Magic Number? 307.6 redux

I just hate it when I push the wrong key and send out blank blogs.

So perhaps 307.6 lbs is the magic number which makes arthritic pain in my knees subside? I am at 98% recovery now; what a relief!

Went out just a while ago and bought a veggie Subway Submarine Sandwich, then went to the Z-Market and purchased an avocado. I just couldn't resist buying some homemade salsa with ever so little shrimp in it to add to the sandwich. My first backslide since becoming a vegan.

I'm moving right along with the Luminosity.com thing. I figured with all of the scientific information out there on preventative steps to ward off dementia that I might as well jump on the band wagon. I've really progressed in skill level in the two or three months that I've been at it. I'm even in the 90 percentile group of one set of skills (since I can't remember offhand it surely can't be about memory lol :)

Brain Profile

1. Brain Area
   Your BPI
   How do you compare?

   Percentile Comparison

   Your percentile for each category shows you how you compare with other Lumosity users who are within five years of your age. For example, if your percentile in a given category is 40%, that means that you have a higher BPI than 40% of the Lumosity users in your age bracket.

   Note that since you're being compared to other people training with Lumosity, your percentile rank isn't as high as it would be if you were just compared to the general population.

1. Overall

   977
   83%

2. Speed

   953
   79%

   Train Speed

3. Memory

   967
   87%

   Train Memory

4. Attention

   821
   76%

   Train Attention

5. Flexibility

   1131
   91%

   Train Flexibility

6. Problem Solving

   1014
   84%

   Train Problem Solving

Not a lot going on. After this post I'll finish the other half of the sub sandwich and listen to lecture #7 about the Spartans. After that I think I'll try to give the car its first wash in over a year! Then Nancy will get her run around the neighborhood and I'll go inside and finish watching Top Gun ( I haven't watched TG for at least six months, I'm slipping ).

Somewhere I am going to try to figure out some kind of exercise scheme. I think my shoulder is ready now for some body weight.

Got to take my bike in for some sprocket inspection....... it's making clattering noises. Guess I'll drop by Cream of the Crop and pick up some vittles while I am in the vicinity.

lumosity addiction

I've overdosed a tad too much with the website, Lumosity.com. It costs a nominal fee, but I felt it might be worth it to exercise the gray matter. I get off on trying to memorize various grid patterns and seeing myself fail. I stayed with Monster Garden for over five hours straight! My forte is a game involving a cafe, customers and food orders which involves no grids.

Joy and I are about to watch a Netflix movie, The Agronomist, I have no idea what it's about.

Not a heck of lot going on......... just putzing around the house and yard.

Leapin' Lizards! 312

The coolest thing happened just a while ago. I had watered off the patio and was dressed in shorts and thongs relaxing in the chair when I noticed a lizard crawl on to the patio and drink from the wet concrete deck. He was about eight feet from me and I was kicked back taking it easy with my feet out when a bee lands on my big toe. The lizard's head turns towards the bee's movement and before I know is happening he scurries over to the foot thong and up on my toe and seizes the bee in his mouth. Then he slides down my foot, gives the bee a couple of chomps before swallowing and stays next to my foot for about fifteen seconds before scampering off the deck and into the planted section. I was excited when I first saw a lizard catch a spider and then a fly, but for me to actually be part of the hunt and have a ringside seat was the ultimate commune with nature wow!

24 Hours 312.4 (24 hrs later: 308.6)

Today, I am going to attempt to record all of my activities starting now at: 7:06 a.m.
7:06 a.m. - adjusted wall clock as it was running four minutes fast and I simply cannot function without the clock being in sych with the computer dash clock. Why don't I leave the wall clock be and use the computer dash clock? As I mentioned in the first twelve words of this journal I am recording all of my activities, no judgment only recording. (I noticed the time is 7:12 a.m. and I haven't gotten the wall clock down, because I'm writing about the wall clock, time and what I'm going to do ......... story of my life (7:13 a.m.); just reread what I've just written and it's now 7:15 a.m., the wall clock is still running too fast. The wall clock is down and on the desk! Now it's 7:23 a.m. ....... no, wait, that's the fast time, because I haven't adjusted it yet! It's really 7:19 a.m. I just wasted another minute waiting for the second hand to get to the twelve o'clock position, but it overran by 2 seconds so I'm spending an extra minute more allowing it to go around for 58 more clicks before I pull out the AA battery. I have everything set and was even able to hang the clock back on the wall in one try. The time now is 7:30 a.m. I can see that this is going to be a very productive and insightful day.

7:31 a.m.
I am feeling really uncomfortable already. How do I write what I am going to do and do it without wasting time writing about what it is I am going to do in the first place? ( 7:33 a.m. at the time of rereading this).
7:34 a.m. Fuck it, I'm going to make some coffee.

