Sonny the Alien: The Tick

by
Sonny the Alien

Earth Log Entry #22: Parasite Battle

Sonny, Vanessa, and Chad piled into Sonny’s Tacoma after a tough hike through the woods.

Chad took a swig from his water bottle. “I think I lost part of my soul on that hill.”

Vanessa looked back at him. “It was barely a hill.”

Sonny started the truck. “It was a 10% grade.”

Chad leaned his head back against the seat. “I need electrolytes. And like…three burritos.”

Vanessa laughed. “You say that after every hike.”

Sonny pulled onto the road. “Your body appears physically incapable of moderation.”

Chad scratched his arm absentmindedly. Then froze. “…guys.”

Vanessa looked over. “What?”

Chad pointed slowly at his sleeve. A tiny tick crawled across the fabric.

Vanessa recoiled instantly. “OH MY GOD.”

Sonny glanced at Chad in the back seat. “…what is that?”

Chad looked horrified. “It’s a tick.”

Sonny blinked. “A tiny bloodsucking parasite?”

Vanessa climbed halfway onto the dash. “THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW.”

Chad panicked and flicked it.

Silence.

Vanessa threw up her hands. “DUDE!…now where is it?”

Chad looked around frantically. “I DON’T KNOW.”

Sonny didn’t look away from the road. “We have lost visual confirmation of the parasite.”

Vanessa twisted around in her seat. “CHECK THE FLOOR.”

Chad studied the floor of the truck. “I AM CHECKING THE FLOOR.”

Vanessa handed him a flashlight. “CHECK BETTER.”

Sonny slowed the truck. “This situation has escalated.”

Vanessa looked over wildly. “It’s escalated, alright!”

Chad lifted his feet off the floor. “Bro, if that thing gets on me again I’m jumping out of the truck.”

Sonny pulled into a quiet suburban neighborhood and parked along the curb.

Vanessa looked around nervously. “Why are we stopping?”

Sonny unbuckled his seatbelt. “The parasite must be neutralized.”

He carefully searched around the center console.

Then—

“…ah.” Sonny grabbed a nearby empty sandwich baggie and let the tick crawl onto it.

Chad recoiled. “OH MY GOD.”

Vanessa unbuckled her seatbelt and covered her mouth. “Don’t let it touch me.”

Sonny studied it calmly on the street. “…remarkable.”

Vanessa pointed at him. “Do not call that thing remarkable.”

Sonny rotated the baggie slightly. “It is extremely small. Yet humans fear it immensely.”

Chad looked closer. “Because it literally drinks your blood!”

Sonny nodded slowly. “Blood is evidently a highly effective nutrient source.”

Vanessa looked disgusted. “JUST KILL IT.”

Sonny continued examining it.

Then—

The tick fell off the baggie.

Silence.

Sonny looked down.

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “…Sonny.”

Chad looked to the ground. “WHERE IS IT?”

Sonny scanned the street carefully. “…it has escaped.”

Vanessa put her hand to her forehead. “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”

Chad went back to his seat and buckled his seatbelt. “I’M OUT. I’M DONE.”

Sonny slowly surveyed the neighborhood.

Children rode bikes peacefully down the street. A man watered his lawn. Birds chirped softly.

Sonny folded his arms. “…the blood parasite is now loose within this suburban sector.”

Vanessa stared at him. “You make everything sound worse.”

Chad checked his legs frantically. “I can literally feel them crawling on me.”

Vanessa looked down at herself and brushed her arms. “UGHHH.”

Sonny nodded. “Yes. Psychological destabilization appears highly contagious.”

Chad pointed at him. “You lost the tick!”

Sonny looked genuinely disappointed. “…correct.”

Chad sighed. “…Whatever. Let’s get out of here. I need to shower and scrub my skin off.”

Vanessa put her seatbelt back on and nodded. “Yeah.”

Sonny took out his Earth Log device and began typing.

Today I encountered a small parasite known as a “tick.” The organism feeds on blood and spreads disease. Chad and Vanessa responded with immediate psychological destabilization. The parasite escaped containment and now appears to be operating somewhere within a residential neighborhood. The residents should be prepared for battle.

Bloodywood’s Cover of “Shape of You” Is Absolutely Epic

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There are some songs that feel so locked into their original form that you can’t imagine them becoming anything else.

