Inaugural Post of the New Year

Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s already 2010. I meant to write this a few (hundred) days ago, but you know how crazy things get after the first of the year. Thanks for standing by. My New Years Resolution is to post at least one entry per week for the duration of this calendar year. Here goes nothing.

I’m sure you’re wondering how I’ve spent the first three hundred sixty-two three hundred sixty-fifths of the New Year. I won’t bore you with all of the details, but here are a few highlights.

I’ve tweeted slightly more regularly than I blogged.

I consumed more than 10,000 calories over the course of three epic intra-departmental eating contests. I won two out of three (details to follow).

I went for several walks to the Connecticut River and back.

While my two fantasy football teams (The Fighting Fungi and The Hartford Wild Yeast) performed miserably, my little lady took home the virtual trophy after her Independent Variables won this weekend’s championship match-up. I’ve never been prouder.

Also, I’m caught up on Dexter.

That about sums it up, but the year is still young. I can’t wait to see what blessings and surprises 2010 has in store for me.

This little piggy had naan.

I have never been more proud to be an American.

Congratulations to Joey Chestnut, a true American Idol and model citizen, for his exemplary athletic performance this weekend. He outperformed long-time Japanese rival Takeru Kobayashi in an Independence Day classic. Chestnut is a living testament to how beating your body into submission, years of dedication and preparation, and family support (his mother helped him train) can enable a person to reach his or her dreams. He is a paragon of intestinal fortitude, a competitor nonpareil.

The skeptics said it couldn't be done, but yesterday, Joey Chestnut surpassed his own personal best, setting a new world (and likely galactic) record in the Super Bowl of competitive eating. The beast of feast consumed a mammoth 68 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes to take the championship belt at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York.

A hero of mine, Chestnut inspires me to consume more than is believed possible, to perpetually strive to improve upon past dietary achievements. A few personal bests I aspire to beat: 70 Quaker Steak & Lube chicken wings in one sitting, 4 consecutive nights of India Oven chicken vindaloo (with cheese and garlic naan), eating main courses from every restaurant on the main drag in my hometown in the course of one New Year's Eve celebration (thanks, Dad!)...

I may be no Joey Chestnut, but I will never cease striving to be more like JC.