I
just drank 1.5 liters of Liberty Creek Sweet Red - it did take me about
24 hours in the event that there might be concern that I managed that
feat in a single afternoon.
As a connoisseur of "value
priced" (absolutely cheap) wine, Liberty Creek is phenomenal. And it
even comes in a glass bottle. With a foam cork.
I would argue, in fact, that it may be an order of magnitude better than Franzia's
Chillable Red. It is much more expensive ($3.50 per 750ml bottle
equivalent, versus $1.95 for the Franzia), but has a smoothness and
drinkability that ranks right up there with the best of the "value
priced" brands. I am a Liberty Creek man, now. Through and through.
Give me Liberty (creek), or give me death. -- Patrick Henry (kinda) — at Hat Island.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Faster and Fitter - Phase I P90X is DONE
For those junkies who can't sleep, or who just watch way too much TV, there's a late night infomercial where you can get in much better shape by beating the heck out of yourself for 90 days - P90X.
P90X is a 1-2 hour PER DAY workout regimen, 7 days per week. The layout looks something like this for most of the time (Monday -Sunday):
M - Chest & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance
T - Plyometrics (jumping around like a 6 year old kid on Mountain Dew for an hour)
W - Arms & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance
Th - Kenpo kick boxing
F - Legs & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance
Sat - Yoga - 90 minutes of my least favorite stuff
Sun - Stretch for an hour
That's a lot of working out. Three weeks of that routine, followed by a week of:
M - Core Synergistics (crazy core workouts)
T - Kenpo kick boxing
W - Yoga
Th - Stretch
F - Core Synergistics
S - Yoga
Sun - Stretch
That's your exercise piece. Couple that with a pretty restrictive diet, and you have Phase 1 of P90X.
Here's a little secret - the diet is 80% of the achievement of results. And the diet is the hard part. I spent 2 weeks on the road. Eating Mom's home cooking for one of them. And I wasn't a good dieter. So, after a month of this absurdity, I am down 14.25 pounds as of this morning and a solid 2 inches off the waist. More importantly, though, is I am sleeping - most days... My overactive mind tends to keep me up all night, and this diet and exercise bit will kick you square in the jaw and knock you out. If for no other reason, I needed to do it!
I expect that the next month, since I expect to be at home most days, I should be better on my diet, which should result in even more body composition changes.
I started Phase 2, effective today. Phase 2 looks like Phase 1, with a few changes. The biggest change is I am attempting the "doubles" routine. That means that on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I have 2 workouts. Doubles provides the following schedule:
M - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps & Abs Weights/Resistance PLUS 45 minutes of AM Cardio
T - Plyometrics
W - Biceps & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance PLUS 45 minutes of AM Cardio
Th - Kenpo kick boxing
F - Legs & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance PLUS 45 minutes of AM Cardio
Sat - Yoga - 90 minutes
Sun - Stretch for an hour
For three weeks, followed by a "recovery" week of:
M - Core Synergistics
T - Kenpo kick boxing
W - Yoga
Th - Stretch
F - Core Synergistics
S - Yoga
Sun - Stretch
As promised, I will keep a Monday "Funday Fitness" theme on the blog. Let's see how we do...
P90X is a 1-2 hour PER DAY workout regimen, 7 days per week. The layout looks something like this for most of the time (Monday -Sunday):
M - Chest & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance
T - Plyometrics (jumping around like a 6 year old kid on Mountain Dew for an hour)
W - Arms & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance
Th - Kenpo kick boxing
F - Legs & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance
Sat - Yoga - 90 minutes of my least favorite stuff
Sun - Stretch for an hour
That's a lot of working out. Three weeks of that routine, followed by a week of:
M - Core Synergistics (crazy core workouts)
T - Kenpo kick boxing
W - Yoga
Th - Stretch
F - Core Synergistics
S - Yoga
Sun - Stretch
That's your exercise piece. Couple that with a pretty restrictive diet, and you have Phase 1 of P90X.
