By Robert J. Ottaviani

Just Me

I awoke this particular morning like I had several other mornings, to the sound of complete silence. I have learned to really appreciate this segment of time when I am afforded total solitude. I am alone with my thoughts just watching the rays of the sun pouring through my windowpane. There is a certain power in serenity that is both comforting and empowering. I take as much time as I need to center myself because I know in time the phone will start ringing, the texts will start showing up on the cell and soon I will have to interact with the populace. My time will shortly no longer just be my time. It’s not a question of being anti social because I’m not but I do realize that those moments are a precious commodity these days given the world we live in. Satisfied I had started my day of my own choice I headed for the kitchen to make a pot of java and then out to fetch the morning paper from the mailbox.

Playing The Game

At first blush when I read the article my first reaction was to snicker at the foolishness of the situation. The story detailed how alumni football players from the two neighboring local schools were practicing to play a game against one another. I thought to myself that this was a typical case of grown men wanting to be boys again. Then I read the quotes from a handful players participating in the game and repeatedly the theme that surfaced was one of passion and love for a game they played as young men. They admitted to their advanced age (ranging from 26-55) and how they would move at a slower pace but never losing their zest for a game they loved. For one Saturday afternoon they would reconvene on a playing field to live out a special time in their lives years ago, which apparently had never completely left their memories and still burned brightly in their hearts. My feelings changed as I read from skepticism … to daydreaming of the possibilities and playing a game of what if.

A Gift Worth Giving

What if we were given an opportunity to travel back in time and play whatever game or activity we loved as a young person, a one-time shot per say for a full 24 hour period. Not only that but also our mind would be young and unencumbered by goals, deadlines and stress related commitments and worries. We would also be afforded young, strong bodies without the many years of wear and tear and the brash attitude a teenager could only exude. We would awake that morning with only one thing to consider …what would I like to do all day? Would you go swimming at the creek on a hot summer’s day and then flip some baseball cards or maybe a game of baseball and then playing “release” where you just ran all day never getting winded or tired. Some might want to go sled riding, the snow and wind pelting your face while you laughed with glee the whole way down the hill and then trek back up again for another downhill run. Others may want to reconnect with a loved one or mend a friendship that had never got resolved. It could be as simple as waking up to cartoons all morning to spending the entire day with someone you lost without getting to know them like you wanted to. Maybe your day would be just spending time in that special place you were so fond of as a child. The possibilities are endless.

To Dream Or Live In The Moment

In actuality we all know this isn’t possible but the bigger question is whether you would or not take a chance at an opportunity like that. Do you dare to be a dreamer or are you perfectly content having lived your life with no regrets and no remorse. A do over with a chance to rectify a wrong or at the very least a day to have unadulterated fun like you haven’t had since you were young. The decision for me is an easy one. I would be on my blue schwinn stingray poppin wheelies and rollin down the street, the wind blowin through my hair on a hot summer day and then heading for Rocco’s corner store to pick out my favorite candy while listening to the wooden floors creak under my feet while getting closer to the glass window candy displays. Then I’d eat a quick supper and back out to play some whiffle ball and then burn the base and release after it got dark. I’m sure I would also find time for a trip to the brickyard; I can still vividly remember all the paths we would take past the ponds and the caves winding all through the woods to the creek. Even though several years have passed since I experienced these moments as a child the thoughts are in my shirt pocket close to my heart for me to pull out and enjoy as memories that stay preserved forever. Our mind allows us the capacity to remember facts, places, occurrences while our heart validates the passion and emotion we experienced and felt while doing so. And so I ask you … what would you do?

Robert J. Ottaviani (Bert) is a cusp born Aries the ram who has lived through summer of love in the late sixties and the hippie culture that bled into the seventies. He has a passion for music, gardening and all things nature … and laffy taffy. He is freakishly aware of music trivia to absurd levels. Most days you can find him playing his guitar or jotting down lyrics. He was so impacted from the moment he first heard the Beatles that he has Beatle manianized his life, been to Liverpool, England and remains convinced he is the fifth Beatle. He is married to a gentle and lovely vibe of a woman with three wonderful children. He currently lives and resides in strawberry fields forever.

