Since We Last Updated

Way back in November of 2008, I updated my progress on how my workout plan was going.

But then something happened. My gym closed in early December 2008. Not a problem. 24 Hour Fitness was offering Bally’s members to work out for free for the rest of the month, which I continued to do. But when it came time to sign up for a regular membership, their payment plan wasn’t something I wanted to do. They required first and last months up front and took the monthly dues from a checking or credit card account [I have some serious issues with gyms in this area] and didn’t have a pay up front plan that worked for me. So as of January 1, 2009, I was without a place to work out.

No problem. I’ll go over to my wife’s sister’s house three days a week. They have a treadmill, elliptical and free weights. But even though they were gracious hosts, after a few visits, it wasn’t what I was looking for.

And so the year ended up being me not working out.

The Food

For the most part of 2009, I kept to my diet, but by the end of August, I reintroduced hamburgers and other messy treats into my weekly intake of carbs. Drinking alcohol was still moderated well, so I had that going for me [except for the occasional party]. But eating what I wanted and not doing any formal exercising, I was back to where I was at the end of September 2008.

My basic stats through Dec 31, 2008

As you can see from above, when I was regularly working out, my stats were showing results and a healthy drop in weight in just a couple of months. My weight today is 185. I gained 13 lbs over the course of a year. Nothing extremely bad, but for me, a sore disappointment.

same as it ever was

The photos that were in my first workout post still reflect what I look like. The little bit of loss and toning that happened came back. I’m sure there is a bit more on my chin since then, but in the end, I’m in the same place I was. Frustrating, but it’s the result of doing pretty much nothing.

From Nothing To Something

Now four days into 2010 and I’ve done nothing, until now. I am making a plan for both diet and exercise, heavier on the exercise side of things. It’s time that I got myself back into shape. I’ve had all I can take of myself feeling tired and out of shape.

Does this mean I’ve joined a gym? Not at this time, but I am open to that. Most of it involves finding one that has multiple payment options, including pre-paid. Until then, I am starting with the basics: walking, stretching and using an exercise ball. In discussing this matter of getting me back into shape with a medical professional, it was suggested that I start with simple exercises before I go full on into running 30 mins a day. Work up to it over the next four weeks, building some stamina and then working in more cardio. I also have something fun I’m going to add in here and will reveal it in a future update [no, it's not Wii Fit Plus, but maybe down the road].

On the diet side of things, soups and salads, veggies for snacks and an increase of water are part of this first 4 weeks. Also, a couple nights a week, some protein in the form of meat or soy [which I am not a fan of, but will try it as was suggested] and minimal starches like rice and potatoes. One positive that I did in 2009 was to start eating smaller portions, so that habit is set. It’s rare that I eat any big meals as I get full pretty quick. When my wife and I go out to eat, we almost always share a meal. So the diet will not be that difficult to stick to.

The Challenge

I went back to my previous posts throughout the year to see if there was anything that I did that tried to kick me back into gear. I found a post by Nilsa where she challenged her readers to some form of exercise. I accepted that challenge, made whatever efforts I did, and then let it go. Not that I did it on purpose, mind you. But it was just something that happened.

So I’m reinvigorating the challenge from Nilsa and am going to make this work. There are other pieces to my life that need some attention, which I will cover in a separate blog post. But for this one, I think getting more energy and starting to get fit again will help the other lacking parts.

As before, my wife is doing her own workout schedule, but wishes for me to not include her in updates. But I’m sure at some point, she’ll allow me to do some sort of update out here. At least a photo showing some progress.

Future Updates

All future updates [yes, there will be future updates... I'm holding my own feet to the fire this time.] will be under the Exercise category. I may title this set of posts going forward and get fancy with a logo.

And here we go….

I kept this to nine movies. I could have added more, but I wanted to go into some detail of why I picked each movie.

Here is my list, in no particular order.

