Do you love what you do? (aka - Kowloon Bay revisited - - - can you believe it?)

Motivation:

"Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
~Herman Cain

Diary:

If you haven't had a chance to listen to the podcast, please go ahead and do so. Here are some corrections and thoughts:

I was so anxious to publish it that I think I rushed the last edits. There were some problems.
1) I indicated the wrong website for my blog (chazzvader.BLOGSPOT.com)
2) In my audio breaks, I annoyingly said "This is Chazz again, and ...... ". This was very unneeded, as it is irrelevant and it is obvious. I will not do this again.
3) What I did say to try to add to the interview audio wasn't as useful as I thought it would be. I could have just shut up and let the show be an homage unto itself. I think I will come up with more descriptive information to set the stage, so the audience understands the person better, and let the person then explain what it is that is inside their head.

What I did learn, is that it is nice to have a theme in mind before you start the interview recording, BUT be ready and willing to change the theme mid-stream. This is helpful especially when editing, as some things that are said, you may find linking in odd ways. There were a couple of things that Memphis said that I didn't expect, and some of them that I didn't even hear (such as the foreshadowing of the word "Tombstone" early on, and the connection of the music lyrics matched with what he was talking about.)

so all in all, I was pretty happy with the outcome, but little things that I chose are annoying me - I will clean this up in future podcasts.


On Monday, I was able to attend the Society of Technical Communication national conference and listened to Simon Singh, who was honored as the Honorary Fellow for 2007. Simon Singh is on the board of the Science Media Centre and is a former trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). He spoke at the conference about his documentary entitled Fermat's Last Theorem, which was a very popular show and a great example of using digital media to communicate highly scientific content that does affect numbers of people in a very personal way. Very good timing for me to see this information, as I am currently wondering if these podcasts will have a lasting affect in helping me find a way of communicating a message that may seem vague or wrapped in minutia, but doing it in a way that is fun and exciting to the listener.

At the STC conference, the issue was also brought up that the previous description for a Technical Writer was "Technical writers produce content for users," however, STC's Strategic Planning Committee would like to change this description to "Technical communicators manage content and relationships with users."

I wasn't too keen on this change (either way) at first, however I am starting to warm up to the proposed job description change:

Develop and design instructional and informational tools needed to assure safe, appropriate and effective use of science and technology, intellectual property, and manufactured products and services. Combines multimedia knowledge and strong communication skills with technical expertise to educate across the entire spectrum of users' abilities, technical experience, and visual and auditory capabilities.

So, to answer "What do you do for a living?" I can say with this description of a Senior Technical Writer, that I am doing what I love to do - which is to use media (in many forms - visual, written page - paper or web, art, video, audio, music, etc) to communicate knowledge and create relationship with an audience of content users.

One more thought about the STC conference. I shook hands with Tom Johnson, who is the Chapter President for the St. Petersberg Florida STC group, and is a blogger and a podcaster. His sites are I'd Rather be Writing and Tech Writer Voices . I subscribe to his podcasts and he does a really good job. I emailed him out of the blue one day about the equipment he uses and he sent back a thorough, detailed email about what he uses, what he would like to use, what other podcasters use, links to sites with podcast equipment, and pictures. Wow! I was impressed. We spoke for only a moment, but he was very encouraging and wanted to know what I was going to do with my podcast, and what equipment I was going to use. I was somewhat embarrassed to tell him, since I am just new to this, but he seemed interested, and I reallize now that although he has some experience, I bet he would like to know others who are doing it, even amateur, such as myself, to be able to form some community to bounce ideas off of. I will send him an email later with the links to my sites. Hopefully he will find this useful.


while in the shower today I thought of a good introductory statement about this podcast. It goes something like this:

What can you learn from a man who has lost 250lbs - (over half of his body weight) - in a planned weight-loss regiment? How about learning about forming habits, goals, and behavior? What if you could use routine and discipline to make your life easier, more fulfilling, and more rewarding? In this series, I will discuss with others the lessons learned while pursuing a goal. We will meet people who have made a conscious effort to change their actions and attitude about their daily actions, and witness what affect this has made in their lives.