Here's a little secret - the diet is 80% of the achievement of results. And the diet is the hard part. I spent 2 weeks on the road. Eating Mom's home cooking for one of them. And I wasn't a good dieter. So, after a month of this absurdity, I am down 14.25 pounds as of this morning and a solid 2 inches off the waist. More importantly, though, is I am sleeping - most days... My overactive mind tends to keep me up all night, and this diet and exercise bit will kick you square in the jaw and knock you out. If for no other reason, I needed to do it!
I expect that the next month, since I expect to be at home most days, I should be better on my diet, which should result in even more body composition changes.
I started Phase 2, effective today. Phase 2 looks like Phase 1, with a few changes. The biggest change is I am attempting the "doubles" routine. That means that on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I have 2 workouts. Doubles provides the following schedule:
M - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps & Abs Weights/Resistance PLUS 45 minutes of AM Cardio
T - Plyometrics
W - Biceps & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance PLUS 45 minutes of AM Cardio
Th - Kenpo kick boxing
F - Legs & Back & Abs Weights/Resistance PLUS 45 minutes of AM Cardio
Sat - Yoga - 90 minutes
Sun - Stretch for an hour
For three weeks, followed by a "recovery" week of:
M - Core Synergistics
T - Kenpo kick boxing
W - Yoga
Th - Stretch
F - Core Synergistics
S - Yoga
Sun - Stretch
As promised, I will keep a Monday "Funday Fitness" theme on the blog. Let's see how we do...
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Talking Dad on Mother's Day
May 10, 2007. About 6 am East Coast time. We gathered together at Ideal Nursing Home in Endicott to say goodbye to Dad. We'd had an all night vigil...waiting. That moment that you dread as you grow older. It's not your own passing. It's the loss for those who you love that you leave behind.
We probably never fully appreciate what our parents do for us, until they are no longer able to do. And that's more than just birth, feed, clothe, house and perform those elements that animals share with our rational human selves. No, there is the element of security, the element of emotion. The feeling of immortality. The feeling of being a child.
The first time I faced my own mortality was on the death of my father six years ago. As the father of two as well, I began to recognize that I won't be here forever. And, the not being here wasn't the hard part - at least for me. There's was a recognition that, at some point, I will be passing on as well, and leaving my kids to go through the same recognition that they, too, are mortal, and that my passing will leave an emptiness in their lives that I feel to this day in the loss of my own father.
Now, I believe that there's certain types of parent-child relationships. I happen to have been very close to my own father, and considered him a friend, confidant and virtual clone, separated by 41 years. I think, though, that this emotional element transcends the nature of the temporal relationship we have with our parents.
I am not talking biological parenting (which I believe is an overrated and overvalued element), but of the parent figure - that adult figure who provided security in our youth. It is the basis, I believe, for the traditions of ancestor worship. As long as the parent is alive, we have the security of being a child. No matter how bad it gets, there is a parent figure we can relate to that will allow us to revert to our childhood - the feelings of security. When all seems lost, overwhelming and there's an unknown, we turn to the parent, who protects and guides us. Even as they pass on from this life, we turn to them in worship and prayer. For intercession. Or we turn to our "Heavenly Father", the ultimate parent figure.
I am fortunate to have Mom still with us. I just spent a week being the child again. I admit to a certain enjoyment in the release of responsibility. My stress was much lower. I was the child.
Sometimes, however, there's a perception that there is no parent. That the parent figure is no longer there. There is a feeling of being alone. And, in my case, there's the recognition that for many - at home and at work - I became the parent. With all that the role entails - including the pressure to be immortal for those who rely on you.
After all, it was the loss of my own father that provided the recognition of both the mortality of man and the role that the parent plays. That created pressure. That pressure caused the parent to want to become the child again, and the cycle plays out. Is it the basis for the classic "mid-life crisis"? Possibly. Trying to become a child again to avoid the pressures of being the parent. Recognition of the mortality of our parent figures - and the projection of the impacts our own mortality on those we love. "If I could just be 20 again, it will put off that day of reckoning for my children."
