Happy Friday Eve! We watched our Friday night show last night – Loki. Why? Well, we as a family had too many run-ins last week where the most recent show was spoiled for us. So, we watched it because episode 5 was released. Only one more.
I ran 189 / I also cold-showered. I do this weird thing with my head when I first get in. I do make odd sounds and not so friendly kid words. But – last night, the kids were being read a story by my wife in our bedroom. So, it was a whole lotta muffled cries. Ideas for the separate video have all been laid out. Execution of the video – that’s all.
A 2007 research study found that cold showers can help treat depression symptoms, and if used on a routine basis, may be more beneficial than prescription medications. The reason for this, in scientific terms, is due to the stimulation of the dopaminergic transmission in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal pathway. Or, in layman’s speak, cold water triggers a flood of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, which make you feel happy.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The less energy we waste regretting the past or worrying about the future, the more energy we will have for what’s in front of us.” – via Stillness is the Key via Ryan Holiday
Messy scribble, but the picture is there and so is that video!
Already Wednesday . . . that’s nice. I ran! #188 and I didn’t feel like it today. Started with a political podcast – whew, not the way to go. Then, I just kept jumping around and not feeling it. Finally, just went to my Spotify playlist of running music. Almost didn’t do my 50/50/50.
I also cold-showered last night. 6 days now. Dave Asprey (Bulletproof Coffee guy) was on the James Altucher podcast – says it takes 4 days to get used to it. Cold showers can be a key to better skin, weight loss, shiny hair.
Happy 5 3/4 years! My daughter celebrated with a S’mores cookie that was shared. Then, she decorated our faces with make-up.
As promised picture from my make-up session with Violet.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Set your mind on a definite goal and observe how quickly the world stands aside to let you pass” – by Napoleon Hill
The scribble below needs to be “tidied up” a bit. BUT – the video is exquisite!
Happy Tuesday after an odd “long” weekend. Yesterday was weird. I mean the 4th of July is on the 4th, so for people to have off for it on the 5th. One of my favorite tweets from yesterday was “So like, what are we supposed to do today?” Eden Dranger posted that. She’s a hilarious one to follow on Twitter. I mean did anyone “firework” last night?
Big day today too – my son gets his 2nd shot today. Get yours too people – this other variant is not messing around. Don’t be outdone by a 12 year old.
I ran – #187 on the mill. I’m trying to run and breathe through my nose more – it’s tough. They say to challenge yourself and go for a run with a mouth full of water and then come back with that same amount of water. Right.
Speaking of breathing through the nose. I might be able to try out these mouth strips for sleeping soon. Allergies have gotten way better – out of that springtime pollen mess. I was listening to a Dave Asprey podcast and he & his guest were discussing how important breathing through the nose more is to your overall health. He mentioned Duct Tape breathing.
You are ultimately living in the present when you know after you awake if it was an inhale or exhale that you first took.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes only sooner.” – by Tallulah Bankhead (actress) via James Clear
Back at it on a Monday – some people working / some people not. My wife and I are working a little bit. Also, my monthly 3 day fast will not be beginning tonight – that’s next Monday the 12th. I had pushed it back because of the 4th of July weekend and not knowing what might be in story following it. Gives me a little more time to ready the ship (me) for the 3 day fast.
Speaking of the 4th, we actually got home a little early after a fun-filled day at the pool and eating crabs! Delish. No fireworks in the middle of a field with a ton of bug spray. But – our neighbors decided to play fireworks late last night. Fun (not really). Since my kids swam hard, they slept through it. Since my dogs are old and deaf, they did too. Meanwhile, my wife and I just cringed through it. The fireworks sounded like they were being set off in front of our windows – thanks Team Neighborhood!
I ran. #186 of 5K runs. Today was on the treadmill, but the past two runs were out on the trails. BUT – I came back with not so nice numbers. Bummed me out. If someone wants to run and help push me on a weekend outside run, feel free to contact me. Steady 7 minute miles or better. If you need the pushing . . . I can do that, too. Hit me up.
I still need to confirm some upcoming races to sign up for. I’m looking at:
Sunday, October 3rd Bellefonte Brewery5k
University of Delaware Homecoming 5k run – sometime in October
49th Annual Turkey Trot run on Saturday, November 20th
Also, I’m working on a charity idea . . . we’ll see.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We believe we don’t have enough time when really we don’t have enough focus.” – by Mark Manson
Happy 4th of July! Tonight – it’s the big fireworks night. However, dogs all across the country are already freaked out from the early bird Friday and Saturday night shooter offers – does that sense? Shooter offers? Although, I feel bad because I’m kind of over the fireworks thing especially on the 4th. They’re just not all that good now. After a baseball game, Disney World, or Longwood Gardens with their fountain and fireworks display, you’re just not going to find anything like that in your neighborhood tonight.
