Michael & Liz are Bloggable

It seems like lately I haven't focused on one priority but instead have been trying to tackle a bunch all at once. My life is like an ice cream store's flavor of the week... today I'll be woodworking and tomorrow I'll be reviewing movies. It's tiring and annoying. To be honest, I like being busy, but I don't like doing pointless activities. That's why I quit indoor soccer. I can run on my own, save 60 dollars every 2 months, and be just as happy.

It's inevitable that my list will continue to grow because I always find things I enjoy to do, but it's time to nip one in the bud. Just like I predicted, I'm not going to review movies on the blog anymore. I had a revelation this weekend. I don't watch movies because I enjoy giving my opinion, I enjoy movies because I love being entrenched in a story for a couple hours. They're entertaining. There are few things I enjoy more than watching a great movie. During my movie reviewing stint, I actually started putting off watching movies because I didn't want to review any. How's that for a bad side effect!?!?

So it's time to condense my hobbies. I love woodworking, I love working out/running, I love training Daisy and Gryffin. I think that's about all I can handle. Of course I will continue to watch movies, but that's not as much a hobby as much as it is something I enjoy doing at my leisure. That actually might be the definition of a hobby... but I wouldn't consider movie watching one of mine. And there is always housework and yardwork but you can never ignore those. So what's my plan of attack with these three hobbies?

Woodworking:

I have decided that next year I am going to enter the birdhouse competition that Liz and I went to. It was awesome but there were some birdhouses that were just not very good. I found myself walking around saying "well jeez, I can do that!" So that's the ultimate goal a year from now. How to get there?

I need a workbench, there are no if and or buts about it. I can't do anything in the garage without a workbench. I also can't really do woodworking without taking the coffee table out to the garage as a workbench. So I've decided to start working on building a new coffee table. No more delaying, I gotta do it. Once I finish a coffee table, I am going to take the wood from the current table and make it into a workbench. I think that's a pretty good plan, but can I follow through? I can't help but try....

Working Out/Running:

Hurting my calf 3 weeks ago was a blessing in disguise. Actually, I'd be willing to bet to a lot of people, it was such a disguise that it never looked like I was hurt at all. The only time the pain occurred was when I ran for longer than 15 minutes. So except for the times I'm actually running, I look like I'm fine. We will find out for sure tomorrow when I go out for a 6 mile run.

During my down time, I pledged to workout with the Biggest Loser workout videos at 6AM every day for a week. For the people looking for an update, I accomplished it. Every day, 6AM, me, the dogs, and Bob Harper. The only day I didn't do it was Saturday because come on, it's Saturday. I didn't continue the trend of waking up early but I did wake up a monster. No I'm not that buff yet, but I love workout videos now. There is something about the convenience of not leaving the house but still getting a good workout.

Right at the same time, Justin (gravitywins) started the P90X program and was raving about how good it hurt. With my new found workout video obsession, I had to try it. So last night Liz and I started our first P90X workout with chest and back. It was tough and exhausting but we made it through. We're completely hooked. It's a 13 week program and we couldn't be more excited about it. Liz actually said today: "I look forward to the other half of my body hurting tonight :)". We'll see if we continue with the program until July like we should. My biggest problem will be in what I eat as opposed to sticking to the workouts, so I'm hoping my obsession moves to making better food choices.

Those who know me must be saying "OK... so what about running?" Well... I'm not going to give up on that and I still plan on accomplishing my 1000 mile goal for the year but it will not be my main concentration. I am going to continue to train for the marathon in May by running several times a week but once the race is over, I am going to exclusively concentrate on the P90X workout plan.

I must be sounding like a hypocrite making this blog title "Rotating Priorities" and then putting myself through multiple workout and training plans. I'll admit, it is hypocritical, but I'd rather aim for a high workout goal and miss it then aim low and hit it every time. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, and you miss 100% of the putts you leave short. So bring it on.

Training Daisy & Gryffin:
Gryffin is ridiculous. I have trained him so well that every single time I have a treat in my hand now, he'll roll over onto his back without a command. He also no longer responds to sit, lay down or my "Pwhew!" shooting command. He just rolls over regardless. So we need to work on correcting that.

Honestly my biggest problem, is the fact that we have two dogs. For example, I can't train Gryffin unless Liz and I are both free because if I put Daisy in another room, she whines wondering why she's secluded and Gryffin also gets distracted. If I leave Daisy in the room with Gryffin and I, she thinks it's unfair that he gets all the treats so I have to reward her for doing nothing. It's a wonderful problem to have though, they are so awesome.

