If You’re Happy and you Know It

They say being happy is a state of mind.  I agree.  I am right, now, probably happier than I have ever been.  That’s not to say everything is going the way I want it to, or that everything is sunshine and roses.  Everything isn’t. There are still things I’m working on, still projects to complete, still stuff to be done.  With all that is pending, I’m still happy.  I’m happy with the progress in my life at this point.  Everything is looking up.

I’ve read that everyone needs to take responsibility for everything in their life.  That doesn’t mean you have to accept blame for everything because that isn’t healthy.  What that means is that you need to accept the responsibility for how you react to everything in your life.  It falls in line with that taking lemons and making lemonade bit.

Bobby McFerrin was an genius.  His song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" is a philosophical high point in our existence.  Seriously.  Things aren't always going to be great, but that doesn't mean you have to just sit down and wallow in your sorrow.  That was an unintentional rhyme, so I hope that made you smile a little bit.

About smiling.  Do it.  Fake it till you make it works in some cases.  Your smile is infectious.  There is a certain lady in my life, that whenever she smiles, I can't help but feel really, really good.  Every. Single. Time.  Smiling leads to laughing, laughing leads to forgetting about the problems currently surrounding you, and ultimately leads to you being happy.  Be the one that makes everyone happy, no one likes Debbie Downer.

I'm making this entry fairly short because I am about to start filming for a new web series that I'm working on, more on that later, but please guys, be the light that others like to turn to.  Simple.

Until next time, dear readers...

In the Feel Goods

You know, there isn’t much else in this world that is as great as seeing your children happy. This past weekend I took the girls to the pumpkin patch that we go to every year. Seeing their faces light up as they play there though is awesome, something that never gets old, and always warms my heart. Watching them block out the world so that they can have fun and enjoy time with their sisters is like watching a little miracle.

On a different note, planning and producing a web series is hard. I’ve been working on mine for a while and I’m just starting to see some results, and you’ll see them too pretty soon. In addition to my web series, my oldest daughter, Victoria, has decided that she too needs to have a video blog. I’m encouraging her with this project because she seems genuinely interested in it. Of course, her channel will be private, but still, it is pretty cool to see that she is taking an interest in this. More details on my series will be released to my readers very soon!

Until next time, dear readers.

A Web Series

Some of you remember the web series I had started working on, Regular Dad.  I have to put that on hold, but I am starting to work on another web series.  The series may not be as upbeat as Regular Dad, but I'm hoping it's just as entertaining, and even more informative. Hopefully you'll agree it's good, but more to come on that later.

My girls and I went to Six Flags this past Saturday.  It was hot and muggy, and we only stayed for about 4 hours because of that.  The lines were longer that we had expected and just spending the day in the heat waiting 30 minutes for a ride that might be 2 minutes wasn't appealing to any of us.

So, where could we go that would definitely be air conditioned? A wax museum!I took them to the Wax Museum and the enchanted mirror maze:

We went through the maze about 5 times, and each time it was fun.  The first time it wasn't, there was a feeling of sheer panic as you realized you had to find your way out.

Stay tuned for hints about the new series!

Motivation, Gotta Get Me Some

So, a whole week or so has passed since I last talked to you. You know, you really should call more often, I get worried. Anyway, I have found that finding motivation isn't exactly easy. Sometimes it's downright hard. Actually, for me, most of the time it's difficult.

Telling yourself that you can do something and actually doing it are, unfortunately, different things.  I think the best thing for motivation with exercise is a mirror and an honest child without a filter. They both will always tell the truth.  I'll update you again later with that progress.

I have some new followers who didn't know what I was talking about when I mentioned the Regular Dad web series, so here's the trailer:

Let me know what you think.  One of the premises of the show is I'm endeavoring to film the whole series from either my iPod or my iPhone. Just to make it interesting.  Something else I've been working on is the Regular Dad comic, which will be short and sweet.

I'll be updating you more about all the projects later, and hopefully entertain you a little more.