Between 7:34 a.m. and 8:46 a.m.:
I went to my bedroom, hugged Nancy, then found a blank spiral notebook to use while away from the computer. Next, I went outside in search of a pen I remember placing on the patio table last night. Couldn't find the pen, but discovered some pumpkin seeds I had left outside. Decided to eat breakfast. Heated up a cup (Megan's pyrex glass container) of concoction from the night before and downed that while dining at the T.V. table tray while watching Book TV C-Span2; Ralph Peters from the NY Post was being interviewed. I computed and projected, i.e., 7.2 lbs weight loss in 21 days divided by 365/21 = 17.3809524 times 7.2 = 125.142857 lbs for the year. (I worry about the last .142857 lbs). Walked into the kitchen and sliced an orange (did you know there is no word in the English language that rhymes with orange?) into quarters, ate it then finally sat down and had my first cup of coffee (now working on my second cup).

8:46 a.m. - 9:47 a.m.
Reading about Cervical Spinal Stenosis which is the diagnosis for Doug's condition.

Did a bunch of stuff.........end of journal (perhaps I might be a candidate for AADD).

365/35 = 10.4285714 X (322.0 - 308.6) = -139.742851 + 308.600000 = 169 lbs on 8/24/10

Library reminder: The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Fairer and Cheaper Medical Care

August 21, 2009 310.8

Another Friday, how quickly the weeks go by. I was thrilled to know that Megan is running on all cylinders now. Avery called me the other day to say hello. Grampa sounds like pop paah which sounds like grampa to me :) I say hello to Dylan but for now he's into the moment and not any salutations. I was impressed with Collin and John's third place finish at the Boulder Muddy Buddy contest. Way to go Collin! You too, John.

I'm hovering around the 310 lbs level now. This current round of weight loss I attribute to a vegan eating approach, no beer and some auto-suggestions I listen to on CD's or on iTunes.

I still attend meetings on a daily basis and find that I am developing some very nice friendships. It's amazing how the world looks when I'm not pissed off.

Nancy is doing well. She decided to abruptly stop in the course of one of our bicycle rides to a morning meeting. I picked up a couple of scrapes to the elbow and knee. Nancy still doesn't know what happened. All is well with her as long as she gets her one "greenie" treat a day.

I met a fellow today who invited me to play horseshoes in his backyard sometime next week. Then yesterday, Jimmy, the owner of Z-Market asked me to call him and makes plans for some chess games to be played on the tables in front of his market. I guess I'll have hit the Nirvana level if ever I can find someone to play pepper in the park.

So things are going well. I have lots of things to do, hopefully my energy level will increase with the coming weight loss.

Aug. 13, 2009 317.0

I've just returned from my morning meeting with Nancy accompanying me alongside my bicycle. A cool overcast morning kept the heat away. I've noticed I am riding just a bit farther up the hill now. I'm projecting that I'll be pedaling all the way to its crest when I record a solid 310 pounds. I'm definitely getting stronger. Arthritis is still bothering my knees, but not my bicycling so this is very good.

Next Monday night I'll drive up to Hollywood with a friend to watch another friend participate in a rap song competition. I wasn't aware of his creative abilities until I happened upon a conversation and then found out about this particular competition.

There will be some blue grass music over in Vista a couple of weeks from now. I'm hoping that Joy and I will be able to go.

We've been adding to the economy this past month: a new computer, a new microwave, a new hot water heater and an air popcorn popper, whew!

August 10th was my six month of sobriety; I'll take a token at tomorrow's morning meeting. It has been an interesting six months and much easier since I've bought into the spirituality of the AA program. Not stepping on toes and keeping my mouth shut and my eyes open has helped immensely too.

Megan, I hope that you're feeling better.

August 10th 314.6

Nancy and I have been having quite a bit of exercise lately since I've begun to bicycle again. My odometer turned to 3,000 miles over the weekend.

Imagine my surprise upon coming back online over the weekend when I found out about Megan's pain problems. I love you, Megan. Get well.

I weighed in at 5:00 a.m. 314.6; at 10:30 a.m. 313.6 and at 4:30 p.m. 315.2.

Not too much going on in Oceanside. A few meetings, naps and snacks. Life is good.
__________________________________________________________________________________

It's an hour and a half later since the last sentence was written. I just have to exclaim about my food concoction sans recipe.

Here's my rave for tonight:

Note: all ingredients are placed in a colander steamer and steamed for ten minutes before serving.

pre-cooked lentils and brown rice
microwaved potato
spinach
four asparagus all below are chopped
onion
cabbage leaves
Roma tomato
brocholi
seasonings and salt
Dejon mustard
zuchinni squash
Grapeseed Oil Vegenaise
two corn tortillas (diced)
one slice w/wheat bread (diced)

After steaming for ten minutes, flip ingredients into a stainless steel bowl and stir to cool. Very very easy to make. BON APETITE!

August 7, 2009 317.6

We updated our emailing system .......... bought a new iMac ...... go figure. The old iMac which Carol and Herb so graciously gave to us some five years ago had hard drive problems. Now we have all the bells and whistles with this one.

The sound system is terrific; Presently I'm listening to birdsongradio.com and the whole garage is immersed in bird calls, rustling leaves, flowing brook waters and wind sounds. You can also bring it up on the internet or go to "radio" in iTunes and locate "ambient" then click on for background bird songs and nature sounds as you go about your business on the internet.

