Time to make a break with the screen life

Hello, my name is Joe and I’m a screen addict.
Computer screens, smart phone screens, television screens and movie screens have a hold on me – no, a death grip – that’s slowly robbing me of everything meaningful in life, including life itself.
On any given day I typically plant myself in front of my computer where I’ll answer email and browse Facebook or other favorite websites for a couple hours. This is after spending eight to 10 hours a day in front of a computer at work, which is what I’m doing as I write this.
I’m on my iPhone a lot, usually texting, browsing or playing Wordament. I love watching movies, so if I’m not on my computer or phone I’ll frequently put on a DVD or find something on Netflix. Being in front of a screen is an addiction, I admit. I hate that it has so much of a hold on me.
I feel like I’ve lost most of my time as a father and husband to the confounded things. My family will undoubtedly concur. This biggest complaint that I hear from them is that daddy is on his computer again.
The end result of this is lost time with my family, the loss of fitness and the corresponding gaining of significant weight. I have not been below 200 pounds since I first gained Internet access. That should tell me something! I’ve also been battling depression for the last 10 years and a sedentary lifestyle has not helped.
I’ve been trying to get exercise back into my routine, but so far this has been limited to working out with the Wii Fit – in front of another screen. It seems like no matter how hard I try, I can’t break away from a screen. It’s killing me. If I can’t break away soon I may not be around long enough to worry about it.
It is a given that I will face a computer screen at work. It’s an occupational hazard. I can, however, control when I face a screen the rest of the time. More importantly, I need to force my body to move. I must walk, jog, play with my boys, mow the lawn, do push-ups or sit-ups, cut firewood – anything to keep me off the couch or away from my computer.
One thing that will help significantly is that our paper is joining others in our group to participate in the Walk Across Texas program. We will soon don pedometers and track our every step. Trust me, every step counts!
Another step I’m tempted to take is to delete all the apps off my iPhone and keep it for use as a phone and camera. That way I can take pictures of all the activities I will get out and do while I’m not sitting in front of my computer.
One thing I have learned is that exercise is one of the most important things in our lives. The most successful people on the planet all make time for it, so why shouldn’t I? When I was first diagnosed with depression my doctors told me the single most important thing I could do to fight it is go for a walk. Move. Be physically active. The body needs it and your brain needs it. Underline the word needs!
Becoming more physically active and getting fit needs to be a priority. It MUST be a priority. Facebook status updates and Pinterest pins can wait. Life can’t.
The way I see it, I am currently about 50 pounds overweight. If I can commit to losing a pound a week, I will trim half of that by my 50th birthday in August and all of it in less than a year.
My reason for writing this is twofold. One, it forces me to confront my addiction and the denial I’ve been living (dying) with. Two, I’m sure there is someone else out their fighting this same battle. Will you join me? Let me know (editor@sealynews.com). We can win this fight together!

Follow the trail of Texas independence history

If you are at all interested in the history of the Republic of Texas, now is the time to start making plans for a living history tour.

I absolutely love being in Texas this time of year because of all the reenactment events surrounding the Texas Revolution. With the exception of Civil War reenactors, I do not know of many other groups more passionately dedicated to preserving and retelling history like the groups involved in these living recreations of key events in Texas’ history.

From the “come and take it” battle of Gonzales on Oct. 2, 1835, to the Battle of the Alamo and the eventual victory at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, this area between San Antonio and Houston was alive with some of the most interesting and exciting moments in the history of Texas and the United States.

Every year dedicated volunteers dress in period costume and break out their big guns and relive those pivotal moments that shaped a state and nation. Reenactors come from several groups including the Texas Army, the San Antonio Living History Association, the Texian Legacy Association and, among several others, the 11th Texas Dismounted Cavalry – whose membership includes Sealy Mayor Mark Stolarski.

People in Sealy may recall that the 11th Texas held reenactments at the Spring Picnic last year, portraying both the Texas Revolution and the Civil War. They are the group that spearheads the Civil War reenactment each November at Liendo Plantation near Hempstead.

My wife and I attend as many of these reenactments as we can, often bringing (sometimes dragging) our boys along. We always have a good time and have gotten to know many of the regulars at these events. While there are reenactments of various size and numerous locations, the biggies that everyone should consider attending are coming up soon.

First up is the Texas Independence Day Celebration at Washington-on-the Brazos. The event will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, the original townsite of Washington, where Texans made the formal declaration of independence from Mexico.

The next one is the big one – The Alamo! Scheduled this year for March 7-8 at the shrine in San Antonio, the Remembering the Alamo Weekend features all kinds of reenactments and activities. Oddly enough, this is one event I haven’t been to – yet.

One of the best annual reenactment events takes place March 28-29 in Goliad. I really enjoy this one because it is so professionally done yet everything is so close and accessible because it generally has smaller crowds. It’s also personal because Zachariah Short, the brother of my wife’s great-great-great-great-grandmother, was killed in the massacre there.

One of the biggest and best-attended events is the San Jacinto Day Battle Reenactment. This year it will be held on April 18 at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. This is a huge festival and one of the largest annual reenactment events in Texas.

Other small-scale events include the Runaway Scrape reenactment at George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond, which will be held April 4. Closer to home, San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site holds the Father of Texas celebration in honor of early Texas pioneers and held around Stephen F. Austin’s Nov. 3 birthday.

A really good calendar of these events can be found at www.waterlootex.com. Just click on the calendar link.

Of course, it wouldn’t be right to mention all of these events without giving a plug to the Texas Independence Trail (texasindependencetrail.com), which is a great resource of events and historic locations that you can explore anytime. All of these events are easy single day or weekend outings in our area and fun for the whole family.