The Icebox

Monday I learned two things. #1 - Cold weather and even colder barbells and plates make for an absolutely miserable training day. #2 - Walking into the gym with no plan is as productive as not walking into the gym in the first place.

Currently we are undergoing expansion at the training compound. Hopefully, in a few weeks we'll expand to 1400 sq. ft. and all my hopes and dreams of having large private training facility will begin to be realized. But thanks to a blast of Canadian air, our little uninsulated steel building barbell club feels more like a meat locker than a gym right now. The barbells in the early morning below freezing temperatures make you hands ache they are so cold, it's like grabbing fire ants, and i've found you spend nearly as much time warming up as you do actually training.
I went in Monday to begin preparation for the various upcoming strongman shows in GA this spring. I had high hopes for the day, but most of them froze solid and fell to the ground when I woke up to 28 degree temps. Plus the landlord had removed some walls as part of the expansion and his junk and bolts and screws were everywhere and there were plently of new holes to let in the draft (Our propane heater did nothing to combat this kind of cold). Everything was in disarray and more importantly I had not plan for training. Sure maybe a loose idea, but no script to follow. And in my foggy, early morning daze and the ice cold temperatures, no plan was going to get formulated on the spot. So I stood around and looked stupid for a while, tried to train for stones, made a half hearted attempt at doing something that looked like exercise, and then sipped on my coffee and called it a day. I accomplished nothing except mild sleep deprivation from crawling out of my warm bed so early. So, from now on I'm going to do a better job of planning, I'm going to script my workouts and dress in three layers of clothes(and a hat, and gloves), and try and make some honest to goodness progress (even in these unfavorable conditions). I'm also going to look into that wood buring stove I've always wanted...

Orphan Sunday

I don't know what to say...

As I type this post I have heard my little girl sing "Jesus Loves Me" over her baby monitor in just the last few minutes... 7 months ago we were essentially strangers, and she wouldn't utter a word. Wow, what a difference a loving home makes.

Today is Orphan Sunday, and churches all across America are making efforts to recognize the desperate need for people to provide for and defend millions helpless orphans all over the world.

Allison (my wife) and I spent an hour or so sharing our story with a young married couples Sunday school class at our home church (Lakeview Baptist). We recounted the fear, strife, and joy of our journey to become parents, and our life parenting our precious little girl. I hope it struck a cord. I wish that someone had told me the things I said today when Allison and I were newly married in 2003.

So, consider the orphan. Adopt, or help someone who is adopting. Invest your life in things that matter, and don't store your treasures here. Please help.

Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Massed Bands

I didn't get a chance to attend the Stone Mountain Highland Games, but I did get sent a link for a video of a whole lot of bagpipes and drums during the opening ceremonies.

Talk To Me Johnny

I've been busy, so I haven't had the opportunity to do much writing, but I'm going to try and do a better job of posting some good content, and stuff worth watching/reading

I got sent a link to a very interesting/entertaining blog called Talk To Me Johnny and an article written about some of the more serious training facilities in the country, both past and present. It's a good read and I'll try and be better about posting some more content in the future.

Here's the link for the article:

Talk To Me Johnny - Mecca of Power

Also, the zombie preparation articles are an interesting read.