Rise of a Nation

Me, Dad, and Stephanie. Who Dat Nation, Broken Arrow Chapter

I went to Oklahoma to visit the family for a few days before Thanksgiving. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch Sunday, and to watchnthe Saints and Buccaneers. It was a very pleasant, relaxing, and enjoyable few days, with the exception of having my wallet and cell phone stolen when the Jeep was broken into. But, life goes on(ob-la-di-la-da).

BTW, The also stole the tent mentioned in the previous post that I had just got for my birthday the week before, never even got to use it.

"well we're going to a garden party"

I've never really understood exactly what a garden party is, but the Beatles sure seemed happy to be going to one. And so, today is my birthday. The anniversary of the day I was brought forth into this world. The day my parents were blessed with there second sweet bundle of joy. The day that my brother would come to view as the darkest day in history(just kidding).

I turn 35 today. I don't feel old, and I don't think 35 is old. But, one thought that has occurred to me is that I am now just as close to 50 as I am to 20. But, I subscribe to the belief that you are only as old as you feel. In that case I am about 16 in mind and 30 in body. Part of that has to do with being 35 and dating a girl that's 27. That's right, who's the man? I'm the man!!!

So what will i be doing to celebrate my birthday? (Did I mention she is 27? )
Well, I gotta work so I can pay the bills. But after that I'm gonna go home and run 3 miles. Go out to dinner with one of my oldest and dearest friends and his Lady-friend, Head back to the house, talk to Kelley for a little while, Play with Sadie and Lily for while, Relax on the big comfy bed, and call it a night. Pretty exciting huh?

Many people like to make a big hoopla out of their birthday, I just like to relax and enjoy a stress free, relaxing day. And I am genuinely touched when people wish me a happy birthday without being reminded its my birthday. The teacher across the hall brought me a cake(which I will share with my other teaching neighbors), that made me feel good. The teacher next to her made a point to come in and say happy birthday, that makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I am special.

My birthday wish this year is to get moving again. It's been a long year with lots of ups and downs. And I must say I have learned a lot in the last 12 months. My hope is that I can use what I have learned to build a brighter future. My hope is that I can use what I have learned to be a better teacher, friend, person. My hope is that I will start running today. Running for my health and for my future. My hope is that I will look back on the last 35 years and say,"atta-boy Scott" and realize I've done a lot of good and that I have set myself up for a great next 35 years. I really think the fun is just beginning. I can't wait to see what happens next............

But i also have a birthday wish for you. Do something you really want to do today or whatever day you read this blog. Do something you want that is fun or maybe even a little silly. If someone looks at you weird or says something to you just tell them you are celebrating Scott's birthday. If you do that it would truly be the best present you could give me. Happy Scott's Birthday to you.


to clarify, the post title comes from the lyrics of the Beatles song "Birthday", from the white album

my memphis birthday

This weekend I went to Memphis. I hadn't seen Kelley in a while so a visit was over due. Seeing as how my birthday falls in the middle of the week (Wednesday) she decided to make this my birthday weekend. I love being out doors and participating in outdoors activities, but I don't have all the needed equipment. Kells is tired of hearing me say i want to go camping but that I don't have a tent. So, I now have a tent and was told that she would leave when to go camping in my hands. No more excuses. I'll probably camping out in the backyard this week, enjoying the new tent.
To make sure all the pieces were there and to see how nice it was we set it up----in her living room. Luckily, she has a decent sized living room.




Saturday was a beautiful day and we knew we needed to get outside. So we headed to the Memphis zoo. They just opened a new area called TETON TREK, which is supposed to be like a trip through the Rockies. It was really nicely done. The jewel, I have to say, was the grizzly bear exhibit. There are 3 cubs and they were all playing while we were there. It was hilarious, until you remember that they could easily rip your face off.

I am a big fan of the Puma, also known as the cougar, or the Mountain Lion. I like it because its the biggest cat in North America. And though you rarely see one, they always see you. This Cougar is taking in the sights high above Memphis, Nice view----of lunch.


