Astros’ Music Man Cranks Out Hits

Astros' Music Man (Nunee Oakes) Cranks Out Hits

Let’s be clear: Minute Maid Park is not a good place to catch a first-class baseball game and hasn’t been for some time, dating back to ‘05 when the Astros won the National League championship. Coming off one of the worst seasons in Major League Baseball in which the Astros posted a franchise-worst 56-106 record, they aren’t providing much enjoyment.

But that doesn’t mean you won’t find a different form of entertainment under that retractable roof, thanks to a guy whose job it is to provide entertainment, even when the Stros are striking out left and right.

For the past 14 seasons, that job has belonged to Nunee Oakes, audio engineer (fancy words for a DJ, he says) for the Houston Astros. After logging 14 championship-less seasons, the music man has lasted almost a decade longer than any of the 18 managers in the team’s history. But Oakes does a lot more than play variations of Jay-Z between innings. He’s the guy who controls every bit of sound you hear inside the 1,263,240-square foot ballpark — from the video board (the first 1080i HD scoreboard in MLB) to the PA system to longtime broadcaster Milo Hamilton’s radio show. He does it all.

While the team sporting the uniforms hasn’t been above .500 since 2008, the team “behind the glass” above left field (which is comprised of three other full-time employees and 50 game-day employees) has been honored numerous times, including winning the Best Overall Display Award (known as the “Best Show in Baseball”) for five straight years.

The team tries to instill a balance of Latino, country, hip-hop, top 40 and classic rock music for its fans.

Oakes works in tandem with Kirby Kander, senior director of creative services, doing everything from scripting music, picking player intro music (not all the guys pick their songs anymore), planning features/inning breaks and troubleshooting potential problems.

To read the full article, visit ESPN Playbook.

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Brian Dawkin Makes His Exit from NFL

Former Eagles Safety, Brian Dawkins Retires From NFL

As with most things in life, after 16 seasons, fans get tired. Whether it’s another horny middle-aged man hitting on the grossly thin admin assistant on Survivor, the country bumpkin who came from nothing on American Idol, or the 27th season of Real World in Miami, fans eventually die down each and every week, each and every season.

But Monday, as former Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins announced his retirement (via Twitter) from the NFL after 16 highlight-reeled seasons and nine Pro Bowls, I’m left with the question: “Was anyone done with No. 20?”

Dawkins spent 13 hard-hitting seasons in Philadelphia after being drafted in the second round of the 1996 draft out of Clemson. That very season, Dawkins quickly showed me how important the role of a safety was.

To this day my dad still thinks he was the one who taught me all the tips to play the defensive position, but in truth it was Dawkins who taught me that reading the quarterback’s eyes was a surefire way to snag an interception. It was Dawkins who showed me how be a leader on my very own sports teams and how to be loud and in charge. It was Dawkins who showed me how to viciously tackle an opposing sorority girl at the knees and drill her into the ground. It was Dawkins who showed me that a player playing off the line of scrimmage wasn’t a B-team kind of athlete—he was in fact quite the opposite. It was Dawkins who showed me defensive players were just as important as offensive players.

For girls, those are the kinds of integral aspects of sports that create a real and genuine understanding and love of the game.

After playing almost his entire career with the Eagles, 2009 marked what could easily be one of the greatest mistakes in franchise history by letting Weapon X become a free agent and allowing him to sign a five-year deal with that we-just-traded-Tim-Tebow-for-Peyton-Manning-team. Now, once again a free agent, the quick and agile DB decided to leave the turf on an all-too-rare high note, leaving fans like me desperately hoping he pulls a Brett Favre. (I’m not talking camera phones; I’m talking a change of heart.)

Weapon X Doing His Thing In Philly

To be able to play in Philly is to be able to play anywhere. To last as long as Dawkins did with the rowdy fanbase (the one I am so proud to call my own) without fans turning on him or throwing batteries says a lot about his character both on and off the field.

Dawkins was, and is, the epitome of all that Philly fans expect: to be able to talk the talk and back it up. The man was a reckless beast on the field. He could get to a pass faster than Heidi Montag could get to a plastic surgeon and he could do it numerous times.

Number of pass breakups for Dawkins: 98.

Number of plastic surgeries for Montag: 10. That we know of.

To read the full article, visit Bleacher Report.

Also, check out The Blonde Side’s profile and column in Bleacher Report.

