101 in 1001... Do it.

I've been neglecting this blog, but after last summer that's an awesome thing. That means I haven't been spending as much time strapped to a chair pounding out post like before. That means, that I've been taking advantage of a healthier life and have been getting out and living it up. Which is what brings me here today.

A buddy of mine was talking to me about his list and how he's been mentally checking items off, I can't say the same for myself. I know I've done some of the things on my list but now-a-day's it seems I'm more stoked about killing a task rather than putting it on blast. I think I've gotten to the point to where I can accomplish some things so fast that I'm mentally on to the next one already.

Example: As of my last accomplished post, nearly 4 months ago, where I took out three tasks, I have now accomplished ELEVEN more. Some even more than once. Woo Hoo!

Here's a brief look at what I've been up to...

18. Cook/Make something from my Pinterest. 
- In June I got all crafty and shit. Yeah, that's what I call it cause I'm a man. Haha. So I set out to Hobby Lobby, like a BOSS bought some supplies and created some custom ink for my Disc Golf discs.

21. Create short movies with videos (Clips) I've taken.
- So yeah, I've been making it a habit to capture more video. I've got a son who changes everyday and I want to remember that in a way still pictures can't capture. If this wasn't a lame blog, I'd actually have a video loaded for you to watch but... Well, I don't. My bad, next time.

39. Go Skinny Dipping.
- Done. And Done.

47. Go to the track and play the horses. 
- I wanna say we went twice this season. Nothing exciting happened, I didn't win big but I did win enough to keep playing and drinking and that's good enough for me. The next season starts soon so I'll be out placing bets this fall.

48. Go Tubing.
- Last summer was a long and slow burning summer, spending most of it injured had me determined to make the most of the sun season after rahab. And this video is just a snippet of that.


75. Record more video.
- Uhh... I guess this one goes hand in hand with #21.

80. Score within 5 strokes to par.
- Damn, I've been doing this for a while now. Granted it's at my "home course" where I have to opportunity to play at least once a week. But, I'm not taking anything away from this accomplishment, especially when my first score at the course (January 2012) was PLUS 26. Since January 19th, 2012 I have been scoring consistently anywhere from 0 to +4 and learning the game more and more each time.

88. Train More. Train Harder.
- After my injury I've realized more than ever than I need to get back to focuses on my health and fitness. I can proudly say that since January I've spent more time working out outside and lifting weights than I have been in recent years past. I've seen changes in my strength, in the way clothes fit and I feel better about myself. It doesn't stop here though... Next year I want to look at pictures of myself from this time and be exciting about how much better I look and feel.

93. Vacation at the beach.
- I can't believe I hadn't blogged about this already. Especially since I went twice and each time was a great trip. In fact we had such a great time that The Wife and I are hoping to make the trips an annual event. Our first trip was with a couple of friends in April, we enjoyed a childless, stree-free no rules vacation in beautiful South Padre Island, Texas. Can't wait 'till next year. Our second vacation was just as much fun with the family in Galveston, Texas with a stop in Brenham for a tour and taste of Blue Bell Ice Cream.

97. Win a Super Saturday (Disc Golf).
- This one's is almost out of my control. By that I mean, I have to actually play people to win. And since I've gotten better  I haven't had very many opportunities to throw with my crew. Summer is a busy time and as adults we've all got schedules and plans, family events and shopping at Home Depot or Bed Bath & Beyond. But in June I finally played the and beat the guys in my regular crew, for those counting, that's only 6 months after my very first round. #DiscountDoubleCheck

MY LIST

#50 Hand Write and Send Letter. DONE.

In this case it was a "Thank you" letter/note. 

As you can tell from some of my recent posts [Here & Here], I've been playing disc golf and I'm really enjoying the game and the outdoor physical activity. Before I ruptured my Achilles a good friend of mine, "Beans", tore some ligaments in his leg on a disc golf course as he took a bad step walking down hill. During his recovery I mentioned to him that when he was able, we should go throw together. 

Fast forward a few months and I'm the one with an injury. 

After I had somewhat healed and had a good amount of strength and mobility in my leg he calls me up to invite me to play disc golf with him. I was a bit hesitant and very nervous but I met him and some other friends on the course and had a blast. I've honestly not had this much fun playing outside since my days of playing football. The competition, the camaraderie, the smell of the outdoors, the grass and even the smell of my dirty clothes after throwing take me back to my youth. I wish I started playing earlier. 

