Weight Loss, Snowstorms and Sports Minutia

Well the results are in and while I fell slightly short of my goal (yes, I'm aggressive), I'm pleased to report that I've lost 13.7 lbs on Day 30 of my diet.

It's been a battle and one that will continue but I'm winning and I'm not looking back. My initial goal of 50 lbs is well within reach and I'm going to get that in the short term. I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the whole Nutrisystem plan and the food is actually pretty good. Some things are obviously better than others but I'm pleased.

Its taught me a lot and I feel better. That's the big reason I'm doing this. Yes, there will be cheat days and I look forward to my beers (back on Michelob Ultra) but this lifestyle change is one that's needed and worth it. One major change is the exercise regimen I've started. It's certainly not going to revolutionize fitness but it has done the following:

1.) Made me feel better
2.) Made me look better
3.) Changed how I view cheating and drinking beer
4.) Become addictive

I really enjoy going and that itself amazes me. OK, enough of the diet stuff as most of you have probably quit reading. We're getting hit pretty good with a snowstorm today here in Chicago. With areas total already in the 2 to 7 inch range that puts the potential final snow totals for this storm in the 5-12 inches range. By far the biggest of the year. So much for spring.

I'm really looking forward to March Madness this year and that always helps ease back into spring. I think PITT can make a Sweet 16 run or possibly a step further. It all depends on their perimeter scoring. Speaking of scoring, nobody is doing it better than my Pittsburgh Penguins. Only problem is, their defense is a porous sieve. They need to fix that fast or they won't be able to challenge for a Stanley Cup that is well within reach. And while we're on hockey, how can you not notice the hometown Chicago Blackhawks? That's a pretty damn impressive and insane start.

I'll wrap this with a few predictions about baseball. Look for the Pittsburgh Pirates to regress this year, falling to a record of 70-92. Management did nothing to address its anemic offense and a pitching staff that overachieved will return to earth. I am going on record to say that James McDonald will once again be removed from the starting rotation and that Aj Burnett will see his era rise to his career norm or worse (4.05).

I certainly hope I'm wrong but I have 20 years of futility on my side. Well, that's all for now so farwell, stay low and keep wheeling.

What the heck is going on?

It's certainly been too long but the World of KK is back and I'm in the blogging mood. I kept the blog title PC as I truly am going through somewhat of a transformation.

It's early and I'm only eight days into it but I've lost 6.9 pounds thus far eating better and following the Nutrisystem diet plan. My goal is to lose 50 pounds and keep it off. I am on the initial 28-day plan and have cut alcohol and pop out of my diet. Those of you who know me well know that I love my Ginger Ale and Bud Light so it's a big give up. But, those of you who know me also know that I'm not a quitter.

I'm not saying I'll make my goal or even close. What I am saying is I'm tired of feeling shitty and am doing something about it. If nothing else, this diet plan is helping educate me to a healthy and more balanced diet. That means more meals, but smaller portions. Sounds simple but a fat, single guy like me was so used to skipping breakfast and gorging at lunch. Then, eat whatever I damn well pleased at dinner.

There will be cheat days and I will MOST DEFINITELY see you at the bar but you're going to see less of me. That's not a promise or a goal, that's a fact.

p.s. I included this picture of my latest grocery trip to motivate myself and maybe some others. I literally couldn't believe what I had bought but when the worst things is low-fat/sodium cheese, I'd say that's a hell of a progression.

p.s.s. Winter can feel free to end at any point now. I am starting to think I've had my fill of it again. Biskit certainly has. What's next? Stay tuned.

p.s.s.s. Is there even such a thing as p.s.s.s.? Well who cares. Anyway, F the Ravens and Let's Go Pens!

Rolling Five at Kansas

Looking to build off last weekend's win at Texas, Team Nationwide for Harry is rolling five again this Sunday at Kansas.

Here's how we'll start after qualifying:

15 -- Clint Bowyer -- 8th
48 --Jimmie Johnson -- 15th
16 -- Greg Biffle -- 17th        
99 - -Carl Edwards -- 21st
13 -- Casey Mears -- 40th

This post will be updated following Sunday's STP 400.
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Post-race update

Early trouble for Clint Bowyer led to an average finish of 12th overall but 3 guys in the Top 10 kept us supplanted right at 5th overall on the season.

48 --Jimmie Johnson --2nd
16 -- Greg Biffle -- 5th       
99 - -Carl Edwards --9th
13 -- Casey Mears --26th
15 -- Clint Bowyer -- 36th

We'll see you next Saturday on the track at Richmond for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400.

