Microsoft Rewards

I’ve been using Microsoft Rewards for a few years now. I flip through the days headlines and complete the tasks of the day. The tasks include trivia quizzes, opinion polls, opening links, and conducting web searches that I would do anyway. Every few weeks, when I get enough points, I’ll get a $5 gift card for Amazon. There are other redemption options but I like that one the best. This is my invitation link if you want to check it out.

https://account.microsoft.com/rewards/rafwelcome?rh=C43B45A3&ref=bingflyout0

Changing gears

I started this blog as a project for a class I took in college. Then, I contributed regularly when I was following a fitness program and that seemed to help keep me on track. Since then, my posts have been infrequent and brief. Blogging can be time consuming and sometimes stressful. I like to write but I’ve switched to journaling with pen and paper to scratch that itch.

My blog has lacked a theme and that was intentional. I designed it to be a place where I can express my opinion on things that I notice, like an editorial page. I would like to continue to do that but I’m noticing a growing trend on the internet that I want to participate in. That is, referral marketing.

I don’t like emailing links to my family and friends to get referrals. For the most part, they aren’t interested in the same things I am anyway. On the other hand, sometimes I want to open and account or purchase a product and I know I could get a discount or a monetary reward if I had a referral code from someone else. YouTube has been a decent source of referral codes for me but general Google searches have not. https://www.retailmenot.com/ used to be a decent source for discount codes but not so much lately.

I’ve decided to use my blog as a place to park my referral codes for other people to find. I will also post them on Twitter and I’m thinking about posting them on YouTube but I haven’t decided yet. I will also use affiliate links for some products that I bought, own, and use. The idea is to create a space that is opt in. Let’s get to work.

This is an AR-15

This is an AR-15. AR-15 stands for Armalite Rifle Model 15. This picture may not look familiar because this is a stripped lower receiver made of polymer and I bought it as you see it. This is my first AR-15, it weighs 4.4 ounces, and I paid $49.95USD for it. I bought a piece of plastic.

The receiver is the regulated part of a firearm. I had to fill out an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) Form 4473 to record the transaction and declare my eligibility to own this firearm. Form 4473 records the make, model, and the serial number of the firearm I purchased. I also had to pass background checks through NCIS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) and the ISP (Illinois State Police) to be able to take delivery of it from an FFL (Federal Firearms License) dealer after a 24 hour waiting period. As a resident of Illinois, I’m also required to have a valid Illinois FOID (Firearm Owners Identification) card that involves another set of documentation, background checks, and fees. I had to do all of this to exercise my Constitutional right to bear arms. I legally own a piece of plastic.

The receiver is the part considered a firearm but it is obviously incapable of functioning as a firearm without other parts to complete an assembly. I may choose to purchase those parts and complete the assembly or I may not. It’s a piece of plastic.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about banning, “buying back”, and even confiscating AR-15 style firearms. I didn’t own an AR-15 so why should I care? I care because I believe in the United States Constitution and the Second Amendment is clearly written. However, there is a procedure to modify the Constitution and that procedure is the Constitutional Amendment Process as listed in Article V of the Constitution itself. I believe the Constitution should be reviewed regularly and amended when necessary. I would invite those who would like to ban any firearm to propose a bill through Congress. If someone can convince the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of our Federal Government that their ideas are important enough to change the U.S. Constitution, I will comply with the law of the land. Until then, I’ll be keeping my piece of plastic.

My first AR-15

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I have taken delivery of my first AR-15. I hold in my hands a very real symbol of liberty that represents my freedom to defend myself, my responsibility to protect the innocent, and my ability to resist tyranny. Now I must decide how far I am willing to go to defend my right to own this silly little piece of plastic.

My first rental bike ever…

Zagster installed bikes in our community on July 2nd. I own several bikes, so I wondered how a company could keep all of those bikes maintained and ready for people to rent. I decided to rent one and see what it’s all about.

On July 17th I rented a Zagster bike at the intersection of Schuyler Avenue and Merchant Street in Kankakee Illinois. I adjusted the seat height, hopped on, and took off. I immediately noticed that the front tire was almost flat, and it was really hard to pedal. I twisted the shifter, but it wouldn’t change gears. I looked at the cable at the hub and there was no movement at all. Something was hitting my left foot with each pedal stroke. I looked down and saw a big black cable hanging from underneath. Further investigation showed that this was the cable for the temporary bike lock that was jammed into the frame. Then I tried to stop. The back brake barely worked at all. The front brake was okay (thank goodness).

