Motivation

You are not wired for progress. You seek a state of sameness, one where mental and physical stressors are nonexistent, and every day is just like the one before. Routine is bliss for your underperforming ass.It’s not your fault. Evolution left you ready to do battle with nature, and civilization gave you a neutron bomb. You should be outside, spear in one hand and shield in the other, looking for something to kill. Instead, you’ve got forty-five aisles of floor-to-ceiling shrink-wrapped grub, obtainable with nothing more than a plastic card and a smile.
I’m a grizzly bear charging at twenty miles an hour, the uncertainty of your next meal, and the reason you sleep with one eye open.
You should be sprinting away from predators, seeking safety, but you’ve got fences, freeways, and a fifteen-digit algorithmically protected front door. You’ve got two guns, a can of mace, four layers of body armor, and nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, your DNA doesn’t know this. Your hindbrain is programmed to save your resources for another day, conserving energy for an apocalyptic event that will never come. “Eat more, move less,” it says, and you’re eager to comply. The result is a forty-five inch waist and a mean case of diabetes.You need a prod. A thousand volt, fifty-milliamp foot to the backside, designed to override your nonsensical attachments to comfort. You need me.I am the stress that humanity has removed from your existence. I’m a grizzly bear charging at twenty miles an hour, the uncertainty of your next meal, and the reason you sleep with one eye open. I’m your coach.I’m not yelling at you because I’m angry. I’m yelling because you need to be shoved away from calm and toward performance, brought to a place where death is imminent and action is the only option, and it’s my job to bring you there.When my volume goes up and my tone gets clipped, you move rapidly. You execute. You drive faster and further into physiological discomfort, and you stay there. You leave six-way adjustable leather seats and lumbar support for the weak, and transport yourself to a place where ease is a distant memory. Your hindbrain wakes up, and those resources, heretofore held for Armageddon, know that it’s go time. Fat melts, lungs sear, and muscles break down, all in service of getting away from me.Day after day, you undergo this process, overcoming unreasonable obstacles until your recalcitrant brain is born again hard. Embracing pain and shunning comfort, you’re ready to kill or be killed. You’re rewired, no longer subject to the temptations of easy living and all-you-can eat buffets. You’re an athlete.
The pull of a painless life is too great to get here alone. You need me, the harbinger of change, the bullwhip, the irresistible rush of progress. I am your ticket to growth, and I’m sending you to battle civilization’s paradox with nothing more than a pointy stick. Ironically, you’ll win, and if that apocalypse ever comes, you’ll be ready.

-Unknown

Keep your eyes peeled...

For my new blog - less about nothing, more about one of the most important things...


"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have receiv'd them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: They purchas'd them for us with toil and danger and expence of treasure and blood; and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlight'ned as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle; or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men. Of the latter we are in most danger at present: Let us therefore be aware of it. Let us contemplate our forefathers and posterity; and resolve to maintain the rights bequeath'd to us from the former, for the sake of the latter. Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude and perseverance. Let us remember, that 'if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.' It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers in the event." -Samuel Adams

Tri-Decade birthdays

We're kicking off the year of Tri-Decade birthdays right this weekend with a 2-night backpacking expedition in to the Sipsey Wilderness area. On the menu - Rippey (Magnolia) trail and Borden Creek trail. It's going to be cold - but fun nonetheless!

AR, anyone?

I'm working on getting in to Adventure Racing. The first potential outing is January 24th at the Sandman AR at Red Top Mountian SP just north of ATL. We'll see...seems it would be very cold for an inexperienced canoer to get dipped that early in the year...

The results are in...

Team Creampuff (Minus Commish, Insert Monty) competed in the 1st Annual Blood Rock EX Duathlon last weekend. It was a perfect day to be out at OMSP, and fun was had by all. We finished in 9th overall, and 2nd in the Men's Relay division. I'm ready to do it again...

While teasing the Commish for not competing with us in the BREX, it seems a new challenge has been given. Some time (soon I hope) in the future, Brain, Commish, and I will be tackling the Rails to Trails from Anniston to Smyrna. More to come...

My Apologies

I've noticed that I haven't done a very good job of keeping this site interesting - lack of posts, not too many photos, not nearly enough jabs at the Commish. I'm starting today in an effort to do better.
A couple of freinds and I are running a race this weekend at Oak Mountain State Park - the Blood Rock EX Duathlon. I'm pumped about it and I'll post a pic soon.

While you wait in sticky anticipation for the photos, check out this little dandy: http://www.80ozoffury.com/.

Next big adventure...

This is a snapshot of the John Muir Trail, part of the Pacific Crest Trail. It is said to be some of the best hiking / backpacking in North America, if not the world. Traveling through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Forest, somehow I don't think that's an exaggerated statement...

Adventure for 2009? We'll see...

Hard-to-reach Plants

I was looking for a clever quote the other day and stumbled upon a list of Mitch Hedberg quotes. Freakin' hilarious. Enjoy.

I think Bigfoot is blurry, that's the problem. It's not the photographer's fault. Bigfoot is blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There's a large out of focus monster roaming the countryside. Look out, he's fuzzy, let's get out of here.


http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitch_Hedberg

(The Daily Sasquatch) Hoax

It appears as though this mass of hair in a freezer is not, in fact, Bigfoot.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/19/bigfoot.hoax/?iref=hpmostpop

Lake House Trip

Any chance the Lake House will look like this on Labor Day '08? I'd say no...

