Apache Junction,Arizona

Those who know me well know I am a fan of a now defunct country rock band called Cross Canadian Ragweed. I have several of their songs which remain staples on my ipod and assist me in reaching my fitness goals. One particular song which amuses me every time I hear it is a song entitled “Carney Man”. What is so clever about this song, is it can be used to represent so many things. When it I heard it yesterday, I knew it was speaking to me about my current situation.

The song is a about a guy who thinks working as a Carney man would be the greatest thing in the world. He talks about it, like a person speaks of a dream which is impossible to attain. He finally gets his chance to live his dream, and it is then he can see it for what it is. In the last verse he tells how he makes 2 bucks and he’s come to realize, this job, it really sucks!

Sometimes, things look good and seem like they would be the perfect setting, until you are in them, and it is then you realize that maybe it is not the fit you thought it should be. In fact, it is not what you wanted at all. I can see this being applied to relationships, schools and even places to live. All of these things are only able to be properly evaluated after you have had a chance to experience them firsthand.

I had a terrific week working out, and managed to eat like I should. The Biggest Loser Challenge wii game 12 week challenge was over, and I was the runner up last week. I decided to do the next 12 week game on the next level up. This first week I vowed to do better, and attending a new gym helped me to be successful on my first week of the new game. Not only did I win the challenge, I also won the weigh in. The scale part is so realistic it is scary. I stood on the scale and waited for the numbers to register my current weight. I was thrilled to see a four pound weight loss this week! This was my best week yet, and I was so excited to have my planned day off, and get a treat.

I believe that if you think about some food for a while, it is better to treat yourself with a small portion than to deny yourself, and then binge because you are not allowing yourself any particular food. I went to Coldstone, where I ordered the small “like it” of my favorite treat: chocolate ice cream with walnuts, strawberries and bananas. I ate it slowly, and although I had thought about it for days, it wasn’t as good as if I was having it with my ice cream pal Sam. Maybe it is better with someone else? I literally felt sick the rest of the day. Maybe I have been eating too cleanly? Not sure, but I know I did not feel well the rest of the day.

The song I mentioned could be applied to this situation, but it is not what I was thinking. No. It is the Resort I am staying at. Although it is wonderful, and there are many great things about it, just like the people who told me they did not like it because there were too many people, it may not be right for me either. Actually, I was here for a job interview. This interview was for a position I felt I would be great at, and I could do well. I was so excited about the position and the place, but like the guy in the song, once I was here, I realized it might not be exactly what I thought it would be.

For me, it meant seeing the people around me not excited about me taking the position, and honestly, I have been through that before, and it was very stressful. If others want this particular job and I take it, I know that it will be an uphill battle for me, and I will have a bullseye on my back.  I can do it, if I really want it, but I want to make sure it is a good fit for me before I decide it’s “worth fightin’ for”…(another song by the same group).  Since I have time to think about it, and I can do the job from the road over the summer, I can see how it goes. For now, I am moving on and seeing what the future holds. I will really miss the gym which I had some really solid workouts in.

Next week, my friend from Chicago arrives and we start our adventure of Spring Training baseball. After that, I have a 15 mile march which I hope to finish in New Mexico, then head to Branson for a Bootcamp and further North for another Habitat for Humanity build. I am glad I have a chance to find out how this will work out unlike how my singer did, by being stuck there, saying “This job, it really sucks!”