This Is The One Where I Geek Out Over Wrestling...

So this day has come and gone. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so they say... I've actually set out to prove that's not always the case, but have yet to do so. Usually when someone says something isn't possible, doesn't make you want to prove them wrong? I can say that's the case for me about 90% of the time. Of course, if it's breaking a law, I'm not that eager to do so, but if it's an actual accomplishment in a field that I'm somewhat interested in, then why not?

I'm still anxiously awaiting the release of two DVD projects that I was fortunate enough to be apart of. One is Derrick Tennant & Friends, which was actually filmed last January. It was a great show, and from what I was told my set was the only one that didn't need editing so much. (Could it be because I always work clean?!?) The other one is a bigger deal, as I'm one of the comedians featured on Thor Ramsey's New Comedy Revolution 2. That particular DVD will be available on my website, once it's released. Be sure to get your copy there, as it will most likely be cheaper on my site than at a live show (SHHH!!! Don't tell anyone...)

As mentioned on my facebook yesterday probably my all-time favorite wrestling match was Bret Hart vs. Curt Hennig for the Intercontinental Championship at Summerslam 1991. The reason I say that is the technical wrestling alone was phenomenal! It was one of the first pay-per-views I actually watched live as it happened. Finding out later though, Curt Hennig was injured before the match even took place. Rather than forfeit the title, he chose to wrestle Bret Hart out of respect so that he could drop the title to him, which also turned out to be the first submission victory over Curt Hennig during that run in the WWF. That particular match actually launched Bret Hart's singles' career and made him my all-time favorite wrestler. I have a few other favorites, but no one come close to him. The picture above was actually when he walked by me in the hotel during Wrestlemania 8 weekend. I kind of froze up, but still managed to get a quick picture of him. Hopefully, I will get to meet him for real someday. So, you just witnessed me geek out over wrestling. It won't be the last time...

My efforts to succeed on this weight-loss/being more healthy journey were great today. I stayed under 1000 calories, and avoided foods containing a lot of sugar. I'm feeling much better physically, as foods with a lot of fat, etc. I've found tend to make me feel depressed afterward. Haven't been there in over a month, but as good as Five Guy's Burgers & Fries is, after I finish eating there, I always wonder why I went there in the first place. When you don't eat out as much, you save a ton of money, I must say.

Thank you again for your continued support! Friday (technically today), I'm hoping to go and meet Tobymac who will be signing autographs at Barnes & Noble near hear. If you see a picture later you will know I was successful! Have a great weekend! God bless!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

GET A DREAM & HOLD ONTO IT!!!

I'm still here. What was once today, has now become yesterday, and there is no tomorrow. I've always been intrigued by that idea of there never being tomorrow. There's only today. We're only guaranteed that much. We spend so much of our life worrying about what other people think. I once heard an awesome quote from Bill Cosby. He said "I don't know what the secret to success is, but the secret of failure is trying to please everyone." No, I didn't hear that in a Jello Pudding commercial, either...

Not sure if I've ever offended anyone on stage, but I'm sure I have in real life. Sometimes I speak before I think things through (on occasion...) I remember offending someone at college because I said that all the guys in praise & worship bands were the ones who couldn't make it in real bands. I was actually repeating what one of my friends had told me, which at the time I thought was amusing, but looking back it was pretty harsh. Who am I to criticize someone using their specific talent for the glory of God??? It could just as easily been said about me with my comedy. Sometimes, especially when I first started I think I got a lot of sympathy laughs. Not in clubs, but mostly in churches does this seem to be the case. If you've been doing comedy a few years, you can usually tell if someone really is laughing or they're pretending to do so. I would rather people not laugh then to hear the shriek of fake laughs penetrate the room.

So I guess the moral of today's entry is basically everyone has a special talent they're good at. No matter how long it takes, try to find it! As I stated before on Facebook, those who criticize the dreams of others are too scared to live out their own. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something (unless it's a crime of course...) As the immortal Dusty Rhodes once said "Get a dream and hold on to it!!"

One of my dreams is to achieve this goal of mine, which in the last three days I've been able to stay away from foods with tons of sugar, and fat. I haven't gone over 1000 calories for each of the last three days. Food isn't the object of my attention. I've lost 5 lbs in the last three days. I want to thank everyone for your constant support... & find out what you're good at & go for it!!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

1 Peter 1:24-25 - “For, All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.”

Back From My First Poetry Reading...

