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I wanted the Colts to win. I like Peyton Manning. I remember a game a few years back right after Katrina. The Falcons played the Saints on Monday Night Football. The Falcons got crushed. The momentum was stacked in the Saint’s favor. This game was much different in that the Colts had the momentum in the beginning, but were outplayed in the end. Peyton threw that last interception and sealed it for the Saints.

Help me understand this though. How does a professional sports team winning a televised sporting event help a city? I can see that it may gave one a temporary sense of pride and joy. What if I awake to the same daily reality of a city that is suffering from inept government and senseless crime? Does it matter if the Saints won?

I like to think I have good sportsmanship. I’m happy for the Saints. It’s a monumental achievement. However I’m not a Saints fan. I’m a Falcons fan, have been since I was a kid. The Saints are the Falcons’ biggest rival in the NFL. We love to hate the Saints. For true Falcons fans this is not good. It’s akin to being a Georgia Bulldog fan and seeing Florida win the National Championship. You think it’s easy to put aside a deep, intense rival like that? I do not.

I get it. This is just sports we’re talking about. This is not some life-changing experience. What I love is how the Superbowl brings us together once a year. Last night 18 of some of my closest friends gathered to watch the game. We had an unforgettable night of the three F’s: food, fellowship and football. Get rid of all the hoopla, the lackluster halftime show, the botched National anthem by Carrie Underwood and the commercials and what you have is a celebration of relationships. That’s what I love about the Superbowl.

I admit it. I have an Internet addiction. I love it. I love writing these posts that are all first drafts!

I couldn’t let my streak of posts die so here I am writing on the iPhone. The Internet connection through Comcast is down.

Being defeated by technology is not an outcome I accept. You must adapt and overcome.

Truth is I love you guys. I love the community that truly exists on the Internet. My addiction is to the connection and the ability to reach others.

That is not a bad thing at all.

Last night my Toastmasters club had our first club contest in over two years. 3 judges from other clubs in the city, 2 of which were Area Governors, were on hand to vote in the competition.

The first part of the competition was Table Topics. In Table Topics you are presented with an unprepared topic and then you speak for at least 1 minute minimum to 2 minutes, 30 seconds at most. I was one of the three competitors for Table Topics and I went first. The question was, “If you created a new holiday, what would it be and how would you celebrate it.” With Table Topics you cannot hesitate. You must go with the first thing that comes to your mind and sink or swim. My first idea was a Parent’s Appreciation Day. I talked about how we need to show our parents our appreciation for all the sacrifices they made, all the time, the food, the clothes they provided for us, and investments they made in us. I said we should thank our parents for consummating their relationship or else we would not be here. I was up against some tough competition in Toastmaster Ramsey and Toastmaster Smith.

Toastmaster Ramsey was just accepted to Cornell for his MBA. He also received a full scholarship to Cornell. What I love about our club is that high caliber folks such as Toastmaster Ramsey are active in our club and available and willing to help. A few weeks ago Ramsey asked me to help him prepare for his interview at Cornell. I asked him questions and then gave him feedback on his performance. Then he helped me on WorkingInMusic.com. His help was invaluable since he has worked for companies like AOL and Eyewonder.com. But I digress…

The next part of the contest was the International Speech. This is a 5 to 7 minute speech having a clear objective. I gave my speech titled, “Do It Now.” It was my third time giving the speech and I finally trimmed the speech to its essence. I did my best but I was no match for Toastmaster Ramsey.

Toastmaster Ramsey gave his speech titled, “Be The Verb.” He opened with a good joke quoting a famous Chinese philosopher, Bruce Lee. Guaranteed laugh. Ramsey’s point is that you have to be what you want to become. You have to do. He said it’s not 10,000 hours that makes you an expert but 10,000 verbs. He was on fire. He later told me a Will Smith video I sent him inspired him!

After we spoke the head judge and the ballot counters went into another room to tally the votes. While they did that Toastmaster Ramsey and I were interviewed by the contest master, Toastmaster Boring. I got a chance to plug WorkingInMusic.com thanks to Toastmaster Boring asking me about it.

Finally the head judge came back revealing the results and I came in last place in everything. I had hoped I’d at least come in 2nd on the Table Topics, but no. I’m still extremely pleased that I entered the club competition. I’m a better speaker for having stepped up. The feedback I got from the Area Governors was positive and encouraging. I’m only on my 4th speech in the Competent Communication Manual so I have a long way to go. I’m looking forward to writing and giving more speeches.

Just finished day 2 of P90X. Today was plyometrics and it was a beast. I mean this when I say I don’t think I’ve ever done a more challenging cardio workout. Ever. It keeps going and going. There are water breaks here and there but it’s over quick and you’re back to jumping. I admit, I hit the pause button a few times.

The folks on this video are in outstanding shape. They even have a guy with 1 leg just to give you no excuses. He’s hopping and jumping like a normal guy.

So far so good. Tomorrow is shoulders and arms.

I got called out in the comments of my post yesterday. I have no idea who this person is but he/she made a good point. They called me out for phoning it in, even comparing what I wrote to something you’d see on msn.com. Point made.