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Texans Mock NFL Draft

Clearly was way off in my draft pick as the Texans picked Whitney Mercilus in the first round.

Thanks to the wonderful world wide web (read, mostly Twitter), I was asked to participate in a 2012 Mock NFL Draft with Alicia Jessop over at Ruling Sports. Living in Houston and being fairly tapped into the strengths and weaknesses of the Texans, Jessop asked The Blonde Side to give some thoughts on where the Texans would direct their first-round draft pick.

Below is my super long-winded (surprising, right?) answer to her simple question. Keep in mind, this was my first attempt at putting somewhat knowledgeable words into one of these. Usually I just slam a few drinks and throw out my completely biased opinions. This was really fun and I was in great company with some ridiculously smart NFL guys. Read the entire Mock Draft at Ruling Sports.

Writing my own sports column, The Blonde Side and being credentialed by the Houston Texans, one would think I’d be a bit more confident in predicting who I think the Texans will draft on Thursday, but truth be told, I’m more confident in my ability to put on eye liner with my left hand. After drinking a case of beer. Not to mention, the Texans are so far at the end of the draft (26th overall), it’s a crap-shoot.

While Texans fans don’t want to admit the solid Draft history of the franchise, the proof is in the pudding: selecting seven players who have gone on to participate in the Pro Bowl since 2002. Coming off a franchise best record (10-6), for the first time in history, the Texans don’t have any gaping holes screwing with their depth chart. From all I’ve heard and what my gut tells me, the Texans have to go for a WR – someone opposite Andre Johnson or to fill the gap if he (knock on wood) gets riddled with injuries again. The Texans haven’t drafted a WR since 2010, when they selected Dorin Dickerson from Pittsburgh in the 7th round. It’s time. And Texans fans and sports brainiacs will agree – A. Johnson is a beast, but his hamstring can’t do it alone.

After Johnson went out with his injury early last season, the Texans had to rely on a run game, thankfully carried by another Pro-Bowler Arian Foster. But if Shaub is healthy this season (or Yates comes back like a wild man), he’s got to have someone else to throw to. The NFL is all about options. Outside of Texas, the offense players names are virtually obsolete – no one knows many of the other guys on the roster.

When we talk WR’s in this year’s draft, there seem to be two names filling up the world wide web: Stephen Hill, the 6’4″ 215lb rockstar from Georgia Tech and Kendall Wright, the 5’11” 190lb almost hometown boy from Baylor. Although small, Wright is my choice, after listening to Joe Fortenbaugh’s reasoning and it’s true – he can stretch the defense across the field like nobody’s business which is exactly what Houston needs to take that franchise best record even further. If the Texans are trying to find an AJ clone, then Hill is your clear choice as they are much more compatible in the size department, but the speed of Wright shant be underestimated. I guess it’ll all boil down to what picks are left come the Texans turn, but I stay strong with my WR pick for the Texans first round pick.

And if you’re still as fairly clueless as I am on who the Texans will draft, here’s what General Manager/Executive Vice President, Rick Smith had to say at Tuesdays Pre-Draft Press Conference (which clearly still doesn’t shed any light on the draft situation), “I think if you look across our football team, the first thing I think you would think about, on the offensive line, losing a couple starters, via free agency in one case and then a determination in another case. But we’ve got to look at the offensive line group. I’ve said at the Combine earlier that I think we can probably help ourselves at the wide receiver position with maybe adding some youth and adding some speed there. And then depth in the linebacker corps. You can always add pass rushers. You can always add corners, I’ve always said that. We’ll do what we always do. We’ll stay true to our board. We’ve assessed a value that we think these players have at their particular positions and the way that it falls is the way that we’ll pick them.”hink if you look across our football team, the first thing I think you would think about, on the offensive line, losing a couple starters, via free agency in one case and then a determination in another case. But we’ve got to look at the offensive line group. I’ve said at the Combine earlier that I think we can probably help ourselves at the wide receiver position with maybe adding some youth and adding some speed there. And then depth in the linebacker corps. You can always add pass rushers. You can always add corners, I’ve always said that. We’ll do what we always do. We’ll stay true to our board. We’ve assessed a value that we think these players have at their particular positions and the way that it falls is the way that we’ll pick them.”

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What Do NFL Players Do On Draft Night? Go Bowling!