So, after a few weeks of playing I knew I had to thank him for getting my bum ass off the couch and inviting me out to throw with him and the guys. I grabbed a pen and a thank you card and let him know how thankful I was. 

I should also thank my step-father for hooking me up with an awesome starter kit, a brand new bag full of discs and a practice putting basket. But for him, I think a day or more with him on the course will serve better than a thank you note, I know he loves this game. 


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To see more of my 101 things to do in 1001 days click HERE. 

Again! - 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.

Before injuring my Achilles I was actively blogging, averaging about 18 posts a month. That all ended when my active life slowed to a complete halt, there’s nothing interesting about an adult American male’s monotonous life of recovery. Although, while holding the couch to the floor I did catch too many TV shows about nothing really… You collect miscellaneous garbage and dead cat’s, sign up for hoarders. Do you enjoy casual sex, drugs and alcohol and maybe have a kid because of it, that’s MTV. I’ve got hundreds of channels of high definition rot your brain, time suck “entertainment”. I’m glad I’m feeling much better, indoor life isn’t for me.

With that said, I’ve decided to embark on another 1001 day journey to accomplish and yes, maybe even fail 101 goals. This will be my second go-round with this project and since this is the reason I first started blogging in 2007, I figured it would help get me out of this (lack of) blogging funk of 2012. Check out my list below, check back often and let me know if you’re doing something similar or plan on it. 

My 101 in 1001 Days ends December 9th, 2014.

1 A day with my brothers. 2 Attend a Notre Dame football game. 3 Backyard camp out. 4 Build a raised flower-bed/garden. 5 Build deck in backyard. 6 Build up savings account. 7 Buy and wear more bowties. 8 Buy and Xbox 360 or PS3. 9 Buy heavier dumbbells. 10 Buy more (Vinyl) albums. 11 Buy resistance bands. 12 Clean house daily. 13 Clean out closets and drawers. 14 Clean out garage. 15 Compete in a Disc Golf tournament. 16 Compile a soundtrack of my life. 17 Compost more. 03/14/12 18

Cook/Make something from my Pinterest.

19

Create a budget.

20

Create a photo-journal.

21

Create short movies with videos (Clips) I've taken.

22

Do something I've never done before.

23

Donate clothes I no longer wear.

24

Eat at new (to me) local restaurants.

25

Eat healthier.

26

Eat something I haven't before.

27

Enjoy Epoch responsibly.

28

Eye exam + new contacts.

29

Family picnic.

30

Find a new swimming hole.

31

For each goal completed, award self with $5 to save. [$45]

32

Get a bike (and ride it).

33

Get a Hole in one (Disc Golf)

34

Get a new (larger) vehicle.

35

Get a new tattoo.

36

Get paid more or get a new job.

37

Go Camping.

38

Go Fishing.

39

Go skinny dipping.

40

Go to a concert.

41

Go to a Texas tailgate party.

42

Go to a theme night at Alamo Drafthouse.

43

Go to bed at a decent time for a whole week.

44

Go to Schitterbahn.

45

Go to Six Flags (Fright Fest).

46

Go to the drive-in.

47

Go to the track and play the horses.

48

Go Tubing.

49

Grill Baby Back Ribs (more than once).

50

Hand write and send letters.

51

Have another "Super Saturday".

52

Have clothes tailored.

53

Have house sale-ready.

54

Host a Halloween party.

55

Host an Outdoor Movie Night.

56

Inspire. - 03/14/12

57

Keep records of yard work.

58

Lay a dry creek bed in backyard.

59

Learn a full song on the guitar.

60

Maintain Up-To-Date resume.

61

Make a damn good Pomarita.

62

Make my own beer.

63

Make my own wine.

64

Massage (at least ONCE).

65

Monthly outings with The Cohens.

66

New dentist + dental work.

67

No fast food for a month (Including breakfast).

68

Open separate savings account.

69

Pay off credit card.

70

Pedicure/Manicure (at least) twice a year.

71

Play and beat LIMBO.

72

Play the lottery.

73

Raise chickens.

74

Read books that are on my shelf looking much smarter than me.

75

Record more video.

