So I've missed the family this week that is for sure. I know the boys are having a good time at VBA this week, and Tina is most likely enjoying her break from work. I do worry about her getting too awful lonely while the boys are gone, but I'm sure some alone time is nice also. Went fishing out at Lake Lanere (sp?) yesterday. We were out on a boat four people including the captain. It was our free day activity. I caught three really nice 4-6 pound stripers. I'll have a picture forthcoming at some point. Anyhow that was a blast. The conference in general has not lived up to the standards of previous conferences. The speakers were sub par or not really as applicable as those we've had in the past. However today we had a gentleman by the name of Jamie Clarke come and speak with us (http://www.jamieclarke.com/pressbio.htm). He was incredible. He was a part of three different attempts to reack the peak of Mt Everest (led two of them himself). He and his team did succussfully reach the peak and his stories and pictures of those trials were both amusing and entertaining. He was a wonderful speaker that really brought out the importance of holding fast to our dreams and continuing to drive for them until you succeed. I know he also tied in the importance of team work and continuing to fight hard till you acheive your goals no matter how difficult they may appear. Anyway he has been by far the bright spot of this conference. I'll update more later, but just wanted to jot some notes down.
Tina is thinking of starting up her own blog as well, so those who are familiar with her as well you can be looking forward to that link being added to my blog spot listing very shortly. After I get home I'll work with her on some of technical issues related to bloging and she'll be up and running. Well have to run to the team building activity, but wanted to take just a short minute to update everyone
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
What do I do when I grow up...
Have you ever considered a mid-life correction? Have you ever thought about a job change? I have, and I thought that the IT field would be the ticket. I finished my IT based degree and found that nobody will hire you with less than 2 years experience or a masters degree unless you willing to start out at $30K a year. I just couldn't take that kind pay cut, especially with the new student loan expense that i have to pay. So I'm thinking what do I want to do with my life. I don't want to be 55 and still wondering how I got roped into another 20 years in the loss prevention field.
So I've been having thoughts about what I would do if I opened my own business. I wouldn't mind opening a gym of my own, and getting my certification as a personal trainer. Rob was kind enough to send me a link where I could obtain my certification for just under $700. But I also though maybe if I went and got more education as a nutritionist, I could increase my demand as a personal trainer. Additionally this would give me a revenue stream outside the gym (working for a hospital or nursing home). Another avenue would be to pick a specialty in the IT field and get my Masters degree. Ahhh so many choices so little time. All I know is that I am very tired of loss prevention and retail. I love the flexibility of working what ever schedule I want. I also love being able to be in charge of multi-site buildings so I can get out now and then. I just am tired of hunting for people at their worst. I would rather look for a profession where I can help people acheive their best.
Well, until I decide I guess I'll have to stick with the money maker and determine what it is I want to do next. Did I mention I'm open to suggestions... =)
So I've been having thoughts about what I would do if I opened my own business. I wouldn't mind opening a gym of my own, and getting my certification as a personal trainer. Rob was kind enough to send me a link where I could obtain my certification for just under $700. But I also though maybe if I went and got more education as a nutritionist, I could increase my demand as a personal trainer. Additionally this would give me a revenue stream outside the gym (working for a hospital or nursing home). Another avenue would be to pick a specialty in the IT field and get my Masters degree. Ahhh so many choices so little time. All I know is that I am very tired of loss prevention and retail. I love the flexibility of working what ever schedule I want. I also love being able to be in charge of multi-site buildings so I can get out now and then. I just am tired of hunting for people at their worst. I would rather look for a profession where I can help people acheive their best.
Well, until I decide I guess I'll have to stick with the money maker and determine what it is I want to do next. Did I mention I'm open to suggestions... =)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Atlanta is coming quickly
Every year we have a annual compliance meeting with my job. The loss prevention department, risk management, and internal audit all get together for a week long meeting where we recap where we are and set the vision for the coming year. It is always held at a swanky resort and although you never have much spare time to enjoy the place your at, they do give you one free day and allow you to select an activity that is fun for that day. This year we are holding it the same place as last year (Chateau Elan Resort and Winery - google it if you want). It was nice last year except that Tina and the children were with me cramped up in a room with two double beds. It was tight. This year I'm going alone. I'm really looking forward to the event. I find myself thinking about it more each day. So I'll try to get some photos for the blog, and you can check out last years even on our family website under the photos section.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Diet and Exercise...
I think I might start a side blog where I record my progress with my diet and exercise program. Back in 2002 I put my diet updates and progress approximately every month on a website here http://garysavage.tripod.com/diet.htm. When I started that diet I had gotten to about 220 lbs and wasn't very happy with how I looked. In six months I dropped down to about 173 and was very happy with my progress. I dropped from size 40 pants down to being able to wear some size 32 pants. Mostly I wore 34 inch waist pants though. At that point I began traveling alot with KB Toys. I was on the road 3 weeks out of every month Monday through Friday in some far away place eating at restaurants and sleeping in hotels. It was not exactly a recipe for success for diet or exercise and I slowly started climbing back up the scale. It took me about five years to pass the worst point from before.