By Karina Reeves
No. No one has been calling me cupcake (wishful thinking) but isn’t funny how as soon as you aren’t able to do or eat something that is all you can think about? Okay, no gluten, no sugar, no fun. I get it. It isn’t even that difficult (most times) but lately I’m having crazy dreams every night.
One night during the first week of gluten detox I was watching TV and there was this commercial with the most delicious looking cupcake! It was topped with the thickest, most beautiful hot pink frosting with sprinkles … the kind of icing that has so much food coloring it will stain your face. Okay, let me note that I don’t normally eat a ton of sweets nor drool over them in commercials. But, I dreamt about that damn cupcake for two weeks! TWO WEEKS!!!! It is crazy and I’m not exaggerating at all. The dream progressed from looking longingly at the cupcake to tasting the frosting to rubbing my face in the icing. I was ravishing that cupcake like an animal. Yes, I’m completely embarrassed to admit it but it’s the truth.
Every day I woke up in a sweat, exhausted and probably in an imaginary sugar coma. As I said earlier, I was never one to eat sweets all the time but once it is off limits you can become obsessed. And, as everyone points out I can make gluten free treats but that isn’t the point. I want to be healthier and making gluten free cupcakes is a viable option but I think it’s more important to focus on not eating gluten and truly acknowledge the changes I must make for my day to day life. It’s not just about eating or not eating cupcakes.
Now, for the most part, I have just cut out starchy carbs … bread, pasta, rice, potatoes. I know, I know…rice and potatoes aren’t foods with gluten but I felt I needed to eat basically the South Beach Diet way and then add in some rice or a potato once in a while. My body sure works much better now. And…I feel and look a hell of a lot better too! I never realized how puffy and swollen I was just because of something I ate especially as I have gotten older. I knew something was wrong for 12 years and I am so glad I didn’t give up. You must be your own advocate and if instinctually you feel something isn’t right you must keep looking for an answer. Don’t get me wrong … I’m not happy to have Celiac but it’s something manageable and I am so relieved to finally have some answers. I never realized the damage gluten did to my body because it wasn’t anything that you could pick out. My weight always seemed more a consequence of being puffy or swollen more than it did from fat. Not that I don’t have any weight to lose but I am being “kind” to myself…which is a new thing for me. While I am getting used to this new nutritional path of mine, I am not pushing any other huge changes.
I have developed a few tools to keep myself focused. Every morning around 10 I fix myself a snack. I go to the kitchen (in the office) grab myself a big bowl and fill it with sliced cucumber and bell pepper with some grape tomatoes. I snack on it for an hour or two. My co-workers found it odd at first but it really keeps me sane and satiated.
So, overall I’m doing okay. I’m still pretty plain in my food choices but I’m hanging in there with not much difficulty. Now, I’ve never been someone that constantly ate bread and pasta but once I gave it up, my senses have been heightened. I have complete willpower because this isn’t a choice…gluten is poison to my body and that’s how I must look at it. There are times that the smell of bread is so tangible that I can almost taste it. For instance, last week I went to the mall and as soon as I stepped onto the marble floor the smell of Auntie Anne’s pretzels was so strong and yummy, I actually stood for a minute with my eyes closed thinking about how good it would taste. It only took a quick moment to realize how incredibly bad I would feel within a half hour. Or, when my sister ordered take out for us and I could smell the bread from her sandwich. It’s incredible how that happens. I felt bad because she apologized and it didn’t bother me but I should probably keep my every observation for my blog.
This weekend might be difficult because I’m going out to dinner for my friend’s birthday. We’re going with her family and a couple friends … did I say we’re going to an Italian restaurant? It is an Italian restaurant specializing in crazy good pasta dishes. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to say anything and hopefully they will serve other things other than pasta. I will, however, bring an Atkins bar (sans wheat) just in case.
If anyone has anything they would like to share, I look forward to hearing from you. Wish me luck at my dinner this week!

