The Latest Happenings

It’s been over 2 weeks since my last post here on TDL. What have I been up to? Quite a few things actually, including a handful of new posts, for TDL, and elsewhere. I also launched a new website, started a couple fan pages on Facebook, and was interviewed on an internet radio show.
I’m only hours away from going on that camping trip I mentioned as well, and as such, I won’t have internet access for the next week. In the meantime, check out everything mentioned above, below.
“The People” of The 21 Convention
This is a TDL style shout out to the individuals involved with The 21 Convention over the past few years. It is definitely worth checking out if you are at all interested in who helps run “the show” (which includes TDL for sure).
T21C Documentary Teaser Clip (El Topo)
A ~90 second HD video from the documentary currently in production. Bet your ass it’s good.
The 21 Convention is Coming to DVD…
Why I Prep: Bug Out Bags, Dual Citizenship, Zombies, Plant Pemmican & Other Mischief (Explained)

I released a post not long ago, about what I pack in my “bug out bags”.
You can read and view it here (mostly video, followed by item links that correspond to each video).
When creating the post, I knew I faced quite a challenge to communicate what I … really wanted to communicate.
I had all of these links, and a rather long, not terribly exciting series of videos. Both definitely needed more “splainin”, but I knew that if I tried to include a bunch of text either before or after the videos, it would just become a mess. Too much to absorb in one sitting.
I decided to split the post into two separate pieces, and today, is part two. My “master plan” is simply this: explain the underlying themes fueling part one so it makes more sense, and becomes more useful to those interested in a similar path/hobby.
Kinda put the cart before the horse, but in due time, I think these articles will work really well…
Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse: What’s in my “Bug out Bag”?

What follows is something that started small, but quickly morphed into an ongoing hobby of mine: “prepping”.
What is “prepping” you ask? Simply put, preparing.
Preparing for what?
Well, if that was your next question, you are on the right track my friend =). The short answer would be “anything and everything”.
Being “prepared” allows me to up and leave my home whenever I choose, at the drop of a hat. It doesn’t matter where I’m heading – whether it be an island for 3 days, a friends house a hundred miles away, or my family’s home 200 miles away – the preparation applies to all domestic* locations.
I’ll also be taking the two backpacks with me internationally in the coming months, although the contents will have to be modified accordingly for each country.
In any case, the discussion of “preparing for what?” requires more depth than this post will coherently fit, so we’ll leave it for another day.
Today, I’ll share a 3 part video series of “What’s…
Taking the Next Step

I wrote a post, a while back, on college, life, work, and beyond. I was “brutally honest”, and in return, the comments/discussion were honest, and invigorating as well. It felt great to open up, and see that type of response. I think it says a lot on both ends of the spectrum.
In any case, the purpose of this post is to serve as a follow up to the original, and once again be the personal “battle field” of my thoughts on college, life, work, and beyond.
The idea to write this post first came to me last Saturday. The source, to say the least, was unexpected and a bit startling. Sounds strange, but it literally felt like a wave crashing over me when “it” happened, and reality sunk in.
What was “it” you ask?
For the second time in a row, in my fourth year of college at the University of Central Florida, I managed to fail* “How to Start a Business” (the second time only taking me…
Heros and Villains
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I propose the following idea: that certain historical “heroes”, are not heroes at all, and that certain historical “villains” are not villains at all.
Of particular interest are Genghis Khan and Abraham Lincoln (often referred to as one of our “greatest presidents”).
Simply put, I believe the history and legacies of these two men have been severely distorted.
This is probably why I vividly remember my 10th grade “world history” teacher (Mrs. Copeland) defining “history” as a well agreed upon pack of lies.
So much so in fact, that the conventional views of these two men, are the inverses of what common sense would reveal upon further investigation.
Let’s start with Genghis Khan.
The first time I heard anything about or relating to Genghis Khan was on TV in an episode of South Park, when one of the characters said “God damn Mongolians”.
That was then followed by a mounted horde of “Mongolians” trampling over a hill. I’ll never forget it.
More recently, I saw Genghis Khan directly mentioned in Uncharted 2: Among…
2010 Greater Orlando Fitness Challenge (/w Drew Baye & Patrick Diver)
What?
A one time, non profit, evening seminar from some of the top personal trainers in the country (and a two medical doctors, but the real gold is in the trainers!)
Where?
The Sheraton of Downtown Orlando (right across from The 21 Convention hotel)
When?
Tuesday January 12th, 2010
Who?
Drew Baye from Baye.com and The 21 Convention 2009 (see his entire speech here for free), and Patrick Diver from GreyhoundFitness.com (Patrick was the HIT trainer who originally introduced me to Body by Science, and later Moment Arm Exercise).
Needless to say, these two men have been some of the most influential in my personal education of exercise.
There will also be two MD’s present at the event to speak about nutrition (I don’t know them however and won’t vouch for them like I do Patrick and Drew).
Cost?
The cost to attend is $20, although technically it’s a “mandatory donation”, since all profit goes to…
The Quest for Nutritional Truth: Why I Eat the Way I Eat