Changes

Changes.  They can be good or they can be bad.  I have changed the location of my blog to myblogtypething.com - and that's a good change.  I paid for my lunch with a $20, and I got money back - that's also good change.  Unfortunately there is bad change.  Last week my grandmother passed away and that was painful change.  Notice I didn't say it was a bad change, because given time to reflect, it really isn't a bad change.  My grandmother was 80 years old and tired.  She deserved the relief from the pain.

Speaking of changes, the blog has a new address - myblogtypething.com!  I figured this would make it easier for the thousands upon thousands of you that visit everyday.  So, update your bookmarks!

More changes are coming for me, I had shirked off my exercise routine due to being ill (translated dying) but I am getting back in the habit.  I have been able to maintain a lower weight than I have before and some of that weight is now muscle, so I've probably lost more fat weight, but gained muscle weight. Sweet.

For those of you wanting to know where the web series 'Regular Dad' is, don't worry it's in production, it's just taking a bit longer than I anticipated. No worries, you shall be entertained.

As always, I invite you to let me know what I'm doing right, what I'm doing wrong, etc. Email me and let's make this better!

10 Years.

I've not posted in a while, and I'm sorry - but I will have you know that I did have a draft that I kept adding to, but then it got incoherent and rambled on for way too long, so here is this one.

Today (May 29) Lyndsay and I have been married for 10 years. Wow. A lot has happened. We've bought a house, bought cars, sold cars and had three children. It's been a ride, with our ups and downs. It's been worth it, all of it.  From a blind date in high school to 10 years of marriage, it's been fun.  Sure we've gotten bigger, but that's just the newlywed weight gain, we just haven't gotten rid of it. Yep.  Technically we've been together for 15 years, but that's just splitting hairs.

Enough about me, how are you? Did you have a good break from reading my rants? Well, buck up buttercup, I'm back.  Look for a really good episode of Regular Dad coming up. It's awesome.  Don't forget to follow my YouTube channel. Click Here. It's going to be interesting making these videos, I didn't realize how much time went into a short video like this, so hopefully I'll speed up with the production.

Remember, When you feel like your life stinks, think of the Titanic passengers, be glad you didn't go on that boat.

Regular Dad, In Your Face

Sorry for being a week late, I've been so busy that I didn't have time to finish anything really.  As an apology, here is a quick video preview on Regular Dad.

One thing I'm trying to do is shoot this series mostly with an iPhone\iPod\iPad. If that doesn't work out, I have other cameras to use, but I thought that this would be an interesting and challenging way to get it done, plus if I get any quick video while out and about I don't have to worry about the quality edits or aspect changes, or anything like that, so there's that.

The first episode should be out soon, so don't get your knickers in a knot. Unless you like them that way, in that case, don't untie them.  I'm always open to suggestions and feedback, so let it rip.

I'm sure you've been wondering about how my diet has been going, well it's going.  I have cheat days more often than I should, but I have non-cheat days almost as often.  I exercise on a regular basis, if walking counts. I mean, it's hard to go throughout the day without walking, I don't see why people make such a big deal of it. As far as my weight, it's been up and down, and I'm blaming it on medication. Yeah, that sounds good.  I know what you're thinking, "Well James, why don't you stop your medication then?"  I can't.  You wouldn't like my off my meds. James Smash.

Have you ever had a dream that all your goals in life we achieved?  Yeah, me neither.  I usually have dreams about running away completely naked from a Klingon. Go figure.

Structure, We All Need It

So here's the deal. Structure.  I've decided that the blog needs a bit more structure.  I am going to try out having regular sections on it, and see how that goes.  Feedback is appreciated and mandatory.

I was looking on Groupon the other day and saw that there is a murder mystery dinner on there.  It's at the Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie.  That is supposed to be one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.  My interest peaked.  There is something about having my wits scared out of me that is awesome.  This is also the reason I ride with Lyndsay when she drives.  I am on the fence about just getting the tickets and then Lyndsay will feel like she has to go or it will be a waste of money, but as I have just explained about the Inn, odds are good that she will read this and stop me.  If she isn't up for it, would anyone else be?

