Can Alford's Bully Tactics Save Pierce Again?

Just a little break from the normal movie quote titles to bring some college hoops news to you. Pierre Pierce is back in the police reports again. As college hoop fans may recall two years ago he faced a felony charge of third degree sexual abuse of a female student athlete at the University of Iowa. Iowa prosecutors could not convince the victim to testify so they accepted reduced chargers and he plead guilty to assault causing serious injury, which is a misdemeanor. There are "alleged" disturbing stories of Iowa and the great Steve Alford bullying the victim and scaring her not to pursue the felony charges. Now this alleged "dirt bag" possibly is allegedly involved in a robbery of his ex-girlfriend's apartment. Maybe he didn't deserve that second chance? Likely not, but because he can play basketball on a high level he got one and let us hope there is not a third coming!

I feel better. How about you? I am out. Later.

"Puff puff, give. Puff puff, give. You're fuckin' up the rotation."

Well, Sunday I was feeling good about my neck pain. I have been stretching it like I learned in physical therapy and using an ice pack at night for the swelling. Oh yeah, and taking Aleve like it is going out of style. The pain was dull and the main issue was stiffness, so I went to the gym.

I started with free weights and worked out my chest and back. Then I hit the spin cycle. I have decided to gradually increase the amount of time and slow down my pace when spinning. I rode it for 40 minutes. I would have done an hour but the battery was dead in my MP3 player and I got bored. Check out my old post and you will see 40 minutes of cardio on the spin cycle is double my norm. Next time out I hope to do an hour!

What about today you ask? Well the evil neck pain devil is back. I woke up wrong this morning or something and when I lifted my self out of bed, BAM, instant jolt of pain to the neck. It is real stiff and painful today and it sucks! No gym for me. I plan to walk the dog and that is about it. You should know when I walk the dog it is more like an almost run for 2 miles. I will stretch like crazy this afternoon & ice like crazy tonight in hopes of knocking this thing out and getting back to it.

Off to the dog walk. I am out. Later.

"Constantly talking isn't necessarily communicating."

Well, my neck & shoulder pain is still there. It is always there but currently it is more annoying then normal, but not as bad as it can be. In other words I can move my head from side to side. Anyway, I am sure no one cares for my excuses, me included, so I am working around it.

Thursday & Friday I hit the gym and did cardio machines only. Thursday I did the elliptical machine for 25 minutes at 70 rpm & 140 HR averages. Friday I did 20 minutes on the spin cycle and spun it hard and fast for the full time. Each day I finished up with 15 minutes on the treadmill, 8 running 7 walking. Not bad for me, but I am not really losing any weight. Last year at this time I was around 235 and this week I am at 227, which is up from a week ago (224).

What to do is the question? Well this all for my 2005 Summer of Mountain Biking Fun, so I am reading up in the bicycle magazines on how to train for riding. I think I need more time on the spin bike at a lower rate to increase my riding endurance. I also need to watch my diet, mainly on weekends. I eat out to much and consume way to many calories. It' s hard, do I watch fat, carbs, or calories? My generations seems be a carb watching gen and that is the route I go?? I am not going to deprive myself of all the goodies, just control them, and I think I have. Who knows? No, really, does anyone know?

Alright my peeps out in blogger land, I got to go. The number one team in the college basketball nation is about to tip it up. Me out. Later.

"I know you. You know you. And I know you know that I know you."

Injuries are a part of sports. Yes, I am injured and bumming.

I have this neck thing that flares up on me every now and then. I have constant dull pain in my left shoulder blade that runs up into my neck and down my left arm. I had an MRI last year and I have small disc herniations at every level of my spine. When it flares up I get sharp shooting pains and very stiff on the left side. Its a classic case of disc pinching on nerve and shooting pain into neck. I have done physical therapy. I do some home stretching but not enough and sometimes, BAM, it blows up on me real good.

So, I ice at night to reduce swelling, stretch it real good in the a.m., and take lots of Aleve. It sucks and any quick movements kill!! I took Tuesday and today off. I am hoping that tomorrow I can get it stretched out enough to atleast do some cardio at the gym.

I am out. Later.

