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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My Pittbull Attack Part One

Today is January 30th 2012.  Somewhere around 5 or so this evening I was attacked by a Pitt bull.  Although this is the first time I've been attacked by a Pit bull, this is NOT the first time I've been attacked by a dog.  I have actually been attacked several times thruout the years.  Sometimes the animal was quite determined to take a bite out of me.

Due to the never ending Grace of GOD, I have not actually been bitten yet.  However they do manage to rip my clothes once in a while.  In most cases, the attack never should have occured the first place.  When it does occur, it's not the animal's fault... the fault usually lies with the owner.  If an animal is on a leash, or behind  a fenced in a backyard somewhere, the owner is behaving responsibly.

Animal off the leash... not good.  Animal roaming the neighborhood alone... even worse.  When an animal is left without supervision,  chances are... he WILL get into mischeif.  Which could mean anything from tipping over a few trash cans, scraping with other animals... and worst of all, attacking or killing someone.

As I said at the begining of this blog, I was attacked by a pitt bull.  Now... what exactly do I mean when I say attacked?   Does attack mean the animal actually bit into me and tried to rip my arm out of it's sockett?  ( And believe me, that can happen with pit bulls)

In this case... the animal approached me in a very aggressive way.  It got in my face like a guy in a bar room brawl looking for trouble.  It tried to charge me to make me to run.  I do believe it was trying to position me so it could bite me.  Fortunately for me, I was able to take care or myself.  ( And as I said earlier... the Grace of GOD had something to do with it )

From time to time, I find myself in an unfamiliar neighborhood with some dog running around loose, then it comes after me.  I don't think most dogs don't actually want to bite you.  I believe they just want to scare you away.  If you just ignore them and keep walking, that's usually the end of it. 

However, sometimes it goes up another level.  The dog does not think you're moving fast enough, so he will charge you a little to see if he can make you speed it up a bit. If you turn around, face him, maybe yell, then throw a rock, he will back off. 

Next there is this other kind of dog that wants to take it up still another level.  He really really wants to mix it up with you.  He wants to get ahold of a pant leg... and maybe bite you a little if he can  get away with it.
He is probably not going to be a huge dog, but he has chased people before.  Sometimes they run, and he likes it.  Kick him and he will leave you alone.

Then last... there is this kind of dog that is just not scared and will challenge you as though you were another animal.  Make no mistake, he will bite you, he will hurt you... or even worse.  It's usually one of the larger breds, like a German Shepard.  Unfortunately, sometimes People mix  German Shepards with some other huge bred.  Then unfortunately you can end up with some kind of hybrid Frankinstine Monster in a dog collar.

I don't mind if people want to own something like that. More power to you. Just don't leave it on it's own to roam the neighborhood where it can cause trouble.  Very least... keep it in the back yard where it can't get into trouble.  That's the LEAST you want to do. 

Just remember, even if you do have a fenced in yard... someone can still climb over your fence  and get malled.  Even though you have a fence... there are 365 days in a year... a dog can live for 15 years or more. That's 5475 days.  Listen to carefully to what I'm going to say.  Even if I'm wrong, it may save you a lawsuit some day.

One day you will bring a cute little furry bundle of joy home from the pet shop, animal farm, shelter or whatever. Do yourself a favor.  Just assume that at least 1 of those 5475  days... that dog will get out of that fence... period.  Prepare for it. Make sure your fence is reinforced so the dog can not jump over, pry through or dig under the fence. 

It only takes one day for your dog to get out, then get into a fight with another dog.  Dogs kill or injure each other sometimes.  It only takes one day to ruin your life with a lawsuit.  It only takes one day to have animal control seize your dog so it can be put to sleep.  Even if your dog has 5000 good days, he can be put to sleep for one bad day.

In my opinion... ALL DOGS... ALL DOGS should be trained.  Especally aggressive breeds like pit bulls.  Dogs should be taught to respect people.  They need to know how to behave in social settings.  They need to be taught how to get along with people... not bite them so their owners can get sued.

Sometimes  I see a dog leading it's owner.. that is... draging the person walking the dog.  There is tension on the leash.  To me, that means on some level, the dog is in charge.  The dog is telling the person what to do.  On the other hand, when I see a dog walking along side it's master, and there is no tension on the leash, that means the dog understands respect. 

