:: Hello Again ::

Mood: Content
Music: Jimmy Eat World - Table for Glasses

I haven't sat down to post a real blog in who knows how long - actually, any one of you could check, so I guess lots of people could know, but my guess is very few care enough to check... I know I sure don't. Any way, let's bring this bad boy up to speed since it's been a while and a lot has changed.

First things first, I quit my job about a month ago? Maybe it was three weeks... again, dates aren't important. What it really boiled down to is it just wasn't the right place for me any more. It didn't feel as stable as I'd like - not in the sense of income, but rather the company itself. Things were always changing and I didn't like that. It was totally amicable and the door is "always open" if I want to go back, but I really want to take this time to try and create some stuff. I know I won't be happy working for someone else the rest of my life so I figure the best time to take a shot at creating something is when I am young and don't have as many responsibilities... for now at least.

Which brings me to the next point: we're probably going to try and have a baby soon. That may seem counter intuitive: quit your job and then have a baby, but well, I guess we're just crazy like that. What can I say, the time felt right (which is both terrifying and exciting to think about) so we're following our gut here. Nothing to report yet, so don't get excited (all 3 of you that read this) but it's in the works.

Oh yeah, as I mentioned real briefly the other day, I am writing in another blog: True Transformation Training. One of my friends started the site and the concept and he and I have wanted to work on a project together for quite some time, so it's been a lot of fun to get going more and more. We have a lot of great ideas for the blog and many other things associated with it down the road. I always get questions from friends and family about how to eat healthy and work out and everything related to it, so this seemed like a no brainer. Check it out, add it as a favorite and if you have questions, or specific topics you'd like addressed, leave a comment and we'll put something together for the next post.

All in all, life is good. There are still a lot of things up in the air and a lot of uncertainties, but overall, I'm learning to just go with the flow and trust it will all work out; which it usually does.

So that's the update. I'll work on trying to keep up with this thing more... and the other one.

:: Hey There ::

Hey guys - check out the new blog I am contributing to: www.truetransformationtraining.com/

This blog is about everything fitness, health and wellness related - but, it will go into more detail than just how to work out correctly or eat healthy. This is just as much about motivation, focus, peak performance and attaining goals as anything else. We hope the information will be useful and that you'll enjoy.

So take a look at what Sam has already put on the blog, read what I just threw down this afternoon and stay tuned in for more information. If you feel it's useful, helpful or relevant, tell your friends and come chat on the blog with us about the things you're unsure about.

Go to the website listed above to check it out, or simply click on my profile and it will show it as one of my blogs.

Looking forward to more.

:: A First World Luxury ::

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Enter Shikari - Solidarity

I first heard that term used by Anthony Bourdain. He referred to vegetarianism as a “first world luxury”, explaining that in many of the countries he visits that concept would be absurd. It seemed like an interesting idea; obviously there are many “third world” countries where that type of lifestyle is the norm, but I think the message behind his words makes a lot of sense.

I started thinking about that quote again yesterday after I finished listening to a radio piece about life in Haiti. The piece was discussing trade laws that the Haitian government is pushing for that would help create more jobs, and hopefully, increase the minimum wage – currently set at $2/day; a figure it has been stagnant at for over 20 years.

As the program continued it discussed how jobs are so scarce many people will work one month on, one month off so others can earn money and thus put food on the table. If people were lucky, or really skilled – say at making jeans or clothing – they could possibly earn up to $3 or $4 a day; a “salary” (if you dare call it that) that would never afford them to buy even one pair of the clothes they make.

But that’s not what struck me the most. As disheartening as it is to understand these situations, what made me think most was realizing that most of these people are “truly blessed” – as the commentator put it – to have one hot meal a day.

It was a sobering thing to hear as I just finished a weekend of grocery shopping – spending more on a week’s worth of food than most of those people will make in a month. It was at that point where Bourdain’s quote came back into my mind and I realized it’s not vegetarianism that’s a luxury; it’s having food in general, or in my case, having a “nutrition program”.

One hot meal a day. If they’re lucky, they’ll have one hot meal a day. I have 8 small meals a day. Each one is meticulously put together to be the perfect amount of nutrients for my body. Each meal planned at a specific point in my day so I never go more than three hours without eating.

One hot meal a day.

To say putting all these things into proper perspective is humbling would be an understatement of epic proportions. It’s so much more than that. It’s the much needed slap in the face to remind me of just how fortunate I am and how all too often, I take that for granted.

I know I am blessed, and really, I think about that daily and how grateful I am for the life I’ve been given, but I think it’s too easy to get caught up in what we’re surrounded with and lose perspective. Because honestly, I think that’s the one thing it boils down to. If you can keep that in check it’s that much easier on a daily basis to find something to feel fortunate about. It’s what keeps us humble and pushes us to do more with what we’ve been given, whether at work, at home or just personally.

