Need to start keeping a private Journal

A couple weeks ago I finished Benjamin Franklin's auto-biography and I started John Adams, Volume 1, by David McCullough this week. Both are great books and they've made me realize that I should really start recording my personal thoughts and opinions somewhere. What better place than a blog. :) I've set up another version of this blog for items that are completely private. I hope to make a record in each, every day. To that end I'll start by catching you up on my doings lately.


Learning German

About a month ago, the same time I started reading Franklin, I decided that I really want to be fluent in 3 to 4 different languages and started practicing German about a half hour every weekday. Why German? Well, I lived in Germany as a youth, for around 5 years and then took German in High School. I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law who speak German. My parents do as well, although I'm not sure how fluently. GeekAtPlay.com affords me the opportunity to converse with many of our German customers as well. :) My goal is to be completely fluent, within a year. I will accomplish this through:

• Continued 30 to 60 minute sessions each week day.
• Readings once a day.
• Corresponding with German customers in German.
• Once my proficiency is a little more (probably 60 days) Amy and I will have one day a week where we only converse in German.
• Netflix! Renting German films. :)

Loving My Kindle 2

Amy purchased a Kindle 2 for my birthday. I have to say it's one of the best presents ever. My eyes get very tired from all the reading I do online and this is just the ticket. Currently I'm reading:

• John Adams, Volume 1 by David McCullough
• Approaching Zero, by Paul Mungo
• Professional Assembly Language, by Richard Blum

If you don't already have one, I highly recommend the purchase. You can download scads of free classics and public domain works at:

http://www.manybooks.net/

I like it so much in fact that I will probably purchase a Kindle DX in the next 60 days.

Back at Hap Kwon Do

I've started seriously training again. I'm going to the Studio twice a week now and try to get in 2 or 3 mornings a week sparring with Roark. I'm concerned though. My body at this age, is giving me much more pain than it used to. It seems like I hurt myself at least once every two weeks. But, I'm getting stronger and hopefully soon I can leave these aches behind.

Biggest Loser

At the beginning of April Disney, Salt Lake City, (my current employer) started the annual Biggest Loser contest. We've got 4 more weeks to go and I'm winning. :) My strategy has been a combination of the Atkins diet and a lot of exercise. So far I've lost around 30 lbs. I started at 213, my heaviest weight ever. I want to get down to 156 lbs.