What a trip!

We have returned from Colorado! This trip was one of the most amazing, challenging, and rewarding things I have ever done. I would rank the challenge on Mt. Harvard right up there with a 1/2 marathon. We came back with tons of pictures and memories!












Jarkko, David, and I on Huron Peak (14,012 ft.)

Peaks are chosen. Let the fun begin...

Our trip to Colorado to enjoy the outdoors and some good, honest altitude is coming together. We've decided to try our hand at Huron Peak on Friday 25 July, and Mt. Harvard (to the right) and Mt. Columbia on Saturday. These are all part of the Collegiate Range in the Sawatch. I can't wait!

I'm gonna climb that mountain...

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Colorado, I am trying to decide whether or not to invest in some trekking poles. I'm having a hard time deciding because I've never used them, but everything I read suggests they are needed. So, check the poll here and let me know what you think...

Gratuitous Auburn Post

Anyone else love Auburn Football? I sure do.

At the request of a reader, I had to suspend my streak of consecutive posts regarding the world's game. So, here' your opportunity to comment and let everyone know how much you love AU!

As if they needed the help

On this past Sunday night the US Men's National Team took on FIFA #1 Argentina in a friendly match leading up to World Cup qualifying play. The US had played England and Spain in the weeks before, and had really looked sub-par at best. In contrast, they played a powerful, energized game against Argentina's A-squad.
It was a back-and-forth game until the 70th minute when Pablo Mastroeni was inexplicably given his second yellow card - and sent off. What's the explanation? Is there one? Apparently, after a foul and booking of Maurice Edu, Mastroeni picked up the ball and through it to his teammate. This was apparently in an effort to waste time. The fact is that Argentina was making a substitution and wouldn't be playing the ball for about 1 minute anyway. Once again, a referee tried to make an example and ruined a game. Thanks, Joel Aguilar.
On another note, the US team started a center back named Califf who played very well. I would actually say the game ball, for a field player, goes to Heath Pierce. Very impressive.

VP Warriors Moving up...

The Vickery Park Warriors of NTPSA fame have concluded another season. After victory and a championship last fall, they moved up 3 divisions to Div. 6. This proved to be a challenge as they finished in 6th position this season, but I'm sure they will move on to even more glory next year. Great season!

Broccoli. (Sorry, I don't know what that means, but Jeff seems to like the phrase...)

-B

After much deliberation...

I have to announce that Team Torres will not be entering this years Blue Ridge Relay. That is to say, I won't be entering or organizing the team. I've made the choice between the BRR and heading out to Colorado, and chose the trip to Colorado. It was made easier by many of the folks who were going to be on the BRR team not being able to participate. I didn't want to go all that way and spend 30 continuous hours with at least 1/2 of the team made up of people we didn't know. But, there is always next year for me. I'm very sorry to those of you who are still interested to bail on you; but, I hope you go ahead and do the race and I hope you have a great time! Let me know if you need contact info for anyone who is still interested.
I'm off to begin obsessing (insert: preparing) about the trip to Colorado in July. I'll keep you updated!

B

Happens to the best of us

Here's a link to a story out of Utah involving a track meet, a camera man, and a javelin. Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. But, you should probably check your stomach before checking out the photo...

http://www.standard.net/live/news/133306#

Trip to the Poky Mounsains...

We have returned from yet another successful McCallen trip to the Smoky Mountains. This continues to be one of my favorite places to go. You can have the beach; get me to a trailhead in the Appalachian mountains, and I'm on my way.

We marked two more trails off of the 850-mile long list this trip: Forney Ridge trail from Clingman's Dome parking lot and Alum Cave Bluffs trail. Both of these were spectacular walks, and both were very different. Forney Ridge trail was more steep and much more technical with lots of roots and rocks. But, once you get to Andrew's Bald, all of the looking down at your path stops and you get to take in the clear view of Fontana Lakes and beyond. Alum Cave Bluffs trail is somewhat more simple to trek, but the outcome is no less incredible. The Bluffs are a sight to behold and I would recommend the 3.5 hour round trip to anyone.

Some extra excitement from the trip included a powerful thunderstorm bringing sideways rain, quarter size hail, and lightning on Friday night. We also witnessed a charter bus becoming stuck on Ski Mountain road on the way up, and, yes, on the way down. I submit this as the greatest act of ignorance of the weekend, no offense to the driver. Finally, we saw 3 black bears in Cades Cove (And about 80 deer). On the way back to the cabin after Cades Cove Saturday night, we also got up-close and personal with ole Smokey. A 300lb + black bear tried to make a break across the road in front of us, but luckily for all of us, he thought better of it...

When are we going back???

This and That

In a landslide, the voting public says I should go to Colorado to climb a mountain. I am easily swayed into great opportunities, so I will take this in to definite consideration.
On to matters of the BRR; I have no update as of today. I would like to make a definite decision and sign up in the next 2 weeks, so we need to come up with the remainder of our team by then. Or, we could each run 5-6 legs. I vote no on that one...
Finally, I would like to ask a question:
Is Jason Clark Mike Rowe? Are they the same person? Have you ever seen them in the same place at the same time? I submit that they are, in fact, one person.

-B