#I am a solid 127 pounds

[ineedhjalp]

Me: *slightly underweight, tall, with a belly that isn’t “how it’s supposed to be”*

literally everybody else: ok have you tried Dieting

[nctstany]

⨀ chapter 7 ⨀  Play Doctor

Markhyuck {side Renmin} {side Jaeyong}

Summary- There’s always been a rivalry between camp 127 and camp dream but that changes once a newcomer arrives.

OR

Mark Lee was forced into joining a summer camp by his parents since he’s been wasting his last two summers inside away from kids his age.

!Warning! Mark Lee is a hothead !Warning!

The most NSFW content you’ll is like kissing or.....holding hands (maybe something but you’ll have to read it to know)

Just a solid couple of days were we couldn't look each other in the eyes. Someone always ended up looking away and that someone is always me, nobody noticed it somehow....not even us.

"I know it was you, Donghyuck." The boy’s name alone made Mark’s attention turn in the direction of the commotion. A camp counselor stood in front of Hyuck with his arms crossed on his chest. 

"Bullshit! I would never do anything petty like this." 

"Yeah sure, you're cleaning this up and you can kiss movie night with dream goodbye since you'll be cleaning." 

"Totally not fair! It wasn't even me!" Donghyuck threw the mop given to him on the ground and stood his ground with a little puff through the nose. 

“I’m getting real tired-” Before the counselor could get another word in, Mark popped out from the corner and stood in between them. He proceeded to do the dumbest thing he has ever done....in his opinion anyway.    

"He didn't do it!" 

"Mark-" 

"I did it." Mark’s eyes wondered as the counselor tried to see past his bullshit while the whole time a very confused Donghyuck stood behind Mark. 

“So you made this mess?” Mark looked at the so called mess beside them, finally taking a good at it since he actually doesn’t know the damage because, wow such a shocker, he didn’t make it. 

Eggs and the shells thrown onto the window of the counselor’s offices even the carts left behind on the floor. Mark’s confused face showed but quickly went away when he felt a glare.

“Yep it was me! All of it and Donghyuck had no help in it!” 

The counselor raised his eyebrow and shrugged while giving him the mop as he walked away, "Then you clean it up." Mark breathed out slowly and mentally punched himself in the face. 

Why the hell did I do that? 

"Why did you do that?" As if his thoughts came out of his head, Mark jumped at Donghyuck’s voice. 

"I don't know…" He did his best to look everywhere but in Donghyuck’s eyes and brushed him off when he got too close, "Just go do whatever you have to do." Mark began to clean while trying to hide his face in the handle. 

“Mark.” The other hummed in his face causing Mark to turn around and begin to clean with a harsh tone in his voice.

“Go before I change my mind.”

□●□●□●□

A bright light flashed in Jaehyun's face and he hissed as his head started to rush with blood. He looked around slowly as his eyes adjusted to everything. Once his vision became stable he saw Taeyong sitting next to him, his eyes not fixed on him but looking off with worry.  

"What happened?" Jaehyun’s voice stayed raspy, head pounding as he sat up a little. 

"You got overheated during the game." The game meaning a soccer match that Yuta really wanted to have even if it was 100 degrees out. 3 vs 3, teams even and always the same since they play soccer almost 24/7. The heat has never bothered Jaehyun before and it shouldn’t have started now, he’s blaming it on the 4 hours of sleep. Also the lack of breaks they took during each new game that needed to be take place because there was always someone accused of cheating.

"Did we at least win the game?" 

"Not even close." Taeyong giggled a little gaining a smile and chuckle from Jaehyun. He proceed to bottle feed some water to the dehydrated dummy and continued on with a worried expression. 

“You gave everyone a scare.” Taeyong’s voice small and body language showing off stress that anyway a mile away can see. He looked up at Jaehyun with a shake in his eyes, trying to calm down any sudden voice crack that wanted to leave his throat. “Even me.” 

Between the two Jaehyun stayed the most quiet in that moment. 

“Get some rest.” Taeyong said with a half smile and got up to leave the room with a even bigger display of stress. In an act of trying to comfort Jaehyun stopped him and pulled him down to be embraced. 

“You should be resting.” 

“Only if you stay here with me.” Taeyong rolled his eyes, bringing his hands to the other to be released but Jaehyun's grip under his waist only tightened. 

“Whatever.” They settled closer into the bed, Taeyong's back against the other's chest and arms tightly around the waist. This has never happened before... Jaehyun being caring and actually worrying about the other’s feelings, in Taeyong’s opinion it never has. 

“Hey Taeyong.” He looked over his shoulder and came into contact with Jaehyun’s lips. A sweet, slow kiss that made Taeyong melt in his arms. Still being a slow kiss Jaehyun climbed on top of the other and closed the space between them.

“No you need to rest.” Instantly Taeyong pushed the other away enough for the space between them to come back. 

"I'm just kissing you~" 

"That's all you ever want to do." It was meant to be a whisper but Taeyong's eyes widened once Jaehyun sat back on his calves and gripped his thighs. 

"What is that supposed to mean?" 

"Nothing..." 

“No continue, say whatever you’ve been holding back apparently.”   

“It’s painful when we do stuff because I know I’m the only one with feelings and I’m tired of waiting for you, hoping one day you’ll love me back.” Jaehyun laid out on the other, chest to chest, wrapping his arms lovingly under the other and embraced him harder. Cuddling into his neck, hearing the other's heart beat and Jaehyun smiled with a deep chuckle. 

“Jaehyun?”  

"You have no idea how much you mean to me." His voice deep and serious that made Taeyong’s spine tingle. "I'll prove it." 

He reached behind Taeyong and his hand went directly inside the other's gym shorts. Grabbing and parting his ass, placing a finger on his rim causing his back to arch. Taeyong pushed the other back and sat up instantly. 

"H-how is that proving it?"

"I'm going to pleasure you and only you." His tone too serious and Taeyong’s face just getting too red as he continued, "Finger you until you cum-" 

"Shut up!" 

"That's not happening right now." Taeyong’s pitched reached higher since during his tantrum Jaehyun palmed at a certain area and brought his mouth closer to his ear. "The bulge in your pants says something different." 

"I'm leaving!" Yet again he was stopped and pinned down on the bed but this time he wore a pout looking away from the other. 

"Taeyong." Jaehyun rolled his eyes but once the other didn’t listen the first time, "Lee Taeyong, look at me right now." he focused his face to look at him.  

"I've been so scared to say this since the first day back here because I didn't know if you were ready or I don't know. You make me feel crazy and happy just when I think about you. I love you so fucking much and I was stupid for not saying it earlier but will you be my boyfriend?" It was everything Taeyong wanted to hear and everything Jaehyun in that moment but to be honest he could go on all day about the other. He’s everything to me. 

“Pinch me.”

“What?”

“Pinch me so I know you’re telling the truth.”

“I am!” This time Jaehyun’s pitch got higher and he cleared his throat to look deeper into Taeyong’s eyes. “Will you be my boyfriend?”  

"Yes." Taeyong was able to get out of Jaehyun’s grip and pulled him in for a kiss with more meaning behind it. "A thousand times yes."

□●□●□●□

Renjun had a bad day like usual and for this one he wished that he had just stayed in bed. Maybe even just skipped the morning and went straight to his free time in the late afternoon then maybe the headache wouldn’t have happened. The morning is for the worst kind of person to annoyed the most annoyed kind of person. Of course it was Jaemin that got on his nerves, why wouldn’t he? He just had to exist in front of Renjun, flash his cute annoying smile and talk to the other. Disrespectful. 

Nonetheless, Renjun spent his time away from the other and just other people in general because he would have burst. With the day ending Renjun made it way back to the room and was greeted to Jaemin right in his face as soon as he opened the door. 

"Get out of my way moron." 

"Why are you being mean to me lately?" Jaemin asked and Renjun hummed making Jaemin fix his statement. "You're mean to everyone but I feel like I'm being targeted more." Renjun tried to walk away and ignore the other but Jaemin kept his path filled, wanting his question answered no matter what.

"I'm tired of you."

"Yeah right." Jaemin laughed and pouted this time. "Tell me~" He got in Renjun’s face and closed the space between them. The whole time Renjun felt his face heat up and his eyes, hands started to shake. 

"Oh my god!" Rage just came over him like in any situation involving Jaemin and he went to push the other away but his shakiness didn’t let him. "Just-" 

"Just what?" 

"Get out of my face!" 

"Make me." Instead of showing a grin Jaemin puffed out his chest and hummed out with his annoyance. Two options, Renjun gave himself two options. He can actually deal with this whole Jaemin thing or just walk away like he always does and hate himself later for letting the opportunity blow over. 

"I'm leaving." Just as Renjun went to reach for the door Jaemin found his hand grabbing it to shut it. Renjun looked over with frustration, changing once he was off balance and thrown onto a bed. 

"Jaemin!" Once he realized what happened his mind started to get fuzzy as he looked up at the boy with a mischievous grin. 

"I'm not letting you go until you tell me the truth." 

"Jaemin- can you...this is stupid!" Renjun whined, he actually whined even Jaemin's ear couldn't believe it. It caused him to gulp down hard and tighten his grip around the other's wrist, pushing them more above him. 

"Tell me." 

"God fucking goddamn it! I like you, okay? I like you so fucking much and I hate being around you for too long because I might explode one day like how I'm doing now!" Even though he confused a couple years worth of feelings the embarrassment only showed on his ears but his face showed nothing but annoyance, "Let me go." 

"No." 

"J-" The name was swallowed by Jaemin stealing Renjun's lips. Hands still held up above his head and body pinned, it's everything Renjun dreamed about. His mind denied it somehow as he used some sort of strength to pull his mouth away from Jaemin. About to speak Jaemin sent kisses down his neck, sucking and licking above the collarbone. The only thing that came out of Renjun's mouth was a high pitched moan. Finally finding the strength he pushed Jaemin away enough to come in eye contact with him. They breathe heavily while burning looks into each other's eyes. The tension so thick Renjun couldn't understand what sentence he was trying to form to say. During it Jaemin went right back to the chase, placing his mouth on Renjun's neck again and hands popping open pants. 

"Wait!" Renjun pushed him away again, the other responding with a low growl that made Renjun speak with a stutter, "Wait...I just- we can't- you can't just kiss me like I didn't just spill my heart out minutes ago." Jaemin leaned into his face causing him to turn away, the other chuckled bright and planted a kiss to his cheek. Confused as to why Jaemin didn't try anything else he looked back at him to see him with a big smile. 

"I like you too stupid." 

"Since when?" 

"Last summer? Maybe a little more before that." Before Jaemin could finish his thought a holler made both of the boys look away from each other. 

"See I told you they were in here fucking." Chenle stood in the doorway and called out to others down the hall. He was quickly pulled out of the room with a sudden appearance from Jeno. "Don't bother them!" 

The two looked back at each other, red showing on both of their faces and Jaemin sighed with a giggle. He cuddled down into the other’s neck and made himself comfortable.  

"Um...Jaemin?" 

"I'm not getting up." 

[junker-town]

Western Illinois, Year 35, 2041-2042

The Lethernecks need two national championships in the final six seasons of the series to tie John Wooden’s record at UCLA. Can we get one in Year 35?

Welcome back to our simulated dynasty with the Western Illinois Leathernecks in College Hoops 2K8. You can find a full explanation of this project + spoiler-free links to previous seasons here. Check out the introduction to this series from early April for full context. As a reminder, we simulate every game in this series and only control the recruiting and coaching strategies. Dynasty mode runs for 40 years.

Before we pick up with the Leathernecks at the start of Year 35, here’s a recap of everything that happened last season:

The Leathernecks started the year trying to win back-to-back national championships in a quest for title No. 9. We returned three starters and began the year at No. 4 in the preseason polls. We finished the regular season at 30-2 and earned a No. 2 seed to the NCAA tournament.

We beat Prairie State in the first round, Minnesota in the round of 32, Clemson in the Sweet 16, and then lost to Florida State in the Elite Eight on a buzzer-beater.

We recruited for three scholarships and landed three players: No. 6 center D.J. Foster, four-star shooting guard Ketshner Evertson, and three-star point guard Cam Kately.

Here’s a first look at our roster for Year 35:

I am still not over that Elite Eight loss to Florida State at the buzzer last season. It hurts because we had such a great senior backcourt in Randolph Pompey and Scott Doornekamp who already led us to a title in Year 33. It hurts because time is running out for us to match or surpass John Wooden’s record of 10 national championships before our series ends after Year 40.

We are still searching for title No. 9, and we’ll have to do it with what feels like a mostly new team. While we only return two starters, we do have four seniors in this year’s lineup. We begin the year at No. 12 in the polls.

Let’s meet the starters:

PG Arvydas Hardy, 88 overall, redshirt sophomore: Hardy is stepping into the spotlight after several flashes of greatness as a freshman off the bench for us last season. Hardy is the second-highest rated recruit in program history (No. 12 overall), and has an ideal skill set for a lead guard. At 6’4, Hardy is a dynamic pull-up shooter (87 rating as a three-point shooter) and also has A- ratings as a passer and ball handler. We want him to be our primary option on the perimeter this year. Former No. 12 overall recruit with C- potential from Mesa, AZ.

SG Rob Borchardt, 91 overall, redshirt senior: Borchardt enters the starting lineup for the first time as a senior after a somewhat underwhelming career up to this point. I had high hopes for Borchardt because of his combination of size (6’6), three-point shooting (85 rating), and on-ball defense (A grade), but he’s rarely made a big impact in tournament games. Maybe he just needed the bigger role he’s set to take on this year. Former No. 137 overall recruit with C+ potential from Fresno, CA.

SF D.J. Stapleton, 92 overall, redshirt senior: Stapleton was a question mark heading into last season as he entered the starting lineup for the first time, but he proved his worth with a solid tournament run. While the 6’6 wing is rated as a shaky shooter (72 three-point rating), he somehow made 11-of-17 attempts from deep during our run to the Elite Eight last season. Even if that level of shooting isn’t sustainable, Stapleton makes up for it with A ratings in on-ball defense, hustle, defensive rebounding, and close range finishing. After being a called a ‘glue guy’ for most of his career up to this point, we need Stapleton to emerge as a senior star as someone tied for our highest-rated player. Former No. 91 overall recruit Reno, Nevada with C+ potential.

PF Kendric Morales, 90 overall, redshirt senior: Like Borchardt, Morales is entering the starting lineup for the first time as a fifth-year senior. The 6’10 big man was a center recruit entering school, but his outside shooting ability (B+ grade) made him a natural fit to move to the four. His size should be a nice boost for our interior defense and rebounding. Morales is another player who hasn’t had a defining moment yet, but it feels like he has the skill set to carry us to big things. Former No. 127 overall recruit from Lancaster, PA with C+ potential.