On April 9, 2008 I hit 239 and was barely fitting in my size 42 pants. I was cow like and needed to lose weight. I was concerned with my colesterol, my blood pressure, my back pain, and continually thought about my good friend Jim who had a stroke in his 30's. So I started a diet on April 9. To date I have hit a few milestones. I comfortably fit in size 36 pants, I'm down to 199 lbs, and my fitness goals are going very well. I run between 4 & 5 miles a day, I lift weights 3 days a week, my blood pressure is below normal, and my back pain has virtually disappeared. I'm not there yet, but I'm well on my way. I noted that my dimensions now are much different than when i was at the same weight back in 2002. In fact I am at the point now that I was at 185 back then. I figure I've added quite a bit more muscle mass. I'm not too disappointed with 40 lbs lost in 3 months. It took Valerie Burtinelli (Van Halen's wife) 6 months to lose that much :-), and she probably had personal trainers. So anyway, I would like to have a 31.5 inch waist. Where ever that falls on the scale is just fine with me. So I think I'll start a side blog just to record my fitness levels and my progress on the scales. Look for that sometime today.
On April 9, 2008 I hit 239 and was barely fitting in my size 42 pants. I was cow like and needed to lose weight. I was concerned with my colesterol, my blood pressure, my back pain, and continually thought about my good friend Jim who had a stroke in his 30's. So I started a diet on April 9. To date I have hit a few milestones. I comfortably fit in size 36 pants, I'm down to 199 lbs, and my fitness goals are going very well. I run between 4 & 5 miles a day, I lift weights 3 days a week, my blood pressure is below normal, and my back pain has virtually disappeared. I'm not there yet, but I'm well on my way. I noted that my dimensions now are much different than when i was at the same weight back in 2002. In fact I am at the point now that I was at 185 back then. I figure I've added quite a bit more muscle mass. I'm not too disappointed with 40 lbs lost in 3 months. It took Valerie Burtinelli (Van Halen's wife) 6 months to lose that much :-), and she probably had personal trainers. So anyway, I would like to have a 31.5 inch waist. Where ever that falls on the scale is just fine with me. So I think I'll start a side blog just to record my fitness levels and my progress on the scales. Look for that sometime today.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Music and Me...
For those that know me well at all, you will know that music has always played a huge role in my life, ever since I was young. I still remember at age 6 when my heart broke because my mother who was probably tired from working late kicked my toy piano down the stairs and broke it because it was in her way. Anyway recent developments have me seriously contemplating music, its role in my life, and its role in my faith. On August 6, at 6pm I have an interview and audition for my current church to play/sing/lead with the praise and worship group. I am beyond nervous. To understand why I would have to take you back a bit. I started doing special music in church back when I was in my early teens. I loved doing it, but I would always be so nervous my hands would be literally shaking. Stage fright was horrible. But I would normally practice so much I would get through it just fine. It was definitely a sacrifice to God hecause I was a wreck before and afterward. (I'm not sure I ever told anyone that I felt that way). Anyhow around age 14 my minister asked me if I would be willing to play the piano through the whole service. I agreed, but did not practice enough. I was given the songs only a week prior to playing. I was nervous all over and did not have the practice to support/overcome the nervousness. It was horrible. I was so embarrassed, and for years I would only do special music after that. Then around 19 I remember I had gotten back into church with my friend Linc and he and I did special music together. (He had the best voice). Anyway they figured I could play and when a pianist didn't show they asked me to play (last minute thing). I should have said no but I agreed and it was UGLY. So I didn't play again (except for special music) for years. It actually increased my anxiety for playing in front of others.
Then when Tina and I moved to VA beach and they had a need for a choir director for Christmas I volunteered, and it worked out well. Very well. They asked me to lead music all the time. I had found a niche where I was not so nervous. This was always a more traditional type of hymn music to this point. When we moved to Indiana we joined a church that had praise and worship. It took me a few weeks to get used to not singing hymns. I'm not sure I liked it at first, but I grew to love it over time.
When we moved to Alabama, I joined the praise and worship band. I would play guitar, Bass, back-up keyboards, or run the sound boards. Where ever I was needed. It was during this time that I my nervousness in front of others began to fade. First I noticed that there was no hand shaking nervousness when I play guitar in front of others. Second, I found when I was in a group of musicians and the focus was not entirely up to me, it was great.
