Blog By James

Ryan threw together a little graphic for Throwing Heads to use:

I think it’s fun and decided to put it up on our MySpace page until we’ve got some actual photos to use. We received the following message after putting it up:

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From:
MySpace Help

MySpace Safety & Security

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I still can’t believe it.

Me as of 8:45am this morning: 37, 5’9″, 220lbs

It had been a year since my last checkup and I went in pretty much knowing what the doctor was going to say to me. I didn’t get anywhere near the exercise I should have in the last year and I know that my diet isn’t the best either. In late 2006 I weighed 199 and around the same time in 2007 I was at 211. The trend is about 10lbs a year and to keep going on like this as I get older is not good. I started 2009 wanting to prove to myself that I can change and that habits can be broken, even at 37 years old. So far I’ve kicked the diet coke habit and I feel good about that. I just need to get back on the exercise horse and start watching calories.

The good news is that my hypertension is still under control and the Benicar/HCT that I’ve been taking is keeping my blood pressure at normal levels. The doctor prescribed another year’s worth at the same dosage and I am fine with that. What really burned me up is that the doctor said that in order to get my weight under control I needed to give up beer. He said alcohol intake wasn’t a problem for me but that high amounts of liquid calories can be bad. What I was expecting him to say was that I need to watch my calories and make sure most of them are healthy food calories. I figured he’d recommend that I get my ass on the treadmill. The man has no way of knowing how much beer I drink so why would he make such a blanket statement like that?

He brought up sodas and said that I shouldn’t drink them either. He didn’t even ask me if I drank sodas before saying that. I told him that at my worst I used to drink about 2 diet sodas a day give or take, but had been off of them for about 3 weeks now. I brought up aspartame and asked what he thought. He said confidently that aspartame is not a problem and that I should focus on keeping the calorie intake down. It’s like he’s got these canned things that he says to all overweight males and doesn’t really care about the patient.

I did considerable research on the internets today confirming that limited calorie intake and exercise is blatantly what I need. However, giving up my moderate beer enjoyment will do nothing but make me sad in the face.

Next year I’ll be making an appointment with a new doctor.

As I sit here and watch the live DVD Paramore shot in Chicago last August, I can’t help but reflect…

As I grew up, I remember saying that I never wanted to be that typical old guy saying things like “the music these kids listen to today is rubbish” or “music was better when I was a kid”. I wanted to always be an open minded, ready for anything, appreciate whatever came from the heart kind of guy. Although I’d like to think I am still that guy today, I find myself being a little judgmental at times toward the younger musicians and fans today which is just wrong.

I was that boy flipping on the radio as soon as the alarm went off every single morning before school. I loved all the pop songs of the 80′s. I didn’t care if it was original sounding or if the players were any good. Those songs take me back to a time of pain, of growing and most of all happiness and uncertainty about what was ahead. I believe that kids growing up in any decade all experience this. The music I grew up with is in no way better or worse than the pop tunes my parents grew up with or the music my children will listen to. Music helps define a young person’s identity and I think that kids need their music to both celebrate and get though whatever life throws at them.

Paramore is a group of five young and talented players that have been successful in the way that all musicians dream of, myself being absolutely no exception. They’ve gone platinum in the US and gold in the UK and Ireland. Their DVD may have mistakes and flat notes, but it’s real. All of the young people who bought the CD and sing along in the crowd no matter what?… that’s me.

If bands like Paramore is what the kids these days are listening to, I absolutely approve. There is hope after all.