The dog is saying,  I will go when you say it's OK to go, not "I'm in charge here, come with me."  A well behaved dog does not become well behaved on it's own. Dog owners must make time to ensure their animal is trained properly.  It's a matter of common sense.  like buying insurance.  Sooner or later something will happen.  Like car accidents, jury duty or taxes.
In a nutsshell.  You are responsible for the actions of your dog.
  

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Everybody Wants abs

In todays world you see fewer and fewer people with well defined abs in their mid life.  Age catches up with you after a while.  Your body is slower to heal., and you get tired easier.  Even I get that way once in a while.
There is every gmmick known to man for sale out there.  Every diet you can immagine.  Lots of videos, different exercise programs.  Abs... vanity as it were, is big business.  Even me, I don't want my gut hanging over my belt.  In my oppinion it all boils down to hard work... although I did see a commercial the other day about someone who claimed she could help you get a flat stomache by breathing properly.

I do own an Ab lounge, and I like it.  I don't have to get down on the floor and do situps, but I do it anyway.  I do all kinds of ab related excercises.  The ab lounge is a little easier yes, but I like a rounded work out, so I do EVERYTHING.  If I work out a little harder I do get results.

I encourage any mid lifer who starts working out... don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away.  Your body is changing.  It may not seem like it, but change is taking place though you may not be able to see it with your naked eye.  Start a routine. Stick to it... and for crying out loud get a reasonable diet with good food. get rid of the junk, OK?

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I'm 53 Years Old, and I still Have Abs


I am a 53 year old guy and I still have abs. I consider myself blessed. In the early days I used to really watch my diet. I exercised more and I did a lot more sit ups, push-ups, running, combat sports... you name it.
As a person ages, they have so many responsibilities that it sometimes seems to crush them. Sometimes you just don't seem to have any time to yourself. What happens? You say... I was up late last night with a crying baby, I can't get up too early this morning... I'll skip the jog... just this one time.
After all, I've got to be fresh at work today. Anyway, how an I going to feed this baby, if I loose my job? You sleep little too long, so you start running late, then you gotta rush, drop the kids off to school, no time for breakfast Hon... I'll get something on the way to work.
Traffic was bad, so you barely made it to work on time. Wow, plate full of donuts today... of well, just this one time, I missed breakfast, I can have a few donuts if I want to, It's not like I do it all the time. There is no healthy food here at work... I don't have a choice... I have to eat this stuff. Sooo much work to do..............................setting here at my desk.........................all day long.

Life can creep up on you and before you even know what hit you............. you're over weight, with absolutely no energy and............. a gut that is hanging over your belt. Since you are no spring chicken, It's a lot harder to exercise than it used to be, even when you want to do it.
It's just soooo hard to get motivated. Also, some of your body parts actually hurt now. You get tired a lot easier now-a-days. You've tried to do the right thing a couple of times, but you just get burned out and quit. One day you just get sick of trying.

You do manage to avoid the mirror for the longest time, but one day you can't help but look, and what do you see? The "Fat Elvis" version of yourself. The first time you see it, you are in shock. Maybe even denial., but you finally get used to it... and finally you except it and you just give up.
Me? What about me? What makes me so special? Well actually, I'm just like everybody else, I do have my times when I have a difficult time eating right or getting exercise. However, I have discovered something about myself. A little bit goes a long way. WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MISTER XMAN? WHY DO YOU ALWAYS SOUND LIKE YOU'RE SPEAKING IN CODE?!

Relax Skippy. Let me explain. I have times when my life gets busy, just like everybody else. After all, I live in Manhattan. So I know all about busy. I know all about that tempting quick bite that is so readily available. You know it would be a lot better for you to wait just a little while longer and eat something a little healthier.
I have to admit it is VERY difficult to avoid sometimes. Still I do catch breaks when I have time to eat right and exercise properly... and it makes a difference. A big difference. You may not notice. However, others seem to notice. Try a little experiment for a week or two.

