Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Cold Shower Challenge completed! The results are...

After the 30 day Cold Shower Challenge it looks like we've been successful. The plan was to raise money for Ghost Rider Foundation and I want to thank all of you that made contributions. Certainly it is my hope that you remember the great work done at the Ghost Rider Foundation and make donations again in the future but first and foremost I certainly want to thank all of those to contributed for your generosity in helping Veterans with PTSD.

The big question is; now that I'm done with my obligation for the cold showers will I continue to keep taking them? In short, not if I can help it. Now I know that I can do it if need be and it's not so bad, really. But man made hot water heaters for a reason.

Time for more sleep before tomorrow's long day full of adventure Thanks for reading.


Monday, May 13, 2013

Frequently asked questions about the Cold Shower Challenge

Ever since I started this madness (otherwise known as the Cold Shower Challenge) I've been getting bombarded with questions. Well maybe not bombarded. More like a hefty pile of questions. Oh alright, more like a slow trickle... as most people just figure my brain has vacated the premises and don't need to ask any questions. But for those folks who have indeed asked questions, here's the down low (sweet-n-low?) 

Q: Are you nuts?
A: This has been established long ago. Next question.

Q: Why?
A: Why what? 

Q: Why take a cold shower?
A: As I've mention before, the Cold Shower Challenge was brought to my attention by Joel Runyon in his post about 30 Day Cold Shower Therapy. At first I thought it was nuts, too. Actually I still do. But the heart of the matter is that A) You can withstand much more that you think you can, and B) When you need to make a change in your life (start losing weight, quit a crappy job and risk unemployment so that you can pursue something meaningful, et al) sometimes what you need to do to start this change is going to suck. But you need to put up with the discomfort in order to make any real progress. 

Q: So why are you doing it?
A: Because Joel Runyon went on a tear where he was challenging everyone to take up the Cold Shower Therapy. I decided I would take up that challenge IF I could switch it up a bit and use it as a means to raise awareness and money for the Ghost Rider Foundation. The Ghost Rider Foundation is run by some folks who work ceaselessly to help Veterans with PTSD. So I would be the guinea pig if enough people coughed up some dough for the Ghost Rider Foundation.

Q: Did it work? Did people contribute?
A: I'm taking the f-f-f-freezing cold showers, aren't I?

Q: Seriously, are you mad?
A: Did you sleep through the first question?

Q: Do you feel better? 
A: Yes. The minute I get out.

Q: Are you going to talk me into taking cold showers?
A: No. I'm going to talk you into walking your little fingers over to www.ghostriderfoundation.org/donate.aspx and making a contribution to a damn worthy cause. Look, our Veterans decided to willingly put themselves in harm's way to defend this country. We should be there to help them out when they return.

Q: Are you going to keep taking cold showers when the 30 days are up?
A: If enough folks contribute more money to the Ghost Rider Foundation you guys can watch monkey boy turn blue for another 30 days. But I'm not affiliated with those folks officially so you have to let me know when you've made the commitment. 

Otherwise, it's like this: Man invented hot water heaters for a reason.

Q: Seriously, you have no idea how much people give? People could be giving $5 and you're freezing your butt off all month for $5? 
A: That's $5 more than was in the pot before. Enough people kick in $5 and it starts to add up. 

Feel free to ask any other questions, I'll be over here bundled up with two pair of socks and mittens on... indoors.

Thanks for reading.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

We interrupt your irregularly programmed schedule

Last week there was no posting from me because we went down to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to see our middle son Jovid graduate from Army boot camp. It was indeed a proud moment for us, and a journey that does include some trepidation for my wife and I.
Family Day - Jovid with proud Mom
Those of you who were with us from the beginning of this blog/journey probably understand why we are a bit nervous as well as proud of our son. For those who haven't, you can read about it *here*.

Nonetheless on Tuesday evening we piled in the car along with our youngest son and our boy's good friend. We got to our destination hotel about 5 in the morning. Just enough time for us to get a few hours sleep and meet Jovid on base for Family Day on Wednesday. While he wasn't allowed off base we did get to spend all day with him.

Thursday was Graduation day. A very proud moment for us as well as the family & friends of 1,217 other young men & women who are now members of the U.S. Army. After the ceremony Jovid was allowed off base until 4:30 AM the following (Friday) morning. So what did we do? Whatever he wanted, which was not much really. He just wanted to go to the hotel pool with his brother and friend, play video games and catch up on sleep. While it wasn't anything terribly exciting it was good to see and hear the boys having a good time.

I was surprised to find out how many new recruits go through Ft. Jackson. Some times they will graduate classes of this size every week. That's a lot of people deciding to make a big step with their lives. I wish them all a safe return to civilian life, whenever that may be.

Now I'm back to my so-called civilian life and am still continuing on with the Cold Shower Challenge. Which also means I am still going to badger, coerce and insist that you make a contribution to the Ghost Rider Foundation. I've gotten enough pledges to keep me going through the initial 30 days but I'm still looking to see how many people will step up and contribute to see me do an additional 30 days of freezing cold, no-hot-water allowed showers. (As to "Why this stupid cold shower idea?", please see: http://joelrunyon.com/two3/cold-shower-therapy). Or better yet, just make a contribution because these Veterans with PTSD really NEED some help. 

Now, on with our show! Thanks for reading.