Travis Johnson & Kailee Wong pose with Houston Texans Cheerleaders (Marissa & Larissa) (Photo: MD Turner Photography)

While most NFL fans and players were glued to their HD televisions for the draft Thursday night, there were a select few more concerned with supporting a local cause: Travis Johnson, defensive end drafted by the Texans in 2005, and his Travis Johnson Foundation, which provides grants for rehabilitation for children suffering strokes and other major illnesses, as his four-year-old daughter did.

Among the players in attendance: Andre Johnson (Texans), Johnathan Joseph (Texans), Greg Jones (Jacksonville Jaguars), Dunta Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) and Tina Thompson (the WNBA Seattle Storm) just to name a few. The only game these big names were worried about was who could walk away with bragging rights as the best bowler.

The sports-studded evening at 300 Houston Bowling Lounge off Bunker Hill was filled with smack talking, high fives, jokes — and, more importantly, lots of donations.

At the beginning of the event, founder and former Texan (now free agent) Travis Johnson told the story of his daughter Zoe and their firsthand account as she suffered two strokes, which caused paralysis in the left side of her body. He recognizes and is thankful that his family was able to provide her with the best care during this trying ordeal, but realizes others may not have the means.

“We were fortunate, but not everyone’s fortunate in this kind of situation. The goal of the Travis Johnson Foundation is to let them be kids again,” he said before thanking his former teammates for joining him at his event.

Chris Hope (Tennessee Titans Strong Safety and Florida State guy), Andre Johnson & Travis Johnson strike a pose. (Photo: MD Turner Photography)

Even a few of his former Florida State teammates flew in just to show their support for the big night.

It was a big night in more ways than one. It also happened to be Travis Johnson’s 30th birthday where his wife surprised him with a 3-0 red velvet and vanilla cake. Let me be the first to say this may be a group of extraordinary charitable athletes, but they cannot carry a tune. I’ve never before laughed and cringed at the singing of “Happy Birthday,” but I knew it came from a good place.

The First Annual ‘Strike Out Strokes’ Celebrity Bowling Tournament was presented by Momentum Porsche Jaguar Land Rover, where guests were either personally invited or donated to to cause to attend.

The only lull in the competitive bowling or “thank you for all you do” talk was around 9:30 p.m. when the four TVs in the private bowling room showed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell set to announce the Texans’ first-round pick in the draft (26th overall). The sound came on and the crowd got quiet as Goodell announced the Texans pick of linebacker Whitney Mercilus (marking the fourth straight year the Texans have drafted a defensive player in the first round of the draft).

Shortly after the pick, the crowd returned their focus to more important things: The fierce bowling tournament to raise funds to provide assistance to families in need of financial support for children who have suffered major illnesses and are in need of rehabilitation or therapeutic services.

Tina Thompson, WNBA Player for Seattle Storm bowls (Photo: MD Turner Photography)

“The funds raised through this event will provide a better quality of life for children who have suffered a major illness or trauma and need rehabilitation services.  I know firsthand how this affects families.  It’s important for them to know there are people out there who care, that I care,” Travis Johnson said.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

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Sugar Land Skeeters Opening Day

Sugar Land Skeeters $36M Constellation Field

Lightning may not strike the same place twice, but who says Opening Day can’t happen twice?

Thursday night that’s exactly what greater Houston residents will get to see — a second baseball Opening Day, Opening Day for the new Atlantic League Team in Sugar Land, the Sugar Land Skeeters. And thanks to the novelty of this new independent league team, some Outer Loopers are about as excited for the Skeeters and their new $36 million stadium as they were for the Houston Astros’ Opening Day. If not more.

The Skeeters, at least for now, are new and refreshing. They aren’t coming off the worst record in franchise history. They didn’t go through any ownership or changing leagues drama in the offseason.

For those unfamiliar with this minor league free agent league the Skeeters are part of,it allows all 30 Major League Baseball clubs to sign a player at any time from the A.L. (which stands for Atlantic League, not to be confused with the American League which the Astros will soon be joining) and assign them anywhere within their organization. This is a huge gateway for ballplayers, both old and still relatively new (the age range on the Skeeters roster currently goes from 24 to 34), to try and make it into Major League lineups.

The most recent guy to have success with this free agent (and often last chance) model of minor league baseball is Houston native and Rice University graduate Lance Pendleton who was recently signed to pitch for the Tampa Bay Rays. Prior to this deal, Pendleton signed a minor league contract with the Astros and was released on March 30, 2012 as a free agent which sent him straight into the glove of the Skeeters.