The role of parent figure is an important one. I didn't realize how important until one of my own was gone. It adds pressure to perform in that role for others. It creates desire to be the child and escape the pressure.
Happy Mother's Day to all parents. Biologic and symbolic. Father and Mother. Mortal and Immortal. May your inner child still have a parent to comfort, protect and guide you on your life's journey.
We probably never fully appreciate what our parents do for us, until they are no longer able to do. And that's more than just birth, feed, clothe, house and perform those elements that animals share with our rational human selves. No, there is the element of security, the element of emotion. The feeling of immortality. The feeling of being a child.
The first time I faced my own mortality was on the death of my father six years ago. As the father of two as well, I began to recognize that I won't be here forever. And, the not being here wasn't the hard part - at least for me. There's was a recognition that, at some point, I will be passing on as well, and leaving my kids to go through the same recognition that they, too, are mortal, and that my passing will leave an emptiness in their lives that I feel to this day in the loss of my own father.
Now, I believe that there's certain types of parent-child relationships. I happen to have been very close to my own father, and considered him a friend, confidant and virtual clone, separated by 41 years. I think, though, that this emotional element transcends the nature of the temporal relationship we have with our parents.
I am not talking biological parenting (which I believe is an overrated and overvalued element), but of the parent figure - that adult figure who provided security in our youth. It is the basis, I believe, for the traditions of ancestor worship. As long as the parent is alive, we have the security of being a child. No matter how bad it gets, there is a parent figure we can relate to that will allow us to revert to our childhood - the feelings of security. When all seems lost, overwhelming and there's an unknown, we turn to the parent, who protects and guides us. Even as they pass on from this life, we turn to them in worship and prayer. For intercession. Or we turn to our "Heavenly Father", the ultimate parent figure.
I am fortunate to have Mom still with us. I just spent a week being the child again. I admit to a certain enjoyment in the release of responsibility. My stress was much lower. I was the child.
Sometimes, however, there's a perception that there is no parent. That the parent figure is no longer there. There is a feeling of being alone. And, in my case, there's the recognition that for many - at home and at work - I became the parent. With all that the role entails - including the pressure to be immortal for those who rely on you.
After all, it was the loss of my own father that provided the recognition of both the mortality of man and the role that the parent plays. That created pressure. That pressure caused the parent to want to become the child again, and the cycle plays out. Is it the basis for the classic "mid-life crisis"? Possibly. Trying to become a child again to avoid the pressures of being the parent. Recognition of the mortality of our parent figures - and the projection of the impacts our own mortality on those we love. "If I could just be 20 again, it will put off that day of reckoning for my children."
The role of parent figure is an important one. I didn't realize how important until one of my own was gone. It adds pressure to perform in that role for others. It creates desire to be the child and escape the pressure.
Happy Mother's Day to all parents. Biologic and symbolic. Father and Mother. Mortal and Immortal. May your inner child still have a parent to comfort, protect and guide you on your life's journey.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Challenge of Consistency in the Face of Failure
I am about to complete the first phase of P90X. Again. I never quite got through all three phases in the past. Travel and life always seem to get in the way of completion of the whole program. I first started the P90X challenge back in 2009 - and while the body was willing, the spirit was weak. After losing about 15 pounds and getting into decent shape, I've let go for a few years - and, as predicted, it all went to hell in a hand basket.
This time certainly feels different. In the past, a failed day or week led to an abandonment of the program, and then back to the three "P"'s of my stress induced diet - pizza, pasta and potatoes - washed down by occasional drinking of distilled, brewed and fermented spirits - usually a bit to excess when those occasions arise. This time, I have vowed to just pick myself up off the ground and hop back on the wagon. No need to self-pity, to wait until Monday, or my birthday, or until St. John's feast day. Nope, just pick myself off, admit that I fell off the wagon, and climb right back on.