I have always fancied (yes fancied) myself a brilliant actor with a wide range of acting abilities.  However, after reading about this murder mystery I thought about myself as an actor in it.  I would be be nervous so close to the 'non-actors' (it's what we call them in the biz) that my timing would be all off.  I have created a lovely comic to demonstrate:

See, I'd blame the first child that walked into my line of sight.  I think I'll skip on being an actor at one of these and stick to be an over acting bystander.

The Regular Dad series is going well, I did take a break from it for a few days, but I'm back on it and soon the first episode will make you laugh so hard you might rupture a bladder.  Seriously though, if you do rupture anything while watching or thinking about it, don't blame me, my lawyers Mr. Mason and Mr. Matlock assure me that they can get me out of it in less that 60 minutes.  I'm finding the hardest part so far with creating the series is figuring out how to get the girls to act on command.  Madison especially does not want to be on camera, and Victoria jumps in the camera as soon as it starts recording. Alexandria is neutral most of the time.

Ok, so I'm one more thing to add to today's entry, and that is a thought.  My youngest, Madison, turned 4 on the 12th.  I now am the proud father of 4, 5 and 8 year old girls. Little by little I am coming to terms with my aging, but it occurred to me that in addition to my aging, I have to cope with my daughters aging as well.  Some advice I receive all the time (and on several occasions from complete strangers) is to cherish each moment because you won't get a second chance and they pass so quickly. I have realized it is so true, and everyday with them is a gift, and not everyone gets three gifts a day like I do.  So even with all the yelling, screaming, fighting, and groin hitting (them hitting me of course) I love every minute of it, even if it is not apparent at the time. Being a dad is awesome and heartbreaking.

Ok, so I'm like an Apple Strudel, Crusty and flaky on the outside while sweet and gooey on the inside. I don't have any apple chunks though, I mean unless I've eaten an apple and got sick and barfed up some apple chunks, but I probably won't be sweet when that happens.  Forget the strudel thing. 

Thank you everyone for reading, and remember - when life gets you down.  That's it. Just remember it.

Basking in the Glory

First of all, I don't actually bask. The definition is: 'to lie exposed to ..." whatever, it doesn't matter. I just don't lie exposed. anymore. Court Ordered.

The blog will be changing visually over the next few weeks. I'm working on getting the best fit, so until I find it, you will have to suffer. AND you will like it.

Now I would like to take some time to talk about my new web series, Regular Dad. I've gotten a few of them in the old noggin and I'm actually about to release episode 1 and I'm already happy with it. I mean I haven't finalized or rendered the video and I haven't had anyone view it and tell it me it's great, but I'm an optimist.

Speaking of being a dad, this past week I had the honor of taking each of my daughters on a date. I like to take them out and get them a little toy once in a while, so sue me.  I enjoy the daddy daughter time and they enjoy the toy.  I will however, space them out like I used to.  I mean I can't do the whole restaurant and shopping thing 3 nights in a row again. I mean ever. I won't.

I know, it's late, but hey, look at it this way - you get twice as much of me this week. :)

Untitled Post About Something

Ok, rough week.  On the bright side I've lost about 5-6 pounds. Bad news, it was due to stress.  So to meet my goal weight I have to get really stressed. I don't want that. So back to plan B - hard work.  Enough about my flabby, yet oh so adorable physique.

I got a car! After much research, I decided I wanted this:

A 2005 Dodge Magnum RT with a 5.7L Hemi.  I like it. a lot of people think it's a station wagon, and on the title it says station wagon, but to me it's a daddy sport vehicle with occasional seating for family. It was a complicated process to find one that fit my wants ... I mean, needs, but it has paid off so far. I'll allow you some time to ooo and aahhh.

This will be the end of this entry. Sorry, like I said stressfull week, so you don't want to hear about that.

Also - the first Regular Dad episode is in the works.  In the future I will be taking questions so that I can answer them on the show. Put your thinking caps on and work up some great questions!