Mark Penix

5 Hour Energy?

Mark — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:28:16 +0000

Didn’t sleep at all last night. My restless leg syndrome(RLS) was “kicking in” ha. Hard to sleep when you feel compelled to move your leg every 3 minutes. Dragged myself into work around 7am and bought a cappuccino and a 5 hour energy drink (extra strength). Ended up taking that around 10am and felt a little jittery afterwards. The effects didn’t seem to help much when you’re body is so tired from not sleeping. Seems like more of a “I had 5 hours of sleep and need a kick in the pants kinda drink”. Work dragged on, got a few things done for the AF guys then left work around 3:30pm.

I tried to stay up as long as I could so that I could sleep all night with Rhegan but I passed out at the keyboard at 4:45… then dragged myself to bed at 5:30pm. Oh what a night.

New Haircut and Great Animated Short

Mark — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:42:56 +0000

So after a productive day at work I decided to get a haircut… seeing that 70’s bush isn’t okay anywhere… especially on your head. Hope it looks okay. I call this the “Foe-Hawk” seeing that I’m my biggest enemy :-P play on words… clever I know.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Rhegan was making up a shopping list for food so that we could stock up our cabinets in case of some natural disaster… aka… hunger.

Just watched “Logorama” an oscar winning animated short film. Amazing use of logos and various businesses around the world. Really a joy to watch… I laughed a lot at Mr. Clean being homosexual… since he’s protrayed as the “woman’s man” in their commercials. Really enjoyed it.

P.S. – Got a package in the mail… I think I have a problem (I solved it today in 57 seconds… I’m getting there!)

Editors Note:
Forgot to mention that my weight is up to 184… mainly because I haven’t stopped drinking my calories. I’m a lush for caffeinated calorie high beverages.

This also happens to be the same day I am quitting smoking, just had my last a few moments ago and I’m just finishing up my last 20oz Coke. (Good luck right?). So the next photo will be in the same location, same clothes, just 1 week later. See you on Monday, March 8th? Great. Well here’s my pic from today… I’m flexing… something I think?

Bamboo Flooring on Walls?

Mark — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:33:36 +0000

Slept in again today. Going into work tomorrow will likely be a little rough going. I made a trips today. Ran up to Target to get Rhegan a card to thank her for all her support. I then bought us lunch from Runza and took it to her work. Proceeded to Michael’s and bought her a few canvases as well.

Figured out pretty much exactly what I’d like to do with the bedroom design wise, now I just have to draw it out a million times before I can commit to it. Bamboo flooring on the walls here we come!

One Day at a Time

Mark — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:25:43 +0000

Slept in pretty late today. Fell asleep last night thinking about my Grandmother. Was quite a long night. I spoke to her shortly after waking up, continued talking about plans for April. I felt a little better after speaking to her.

Mid-afternoon Rhegan and I spent some time together up at Village Point shopping center. I watched Rhegan have a shoe-gasm at DSW. We poked our heads in a few other stores but ultimately ended up heading back towards home. We stopped at Lowes to pick out a ceiling fan and look at different chandeliers. Then we headed back to Shadowlake (the shopping center near our house). We ventured into Old Navy, Rhegan got a cute outfit(skirt, shirt, and shoes) while I got 4 different V-neck shirts. Borders was up next and Rhegan got 2 Chuck Palahniuk books and I got a “Get Organized” magazine by The Family Handyman.

The ceiling fan was a large improvement but “5 Minute Install” it was not. Ran into a few problems installing it but finally… victory. It looks much better and matches our furniture great. Next up is to do something with the walls and maybe get a rug to put under the bed.

Coping, or More Precisely Not Coping

Mark — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:03:43 +0000

I tried to keep my mind off my Grandmother today by trying to constantly stay busy at work. I’ve spoken to my coworkers about it and will be taking a week off in April to travel and see her and the rest of my family. It’s bittersweet… looking forward to seeing her (and everyone else) but wishing it wasn’t on borrowed time. This has impacted me more than I care to mention on public channels. I will be okay, but I won’t be the same.

Today Rhegan got me a “feel better” gift in the form of a $20 dollar gift card to Starbucks, 2 Mac Magazines, and a great card to match. (I love you and I’m so lucky to have found you).

