Mr. Stubby, it's time for a woodworking project!

Since this is the Thanksgiving season, I will start this post as such. I am thankful that I learned woodworking from my father and grandfather, both of whom still have all of their fingers! This is the sure sign of a good teacher.

This Saturday I will be building a train table for a 2 year old boy for Christmas. His mom asked me to build it, and she will paint it to suit her needs. As most of my projects take on a life of their own, my goal for this one will be challenging. Keep it simple, but make it look good!

Sadly, mass produced kid's furniture generally lacks the quality that I would like to see. The fundamental reason for this issue is cost. Manufactures cannot build these items at a cost consumers are willing to pay and still make a profit without the quality being effected. Most of these items you have to assemble yourself with an instruction manual that is written in such a way that a MIT grad would have a hard time with it. The parts lists is made up of veneered press board, screws with plastic head covers, and a cardboard "wood grain" backing.

Kids will be kids, and nobody wants their 2 year old to color on their handmade Amish coffee table. However, wouldn't it be nice to have somethings made well enough to last beyond the life of a set of truck tires?

So, in the words of a true Carpenter; "Come on people now smile on your brother everybody get together love one another right now." OK, so that did not relate at all, but it is the only Carpenter's song I know!

This Christmas give from your heart, but make sure it is on the list.

The act of giving at Christmas is as old as the holiday itself. Giving is a tangible display of our appreciation and love. This can be dangerous if the receiver does not take it as so. Too often, gifts are “weighted”, simply meaning that the impact of the gift is thought to be in direct reflection to the giver’s feelings of that person. In fact, the receiver should treat the gift as a surprise, a bonus, or a kind thought as it was not required to begin with.

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the “Christmas list”? As far back as I can remember my sister and I would make Christmas lists. While this was a fun process and it made for little, if any, disappointment, looking back it seems like an accountant’s dream. Order request, inventory, acknowledgement, next. I always find it exciding to think of a gift I feel someone would really like, and then watch their expression as they open it. In full disclosure, you need to be prepared for a good as well as a bad reaction if you take this approach. I have hit a few homeruns, had a few singles, and struck out badly, but overall good results.

If the spirit of Christmas is to give rather than receive, why do we ask people what they want? Do you think the wisemen asked Mary and Joseph where they were registered, or what baby Jesus had on his list? No, they came with gifts they thought would be good for a king. Did baby Jesus have any need for gold? No. It was the thought that counted.

So this year be adventurous, put some thought into your giving, but always remember to wrap the gift receipt!

Pump up your playlist.

The hardest part of exercise for me is getting the energy going at the start of the workout and keeping it going. The solution is a good high energy playlist. In the past I would pump the ipod during both my runs and bike workouts. Since the accident, I got smart and thought that riding with ear buds is not the safest practice. So, the ipod will be left for the runs. (OK, I just thought that sentence through. Then again, I am sure the ipod would be nice to have in the bathroom as well.)

So, how do you pick a good playlist? I started with time. How long will my workout be? That way I never have to look at the clock. When the playlist is over, so is my workout. Next is tempo. I focus on songs that will match the tempo of the workout. For example, the first song on my list is Viva la Vida by Coldplay. For me, this is a great warm up song to get the blood flowing without getting the heart rate going too quick too soon. I then progress into a group of songs with a quick tempo and energetic beat like Ke$ha, Pink, Beastie Boys, Crazy Frog, Black Eye Peas, and Lady Gaga. I wrap up the list with a song that I know is last on the list and how long the song is. This allows me to know that I have 3 minutes to go and it is time to push with everything I have left.

The key is the song selection. You want something that you like listening too. However, it also needs to get you moving! I like listening to Jack Johnson,but he does not get me going in a workout.

Pimp my Powerwheel

X to the Z, Xibit, I need your help! I found a 12v barbie powerwheel jeep on the side of the road with a sign in it that said "free". Considering these things are $300 new, this got my attention. After a quick examination, the only issue with the car was one bad wheel.

