Performing Tonight at the Toledo Funny Bone!!!

Got back from California in one piece, for all of you who haven't heard from me lately. I'm still on a crusade to find that healthy person who dwells within me. For Christmas, my Dad got me a Ninja Food Processor, which has been really awesome! Totally digging the protein shakes better made that way. I didn't go too crazy at the In-N-Out Burger, BTW...

Tonight I went to a Poetry Reading at Books & Company, and read two poems. One was actually a poem I wrote from a joke I do in my act. Will post the video in the next day or so to my facebook page. For those of you who haven't noticed, I've rechristened the Rich Jones Show. Basically, it's now just a cool intro from someone followed by 60-90 seconds of comedy from my live shows. I'm really excited about the new format, which I was inspired to do after hearing a session from Todd Hawkins at the Christian Comedy Association Conference.

Tonight, I'm doing a 20-25 spot at the Toledo, OH Funny Bone. Really looking forward to it, and hoping to get some awesome footage. This Saturday the Honky Tonk Man will be signing autographs in my town!! Excited about that, too.

Does anyone know a good website developer? I really want to re-do mine, but don't want to break the bank. I've lost count how many domains I've purchased. Speaking of which, this is a good time to announce a new project of mine. Some comedian friends and I will be putting together an event specifically designed for Church Singles' groups. The site still isn't up, but it will be called eHAHAmony... Stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you for this time to share with you about what's on my heart, and if you're near Toledo later today, come see me perform. It's an ALL clean show. Thank you and have a blessed mid-week!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

California, Here I Come...

Somehow I survived subbing yesterday on 3 hours of sleep. Really, it's not like I actually had to teach anything. I'm supposed to be an authority figure, but somehow I have a feeling the students only see me as a hall pass ATM... Yeah, that's a new one. Tomorrow, I fly out to L.A.X. in California. Last time I was there, I flew into John Wayne, and got my picture with a statue of the Duke. The only bummer to going to L.A. is I'm only there till Wednesday, and some of my comedian friends who usually go are skipping out this one.

Nevertheless, I'm hitting the In-N-Out Burger for some protein wraps, if that's what they're called. I gotta get this secret menu thing down, so I don't look like a weirdo ordering at the counter. South Beach Diet phase one is going awesome for me. It's nice to not have cravings for sweets anymore. I actually had cravings the other night for them, but to counteract that, I made some Trader Joe's Black Mango Tea with Splenda. It worked out fine.

I will try to blog or at least update my facebook status while I'm away. Stay tuned for some interesting Rich Jones Show Episodes. Life is good... Thank you for your support!!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Acts 20:24
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

So Far... So Good...

So far so good on the South Beach Diet... I've pretty much lost any cravings I had for sweets and various other foods that are fattening. I also got to hit the elliptical this week, which was amazing. It actually felt really good to go the distance on it. I have been a little under the weather lately, but I don't think it has anything to do with the change in eating.

It's been a long-time coming, and I'm anxious to go to the In-N-Out Burger this coming week when I'm out in L.A. I'm actually going to try the protein wrap, which I've never had. From what I hear, they wrap the burger in lettuce, and exclude the bun. It sounds like a great idea, especially for anyone who's on the South Beach or Atkins Diet. Personally, I've never tried Atkins, but my sister did. She lost a lot of weight, but as soon as she re-introduced carbs to her diet, it all came back.

Going to cut this entry short, because I have to be up in 4 hours to get ready to substitute teach again. Thank you all and have a wonderful weekend!! Will try to update everyone when I'm in L.A. Godspeed...

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Tomorrow...

I must admit, I thought about putting off blogging until late tomorrow (technically today), until I came across a marvelous quote from Abraham Lincoln. "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow, by evading it today." Such strong words from one of our greatest presidents of all-time. I must admit, like Nicholas Cage's character Ben Gates from the movie National Treasure, I've always loved Lincoln as well. Imagine the amount of stress he had to cope with during such a time as the American Civil War. While families were divided against one another, and he had the weight of a nation bearing down on his responsibility to lead. It would've been interesting to see how our nation would've turned out if he was never assassinated. After surviving the war, and leadership he gave, I would've expected him to be an even greater leader, whose potential to accomplish great things had not even begun to be untapped.

The truth is we don't have tomorrow. We only have today. Often over-stated is this idea that tomorrow doesn't exist. I still have a hard time believing it's 2011. Where does the time go? It definitely went by slower when I was a kid, but I've also found that it took longer to get places back then as well. That probably has something to do with the fact that my mom was driving, and to my disadvantage there are times I have a lead-foot. It's not too bad anymore though.

I just finished reading the book by Bret "The Hitman" Hart. It was great in the sense that he presents himself as a human being, finite in every way. I had grown up painting a picture of his life as a super hero fighting off the bad guys that lurked in the wrestling arenas everywhere, but to see him open up the aspects of his real-life bearing it for the whole world to see was an eye-opener.

