Lol, I was just told I have the IQ of a crayon by a 50 year old lady who's blog trolling. My response was "What color?"

I know it's been a while since I posted a new blog but I've been pretty busy lately and I just haven't had the time. The weather was so nice today that I decided to take advantage of it and get some yard work done. Over the last couple years the dogs have really torn up the back yard. It sorta looks like the General Lee should be parked out there. Anyway, I planted new grass seed out there and double fertilized. I have a feeling I may regret doing that when I'm cutting the grass 7 times a week this summer but at least it will look good.

On another note, Mastodon is streaming their entire new album on their MySpace profile at http://www.myspace.com/mastodon. The first 7 songs on their music player are all from the new album, Crack The Skye. I am really digging the new album. I think it might be my favorite Mastodon album yet. I think those guys are one of the most underrated metal bands out there. Anyway, I just thought I'd throw that out there if any of you want to check it out.

I've been training my dad now for almost 2 months. When he started, his goal was to lose 30 pounds. He's only a few pounds away from reaching that goal. Now that he's so close to his goal I think he's realized that he can go as far as he wants with it. I think he'll end up dropping 40-45 pounds when all is said and done. He looks great. Everyone can tell he's lost a lot of weight. I'm really proud of him. I promise to post pictures as soon as he gets them to me.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I posted a bunch of old pictures too. There are also a couple new pictures in my tagged photo album from when I was a teenager. Thanks to Stardustgirl for posting those. Feel free to check them out and make fun of my clothes and haircut. Fashion has never really been one of my strong points and those pictures prove it. Well, I know it isn't much but that's all I've got for now. I'll try not to take so long to post my next blog (sorry Anjie.) Thanks for reading.

-Bryan

I need your feedback. If you were looking for someone to help you get in shape in your area, what exactly would you search for in Google?

I just posted a new blog and poll at http://www.greenwoodfitness.com/2009/02/personal-trainer-or-drill-seargent.html
I'd love to get your feedback on my new blog at GreenwoodFitness.com

I know a lot of people followed my weight loss journey so I just thought I'd tell you about my new website that I just launched for my personal training business in case you care to check it out. I'm going to try to add occasional diet and exercise tips that focus on weight loss so be sure to bookmark the home page.

Also, if you or someone you know might want to lose weight, do them a favor and refer them to my website. So far, I've been able to help all of my clients lose weight, so I know I can help. Thanks for reading.

Ok, it's January 14th, and I've got pictures for you just like I promised. Unfortunately, as you can tell, I didn't make my goal. I wanted to have six-pack abs by today. To be fair though, between having my melanoma removed and my recent respiratory infection, I lost a full month of training out of the last 3 months. I seriously toyed with the idea of giving myself another month of training before posting pictures. But after thinking about it I decided it just wouldn't be right. I want to honor my promises. I have no doubt that I will reach my goal, it's just going to take me a little bit longer to get there than I'd originally planned- and you can be sure I will post pictures as soon as I do.

Anyway, over the last 6 months I've gone from 216 pounds down to 165 pounds- a total loss of 51 pounds. I may not be satisfied with where I'm at right now, but I certainly feel I've earned the right to be proud of what I've accomplished so far. I'd also like to point out that I've really put a lot more effort into building muscle over the last 3 months instead of simply cutting fat and I really think it shows. My shoulders look much wider, my torso is beginning to develop a nice V-shape, and my back is showing a lot more definition.

Enough blabbing already, here are the pictures...







Don't be shy- let me know what you think!

So here is my final blog of the year. Coincidentally, it's also my first blog to be blogcasted on Facebook, so I'd like to welcome any new readers that happen to catch this. Now let's get on with it...

For the last few days I've been thinking about resolutions I want to make for the new year. I'm taking these resolutions very seriously which is something I don't think I've ever really done before. Actually, that's why I'm writing this blog- to put my resolutions into print where I cannot easily forget about them when it becomes convenient. Now for the list...

1. I will get into the best shape of my life. In all honesty, I may be there now. But I will continue to sculpt my body into the physique I've always wanted. I've made radical changes in my physique over the last 6 months. I will continue to do so over the next year.