In "The 360° Leader", John C. Maxwell points out that:

Your behavior determines your culture
Your attitude determines the atmosphere
Your values determine the decisions
Your investment determines the return
Your character determines the trust
Your work ethic determines the productivity
Your growth determines the potential

This series looks at how our actions are affecting our outcomes. Join me at "Chazz Vader's Intelligent Design"

That is sort of the rough draft. If you have any thoughts or advice, I am totally open to your suggestions.

Notes:

If you remember my previous posting about my Hong Kong Suits, you may be curious to know that I have moved them from the far closet to my bedroom. This is a big deal, because I am about 1 month away from wearing these clothes again. Actually this could be a problem, as I am still a long way from finished with my weight loss final goals, so these clothes will be too big for me when I get there.... Huh? That concept is going to have to sink in, because these were going to be my goal reward clothes. However, I still have some visible fat to lose. What a quandary...

The weather in MN is fluctuating, as it does in May. Cold one morning and Hot the next morning. I haven't turned on the AC yet, as it has gotten hot enough to do so, but I haven't committed to this temperature yet. The nice thing is that, while working around the house, I realized I was warm, but not uncomfortable - I was feeling the temperature, but was not sweating profusely due to it. I thought - "this is different" - just wanted to make note of it. I will see how far I can go without AC, just open the window and turn on a fan. I will record the day that I finally give in.

#Diet#

Been mixing my fruits in on suggestion of the clinic and advisors - they saw that I was eating only apples, oranges, and strawberries, and told me that I need to purchase a more varied mix of fruits. I saw a deal on muskmellon and have a scoop on a place to find good grapefruit. (that sounds like there is a secret underground fruit paparazzi)

#Exercise#

Continue to train - this week had two days off from the aerobic routine, due the the STC conference - however, spent most of these days walking around all day.

#Fine Art#

This Sunday I am doing a solo for offertory at church. Playing guitar and singing "When God Ran" . Hope this goes well.

#Geek#

After much struggle, hours of configuring, tweaking, and some delight and success, I have decided that while I neither like or dislike Windows Vista, I am going to revert back to Windows XP. Here is the deal: IF Windows Vista worked consistently and efficiently, I would love to keep it, but I am having too many problems:

• My Lexmark Printer doesn't have drivers - and while they are going to have drivers for it by next month, I want to be able to trust that I can print, scan, and copy using my printer.
  
• Outlook continues to plague me in Vista, and there has been little solution and too much time spent worrying about it.
• Ghost doesn't work - which I liked for automated backups.
• The PCTV (USB TV capture device) seems to work great on XP, but I couldn't get it to work on Vista
• Vista seems slow, and all of the fancy gadgets and beautiful graphics don't seem to be enough to keep me - I would choose function over design.
• I need to make sure my computer is efficient, and XP may not be the leanest operating system, but it seems to be super-fast compared to Vista. Vista has so many features and services, that unless you are prepared to bulk up on RAM and Video memory, you may be dissatisfied.
  
• I want to play video games from time to time, and try new and 'open source' applications, but Vista doesn't seem to be ready to play applications that aren't 'Vista-ready'

So, for these and many other reasons, I have decided that I am going to trade in the "Vista beauty" for "XP functionality", and I remember a quote that helps me to make this decision:

I have found that all ugly things are made
by those who strive to make something beautiful,
and that all beautiful things are made
by those who strive to make something useful.
- Oscar Wilde

I think in another 9 months, Vista (and the software and hardware that I use) will be ready for prime time and I will try to install it again at this time. Since I already own the product, I won't have to repurchase it. Until then, I will keep playing around with my applications and see how both Vista and Ubuntu evolve. This decision I believe will eliminate about 45 minutes of frustration (error resolution, etc) per day - which is worth the cost.

#Money#

Still saving for debt reduction - I have automated this with my savings account, so while I track it daily, it takes care of itself.
One of my accounts built up enough to justify moving it to a better investment - so I bought a 9month CD at INGdirect. I like INGdirect, because they have low minimum limits, so I can invest in CDs for very little money. Every little bit counts, and right now, I am just working with tiny amounts to build up my habits, not necessarily to actually get rich. If I can continue to build these habits, then I may get better and managing my finances - which is the point of all of these categories, so of course I am repeating myself. Enough said.