"Check out the funbags on that hosehound"

Where does the blogging time go? One week it is a blog a minute and the next week no freaking blogging time for me. Life is one really wild a crazy guy.

OK, the training week from work hell is over. However, they say I am trained but I have no idea how to use this fancy paperless thingy we know have??

Thursday was my off day. Friday I hit it hard, the gym ofcourse, and worked out legs then 25 minutes on the elliptical machine. That really is my max limit for any cardio machine at the gym. I just get sooooo bored. I have my mp3 player, totally rocks and helps pass time, and they have TVs, but it is boring.

Saturday was an off day or day with the wife or day doing whatever the wife wanted. Went to see In Good Company, which wasn't too bad. It is a rental though so don't waste you money at the theater. I like Topher Grace and he really did well for his first main part movie role.

Sunday I was back at the gym. If fact I got up so early I had time to hit the gym, hit Wally World, make lunch, and take a shower all before the NFL payoffs kicked off. I did Chest and Back, then hit the elliptical hard. I was pumping it at 80 rpm for the full 25 minutes and worked up a real nice sweat.

Monday or today, it was bicepts and tricepts with another 20 minutes on the elliptical. I am really feeling good about sticking to this working out making me healthier life style change thing. What?

Alright bloggy blogertons I am out. Later.

"That's a line from She's All That. I masturbate to that movie."

Work, why must I work? Why can't the paychecks flow but the working stop? Why I ask you, WHY? Anyway, I am not a big fan of working.

Tuesday I worked late, but did make it to the gym. No cardio, but I pumped the bicepts and tricepts like never before. They are sore today. I had to skip basketball and any cardio because of evil "Imaging" training at work. Today, I did 30 minutes of cardio and some AB exercises. BUT the damn Girl Scout cookies have arrived AND I have been indulging in them. Thin mints are sooo good. I still have four more boxes on order from co-workers. I think I may have to donate them to my secretaries or someone. I can't eat four more boxes. Well, I could and likely all in one night.

We had a heat wave today, 31 degrees. I wish winter was over. I really can not wait to start my mountain biking career this Spring. Career you ask? It is my new passion or obsession. I have tons of cool MTB gear, an awesome new bike, and I have been working out since October so I can hit the ground peddling!!

Me tired. Me out. Later.

"You can milk just about anything with nipples."

Today's title is a line from one of the funniest movies ever made. There are so many great lines from this movie I plan to use them all week. What movie could it be?

Alright, how do you people do it. The people who work all day, like 8, 9, 10 hours, then hit the gym. How? I leave for work around 7 am everyday and then hit the gym between 1pm to 3pm and get home before 5pm. I know some people are leaving for work at the same time, working until 5pm, then going to the gym, then going home and eating dinner. Heck I am ready for bed by 8pm. Mad props to you peeps.

Oh yeah, I hit the gym today. Work is going to be long and tiresome this week as we finally are training for going "paperless." When quitting time rolled around I really wanted to head home, but no. I went to the gym. Monday is Chest and Back with 20 minutes cardio after. I survived it and got home around 6pm which is late for this worker bee. Tomorrow I am playing basketball again but will likely not have time to lift weights. So, bicepts and tricepts will be pushed back to Wed, my normal off day. I CAN DO IT!

I can't believe what took place Saturday. I found a Performance Bicycle Shop in the next Burb over. You know the MTB magazine / website place........... http://www.performancebike.com/index.cfm . Who knew? The cool thing is they don't carry everything that the online store does, but if you need to you can return online stuff back at the B&M ! Totally cool. I got some Performance Vector Shades with 3 interchangeable lens and case, plus a cage and water bottle. I can not wait to go back and drop some more coin there.

Alright movie haters don't hate the quote, hate the quoter. I'm out. Later.

"I dunno, I didn't go into Burger King"

Oh my gosh it is freakin cold. We may top out at 5 degrees today. It was 60 degrees on Wensday. Someone take me away from this evil dark cold spot called the Midwest. Ok, I feel better.