2. I will become a certified personal trainer. With all I've learned, and continue to learn about physical fitness, it's the obvious next step. I want to help people with the guidance they need to have the bodies they've always dreamed of so they can live longer, healthier, happier lives.

3. I will spend more time with my grandparents. I always tell myself that I should go see them more often. This year I will. I will visit them at least 52 times this year. I love my Grandma and Grandpa- yeah, I said it.

4. I will clean up my language. Since I was five I've been blessed with the ability to string together obscenities in ways that could leave a sailor blushing. Seriously, I've mastered the art. However, the day after Christmas, when I found myself yelling "FUCK YOU!" at a lady and her 2 kids in front of the grocery store, let's just say it wasn't one of my proudest moments. She was an idiot, but I allowed myself to look just as idiotic as her- this will not do. I want to hold myself to a higher standard.

That's it- just 4 simple resolutions for 2009. Should be a piece of cake, right? I'd like to hear your New Year's resolutions- post them in the comments below. If you're new to my blog and like what you read then be sure to subscribe before you leave. I hope you all have a happy, prosperous new year.

I've tried like hell to keep my mouth shut about this but I just can't do it anymore. It seems like lately every other person on MySpace is either an atheist or a hardcore Christian fundamentalist hellbent on converting the other half by belittling each others' beliefs- like that will ever happen. Those who really know me know I'm an atheist. Those who've known me for years know I called myself a Satanist for quite a few of them. The few that have known me since I was a kid know I even used to believe in a Christian God. My point is, I can understand many different reasons why people believe (or don't believe) whatever they believe.

I can also say with absolute certainty that you're not going to change anyones belief system by belittling them. I used to really hate it when Christian fundamentalists would try to sell me God. I remember a period of about 10 years or so that you couldn't go a full week without someone knocking on your door peddaling some brand of Christianity. They would shove that shit down your throat relentlessly. I remember when I would see them walking up the sidewalk in their white shrits and backpacks and I'd hurry up and strip off my clothes and answer the door buck naked (an idea I borrowed from a friend.) I'd invite them in and ask them to have a seat. Nothing makes people more uncomfortable than a naked man in the room, especially when he's toking on a steamroller and blowing pot smoke in your face. But I digress...

Being an atheist, I can understand how irrational and illogical Christianity can seem to non-Christians, but it's no more acceptable for me to challenge their beliefs than for them to impose their beliefs on me. I think far too many atheists fail to understand that Christianity provides something that atheism does not- peace of mind. It provides its practioners a comfort that they will not find in atheism, as well as the hope that they may once again be reunited with loved ones. While I may not believe it personally, I can definitely understand the appeal, and since neither I nor anyone else can say with absolute certainty that they are wrong, who am I to try to take that away from them?

Don't get me wrong though, atheists aren't the only ones to blame here. Christians could do wonders for their collective reputation by practicing a little tolerance for other peoples' beliefs. I get that you think peoples' souls are in danger and I get that your intentions are noble, but that doesn't excuse any and all behavior. The phrase "Do unto others..." comes to mind. It's not right for people to attack your belifes or way of life and it's not right for you to attack anyone elses. Give up with the stupid surveys and whatnot about how God, and life, and blah blah blah- you're not going to trick anyone into becoming a believer with a few cleverly worded questions. I'll give you the secret to recruiting all the followers you can stand- live a life that others will find worthy of emulating, and when they are ready people will come to you and ask about your beliefs. It's really that simple.

Anyway, I hope nobody's too offended, but if you are get over it. You don't have to believe what your neighbor believes but you should respect his right to have his own beliefs, and you should expect him to respest your right to do the same. If nothing else, be tolerant for the simple fact that it makes you look like the bigger person.

This is just a quick update on my fitness progress. About 5 days ago I first began to be able to see the ridges in my abs below the skin. They have become slightly more visible each day since. I have 45 days until the 6 month mark to reach my goal of having 6-pack abs and good overall muscular definition. It's pretty wild to actually be able to see a difference from one day to the next. This is definitely the most exciting stage of this journey for me.

John Pedigo, the owner of the gym I work out at, asked for copies of my before and after photos. He wants to display them in the gym. I can hardly wait to post the next set of pictures. I'm just as curious as anyone else about how I'll look. Anyway, this will likely be the last update until then unless something unexpected happens between now and then.