Then a band grabs them by the throat and turns them into a battlefield soundtrack.

Bloodywood’s cover of Shape of You shouldn’t work.

On paper, it sounds ridiculous.

A massively popular pop song by Ed Sheeran transformed into a crushing blend of metal, Indian folk instrumentation, aggressive vocals, and enough energy to make you want to deadlift a house.

But somehow…it works better than it has any right to.

The original version of “Shape of You” is smooth, catchy, and calculated. It’s built for clubs, radios, playlists, and background music. It’s a great song to sing in the car with your lady.

But Bloodywood’s version takes it somewhere else entirely.

The drums crush. The riffs sound enormous. The vocals erupt. The groove feels heavier—as if the song found the gym.

And that’s what makes great covers interesting.

The best covers don’t imitate.

They transform.

They reveal something hidden inside the original song that nobody else noticed.

That’s exactly what Bloodywood did here.

They took a sleek pop track and exposed the raw rhythmic power buried underneath it.

Honestly, it’s kind of a perfect example of the bodybuilder mindset.

Take something soft. Forge it under pressure. Keep the core identity intact. But make it stronger. Heavier. More alive.

That’s not destruction.

That’s evolution.

And somehow, against all odds, “Shape of You” became hardcore gym music. 🤣

The song used to be on Spotify, but now I can only find it on YouTube. Let’s petition to get it EVERYWHERE. 💪

For more metal-pop epic badassery, also check out:

  • XO Tour Llif3 by Fame on Fire
  • I Knew You Were Trouble by We Came as Romans
  • Without Me by Wind Walkers
  • Stay by Belmont
  • Over My Head (Cable Car) by A Day to Remember
  • Call Me Maybe by Upon This Dawning

Remember Why We Do It

by
Remember Why We Do It

Photo: Murph, 2023.

Tomorrow, thousands of people will do the workout “Murph”.

Some will do it for fitness. Some for the challenge. Some because their gym programmed it. Some for all three.

But the workout was never really about running, squats, push-ups, and pull-ups.

Memorial Day isn’t about a long weekend, burgers, or sales banners hanging in storefront windows.

It’s about remembering people who gave up every future version of themselves so others could keep living theirs.

That’s hard to comprehend when you really sit with it.

And no, a workout doesn’t compare to war. It shouldn’t. That’s not the point.

The point is that voluntary hardship reminds us to be grateful for the comfort we have.

Running when you’re tired. Picking yourself up for another rep. Finishing something difficult when your body wants to stop.

There’s value in that.

Not because suffering makes you special.

But because discipline builds perspective.

Bodybuilding was never meant to be about vanity alone.

It’s about building a body and mind capable of carrying weight:

For your family.

For your responsibilities.

For your mission.

For the people around you.

The way men like Alan P. Mead built.

So today, remember why we do hard things.

Remember the fallen.

Remember why we build.

And keep building.

Sunday Sendoff #49: Love It (Or Learn to Love It)

by
Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

Lately, I’ve been reading up on Cristiano Ronaldo. The guy has an incredible story, and I love stories like his.

(Seriously. Give him a Google. He came from almost nothing and became one of the greatest soccer players to ever do it—not to mention wealthy and famous beyond belief.)

If you don’t know, Ronaldo is known for his intense training regimen and ripped physique. I like finding inspiration from places you wouldn’t normally expect.

One thing that really struck me was something Lionel Messi said. It was something along the lines of:

Ronaldo trains because he loves it. Messi trains because he has to.

That hit me hard because I realized:

I’m absolutely a Ronaldo in this area of life.

I don’t just love the end result. I love the process.

I love being in the gym banging out sets. I love the feeling of my muscles working. I love seeing what I’m building over time.

I love the lifestyle itself.

I train six—and sometimes seven—days a week. I have home gym equipment and a gym membership. You could say I love training.

I eat plenty of whole foods, protein, and fiber. Do I indulge? For sure. But it’s not an every meal thing.

I prioritize sleep, and do my best to sleep well every night (life sometimes has other plans, but I do the best I can).

You could also say I’m a little crazy. And maybe I am.

But I also believe that’s why I’ve been so successful at this part of my life.

Now, do you have to love it this much to get results?

Not exactly.

I take it further because it’s naturally part of who I am.

But you can also be like Messi. You can train because you have to. You can train for the end result.

And honestly? Sometimes the end result is enough.

