About three weeks ago I decided that it was time to get huge.  So along with professional trainer/motivator I decided to take on this feat with a little help from well....lets just call it the medicine cabinet.  When trying to gain muscle mass in a short amount of time it requires you gain an extreme amount of weight.  My arrival weight on May 9th was about 187lbs my current weight is 200.5.  I am about half way through this loading phase and should top out around 210-212 in the next 3 weeks. 

At first I imagined this was going to be the hardest physical challenge I have ever put my body through.  What I didn't realize is that this was going to be the hardest mental challenge I have ever gone through.  For those of you on a diet and hating it imagine having to eat every 2.5 to 3 hours and consistently being stuffed and feeling tired because of it.  I wake up tired, I lift tired, and I sit at work tired for the vast part of every week.  From time to time I will get a shot of energy and get all fired up but this is very rare. 

Coming towards the end of week 3 I am noticing a a transformation under the layer of fat and my strength has increased drastically.  Basketball starts here in a week so that will be my true test to see if I have lost any flexibility.  3 more weeks of uneasyness just to reach a goal that I thought wasn't possible.  My hat is off to those of you who body build or maintain such a rigorous diet such as my brothers. 

Today was the day I have been waiting for since last friday 'Grade Day'.  After a long semester back at Purdue I was excited but nervously awaiting my grades.  I knew that I had done pretty well but still had a few variables out there.  The tally is in and I managed to knock down a 3.44.  For me that is EXTREMELY good.  I was on academic probation upon returning to Purdue with my whopping 1.4. I guess not drinking every night during the week really pays off.  When I first moved out to Seattle to pursue a career with the MSN SOC my mom wasn't happy with my decision to leave school.  Now looking in hind sight it was the best decesion I have ever made.  Not only did I mature but I learned more about computers and a enterprise environment then I ever expected....Oh yeah and btw I clipped my little bro Nerv this semester

So I ventured off to the quiet town of Windfall, IN to visit the fiance.  No cable, no internet, and barely any cell phone reception. I started making these trips at the beginning of the semester and to be honest I dread leaving the city. Not that West Lafayette is a huge city but I am still connected to everything and everyone. Recently I  have really enjoyed the weekends in the wilderness and I began to change my views on many things. 61 inch TV, dual computer mon's, big stereo system, and a touch screen in my car just doesn't seem necessary anymore.  None of those things sounded as good as building a fire pit and sitting outside looking at the stars with my girl all night in the quiet and peaceful country.  The dreaded get away now is one of my most treasured times.  I get to go to a home I can call my own and spend time with my girls (2 kitties and Angel).  You just never see it comin...

So I have had some experiences in my life and I consider myself very fortunate. The way you handle things and yourself on a day to day basis determines so much in your life. It determines who you hang out with, who your friends are, how others view you, and where you will go in life.  The mornings I get up and want to put on sweat pants and go to class are many but I won't allow myself to conform to that image.  By looking professional I think people take you more serious and it will provide better opportunity's in the future.  Who knows who you will see that day and what impact you will have on their life and yours.

Has someone ever done something small for you that you haven't forgotten and probably never will?  I know that has happened to me many times and I ask myself why that one thing really stuck with me more then anything else throughout the day.  I still haven't figured out the answer yet but I call it being WOW'd.  Whether it's by kindness or unusualness it makes an impression. 

While I was in Naples, FL I pulled up to the toll gate and the guy in front of me paid my toll. Never met the guy and probably never will but WOW, what a guy. It may only have been 50 cents but it was so out of the ordinary that it stuck with me. Which is why I still remember 2 weeks later. 

Do you have time in your day to do something small for others.  Not only will it benefit the other person you will portray a genuine image for yourself.  Not to mention helping others actually makes YOU feel good.

So here I am finally getting a chance to visit the condo down in West Palm Beach, FL.  Todd initially had plans with his friends to make the journey down there so Angel just decided to join them.  Angel and I spent 3 days in West Palm Beach then headed for Naples, FL to visit a few people. Tim Moorehead is a kid that I grew up with and I consider him to be one of my best friends around even though we haven't kept in touch much over the past few years. Naples was a blast and while we were there we stayed with Grace (angel's moms best friend). I dedicated a blog entry to her and her place.  West Palm and Naples providing great weather and a ton of drinking.  I think I managed to get drunk everynight and one night I even ventrued down to take a swim in the ocean .  Overall I had a blast with Todd and his friends and it was a good break from school.  Ok now 4 more weeks left this semester time to buckle up and knock it out

Another gathering and another great time!  This weekend a bunch of us guys got together and really let it rip over superbowl weekend.  Although none of us cared who won the superbowl we were just looking for an excuse to BRING IT!  Most of us reside in the Midwest except for my brother who was flown home (Thx Dude and whoever participated with this) for the occasion.  Friday night hype began with Bball at the local middle school where our favorite past time growing up was played for pride and bragging rights.  Mid Night madness poker followed the basketball.

