First Blog From Zeppoz

Life has been a whirlwind since I got back to Pullman.  A good whirlwind, but crazy none the less.  My good buddy Josh was nice enough to let me sleep on a cot.  In his dining room.  Its great.  No sarcasm.  I am a five minute walk to work.  A four minute walk to my gym.  And a six minute walk to Wal-Mart.  Amen.

Work is great.  I love what I do.  Work with some really awesome people.  I just don't get a lot of time off. Tonight is actually my first night off that I have had since I started back.  On November 12.  I don't mind.  The job is great.

Thanksgiving was fantastic.  Short lived.  But I did get to spend it with my family.  That hasn't happened in a long time.

Other than that.  Just been working out and working.

RoxyLean and All Things Thermogenic

Got a bottle of RoxyLean by BPI from a buddy I worked with. It is a thermogenic which means this increase your core temperature with the idea to burn more calories.

First. I didn't notice a difference with this product. Used it for a month. With a relativly clean diet. I still worked out. Actually think I looked worse after.

I feel that I have my diet in check as well as my workouts. I didnt like while on this product I wasn't allowed to have any more caffeine during the day. This was fine on shorter days, on days when I was able to workout first thing or on days when I got a full nights sleep the night before. On days when that didn't happen I was dragging by the end of the day and/or struggling through a workout.

My caffeine tolerance is decent. I was using caffeinated pre-workouts, drinking caffeinated beverages (green tea, diet pop, energy drinks) fairly regularly before I tried RoxyLean. The first couple days on it I felt jittery and cold. And had to poop more than normal.  I'll pass.

In conclusion. There is no magic pill. Your body is going to do what it wants, all you can do is help. There are better (and probably healthier) ways to accomplish your fitness goals.

Cheers.

Figured I'd Do Some Catching Up

Sorry for the following blog on slaught. Just had a few to catch up on. And the free time to do so.

Quick Though On The Election

Reminded me so much of the current football situations at the University of Illinois and Washington State University. People wanted change. And they got it. But is it really better?

Illinois got a great mid-level coach. But he isn't proven to run with the big boys in all facets. Feel like this is a Ken Bone situation at WSU. Great guy. Great plan. Just gotta make it happen.

Wazzu wanted to return to the glory of the late 90s and early 00s. Leech is a winner. In a place that parrallels Pullman. But. He seems to be high risk/high reward. I'm all for it. But can WSU handle another broken heart? Wulff was safe. Prolly would have been a 7-8 winner every year. Nothin wrong with that. Especially with how the college football landscape is changing. If Leech produces 10-win seasons. Will he really stay?

And America. Who knows what we got. Until the elected officials can reach across the isle. We will be stuck. And until the conservatives can put up a candidate that doesn't alienate members of their own party,let alone the nation. Democrats with own the Oval. It is time for some progressive thinking.

Finally Home

Finally made it to my parent's house in Deer Park, Washington. I consider anywhere in the Five-Oh-Nine as home. Good to be back. I think I got to my parents house around 7pm local time.

After driving forrrr-evvvvvv-vvveerrrrr through Montana, I had the joy of Lookout Pass. That. Sucked. So thankful that I started my trip when I did. Would not have wanted to hit the pass in the snow.

Enjoyed the last few days just relaxing and doing nothing. Well, except for working out. Back in the gym. Feels so good. Went with Anytime Fitness again. Love having the option to go when I want. 198 and 8% here I come.

Abode Hunting On the Palouse

Yes.  Its true.  I am coming back to Pullman.  And I need a place to live.  I am hoping to find something more structured than a couch to crash on.  If anyone has anything to offer that would be great.  I would ideally like to be in my own place by the first of the year.  So if its an extra room, don't worry, I'm not trying to stay forever.  Sorry for the scattered thoughts below. 