I don't think it will take long to correct Gryffin's confusion though, he's a smart boy. What is next on the agenda to teach Gryffin? Obviously "roll over" is next. I also want to teach him "rock"(the 21st century version of "gimme a paw") and due to the popularity from our friends, "touch the stove". (Basically we want to teach him something utterly pointless that has no application and makes no sense at all... "touch the stove" won).

What are we going to teach Daisy next? Anything she can get her brain around. Liz thinks she's too smart for tricks, I'm entirely on the "she's too stupid" side. It doesn't matter, I'll keep trying anyway.

Today I was sitting around and was pretty bored, so I decided to start trying to teach Gryffin a trick. I eventually want him to roll over but the first step to doing that is getting him to lie down. So I got some food and just started training him. I am not joking, I spent literally 10 minutes teaching him and he already picked up on what to do. He's a little inconsistent right now because it's so new, but after a couple tries, he gets it.

We felt bad because Gryffin was getting all the treats. Daisy just doesn't pick up on tricks very quickly and she was just in the way with her begging. I promised that I would teach her the trick though, so I'll have to spend some time with her. It might be a waste because I have a feeling I'll get Gryffin sauteing scallops before Daisy is rolling over, and boy would that be handy after a tough day for both Liz and I. Daisy has this thing about being on her back, she just doesn't like it. So the training will be difficult because she squirms while she is on her back until she is back on her stomach.

Gryffin should learn "roll over" fairly quickly. Whenever he scratches his back, he squirms around on the ground, so I know he can do it. It's just a matter of time, and probably not that much.

We finally got our Nikon D80 on Friday and let me say it's a very happy household we have here. Liz went nuts this weekend but only as nuts as the darkness of a dreary rainy weekend would allow. She has played with the settings, adjusted the thingies, focused the circly object, and allowed more light to hit the stuff. Isn't that all it takes to be a photographer? I should go pro then.... maybe not. Obviously I am no camera expert but it's a boat load of fun for her either way.

About 20 minutes ago we got back inside from taking pictures in the backyard and I say "hey, im going to post some pictures on the blog". Well that didn't go over well because she is still just practicing and nothing is blog-worthy yet. Well after thumbing through close to 200 pictures, I finally got the power of attorney to post what we both feel are acceptable pictures for the blog. Check 'em out!




I've been instructed to inform everyone that the following picture is not a good one because it is so dark, but I wanted to post it anyway because of just how awesome Gryffin is.


We've got an exciting weekend coming up. A month ago Liz sent me the link to a North Carolina birdhouse competition. This was mainly because I enjoy woodworking and creating things so I want to see what people can do and maybe inspire me to make more stuff. Lately, my motivation has been low. But this also gives Liz a chance to take a bunch of pictures with her super awesome camera. So here are some words I never thought I'd say: woo hoo for the bird house competition!!

P.S. - if there is anyone in Raleigh that wants to go with us, we'll probably go Saturday and it's free. Here's the link if you're interested in going with us.

So who is occupying Fulton Bird Suite #1? It is a male Bluebird which apparently is a very common bird in Eastern North Carolina.

I am sitting here on the couch with all the shades in the room pulled up. The reason for that is it's easier to take pictures with tons of light in the room. Who knew? All of a sudden a bird hopped on to the top of the house. I just about flew off the couch, but I stayed calm because I didn't want the bird to see me. It stood there and looked around for a few minutes, then hung on to the hole on the front of the house for a few seconds and threw some stuff into the house. Obviously I have no idea what it was but it looked like he was just dropping off some goods. Then he flew off to the tree in the back. Now the bird never ACTUALLY went all the way inside but it looked like he could fit so I assume this is his house. Here is a picture of a male Bluebird. This picture looks so similar to him that it could be his twin:

How do I know it's a male? Well apparently males are darker in color and have more exaggerated colors. Females tend to have more dullish colors.

We'll be watching this guy closely, check out this link for the schedule bluebirds follow for creating young throughout the year: http://www.ncbluebird.org/html/ncbs_ncnesting.html

I will let you know if I ever see the bird hop in, but for now, that's who I think is occupying our bird house. I never thought I'd enjoy bird watching. I think the key though is bringing the birds to me, it sounds a lot less fun to go find them.