I returned the bike after a disappointing one block ride. I locked the bike in the rack but the app froze and wouldn’t recognize that the bike was locked. The bike was physically secure but I didn’t want to get charged for a bunch of extra time so I called the support number listed in the app. My call was answered promptly by a friendly young lady who confirmed that the bike was in fact returned and recorded my notes about needed repairs. I was not charged for this 17-minute excursion, thank you.

Since I was fulfilling my curiosity and not needing transportation I didn’t try another bike. Could I recommend renting these bikes to others? How could I in good conscience? They are only two weeks old and the first one I grabbed was virtually destroyed! I really want this program to be a success. I’ll try again later.

Week 12 of 12: What I Did This Summer

Front before and after
Front before and after

If this was a grade school writing assignment, it might go something like this:  I lifted weights.  I rode my trike.  I made new friends.  It was fun.  The end.  Since grade school was long ago, let me expound a bit.

Darin Steen’s Fat Loss Lifestyle program is based on five areas of health and fitness:

1. Resistance Training – When I started lifting weights again I had a difficult time completing the workout.  I had no stamina.  The weights I used progressively got heavier until I had to join a gym, Impact Fitness in Bradley IL, because my abilities had exceeded my home equipment.

2. Cardiovascular Training – On day one, a 30 minute brisk walk was about all I could manage.  I progressed to riding my recumbent trike and adding sprint intervals to my ride.  The last few weeks I’ve been using an elliptical trainer at the gym.  I like it because it’s low impact on my knees and it really keeps my heart rate up.  I basically do a 5k on that thing in 30 minutes.

3. Nutrition – I’ve said before that nutrition has been the hardest part for me.  It’s also the area I have the least experience with.  I really never paid attention before.  I’m learning a lot and will continue to learn as I progress.

4. Goal Setting – I had three goals when I started.  a. Reduce body fat from 23% to 15% and gain 9 lbs of muscle.  b. Get off of my daily prescription medications. c. Look better in my clothes.  All of these goals were accomplished or exceeded in 12 weeks!  I actually gained 11.5 lbs of muscle, reduced my waist 7 inches from 48-41, and put almost an inch on my arms.  I made a decision when I started and there were real emotional reasons behind that decision.

5. Social Support – I started posting my intentions and progress on this blog specifically to gain some social support.  I gained a few followers who have been very encouraging.  That support made my progress easier because I couldn’t face the embarrassment of failure and I didn’t want to disappoint my new friends.

This isn’t the end.  There are new goals to be set and accomplished.  I truly have a new lifestyle.  I included pictures of mature bodybuilders in my posts because fitness is ageless and bodybuilding is the closest thing I’ve found to the “fountain of youth”.  I believe that we have the ability to extend our useful lives by decades using information that is already available.

Special thanks to Darin Steen, Mike Neumann, and Tammy White for your inspiration.  Thank YOU for reading my blog and providing the support I needed to get this far.  I love your comments.

Back before and after
Back before and after

For more information about the system that I am following go to fatlosslifestyle.com

www.fatlosslifestyle.com

Week 11 of 12: Appearances

June 4th, 2013-Before
June 4th, 2013-Before

One of my major goals was to look better in my clothes. Since I have reduced my equator by 15%, I think I have achieved a good portion of that goal.

I’m starting to get comments and compliments that I look different. “Have you lost weight?”, I’m asked. Yes, some. “Are you working out?”, I’ve heard. Yes I am. Thank you for noticing.

I gotta tell you though, I’m starting to crave certain foods that I’ve been avoiding. Things like cheese, bacon, butter, mayonnaise, and ice cream top the list. I’ve reduced fat to about 20% of my calories. That’s not a much fat at all considering how much is in the the foods I am eating like chicken breast and eggs. I’m not complaining really, just looking forward to a change of pace.

Results:
Waist down to 41 1/2 inches from 48 at the start. Yes, all the effort is paying off!

September 18th, 2013-Now
September 18th, 2013-Now

For more information about the system that I am following go to fatlosslifestyle.com  www.fatlosslifestyle.com

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