Archive for August, 2011

Getting Back on the Fitness Train

Fitness Challenge | Posted by Dean
Aug 30 2011

Over recent weeks/months I have been extremely lax in my fitness routine. To the point that the routine is non-existent. Upon reflection this is disappointing as the routine was working. I was beginning to feel better about myself, was more relaxed, and was getting encouraging comments from others. Clearly the effects were obvious. Since falling off the fitness train I have noticed the bad habits and grumpiness return.

If I recall the fall from the fitness train occurred around Mothers Day when I had a terrible flu that had me bed-ridden for two days. After the main bug was gone I was left with a cough that would not quit and was keen to wait it out. I have then also had two trips to Melbourne. Whilst one of the trips was a personal trip and involved a lot of walking, it also involved a lot of drinking and eating out. The second trip was a business trip, and likewise involved eating out with little walking.

I have also been studying intensely in a vendor partners products at full steam and paid little attention to other endeavours, including my fitness. There is a need for this to ensure the company I work for is compliant with the partner agreement which requires four sales accreditations and two technical accreditations. The sales accreditations are done and dusted whereas the two technical accreditations are outstanding. The first technical exam though comes up in just under a week. I have also set myself an open-ended personal challenge to get a higher accreditation that requires 11 sub-accreditations split up into six sales and five technical. The six sales accreditations are done, they took a few hours each. One of the five technical accreditations is within the two for the partner agreement, the other four though will take longer and I have not set an end date for those.

All in all this threw me from the fitness train and smashed my motivation levels. Over recent weeks though I have heard the whistle in the distance. The motivations to get back on the fitness train has increased, as has the need to get out of the house. That drove me to the visit to the Killalea State Park last Saturday. I spent an hour walking in the fresh salty air and then a 500 metre x 60 degree hill climb to finish. Whilst the hill climb was short it was steep and after an hour of walking exposed my sad fitness state. Whilst I can’t go there daily I will be trying to make it regularly.

I will have to get back into the suburban walking on the days when I work from home. Tonight is the night to board the fitness train and get back into a routine.

Killalea State Park

General | Posted by Dean
Aug 27 2011

I visited the Killalea State Park today (10 minutes from Shellharbour) and soak up the fresh air and the beauty of the area on what has been a stunning winters day in NSW. It was really needed and gave me a great opportunity to clear my mind and just relax. I also managed to have a full hours walk along the water front and to the mouth of the Minnamurra River. Safe to say that I will be back, and I will be taking a camera.

The beginning of the Minnamurra River

The hill climb in and out

Stunning

A bit choppy and sorry for the crappy quality

A rock in the ocean

A rock in the ocean

Driftwood

I got a little Artsy

A rock in the ocean

Driftwood

How gorgeous is this?

ARIA Number 1 Memories – 1992 – Hazard

Music | Posted by Dean
Aug 27 2011

Hazard

Hazard


From the 25 July for 3 weeks I think one of the worlds most sucky songs hit number 1. Richard Marx’s “Hazard” has never been on my playlist and that playlist contains some real crap!

“Hazard” is a 1991 song performed by adult contemporary artist Richard Marx. It has since become one of the most popular songs by Richard Marx, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, the song spent one week atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart. It also did very well in the United Kingdom, peaking at #3 on the UK Singles Chart, and it topped the ARIA Chart in Australia. It was the 14th best-selling single of 1992 in the UK.

ARIA Number 1 Memories – 1992 – Save The Best For Last

Music | Posted by Dean
Aug 26 2011

Save The Best For Last

Save The Best For Last


“Save the Best for Last” is a 1992 song performed by Vanessa Williams’ and is considered her signature song. The lyrics’ redemptive themes resonated with Williams’ story, as she had put together a successful recording career following her earlier Miss America resignation scandal. The song is a ballad about a young female admirer of a single man who stands by and watches as the object of her desires goes through years of dating, before he finally unexpectedly decides to consummate a relationship with the singer.

“Save The Best For Last” had a brief 1 week run at number 1 from 18 July.

ARIA Number 1 Memories – 1992 – Jump

Music | Posted by Dean
Aug 25 2011

Jump

Jump


In 1992 hip hop was in its infancy of musical acceptance. In that same spirit were Kriss Kross. These two boy wonders stole the limelight from many establish acts and attained the ARIA number 1 spot on 27th June and held it for 3 weeks. The song has definitely got some beats, but has aged on the poor side.

That said we can all take heart that they were more talented than Justin Bieber is or ever will be!