February 20/13 ZWOW #15. Not gonna say much

Hey Gang,
Keepin it short and sweet for those of you keepin tabs on me ;)
ZWOW #15 tonight http://youtu.be/0dyaGe-MUhs
Another time challenge 5 rounds as fast as possible. I did 4 in 16:59.3. I died, and in fact am still in the process of dying.
10 x ground to overheads
10 x single leg weight squat
10 x skull crushers
10 x V-ups
10 x 180 degree lateral jump burpees (this is where the dying commenced)
So there ya have it, told ya it was short and sweet, just like me ;)

Feb 18/13 ZWOW #14...I'm baaa-ack, did ya miss me?

Sorry about the mini hiatus, the fam jam comes first in this household and I think we were all feeling a little neglected! So family weekend it was! Everyone was super cuddly yesterday, but today both my men, little and big, are sick, seems to be when the cuddling ensues.
Anyway, I didn't do any ZWOW's while I broke, but was active. I'm determined to get better at skipping and we have a beautiful old train trestle by our house that's been all rebuilt for pedestrian traffic. The boys and I went there yesterday on our beautiful sunny Sunday :)
ZWOW 14, http://youtu.be/GKfWgnB4h38
Time challenge 5 rounds as fast as possible!
10 x push press (meh, boring, but I see the purpose they serve, my bum is feeling bubblicious)
10 x thrusters (same as above, but now my ass might fall off)
10 x back curl lunge (I was shocked my balance and rather enjoyed how strong these made me feel)
10 x preacher curl (oh, I was praying alright, man alive these were effing deceiving! Z makes it look so easy!!)
10 x weight lunge jumps (all the nice warm fuzzy feeling from lunges above have completely disappeared and my ass is hanging on by a cheek thread)
10 x broad jump fuck DEATH burpee ( murther effing fugging GD %#@$!@!£%#*)
5 rounds 19:20.5
Also I added a lovely little ab routine (see pic) my bestie threw my way 2 weeks and here I come Sports Illustrated!! The snow suit edition ;)

Feb 13/13 ZWOW #13...TABATA

I am a TABATA NINJA!!
Tonight's workout ZWOW #13 http://youtu.be/XB7k7NzYSPQ
20 sec high interval 10 sec rest for 16 mins. That's 32 rounds people of this magic:
Alternate leg cup squat (fun, no really FUN!)
Weighted leg raise (Z did it with a 6lb medicine ball...I don't have one but I do have 5lb strap on (dirty minds) ankle weights, OUCH! Going over the work out before hand I definitely thought this was going to be an ab killer, but it attacked my hip flexors with a vengeance. Tomorrow should be interesting as I was already walking like a zombie from those pistols the day before yesterday, mraaaagh)
Bunny hops (oh look at the cute little bunny hops, aren't they sweet wittle bun buns...fuck me with an Easter egg, not cute, not cool and definitely deceiving! Thanks Zuzana!! No really...thanks...ya thanks.
And last, drum roll folks, BROAD JUMP DEATH BURPEES! Seriously DEATH burpees. I don't think I can explain it any better than that.
Dinner tonight turkey stuffed bell peppers and damn yummy!!
In closing, even if I don't lose an ounce this week, I'm a TABATA NINJA!!

Feb 11/13 ZWOW#12...sit on your pistol and spin

Good evening strugglers or fans of the struggle! Tonight was a doozie! I was determined to do it at my own pace and bust right to the end without Zuzana's help. I definitely did that!
ZWOW #12 http://youtu.be/0JoAIaT991A
AMRAP in 10 mins
10 x pistols (fuck my quads! If you've never attempted these I suggest you try just 1. I ended up using the leg press attachment at the end of my bowflex for balance. Finally used that bitch for something other than a towel/skipping rope rack. If I can walk tomorrow I will be awestruck)
20 x low jack (these seem so innocent at first, like a friends baby that you meet for the first time in a public coffee establishment and are holding it above your face cooing at how cute he is, only to have him vomit fresh breast milk IN TO YOUR MOUTH...that my friends is the low jack)
10 x dynamite burpees (oh hell, you KNOW how I feel about these dressed up fancy schmancy burpees, a rose by any other name still has thorns and those bitches hurt!)
20 x low jacks (please refer to above baby vomit story, also note this is also a true story inflicted on someone else who likes to dress up burpees in fancy dresses, karma my friends...karma)
I got through 3 rounds of this exactly and I don't think I've ever been closer to crying at the end of a workout, better than puking nonetheless!
Dinner tonight was chicken breast rubbed with fresh squeezed orange juice, olive oil and chopped fresh rosemary. Roasted parsnips and shallots with garlic on the side. Pretty good chicken was a little on the dry side, probably would've been better marinated rather than rubbed, just like most of girls ;) especially when it comes to breasts, lol, couldn't resist that wide open door!!!
Peace out homies, see y'all tomorrow!!