It’s not that hard to get results, either.

Almost anyone can find five hours a week for the gym.

Get off social media. Turn off the TV. Cut down the bar nights. Make training convenient.

Almost anyone can make better food choices.

Eat a few more whole foods. Get a little more protein. Eat more fiber. Cut back on some junk.

Almost anyone can improve their sleep.

Go to bed an hour earlier. Shut electronics off before bed. Cut caffeine earlier in the day.

It helps to love it.

But it’s not required.

Here’s the truth:

Some people are obsessive craftsmen. They genuinely love the process. They could train for hours, talk about it endlessly, and happily structure their entire lifestyle around it.

Others are disciplined pragmatists. They may not love every workout, every meal prep session, or every early bedtime—but they love what training gives them.

Both approaches can work.

The end result is ultimately why you do it.

So if you love it? Great.

If you don’t?

That doesn’t mean you stop training.

You just use a different strategy.

Guiding Principle

Whether you’re an obsessive craftsman or a disciplined pragmatist, the work needs to get done.

Something to Ponder

The areas where you’re an obsessive craftsman are probably your strengths. But where are your weaknesses? How could those weak areas improve if you decide to become a disciplined pragmatist in them?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

Sonny the Alien: The Speed Limit

by
Sonny the Alien

Earth Log Entry #21: Speed Kills

Sonny and Dale sat on the couch, watching old UFC fights.

Dale pointed to the TV. “Ooooh, Griffin/Bonnar. You’re gonna love this one, Sonny!”

Sonny took a sip of his ice water. “This sport is barbaric. Primal. Real. I approve.”

Just then Chad walked in and dropped his briefcase. “They got me.”

Sonny sat up, concerned. “Who got you, Chad?”

Chad started taking off his shoes. “They got me for going 9 over on Maple Street.”

Dale took a sip of his beer. “Got him on a little fundraiser.”

Sonny set his water on the table. “You were going over the posted vehicular speed limit?”

Chad reached into his briefcase and pulled out the ticket. “Everyone does.”

Chad handed the ticket to Sonny. He went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of chocolate milk.

Sonny studied the ticket for a while. “You were going 44 MPH in a 35 MPH zone? Chad, that’s well above the upper limit.”

Chad took a sip of his chocolate milk. “Everybody goes over the speed limit.”

Dale shrugged. “Yeah. But if it’s the end of the month, or the cop’s having a bad day, you’re toast.”

Sonny handed the ticket back to Chad. “Why is it a limit then? Why not a suggestion?”

Chad shrugged. “Because then nobody could technically get in trouble.”

Dale put his feet on the coffee table. “They got my cousin going 104 on 35 in a Miata. Took his license and everything.”

Sonny put his hand on his chin. “A speed limit means the number is the upper limit. There must also be a lower limit. Traveling beyond established operational parameters appears unsafe.”

Chad shrugged. “I guess people interpret it differently.”

Dale chuckled. “Tell that to the judge.”

Chad peered over at him. “Why are your feet on the coffee table?”

Dale ignored him. “My uncle’s got one of those radar detector things.”

Sonny froze. “Humans build machines to detect law enforcement?”

Chad sighed. “…Basically.”

Sonny slowly nodded. “So the objective is to travel as fast as possible without attracting enforcement attention.”

Dale pointed at Sonny. “Now you’re getting it.”

Sonny stared blankly ahead for a moment. “The roads are governed by vibes.”

Sonny took out his Earth Log device and started typing.

Humans set a limit on speed for vehicular transportation. Most humans do not adhere to this limit. They instead attempt to determine the maximum socially acceptable velocity before law enforcement intervention occurs.

When Is the Best Time to Train? A Bodybuilder’s Guide

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When Is the Best Time to Train? A Bodybuilder’s Guide

Why you train is incredibly important. So is how you train. What do you train? Everything, of course. Where you train also matters.

But what about when you train?

The time of day you train can affect your energy, focus, strength output, recovery, sleep, and overall consistency.

So let’s break it down by time of day so you can stop guessing—and start dominating.

The Early Morning (4 AM – 8 AM)

The early bird gets the worm…or the gainz?

Pros:

  • Workout’s done before the day begins—no excuses, no distractions.
  • Quiet environment and a clean mental slate.
  • Great for disciplined early risers and 9–5 lifers.
  • Builds consistency and routine fast.