I watched The Village last night on DVD. I really like this movie, but if I remember correctly the critics and most movie goers did not. The original movie trailers and advertisement campaign made the flick look like a scary horror monster movie. Well, it is not. There are monsters and a couple of scary moments but that is it. It is a movie about fear and love and how they motivate people to do extroadinary things. If you rent it don't get caught up in looking for the 6th Sense (same director) twisting ending. Just watch the flick and enjoy it for what it is. Oh yeah, Bryce Howard is the lead girl and she is Ron Howard's (Opie's) daughter. She is excellent.

Anyway, I didn't want to but I did...............Workout Friday! I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine and 13 minutes on the treadmill. I did some light shoulder exercises with free weights and called it a day. I have a chronic bad shoulder but would like to try and strengthen it. Looks like I am taking today off as family is coming up. My body is pretty sore too. I think the 8 weeks of training is catching up to me so a couple days off will not hurt. I just have to watch the diet.

Alright peeps of the net, I'm out. Later.

By the way, it says "BALLS" on your face.

Garden State is out on DVD and I highly recommend it. It was written and directed by J.D, the dude from Scrubs. Scrubs is my favorite comedy so I might be biased?? Yes, I know his name really isn't J.D., it is Zach Braff. Natalie Portman is fabulous and the two have awesome chemistry in the movie. It seems very real when you watch it.

Anyway, workout, did he do it today? Yes! It was 22 minutes on the elliptical cross trainer then 13 minutes on the treadmill. Some Ab work and I was out of there. The gym is kind of getting boring. I plan to swim tomorrow if work permits it so maybe that will change things up? Last week the 500 meter swim really left me sore. Shoulders, legs, neck, back, they were all a barking.

The weather has turned for the worse. Wensday it was 60 degrees and tonight it gets down to 4 degrees. What the heck is that? Seriously, is the weather really messed up lately or what?

Alright players I gots nothing else. I'm out. Later.

"Same Time Man, I Don't Know You"

Today was the big day. The temp soared to 60. Most of the snow had melted away. It was very wet but I planned to bike at Waterfall Glen, which is a 10 mile loop of 8' wide limestone path. I have read it is a great alternative to singletrack when conditions are wet. I only have about 50 miles under my belt since I got my Specialized Hardrock Sport this past October 28th. Needless to say I was pumped by the brake winter decided to take.

I packed up the gear and hooked up my never before used Saris Bones bike rack. Great product that took me only 10 minutes to hook up. It worked, I mean the bike didn't fall off. I had my Camelbak loaded and headed off to the trail head.

I arrived and did a quick survey of the trail to discover all snow had melted except for the stuff on the path. There was about 4 inches of slushy icy snow covering all the path I could see. Hey, I have seen the post over at Mtbr Passion Forum http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=44 so I know you can ride in this stuff and I hit the trail. Uh, I got about 1 mile to the first real climb and called it a day. How the heck do people ride in this stuff. I clearly didn't have the right set up and don't currently posses the right skills for snow riding. Damn it all to hell Jim. I really wanted to ride. I guess I have to wait for the next 60 degree December afternoon?

As a result, today became my off day. I took Eddie, my 1 year spunky Rat Terrier to the dog park for his exercise and that's that. I am really sore from playing hoops anyway. My knees and upper back/neck areas are tight!! I will be back at the gym tomorrow.

Later my peeps.

"Is That A Big Kahuna Burger?"

Well, I took a couple days off from the blog and I miss you! Yeah..........So, I am still doing it. Monday was Chest and Back, then 20 minutes on the cross trainer. Tuesday, today that is, was Bicepts and Tricepts, then no cardio, because I played some hoops tonight. I have not played since August 2004 but I played well. Hit the court for 2 hours and it was a serious cardio workout. I think the game came back quick because I am already somewhat in shape. In my younger days I was a hoop junkie, 3 times a week junkie. I would take time off then just jump back in cold and the game wasn't there. Tonight I could see my working out paying off as I felt good out on the court. It was fun, but my knees and shin splints are barking. I iced them babies up big time tonight.

In the gym I am starting to step up the weights but I am not sure I really want to bulk up. I would like to lose some body fat and tone up. Maybe I should keep the weight low and just increase the reps? Any trainers out there?

Tomorrow the weather is suppose to be nice. Well, rainy and 45 degrees for Chicago is nice in December. If work allows it I may take the mountain bike out for a spin on some paved trails. Waterfall Glen is a likely choice. It has a 10.2 mile limestone loop with some good views. So I hear as I have not been out there yet.

