Grunt … Groan … Pant …

Grunt … groan … ugh … pant, pant, pant … shifting a bit … more panting and groaning and finally a deep, deep breath in and I was finally able to lean over far enough to reach down to put my sneakers on. This was May 14, 2006 and I was soon in my doctor’s office as I called and wanted to visit with him about my health.

Later that afternoon I was in my doctor’s office and went through the normal pre-visit stuff. I was weighed, had my temperature and blood pressure taken, and then the game was on. My doctor told me that as of that morning my weight was 328lbs, but my blood pressure and temperature were normal. Hmm … normal is subjective but I was happy with it.

So, the game was afoot. I was sent to a nutritionist, but first went to receive a full blood workup, and found even in the giant water tub my body weight was still 328lbs. Jokingly I said to the nurse, “Are we not lighter in water since we seem to float?” I don’t think that she thought it was funny. But then she told me that my body fat percentage was 28. I am sure that I had the deer-in-headlights look when hearing that 28% of my body was a big tub of goo, and that is why I had so much trouble trying to lace up my sneakers. Oh, but I would have been good for those Jell-O commercials as everyone could definitely “watch it wiggle, see if jiggle”.

Photo of me at nearly 328lbs

On May 15, 2006 I was sitting on the edge of the bed about to put my sneakers on for the day. This time is for something other than just to put the sneakers on and go about my day. I still grunted, groaned, panted, and sucked in as my as I could to reach down and lace up those sneakers. This day I was going to go for a run. I must admit that going for a run is nothing big for most people, and I did not run much that day. Not even sure what I did was called running.

As I sit here writing this bit I am still saddened and amazed at how I had let myself go physically and mentally. Just a time in ones life when not all was going well. But today is a different story and life is something to be enjoyed, and to do so one must grab every moment. Over these three-plus years I have come a long way. As of this morning I weighed in at 181lbs and my body fat percentage is 16.9. Such a grand improvement over the last three years. Outside of what I weigh or my body fat percentage is I am fit and enjoy exercise, uhm, I mean life.

As one reads this the thought comes as to what did I change. Well, I changed everything. No, I did not go on a diet and this is important as diets do not work. One must make a committed lifestyle change. Yes, change everything to be a better person and to be healthy both physically and mentally. If one does not it will take no time and life will be as it was before.

Thinking about this as I write where today. I went for a short 5k (3.1 miles) run early this morning, and clocked that 5k at 29 minutes and 29 seconds giving me just under 10 minute miles. Later today I will put in some time cycling, but be indoors on the CycleOps trainer.

Just before the 2007 Colorfest Biathlon - 225lbs

My first big race was the Union County Colorfest Biathlon in Anna, Illinois. This biathlon begins with a 5k run that has a lot of hills. Once you complete the 5k hop on your bike and head out for a beautiful 17k (29.2 mile) cycling race. My first time out I DNF’d (Did Not Finish) as I had two flats on the cycling leg and only had one extra tube. Still it was a great experience. I have not been back to that biathlon, but it is a fun day.

So what does the future hold? The future is mine and I love each and every day that I lace up my running shoes, or get on my bike. The exhilaration and adrenalin rush is so grand. I would not miss a day or those feelings. While I have only participated in a few 5k and 10k runs, and the Colorfest Biathlon I want to do more. So what does the future hold for this 45 year old? There are marathons, triathlons, and so much more. That is where I am heading. Not because they are there, but because I can. I can do whatever I wish and that is all we need to know … that we can. So get up, get out and enjoy the world. Life is good.

Chinese Tea Eggs – Yum!

I like eggs, and eggs seem to like me. So, in an effort to find new recipes for my egg enjoyment I ran across Chinese Tea Eggs. Oh my you need to try this out.

Chinese Tea Eggs

6 medium to large eggs
2 tea bags of earl grey tea
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
4 pieces star anise
1 pinch of pepper

1. Put eggs in a medium-sized pot with enough water to cover the eggs.
2. Bring water to boil, then lower heat to simmer for 4 minutes.
3. Remove eggs from heat and allow them to cool.
4. Take the back of a knife or spoon and crack eggs evenly all around.
5. Return eggs to the pot and add the rest of the ingredients.
6. Bring liquid to boil again, then simmer on very low heat for 1 to 4 hours (longer = more color/flavor), add water if level gets too low.
7. Remove from heat, cool, peel shells and enjoy.

Awake @ 4:00 am

It’s 4:00 am and I am awake with a song running through my head as if I have been here before. This road I have traveled before, but only for a short while. The winding, twisting and turning road filled with faces, places and seasons of past, present, and future. I wonder what it is that brings all of us to this place in our lives.

Darkness stretches outside so clear as if daylight has reached out and grabbed me. Grabbed me like a friend from the past which I have not seen since days gone by or days yet to come. Friends, words, and thoughts paint turquoise pictures of grand days that were never known. Observations made of childhood days that feel like dreams of future things clouded by the darkness that is outside at 4:00 am.

