Mr Pappagiorgio Returns to WTLC

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 5:00 AM CDT in WTLC (Misc) Comment 31 comments

There has quite possibly never been a more "non-triumphant" return to a blog than the one I am making here. The reason I'm saying that is because I did what any blogger will tell you is nothing short of blogging suicide, which for those of you not paying attention was simply disappearing from the blog for a couple of months. One thing every blogger on the planet learns very quickly is that content is king, and new quality content on a consistent regular basis is the cornerstone of any successful blog on the net. Needless to say, vanishing from the site for a few months was hardly keeping within those guidelines and the site has suffered the consequences, so much so that you might be the only one reading this.

Since this blog was created (Originally at thunderinokc.com before making the jump to SBNation and renaming it WTLC), I was able to watch it grow from just a few readers a day to nearly 28,000 visits and nearly 60,000 page views my last active month on the site. Since then, those numbers have plummeted, and that is nobody's fault but my own. I owe a number of people an apology, which I will get to later in this post. But for now, make the jump and perhaps I can take just a minute to help explain the reason why I was gone, and how I was able to benefit and grow as a person because of it.

First off, I'd like you to meet me, Mr Pappagiorgio. Take a good look, yeah, I know right? Seriously, there I am at what looks like nearly 400 pounds. All my adult life I've fluctuated between 350 and 400 pounds. It was almost EXACTLY at this time, one year ago, that I made some tough life decisions to eat more healthy and lose weight. There were so many reasons this happened that I won't even get into, but bottom line, I had just turned 27 years old and to steal a line from my favorite movie of all time, it was time to "Get Busy Living, or get busy dying." Needless to say I made the easy decision to get busy living and make some positive changes in my life. By now, you might be asking, well, what the hell does all this have to do with you ditching your readers for the past few months? Seriously, if you started a year ago, you were running the blog the whole time you were making these life changes right? So what gives?

Well, its hard to explain to people who are lucky enough to never have to go through life being massively overweight, and one thing is for sure, when you cross a certain point in your weight loss journey, your life truly changes, and that's what has happened to me over the past couple of months. When I began nearly a year ago I tipped the scales at 360 pounds, and today, well, last Saturday to be honest, I tipped that same scale at 229.8 pounds. That's a whopping 130 pounds of weight I've lost during the past year. Like I said, its hard to describe to someone who hasn't had to go through it but you change as a human being at a certain point. I became more active, not just physically, but with family, and also socially. You can imagine being nearly 400 pounds for 10 or so years didn't exactly lead to much social interaction. So for the past few months I've sort of been enjoying living life for the first time ever and certain things in my life that I was previously passionate about, fell by the wayside, including this blog. Hey, as much as you are pissed, you don't hold a candle to my XBOX 360 which pretty much has spent most of the year learning how to get dusty, after years of relentless game playing.

There I am today, 130 pounds lighter, yet still 50 pounds away from his goal to become "Half the man he used to be" by hitting the 180 pound mark. I hope to accomplish that goal in early 2010. I'm sharing this stuff with you guys because I didn't want you to think I just ditched the site because I was being lazy and didn't want to bother with it during the off-season, because there really isn't anything further from the truth. The truth is what I listed above, that I was going through a lot of changes as a person, and my free time just sort of slipped away from me. If you were an avid reader of the site during the time I was keeping the site active and updated (Thank you by the way, you totally rock), you know that my posts were always very long winded and professionally done up with my crappy amateur graphics and everything. In all honesty, I'd spend several hours a day working on this blog, and when you go through some of the changes I have in the past few months, keeping the site going just wasn't possible. At the same time, that's no excuse for just disappearing and not leaving the site in someone else's capable hands. Instead there were just a couple of guys who I brought on in desperation that never received any guidance or coaching from me on what was needed from them and what their role was going to be on the site, and for that, let's get the apology out of the way.

First of all, I have to apologize to all of the readers and commenter's who so frequently were active on the site. To all of you guys, I'm sorry I let you down, and offer my humble apology, and I hope to be able to regain your trust over the course of the upcoming season. Next I have to apologize to SBNation who gave me the opportunity to join an unbelievable list of top notch bloggers, on a network that is second to none when it comes to sports blogging. They took a chance on me when my blog was still in its infancy, and I appreciate it greatly, and I'm sorry I let you guys down. I'll do my best to try and make up for it. Finally, I need to apologize to dishingoutdimes, daddydai, mleetch352, and ElectricPencils. Not only have I let you guys down, but more than likely alienated all of you, to the point of not wanting to contribute here anymore. Although, I will hand it to you guys for trying to keep the site going when it was clear that I was nowhere to be found. If any or all of you would like to continue to be contributing members of this blog, please send me an email (You should have my address, if not click the little envelope next to my name at the bottom of the page) so we can work out some details and give you clear defined roles. With the season coming up, there should be plenty to keep us all busy. Drop me an email, and let me know your intentions and what you would like to be involved in moving forward, and we'll get you a clear, defined, role with WTLC.

