So I don't know if any of you remember sleepovers with your friends. You watch a scary movie, eat until you can't look at food anymore... Then, when everyone is tired, punchy, and a little spooked, you all sit down and play "werewolf". I knew it as "murder" and I know there are several other names for it. It goes something like this:
Let's say you have 12 friends (yeah, it's a huge sleepover. Maybe it's your birthday or something.) From a deck of cards you separate out one ace, one king, one queen, three jacks, and 6 of anything else. Mix up these cards and then everyone draws one. the ace is the seer, the king is the healer, the queen is the hunter, a jack is a werewolf, anything else is regular human. Once you have your roles there is a "day time" when everyone can talk and look around etc. You try to gather clues as to what everyone is. At the end of the "day" you ask if there should be a hanging. If you don't want to kill anyone off everyone puts there heads down and the spokes person (whose head is also down) calls out the roles one at a time. When the seer is called, he can tap someone on the shoulder and, without looking at the seer, that person shows their card to the seer. Next the healer is called. The healer taps someone on their shoulder and that person can't be eaten by the werewolves. Then the werewolves are called. (cue creepy music...) All living werewolves silently pick one person to tap on the shoulder. That person waits until "day time" is called and then screams and falls down dead. (The hunter lies in wait. If the last living werewolf eats the hunter before only two players are left, the humans win. If this happens then, instead of screaming and falling down dead when "day time" is called, the hunter announces that he is the hunter and has shot the werewolf, and the werewolf screams and falls down dead and the game is over.) You play until either the werewolves win or the humans win.
It's a pretty fun game and there is an online version that we would LOVE to have more people join. It is a website run by a guy named Stenu that built it himself. The website is (Click on the following...) www.voitta.net. You have to sign up for an account, but you don't have to give too much info at all. You then go to "Waiting Games" and pick what game you want to join. (There is also Risk that they call "Fisk" and you get an email when it's your turn, which is cool. There are some other games too...) Click "join" and you are IN!!! Then you can click on "Own Games" and your list of games will appear under three tabs... Running, Waiting, and Ended. You'll get an email when the game actually starts. That's about it.
Anyway, PLEASE come join us. We have fun!
Runner's Corner - An Awesome shoe store
So I stopped by this place called Runner's Corner in Orem, Utah this past week. I liked who I talked to so I did a little research on the place and found out that they are really knowledgeable on the subject of Running. I found a blog online that the manager writes for, and I read an article that he wrote on Plantar Fasciitis. It was quite good. You can find that article here: BarefootRunning.com. I like how they give steps to take to not only find healing, but also to strengthen the foot. In all of my appointments with podiatrists, not one went into how to strengthen my feet now that I'm not feeling plantar pain all of the time. They just made sure that my orthotics were doing their job.
So after reading this article and posting some on the comments section of that blog article, I decided to go in to Runners Corner. You can check out their website here: RunnersCornerUtah.com. Golden helped me out. He first asked about my running/exercise history, and asked about any injuries that I had. I explained the plantar fasciitis issues. He then grabbed a pair of shoes in my size and had me run a little while he examined my running style. It's interesting because several other shoe stores told me that I had problems with over pronation, but I had looked this up on the internet and it never made sense to me based on how I thought I ran. He told me I was very supinated and that shoes made for extreme overpronation would actually cause me more problems with supination. I was right and he confirmed it. I would have bought a motion control shoe for severe overpronators had I not talked to Golden first.
So they know their stuff at Runners Corner. After checking my run style he brought me some shoes to test my foot width and then after a few tests he had me try on one shoe from two different pairs and go for a run. We did this a few times until I found a couple of pairs that I really liked. I tried them out and then decided on the pair I liked. I found it interesting that the pair he was suggesting to me was the cheapest non-clearance shoe on their shelves. He recommended the Asics Gel-Fortitude 3's for stability and because I would be doing much more than running in these shoes (Basketball and Insanity). I found it interesting that he recommended completely different shoes for the guy next to me because he had a different running style and different injuries.
So I will be going in today to buy these shoes, a pair of soft orthotics, and possibly getting my shoes "zeroed". I'm not sure what the real term was for this. But basically they remove a portion of the sole in order to make the shoe more balanced so you don't heel strike as much.
