Life

That’s Bad for You!

Published Wednesday, May 8, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

Now there is four words I have grown absolutely sick to death of hearing. It’s nearly as bad as someone calling me Colorado. Forty four years and it’s still not funny. Every time I hear “That’s bad for you.”, all I want to do is develop inhuman strength and punch a hole in the person’s head.

Of course it’s bad for you. Just about every thing in the world is bad for you. I’m pretty sure they air you are breathing reading this is likely bad for you. Pollen, dust, dander, allergens, toxins from cars, factories and every other byproduct of all things man made that we’ve created over the past millennium . Though I’m pretty sure you need to breathe or you will die. So in a way it’s also very good for you.

Don’t get me started on sex. It’s likely more bad than good for you. STD’s, children, the next morning trying to remember his or her name… Yet that doesn’t stop people from having it. I know someone who has had more sex partners in the past 2 months, than 5 average folks would have their whole lives combined. But hey, they’re on birth control, so it makes it alright. (shudders)

Diet foods contain insane amounts of sodium in many cases. Which for a person like me is very bad. Nuts, while fattening, is good for the heart.

Even though I’ve radically changed my diet. Got my cholesterol in check and have been losing weight. It never seems to fail that at least once or twice a week, I hear these words because of something I am about eat or do, is bad for me in their opinion.

God bless everyone for their concern, but holy cow give it a rest! I can’t even really be sure if it’s genuine concern, or some sort of programmed response based on something they hear, or read about once. Which really brings to question if they remember it correctly.

Yes, I still splurge on eating ice cream or something. I’m not going to die a complete miserable bastard. Sure there are diet deserts, but I like what I like. Just because there’s some healthier choice out there, I’m still going to eat what I like. I still manage to keep things in check to my own satisfaction.

And for all the carb counting and fearing humans… I present unto thee my Lord and Master!

Foamy makes a good point in the next video, about the health ramifications of puncture wounds in the throat.

Besides, constantly saying “That’s bad for you!” or continuing to call me Colorado, may end up being bad for you!

Posted in News | Tagged Blog, Health, Life, People, Rant, Society | 4 Comments

Surgery Tomorrow

Published Thursday, May 2, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

I’m really getting sick and tired of having things like this happen to me… I guess I should explain for those who didn’t already know.

About six weeks ago, I noticed a very large lump that seemed to suddenly appear on my left breast. Naturally I got really worried. Immediately looked up Breast Cancer in men. Turns out it can happen, but apparently it’s very rare. I was also very frustrated. I mean I gave up smoking over 4 years ago. I exercise at least 5 times a week by walking. I’ve changed my diet considerably. My cholesterol is normal. I’ve lost over 60 pounds. Why does this keep happening to me?!?

So now I know what a mammogram is all about. Sadly I can see why women wouldn’t want to get one. Without decent insurance, they charge over $1100 just for the exam, and then another $250 to read it. Yet the whole visit only took 15-20 minutes and I had the results before I walked out. I’m in the wrong damned business. I wanna get away with charging people that kind of money just to take digital pictures of them.

The good news is, they tell me it’s just Lipoma. Still, it’s pretty big and while it can be lived with, this one is causing me almost constant discomfort. I guess because of it’s size. It’s over 7.5 centimeters.

I’m not sure why I waited until now to tell everyone. When I found out, I only told a handful of people. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m actually embarrassed for once to have a lump on my breast. Or if I worry that what few friends I have will get sick of reading about my issues. Then again, if they were real friends, that wouldn’t be an issue. So yeah, I’m posting about it now.

Although frankly I’m still scared to go in tomorrow. I know it needs to be removed. It’s very large and makes it hard to sleep or sit for very long. It’s also hard for me to want to be in public as it’s rather noticeable. I’m also worried about things like the I.V. They always promise they’ll do a good job and I end up with a bruise that won’t go away for a month or more because they didn’t do so hot after all. Though I should be out in a few hours and back home. I should be able to work from home on Saturday and capably house sit for my ex-mother-in-law, whom I still love dearly. Just per-surgery jitters I guess. Never actually get used to these kind of things.

Although your prayers and wishes are always welcome

Posted in News | Tagged Health, Life | 8 Comments

30-ish Day Notice

Published Tuesday, April 23, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

OK folks. The time is nearly upon us. Some will be happy, some will be sad. Some may feel like running away and joining the foreign legion. Can’t say I’d blame you. Most of you know I’m moving back to Gaylord Michigan. Time to go home. I’ve got about a month left before the trucks actually roll out. So those in VA that want to see me before I go, make your plans now. Those who want to celebrate my departure with a “Thank God and Greyhound He’s Gone” party, you’ll want to wait until June 1st (as I’ll be gone by then).