Don’t Allow Anything To Change Your World

By Robert J. Ottaviani

Jai guru deva … ommmm … nothing’s gonna change my world … so penned the indisputable John Lennon in 1968 after crafting the song “Across The Universe” following The Beatles experience with transcendental meditation in 1967 and beyond.
The inspiration came from then-wife Cynthia going on and on about something and Lennon arising in the middle of the night, the words ringing loudly in his head moving him to write a cosmic like chant about it in a positive manner as opposed to his initial negative feelings that emanated from the rant. Lennon has said the words were purely inspirational and were given to him, that he didn’t own them but that they just “came through”. Let’s explore what John was experiencing at that moment.

In Touch With One’s Self

We are always in quest of it whether it’s done subconsciously or by design. It is the proverbial search for the holy grail, the never-ending highway of life with many untraveled roads to go down, many a turn to consider and unquestioned
detours to take . It is the eternal and internal journey we take a day at a time, a decision at a time, a life at a time. But, how to achieve it? Do we sometimes find ourselves there by accident? Surely! Do we arrive at our destination by intentional motive? Certainly! What I am talking about is inner peace, balance, harmony, chi, nirvana, feng shui, just feeling like ourselves. What I am also talking about is the ability to avoid all the negative elements that surround us and threaten to take our lives off course on our journey.

Beware Of The Intruder

Maintaining your balance can at times be difficult given all the extraneous activities that pull at you, challenging you by moving you off your center of inner sanctitude. We have all experienced those days when we just don’t feel like ourselves. It can be both frustrating and unnerving because we are hard pressed to explain why we feel that way. Are we victims or do we victimize ourselves? I believe we need to take the wheel and steer the ship . We control our destiny to a large extent. There will always be work, family, health, time restraints that we need to ingratiate in our lives and handle in a positive manner. The key is to mix the right ingredients to the right levels enabling our final product to be pleasing.

K Is For Karma

I am a big believer in Karma. We are basically responsible for our own happiness as well as our own misery.
Most of our resulting quality of life is because of past actions and current and present decisions, which formulate who we are today.
We create the persona of who we wish to be. If we so choose to perpetuate a negative vibe about ourselves that we can be expected to be perceived in a similar light. You’ve probably heard the expression … expect great things so great things can actually happen to you. We are truly the builders of our own fate. Do not let genetics or excuses mold your actions and subsequent reactions .

Celebrate You

There is only one human on the planet that is you. Think about the magnitude of that statement. Celebrate your oneness, your unique abilities that make you the very special person in God’s eye that he created unlike any other. Take whatever gifts you were given and utilize them so you and others will prosper. Rejoice in the blessings you have been bestowed. Once you find your place in line, your niche, your rhythm of life, you can express your inspirations and concerns knowing they will be received in an earnest manner because they will have come from a place that’s both sincere and honest to your heart. Jai guru deva … ommmmm … nothings gonna change my world.

Robert J. Ottaviani (Bert) is a cusp born Aries the ram who has lived through summer of love in the late sixties and the hippie culture that bled into the seventies. He has a passion for music, gardening and all things nature … and laffy taffy. He is freakishly aware of music trivia to absurd levels. Most days you can find him playing his guitar or jotting down lyrics. He was so impacted from the moment he first heard the Beatles that he has Beatle manianized his life, been to Liverpool, England and remains convinced he is the fifth Beatle. He is married to a gentle and lovely vibe of a woman with three wonderful children. He currently lives and resides in strawberry fields forever.

Remembering A Friend In His Second Life, While Shaping My First.

