edwin

health food and reality shows (1-14-09)

Only a few hours ago I dined on organic blueberry almond oatmeal. The meal before that was whole wheat bread dipped into a roasted red pepper hummus. They were both things I bought, the oatmeal and the hummus. Also I bought the mini-carrots I will nibble on when I get home from work today. I know what you are thinking; gasket - blown, top - burst, screw loose. What happened? Well, a few things did. 1- I wasnt happy with my level of fitness last summer. It was probably due to the accident but I was slower this past summer than Id ever been. Also my weight was higher than previous summers but I had to drop almost 40 pounds I gained from being laid up for most of the winter from the accident. 2- Emotionally I feel as good as I have in long time. Maybe its knowing that my mom is being looked after now and is not an everyday worry, maybe its the pending resolution of some things that have lingered for too long. 3- Being sick is no fun.

This goes without saying but I hate getting sick. One thing I worry about more than anything else is my health. This latest bout of respiratory illness due to mold was a big eye opener. Am I doing everything I can to be healthy? The answer is no. I dont feel like my immune system is strong. That is being changed now. Ive started a course of daily vitamins and yes Ive begun to buy foods Ive never bought before and have stopped shopping exclusively from the bachelors playlist. The results should be a stronger and healthier me and as a bonus I believe weight is coming off too. Since this year started Im down a few pounds. This is momentum I want to carry into the spring when the football/softball/street hockey seasons get underway. I want to be in the best shape Ive been in since my mid-20s. So yes I am still me despite substituting hummus for hamburgers for now.

Speaking of trying new things, one thing I had the pleasure of trying out last weekend was karaoke. I went with my buddy Alberto and 5 other people who I didnt know. I have to confess that I didnt bust out any solos or channel Michael Jackson (the singer not the pervert) but for me to even go and actually sing off key in front of other people is big. Besides that my lungs hadnt completely returned to normal so I couldnt really flash my sparkling two octave range. Now that my airway irritation has subsided and Im a little more comfortable singing in the company of strangers I might bust out a verse next time or maybe a bridge. I like bridges, theyre so emotional. Maybe thats why people jump off of them.

In other news, Psych has returned for a new season on USA network. I love how these television shows have split seasons now. In the case of Psych they run an 8-9 episode season in July and then again in January. Many other shows are adopting this or have adopted this. Think of American Idol, theres a summer one and a winter one and they both suck. Im sorry I shouldnt say that. Its just that I find it hard to think of many dynamic performers that have come from that show. Is it really worth the hype? Give me an episode of Psych, Destination Truth or House any day over that and all the shows like it.

I dont have a problem with reality television in theory but I do in practice. Give me a reality show where someone is being helped out and Im on board. I dont really watch any of these shows but one Ive always liked is TLCs What Not to Wear. If youve never seen it basically someone is nominated by a friend or loved one to the show because they need fashion help. So TLC videotapes the person for a week with the help of the conspirator and then show up somewhere and surprise the person by telling them theyve been nominated for the show. The person is almost always embarrassed but they warm up because they get a $5,000 credit card with which to buy a new wardrobe. Now all that is well and good but the best part of the show is that the 2 stylists Stacy and Clinton not only help the person understand how to find clothes that flatter them, they also make the person feel like a million bucks by the end of the show. The person gets a new haircut, wardrobe, and knowledge that will last them a lifetime. Now thats good television to me. They find a person who is stuck or not feeling good about themselves and make them feel great. It sure beats the hell out of were going to put idiots, animals and low class scum on for your viewing enjoyment. Its almost like taking advantage of some of these poor people. Not everyone becomes William Hung and makes a career out of it. No Jenny is just the girl who cant sing and who cried and screamed on National Television because she swears shes good despite her being unable to sing on key. Its unfortunate.

My lunch break is over so this is all you get out of me. My year end inventory blog is almost finished. Of course I turned it into a big production and made it more like a best of 2008 blog. If you care, look for that soon.