I was hoping to come back to Chicago and have it be somewhat mild out so I could blow the dust of my track friendly lotus, but I don't know why I get my hopes up anymore. I've come to the conclusion that unless it's the middle of August, I should just expect it to be freezing, windy and, if Mayor Daley (Chicago God) is really upset, raining too. Oh well. If there is another ice age, it will start in Chicago, I know it. The interesting thing is that I've just been walking around with a big smile the past few days. While that might sound like I've given up, it's really more like I've given in. Suddenly, I just feel like I am getting to a different point in my life where I'm not trying to change the unchangeable anymore. Obviously, that pursuit is pretty pointless to begin with but you'd be surprised how easy things become when you just give in to this stuff. Step in a puddle? So what. Your leg will dry. Drop your cell-phone for the millionth time and watch it break into tiny pieces? Just buy another one. But make sure you get a shock absorbent case this time. I remember one time a friend of mine dropped his phone and instead of getting a new one, he decided to glue it back together. This ended up being a real hassle for him though and it completely defeated his intended purpose of saving some money. Every time he got an incoming call for the next month, he would swing his phone in the air like a jedi-night using his light saber hoping to improve the reception because couldn't here anything the person on the other end of the phone was saying. Ridiculous? Yes, obviously. The moral? If you want your life to be easier, think about how YOU can help yourself make things less complicated. Obviously if money is tight (I personally know how this is), you try to make due with what you have. On the other hand, sometimes it just seems like we are our own worst enemies. At least that's how it's been for me.

The past two weeks, I've started a new program in the gym. Instead of doing 3 sets of 8 reps for each exercise, I've upped it to 12 reps. This change helps in "muscle confusion", resulting in "smarter" growth and it works the red muscle fibers rather the white which are utilized more during heavier lifting. The result: more definition and stamina. These are two areas where I have been lacking and I'm really glad I made the switch. I'm already starting to notice a difference and I am now planning on competing in the 2010 Mr. Olympia. Wow, I couldn't even keep a straight face writing that. Seriously though, this gym stuff is not easy. Have you ever found yourself in the gym and wonder why you are doing this to yourself? You don't want to be there, and sitting on the couch with a slice of pizza and watching a movie sounds infinitely better. But that's the point- If it was easy, every one would be healthy and in shape. I know I have a lot of will power and that's what makes it gratifying for me. For an average guy, I think I'm doing ok.

Work wise, I have been spending most of my time on the phone or in front of the computer doing a lot of writing for a variety of things. I have been getting a lot done and I have even had some time to play on PS. I'm also looking to get some cash on FT this week and I hope someone will lend a hand. I know now that I will not make it back to Foxwoods, so I'm trying to figure out where I will play live for the next two months before the series begins. There isn't much in the way of tournaments going on the East Coast so it's a dilemma. I can almost here some of my friends saying, "get on a plane, genius!'


Happy in Chicago,

MJ

* Please feel free to email me at mjsatellite2421@yahoo.com with any questions or comments