It’s nice to have experiences like that – at least for me – little things to remind me of how much I’ve been given; even if there’s a part of me that feels hypocritical for writing this as I sit in a comfy chair inside my office while having just finished my second meal for the day.

Oh the irony of awareness.

:: Good Times ::

Mood: Not motivated to work… is that a mood?
Music: Saosin – The Grey

Well, we just got back from Sunny California and it was a trip we had been looking forward to for months for so many different reasons… Disneyland, the beach, getting away from Utah, spending time with the amazing people out there and of course, Derek's wedding. Well, all of that went great except the beach. Thanks June Gloom. We sure do love you.

The trip was filled with a lot of fun times with our friends out there; who are some of the best people I know. Growing up with Derek, Spencer and Aaron they are the types of guys I will be friends with till the day I die. They are like family. The best part is they all found and married such sweet and fun women. I wish we all lived closer – they insist that we should move there since everyone else is out there already – but I suppose that makes our once a year visits that much more special. It’s just fun to know you can go that long without seeing someone and within five minutes of being back together it’s like old times (although I’m not so sure all the wives appreciate that the old times can often mean immature times). It’s just rare to have friends like that and it’s something I really cherish. It was really nice to be able to get out there and spend that much time with them and just have fun together. I’m a lucky guy – I have great friends.

The highlight of the trip though was Derek’s wedding. The entire experience was beautiful. The chapel they were married in (here) is incredible. Their reception was at our hotel and it was a party. We are all amazing dancers – in fact, we should probably start some type of crew – so of course we owned the dance floor. We all laughed and joked and danced late into the night and just enjoyed the atmosphere, the moment and the company.

When the weekend was over and Abbie and I were flying back to Utah I sat and thought about how special trips like this are. As all of our lives get busier with growing careers and families I know it will be that much harder to get everyone together. For such a simple weekend it was the type you want to just continue reliving so you can keep soaking up all the joy that’s associated with it. We made the deal that at least once a year we’ll make the trip to California to get everyone together. Hopefully that is something we can continue for a long time.

Overall, it was just great to be back with everyone out there. It’s like the old days – it doesn’t matter what we’re doing, we just have fun when we’re all together, just like we use to on our stoop every summer night. I guess now The Stoop is just mobile.

"When you part from your friend, you grieve not; For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain"

- Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

:: I Got You Good ::

Mood: Exhasted
Music: Armin Van Burren - Imagine

Hey Blog -

Yeah, it's me Nico. Remember that time back at the very beginning of April when I told you I'd visit more and that I had every intention of writing more often... Well I bet you totally believed me. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you even got a bit excited to see me more often. I don't blame you, I would have to.

Well boy did I fool you.......


Oops.


It use to be habit for me every night to sit down at my computer and just jot down what was on my mind that night. And honestly, I loved that. Lately, however, even though I've had a ton to write about (my brother moving back, Abbie starting a new internship/job, getting another dog, starting a new nutrition program so I can get crazy big, going to California next weekend, etc) as you can tell I just haven't. I want to say I'll get better, but the reality is if I lie to this blog like 13 or 14 more times I doubt it'll hang out with me any more. And well, if that happens no one wins (except the terrorists and we don't want that).

So I'll try. But I'm not promising anything. Ok, I'll promise to try, but that's the most you'll get out of me.

:: Sometimes You Have to Hit Them with a Sledge Hammer ::

Music: Illborn - 268
Mood: Amused

I hate everyone.

Ok, so that was a little melodramatic, so let me back up. I hate 80% of everyone in Utah Valley. I think that might be a safer assessment of my frustrations.

When I was younger I remember my father always ranting about how everyone here lived in "Lala Land" but I never quite knew what he was talking about. How they all had their heads up in the clouds with their feet a million miles away on the ground. They were in the moment, but never quite present. It all makes such sense now.

I want to believe it's not me. I want to believe that I'm not a hot headed person. In fact, I think I'm quite the opposite. I'm usually quite a mild person - I don't get angry easy. I don't yell unless it's warranted (which is seldom) and I definitely don't let little things get to me. All things considered, I'd like to believe I'm a pretty easy going, optimistic kind of guy and hopefully those who know me would agree. Well, a big thanks to Utah County for kicking all of those qualities to the curb. I appreciate it. No, really, I do.

I don't know if it's just me growing older and being more aware of people, but it seems like every day I'm tempted to walk up to a random stranger and shake the crap out of them while screaming in their face. "Don't you realize there are other people around you!?! How is it even possible for you to be this oblivious and still be conscious!?!" I can just picture it now....

