Training Supplement

I have used a training supplement called Dihydrogen Monoxide for as long as I can remember. It is all natural, completely legal, and it is relatively inexpensive. No athlete has ever been suspended or banned for using this, and it is so common that they don't even test for it.

I don't usually do this, but I am recommending that anyone who does regular exercise make DHMO a regular part of their routine. If you already use this supplement, I recommend increasing your intake. As many of you know, I have started my annual triathlon training cycle and I have increased my use of this supplement. I'm already noticing the benefits and I haven't had a sub-par workout yet. This supplement comes in different forms, but I prefer the liquid over the solid form.

As with any supplement DHMO is not perfect. Side effects may include bloating, more frequent urination, loss of appetite, and occasionally nausea or even death if it is overused. Accidentally inhaling too much DHMO can also be fatal. Even though small quantities are generally harmless to humans, it is also used in industrial solvents and as a fire retardant, and also is known to accelerate corrosion and rusting of many metals.

Even given the potential negative consequences, I still feel the positives far outweigh any unlikely problems you might encounter. I will get off of my soapbox now, but if anyone needs help finding where to get DMHO, let me know and I will be happy to assist.

This supplement also goes under the names Hydrogen Hydroxide or H2O.

Movie Review +

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Closet hit Slumdog Millionaire is a fast moving, intense story about a boy from the slums of Mumbai who finds success on the gameshow "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Intertwined is the romantic subplot of this boy (Jamal) trying to relocate his childhood friend/sweetheart Latika in this city of 20 million people.

The story is told in flashback from the police station where Jamal is being brutally questioned on suspicion of cheating on the gameshow. It originates with Jamal and brother Salim as young school children in the putrid back alleys of the dangerous slums of Mumbai. They meet Latika after they are orphaned and their journey continues through garbage dumps and an orphanage before they are separated from her. The present and the past are weaved together as the movie shows the events in Jamal's life that give him the knowledge to be able to answer the diverse questions on the show.

While it is only January, I am going to guess this Bollywood effort is the best movie I will see this year. It is a wonderful story about engaging characters set in the harsh and vivid backdrop of crime, squalor, and human cruelty to one another. I reflect upon it frequently and recommend it to anyone who wants to see a serious and entertaining film. It is rated R for some violence against children and mature subject matter.

Notes: Slumdog only finished 11th in the box office tally this weekend, and has only garnered $34 million so far after being in limited release since November. It appeared on 601 screens this weekend compared to 2,500 or more for the top grossing films (Four Christmases is still on 777 screens!). People are heading out to see it, because my neck is still sore after being forced to sit in the front row of the crowded theater. Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the 6th largest city in the world and approximately twice the population of the Chicago metropolitan area. A dollar is worth about 49 rupees at today's exchange rate, so one million rupees is about $20,000 and rs 20 million is a little more than $400k. Congrats to everyone involved on their Golden Globe awards. I suspect there will be many more.

OTHER TOPICS

What they really meant to say was.... When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and #2 man Dick Durbin (D-IL) said they would never seat a Senator appointed by tainted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagoblahblahvich, what they really meant was this: they would huff and puff, but they would seat him if they negotiated something in return (Harry Reid is ironically hilarious) or if they received enough political pressure to have this cleared up before the inaguaration. And what about that signature they required on a certification from Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White? After the courts ruled he wasn't legally required to sign it (and why would he be ?!?), Sen. Durbin apparently was willing to accept anything anyone could show him with Mr. White's autograph.

Useless trivia.... Apparently A1 Steaksauce derives it's name from King George IV of England. After it was served to him by his chef, he proclaimed it to be "A1!"

YouTube alert.... I am told there is a video of George (my friend, not the King) doing the "magic baby" dance in Indiana Hoosier warmups out there somewhere, but I have not been able to locate it yet.

Happy New Year!

A New Year's Day tradition we picked up from our friend Steve several years ago is to go for an outdoor run--in shorts. This is to demonstrate our toughness on the first day, and the spirit then carries with us throughout the year.

This year it was a breezy 26 degrees (with a windchill of 12 degrees) when we continued the annual tradition. Pretty normal weather for this time of year, but we have had both extremes occasionally in the past.

Steve dutifully makes his run each year, and has become ever more creative with his choice of locations. This year he found himself halfway around the world when January 1 arrived. In his words... "(I did) my early morning run on China beach in Danang , Vietnam . This was where our soldiers went for R & R during the war and was famous for its surfing. It’s now a strip of high quality resorts—even has a Colin Montgomery golf course." I am sure it is just a coincidence that all of his creative new venues are in climates warmer than Chicago.

Other New Year's tidbits:

In case you missed it, motorcycle daredevil Robbie Maddison did a pretty spectacular stunt at the Paris Resort on the Las Vegas strip on New Year's Eve. He jumps up a ramp onto a 10-story building, turns around, and rides off the building falling back onto the ramp below. Here is a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLejkyXbJlc

Friends Chris and Matt were lucky enough (and hearty enough) to attend the Blackhawks-Redwings ice tilt at Wrigley on New Year's Day. They had close seats and got some pretty good pics. Here is a sampling (thanks Matt):

One item from the mailbag:

After reading your item about cheesecake, I got to thinking about cookies. You don't "cook" them, you bake them. So shouldn't we call them bakies? -Ken C.

I should have a witty comeback for this one, but I'm stumped??