Birthright

Stop your whining and get out there.

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never miss work because of the dentist again.

just another work email about work things.

funny timing because it was just this morning that my office mate was late to work because of a couple fillings at the dentist. he said "it's better than being at work."

i especially like the image on the website. "I would never have the confidence to canoe with this stranger if i didn't have my dental implants!"

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Puntastic

I was quite proud of myself for this quick response. I'm just sayin'.

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accountability

I remember in high school, I would physically crave the Ultimate Cheeseburger from Jack in the Box (two big patties, double cheese, ginormous). It would leave me with a greasy, bloated feeling, but my body came to crave it and all that grease was super delicious in my mouth. As I started eating healthier, and stumbling across knowledge about what's good for you and what isn't, I found my cravings changed and I noticed how I would feel physically better when I ate better foods. It also became obvious that the more active I was, the more it didn't matter what I ate, and inversely, the less active I was, the more it really mattered what I ate to maintain an overall feeling of well being. Not rocket science, I know.

Daylight Savings Time starts tomorrow night. The days will get longer. The trails will dry up and beg for use. The hours indoors, craving comfort foods to keep me warm will subside. As far as health goes, DST is a double positive. It's inspiring me to write down the principles I know I should follow in order to be healthier, lose some weight, and feel great. I'm really looking forward to this. This is not a "diet," unless you consider a general list of principles by which I should live my whole life a "diet." Symantics. I never use the word "rules" 'cause rules are lame. But I do believe in learning and living by true principles, and I'm lazy enough that I also recognize I need a bit of accountability. That's why I'm writing this down on the wide world of interwebs. Maybe there's a part of me that hopes it may help inspire someone else as well. If so, great. I'd love to hear your story. But otherwise, this is self-centered. Hold me to it. Join me if you want.

Here she is.

Principles:

· Whole grains only (no enriched flour if you can help it – plan ahead, lazy bum.)

· No fried food (as in “deep fried”)

· Only eat sweets as dessert after dinner when you’re in the mood (which is not every night – remember: dessert doesn’t have to be a daily tradition if your body isn’t screaming for it.), not a snack or munchies during the day.

· Drink lots of water all day

· Fruits and veggies in every meal.

· Is there a reduced or non-fat option? Does it still taste good? Use it. (reduced-fat mayo with olive oil, egg whites, cheese, yogurt, milk, ice cream, turkey burgers over beef sometimes, etc.).

· Remember: seasoning, spices, quality and flavor combinations help make up for fat flavor (i.e. pepper(s), hot sauce, garlic, olive oil). Stocking your kitchen and learning to cook to your preference puts you in control.

· I was most fit when I was my poorest, and walked a ton to get to where I was going (during college and mission). That’s not rocket science.

· Do something active that makes you sweat 5 days a week (notice I’m not dictating how…just have fun and make sure at one of those days really kicks your butt and stretches your limits. I already said this, but have fun.)

· There are exceptions to every point above, and there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you’re aware that it’s an exception.

Exceptions*:

· I’m a pizza freak. Delicious pizza whenever I want (within reason), go for flatbread crust when you can (my favorite anyway), healthier toppings like tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, peppers and other veggies prove to be very satisfying.

· Eating out happens. Enjoy it. Don’t use it as an excuse to break the principles, just do it when you should anyway and make educated choices when you do. It will still be delicious.

A few examples of great food you can crave that doesn’t break the principles:

· Whole wheat pasta with roasted garlic, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, crushed red pepper and fresh grated parmesan cheese

· Turkey cheeseburgers on olive oil grilled whole wheat bread or buns, piled with veggies and chipotle reduced fat mayo spread

· Green salad of any sort. Mmmm..Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and olive oil /vinaigrette. Add protein or good cheese however you want. There’s no default principle against it.

· Baked sweet potato (or any potato) fries with olive oil and rosemary.

· Heart to Heart kashi cereal with banana and soy milk (Oak Flakes & Wild Blueberry clusters tastes like candy. I still can’t believe it’s kashi)

· Egg white sandwich with melted cheese on toasted whole wheat bread, mayo and hot sauce. Add turkey bacon, tomatoes or roasted red peppers if you’re in the mood.