Rough Outline
-Would prefer something semi-private.  Will be working nights, would hate to be a disturbance
-Willing to respect all rules of the "house"
-Yes, I am willing to pay rent.  Max budget for everything would ideally be no more than $500, I know this is a stretch.  But I have faith
-Money is a little tight right now, with moving across the country, and coaching junior college volleyball.  Would appreciate a little flexibility getting up and going
-Would love to find something more permanent, especially if it has some character, maybe like someones basement apartment, one above a garage or business.  Even a loft.  ha ha
-Prefer a pet free home (allergies), not because I don't love em
-Just need a little access to kitchen space mainly for breakfast and shakes
-I don't have a lot of stuff, ie whatever I could bring back in my Jetta.  So I don't need a lot of space.
-Hoping to avoid a property management company

If you, or anyone you know, might be able to help me out.  Please let me know.

Somewhere In Middle America

Day three. I am drained. Maybe because I was up till three am hanging out with my favorite people in Billings, Montana. Which was a hail. Day two consisted of almost fifteen hours in the car. Omaha, north to Sioux Falls. Linked up with I-90. Took that alllllll the way to Billings via South Dakota and Wyoming. Five states in total I was in. Phew.

I am writing this post from a McDonalds in Butte, Montana. It's a little under halfway to today's final destination of Deer Park, Washington and my parents basement. Thank goodness. I will be sleeping in a bed tonight.

Highlights from yesterday included. Kokanee. Softball fields. Wings. Wall Drug. A large Dinosaur. Some great conversation. And a new found hatred for wind. Killed my fuel economy going through South Dakota. Also. The election was yesterday. That. Is a separate blog from my parents couch. Maybe tonight.

My next stop. Depending on fuel economy will either be Missoula. Or somewhere in Idaho. Ima need caffiene.

And So Begins Day Two

Day one wrapped up with a night's stay at the Hotel de Tree in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha is one of my favorite places. Ever. Spent six months living there while interning with the Men's College World Series. Met a fellow Washingtonian who became a good friend, Kevin McGree. You can follow him on Twitter, @TheTree he is great with tech stuff. I also met a local, Sean Purcell, who became me cousin? He's on Twitter too @Sean_Purcell. I had dinner with both of them. Before spending the night on Kevin's couch. With his cat Fenway.

Day two has me heading north in I-29. Straight into a thirty mile an hour wind. Great for the fuel economy. Oh well. Headed to Sioux Falls to link up with I-90. Yahoo.

Rest stops in Iowa are awesome. Most have free WiFi. Which allows me to post from my blog on my tablet. Update my offline playlists on my iPod, and generally take a break and enjoy the trip.

First Blog From The Road

Stopped at the World's Largest Truck Stop. Off I-80 in Iowa. Last time I was here. Was in the middle of a blizzard. With Kyle Bent and Shon Roegge.  Good times were had.

Got on the road a little later than I had planned. Leaving Danville about ten. Stopped in Champaign to return my tux, grab lunch with my boy Murph and his wife Mrs. Murph and met with my old boss before rolling west. 210 miles later. I get a break. Food. Gas. Pee. Blog.

There was one stop to pee at the Spoon River Rest Area in Illinois. Off I-74.

It was such a good chance to reflect on the friends I made out here. The relationships that grew. And the relationships I repaired. Thank you to everyone for the warm thoughts and well wishes. I will miss you all. But I will see you again.

It also gave me a chance to think about the relationships in my life that are dead, withered, broken or just not working. To those I am sorry. Some will return. Some won't. Unfortunately. That is life.

Also. A big sorry to those of you that heard about my move via this blog. Due to the nature of the events and the timing. It had to be this way. Cheers!

Next stop. Omaha. Maybe.

Time To Hit The Road

All packed and loaded. Here we go. Rolling out of Danville. Quick stops in Champaign. Then on Omaha.

Through The Looking Glass

As I sit here on the couch. Watching football. Recovering from one of my best friend's, Michael Murphy's, wedding.  I am able to have the chance to fully reflect on the last twelve months. And how life has unfolded for me.

A year ago I was let go from a job that I thought was my dream job. It was my bad. I deserved it. However. This ended up being a huge blessing. It gave me the free time to get my life back together. It got me out of a lifestyle that was not going to end well. I cut back on drinking. Found a new passion for working out. Lost 30 pounds. More importantly I was able to find the clarity of mind to clean up the inside.