From my experience here are more details about what not to do on first dates.

1. Surgery/Health. I’m on this first date with a rather attractive woman. The first thing she talks about is how a recent surgery damaged the nerves in part of her mouth. It was not a big deal to me but she kept talking about it. Honestly I would not have even noticed her mouth had she not mentioned it. Then she did something that another date called me out on a few months prior. She never asked about me.

2. Talking only about yourself. Not that I expected her to interview me, but she did not ask me much at all about me. I had a date a few months earlier with a great woman. We had a fun first date, I thought, and so I called to ask her out again. She said she was surprised because all I did on the date was talk about myself. I did not ask her anything about her and what was going on in her life. Her Akido style of calling me out impressed me. From that moment on I made sure I asked lots of questions of my dates. I never intended the date to be all about me but that was her impression and that is not what I wanted. I truly wanted to get to know her.

We do not live the same day over and over again. We learn as we go. We do not get to know that our date hates white chocolate or nuts. Stay focused on your date. Get to know them and ask a lot of open-ended, probing questions.

Today I started a 90 day journey called P90X. I remember hearing the guys in my last small group talk about it, how it was tough and challenging. I got a copy of the program this week and completed day 1 which was chest and back plus the ab ribber.

The workout is lots of push ups and pull ups. I was able to hang with the pros for most of the workout. I don’t have a proper pull up bar right now so I used the used the back of the stairs in my basement. P90X is like having a personal trainer working out with you. This guy is good. The energy is up and he definitely pushes you.

The ab ripper slayed me. I couldn’t keep up with them at all. That’s good. I have a lot of progress to make. I also liked that he didn’t press you if you couldn’t keep up with them. The folks in the video are completely ripped. I don’t feel disappointed at all.

I took my before photos yesterday and was disappointed in myself. I’m not happy with the current state of affairs. The photos do not lie. In 2008 I was fit. Over the last 2 years my workouts have waned and the diet has slipped as well, allowing too much ice cream and Fox Bros. BBQ.

My energy level has decreased too and that’s not good. I need lots of energy to complete all the projects I have. I encourage you to join me. Why are you putting it off? Who’s with me? I’ve put this out to the whole world now so I’m accountable.

When getting to know someone, certain topics should be avoided. Here are a few.

1. Health. One time a date went into a lengthy story about a recent surgery. Sure I was concerned but I did not know this woman. I felt a bit awkward. Save the surgery and health issues for later, if the relationship gets to that point.

2. Exes. Never. Ever bring up your exes. Just don’t do it.

3. Sports stats (for guys). Unless she’s one of those sideline reporters for ESPN I’d avoid discussing Peyton Manning’s QB rating.

4. Talking only about yourself. As long as there is give and take, a real dialogue, then it’s fine to talk about yourself. However if your jaw is tired because you’ve dominated the conversation for the last 2 hours, shut up!

5. Bathroom Humor. Keep it classy.

What are some subjects that should stay off limits in those first dates? Tell me a time of when a guy or girl brought up something he or she shouldn’t have.

You know that I started a new project this year, WorkingInMusic.com. From now on all music related posts will be there. Please add that site to your reader.

Here on JamSmooth.com I plan to continue focusing on dating, relationships and other JamSmooth adventures, but also exercise. In 2005 after the distribution company I worked for relocated, I decided to become a personal trainer. I got certified by the American Council on Exercise. I trained over 50 clients of all ages that year. It was a very rewarding job.

Fitness, health, nutrition and exercise are some of my greatest passions in life. So I am going to share that passion and enthusiasm for you. Who knows, maybe we can create a community who gets fit together, sharing our victories and encouraging each other? I think so.

Starting off this series about who pays for dates proved interesting. I am not a millionaire, yet. If a woman was only into me for my money then that relationship would be fake. If the money disappeared then so would she.

So for the money-conscious, what are some good, inexpensive dates?

Dave Ramsey had a few. Here are 20 ideas from About.com. Even AskMen.com had has 10 cheap date ideas.

For first dates I like the coffee or meet for a drink date. It’s inexpensive and allows for a quick getaway if your date is a total bore. When the relationship gets further along I love to cook. Then you can show off your culinary skills.

What about you JamSmooth readers? Surely you have some great date ideas you can share. I know you’re out there, all over the world. Let’s hear what you’ve got.

This practice of dating goes back to Colonial times. I sit here this morning and wonder, “Is there a better way to get to know someone?” I want to smash this idea of dating that we have. With what? I don’t know. I would like your help.

Dating is a 300 year old concept. Does that concept of dating fit in the 21st Century? The days of the dowry are extinct. Some traditions remain, such as asking the father for his daughter’s hand. Those are good and respectful, but those aren’t a part of dating but marriage.

Sometimes dating is no more than a “job interview” over dinner or drinks. Questions like, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years,” may appear. Or even, “What’s your weaknesses,” or “Tell me a time of when you exhibited leadership.” Is modern dating nothing more than an interview for the position of husband or wife?

Is it time for this 300 year old model of dating to be smashed? Is there another way to get to know someone?