In the rush of putting together a blog post about my 2009 resolutions, I actually left out the most pressing set of changes that I’m needing to make during the new year — those associated with improving my physical health. Today was primarily spent on achieving that end since I received three month-long workout challenges through my local gym. Each challenge is head-to-head against Hope. The winner will be determined by the total number of gym visits and percentages of fat and weight loss. Needless to say, it’s on…

Today’s portion of our health quest started at 6:30 am at the Lifetime Family Fitness in Cary, North Carolina. We met with one of the trainers there. Hope learned new ways to flatten her abs, while I concentrated primarily on nutrition and getting better control of my metabolism. I walked away with a sample meal plan that went between 500 to 1,000 calories higher than what I typically consume in a day, so I’m a bit skeptical, but willing to give it a try. However, I did get some good insight into my regular diet’s lack of protein.

So I was a good boy diet-wise and exercise-wise today. I rounded it all out by downloading some new workout music. Now-a-days I’m spending a large part of my day listening to hardcore militant rap — the kind of stuff you can hear on my new favorite podcast, the Ghosts of the Republic anti-NWO weekly podcast. It’s definitely the perfect soundtrack to get ready for war and a year of solid, vigorous workouts.

I’ve been a bit distracted for the past seven days. I woke up this past Sunday not being able to walk due to pain in my ankle. For some people this would be worrisome. Since I’ve been to numerous doctors and specialists in the past for this problem (with no definitive answer as to why there is pain or to a possible solution), I was cool with it. I planned to tape my ankle up tight and walk it off, just like a typical male would do. After five days of walking around downtown in the government district (and two evenings walking around the campus of North Carolina State University), the pain’s gotten worse, and I’ve surrendered to the idea of getting off of it completely.

But trust me, I fought the idea, even buying some crutches. That is — buying crutches, falling constantly, cursing about falling, collecting lots of cuts and bruises. I’m kind of clumsy just walking around with two good feet, so I should’ve skipped the crutches idea. It was pointed out to me that you’re not supposed to look cool on crutches. Thus, I’m sitting at home, in pain, with my leg up, depressed because I’m missing this evening’s free Raleigh Downtown Live concert with Puddle of Mudd and Eve 6. Oh well, maybe next summer…

Finally, the truth of the matter is revealed. And on CNN, no less. They need to get someone who’s not so dyslexic, though. Hey, dude, the N and the U need to be switched. Coverage of the Obama-Clinton ralley from a place called Unity (New Hampshire, that is).

Anyway, I’ve been convinced that the world, in general, and politics, in specific, is nutty. After the petition drive that I’m working on now is over, I AM OUT!!! I’ve gotta take care of the anxiety and emotional instability that I’ve been feeling lately. Until then, Brien Barbour will be my shrink (since his song “Life’s Too Short To Be Sad” is the only thing that’s made sense today, and it’s been a while since I’ve made a post in support of Brien).

So this is me saying that I’m going to officially be taking leave, probably sometime in mid-July to concentrate on getting my head on straight. I’m talking forty days and forty nights. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Devil shows up to greet you after that amount of time, especially since he’s been working on me for awhile now… Hey, Devil, we’re on for mid-August, right?