The Last Post

Sorry to do this, but I'm afraid that this is going to be the last post on PNM360. I'm a little bummed that the blog didn't even make it to it's one year anniversary. And I'm not saying that I'm giving up my personal mission of reaching my goal - definitely not! Sadly, my page isn't getting the views that I wanted. I know it's not all about the ratings, but I'm not typing this just for myself.

The GOOD news is that I've decided to resurrect my old blog - Geek Since Birth - and move it over to Blogger. My most popular posts on here were my posts about movies and social media, so I thought I may as well give my fans what they want! So if you're a fan, I'm not going away forever - simply entering my chrysalis phase so I can emerge as a beautiful butterfly... or something.

Anyway, I hope that you'll continue to follow me over on my new site. It's just an empty shell at the moment, but after finals on Wednesday, I'll have two weeks to work on it! Until then, thanks for reading and following!

Motivate Me Monday (on Tuesday)

Sorry for the lateness of the Motivate Me Monday. For some reason I had a horrific time with my Internet connection again yesterday. But I though, rather than post it next week and be behind yet again, I may as well just post it today. I mean, who can't use some motivation on a Tuesday!

Mother's Day & May Playlist

We're already well into May, but I thought that I would wait and post my May workout playlist until today. Why? Well, the theme this month - in honor of Mom's Day - is "My Favorite Divas." Rather than have people suggest songs as usual, these are my favorite songs from some the greatest Divas ever.

Aretha Franklin - Respect

Beyonce - Single Ladies

Janelle Monae - Tightrope

Katy Perry - Roar

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger

Lady Gaga - Poker Face

Madonna - Vogue

Mama Cass - Make Your Own Kind of Music

Nicki Minaj - Starships

P!nk - Raise Your Glass

Rihanna - Where Have You Been

Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble

Motivate Me Monday

I come home from classes and think to myself that I'll post today's MMM before I start my homework and make dinner. Wrong. Unfortunately, the guys trimming the trees had disconnected all of the wires from the building to work today. So, I was sans Internet until about ten minutes ago. Anyway, here is motivation for today - a little late, but back on track!

(And oddly enough, slightly fitting with my complaint...)

The Gap

Wow, sorry for just disappearing into the ether for the last week-and-a-half, it was definitely not planned. As most of my regulars know, my new term started last week and and this one is going to be a toughie. I'm finally through the bulk of my Gen Ed courses, so this term all of my classes are based on my major. There has been a ton of reading for all of my classes, which wouldn't normally be a problem since I: 1) really enjoy reading, and 2) can speed-read. However, my Microbiology book is an especially tough one to get through and understand. Often I'm reading each section twice to make sure I'm absorbing and comprehending the text. Unfortunately for all of you, school is my priority and I had to focus on my studies rather than worry about my social media footprints.

When Monday arrived, I had fully intended to get back into the posting with a new Motivate Me Monday post. Sadly, for whatever the reason, I had absolutely NO Internet connectivity at my house. For TWO days... So, rather than post my typical MMM today, I thought I should use my free time and send out a little explanation of what happened during "The Gap."

I hope that I really keep the blog on a regular schedule now that I've adjusted to my latest term. If there is another lull, I'm hoping to at least still post the MMM every week. Sorry that this is a short and sweet one, but -as I said - I'm lacking in free time. I'm hoping for a more substantial post this weekend. Until next post: thanks for reading, y'all!

Day 5 - YouTube Newest Favorites

It's the last day of my YouTube favorites and, altogether, it was a pretty popular post. I have some ideas for other favorites posts if you guys are interested. It's a tad time-consuming, so don't expect another until my next break.

For the final day, I'm changing things up a bit. Most of my favorites this week have been posting videos for years. They have a devoted following (some in the millions) and have their own recipe for success. Today, I'm posting my new favorites - those who've been at this for less than a year and are just starting out. Check them out, subscribe to them, and more importantly, applaud them for taking a chance at finding their social media niche. Not everyone is going to be the next Smosh or Tyler Oakley, but to put themselves out there for the public is daring enough without haters ragging on them for not having followers. So here are some of my newest favorites. I hope you'll give them a chance, too.