So that's it, I'm back, I'm sorry, and I'm going to do my best to regain your trust and once again become, what I believe was, the very best stop on the Internet for fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Comments

Congratulations!

   Congrats on your major success and accomplishments! I don’t blame you a bit for laying off the blog and “living.” Quote from SR is sooo true….it’s one of my fav movies o all time too.
   I don’t think there was a lot to say during the off season either, aside from the draft. So no one missed much.
    We’ll be looking forward to your comments and more heated debate about our guys in the coming season. At least until you have sooooo many girlfriends you give up the blog entirely!
    Until then, Thunder Up!

Nikki

by nikki09_4u on Oct 1, 2009 7:26 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks Nikki for all your kind words and support and for becoming a member and reaching out with your first comment. I’m going to dive right back in and focus on writing new content everyday until it becomes normal and routine again.

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 8:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Congrats man

Glad to see ya’ back around.

Kobe is my profile pic because of this beatdown I received.
Blake > Andre

by prezofdeath on Oct 1, 2009 8:31 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks Prez, feels good to get this post out of the way and I look forward to diving right back into action and pulling this blog back up to the quality level I know it has to be at for Thunder fans to come back and give us another shot.

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 8:54 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Congratulations, man. I know exactly what you mean when your talking about it changing your life completely. I also lost a lot of weight awhile back (70 lbs) and I found myself watching less TV and playing less video games. Before I lost the weight I went straight home after work/school and did nothing. Now I’m out almost every night doing something. Congrats again man.

by SmitTee on Oct 1, 2009 9:45 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks SmitTee! You are so right. I thought nothing would ever get me off the couch and not playing video games, but oh how that all changes. I mean, hey, I do still get my couch time in but it’s not nearly what it used to be.

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 10:36 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

….and congrats to you on the 70 pounds, makes a WORLD of difference!

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 10:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Welcome back and congrats!

by RYoung on Oct 1, 2009 9:53 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks Royce, and thanks for giving Thunder fans a quality website to check out each and every day. Once I get back into the swing of things again, I’m hoping that between the two sites we can spoil Thunder fans with two great blogs to go to and discuss the team. (+anymore that may have popped up while I was gone, was there any?)

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 10:41 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh come on Georgie...

Its not like you missed our first championship run or anything… dont be so hard on yourself… Besides, those who have WTLC bookmarked before still have it bookmarked now… and you got back just in time for training camp and the start of our second season.

We ask 48... We give 48...

by AD. on Oct 1, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions

I appreciate that AD! …and I hope what you said is true, but I guess we will find out soon enough. Either way, I’m hoping to do a good enough job that they along with new readers won’t be able to not make this a daily stop.

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 10:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh...

and I’m glad you’re back because Royce needs some competition (he’s alittle high on himself right now… you know, creditialed and all)

We ask 48... We give 48...

by AD. on Oct 1, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

Did he get credentialed? That bastard! All I got credentialed for was the 66ers! :p Just kidding, congrats to him…now I have an avenue to help me get the same down the road, wink wink Royce :p

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 10:44 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think the page views dropped because there were no new articles, i use a feed reader, so it tells me if there are new articles, so i dont have to visit the site to find out there are not any new ones.

Congrats on losing the weight.

by f5alcon on Oct 1, 2009 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

Glad to see you're back

As a person in the same boat, I’m kind of curious how you went about losing the weight.

by ElectricPencils on Oct 1, 2009 1:42 PM CDT reply actions

Weight Watchers and Excersize

I had real problems with overeating so weight watchers was and still is great for me because it gives you limits on the amount of food you can eat, while at the same time allowing you to still eat whatever you want as long as you include it in your points budget. I joined WW Online for three months to learn the program and then once I had it down pat, I canceled my membership and bought a kickass 99 cent iphone app that includes a “points calculator” and even a daily tracker, so that’s all I’ve needed since to keep it up, although most of the stuff I eat I already know the points.

As for exercising I honestly just walked for an hour for about 6 months (on a treadmill) and eventually grew so sick of the treadmill I graduated myself to walking/jogging outside in my neighborhood and am now jogging 4 miles a day, 4 times a week.

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Is there any way

to find the points system online without paying to join WW?

I really need to get into the walking habit again.

Congrats on the weight loss. I know how hard that can be. You should definitely be proud of what you’ve accomplished.

by ElectricPencils on Oct 1, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Ya, it’s easily found online in terms of how to calculate your points budget. Now as far as finding a WW point calculator to calculate food points, that might be a little more difficult, im not sure, cause like I mentioned above I found a 99 cent iPhone app that works brilliantly.