Feb 10/13 ZWOW 11...I need my potty

So every goddamned fiber of my being was begging me not to work out tonight. My husband and I have spent two very looooong days attempting to potty train our 22 month old son. We've gotten as far as him saying "uh-oh" as he's peeing and hold his poor little junk so none gets on the floor. So it's been a very emotional day and a very hard day to be focused on myself. But, with that being said, not focusing on myself is exactly what got me to who I was two weeks ago!
New mommies! It's ok, in fact it's a must, to take time for your selves!!!! It doesn't have to be busting your ass, but it does have to be ALL ABOUT YOU! You know what, for that matter, all of you ladies out there this counts for you too. I know tonnes of selfless women without kids who still trounce around taking care of everyone else and never themselves. You know what the reality is of it folks, you don't take care of your self and you get sick or injured or exhausted, and all those people you took care of, they will either start taking care of their damn selves, or find someone else to do it for them. A little harsh and not true in the case of our children or maybe ailing parents but everyone else with two feet and a heart beat would not be too hard done by to do for themselves while you get a little you time. OK bitchy rant over :)
Dinner tonight...an amazing pork and tomatillo stew. Just spicy enough to get the sinuses flowing and the blood! I give the dinner cred for the amazing workout tonight!
ZWOW #11http://youtu.be/zB5rnCbtY8s
AMRAP in 10 mins
10 x Mule kicks (these were fun, I know, I'm getting the "sickness")
10 x Sumo pushups (not all from my knees ;))
20 x Side jump lunges
Managed to get through 4 rounds exactly, lots of breath catching breaks, soaking with sweat, and almost had to crack the window in here tonight!
Oh yes, weigh in results for those interested...down from 189.0 to 185.8 a loss of 3.2lbs and from 43.3% BF to 42.6% BF. 3.2lbs was exactly my goal for this week and if I can keep that up puts me on course to being 130lbs for Tough Mudder! I did the calculations and the thing I'm happiest about is that my BF% is exactly my weight loss meaning every oz I lost was fat no lean muscle! Yay Paleo!! See ya all tomorrow and HAPPY FAMILY DAY :)

Feb 09/13 ZWOW #10...skipping is for pussies

I am literally fighting back the vomit...ZWOW #10http://youtu.be/OMJ7HEauiME
AMRAP in 10 mins
100 x skips (brand new still kinky skipping rope didn't help my time, not skipping since I was 19 while doing training for kickboxing, did not help my water stay in my stomach, super stoked I didn't eat dinner before this bad boy)
20 x Reptile burpees (I'm still not too sure why a regular fucking burpee isn't good enough???)
20 x Kettle bell jumps (super easy if your form sucks, corrected my self after realizing that this was waaay too easy, masochistic I know right?!? but it's a full squat to pick up that kettle bell and return it and jump explosively out of, except my explosion was like a wet fart trying to escape a paper bag)
I made it through 2 rounds minus 3 Kettle bell jumps.
If your wondering, if, as I get in to better shape if I'll stop bitching about these work outs, you might as just well save your eyes and find another blog to read. I'm so calm, cool and collected in all the other areas of my life (shut up everyone who knows me personally) this is my venting zone. If you don't like it I hear Martha Stewart has a beautiful website :) This is like the coffee we all go to to rag on our perfect husbands, bitch out our sweetheart children, verbally beat our loved and spoiled dogs and trash our jobs (there is not nice adjective for my job, it's a job, it's like dry toast), and go home to aforementioned everyones and love them unconditionally. That's how I see it anyway. So, no, I won't stop bitching. Come back tomorrow and you'll see. Also, tomorrow is weigh in day, for those taking bets!