Let's get after it!

Team Nationwide for Harry Wins!

Close calls three weeks in a row did not stop Team Nationwide for Harry from finally taking the checkered flag for the first time this season at Texas.

Here is how our drivers finished:

13 -- Casey Mears -- 25th
15 -- Clint Bowyer -- 17th
16 -- Greg Biffle -- 1st
17 -- Matt Kenseth -- 5th
48 -- Jimmie Johnson -- 2nd

The win pushed us into the Top 5 overall after 7 races and we'll look to keep the momentum going this Sunday at the STP 400 in Kansas.

Hey Kennedy, this win's for you! Technically, they all are. :-)

Team Nationwide for Harry Stays Hot at Martinsville

Team Nationwide for Harry heads to the Martinsville short track this Sunday and we're rolling five.

Looking to continue the momentum from two solid finishes in a row (Top 5), here's how we'll start at the Goody's Fast Relief 500:

11 -- Denny Hamlin -- 3rd
15 -- Clint Bowyer -- 4th
14 -- Tony Stewart -- 15th
48 -- Jimmie Johnson -- 22nd
13 -- Casey Mears -- 25th

Bowyer and Stewart have been mainstays for Team Nationwide for Harry this year and Jimmie Johnson is always a solid, top shoe. We've had mixed results with Denny Hamlin but he's simply too good to NOT take here.

Finally, I believe we can steal a Top 20 from our 5th driver, Casey Mears, as he too has had success in the land of hamburgers with only mustard and onions.

This post will be updated after the final race results.

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A wild finish led by a selfish move by the no. 10 car of asshole David Reutimann cost Team Nationwide for Harry a victory today.

Nonetheless, we finished strong and came in 3rd for the week. For the year, we're 9th out of 21 teams, moving up two spots after our third Top 5 finish in a row.

Here is how we finished:

11 -- Denny Hamlin -- 7th
14 -- Tony Stewart -- 10th
15 -- Clint Bowyer -- 11th
48 -- Jimmie Johnson -- 12th
13 -- Casey Mears -- 24th

The Sprint Cup boys are off next weekend so we'll see you on the track April 14th at Texas Motor Speedway.

Gettin' After It, Sonoma Style

Team Nationwide for Harry returns to the track this week in Sonoma, CA in the Auto Club 400, looking to improve on a 5th place finish last week. The 2012 season has not been kind as we sit in 17th place right now out of 21 teams.

That said, it's early and the standings are tight so one good week and we'll climb 5-6 spots, moved up 2 last week.

A solid qualifying effort puts Team Nationwide for Harry in position to have its best week yet:

18 - Kyle Busch -- Rowdy is due damnit and will start 2nd.
55 - Mark Martin -- The wily veteran is poised for a Top 10 and will start 3rd.
16 - Greg Biffle -- Hoping to ride his 2012 momentum for another week. The Biff will start 4th.
5 - Kasey Kahne -- Yes, this prick has hosed us before but he's good here, and he's due. Kahne will start 5th.
15 - Clint Bowyer -- A value pick, looked fast in practice and will start 11th.

This post will be updated with final results on Sunday.

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The race was red flagged but that didn't stop Team Nationwide for Harry from having another solid week landing all five drivers in the Top 15, two in the Top 10. For the week, we finished 3rd out of 21 teams. On the season, we're tied for 11th moving up an impressive 6 spots this week but it's tight so we'll have to stay after it.

Our drivers came home this way:

18 -- Kyle Busch - 2nd
16 -- Greg Biffle -- 6th
55 -- Mark Martin -- 12th
15 -- Clint Bowyer -- 14th
5  -- Kasey Kahne -- 15th

See you next week at the Goody's Fast Relief 500 in Martinsville.

Speak ENGLISH!!!

Say what you want about those who say this is the United States, speak English or _____________

This happened to me today at a bank branch inside the grocery store here in Chicago, yeah, you know, the third largest city in the United States.

Me: Hello, could I please get a roll of quarters?
Bank employee: Um, I don't think we have that (mumbled).
Me: You don't have a roll of quarters?
Bank employee: Um, I don't think. How many do you want?
Me: Just a roll.
Bank employee: One minute.
-- Manager then walks out.
Manager: Can I help you?
Me: I just need a roll of quarters.
Manager: Sure, here you go
-- End of transaction.

My opinion. SPEAK ENGLISH!