#Personal#

What was this for - oh yeah, just to make some personal social time and this was done at the STC conference. The women to men ratio was in my favor, as there are many young ladies who are writers by profession. Wonderful for me. I got a chance to chat with the ladies and see if I could get back my gift of gab. I need work as I was about as clumsy as monkey with no thumbs.


more later,

Chazz

Happy Day - all you Mothers!

Picture of Memphis Evans who is the subject of the first Chazz Vader Podcast



Motivation:

2 possible contrasting quotes for today:

Mother is the bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries.
- Unknown

A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
- Dorothy C. Fisher (1879-1958)

Diary:

Good week! I finally found a window regulator and on Friday night, I installed it. It was fairly easy to do, since my father showed me how the pieces came out. I still cannot figure out why someone (Buick) would put PLASTIC parts on a mechanical component like the window motor.

Also, i had my doctor's appointment - but will have to wait for results on bloodwork, etc. it will be interesting to see what losing 100 lbs does to my lab results.

I received a great letter from a fan. (*blush* - who knew i would ever have "fans'...)

" It was great seeing you yesterday. You looked fabulous and it is crystal clear to me you have the willpower now to achieve your goals. I saw this quote this morning and immediately thought of our brief visit last night. Seems to me you are succeeding on both fronts.

Congrats,
Mike"

"Our self image and our habits tend to go together. Change one and you will automatically change the other."

Dr. Maxwell Maltz
1899-1975, Author

Mike, thanks! Also thanks for the quote from H. Jackson Brown: "In the confrontation between stream and rock the stream always wins; not through strength, but perseverance."


No measurements this week, with the holiday and all. however, the other BIG BIG BIG NEWS is that the PODCAST is done and ready for download.




please enjoy, and provide your comments or suggestions. This initial show was to discuss the 'Worlds Greatest Daddy" project, which is best explained by Memphis Evans:

Self-Defined Incentive Program

My top priority in my life is my family, followed closely by my friends and my music. This is my attempt to bring the actual way I spend my time into line with my stated priorities. So far it has been a smashing success and I have felt ever better about myself.

This was inspired by two things. One is Chazz Vader's blog which talks about setting and acheiving meaningful, realistic goals. Two is the book Freakonomics, which talks about how incentives influence behavior. I wanted to be a better father and husband. I thought, "What incentives have driven me to acheivement?" I have been sort of an underacheiver at times (music career) and an out and out lazy slacker bum at other times. (Ask me about my stint at the Northfield News.) But one time in my life I did extremely well was junior high and early high school. I was driven by the challenge of getting high grades. So I set up a grading system, then I made a chart and decided on a grading system.

Now we have the "World's Greatest Daddy" incentive program defined for everyone. I honestly will not necessarily make it a priority to put updates every day, but will try to get something up with my scores, successes and failures, plus any changes to the program, once a week.

So I hope you enjoy the show - I enjoyed it.

Got an idea for a concept I should discuss?
Someone I should interview?
Type of music you would like to hear?

Calling out to all creative types!! if you want to make a song for the podcast, feel free to send it to me. I could use some short snippets of audio - maybe an advertisement, jingle, short skit, something that can help to break up the odd spots. I welcome all suggestions and offers.

So, have a great Mother's Day, and I will plan for the next interview.

more later,

Chazz

Ghosts in the wire...

Motivation:

"A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits."
~Richard Nixon

Diary:

This week has been one distraction after another - some self induced, some were random glitches - either way two rules apply:

1) If it has wheels - it will cause you frustration and grief.
2) If it has a computer chip - it will cause you frustration and grief.

I am not saying I don't enjoy and rely on things with computer chips and wheels, but when they start breaking, they don't seem to stop.

This week, I am trying to get back to speed with fun things, like the podcast production, but am finding that my computer is not co-operating.

• I installed a piece of hardware that in retrospect, I should have not - It was a "nice to have" item, and I realize that this installation was a mistake - resulting in a disaster for my computer.
• My iPod just died the other day - couldn't sync with my computer, then gave me the "bad iPod icon" and finally didn't start up at all. My solution to this problem was the same as my solution to many problems - set it down and walk away. Sometimes tears are also involved, and "Why me, Lord.. Why me?!" sobs.
  