Eat right and just get a LITTLE exercise for two weeks. Just TWO weeks. See if people don't notice. They will. even just two weeks will do wonders for you. A little bit goes a long way. Just like "Fat Elvis"sneaks up on you, the slimmer more healthier you will sneak up on you too.
That's right, Sometimes it is not easy to do the right thing, however, most of us have the capacity to change. We just have to do a little tweaking in our schedule to work it out.

You must find a block of time somewhere in your day and claim it. It is yours. Nobody disturbs you for that block of time. It might be 30 minuets, it could be 20 minuets, It might even be as little as 10 minuets a day, but nobody gets to disturb you for those 10 minuets.

Only you know when the right time is. Do you have to set an alarm clock before everyone else wakes up, so you can have a few minuets to yourself? Perhaps the best time is just a half hour just before bedtime, or maybe right after you get home from work ... when you change out of your work clothes.
Maybe you can actually get in a whole hour sometime over the week end and slip in a Wednesday every week. It does take effort and discipline.
You have to force yourself a little sometimes... just a little. Don't look in the mirror. Take a picture. One before picture and one after picture. That is a great way to encourage yourself. Pictures don't lie. Not the mirror though, that's too gradual. You can't see the dramatic change that takes place.

After you are encouraged, you can go at it a little harder, and you will see even bigger results. Trust me. I do know what its like. I have these long periods of time where I don't exercise as much as I would like to, and I get a little mad at myself, but I never completely quit.
One of my favorite pieces of equipment is this thing called an "Ab Lounge". I'm sure you've seen them in TV commercials. I actually hang mine on the wall near my bed. It's always there to remind me, sooner or later I've got to take that thing down and work it.

I don't work out nearly as much as I would like to... because sometimes my life is insanely busy, but sometimes all I need is a little "touch up" anyway. Just a little maintenance to keep the old abs in place. I think for a 53 year old guy I'm not so bad. Yes, I do realize that one day I will be dead, one day I will eventually get a little older, and blah, blah blah.
However, I will say the same thing I always say about all inevitable situations. If it's going to get dark, don't curse the darkness. Get a flash light, or light a candle. Don't sit around in the dark complaining. Just do the best you can. You won't regret it.

Oh by the way............ I LOVED ELVIS.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Buy Gold Now with Mister Xman1






Preview
I don't know about you, but I find it very frustrating to live in a time of financial uncertainty. All indicators seem to point to economic collapse because the US government seems to think it's OK to print money like it's going out of style.
Sooner or later, you have to pay the Piper... and unfortunately, the innocent are going to suffer the most. Every expert on the planet says that endlessly printing money is irresponsible, and that there is going to be a crash soon if something doesn't change. By change I mean now.

Things are not getting better. No one seems to be doing anything. I suppose all you can do when you are on the deck of the Titanic, and you see an iceberg approaching... is brace for shock. So that is what I am advising people to do... Brace for shock. When you know it's going to get dark... you buy candles and flash lights.
When you know your government is not going to stop printing money, and soon paper currency is going to be worthless... you better buy some gold. If you don't know how, you'd better get educated... quick.
I have taken it upon myself to get involved to help people buy gold for themselves, their loved ones , and to also make money while doing so. I'm just trying to be a responsible American for once. ( Smile. )

Friday, June 3, 2011

Mister Xman1 on Xmen First Class






Xmen First Class... and Mister Xman1... is there any connection between the two? No, I am sorry to say that this humble little old entrepreneur has nothing to do with the Xmen comics, the Xmen movies or their franchise. However, I've seen all the Xmen movies and I like them for the most part.












I didn't have a lot of money growing up, so I didn't get a chance to read a lot of comics.






Why do you dress like a superhero Mister Xman? Are you a Superhero? Why the name "Mister Xman" if you're not one of the Xmen? Those are all very fair questions. First of all, I think the Xmen are cool, but they are fictional. I am a very real person.












I'm not a mutant. I don't come from another planet, and I don't have any super powers...AT LEAST, NOT YET. I say "not yet" because I think that super powers ( on some level ) are actually possible. I just think that a person who develops actual super powers will need to spend a lot of money to develop those super powers.












I have been using disguises for over 30 years now. The original intent was not to be some kind of superhero, but rather to protect my privacy as an entertainer. Years ago, I was a struggling entertainer. People used to stop me in the street and ask me " Hey aren't you the guy who... " several times a day. Some days it was hard to go from point A to point B without getting stopped several times. I often found myself in awkward, uncomfortable situations.