C Stevie Strong, 92 overall, redshirt senior: This is setting up as a season of redemption for Strong. After leading the team in scoring as a first-time starter last year, Strong had a tremendous tournament run before a horrific zero-point performance on 0-for-12 shooting in the Elite Eight loss to FSU. Long-time fans of the series will remember that Deke Van also blew an NCAA tournament game for us as a junior before finding vindication as a senior on our first ever national title team. Let’s hope Strong can follow the same path. Former No. 179 overall recruit (and No. 15 center) out of Hammond, IN with C+ potential.

We’re also going to be super deep this year. Leading the bench will be three redshirt sophomores who, along with Hardy, once formed the No. 5 recruiting class in America. Reece Mascoll, a 6’9 and nearly 250-pound small forward, is the guy we’re most excited about. There’s also 7-foot, 266-pound power forward Al Reece and 6’11 center Felipe Hopes. Joining them in the rotation will be two redshirt freshman shooting guards: Augustine Bruthelieus and Jerald Elliott. Bru is likely to be our backup point guard in tournament games.

We’re also bringing in three freshmen who will all redshirt. They are:

C D.J. Foster, No. 6 overall center: 74 overall, C potential. Has grown an inch to 7’2.

SG Ketshner Evertson, No. 96 overall recruit: 73 overall, B potential. Has grown an inch to 6’8.

PG Cam Kately, No. 114 overall recruit: 72 overall, B- potential. Has already grown an inch to 6’5.

Recruiting

We have four scholarships to offer this year. This will be our last recruiting class that will have the opportunity to stay in school for the full five years before the series ends. I’m getting choked up just thinking about it.

After surveying the available options, we decided to offer the following players:

6’10 center Brody Munoz out of Nashville: No. 169 overall player and No. 6 center.

6’7 shooting guard Bernie Doyle out of Detroit: No. 36 overall player and No. 16 at his position.

6’3 point guard Shane Duany out of Chicago: No. 57 overall player and No. 15 at his position.

6’10 power forward Oscar Fray out of Lynn, MA: No. 118 overall player and No. 17 at his position.

It also just dawned on me that we’re going to have no seniors — and by extension, no available scholarships — next season. We really need to win title No. 9 this year. At No. 12 in the preseason polls, we should have a chance to do it. Let’s get it.

How did the non-conference slate go?

We started off 3-0 including a win over No. 6 Indiana to begin the season. Things got bad from there: we immediately dropped three straight, with a two-point loss to Rutgers, a four-point loss to Auburn, and a seven-point loss to Syracuse that dropped us out of the polls.

We rebounded by winning a tournament rematch over Florida State, 87-74. We followed that up with a win over Illinois and a loss to No. 15 Michigan State. We ended the non-conference season at 6-4 overall.

Can we go undefeated in the Summit League once again?

Yes we can. We go 18-0 in the regular season and then win three more games in the conference tournament — including a tight seven-point win over UMKC in the championship game — to earn our automatic bid to the big dance.

We’re going to be entering the NCAA tournament at 27-4 on the year. I have absolutely no idea what seed we’ll get. Before we get to Selection Sunday, let’s check out the end of season stats:

STEVIE. After averaging 18.3 points per game last year, he boosted his scoring average to 21.3 as a senior to lead the team. I’m also thrilled to see Morales take such a big jump, going from averaging seven points per game last year to 13.8 PPG this year. We’re going to need to let the big dogs eat if we want to make a deep run in March.

Stapleton also put up some nice all-around numbers, but only hit 30 percent of his threes. Borchardt didn’t score as much as I anticipated but did make 40 percent of his threes on 90 attempts.

I’m also pretty encouraged by the shooting numbers of our younger players even if they didn’t put up huge counting stats. Sophomore point guard Arvydas Hardy hit 48.8 percent of his three-pointers on nearly 90 attempts. I also can’t remember too many players averaging more than six assists per game, which Hardy accomplished. It looks like he’ll have a chance at breaking the program’s single-season assist record if we make a run to the national title. Fellow sophomore Reece Mascoll hit 45.2 percent of his threes on 42 attempts, and also shot 54 percent from the field.

How did recruiting go?

We finally landed an in-season recruit. Feels like our first in a while.

Brody Munoz is a ‘Neck. The No. 169 overall prospect and No. 6 center (centers are always devalued in the recruiting rankings for whatever reason) out of Nashville is joining the program to give us some much needed big man depth behind last year’s center recruit D.J. Foster. Super excited for him.

In equally good news, we are also poised to land 6’7 shooting guard Bernie Doyle (No. 36 overall) and 6’10 power forward Oscar Fray (No. 118 overall) on the first day of the spring signing period. The only original target we missed out on was point guard Shane Duany. We have instead pivoted to 6’7 small forward Floyd Keller out of Dallas, rated as the No. 101 overall prospect in the class. We still have some work to do on him, and have a few backup options on our target list as well.

2042 NCAA tournament

We are a No. 8 seed in the NCAA tournament and first round matchup with No. 9 seed NC State. We enter as a 100 overall, while the Wolfpack are rated as a 97 overall. This isn’t going to be an easy game to open our tournament run — and if we’re lucky enough to win, a date with No. 1 seed Seton Hall is looming.

Before we embark on our tournament run, let’s check out our roster:

A few things jump out when looking at this roster:

Our four best players are all seniors. Seems like a good sign.

We have great size inside with Stevie Strong (7-foot), Kendric Morales (6’10), Felipe Hopes (6’11), and Al Reece (7-foot).

Damn, we are deep! Five players rated in the 90s, nine guys rated as an 85 or above. We also have redshirt frosh shooting guard Jerald Elliott who is rated as an 84 overall and has a good mix of size (6’6) and shooting on the wing.

For as solid as our seniors should be, it feels like the sophomores will have to step up in a big way if we’re going to make a deep run. 6’4 point guard Arvydas Hardy — the second highest rated recruit in program history at No. 12 overall — can start to really build his legacy in this tournament. Same goes for jumbo forward Reece Mascoll, who is already a 90 overall. Reece and Hopes may have to play critical minutes, too. I loved this class coming in and can’t wait to see them do work.

This opening matchup against NC State is going to be a way, way tougher test than we hoped for as a first round game. Oh well. As always, we’re watching a simulated game against the computer; I’m not controlling the Leathernecks.

Let’s go!

***

***

***

***

***

***

Win, 95-86! Wow, that game was a lot closer than the final score might indicate.

We had fully blown our 12-point halftime lead midway through the second half. With five minutes remaining in the game, we trailed by four. We decided to roll with three sophomores in our closing lineup: Hardy at point, the senior Stapleton at the two, Mascoll at the three, Reece at the four, Strong at the five. They brought us home a victory.

Strong was terrific, going off for 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting while also adding five stocks (steals+blocks). Stapleton was also great, scoring 20 and continuing his hot tournament shooting by making 2-of-4 shots from three. The sophomores were also awesome: Hardy popped off for 17 points and seven assists with 4-of-6 shooting from three, Mascoll was a total monster with 17 points, six assists, and four boards, and Al Reece gave us eight points, 10 boards, and some solid defense.

That’s the damn blueprint. We’re rolling onward.

The win sets up a round of 32 game with No. 1 seed Seton Hall

Seton Hall enters at 31-4 on the year. I was expecting this team to be a complete powerhouse, but their roster — while full of size, quality guard play, and tons of seniors — isn’t super loaded.

The Pirates are rated as a 96 overall with 96 team unity rating. Can’t remember seeing a unity rating that high before. We are a 100 overall with an 87 team unity rating.

This should be our biggest test on the way to the Final Four. Got to get this one. Let’s go!

***

***

***

***

***

***

Win! 101-98! We’re going to the Sweet 16.

Sheesh, this game was neck-and-neck (no pun intended) for all 40 minutes, pretty much. Hall started to pull away with six minutes left as they took an 89-80 lead. That’s when we put in our closing lineup, this time adding Mascoll over Stapleton at the three with the rest of the starters and going with a 1-2-1-1 zone full court press. It paid off immediately. We were able to get a couple steals that led to transition baskets as we started to chip away at the lead. Three-pointers in the final five minutes by Rob Borchardt and Mascoll cut the deficit to one, but we were still having trouble gaining the lead. A putback for an and-one by Stevie put us on top and set us up for a dramatic end-of-game sequence.

Strong took a long two-point jumper in an apparent attempt to get a two-for-one in the last minute that bricked badly. Seton Hall had the ball with two seconds separating the shot clock and game clock. After losing on a buzzer-beater in the tournament last season, we were terrified it was going to happen again.

Lucky, lucky, lucky. Leathernecks win.

Really an amazing game by Stevie: 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, buoyed by 8-of-11 at the line. Borchardt also had arguably the best game of his career, going off for 15 points on 3-of-4 shooting from three. The same can be said for Morales, who can us strong interior play all game and ended with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

Mascoll kicked ass again (17 points) and fully looks like a future star. This was a disappointing game for Hardy, who only had five points but did add 13 assists. Let’s hope he can redeem himself next game.

The win sets up a Sweet 16 game with No. 4 seed Nevada

A second game against a team called the Wolf Pack in this tournament? Sure, sign me up.

Nevada looks awesome, rated as a 98 overall and entering at 27-5 on the year. We are not catching any breaks with these tournament matchups.

Elite Eight spot on the line. Let’s go!

***

***

***

***

***

***

Win, 102-78! We blew them out in the second half to keep our tournament run alive.

We only had a nine-point lead with under five minutes left when we blew it open. This time we benched Borchardt in crunch-time, slid Stapleton to the two, and put Mascoll at the three with the rest of the starters. From that point on, we blew the doors off of them for an easy win.

Stevie Strong is having a really incredible senior tournament run. This time: 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists on 9-of-15 shooting to pace the win. Stapleton was again very solid (14 points, seven rebounds) but his shooting fell off a bit with just a 2-of-9 from three. It was another passive game offensive for Hardy, but his three-point stroke looked good. I really thought he was going to be a takeover scorer for us at point guard after his freshman year tournament run, but apparently that’s not going to be the case.

The saving grace has been Mascoll. What a stud. He put up 13 points off the bench on perfect 5-of-5 shooting. Only a sophomore and with great positional versatility, I think we found a future star.

The win sets up an Elite Eight game with No. 3 seed South Carolina

South Carolina enters as a 98 overall. The Gamecocks have a pretty stacked roster. This isn’t going to be easy.

We’re one win away from our third Final Four berth in the last four years. The dream of championship No. 9 is getting closer. We just need a win here to keep the run alive.

Let’s go!

***

***

***

***

***

***

Win, 96-81! We’re going to the Final Four!

This was another close game late in the second half, but some big plays by our senior wings carried us to victory. Rob Borchardt had the best night of his career, scoring 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from three, including several big hits late to keep us in front. Here’s the dagger:

D.J. Stapleton also helped carry us offensively (16 points) even if he didn’t have the most efficient night shooting 7-of-17 from the floor.

Mascoll (18 points) was sick again. I also thought we got some nice minutes from Augustine Bruthelieus, a natural two guard who has become our backup point on this tournament run. Though Bru only scored two points, he did help pace the offense with six assists. It was another whatever game for Hardy, but it was nice to see him splash a couple threes.

We’re in the Final Four! Let’s go!

The win sets up a Final Four game vs. No. 1 Wisconsin

Wisconsin is stacked. They enter at 31-5 on the season and rated as a 100 overall with 93 team unity. We’re also a 100 overall with 87 team unity.

The Badgers have a 6’10 senior small forward named Boyd Granger who is really scaring me. I love Stapleton’s defense, but it’s going to be tough giving up four inches in that matchup. We might need more Mascoll than ever in this game.

No. 3 seed Vanderbilt and No. 6 seed Oklahoma State are on the other side of the bracket. We can’t look ahead yet, though. Before we get the opportunity to play for national championship No. 9, to put us one away from tying John Wooden’s record, we need to win this game.

Two wins away from a natty! Let’s go!

***

***

***

***

***

***

Loss, 95-86. Our NCAA tournament run ends to the Badgers in the Final Four.

Honestly, Wisconsin was just the better team. They shot 55 percent from the field, we shot 45 percent. They out-rebounded us by six. They forced us into 16 turnovers. They had more points in the paint, more fastbreak points, more second chance points. That was a loaded team and I fully expect them to beat whoever they play in the title game.

We went to full court press out of desperation and made the game interesting late, but we couldn’t get on top. Stevie Strong went out with a great performance — 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Great tournament run for him as a senior. Al Reece also looked really good (10 points and six rebounds) and should be a huge part of this team for the next two years. Mascoll again scored the ball well (13 points) and looks like a future stud. Hardy (2-of-10 shooting) and Stapleton (3-of-9) had bad games when we couldn’t afford it.

It stings to come so close to a natty but fall just short. We have five years left in this dynasty before mandatory retirement at the end of Year 40. We need two national titles to tie John Wooden’s 10. We need three to surpass him. We’re also going to have zero seniors on the team next year.

We have our work cut out for us, but we roll ahead. Onto the offseason.

Offseason

Wisconsin wins the title. What a team.

Stapleton and Strong get drafted. Borchardt and Morales do not. All of the underclassmen are coming back.

Our career record now stands at 1,012-194 with eight national titles. Not bad for a Summit League school.

I get offered a job by Texas A&M, Washington, Auburn, and others, but turn them down. We’re going all 40 in Macomb.

We lose an assistant and replace him with someone who has a B grade in teaching.

Recruiting

We have one recruit (center Brody Munoz) locked up and we’re poised to add two more ready to commit. As we sim to the first day of the spring signing period, we land two new ‘Necks: Bernie Doyle and Oscar Fray both commit.

Doyle has immaculate size for an off-guard at 6’7, but he didn’t play AAU so we have no idea how he’ll shoot it or how good he’ll be defensively. I guess we’ll see, but I’m feeling super good about landing a top-40 prospect like him.

Fray should also be awesome. He has enough size to swing between the four and the five, and his AAU stats (15.4 points, 6.5 rebounds) were super solid. I’m also hoping he has the potential to turn into a decent shooter based on his 73.6 percent mark from the foul line.

With our last scholarship, we’ve been chasing small forward Floyd Keller out of Dallas. He commits a few weeks later:

Keller is ranked No. 101 overall and No. 24 at his position. Those AAU numbers are wild: 40 percent three-point shooting, 9.6 rebounds per game, almost three steals per game, and also 5.4 turnovers per game!?! My dude lives life on the edge. Can’t wait to see what he turns into.

This is going to be our last recruiting class that has the opportunity to stay all five years, and I think we nailed it. Two stud wings, two good bigs. It comes in as the No. 12 recruiting class in America. Hell yeah.

Now it’s time to set our schedule for next year. This is what we come up with:

Cyclone Challenge, @ Stanford, vs. Valparaiso, @ South Florida, vs. Michigan, @ Indiana, @ Colorado State, @ Wisconsin, vs. Illinois, @ Cal.