• My computer gave all signs of being infected with a virus, however I could not find one thing in my tests. Finally figured out that it is an incompatibility with Windows Vista and the virus removal tool that I was using. I am really starting to get annoyed with Vista - more and more each day. I am not yet ready to ditch the whole thing, but it is close.. Maybe if I continue to have problems.
• Microsoft Outlook had amnesia - forgot who it was, and who I was. Wouldn't recognize my PDA or sync my files. I had to restore the application - should be done after a reboot.
• Had errors while trying to update the drivers for my laptop docking bay, maybe this is some of the problem. I will try to resolve this tonight before bed.
• This morning, I turned on my iPod and it works - no bad icons, no unhappy crying. ???? What the ?$#@*^
  
• Tonight, I try again with getting my computer working.
• I am having troubles fixing my car. I just need the Left (Driver side) Front Door Window Regulator Assembly for a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. Shouldn't be too hard, huh? There is a place in Blaine that has one - but I haven't the time or energy to go there and get it. Perhaps I will order one on the internet. Either way, I am reminded every time I get into my car of this half-finished project. It is annoying.
  

These are all distractions that get me off course with the other 58 items that have been on my task list. This is making me feel like I am "behind" with the goals and the challenges that I have in front of myself, but alas - such is life.

new measurements and calculations for my weight loss posted on the sidebar. - I hit my last goal - 330 lbs - so I have put up a new goal - under 297 - which will get me past my first major goal of under 300lbs. This should be fun.

Tomorrow I have my annual physical, so this may add for another blog story. I know that tomorrow will be a challenging day, because I had to schedule the visit for the evening hours (after work) and they want to get blood samples, this means that I need to fast from eating for 8 to 10 hours. I am planning on having breakfast, then no food during the workday, and waiting until AFTER the doctors visit to have my meal. It is an interesting challenge, as I have been pretty structured with my eating schedule. The timing is also interesting, due to the theme of the sermons at church this month. The theme has been about the things that I have been working on - specifically "HABITS, RITUALS, and BEHAVIOR" in relationship with God. We received handouts the other week entitled "Creative Ideas for Sacrifice through Fasting". This wasn't focused on a restraint from eating, but from all "Distractions" (aka Clutter) that keep us to be not focused on God. These distractions could be Newspapers, TV, Games, Crafts, Social Events, Consumption-related activities, Negative Thoughts, Critical Words, Rushed sense of nature, on and on and on. Very good sermon, and I will most likely think about this some more to link together the Renaissance Man with Spirituality. It is a worthy project to consider, even if it doesn't really hit the mark completely.

I saw recently that "SuperSize Me" was on TV, and I enjoyed watching it again, for the 2nd time. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. Very interesting take on how the fast food and commercial food industry spends so much money getting us fat - and some of us have an addictive nature that they really leverage to make $$. Compare the amount that McDonald's and Hershey's spend on marketing and labelling, compared to the amount that the Dept of Health spends ensuring kids have healthy, nutrient filled meals - the numbers are shocking.

I also saw a documentary on a man living in Mexico (I think) who weighed over 1200 lbs. He was confined to his bed and had to have a friend wash him 2 times a week, to make sure that he did not get bed sores. He decided to lose weight, and got help from "The Zone" diet founders, who helped him and monitored his loss. He lost 300+ lbs in the first year of the diet, and was still a huge man, but he was moving around in bed - I could see the change in his voice and in the way he did little things like shifted. It was a very interesting story, and I think I found a lot of it to be similar to my thoughts at the 500lb weight area. I would like to know if this guy is still losing. Very interesting. I think the show was called "Worlds Fattest Man" - horrible title for a show, but fascinating to live through his eyes as he attempts to retrain his body from the inside.

Speaking of this, I was reading a Men's Health article that I think maybe I already wrote about, but deserves another reading:

Once You Have Fat, You Can Never Go Back

The average American has about 30 billion fat cells that can expand up to 1,000 times their original size. But a fat cell can get only so big; once it reaches its physical limit, it creates multiples, leaving you with two or more fat cells for the price of one. Only problem: Fat cells have a no-return policy. Once you have a fat cell, you're stuck with it. So as you grow fatter and double the number of fat cells in your body, you also double the difficulty you'll have losing the lipids inside them.

