I love me some football.

During a commercial break I found myself singing along to a Coors ad playing in the background when I realized what I was singing:

“Changin’. Every thing’s changin’. I’m through with all this changing. I like the way I’m living and I’ve got my reasons why. And I’m not gonna go on changin’. I’m not gonna go changin’.”

Ah, yes. The everyman-anthem. What a bunch of bull-loni!

See how far you get in life without changing. That’s a great plan. Just stay right there in your easy chair. Oh no, man, don’t get up. Just keep drinking dude. Pretty soon your kids will grow up and they’ll have kids. They’ll come visit you and you’ll still be in that same easy chair. God knows what kind of germs will be in that nasty thing after all that time.

“…I like the way I’m living and I’ve got my reasons why. And I’m not gonna go on changin’. I’m not gonna go changin’.”

You’ll never get a new recliner. Nope, the cushion will pattern your fat butt and you can’t buy that kind of customization. That would require changing. You’ll tell everyone that you’d buy a new chair but you don’t make enough money. You’ll curse your employer because you’re underpaid and unappreciated. I’m sure it will have nothing to do with your refusal to change.

“…I like the way I’m living and I’ve got my reasons why. And I’m not gonna go on changin’. I’m not gonna go changin’.”

You may be fortunate enough to marry a woman who’ll actually put up with your refusal to change. After 20 years of marriage you’ll no longer be attracted to her because she’s about twice the woman you married. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the “leadership” you provided at home and the fact that you’re about two and half the man you were when you were married. Nope, four squares a day, four to five showers a week, and a one to two dates a year. That’s how you make it to twenty years. Forget the fact your wife has to get her romance from novels and soaps and you never talk.

“…I like the way I’m living and I got my reasons why. And I’m not gonna go on changin’. I’m not gonna go changin’.”

Sitting in that same La-Z-Boy watching the good ol’ game. When suddenly your left arms will feel funny. Your wife left for the store and you’re reaching for your chest. While you search for the phone to dial 9-1-1 you hear the Coors jingle on the television:

“…I like the way I’m living and I’ve got my reasons why. And I’m not gonna go on changin’. I’m not gonna go changin’.”

Please tell me life is more than that. Too many men have tapped out while life passes them by.

I know Coors just wants their customers to stick with their product but the moment we identify with a beer commercial jingle we know somethings wrong. Instead, let’s be men who evolve and grow. Let’s be men who woo our wives and actually love and train our children. Let’s be men who are known more for what we’ve done with our lives than our easy chair.

Let’s be real men!

Filed under: Family, Food and Drink, Life | 12 Comments

Nestled against the Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City has over 2 million visitors a year in addition to the nearly 120,000 people that comprised to metro area. With numbers like that, there are plenty of hot spots in town.

Next week, we will have hundreds of thousands of Harley-Davidson’s and Honda’s roar into the area for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. With all of those people hitting the Black Hills, I thought I’d post some of my favorite spots in Rapid City.

In this post I give my take on where to find the most important meal of the day- breakfast.

1. Millstone Family Restaurant - If you want a great meal with local flavor this is your place. Don’t be alarmed by all the older folks there- they just know where to find a mean omelet and a good cup of coffee. They are located in two locations (W. Main and LaCrosse). They are staffed by ninja waitresses who’ve mastered the art of service.
2. Tally’s - Cheap prices with good food. This downtown staple offers a great dining experience. Plus, it was featured on Food Network’s $40 a Day with Rachael Ray. They are good if you’re a picky eater (like me) and request special orders.
3. Colonial House - Two words: Caramel rolls. They have the best ones in town. Plus they are conveniently located on Mt. Rushmore Road on your way to…you guessed it…Mt. Rushmore.
4. Perkins - Also on Mt. Rushmore Rd., Perkins has a great deal on breakfast if you can convince them you’re a senior citizen. I’m still working on that one. Unlike the other places on the list, parking is the main issue here if its busy but they have awesome baked goods.
5. Denny’s - If you’re looking for a familiar favorite; we’ve got it. Known for their “Grand Slam” breakfast, Denny’s beat out IHOP for the fifth spot on my list. Denny’s is located off of I-90 near the Rushmore Mall.

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Here are some takes from Martin Luther on beer and alcohol.

“Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep;whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer! (there is no beer in heaven, so let us drink it here).” - A little humor from Luther

“God does not forbid you to drink…he permits you to drink wine and beer: he does not make a law of it. But do not make a pig of yourself; remain a human being. If you are a human being, then keep your human self-control.” - From a sermon of Luther’s

“… Besides, the Word is the principal part of baptism. If in an emergency there’s no water at hand, it doesn’t matter whether water or beer is used.” - Baptism in beer. Not a bad idea. hmmm.

“Yesterday I drank something which did not agree with me, so that I had to sing: If I don’t drink well I have to suffer, and [yet] I do like to do it. I said to myself what good wine and beer I have at home, and also [what] a pretty lady or (should I say) boss.” - Luther to his wife

“We old folks have to find our cushions and pillows in our tankards. Strong beer is the milk of the old.” - Martin Luther, the husband of a brewer

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Nestled against the Black Hills of South Dakota, Rapid City has over 2 million visitors a year in addition to the nearly 120,000 people that comprised to metro area. With numbers like that, there are plenty of hot spots in town.

Next week, we will have hundreds of thousands of Harley-Davidson’s and Honda’s roar into the area for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. With all of those people hitting the Black Hills, I thought I’d post some of my favorite spots in Rapid City.

This post examines good places to get your daily coffee fix:

Coffee

1. Dunn Bros. - For my money, this is the best coffee shop in town. In fact, I’m typing this on my blog courtesy of their free wireless internet. They roast their coffee beans fresh everyday and the baristas are the best. They also have a drive-thru. Find them at 719 Omaha St.
2. Black Hills Blends - These are located throughout the city in strip mall parking lots. They’re little log cabin looking drive-ups. Perfect for when you need a coffee and a smile on the go.
3. Starbucks - Yep, we’ve got your Starbucks fix. One’s located in the Rushmore Mall, another shop is at 855 Omaha Dr. Or just go to Safeway and Albertsons and get one while you get your groceries. Unfortunately, Starbucks doesn’t come with free wifi.
4. Alternative Fuel - Do you prefer Christian coffee shops? If so, this spot is for you. Located downtown, you may find some live music playing if you play your cards right.
5. Bully Blends - Also located downtown on 5th Street, this place is known for their wide selection of teas. Nothing says manly biker dude better than a cup of earl gray.

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I’ll let you in on a little quirk of mine. I’m a coffee lover and everytime I drink coffee I eat a handful of almonds. Plain, old, raw almonds. I’m telling you, coffee and almonds go together like peanut butter and jelly. Plus, almonds are very good for you assuming you don’t eat a pound of them in one sitting.

Here are some nutritional and quirky facts about almonds according to almondsarein.com

• One ounce of almonds have as much calcium as quarter cup of milk.
• Almonds and peaches are cousins.
• Almonds can reduce the risk of heart disease.
• People who eat almonds daily lowered their bad LDL cholesterol.
• Almonds can help you lose weight.

So next time you’re looking for a snack to go with your coffee. Consider the almighty almond. It’s good and good for you.

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