The Top 11 things a Crossfit virgin should know

So you've got a buddy at work who began doing some crazy fitness fad called "Crossfit" last year, and now, it's all he can talk about. He keeps encouraging you to give it a try and swears you'll enjoy it. "You'll be hooked after a week,"…

I wanna be Dick Proenneke when I grow up

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"Alone in the Wilderness," the documentary about Alaskan naturalist Richard "Dick" Proenneke (pronounced prin-uh-key) is one of the most remarkable films ever made, in my estimation. Yes, I know that's an ambitious statement, but I stand…

Banish the editor

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At the risk of repeating myself, I'm going to repeat myself:  I write this blog as much for me as for you. I'm really not trying to be flippant.  The fact is, it's often easier to recommend and even teach certain techniques than it…

“Lincoln” is simply amazing

Holly and I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the movie "Lincoln" over the Christmas break.  I expected to be amazed and riveted. I was. I had heard enough about the movie already to know that it mainly concerns itself with the…

It’s official: I’m rich!

Great news to report!  Today, I decided to take a closer look at the barrage of emails I've been receiving lately, and boy, am I glad I did —  I appear to be filthy, stinkin' rich! No more mortgages!  No more 9-to-5 grind! No more…

What to do about it

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Since Friday (Dec. 14, 2012), it's been the elephant in the room of our minds. It won't go away.  It's too horrible to look at directly, and it's too big to ignore.  It is an foul, obnoxious, unwelcome houseguest that is draining the…

Ava’s Zamperini speech

After winning the 4-H Public Speaking competition in her school club, my 10-year-old daughter, Ava, competed Thursday night (12/13) in the Rutherford County competition.  Much to my surprise and delight, she chose Louis Zamperini as her topic.…

No color copiers

I grumble as much as the next person — I admit it. I often grumble about my job. I don't like office politics.  I'm not particularly fond of planting my butt in a swivel chair for eight or 10 hours at a time.  No matter how much I…

To my fellow Bigfooters: Don’t stop believin’!

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OK, I'm gonna come right out with it. I believe in Bigfoot. Sasquatch. Yeti. There you go. I said it. Hello, my name is Mark, and I believe in Bigfoot. (All together:  Hello, Mark!) From the infamous evening back in 1972 when…

Sugar pushes buttons

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Tuesday night, I wrote a post about how America indoctrinates our children into the Sugar Culture from the word go.  I really didn't expect the post to generate much interest. Boy, was I off. Now granted, my blog page is still in its…