Saturday we payed a little visit to my fianance's house in Windfall.  Windfall you ask?  It's in the middle of nowhere with about 300 people residing in the town.  We landed ourself at the one bar called the Buck Horn.  What a good time!!!  Karaoke was off the hook as TJ did he usual rendition of Gun's & Rose's and AC/DC.  Then all of us guys managed to get boo'd off stage and it made me want to FIGHT :)!!  We went back to angels and dominated a little catch phrase.  Putting TJ and Matt on the same team was NOT a good idea as they managed to read each other's mind every time it was their turn.  At 4:00 ish we wrapped it up and got ready for superbowl sunday.

Sunday was LLLOOONNNNGGGGG and most of us were fighting hang over's or lack os sleep.  We hit wing street in May-town and watched the superbowl.  After the game we said our goodbye's and we all left to go back to what is now called normal!  Growing up you never realize how great it is having everyone together.  The older and older we get the harder it is getting everyone together, but those of us that remain TIGHT always find our way back home in the end!  To all my boys out there I had a great time, great time this weekend!!!  (pics are below)

I have finally got all my pictures off my camera and uploaded to the blog.  Please check it out and let me know what you think

So here I am in West Lafayette, IN.  Far away from the hills of seattle, the ever flowing rain, and most of all the technology.  A question I get asked alot back here is "Do you miss seattle?".  Rarely do I ever answer anything with a negative vibe so I say "nah not really" and change the subject.  The fact of the matter is it's life and we all have to go throuh changes.  Life is all about changes and experiences.  I can't remember who told me this but I believe it was my older brother so he is getting credit for it.  If you are comfortable with your life then your not pushing yourself to be the best you can be.  Being comfortable is what we all strive for but once that is reached you just stop and become satisfied.  I have decided to not be comfortable, to be on edge, to take chances, and to T@keonlife! (that was part of my work PW the past year).  Now that I no longer work there that shouldn't be an issue exposing it. 

I have been very lucky getting the opportunity to do the things I have done.  Working for the greatest computer company in the world and making so many friends along the way.  I remember the day like it was yesterday when I got the call from Excell.  I was sitting in my fraternity room with angel getting ready for dinner and the phone rang with the news.  I was shocked! I knew it was coming I wasn't prepared at all.  What I thought would be screams of joy turned into tears of sorrow.  Angel burst into tears thinking about the possible end of our relationship or having to be 3000 miles away and attempting a long distance relationship.  I went to my current boss at Texas Roadhouse (I was a server) and told him the news and began crying again as I kept thinking about everything I was leaving behind. 

The tears passed and my feet landed on the ground when I arrived in Redmond.  I was in culture shock!  Having come straight from college I had no problem being social with strangers as that was part of my everyday life at Purdue.  I got settled in at work and began learning what an enterprise was all about.  TJ and I also started the binge buying.  I went from making 2.13 an hour to 27.50 and I still found some way to spend it all :).  I would like to thank all the guys that first year that went out 3 times a week and endulged in the $300 bar tabs on more then one occasion . Especially wednesday nights at J & M with boys, I had some of the best times of my life down there. Did somebody say CAR BOMB!!!! 

I slowly started forgetting about school and no longer missed anything in midwest except for MY Angel.  So we decided to move her out here also. Things were going great.  I had my brother on my right side and angel on my left.  Nothing is stronger in life then family. 

Half way into my second contract I began to realize this job wasn't for me.  Not that I was not capable but I felt I had reached a point where I was no longer learning.  You could say I was comfortable :).  Getting my degree was always in my mind and back to school it was.

Now I am the same situation I was when I originally left school.  I am leaving all my friends and family in Washington.  This wasn't easy and it really hasn't hit me yet but it will after a month or so and it will hurt. 

All these experiences,  everyone I met, and everything that happened over the past 2 years never would of happened if it wasn't for my brother.  It's time to give credit where credit is due and he deserves every single bit of it.  TJ got me the interview at Microsoft in the first place.  He got my foot in the door which changed my life forever.  How do you repay someone for believing in you and taking the chance by referring you to a company.  It was not his obligation as being a family member but he did anyway and we never looked back.   I have always looked up to TJ and he has been a very supporting brother.  If you are reading this from the West side, I do miss you guys! and if your my bro I love you and I miss you also.

Keep it real and Take on LIFE!

If you don't live on this earth then I will be the first to tell you Peyton Manning broke the single season TD record this past sunday.  As much as I would have liked to attend that game I was unable to do so b/c of family obligations.  However we did not miss one minute of it on TV.  San Deigo chargers put up one hell of a fight but in the end Peyton was just to much. 

Many records were set on sunday besides the TD record.  3 WR on the colts have over 1000 yards and 10 TD's for the season.  That is an amazing feat! With Peyton, Marvin, and Stokley all returning for years to come and the new stadium in motion for 2008-09 season that only leaves me with one choice SEASON TICKETS!  My little brother and I will be purchasing a few season tickets for next year as we don't plan on missing any games from here on out!

If anyone wants to see a real team play call me when your in the midwest and we will hit up a game.