Ben Hobson

The Life of Ben is a pretty dramatic channel to watch. As a recovering alcoholic and a father who has recently come out of the closet, Ben's channel is often an emotional rollercoaster. He's trying to post daily (which sometimes works) and most of his videos are short, sweet, and to the point. One of the reasons I love watching Ben is that he's completely honest about the topic and his feelings. It's refreshing to see when a lot of the daily vlogs are edited to show everything but actual emotion. It's easy to fall in love with this guy and I've become attached to his story so quickly that I often find myself crying along with him like I would a friend I've known for years.

Pano T

I was introduced to Pano through his Twitter, who is a fellow follower of Neil McNeil's account. I started following him because he was this cute, funny, gay guy (#musclepup) who happened to also be from Pennsylvania (nice to see a local guy representin'). It was after about two months of enjoying his crazy Tweets that I realized he had a crazy YouTube channel to go along with it, too. His videos often remind me of a kid off his ADD meds for too long, and I wouldn't have him any other way.

V-Squared

Vinnie and Luke should be the poster couple for gay marriage. They are an adorable couple who obviously love each other deeply and it shows through on their channel. Vinne, originally from the US, and Luke, from the UK, met online and dated for a few years before Vinnie proposed. They have such a perfect relationship that it gives me hope for the next time I meet a guy on one of those dating sites. Their posting is erratic, but I'm so excited whenever I see a new one on my subscription list that it proves to be worth the wait.

8-Bit Homo

I first heard of Dylan Zaner through Will's gaming channel, shepsquared. And he's quickly becoming one of my favorite gaymers to watch online. His videos are primarily Minecraft UHC videos, but he does the occasional sketch and review on his channel, too. Of course, I love his over-dramatic panic attacks in the UHC games, the most. I'd love to watch him play with stacyplays, but (between the two of them) I don't think my eardrums could handle it.

So that's it for my week of YouTube favorites, I hope you enjoyed it. Maybe I'll make it an annual event... probably not, but you never know. Thanks again for following and peace, till next time y'all!

Day 4 - Favorite Gay Geeks of YouTube

Sorry the post is so late today - I've been fighting with the Internet all night trying to keep a stable connection. I'm not sure what's going on, but it's been crap off and on all week. I took a break last time I lost connection and thought about just double posting tomorrow. Right now everything seems to be holding, so I hope that I can get this up before anything else happens...

Tonight, I'm posting some of my favorite YouTube LGBT role models. I think that it's important that we support our fellow gay/lesbian/trans people no matter the media through which they choose to express themselves. The Interwebs are filled with a lot of great role models for young, closeted teens who have no positive queer influences in their own life - and there is no better source of this than YouTube. Of course, being the huge geek that I am, my gay role models differ slightly from the average...

   

5. David's Vlog

Like most of the YouTubers I follow, I first saw David Levitz on another channel and fell in love with him. And what's not to love? He's tall, has that sexy stubble, a distinct/sexy voice, and to top it off he's a big geek. Why you gotta live in Minnestoa, David? It's too cold to stalk you there (jk...). Seriously, check out his channel, he's a daily vlogger so you get to see a lot of him. Trust me, you definitely won't mind watching him again and again and again.

4. My Harto

No surprise that a lot of these people are on more than one of my lists. If you didn't read Day One (shame on you), Hannah Hart was my #1 Favorite Lady of YouTube. Rather than rehash why I like her (go read the post...), I'll plug her new book: My Drunk Kitchen: A Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Going With Your Gut. I'm super-excited for this. As you know, I love to cook and read and watch "My Drunk Kitchen" videos, so this is like the perfect gift for me. And it's being released just in time for my birthday! (hint, hint)

3. Tyler Oakly

Alright, maybe I'm placing Tyler in the "nerd" category mainly for the glasses, but he definitely has his geek-out moments. It's not always on the typical nerd culture stuff (ie - comics), but things like Frozen, Ellen, Pokemon cards, and Audible.com still fall into that category for me so I'm counting him anyway. As you already know, I love Tyler for tons of reasons (he was #1 on another list - go read it if you haven't already), this is just another one of them.

2. Neil McNeil

There's no better reason to watch Neil McNeil than for his daily nerd-gasms over comics, Doctor Who, Veronica Mars, etc. That's a lie, there's also the "half-naked & wet dancing in front of a mirror" bit which is the recommended rewindable part for each of his vlogs. But regardless, the geek in me loves the geek in him whether he's gay or not. Luckily, he bats for the same team as me, and just so happens to be adorable, too - which makes him this ideal trifecta I need in my life. (That sounds creeper than I meant it sound.) Quickly moving on to the top spot, we have...