This is also sufficient time for those in Michigan to prepare themselves for my arrival. Either by welcoming me home, moving to another country or at least changing your voice mail to sound like your number is owned by some Cuban family so I’ll leave you alone.

I’m not going to be shy here either, any help would be appreciated. Whether it’s helping pack or unpack the truck or if you want to just wish me and my Mom well on our journey. You can also drop a few dollars if you like to us via PayPal.

Short URL: http://gden.net/donate

Posted in News | Tagged Life, Michigan, Money, Virginia | Leave a comment

Lyrics & Music

Published Monday, March 4, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

I posted this last Friday on Facebook. I am terribly sad that not one of the people who would know about this particular night even caught on….

“As I was on my way home that night, a song started playing. It made me smile and I become all nostalgic (as I so frequently do, as I miss the “good old days”). It reminded me of a specific evening after school on main street in the backroom of a small business. I believe it was 1985, even though the song was released in 1983. Wish I could remember the exact date, but I can’t.

My smile got even bigger as I realized that as of just a few days ago, all the people who were there that evening are now on my Facebook friends list.

I was curious to know if any of them remember the words, “Earth below us drifting, falling. Floating weightless. Calling, calling home…”, and why they make me smile so.”…..

As luck would have it, no one apparently remembered or they didn’t even read the post over the weekend. It makes me sad. However to my faithful few readers, here’s who was there that night.

Lesa Slocum-Patrick – Vocals
Jack Fults Jr. – Guitar
John Clifton – Bass
Jeff Bate – Keyboard
Denver Fowler (me) – Drums

The song lyrics (if you don’t know) is from Peter Schilling and the song was Major Tom (Coming Home).

We also practiced Smoke on the Water that night by Deep Purple.

Skip the first 1m 18seconds (dumb link ignoring rules…..)

Posted in News | Tagged Drums, Friends, Life, Music, School

I’m Craving Some Vacation Time

Published Tuesday, February 26, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

I’m going out of my mind lately. Just when I thought I had my medicines straight, I end up feeling like my body is going to either explode or shutdown completely. On top of it, working in the complaint department for every whiny a-hole that can’t get on Facebook or the email they sent 2 seconds ago hasn’t arrived in Paraguay yet. So now their panties are bunched up over it. Oh and let us not forget the endless waiting to finally go home. It’s enough to make someone go postal.

Not to mention, although I have before…. A true, honest to goodness vacation is something I haven’t seen since 1988. At least not one that I’ve actually gotten to go somewhere I’ve never been before, actually enjoy myself and truly relax. Sure there was that trip to D.C. However, it was a one day trip, no stay over and the rest of the time I was at home. Outside of that, it’s been stay at home vacations or go visit family. I love my family dearly. I really do. Though I really, really want to just get away from everything for a few days and just forget my life is as it is these days. To quote Ben Affleck in Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back:

When Lord? When the fuck can your servant ditch this foul-mouthed little chucklehead to whom I am a constant victim of his folly, so much so that it prevents him from ever getting to kiss a girl! Fuck! When, Lord when? WHENS GONNA BE MY TIME?”

OK so, not exactly the words I was looking for, but you get the point. When? When is going to be my time? I mean all I’m asking for is a bit of happiness in this world and some time to actually enjoy life for a change.

It would also be really nice if I could not constantly feel like I need to be with in a 5 mile range of a hospital…

I just want to get away. Don’t have to be real far. Doesn’t need to be exotic. Certainly don’t need to be expensive. Not even glamorous. Just away. Just me and someone special. Alone for several days just doing whatever we feel like doing. It’s not like I don’t have the vacation time. Last time I used any of it, I was technically not working. Though, I certainly wasn’t enjoying myself either.

Problem is, I don’t have the money. Nor do I have anyone to cover me at work. Thanks to only having 2 whole employees. Hell, can’t even call in sick…

Just so damned frustrating….

Posted in News | Tagged Family, Friends, Health, Life, Privacy, Vacation

My Heart is Still Beating

Published Thursday, February 14, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

Hey everyone! Here it is, one year since my near fatal heart attacks and I’m much stronger and feeling better than ever! I’m still fighting to lose the weight, and I’m on my way to living much more normal lifestyle and I couldn’t be more excited about it!!

Stacey and I are doing very well. It’s been a few months now and we’ve grown really close to one another. I’m anxious to actually start going out with her in person when I finally get home to Michigan. I think I’ve gotten someone great for company to help get me away from the computer some and begin to use my heart for something other than what moves my blood through my veins

Between the exercise, food changes, I think I mostly got my meds straight now and warm and fuzzy feelings going on, this is starting to turn out to be a great year!!

