I think it’s about time I retire my iPhone.  I got this sucker pretty cheap, maybe three years ago.  It’s served me pretty well as my phone, audio/video player, web browser, and portable gaming device.  It’s been extremely serviceable and I’m pretty satisfied.  I got the bang for my buck.

I’m thinking about getting a new iPhone, but I’m also looking htc desire reviews.  People have lots of good things to say about that unit, so it might be worth checking out.  Ah well.  I think my current phone can still last until 2013.  I’ll decide then.

First blog post of the year!  New Year’s Ever was pretty cool.  There were lots of fireworks and lots of food and well, what else do you need?  I’m pretty much getting settled into the year.  First couple of weeks took some adjusting to, but I’m alright now.  Will be totally in the groove by Monday.

Speaking of which, Monday is Chinese New Year.  I don’t really celebrate the holiday, but I will put some cheap silver dollars on my window sill for good luck and fortune this coming year.  I don’t know if that stuff really works, but hey, it’s one of those superstitions where you can’t go wrong.  If it works, more money for you.  If it doesn’t, you still get your silver dollars back.

I was making great progress with regards to getting into playing shape, but the holidays just totally derailed all of that.  As it is, I’m right back where I started.  Those buffets are really killing me.  Anyway, slowly trying to ease back into the flow of things, only for some reason, I was REALLY strong the other day.  Ended up lifting heavier than I have in years.  Now my entire body is hurting like crazy.

I need a massage and a memory foam mattress.  Whatever can give me an edge.  I’ve got the basketball skill.  I’ve just got to get back the body.

Due to popular demand, I’ll take a little time to talk about my workout:

I think the most important thing when it comes to changing your body is the nutrition component, but training REALLY helps out.  Personally, I subscribe to the philosophy that you need to train heavy and hard three times a week.

Now most people would argue that training heavy is inviting injury, but when done correctly, training heavy will PROTECT you from injury.  Squatting, deadlifting, and bench pressing builds strength, size, and flexibility!  Also, your lower back and “core” get really worked.  Strong core = healthy back = better physical performance on every aspect.

Basically, I lift Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays.  I spend less than 30 minutes in the gym, and I come away exhausted and shot.  Is it working?  I’ve lost 12lbs over the last month, so I must be doing something right.

My philosophy for off-season training is to just get myself in fantastic shape.  Sticking mainly to squats, deadlifts, bench presses.  I figure I just need a really strong core, and the best way to get that is through old-school heavy lifting.

I used to do a lot of fancy stuff, like using kettle bells to improve core strength, medicine ball workouts and even practicing my slick trick on the yoyo to improve manual dexterity.  Right now, I’m just going to get stronger and faster.  That’s it.  I have the skill.  I just need the body to back it up.

And don’t talk to me about cardio work.  I’m still warming up.

I’ve probably mentioned about how I have been trying to get in the best shape of my life for next year’s basketball league.  We came in at last place last season, so I’m pretty hell bent on dominating that thing this year.  I’ve been taking it slow – dieting, lifting weights.  Lately though, I think maybe I should take some time to do some mental preparation.  Maybe look into rv loans, get out into the wilderness to just camp out and get some peace and quiet.  Well, maybe I’ll do that when the season’s closer.

In other news, seriously thinking about getting an iPhone 4s.  I know I said I’d wait for the 5, but my phone is about to die on me.

Been compiling my Christmas list, and may I just say that THIS IS GOING TO GET BLOODY EXPENSIVE.  I really don’t like how Christmas is all about the gifts, especially since it should be all about the food!

Because it hasn’t been a terrible year and because I’ve grown personally and professionally (if you can call it that,) I’m going to be increasing my Christmas shopping budget.  I’m sure I’ll feel a little twinge of pain, but hey, it happens once a year.  Already know what to get the GF – expensive, but I’d rather pay than wrack my brains trying to come up with something.  Got my dad covered, it’s my mom and siblings I have to worry about.

I really suck at giving gifts.  So not me.

Christmas is an awesome time, what with all the food, and decorations and presents.  It’s also an extremely commercial time, for all the same reasons.  I remember back in college, we wanted to print out funny t shirts to sell, and we always pegged the holidays to be the money-making season.

We never did come out with the tees.  I guess we were too busy stuffing ourselves with all the Christmas food, going to holiday sales, and listening to Christmas songs.  Still, this is a great time to be an entrepreneur.  I’m seriously thinking about putting up a hamburger stand with a friend for all the Christmas bazaars.  I’m not sure we have the time though, but we’ll see.

I recently talked about my newfound diet, and I’m pretty happy to report that while the weight loss hasn’t been obvious in the mirror, it’s been showing up on the scale and on the court.  I haven’t been this light in 6 months, and I don’t feel it more than when I’m playing basketball.

I’m still not as fast as I used to be, but combined with my strength and handle, I don’t do too badly.  Plus  I’ve been doing some shooting and ball handling drills, so that’s been helping, too.  The biggest thing though, is the shooting.  I finally have legs on my jumpers again, which is HUGE for a shooter.  6 months before the league starts.  I’m almost happy we went out the way we did last season.

It’s weird, I’ve been blogging about getting in great fitness shape for years now, and this is the first time I’m feeling like this could actually be a permanent thing.  The clincher for weirdness?  I haven’t had progress this slow in years.  I guess I’m finally learning that the slow and steady route is the best one for me.  It’s a lot easier, that’s for damn sure.  Still, 7 pounds in 3 weeks isn’t bad at all.  It’s not great, but it could be a lot worse.

There’s a lot of stuff that’s been going on, lately.  Professionally, there are decisions to be made – tough decisions that could pretty much determine if I will be successful financially or be in the poor house.  Personally, it’s been an educational year.  I’ve learned a lot.  Probably nowhere near enough, but it is what it is.

I feel that this thing is already too long, so.. I’ll post again in the next couple of days.