Chad Writes Stuff

4.5 out of 5 stars "And it is said that the Princess returned to her father's kingdom. That she reigned there with justice and a kind heart for many centuries. That she was loved by her people. And that she left behind small traces of her time on Earth, visible only to those who know where to look." This was the ending line in what I wasn't sure was going to be a good movie. The movie I am referring to here is Pan's Labyrinth. It came out in 2006 and was supposedly a child's fantasy movie, although, I would be hard pressed to show this to any children I know. I think kids would be scared to watch such a film and may have nightmares, but who knows. I would give this movie 4 out of 5 stars and say that it definitely was a sleeper that may have been missed. I felt compelled to write about this movie, in particular, because of the last line of the movie. You see I have been struggling with the idea of purpose. Lately my head has been running around with...

Okay so I went on a Christmas party/housewarming on Friday night. I am assuming I was accompanying this person as eye candy, Why else would you bring me?  Being the new Salt Daddy of San Diego, I am great to look at and talk with, but there isn't much else there. We went to the store and picked up some wine and a housewarming gift. We arrived at the party at about 9pm and proceeded to get introduced to a butt-load of people whom I will never remember because I SUCK with names. You might as well be walking around with a name badge on the first time I meet you because, names don't stick the first time I meet you.  (Note to self: this could be a great way to remember all my nameless one night stands.  Put a name badge on their forehead when they fall asleep and pull it off just before they wake up or I have to send them on their way in a cab). Anyhow, we made our way to the kitchen and my date and I poured ourselves some wine and made our way to a comfy spot on the ...

Many of you know that I have been having a rough time for the past three (to six months depending on who you ask ) months. Life has thrown questions my way and made me question everything. It wasn't until recently that I began to realize that life is not certain, and it is not fair. We see this everyday in everything around us, someone dies unexpectedly or some executive makes off with millions of hard working peoples money. Last night I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Some think its a kids movie, but truth is the series is about believing in yourself and understanding as you move forward, your worst fears will step into your path. Its our jobs to move past those fears and step into who we are destined to become...daily. See life is a journey, not a destination. We continually grow and sometimes way beyond what we ever thought we could possible do. C.S. Lewis, in my humbled opinion, was teaching us to love ourselves and accept who we a...

This is from my mom. I love her so much. These are old but good Collie + Lhasa apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport. Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitzchow, a dog that throws up a lot. Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet. Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed. Pekingese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog. Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle. Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever = Lab Coat Retriever, the preferred dog of medical and science professionals. Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, the dog of choice for financial advisers. Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a bad dog, bad, bad dog. Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, a dog that can't keep a secret. Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, a dog that.....well, it doesn't really matter. Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work. Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dot that's ...

Lately I seem to find myself fallin asleep rather quickly (when I do go to bed). The problem is that I wake up after several hours of sleep. For example last night, I went to bed at 11:30 and woke up this morning at 3:57am. I am of course very tired when i wake up, but after turning on a light and reading and brushing my teeth, I wake up. I have to admit that having cats is not helping the situation. My beautiful pepper loves to wake me up at about 4:00 to 4:15 every morning, mostly to let me know she loves me, but in other cases is is to let me know she is hungry. After I feed her and give her some loving, she normally finds a place in the living room to curl up to and falls asleep. My problem is that I can't go back to sleep. Maybe it is a sign of old age. I know that exercise helps me sleep, however, it doesn't keep me asleep. Some mornings I will sleep to 7 or 8, but for the most part early is the new black in my house. The good news is that it hasn't happened f...

There are lights in our mist. People that pay attention to you even though you don't know they are there. Friends who care about us, even when we are at our darkest points. All you have to do is reach out to them Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Marshall Crawford. He has been a friend on facebook for almost a year and we have had conversations back and forth regarding life and what not. He had been reading my posts and noticed they changed from good to melancholy to downright miserable. You see this year has been the most trying year of my life, as I am sure it has been for many people. I know friends that are losing their houses and having to declare bankruptcy. There are tough times currently and still ahead, but it is our attitude that takes us away from the despair. My situation is no different. I have been working in a particular industry for many years and have loved what I have done, however, this year, the business fell out from under me. On average I a...

Okay so I am going back to my personal training roots a bit here. I wake up pretty early every morning, well almost. I am privy to the endless barrage of fitness commercials and the claims that they seem to be purporting. Its amazing what advertising can convince people to do or to buy. Part of the reason that I got my bachelors degree in Exercise Science was to debunk the myths that exist and to get people exercising. I agree there is power in advertising in that it is visually appealing and can get you motivated, however, there are misconceptions that exist out there. One of them being that one particular exercise form is better than another. I watched 3 different commercials this morning and they all use the same catch phrases. One of the big ones is "Burns up to 1000 calories an hour," Really? I am a cyclist and ride hard core, moderate and relatively easy rides on an almost daily basis. I can tell you that I burn 1000 calories an hour whether my heart rate is 190 or 160....

but it helps make it in this world. I am thankful I at least have $30 bucks to my name. My next actual work is not until the end of january...ouch. I guess I will have to put my car note and rent on hold again...again. its tough times for all out there. I can tell you that if I were a millionaire, I would give my money away to the ones that needed it and educate them on how to manage funds better... today this is how i feel... [youtube http://youtube.com/w/?v=8aRor905cCw] I wanna be a billionaire so fricking bad Buy all of the things I never had Uh, I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine Smiling next to Oprah and the Queen [Chorus] Oh every time I close my eyes I see my name in shining lights A different city every night oh I swear the world better prepare For when I’m a billionaire Yeah I would have a show like Oprah I would be the host of, everyday Christmas Give Travie a wish list I’d probably pull an Angelina and Brad Pitt And adopt a bunch of babies that ain’t never had sh-t G...

Image from http://www.kellerarts.com/illustration.html I know I should be embracing my diversity. When I say diversity, I mean the fact that I love everything. Catch me on a certain day and I love photography and that is my thing for the moment. Another day, it may be listening to and sharing music with my friends and family. Other days I want to ride my bike and have a cup of coffee somewhere and meet someone new and other days I want to share my immense love of technology and help people get connected. You see this is a problem in todays society because EVERYONE tells me that I need to find my passion and do that. You can see the dilemma that exists. I am not a one type of thing person. I am into multiple things. It makes it hard to focus my energy and life when I cant narrow it down to one thing. I see all these people that find their niche and follow it with their hearts and souls and I have to be honest, It makes my soul envious. "Why can't I do that? Why can't I find...