Posted in News | Tagged Health, Life, Love, People

So… There’s this girl…

Published Thursday, January 24, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

I mentioned having a love interest in a previous post. That interest has changed. You can say it changed for the better

I found someone I’m really beginning to like. Her name is Stacey. Isn’t she adorable?!?! She’s got a shining personality to match. Just so happens, she lives in my home town Her and I seem to have many of the same interests and see eye to eye on many topics. She loves animals, loves to go exploring, we spend hours talking and it’s just going very well. I can’t wait to come home and start spending some time with her. Someone who will love going to the concerts of my one son, and the games of my other son

Get this, she even likes video games! I mean, could I ask for more?

Posted in News | Tagged Home, Life, Love, Relationships

Waiting, Weight, WoW and Windows 8

Published Wednesday, January 9, 2013 | By Denver Fowler

It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted anything. While I am working on a project, it’s not ready for public view. It’s a long view plan, so I may drop hints from time to time about it. As for now, an update for those who still would like to know

Waiting… Yes, I’m basically just waiting. I hate waiting. Feels like I’ve been doing it all my life at times. From waiting in the parking lot for my girlfriend to come out of school (way back in the day). Waiting in line at boot camp. Waiting for summer, waiting for special events. The list goes on. Right now I’m waiting to move. May is the target month. Still not sure of the exact date. Some days it gets very hard to wait. I made a promise to wait for someone else though. Otherwise I would be in the car right now. Still… Waiting sucks.

Weight… Sadly I am still just over 300 pounds. I did not make my goal by Christmas as I had hoped. Just means I must keep trying. I did stop doing my walk during the two weeks of shopping frenzy. I know I could’ve just went elsewhere, but the idea is that I just couldn’t take the crowds. Short of driving miles away from here just to get some peace, I just said phooey on the lot and took a couple of weeks off. Probably was a good idea as the flu is running wild here. Virginia is one of the highest outbreaks of flu this year. I don’t relish having it along with all the other crap I deal with. I’m back to walking, I will succeed.

WoW… Yes, I’m back to playing World of Warcraft. I just can’t find a game that “does it” for me like it does. I’m sorry fellas (and ladies), it is what it is. (I cringed typing that last part after the comma.) The pandas aren’t all that bad, except for the Larry the Cable Guy references and a couple of others. That and the whole Pandaria area is all about managing anger and feelings. Over sensitive wankers are even taking over games now… Annoyed I can’t fly there until I’m 90, but whatever. Sadly, I can’t raid anymore. Sitting for more than 2 hours is just out of the question for me anymore. I can do dungeons, crafting, fly, do achievements, exploring, quests and loads of other stuff. It’s basically what I was looking to do in a single player, except I still get the social interaction I want. At least until I get back home to Michigan where I can visit friends face to face again and put together a garage band for fun.

Windows 8… I’m still not a fan of Metro. I don’t like it, I don’t use it and I think those responsible for it should be flogged naked in public. Just so you know, I’m actually being nice about how I really feel about it. Though I did actually upgrade both my desktop and my laptop with Windows 8. As a tech I need to know it. Like it or not. Using Classic Shell, I can bypass Metro completely and it’s actually a rather nice OS outside of that. If only Microsoft could see that. I think they think they are setting a trend. Although I think the sales records speak volumes of how the people think. Then there are the calls I get from the poor unsuspecting bastards that just decided to buy a new PC unaware that there is a new version of Windows on the streets. They call me and start with “What the hell is this shit?” as if it’s somehow my fault they see gigantic live squares of redundant bullshit. I even had one guy ask when my company was going to fix the email problem (refering to the email app that only uses Windows Live mail accounts). When I suggested downloading a free email client that would work, like Windows Live Mail, he got hostile. (sigh) People just don’t get it sometimes…. However, my official suggestion to friends and family is stick with Windows 7 or buy a Mac. Don’t be a square (hehe Mac should use that as an advertising campaign)

Posted in News | Tagged Blog, Exercise, Health, Holidays, Life, Windows 8, World of Warcraft

2013 and Beyond…

Published Saturday, December 29, 2012 | By Denver Fowler

The new year is almost upon us. The Mayan Apocalypse, just like so many “end of the world” threats before it, was nothing more than media hype as always. I think at one point or another, I just stopped caring if the world would’ve ended on the 21st. Well… That was a few months ago I felt that way. I don’t feel that way now.

The past two years have been a hellacious torment in one form or another. Between my marriage falling apart, being unhappy where I live, nearly dying and struggling constantly to keep my head above water has taken it’s toll on my soul. Having nearly no friends in the area, it has felt like I’ve been isolated from everything and everyone. It’s been very cold for having to live in this personal hell of mine.