Ok, again, maybe a little much. Maybe I exaggerate; but needless to say, they definitely live in Lala Land. I'm a firm believer that place exists and its population is growing every day.

Example #1: The woman who stops in the middle of the road to read a sign and then proceeds to get mad at others for honking.

Example #2: The couple on Geneva Road that go 35 mph (it’s a 50mph zone), while completely ignoring the fact that there are 8 cars lined up behind them.

Example #3: The d-bag in the giant truck that assumes because his truck is so big and bad - which I'm sure is just a direct reflection of how big and bad he is – that it has to be parked diagonally across 3 parking spaces - hopefully all of which are handicap spots.

Example #4: The person who does something blatantly rude/inconsiderate/selfish and then just gives you a cute little Sunday school smile, almost as if she's saying, "It's ok, we're all brothers and sisters here. Sure do appreciate ya!"

Well guess what? I don't appreciate you. In fact, I resent the hell out of you for your blatant lack of consideration for others. You heard me. I'm not gonna pretend its ok, because it's not and truly, I don't know what planet you think tolerates that type of behavior and a simple "oops" smile and shrug won't get you a free ticket out of being an idiot.

So here it is Utah County: Stop it. Stop pretending everything is fine and dandy and your actions don't affect others. Be considerate. Don't turn left at an intersection 10 minutes after the arrow has turned red and then get mad at the other cars for honking at you. If someone is trying to walk into a store, don't be so caught up in talking to your girlfriend that you don't even realize there are half a dozen people waiting for you to move so they can walk in. Just look around once in a while – it’s quite simple actually.


But hey, even if you don’t change – I sure do appreciate ya.

:: Come on Electricity ::

“Just remember Nico, when you come up with that next big thing – that ground breaking idea that we know is in you – my partners and I would love to sit down and talk with you about it.”

When I come up with it? Could you let me know too because I think I’m just as anxious to have that light-bulb above my head finally light up.

Instead of walking away from that conversation feeling honored by what I assume was a compliment I walked away thinking, “Awesome… so uh, now what?”

I was actually quite amused that my older, wealthy friend Jeff randomly said all of that to me today because this topic has actually been on my mind a lot lately. In fact, it seems like a daily activity for me to ponder about where I’m headed in this life. I’m just so curious how and when it will all click – assuming of course that it’s going to one day.

I’ve written about this before – the desire to have a very detailed road map for your life. One that outlined all the different turns and paths and mountains you’ll need to travel to get to your ultimate goal. I’d love something like that. And in a lot of ways, I think that was the common belief of most of us growing up. There might not have been a map with the detail of say, Google Maps Street View (if I look up my brother’s house I can actually see my dad standing outside – that stuff is insane!) but it was at least a decent map, say a Columbus era style map circa 1492. It may not have been perfect but it at least gave you a decent idea of how to get where you wanted. Ok so maybe that was a bad analogy. He thought he was going to Orient and he ended up here which – and I’m no cartographer – didn’t seem correct, but I think you get the idea.

Our map seemed simple: Go to school, go to more school (maybe even more), get an entry level job, work real hard – impress the bosses and learn to play office politics, work your way up to an even better position (or possibly work for yourself), dedicate 20+ years and hopefully retire somewhere warm with high-valued stock and a pension.

I think it’s safe to say that after the last year, our map needs to be updated. There’s no one right path. In fact, maybe the Columbus analogy works better than I thought. You might assume you know where you’re going but you end up somewhere on the complete opposite side of the globe – which in the long run didn’t turn out to be so bad really.

Ok, I’m getting way off topic here. Long story short, I just wish I knew I was making all the right choices. I wish I had 100% confidence that what I am doing now and what I am dedicating all of my time to is going to get me where I want to be someday. That the path I’m on is the right one and if I just stay on it long enough that stupid light-bulb above my head will finally give off a soft-white fluorescent glow – but hopefully not 60 watt – that never feels bright enough for my taste.

But I guess that’s not how it works. The more I think about it, the more it seems the best course of action is to just pick a path and stick with it until it doesn’t make sense any more – a point I’m definitely not at yet. And who knows, maybe that light-bulb idea that Jeff knows I have just waiting to get out will come to me down this path, even if I can’t see it yet. Maybe I’m not supposed to have that epiphany at twenty-five and I need to stop reading Forbes Most Successful Under 30 lists.

Or maybe I just need to be patient and keep working hard and learning as much as I can from as many different sources as possible. Because really, just because you don’t know what the idea is – or how/when it will come to you – doesn’t mean it won’t eventually show up.

I guess I should worry a little less about getting that bulb to light up and a little more about making sure all the wiring and electricity is in place first.

Back to the basics I suppose.