When we moved to Virginia, we were part of a new church plant. I took over the music immediately. They had been a traditional church and I introduced a blended music format(mostly praise with some old hymns thrown in). As the church grew and my experience grew my nervousness almost completely went away. I felt wonderful leading music and being in a position to bring others to the throne of God in worship. I just had a gifting from God for selecting music, and leading it in such a way that people would break down and cry, hearts would melt, and people would be truly in a place of worship. I praise God he gave me that opportunity. I always say he prepares the called sometimes instead of calling the prepared and this was definitely the case in my situation.
When we moved to Maryland, I tried to join the praise team at Mountain. First you must understand this was a church of 3000 members. Many very talented musicians were part of this group. I kinda felt like a hack next to some of them. My audition was not done in a manner I would have liked. I was given a date to show up, which I did and then sat down in front of music I had never seen and told to play it. Prior to my audition I had prayed to God that if he wanted to use me in this way to make it happen and if not I would be at peace with his will. The audition was pretty ugly and I was mentally back in the spot when I was a kid playing badly in front of the whole congregation. Needless to say the worship leader let me down softly and I found other area's to serve.
So now, I'm in a church of about 1300. They say they have a need for a praise leader and the desire of my heart is for God to use me again in this way. I kinda feel like Sampson chained between those two posts, blinded, and asking God to give me the strength (in my case the talent) to be used again by him for a mighty work. I have my audition on August 6, and I want to work on my solo audition piece until it is perfect. I want to praise God at the same time, but I really have some anxiety about this audition. I know God uses the weak things of this earth for his glory and I just pray that this is why he has made this feel like a weakness to me.
So now you know a little more about me, and about my (some would say) irrational fears. I don't think I've ever shared this with anyone except in this format. Just too hard to verbalize I guess.
Then when Tina and I moved to VA beach and they had a need for a choir director for Christmas I volunteered, and it worked out well. Very well. They asked me to lead music all the time. I had found a niche where I was not so nervous. This was always a more traditional type of hymn music to this point. When we moved to Indiana we joined a church that had praise and worship. It took me a few weeks to get used to not singing hymns. I'm not sure I liked it at first, but I grew to love it over time.
When we moved to Alabama, I joined the praise and worship band. I would play guitar, Bass, back-up keyboards, or run the sound boards. Where ever I was needed. It was during this time that I my nervousness in front of others began to fade. First I noticed that there was no hand shaking nervousness when I play guitar in front of others. Second, I found when I was in a group of musicians and the focus was not entirely up to me, it was great.
When we moved to Virginia, we were part of a new church plant. I took over the music immediately. They had been a traditional church and I introduced a blended music format(mostly praise with some old hymns thrown in). As the church grew and my experience grew my nervousness almost completely went away. I felt wonderful leading music and being in a position to bring others to the throne of God in worship. I just had a gifting from God for selecting music, and leading it in such a way that people would break down and cry, hearts would melt, and people would be truly in a place of worship. I praise God he gave me that opportunity. I always say he prepares the called sometimes instead of calling the prepared and this was definitely the case in my situation.
When we moved to Maryland, I tried to join the praise team at Mountain. First you must understand this was a church of 3000 members. Many very talented musicians were part of this group. I kinda felt like a hack next to some of them. My audition was not done in a manner I would have liked. I was given a date to show up, which I did and then sat down in front of music I had never seen and told to play it. Prior to my audition I had prayed to God that if he wanted to use me in this way to make it happen and if not I would be at peace with his will. The audition was pretty ugly and I was mentally back in the spot when I was a kid playing badly in front of the whole congregation. Needless to say the worship leader let me down softly and I found other area's to serve.
So now, I'm in a church of about 1300. They say they have a need for a praise leader and the desire of my heart is for God to use me again in this way. I kinda feel like Sampson chained between those two posts, blinded, and asking God to give me the strength (in my case the talent) to be used again by him for a mighty work. I have my audition on August 6, and I want to work on my solo audition piece until it is perfect. I want to praise God at the same time, but I really have some anxiety about this audition. I know God uses the weak things of this earth for his glory and I just pray that this is why he has made this feel like a weakness to me.
So now you know a little more about me, and about my (some would say) irrational fears. I don't think I've ever shared this with anyone except in this format. Just too hard to verbalize I guess.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Good old days part 3
Linc had asked me the other day to post some of the photos from Columbus so I did and I also pulled up some other memories from the same album. Anyway take a look at the next few posts to see some Savage history.
Why I was wearing a smurf outfit I don't know. But here I am at 19 playing guitar. I had only begun learning about two years earlier.
Why I was wearing a smurf outfit I don't know. But here I am at 19 playing guitar. I had only begun learning about two years earlier.
Good old days part 2
My best friend Ikia Fabian Perry. I was teaching him Kung Fu. Here we are sparring
Taken March 23, 1988. My girlfriend at the time, and my two good friends Rob and Steve. (Rob on the left died in 1991 of cancer)
Here is a good shot from the College days. I think I was 19 here.