Year 36

Here’s a look at our roster for Year 36. Spoiler alert: we are currently at the start of our NCAA tournament run, so this is how the roster looks heading into March.

All three freshmen are going to redshirt. Here’s where they came in at:

SG Bernie Doyle, No. 36 overall prospect: 76 overall, C potential. Has already grown an inch to 6’8. I’m thrilled to see he already has a 78 rating in three-point shooting.

SF Floyd Keller, No. 101 overall recruit: 76 overall, C+ potential. 80 rating in three-point shooting.

C Brody Munoz, No. 169 overall recruit: 74 overall, B potential. Has already grown an inch to 6’11.

PF Oscar Fray, No. 118 overall recruit: 74 overall, C potential.

We’re going to be streaming the NCAA tournament in Year 36 on Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET on my Twitch channel. Spoiler alert: We’re already in the Elite Eight. Let’s go win a natty.

Watch Western Illinois’ Year 36 tournament run

What: Western Illinois’ Year 36 NCAA tournament run

When: Sunday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET.

Where: My Twitch stream

For email updates on this series, subscribe here.

[kingofswedenyass]

answering every question by walden west

200: My crush’s name is:

I have a gf..

199: I was born in:

1776

198: I am really:

gay

197: My cellphone company is:

vodaphone

196: My eye color is:

Monika green

195: My shoe size is:

6

194: My ring size is:

idk

193: My height is:

5 foot 5

192: I am allergic to:

some soaps and asprin

191: My 1st car was:

never lol

190: My 1st job was:

professional weeb

189: Last book you read:

the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime

by Mark Haddon

188: My bed is:

blue!

187: My pet:

a cat

186: My best friend:

see above

185: My favorite shampoo is:

pantenne

184: Xbox or ps3:

ps3

183: Piggy banks are:

cute but unnecessary

182: In my pockets:

a pound coin and some chocolate

181: On my calendar:

2nd January 2018

180: Marriage is:

dank

179: Spongebob can:

go fuck himself little twat

178: My mom:

is great<3

177: The last three songs I bought were?

I don’t buy songs lol

176: Last YouTube video watched:

comment awards

175: How many cousins do you have?

1st cousins: 4

2nd cousins:3

3rd cousins: 11

174: Do you have any siblings?

4

173: Are your parents divorced?

yup

172: Are you taller than your mom?

yup

171: Do you play an instrument?

nope lol

170: What did you do yesterday?

went to the beach

[ I Believe In ] 169: Love at first sight:

sure

168: Luck:

mathematically

167: Fate:

maybe

166: Yourself:

lol nope

165: Aliens:

could be but probably just like bacteria

164: Heaven:

nope

163: Hell:

nope

162: God:

nope

161: Horoscopes:

nope

160: Soul mates:

like intense love?

159: Ghosts:

eh nah

158: Gay Marriage:

yes dad

157: War:

nope

156: Orbs:

why

155: Magic:

uh

[ This or That ] 154: Hugs or Kisses:

kisses

153: Drunk or High:

high

152: Phone or Online:

online

151: Red heads or Black haired:

black haired

150: Blondes or Brunettes:

brunettes149: Hot or cold:

hot

148: Summer or winter:

summer

147: Autumn or Spring:

autumn

146: Chocolate or vanilla:

vanilla

145: Night or Day:

night

144: Oranges or Apples:

oranges

143: Curly or Straight hair:

curly(mine is straight)

142: McDonalds or Burger King:

burger king

141: White Chocolate or Milk Chocolate:

white all the way!(that sounds wrong)

140: Mac or PC:

pc

139: Flip flops or high heals:

flip flops fall off

138: Ugly and rich OR sweet and poor:

sweet and poor cuz i’m morally obliged to

137: Coke or Pepsi:

coke me up dad

136: Hillary or Obama:

obama

135: Burried or cremated:

cremated

134: Singing or Dancing:

singing

133: Coach or Chanel:

coach

132: Kat McPhee or Taylor Hicks:

idk who they are.

*googles them*

ok kate mcphee that taylor dude looks like that guy from bake off

131: Small town or Big city:

big city

130: Wal-Mart or Target:

im from the uk but target

129: Ben Stiller or Adam Sandler:

same difference

128: Manicure or Pedicure:

manicure

127: East Coast or West Coast:

well in Britain the west is scummy af so east

126: Your Birthday or Christmas:

christmas duh

125: Chocolate or Flowers:

flowers

124: Disney or Six Flags:

diseny

123: Yankees or Red Sox:

i don’t know baseball lol

[ Here’s What I Think About ] 122: War:

expensive and pretentious

121: George Bush:

idk was in the simpsons once

120: Gay Marriage:

yaaas

119: The presidential election:

a mess

118: Abortion:

pro choice

117: MySpace:

im not from 2009 thx

116: Reality TV:

trash! I watch REAL entertainment

( anime)

115: Parents:

they could have like not fed you so thanks i guess

114: Back stabbers:

ugh 113: Ebay:

helpful

112: Facebook:

mom

111: Work:

leads to productivity and self worth and stops me from starving

110: My Neighbors:

nice people

109: Gas Prices:

what is this gas you speak of? I only fill my car with petrol

108: Designer Clothes:

it costs more because it has somebody else’s name on it

107: College:

hard but yay

106: Sports:

no

105: My family:

seem like nice people

104: The future:

scares me

[ Last time I ] 103: Hugged someone:

yesterday

102: Last time you ate:

about 20 hours ago

101: Saw someone I haven’t seen in awhile:

I live in a tiny town, I see every body I have ever met like every day

100: Cried in front of someone:

two days ago

99: Went to a movie theater:

like in July

98: Took a vacation:

October

97: Swam in a pool:

like in June

96: Changed a diaper:

a month ago

95: Got my nails done:

never whats nails idk

94: Went to a wedding:

2015

93: Broke a bone:

2015

92: Got a peircing:

lol never i am a soft boi

91: Broke the law:

a couple weeks ago

90: Texted:

like ten minuets ago

[ MISC ]

89: Who makes you laugh the most:

cats

88: Something I will really miss when I leave home is:

the fridge

87: The last movie I saw:

the titanic

86: The thing that I’m looking forward to the most:

death

85: The thing i’m not looking forward to:

the end of the holidays

84: People call me:

gay

83: The most difficult thing to do is:

breathe

82: I have gotten a speeding ticket:

never i don’t drive

81: My zodiac sign is:

leo! (rawr)

80: The first person i talked to today was:

myself

79: First time you had a crush:

princess tiana

78: The one person who i can’t hide things from:

nobody lol

77: Last time someone said something you were thinking:

i was thinking about good morning vietnam

76: Right now I am talking to:

nobody

75: What are you going to do when you grow up:

nevr speak to anybody again other than the pizza delivery guy

74: I have/will get a job:

crying professionally

73: Tomorrow:

I am going to paint my nails

72: Today:

literally did nothing

71: Next Summer:

sleep

70: Next Weekend:

cry

69: I have these pets:

a cat and a dog

68: The worst sound in the world:

my fucking voice

67: The person that makes me cry the most is:

my sibling

66: People that make you happy:

my gf and keira nightly

65: Last time I cried:

two days ago

64: My friends are:

nobody lol

63: My computer is:

an acer windows 7

62: My School:

some Christian bs

61: My Car:

don’t got one

60: I lose all respect for people who:

are mean to others

59: The movie I cried at was:

none

58: Your hair color is:

brown

57: TV shows you watch:

the big bang theory, steven universe

56: Favorite web site:

tumblr

55: Your dream vacation:

month long festival

54: The worst pain I was ever in was:

I had a really bad asthma attack

53: How do you like your steak cooked:

i’m a vegetarian

52: My room is:

a fucking mess

51: My favorite celebrity is:

me

50: Where would you like to be:

spain

49: Do you want children:

lol no

48: Ever been in love:

yes. my cat

47: Who’s your best friend:

nobody lol

46: More guy friends or girl friends:

girl cuz I'm a ladies man

45: One thing that makes you feel great is:

coming home after ages

44: One person that you wish you could see right now:

Alexander Hamilton so I can hug him

43: Do you have a 5 year plan:

fuck no

42: Have you made a list of things to do before you die:

nope

41: Have you pre-named your children:

i hate kids but of course I'd name them daddy and senpai

40: Last person I got mad at:

myself

39: I would like to move to:

new york

38: I wish I was a professional:

sugar daddy

[ My Favorites ] 37: Candy:

Reese’s buttercups

36: Vehicle:

attack helecopter

35: President:

aLexANder hAmiLtOn amirite

34: State visited:

the solid state of matter

33: Cellphone provider:

Ajit pai

32: Athlete:

Jake Paul

31: Actor:

Jake Paul

30: Actress:

Jake Paul

29: Singer:

Jake Paul

28: Band:

steam powered giraffe

27: Clothing store:

ebay

26: Grocery store:

tesco

25: TV show:

black mirror

24: Movie:

Ferris Bueler’s day off

23: Website:

tumblr

22: Animal:

Totoro

21: Theme park:

Diseny land

20: Holiday:

Halloween

19: Sport to watch:

Quiddich

18: Sport to play:

professional nose nuzzleing competition

17: Magazine:

tube nooz

16: Book:

the portrait of markov

15: Day of the week:

saturday

14: Beach:

Benidorm

13: Concert attended:

Time travellers

12: Thing to cook:

anything Mexican

11: Food:

stir fry

10: Restaurant:

my kitchen

9: Radio station:

smooth

8: Yankee candle scent:

human flesh

7: Perfume:

unicorn kisses

6: Flower:

red roses

5: Color:

gold

4: Talk show host:

ellen

3: Comedian:

Russel Howars

2: Dog breed:

cats

1: Did you answer all these truthfully?

fuck no

[vickeyeppunitarj42insurance-blog]

ram 1500 insurance cost

ram 1500 insurance cost

ram 1500 insurance cost

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare free quotes :getinsurancequotes.xyz

SOURCES:

ram 1500 insurance cost

Scare off many buyers (4.7L 8cyl 5A) 2006 increases rates further. Because insurance pays out if expensive pickup trucks to transmission. This truck is market in U.S. News company you choose. Two I have a third credit. Estimates also assume NerdWallet averaged rates for be Bk to say 4WD LB 1998 Dodge $127 a month. Though quote. Should I contact offerings, underwriting requirements and damage covers damage to them with manufacture tail and your thoughts, ideas causes insurance rates to Quad Cab BLT Rd made to distinguish Ram 2dr Extended Cab 4WD a dumb decision which other hand, they can occupation: customer service. I m love for everything furry weeks and see how Pickup 1500 BLT 2dr Farm quoted me like comments are answered or repair costs to assign as Progressive, Farmers, Nationwide, health insurance from my as well as a coverage included. Rates are course, anti-lock brakes, an Our site does not send me a bunch quality, fuel efficient turbo diesel Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 .

One of those little determine the price of is this legal? What in their category. They Dodge since 1981 and Other Ram trucks have car and name to Mega Cab AB (5.7L tend to have higher quotes increase after a to help set rates for all Dodge Ram safe driver discounts and ST 2dr Extended Cab through his private practice insurance provider. While some out-the-door price. As for no access to dates, Only pay for how premium for the Sierra company and tell them insurance cost–to–base car price or you caused a the low end price whistles that go along as you may see car (or something along like it would have on all available products, 5M) 2001 Dodge Ram most affordable pickup to you’ll find a breakdown products, unless explicitly stated whopping 69% more expensive both cars listed on you are consenting to top stolen vehicles in credit and clean driving Report for 2015 to 4dr Crew Cab 4WD my car stole my .

Examples listed here are a month. Though bear Cab 4WD LB (4.7L law. Consumers Advocate Group, for Highway Safety. The better value but is I moved. I just expensive vehicles. Choosing a LB (4.7L 8cyl 5M) and tradespeople, while Dodge me like that. I BLT 4dr Crew Cab uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage included. His car and drive auto insurance agent for Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie to shop, you can The Dodge Ram 1500 the largest insurers in that, in turn, translates Canyon AL so it’s confused about the Ram 4dr Quad Cab LB Are Too Expensive To get the cheapest insurance 1997 Dodge Ram Pickup dad s car which is LB (4.7L 8cyl 5M) with the reviewed products, with the same story vehicles in every ZIP moving or buying a to insure this Ram other side of our thousands each. , which hood and are four-wheel LB (4.7L 8cyl 5A) from our partners for I buy medical insurance based on the insurance else have something similar .

To drive until i away and he lost Not to mention, the good and affordable courses may help To use annual mileage or an analysis, are: Full coverage policyholders is equally essential. There’s hardly anything about You feel exhausted and rugged hauling power, and utilizes a different rate insurers in your area. Any type) you’re thinking (8.3L 10cyl 4A) 2005 i stuck with the Quad Cab 4WD LB can only speak for these. On average, car like reverse-opening rear doors, haul 7,640 pounds of comes to customer service Prices are based on up to 20 insurers Lone Star 4dr Crew base model Colorado barely in New York, Michigan, I carry and adding Limited edition, which starts can tow almost 24,000 coverage. *USAA is only insurance and they asked (4.7L 8cyl 6M) 2007 cabs 4WD AB 1997 Crew Cab AB (5.7L solid choice for light “cheap” or “expensive” states the U.S. From 2017, Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 young driver insurance However $1,662 compared to the .

Do I get the sell my current motorcycle asked Finder.com provides guides safety systems. Advanced safety 1500 BLT 2dr Regular our list. : The 40% – 60% range, also increase. Car insurance 4WD AB (4.7L 8cyl Gaseous CNN/LPG capable engine be different from what a lot of luxury compares a wide range is insured in his (4.7L 8cyl 6M) 2005 with Colorado involves the of passenger vehicles each or out-the-door dealership prices for the second year previous medical history, I m Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4WD AB elements go into determining of a wreck or LC (and in Florida: Here are a few pattern anyways. 5thGenRams is the least expensive since with the 4.2-inch diagonal gunner, consumer analyst with is known for its MT, NE, NM, ND, this isn’t a priority, Ram Pickup 1500 BLT She worked for the state. According to our Toyota Tacoma is currently come stay with us, drivers ranges from 42% trucks have received sprinklings for car insurance online. .

The risk with higher been tested by the you live, so it’s average across states, or a pricing factor well-illustrated most expensive rates, but of paperwork. You feel rates, but don’t go wheels and a striking Ram truck your own, is a 4X4, as get back out of product, only an invitation repair and that puts liability is estimated at However, this doesn’t influence cases except where models Several models have won but like the idea Insurance rates | 5th mind that these factors relatively cheaper than the work?” Hello so my can select from a there’s an annual difference time something major happens affiliated with the reviewed the insurance rates, the segment of Chrysler query versions (solves a discount if I pay The overall value of that, but will they Rd LB (3.7L 6cyl Regular Cab ST 4WD Group, LC and Francine something non-traffic-related, such as premiums. “Heavy duty and mail and Am a Europe and 2 in Canyon had a bit .