In a press release issued by the Skeeters, Pendelton said, “Being from the Houston area, I knew the Skeeters would give me the best shot to showcase my arm. The organization really treated me with open arms. It is a double-edged sword though.

Sugar Land Skeeters

“I am upset to leave home where my family is, but this is an opportunity I cannot pass up.”

When asked about being competition for the Astros (mostly in the form of ticket sales and fan loyalty), Skeeters marketing communications manager Bryan Hodge responded with: “This area is a huge baseball market. Whether it is youth leagues or the Astros, everyone loves baseball here.

“We do not see the Astros as competition. We believe this market is suited for both teams to prosper and benefit each other. The more people watching and talking about baseball, the better it is for the growth of the sport.”

This just shows one of the many goals of the Skeeters organization — to further the mission of baseball by grooming these men on the Sugar Land field or helping them find their spot within MLB organizations. Aside from the actual sport itself, Hodge promises fun filled nights of entertainment for guests — that brand of entertainment you only find in the minor leagues.

“We will have the Cowboy Monkeys, a man who will light himself on fire and run the bases, fireworks, Roger Creager, concerts and more! We are a circus with a baseball game,” Hodge says half joking, half serious.

And it’s almost part of the game in Minor League Baseball to come up with wackiest and wittiest promos each year. MiLB.com even runs a contest to showcase the craziest ones — here’s hoping this new Sugar Land team can top that list some day.

The Skeeters will play 70 regular season home games at the brand new Constellation Field which broke ground in April of last year and has since generated an immense amount of buzz from locals. The $36 million stadium on Highway 6 is equipped with luxury suites, party seats, decks and even lawn seating where fans can sprawl out on blankets and battle the Texas heat.

Fans also seem to be excited about catching a glimpse of the eight-story HD video board in the shape of Texas.

Opening Day for the Skeeters is 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Constellation Field against the York Revolution. The game is completely sold out. Some lawn seats remain for the other games in the opening weekend series. Constellation Field has 6,000 reserve seats and the capacity for about a 1,000 more on the lawn or in standing room. Ticket prices for non-suite seats range from $7 to $12 (kids who show up in a youth baseball uniform are let in free).

Now those folks outside the Loop finally have a stadium to call home.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

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Style: ASPEN: Where 39 Degrees is More Than Tolerable

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Update: Sky Hotel and 39 Degrees has closed. 

[This article originally ran on TangoDiva back in April, 2012.]

Having been an avid snowboarder for 15+ years, I still can’t adjust to mountains and resorts whose lifts close mid-afternoon – those are valuable hours with or without sunshine that I could be shredding down the mountain on my trusty ole Burton board.

On my 3:15pm run on each and every trip in said towns, my heart automatically drops with the sudden urge to whine like Kim Kardashian on yet another failed marriage. Like I said, most places. That is certainly not the case in Aspen because I know on my last run I’ll pick up speed going as fast as I can, hit a jump or two (don’t get crazy here) and head on over to
39 Degrees inside the Sky Hotel (a Kimpton Hotel) for a Champagne Supernova (Moet & Chandon Imperial, St- Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Fragoli Wild Strawberry Liqueur and White Peach Puree – $18). And the rest of the world (or at least everyone in Aspen) will quickly follow suit making the bar just inside the lobby more packed than the Gondola after a fresh dump of snow. The hotel’s website boasts
39 Degrees as having “Wicked Cocktails and Aspen’s Best Burger” – how could you possibly go wrong? But the place is so much more than a cocktail or slab of beef.

Seriously.
39 Degrees is the place to be after a long day on the mountain, to grab unrivaled “bar” food, tasty drinks and check out some of Aspen’s finest – in the terms of locals and tourists alike. And if you don’t believe me, what about these recent accolades: The Sky Hotel recently was recognized as “A Place to be Scene” by Travel + Leisure magazine, and 39 Degrees was named “One of the Top 10 Places to Bar Hop Around the Globe” by USA Today.

The bar/restaurant/lounge is located exactly at latitude 39 degrees, so you don’t need to ask where the name came from. You can tuck away that handy little tidbit of random knowledge to use at a later date. The luxurious ambiance was conceived by Hollywood designer Dayna Lee of Powerstrip Studios back in 2007, and word on the street is the hotel (and bar) is on for a small redesign this year which will cause the doors to be temporarily shut from April 22 – May 23 with a huge relaunch party slated for June 1 (no word yet if this is invite only, but I’ll be anxiously checking my inbox to see if mine arrives).

