Tonight I watched Brazil vs the US Confederation Cup Final with my Brazilian friend Luiz. It was a nice first half seeing the United States go up by two goals on a team as good as Brazil. I, of course, had to give Luiz a hard time. It was good natured stuff like "Are you about to cry?" He especially didn't like the replays of Landon Donovan's goal (the only really good strike from the US if you ask me). But then came the second half. The US couldn't get any offense going, the defense was tired, and Tim Howard was overworked. Howard did a great job but he couldn't stop the Brazilians. Two great goals by Luis Fabiano and then the coup de grace by Lucio and the US was done.
However, I see this tournament as a big step forward for American soccer. I think beating Spain was a huge win and confidence booster. This won't be the tournament that makes the everyday American watch soccer but it gives the US team a good position for the World Cup next year. They've played on that pitch. They've beaten one of the best teams in the world and were really close to beating another. Maybe by next year we'll be ready to take that next step. I'll be watching.
Day one of the "Crazy Diet" was completed without any real incident. It turns out the shakes aren't that bad. They have a weird after taste and a blender really should be used. I wouldn't drink them on a whim but all things considered they are ok. I lost 1.5 lbs overnight. Let's hope that trend continues.
On the other hand, I feel like my brain is enveloped in a light fog. My body feels a bit tingly. It's almost like I'm high. I find myself obsessing about food. I talked to a coworker last night for an hour about which fast food places have the best fries. I'm moving a bit slow right now too. I can actually finally appreciate what it feels like to be on the TV show Survivor. I know why the "lazy ones" wouldn't help with the shelter. I would probably be voted off the island first in my state.
Tomorrow I'm seeing Transformers 2 as part of a "team-building exercise" at work. I don't know what kind of team they are trying to build, but I'm a team player. I'll go watch a 2 1/2 hour movie on the company dime any time (unless I'm off that day). Go team!
Seven years ago, I started my current job. At that time, I was 25 years old and weighed about 150 to 155lbs. Fast forward to present day and I'm 32 and about 215lbs. It's gotten ridiculous. I've decided to go on a diet starting Monday. And yes, it's one of those crazy ones where you drink shakes and don't eat real food. I know this isn't the "right way" to do it but I don't really care. I just want to fit in my old clothes. My goal is to drop about 30 to 35 lbs (40 would actually be ideal).
The plan is to do this shake thing for two weeks. Then I'll do 2 shakes a day and eat a sensible dinner for a couple of more weeks. I'm going to try to do some walking around the neighborhood as well and breaking out the Wii fit. I hope to be down to my goal weight of 175 by the end of summer.
This is going to be really hard for me. I have a horrible, horrible sweet tooth. I'll be giving up my beloved Dr. Peppers. There will be no pizza, no M&M's. I think, for me, this will be harder than quitting smoking but I will do it. Mind over matter right?
Other things on my mind right now:
- Scotch tape totally stops mosquito bites from itching. I had one on my arm. I put some tape on it and no more itching. Who first thought to do that?
- Tomorrow I'm buying a BBQ grill. This is probably a dumb time to buy it, seeing as how I start a diet in 2 days but I'm planning on barbecuing tomorrow and I'm not so good on charcoal. I want to taste the meat, not the heat. Hank Hill would be proud.
- I linked to this on my tumblr, but I don't know if everyone knows that I have one. It's the story of a violinist, people in a hurry, and appreciating art where you find it. Like Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Wise words.
- I don't like eating with spoons.
- If you are wondering where the title of the post comes from, it's from an infographic on this site. The number of pitches thrown in the major leagues in 2006 travelled a distance of 8318 miles…far enough to reach from the pitching rubber in St Louis to a beach in Mumbai, India.
I truly hate it when people call me brother. Is my mother your mother? Was I ever a member of a fraternity? Am I a monk? Are you Hulk Hogan? If the answer to any of those questions is "no" then I am not your brother.
The only exception to this rule is, of course, Desmond from Lost. I will be his brother.
"See you in another life, brotha."
Sometimes, and by sometimes I mean right now, I feel utterly and totally boring.