These sporadic thoughts fill my mind as the ticking of the clock that doesn’t exist hammers in the background. Metronomic moments from practice rooms are the clock of a musicians world. A world that is often abandoned for other forms of life’s pleasure, but more that of practicality that is removed from life’s love.

Nonexistent clocks hammering life’s heartbeat to words streaming from the radio which cannot be understood. Back to the past the words were clear, but the future brought indistinguishable thought. These thoughts, often like informercials selling products disguised as grandiose get-rich-quick lifesavers, fill the heart with joy only to be discarded. Those thoughts teeter on the curb with raindrops tipping the equilibrium pushing one way and then another.

Rainwater gushing along the curb from earlier days tempting thoughts to leap in and run away. But that equilibrium is tempted to stay by the raindrops turned to tears. Street cleaner trucks driving slowly along the trail turning gauzed streets into clean days. The tears that were once raindrops removed with all other discarded items by the brushes and water of the street cleaner. It is the brushes cleaning, caring, and making anew that which was once the past.

We often see darkness as all that is around this oh-so-cool place we call Earth. Is this because we wear sunglasses to veil the light which is shining, or like blinders that horses used to wear? A gentle tug would remove the veil and allow us to see the good.

We smile as the morning comes after smelling the chocolate corona of coffee wafting through the air. It helps bring light to the darkness we had with our eyes closed. Is not this the problem of much around the world? Eyes closed not willing to see? Tug those sunglasses off the face of the world, and squint for a moment to see the beauty that is really awaiting our hearts.

It’s 4:00 am and I am awake with a song running through my head as if I have been here before. Have you?

Roomba Haiku: Ode to Old Batteries

For the last three years I have had two pets. No, not a cat, dog, bird, nor a rat or anything of the kind. My pets have been two of iRobot’s Roomba robot vacuums. These creatures are wonderful, and help me keep my floors and carpets clean of all that I drag into my home.

The Roombas are spinning discs that travel the floor hunting for the debris their human master leaves for them. Through thick vegetation and glassy basins the Roombas whirl about creeping under couches, slithering under beds, spinning around chair legs all while devouring the little bits and pieces they can find to satisfy their hunger. That is until today.

It seems that the batteries for my two Roombas have charged and recharged all that they can handle. No more do my Roombas sound their joyful song as they begin to clean. One only hears the sorrowful four-note call that their heart is low on energy and the Roombas can no longer go about hunting for carpet food. So, i wrote a new Haiku of these circular creatures that live in my home.

Evening comes slowly

My Roombas dance no longer

Hearts are dead

Soon these small creatures will again chase, whirl, and shout their call to eat. Life replenishment is on its way to aid the Roombas so that they, much like the spiders of the dark, can eat the small bugs that roust about.

Independence Day: Morning Thoughts

Sitting on the front porch and having a cup of coffee this morning by the dawn’s early light. It is a wonderful morning with a slight breeze, a light rain shower, and the sounds of birds chirping. I know that it is Independence Day, but it is so nice to sit and not hear the sounds of fireworks exploding. Quite. Peaceful.

This light rain shower has begun to wash away the fog of Independence Day wars. All that is left is the debris of young children’s celebrations strewn in yards and streets. Faded red sticks from rockets that have lost their red glare. There are no more bombs bursting in the air. The air that was once fouled by oily fumes is clean. Only a light odor of ozone delivered by the rain from above.

This brings memories of those who perilously fought, and those still fighting throughout the world. If only all around the world we realized that each one of us are brothers and sisters. We may speak different languages, dress differently, and have beliefs that differ but we are still people of Earth. All living, breathing, and hoping for a safe world. We should not put out beliefs on another for that may put us asunder.

Sitting on the front porch by the dawn’s early light. Thinking not only of my countries independence, but the independence that all children of Earth should be enjoying. Quite. Peaceful.

My First 10K: Nike+ Human Race

I am a runner. No, not a fast runner or a good runner. The point is that I enjoy what running does for me. I run to run, to be healthy, to reach a goal, to feel the rush, to feel the pain, to feel the good … I run to be.

My running suffered a layoff this year due to work and my many performances overs the last few months. Now that I am back in the swing of running I have noticed differences. The most noticeable difference is the time it is taking to get back to where I was before the layoff. Due to this issue I have been thinking about last year and my running, especially my first 10k.

Graphic from Nike+ Human Race

The Nike+ Human Race was my first 10k. I did not run at one of the major city events, but ran on my own using my iPod Nano and the Nike+ transmitter and receiver. As you see from the below graphic my time was 1:16:12 and I finished 27,142 out of approximately 1 million runners. I have yet to see the official number of total runners, but my finish was not bad in my opinion.