Miss me? It's been a long month. I finally hit the big 32, and even hosted an episode of my radio show on my birthday. Had some awesome comedians call in to be be apart of it. I wouldn't say it was my best show, but there were some good times.

Tonight, (which was technically yesterday), I did my very first ever poetry reading at Books & Company. It was a wonderful experience. No, I didn't attempt to be funny, as it was more serious. They really seemed to enjoy it, and the same poem will be included in the apologetic book I'm writing. (Apologetic, meaning defense of the Christian faith... Not because I think it's going to wreak...) Funny thing about the poetry reading... I was actually wondering if I would have any hecklers. Tonight was great!!

This lifestyle change I've embarked on, thus far has been a huge challenge. Emotions run high when you're trying to lose weight. It's easy to second guess yourself, and think what you're doing is futile. People say things to you which are discouraging. Others think they're helping you by offering the kind of food you're trying to stay away from. For me right now, I'm going through a detox stage. As of now, I just made it passed the second day. The cravings are starting to vanish.

Thank you all for your encouragement, and constant support! Have a blessed rest of the week!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Hebrews 4:12 - “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Spite...

Another day has come and gone. Today, I got to substitute teach welding... as if I know how to do it... I was mainly there to make sure they didn't turn the torches on each other. My first year there, some kid smashed his fingertip, which was hanging off the edge of his finger. Lucky for me, when he came in the office to go to the nurse, he had his back to me, otherwise I would've spewed.

I kind of feel like I'm at a stop light in my life right now. You know, when you're waiting for answers that nobody knows? Well, almost nobody, but we know better than that. I'm trying to do some new things. If anyone's game, I got a poem to read on October 26th (Town & Country Books & Co. in Kettering, OH).

I mentioned earlier on my facebook page that "spite" is a good motivator to exercise. I don't know if that's true or not, or even if it's healthy to think that way. Most people when you're trying to lose weight are either encouraging or critical. For me, I feel like I let myself get overweight and keep it up for so long because eating is an easy way to relieve stress from criticism, worry, and other emotional issues. It's not easy to push away something you've gotten into the routine of doing for so long.

I'm between 233-232lbs right now. Exercised today, and did 30 minutes on the elliptical. I also ate healthy. I enjoyed some boneless, skinless, teriyaki chicken chunks (that's what they were called!!!) and some blueberries sweetened with splenda. I feel good right now. Better after typing all this and sharing it with everyone. Thank you again for your continued support and encouragement. Hope you have a great weekend coming up. I'm in for it tomorrow, as I'm subbing for a class which the last time I was in, I ended up writing up four girls. You know they'll be out for revenge... Peace Out...

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

New Season of Life...

Well, well, well... Look who decided to show up... Me!!! How's it going everyone? What a day today was... I decided to get out of my comfort zone, and go out... Of course, I didn't stray too far from it at Sam's Club. I figure since my Dad put me on his membership, I should get the most out of it. I love pulling out my card to show them at the door, and seeing them act like they don't care. Of course, if I didn't have it ready they'd act like homeland security, wanting to see it.

I bought some boneless, skinless chicken teriyaki nuggets (for lack of a better term...) They were awesome! I happened to notice the above image when I was pulling into the parking lot where Sam's is located. I gotta hand it to Jenny Craig. She's displaying one characteristic of Jesus Christ. She's meeting the broken, where they are.

Weighed myself today, and I was 233lbs. So, I got 68lbs to go. I must admit, I did stress out a little during my DVD taping, and probably ate what I shouldn't have. However, I'm back on track, and doing a lot more exercise. Today I did an hour on the elliptical.

I'm going to try something new later this month. As, I was looking on the website of Books & Company, which is a local bookstore in Dayton, I came across an events section. They've had some really well-known authors there in the past to sign books, and mingle, such as Anne Rice, Gene Hackman (yes, the actor), Mick Foley (yes, the wrestler), among others. Tonight they had Peter Farrow (of Peter, Paul, and Mary who wrote & sung "Puff The Magic Dragon"). I would've stayed for it, but I didn't have $16 to buy his book, which was required. But what I noticed, is they have a Poetry Night, where you can get up and read your work to others. Never done it before, but I've written a few poems, so I'm going to be there at the Town & Country Books & Company in the Joe Mugg's Cafe on October 26, at 7:30pm to read a Rich Jones Classic Poem. Be there or be square... whatever that means... They told me I have to be clean and family appropriate, as if I wouldn't be... I find it so funny when a comedian who's always dirty attempts to work clean, and complains about how difficult it is. I'm not saying I'm always funny, but it's not hard when you've never worked dirty. The moral of the story... Be family friendly!! You'll get a lot more respect.

