Author Archives: Lopaka

Reading Challenge

24 Sunday Jan 2016

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I remember reading online, after I completed my degree, that most individuals stop reading after they finish college.  Promising myself that I will not fall down this trap…this is 2016’s list of books that I have completed.

Jan-

  1.  Mission Beyond Darkness, 1945, Lt. Com. Joseph Bryan III, USNR and Philip Reed. This novel is the historical recount of the The Battle of the Philippine Sea, later known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot from the recount of the pilots of the Air Group 16 from the U.S.S. Lexington and their challenges of landing aircraft in the dark with little or no fuel left.

And so it begins….

19 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by in And so it begins...

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Today I took a step towards a better life.  I started a new diet that is supposed to help me lose weight without any working out.  This isn’t a paleo diet or body 4 life.

A couple of months ago, while I was working on getting ready for my USAF Fitness Test, a friend sat me down and said that he wanted to give me a book to read and take to heart.  He has been fighting his weight for a while and finally found a program that worked after one of his friends lost a lot of weight.  I read the book and decided to wait until after the move to start.

Today is that day.   So what is this plan?  It’s from a book called 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss.

Simple rules to follow:

Rule #1: Avoid “white” carbohydrates (or anything that can be white).
Rule #2: Eat the same few meals over and over again.
Rule #3: Don’t drink calories.
Rule #4: Don’t eat fruit.
Rule #5: Take one day off per week and go nuts.

You eat beans, lots and lots of beans and enjoy lots of water.  All the vegetables you can enjoy also.  No calorie counting.  (Bonus)  Beef and Chicken are also enjoyed.  (Fish is also in the list, however, I don’t eat fish)

Now, this you eat for 6 days.  On the cheat day (SATURDAY!!!) you can eat anything you want and as much as you want.  Pizza…go for it….ice cream, oh yeah!  You have to take the cheat day.  You can’t skip it.  I’ll let you all know how it goes.

So today it begins…

Lopaka

It has been a while…

24 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in Random Thoughts of a Wandering Mind

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Wow, I just realized that it’s almost been a year since I last posted.  I really don’t have much to say I guess.

Today, reading.  I just finished a book called “Old School is Good School”.  It’s written by a Air Force Chief Master Sergeant about going back to basics in leadership.  Although, it’s filled with Air Force terms (that are footed and explained), it’s still a good read for those that want to improve on their leadership skills.  It’s very short, only 140 pages and is a fast read.

Speaking of reading, I love the quote from Mark Twain…

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”

That sums it up best.

Lopaka

ING Half Marathon

01 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by in Running

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I did it!  I finally ran my first Half Marathon.  My goal was simple, finish on time (so it counts) and not die in the process!  I didn’t want to set any record.  I just wanted to enjoy my first Half Marathon.

The Luxembourg ING Night Marathon is a wonderful run.  Although, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone that has never run a Half or Full Marathon.  It is all hills.  I know I wasn’t the only one walking on a few of the uphills.  It’s a beautiful race.  Just rough if you are not use to hills.  I did a lot a hills training before the race and it wasn’t enough.

Also, I did run this entire race in my kilt.  I have a Sport Kilt in the Air Force Tarten and I was the only one in a kilt.  I had many fans on the route.  Many screaming my name or go Scotland (I’m American, but hey I have Scottish roots) and many photo’s taken as I ran by.

I think, like many, at 12 miles I thought why did I volunteer myself do to this and was just saying keep going keep going…

Crossing the finish line I felt like a giant!  Almost cried when they put that medal around my neck.  What a great feeling it was.  Now, looking for my next half and to prepare better for the race.

Lopaka

Aside

Training for half Marathon…what to wear…

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Running

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I’m training for my first half marathon at the end of May.  This will be the first that I’ve ever completed.  The last one that I signed up for, I deployed before it started.  I trained by myself for the first one and was looking forward to finishing it.  With this one, there is added pressure since a friend has also signed up for the same race.  Plus, someone I work with is a Marathoner and I’m sure will keep asking me how the training is going.  This is also the half step to complete my one “life” running goal, to finish a Marathon before I turn 40.  I only have 5 months left to complete that goal.

Something that I’ve been thinking about is getting a kilt to run in.  I’ve done some research and discovered many people run in kilts.  A friend does his Hash runs in a kilt.  They say it doesn’t take off any time and there are several posts about were to get one and why.   There are many post about people running full marathons in kilts.  One individual won a Ultra-marathon in a kilt.  So, I know it’s possible.   I’m thinking about getting one for this half marathon.  I already have two Maclaren kilts for scouting, so I’m thinking about getting a USAF tarten.  Something different that I can wear proudly.

Still deciding; however, before I take the dive and purchase a new kilt for running, I’ll wear one of my other kilts on a short run, just 3 miles, and see how I feel.

Lopaka

Why is our nation going backward?

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by in Random Thoughts of a Wandering Mind

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A while ago, I wrote an blog called National Healing, and sadly, as I see it, we still haven’t started down the path of healing. Every time I turn on the news, I see something about racial issues. Whether it’s someone take offense to what an individual says or someone else makes disparaging remarks and no one says anything, the double standard within the United States and through out the world is very discouraging.

It’s sad when people have to use racial epitaphs in their speech. Why? What is significant can about using a disparaging if not racial condescending word to describe someones race. I don’t quite understand, to me it means that people do not understand how to use proper language or don’t have respect for another individual. To keep this short, always remember the golden rule.

Lopaka

Day 3…

03 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Random Thoughts of a Wandering Mind

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Today I tried watching the big Lebowski and I just couldn’t get through to the end of the movie. I have found myself not really enjoying the Coen brother movies, I’m sure they’re good just not my cup of tea.  I’ve tried watching several other movies and still have not been able to finish one yet.  I’m not saying they’re bad movies, I just don’t enjoy them too much.

However the good news is as of yesterday we know when the family is coming home, near the end of August.  So that means I get to play bachelor for at least the next seven weeks, I hate being a bachelor.  I know many guys that would enjoy time away from the wife and kids; however, I actually enjoyed being with my family.   Now, I’m just going to sit back relax and count down the days until they finally get home. Until then you get to suffer through these blogs.

Lopaka