Golden talked to me about proper form when running, how to phase out my orthotics and strengthen my feet so I never need orthotics again, and helped me feel much more confident in spending $100+ on the shoes and accessories. I felt like I was being sold like crazy at other shoe stores. They all kept trying to tell me to buy this $150 Kayano shoe that Golden explained would actually hurt me because it is not for my running style.
Runner's Corner in Orem is awesome and I highly recommend any of you to stop in if you are looking for a pair of running shoes or if you are interested in learning more about how to run properly, how barefoot running works, and if you want to hear someone speak intelligently about the sport...
So after reading this article and posting some on the comments section of that blog article, I decided to go in to Runners Corner. You can check out their website here: RunnersCornerUtah.com. Golden helped me out. He first asked about my running/exercise history, and asked about any injuries that I had. I explained the plantar fasciitis issues. He then grabbed a pair of shoes in my size and had me run a little while he examined my running style. It's interesting because several other shoe stores told me that I had problems with over pronation, but I had looked this up on the internet and it never made sense to me based on how I thought I ran. He told me I was very supinated and that shoes made for extreme overpronation would actually cause me more problems with supination. I was right and he confirmed it. I would have bought a motion control shoe for severe overpronators had I not talked to Golden first.
So they know their stuff at Runners Corner. After checking my run style he brought me some shoes to test my foot width and then after a few tests he had me try on one shoe from two different pairs and go for a run. We did this a few times until I found a couple of pairs that I really liked. I tried them out and then decided on the pair I liked. I found it interesting that the pair he was suggesting to me was the cheapest non-clearance shoe on their shelves. He recommended the Asics Gel-Fortitude 3's for stability and because I would be doing much more than running in these shoes (Basketball and Insanity). I found it interesting that he recommended completely different shoes for the guy next to me because he had a different running style and different injuries.
So I will be going in today to buy these shoes, a pair of soft orthotics, and possibly getting my shoes "zeroed". I'm not sure what the real term was for this. But basically they remove a portion of the sole in order to make the shoe more balanced so you don't heel strike as much.
Golden talked to me about proper form when running, how to phase out my orthotics and strengthen my feet so I never need orthotics again, and helped me feel much more confident in spending $100+ on the shoes and accessories. I felt like I was being sold like crazy at other shoe stores. They all kept trying to tell me to buy this $150 Kayano shoe that Golden explained would actually hurt me because it is not for my running style.
Runner's Corner in Orem is awesome and I highly recommend any of you to stop in if you are looking for a pair of running shoes or if you are interested in learning more about how to run properly, how barefoot running works, and if you want to hear someone speak intelligently about the sport...
Jason switched our blog back to blogger (which is WAY easier to use) so I will be posting on the blog again! yay! Before I was trying to catch up on all the exciting things going on in our lives, but since I couldn't post on the other site I got way behind and won't be trying to catch up. I will try to post on the really important things that have come and gone, but you don't get to know all the gruesome details... sorry... or you're welcome, whichever applies. :)
Insanity... It really does hurt.
So I decided to try this workout program called Insanity. It says that it is probably the hardest or one of the hardest workout programs on the market. Many people compare it to P90X without the equipment. I started on Monday and did my fit test. Event the fit test killed me. I had to do half in the morning and then finish the other half later on. I just wanted to get some kind of a baseline other than, you suck cause you couldn't finish...
Today, I did my first real workout and I have to say it is really really tough. It's pretty much intense interval training for two months. We'll see how it goes. I did all my pictures and measurements on Sunday so I can see where I end up, but I'm hoping that it helps make some real progress. I need to lose some weight and get some strength back. Also, it comes with a pretty intense nutrional plan that I am following. Albeit, not to a T, but I am following it. We'll see how well this works. What's funny is that this thing wants me to eat 3000-3500 calories a day because of how intense the workouts are...