185th run is happening somewhere – maybe on the mill but maybe on the trails – it is nice out. #184 run occurred on the trails late morning yesterday. Also, I can say that “I cold-showered” yesterday afternoon. 31 Days of July Cold Showers continues . . .
Also by next week – I’ll have listened to all of this one: Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
Today, I’m going to enjoy some new comics from my beloved Captain Blue Hen Comics. I got the new Batman from Garth Ennis as well as the BRZRKR 3 with Keanu Reeves.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Is your glass half empty or half full? asked the mole. I think I’m grateful to have a glass. said the boy.” – taken from the Charlie Mackesy book
Happy Saturday, but I didn’t run yet. #184 will happen out on the trails shortly. Looking forward to feeling that cooler, less humid air. HOWEVER – this IS the 184th vlog.
Anyway – so, whoa . . . my day changed yesterday. Hit some rough patches in the afternoon and I didn’t get the chance to take my cold shower . . . in the afternoon. We as a family went over to a friend’s house and we didn’t get back until late. Just minutes before midnight, I finally was able to take my cold shower. Just like Day 1 – I would have been out of that shower again early if it wasn’t for the timer I got – only 2:11 into the 5 minute shower when I was done and clean. But – I did it and did the full 5. Before the shower, I carried my daughter directly from the Jeep to her bed. She whispered, “I’m too tired daddy. I’ll mark the calendar tomorrow.” Made me smile so big.
Speaking of my daughter, she had quite a night last night. At one point, the daddies took the kiddos to go get some Rita’s. We then stayed for the upcoming fireworks. The mommies were happy to be back at the house with their beverage of choice – wine. Anyway, my daughter walked up and made friends with another little girl who was there with her mom and a girlfriend of hers. So, at one point, it’s me and these two ladies and the two little girls. Other Brent (both daddies are named Brent) is with our boys peeking over at me and basically wishing me good luck. I felt so awkward. At a number of points, the other little girl is like I’ll give your daddy my mommy’s phone number. I’m thinking “there’s no need for that.” Not to mention, at one point, the other little girl explained how her daddy was a wrestling champion. I didn’t need that. No numbers were exchanged. The little girls did set up a date though. Next year – for the fireworks night in Hockessin, they want to go to that Rita’s together. We’ll see you then, Lilly.
Anyway, a busy night out meant that we didn’t get to watch the Loki series and have our pizza, wings, and beer (for me). We have to see that at some point this weekend. Love that Marvel stuff. Speaking of which in a slight tangent, did you see how a Chris Evans tweet had a Mr. Christian Slater trending. Being a mancrush of mine in the 90s (yup), I was scared that he had died or something. No fear, he’s still here. I haven’t really had a favorite Slater watch in a while, but it did bring up two memories of two of my favorite movies of all-time: Pump up the Volume and True Romance / Everyone knows Heathers though, but I’ll take those other two. Bring on some more, Mr. Slater!
Quote of the Day BOARD – revealed! Go watch the video below.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Feeling screwed up, at a screwed up time, in a screwed up place, does not necessarily make you – screwed up” – via Christian Slater playing Mark Hunter in Pump Up the Volume
Thank you! Please keep cheering me on . . . I could use the extra push!
In the meantime, I’ll keep telling stories. My wife talked about the possibility of doing a Charcuterie Board for next weekend when we have some people over. Promptly, my daughter got up from the table to announce, “It’s time for the Charcuterie Board dance” and proceeded to do that said dance. Later, I googled it – I mean, there’s a lot of odd dances out there courtesy of Fort Night. BUT – no such thing. She made it up. She’s also 5 and I should know better.
Speaking of my daughter, the calendar is marked for the 31 days of Cold Showers. I performed the act last night. Another one is coming later today. Glad I got that timer too because I was ready to jump out and it only hit the 3 minute mark. You wash yourself a whole faster when it’s all cold water.
New Music Friday:
Imagine Dragons have announced that their new album, Mercury: Act I, will be released on September 3. Today we get the single – “Wrecked”
Warned you that more Metallica covers were coming – “Sad But True” – done twice by two very different style artists: St. Vincent and Jason Isbell. As mentioned last week, over 50 artists of all shapes, sizes, and flavors will be singing their favorite Metallica song on a tribute album that comes out September 10th. It’s called the Metallica Blacklist with proceeds going to over 50 charities.