Same party as above
My good friends Chuck, Stephanie, Kim and me in my ChiFa (Kung Fu Uniform)
The good old days
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I am the light of the world...
Today's message in church really made me think about Jesus statement. The message really was just about how the speaker had a friend that he had never shared his faith with. It started by showing the horrible child sex slave trade that exists and talking about a specific girl that was sold into this lifestyle. It kind of made me look hard and ask myself some deep questions though. I have had two friends in particular that I led to Christ. Then after I had planted the seed, answered many questions and got their compass headed the right direction I moved on somewhere else. Many years later I learned that I had planted the seed, others had watered them and God had made the seed grown inside both of them. (Guess I can relate to Apostle Paul in that regard). Both the friends I had left behind are still actively involved with God and with a deep faith. That makes me smile that I could be used as a tool of God.
Then Deeper yet.... I think of my time working with the homeless ministry in downtown Baltimore. My friend Linc recently reminded me of this time. Some of the worst down and out stories, young children wearing rags and glad to get a good meal in this week. I think of the children in Haiti, Vietnam, India that are bought from their parents for pennies and enslaved as either menial labor, or sexual objects to be used and thrown away. I think of the pictures our friends shared from Kenya where people live in small shacks with no windows doors, furniture or even floors. A river behind the village is the sewer. And then I look at my life. I've live in relative luxury compared to 90 percent of the worlds population. I wonder why. There is so much darkness in the world, and when you look hard enough you can almost be swallowed up by it.
I guess you just have to be focused on the light of Jesus, and be willing to share some of that light with others. Our friends go to Kenya every year to help over 100 children in a school there. They get two meals a day, clothing and an education as a result of the efforts of churches and people that are willing to shine God's light in their direction. The homeless ministries shine Jesus light to the downtrodden by providing a meal, some clothes, and just some encouragement. There are so many ways to shine his light but I've been sitting on the sidelines for a few months now just basking, and not reflecting. Think I need to start looking for some shadowy targets of my own.
Then Deeper yet.... I think of my time working with the homeless ministry in downtown Baltimore. My friend Linc recently reminded me of this time. Some of the worst down and out stories, young children wearing rags and glad to get a good meal in this week. I think of the children in Haiti, Vietnam, India that are bought from their parents for pennies and enslaved as either menial labor, or sexual objects to be used and thrown away. I think of the pictures our friends shared from Kenya where people live in small shacks with no windows doors, furniture or even floors. A river behind the village is the sewer. And then I look at my life. I've live in relative luxury compared to 90 percent of the worlds population. I wonder why. There is so much darkness in the world, and when you look hard enough you can almost be swallowed up by it.
I guess you just have to be focused on the light of Jesus, and be willing to share some of that light with others. Our friends go to Kenya every year to help over 100 children in a school there. They get two meals a day, clothing and an education as a result of the efforts of churches and people that are willing to shine God's light in their direction. The homeless ministries shine Jesus light to the downtrodden by providing a meal, some clothes, and just some encouragement. There are so many ways to shine his light but I've been sitting on the sidelines for a few months now just basking, and not reflecting. Think I need to start looking for some shadowy targets of my own.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Getting Started Here
So here I am starting a new blog. This is a first for me. Many would say that I'm a generation beyond blogging, but I say phooey to them. Anyway this week I have had a flood of old friendships come back and open up by means of Facebook. I signed up for this like six months ago but at that time there just wasn't anyone on facebook that I knew. In three days I've linked up with four high school friends, two recent friendships, and one friend from early college days for which I was as close as I've been with anyone. I have a person I would consider my absolute best friend (Rob), but others I have seemed to lose touch with as the river of time flowed on by. Now they seem to have come back front and center. It is wonderful. One of those friends that was a roommate, a musical partner, a confidant, and a brother called me today. I was sooo surprised and we talked for an hour. We caught up on old times, old friends and old memories, and it was so nice. I forgot how much a good friend means.
So now I've started this new blog. Why you might ask. Well I shouldn't be the only one to see into this freakish mind of mine. I want to share it with all who desire to enter the dark realms within. (LOL) Really I see this as a golden opportunity to get some of my memories, thoughts and feelings out there so as I grow older and memories start to fail me, I can always look back and remember. Its a great way to give some insight to my closest friends and let them know how things are going in my life from week to week. So I shall try to get on here at least 2-3 times per week and let everyone know how things are going.
For now Sainara
So now I've started this new blog. Why you might ask. Well I shouldn't be the only one to see into this freakish mind of mine. I want to share it with all who desire to enter the dark realms within. (LOL) Really I see this as a golden opportunity to get some of my memories, thoughts and feelings out there so as I grow older and memories start to fail me, I can always look back and remember. Its a great way to give some insight to my closest friends and let them know how things are going in my life from week to week. So I shall try to get on here at least 2-3 times per week and let everyone know how things are going.
For now Sainara
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