In January 2013, I resolved to make some big changes in my life. I started the year overweight, unhealthy, and unhappy. I understood that nothing would change unless I embraced a better lifestyle with optimism, open-mindedness, exercise and good health.
I’m so glad I made that decision. As of April 2014 I’ve lost nearly 50 pounds and several notches in my belt. I’m healthier now and feel like I did in my mid-20’s. I’m a guy in his early 40’s with two beautiful, intelligent kids. I have a great love in my life who brings me great joy and the promise of a long and beautiful life together. I have an awesome, creative career in graphic design from which I make a good living, and get to interact with some fantastic people. I get to split my time at an office three days a week as art director of a great magazine, and at home two days a week as a freelance graphic artist. I’ve taught myself to cook healthy, delicious meals and I exercise almost every day. I play bass in a really fun 80’s rock band on the weekends. I am blessed with loving parents and a kind and generous family. I have a beautiful yard and home that I love to tend to, and a big happy dog who welcomes me at the door. I have a small, but very solid group of good friends who are some of the finest people in the world. I love my new different, and have absolutely nothing to complain about.
This is the new me. My new different. And I feel so good about it that I’ve created this blog to share my enthusiasm and passion with everyone else.
And just because I love lists, here are a few things that sum up who I am:
| LIKES | DISLIKES | COULDN'T CARE LESS |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Bamboo Waterfalls My kids Scent of vanilla Real dogs (mutts, labs, huskies) Laughing Warm ocean water Heavy metal music Hiking and walks Lemon bars President Obama NBA My bed Koi ponds Good scotch NPR Cooking Museums Mint toothpaste Bumblebees Engaging conversations Deep breathing Mac computers | Faxing Bindweed Leaky faucets Diners who harass servers Cigarette smoke False dogs (pugs, pomeranians, etc.) Over-explainers Polluted water Opera Treadmills Jelly-filled anything Mitch McConnell PGA Sleeping on the floor Betta bowls Cheap beer Sermon radio Bland food Circuses Bad breath Ticks One-way conversations Mouth breathers Windows PCs | Tweeting Peace lily Chocolate fountains Born-agains Perfume Sporting dogs (pointers, spaniels, etc.) Sighing Blue toilet water Country music Mall strolling Cheesecake Rush Limbaugh NFL Hammocks Goldfish Fine wine AM Golden Classics Applebees, TGI Fridays, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc. Poetry slams Tongue piercings Potato bugs Late-night talk show conversations Panting Android |