Let's just say it is fun. :)
Today, I did my first real workout and I have to say it is really really tough. It's pretty much intense interval training for two months. We'll see how it goes. I did all my pictures and measurements on Sunday so I can see where I end up, but I'm hoping that it helps make some real progress. I need to lose some weight and get some strength back. Also, it comes with a pretty intense nutrional plan that I am following. Albeit, not to a T, but I am following it. We'll see how well this works. What's funny is that this thing wants me to eat 3000-3500 calories a day because of how intense the workouts are...
Let's just say it is fun. :)
2010 Goals... Gotta write them down right?
So Ashley and I had the idea to write down some goals for 2010. I think we did a good job of writing down obtainable yet difficult goals that would definitely benefit us assuming we hit them. So these are our goals and you can feel free to help us obtain them through reminders, motivation, or whatever else you can/want to offer.
Jason:
Health:
Financial:
Faith:
Mind:
Ashley's Goals:
Health:
Financial:
Other:
So there you go. We have some lofty goals that we will have to work very hard and focus on to obtain. I'm currently 197 lbs... Not my heaviest weight ever but not far from it. I would love to get back down to my high school weight that was around 160, but I think 175 is more realistic and I haven't been that weight since the earlier parts of my mission which was around 2002-2003. A few years back, 2005 or 2006, I spent the summer running and was running about 5-6 miles a few times a week. I ended up getting plantar fasciitis which is micro tears in the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects your achilles to your heel to the ball of your foot. So now that it is all but healed, I would like to push for this again.
I've never been a reader so to say I would read 10 books in a year will be a big stretch for me. Especially if I have to read the physical book. Also, we have been really focused lately on getting out of debt before we buy a house. So we are going to work on getting out of debt and building a fully funded emergency fund by the end of the year so that we can start looking at houses and saving up a down payment for a house for next year. Can I tell you how nice it is to pay off debts? Not just to pay the minimum, but to see the debts go away permanently. It's a beautiful thing to not have a car payment and it's wonderful to see those student loans melt away.
I think the hardest one for me to complete will be the 60 days of Insanity. It's a workout program like P90x or Tae Boe, but it is extremely intense. We'll see if my body can hold up under the workouts, but I think this is what will help me to get to my desired weight. This and a good diet will get me there and both will be difficult to keep up. We shall see. I might even gives updates on the blog as I go through it on the program and whether it is working or not.
K... That's our goals for 2010.
Jason:
Health:
- Get back down 175 lbs
- Get back to a 32 Waist
- With Gym Membership - Bench my weight (assuming we do end up getting a gym membership. Not for sure yet.)
- Run 5 miles
- Finish 60 days of "Insanity"
Financial:
- Be Debt Free this year
- Earn a raise
- Build full emergency fund
Faith:
- Read one scripture oriented book
- Say morning prayers each morning
Mind:
- Read 10 books
- Read one actual book (not CD)
Ashley's Goals:
Health:
- Get back down to 115 lbs
- Get Mental and Physical health in check
- Fit into pre-pregnancy clothes
- Run 5 miles
Financial:
- Be Debt Free this year
- Finish and sell (or give as baby gifts) all baby carrier covers
- Build full emergency fund
Faith:
- Read one scripture oriented book
- Say morning prayers each morning
Other:
- Finish sewing projects (Seth's curtains, our curtains, mending)
- Do spring cleaning
So there you go. We have some lofty goals that we will have to work very hard and focus on to obtain. I'm currently 197 lbs... Not my heaviest weight ever but not far from it. I would love to get back down to my high school weight that was around 160, but I think 175 is more realistic and I haven't been that weight since the earlier parts of my mission which was around 2002-2003. A few years back, 2005 or 2006, I spent the summer running and was running about 5-6 miles a few times a week. I ended up getting plantar fasciitis which is micro tears in the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects your achilles to your heel to the ball of your foot. So now that it is all but healed, I would like to push for this again.
I've never been a reader so to say I would read 10 books in a year will be a big stretch for me. Especially if I have to read the physical book. Also, we have been really focused lately on getting out of debt before we buy a house. So we are going to work on getting out of debt and building a fully funded emergency fund by the end of the year so that we can start looking at houses and saving up a down payment for a house for next year. Can I tell you how nice it is to pay off debts? Not just to pay the minimum, but to see the debts go away permanently. It's a beautiful thing to not have a car payment and it's wonderful to see those student loans melt away.
