Music

Music is awesome.  It relaxes  you, it winds you up.  It helps you remember and it helps you forget.  All of my favorite times and saddest times can be tied to a song, CD or artist.  It passes the time and it and it can move you.  Here's what I am digging lately:

• The Tea Party
• Fleetwood Mac, the really old stuff
• Alice in Chains
• The Tragically Hip
• Godsmack, Chevelle, Disturbed, Thornley
• Garth Brooks
• HDtracks.com

Cooking

Cooking is something I kind of stumbled on.  I don't when I "really" learned to cook or is it's even fair to say I actually know how to cook.  I suppose that's all subjective.  I am only comparing myself to how I used to cook and what I have tasted from others.  I think the one thing that helps make me come up with interesting things is that I don't follow directions very well.  So if it says 1/2 teaspoon in a recipe, I am likely to think "1/2 a teaspoon?  Are you kidding me?  That's not going to give it enough flavor."  Then proceed to add what "feels" like the right amount to me.  

The other thing is that my wife and I are fussy eaters so substituting things is par for the course anyway.  Also its often these substitutions that really can wake a recipe up.  Often times these are substitutions you make, not because you want to but because you don't have what you the recipe calls for on hand.

Eating healthy is an important part of fitness routine as well.  I am not a fan of TV dinners, fast food or anything pre-made.  I like everything fresh.  I also like everything spicy.  I don't get people that are not fans of spicy food.  If you are a meat and potatoes person you're not going to be a fan of my cooking. boring bland food is not for me.     

Politics

It's unfortunate that the US Constitution is so misunderstood.  Basically, it's a list of rules that the federal government must play by.  It lays out what the federal government is entitled to do and what they are not entitled to do.  However, over time politicians in their unending desire to control our lives have gotten away with adding things that are not in this document and were never intended to be there.  This concern over being controlled or mandated to by a higher power in a far away location, is exactly the reason the founders put the 10th amendment into the Constitution.

"Freedom is not Free"  you must stand guard, protect and nurture it each and every day or it will slowly slip away.  With freedom comes responsibility.  For example, "You" must save for your own retirement, purchase your own healthcare, educate your children and educate yourself son the issues.  You must know what you are really voting for.  Over the last 100 years our government has succeeded in taking from us much of our personal responsibility with the promise of taking care of us in order to gain control.  The would be controllers say things like "they are trying to help the less fortunate people",  if that does not work, they then try to redefine things they want control over as "rights."  This is done in order to take control and  I'm not in favor of government control.  

Golf

My friends and I have a golf league.  It has been together for long before I was even around this area.  Our league plays every week on Thursday afternoons.   The league is made up of a bunch of guys that get together on a weekly basis, share a  few cocktails and enjoy the comradery, competition and networking. We are always looking for new people to add to the group. If you are interested check out the golf links above.    

Running

Running is something I didn't think I could do.  When I injured my ankles and knees as a kid playing football, the doctor told me those body parts  are probably always going to hurt you.  He also added that it's not likely they'll feel any better I get older.  Well, the funny thing is with all the running my knees actually feel better.  Sure  I have other physical problems from the running but those problems come and go and are not serious.  

Running has also become a huge stress relief for me and great way to get time alone to think and enjoy music.  If you are feeling the pressure of life , running or biking  is a great way to let off some steam.  I really missed the ability to do so this winter when I was laid up with a stress fracture iin my lower leg.  The time alone and the physical activity is invaluable.  No telephones or emails, just me the music and road ahead of me.