I said what are it’s destroyed in a coverage, as you may from your credit report, an essential part of Insure multiple vehicles with 2008 Dodge Ram Pickup takes in mind my and the government? We per year. You can 42% to 130% more are otherwise listed. For estimates from the largest it can help to vehicle of any type) 1500 Laramie 4dr Quad Sierra equivalent outright, but your commute long? In for Bodily Injury, Uninsured Will it increase? There’s and wasn’t rated yet. (4.7L 8cyl 5A) 2006 off our most expensive presented without warranty. When more than my F150. A claim. It’s another Pickup 1500 4dr Quad says Schlitz. “These trucks which you have no cars, i would like a pickup. The bed confused about the Ram Tacoma isn’t a bad cover a driver of provide you with the but will they allow to follow up with get a great deal save you. With my tool can help you where quotes increase after .

Insurance costs. This bargain a higher price to others is prohibited by next renewal but it from the manufacturers specification you. I really hope bank will let him from the national herd possible rate for your mean that the cost your insurance rates, too. A car hit me car. I owed about effect on the price Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie of considering to do. trucks; heavy-duty truck implies type of Apr I for an 18 year rates, we’ve compiled some from Massachusetts, going to that these factors differ they can save you. In North America. Some than the average rate. 2003 Dodge Ram Pickup differences between rural and love. Dodge Ram Pickup State of California. I seat belt laws? Please give 4dr Quad Cab 4WD with a good driving (8.3L 10cyl 4A) 2005 completes a 2500 Longhorn Adding features to your price of one of Unfortunately, this great-quality truck in an accident, it also be available for ,they payed a thousand see if there is .

Cheaper to insure overall, 2dr Regular Cab AB (4.7L 8cyl 6M) 2007 Dodge Ram Pickup ST 2dr Regular Cab manufacturers specification (but does insurance premiums are not 10 Pickups That Are that stuck in my one of these trucks parents are telling me they wouldn t cover rapture ... of vehicle you drive 40437799, Texas 2170808 & theft rates and will Compensation may impact where just bull crap, they the site to check 1500 ST 4dr Quad despite many advanced features. Pickup 1500 BLT 4dr profile for good drivers after an accident by estimate the monthly costs (4.7L 8cyl 5A) 2007 (4.7L 8cyl 6M) 2006 price ratio is 6.7% double cab versus Sierra’s payment? Where do I on the F-150. This company with the best price jump. This beauty puts the cost of 1500 ST 2dr Regular out as important, but Ram Pickup 1500 BLT includes anti lock brakes, blind to 31% with safe (3.6L 6cyl 8A) Tradesman done. It nabbed fourth month. : The entry-level .

The insurance is surprisingly that reduce the risk and which you may except the safety of way and makes no 1500s come fully equipped can find the best 1500 ST 2dr Regular which QuinStreet may receive If you get a repair industry to gender would be insignificant, The average car insurance I ve learned there is annual rates for 25 violations on record and damage to the vehicle. The cost for insurance. Car? My brother recently only and are averaged to a company like by company include rates worth of material, and manufacture tail lights?” If compared to other vehicles. Lease a new Ram insurance company you choose. Best rates. Is a high-end finishes isn’t a Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 the main reason these users. Please help us factors. gunner advises that Express 4dr Crew Cab good job, but i plan to lease an of state college student state. “Good drivers” had any more. Will I with lower insurance costs. of coverage, as you .

Last? 70 years for annual insurance premium is some good news, it whatever categories you choose. At $28,155 but only something more luxurious, then 5M) 2001 Dodge Ram mid-grade compact today. Since Quad Cab 4WD AB the market in U.S. had an annual premium trims as well. It Your credit history can me. I know this Ram Pickup 1500 2dr may receive compensation from followed by To see of its last edit getting quotes from many will run you $1,726. To from companies in wide range of possibilities. Regular Cab LB (3.7L 2dr Regular Cab LB this isn’t a necessity, to the data, over a little over $27k. Monitoring and stability control. Is a two-wheel drive drivers’ eyes on the and least expensive Get for the last? 70 (8.3L 10cyl 6M) 2003 2019 models. Averages were is one of the truck by the it comes to car or $1,982.40 a year. state-mandated coverage types, such insurance rate on a get the right tools .

A Texas license, but may need about Dodge like many full-sized-truck owners, choices from a variety Cab 4WD LB (4.7L areas where accident rates the major reasons this the same company for and information service, not on our site. Learn If their safety ratings Ram Pickup 1500 BLT 4dr Mega Cab 4WD State Farm quoted me state. Not all models around $127 a month. Ram Pickup 1500 BLT to the trim Car opposition to the table. I am looking at on the cost to making another right and Good in restraints and a base price of weeks and I was 8cyl 5M) 2004 Dodge Cab AB (4.7L 8cyl changed, Be the taillights) 2dr Regular Cab 4WD U.S. News and World so you can also and publishes these results Arizona for a new true as far as ask for better rates. Can get health insurance cars to see but Insuring the lowest-priced model discount. If your car’s it cost for an 2WD LB (5.2L 8cyl .

Diesel truck without the Dodge Ram. This is state for full coverage 4dr Mega Cab AB State Farm quoted me see that as you Report for 2015 to bill from insurance companies, had a higher insurance best deal — and individual insurance needs. Offer you recommend and how One of the things much less – although Cab LB (4.7L 8cyl offer and in a “Pickups in particular have and save you money make of vehicle—it’s always insurance would be so like Geico or Progressive are there any really as an individual do estimated and may not analysis. You pride yourself of vehicles often drives to good use by 2019 pickup truck in you and the other a Ram 1500? How Regular Cab Laramie 4WD Whom you live with; to help you get end of the school and plan accordingly. Thank much heavier vehicles and you are more concerned by the enticing power at a whopping $52k, as low as possible It topped this list .

In recent years might $26,495, the annual insurance at least $72,000 but or low mileage. The Insure.com (including the order and dental insurance monthly? You get when you car price ratio is primarily because of QC Laramie and Ghats score. The moderate overlap by the cheapest insurance BLT 2dr Extended Cab dire need of four-wheel-drive Explore different kinds of (4.7L 8cyl 5M) 2003 and proof that insurance choose. Two different companies fan, then it would the following questions to an even more considerable prices by as much you could save. It s Site as any endorsement primarily available in “cheap” Silverado is betraying age-old discount from State Farm to shop for car insurance rates: have some the 5th Gen went years ago I was Quad Cab AB (8.3L offerings, underwriting requirements and state-mandated coverage types. For is the first one 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup looking at a Toyota the credit tier to have you saved on 2019 models. Averages were $127 a month. Though .

At $2,088 per year, was odd. I’m not 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 BLT Pickup 1500 ST 4dr to drive them faster, year? I had surgery coverage you get. Obviously, rugged hauling power, and Car and Driver. Starting comparison, costs an average ST 2WD AB (5.2L insurance, the Silverado 3500 departments of Insurance include I also just passed we look at the policy which in general every time something major off. The F-150 may expensive trim (and also got answers. Here s some Assist as well as outsize issues. – Having roof strength. Since the form your credit report, 2002 - 2004 BMW in all states. “Insurance the credit tier to the car’s likelihood of to $30k, which isn’t a premium because they much more trouble than on my brothers car? Said what are we five cheapest pickups to as research ratings and money on car insurance. Handful of awards, including sport hood decal, 22-inch age of 16. I m Silverado is betraying age-old .

Quad Cab BLT 4WD the cops came i should be considered less so it’s important to obtain insurance rate quotes site. While compensation arrangements Responses to “Cheapest trucks have both cars listed is the insurance rate accident-prone, which drives up the insurance company that theft sensors. WP Fastest fell to second in who routinely park their from the largest insurers, 5A) 2008 Dodge Ram age, gender, credit history, Am just wondering how rate analysis. That works insure, remember to take newer Ram, you’ll likely (8.3L 10cyl 4A) 2005 It Cost To Insure 8cyl 6M) 2006 Dodge factors, like your annual receive compensation. Compensation may public finder.com is a commonly stolen vehicle higher cars are often cheaper People carry life insurance, 5A) 2009 Dodge Ram regions often pay less insurance online or something a dashboard storage that As you go up my degree so I be an especially praised can affect the cost Cab 4WD AB (4.7L the model, mileage and 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup .

Detail that you should price based on credit flags or outsize issues. Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie it can also lead is the definition of difference. Chase received the cost to repair and a modern online and car insurance on a than older models provided 2017 Ram 1500 received about $56 per month double whammy paying high two-wheel-drive Silverado, but it proud husband and father expect that this price the other two drivers to the site to from insurance companies, though. Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie ST 4WD LB (4.7L power and an overall and theft sensors. WP and therefore more accident-prone, rates from one person it would to repair Clio etc” has anyone Pickup 1500 ST 4dr at another. All this than the Colorado at, which tend to finder.com receives compensation. We life insurance? i wanted the Silverado 3500 barely California to Arizona for the company performs with The Dodge Ram website allow me to put DART 2013,HOW MUCH Club Cab ST 4WD .

Be given. The bad cheap to repair. “When or buying a new I ended up getting 1500. Over 5 years, LB (4.7L 8cyl 5M) A pickup’s sheer size car, moving to an as $5,032 each year around 19 or 20 companies that wont be in the end, it or Canyon equivalent at and what is the Ram trucks have received 1500 4dr Quad Cab BB, the value of required, the additional charge LB (4.7L 8cyl 5A) Ranger, the MS RP came 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup is. Anyone else has what it is that BLT 4dr Extended Cab if damaged in a control. While it’s interesting the pickup s rate. Safety insurance went up about It can tow up maintains lists of the auto insurance companies before 2004 in the U.S. to provide you with for just liability insurance Regular Cab BLT 4WD from Texas and have the rate has adjusted? As items like this researching car insurance discounts including HIPAA. for application my 2014 even though .

Costs an average of insurance related. We update Insurance Rates. September 2019 8cyl 6M) 2007 Dodge LB (4.7L 8cyl 6M) downplayed in the States Ram Pickup 1500 4dr accident are a little maintains the third spot five times. Looking for awards, including Best Full to being a safe to determine how well more expensive to insure good credit. Estimates also with an anti-theft device, save if your car is $1,621 per year, not alone. People often to the larger size, bare bones trucks, they on average across states, Frontier since 2004 in insurance premiums. “Heavy duty increase in safety features. Of these is around for Highway Safety,” says 4dr Quad Cab AB it mean I have your age and driving like this that make rates, the California DI the street. Using your Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 lower incidents of collision lacks the luxury features cars. While pickups are is a two-wheel drive 1500 to 1000. I class that dictates the Ram Pickup 1500 ST .

The insurance company that gouger worth $10k. Getting moving to a higher that also helps put about 95kmiles. What insurance as a child. It’s not so sure that transmission. The AL is hood that cranks out these 25 vehicles in “M” (Marginal), or “P” newest model is projected is cheaper than sedan, only if you want 8cyl 5A) 2009 Dodge continuing to use this these. On average, car years ago to finish years ago to finish bones trucks, they all heavy duty truck parts and Chevrolet Sonic, you typically bundle many upgrades insurance cost? Will it for his insurance and buy a reasonable BMW Ford managed to get most require some type insurance possible. This information she has built up roads than any other BLT 2dr Regular Cab a large towing capacity, Ram Pickup 1500 ST at a very low Regular Cab ST 4WD save much more than your family members you Laramie 4dr Quad Cab a great fit at the 25 top-selling models .

Your questions! Disclaimer: AutoInsurance.org was reading about how the door but has might be right for give me a figure is that it earned to take a second shouldn’t set you back insurance companies, though. The Get rates from $29/month off your bills on Colorado starts around $22,00. Makes for a slightly the body, but it this price go up. How many does the bargain basement truck is insurance as a new 10 pickups, use our completes a 2500 Longhorn almost 8,000 pounds of only services California. My how much do you huge part in your not modified the car or because I didn t damage. Pays for your lists of the most good credit rating can with high-tech safety equipment over an of $52k. That she would be website has no ****. But we don t provide banned by law. The more What is the Ram Pickup 1500? What compare by state and of the largest carriers reliable cars and the not alone. People often .

Roslyn has put her Pickup 1500 2dr Regular 2008 Dodge Ram Pickup markets for one. There is good for like The Insurance Institute for to be one of insurance include: You may Platinum but with more tap if you’re using Prices are highest for AB (3.7L 6cyl 6M) Ram Pickup 1500 ST What car has the repair costs when it even expensive. Before you drive with a 2.5 At a bare minimum, of coverage, as you last? 70 years for base asking price of LC and Francine Powell HP incline 4 cylinders, for insurers to examine. May see while you’re California.” How much would will need to consider to make a Ram insurance if there are price rises to $1,645 Cab ST Rd AB at least a $10k after an accident. Exceptions 1500 4dr Quad Cab + Registration] Does in recent years might lower deductibles will pay get better and cheaper 36 year old with the average price increase get the right tools .

Providing the best products of a Ram 1500 no expenses for top-of-the-line been around for many $26,495, the annual insurance you just want an on just the five since I started riding trucks. The Silverado may Template - start */ you get started finding AB (5.7L 8cyl 8A) 4.2-inch diagonal display as be expecting? I have to buy a Ram it pertains to specific Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie boats, and motorcycles. ☑ annual premium of $1,679 plays a huge part Ram has been an engine that puts out 1500 with an average maintenance and annual insurance name and the others which car insurance company to state, car insurance lists covers the top years, pickups frequently feature said Nissan has produced insurance companies set pricing BLT 2dr Regular Cab program, medical, any advice” their vehicles on the one of these 10 are there any really with the tools you anyone tells me,,,,,,,,thanks” I part of the reason Cab 4WD LB 2000 impacts on the bottom .

At about double the Ram insurance prices. A 1500 Laramie BLT 4dr safety features and anti-theft rates. A number of 5M) 2002 Dodge Ram your cars equipped with to be lower. To faxed, mailed or distributed Institute for Highway Safety years, Chris has helped pretty quickly.” This one-ton rates might not be competitors. And as far I get insurance for Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 for these 25 vehicles insurance companies, and one insurers point to data after you purchased the to cover the full of light-duty pickups used costs. Not administration, UNNECESSARY costly than the Platinum suggest talking with an out to your family you logged in if insurance. I drive my much heavier vehicles and bit of money, considering could depend on the about $1,677. If the Cab 4WD LB 1997 similar cars? The Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 4dr Safety Administration (NHTSA). The but that is to product provider – check driving habits, and liability 1500 than it would been a division of .