Gonna read some other cool books I recently bought. While I had to track it down in the children's section, it's definitely long enough, and captivating for those of all ages to read, but I recently purchased "The Never Ending Story" by Michael Ende. Of course I've seen two of the many movies based off the book, but what's interesting for me is to read the book by the original author, and it helps me appreciate the true creativity behind the actual story. It's really hard for me to get into a movie/book that's not by the original author. Even unrelated sequels bother me, because I feel as though the one telling the story stole the idea from the original author.

School is back in session. Hopefully I get some subbing gigs soon. Also I stayed true to eating healthy yesterday. Looking forward to doing the same today, and implementing more exercise. Thanks a bunch for all the encouragement! Don't let life get you down!

Forever In Christ,

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Micah 6:8 - “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Forgiveness...

I vaguely remember writing yesterday's blog. It kind of makes sense, and in a lot of ways it seems very anti-climatic for me. I think I was exhausted from the lack of sleep I acquired as a result of New Year's Eve, which I really did nothing exciting. The most exciting thing I did today, aside from going to Trader Joe's, was I did happen to break out the Slap Chop I bought at CVS from last summer. That dude is so creepy. Especially, if you actually listen to what he says on the commercials.

"Linguine, Martini, Bikini..."

Maybe, I'm a novice, but I don't any those will achieve the best results if placed in the Slap Chop. Have no idea how he did it, but it doesn't clean up nearly as well as he makes it look on television. There's no sense in putting it in the dishwasher either, because there's a spring on the handle, which would most likely rust, or wear out. As stated earlier on my Twitter, I finally used the Slap Chop, and my life is even more boring...

On the positive note, I did venture out today to Trader Joe's. In my opinion, they have one of the best atmospheres I've ever seen as far as customer service friendly employees, and cleanliness for any grocery store I've ever seen, not to mention affordable prices. Mahi Mahi, which is probably my all-time favorite fish to grill is only $5 per pound there, compared to $13 per pound at Dorothy Lane Market.

Not sure if I even touched on it yesterday, but I started phase one of the South Beach Diet yesterday. So far, it's gone very well. I've been on it previously, and cravings for sweets always go away after about the 4th or 5th day on it.

Amazingly enough, I've been reading a lot more as of late. It's almost a total one-eighty, especially since the last time I walked out of Half-Price Books, I purchased more books than movies, which I'm officially up to 2,044 DVD's in my movie collection. We're talking store bought, ones as well. If I wasn't buying them used, trust me, I wouldn't have that many. I only mentioned the number, because a lot of my friends keep asking me.

Back to reading, I'm currently finishing up Bret "The Hitman" Hart's autobiography about his real life in the cartoon world of professional wrestling. It's definitely a great read, especially for any pro-wrestling fan. The one amazing thing about it, is they published it before he actually buried the hatchet with fellow professional wrestler, Shawn Michaels. If you don't know, they disliked each other in real-life for a number of years. There was a lot of professional animosity, between the two. Bret Hart swore he would never forgive Shawn Michaels for backstabbing him on his way out of the WWF in 1997. He also said he would never work for the WWF, now known as the WWE ever again. In an amazing turn of events, last year on January 4th, 2010, his music hit the arena speakers as he walked to the wrestling ring as a special guest host for WWE Monday Night Raw. His first words on the live microphone were "Well, I guess Hell froze over..." Then he called for Shawn Michaels to come to the ring. It was so surreal, as they actually talked it out, and after burying the hatchet, embraced in a hug. Who says you can't learn any life-lessons from professional wrestling???

A favorite quote of mine I posted on Facebook about a week ago was in fact on the issue of Forgiveness. C.S. Lewis is amazing! I still need to see the latest Narnia flick, but he once said "
We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it." How true it rings out...

Thank you again for all the encouragement to continue this journey. Hope you all have a blessed new year, and forgive those who have disappointed you, as you would have them forgive you. God Bless, and stay tuned for news about my upcoming trip to California...

Peace Out...

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Luke 6:37 - “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

An New Year... A New Day... A New Life...

You heard it here, and the subject states. After a long period of time spend loathing in self-pity, and coming full-circle, it's time to move forward. The holidays are the perfect excuse to justify eating in abundance. I didn't say it was good excuse, but it's certainly one that become to common and cliche' for our society.

Today, like any day from here on out becomes a reason to be better. As my Mom is so fond of pointing out, a situation can either make you bitter or better. So which is the one you should seek? No brainer, there for sure. Food and living lethargic has become too much of a norm in our society. I don't want to be another statistic. More importantly, I want to personally thank everyone for their support, despite my weakness in not continuing to blog on a more consistent basis, and failure to rely more on God and less on indulging.

With a number of side-projects, and the continuing journey as a comedian, would like to announce some big things coming up. In a week, I will be flying out to Los Angeles for some comedy related work, and the Christian Comedy Association's annual conference. Still awaiting the release of my DVD project with Thor Ramsey from last October, which will be top notch. Will announce here when it become available for purchase on my website. Stay tuned.

Thank you again, and God bless!

Rich Jones
www.richjonescomedy.com

Psalm 90:12 - “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”