• Mulholland Dr. [2001]
  
  David Lynch is one of those filmmakers that is hard to wrap your hands around. His works are so diverse, that you can’t really tell if he has a style or not. I saw this film in the theater and it was so bizarre… so odd… so fucking out there, that I expected to hate it and never want to see it again. Instead, I wanted to watch it again. Maybe I missed something that I need to see if I can figure it out. And sure enough, after the 5th viewing of this movie, I started to connect the dots. Mind you, the lines between the dots are very wavy and squiggly, but they are connected at both ends. This story of an aspiring actress [Naomi Watts] and a confused and delusional woman [Laura Elena Harring] who intertwine their lives in finding answers to a curious situation should have been something of a pass. Instead, the way the movie is put together [the DVD has no chapters stops - it's intended to be watched from start to finish] has made it one of my favorites of the last ten years. Only Lynch’s Lost Highway tops this as my favorite from this quirky director.
• Sideways [2004]
  
  Ever since I sam him in “Private Parts”, I’ve been a fan of Paul Giamatti. He’s a great character actor and has done some incredible work over the year. His work in this movie proves that. This is the story of a wine connoisseur who, along with a friend [played very well by Thomas Haden Church], take a week long trip to vineyard country in California. Along the way, they meet a couple of women [Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen] who turn their world a bit sideways. There’s some very clever over the top scenes in the film, but the performances of the entire cast, both leading and supporting, is nothing short of stellar. You will laugh, cry and bust a gut with each and every viewing.
• Adaptation [2000]
  
  This is a movie that tells the story about making a movie while another movie is being made. The pure brilliance of this film is evident when you have two characters that are essentially the same. Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman [who is to date, the only fictional character nominated for an Oscar] are brothers. One is a screenwriter and the other is one that eventually becomes a screenwriter, both played by Nicolas Cage. Meryl Streep gives one of her best on-screen performances, as the two brothers lives mingle and unravel in their quest to get their works on the big screen. Spike Jonze made it on my list of creative directors to watch.
• Inglourious Basterds [2009]
  
  The most recent of Quentin Tarentino’s films, it’s the most different of his films. This was the top film on my Best of 2009 list of films. It’s a story about war. It’s a story about control. It’s a story that rewrote history in the most brutal, entertaining and hilarious way that only Tarantino could have. Add to this list the lead role by Brad Pitt and you have a movie that pleases every step of the way.
• Iron Man [2008]
  
  There were two films that competed for the top spot on my list in 2008 [which I never dedicated a blog post to]. One was The Dark Knight and the other was Iron Man. Both were adapted from the comic book characters, but it was Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal of Tony Stark that felt more real to me. His position in life that was made into a superhero was very well directed by Jon Favreau. His sputters and faults as a crime fighter while being a rich entrepreneur showed up well on the big screen. I am anticipating Iron Man 2, which comes out in May, to match or exceed my expectations.
• Ratatouille [2007]
  
  My reason for picking Ratatouille over the other Disney/Pixar films is how the story is told. [I've liked almost all of them, with the exception of Cars, which I own, but have yet to watch more than a few five minute segments of] There is something that touches me different than any other Disney/Pixar film that was released during the decade. It was the mix of real vs. underground worlds that made this film tops. The many moments of on screen character building, leading up to the food critic reflecting back in time, was the key element to this movie. The action and animation just cemented an already deep-seated love of this film.
• Almost Famous [2000]
  
  I saw this film in the theater on opening weekend. Three weeks previous, I had just been to New York City for the first time in my life. I started dating someone new after a serious breakup. I was in a good place, but still had some fragile sides to mend. Add to all that the fact that Cameron Crowe was not only one of favorite directors, but that I knew this story having researched his life. William Miller [played by Salt Lake City native Patrick Fugit], was the on-screen version of Cameron Crowe, who was one of the youngest writers for Rolling Stone. And even though my date may not have liked the movie, I did. It gave this budding writer something to shoot for in my love of writing and music [I'm still shooting]. The story that unfolded on the screen was to be viewed over and over in multiple theater showings, as well as on the smaller screen when the DVD was finally released. This film was in my Top Nine List of favorite movies.
• The Departed [2006]
  