If you have any trouble finding info, shoot me an email ;-)

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 3:39 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Thanks

by ElectricPencils on Oct 1, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Lol damn Mr P I thought this blogg was a gonner

did you know I got banned fromthe Whole nation because I posted too many damn fanshots and fanpost !!!??? Lol I tried to do my part and got kicked for it!!
(Now that my rant is over)
I glad you make a choice to change for the better I know you made several sacrifices for that! Congrats!!!!!
Now that I know this blog is back up I’ll get back to posting ……. Again!!!

How the hell did that happen? I am Trailblazer fan to the core but I love me some OKC THunder!!! Must be the Hometown pride I feel.

I'll Say it now so you guys can know I'm a true follower: "In Pioli I Trust"
Go Chiefs!!!!!

by bouzi on Oct 1, 2009 8:02 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Did you seriously get banned? LMAO, well, I’m ENCOURAGING you to post more fanposts and fanshots here at WTLC, Mister P got your back :p

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 1, 2009 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions

To be honest

I thought this site was very dead. Glad to be wrong :)

by manifestus on Oct 2, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Congrats and Welcome Back!

I’m back and ready for the season myself. Its good to see you’re doing well and see someone else who is finding success in the same struggle.

I’ve been dealing with my obesity and health problems that are more than likely related for the past 10 months. I’m nowhere near your level of success, i’m down about 38 lbs from my peak weight of 304.

Getting out into the real world is a good deal too! I stay in Norman so there is plenty of college eye candy out there running while I do my walks through the park.

I’m ready for the live game blogs and am looking forward to making fan posts from and about the 16 games I have tickets for this season! Head to OKC for a game I have an extra seat to a few, I got nosebleeds but I’m just happy to go this year!

"If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or music, then in that respect you can call me that... I believe in what I do, and I'll say it."
— John Lennon

by McNastee on Oct 1, 2009 9:33 PM CDT reply actions

Congratulations Mister P

Looking forward to reading more about the OKC Thunder.

Blazersedge mods suck

by lrh86 on Oct 2, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions

Welcome back and congratulations. You’re doing something truly important, so it’s completely understandable that blogging would come in second place. Especially during the offseason.

Kudos for your success. Keep it up, man.

Straight from the No-Stat Zone to your computer!
Dunkin' Cheerleaders

by LatinD on Oct 5, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks LD, appreciate it!

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 5, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Homie.

As a fellow SBNBA blogger I know how tough it is to keep a blog going throughout the off-season, so I feel your pain there. Two things I learned about blogging over the past year: 1. It’s impossible to do if you’re not having fun 2. It’s impossible to maintain when there’s something more important going on in your life. Your health is obviously more important, so no one can fault you for your decision.

As for the blog, I’m stoked to see you return. This was quickly becoming one of my favorite SBNation blogs before you left, and you should pick up right where you left off.

See you whenever the Sixers play the Thunder.

Liberty Ballers.com.

by Jordan Sams on Oct 6, 2009 9:50 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for all kind words Jsams!

You are definitely right about those two things! I’m happy to say that since restarting here, Im trying to settle back into and trying to enjoy it as much as possible. The time consuming part is still a bit of a bummer, but what can you do? I can’t do it half assed.

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 7, 2009 7:34 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Hey Man, I'm totally late in commenting

and you’ll probably never read this, but massive congratulations on what you’ve accomplished. Being pretty overweight myself (I think I’m around 290), I know how hard it is to get on a diet and exersize regimen and stick to it. I saw your Facebook posts for a while, with you ranting about hating to get on that treadmill, but day after day, you did, and you’re a much better person for it.

So anyway, congrats, and I’m looking forward to a complete season from ALL THREE Thunder blogs (well, you big tow guys and my small one), so there’s lots of different perspectives for people on the internet to enjoy. On to next season!

Tony.psd = Da Man
http://www.blueblitz.net
Check Out My New Blog! (Don't Worry, The Warriors are Still #1)

by Zorgon on Oct 7, 2009 11:03 PM CDT reply actions

*two, not tow

Tony.psd = Da Man
http://www.blueblitz.net
Check Out My New Blog! (Don't Worry, The Warriors are Still #1)

by Zorgon on Oct 7, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks a ton Zorgon

I’m glad I graduated from that Stupid Treadmill to running outside now…I just can’t deal with the treadmill anymore :p

-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
Welcome to Loud City | WTLC on Twitter | Mister P on Twitter | WTLC on Facebook | SBNation

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Oct 10, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

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	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
Denver Denver Stiffs	53	29	.646	0	Lost 1
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