1. shep689/shepsquared

I'm feeling slightly guilty for putting Will Shepherd on the list without including RJ. I do love you both, and you're better to watch as couple, but I tend to identify more with Will than RJ. Another one of the reasons I chose Will is because I'm hugely addicted to his gaming channel, especially his "Mincraft Survival Games" and "Mega-Walls" episodes. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go watch a video or two (or ten) on his channel and report back.


** Let me end this by saying that I am not using the word "Geek" as an insult. Quite the opposite, actually. To me, being able to embrace your inner geek and openly  "like what you like" despite what people think of you is a great trait to have. Wear your geek badge proudly. And yes, I am aware of the parallel I just made between geekiness and homosexuality. Not intentional, but, hey, it fits. **

Day 3 - Favorite Couples of YouTube

OK, let me preface today's post by saying that my choices are not romantic couples (well, a few are), but rather pairings that I enjoy watching. Even though most of these YouTubers are great on their own, they're even better when paired with another - like chocolate and peanut butter, they're the perfect combination!

5. WatchUsLiveAndStuff

It just so happens that, despite my disclaimer, I'm starting my list with an actual couple. If you're not familiar with the WatchUsLiveAndStuff channel, I'm sure you're still familiar with either Andrew (of Smosh) or Kalel. I've seen quite a few Smosh videos before, but I never clicked over to the WULAS channel until the strange food taste-testing vlog they did. But there's lots more to love: gaming, anime-references, yoga, cats... Even if you're not a fan of Anthony and Kalel, tune-in for the real stars of the channel: Pip and Pookie.

4. TheLeanMachines

John and Leon are not a real couple (I'm sure they have many fans who wish they were), though I can't imagine the The Lean Machines would work solo for either one of them. Before I started PNM360, I rarely watched YouTube for anything other than entertainment. But John and Leon, both personal trainers, are pros at what they do. I've learned more about proper fitness and nutrition from their channel than any of the thousands of articles I've read over the years. They make exercise and diet informative and, more importantly, fun.

3. "Shoey"

I actually mentioned my love of the Shoey pairing yesterday when I talked about Shane Dawson and Joey Graceffa. I feel a little guilty choosing them over the real life pairing of Shane and Lisbug, but Lisa is use to it by now. Each of them is great on their own, but mix them together and you get something truly special. This is a pair that's hard to put into words, but a watch a video or two and you'll see the chemistry I'm talking about. There's that certain element to them that makes you wonder how deep their bromance really penetrates.

2. Dan & Phil

If you're familiar with the "British Invasion" of YouTube, then you're no stranger to AmazingPhil and danisnotonfire. If had extended my list yesterday you would've seen both of those names in the Top Ten (though I enjoy them both equally, so I can't say as to which would outrank the other). Unlike Shoey, Dan and Phil aren't polar opposites, they both have the same dry wit and sarcastic humor. But rather than counteract each other, they have a symbiotic relationship that feeds off each other (like black-suit Spider-Man). OK, that sounds stranger and grosser than I actually intended. So, who could take down two cuties from England...

1. shep689

As the kids would say, Will and RJ are my OTP. If they weren't an actual couple already, I'd ship them hard. One of the major reasons they beat out the other couples for the top slot is because they have a daily vlog. That means that rain, snow, or shine, I get to visit them in (usually) sunny LA each and everyday. Heck, I rarely get to see my own friends and family that often! And maybe that's what I like most about Will and RJ. I'm welcomed daily to take a peek into their life; and I feel like I know them, despite the fact that we've never met.

Day 2 - Favorite Men of YouTube

Let me start Day Two by clarifying one thing: these are MY personal favorites. I did not take a poll, I did not base this on their number of followers, and I did not accept bribes to post them on my list. These are the YouTubers that I like, and I even gave explanations as to why I like them. I'm not saying that there aren't other that I watch, because there are a a bunch. This is just MY top five. I know everyone has there own favorites and probably aren't going to agree with mine, but that's life. People disagree all the time. So hopefully y'all get over yourself and enjoy the rest of the week. Now, on to the Men of Youbube.

5. Shane

Yesterday, I mentioned Shane Dawson's girlfriend Lisa (Lisbug) as one of my Top 5 Ladies of YouTube. But Shane's been mentioned before on my blog, in the very first post, in fact. Perhaps I like Shane Dawson less for his crazy antics and more for his determination to make himself into someone new. Like me, he was the unpopular, funny fat kid in high school and made the change to become a different person. Sure, I enjoy the immature fart jokes and cross-dressing, but each video reminds that anyone can reach their dreams if they try hard enough.

4. JoeyGraceffa

I actually found Joey Graceffa through Shane's channel when they were doing a collab video. There have been many "Shoey" videos so I'm not quite sure which one was the first any more... Everyone knows Joey as the cute, nerdy guy with the spikey quiff that makes the fangirls go "Squee!" But he's more than just a pretty face with an odd lingo of his own creation. He may play the dumb blonde role for our amusement, but he's also the smart creative guy who gave us the amazing Storytellers miniseries and has an amazing singing voice, too. I watch him for the "cray" vlogs, but stay for the creativity.

3. Raphael Gomes

Raphael Gomes  may seem like an odd one on the list compared to the others, but I've always believed that the content of the videos should outweigh their popularity. If you've never seen Raphael, then shame on you! You don't know what you're missing. He's a cute, quirky guy who teaches you how to make quick, simple, delicious snacks often just using your microwave. And even better than the cooking videos are his honest confessionals (in a cold shower, even) and candy-haul/taste-testing videos. This guy is all about the sweets, which fits considering he's a sweet guy, too.

2. Marcus Butler

Oh, Marcus Butler - my biggest YouTube crush. I can imagine all of your followers swoon like I do when they hear that British accent greeting us with a "Hellllooooo..." Marcus is just one of the many YouTubers in what they are calling the "British Invasion," but he is by far my favorite of the the pack. From the very first video (the Chicken Nugget Challenge) I was a follower. Maybe it's the accent, or the smile paired with those dimples, or the strange sense of humor (hello, Margaret), but most likely it's a combination of all three. So, who could out-rank my YouTube crush?

1. Tyler Oakly

If you didn't realize Tyler Oakly was my "Queen of YouTube Men" then you clearly never read my blog before. I've been talking up Tyler's HUGELY successful Prizeo campaign for the Trevor Project for the past few months - over $500,000... that is just mind-blowing. And all as a replacement to being sent presents for his birthday. It goes to show the power of not only YouTube, but what a difference just a single person can make. Tyler, you slay, grrrl!

DAY 1 - Favorite Ladies of YouTube

So, you may have noticed that my normal Motivate Me Monday, isn't here this week. If you recall, a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had something planned for the week after finals. In my previous blog, my most popular posts were the countdown lists of my favorite things. So, to liven things up on this blog, I decided to try it again. My first week-long blog (yes, a whole week) is going feature a hobby that consumes a huge chunk of my week: YouTube.

At this point, I'm a watcher, not a poster - though that could change in the future. But I've reached the point where I'm much more interested in watching the real lives of people on YouTube than the scripted shows on TV. Not that everything I watch online is a vlog (as you'll soon see), but it's entertaining to me and that's what matters, right? So to start us off, it's the Ladies first (if you couldn't tell from the title).

5. Mamrie Hart

What a YouTuber to start off the list. I first saw Mamrie Hart in the Tyler Oakly video "Edward 40-hands" and started following her immediately. Her You Deserve A Drink channel is definitely for the 21-and-over crowd, but - even though I'm not really a drinker myself - I love listening to the "horrible puns" she makes while she's concocting her unique cocktails. My mom always said that red-heads are trouble, and in this case she was right!

4. Lisbug

Lisa Schwartz, better known as the other-half to Shane Dawson or Corny's other mommy, never fails to make me laugh. And having a boyfriend like Shane means she really has a lot to compete with - and she has no problem holding her own. Whether showing off  her lackluster (yet hilarious) Girly Gaming skills, sharing too much personal information about her Conner Franta crush, or tormenting Shane on Dare Wednesday (my favorite), I always leave just a little happier after watching her channel.

3. Gigi Gorgeous

OK, maybe I'm watching Gigi Gorgeous for the wrong reason. Yes, she is primarily a make-up guru, but I did learn some handy shaving tips from her. The real reason I watch Gigi is because she honestly and openly shares her personal struggle of transitioning from a male to female identity. It's hard enough to find other gays and lesbians in a rural area like this, let alone someone transgendered to talk to. But more important than her story is the message she imparts in her videos: always be yourself and never let anyone or anything stop you from your dream.

2. dailygrace

Oh, Grace Helbig - you are one of the very first YouTubers I can remember watching on a regular basis. She's also one of the first daily vloggers that I can remember watching. In fact, she's most likely responsible for the YouTube addiction that I have today. There's a part of me that wanted to put you in the number one slot, but you were just slightly eclipsed by...

1. MyHarto

Hannah Hart, my lesbian crush. Of the funny ladies of YouTube, she not only takes the cake, but she'll bake it first - while drinking and making puns, of course. If I've got a long list of YouTube to watch and I'm short on time, a new My Drunk Kitchen is one of my Must Watch subscriptions. If you recall, I actually mentioned Hannah in a post before when she talked about the Olympics and her outrage over the Russian anti-gay agenda. And she met the President. How many YouTubers, other than Tyler Oakly, can say that?

I must say that, even though I placed her in the top slot, I enjoy Hannah most when mixed with Grace, Mamrie (no relation), and a bottle of wine. You three ladies are my real #1.

Well, that's Day One over and done. I hope you like my list. In the comments below, let me know who your favorite Lady of YouTube is and why. And come back tomorrow (and the rest of the week) for Day Two of my YouTube favorites!

5 Things I Learned from "The Winter Soldier"

Yesterday, finals ended and I finally had a chance to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier in theaters. While it may not have been my favorite of the Marvel movies thus far, it was still an entertaining ride and expanded the film Universe. There were a few surprises for me, so I thought that I would list the five things that I learned after watching the movie.

WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD! STOP READING IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE!

5. HYDRA Rocks at Hide-N-Seek

I knew from the trailers going in to the movie that HYDRA was going to be masterminding events. What I didn't realize is how well they were at playing the mastermind role. I suppose that's the reason they are a major force to be reckoned with in the comics. They were so integrated into SHIELD that even Director Fury had no idea they were hiding right under his nose until it was too late. Props to them for out-spying the master spy himself.

And what's more, HYDRA's influence runs deeper than infiltrating SHIELD. They have members everywhere manipulating world events to throw the planet into chaos. One of my favorite, funny moments is when we learn that Senator Stern (Gary Shandling) - whom you may remember from Iron Man 2 - is revealed to be a HYDRA member. That explains SO much.

4. B-Listers Get First Class Treatment

One of my favorite things about the Marvel films is the "Easter eggs" that get thrown into the film. When there are movies that I really want to see, I go into a media blackout so that nothing is spoiled when I go to see the actual film. Hardcore fans were probably well aware that Crossbones and Batroc, the Leaper were going to be making appearances, but they were pleasant surprises to me. To be honest, while I recognized the name, I couldn't place who Agent Rumlow was until I Googled him later. He'll be a welcome HYDRA addition for a future film, I hope.

3. There's a Strange Threat

I've heard mention that Marvel was planning a Dr. Strange movie, but Jasper Sitwell's mention of Steven Strange as a threat to HYDRA officially makes him a cannon member of the film's Universe. I loved the animated Dr. Strange movie, so I hope that Marvel can pull off an amazing CGI-packed live action version that can match it.

2. The Bromance is Still Strong

Despite the fact that we got our first glimpse of Sharron Carter (Agent 13), there's another relationship that interested me even more. In the first Captain America movie, I really liked the Steve/Bucky (Stucky?) bromance. It made it that much more heartbreaking when Bucky fell to his "death." Now, 50 years later, Cap learns that Bucky is still alive - albeit brainwashed by HYDRA - and fights to get his friend back. It's not until the final, climactic moments that we see an unconscious Cap saved from a watery grave by the Winter Soldier before he disappears in search of his past.

But at the start of the movie, before we learn anything about the Winter Soldier, we see the blossoming of a new friendship for Cap when he meets Sam Wilson (Falcon). There is instant bromantic chemistry between the two as both are soldiers trying to readjust to a different world. In his time of desperation, Steve even heads to Sam for a place to lay low and regroup. And at the end of the film, we see the formation of a bromance triangle when Sam decides to tag along with Steve on his search for Bucky. Stucky vs. Stam: who will win?