The Badness of Belly Fat

Many of us tend to store fat in our bellies, and that's where the health dangers of excess weight begin. Abdominal fat doesn't just sit there and do nothing; it's active. It functions like a separate organ, releasing substances that can be harmful to your body.

For instance, it releases free fatty acids that impair your ability to break down the hormone insulin (too much insulin in your system can lead to diabetes). Fat also secretes substances that increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as the stress hormone cortisol (high levels of cortisol are also associated with diabetes and obesity as well as with high blood pressure). Abdominal fat bears the blame for many health problems because it resides within striking distance of your heart, liver, and other organs--pressing on them, feeding them poisons, and messing with their daily function.

You can read the rest of the article at Men's Health site - link to it here.

This idea of this "abdominal fat" organ in your body - out to release toxins to help keep you fat, or worse - what a real bummer. Right now, I can tell that this "quatto-like" (watch Total Recall for the reference) entity is in my way. I am really ready to get rid of this extra gut that is doing nothing for me but releasing fatty acids, and stress hormones. This is a real reason why people (including me) take so long to start losing weight. Not only do you have a mental barrier and emotional attachment to food, but you really have a physical entity (body fat) that is an active organism trying to defeat you from weight loss. It is putting nasty bits into your bloodstream in hopes to counteract all of the hard work you have been doing. AND - It gets bigger by dividing it cells!! Dang man - that sucks.

Well, that is enough for now. I had a few people this week say that they "think I am losing weight". "Oh, really?" "Huh, I will have to check." has been my response. One of my friends at church said "Admit it - you have lost 100lbs," to which I had to fess up - yes, I have lost 100lbs.

The weird thing is, to be honest, that I have been looking at my pictures and reviewing the stats from day one. It took me over a year to lose the first 100lbs, but I didn't move down but 2 inches on my waist. Now that I am losing the 2nd of the 100lbs, I am starting to move down in pant size - 8 sizes so far - and people are just starting to notice. During the first 100lbs loss, the "onlookers" showed very little encouragement or acknowledgment about the changes that were going on in me. (Not speaking about the loyal people who believe in me and faithful readers of "Chazz Vader" blog, who always are encouraging and inspiring - thank you.) That first stretch was harder, due to the reasons listed above about toxins and so forth. Now that I am starting to beat that fat organism with pure stubborn tenacity, it is starting to surrender itself. I have to kick it daily, or else. My metabolism is starting to conquer the toxins being exuded by this lard-filled Jabba that is hanging on to me. When I start on the 3rd set of 100lbs - I am assuming that this is the time where people will start to notice changes and say nice things to me. What a backwards world.

Rant over. That was somewhat therapeutic. The moral? - Encourage people around you and congratulate them on successes. Have faith, and just let them know you are willing to support and love them along the journey. Don't worry about the response, just watch and enjoy. Most people need help and encouragement while in the valley, during the battle, not necessarily after they are on the mountaintop.

One more thing along this line of getting things done and motivations. I heard an interview with Sgt. John Kriesel. Kriesel is a Minnesota National Guardsmen who lost both of his legs in a blast near Fallujah on December 2nd. He spoke on the radio about his schedule, to go back Walter Reid Hospital and do physical therapy. When asked if things were getting easier or harder with his recovery and therapy, his answer was "Right now, I don't think in terms of easier or harder - it is always hard, but I have been told that this is my job right now - to recuperate." I was impressed with the answer. It is his job and duty to recover from his injury and continue to push the boundary of his physical ability. I cannot imagine what a struggle this is, but I am envisioning a discussion with his superior "You're current assignment is to overcome your disability and be physically, mentally and emotionally mean and lean."

The reason for me linking this particular interview, was during a discussion at my clinic. The counselor asked if I was working out. I indicated that I was starting to train for the 5k, and doing some elliptical aerobic work. She was very excited, and I stated that "It is part of my job." I think I confused her - because I didn't mean, my "work-job", but my "life-job". I guess I have started to internalize that it is my duty to continue this weight loss and training project to completion. I am into the habits and see this as more than just a project, this is my job - to get this done.


more later,

Chazz