If it weren’t for my oldest daughter’s kindness and my mother, I don’t honestly know where I would be right now. If I would be at all. Granted, my current situation isn’t by any means pleasant. It is bearable at least.

Heart It’s time to put that all behind me now and look to the future. While the number 13 isn’t usually anyone’s lucky number. I’m going to make it my lucky number. I’ve worked damned hard to get myself back together over the past 10 months. I’m exercising regularly and even though I constantly live in a small amount of pain and discomfort, I will continue to get better. I sadly did not make my goal by Christmas of being under 300 pounds, but I’m damned close. I will be under it soon. I wish to get to 220 as a final goal and even then, I won’t stop walking and keeping active. I plan to live for at least 10 more years if I can swing it. More if possible.

2013 is also the year I’m going home to Michigan. Perhaps not my home town, but at least close by. My sons live in East Jordan, so somewhere near there with a job. Perhaps Charlevoix or Petoskey, maybe even Boyne City or Boyne Falls area. All are very close and I know them well. My friends who live there as well as my family are waiting for me. I’m way past due for this. I won’t forget the family I have here, even though I’m no longer a part of the marriage that made them my family. In my heart they will always be family no matter what. Nor will I forget my one and only friend who lives here and has also been my Chiropractor for many years.

I also have a love interest that I’ve been working on for the past few months. I’m hoping it will turn into something official soon. More on that to come later

Sadly, since I still have a lot of time on my hands, I haven’t given up my gaming addiction completely, and I may never actually do so as I enjoy it. However, I have cut way down on the amount of time I spend killing dragons. I tried to give up World of Warcraft, I just can’t. I enjoy it too much. Even if there’s freaking panda bears everywhere…. I can sum it up in two words. FLYING MOUNTS!!!

I officially restarted my account on Christmas Day. I was just so freaking bored sitting at home. Minecraft is cool and all, but I’ve gotta have my flying mounts and I love my Azeroth. I just limit myself to an hour or two a day. It’s enough to get a few things accomplished. Then it’s back to the real world

One final note, as per usual, I have created a new look to my website for the new year. It’s a bit dark. It sort of represents my travels through the darkness these past two years. While it’s now time to step back into the light, I just have a thing for Black and Gold. If you can’t see the new site, because you are on your mobile, set your browser to ask for the Desktop version. (just don’t forget to set it back when you’re done admiring )

Posted in News | Tagged Family, Friends, Games, Health, Life, Technology, Time, TRCTS

I wish I had a time machine…

Published Friday, December 21, 2012 | By Denver Fowler

Those are words you might hear me say just about every day. I’m a horribly nostalgic person. It even annoys me that I say it so much. Though I just can’t help but to want to relive some of the best times in my life over again. That and I had to find a reason to show off my love of Doctor Who. Although a TARDIS wouldn’t allow me become younger again….

I could easily relive the decade of the 1980‘s all over again. However, today I find myself only wanting to go back to just a few years ago. I’m feeling the need to enjoy the company, friendship and good times of when myself and all my new found gamer friends came together. (Nick, Paul, Adele, Tyler, Aura, Tuvi, Charles, Jeff and Peter to name a few.)

We started in a game was called Last Chaos. Even though it wasn’t really much of an MMO by anyone’s standards as far as game play goes. When we started playing it, it had no dungeons, no instances, crap character selection and horrible glitches. Plus it was the most god awful micropayment ripoff setup in the world. Yet we had some of the best times of our lives.

We didn’t care much about the flaws. We had our friends. Spanning from the Mid West, to Texas east and west coasts of the country and several friends from the U.K. It was a time when we were eager to get home from work and log on to spend time with them. Didn’t matter what we did. Even if we decided to do nothing at all and just hang around the PVP arena all evening. When we managed to get to what seems like end content at the time. Demon parties, Ghost parties (references only a Last Chaos player from the original days [before they fucked up the game play completely] would recognize) to the endless drama filled Castle Sieges and parties down in Theos’ Tomb. The Guild events we’d come up with, the laughs, the times of seeing just how much trouble we could cause just because we had nothing better to do. We even hosted protests against the “Game Masters” just to piss them off. We could’ve received the good old perma-ban for it too. We didn’t care at all, because no matter what, we had each other.

It only lasted a couple of years. From there we started to part ways. Some friends went on to games I didn’t much care for, but at least I tried them out. Others friends, I stuck with tightly through Runes of Magic (until they too became greedy bastards) and World of Warcraft with right up until everything fell apart in my world. I still talk to all of them. Not as much as I’d like too. Either through Skype, IM, Email, Text and sometimes I still get on Vent.

Even though the end was a painful experience, I wish I could go back and do it again. I miss you guys…

Posted in News | Tagged Family, Friends, Games, Life, Time