1. There's No Such Thing As Mutants

Hands down, my favorite scene in the movie wasn't actually in the movie, it was after it. Marvel loves to give us not-so-hidden teasers about upcoming films during/after the credits, and The Winter Soldier was no exception. This time around, we see Baron Von Stucker in a hidden HYDRA bunker with Loki's staff. Seems that they have been using the energy from the stone (which I still claim is the Infinity Gem of Mind) to create super-beings. The scene closes and we get a glimpse of "the twins:" a speedster and telekinetic - obviously the much-hyped Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

It has been long debated how Marvel would be able to use these two in both The Avenger:AoU and X-Men: DoFP when the films are being produced by two different companies. Well, looks like they have found the loophole: remove mutants from the Avengers Universe. While I'm going to miss the classic Wanda and Pietro, the new origin fits nicely into the existing film Universe. There's still going to be some confusion from new fans (and frustration from hardcore fans) when they see the "same" characters in two separate Marvel films. Personally, I'll judge which version I like after I see the films.

Motivate Me Monday

DAY 90: Quarter Quell

As you all know, for the past 90 days I've been playing my own version of the "hunger games." (No I'm not forcing children to fight to the death for my amusement.) While this is definitely not what Suzanne Collins had in mind when penning her series, my geeky love for the books felt this was too good of a theme to pass up.

Anyway, Day 90 has finally arrived meaning that I have completed the first quarter of my goal. It's a bit surreal to think that 1/4 of PNM360 is already over. I still have a long way to go (270 days to be exact), but I am pleased with my progress thus far. And, even though this is really hard for me to do, I've decided to post some pictures.

From Day 1, and every 30 days since, I've taken progress pictures. I'm shocked looking back at the first photo and seeing how I looked. I hate having pictures taken of myself because they are reminders of what I really look like. That being said, you have to realize how hard this was for me to do. But a promise is a promise, and I really am proud of the improvements from that first day. So, deep breath, here we go...

DAY 1: 308.8 lbs

 

DAY 30: 290.6 lbs (18.2 lbs lost)

DAY 60: 277.6 lbs (31.2 lbs lost)

DAY 90: 268.8 (40 lbs lost)

I can see how far I still have to go in the days I have left, but I'm proud of how far I've come in just the first 90 days. Something you might not be able to tell from the pictures, but those are new, smaller workout clothes in the most recent picture. I hope that these pictures motivate you all to make changes, too. PNM360 isn't just about weight loss, it's about making a life change of any kind for the better. If there's one thing I'll keep telling you, it's that you (and only you) can make those changes. But you need to take that first step and be ready to change for yourself and no one else.

Thanks to those who gave me the (emotional) support to post these pics. And thanks to everyone for reading. Until the next Quart Quell - Peace till next time y'all!

Motivate Me Monday

Upcoming Posts

If you read the previous post, you'll recall I said that I had a lot planned for April. Day 90 is quickly approaching (Friday, April 4th), but there are a few other things I've been working on, too. This week, I'll have the normal M3 post, but expect a special post to celebrate my first quarter by the end of the week. Beyond that, I don't want to give away too many spoilers (you know how hate those) but there will be a week, sometime after my finals, that I have a special event planned. There is also another planned for later in April or the start of May. If you know anything about me from reading my posts, then you might guess what they are. But, for now I'm spending the day snowbound indoors (yes, it's a freaking blizzard outside) putting the finishing touches on things.

There are a few other things I'd like to add. So far, I've only received a few suggestions for the April playlist, a lot of  people seem to think this theme is too hard. I'm excited by some of the suggestions, and I do hope that more people throw in ideas. If you didn't read the last post, the theme is "Comic or Parody Songs" in honor of April Fool's Day. There are lots of choices out there, and the few that were recommended so far are hilarious.

Lastly, I'd like to take time and urge you to donate to Tyler Oakly's Prizeo. I mentioned this back when I made my donate about a month ago, and today is the last day. The Trevor Project is an incredible organization and it relies solely on donations to function. Already, the Prizeo has raised over $450,000, but Tyler has raised the goal again (several times, as he has very generous followers) to $500,000. It would be amazing for the Trevor Project to receive half-a-million dollars this month. So if you haven't donated, now is your chance.