Feb 08 ZWOW #9....FML

OK THIS IS GOING TO START IN ALL CAPS...YES...I'M FUCKING AWARE THAT'S RUDE! I JUST WROTE MY HUGEST BLOG POST EVER AND MY COMPUTER CRASHED. IT WAS EPIC SHIT TOO. YOU WOULD HAVE LOVED IT! I GOT ALL PHILOSOPHICAL AND SHIT AND MAYBE IT WOULD'VE WON ME AN OSCAR AWARD FOR BLOGGING OR THE GODDAMNED EQUIVALENT OF AN OSCAR FOR BLOGGERS. FUCK RIGHT OFF FUCKITY FUCK FUCK FUCKER FUCK!!! THAT'S RIGHT SPELL CHECK I SAID FUCKITY!
Alright so with all that being said...
Basically I had bitched about this workout ZWOW #9http://youtu.be/SmoGQX1XvJc
AMRAP in 10 mins
10 x Santana push up
10 x 3 pike plyo tuck
30 x crab toe touches (ok, I almost blew a gasket here. My traps cramped up so bad, I got about 5 in and resorted to doing the rest from my back on the floor, still feeling my abs and back though)
20 x low jacks (not bad at these....FINALLY, something I'm not bad at, lol)
Dinner tonight Turkey meatloaf with paleo ketchup (tomato paste and red wine vinegar) and green beans baked with garlic and bacon....mmmmmmm bacon.
As much as I am making an effort to not re-visit my obsession for the scale, I am really looking forward to weighing in on Sunday, I feel good, so I'm not worried about the number, but I am super curious! Peace out, you chubby lovers you, aw come on who doesn't love a good chubby...phhht if you say you don't you're lying ;) Check y'all later

Feb 06/13 ZWOW 8 Just a little bit...in my mouth

yo...s'up...still trying... to catch my breath...
phew...OMG...did I mention I just got my period...
fuck....
OK, ZWOW #8 http://youtu.be/-x9fT4-w-xg
Time challenge 6...count 'em 6 rounds as fast as possible (I did throw up...in my mouth...just  a little bit)
10 forward backward squat jump
10 dragon lunge back w/ kettle bell (10 lbs for me)
10 toe touch jump ups (its a burpee folks with some fancy "look what i can do bull shit thrown in there just to fuck with you)
10 side plank w/ leg lifts both sides (I did this from my elbow first three rounds, and elbow and hip last three rounds, I was horrible at these, room for improvement...wheee...)
6 rounds time 17:46.7

So ya, I almost died, my eye is twitching and I still might lose my dinner. After three rounds my sub conscious had convinced me that I had done 5 rounds and only had one to go (she's such a sneaky bitch, and I think she's really pissed that I haven't let her out to play in a while). But my inner stunt double (wouldn't that be the raddest job ever!) knew better, so I did one more round on my own then turned Zuzana on for the last two. She goes a little more methodically than I usually do, she breathes properly and is super focused on her form, so I find if I need help getting through I just turn my mind off and follow her.
Dinner tonight all the leftovers from all the meals these week so for made a really amazing stirfry, the boys had it with rice, but I resisted! Pat on the back deserved, it is one of my major vices, when I was pregnant I used to make a pot prob 4 servings and mix enough butter in there until it wouldn't even soak it up and a whole whack of soy sauce, oh...my...god...I would have danced naked in the street for that when I was preggo, now maybe just a dimly lit back alley, but NO! I resisted!
I'm feeling like maybe you guys might be getting bored with the same format every night, I try to be witty and charming, but there's really only so far that'll take me...well not if you ask my husband ;) Please let me know if you have questions, suggestions or even a story of your own you'd like to share. It takes a village to lose a fat person people! or was that to raise a child...or it takes a viking to rape a village....oh god I don't know hit me up! Either here or PM me on FB http://www.facebook.com/ang.bridgman?ref=tn_tnmn I'd really love to hear from you, having you guys out there keeps me accountable!

Tues Feb 05 ZWOW 7...Yes...actually I am a badass

Tuesday night...anyone else's least favourite day of the week? Monday's over, but we all legitimately whine and bitch about Monday, so we kind of all have a Monday thing together, right? Well, I consider Tuesday just the hangover from Monday, and it blows. HOWEVER, tonight I may have found the cure!
ZWOW #7http://youtu.be/Rcb9dE7ZYUo
This was  a time challenge so complete 3 rounds of the following as fast as you can
10x Jump lunge side kick (yup sounds every bit of excruciating as it is especially the last 2 on the last round, I wish you guys could hear me working out. Some of my friends know my deal from work out classes we've had together, but I can be quite vocal, and as I'm sure you've picked up I talk like a trucker)
10x Super girl push ups (still doing these from my knees, maybe next week I'll quit being a pussy and "man up" with those bad boys
2 mins of jump rope (no skipping rope yet so did two foot hops over a towel on the floor, personally this exercise alone might force me to fork out the funds for a skipping rope, cause I think this modification made this way harder, or maybe I'll just keep doing it this way! I'm not in the game of taking the easy route out!! you've already forgotten the girly push ups right?
10x Love bends with kettle bell (using 10lb kettle bell)
I completed all three rounds, with only slight mods in 15:15.7...I AM FUCKING STOKED! THIS IS A WICKED TIME FOR ME! YES...ACTUALLY I AM A BADASS!! Do this work out gang (I hope the dudes know that they can totally bust this stuff out too, this is in no way a "chick" workout, if you think your man enough up the weight to your exhaustion point and git'r done boys, I'd love to hear from you!) It is inspiring for me to feel this awesome at this point, total motivation to keep going!
Dinner tonight was a beef roast slow cooked for 8 hours with Chinese 5 spice, chicken broth and red wine. Sided with sugar snap peas that were steamed with rice wine vinegar and some more chicken broth, num! And for those of you that are wondering, I usually have enough left over to take for lunch the next day, and I generally start my day off with a banana, and a coffee with coconut cream whipped with some cinnamon and honey:) Peace out sweaty bitches c'yall tomorrow

Feb 04/13 ZWOW #6 I am not a badass

So remember the other day when I was spouting off about my muscle memory in my legs being rad because of horseback riding as a kid? Ya well, I am not a badass and tonight's workout was the lower body equalizer. I guess its about time I got over the fact that I'm not a kid anymore either, fuck! When did that happen?!?!
ZWOW #6http://youtu.be/re9qkSoucdg
Another AMRAP in 10 mins:
10 pulse plyo jumps (these sounded way more fun than they actually were)
8 side burpees (I'm still doing these with my hip on the ground)
6 Jump leg kickbacks (In my mind I pictured a super rad ninja chick a la Kill Bill, but when I caught myself in the mirror all I saw was chunk from the goonies, lol)
I made it through 4 rounds I am dripping with sweat and it wasn't at all pretty. I'm pretty sure I fell over more than twice, but I didn't give up not once!
Dinner tonight, Portabello mushroom burgers with jalepenos and bacon, man I am really enjoying myself as a paleo cook mmmm mmmm mmmm!!
Now I'm off to reward myself with some Biggest Loser, and maybe a banana with some whipped coconut cream :)

Feb 03/13 ZWOW#5, slip ups and guilt!

Hey gang...So it is Sunday and I haven't posted since Thursday, sorry to leave you all hanging!! Thank you to everyone that was concerned, no I'm not sick, just hella busy!!
Friday was my rest day that was planned! I am so eager to see results that I don't necessarily want a rest day, but, by the time Friday hits I am in need of vegging out. Without rest all that muscle ripping that we've been doing all week cannot heal, and healing is what grows our muscles. Healthy muscles = higher calorie burn!! However, Saturday was not planned! We had a morning brunch with family in town (45 min commute), we had company coming that afternoon, but I was not expecting them when I did, they showed up 10mins after we pulled in the driveway and stayed until well past midnight! So I didn`t get any workout in and I drank about 4 beer!! But I felt good today and determined to get back to it!
So this evenings workout: ZWOW 5 http://youtu.be/rHZH0mnqyAo
This was an AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) in 10 mins
10 Bicep Curl/Shoulder press (8lbs)
30 Mountain Climbers
10 Sumo kettle bell highlifts (10lbs)
5 Burpees
I managed to do 4 rounds and probably could have squeezed another half one out, but was following Z on the video and really focusing on form. There is def some exercises here that could hurt you if you weren`t conscious about your form! Beware!
Another thing I`d like to touch on...I caved...I bought a....dun-dun-duuuuun...SCALE!
I couldn`t do it any more!! I needed to know the secret number, I need to see that number moving for some reason. The one I purchased also has a body fat % reader, so THAT is the number I will focus on, not the poundage! On the plus side (and I`m not focusing on it) when I started this blog I figured I was 195-205 lbs. Well, I`m 189! So yay little victory! However, by BF% is 43.3!! And that is a number I plan on seeing change, big time! My first mini goal is to see it at 40%...baby steps to 21-25%.  I will ONLY weigh myself on Sundays...PROMISE!!
Tonight was the super bowl, but that didn`t get in the way of paleo (not even a beer, I had enough last night). Lime cilantro chicken drummettes and mango, avocado, spinach salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. MMMMMMMM....leftovers for lunch, boo ya!! Peace homies, have your peeps call my peeps and we`ll do it all again tomorrow!

Jan 31/13 ZWOW #4, 142 days to Tough Mudder

Dear Zuzana,
You officially own my ass. However, now that you own it could you please make it as nice as yours. Ass is definitely one of those qualities that I prefer in quality over quantity...

Yes fellow strugglers, or those who are enjoying the struggle by proxy. ZWOW #4...FUUUUUUUCK ME SIDEWAYS!! http://youtu.be/RR6UJLqpoEE
Time challenge...3 round of this:
50 pendulums (I did my first round on the floor, but my belly was cutting off my air supply I think, I got super light headed and almost passed out, so the following 2 rounds I did holding on to the seat bar of my bowflex) oh and (in the past this feeling of almost passing out would of made me quit, but instead I adjusted and carried on)
20 Burpees
15 Kettle Bells (done with 10lb kettle bell)
10 Push ups (I didn't not do the twisted ones, just regular, yes regular not girly!)
5 squats instead of broomstick I used 2 5lb free weights
2 mins of jumprope (i don't have a skipping rope so did 2 mins of high knees, fuck me if 2 mins wasn't an eternity, I wish all the ENJOYABLE 2mins in my life were that long...I'd still be having an orgasm...hahaha)
Time: 22:22.2 (the 2's have it tonight folks)

Dinner tonight was pork roast that was in the slow cooker for 8 hours with cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper flakes and chicken broth, man oh man, it fell apart when I touched it with the fork so tender and moist, mmmmm and baked butternut squash on the side with a little EVOO, garlic, salt and pepper, de-rish-usssss!!

Tomorrow is Friday, and I really couldn't be happier. When you're a full time working mom with a one hour commute each way, there's nothing quite like sleeping in until 6 :-p

Jan 30/13 ZWOW #3, 143 days until Tough Mudder

Hello to all of you witnessing my struggle. It was pointed out to me today that we have 143 day's until Tough Mudder! Only 39% of a year left to train!!
I still have yet to find my scale. I was talking about this with my bestie today. She asked how I was doing with everything, you see she has been a part of this battle with me since we were 13 (and we'll be 33 this year, shhhhhh). She has seen me at my heaviest, weakest, strongest, happiest, most miserable, and thinnest. One doesn't necessarily come with the other in my life. At my absolute thinnest, I was dating a drug addicted alcoholic and was constantly stressed to the hilt. At my very heaviest, which I'm fairly close to now I am happiest (except the lower self esteem of weight gain), I am married to a wonderful supportive genuine and kind loving man, have a beautiful son, two lug headed dogs that I adore, we own two homes and both have well paying full time jobs, so suffice to say I'm at my happiest! Anyway, long story made longer, we were talking about how obsessed I get when I'm chained to the scale. She said that maybe it's good that I can't find it. I replied with one word. Probably.
Another amazing g/f of mine, who has lost 120lbs in 6 months!!!!! posted this quote on her FB wall today, eat healthy and exercise hard and the weight will take care of itself. This is what I'm banking on. I feel great! I don't feel deprived and I am not biting peoples heads off at every turn!
So, tonight's workout:
http://youtu.be/lzy5UZ2jah4 ZWOW #3 The Pyramid, time challenge
5, 10, 15, 10, 5 reps of each (hence the pyramid)
1. Split squat jumps
2. One leg lunge
3. Push-up Supermans
4. Skaters

Time: 13:10.07
I think this time reflects how much strength I have in my lower body, I have always had this growing up a horse back rider and the muscle memory always seems to return quickly. I feel good!! Come on peeps I'm on day three and its already starting to feel better!

Jan 29/13 ZWOD #2 part 1

Well just finished work out and am still catching my breath! I figure it's best for me to get this blog punched out while I'm still in the throws of who know what the fuck I'm feeling right now...nauseous, shaky, but here and doing it!!
Dinner tonight, paleo number 3 people!! Lemon pepper chicken and roasted red pepper flake (spicy!) parsnips! Whoooo it was hot! Gave it to my little dude (21 months) before I tasted it, poor bugger was crying and trying to rip his tongue out of his mouth. I gave him some ice and some apple sauce and he was fine!
So that's dinner out of the way. On to the workout. I did Zuzana's (serious love hate relationship here), ZWOD #2 part 1 (yes it is a two part torture). I really recommend her channel on youTube, it's very easy to follow, ass kicking and she's just so damn sweet that you would probably let her ram a flaming hot sword down your throat or up your ass, whichever you'd find more unpleasant, and smile the whole goddamned time. Here's the workout:
http://youtu.be/TTZ5Voqp7Ys
5x Manmakers (i did with 8lb freeweights)
20x low burpee hops
10x twisted push-ups (twisted isn't a polite enough word for these fuckers)
25x competition sit ups
Another time challenge, so three rounds as fast as you can. I learned from last night though and really wanted to get through all three rounds so I slowed myself down and really concentrated on form. I did have to modify the last round to regular (girly) push-ups and just crunches but I made it through in 17:24.1.
For those of you that have been looking for the info, I still have not found my GD scale yet. But I'm 5'2" and I'd say anywhere from 185-200lbs...so ya I'm chubby (understatement), and I'm here doing this. If you're reading this for motivation, it's your turn to get started...one of my favourite quotes, "A ship is safe and sound in the harbour, but that is not what it was built for." Get out there, I promise (as much to myself as to you) it's worth it!

Jan 28, Zwow #1

Alright...2 days in a row blogging! Look at the commitment on this girl!
Anyway, day 2 of Paleo down, I have cheated, but it was with my banana zucchini carrot cake that i made with splenda. So im not beating myself up about it. I am also as you can see not concerned with my punctuation or my grammar, I swear a lot too. So for those of you who care, this isn't the blog for you.
OK! So day 2 of Paleo, AND tonight I made my first attempt at ZWOW #1 as follows:
10x Dive Bombers
5x Burpees
10x both legs Squat leg lift
5x Burpees
10x both sides side plank lift
5x Burpees
10x both legs pistol squat
5x burpees
This was a time challenge so you are supposed to this 3 rounds of this as fast as you can. Well I made it through 2 rounds minus the last set of burpees in 13:34:4 before I had to run to the washroom to puke water! Whee! But I did it! And you know what? I'll be back again tomorrow...

Well that went to hell in a hand basket....

So...I am here to attempt this weight loss and blog thing ONE MORE TIME!! Since I last posted (a while ago) we have bought a second home, I've returned to work full time, and we moved about an hour away from where we previously lived.
Also, in my blogging hiatus I joined Dr Bernstein's. I was successful in a way, I got down to 145lbs, and I was loving me!! It was very expensive though, and so rather than learning how to maintain (cause apparently I really suck at it), I just figured I'd wing it and quit the program. In the move I've misplaced my scale, so I have no idea what my weight is, but judging by the fit of my clothing, I'm right back to where I started from around 200lbs! FUCK!! REALLY!! So I guess you could say I wasn't successful at all :(
So, one more kick at the can here! Now that we've settled in to the life of commuters and a full time working family I feel like I can take on getting myself healthy again. I say healthy again, like that was my goal before. And no matter what I wrote in any other post this was a lie. I was fucking vain as shit before and all I cared about was looking hot in a bikini. This time around however, I have been experiencing the symptoms of (shhhh don`t tell anyone) diabetes! Blurred vision, sore feet and joints, racing heartbeat, and it the list goes on. Horrible that I have let it come to this! My husband, myself, and some friends are going to compete in Tough Mudder this June in Whistler, so I've got the motivation, my meal planning website has a paleo option, and I cannot handle looking at my lumpy dumpy frumpy body anymore!! So here we go...keep me accountable, give me tips, ask me questions! HELP THIS MUTHA' OUT!!!