I have been in Indiana for the past few weeks and I am starting to adjust.  Fast food on every corner and absolutely nothing to do. Lucky my brothers have both been here and video games have been brought to a new level.  TJ and I got in about 15 games of NBA Inside Drive while my little brother dominated Madden 2005 online at the same time (PIP).  I also played tiger 2005 online for the first time and had a good experience.

What do you do during holidays?  Are most of you with the family?  Do you revert to doing the same things you did when you grew up as teenagers while at home with the parents.

I must say it has been a good christmas and I have enjoyed seeing family and friends.  Happy Holidays to everyone out there!!

YEAAAHHH!! After 30 hours of straight drivig I arrived in Indiana.  I got in about 12:15 pm this afternoon and had lunch with the dad before getting home and getting some rest.  The last leg of the trip was extremely long so we bought a few DVD's  to make it go a bit faster.  Angel is staying at her parents and tomorrow I am off to Lafayette to finish some last minute things at Purdue.  It's going to be interesting settling back down in 13 degree weather with minimal things to do. Don't be surprised if  next time you see me I put on 30lbs :).  Well the Dude is in town and is stopping by to hang out and catch up on old times.  I'm OUT

80 and Sunny!  Not bad weather for the winter season.  Today Angel and I hiked all afternoon in some National park.  I managed to get a little bit of sun and we both had a very relaxing day.  I just got back from my little cousin Molly's softball game and we are getting ready for dinner and monday night football.  Tomorrow we are going to start the last leg of the trip towards the midwest.  We are talking about getting an early start, 7:00 ish, and getting about 16 hours of road time.  That should leave us with about 10 hours left until we reach IN.  Wednesday is also the day my stuff gets delivered so that is going to be quite a hectic day.  Hopefully they won't get there before I do or my parents are going to be in for a huge surprise :).  Well I will get back on here when I hit Indiana. 

It's now sunday and football is the only thing that is on the mind.  I got about 6 hours of sleep which is plenty for me.  I wake about 9:00 am and await my cousins who are currently at church.  I haven't seen either of then in 3 years and I didn't realize how much they have grown up since then.  Ashley is now a senior and signed a letter of intent to play softball at Miami of Ohio.  She will be in the midwest now and we all will be glad so we can see a little more of her.  3 years is just way to LONG!!  Molly is now 11 and in 5th grade.  She has really grown up fast.  Not to mention she has the potential for being the tallest Gartland of them all .  She seems very knowledge and helped me solve a thanksgiving problem I had on my cell phone.  I will not disclose details but she knows what I am talking about.  All in all it's been great seeing all of them. 

Angel also has a friend here in Arizona, McKenna and she lives about 15 mintues from my Aunt's place. We are staying over here tonight and she has managed to talk Angel into staying another day :).  I am thrilled!!!  I want to go hiking tomorrow and I can always use a little more sun so this is GREAT.  This is pushing the date of the arrival to IN  back another day but who cares.  I checked the trip mileage and we have traveled a little over 1800 miles.  The beautiful coastline and the beautiful weather are going to be left behind in the last few legs of the trip but that's life.  Tonight we are going to party with McKenna and her husband Mike.  Till next time, take care and Take on LIFE.

Ring, Ring, Ring the alarm goes off at 7:00 am saturday morning.  I jump up and ask Angel if she still wants to get up and on the road now.  After shaking her numerous times she says I want to go back to sleep. Argghhh, out of frusteration I get up and use the restroom, upon returning I am wide awake and the anticipation of the day has got me moving.  I started packing everything up and loaded the car while Angel catched a few more zzzz.  The car is now packed and I am showered it's 7:30, time to get Angel moving and into the car.  Angel gets up and we say our goodbye to Mike and thank him for the hospitality.  Everytime I visit Mike we have a great time and I realize what a good friend he is.  He let us use his bed and even washed the sheets .  8:00 am we are on the road taking 101 south.  Even though we have about a 14 hour drive ahead of us we decied we wanted to visit Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.  I head of the place from my mom and she said I should stop by if possible so we are going to stop by.  San Simeon is about half way between San Fran and L.A. about 3 hours later we are at the castle. We get there just in time to catch the 11:40 tour and we hop on the bus and head up the mountain to the Castle.  This place has the best view of the ocean I have ever seen.  I now understand why he went through all the trouble of building it up so high in the mountian.  (pics will be posted later)  This guy was amazing and so was his house.  The tour lasted about 2 hours and then we hit the gift store and were back on the road around 2:00 pm.  I am estimating another 12 hours to get to Arizona so roughly 2:00 am.

While driving past L.A. we saw something very interesting.  I was driving and a car about 20 yards in front of me started to spark.  As that car made it's way over to the right shoulder I headed towards the left.  The whole underside of the car had now caught fire and also the engine.  Angel and I were beside ourselves as the person driving this car didn't look like they were going to make it.  I dialed 911 and reported the incident and continued driving.  I will never know what happened but I hope everything went ok.

I forgot about the time change but we made it to AZ around 2:00 am and we are staying at my Aunt Tina and Uncle Tom's house.