I knew that things had gotten out of control when this young lady started stalking me. She eventually started showing up at my job. There was nothing I could say to get her to leave me alone, so I quit my job. I stopped performing locally, and once in a while I went out of town to perform. Only this time, I wore a disguise and used a pseudonym.












That was how it started. If you read some of my earlier blogs, you will find out, I never started out trying to become a superhero. All my life I have been in pretty decent shape, I liked martial arts and I was a pretty good runner. One of the places where I lived had a problem with purse snatchers.












If I saw someone grab a ladies purse... that made my blood boil. What a rotten thing to do to somebody. So I always ran after the guy. I got purses back because I could always out run the purse snatcher. Usually the guy was so tired by the time I caught up with him... it was very easy to snatch the purse right back.












Are these guys dangerous? Well most of them never put up a fight, they were just tired and wanted to get away. I have only had one guy try to fake me out with some half hearted martial arts stance, but I ignored him and took the purse anyway.












I did not slid down a Bat pole before I started chasing this guy, nor did I feel it necessary to change into a costume before I ran after him. I just saw a person have their whole life ripped from their arms in an instant and it seemed so unfair... and I just couldn't let it happen.












I didn't think I had done anything that was particularly heroic. I just thought I was doing the right thing. All my life I just helped people when I could. I was sure there were lots of people around the country who did the same stuff. I'm sure they did it just because someone needed their help. That's the way it should be.












So the whole idea of dressing up in a costume to patrol the streets, then calling myself a superhero was a foreign concept to me. A couple of years ago, I began to hear stories of people who were doing exactly that. Although, I found these stories interesting... I distanced myself from anything associated with the Real Life Superhero movement.












The reason being... I am ex-military, which means I am used to order, structure and a set of rules that people follow to the letter. It gives me a sense of comfort to know that my team mate who is working along side me is professionally trained and I can count on him or her when my back is against the wall.












I thought about what might happen if a bunch of half cocked untrained civilians from all over the place start engaging in vigilante activities. I did not want to be part of group where there were a hundred different interpretations of how a superhero should conduct himself.












I smelled disaster in the making. So I steered clear. Eventually, I started learning more about Real Life Superheroes... on you tube... the television news... news papers... and the Kick *$$ movie. As far as my personal life goes, I was already doing EVERYTHING that Real Life Superheroes do. I helped people. I did lots of charity work. I even looked like a Superhero.












Crossing over to the Real life Superhero movement was a process for me. Unlike my fictional comic book counterparts, I don't use my disguise the same way Batman or Superman use their disguise. If people find out that Bruce Wane or Clark Kent is a superhero, it ruins their life. Me... I just want some measure of control over my interaction with the public. All the people at work know my alternate identity.












I just want to keep things down to a dull roar. I want to regulate how much of my life I share with people. I feel like I should be entitled to privacy when I'm not in the public eye. Sometimes I go to work like an ordinary person. Then all day long I hear... Mister Xman yada yada... Mister Xman this... Mister Xman that... MisterXman bla bla bla......... all day long!












I can't get them to stop, no matter what I say. I don't come to work dressed as Mister Xman. I don't talk about Mister Xman at work and I just try to do a good job. So one day I confronted one of the guys who kept saying Mister Xman all day long. Let's just call him Harold.












Look Harold, there is no Mister Xman here. I'm just a person. I am just an entertainer, not a superhero. He said, No, you are a superhero,. You are MY SUPERHERO. Well all rightly then... how do you argue with that? Eventually I joined Real Life Superheroes .org. I am still not a hundred percent comfortable using the title "SUPERHERO" yet. So I call myself a Superhero Advisor.












That's right Superhero Advisor. I figured this is one of the ways I can address some of my concerns regarding the Real Life Superhero movement. Now I can do it as a member of the organization, not some nosey outsider.












I've done lots of charity work, I have rescued kittens, performed CPR in a live situation, chased knife welding murderers... purse snatchers, broke up fights where weapons were involved and that's just the stuff I can remember. I was also in the military for a number of years. I even did some time as a military cop.












