MikeSpeaksOut!

A Week of Intrigue!

At the urging of a friend who shall go nameless (Sharon), I am posting to my blog.  It seems that FaceBook (according to my friends) has turned into an obsession for me.  BTW....If you are on FaceBook...look me up.  It's off the chain.  AND LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY FACEBOOK EXEPRIENCE....First, I have truly been against getting a FB (that's what we call it) account.  But, at the urging of a wise man, I decided to jump in.  It seems that .....EVERYONE IS DOING IT!  Through FB, I have met friends that I have lost, been invited to events (I may even go to Christmas services at a church for which a former high school friend is Pastor).  I got invited to go see the movie "Milk" (see below).  I love looking at the photos -- and have even started sharing some photos.  Compass (see below) also has a page -- you can see our photos ... COOL.  NOW...I know what you are saying.....ADDICTION!  NO...NO ADDICTION!  Just because I spent days trying to figure out how to get the FB app to work on my iPhone...and even woke up in the middle of the night when the answer came to me in my sleep (the password was too long -- you can't have long passwords if you want your iPhone app to work)  Just because I was almost late to work the other day when I was trying to post photos on FB -- that was coincidence!

I am in AWE of the audacity of some people.  No, I am not the only person to write about this man.  BUT Mr. Madoff and his story have been nothing short of INCREDIBLE.  It is hard to believe that one man can literally take down THOUSANDS of people, destroy their financial futures, ruin foundations that support children and schools in need.....and really portray him self as an innocent person.  Locally, the local community is devastated.  The Picower Foundation, a huge supporter of schools and medical research will close its doors!  Eilie Weisel, famous holocaust survivor and novelist (Night, Dawn, etc.) also was deceived!  Shame on your Mr. Madoff!  May you rot in hell.....in a foreign country with a lack of air conditioning and clean water in their jails.

I was invited (through FaceBook) to go see the new movie, "Milk".  YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!  I am NOT a huge Sean Penn fan.  But, honestly, if he doesn't win an Academy Award...he will have been robbed.  I knew the ending (read Milk's bio).  I still wept at the end.  The movie is true to the story -- showing the good parts and the bad parts.  Many famous people worked with and for Milk.  Including the founder of the NAMES Project (AIDS Quilt).....Oh....and the cool part is that there are a lot of other really good actors in it -- including James Broland and that kid from High School Musical (Sharpay's Brother).......COOL.

IN OTHER NEWS.....Jen bought me some really cool VINTAGE LGBT Pins (the pins aren't gay...they just ...well, you get it).  My favorite is one that has the pink triangle with the words of Pastor Martin Niemoller's Poem that starts...."First they came for the socialists......."  (See the link)

COMPASS' New Facility is going to be AWESOME!  i posted pics on FB........Can't wait...can't wait....can't wait!  OH....follow the link ... you can purchase items that will be used to furnish our new center!  SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT....Or for that matter, your "not so local" not-for-profit.

So there you go, Sharon......a POST.

Let's All Go Down To The Pool!

This week I (re) begin my quest for fitness.  It has been a very difficult time for me personally.  I have spent so much time involved in things (other than those) that I should be doing for me.

I plan to go to Meryl's house (she's out of town and I am baby sitting) and hide out for a few weeks.  I plan to push forward with my dissertation.  I plan to hit the gym twice a day (she lives near the gym).  AND....YES....I plan to go down to the pool.  LET'S GET SOAKING WET!!!  (If you watch Queer as Folk, you'll get the reference).

I have never looked good in a speedo (maybe one day??)  But he sure does!

I'm taking a break from serious posts today.

I enjoyed the Stonewall Ball last night.  As many know, I am on the board of trustees of the 5th largest LGBT Community Center in the nation.  Most GLCCs have "Pride" events in the summer....It's just too dern hot in S. FL to do that.

To Chef Dean, Chef Craig, and all the boys in HOTlanta....enjoy Pride!

FitnessQuest 2K7 -- AND BEYOND!

So...I followed through with my 11:30 a.m. appointment at LA Fitness this afternoon.  I was sorta tired when I got there -- it may have something to do with the fact that I got up at 5 a.m. and was promptly scrubbing my bathroom floor...I digress.

I met the guys at the "Body of Change" desk.  I was introduced to my trainer.  His name is Sean.  I told him what my goals were and that this whole thing meant a lot to me.  He asked me if I wanted to legs or upper body.  Hell, at this point, I just wanted to get on a machine (I haven't done so in a while).  My legs are traditionally my strongest muscle group -- well, next to my mouth.  He made me do machines and then lunges.  I hate lunges!  If I had been by myself, I would have never done it!

At the end of the workout, we went ot the little office.  We calculated all the stuff..You know, body fat, etc. etc.  My goal weight is 170...which will mean about 15 pounds.....for some reason, I have gained weight this holiday season ;).  We set up a whole plan -- as far as what to do..how much muscle I wanted to build....etc. etc.

It seems that the gym was running a special (aren't they always).  I signed up to meet with him twice a week for 1 year.  I AM GOING TO DO THIS!  I can't wait to see results.  I can't wait to see my friends at camp this summer....I can't wait to wear that nice bathing suit I bought last summer.  Hey, it's Florida -- I can swim pretty much year round.

I am going to take photos of myself now.  I have a few already.  Maybe I will post some to a private section of my web page....I don't want the crazies knowing what I look like.

Send encouragement my way!

BTW.  I have renamed this category "FitnessQuest"....kinda catchy.  I decided to move away from Biggest Loser into something that was my own.