  Since Raging Bull and Good Fellas, Martin Scorsese has made films I like. True, they are violent, but they are well directed. The Departed is no different, even though it’s a remake of a Hong Kong film. It brings the magic of Good Fellas and tells a very good mob story, with a cast that rivals other gangster films. Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson star in this twist and turns tale of revenge and deceit. It may not have Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta, but that doesn’t matter. It stands on it’s own quite well.
• Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 [2003/2004]
  
  Another Quentin Taratino movie on my best of decade list? Sure, I’m a bit biased, but when it comes to his films, they are unmatched in how they appeal to me. This is the true story of revenge, broken up into two films [it would be hard to have people sit through a single four-hour film] and flows ever so nicely though the characters like The Bride [Uma Thurman] and Bill [the late David Carradine], lovers and former assassins that are estranged. Since the events that took place at her wedding to another man, she has vowed to kill Bill. What follows are fights, more fights and lots and lots of blood, mostly distributed with a large dose of humor. This is an epic film and one that even critics have to admit will stand the test of time.

What movie would have been my 10th favorite film of the decade?

• The Bourne Series [2002/2004/2007]
  
  Matt Damon as an action hero? Really? Are you serious?. Well, someone was willing to take a chance on him and it proved to be successful. In the starring role as Jason Bourne, a rogue CIA operative, Matt Damon is amazing as he carries out the title role of the Robert Ludlum series of best selling books. The three movies tell an entertaining and believable story that left me entertained after each viewing in the theater. They equally stand up on Blu-ray/DVD where the action scenes jump out at you every step of the way.

TINTFA

A lot of people will make New Year’s Resolutions. I’m not much into them. Sure, I’d like to have things I want to accomplish, but they seem too contrived and shallow to me, like something you hype up, only to fail at in the first few months of a new year. I’ve set many resolutions over the years, only to look back and see what never happened. So I got to thinking… maybe if I give them a new name, there will be more of an increased desire to complete them.

I came up with TINTFA. It stands for:

Things I Need To Fucking Accomplish.

Or if you want the sanitized version, it’s:

Things I Need To Finally Accomplish.

To avoid posting the f-bomb multiple times on this blog [now what fun is that?], I’ll just use the acronym each time I need to refer to that. Will it work? I have an entire year to find out.

So with that, let’s take a look at things I did in 2008 and what can be expected in 2009.

Blogging

2008

This was the year that I delved into the world of big time blogging. Before, my blog posts were as sporadic as sex between Hillary and Bill. Now with Banal Leakage, you get at least two posts a week from me. I try for more, but two a week is what it is for now.

2009

For the new year, I really want to post more per week. I have a lot of stuff in me that I need to get out, which includes [very soon] my 100th post. A TINTFA that I will make extra efforts on in the new year.

I will also announce a new blog. I eluded to it last year in this post and still have plans to make it happen. I will not keep everyone in suspense for much longer… I promise.

And finally, there will be some cosmetic changes here, mostly in the form of graphics and other fun updates.

Switching Jobs

2008

Although I didn’t blog about it, I switched jobs earlier this year. In October 2007, I left the company I currently work for for another company because I was burned out. After three months at the new company, I ended up going back to the previous company. Confused? Yeah, so were a few other people in my life. But it was a good move back and even though my current employer is going through some changes, it’s still a good job and I don’t mind hanging out there as long as I can.

2009

Unless this company I work for does something really stupid [more stupid than they usually set out to be], I won’t be switching jobs. So no TINTFA efforts needed [for now, at least].

Getting Married

2008

As most of my regular readers know, I got married this summer, which I blogged about here, here and here. It went off great, we had a lot of family and close friends with us and we had fun, too.

2009

Our plans for the new year include spending some fun times together and a few more updates to the house. For sure, some good TINTFA will happen in new year.

Scooter Sunday

2008

This year, I turned a weekly blog post into a weekly video of me riding my scooter around the Salt Lake valley. It was fun, I got some great comments and feedback from my readers and I got to expand my video making interest into something I did on a regular basis. In short, it’s become an addictive part of my life, in a sort of non-addictive way.

2009

As I’ve mentioned before, Scooter Sunday will make it’s return in late March. Expect all new episodes each week that continue well into the fall of ‘09. [I may take a week or two off, but that's it] There will also be some contests I will throw in throughout the season. For those fans of Snowy Sunday, I will keep making weekly videos until Scooter Sunday returns.