Thank you all for your attention. I appreciate all the encouragement, and hope you have a blessed rest of the week!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Pippi will always come out on top!!!

What a fun day today was! I went hiking at Sugar Creek Metro Park, near Bellbrook, OH. It's a nice place to hike, a little more busier than Grant Park, which is probably my favorite, but long trails, and I even saw a deer today. My faithful Chihuahua, Zelda came along and scared off any coyotes. Actually, I did hear a few coyote's howling off in the distance. That's when I turned around and took another trail. It got me thinking about the small inconveniences we face in our daily life. Maybe if you're running late to something, or you can't make it to somewhere because you're ill. How many of those could've been times when you were saved from something that could've resulted in a major accident or some large unfortunate event. Yeah, I've probably watched way too many M. Night Shymalan movies, but it does make you wonder. We must've hiked at least 3-4 miles today, and it was beautiful!

If you saw my tweet earlier about getting rude customer service in Friendly's I must say it's not true. That was just an attempt at a joke. (Yeah, cause their name is Friendly's?!? Yeah...) I think some people took it serious. If you haven't figured it out by now, the majority of my tweets and facebook statuses are just me trying out new material to see what kind of a response it will get. Of course, even the most unfunny thing you read, could get the biggest laugh depending on how it's delivered live. However, I enjoy trying to pull off the joke in written form none the less...

I got a few movies today in the mail from Amazon.com. Never Cry Wolf, which is a classic Disney movie they made us watch way back when in science class at school. It's about this guy who goes up to Alaska to find out why the caribou are dying off, which is blamed on the wolves. Interesting flick, not very action-packed, but still enjoyable. I also got Something Wicked This Way Comes. We had to watch that in school a few times. Ray Bradbury story, that was good, especially with the underrated acting of Jonathan Pryce, who played Mr. Dark, and the late great actor Jason Robards. Also got the recent Adam Sandler flick involving stand-up comedy, Funny People. Not sure how appropriate it will be, but wanted to give it a chance. Finally, I got the New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, because Pippi will always come out on top!!!

In "dieting", for lack of a better term, been doing good. I enjoyed some non-fat plain yogurt from Trader Joe's today. I learned a neat trick for flavoring it way back when. Add any flavor of Sugar-Free Jello mix to it, and it's instant flavor! More as it comes... Thank you guys for the opportunity to share my life with you! Thank you for your encouragement!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”

The Warrior In Me...

Gosh, it's been almost a week since my last entry. One of my career goals was finally achieved, and will for sure be one of many to come. The show with Thor Ramsey went awesome!! The DVD project is in post-production and hopefully will be available for release within the next three months. The turnout was great!! I had a wonderful spot on the show... Right in the middle!!! Don't want to spoil everything, but hopefully a national distribution deal comes of this soon, because it was a killer show!!

On a side note, I'm officially single again... I kind of already was, but it's actually official now... That's not an open invite or anything... It's funny, because being single actually brings out the warrior in me. It's kind of like being on the hunt, and wanting to be conditioned for it. Although, I'm really focusing on career & ministry goals right now, God is in control.

Today, I went hiking for the first time in quite a while. Got some awesome photos, as I was walking the trails. Grant Park in Centerville, OH is one of my favorite places to go. If I don't sub tomorrow, I want to go again to another trail, possibly Cox Arboretum. I've never been there. The only drawback is you can't take pets. My dog, Zelda loves hiking!! I may just go to another where I can actually take her. Here's some shots of today's journey into the woods...



As I continue on this spiritual journey to lose weight and grow in Christ, I've been working on my book. Today, I focused on writing a chapter involving the call of someone the world had no hope in. He was delivered from death, and eventually became a great prophet that helped shape the world he lived in. More as it is written, but hopefully some of you will find your story is similar. I'm finding mine is every day. Going at it tooth & nail... Thanks to everyone who believes...

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Isaiah 55:6 - “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”