My cutting back on alcohol has been fairly successful, partly because I'm so busy, and partly because I stopped drinking beer at all. It's carbonated, and it's killing my running efforts, so I stopped having cerveza.
I haven't had fast food in weeks, and that alone makes me feel great, but I also don't eat fried food or anything with a lot of sugar or fat. I run at least four times (sometimes more) a week, and most of my liquid intake is water (as it should be). I've been getting plenty of sleep, and I'm probably going to get a membership at Anytime Fitness soon so I can get some quick strength training in after work or while I'm just chilling on the weekends. There's one close to my house, one close to the University, and one close to Outback, so it seems pretty ideal. Plus, for me, being healthy means not losing any weight... Gotta keep working the muscles or they will be even more non-existent.
Things are going well at both jobs, and my class is pretty straightforward, so things are good. Just wanted to let y'all know that I feel great.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I can't believe I'm saying this...
I'm thinking about cutting way down on my drinking.
(Pause for reaction.)
Yeah, I'm serious. I have a few reasons for this, and they are as follows:
I may or may not have mentioned that I'm training for a marathon, but now you know. I was trying to run this morning after having a VERY good time last night, and I was struggling. I swear I thought I was gonna die. I can't do that to myself, or I'm never gonna reach my running goals, which are a higher priority for me.
The last one is hard to explain. A wise man (probably more accurately described as a "wise-guy") asked me recently if I drank socially or if it was my job. I thought about it for a long time because I'm not a raging alcoholic or anything, but I decided that people expect me to drink. They expect me to drink good stuff, and they expect me to drink a lot of it. It's the precedent that I have set. Of course, I'm not one to do things because people expect me to, so after reading Rachel's blog, (where she mentions doing something unexpected) I decided to cut back. I know that "cutting back" sounds like a soft commitment, but I'm going to really try to do it.
I want to end up as a "social drinker." If I'm out with some friends and we decide to have drinks as adults, then I will be happy to pick up a glass, but I want to cut it out of my lunches (yes, I drink at lunch), I want to stop spending so much money on it, and I want to quit drinking earlier in the night than I have been. This little boy needs to get to bed so he can run before it gets blazing out.
Thoughts?
(Pause for reaction.)
Yeah, I'm serious. I have a few reasons for this, and they are as follows:
- It's expensive.
- It doesn't help when I'm trying to run the next morning.
- It has become my job.
I may or may not have mentioned that I'm training for a marathon, but now you know. I was trying to run this morning after having a VERY good time last night, and I was struggling. I swear I thought I was gonna die. I can't do that to myself, or I'm never gonna reach my running goals, which are a higher priority for me.
The last one is hard to explain. A wise man (probably more accurately described as a "wise-guy") asked me recently if I drank socially or if it was my job. I thought about it for a long time because I'm not a raging alcoholic or anything, but I decided that people expect me to drink. They expect me to drink good stuff, and they expect me to drink a lot of it. It's the precedent that I have set. Of course, I'm not one to do things because people expect me to, so after reading Rachel's blog, (where she mentions doing something unexpected) I decided to cut back. I know that "cutting back" sounds like a soft commitment, but I'm going to really try to do it.
I want to end up as a "social drinker." If I'm out with some friends and we decide to have drinks as adults, then I will be happy to pick up a glass, but I want to cut it out of my lunches (yes, I drink at lunch), I want to stop spending so much money on it, and I want to quit drinking earlier in the night than I have been. This little boy needs to get to bed so he can run before it gets blazing out.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
My signature cocktail
I'm currently on a quest to find my signature drink. I do enjoy a Tito's (that's vodka, for those of you who live under a rock and don't know how amazing Texas vodka is) with orange juice and red bull in a tall glass. However, I feel like energy drinks are very young, and when I go to a bar or dinner with co-workers or people higher up, I want a drink they can respect, so my quest begins.
I don't want the drink to be too simple like a Cape Cod or something too fruity like a Cosmo. I want to steer clear of tequila. Milky or creamy drinks are also eliminated because they can only be drank at certain times and with certain things.
Martinis have their options because you can get them up or rocks, dry or dirty, olives or no, twist or no, and you can style them up different ways. However, so many people drink martinis and I want something slightly more original, a little less ordered.
Yesterday, I discovered my liking for Manhattans. This simple but manly drink starts with whiskey (preferably rye), adds a bit of vermouth (sweet or dry), and just a dash of bitters at the drinker's discretion. I had one with Maker's and sweet vermouth, a bit of bitters, up with a twist. It was quite tasty, but still unmistakably whiskey. I also asked for a rocks glass with some cherry juice in it (an idea I stole from a bar regular (real juice, not grenadine)), and I dabbed just a little bit into the drink over time. It's color and taste brightened only slightly, but amazingly.
I then went through the same process, but with Korbel brandy instead of whiskey, this time with half sweet and half dry vermouth. Same up and twist with a side of cherry juice. As long as the cherry is used sparingly, I do not feel like it would be easily criticized.
Though I do feel like I am going to experiment a bit further with this drink, I do feel like it may become my signature cocktail.
Any further suggestions?
I don't want the drink to be too simple like a Cape Cod or something too fruity like a Cosmo. I want to steer clear of tequila. Milky or creamy drinks are also eliminated because they can only be drank at certain times and with certain things.
Martinis have their options because you can get them up or rocks, dry or dirty, olives or no, twist or no, and you can style them up different ways. However, so many people drink martinis and I want something slightly more original, a little less ordered.