Dear Grandma…

Mark — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:29:25 +0000

Tonight I received a call from grandfather (mother’s side) saying that you have acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). I know there isn’t much anyone can do at your age without reducing your quality of life. Oh, what a glorious life you have led. It has been full of ups and downs, traveling to exotic locations, raising a son, a daughter, as well as my sister and myself; not to mention putting up with Grandfather. We have been through some trials, tribulations, good times, bad times, and the familiar in-between times. Your uncanny ability to love someone at the worst of times and ability to nurture them at their best has always been my definition of “Grandma Judy”.

You will always remain my best friend; my role model for how to treat people. I fell blessed because of my time spent with you and grandfather. I feel blessed because not many people get a chance to say goodbye before someone’s time is up. I feel blessed because in April, around your birthday, we will have a family and family friend reunion to say our farewells to you on the beaches of North Carolina.

My heart goes out to grandfather and I hope that he can find strength in this trying time and a part of my soul will be carried on with you. Words cannot express the meaning you have given to my life, the purpose, the stubbornness, as well as the heart. I’ve always thought of you as my own personal white, middle class, Oprah.

Grandma, you have been the light flickering in the dark, the beat of the drum when it’s time to march, and the shield to protect me.

I’ll promise to do my best, I’ll continue to strive for the biggest heart my chest can bear, to love unconditionally, and provide for others as you have provided for me.

Grandma ‘Zoody’, I love you with every step I’ve taken to find you, to let you down, and to make you proud.

Always,

Your Grandson Mark

P.S. – I’m sure if you want to nag me about my grammar and punctuation in this letter I’d be more than receptive to your criticism.

Liquid Experiment – Day 3 and Day 4

Mark — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:54:25 +0000

Day 3 of my “Liquid Experiment” went very well. Had some unsweetened tea, 2 coke zeros, and the end of the day I had another Grande Caramel Frap. Ate pretty hearty too… if hearty equals 2 slices of super greasy pizza. Then had Panera Bread with Rhegan at her work.

Sidenote: I’ve been peeing a lot more. haha.

Sidenote 2: Solved 3 rubix cubes in 3m 58s, not bad… getting a bit better.

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Day 4 – Just updated this post for today (March 4th, 2010) due to recent news I didn’t want to take away from my main post on the 4th. I did poorly today 3 Mt. Dews, 2 Venti Caramel Fraps.

Liquid Experiment – Day 2

Mark — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:32:34 +0000

Today went really well. I wasn’t able to quit smoking… go figure. I have to read a really helpful book once again before I attempt to quit. However, I didn’t have a single “bad” soda. I tried Coke Zero today, no carbs, no calories, 35mg of sodium I think. I had lots of water (i think 6 bottles) and at the end of the night I buckled a little and got a Grande Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks. I usually get a Venti every day so I think this is a step in a positive direction. Slowly and surely I’ll cut it all out completely. I can’t wait to see where I’m at weight and body composition wise next Monday and the Monday after that and so on.

Liquid Experiment – Day 1

Mark — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:41:41 +0000

As promised, click for hilarity. Here I am at 181lbs on March 1st, 2010.

The goal is to cut out sodas, sweetened coffees, and teas and see what happens to my body. The rest of my diet will stay the same (i.e. whatever I feel like eating). This is just a liquid experiment. I’ll be downing water in favor of all the bad liquids. Sorry for the grainy photo, I don’t foresee this being in print or “inTarwebz famous” any time soon. It is also worth mentioning that I will not be going out of my way to lift anything heavy(weight training) or running far distances(cardio).

March 1st 2010 – Done!

Mark — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:40:08 +0000

March 1st of this 2010 marks the end of my smoking and my renewed interest in becoming more fit. As such, I will be removing soda from my diet, adding more water, and not drinking any sweetened teas or coffee. Last time I did that for a month and a half and lost around 16lbs. Unnecessary calories and rotting my teeth… what’s the benefit other than the taste and the affects of caffeine. Let’s see where this takes me.

The plan is to document this all through this website… both my mood and cravings will be posted as well as a photo every Monday to see the effects of just quitting all the extra liquid calories. First picture is tomorow… oh this should be good.

Tonight was the last night of Rhegan’s move into our house… thank buddha.

Sidenote: Tattoo is finally healing/scabbing a bit. The soaked flakes that come off remind me of Fruity Pebbles… I’ll refrain from taste-testing them though.