BrandonJames.com

Back to the basics

Brandon — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:50:06 +0000

Wow, I am finally back from the dead! I know its been a very long time since anyone has heard from me. I know I know my three readers have been dying for a update. Well since my last blog I managed to finish my Master at Hopkins and bought my first home!

In the mist of my progress I have had a few setbacks as well. During my quest I managed to gain almost 25 lbs of unwanted weight. This came from the late nights of studying, stress and poor diet. In this lapse I could feel how the extra weight was bringing me down physically and emotionally. Starting Jan 01 09 I started back in the gym. This time I realized just how bad of shape I was in. I have managed to loose 5 lbs in a month and a half and put on about 3lbs in muscle.

I have noticed through this process just how much I love food. I have managed to get my eating under control except for after dinner time. I seem to have a very bad habit of snacking before bed. Once I have managed to cut this out the pounds should begin to fly off. As for my workout I am almost back in my best condition. I am running about 2.5 miles four times a week and incorporating several hours of weight lifting as well.

I will be posting a lot more on here and I look forward to hearing from all those who take the time to read my blog.

Cheers,

Brandon

Been Such a Long Long Time

Brandon — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:10:32 +0000

Well people its very a long time since I have posted here. Lots of changes have occurred over the last year. Grad school is almost over as I near the end of my last semester. I am so happy to know that I wont have to take any more formal courses for quite awhile. As with the successes I have been blessed with I have had my own personal failures. As I currently try to continue to find myself and define me I look to the road ahead. You know when I first watched the movie Cast Away I thought to myself what a great movie but a terrible ending. For almost several decades Tom Hanks kept a picture of his past girl friend while he was stranded on this island. This picture of his love was the one thing that kept him alive and gave him the will to live. However in spite of his intense love for her, the path that GOD had in store for him was not the one he wanted. He later learns and begins to accept that he has no control and that life will take you wherever gods determines the wind to blow. So in retrospect I just sit back and await to see where god is planning to blow me next.

And just like Miles Davis I am so so so blue.

Ugh The Calorie Cut Begins

Brandon — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:17:38 +0000

Today marks the day I can only have 2100 calories a day and I must burn at least 400 to 800 doing some sort of cardio. I am going to be such a crabby person. As I sit at my desk at work I feel angry already because im hungry. However, I am going to do what must be done. I will need some prayer to make it through this. At times like this I wish that I had a much faster metabolism so that I could eat whatever I felt like.

Strange Fruit

Brandon — Tue, 30 May 2006 17:14:15 +0000

Time has a funny way of moving so fast. Another semester has pasted and now I am at a point of looking forward to the completion of summer school. I did well again this semester and God has given me the will to continue to push on. A few days ago I ran across a web site that made me think and caused me to break down and cry. In todays society many African Americans use the word Ni**a way too often. http://www.abolishthenword.com is a web site that is crying out for all people of every color to see. As for those of us who are African American we do need to make some changes about how this word is used and how it has come to be accepted. I have personally used this word way to often and this site has inspired me to try to limit and eventually remove this word of hate from my extensive vocabulary.

As for my personal life, things are fine and I hope to be posting pictures in the near future.

Peace,

Brandon

Got to escape the haters

Brandon — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:02:23 +0000

Its offical now folks I will be riding my motorcycle soon! Weather is startng to break and I am so excite about it. This week is going to be hard for me as I have a lot of work to do with school and my workouts are moving into a stage that are very demanding. I have a ton of homework to get done today. I also have the fun job of going to grocery store. Man oh man a 45min in a line to get food drives me nuts. I have noticed as of late folks have really been working on my last nerve. At this point its all about Brandon right now. So all you Brandon haters take a hike!

Watch Me Rise Above The Rest

Brandon — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 04:23:55 +0000

Tonight marks the day that Operation Daylight goes into its final stage of year. My diet is becomming tighter and workouts are going to be a lot more painful. The next two week I will loose 2lbs of water weight and 3lbs of fat. My cardio will be increased to three miles four days a week. I am moving on the right track in school as my Midterm was not as great as I hoped but I will take a B any day. I am out and a about doing my thing in the street again,so we will see how the game plays out.

My grind over the next three months will force me to rise above the rest. God has given me a drive that only heaven could slow down.

Cheers,

Brandon

I keep forgetting

Brandon — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 05:43:29 +0000

Well folks I am back in the thick of things with school and all. I guess I am at a loss of words for this post. Operation Day Light is alive and well. I am a little stiff and tired as I type this. I should be in bed as it later than I like to be up.
A good friend of mine told me last night that he is done with love. His finace left him for another man out of the blue. As I listened to him rant, I thought to myself and came to a conclusion. This conclusion is I havent given up on love but however, I dont have the same faith in it as I did as a child.

Anyhow I continue to pray that people in this world continue to believe in Love. As humans we all need a lil love.

THE LIGHT

Brandon — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 00:14:06 +0000

Another week has passed in my life. In this week I found out that I am going to be completely debt free soon! During my break at home I had numerous discussions with my grandmothers and parents about love and maintaining a strong family. My grandmothers told be something that I felt that I had to share with you all. She told me that many people have love right in front of their faces all their lives but never see the light. The light is that someone close to them loves them and they are unable to either take the time to see them. The other hindrance is that people are often too afraid of what others think so they never see the light of love. In thinking back on what I was told I wonder if I can see the light?

Cheers,
Brandon

The Reason

Brandon — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 19:12:35 +0000

WOOOOT!!!! My first semester at John Hopkins is over and I did very well! I have no idea how I made it thru the semester though. I have had one hell of a ride trying to juggle studying ,working out and my company at the same time. However, despite all the drama I made it thru with shining colors. I also had a wonderful Christmas with my family in good old Cleveland Ohio. I have a few weeks off to get my sanity back before another round of grad work comes my way. As I look to the new year I have many goals that I have yet to achieve as well as lots of blood, sweat and tears to shed. Perhaps one of my current favorite songs describes it best, give it a listen.

PS: I have been so blessed to meet someone as cool as a “summer” breeze. More about that next time folks.

Peace and Love,
Brandon James

Out of The Frying Pan and Into The Fire

Brandon — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 01:12:46 +0000

Tuesday is the day folks. My first set of finals in my persuit of my Masters Degree. I am so tired, nervous and just plain out a mess. I have been studying 6 hours a day for six days straight since the completion of my 15 page term paper. As the date of the final draws near I have begun to ask myself , am I glutton for pain? Why am I doing this to myself? LOL. Finding the time to cook, clean has become a real problem. I am almost at the point of considering hiring a maid because I just can not find the time to keep stuff in order and follow my workout program. The last few days I havent stayed true to my change in diet, so the holidays wont be full of food as I anticipated. I am so uptight it seems as of late. I am the process of trying to find activities to let my hair down more, the reason I say this is because I feel and seem uptight all the time now. I am taking any suggestions seriously!

Peace,
Brandon