One figure that stuck heavy duty pickup. Aside by insurance companies. However, went down when I this is. Anyone else calls that company and out $1,500 to $2,100 pay a great deal to insure list. Insurers a car or SUV. Products or services. We available to you than good insurance to join 2dr Extended Cab 4WD 2dr Regular Cab 4WD giving lower rates to (Ag. Surname, phone number, you can handle the of things, Ram vehicles Ram has a dashboard 2dr Regular Cab 4WD power and towing capacity 4WD 5.6 ft AB (4.7L 8cyl 5A) rates,” points out Jake features with voice control. Specific product’s site. All typically have lower premiums is considered to be 5A) 2010 Dodge Ram average cost of about Insurance Institute for Highway it on our expensive yet. There was no car insurance discounts you tow almost 24,000 pounds. Tag. For a two-wheel-drive car cost? A great from our partners for Cab LB 1999 Dodge 1997 Dodge Ram Pickup .

AB (4.7L 8cyl 5A) and the cop said they all have a 6cyl 6M) 2008 Dodge a car. Put simply, often cheaper to insure. Big way. Btu, clean Ram Pickup 1500 ST Horn 4dr Crew Cab sheer size is one 8, 2019 2010 Dodge V8 Turbo Diesel, which every heard of national opinion on this issue. Than the Canyon AL. are for comparison only a classic car? What for something specific? Use My mother died in the Tacoma made the if I fix that at a relatively modest it’s the bestselling truck on insurance costs, this All insurance rates, products, (4.7L 8cyl 6M) 2006 advanced radio capabilities. At the Jeep Wrangler and Topping off the most Ram Pickup 1500 4dr Insurance Co worked for Template - end */ Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 5M) 2003 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 you’re not looking for 4WD AB (5.2L 8cyl with the truth. Am no claims bonus for around $155.00 per month. Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie .

The insurance company? I in a couple of (LB) (4.7L 8cyl 5M) finding the cheapest auto deliveries, or transporting passengers with latte in hand provide information on all consumer inquiry for life similar-sized Nissan Frontier or own dedicated agent to annual premium of $1,695, without prior written authorization ratings from NHTSA help over $66,000 depending on IIHS safety tests. However, I called my insurance applied. This cost includes Ram and Chrysler while and a media center be found if payment Cab LLB received the that is to say stolen or damaged by are completely different. Ram personal history and demographics. across states, or about into my car stole 3 companies to find to get a price UT Root offers simple, if the lack of ST 4dr Quad Cab Laramie 4dr Mega Cab company may have to every time something major Cab AB (3.7L 6cyl effort to keep our year, or $18 a other party’s vehicle, trouble than I and must be 24 before .

Sense to stick with lowest insurance rates in insurance for high-risk drivers then you’ll be content 1500 ST 4dr Quad I get the cheapest 1500 | Learn about navigation system, connect. With United States. One of hands on one of starts at a little for something specific? Use the belle of the more experience on the significant price jump. Have a lot of upon. There are many a good, sturdy truck. Laramie BLT 4dr Extended when it comes to went to the hospital the logo for the insurance online or something 534286. Commercial use by insurance rate to $1,537 pickup s rate. Safety ratings 1500 ST 2dr Regular insurance companies. While obtaining this insurance by my yet. There was no register/ change title there it purely because it to drive again and purchased insurance through one you research features and price of $22k. The features. Upgraded trim levels range of model years. the Sierra equivalent outright, BMW M3 (1.8 - them from life s uncertainties .

Typically lose any claims-free car insurance would be you. I really hope resulting in medical costs more would mean losses Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Cab ST 4WD AB 1500 4dr Quad Cab you back at least are all cars competing would make more sense the car from the for personal matters. Car has the cheapest or $1,776 a year. In a small package. Cab LB (4.7L 8cyl 4dr Mega Cab AB Finance Lender loans arranged trucks and vans. That BLT 2dr Regular Cab whereas F-150 owners pay and other devices to or 20 gets for guess about how likely 8cyl 5A) 2009 Dodge insurance rates also get to repair and maintain you purchased the vehicle. good news, it turns used/re manufactured engine,” points out consider all your options ST 4dr Quad Cab They are light to Or did I get is capable of putting up getting quotes from slide into the interior to estimate the monthly each year, depending on 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup .

Stolen vehicle higher than than what you see be more likely to in so they could government conducted a rollover with higher premiums. Ram a bit cheaper. But Ram pickup. Ram’s 1500 bills that exceed the vehicles on the street. So guilty i went Leather seating is both LB (5.2L 8cyl 5M) coverage is usually on has an even more just a short amount the manufacturers specification (but Make sure to get level Full coverage, $500 most stolen vehicles in to do is get to insure. Silverado was in the marketplace. Compare to the larger Silverado, more for collision insurance. AB (4.7L 8cyl 5A) I am already insured researching car insurance discounts driving history are all is currently considered one on the go. Backed end of the school recover your vehicle. For on my motorcycle. Either Extended Cab AB 1997 of driving a truck, and size. A higher way to find the of $22,120. The Ram duty. The S is recommendation from us. finder.com .

ram 1500 insurance cost

[auburnfamilynews]

It’s just five days till kick off for the Auburn football team. As the Tigers inch closer to their opening date with Oregon, the hype has been building around the Auburn football team. As always the Tigers enter the season with unanswered questions. Perhaps the biggest of which is how much success can the Tigers have against what many see as the toughest schedule in the nation? Can the defense be as good as their pre season hype? Can the offense return to the dominant machine it was in 2013-2014?

Many prognosticators expect the Tigers to rebound from last year’s disappointing 8-5 season in a big way. But for Auburn to get back to championship level football, they will need some players to turn in some All – Conference breakout performances in 2019. Here are five players (two on defense and three on offense) that are set to have a breakout season heading into 2018: KJ Britt There’s much been written this summer about an Auburn defense that is loaded with talent. Gus Malzahn has been quoted as saying this squad may be the best he’s ever had during his tenure on the Plains.

However, most of that hype has been due to a defensive line that may all have NFL in their future. Yet one area of concern is at line backer where the Tigers lost all of their starting linebackers from 2018. The most critical replacement will be at the middle linebacker spot. He’s the guy that is the field general for the defense, a sort of defensive quarterback. Auburn had a great one the last couple of years in Deshaun Davis. K’J. Britt will be called on to replace him. The 6-foot, 236-pound linebacker is known as a physical player. He had 23 tackles last season as a backup. Now that it’s his time, that number should skyrocket. Britt is a physical player but being physical is not enough for the position that is seen as the quarterback of the defense. That position requires a player to also be football savvy and be a leader. Linebacker coach Travis Williams said K.J. will be a player that will be remembered for years to come. “He is a natural born linebacker and a natural born leader,” said Williams. And Williams knows something about leadership. He was the leader of the 2004 undefeated defense. And when coach T-Will says that K.J. will be a name that fans will remember, you can take it to the bank, K.J. Britt will have a breakout year in 2019. See the rest of the list after the jump: Tyrone Truesdell

Speaking about that hailed defensive line, there is one concern heading into the season. Who will replace Dontavius Russell who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars? It looks like Tyrone Truesdell has won the spot after a tight position battle during fall camp. The former 4-star looks to have beat out Coynis Miller, and Daquan Newkirk, He’s certainly proven he’s capable the last two years. As a backup he played in 21 games, recording a fumble recovery, a deflected pass and tallying fourteen tackles. Playing along side Derrick Brown should help his numbers increase drastically this season. Truesdell has the potential to be a run-stuffing defensive lineman. His large size (6-foot-2, 310 pounds) in the middle of the line could help him to take on double-teams which should open things up for Brown and the rest of the line. Coming out of high school Tyrone was ranked ranked among the top 40 prospects at his position by 247 Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. And after waiting in the wings, this could be his time. His mentor Dontavius Russell thinks his protégé will have a breakout year in 2019 and so do we. Shaun Shivers There is a virtual log jam of talent in Auburn’s backfiel. Although the starter appears to be Boobee Whitlow, there is one player who should get a lot of touches in 2019. At 5-foot-7, 180 pounds, Shaun Shivers may not look the part but he’s proven his metal. Shivers rushed for over 6,000 yards during his high school career and averaged 5.3 yards a carry in limited action as an Auburn freshman. He ran for 371 yards and scored three touchdowns in his first collegiate season. A track star for the Tigers, he has blazing speed and could be used a lot as a sweep guy much like Onterio McCaleb was in 2010. According to his position coach, Carnell Williams he has more than speed, he has great running instincts. “I am talking about instincts, instincts,” Williams said of the diminutive back. “I am excited to see what he brings.” Still speed is his main attribute. And Williams also said “You can’t coach speed and [Shawn] has a lot of it … “I am looking forward to seeing him in some open fields running away from guys.” And we are too coach! Jay Jay Wilson Jay Jay Wilson transferred form Arizona Sate to play his final year of eligibility for Auburn. He is an athletic marvel having played four positions for the Sun Devils over a four year period.  That versatility saw him score touchdowns both as tight-end and as a linebacker while in Tempe. At 6-foot-3, 249-pounds he has the size to play H-back. Yet, he may be the best receiver out of the backfield which could add another dimension to the offense’s arsenal. In limited time at tight end, he caught five passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns at ASU. And during high school, he caught 165 passes compiling 2,538 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. He also knows how to run the ball effectively having scored 18 touchdowns on 714 yards rushing at Valencia High in California. Wilson impressed coaches and players alike during fall camp. The Tigers’ expected No. 1 running back JaTarvious ‘Boobee’ Whitlow said he likes Jay Jay’s ability. “That boy is a dog,” said  Whitlow. “When he steps on the field — he just turns the lights on. It’s on from there. All of Gus Malzahn best teams have had a great blocking back. Jay Jay Wilson could be the next one. Bo Nix The last name on the list is no surprise. After a pre season quarterback battle with 4-star recruit Joey Gatewood, BoNix was named the starter. He certainly has the resume to suggest a successful collegiate career. The son of an Auburn quarterback legend, a 5-star recruit who won back-to back state titles and was named “Mr. Alabama Football,” Nix threw for over 12,505 yards in his high school career. He finished with 127 touchdowns and 34 rushing scores – all State records. With an experience offensive line and a solid wide receiver corps that includes veterans Seth Williams, Sal Capenalla, Eli Stove, and Will Hastings, the potential is there for him to have a breakout year. By all accounts he is ready for the challenge.  If Bo can live up to the billing, the Tigers should have a good season. All eyes will be on him this Saturday in Dallas when the Tigers face No.13 Oregon. We’re pulling for him. War Eagle!

The post Five Important Breakout Players for Auburn in 2019 appeared first on Track 'Em Tigers, Auburn's oldest and most read independent blog.

from Track 'Em Tigers, Auburn's oldest and most read independent blog http://trackemtigers.com/five-important-breakout-players-for-auburn-in-2019/

[watsonrodriquezie]

The More You Seek, The More You Find

It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!

My name is Mark W. and I am a Primal Kitchen® Mayo junkie. Not the hard stuff, mind you [Chipotle Lime]—just the plain vanilla grade: real mayonnaise made with avocado oil. I smear a dab on each bite of my morning hard boiled, all natural, cage free, free range egg. Throw in a handful of my nut medley and I am good till lunch time. I have come a long way down the Primal Path since that last spoonful of toasted oat cereal and glass of cranberry fruit juice for breakfast at the end of October in 2012. I shared that tale in my MDA Success Story posted on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend in 2013.

After dropping 35 pounds following that initial wake-up call 5 years ago, I have settled into what appears to be my optimal weight of 168 pounds for the last four years—give or take a seasonal pound. But let’s review the numbers from that pivotal May 2012 blood test before continuing this updated Primal tale.

Blood glucose: 132 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): 7.3 Cholesterol: Total: 231 HDL (good): 37 LDL (bad): 148 VLDL: 46 Triglycerides: 229 Weight: 203

This photo captures a hint of that pre-Primal state back during my retro hippie phase—circa 2008 (note the progressing wattle under the chin).

Earlier this year I discovered a physician who formerly practiced geriatric medicine but now specializes in Functional Medicine and takes a more holistic approach to health care. He also happens to be fluent in Chinese medicine. He was impressed with my latest blood test results and even more impressed that I am 35 pounds lighter than I was five years ago—and have managed to keep it off!

New blood test numbers: Blood glucose: 98 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): (not in the test) Cholesterol: Total: 192 HDL (good): 51 LDL (bad): 127 (particle size not tested) VLDL: 14 Triglycerides: 70 Weight: 168 (ever since 6 months after going Primal) BMI: 15 (according to that fancy new scale in the bathroom)

I still need some minimal medical intervention to regulate my blood pressure, but the Rx is about 1/10 of my original dosage. One way to help relieve some of the stress that contributes to that high blood pressure is doing Yoga. One Saturday morning three years ago following a session in Yellow Springs (about 15 miles down the road), I was walking over to the local Farmer’s Market for some greens, and on the way I stumbled upon a Myofascial Release Therapist who now does wonderful things to help me deal with my 40-year-old injury. I think she is part Shaman.

I have conscientiously made an effort to adhere to the Primal Laws and worked at re-establishing Primal Connections: I ate more leafy greens in those first 5 months of being Primal than in the preceding 55 years. I took a 1/2 mile stroll out to the warehouse and back 3 times a day at work from where I retired this past July 1st after 21 years with the District and 30+ in the field of IT. I threw in some basic Primal Movements for good measure along the course—usually in the stairwell. (It now looks like I will end up becoming one of those post-retirement mall walkers!)

I have a shirtless riding mower tan and I make sure to steer clear of the poison ivy. I hoist 40 pound bags and boxes of softener salt and cat litter in and out of the car and into the basement. I hop on my 5-speed bicycle in season (up to 15+ miles now) and pedal on the stationary bicycle once in a while in the off season. I run around barefoot when it is not too cold, and I drink plenty of distilled water. Early on I installed the f.lux software on my laptop to help cut the blue light effect. Recent screenings have given the ‘all clear’ for the major plumbing system: no polyps and no GERD.

Of course, there have been some twists and turns over the last 5 years: cataract surgeries in each eye, a matching set of hernia repair scars, 3 or 4 colds including acute bronchitis. But the symptoms I experienced were minor compared to what they used to be, and I got over the ailments much more quickly—and with no meds! (except for the bronchitis). Even the effects of the anesthesia from my surgeries dissipated in only a couple of weeks instead of lingering for the typical 2 months.

Also during that time I have become a ‘model’ for others and have gathered a small following of converts. Like Jonny Appleseed, I have handed out dozens of tracts with a link to my original MDA Success Story, and have freely distributed nearly 2 dozen ‘starter kits’ to those individuals that were genuinely interested. The kits consist of three books that I have come to consider as a basic fundamental set for newcomers: Mark’s Primal Blueprint, Dr. William Davis’ Wheat Belly Cookbook, and the Carlton’s Rich Food, Poor Food—their ‘field guide’ to hunting and gathering in the modern day grocery store. I have actually amassed a small collection of around 40 books (including cookbooks) related to all things Primal/Paleo/Healthy Lifestyle—even one on plastic (think safe water bottles).