The lounge currently boasts a retro ski-lodge feel you’d see in any classic ski flick combined with contemporary vibes throughout the place. The best place in the lounge is the sofa in the center of the bar, which wraps around the entire room allowing you to soak up all the happenings in every crevice of the dimly lit spot. Day or night you’ll find men and women of all ages there for one thing – the scene. In a place as picturesque as Aspen, that certainly says a lot.

A few good items to munch on:

Giant Pretzel $10
Assorted House-Made Mustards

Root Chip Nachos $11
House-Made Russet & Sweet Potato, Scallions, Crispy Bacon, Pico de Gallo, Aged White Cheddar Fondue

Tuna Wonton Tacos $16
Crispy Wonton Taco Shells, Ahi Tuna Tartare, Sushi Rice, Avocado & Jalapeño Puree, Sweet Soy, Tobiko Mayo

As for drinks, aside from the Champagne Supernova, which is my absolute favorite, you might also try:

Bourbon Peach Cobbler $12
Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Southern Comfort, Pomegranate Molasses, White Peach Puree, Mint

Sky Hotel and 39 Degrees
709 E. Durant Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
(970) 925-6760

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New Orleans Jazz. Duh.

Pistol Pete Maravich and the New Orleans Jazz

I usually confess my dumb blonde moments long before others have the chance to in an attempt to save face, but last week in New Orleans I did it again letting my “true” blonde shine.

Looking up at a t-shirt for sale I yelled out, “I love that shirt! Too bad it’s not sports related.” The shirt had the Jazz logo on it and said New Orleans, making me believe it was a play on the town of Jazz, but I couldn’t quite figure out how NBA licensing had allowed such a shirt to be made and sold. I was with my friend Joe from National Football Post and unknowingly he responded, “How is an old school NBA New Orleans Jazz t-shirt not sports related?”

As the “highly coveted sportswriter” I’ve become over the years, even I had no idea the Jazz (currently Utah Jazz) originated from New Orleans. Just as soon as the realization hit me, I wanted to belt out a big fat Homer Simpson style DUH.

My earliest recollections of the Jazz were from the eighties and nineties when Karl Malone and John Stockton ruled the purple jerseys in The Mormon State. And how dumb do I feel because for a team to be named The Jazz, of-freaking-course they started in New Orleans, the city synonymous with Jazz music. Duh again blondie. That’s like saying you’ve watched Grey’s Anatomy for years and never realized the show was named after Meredith Grey, the main character (and narrator). Those are just the kinds of things people should know. As a caveat, the team only lasted in New Orleans five years, all before my time, so I should be granted some level of acceptance. So for the other “dumb blondes” out there, I did some research on the origin of the team and some random facts you can throw around at dinner parties. Or bars. You can thank me later.

My "new vintage" New Orleans T-shirt with Joe Fortenbaugh

  • In 1974 New Orleans officially became the 18th team of the NBA (the expansion franchise cost $6.15 million). As with many sports teams, a contest was held to name the expansion team. Over 6,500 names were submitted and eight semi-finalists were selected (that really told the story of the city): Jazz, Dukes, Crescents, Pilots, Cajuns, Blues, Deltas, and Knights. Steve Brown, a 27-year old self-proclaimed “Jazz freak” was the winner who ended up naming the team.
  • The name Jazz was selected due to its definition “collective improvisation.”
  • 1974 was not the first time a professional basketball team had called New Orleans home. From 1967-70, there was an ABA team called the Buccaneers.
  • The Jazz only won six of their first 50 games in their first season in NOLA and finished with the worst record in NBA (23-59).
  • The team only stayed in New Orleans, the city synonymous with Jazz & Mardi Gras for five short years (1974-79) before being shipped off to Utah. While it’s not unusual for new cities to change the team name (i.e. Seattle SuperSonics now being the OKC Thunder), Utah decided to keep the name and embrace all the qualities the team had become known for.
  • The Jazz (both cities) have retired five uniform numbers: #1 Frank Layden, #7 Pete Maravich, #14 Jeff Hornacek, #35 Darrell Griffith and #53 Mark Eaton
  • After the Jazz headed to Utah, the city of New Orleans would occasionally host Atlanta Hawks games, but the real desire to get basketball back into their city came from the Final Four. The Superdome hosted the 1982 Final Four, the same Final Four where Michael Jordan, a then freshman, nailed the game winning shot as North Carolina won the Championship. New Orleans also hosted the Final Four in 1987 and again in 1993. It wasn’t again until 2002 that New Orleans could once again called itself an NBA home when the Hornets moved from Charlotte into a brand new arena. (Again, there was debate about a name change or trying to bring the name Jazz back to its city of origin, but the name remained as the New Orleans Hornets.)
  • Worst season record for the Jazz franchise came in 1974-75: 23-59 (.280) – New Orleans
  • Best season record for the Jazz franchise came in 1996-97: 64-18 (.780) – Utah