So maybe the Nike+ Human Race is just a glorified branding mission. My thought is that no matter what Nike is thinking the point is to get people off of their couches, away from the television, and maybe, just maybe get out the door and do something physical. Running may not be the cup of tea each person likes, but sure is better than much of what is on that television which people just cannot seem to leave.  :-)

Relationships: A Street Filled with Potholes

Curious thoughts brought to mind after reading a couple of Twitter posts.

Relationships can be a difficult experience. The two-way street is often marred by cracks, potholes, bumps, and dips. Often one partner is traveling down a one-way street where their vision has already seen the point, game, match, and set. This can prove difficult when the other partner is trying to “relate” in the give-and-take world of relationships. We should look to steer around those cracks potholes, bumps, dips, and one-way-street.

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More thoughts on this later.

Horn Haiku

I have been reading about the Japanese poetry form called Haiku. Haiku is a curious form of poetry with a few involved “rules” for writing a proper Haiku. A Haiku consists of 17 moras or more simply 17 syllables. These 17 moras are contained within three metric phrases of 5, 7, and 5 moras respectively. In Japanese, Haikus are written vertically while in English Haikus are written in three lines showing the three metrical phrases.

With that, I have put down my first attempt at a Haiku in the English style.

the forest Horn sounds

but the ear is not hearing

covered with hands

I found it soothing, albeit interesting in creating this Haiku. Maybe there will be more in the future. The point of anything is learning something new each and every day, as one should never stop learning. Colleges, universities, music conservatories, and other institutions are not the only place one can learn. As I always tells my students, “I can serve you cereal, toast, and eggs for breakfast, soup and sandwiches for lunch, salad and Chicken Balsamic for dinner, but only you can decide whether to eat or not”. So choose your meal and relish the taste of new learning.

The Musician Me – The Early Years

If you have read my bio page on this blog you will see that I have traveled the world as a musician, and performed with some incredible groups and people. If not, please do so before reading the rest of this entry.

I mentioned that this blog was going to be brutally honest. It is only fair that while being brutally honest I can do so with myself and my own life. So let me begin.

Like most I was involved in music in some form beginning in elementary school. When I was in elementary school music classes were quite different than what I see in the local public schools. My experience was based in the Orff and Kodály methods where students are taught to sing, play instruments, improvise, and dance from memory. Today, it appears that music classes are built around some performance such as national holidays, drug awareness, of graduation from elementary school. The days of playing rhythms on sticks, dancing (except for square dancing), clapping, and musical games are gone … it is now all about the show.

As elementary school progressed I was put into one of the classes where you were given an instrument and received weekly lessons. These weekly lessons were in a large group and probably received about five or ten minutes of individual instruction within the group. The instrument given to me was trumpet and I hated it. I did not like the sound and I had tremendous difficulties since I had to use my right hand fingers to move the valves. This difficulty is due to an extreme left-hand dominance I have and it felt very unnatural. Due to these minor issues practice was not part of my days. In fact, not one person taught me how to practice in these classes.

I had other things I enjoyed so much more. Reading was the most important to me. I could not get enough. While the books I was reading at that early age may have been Dr. Suess or the ever ubiquitous Hardy Boys, I just could not get enough. I would read in class, read while walking, read while eating, or any time I could hold a book in my hands. That was my time.

Even though I did not practice much, through some natural ability, I was able to play what was needed. Either that or the expectations were extremely low, and that is a high possibility. I ended up playing in the school orchestra, band, all-city orchestra, and all-city band. To this day I have no idea how that was possible but one should realize I was at the bottom of the section. Yes, there needs to be someone there to play that part but I was not there because I was good at that part. This continued into Jr. High as my musical life continued along this path for some time.

Jr. High is a strange time for young boys and girls. The body is changing as well as the mind. Music though stayed the same for me. It was boring and the band teacher was quite mean. As I think back to those days there never seemed to be any teaching. Just a man in front with a salt and pepper beard telling me how bad I was doing. I remember often getting called on to play by myself while the rest of the band listened. Oh, what a panic that was to hear, “Michael! Have you practiced that line? Play it for us.” Disaster every time my name was called. This was my life as a young musician and I am sure that many had the same experience, and it was not a good way to teach and instill confidence in a young person.

Time to stop for now as that is the end of the “Early Years”. Middle years will be coming up soon and those are much more interesting.

Hello World!

Where does one begin? Blogging is such a popular idiom for putting ones thoughts out to the people of the world. But are my thoughts so important that others will read? I am just a person that has a love of music, life, and all that there is to experience. Hopefully, I will find the words that paint the good and the bad of being.

My wishes with this blog is to be brutally honest about anything and everything. This is a “no holds barred” blog where I wish to tell the world about life, travel, world affairs, cultural, socio-economic issues, and anything else that comes into my mind. Most of these views and opinions I have garnered from years of travel as a musician. Once one steps foot into another country your viewpoint about the world dramatically changes.

Let us walk together, discover new ideas, and not only discuss ideas but maybe provide some solutions to life.