The Mrs. (who lost 25 pounds, btw) has also become a strong advocate for the cause by steering patrons to pick and choose from among the numerous Primal/Paleo selections in the ‘Health’ section at the local branch of the public library where she works. Our 2 sons, Paul, 27 and Brian, 24, have followed the Primal suit to a certain extent and are working to undo the effects of years of canned round pasta in tomato sauce and boxes of synthetic macaroni and cheese. Paul regularly prepares green or purple (or brown-ish?) colored smoothies, and Brian enjoys preparing meals at a forward thinking, though not totally Primal, gourmet deli in German Village. Even our cats are in good health and stay in shape on their grain-free diet.

But all those books and the starter kits are more than just publications promoting ‘self help’ fads. True personal growth must build on a solid foundation of physical strength and flexibility, and a Primal lifestyle both nourishes and builds up that grounded physical platform on which to build. And this is only the beginning ….

We continue to simplify our lifestyle and become more in touch with Nature. I wake up to the birds chirping at sunrise. We ditched anti-biotic hand soaps and are switching to all natural personal hygiene products. I have become a member of the Thrive Market. I jumped at the opportunity for an office window seat and kept the overhead artificial lights off. I obtained one of Esther Gokahle’s Stretchsit Cushions for the car while on my pre-retirement 45 minute commute. I joined a new tribe 3 years ago and expanded my musical skills at the same time by participating in a newly formed British brass band that competes in the North American Brass Band Championships. (I still play in the other one, too.)

Attending a few workshops and retreats on Yoga and Mindfulness (think Zen) have improved the effectiveness of my Yoga practice which for me is like meditation in motion. Integrating this with my Primal foundation has helped strengthen the connections that extend beyond basic physical needs. My musical performance has become more rich and expressive. Sure, I still get tired, but my work had become more productive with little or no afternoon coma or brain fog.

I see my recent retirement as more of a career move and an opportunity to explore employment in Geographic Information Systems with renewed interest, energy, and clarity that I would not have envisioned happening 5 years earlier. I am better prepared for this retirement transition on so many levels, including updating my resume to include my GIS degree from 2011. We even signed up for the less expensive minimal health care coverage (Bronze plan) since our medical needs are fewer, thanks to our healthy Primal lifestyle.

This is not the end, however. There is always room for improvement. It is easy to become complacent and think that we have ‘arrived’, but it is actually an ongoing journey. And even with a decent working knowledge of the Primal lifestyle, I had been contemplating re-reading Mark’s Primal Blueprint to make sure I was still on track. About the time I was ready to crack open my old hardcover copy, Mark decided to produce a new and improved (and larger) version of his book: The New Primal Blueprint. Perfect timing. It is a real thirst quencher.

Each of us is on their own Path, and the Primal lifestyle is flexible enough to accommodate each one. But there is also a basic common ground that we all share, and being part of the Primal Tribe is a great way to learn and grow and find support along that path. Looking back at my own progress, I can now see all the Primal connections that opened up along the way: That initial ominous doctor visit and blood test 5 years ago. Stumbling onto the MDA website after the ‘detox’ on our cruise. The trickle of health related books that became a flood of consistent new and expanded sources of information. The encounters with forward thinking health professionals. All the individuals that seemed to just ‘appear’ at the right time in their lives to disclose a need to improve their health, providing an opportunity to share my Primal story.

That Connection was there all along—and still is. I just did not recognize it. It seems that the more you seek, the more you find. So keep seeking, and Grok on.

Want to make fat loss easier? Try the Definitive Guide for Troubleshooting Weight Loss for free here.

[fishermariawo]

The More You Seek, The More You Find

It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!

My name is Mark W. and I am a Primal Kitchen® Mayo junkie. Not the hard stuff, mind you [Chipotle Lime]—just the plain vanilla grade: real mayonnaise made with avocado oil. I smear a dab on each bite of my morning hard boiled, all natural, cage free, free range egg. Throw in a handful of my nut medley and I am good till lunch time. I have come a long way down the Primal Path since that last spoonful of toasted oat cereal and glass of cranberry fruit juice for breakfast at the end of October in 2012. I shared that tale in my MDA Success Story posted on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend in 2013.

After dropping 35 pounds following that initial wake-up call 5 years ago, I have settled into what appears to be my optimal weight of 168 pounds for the last four years—give or take a seasonal pound. But let’s review the numbers from that pivotal May 2012 blood test before continuing this updated Primal tale.

Blood glucose: 132 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): 7.3 Cholesterol: Total: 231 HDL (good): 37 LDL (bad): 148 VLDL: 46 Triglycerides: 229 Weight: 203

This photo captures a hint of that pre-Primal state back during my retro hippie phase—circa 2008 (note the progressing wattle under the chin).

Earlier this year I discovered a physician who formerly practiced geriatric medicine but now specializes in Functional Medicine and takes a more holistic approach to health care. He also happens to be fluent in Chinese medicine. He was impressed with my latest blood test results and even more impressed that I am 35 pounds lighter than I was five years ago—and have managed to keep it off!

New blood test numbers: Blood glucose: 98 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): (not in the test) Cholesterol: Total: 192 HDL (good): 51 LDL (bad): 127 (particle size not tested) VLDL: 14 Triglycerides: 70 Weight: 168 (ever since 6 months after going Primal) BMI: 15 (according to that fancy new scale in the bathroom)

I still need some minimal medical intervention to regulate my blood pressure, but the Rx is about 1/10 of my original dosage. One way to help relieve some of the stress that contributes to that high blood pressure is doing Yoga. One Saturday morning three years ago following a session in Yellow Springs (about 15 miles down the road), I was walking over to the local Farmer’s Market for some greens, and on the way I stumbled upon a Myofascial Release Therapist who now does wonderful things to help me deal with my 40-year-old injury. I think she is part Shaman.

I have conscientiously made an effort to adhere to the Primal Laws and worked at re-establishing Primal Connections: I ate more leafy greens in those first 5 months of being Primal than in the preceding 55 years. I took a 1/2 mile stroll out to the warehouse and back 3 times a day at work from where I retired this past July 1st after 21 years with the District and 30+ in the field of IT. I threw in some basic Primal Movements for good measure along the course—usually in the stairwell. (It now looks like I will end up becoming one of those post-retirement mall walkers!)

I have a shirtless riding mower tan and I make sure to steer clear of the poison ivy. I hoist 40 pound bags and boxes of softener salt and cat litter in and out of the car and into the basement. I hop on my 5-speed bicycle in season (up to 15+ miles now) and pedal on the stationary bicycle once in a while in the off season. I run around barefoot when it is not too cold, and I drink plenty of distilled water. Early on I installed the f.lux software on my laptop to help cut the blue light effect. Recent screenings have given the ‘all clear’ for the major plumbing system: no polyps and no GERD.

Of course, there have been some twists and turns over the last 5 years: cataract surgeries in each eye, a matching set of hernia repair scars, 3 or 4 colds including acute bronchitis. But the symptoms I experienced were minor compared to what they used to be, and I got over the ailments much more quickly—and with no meds! (except for the bronchitis). Even the effects of the anesthesia from my surgeries dissipated in only a couple of weeks instead of lingering for the typical 2 months.

Also during that time I have become a ‘model’ for others and have gathered a small following of converts. Like Jonny Appleseed, I have handed out dozens of tracts with a link to my original MDA Success Story, and have freely distributed nearly 2 dozen ‘starter kits’ to those individuals that were genuinely interested. The kits consist of three books that I have come to consider as a basic fundamental set for newcomers: Mark’s Primal Blueprint, Dr. William Davis’ Wheat Belly Cookbook, and the Carlton’s Rich Food, Poor Food—their ‘field guide’ to hunting and gathering in the modern day grocery store. I have actually amassed a small collection of around 40 books (including cookbooks) related to all things Primal/Paleo/Healthy Lifestyle—even one on plastic (think safe water bottles).

The Mrs. (who lost 25 pounds, btw) has also become a strong advocate for the cause by steering patrons to pick and choose from among the numerous Primal/Paleo selections in the ‘Health’ section at the local branch of the public library where she works. Our 2 sons, Paul, 27 and Brian, 24, have followed the Primal suit to a certain extent and are working to undo the effects of years of canned round pasta in tomato sauce and boxes of synthetic macaroni and cheese. Paul regularly prepares green or purple (or brown-ish?) colored smoothies, and Brian enjoys preparing meals at a forward thinking, though not totally Primal, gourmet deli in German Village. Even our cats are in good health and stay in shape on their grain-free diet.

But all those books and the starter kits are more than just publications promoting ‘self help’ fads. True personal growth must build on a solid foundation of physical strength and flexibility, and a Primal lifestyle both nourishes and builds up that grounded physical platform on which to build. And this is only the beginning ….

We continue to simplify our lifestyle and become more in touch with Nature. I wake up to the birds chirping at sunrise. We ditched anti-biotic hand soaps and are switching to all natural personal hygiene products. I have become a member of the Thrive Market. I jumped at the opportunity for an office window seat and kept the overhead artificial lights off. I obtained one of Esther Gokahle’s Stretchsit Cushions for the car while on my pre-retirement 45 minute commute. I joined a new tribe 3 years ago and expanded my musical skills at the same time by participating in a newly formed British brass band that competes in the North American Brass Band Championships. (I still play in the other one, too.)

Attending a few workshops and retreats on Yoga and Mindfulness (think Zen) have improved the effectiveness of my Yoga practice which for me is like meditation in motion. Integrating this with my Primal foundation has helped strengthen the connections that extend beyond basic physical needs. My musical performance has become more rich and expressive. Sure, I still get tired, but my work had become more productive with little or no afternoon coma or brain fog.

I see my recent retirement as more of a career move and an opportunity to explore employment in Geographic Information Systems with renewed interest, energy, and clarity that I would not have envisioned happening 5 years earlier. I am better prepared for this retirement transition on so many levels, including updating my resume to include my GIS degree from 2011. We even signed up for the less expensive minimal health care coverage (Bronze plan) since our medical needs are fewer, thanks to our healthy Primal lifestyle.

This is not the end, however. There is always room for improvement. It is easy to become complacent and think that we have ‘arrived’, but it is actually an ongoing journey. And even with a decent working knowledge of the Primal lifestyle, I had been contemplating re-reading Mark’s Primal Blueprint to make sure I was still on track. About the time I was ready to crack open my old hardcover copy, Mark decided to produce a new and improved (and larger) version of his book: The New Primal Blueprint. Perfect timing. It is a real thirst quencher.

Each of us is on their own Path, and the Primal lifestyle is flexible enough to accommodate each one. But there is also a basic common ground that we all share, and being part of the Primal Tribe is a great way to learn and grow and find support along that path. Looking back at my own progress, I can now see all the Primal connections that opened up along the way: That initial ominous doctor visit and blood test 5 years ago. Stumbling onto the MDA website after the ‘detox’ on our cruise. The trickle of health related books that became a flood of consistent new and expanded sources of information. The encounters with forward thinking health professionals. All the individuals that seemed to just ‘appear’ at the right time in their lives to disclose a need to improve their health, providing an opportunity to share my Primal story.

That Connection was there all along—and still is. I just did not recognize it. It seems that the more you seek, the more you find. So keep seeking, and Grok on.

Want to make fat loss easier? Try the Definitive Guide for Troubleshooting Weight Loss for free here.

[cristinajourdanqp]

The More You Seek, The More You Find

It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!

My name is Mark W. and I am a Primal Kitchen® Mayo junkie. Not the hard stuff, mind you [Chipotle Lime]—just the plain vanilla grade: real mayonnaise made with avocado oil. I smear a dab on each bite of my morning hard boiled, all natural, cage free, free range egg. Throw in a handful of my nut medley and I am good till lunch time. I have come a long way down the Primal Path since that last spoonful of toasted oat cereal and glass of cranberry fruit juice for breakfast at the end of October in 2012. I shared that tale in my MDA Success Story posted on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend in 2013.

After dropping 35 pounds following that initial wake-up call 5 years ago, I have settled into what appears to be my optimal weight of 168 pounds for the last four years—give or take a seasonal pound. But let’s review the numbers from that pivotal May 2012 blood test before continuing this updated Primal tale.

Blood glucose: 132 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): 7.3 Cholesterol: Total: 231 HDL (good): 37 LDL (bad): 148 VLDL: 46 Triglycerides: 229 Weight: 203

This photo captures a hint of that pre-Primal state back during my retro hippie phase—circa 2008 (note the progressing wattle under the chin).

Earlier this year I discovered a physician who formerly practiced geriatric medicine but now specializes in Functional Medicine and takes a more holistic approach to health care. He also happens to be fluent in Chinese medicine. He was impressed with my latest blood test results and even more impressed that I am 35 pounds lighter than I was five years ago—and have managed to keep it off!

New blood test numbers: Blood glucose: 98 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): (not in the test) Cholesterol: Total: 192 HDL (good): 51 LDL (bad): 127 (particle size not tested) VLDL: 14 Triglycerides: 70 Weight: 168 (ever since 6 months after going Primal) BMI: 15 (according to that fancy new scale in the bathroom)

I still need some minimal medical intervention to regulate my blood pressure, but the Rx is about 1/10 of my original dosage. One way to help relieve some of the stress that contributes to that high blood pressure is doing Yoga. One Saturday morning three years ago following a session in Yellow Springs (about 15 miles down the road), I was walking over to the local Farmer’s Market for some greens, and on the way I stumbled upon a Myofascial Release Therapist who now does wonderful things to help me deal with my 40-year-old injury. I think she is part Shaman.

I have conscientiously made an effort to adhere to the Primal Laws and worked at re-establishing Primal Connections: I ate more leafy greens in those first 5 months of being Primal than in the preceding 55 years. I took a 1/2 mile stroll out to the warehouse and back 3 times a day at work from where I retired this past July 1st after 21 years with the District and 30+ in the field of IT. I threw in some basic Primal Movements for good measure along the course—usually in the stairwell. (It now looks like I will end up becoming one of those post-retirement mall walkers!)

I have a shirtless riding mower tan and I make sure to steer clear of the poison ivy. I hoist 40 pound bags and boxes of softener salt and cat litter in and out of the car and into the basement. I hop on my 5-speed bicycle in season (up to 15+ miles now) and pedal on the stationary bicycle once in a while in the off season. I run around barefoot when it is not too cold, and I drink plenty of distilled water. Early on I installed the f.lux software on my laptop to help cut the blue light effect. Recent screenings have given the ‘all clear’ for the major plumbing system: no polyps and no GERD.

