WildrMan Bryan December 30th, 2008
Personally, 2008 did not go as I planned it. But then I suppose there are lots of investment bankers who could say the same thing. I didn’t spend nearly as much time in the wilderness as I’d like and I investigated but didn’t start my business.
But rather than beat myself up for what I didn’t accomplish in 2008, double my resolve and make a whole bunch of New Year’s Resolutions to address them, I thought I’d reflect on the great things about 2008.
- I met a number of great personal friends this year. I’m not talking about just casual acquaintances. I’m talking about quality people that I can say are my friends that I can live life with. These are people who are honest with me and at least put a lot of effort to “get me”. Being as I’m not exactly a social butterfly, this is very rewarding to me.
- Between the end of June and the middle of November, I changed to a significantly healthier lifestyle. In the process, I lost 27 pounds and 2.5 inches. I now weigh less than when I graduated college and am in much better shape than then. And I’ve managed to keep it that way thus far through the holidays..
Now, I’m not posting any resolutions for 2009. I’ve come to abhor them. Why is it the new year brings about such resolve in people to make things better? Just wait until next week and see how many unfamiliar faces you see at your gym and how much longer your 45 minute workout takes. Then note in March how many of those same people are still around. Focus and planning are great, but I have chosen to evaluate my life more frequently and make small changes throughout the year. Fellow blogger Sam Davidson called this a New Day Resolution.
Celebrate 2008 with me. What are 2 great things that you changed in 2008?
Tags: 2008, reflections
WildrMan Bryan December 28th, 2008
Les Stroud profile
As most of the rest of the free world already knew, Les Stroud has announced his retirement from the popular Discovery Channel series Survivorman.
For those of you not familiar with Surviorman, Les ventured into various wilderness scenarios with little to no food, water, or equipment to survive for 7 days. He filmed it himself, with no camera crew.
Surviorman was sometimes the only reason I kept my satellite service turned on. My personal favorite episode was Les’ week in the Kalahari Desert, eating scorpions and a massive ostrich egg. What was your favorite Surviorman episode?
Tags: les stroud, surviorman, Survival
WildrMan Bryan December 1st, 2008
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. –Jesus
WildrMan Bryan November 11th, 2008
“and this above all, to thine own self be true, and it follows as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet
WildrMan Bryan September 12th, 2008
A common theme among the world’s religions is the concept of some holy, sacred place. For the Jewish, this would undoubtedly be the Western Wall and Temple Mount in Jerusalem. For the Muslim, it would be the cities of Mecca and Medina. For the Catholic, maybe it is the Vatican and for the Protestant perhaps it is Westminster or the local church. Something that struck me recently is that all of these places are built by men. Oh, I’m certain the shrines, mosques, and cathedrals were built in those places for a reason, as a symbol. Unfortunately, I believe those reasons are largely lost on the faithful of today, making these holy places little more than idols.
My holy place is pictured on the right. I can’t explain it entirely, but it seems to be were I can meet with God, my maker, without the distractions of the trappings of man.
What is your holy place?
WildrMan Bryan August 11th, 2008
See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America
Logan Ward, his wife Heather, and son Luther had had it. Living in New York City, jet setting around the world, hours in commuting time lost everyday, they weren’t living. They were merely existing. They chucked it all.
They uprooted their family from NYC and settled on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley. Typical spawlers you say? Not really. They’re growing all their own food. Did I mention neither of them has ever farmed before? Oh, and they’ve decided to shun all the advancements of the 20th century. No TV, no car, no tractor, no electricity, a phone only for safety. They assumed they’d be going it all alone, but they discovered that rural life then was heavily dependent on community. They found it near Swoope, Virgina.
WildrLog highly recommends this Bill Bryson-like look at 19th century country living through the eyes of Generation X. And it might just inspire you to plant a garden.
Tags: country living, rural living
WildrMan Bryan August 2nd, 2008
Thirtysome years ago today, this couple changed the world. She gave birth to a 6lb 7oz baby boy and the world has never been the same. Thanks mom and dad!
WildrMan Bryan August 2nd, 2008
Some friends asked me where I would like to have a birthday dinner. No hesitation… Chappy’s on Church. I’ve been wanting to eat there since I first heard about it. I’m not sure what it is about my palette that loves Creole and Cajun food. Must have had something to do with my trip to New Orleans when I was one.
Chappy is the Mobile, Alabama native who, in December 1984, opened up Chappy’s on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Almost 3 years ago, Chappy’s and his home were demolished by Hurricane Katrina.
Less than a year later, Chappy’s on Church opened in Nashville.
So, 7 friends, old and new, gathered last night at Chappy’s on Church for my birthday predinner.
House Salad with Creole Vinegarette. One taste of that tangy, spicy dressing and I knew I’d come to the right place.
Blackened Red Snapper with lumb crabmeat and rice. Melts in your mouth. It’s hard to find good Red Snapper inland, but I found some! Crowned with a glass of Concannon Pinot Nior.
Bread Pudding with Pecan Praline sauce. Wow!
Chappy visited our table twice during the evening. A delightful, neat guy. I’m glad you’re here Chappy!
Tags: Chappys, Creole
WildrMan Bryan July 31st, 2008
For some time, the Cumberland Trail State Park and the Cumberland Trail Conference have been battling commercial rock harvesting along the trail, which is a state park. It seems the state did not acquire the mineral rights when acquring the property for the park (a very dumb idea if you ask me). But corporate interests have intepreted mineral rights as
- right to remove the rock (mainly limestone), laying on the ground as well as under it
- right to not restore what they tear up
At the very least, these companies should be required to rehab the area. Miles of the Cumberland Trail have been closed due to these companies operations in the state park. This really torks me, as most of the Cumberland Trail has been built by volunteers. I’ve even participated in building the trail, though not as frequently as I’d like.
The Tennessee Court of Appeals has reverse a lower court’s ruling in the first bright spot in a very bizarre saga.
HT: The Tennessean: Rock Harvesting in park dealt a blow
Tags: Cumberland Trail, Rock Harvesting
WildrMan Bryan July 28th, 2008
Saturday, I spent my afternoon at Hilton Park and the Walk of Fame (located between the downtown Nashville Hilton and the Country Music Hall of Fame) for the 7th annual Music City Brewer’s Festival. There were around 40 different breweries there, and while due to the oppressive heat I was unable to be quite the connoisseur I’d like to be, I did make some notable discoveries.
Heck, even the newly Belgian Anheuser-Busch was there. 
I did generally have a good time, but I’ll make a few suggestions for the organizers
- The heat at the end of July in downtown Nashville is just horrendous. How about a cooler date?
- Musical entertainment was okay at best. How about an upgrade?
- Ticket taking. How difficult is it to check an ID and scan a barcode? An hour wait to get in just isn’t acceptable.
In spite of that, I’ll go again. I hung out with old friends and made some new ones (including Will, Vonnie and their friend Beth who I discovered I dated while in Ms. Cain’s 2nd grade class… LOL)
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