This approach seems to be working so far. I just spent the last 12 days on the road, and while my exercise and diet routine certainly suffered, and my P90X results were suboptimal, there are results. In fact, I will share those each Monday on the blog. I am definitely in better shape - mentally and physically - than I was 35 days ago. I have a few co-workers who have inspired me to get back into shape - "Ripped and Ready". The stress of running one company, owning another, travel, family and other things that make life life means that the stress - flight or fight - is always there. Exercise and diet will make me "Ready" to fight the good fight. Hopefully, the result is that I will become "Ripped" in the process. Not required, but desired...
I also recognize that personally, professionally, spiritually, physically and emotionally, the same theory needs to apply. Always strive to improve. Don't get overly discouraged by the setbacks. They're going to happen. Don't get overly discouraged by the moments of weakness. That's a sign of humanity. Learn from the situation, get up, brush yourself off, and get going again. Others may struggle with, be impacted by, or ridicule that fall off the wagon. That's the hard part - but it is also the motivation to never give up.
On P90X, there are two Tony Horton mantras that I hear every day:
"Do your best and forget the rest."
and
"Keep pushing play." (on the DVD player)
They are daily reinforcement of the need to just keep getting better, to continuously improve, to push to do your best, and most of all, to actually *DO* it.
This time certainly feels different. In the past, a failed day or week led to an abandonment of the program, and then back to the three "P"'s of my stress induced diet - pizza, pasta and potatoes - washed down by occasional drinking of distilled, brewed and fermented spirits - usually a bit to excess when those occasions arise. This time, I have vowed to just pick myself up off the ground and hop back on the wagon. No need to self-pity, to wait until Monday, or my birthday, or until St. John's feast day. Nope, just pick myself off, admit that I fell off the wagon, and climb right back on.
This approach seems to be working so far. I just spent the last 12 days on the road, and while my exercise and diet routine certainly suffered, and my P90X results were suboptimal, there are results. In fact, I will share those each Monday on the blog. I am definitely in better shape - mentally and physically - than I was 35 days ago. I have a few co-workers who have inspired me to get back into shape - "Ripped and Ready". The stress of running one company, owning another, travel, family and other things that make life life means that the stress - flight or fight - is always there. Exercise and diet will make me "Ready" to fight the good fight. Hopefully, the result is that I will become "Ripped" in the process. Not required, but desired...
I also recognize that personally, professionally, spiritually, physically and emotionally, the same theory needs to apply. Always strive to improve. Don't get overly discouraged by the setbacks. They're going to happen. Don't get overly discouraged by the moments of weakness. That's a sign of humanity. Learn from the situation, get up, brush yourself off, and get going again. Others may struggle with, be impacted by, or ridicule that fall off the wagon. That's the hard part - but it is also the motivation to never give up.
On P90X, there are two Tony Horton mantras that I hear every day:
"Do your best and forget the rest."
and
"Keep pushing play." (on the DVD player)
They are daily reinforcement of the need to just keep getting better, to continuously improve, to push to do your best, and most of all, to actually *DO* it.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Happy Birthday, Harry...
Perhaps my favorite president, Harry Truman, was born today in 1884. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He made deals to better his constituents, but always seemed to have the best interest of the whole at play.
Given my libertarian tendencies, some may wonder why I hold Harry Truman in such high regard.Well, he desegregated the armed forces, began the first elements of civil rights, followed through on his promises to deal with the post-war government size and spending. In crisis after crisis, whether during or after WWII and Korea, he took charge and made things happen. He led.
As a businessman, he struggled with success, but always followed through on his obligations. He was a National Guard officer - and that resonates with the former citizen-soldier in me. Most importantly, he did what he thought was right. Truly right. He stood up for what he believed in - against all odds. He was honest, blunt and real. He was a gentleman.