76

Reverse pick-pocket someone.

77

Ride a train anywhere.

78

Run a 5k.

79

Say yes more.

80

Score within 5 strokes of par.

81

Sew my own shirt.

82

Skydive.

83

Take a Yoga class.

84

Take family photos.

85

Take son to a sporting event.

86

Take son to Blues on the Green.

87

Take son to Shady Grove Unplugged.

88

Train more, train harder.

89

Transition to Apple (iCal, Notes, Reminders, etc) exclusively.

90

Try rock climbing.

91

Update blog tags.

92

Update iTunes content.

93

Vacation at the beach.

94

Vacation to a place I have never been before.

95

Visit a cave.

96

Visit a winery.

97

Win a "Super Saturday" (Disc Golf).

98

Write & send DG course proposal to city council.

99

Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years.

100

Write a letter to myself to open in 5 years.

101

Write in Journal. 

Disc Golf Kit + Gear

CamelBak - USMC Boonie - HD Ultra - Water Bottle - UA Loose - UA Compression - UA Running Short - Zensah Compression Sleese - The North Face Ultra 105 GTX XCR

QJLS - Wolf - #2 Upshot.

Disc Golf

In an effort to gain some physicality back after the surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles (and after ONLY a few visits with physical therapy) I decided to try my hand and foot at the game of disc golf. Like ball golf or regular golf, the goal of each hole is to make your disc into a basket in the least amount of throws and end the game with the lowest total score amongst competitors.

In high school after a shitastic cornea transplant, I was left on the sidelines of the football field when my doctors thought it would be in my best interest to reduce and cutout all full contact sports. A few of my friends were on the (Ball) golf team so with the suggestion of my doctors, disappointment and lack of complete motivation I got together some basic clubs and tried golf. I was a hyper teen, I could go from coma to sugar overdose quicker than a sneeze, I lacked patience and focus. My golf career lasted maybe a month, the only good drives I had were when I shouldn’t have been driving. I remember one day we were playing Riverside and there were some guys ahead of us who were moving pretty slow, my buddies knew I had nothing for a drive so suggested that I tee off (It didn’t matter anyway). Well, I cracked into the ball with punishing force, I watched it as it screamed off the club, my friends voices yelled too –“FORE!”- as the ball approached the group ahead of us. It was AWESOME! The ball ricocheted and pin-balled around their golf cart as they were loading up. That was my first best-drive but not the last of the kind. Haha.

Alright, this post is about Disc Golf not the silly nicker wearing ball golf. What I like about disc golf is its availability and cheapness, not to mention it’s attractiveness to beginners and seasoned vets. Just about anyone of any level can play with no prior skill, practice or expensive equipment. Also, it’s another reason to get up and enjoy fresh air, the outdoors and competition with friends.

Disc golf has been, ehh, somewhat in my life for as long as I remember. While I’ve never actually played until recently, my stepfather has been a rabid competitor for years so I’ve heard terms and stories of his victories and losses. Lucky for me too, is the fact that when I rang him, letting him know that I was invited to play and asked him if he had a simple set-up I could borrow, he said yes. When I showed up to get my gear, he really hooked me up. He gave me a disc bag, a few discs –which included drivers, mid-rangers & putters- he also gave me a sweet-ass practice basket which I’ve recently started bringing to work to get 15 minute practices in here-and-there.

"Work Break"

Brushy Creek - Hole 3 - Par 4

If you ask me, I should have started playing this long ago, maybe in high school instead of ball golf. I’m not bragging but I ain’t gonna lie, I’d probably be pro by now. Hey, I’m just saying. I’m not that good but I’m not at all close to bad and I keep getting better. Disc golf is a great game, I’ve only played 9 times and each time is a new experience and the time in between playing all I want to do is play… So far, throwing disc is the closest I’ve felt to being a kid again. I just want to play.

Brushy Creek - Hole 7 - Par 3. Birdie!

Today marks the 8 month anniversary of my surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles. At the end of January I began playing disc golf, a game I highly recommend to almost anyone recovering from an Achilles injury. The game isn’t violently demanding on the body, you’ll begin to stretch and bend your ankle on uneven ground, all while playing a fun game with friends and family, outdoors and gaining back confidence in your physical ability and range of motion.

"Where you at?" You know who you are.