While They Live Wednesday: Moe Bandy

Last week I began my commitment to While They Live Wednesday.  This week I'm going to shout out country singer Moe Bandy.

When I was younger, I liked Moe Bandy well enough.  The older I get, the the more I like his work.  He's a great honky tonk singer, perhaps most remembered for his duets with Joe Stampley.  Here' one of my favorites:

Expect to see a lot of country singers and musicians on my list.  I love me some country music.

While they live Wednesday

You ever notice when someone passes away, they become legendary?  You'll see tweets and facebook posts on how they were a hero, or a favorite.  If you had asked the person a week before, would they have mention the recently departed?

The point is, I want to call out some folks before they pass.   While I doubt they'd ever come across my blog, but that's not the point.   Some other folks have called it "While they live Wednesday," sounds good to me.

For my first installment, I'd like to call out Alan Young.  When I was young and we first got basic cable, Nick at Nite had Mister Ed, and it was awesome.  Being the star of that would have been enough to get Mr. Young on my list of favorite actors, but he is also the voice of Scrooge McDuck. According to imdb, he's 94 years old and still with us.  So, today, I salute Alan Young!

Why blog, why now?

Maybe you're following this blog and you're wondering "Blogging, is it 2006 again?"  No, it's still 2014, but I just want to start up again.  I was prompted by a tumblr question to Marvel Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis. I really don't consider my self a writer, but I do consider my self a thinker.  There are thought's in my head that i just need to get out, and they are more than would fit in a tweet or even a proper facebook post.  Some of it will be heady, intellectual pondering, some will be thoughtful introspection.  Most will be silly stuff.  It'll be more a personal diary than publishing for the masses.  Feel free to enjoy it.

Which is better, the truth, or the story?

As you may know, my daughter's name is Allison Avery.  The truth is that her name was picked by my wife with just names she liked.  My story is that Allison came from the NASCAR family of the Allisons.  The Avery comes from a combination of James Avery (Uncle Phil, Shredder) and Avery Brooks (Hawk, Benjamin Sisko).  So I ask again, which is better, the truth or the story?

Of course, this post was prompted by the death of James Avery today.  Goodbye, Uncle Phil.

New Years Resolutions

First a little quiz, courtesy Andy Andrews:  3 birds are sitting on a branch.  One bird decides to fly away. How many birds are left?  The answer is 3.  The bird decided to fly away, but he took no action.

So you've made a New Years resolution.  Well, whoopity doo!  Now what?  My suggestion would be 

1. Make a plan with solid goals.
2. Make a check point.
3. Adjust as needed.
4. 2-3 as needed.

1.  Make a plan with solid goals. For example, you want to lose weight.  Decent goal, but poorly defined.  You should make a plan. "I'm going Weight Watchers" ,"I'm going low carb", "I'm going to treadmill 3 times a week", "I'm going to ..".  It's been my experience that the plan itself  is less important than sticking to the plan.  Then, your goal needs to be better define.  "I need to lose 50 pounds"  "I need to lose 2 pounds a week"  You'll need both short term goals and long term goals. One good way set goals is to use the SMART criteria.

2.  Make a check point.  After 2 weeks, how is your weight?  Then 2 more weeks, then another month, etc.

3.  Adjust as needed.  After 2 weeks, you've lost 4 pounds.  That's pretty good, so keep going.  But what if you've gained weight or were flat?  Then adjust.  Move to 4 times a week on the tread mill, or switch from Weight Watchers to low carb.  

4.  2-3 as needed.  Hit your marks?  Then great, keep it up.  If not, readjust until it works.

One of my goals is to blog again.  I'll save the reasons why for another post.  

As with any advice, adjust to your needs.  Good luck with your resolutions.