I think the hardest one for me to complete will be the 60 days of Insanity. It's a workout program like P90x or Tae Boe, but it is extremely intense. We'll see if my body can hold up under the workouts, but I think this is what will help me to get to my desired weight. This and a good diet will get me there and both will be difficult to keep up. We shall see. I might even gives updates on the blog as I go through it on the program and whether it is working or not.
K... That's our goals for 2010.
Updates
(Jason) So I decided that our blog needed some updates. We have been extremely busy with life and we haven't posted in months. Here are some updates on our life:
Well, I hope that helps catch you up a little. Let us know if there is anything that you would like us to update you on.
- Seth is now 15 months old.
- 2 Weeks vacation for Christmas in Wyoming was a ton of fun
- Working for Adobe is a great thing. They have awesome benfits and have really taken good care of us.
- Ashley is now 26 and is more beautiful than ever.
- I just earned 5 more bonus points for my previous comment.
- Ashley will start tending two kids from the neighborhood 4 times a week starting today.
- We have been following Dave Ramsey's financial dieting and have paid off about 60% of our debt during last year!! (It's tight sometimes)
- We expect to be out of debt this time next year (Except for the house which we hope to buy next year)!!!!
- I plan to start an exercise program called Insanity this next week. We'll see if I can shed some weight doing it. More like, We'll see if I can keep doing it... I'll shed the weight if I stick to it.
- Ashley and I are closer, happier, and more talkative than ever. We love each other and I am so happy we have what we have.
Well, I hope that helps catch you up a little. Let us know if there is anything that you would like us to update you on.
The BCS is a joke
This is a good example of how I feel about the BCS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUKQMXB5io0
It is ridiculous and it is an oligopoly which I believe is illegal which makes me wonder why the government hasn't stepped in. We would never stand for the oil companies getting together and deciding on a price to charge and then screwing over every other gas station out there. This is called collusion isn't it? The BCS must be removed before college football can ever again be taken seriously. Fans become more and more critical of the system with each year as they continue to see more and more teams get screwed out of a chance for a title. College football, you are the only sport that can never claim that you won a championship game. How does that feel? You can never prove anything because you are never given a chance to prove you can beat the best. You can only prove that you can beat the team that the computer put you up against. This is why the BCS Sux and we need a college football playoff. Don't tell me there isn't enough time, because most leagues end in early December and the title game is in January. This easily gives enough time for there to be a three week playoff or something like that. Even a "plus one" playoff would be better than what is currently happening. Have the top four play and then the winners play each other for the championship. That's only ONE EXTRA WEEK! Oh and that other excuse about it being too hard on the players and that they need to do school work is dumb too. Alabama just gave 3 days off or something like that to ALL STUDENTS, and not just the players so that they can travel and attend the game. Obviously this doesn't seem to be a problem. Your excuses are as ridiculous as your system.
End the stupidity. Form a playoff of some sort...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUKQMXB5io0
It is ridiculous and it is an oligopoly which I believe is illegal which makes me wonder why the government hasn't stepped in. We would never stand for the oil companies getting together and deciding on a price to charge and then screwing over every other gas station out there. This is called collusion isn't it? The BCS must be removed before college football can ever again be taken seriously. Fans become more and more critical of the system with each year as they continue to see more and more teams get screwed out of a chance for a title. College football, you are the only sport that can never claim that you won a championship game. How does that feel? You can never prove anything because you are never given a chance to prove you can beat the best. You can only prove that you can beat the team that the computer put you up against. This is why the BCS Sux and we need a college football playoff. Don't tell me there isn't enough time, because most leagues end in early December and the title game is in January. This easily gives enough time for there to be a three week playoff or something like that. Even a "plus one" playoff would be better than what is currently happening. Have the top four play and then the winners play each other for the championship. That's only ONE EXTRA WEEK! Oh and that other excuse about it being too hard on the players and that they need to do school work is dumb too. Alabama just gave 3 days off or something like that to ALL STUDENTS, and not just the players so that they can travel and attend the game. Obviously this doesn't seem to be a problem. Your excuses are as ridiculous as your system.
End the stupidity. Form a playoff of some sort...