Well, that's all for today. Thanks again for reading, and peace till next, y'all!

Updates & the Next Playlist

My apologies for the lack of posts lately. We're reaching the end of our Winter term at school so I've been busy finishing up my final projects. For the most part, I'm done with everything important and can focus on the final exams. And even though the finals are about 25% of our test grades, at this point I could bomb them all and still have B's in all of my classes. Knowing that is really keeping the stress down (not that I won't study my butt off regardless) so I can focus a little more on other things- like my blog!

Thank you to everyone who is still visiting and sending me email comments. On that topic, as I am starting to get blog mail mixed-up with spam and other emails, I'll be creating a NEW email just for the blog. Yes, now I won't accidentally condemn you to the trashcan or spam folder. That is one of the major blog-related projects that I be focusing on this weekend. A second project will be my Day 90 progress report, but more on that when it happens.

March has gone by so fast and, especially having some restrictions from my knee injury, it seems as if I barely used my March playlist at all. But April will be better, I promise, and I have a really interesting theme for next month. In honor of April Fool's Day, the theme is going to be comical songs and parodies. Weird Al, The Lonely Island, MC Chris - the list goes on and on. There are a ton to choose from, so send me a comment, note, email, or Tweet letting me know your funny song for the April workout list.

I've gotta go, but thanks again for reading. Peace till next time, y'all!

Motivate Me Monday

A Rough Week

I'm not going to lie, it's been a rough week. It started last weekend with a pile of bad news that had me an emotional wreck for Monday. If you recall the M3 post this week, you'll see I mentioned it.

Without going into details about everything, I learned that my father has prostate cancer. We've been though the cancer scare before with him (skin cancer), and he came through it okay. But this time, he has to decide between surgery or radiation. It's a tough call as there are benefits and downsides to both.  Cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions are big problems on his side of the family, which is yet another reason I decided to get healthy. Next week, he meets with the radiologist to talk about his options and then has another meeting with his oncologist to discuss his decision. So currently we're playing the waiting game.

I got a bit of bad medical news myself this week, too. I'm not sure if you recall the post I made a week or two ago about adding running into my workout routine. Well, it turns out I developed "runner's knee," which is not so odd given that I was running when it happened. However, I also suffer from chronic costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage surrounding my sternum). Whenever I damage a joint, or other place containing cartilage, the imflammation from my costochondritis spreads to that area, causing more pain and requiring more time to heal.

In the end, I was told that, since runner's knee can happen again and again, I should stop running. After some protesting on my part, I got the okay to run again BUT I have to wait until I hit the 50-pound mark. Less weight on my joints means that there is less of a chance that I will develop it (though it can happen to runners of any weight). So, the running dream isn't going to happen, at least not now. But on the plus side, I'm more than half of the way to the 50 mark.

I've had a few other, more personal, issues going on this week that I don't feel comfortable sharing here, at least not yet. But the important thing is that I'm still going. Despite a rough week, I've been trying to go through everything with a smile on my face and not sink into my old habit of using food for comfort. It's not always easy, but a lot of prayer and some good friends are there to help me get through and keep me motivated when I can't do it myself.

Motivate Me Monday

I had a horrible, emotionally depressing weekend. Today I have two tests and my final project presentation - yes, all on a Monday. I just wanna crawl back in bed with the covers pulled over my head. I really need the motivation today:

March Workout Playlist

I know I said there was a possibility of me posting this list on Sunday, but I got preoccupied working on a school project and it just never happened. I must say, this list is full of energy - or maybe it's the theme that has me pumped. There were a few songs people didn't recognize last round, so this time I'm posting links so that you can hear them, too.

So without further ado, here are the songs chosen for my March "Gettin' Lucky" Workout Mix.

The Bad Touch - Bloodhound Gang

Blurred Lines - Mod Carousel (boy parody)

Butterfly - Crazy Town

Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Cherry Pie - Warrent

I Just Had Sex - The Lonely Island

I Touch Myself - The Divinyls

Love In An Elevator - Aerosmith

My Humps - Black Eyed Peas 

Pink - Aerosmith

Rude Boy - Rihanna

Sexx Laws - Beck

Just a little note to keep in mind. While none of the songs are outright dirty, they do have suggestive lyrics and themes. Please view only if age appropriate. Thanks!