Daniel Lanois recently shared a new song, “Torn Again,” which features a recording of Leonard Cohen reciting a poem.
Jeff Tweedy has released a cover of Roky Erickson’s “For You (I’d Do Anything),” from the upcoming compilation, May the Circle Remain Unbroken: A Tribute to Roky Erickson, set to arrive July 17th via Light in the Attic (a special vinyl version will be released as a Record Store Day exclusive)
Teasing his debut album, Lil Nas X has released a Marvel-inspired trailer , but no date yet. We just know that it’s coming soon and called: Montero. Cool trailer though.
Coming out August 27th is How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? by Big Red Machine – little supergroup of the National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Today they released the single, “Renegade” where they got some woman named Taylor Swift to sing it.
Lastly, “I Am The Strip Club” is the single released today by Ms. Iggy Azalea. It will appear on her 3rd studio album – End of an Era – to be released in August. Is there a video? Yup. With a song title like that, I don’t think that I have to warn you that the video is not PG.
I have warned you . . . this is a lot of scribble sometimes. The babble video is always there!
Happy Friday Eve! We survived the hot weather and the swim meet – they lost. We have the better pool though. We were out in the middle of this field. Ants or sweat. Ewww.
The short is live – Banging the Door! PG-13 – just like the turtles in the video.
I ran 182 runs / 182 babbles – tomorrow is the official halfway point!
3 Rules for the 31 Days of July Cold Showers
Every Day – duh.
Cold water – beginning to end
Minimum 5 minute showers
July Calendar – my daughter will mark it tonight
July 1st – 31 days of cold showers – meant to be – it arrived yesterday: shower clock / timer / thermometer arrived
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.” – by Leonardo da Vinci
Anniversary Day! Happy Anniversary, Lauren! 14 years – I just checked too, she’s still here.
The Short – my wife read it and I got the edits. Need to put those in. I have to catch up with Cecil now too – who’s also read it, again. Posting later today. “Banging the Door!”
Like I said, we have a wonderfully romantic evening planned at a swim meet. We’ll be watching the Medley Relay, 50 Fly, and the ever popular at the very end of the meet, Free Relay. AND – we were notified last night that this pool (it’s an “away” meet) has zero shade. So, if you have a tent, bring it! What? I want to meet the whiz bang of a designer that came up with this genius idea. A pool with no shade? Not everybody goes into the pool at once, you know! I’m sorry, that’s being negative. But please know that it’s suppose to feel like 104 today along with our humidity. Happy Melting!
31 Days of Cold Showers – begins tomorrow. I typically shower at night, so there won’t be too many times that I do this vlog without a shower yet for the day.
I ran! 6 months done – 181 days! Friday is the official halfway point though. Remember – 366 days is the goal.
5 Best Tips Given this Year, so far (my list)
Journal!
Untie those running shoes the night before and put within each shoe the sock to be worn
Peanut Butter on top of your jelly donut
Flossing in the shower
How to say Worcestershire Sauce and Charcuterie Board!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “In every good marriage, it helps sometimes to be a little deaf” – by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Tuesday – just Tuesday. Got a microphone. Actually – I’ve had the microphone, but it never worked with my older iPhones. But this recent one – it’s working. Tomorrow’s my wedding anniversary. We have a real romantic swim meet to attend. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
I ran – 180 runs / 180 babbles
Cold shower calendar – 31 days in July. I’m going to have my daughter mark it off for me. Whether it’s a crooked looking X or a sticker or “artwork” – she’ll mark off my days. I’m also working on my rules, too. Obviously – every day. I think I’m doing cold water beginning to end. Minimum 5 minutes under the water. What else is there?
Still doing my shirt drawer clean-out. I got a couple shirts that have been given the boot altogether. Others have been demoted and sent to the sleeping attire drawer. Today – I got one of my favorite shirts – “My life story will be a good one.” I’m trying! Oooooo – I edited down the short that I’m writing and submitted it to my wife as well as Cecil. I was really flowing with the words, too. It sort of felt like Ralphie in A Christmas Story – whatever it was he needed to write – a theme? Anyway. The short could be posted very, very soon.
ALSO – TOMORROW – My 5 Best Tips Given this Year . . . so far. My List.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed, without a doubt, a real superhero” – by Stan Lee