Of course, there have been some twists and turns over the last 5 years: cataract surgeries in each eye, a matching set of hernia repair scars, 3 or 4 colds including acute bronchitis. But the symptoms I experienced were minor compared to what they used to be, and I got over the ailments much more quickly—and with no meds! (except for the bronchitis). Even the effects of the anesthesia from my surgeries dissipated in only a couple of weeks instead of lingering for the typical 2 months.

Also during that time I have become a ‘model’ for others and have gathered a small following of converts. Like Jonny Appleseed, I have handed out dozens of tracts with a link to my original MDA Success Story, and have freely distributed nearly 2 dozen ‘starter kits’ to those individuals that were genuinely interested. The kits consist of three books that I have come to consider as a basic fundamental set for newcomers: Mark’s Primal Blueprint, Dr. William Davis’ Wheat Belly Cookbook, and the Carlton’s Rich Food, Poor Food—their ‘field guide’ to hunting and gathering in the modern day grocery store. I have actually amassed a small collection of around 40 books (including cookbooks) related to all things Primal/Paleo/Healthy Lifestyle—even one on plastic (think safe water bottles).

The Mrs. (who lost 25 pounds, btw) has also become a strong advocate for the cause by steering patrons to pick and choose from among the numerous Primal/Paleo selections in the ‘Health’ section at the local branch of the public library where she works. Our 2 sons, Paul, 27 and Brian, 24, have followed the Primal suit to a certain extent and are working to undo the effects of years of canned round pasta in tomato sauce and boxes of synthetic macaroni and cheese. Paul regularly prepares green or purple (or brown-ish?) colored smoothies, and Brian enjoys preparing meals at a forward thinking, though not totally Primal, gourmet deli in German Village. Even our cats are in good health and stay in shape on their grain-free diet.

But all those books and the starter kits are more than just publications promoting ‘self help’ fads. True personal growth must build on a solid foundation of physical strength and flexibility, and a Primal lifestyle both nourishes and builds up that grounded physical platform on which to build. And this is only the beginning ….

We continue to simplify our lifestyle and become more in touch with Nature. I wake up to the birds chirping at sunrise. We ditched anti-biotic hand soaps and are switching to all natural personal hygiene products. I have become a member of the Thrive Market. I jumped at the opportunity for an office window seat and kept the overhead artificial lights off. I obtained one of Esther Gokahle’s Stretchsit Cushions for the car while on my pre-retirement 45 minute commute. I joined a new tribe 3 years ago and expanded my musical skills at the same time by participating in a newly formed British brass band that competes in the North American Brass Band Championships. (I still play in the other one, too.)

Attending a few workshops and retreats on Yoga and Mindfulness (think Zen) have improved the effectiveness of my Yoga practice which for me is like meditation in motion. Integrating this with my Primal foundation has helped strengthen the connections that extend beyond basic physical needs. My musical performance has become more rich and expressive. Sure, I still get tired, but my work had become more productive with little or no afternoon coma or brain fog.

I see my recent retirement as more of a career move and an opportunity to explore employment in Geographic Information Systems with renewed interest, energy, and clarity that I would not have envisioned happening 5 years earlier. I am better prepared for this retirement transition on so many levels, including updating my resume to include my GIS degree from 2011. We even signed up for the less expensive minimal health care coverage (Bronze plan) since our medical needs are fewer, thanks to our healthy Primal lifestyle.

This is not the end, however. There is always room for improvement. It is easy to become complacent and think that we have ‘arrived’, but it is actually an ongoing journey. And even with a decent working knowledge of the Primal lifestyle, I had been contemplating re-reading Mark’s Primal Blueprint to make sure I was still on track. About the time I was ready to crack open my old hardcover copy, Mark decided to produce a new and improved (and larger) version of his book: The New Primal Blueprint. Perfect timing. It is a real thirst quencher.

Each of us is on their own Path, and the Primal lifestyle is flexible enough to accommodate each one. But there is also a basic common ground that we all share, and being part of the Primal Tribe is a great way to learn and grow and find support along that path. Looking back at my own progress, I can now see all the Primal connections that opened up along the way: That initial ominous doctor visit and blood test 5 years ago. Stumbling onto the MDA website after the ‘detox’ on our cruise. The trickle of health related books that became a flood of consistent new and expanded sources of information. The encounters with forward thinking health professionals. All the individuals that seemed to just ‘appear’ at the right time in their lives to disclose a need to improve their health, providing an opportunity to share my Primal story.

That Connection was there all along—and still is. I just did not recognize it. It seems that the more you seek, the more you find. So keep seeking, and Grok on.

Want to make fat loss easier? Try the Definitive Guide for Troubleshooting Weight Loss for free here.

[milenasanchezmk]

The More You Seek, The More You Find

It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!

My name is Mark W. and I am a Primal Kitchen® Mayo junkie. Not the hard stuff, mind you [Chipotle Lime]—just the plain vanilla grade: real mayonnaise made with avocado oil. I smear a dab on each bite of my morning hard boiled, all natural, cage free, free range egg. Throw in a handful of my nut medley and I am good till lunch time. I have come a long way down the Primal Path since that last spoonful of toasted oat cereal and glass of cranberry fruit juice for breakfast at the end of October in 2012. I shared that tale in my MDA Success Story posted on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend in 2013.

After dropping 35 pounds following that initial wake-up call 5 years ago, I have settled into what appears to be my optimal weight of 168 pounds for the last four years—give or take a seasonal pound. But let’s review the numbers from that pivotal May 2012 blood test before continuing this updated Primal tale.

Blood glucose: 132 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): 7.3 Cholesterol: Total: 231 HDL (good): 37 LDL (bad): 148 VLDL: 46 Triglycerides: 229 Weight: 203

This photo captures a hint of that pre-Primal state back during my retro hippie phase—circa 2008 (note the progressing wattle under the chin).

Earlier this year I discovered a physician who formerly practiced geriatric medicine but now specializes in Functional Medicine and takes a more holistic approach to health care. He also happens to be fluent in Chinese medicine. He was impressed with my latest blood test results and even more impressed that I am 35 pounds lighter than I was five years ago—and have managed to keep it off!

New blood test numbers: Blood glucose: 98 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): (not in the test) Cholesterol: Total: 192 HDL (good): 51 LDL (bad): 127 (particle size not tested) VLDL: 14 Triglycerides: 70 Weight: 168 (ever since 6 months after going Primal) BMI: 15 (according to that fancy new scale in the bathroom)

I still need some minimal medical intervention to regulate my blood pressure, but the Rx is about 1/10 of my original dosage. One way to help relieve some of the stress that contributes to that high blood pressure is doing Yoga. One Saturday morning three years ago following a session in Yellow Springs (about 15 miles down the road), I was walking over to the local Farmer’s Market for some greens, and on the way I stumbled upon a Myofascial Release Therapist who now does wonderful things to help me deal with my 40-year-old injury. I think she is part Shaman.

I have conscientiously made an effort to adhere to the Primal Laws and worked at re-establishing Primal Connections: I ate more leafy greens in those first 5 months of being Primal than in the preceding 55 years. I took a 1/2 mile stroll out to the warehouse and back 3 times a day at work from where I retired this past July 1st after 21 years with the District and 30+ in the field of IT. I threw in some basic Primal Movements for good measure along the course—usually in the stairwell. (It now looks like I will end up becoming one of those post-retirement mall walkers!)

I have a shirtless riding mower tan and I make sure to steer clear of the poison ivy. I hoist 40 pound bags and boxes of softener salt and cat litter in and out of the car and into the basement. I hop on my 5-speed bicycle in season (up to 15+ miles now) and pedal on the stationary bicycle once in a while in the off season. I run around barefoot when it is not too cold, and I drink plenty of distilled water. Early on I installed the f.lux software on my laptop to help cut the blue light effect. Recent screenings have given the ‘all clear’ for the major plumbing system: no polyps and no GERD.

Of course, there have been some twists and turns over the last 5 years: cataract surgeries in each eye, a matching set of hernia repair scars, 3 or 4 colds including acute bronchitis. But the symptoms I experienced were minor compared to what they used to be, and I got over the ailments much more quickly—and with no meds! (except for the bronchitis). Even the effects of the anesthesia from my surgeries dissipated in only a couple of weeks instead of lingering for the typical 2 months.

Also during that time I have become a ‘model’ for others and have gathered a small following of converts. Like Jonny Appleseed, I have handed out dozens of tracts with a link to my original MDA Success Story, and have freely distributed nearly 2 dozen ‘starter kits’ to those individuals that were genuinely interested. The kits consist of three books that I have come to consider as a basic fundamental set for newcomers: Mark’s Primal Blueprint, Dr. William Davis’ Wheat Belly Cookbook, and the Carlton’s Rich Food, Poor Food—their ‘field guide’ to hunting and gathering in the modern day grocery store. I have actually amassed a small collection of around 40 books (including cookbooks) related to all things Primal/Paleo/Healthy Lifestyle—even one on plastic (think safe water bottles).

The Mrs. (who lost 25 pounds, btw) has also become a strong advocate for the cause by steering patrons to pick and choose from among the numerous Primal/Paleo selections in the ‘Health’ section at the local branch of the public library where she works. Our 2 sons, Paul, 27 and Brian, 24, have followed the Primal suit to a certain extent and are working to undo the effects of years of canned round pasta in tomato sauce and boxes of synthetic macaroni and cheese. Paul regularly prepares green or purple (or brown-ish?) colored smoothies, and Brian enjoys preparing meals at a forward thinking, though not totally Primal, gourmet deli in German Village. Even our cats are in good health and stay in shape on their grain-free diet.

But all those books and the starter kits are more than just publications promoting ‘self help’ fads. True personal growth must build on a solid foundation of physical strength and flexibility, and a Primal lifestyle both nourishes and builds up that grounded physical platform on which to build. And this is only the beginning ….

We continue to simplify our lifestyle and become more in touch with Nature. I wake up to the birds chirping at sunrise. We ditched anti-biotic hand soaps and are switching to all natural personal hygiene products. I have become a member of the Thrive Market. I jumped at the opportunity for an office window seat and kept the overhead artificial lights off. I obtained one of Esther Gokahle’s Stretchsit Cushions for the car while on my pre-retirement 45 minute commute. I joined a new tribe 3 years ago and expanded my musical skills at the same time by participating in a newly formed British brass band that competes in the North American Brass Band Championships. (I still play in the other one, too.)

Attending a few workshops and retreats on Yoga and Mindfulness (think Zen) have improved the effectiveness of my Yoga practice which for me is like meditation in motion. Integrating this with my Primal foundation has helped strengthen the connections that extend beyond basic physical needs. My musical performance has become more rich and expressive. Sure, I still get tired, but my work had become more productive with little or no afternoon coma or brain fog.

I see my recent retirement as more of a career move and an opportunity to explore employment in Geographic Information Systems with renewed interest, energy, and clarity that I would not have envisioned happening 5 years earlier. I am better prepared for this retirement transition on so many levels, including updating my resume to include my GIS degree from 2011. We even signed up for the less expensive minimal health care coverage (Bronze plan) since our medical needs are fewer, thanks to our healthy Primal lifestyle.

This is not the end, however. There is always room for improvement. It is easy to become complacent and think that we have ‘arrived’, but it is actually an ongoing journey. And even with a decent working knowledge of the Primal lifestyle, I had been contemplating re-reading Mark’s Primal Blueprint to make sure I was still on track. About the time I was ready to crack open my old hardcover copy, Mark decided to produce a new and improved (and larger) version of his book: The New Primal Blueprint. Perfect timing. It is a real thirst quencher.

Each of us is on their own Path, and the Primal lifestyle is flexible enough to accommodate each one. But there is also a basic common ground that we all share, and being part of the Primal Tribe is a great way to learn and grow and find support along that path. Looking back at my own progress, I can now see all the Primal connections that opened up along the way: That initial ominous doctor visit and blood test 5 years ago. Stumbling onto the MDA website after the ‘detox’ on our cruise. The trickle of health related books that became a flood of consistent new and expanded sources of information. The encounters with forward thinking health professionals. All the individuals that seemed to just ‘appear’ at the right time in their lives to disclose a need to improve their health, providing an opportunity to share my Primal story.

That Connection was there all along—and still is. I just did not recognize it. It seems that the more you seek, the more you find. So keep seeking, and Grok on.

Want to make fat loss easier? Try the Definitive Guide for Troubleshooting Weight Loss for free here.

[cynthiamwashington]

The More You Seek, The More You Find

It’s Friday, everyone! And that means another Primal Blueprint Real Life Story from a Mark’s Daily Apple reader. If you have your own success story and would like to share it with me and the Mark’s Daily Apple community please contact me here. I’ll continue to publish these each Friday as long as they keep coming in. Thank you for reading!

My name is Mark W. and I am a Primal Kitchen® Mayo junkie. Not the hard stuff, mind you [Chipotle Lime]—just the plain vanilla grade: real mayonnaise made with avocado oil. I smear a dab on each bite of my morning hard boiled, all natural, cage free, free range egg. Throw in a handful of my nut medley and I am good till lunch time. I have come a long way down the Primal Path since that last spoonful of toasted oat cereal and glass of cranberry fruit juice for breakfast at the end of October in 2012. I shared that tale in my MDA Success Story posted on the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend in 2013.

After dropping 35 pounds following that initial wake-up call 5 years ago, I have settled into what appears to be my optimal weight of 168 pounds for the last four years—give or take a seasonal pound. But let’s review the numbers from that pivotal May 2012 blood test before continuing this updated Primal tale.

Blood glucose: 132 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): 7.3 Cholesterol: Total: 231 HDL (good): 37 LDL (bad): 148 VLDL: 46 Triglycerides: 229 Weight: 203

This photo captures a hint of that pre-Primal state back during my retro hippie phase—circa 2008 (note the progressing wattle under the chin).

Earlier this year I discovered a physician who formerly practiced geriatric medicine but now specializes in Functional Medicine and takes a more holistic approach to health care. He also happens to be fluent in Chinese medicine. He was impressed with my latest blood test results and even more impressed that I am 35 pounds lighter than I was five years ago—and have managed to keep it off!

New blood test numbers: Blood glucose: 98 Glycohemoglobin (A1C): (not in the test) Cholesterol: Total: 192 HDL (good): 51 LDL (bad): 127 (particle size not tested) VLDL: 14 Triglycerides: 70 Weight: 168 (ever since 6 months after going Primal) BMI: 15 (according to that fancy new scale in the bathroom)

I still need some minimal medical intervention to regulate my blood pressure, but the Rx is about 1/10 of my original dosage. One way to help relieve some of the stress that contributes to that high blood pressure is doing Yoga. One Saturday morning three years ago following a session in Yellow Springs (about 15 miles down the road), I was walking over to the local Farmer’s Market for some greens, and on the way I stumbled upon a Myofascial Release Therapist who now does wonderful things to help me deal with my 40-year-old injury. I think she is part Shaman.

