah I said it, Unk, and Mike Jones to name a few. The fact that he preformed Ninja Rap made me so so happy! Which, with quality music behind it, is a sweet song.

Finally, the night was amazing with friends and strangers all commencing in 80's fashion to dance and sing and appreciate what was. For all of your viewing pictures I have included pictures to show how awesome it truly was.

Check it out!

There are a couple things I am really excited about right now:

• It's Hammer time!!! MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice are coming to Utah for a concert next week and I am going!
• Chev Chelios is still alive and still breakin' heads!
  
• Last but certainly not least, Shaun and I are collaborating on a new blog that will blow your mind!

So check it out: http://therockhamptons.blogspot.com/

The Greatest Discovery in the History of Mankind

All I can say is "I want to go to there"...

To see what I am talking about go to http://shaunlowder.blogspot.com/ and check out the blog entitled For Allan. You will not be disappointed!

The Glories of Utah (Part IV)

Encouraged by the recent events of Utah Athletics I felt like breaking out in song. But since you can't hear me sing, imagine it, or sing the words yourself, provided below:

Utah Man

VERSE
I am a Utah man, sir, and I live across the green.
Our gang, it is the jolliest that you have ever seen.
Our coeds are the fairest and each one's a shining star.
Our yell, you hear it ringing through the mountains near and far.

CHORUS

Who am I, sir? A Utah man am I A Utah man, sir, and will be till I die; Ki!Yi!
We're up to snuff; we never bluff,
We're game for any fuss,
No other gang of college men
dare meet us in the muss.
So fill your lungs and sing it out and
shout it to the sky,
We'll fight for dear old Crimson,
for a Utah man am I.

VERSE

And when we prom the avenue, all lined up in a row,
And arm in arm and step in time as down the street we go.
No matter if a freshman green, or in a senior's gown,
The people all admit we are the warmest gang in town.

CHORUS

VERSE
We may not live forever on this jolly good old sphere,
But while we do we'll live a life of merriment and cheer,
And when our college days are o'er and night is drawing nigh,
With parting breath we'll sing that song:
"A Utah Man Am I"...GO UTES!!

---

The reasons for my elated song:

The beating the Utah Ute Football team handed Alabama at the 2009 Sugar Bowl to cap off a perfect season

The brutal slaughtering of the school down south in the rivalry dubbed the "Holy War"

Watching the Runnin' Utes outlast BYU in the Huntsman Center on Tuesday night

Utah Women's Basketball team pulling off a convincing victory at the Marriot Center on Wednesday night

And should any of you forget: In 2004 the Utah Football team weas the first non-BCS team bust the BCS and went on to beat Pittsburgh in the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl!

P.S. I would dare say that Utah will be the winner of the Deseret First Duel which is currently 26 to 6 in Utah's favor.