I had become a person that I never wanted to be. I was all about me and how good I could have things go for me. I apologize to all of my friends that I hurt because of this. I am not that person anymore. Thank goodness. Moving forward I want to continue to grow and develop as a person. Should be fun considering I turn 30 this year.

My first 29 years was lived with the combined mindset of go big or go home and you only live one. I hope that next phase has more of the mindset of do it right. While I was observing the events of the wedding last night. I realized that it is the quality of memories you make. Not how many you make. And that they aren't any good if you don't actually remember them.

I am begin a journey back home tomorrow. Home being Eastern Washington. I start a job that will allow me to develop as a professional. And refine my self as a person. I get to go back to a city I love. I only hope it goes as well as I see it in my head.

To be continued...

Test Of The New Tablet

My hands are too big for landscape. Portrait is better. A huge improvement for mobile blogging. We will see how this goes.

My Run For The Office: 2024

If we haven't blown ourselves up or sold out to a foreign nation.  Perhaps I will make a run for the Oval office in 2024.

My platform would be built on the idea of isolationism.  Its what got this nation great in the first place.  Imagine the amount of internal healing and improving that could be done if we didn't spend millions if not billons of dollars on other countries?

Need to be able to make things cheaper domestically rather than but them from a foreign entity.  That would be awesome.  Keep the troops home.  Improve the schools.  Rebuild the infrastructure.  Let other nations grow on their own.  Novel idea.  I know.

Doomed?

Top of the tenth.  Tied game.  Game four of the World Series.

This is the second time my Tigers have been to the Series since I started calling them my Tigers.  And so far. I have yet to see them win again.  Scutaro just drove in Theriot.  Maybe I should have stayed a Mariners? Perhaps I started a new curse by switching teams? Did I anger the baseball gods? 

My Fitness Recomendations Vol.2

First thing in the am: Protein shake.  I prefer a blend, like BSN's Sythna-6.  Want to try Myofusion from Gaspari.  Any whey shake will do.

Pre-Workout: Still love the N.O. Xplode from BSN.  Haven't found a good creatine free pre-workout yet.  If anyone has a solid recommendation.  I am all ears. Have also tried White Flood (terrible), 1 M.R. (bad tasete) and Cellucor's C4 (wouldn't recommend it).

Intra-Workout - Have switched to Amino-X from BSN (see a trend?) and like what I am getting.  One more bottle, then I will cycle off it.  Maybe try Blox.  I have also tried Scivations X-Tend (No complaints) and Rapid Drive from GNC (pricey, and not economical with how many scoops you need)

Post-Workout - Just finishing a tub of Optimum Nutrition's Whey Isolate. Great stuff.  Excellent tasting.  Great value.  Will be trying ProSource's Nitro Whey Ultra Elite next.  Would also recommend Dymatize's Whey Isolate.  GNC's Amlified Whey is good.  But stupid expensive.

Add some dextrose or a pixy stick or two after a workout.  Helps with recovery and an energy boost.

Before Bed: Still casein protein.  Currently using Complete Casein from Cytosport.  Its good.  Have also used Dymatie Casein, Want to try The Ultimate Casein next.

Mutlti-Vitamin - Vital Men's from ProSource.  Also used the Sport Blend from GNC.  Noticed a significant difference with these versus a generic multi. Want to try Super MegaMax from ProSource.

Shaker bottle - get a Spider bottle.  Mixes better than anything.

The Latest and Greatest

Thought I would post a quick blog before I head to the gym.  Anyone know of a good app for blogging from my iPhone?

Volleyball season is almost over.  Was a great experience to transition from women's basketball to volleyball.  Different athlete style.  Different sport.  Both work well with my style.

Big news and changes for me coming soon for me.  Stay tuned.

Thoughts From The Bike

1MR (1 More Rep) as a preworkout is terrible. Wears off quick. No difference in flavors. Doesn't dissolve well. And. It's looks bad. Tastes like fruit loops. Down to 219.6 now.