At this point, I’ve tried writing this post over half a dozen times. I’ve promised it for so long, I’ve decided to finally hammer it out, no matter the cost. I feel good though. My head is clear, and I’ve done enough writing lately that I feel I can organize my thoughts clearly, logically, and passionately.
Let’s begin by analyzing why this post has been so hard to write for me.
In short, “nutrition” is an important topic to me. It’s something I have been heavily interested in for many years now, have spent a lot of time (as in hundreds, if not thousands of hours) reading about, and had many different experiences as I tried nearly everything under the sun that caught my attention in the field.
We could summarize all that as, I’ve invested a lot personally into the subject – both intellectually, and in real life actions taken.
But, it doesn’t end there. The second reason it’s taken…
Need Your Help

The 21 Convention 2010 (USA and Euro events) speaking lineup has been released.
However, I’m sort of stumped on who to invite for “nutrition” at the US event in Orlando. Ideally I want Kurt Harris there from PaleoNu. However, I spoke with him via e-mail and (at the moment) it seems unlikely that he will be there.
My next choice is Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint. I believe he would give a great speech, but it would be more educational than controversial.
Not necessarily a bad thing, but I want The 21 Convention to create waves in the field of nutrition, not just educate. I think in doing so, more people will be drawn to the online videos, and more people (that are looking for quality information), will find it.
So, any suggestions? There are a lot of choices obviously, but I’d like to hear from you guys before I make a call on this one.
Another thing I’m open to suggestions on are European speakers for exercise/nutrition (or…
“Leave me alone, allow me to mess up and learn on my own”

I apologize for the lack of focus on new content for The Dream Lounge lately (I have stayed up to speed on comments however). Things have gotten especially hectic over the past few weeks with the addition of organizing an annual camping trip my former best friend Curtis and I started in 2007, on top of my regular “duties” of directing two conventions, producing a documentary, school, and so forth.
Please don’t shed tears for me, but do have patience! I am all about quality, and will sacrifice none on this blog for the sake of getting a post out about an idea/subject that is of great importance to me.
So it’s known, there are two subjects that I am determined to get my ideas out on (coherently). What I Eat and Why, and for lack of a better term “politics”, although that does a poor job of communicating my thoughts on where my generation is heading without serious intervention (“awakening”). As nerdy as…
Facebook Fun
This is the re-posting of a recent discussion on my facebook, I thought it would prove interesting.
In response to my post about pre, during, and post workout nutrition, a close friend wrote
just to give a counterpoint
consider why men go to the gym today. Most go to increase muscle size/health/sexual attractiveness. IMO they are not concerned with doing it the “most” healthy way, but rather gaining results in the quickest and most efficient way.
My response:
“Health” and increased muscle mass are always intertwined. Thinking you can only have one and not the other is erroneous at it’s core. The same goes for best results and best use of time – best results require very little time.
I understand that with your beliefs, this is not the healthiest way about it. but you cannot deny that working out the way most people do is still better then sitting on the couch and eating potato chips. therefore, effectively, they are living a healthier lifestyle.
My response:
Yes I can, watch me =)
“Exercise” (random physical activity) the way most…

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