One final thought............I love the Amazing Race. I am somewhat of a reality TV expert, or is that junkie, but I like to think I stick with only the good shows. Like, Survivor, Amazing Race, American Idol, Big Fat Loser, ect..... Anyway, if you like reality check out The Amazing Race, Tuesdays on CBS at 9pm eastern. Something about seeing real people with different attitudes, temperaments and so forth, come together to overcome their fears and succeed at a given task. Plus there is this dude, John, that you have to get a look at.

Alright players, don't hate the blogger, hate the blog. Later.

"My Brother From Another Mother."

I did it! Five workouts this week. Yesterday I hit the gym and it was packed. I rode the spin cycle for 25 minutes. I rode it hard with my MP3 player busting off Pearl Jam tunes. After that I wanted to run for ten minutes but the treadmills were full. Full of all those evil Resolutioners! Anyway, I did some AB work and went home.

I ate fairly well for a Saturday.....Breakfast was a balance bar, lunch was leftover meatloaf, snack was a cafe mocha from Panera, and dinner was a burger with those evil steak fires from Red Robin. I will take that for a Saturday. I am not really trying to drastically change my diet. I just want to cut out some unnecessaries like fast food, candy, pop, you know the real JUNK food stuff. So far so good.

Went to Meet the Fockers yesterday. It was a fun movie, but not nearly as good as the first. There were some awesome previews!! Starwars, War Of the Worlds, Hitch, and Cinderella Man.

I was up late last night loading wallpapers and ringtones on to my Nextel i860. It is such a cool camera Nextel phone. Not sure I really needed to stay up all night but I did.

Today is my off day and I am watching some playoff football. Denver getting spanked! Next week could be tough for working out due to work. We are changing things up and have to be in the office every day. We shall see if I can power through it.

Alright peeps I am out. Later.

"What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity"

This title might be the best line from my favorite movie of tonight. What movie is it though?

WORKOUT..................Oh yeah I did a little swimming today. I like to change my workouts up and every now and then I swim. I did 20 laps which is 500 meters. Yeah, it kicked my butt. Afterward my heart was pounding and I felt sick. Good Workout, Good Times. I went home after that.

Today makes 4 days of working out this week. I may attempt to get back on the basketball court tomorrow or Sunday for my 5th day. I have not played since August 2004 so it, my game, will be brutal but, it is such good cardio!

I ate very little today, 2 eggs and balance bar for breakfast, a Snickers for lunch because work blows, and 3 pieces of deep dish pizza for dinner. Is that a little? Who knows but Fridays are a tough eating day for me. I mean its the weekend and who wants to eat healthy?

Just a reminder but my current working out thing is not my current obsession. That is Mountain Biking (see very first post). The workouts are to prepare me for my 2005 year of the mountain bike............or 2005, the year I ride............... or Epic Rides 2005................or the year I get in to mountain biking, 2005. You get the point. I plan to hit many Midwest mountain biking trails this year and the work I do this winter is all for that.

All right my many peeps, I am OUT. Later.

"It's Called a Lance, Hello!"

Did I mention lately that I love snow? Really, I love that beautiful little flaking white snow stuff. Just NOT 12 inches of snow in one day. So, I got this snow blower or as I call it the Snow Dozer 3000. It is big, orange, expensive, and runs off gas. Oh yeah, it throws the snow like a champ. I had to do the drive and walk again today and I loved it. It started right up and I cleared all areas very quickly. Now it is going to get really cold and keep this snow around for a while. I love the Midwest.

Anyway, I did puss out and skip todays workout. Oh I wanted to as my last appointment for work was near my house. I heard the afternoon nap fairy calling me but I fought the good fight and drove out of my way past my house to the gym.

I did rather well too. I did 20 mins on the elliptical machine. It is like a cross trainer where you move your hands and feet. Burnt up 350 cals and 1.8 miles. Then I did 13 mins on the treadmill. I ran 8 and walked 5 for 150 cals burnt and 1 mile. Then is was ABs...........150 crunches, then two ABs nautilus machines. I plan to swim tomorrow to change things up. When I have swam in the past I do 20 laps which is 500 meters and it kills me. We shall see.