When I look around at business and politics today, I hope to find folks with these traits. I may not always agree with their position, but can respect it.
Happy Birthday, Harry. We need more people like you.
Given my libertarian tendencies, some may wonder why I hold Harry Truman in such high regard.Well, he desegregated the armed forces, began the first elements of civil rights, followed through on his promises to deal with the post-war government size and spending. In crisis after crisis, whether during or after WWII and Korea, he took charge and made things happen. He led.
As a businessman, he struggled with success, but always followed through on his obligations. He was a National Guard officer - and that resonates with the former citizen-soldier in me. Most importantly, he did what he thought was right. Truly right. He stood up for what he believed in - against all odds. He was honest, blunt and real. He was a gentleman.
When I look around at business and politics today, I hope to find folks with these traits. I may not always agree with their position, but can respect it.
Happy Birthday, Harry. We need more people like you.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Why Here? Why Now?
I've been asked to write. I've never been much of a writer, actually. More of a reader. However, some of my friends and colleagues find my philosophies strangely entertaining, and believe that they should be shared.
Our marketing manager down at Glass Doctor, John, continues to insist that there's enough people who want to understand Edward J. Barton that I should open up the curtains and let light into my philosophies. I've opposed this approach for several years. The opposition was rooted in the belief that no good could come of it. Transparency of thought and feeling generally gets you more ridicule than praise, and I have plenty to ridicule.
Interestingly, it is only after a lot of airplane rides in the last few months, coupled with some personal and professional challenges, that I realized that even I don't have a firm grasp on what those philosophies are. I certainly seem able to articulate them subject to subject, but have been challenged to pull them together in a well defined holistic worldview. So, this forum may be able to assist in that endeavor.
One of the elements that has changed over the last few months - or perhaps really the last two years - has been a drive to be both transparent and comfortable in my own skin. My philosophies don't always match my friends and family. In fact, from a business, political and spiritual component, I am definitely feeling on the outside, looking in. I have "conflict avoided" these tough discussions and conversations, acting as a chameleon to my surroundings. However, I found that changing colors becomes tiring, and sometimes I can't quite remember what color I am supposed to be.
Tired of being tired, recognizing the risks of finding a color and sticking to it, and surrendering the need for universal acceptance in exchange for greater self acceptance, I will write.
What you will find here are various thoughts on various topics - many will be related to business and management, but you may also find a fair number of political, spiritual or interpersonal items. Some will be boring, some controversial, some emotional. Welcome to the blog. Enjoy the pursuit!
Our marketing manager down at Glass Doctor, John, continues to insist that there's enough people who want to understand Edward J. Barton that I should open up the curtains and let light into my philosophies. I've opposed this approach for several years. The opposition was rooted in the belief that no good could come of it. Transparency of thought and feeling generally gets you more ridicule than praise, and I have plenty to ridicule.
Interestingly, it is only after a lot of airplane rides in the last few months, coupled with some personal and professional challenges, that I realized that even I don't have a firm grasp on what those philosophies are. I certainly seem able to articulate them subject to subject, but have been challenged to pull them together in a well defined holistic worldview. So, this forum may be able to assist in that endeavor.
One of the elements that has changed over the last few months - or perhaps really the last two years - has been a drive to be both transparent and comfortable in my own skin. My philosophies don't always match my friends and family. In fact, from a business, political and spiritual component, I am definitely feeling on the outside, looking in. I have "conflict avoided" these tough discussions and conversations, acting as a chameleon to my surroundings. However, I found that changing colors becomes tiring, and sometimes I can't quite remember what color I am supposed to be.
Tired of being tired, recognizing the risks of finding a color and sticking to it, and surrendering the need for universal acceptance in exchange for greater self acceptance, I will write.
What you will find here are various thoughts on various topics - many will be related to business and management, but you may also find a fair number of political, spiritual or interpersonal items. Some will be boring, some controversial, some emotional. Welcome to the blog. Enjoy the pursuit!
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