Yesterday, I discovered my liking for Manhattans. This simple but manly drink starts with whiskey (preferably rye), adds a bit of vermouth (sweet or dry), and just a dash of bitters at the drinker's discretion. I had one with Maker's and sweet vermouth, a bit of bitters, up with a twist. It was quite tasty, but still unmistakably whiskey. I also asked for a rocks glass with some cherry juice in it (an idea I stole from a bar regular (real juice, not grenadine)), and I dabbed just a little bit into the drink over time. It's color and taste brightened only slightly, but amazingly.
I then went through the same process, but with Korbel brandy instead of whiskey, this time with half sweet and half dry vermouth. Same up and twist with a side of cherry juice. As long as the cherry is used sparingly, I do not feel like it would be easily criticized.
Though I do feel like I am going to experiment a bit further with this drink, I do feel like it may become my signature cocktail.
Any further suggestions?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Scott's Charm School #1: Taking Charge
You know how you look at people that are older, wiser, sometimes even just better looking. You know when you are around specific people and you feel like you're seeking their approval? You are hoping that they will not think you're weird. You are hoping that they will not blow you off. You know how they seem to be superior to you? That's because, either consciously or subconsciously, you allow yourself to think of them that way.
Some of this you might have heard before. A parent, a teacher, or a mentor might have mentioned it in the past. It's knowledge that is given, but few people grasp it: "When two people are in any form of a relationship, there is a person who is in charge." This can be explained many ways, but I want to give you my take. Let's define our terms.
"Relationship" is going to be the connection between any two people that have met and at least one remembers the other. There are special exceptions to drunken nights and random acts that go along with blacking out, but in general, at least one remembers the other.
"In charge" is going to be the person in the relationship who is superior to the other person. We will call the people in charge the "Leaders," and the people who are inferior the "Followers." Do not be confused. We are all both because we are in charge of some relationships, and not of others.
This is an issue of confidence. When making a new acquaintance (even if you have a pre-existing knowledge of that person), it is up to you to decide that you are equal to or better than that person. Do not misunderstand me; I'm not telling you to be a snot box, just to know that no one can be better than you without your permission. Acquaintanceship is the first level of a relationship, and the things that I am about to talk about apply to everyone: your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents, your potential future employer, the friend of a friend, etc.
Here are some things that you can do:
Make sure that you introduce yourself, shake hands, make eye contact, and if you stick your hand out for the shake first, you are almost automatically in charge. Shaking someones hand is a sign of respect and of respectability. Remember the person's name. It is also a sign of respect, and if they forget yours, you've gained more ground ahead of them. Be gracious about reminding them, and you're still moving forward. Smile, and appear confident, even if you're knees are clattering together. Appearing confident when you're really not is a form of confidence, is it not?
Once you have made the initial greet, be sure to stay a Leader by never being afraid to give your opinion, when it's your place, with confidence (funny that I keep using that word). Do not wait for someone else to give their opinion and then half-heartedly agree with them to seek approval. Listen intently, deliberate politely, discuss peacefully; however, never give in. If they have a point, agree to give the matter some thought, and discuss it at a later date. Sophistication is what we make of it.
From that point, always be sure to greet that person by name and with a hand shake. Make sure that you ask about something in their life that you remember, and actually listen to the answer to make further conversation in the future.
Doing these few things can make you the person in charge. It will make you the object of admiration. Be the person that people want to know, and people will know you. I know I have made it sound like these situations always take place in a formal setting, but these are guidelines for any time that you are meeting someone new. Take charge, and you'll be the Leader.
Some of this you might have heard before. A parent, a teacher, or a mentor might have mentioned it in the past. It's knowledge that is given, but few people grasp it: "When two people are in any form of a relationship, there is a person who is in charge." This can be explained many ways, but I want to give you my take. Let's define our terms.
"Relationship" is going to be the connection between any two people that have met and at least one remembers the other. There are special exceptions to drunken nights and random acts that go along with blacking out, but in general, at least one remembers the other.
"In charge" is going to be the person in the relationship who is superior to the other person. We will call the people in charge the "Leaders," and the people who are inferior the "Followers." Do not be confused. We are all both because we are in charge of some relationships, and not of others.
This is an issue of confidence. When making a new acquaintance (even if you have a pre-existing knowledge of that person), it is up to you to decide that you are equal to or better than that person. Do not misunderstand me; I'm not telling you to be a snot box, just to know that no one can be better than you without your permission. Acquaintanceship is the first level of a relationship, and the things that I am about to talk about apply to everyone: your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents, your potential future employer, the friend of a friend, etc.
Here are some things that you can do:
Make sure that you introduce yourself, shake hands, make eye contact, and if you stick your hand out for the shake first, you are almost automatically in charge. Shaking someones hand is a sign of respect and of respectability. Remember the person's name. It is also a sign of respect, and if they forget yours, you've gained more ground ahead of them. Be gracious about reminding them, and you're still moving forward. Smile, and appear confident, even if you're knees are clattering together. Appearing confident when you're really not is a form of confidence, is it not?
Once you have made the initial greet, be sure to stay a Leader by never being afraid to give your opinion, when it's your place, with confidence (funny that I keep using that word). Do not wait for someone else to give their opinion and then half-heartedly agree with them to seek approval. Listen intently, deliberate politely, discuss peacefully; however, never give in. If they have a point, agree to give the matter some thought, and discuss it at a later date. Sophistication is what we make of it.
From that point, always be sure to greet that person by name and with a hand shake. Make sure that you ask about something in their life that you remember, and actually listen to the answer to make further conversation in the future.
Doing these few things can make you the person in charge. It will make you the object of admiration. Be the person that people want to know, and people will know you. I know I have made it sound like these situations always take place in a formal setting, but these are guidelines for any time that you are meeting someone new. Take charge, and you'll be the Leader.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
