So, being an occasional web designer I still keep up on various web content based websites. Things like A List Apart, and Vitamin. So when the latter had a small blurb on their front page about five free seats to this conference called "Future of Online Advertising." I decided to look into it.

The group who puts it on has put on two previous conferences this year, "Future of Web Applications" and "Future of Web Design." So I decided to enter the contest on Vitamin's website, not really expecting to win. It was a simple matter, the first five to respond to the contest got the seats. I expected those to have been snatched up and so I almost didn't enter, but I guess a lot of people followed the same logic and actually didn't enter. I got an email an hour ago notifying me that I had won and would be able to attend the conference.

It isn't an all expenses paid trip, I'll need to get up there and get housing for the nights, but I'm pretty excited about it. With my trip to Chicago I will have to find some way to fund both of these, but I can do it. It's good motivation to get off my butt and sell some stuff I have laying around my room.

I was told by an employee of a local GameStop (aka EB Games) that they will be receiving the Helio Oceans on May 11th. Whether they will be on sale that day or the 12th, I'm not quite clear - but look for them to hit shelves next weekend. Other reports said it would be as early as May 21st, but this is at least a week earlier. You heard it here first guys.

Updated: Further information -- I did some sleuthwork on the 10th and have posted this entry also with some more info.

Now, given the response to the information I posted on this blog I discovered that there is a hunger for Helio information, so with that knowledge I've launched HelioBase.com.

So it's official. It's happening. Dad booked the flight for me two nights ago using some remaining frequent flier miles. I depart Orlando on July 11th and return on the 17th. I'm booking the hostel tomorrow or Monday hopefully.

I'm really beginning to get excited and I can't wait for July to get here.

In this episode, WhatTheCast goes all over the map on conversational topics. We really need a podcast GPS … Brian, Patrick & Stephen talk about the end of Drive, animal sacrifices by Sony, bad ship names in the Navy & the WWE making another bad movie. (more…)

Bam! So day 1 is under way. And as predicted I awoke before my alarm clock. I'm still not feeling 100% but I trooped off to the gym for a light workout. I hit the treadmill for 10 minutes and I did a few weight lifting sets. When I got home I showered, watched some DVRed shows (Ninja Warrior rocks my socks off) and then prepared my meals for the day.

Dad had hit the grocery store yesterday so we were fully stocked. My post workout meal was a big honkin' smoothie with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, peanut butter (organic natural), chocolate whey protein and skim milk. I'm still figuring out the measurements, by my estimations it was about 800 calories, perhaps more.

Then I made my sandwiches for the day. Whole grain wheat bread, turkey and fat free American cheese, or the organic peanut butter and low sodium jelly. I packed an apple and a few granola bars. I'm currently eating at around a 2.5 hour to 3 hour interval and holding strong against the evils of the concession stand at work. My next sandwich is around 5pm.

I really am determined, I've got a fan club cheering for me and I want to see just what I can do. While I was surfing online last night I came across "BodySpace" which is BodyBuilding.com's social network. I'm not looking to be a body builder, I don't need muscles on muscles. I just want to be rid of my fat and be toned. Hell, here are the goals I wrote out last night when I signed up for BodySpace:

All of my life I have had the potential to be a specimen of the human form. I'm 6'6" on a strong frame and yet I wasted it away for the past decade. In high school I played football and rowed but never fully committed to either sport, I coasted along and never realized my full potential. I could have been a beast in either had I pushed myself but I was convinced that the necessary pain wasn't worth devoting myself to my physical goals. Now I see what I could be physically and I want to achieve that. I want to be 6'6" with a six pack. I want <= 10% bodyfat, I want to be able to do 20 pullups. I want to be able to do 100 pushups. I want to be able to slam dunk a basketball. I want to run five miles. I want to reach my physical potential.

I know I won't achieve these goals in just 28 days, those are my long term goals. In truth I don't know what I will accomplish in 28 days. I'd like to drop at least 10 lbs of fat and put on more muscle, but I don't know for sure what numbers to expect.

It's only the first day, and I am riding the wave of determination and excitement. Here's hoping that wave keeps carrying on.

Now where's my water...

There's something to be said for a drive. A motivation. A burning desire. And right now that flame is burning for weight loss. I'm tasting success but my diet has been lax and I've only slowed my progress. Well, tonight, in my slightly sick state, I've gotten fed up and am determined to make progress. Let's start with a goal of 28 days. Let's see just what I am capable of in 28 days.

I work at a concession stand, and that makes it tough. A Snickers bar, a bag of M&Ms, Doritos and Mountain Dew, all are so tasty and all are so terrible for me. Tomorrow I go to war for 28 days. Let's see what I'm really made of.

This is not crazy. This is not stupid. I'm not going to starve myself. I'm not going to overtrain. I'm just fed up with doing this on my own, I'm going to call on you all to push me.

Starting May 3rd I will begin hitting the gym with full intensity. I will be doing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on the treadmill before I follow my weightlifting regimen. But as I've said, all of this is for nothing if I do not begin to closely monitor and moderate what I eat. I will be eating a fair number of calories spread over 6 "meals." I will drink water or juice, no sodas. High Fructose Corn Syrup is the devil.

I'm a man on a mission and in 28 days, we'll see where it gets me. Those 28 days begin when I wake up and head off to the gym, that means it ends on May 31st - excellent. Now to see if I can actually get to sleep.

Maybe when I wake up the drive will have disipated, but I doubt it. I success I may even wake up before my alarm, so great will be my determination to hit the gym today. We'll see.