I guess it's also worth mentioning that I saw a lot of family members on Thanksgiving that hadn't seen me since July, before I started working out. I got lots of compliments on how I look. Some of them could hardly believe how much different I look now. It definitely felt good, I won't deny it. Well, that's it until the final update on January 14th- catch ya then!

The holidays will soon be upon us and I'm sure many of you will be looking for gift ideas for your kids, your sweetie, or maybe even yourself. I want to ask you to consider adopting a pet from your local Humane Society or animal shelter. There are literally thousands of animals that need to be rescued by someone just like you.

Now, I could post all kinds of sad pictures of animals waiting for adoption in these shelters, but I don't want to guilt anyone into it. I'm just asking that you consider it. Maybe you really don't have the time or the patience for a pet and if that's the case you really have no business owning a pet anyway. But maybe you do have the time and the patience and the love to be a pet owner. If that's the case, please just give it some thought.

But please, please, please, don't buy a pet from a store or a dealer. Even if they don't buy pets directly from puppy mills or other shady sources, they help to perpetuate the problem. If you care so much about having a purebred dog or cat that you are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for one instead of adopting for almost nothing... well, you're a shallow idiot. Sorry to be the one to break it to you.

I adopted my dog Sasha from the Humane Society just over 7 years ago. She's been one of the best friends I've ever had. She's given me countless laughs, she loves me unconditionally, and she has more personality than most of the people I meet. She's also made some of the loneliest and darkest times of my life a lot more bearable just by being around. It cost me $40 to adopt her. For the money, no other investment has done more to improve my quality of life.

If you know someone who's considering buying a pet, please encourage them to adopt from the Humane Society or other animal shelter. It's also worth mentioning that the Humane Society has more than just cats and dogs. Many times they have rabbits, ferrets, snakes, birds, etc. You just have to go and look around. Thanks for reading.

Sasha's First Movie

It's been over a month since my last update when I posted my first set of pictures. I've lost another 6 pounds since then, making my total weight loss 45 pounds in just over 4 months. My goal is to have 6-pack abs and good overall muscular definition by the 6 month mark (January 14th.) Come hell or high water it's gonna happen.

Coincidently, there is a guy at BodyRock.Tv that is trying to accomplish the same thing, but he is in better shape than I was even after losing my first 39 pounds and he's allowing himself 16 weeks to reach his goal. If you've never been to that site before, check it out- I can pretty much guarantee the guys will love it.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. Feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time...

I just found out Sean Copley AKA Pork Jesus passed away Saturday night. I only met him once at a local show but I could tell he was a guy I could easily have called a friend. I talked with him regularly online. I offered him the drummer position in MouthRot at one point. He passed on it at the time because he was involved with another band. He later contacted me and asked if the position was still open, but the spot had been filled only a day earlier. I figured our paths would eventually cross again. It saddens me to know that we won't get that chance.

Sean was only 37 years old. My heart goes out to his family and friends whom he left behind. I can only hope they find some measure of comfort in the fact that his memory will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.


Sean Copely R.I.P

I'm beginning to think maybe I should have constructed an arc before all this rain. I'm not usually bothered by rain but this stuff feels like ice water. The forecast looks like it might finally be winding down though. That would be nice.

I hit the gym today. I had one of the most brutal workouts I've had in a while. I'm trying to get back on track now that my stitches are out. I noticed when I was in the shower today that I can feel the ridges in my stomach muscles under my skin now. They're not visible yet but I'm confident it won't be too much longer. I'm 33 years old and I've never had six-pack abs before. I've worked hard for it though, and I deserve to look sexy (hey, guys want to be ogled too.)

Sasha hasn't exactly gone viral yet. She gets a few friend requests here and there but it might be a while before she's more famous than Tom. I think it's bothering her. She left an expression of her disapproval on the floor last night for all of us to see. By the way, disapproval smells a lot like doo doo.

Pam and the kids are going out to dinner tonight with some family that came into town today, leaving the house to the dogs and me. If anybody wants to chew the fat don't be afraid to drop me a line- I have nothing planned for the evening.