Monday, January 24, 2011

My newly found motivation...

Today is the first day in a long series of long days.

Today is the day I start my new diet and workout program, a new semester at school, rehearsals for a new show I'm doing (Next Train to Nowhere at the Lyceum) and my V-day/M-day jobs at work.

It's nice being busy. It keeps my mind active and focused. I had my first workout today. Felt good. I didn't push myself too hard, but I got my cardio pumping a bit on the treadmill. Did a little core strengthening on the exercise ball. Did a few weight lifts, but not too many. Spent about 45 minutes in the gym and then showered up and now I'm working.

Looking forward to getting back into the kitchen in my culinary class tonight and then my front of house classes later this week. Full load of CA and BUS classes. Should be beneficial.

Rehearsals meet on my non school days, so I'll be busy busy busy, hence, morning workouts.

I am feeling good about my new ventures and WILL stick with it. I have motivation and am feeling good so far. 20 lbs....pssh. Please, that'll be gone in three months. Wanna bet?

Thursday, January 6, 2011

My day...as told through Haiku...

Eye the creeping sun
Cold water washes my face
Morning has arrived

Totally awake
Always there to stimulate
Coffee is quite good

Sitting at my desk
How can I help you today?
Repetitive work

Driving in my car
Honk! Beep! Swerve! Outta my way!
I despise traffic

Hanging with my friends
Finding time to laugh and smile
Sunlight is fading

Relaxing in bed
Snuggle with the purring cat
Another day done


© Jarrod Weintraub 1/6/2011

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A children's story I wrote...

Norman

Once upon a time there was a goat. This was no ordinary goat. This goat was special. He had magic horns that grew atop his head. The horns were not like the usual goat horns you would see, these were more like horns you would see on a giraffe; You know the type, short and slightly furry. The goat was not always fitted with such horns. This is the story of that goat, and his name, is Norman.

You see Norman thought he lived a normal enough life, I mean, he was a goat after all, but one morning when he woke, he felt a strange tingle coming from his brow. He waddled over in his usual goat way over to the pond to get his morning drink of water and when he saw his reflection in the water, he saw something rather strange. His head had sprouted two soft little bumps. He thought maybe it was from when he slipped and knocked his head on that rock, but that was months ago and the bumps weren't there before. Norman ran over to his friends and asked if they saw the bumps too and they all agreed that they looked bizarre and had not been there before. He needed to know what they were so he ran to the doctor to find out what they were.

The doctor told Norman that the bumps were just his horns that were growing in, but they were very strange. He told him that the horns were very unique and that he would soon start to see their uniqueness show through.

Norman ran home and was so nervous and excited that he fell asleep. When he woke the next day, the horns were fully grown in. He felt stronger and faster and smarter. He strolled very proudly out to the field with his new horns. When he got there, he saw that all of the good grass had been eaten already since he slept so late. He thought to himself how great it would be to have more of the freshest grass under his hoofs so he could chow on the best like everyone else, and just as fast as he thought it, there was more grass there. He could not believe it. Did he make the grass grow? Where did it come from?

After his meal, Norman decided to go rest for a bit. The sun was so hot and all he wanted to do was rest in the shade and all of a sudden, it was dark. First the grass, and now the dark. It's like Norman was thinking things and then they happened. He had to test this out. Tin cans. Rubber balls. T-shirts. Cardboard boxes. All of Norman's favorite chewables appeared before him. Soon he had a stack taller than he was.

For the next couple of days Norman just stayed at home. He didn't have any need to go anywhere since whatever he needed just appeared for him. His friends would come over and knock and knock on his door, but Norman just stayed there.

After a couple more days, Norman's house was getting very full and crowded but Norman didn't even notice. He was loving all his new toys and food. His friends didn't even bother knocking on his door anymore since they knew he wouldn't come out. He was completely happy with all of his stuff, he didn't need anyone else around.

Eventually, Norman's house couldn't take anymore. He thought about so many things that he wanted, he could barely move around. He had trapped himself in behind all of his prizes. He called for help, but the amount of stuff inside just muffled the sound and no one could hear him. Norman had a great idea to just think of someone to come and help him. He thought about it very hard, but no one came. But how could that be? Norman got whatever he thought about, why was no one coming to help?

Norman squirmed and squirmed but still could not budge. He tried thinking of less things, but the mountain of stuff stayed there as well. Why were his horns not helping him? Norman got scared and started to sob softly. He realized that he ignored his friends too many times and now there was no one there to help him. He thought about the fun he used to have with them and that thought was much better than all this junk.

Just then, Norman was standing in the middle of the field with all the other goats. They were all laughing an playing. Norman's friends came over and he apologized for ignoring them. They hugged him and forgave him right there and they all started to play tag.

Norman made a promise to himself that he wouldn't let his magic horns get the best of him ever again. He only thought about things that would help everyone around him have a better time. He would think of large feasts to share and toys for everyone to play with.

Of course, he did allow himself his own personal tin can to munch on every once in a while too.

The End


© Jarrod Weintraub 1/2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy Holidays and Merry New Year...Etc...

So the holidays are over. I had a very merry Christmas and a very happy (yet interesting) new year. I am excited for this new year and a new start and all that jazz. It seems like every new year I say the same thing about being excited and blah blah blah. I intend to make the best of this year and already have got some things lined up to help me ensure that it rocks. I am cast in a two-person show coming up in the first week of April, so that is gonna be fun to get back on stage and act the hell out of something. I am planning a trip to Chicago for the week after the show closes to see a Padres game at the famous Wrigley field, so that is gonna kick ass...I just hope hope hope I can make it happen. I have made the standard "resolutions" that most people make. Eat better, work out more, etc, etc. I just hope to actually make those happen as well...

I just noticed that I have said, "I hope I can make ______ happen this year." I think that is my problem. I need to stop "hoping" and take action and make this shit go down! So intead of my previously stated "standard resolutions," I'm making a solid one which is as follows:
If I make a plan to do something, I will follow through with it instead of just hoping that it will happen.

I like the way that sounds a lot better. So, plan the first, kick ass in my show. Plan the second, Get my butt out to Wrigley field in April. More plans to come later...I don't want to get ahead of myself...haha! Merry 2011 to all, and to all a Happy fun-filled year!