Cons:

  • You’re colder, stiffer, and not fully awake—warm-ups become extra important.
  • Tough to eat and digest pre-workout meals on a tight schedule.
  • Going too hard too early can leave you drained later in the day.

Bottom Line:

A solid option for disciplined lifters. Just warm up thoroughly, fuel properly, and don’t sprint out of the gate half asleep.

Mid to Late Morning (8 AM – 12 PM)

Peak brainpower meets peak readiness.

Pros:

  • Mental sharpness and focus tend to be high.
  • You’ve had time to wake up, move around, and fuel up.
  • Strong balance of physical performance and mental clarity.
  • Great environment for high-quality training.

Cons:

  • Not realistic for many work schedules.
  • May compete with work, business, or family responsibilities.

Bottom Line:

One of the best times to train if your lifestyle allows it. High focus, strong energy, and solid recovery potential.

Early to Mid Afternoon (12 PM – 4 PM)

This is the trickiest training window for many people.

Cons:

  • Post-lunch sluggishness can hit hard.
  • Energy and motivation may dip.
  • Busy schedules can make consistency difficult.

Pros:

  • Body temperature and mobility are usually in a good place.
  • Can work very well with proper nutrition and hydration.
  • A short walk, caffeine, or quick reset can completely change the session.
  • Still far better than skipping training altogether.

Bottom Line:

Not the strongest time for everyone, but absolutely workable. If this is your available window, own it and make it productive.

The Evening Prime (4 PM – 8 PM)

This is where performance peaks for a lot of lifters.

Pros:

  • Core body temperature is highest—often improving strength, mobility, and performance.
  • You’re fully awake, fueled, and physically ready.
  • Great outlet for stress after work or school.
  • Many people hit their best lifts during this window.

Cons:

  • Easy to skip if the day wears you down.
  • Commercial gyms can become absolute war zones.
  • Busy schedules and errands can interfere.

Bottom Line:

Neck-and-neck with mid-morning as one of the best training windows. A fantastic blend of readiness, strength, and performance.

The Late Night (8 PM – 12 AM)

The night owl special.

Pros:

  • Quiet, uninterrupted gym sessions.
  • Can feel peaceful after a hectic day.
  • Some people genuinely feel mentally sharp at night.

Cons:

  • Heavy training too close to bedtime can make it difficult to wind down.
  • Poor sleep hurts recovery, hormones, mood, and performance.
  • Nutrition timing can become awkward late at night.

Bottom Line:

Not ideal for most people, but workable for true night owls. Just protect your sleep like your gains depend on it—because they do.

The Overnight (12 AM – 4 AM)

Now we’re entering goblin territory.

Cons:

  • Disrupts natural circadian rhythm.
  • Recovery, mood, hormone balance, and long-term performance can suffer.
  • Difficult to maintain socially and mentally long-term.
  • Usually connected to poor sleep quality and inconsistent recovery.

Only Exception:

Graveyard-shift workers with no realistic alternative.

Bottom Line:

Unless your lifestyle absolutely demands it, skip it and get your damn sleep.

Quick Reference Chart

Time SlotRatingKey Points
4–8 AMSolidGreat discipline, requires longer warm-up
8 AM–12 PMEliteHigh focus and strong performance potential
12–4 PMTrickyAfternoon slump can interfere
4–8 PMEliteStrength and readiness often peak
8 PM–12 AMRiskyCan interfere with sleep and recovery
12–4 AMAvoid (if possible)Disrupts recovery and circadian rhythm

Final Word: What’s the Best Time to Train?

Truth is, the best time to train is the time you can train consistently.

But if you want to stack the deck in your favor?

  • Top Tier: 8 AM–12 PM and 4–8 PM
  • Solid: 4–8 AM
  • Workable: 12–4 PM
  • Less Ideal: 8 PM–12 AM
  • Avoid if Possible: 12–4 AM

If your schedule locks you into a less-than-optimal training window, don’t whine.

Adapt. Adjust. Dominate.

No perfect timing will save you from inconsistency.

Choose your battle time—and bring the war hammer.

Sunday Sendoff #48: Do the Right Thing

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Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

I broke a couple things recently that weren’t mine.

Sure, I felt bad about it.

But stuff happens. That’s just life.

And when stuff happens? Do the right thing.