If anyone knows me, they know that I love challenges and pushing myself. Well for the next 6 days, I am going to give myself a new challenge.

On Friday I went to the gym with every intention of running 8 miles. I got 1.5 miles in and my right calf started hurting. I have never pulled a calf muscle before but it just doesn't feel like a pull. It actually feels like a charlie-horse right in the back of my calf. Either way, I couldn't keep going and I'm not all about pushing through pain when it comes to training.

So defeated and upset, I headed home and did something I've been intending to do for a while and haven't, and that is a 30 minute Biggest Loser workout. In college, Liz got this video that has 4 workouts on it, and I've been curious to try one of them. To my surprise, it was really hard. I pushed through it though and broke a good sweat by the end.

I woke up Saturday morning and was crazy sore all over. I realize I'm not hitting every muscle doing marathon training but boy is it pathetic how crappy I felt. Should I keep doing it?

Today I woke up and my calf was still hurting, so after church I ran through another workout and once again I'm wiped. Made me think, if I can do the workout with a messed up calf, I should do that this week instead of marathon training.

My challenge this week is to wake up at 6AM and do the workout every day (Monday through Saturday). This way I'll get in better shape all over and be ready to go next week for more training once my calf is healed up. Here's to hopin!

Almost exactly a month ago, we were finally able to purchase a new DSLR camera. A Nikon D80 to be exact. And as of today we still do not have a camera. Ya know why? Because Amazon.com/J&R Music is stupid. Amazon said it was in stock, but 5 days after ordering I recieved an email from J&R Music (the company it was being sent from), letting me know it was on back-order. I was mad...but instead of getting a refund and buying it somewhere else I decided to stick it out and be patient. After many calls & emails with customer service they could not give me a date when it would be in stock. To my surprise, I found an email today from Amazon saying that my unrequested refund is being processed.

Does anyone know a good place to get a camera?

Dear WhoDey,

In exactly 10 days, no more, no less, I will own you. Zoom Zoom.

Michael.

PS - thank you for keeping my butt comfortable



This is one of the only pictures I have on my computer of WhoDey. It's from last summer. WhoDey is the car on the right.

Today has been kinda rough for me. Not cuz of what I did, but just because I'm so incredibly tired. I need some sleep but I'll do that later, probably tonight. Boy did I change my attitude when I came home and found that Fulton Bird Suite #1 was occupied!! Thank goodness no little tykes were in there at the time I opened the door! The last thing I want to do is scare them away, I think instead I will peer out our window and stare at their house. That's probably less scary, or at least in my experience. I still have no idea what kind of bird it is or what it looks like, but when we have new information, we'll post it.

So check out the inside, I took a quick picture before heeding Liz's warnings and leaving it alone.


More to come on our new resident. I wonder if I can charge them rent....

Last weekend I bought all the wood and supplies in order to put up pegboard in the garage. I have my Mom to thank for that because her Christmas present to me was the money to buy all the supplies. Thanks Mom!! So I took off work early on Friday and put up the pegboard on the left side of the garage but didn't get time to do the right. Doing the left took me roughly 4 hours all together. I'm sorry I didn't take any before shots... I can't EVER seem to remember to do that and I don't know why.

On Sunday, I skipped church (I know I'm bad but I NEVER do anymore since I'm involved in Kidstuf) and worked on the right side. The right only took me about 3 hours to do. And TA DA:

I can't tell you how happy I am to get so much junk hung up on the wall. I can finally open my tool box in the corner there (of the right side) without having a shovel or rake fall on me. Things are finally starting to have a place... and hopefully I can keep them there.

Things still left to do:

• Hang up my bike.
• Take the LONG ladder that is on the ground on the left side of the garage and hang it above the pegboard on the right side of the garage.

I also have another couple thank you's to throw out. Scott, I absolutely could not have done this project without that awesome level you got me last year. It was without a doubt the most used tool on the project. Jon, thanks so much for the truck! Whodey (my Mazda) thanks you too! Brian, the garage light you got me is amazing! Not only did it allow me to work with the garage down (since it's so flippin freezing outside) but it also creates some heat so the garage isn't so cold. And also another thank you to my Mom for the awesome electric drill! It is amazing and I don't think I could have chosen a better one!

Hopefully this also improves the value of the house a little bit! It definitely can't hurt! Now if only I could hang that stupid lawn mower...