By Jim Calder

Friends, I am here to tell you that there is life after death. The verdict may still be out on the Heaven vs. Hell and reincarnation debate, but I swear that there is life after death. A recent road trip leads me to the realization of the powerful Second Life, which we all hope we may someday achieve. I am personally on the dawn of turning the page to age 33 in about one month from now. When I was a child, I had no idea what this age would be like. As an adult clinging to my youth, I still don’t fully understand. However, what I do know is that my view of life and death has drastically changed.

A Road Trip for the Soul

My wife and I recently headed on a soul-searching road trip across New England. We stopped in the beautiful town of Burlington, VT where my late friend Bryan Kapschull lived, worked, and played. Bryan left us in the summer of 2008 at age 30, but I have no doubt that his spirit and soul are with his friends and family often. Bryan was a brewer at Magic Hat, and we got a special tour of the factory, with the highlight of climbing the brewing tower to see a memorial the workers made for him. His brewing boots are bronzed next to his Magic Hat uniform. It was a touching and beautiful display.

The Second Life

The loss of Bryan has taught me that there is life after death. A Second Life is created through shared memories and experiences of others (some who have never met eachother).
Together we learn to slow down, to appreciate everything we are given, every hour of each day, to make time to shut down and appreciate. This second life is a celebration of the person’s life that had such a strong impact on us. Guilt is a common theme in the Second Life, and we all are going to feel it from time to time.
In Bryan Kapschull’s second life, I have connected, reconnected and been introduced to beautiful, talented and unique individuals.
Cathy Kapschull, Bryan’s mother is probably the strongest member of this group. Her strength and love for Bryan is a true inspiration to me.
Sarah Catherine Golden, the love of my dear friends life- is a real, artistic and open human being with a golden soul.
Jenna, Bryan’s sister, is another beautiful and kind creature who I could tell was hands down Bryan’s biggest fan from the days when she visited us in college.
As well as 67 other family members and friends who knew and still love Bryan Kapschull and have joined me in a social networking website dedicated to his life. Together, we created a social networking site honoring our friend’s memory. If you knew Bryan, email me a jim@prolongmagazine for the site address.

A Clearer View of My Core Beliefs

Thinking deeply about my old friend while visiting Burlington, left me with inner reflection on my own life. My views have grown, matured and developed into human beliefs. You may think that they sound like corny sayings found on the Internet, but I will remind you that might be because you are reading what some dude just wrote on the Internet.

LIFE

-I have come to the realization that life is rare and precious and the most beautiful thing in the universe. It needs to be respected and nourished.
-Loss of Loved Life is a lesson that we will all learn, and it will never get easier as the years pass.
-Every choice we make has severe and lasting consequences.
-Mentally checking out because the weight of the world is too much is not an option.
-Life is not a fairy tale. There is soul-crushing loss that will change us and leave us scarred to our core.
-There is betrayal by friends, loved ones and coworkers that we will struggle with understanding and never be able to comprehend.
-There is fear that will cripple you if one allows it in.
-If we don’t like the direction that we are heading we can turn the whole ship around starting right this second.
-There are too many things that can destroy us on their own to allow ourselves to become self-destructive.

LOVE

The songs are right, Love does not die.
-Love is the heartbeat to life. When you find it, hold on with both hands and never, ever let go.
-Always put your love and passions first, always.
-Love transcends spouses, family and friends. Love can be in everything you do, but it takes millions of daily choices.
-Love can rip you apart.
-Love leaves an impact on the brain that can be downloaded but never deleted.

WORK

-Employers only get so many chances to show you that they appreciate your work.
-Work is something we do to have an enjoyable life, not the other way around.
-There is work. And there is life. Knowing the difference between the two is the first step to the rest of your life.
-It is almost 2011, work is measured by your passion and your initiative not by how many hours you spend chained to a desk in your office.
-If you can’t achieve balance between work and life you will crash hard.
-Fear is not a motivational tool, it actually does the complete opposite of motivation.
-It is easy to become a workaholic, but it is more important to remember why we are working in the first place.