Who better to come along side Real Life Superheroes and give them advice that will keep them on the straight and narrow?. Good advice that will keep them out of trouble. For example... If you happen to get into some kind of Adam West Wham... Bam ... Slam tuffle with some bad guy, and you hit him in the shin with a knight stick... There is a possibility you could get in trouble yourself. As a military cop, I was only authorised to hit the back of the calf with my night stick.






I doubt if most people know that.












( Even with my background, I go out of my way to tell people CALL 911 FIRST. Of course, I realize this is not always possible. )












I've only been in the Real Life superhero ranks for a few days now. However, I hope to make some positive contributions to the cause. I hope to grow to the point where I will be comfortable enough to call myself a superhero. Even more than that, I want to help to create the next level Real Life Superhero.












I can't wait to see the movie, and In the end, I hope no one will get the impression that I am trying muscle in on the Xman First Class. Although, I totally agree... they ARE first Class all the way, they're just not real. I want to be just as classy... only...I want to do it in real life.




Thursday, May 26, 2011

Buy Mister Xman1 Stuff







































Buy Mister Xman1 Stuff? What the heck does that mean? You are going to laugh when I say it...I am Mister Xman, I have some stuff, and you can buy my stuff. Ta dah!! Seriously, I am many things to many people, but one of my passions in life is helping middle aged people to live a better life.


If I am a middle aged man myself, and I go around preaching do this and do that...fix this and fix that...yet don't provide any examples...what good is that? I tell people all the time, you must start a business of your own, because you simply need more money in this stinking economy. I tell people to invest In gold, because they will need a hedge against the shrinking dollar.


I give lots of practical, common sense advice all the time. Whether or not you listen to my advice ...well, that's up to you. However, if you do decide to do something for yourself, make sure you use your head. Do some research, and figure out what best suits our lifestyle.


For example: Wow , Mister Xman, I hear you. It makes perfect sense. I need more money to make ends meet. I'm going to run down to the bank, take out a loan on my house and go build a store down the street. NEVER MIND THAT ONLY 15 CARS A YEAR DRIVE BY THAT STREET, I AM GOING TO RISK IT ALL BECAUSE I READ IT IN A BLOG SOMEWHERE.


IF IT DOESN'T WORK, I'LL JUST BLAME THAT MIDDLE AGED GUY IN THE MASK.


Whoa! Down Boy, hold on Sparky! Back up. Use your head. Do some research. Think about your particular situation. You are unique, there is no one else like you on the whole planet. Perhaps a corner store is not practical for your needs.


If you have never had a business before, you are going to have to educate yourself before you run off into the sunset with your guns blazing. Since we now live in an information age, it is pretty simple to find out answers for most questions. No matter what you are trying to find out, most answers are only a few mouse clicks away.


The Internet is one of the best places to learn just about anything you can imagine. NOT EVERYTHING, MIND YOU, but most things. Definitely how to start a business. If your dream is to be a first time business owner, that is a very realistic, very obtainable goal. As long as you learn the formula and obey the rules you will be OK.


Basically, I'm saying make sure you put water in the pool before you jump. YOU fill that thing up...don't trust someone else to do it for you. Sometimes they say they will...and then they don't actually do it. Always double check. Make sure that no one drained the pool when your back was turned. For some strange reason... certain people love to sabotage the efforts of other people. Thank me later for that little insight.


Once that pool is filled. Think about all the little things. Keep the proper chlorine balance to kill dangerous biologicals. Me,... I would have security camera nearby. Perhaps some mean spirited person will want to urinate in your pool. Of course all this talk has NOTHING to do with pools. It is just a metaphor for a the mindset you must have for starting up a business.


By the way, I haven't swam in a public pool for over 30 years now. Why? Well, because when I did swim in public pools there were lots and lots of other people in the pool with me. I am kind of a germaphobic. Every time I swam in the pool, I got a big mouth full of water. ( Gross ) If you don't understand what I,m talking about, do a little survey.


Ask any large group of people the following question: Be honest now, how many of you have ever peed in a public pool? I feel confident that the answer will be a little unsettling. In our minds we already know it's true. It's just something we never think about. OH MAN!!! Look at me. I'm getting off the subject.