My final thought on the zoo has to do with birds. They have 2 Bald eagles, I like this picture. It always surprises me just how large these birds are. More amazingly, As large as they are they only weigh an average of 9 pounds. You certainly can't call them big boned.

Saturday night Kel took me out for a birthday dinner. A nice little place called Paulette's. I had the fillet, she had the Sicilian chicken(which I think was the nickname the caused my great uncle Alfredo to flee the island and create the dish that swept a nation). Both were great. We had a bottle of wine, it was nice dinner.

I learned a lot about myself at dinner. I DO NOT DRINK RED WINE. I only had 2 glasses but that's all it took. I couldn't stop talking. I had enough sense to know that I couldn't stop talking, but that didn't help me stop. I didn't do anything stupid, but another glass and there is no telling what might have happened. One question that I can answer is that i would definitely be a happy drunk.

So, Thank you Kelley for a great weekend and thank you Saints for another win(9-0). I hope this week goes well. but I'll be staying away from the red wine when I celebrate on Wednesday. More room for the rum, YAY RUM!!!

Gotta Get Moving

I gotta be honest, I've put on a few pounds lately. I'm at about 206 right now. I don't mind being over 200 pounds (though my ideal weight, according to the experts is 180-185, i think they are crazy) but what I don't like is the way I feel at this weight. When I look in the mirror I think I look alright, I don't like the way I feel inside. I've been feeling really lethargic, like tar is running through my veins, like my legs are made of concrete.

I need to get down to about 193, though 187 would be perfect. But, again, I'm not that concerned about the numbers, I'm concerned about the feeling. I know exactly why I feel bad. No Exercise and Poor dietary habits. I gotta get back to working out and I definitely need to change my eating habits.

Lets start with the food.
Point 1.
Sodas are delicious, but evil. The combination of carbonation, Sodium, and high fructose corn syrup is lethal. Giving up sodas will lose 5 lbs.
Point 2.
McDonald's breakfast meal #11, the Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel Meal, Is like crack to my taste buds. Even when I wake up early enough to fix myself breakfast I still make excuses as to why I need to swing by McD's and pick one up. Damn You Ray Kroc!!!
Point 3.
$5 for 2 meals, Sounds great, but will surely be the death of me. I take the dogs to the dog park a lot and there is a little Caesars pizza that I drive by on the way home. The Jeep seems to pull in on its own. Half the pizza for dinner, the other half for lunch the next day, Brutal.
Point 4.
Financial analysis. I love to eat out. after inspecting my checking account and doing some quick math I realized I spent about $375.00 eating out last month. That's a Hell of a lot of money for one person, and again, Damn You Ray Kroc!!!!!!

Now to the issue of Exercise
I haven't been doing anything. After the triathlon I felt like needed a break to let my body rest. Well, 5 months later I guess I'm pretty well rested. One of the great things about Exercise it that its also a great stress relief, I need that too. My problem as of late is that I have to be to work at 6:45AM. And after being on my feet all day I'm tired when I get home. So, i just haven't had the energy to run or swim, or anything else (except to eat it seems). But, last week I went to bed early a few nights and found that I actually did have energy when I got home from work.

I say all that to say this. Things are going well but one thing that is missing is my personal health. I turn 35 next Wednesday and I would much rather feel 30-35 than the way I feel right now. It's time to start moving again. If you've been feeling the same way then maybe you should start moving too. We can do it together. Lets start This Weekend. Saturday or Sunday go for a walk around the neighborhood, Take your Wolf pack for a walk, jog from one streetlight to the next. Eat a bowl of cereal instead of a #11.

Life is good, so lets enjoy it. lets enjoy it for a long time. Should be great weather this weekend. It's time to get moving.

PS, Happy Anniversary Sam and Janet, Thanks for the sesame street cake, this day, all those years ago.

Sunday in the woods

Kings (Queens) of the mountain

The Pack, in "The Sac".

("The Sac" is the nickname of the Jeep)