In this case, that meant leaving a note, explaining what happened, and apologizing.

I couldn’t fix or replace the stuff I broke. But I could own it and apologize.

Could I have swept it under the rug? Avoided accountability? Blamed someone else?

I could’ve.

But that’s not only a disservice to the other person—it’s a disservice to yourself.

Because what are you telling yourself in that moment?

That’s the biggest thing.

Are you the type of person who takes responsibility and owns things?

Or the type of person who hides things, blames others, and avoids responsibility?

Integrity matters most when nobody’s forcing you to have it.

Guiding Principle

When stuff happens, do the right thing.

Something to Ponder

When stuff happens, what do you default to? Do you own it? Or do you look for a way out of responsibility?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

Sonny the Alien: The Flirt

by
Sonny the Alien

Earth Log Entry #20: Sweet Talkin’

Sonny and Vanessa went to a local coffee shop on a Saturday morning for coffee.

They stood in line waiting to order.

Sonny studied the menu overhead. “Why are there so many different varieties of this beverage made from coffee beans?”

Vanessa scanned the crowded coffee shop. “Because people love their caffeine.”

Sonny looked at her. “Do they not know it’s an insecticide?”

Vanessa stared at him for a moment. “You’re an insecticide.”

It was their turn to order. Vanessa smiled at the barista. “Hi Dane! I’ll have the mocha Frappuccino.”

Sonny cleared his throat. “I’ll have a plain black coffee.”

The barista tapped on his POS system. “That’ll be $14.68.”

Sonny slowly pulled out his wallet and paid. “…Steep.” He muttered.

The barista chuckled and handed them the receipt. “They’ll be right up on the counter over there.” He gestured to the left.

Vanessa smiled brightly. “Thanks Dane!”

They made their way to the pickup counter.

Vanessa handed Sonny her purse. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

Sonny nodded once and took the purse. “I will guard it.”

Vanessa smirked. “I know you will.”

She walked away.

Sonny stood at attention near the counter, holding Vanessa’s purse with both hands like a security detail guarding nuclear launch codes.

A woman approached and grabbed her drink.

She glanced over at Sonny and smiled. “Cute purse. I have the same one.”

Sonny looked down at it. “It is not mine, it is—”

The woman winked. “It’s okay. Your secret is safe with me.”

Sonny blinked. “…What secret?”

The woman extended her hand. “I’m Krystal.”

Sonny shook it firmly. “Sonny.”

Krystal laughed. “Sonny? That’s my friend’s dog’s name!”

Sonny smirked slightly. “Your friend has excellent taste in names.”

Krystal took another sip of her coffee. “You’re cute.”

Sonny crossed his arms. “I do not believe ‘cute’ is the correct descriptive term.”

Krystal grinned. “Oh my God, you’re funny too.”

She began digging through her purse. “Can I give you my number?”

Sonny cocked his head to the side. “…For what purpose?”

Krystal laughed harder. “You’re silly.”

She pulled out a pen and started writing on a scrap of receipt paper.

At that exact moment, Vanessa returned.

She slowed as she approached. “…Who’s this?”

Sonny immediately handed Vanessa her purse. “Vanessa, this is Krystal. She is attempting to give me her telephone number for unknown reasons.”

Vanessa looked at Krystal. “Oh, really?”

Krystal awkwardly lowered the pen.

Vanessa slid her arm around Sonny tightly. “Sorry, honey. He’s taken.”

Krystal’s eyes widened. “Oh my God—I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Vanessa smiled. “It’s okay.”

Krystal quickly shoved the pen back into her purse. “Well…nice meeting you.”

Then she scurried away toward the exit. They watched her leave.

Vanessa looked up at Sonny. “So.”

Sonny blinked. “So?”

Vanessa crossed her arms. “You’re getting girls’ numbers while I’m in the bathroom now, Casanova?”

Sonny shrugged calmly. “I did not realize she was evaluating me as a potential mate.”

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Mmmhmm.”

The barista called out from behind the counter. “Drinks for Sonny!”

They grabbed their coffees and headed toward the door.

Sonny pulled out his Earth Log device and began typing.

Coffee shops appear to function as informal human mating grounds. An unidentified female attempted to initiate pair-bonding procedures while Vanessa was temporarily absent. I remain uncertain why holding the purse increased my desirability. I will pass this strategy on to Chad.