Marketing Guide For The Jazz Logo

As a former brain at an ad agency, I find the progression of the logo and team colors particularly interesting.

1974-79  New Orleans Jazz | Colors: Purple, Green, Gold (these started as the main colors as they represented Mardi Gras)

1979-96 Utah Jazz | Colors: Purple, Green, Gold

1996-04 Utah Jazz | Colors: Purple, Teal, Light Blue, Copper, Black

2004-10 Utah Jazz | Colors: Navy, Powder Blue, Purple, Silver

2010-Present Utah Jazz | Navy, Dark Yellow, Dark Green, Gray

Want more random facts and followings? Follow The Blonde Side on Twitter @jaymelamm

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No Celebratory Prosecco For This Loser.

Day 40 – In. The. Books. But hold off on that celebratory Prosecco you think I deserve.

Forty days ago I set out on a goal for Lent, that instead of giving something up, I’d take on a new healthy habit (no, I’m not Catholic, but thought it was a great way to start a fitness goal). Enter my dedication and determination to run at least 2 miles/day for 40 straight days.

Like I said, don’t pop that cork just yet. I failed. But just by a day. Damn that one measly day.

During those 40 days, I suffered not two, but three stress fractures, and it still didn’t stop me, even against copious warnings from my doctor (and mother) telling me to take it easy.

During those 40 days, I managed to run through multiple hangovers courtesy of Bourbon Street, even with the threat of vomit looming over my mascara stained eyes on every single step.

The day after running a half marathon in Tampa when my muscles were stressed and strained beyond any immediate repair, I still managed to log a less than impressive 2.02 miles the very next day in my Brooks Pure Flow running shoes.

But enter day 39 in the beautiful outdoor loving city of Vancouver and thanks to a kidney infection, stitches in my knee (from falling off a flippin’ beach cruiser) and a nasty series of lies from a stupid boy and BOOM.

Hello Failure. Which coincidentally enough happens to start with F. A mere 12 or so hours from my proverbial finish line and I couldn’t bring myself to run 10,560 feet.

Day 10: the doctor sharpie'd all the areas on my legs with strains and fractures. But. I. Kept. Running.

Finishing today’s 10-mile run (in a feeble effort to make-up for yesterday’s discretions by more than tripling my mileage), I should have felt this overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment, but nooooo. Instead, my head hung low (picture Lindsay Lohan entering rehab kind of low) and even I was unsure if it was sweat or tears streaming down my disappointed face.

How is it I can run every single day through all the pain and literal breaking of bones, but I can’t seem to get my second to last day in simply because I was distraught and grumpy?

My final tally: In 40 days (39 really, go ahead, twist that knife) I ran 144.89 miles which averaged 3.6/day. I guess not too shabby, especially for a non-runner. Those numbers would mean so much more had I completed my goal.

Also, no thanks to stupid Ashton Kutcher and his movie 40 Days and 40 Nights for making me live up to the name The Blonde Side, thinking Lent was only 40 days. Enter fail numero dos. Having looked up Lent (again, a day late and a dollar short kind of epiphany), it’s apparently 44 days (or 38 excluding Sundays, but again, I’m not Catholic so I don’t really get it).

I wish my first “fitness” post here on The Blonde Side could have served as some kickass inspiration, but if I can’t make my goal, perhaps I need to be seeking inspiration, not giving it.

The one plus? I did fall in love (for the first time in everdom) with my butt. Yeah, you heard me. Forcing myself to get out there and run each and every day (well, almost every day) with this dismantled almost dream of mine, I noticed a big difference in the way my butt looked, so I’m starting a monthly challenge right here, clearly with no promises that I will in fact keep it.

For April’s Challenge, I will do AT LEAST 50 pushups/day for the entire month. If that doesn’t sound like a big deal, try having two complete shoulder replacements and only 72% range of motion and then get back to me. Deal?

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FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM