Strongest in the AOR Contest

Two weeks ago I did something I had never done before.  I entered a lifting contest.  Strongest in the AOR it was called.  AOR is a military abbreviation for Area of Responsibility, which in this case means the Middle East.  I didn't prepare for it.  I was just in the middle of my normal training when I signed up on the second to last day for sign ups.  I don't know what made me do it but I just decided to go for it.

The competition took place over 3 separate days.  Monday was bench press, Wednesday was squat and Friday was dead lift.  The competitor picks the weight to lift and they get three lifts with the best of the three taken as their result. 

When Monday came around, I was nervous and excited.  I don't know why I was nervous. I didn't expect to win at all.  I suppose I just wanted to test myself.  I had zero experience in any type of lifting competition.  I didn't know where to start my lifts.  The head judge advised us to start off with a weight we could do for three easy reps. 

I chose my first weight for bench press to be 245 pounds.  2 days earlier I lifted 230 for 6 reps so 245 for one shouldn't be a problem.  Going off all my tracked workouts, my 1RM should have been somewhere around 275 but I hadn't tested that.  I struggled slightly with the 245 but I got it up.  I chose my second lift to be 255.  Oh by the way, we were on a stage and there was a small crowd.  When it came to be my turn, I unracked the bar, brought it down to my chest and lifted it about halfway up before my arms just stopped. I couldn't go any further.  I failed on only my second attempt.  I was extremely discouraged.  I've done more than that before so why couldn't I get that up?  I will admit, the crowd got to me.  I wasn't expecting people to watch.  On my third attempt, I chose 255 again.  You can't go down in weight once you declare a weight or even if you fail at a weight.  The third time, I almost got it all the way but couldn't quite make it.  I failed again.  It was very discouraging. 

I learned a lot on that first day however.  I didn't get a chance to warm up properly because I didn't know how the competition was going to proceed.  I wasn't expecting the crowd.  I couldn't tune them out and clear my head and go through my normal mental routine before a big lift.  I felt rushed.  So my final weight for the bench press event was 245 pounds.  Note: at the end of the week, I maxed out on bench and put up 265 pounds,  a PR. 

Wednesday brought the squat portion of the competition.  I knew a bit more how it worked so I was a little more prepared.  I got to the weight room early to warm up and discovered that this lift wasn't on stage in front of a crowd. It was in the normal weight room where I work out every morning.  I got my warm ups in and was ready to go.  I still was unsure of which weights to pick.  According to all my tracker calculations, my squat max should have been 360 but I didn't want to rely on that again.  So I went a little conservative on the first lift.  I chose a weight that I put up 6 times a week prior, 295 pounds.  I squatted it with ease.  I still was unsure what to choose for my next weight so I just went 10 pounds more and chose 305.  That was fairly easy as well.  Again, not sure how high I should actually go but I went a little higher and chose 325 for my final lift.  No problem.  I could have gotten more reps with that weight.  So 325 pounds was my best lift for the squat portion of the event.  The person that lifted the most lifted 600 pounds!

The final day of the competition was on Friday and was the dead lift event.  I learned yet a bit more.  I arrived to the gym early to get my warm up in.  This time the event was in front of the stage where the bench press event was held.  It was a Friday night so a larger crowd drew.  I didn't care this time.  Yet again, I was still unsure which weights to choose.  I started out with 315 and lifted that with ease.  My second lift was 335 and that was a little more difficult but I got it up no problem.  My third and final lift was 360.  It was a bit difficult but I got it up and probably could have done one or two more.  So my best lift for that event was 360 pounds.  Both the squat and dead lift weights are PRs for me.

I ended up placing 13th out of 14, so not last!  But all in all, it was a great experience.  I failed but also set some PRs.  I learned a lot.  I'll be way more prepared prior to the next competition.  I'm really glad I took the leap and decided to enter.  Sometimes you gotta step out of your comfort zone and try something new.  Don't ask why, just fucking do it.

Beer Review- Leffe-Biere de Printemps Lentebier

Hello beer friends!  Time for another beer review by me, the amateur beer reviewer and blogger of random things.
Today's beer is Leffe-Biere de Printemps Lentebier (Spring beer) It is one of many varieties of the Leffe brand.  I brought a bottle home from Belgium where I was playing in an international ice hockey tournament.  

Leffe-Biere de Printemps Lentebier. (6.6 ABV)

Visual- Copper color with a thin beige head.  I poured a little too carefully and didn't get the normal thick head.
Aroma-  I detect citrus fruit and malty aromas.
Taste-I can certainly taste the citrus.  It appears to be lemon.  Also just a hint of clove.  Starts off smooth and tasty but finishes kind of tarty.
I'm not sure what I think of this beer yet.  It's playing with my taste buds.  One minute it seems tart but after a few sips, the tartness is less potent.  Then the tartness comes back.  Of all the Leffe varieties, I won't be in a hurry to try this one again.  I'm going to defer a rating for now. I'll never say don't bother.  Your taste buds might be different.  Give it a try if you come across it.  Prost and vive!

Beer Review: Schwaben Brau Volksfest Bier

Greetings!  It's been a little bit since my last review.  I've been busy with work and school work.
Today's beer is Schwaben Brau Volksfest Bier.  They sell this at the shoppette.  It is a seasonal beer that usually comes out around late fall or early winter.  I had a couple left over and it's been kept in my chilly basement over the winter so it should still be good.

Schwaben Brau Volksfest Bier (5.5 ABV)

This is labeled as a Marzen.  However, it tastes a bit like a mild Pilsner.  It has a deep golden color and a bit cloudy.
When poured, it generates a medium head that dissipates quickly.  I detect some wheaty, malty, and a hint of berry fruit aromas.  This beer is medium bodied and tastes a bit doughy and hoppy with a crisp and ever so slightly tart finish.
I like this beer.  To me, it's the best of a lager and a pils.  Overall, I'd give it a B-.  You may be able to find this beer in your country or if you happen to be in Germany during the Volksfest time, pick it up and give it a try.  Prost!

KMC Eagles (3) Gets Big Win In Friendly Match

9-4 was the final score.  Normally E3 would be on the losing end of that score line but not on this day.  E3 now knows what it feels like to be on the winning end of a blowout. 

KMC Eagles E-3 played the Wiesbaden Viking’s B team in a friendly match in Mainz.  The team arose early on a Sunday morning to make the drive and play some early morning hockey.  The Eagles brought 3 full forward lines and 2 defense lines however, we lost center Steve Cotta early in the first period due to an ankle injury. 

The game didn't start out so well when, early in the game, the first line dominated possession in the zone but couldn't put one in.  Wiesbaden broke out quick, beat the D and scored the first goal of the game.  After that point, the Eagles seemed to find their legs and quickly dominated for the majority of the game. 

It was a great game for the developing Eagles team to practice some much needed game time situations.  The team showed great improvement overall.  It was also a great confidence booster. 

This team could be trouble for DPL Division 4A come playoff time. 

Goals were scored by :

Todd Lutz (2)

Ludwig Schweinfurth (2)

Craig Domko (2)

Shawn Boos (1)

Kirk Brower (1)

Ruediger Schulte (1) on a penalty shot

Heather Cohen scored but the goalie knocked it out and the ref didn't see it cross the line so it didn't count. 

Goalies Mike Kwain and Gabe Bjorkman split the time in the net.  Both goal tenders played solid with each stopping many shots and only letting in 2 goals apiece. 

New Year's Resolutioners.

The new year is almost upon us and for many people, that means time to make a change and normally that change is with their physical appearance. If you are waiting until January 2nd to get started with your physical goals, my advice to you is to don't even start. If you truly wanted to change, you would have started already. Why wait until a specific date? Only 1% or less of people stick to their new year's resolutions. Let me tell you this. You will NOT see results in the first few weeks you start. That is when most people get discouraged and quit. It takes a lot of time and dedication to see changes in anything you do. Save yourself the money and discouragement.

This may sound a bit insensitive but the people that start the gym on January 2nd and the following weeks are just an massive inconvenience to the people that are there on the regular.  Taking up parking spots and weight stations.  The most frustrating thing about that is that we know that you won't be there for very long. 

If you truly do want to make a change, then you must realize that you have to be in it for the long haul. It is no easy task committing to what you need to do to realize the change you want. So, do yourself a favor. Really think about your goals and be realistic about them. Don't wait until January 2nd. Start right meow!

Hard Day.

Below is something posted by my sister.  I don't know if she came up with it herself or got it from somewhere else.  All I know is that it made me break down and cry.  Today is the 8th anniversary of my mother's death due to cancer.  I don't tend to dwell on it.  I don't actually think about it that much.  Sometimes the fact sneaks up on me.  Maybe pushing it down is my way of coping.  I don't know.  I try not to think about it too much.  I don't take much stock in the afterlife or when people say your loved ones that are no longer with us are still with us in our hearts.  I don't take comfort in that stuff.  My mother is gone and it hurts.  It hurts so bad every time I think about it.  Saying she's still with me in my heart or she's looking down on me doesn't comfort me in the slightest.  My mother is gone and it hurts so bad.  

It hurts the most when I think about how successful I've been in my military career and she hasn't been around to see it.  The same applies to my brother who is in the Navy.  He has been pretty successful himself in his military career.  It also hurts that she's missed the intelligent woman my sister has become.  God, she is so much like her mother.  It hurts so much that our mother has not been able to share our life successes with us.  

Everyone tries to comfort us by saying she's looking down on us or that she's with us in spirit.  I'd like to believe that but it gives me no comfort.  

I look back to the times when our family struggled financially and we had to eat pancakes and french fries for dinner on paper plates off the kitchen floor and now her two sons are serving around the world and her daughter has a bright future in a nursing career.  She gave up a lot so her three kids could have more than she ever dreamed.  The fact that she can't be around to see it kills me the most.  

Another dagger in the heart is that she died on the birthday of her husband, my step father and the father of my brother and sister.  Technically they me be my half-brother and half-sister, but I will never see it that way.  Larry and I may have had our virulent differences in the past but I've moved on.  I don't hold anything against him at all.  I still love him like a father in addition to my biological father whom I have a very close relationship with as well.  

I will always love Larry like a father and think of him often.  Especially on a day like today.  

Anyway, below is what my sister posted and what made me break down on this 8th anniversary of my mother's death.  



You look back on memories you forgot you had,
And at times you'll smile even though it hurts so bad.

Your mother is a special woman and no one can take her place,
You'll find a piece of mind when you remember he smiling face.

Your mother is an angel now she flies high above the rest,
and in your hearts always and forever she will be the best.

She has earned her wings and it's time for her to fly,
I know it hurts no one is ever ready to say good-bye.

She knows you do not understand and that you cry at night,
But as you finally drift of to sleep let her memory hold you tight.

She will be your guardian angel through the rest of your life,
Helping lead you on the path between what' wrong and right.

your mother loves you so very much and her love will always remain true,
Please don't ever think for a second that your mother will forget you.

A mothers love is like no other in the whole world,
d she has the most wonderful memories of a little boy and girl.

She has taken them with her as she's flown away,
Up to Heaven free of pain which is her new home to stay.

So although you can not see her and you wish she could be there,
Your mother can always hear you and your mother will always care.

A mother does not forget the two greatest loves of her life,
And she loved nothing more than being your mommy, and your daddy's wife.

She is so proud of her family and that's in her heart to stay,
Even though she's and angel and has had to fly away.

So as you cry your tears remember your mothers love,
Being sent to you from her, from the beautiful Heaven above.

She will be there through your good times, she will be there through your bad,
She'll be there when you are happy, she'll be there when your sad.

Your mother has become and angel now, it is her time to fly,
And you will never know how bad it hurt me to watch you have to say good-bye.
♥

I miss you with all of my heart mumma!  I wish to hell you could see what beautiful and successful children you've raised!  

I can't be bothered to change the format of this post right now.  I'm drunk and in Morocco so deal with it. 

Rocking Out!

I like to sing karaoke.  I'm not a great singer.  I'm probably not even a good singer.  However, I like to imbibe a bit of liquid tone enhancer then get up there and have fun with some of my favorite tunes.  I did just that recently and my wife recorded it.  This is good for a laugh.

You can't take karaoke seriously!