Anyway, the point of this blog is...like most middle aged people, I need something out of the norm to make my life work. The economy is brutal. We all need more money. Starting a small business is something that makes perfect sense. I own several small businesses. Yes, I am spread out a little thin, but that's the way GOD built me. If I wasn't always challenging myself to do better, I don't think I could get out of bed in the morning.




Some of my business ventures are on line. On line is a great way to do a business, because it solves the problem of building a store where there's no traffic. A store is a great idea, but if it's in the middle of nowhere, it does you no good. That's why doing business on the internet is such a brilliant idea. Having an on line store is like having a storefront that can serve customers from all over the world.


( A word of caution for on line...OR ANY business for that matter...you need to learn to advertise. If you don't, you are wasting your time)


For an Internet based business...start-up costs can range anywhere from expensive, to moderate....to little or nothing at all. It's an idea who's time has arrived. It is important for me to help people to help themselves. So, out of all the ventures that I have going...the following example is probably one of the best example. If you are a "newbie" you may like this business model. I is one of the easiest I have ever seen.


What if you have a logo...like me, and you could put your logo on products and sell the stuff on line? That's exactly what I do. My on line store is called "Mister Xman1 Stuff" It was easy to get this thing up and running, and it didn't cost anything to set up. I also have good quality merchandise. ( As you can see from the sample photos.)


This kind of venture is not right for everyone, but for a lot of us mid lifers it's the perfect no hassle business to start up. If you would like to purchase some of my Mister Xman1 Stuff , or would like to learn how to set up your own on line store, click this link: http://www.cafepress.com/misterxmanstuff Go ahead, buy a tee shirt for your kid... Let him look like a Superhero.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Mister Xman1 What's Next





Hello whoever you are...My name is Mister Xman1. I can best be described as a entertainer/ artist/ film maker/ entrepreneur and all around fun guy. I like to teach people to believe all things are possible. Very subtle, but I accomplish this by teaching people how to do magic. When you practice magic on a regular basis, your problem solving mindset becomes supercharged.


Mister Xman exists to take advantage of two dramatically different lifestyles. One Lifestyle is very quite and private, the other very public. So in a nutshell, the Mister Xman character has been created to be an extension of myself. It's a chance to live out fantasies in the public eye and still have a private life as well.







I have actually had some mild success with a few you tube videos I've created. Most notably, I have a fake UFO tutorial. It's the number one tutorial of it's kind on the Internet. I am pleased with this thing because people seem to like it. I wanted to show people they could make their own convincing UFO photos and videos.







I actually provided a valuable service, because while doing life long research on the UFO phenomena, I encountered a massive amount of fraudulent Photos and Videos. Many times these fakes were presented as genuine. It bugged me, because I was looking for truth. I have had people thank me because they learned how to be discerning when viewing evidence.


My philosophy has always been...never show your best work first...always leave people wanting more. So the next UFO tutorial will be more technicaly demanding, also more visually appealing.



Also on you tube I've posted a few magic illusions and tricks, there's also some interesting basketball shots. The message I want to convey with the video I've posted on this blog is this...I do plan to step it up and create bigger better content.


My life is not all about you tube videos by the way. There other projects I want to accomplish utilizing my Mister Xman character. Since I am a middle aged man myself, I naturally have an interest in issues dealing with middle aged people. In my spare time I have been creating a resource center for mid lifers. I am looking forward to providing quality information that will help make people's lives better.



If you read my blogs you will see me downplaying any similarities between Mister Xman and Real life Superheroes. However, I do wonder from time to time...If an actual "comic book style Superhero" really existed...what would he be like?



Today's modern Real Life Superheroes for the most part...wear costumes, patrol the street in neighborhood watch programs, and do charity work. That's all fine...but I wonder what it would be like to see a person who is more like the Superheroes portrayed in comic books.



What if a regular guy could have super strength? What if a person could figure out how to actually fly without an airplane? What about real super powers? How about owning a very unusual really cool Superhero vehicle? Now that would be something to see.


Though I do not call myself a Superhero, perhaps I will explore these questions and see if it is possible to create a "next level" Real Life Super Hero. It seems like it would be a great project to work on. Maybe I will never get around to do something on this scale, because it would be very expensive and time consuming. Besides, the present version of Mister Xman keeps me busy enough.