JB and the Fatman ...

It was around a year ago that I embarked on a life-long commitment. No, I wasn't getting married, but I rather began the journey to lose weight. Jumping on the scales at more than 120kgs in 2004, I thought it was about time that I followed a phrase that I wrote on the back of a business card some time ago: "Realise Your Potential". Three easy words that are sometimes not so easy to carry out. Well, 2005 was a watershed year for me with all the travelling I did, but I also managed to lose the weight and keep it off, despite a steady diet of beer, burritos and burgers whilst I was abroad. When I returned I was around 105kgs.

Anyway, today is a landmark day. I went to the gym in the blazing 43C degree heat (my fellow Americans, that's around 110F) and I came out just before weighing 99.1kgs! It's really the first time I have broken the 100kg mark! The shrinking reporter has just got smaller. I love working out and I can really see the results. I'm also continuing to keep a daily diary that monitors my weight, exercise and diet.

I don't need any reminding of how I used to look and publishing these ghastly images will probably kill off any chance I may have had with the ladies who read this here blog, which were taken around mid-2004. At that time I had - in the words of Rogan Josh - coloured hair that looked similar to the clip-on headpieces belonging to the male citizens of Legoland. Nonetheless, I thought it was an important time to reflect on how far I have come. I'm pretty close to my ideal weight of 95kgs.

Not much else going on here at JB HQ. Work has been going pretty well. Sticking with the tennis theme, I have been hanging out at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park writing a few colour stories for the event. I met two-time champion, Jim Courier, and doubles king, Todd Woodbridge for a story I wrote on tennis entourages. Housesitting at Cameroon and K-Beezer's house ended last week and I went to cricket with them on Friday. We had a lot of fun yelling at the players, in particular Boony and Stuart Clark. Here's me and the mischevious Beez. I don't who that guy is next to her. It's certainly not Cameroon, I know that. I'm also taking tomorrow off to run a few errands and hopefully see Pittsburgh get into Super Bowl XL. Go Steelers!

Whilst housesitting I got involved in a very, very, very minor prang in Poppa Blog's automobile. I also inadvertently broke one of the sliding doors in my room after a book got caught in between the doors. And at my sister's wedding I met a nice lady who went to live near London this past week for a while. Needless to say, I haven't had much luck with cars, cupboards or chicks lately!

What Sarah said ...

As mentioned in a previous post, I received a lovely e-mail from my Portland friend, (Not So) Single Forever the other day. We are both Capricorns - not that I believe in the stars - and she took the liberty of sending me some extended well wishes for my birthday. She turned 28 the next day but, as of yet, I have not got back to her. However, I think this is a much nicer gesture: A picture of me and her before we went to the Death Cab For Cutie concert late last year. Thanks to Rivjuando for that and many other pictures he sent me. He is currently holidaying in Lake Tahoe with his beautfiul bride, Soule Sista, and their friend, G.I. Charley who has returned from Afghanistan.

At this point I wish all my friends, both here and around the globe, my thoughts.

Today's my birthday! Happy birthday to me ...

Needless to say, I'm not averse to shameless self-promotion, so I thought I'd share with anyone out in cyberspace that doesn't know already that it's my birthday today! Big JB has turned the big 28! Already, the text messages, e-mails and phone calls are flowing through, even though I'm at work. AP put a bright pink piece of paper on my computer screen that read "Happy Birthday JB" and her and Atomic Bombie took me out for lunch at York Cafe. (Not So) Single Forever hoped that I enjoy being a year older, wiser, and better looking. I can't argue with that! And happy birthday to you as well! Cousin JC, who had his birthday on New Year's Day said: "Welcome to 28, please enjoy your stay." Cousin Davis said: "Such a young man with so much promise." Umm, yep. Thanks to everyone else who wished me well.

Now I thought I would share some classic moments and images from the post-wedding bocce tournament over the weekend. "That's the measure," was a comment frequently used by Cameroon on Saturday, but it was the family of the bride and not the groom who had the measure, winning the men's and mixed doubles inter-family contest that had the capacity crowd of more than 15 both in deck chairs and under the shadecloth howling in approval. Here's me with Rogan Josh and Aviator Anthony in heated competition. An absolutely awesome sport where a beer bottle can be held in one hand and a bocce ball in the other.

As we speak, a proposal to build corporate facilities for fine wining and dining is being proposed at the Highton complex and discussions taking place for bocce to be more than just a once-in-a-lifetime event. Indeed, the bocce set Poppa Blog purchased for under $20 at K-Mart recently will hopefully be put to good use this summer. If we're lucky, we might even get a sponsorship deal! CUB do you hear me?

Hey you, down in front ...

"What's been holding you up, JB?" While last Friday certainly belonged to my sister, K-Beezer, and her new husband, Cameroon, I managed to delay proceedings by trying to fix a troublesome cuff link. To paraphrase 2Pac, all eyes were on me, only briefly. The bride wore white, the groom wore pink and both looked resplendent. I'm now housesitting for them in G-Dub as they enjoy their honeymoon in tropical North Queensland.

Happy New Year by the way! To quote Death Cab For Cutie: "So this is the new year. And I don't feel any different." I'm into taking lyrics from songs. Music is the soundtrack to my life. I know it's a bit late for 2006 greetings but I've failed to heed my own advice and remain blog savvy. However there's been a lot happening as this here blog will now attest. So read on.

I actually slept during the countdown for 2006, a combination of hot weather and cold beer. But given that the wedding was on Friday, I had to get my rest. I'm getting old now. Which reminds me, come Tuesday I'll have to update my profile. You know it, the one that says: "I'm a 27-year-old single bloke ..." No, I haven't got a girlfriend yet but rather I'll be a year older. Of all places, I'll be at work on that milestone day.

The wedding was absolutely lovely and the day just went very quickly. And now, drum roll please, here are the photos. An Internet exclusive. Again, the same criteria exists for pictures that appear on this blog - I have to be in them! Clockwise from top left: (1) A cheerful Poppa Blog with his two sons. That would be me and Rogan Josh. (2) Cousin Slugg's brothers with JB. Note: Cousin Davis to my left looks like his twin, Cousin Slugg, who is actually the older twin, not the younger one as first reported. The Slugger could be appearing on milk cartons really soon, as he's been missing in action over in London and unable to be contacted. Let's call their older brother Cousin JC, not to be confused with Stainglass JC in the Beaver Brewer's window. (3) K-Beezer and her protective brothers. They make a formidable trio. (4) JB's family with Cameroon and my Momma Blog's mum. That would make her my grandma.



















It was a great day, except for some mediocre MC duties by JB. People were at ease as I bumbled my way on the mic. The chicks especially seemed to dig it. I totally stuffed up the order of the cutting of the cake, the toast, the bridal waltz and speeches, which made everyone laugh. Funnily enough, alcohol wasn't involved. I've just never been a good public speaker, despite my role in the media. I joked that The Hoff and his Babewatch crew would have to come and save me as I was drowning badly. No one really knew what I meant, however. It seemed the joke was on me.

Yesterday, we had the post-wedding beers and BBQ at Cameroon's parents place. Bocce was played. I'm saving this for another post. Again, some great photos and anecdotes, but you'll have to wait for those.