Motivate Me Monday

5Ks & Making Fajitas

It's been a pretty productive weekend. Yes, I have not been trolling about the Interwebs (which is most likely why it was so productive), but mostly because the weather has taken a turn for the better the past few days. As part of my PNM360 goal, I've started to add in a bit of running to my walking schedule. I'm starting off pretty slow, as I'm only running about 1/4 of the distance, but planning to work up to running the whole length. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it anywhere, but one of my Bucket List items from a project last term is to successfully run a 5K. And I mean run. The entire thing. I'm not even saying that it's something that's going to happen this year, but it's one of my life goals to run one before I die.

If you knew me in High School, you would know that the one thing I dreaded most in gym class was the President Fitness Test. I hated it. And there are very few things that I hate. It's not that I mind participating and trying, but the sheer embarrassment of being one of the very last to cross the finish line every year has made me want to cross this off my Bucket List more than any other. And I don't have to come in first, or even place. The goal is for me to run and not stop until I cross the finish line.

So, how has it been going so far? Well, I've only run three times. And today I am so achy that I wonder if I will even be able to do this. My poor body has been put through so much these past 60 days that it's screaming for a break. And as much as I would LOVE to take a bit of a break, I know that I can't stop. If I quit now, I don't know if I'll have the motivation or momentum to do this again. I'm going to keep pushing through and taking things slow until I adjust. The first few days of my workouts are always a bit of an adjustment. But as they say: No Pain, No Gain.

In other news, I came up with a healthy recipe for Black Bean & Chicken Fajitas and decided to test them out the other day. Here's a pic of the finished product:

They're really good, and pretty easy to make, too. I added in some homemade refried beans and guacamole in place of the usual sour cream and shredded cheese, and it made them even better. I'll post the recipe soon.

There's a lot I need to work on this weekend. I used my last M3 plaque this past Monday so I've got a dozen in the pipes to design. I also have to find all of the songs for my March playlist. A lot of you thought that when I said songs about "getting lucky" that I meant actual songs about luck. Nope, sex. I did get a nice selection to choose from, however, so expect that blog post soon. Maybe tomorrow, but no promises.

Thanks again for reading. And until next time, peace, y'all!

DAY 60!!!

Well, today is a pretty awesome day. For those new followers, and those who didn't read the title, today is Day 60 of Project New Me 360! This is officially the longest that I've ever stayed on a fitness and nutrition program of any sort. And the best part is that I'm not following some fad or trend diet routine, it's just me using good old common sense and willpower for once.

I know that a lot of people have been wondering about my progress up to this point. I started at a shocking 308 lbs. I say shocking because no one ever guessed that's how much I weighed, which is complimentary to a point. Part of it was my height (I'm 6'2"), so it's spread out over my frame a bit more. I also tend to wear baggier clothes, again partly because of my height, which hides my weight better. So after 60 days, where am I? I'm actually down to 277, which - if you don't have your calculator handy - is 31 lbs. THIRTY ONE POUNDS!!!! That's such a great start for me. My final goal is still about 90 lbs away, but I'm just thrilled with my progress so far.

Day 60 also means that I'll be bumping up my caloric intake from 1400 to 1500. If you don't recall, I drastically cut my calories at the start - which was really tough at the get go - but every 60 days I'll be adding 100 calories back into my diet so I can get accustomed to a 2000 calorie day. Honestly, I'm pretty happy on the 1400 calories, but there are days when I wish I had a few more to throw around. There's also the nagging feeling that with 100 extra calories, I'll have to work harder to lose weight. Not true if you think about it. The whole point of this is to change my life and learn to eat better. I'm constantly shocked at how much I can eat at now at 1400 calories, so that extra 100 will most likely go to additional protein so I can start building better muscle.

I've still got 300 days left of PNM360, but so far so good. I've been getting a lot of support and even changed the minds of a few people with their own eating habits (which is pretty awesome). It's been a tough, but amazing journey thus far - and I hope that everyone will stick with me to the end and beyond!

Motivate Me Monday

For the most part, it was not the best weekend. First, I'm suffering from my seasonal sinus congestion and, second, I was a bit depressed over a problem that's been bothering me the past few weeks. Suffice to say that I have not been in the most energetic or fitness-minded mood the past few days. But I guess that's what Motivate Me Mondays are made for! I think this week's M3 is very appropriate after the weekend I had.