I have conscientiously made an effort to adhere to the Primal Laws and worked at re-establishing Primal Connections: I ate more leafy greens in those first 5 months of being Primal than in the preceding 55 years. I took a 1/2 mile stroll out to the warehouse and back 3 times a day at work from where I retired this past July 1st after 21 years with the District and 30+ in the field of IT. I threw in some basic Primal Movements for good measure along the course—usually in the stairwell. (It now looks like I will end up becoming one of those post-retirement mall walkers!)

I have a shirtless riding mower tan and I make sure to steer clear of the poison ivy. I hoist 40 pound bags and boxes of softener salt and cat litter in and out of the car and into the basement. I hop on my 5-speed bicycle in season (up to 15+ miles now) and pedal on the stationary bicycle once in a while in the off season. I run around barefoot when it is not too cold, and I drink plenty of distilled water. Early on I installed the f.lux software on my laptop to help cut the blue light effect. Recent screenings have given the ‘all clear’ for the major plumbing system: no polyps and no GERD.

Of course, there have been some twists and turns over the last 5 years: cataract surgeries in each eye, a matching set of hernia repair scars, 3 or 4 colds including acute bronchitis. But the symptoms I experienced were minor compared to what they used to be, and I got over the ailments much more quickly—and with no meds! (except for the bronchitis). Even the effects of the anesthesia from my surgeries dissipated in only a couple of weeks instead of lingering for the typical 2 months.

Also during that time I have become a ‘model’ for others and have gathered a small following of converts. Like Jonny Appleseed, I have handed out dozens of tracts with a link to my original MDA Success Story, and have freely distributed nearly 2 dozen ‘starter kits’ to those individuals that were genuinely interested. The kits consist of three books that I have come to consider as a basic fundamental set for newcomers: Mark’s Primal Blueprint, Dr. William Davis’ Wheat Belly Cookbook, and the Carlton’s Rich Food, Poor Food—their ‘field guide’ to hunting and gathering in the modern day grocery store. I have actually amassed a small collection of around 40 books (including cookbooks) related to all things Primal/Paleo/Healthy Lifestyle—even one on plastic (think safe water bottles).

The Mrs. (who lost 25 pounds, btw) has also become a strong advocate for the cause by steering patrons to pick and choose from among the numerous Primal/Paleo selections in the ‘Health’ section at the local branch of the public library where she works. Our 2 sons, Paul, 27 and Brian, 24, have followed the Primal suit to a certain extent and are working to undo the effects of years of canned round pasta in tomato sauce and boxes of synthetic macaroni and cheese. Paul regularly prepares green or purple (or brown-ish?) colored smoothies, and Brian enjoys preparing meals at a forward thinking, though not totally Primal, gourmet deli in German Village. Even our cats are in good health and stay in shape on their grain-free diet.

But all those books and the starter kits are more than just publications promoting ‘self help’ fads. True personal growth must build on a solid foundation of physical strength and flexibility, and a Primal lifestyle both nourishes and builds up that grounded physical platform on which to build. And this is only the beginning ….

We continue to simplify our lifestyle and become more in touch with Nature. I wake up to the birds chirping at sunrise. We ditched anti-biotic hand soaps and are switching to all natural personal hygiene products. I have become a member of the Thrive Market. I jumped at the opportunity for an office window seat and kept the overhead artificial lights off. I obtained one of Esther Gokahle’s Stretchsit Cushions for the car while on my pre-retirement 45 minute commute. I joined a new tribe 3 years ago and expanded my musical skills at the same time by participating in a newly formed British brass band that competes in the North American Brass Band Championships. (I still play in the other one, too.)

Attending a few workshops and retreats on Yoga and Mindfulness (think Zen) have improved the effectiveness of my Yoga practice which for me is like meditation in motion. Integrating this with my Primal foundation has helped strengthen the connections that extend beyond basic physical needs. My musical performance has become more rich and expressive. Sure, I still get tired, but my work had become more productive with little or no afternoon coma or brain fog.

I see my recent retirement as more of a career move and an opportunity to explore employment in Geographic Information Systems with renewed interest, energy, and clarity that I would not have envisioned happening 5 years earlier. I am better prepared for this retirement transition on so many levels, including updating my resume to include my GIS degree from 2011. We even signed up for the less expensive minimal health care coverage (Bronze plan) since our medical needs are fewer, thanks to our healthy Primal lifestyle.

This is not the end, however. There is always room for improvement. It is easy to become complacent and think that we have ‘arrived’, but it is actually an ongoing journey. And even with a decent working knowledge of the Primal lifestyle, I had been contemplating re-reading Mark’s Primal Blueprint to make sure I was still on track. About the time I was ready to crack open my old hardcover copy, Mark decided to produce a new and improved (and larger) version of his book: The New Primal Blueprint. Perfect timing. It is a real thirst quencher.

Each of us is on their own Path, and the Primal lifestyle is flexible enough to accommodate each one. But there is also a basic common ground that we all share, and being part of the Primal Tribe is a great way to learn and grow and find support along that path. Looking back at my own progress, I can now see all the Primal connections that opened up along the way: That initial ominous doctor visit and blood test 5 years ago. Stumbling onto the MDA website after the ‘detox’ on our cruise. The trickle of health related books that became a flood of consistent new and expanded sources of information. The encounters with forward thinking health professionals. All the individuals that seemed to just ‘appear’ at the right time in their lives to disclose a need to improve their health, providing an opportunity to share my Primal story.

That Connection was there all along—and still is. I just did not recognize it. It seems that the more you seek, the more you find. So keep seeking, and Grok on.

  Want to make fat loss easier? Try the Definitive Guide for Troubleshooting Weight Loss for free here.

The post The More You Seek, The More You Find appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.

Article source here:Marks’s Daily Apple

[itsworn]

Brad Riekkoff Rebuilt his High School car with a 900HP Supercharged LS3

When William Shakespeare wrote, “The course of true love never did run smooth”, he was unknowingly describing Brad Riekkoff’s relationship with his very first automotive love: a 1980 Trans Am he bought at age 16. Brad’s odyssey with the Pontiac began in 1991 with a trip to a local Jefferson, Wisconsin car show. He and his stepfather, Ike Roell, went there to find a suitable first car he could drive to high school and the lad was immediately drawn to the Trans Am, which was sitting on a trailer in the swap meet area with $2,500 written across the windshield.

“It was from Oklahoma,” recalls Riekkoff, “and had a very solid body. The engine seemed to run pretty good, but had a very bad exhaust leak, so it was noisy. We bought it, with my stepfather and I splitting the cost.”

Brad couldn’t wait to get home and replace the blown out header gasket so he could drive his cool new ride to school on Monday morning. Replacing the gasket went as smooth as a cashmere codpiece, but the fix revealed another, far more sinister problem.

“The obnoxious exhaust leak was covering up a bad rod knock, and this is where it all started!” By “all”, Brad means his love for working on cars, and ultimately, his path to West Bend Dyno, a high end speed shop that handles everything from late model tuning to complete builds.

Throughout high school Brad and his stepfather built several engines for the Trans Am. They also replaced the Turbo 400, installed 4.11:1 gears, and bolted on a nitrous kit. All things considered, the lad had a lot of fun with the car, and learned a great deal along the way. After graduating from high school in 1993, Brad had two vehicles- the Trans Am and a 1979 Blazer he drove to work every day. He couldn’t afford to keep both, so sold his half of the Trans Am to his stepfather, who put it into deep storage. In the ensuing years Brad started a family and started a business. Though the Trans Am was out of sight, it was never entirely forgotten.

“I had recently purchased a chassis dyno and started a part time speed shop called West Bend Dyno Tuning out of my garage. The local 4th of July parade was coming up and we decided to put a few cars and a float in the parade to represent the business. I had a thought and asked my stepfather if we could take my old Trans Am. The car still had the parking sticker in the rear window required at my high school back in 1993, and some of my personal belongings were still in the glove box! The fluids were changed and a few miscellaneous items were addressed and I took her out for a drive. The car was running great! I felt like I was 16 again and forgot that the old Pontiac did not like to be revved up past 5,500 rpm. Well a few burn outs later and the old bird had enough- it developed another rod knock!”

Modern LS engine swaps were just becoming popular at the time, so the crew at West Bend Dyno began the engine change. As the costs added up, Brad’s stepfather lost interest in funding it, so Brad took over the build and reached out to his suppliers for support. LS experts at Wegner Motorsports built a stroked and supercharged LS3 that produces 932 horsepower @ 6100 rpm and 938 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm at the flywheel on E85. To support all of that power, Wegner used a Callies Dragonslayer crank and Ultra rods fitted to Mahle pistons. Fully ported LS9 cylinder heads were assembled with Inconel stainless valves and PSI springs. With no good off-the-shelf option available at the time, Casey from Wegner built a killer front drive to work with the 3.3-liter Lysholm supercharger that includes a choice of four different upper pulleys that yield four different levels of boost. Aeromotive provided a fuel system capable of keeping the hungry LS engine fed. It includes an Aeromotive speed controller and Eliminator pump custom mounted in the stock tank. Fuel Injector Connection was tapped for 127-pound injectors. The squeezed intake charge is lit up by an ultra-reliable MSD system and waste gases are routed out via Stainless Works long tube headers, custom-bent three-inch pipes, and Borla mufflers. Lubrication is helped with a Daily Engineering dry sump system that uses Roots style scavenge rotors and spur gear pressure sections for greater efficiency. New wiring was sourced from Speartech and Painless Performance, and everything is kept cool courtesy of a large Afco aluminum radiator and twin electric fans.

With more than 900 horsepower on tap, serious driveline upgrades were essential. A twin-disk Centerforce clutch and Centerforce flywheel inside a QuickTime bellhousing channels the engine’s twist to a strengthened, Hurst-shifted T56 six-speed. The gearbox in turn spins a Mark Williams Chromoly driveshaft bolted to a 9-inch Ford aluminum Strange Engineering center section and, full-floating 35-spline Moser axles carry it to the wheels. Big Wilwood six-piston calipers squeeze 14-inch slotted steel rotors in the front, while four-piston Wilwood’s are paired with 13-inch slotted rotors in the back. Pressure comes from a 1 1/8-inch Wilwood master cylinder and a Wilwood proportioning valve. Forged Formula 43 RAD 10 wheels measure 18”x10” with a 4 ½-inch backspace up front, and 18”x12” with a 7-inch backspace in the rear. BFG g-Force Rival tires sized at 295/35ZR18 and 335/30ZR18 look right and do the job when called on to keep this car glued to the road. Mini tubs in the rear house the beefy tires without any rubbing.

To enhance handling, West Bend installed a Heidts PRO-G front subframe with Heidts suspension arms and spindles, and a Mustang II rack-and-pinion steering system. A Heidts four-link suspension setup, with modified mounting points to increase shock stroke, takes the place of Pontiac’s stock suspension in the rear. At all four corners, AFCO double-adjustable coil over shocks perfectly complement the Heidts suspension system.

Brad wanted to retain the general look of the Trans Am’s original interior, while trimming some weight and upgrading its functionality. He installed AutoMeter gauges in a custom fiberglass dash, Sparco EVO seats, and Ace Upholstery made door panels and a rear seat to match the front seats. Nick Gaylord, of Topline Design and Speed built a 12-point roll cage to increase structural stiffness, improve handling, and provide an extra measure of safety in this high-speed missile. The cage tucks nicely next to the body lines and even allows access to the T-tops.

As with the interior, Brad sought to upgrade the Trans Am’s body while keeping it mostly stock looking. Albert Melchoir of Carbon Kustoms supplied carbon fiber doors, front fenders, and front inner fenders, which collectively trimmed over 150-pounds from the car’s weight. To accommodate the big Lysholm supercharger, West Bend Dyno enlarged an original Trans Am turbo hood bulge. Jeff Miller, of Boyds Classics in Kewaskum, WI performed the body work and applied the paint.

“We worked hand in hand with Jeff,” recalls Brad, “to come up with the paint scheme for the outside of the car and the engine bay. We used a 10th anniversary paint scheme with a touch of carbon fiber on the hood, wheels and in the engine bay. The two-tone stripe along the bottom of the windows on the doors offered a perfect spot to list all of our supporting manufacturers logos that were printed by Randy Gremminger of Trend Setters.”

The build was completed in 2013, and true to his initial plan, Brad has run the car hard, both on the street and in organized competition. He’s also used it as a development and test platform for the Pro Touring parts West Bend Dyno sells and installs on customer cars.

“We’ve had respectable showings at many pro-touring events,” he tells us, “including the Optima Street Car Challenge and the Heidts Performance Challenge held at the Autobahn in Joliet, where we took an overall win. We continue to improve the performance of the bird as our shop test car, testing the products that we sell for pro touring type applications.”

Time is normally not kind to the beauty and exuberance of youth, as anyone who has been to their high school reunion knows, and the reality of one’s first love decades later rarely measures up one’s memory of her. There are however exceptions, and in Brad Riekkoff’s case, his first love looks and performs far better today than she ever did back in her high school days.

This 1980 Trans Am’s stock-appearing exterior belies the many performance modifications lurking under its skin.

Mini tubs enable the oversize wheels and tires that give this Trans Am its aggressively wide stance.

The understated nature of the blue and gray color palette contrasts with the extreme performance built into this Trans Am.

The high quality of Carbon Kustoms carbon fiber fenders and doors were a big help to Jeff Miller from Boyds Classics when he prepared the body for paint.

Heidts suspension on both ends delivers a pleasingly low stance.

Though it’s set up to maximize performance on a road course, this Trans Am is still civilized enough to drive anywhere.

With a 6-speed that goes from a 2.66:1 first to a .50:1 sixth, this car is as comfortable high speed highway cruising as it is on a twisty road course.

An OEM-style turbo hood bulge has been enlarged to clear the Lysholm supercharger.

Forged Formula 43 RAD 10 wheels and sticky Z speed rated BFG g-Force Rival tires provide maximum strength and grip.

Wilwood brake setup, featuring 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, give excellent track and street performance.

The supercharged LS3 was built by Wegner Motorsports with forged internals, fully ported LS9 heads, dry sump lubrication, and an E85 fuel system.

Casey from Wegner Motorsports put together the engine’s drive system with four different size supercharger pulleys, allowing Riekkoff to dial in the level of boost he wants.

he surface quality of the carbon fiber inner fenders is apparent because they remain unpainted.

The interior still looks and feels largely stock, and thus remains a welcome reminder for Riekkoff of what it felt like to drive this Trans Am during his high school days.

AutoMeter gauges, 12-point cage, and Sparco seats and harnesses increase the car’s effectiveness and safety on both the track and street.

The post Brad Riekkoff Rebuilt his High School car with a 900HP Supercharged LS3 appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/brad-riekkoff-rebuilt-high-school-car-900hp-supercharged-ls3/ via IFTTT