Everything

-Having ideas equals nothing without the ability to execute them.
-If you haven’t failed you will never do anything important in your career or life. Don’t fear failing, seek it out.
-Building is much more productive than tearing down.
-Our death is not the end, we all will live on in the hearts of loved ones if we make our mission to live a kind, loving, and productive life.
And finally as long as we have music as a form of therapy, we will all be okay.

What is one of your favorite core beliefs? Respond in the comments.

Jim Calder is the brand architect and co-founder of ProLong Magazine. Jim was born with the perfect combination of cockiness and self-consciousness. He has over 10 years of publishing industry experience and lives and works in Philadelphia, Pa. Jim strongly believes that the current 9-5 Monday-Friday format of “Work” is dying. Those that refuse to recognize this will be left behind in the decaying office complexes across America. He currently can be found on the greatest adventure of his life as a newlywed with his wife Melissa. Jim can be contacted via email at jim@prolongmagazine.com

Happy Birthday To A Terrific Community

By Jim Calder

ProLong Magazine turns one-year old this week and we couldn’t be more excited. During one of the worst economies the world has ever witnessed we have been able to bring attention to a long overlooked subject … YOU. As we all know life moves very fast, and seems to increase in speed with each year that passes. While we can’t control the speed of life, we hope that we have made you realize that you can at least control the tempo or maybe the bass. It is so easy to forget ourselves in this world in so many ways.

Our Focus

We started out (2009-2010) with a broad scope, because after all life and living is by nature HUGE. As we start to enter 2011 our hope is to narrow the focus of our articles and blogs giving you more of what you want in the years ahead. Our writers have given you their hearts, their souls, their passions and their love. We thank each and every author for his or her dedication and expression.

Feedback: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

In the last year I have received a wide spectrum of feedback. At a camp out this summer a physician friend from Hawaii told me that ProLong’s content is prolific and inspiring. Another friend relayed to me that a few acquaintances thought the brand was destined to fail. Those people most likely never thought we would make it to this day. They are confused by the definition of failure and success and think that success is only tied to wealth.

You Have Done This

I can proudly say on this one-year anniversary, that ProLong Magazine lives by its own rules. Our community continues to call the shots, and our audience is what has made us a success. YOU have proven that there is still passion in publishing. YOU have proven that you don’t need to start a business or a project with the sole intent of getting rich.
But most importantly, YOU have proven that You, Your Passions, and Your Life, should always come first. This was our core message since day one, and it will continue to be the message we hope that you help us spread until the end.

Help Us Spread The Word

As an advocate of social networking, I realize that this will be key to ProLong Magazine’s future growth. We need you, the reader most of all. You are our community and as we grow, so will you. You can painlessly and quickly help us grow right this very second. Please log into your facebook page and go to facebook.com/prolongmagazine.
Once you are there hit the suggest to friends button and click on all of your friends faces to suggest that they also like the Prolong Magazine facebook page. It is a little thing, but we would greatly appreciate your help in getting the word out about our brand.

As ProLong Magazine moves forward, please feel free to email me personally (at jim@prolongmagazine.com) any time you have ideas for an article, have a topic you would like to see addressed or would like to suggest an author or even write yourself. Thank you all for your great support, your inspiring comments and words of advice. Happy birthday to you all!

Jim Calder is the brand architect and co-founder of ProLong Magazine. Jim was born with the perfect combination of cockiness and self-consciousness. He has over 10 years of publishing industry experience and lives and works in Philadelphia, Pa. Jim strongly believes that the current 9-5 Monday-Friday format of “Work” is dying. Those that refuse to recognize this will be left behind in the decaying office complexes across America. He currently can be found on the greatest adventure of his life as a newlywed with his wife Melissa. Jim can be contacted via email at jim@prolongmagazine.com

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