So the next step was to google powerwheel parts. This opened me up to a world that I did not know existed. There is a group out there that modifies powerwheels. When I think about modifying a powerwheel, I think of repainting it or adding some chrome.These guys take it to the next level. Working headlights, sound systems, 36v power upgrades, and suspension kits are just a few I saw.

What would make a unique powerweel? under chassis lights, spinner dubs, alarm system, Cadillac grill, or maybe a ipod connection. OK, time to stop. I am getting way to many ideas!

iTri

With the new iPhone being unveiled tomorrow, I thought it interesting to think back. Remember your first cell phone? Mine was after Linds and I got married. I had a friend who rocked a bag phone in college! Now, only 12 years after that bag phone, the iPhone 5 is coming. This phone will have estimated 64gb of hard drive space, an 8mb camera, Internet access at near 4g speeds, and all in a case that is the size of a box of playing cards.

So, what is my point? Evolution. The features, power, and speed of this new phone more than doubles that of the full size desktop computer I used in college. This is a lot like our bodies. Last October, I decided to complete my first triathlon in March of this year. I took my first stroke in the pool in November and was winded after 25 yards. My last swim I went just over 2,000 yards. This also works in reverse as well. How often have you been good at something that you have not tried in a while and you sucked at it? The first thing that comes to mind is my golf game.

You always hear that everyone starts somewhere, and the first step is the hardest. I agree somewhat. I believe that the second, third, and four step are the hardest. Just ask Atari, Myspace, and Clearly Canadian. Starting can be easy and exciting, but staying in the game keeps you improving. Apple knows this well. I need to follow their lead and take the next step in my training tomorrow.

P.S. If you see me on the road riding, please don't hit me!

Fueling your tank

What inspires you? I am inspired by hearing the stories of those that have faced extreme struggles and then rallied to do something great. I am inspired by the people that follow their passions no matter what the critics say. I am inspired by those that stand up for a cause that is bigger than themselves.

It is a good thing to know what inspires you. However, I have found that what motivates you can be different from your inspiration and equally as important. I was watching the replay of the 2006 Ironman in Kona yesterday. The stories and people are amazing. One father was in Kona for the third time with his son who had C.P. John Hoyt, the father, placed his son in a raft that was strapped to John's waist and started the swim towing his son behind. For those not familiar with Ironman, the swim is the start of the race, and it is 2.4 miles in open water! John was quoted as saying, his son was his motivation and was the true athlete. John was just loaning his son his arms and legs for the race. Another participant was a 76 year old nun who was completing her 20th Ironman.

These stories make me want to get moving and do something great. But, have you ever done this and then run out of steam shortly after starting? Yea, me too. Why? Inspiration can set the fire, but without motivation and passion, the fire quickly runs out of fuel and dies. Most people would think finding your passion would be very easy. But, this is something that I have struggled with. I have often thought, "I enjoy .... But is this a passion?" Many people also say, "I would like to do ....... But I do not have the time." We all have obligations, but if we cannot find the time for our passions, stress levels increase, our health is effected, and our relationships suffer.

Updates and Forecasts

So I have not blogged in almost a month. There have been some good things recently that have happened that I want to share. First and foremost, I have a job! I will be the newest Financial Representative of the Wilmington, NC office of Northwestern Mutual. I am very excited to take this next step in my revived career. So, before I officially begin working, I have to study and pass an extensive list of state and federal exams. Secondly, the Monkey is finally starting to gain some weight!

I have always been one to look forward to the next challenge. With my A.D.D. ,this can sometimes be an issue as I end up with too many things 90% finished. The job search is done, check. Now what? As Mitzi will tell you, I tend to do things all or nothing. That said, the first new goal is to once again be a top producer with the new company. I also need to refocus on my training as the Kure Beach Triathlon is in 7 weeks. I am planning on two or three more races this season, but my big goal is to do Ironman in 2012. Why, you ask. Why not? In the words of Yoda; "There is no try, only do".