· Any kind of sandwich with the above principles applied (Chicken salad, tuna, turkey, etc.)

The only conflicts I foresee:

· Jaime’s cookies and other delicious baked goods. I don’t usually crave them until they are already made and I can smell them, so I guess that's good. But I don’t plan on telling her to stop making them.

· *Potstickers, organic burritos and butternut squash raviolis from Costco. I may just have to add them to the exceptions list in order to keep it kosher.

· Which leads me to the last principle (never mind it’s not under the “Principles” section): Everything in moderation. That may be the most important over arching one. Think The 9-inch Diet.

I'm a believer that it's all about knowledge and training your taste buds and craving centers of your brain to learn to love the healthier option, because once you give them a chance you learn they're actually incredibly tasty. Here's to sticking it to rules and living by what tastes good and is good for you.

Ready, set, go.

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to do:

i want to open a restaurant, run my own ad & design agency, go on tour with my music, sell a bunch of records, have some kids, write a book, live in a powder ski town, visit china and a dozen other countries, be a good husband, do some good, not in that order, ready set go.

just one of those days.

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OK GO - This too shall pass

fun:
>

Reach for the stars by starting to build a rocket.

I've always been an ambitious guy. When i was a kid, my ambition was more fake and based in wanting to be like rockstar athletes and musicians, but it was still there. As I got older, I realized I could pretty much do anything I wanted as long as I worked for it. Reach for the stars by starting to build a rocket.

You want money? Work and save. Invest. Sell stuff.
You want to get in the outdoor industry? Get a job at REI when your friends are working at papa murphy's and blockbuster.
You want a better motorcycle? Buy one.
You want to go to Germany? Do it. (Okay, that one was a but lucky, but i wanted it and i got it.)
You want to be a paramedic/firefighter? Actually, not so much. Change your major.
You want to be a musician? Yeah, but you can do that without majoring in music. Change your major again.
You want to learn guitar? Play until your fingers bleed. imitate the great ones until your not so much imitating.
You want to major in advertising? Done.
You want to graduate early? Take the right classes, get the right internship, test out of 12 credits of german courses, smooth talk the right people in the registrar's office. Work hard, but more importantly, work smart.
You want a job at the hottest ad agency on the planet? Tell yourself you'll do it. Get to know them and play your strengths. Get them to pay you for freelance work so you're actually making money as you sneak your foot in the door.
You want to marry your new best friend? Well, ask her with a diamond. You never know.
You want to give your music some permanence? Record, produce and sell a record.
You want to buy a home in the #1 place to live in America. do it, if you dare.

Near the beginning of my time in Germany, I had a singular memorable experience of being shot down pretty hard after what I thought was decent hard, smart work. It crushed me temporarily and changed my life for the better.

A few years later, a girl decided to be the one to end what felt like a very binding relationship in which i had invested a lot of my energy and heart. I was crushed again.

Several years later, my dad died unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident. There was no way to turn back the clock and change any of my last interactions with him. Have one last stupid joke or serious discussion or sketchy adventure. I had no say in the matter. The days, weeks and months following have allowed me to reflect a lot on how my supposed ambition has come from him.

Today, I was shot down again and although my hopes weren't incredibly high to begin with, I was surprised at how I felt directly afterward. Like that time in Germany, it's for the better, and I can see that sooner this time. The cosmos will get together with their friend Karma and hopefully plan some great opportunities in the place of what I thought would be a pretty cool next step in my life. I don't always have a say in the matter, but eventually, as Bob Marley sang, "everything is gonna be alright."

Because as Leo Burnett said " When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either."

Here's to swinging for the fences.

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Why I do what I do.

Leo Burnett was and is an advertising legend. This speach sums up why I do what I do, and why I want to do it better. The same principles therein can be applied towards my music, which helps me get along with the sometimes frictional duality of my life. Either way, I want my name on the door, whether figuratively or literally, I don't care. You get it. Please watch, enjoy, and see how it applies to you.