In the words of Tommy Boy “I passed! I passed! Oh, man! I got a D+! I’m gonna graduate!”

In June I started training in Muay Thai, and Filipino Martial Arts at my friend Ervin’s studio, I.M.P.A.C.T. Athletes. Last week I had my first test and the above is the video. As you can see, I kinda got my butt kicked and have a lot to work on. It has been a lot of work, but I really have enjoyed it. Lots of new friends and my confidence level has grown tremendously!

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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I passed! I passed! Oh, man!

I have been needing a change lately and have been having a difficult time figuring out what that change is. As an exercise in stepping out-of-the-box (I hate that phrase) and being open for change, I decided to shave my head…making a change. Sort of like making a mark on a blank canvas that has had you stumped for a few months. Sometimes it takes that first mark to get things in motion. I consider this mine. It may sound like a ridiculous exercise to some, but I am running out of ideas. Hopefully this will be the spark that moves me forward.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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Metamorphosis of Me

So, we went up to the farm in Charlottesville this weekend to build a handrailing on the porch steps for my grandparents and we happened across this! A fresh batch of kittens. There apears to be 4 or 5, but I cannot be certain. There are definitely 3 though. Any takers? I think that they should be ready to go to new homes in about 2 weeks.

Luckily I am at capacity with one kitten. I can’t imagine the trouble two of them together would get in.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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A Fresh Batch!

While going through my grandparents’ barn this past weekend I came across a box of old slides. This was one of the pictures I found. It was the summer of 1985. My grandfather and I were on one of our legendary camping trips to Dalton Pond in Northern Virginia. That summer we built everything that we needed for shelter….including this teepee.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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From the Vault #1

In my opinion this is the holiest of holy when it comes to tasty beverages of the alcoholic variety. There is nothing like a little Bass Ale topped with a nice firm Guiness Stout. The frothy goodness of this combination is unmatched by any other beer. Here’s to you, Black and Tan.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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Black and Tan…You Complete Me.

What do guys do when there’s a fire? We burn stuff!! Matt, Christy, Elsa and I were hanging around Matt’s chiminea last night…and things needed to be burned. Fireworks, check. Jiffy Pop, check. Marshmallows, check. Metal?….CHECK! We pulled this bolt out of the fire while attempting to become blacksmiths. It was a short lived career.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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Fire! Fire! Fire!

This is one of the benefits of working from home. Now if I can just get her to learn how to use Photoshop.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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Feline Co-Worker

Going up to our farm in Charlottesville and working all day in a field of cut hay probably wasn’t the best idea for a guy with allergies. Especially on the first warm day of spring when all the pollen started jumping out of the trees and shrubs around the place. I guess traipsing up through a forest filled with fallen leaves and leaf mold for a few hours didn’t help either. Next time I need to better prepare myself. Claritin has been put into my overnight bag for next time.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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That Was Probably a Bad Idea

So I was driving down Independence Blvd. and all of a sudden I heard a really strange noise. Yep…a blow out…and a huge one at that! A large piece of metal impaled my passenger side rear tire and gouged an enormous slice out of it.

Out of all the days this could have happened, it had to happen on a day that was bitter cold and snowing. Just my luck.

On top of that, the place where I am covered by Road Hazard protection has to order the tire and it takes 8 days to get in. INSANITY. I can’t drive on this dinky spare for that long. Luckily another tire store up the road had it on hand. I had them install it and when the one for my Road Hazard comes in, I guess I’ll have a spare. That’s ok though because I am constantly picking up nails with my tires.

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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Of All the Days

Post from my blog: A Guy Called Nick: My Thoughts, My Experiences, My Life
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Slacktastic