Watched Las Vegas (TiVo) and think I may make this a regular watch for me. It is a fun hip little show that doesn't take its self too seriously. Alright my peeps I must holla at ya later.

"That Aint Me, I'M From Buffalo"

SNOW SNOW SNOW LOTS AND LOTS OF FREAKIN WET HEAVY SNOW. Did I say SNOW. Yes I did. So far we have 5 inches with any where from 5-10 more to come. Oh how I love the SNOW. I love it so much that I went out and picked up an Ariens Snow Thrower at Home Depot. A $700 Snow Thrower. It took me over an hour to figure out how to start it. For that money it should come with some dude that starts it and clears my drive for me. Anyway, tomorrow at 5am I will fire that bad boy up and knock out whatever mother nature brings. Yeah, me man like big machines that throw stuff.

Workout, uhm, no, I have no workout for you. I spent all afternoon shopping for the "Thrower" and then all night trying to start it. Work & Weather permitting, I plan to hit the gym early afternoon before coming home from work. It will be 30 mins of Cardio and Abs workout.

Watched the number one college basketball team, Fighting Illini, beat Ohio U tonight. Man the Illini look really good. They are a bit undersize but the college game has so few solid big men it may not matter. The three headed guard monster(Williams, Brown, Head) they have is just awesome.

Alright peeps I must exit. Later.

"I Love Gold"

If you were wondering my post titles are some of my favorite movie quotes. But what movies?

Today I hit the gym even though I really wanted to take an afternoon nap. I did Bicepts and Tricepts, 3 exercises, 3 sets, 10 reps each muscle group. I had to skip using any cardio machines as the Resolutioners were out in force. I did take a brisk 1 mile walk with the dog when I got home.

Breakfast was a Balance bar and 3 cups of coffee. Lunch was two turkey sandwiches and a Balance bar. Pre-workout I had a cliff bar. Dinner was a salad and pasta. Not to bad for a sugarholic.

The word for the day is SNOW.....................Yes evil snow is coming for the Midwest. It is sleet raining right now and they are calling for 6-12 inches on Wed & Thur. Can you say, SnowBlower? I wish I could. The snow dozer(fancy shovel with a bent handle) needs to get warmed up for its 5am wake up call. Later.

"Shut Your Hole Wang Chung"

Hello cyber space how are we doin? Well today I hit the gym and skipped McDonalds. Nothing like two home made turkey samiches and a cliff bar for lunch! The gym was packed with this being the first full week after the holidays...................New Year Resolutions Anyone? Should I feel proud that I started my life changing plan (Dr Phil Talk) back in October or just pissed that I got to wait on some dudes that won't make it two weeks? Heck, I have already fallen off the wagon and gotten back on while these dudes are just starting.

Anyway, I did some chest and back exercises with free weights AND 20 minutes on the spin cycle. I received an MP3 player for Christmas and it really makes time fly. I mean you can spin some wheels when jamming to Pearl Jam. It was a good workout.

Dinner was some lovely boneless skinless chicken breast, rice, and green beans. Can you say Yummy.

After dinner I watched Open Water on DVD. Good rental, don't purchase it though. It may make you think twice before getting in the local pool this summer...................Later.

"I Should Have Been Black Mamba."

Yo, I am back in the house. Life, Holidays, Baby Making, & Work have kept me busy. Oh yeah I am still hitting the gym, mountain bike, and the entire workout thing.......BUT things have gotten in the way.

So far I am officially down about 8 pounds. I worked out at least three times a week during this past holiday season. Still with 20 mins of cardio and minor weight lifting. I am enjoying it and really trying to stick with it. My diet has not been so great with all these holiday temptations around. My holiday binge drinking even lead to a McDonalds visit (ok, two visits). All left over chocolates have been trashed and the beer is on hold for a time.

I am still obsessing over this mountain biking thing, which means spending money on gear. I got some cool stuff that won't get real use until spring. It is COLD in the Midwest! Anyway, I may try to get a ride in at Waterfall Glen this week if it hits 40 degrees.

Monday it is back at full throttle. Five workouts a week with healthy eating. Later.