Writing

2008

I’ve mentioned a few times that my greatest love in life is my writing [Sorry honey... I still love you] and starting this blog was to help me improve my writing skills and start pursuing a career in writing. I feel I’ve made a good start and even though I sometimes get writer’s block, I enjoy sitting down and coming with ideas to publish.

2009

Each year about this time, I reflect back on what TINTFA I wanted to do the previous year. So I find myself in the same position why I didn’t push myself harder to write more and spend more time honing my literary skills. This is one of those TINTFA that I so want to work on and I do, but it seems I let too many other things in life distract me and keep me from making my re-entry into the writing world. I’ve got so many stories, novels, screenplays that I want to do… I just need to focus and get myself in a good place to start writing on a regular basis. I did it with the videos, I can do it with my stories.

Reading Books

2008

I’m horrible at reading books. I love to read… love it. And I want to read. That’s not the issue. The issue is making time for it and to stop getting distracted when I need to sit down with a good book. My daughter will tell you that one of her greatest wishes is for me to finish reading some books. I have no less than ten books I’ve purchased over the last year and I’ve read two of them. Pitiful, I know. They sit there, I pick them up and then I put them back down. Sometimes I read 4 or 5 chapters, then I find something else that take away my time. Triple-dog pitiful.

2009

I’m going to do my best to make time for the growing stack of books. A very much needed TINTFA. Plus, there’s a lot of books that will be coming out in 2009 that I will want to read. So best to be caught up before adding more pulp-based bookends to the bookshelf.

Traveling

2008

This year, I’ve been to Lake Tahoe, Mesquite, NV, Las Vegas, Valley of Fire and San Francisco once. Not a lot of out-of-state traveling, but enough to have some good times. The first trip to Lake Tahoe was the week I started this blog and then a second time in June for my wedding. Mesquite NV has Lee’s Discount Liquor and my favored Tilt 8%. My daughter and I went to San Francisco in late August to see Radiohead in concert with 60,000 other people at Golden Gate Park. We also went across the bay to see an Oakland Raiders NFL game [my daughter's first NFL game].

2009

Travel plans for this year should be fun, with a trip planned in the first part of the year [which I will reveal where in the next few weeks] with a few others thrown in throughout the year. My daughter and I always try to find a place she’s not been before and of course, there’s always Mesquite NV. [got to stock up, you know]

Political

2008

What would a year end blog summary be if I didn’t mention politics? This was a heated year, in which I revealed that I am a bleeding liberal, sometimes speak more than my mind [which ruffled a few feathers], squash a few rumors and sound off on pre-election bullshit.

2009

As a very political person, you can be assured that I’ll post on various stories and news worthy topics I feel the need to be vocal about. I’ll try my best to not get heated in any of the comments, but I do get passionate about certain things that I feel strongly about. So I guess my TINTFA when it comes to anything political is to be vocal, but use some restraints.

—————————————————————-

Happy New Year

And this post ends the first year of Banal Leakage. To all of my readers, Scooter Sunday fans and commenters, thanks for visiting this year. Stick with me in 2009 and I’ll be here to provide the kind of blogging coverage you’ve come to expect. And maybe… just maybe… we’ll see some new faces here, too.

Snowy Sunday Ep. 006 from Marty Mankins on Vimeo.

For the YouTube version, click on this link: Snowy Sunday Episode 006

Happy Hanukkah

Today is the first day of Hanukkah. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know much about this holiday, other than what friends and co-workers have shared with me over the years. Admittedly, eight days of gifts would have been pretty cool as a kid [that is if I grew up jewish].

Promises, Promises

As I make my best attempts to get caught up in my posting and reading on all of the online social gathering spots, I’m anxious to see what kind of dent I can make in everything that I wanted to do this year. Sometime before December 31st, I will do a year-end post that outlines my annual accomplishments [as well as those items that get to be carried over into 2009].

Before then, I’ll still have one more new episode of Snowy Sunday for 2008 and at least a couple of other blog posts. Until next time, happy holidays, have fun and be safe.