Emotional Chocolate

“I hate to admit it, but that’s my guilty pleasure.”

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard that phrase come up in a conversation or two. In fact, you’ve probably said something along those lines yourself. We’ve all got them. Those dastardly little habits, preferences, quirks, activities, thoughts, sayings… really, the list can go on and on. I’ve heard them defined as “emotional chocolate”.

For the sake of this post, I am defining it in two ways. It can be something you take pleasure from, but know isn’t really good for you. On the other hand, a guilty pleasure might simply be something you enjoy that you do not want to go around advertising about yourself. Perhaps because it seemingly goes against who you think you are… or perhaps because you simply don’t want people to know you indulge in something. Context, oftentimes, creates the circumstance for a guilty pleasure.

So what inspired me to write this post? Two words: Fear Factor. I love that show. Since it hit syndication a few months ago, I have been hooked. This past weekend I think I watched it four times. I love the stunts, the excitement, and the shock value. And yes… this is a guilty pleasure of mine. Not only do I regularly watch Fear Factor… I will sometimes watch two or three successive episodes in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon. Ha!

So this got me to thinking… what are some other guilty pleasures in my life? So I took some time and am listing a few here:

- Long naps. Not just an hour on top of the covers. I’m talking two-three hour naps under the sheets and everything. Preferably Sunday afternoon (after Fear Factor, of course.)

- When I was in college, I wrote for the school newspaper. I had a weekly column that included my photo. Sadly, one of my guilty pleasures was to have the page open to my column near my desk so someone would – by coincidence – recognize me. Yep… guilty as charged. Ha!

- And finally… I shave my armpits. Yes, it’s true.

So there you have it. It’s all out in the open now.

So what are some of yours? Please keep them acceptable for public consumption. A few examples that might be kept to yourself would be, “stealing cars”, “drinking and driving”, “collecting toe nail clippings”… honestly, if you enjoy these things, let’s go ahead and work these issues out somewhere else.

Band Update

Assuming Matt is up for it (he's been very under the weather), we will be hitting the stage tonight at The Liquid Lounge in Deep Ellum at 11:00.

It will be our last acoustic show for a while, because we have finally found a drummer! (Hooray!) His name is James Johnson and we have been having a blast practicing with him and retooling our songs. In addition I have put down the acoustic and have been playing with the electric and all that comes with that. Soon Matt will follow suit and we will finally start to hone the sound we have wanted since the beginning. It is all quite exciting.

We are also in the process of renaming the group. I call it a process, because that is exactly what it is. If you've never been in a band or tried to name one... let me tell you, it's the most ridiculous little circus you've ever been a part of. Band names are typically fairly ridiculous and as you try to name one you are toeing the line of being overly pretentious and overly childish. Overall, I just want to settle on something that everyone is happy with and let our music speak for itself. Most great bands didn't start with great names, but great music. The name will become more attractive as the music becomes more beautiful.

OK... enough waxing poetic about band names. If you have any brilliant band names that you would like to share or suggest, let me know. We are in dire need of ideas.

Can't and Won't

So I'm only on day two of the new lifestyle and I think I'm already starting to learn some valuable lessons. One in particular that stands out is my ability to push myself past the point of my own assumed limitations. The difference between what I can't do and what I won't do is a gap I'm learning to close. Personally, this is especially true when I'm in the gym. It's amazing how much of the battle is not necessarily against my body, but my mind.

Well, my upper body is definitely feeling the effects after yesterday's workout. Shampooing my hair this morning was challenging, to say the least. Ha! But as they say, it's a "good sore". This morning was a cardio workout on the exercise bike.

I'm really glad I took the time to read the book beforehand. Understanding the why and how of the interaction between the diet and exercise is extremely motivating, not to mention enlightening.

So far, so good.

Day One

Well, today was a big day in The Boudreausian household. After a few weeks of contemplation, this weekend we decided to commit to changing our lifestyles quite a bit. We are changing the way we eat and getting our bodies out of "park" and kicking them into overdrive.

Without getting into all the details, we are following a diet and exercise program called Body For Life. Honestly, it is a pretty dramatic shift. But I'd say we've had a pretty dramatic shift in our focus and priorities as well. I would think that doing anything would be pretty dramatic when you've been fairly sedentary and semi-gluttonous for so long.

Our first workout was this morning, followed by a breakfast meal an hour later. The workout involved upper body weight training and was quite a challenge. I'm just really glad Shelley and I are doing it together. Having her there giving her all as well is quite an encouragement -- even if, maybe especially because, doing something like this exposes our weaknesses. Most importantly, though, it is a challenge for us to exceed what we think we were capable of. That is my hope, at least.

After one ego-busting morning, I'm happy to report we survived.

All of this to say, I am posting it here for the sake of accountability. Ask me how the workouts are going. Are we sticking to the diet? Are we still motivated? I really believe the support of friends and family we'll be able to push through a lot more than we could on our own.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Tonight at the Grenada

Shelley and I will be catching Midlake at the Grenada Theater. I've never made it out to see them before, but apparently it is quite impressive. They have a great sound that blends both indie and pop-rock styles. Sort of a Radiohead meets Flaming Lips thing. ha!

I've wanted to see them for quite some time. But once they got signed and started touring all over Europe, we almost never got to see them here in Dallas. So now tonight has arrived and barra-bing, barra-boom. We're there.

Anyway, the two real highlights of the night are more personal than musical. One of my best friends in the world (and also the best man in our wedding) is coming up to Dallas for the show and we're going together. So that will be a blast! And secondly, an old college friend of mine is Midlake's lead guitarist -- so it will be neat to see him perform and witness his throng of fans. :)

If you've got nothing planned for tonight, you should come out to The Grenada. Also playing will be Radiant, The Hourly Radio, and also Pleasant Grove. That's quite an impressive line up my friends!! The "seated areas" and balcony are almost completely sold out, but the general admission still has a few hundred tickets left. (This is a big venue)

Well, hope to see some of you there. Have a great weekend!

Seriously, we're back

Ok all you wild and crazy kids. Due to a lot of nagging emails, phone calls, and bomb threats... I have decided to go ahead and roll out the new site.

I never realized how many of you possess a slightly alarming, but mostly flattering interest in reading our musings on the day-to-day. But hey, if this website can serve as your online Prozac fix, we're here for you and apologize for the long absence.

Well, we took down the site mostly to take some time to give it a fresh, simple, friendly, and more personal look and feel. But I must admit, it was nice to take a short break after two-and-a-half years of blogging like a madman.

All of that to say, we are happy to be back online.