The McDougall vegan thing is going well. I did purchase another paperback from Amazon.com ...... The Gabriel Method ...... it appears to dovetail nicely with McDougall. I also picked up a killer Chinese CD: Elixir Yang Ying.

Just returned from a morning meeting with Nancy running along side the bike. We're figuring out this riding compatibility and doing well may I add. Last night we rode to a night meeting on the other side of the hill. She now has a collar for night bicycle riding, a white LED light on an elastic collar. (from PETCO)

I'm very satisfied with reading The Gabriel Method; it's a visualization and meditation method of altering eating styles and relaxing the body into acceptance for this approach.

Life is good. The following is from an email my friend sends me: ***********************************************************

As Bill Sees It

Willing To Believe, p. 219

Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms
deter you from honestly asking yourself what they might mean to
you. At the start, this was all we needed to commence spiritual
growth, to effect our first conscious relation with God as we
understood Him. Afterward, we found ourselves accepting many
things which had seemed entirely out of reach. That was growth.
But if we wished to grow we had to begin somewhere. So at first we
used our own conceptions of God, however limited they were.

We needed to ask ourselves but one short question: "Do I now
believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power
greater than myself?" As soon as a man can say that he does
believe, even in this small degree, or is willing to believe, we
emphatically assure him that he is on his way.

Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 47

***********************************************************

Wednesday Roundup 322.2

In a couple of hours I'll head down to the transit center, catch the Coaster to San Diego and then walk to Petco Park and watch the Padres play the Marlins. I don't even have a glove to take to catch foul balls! I'll be back within six hours which makes it a nice outing.

Things have been pretty mellow around the household. I've moved bits and pieces in my bedroom bringing the clutter ever closer to a forgotten past.

The six hours have elapsed, but I didn't go to the game. I thought it would be too hot. A few years back that wouldn't have made any difference. The times they do change.

Had two english muffins with peanut butter for dinner. The tale of the morning scale awaits for me (I predict 320.6).

Nancy's had her bike run for the night and is now in the back seat of the car resting; very similar to how Herman would like to camp out in Mom's car and make believe he was going to far away places where fire hydrants abounded.

Monday Morning Meanderings 318.8

I got quite a bit (relative term) done yesterday. I got my bicycle back, but now my knee has reverted to the "gotcha" phase. I'm not going to do anything rash, but I am going to go about my business of physical recovery and work around any discomfort, i.e., avoid the pain but find use for the other extremities of my biomass.

Last night I took Nancy for a car ride and before I knew it the old folks car(Buick) had mysteriously guided us to the parking lot in front of Barnes & Noble. Came out of there with a Japanese CD of traditional music for my insomnia, Brain Boot Camp for my shoes and a book about clutter control for Joy's bedroom.

My weight has dropped into the teens as I had anticipated would happen. If my fingers and toes are an accurate abacus they show that this is the twelfth day of the 12 Day McDougall Diet Program. I know I can handle this. Saturday I took Joy to the In and Out burger stand and while she munched on an oozy cheese burger I, on the other hand, had three oranges, one banana and a tiny sliver of onion that had fallen out from her burger bun.

So the morning agenda is a KoK meeting, a merrigold transplant, some reading, CD listening, bird watching and petting Nancy. The afternoon will be just as rambunctious I'm sure.
__________________________________________________________________________________



TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY

A.A. Thought For The Day

We must be loyal to the group and to each member of it. We must
never accuse members behind their backs or even to their faces.
It's up to them to tell us themselves if anything is wrong. More than
that, we must try not to think bad things about any members, because
if we do, we're consciously or unconsciously hurting that person. We
must be loyal to each other if A.A. is going to be successful. While
we're on this lifeboat, trying to save ourselves and each other from
alcoholism, we must be truly and sincerely helpful to each other. Am I
a loyal member of my group?

Meditation For The Day

Carry out God's guidance as best you can. Leave the results to Him.
Do this obediently and faithfully with no question that if the working
out of the guidance is left in God's hands, the results will be all
right. Believe that the guidance God gives you has already been
worked out by God to produce the required results according to your
case and in your circumstances. So follow God's guidance according
to your conscience. God has knowledge of your individual life and
character, your capabilities and your weaknesses.

Prayer For The Day
<> I pray that I may live according to the dictates of my conscience. I
pray that I may leave the results to God.

Sunday Morning Jitters 320.6

8:15 a.m.

Had some decaf coffee this morning and then as an afterthought I spiked it with some instant coffee.......nice little kick to it :) Check out the weight report above, my bod is about to enter the teens. I think I'm ready to roll.

Megan's glass Pyrex bowls are really a great idea. There are 3-cup containers, 2's and 1's. Today I'll limit myself to three cups of mixed starches and 3 cups of mixed fruits plus half a ton of water.

I have the Verbena to plant this morning. I feel fairly energetic at the moment.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Verbena ...... check
Health Rider ... check
Food control ... check
Knee problems... crap

Feelin' Clean on Saturday 322.0

So far the vegan approach is approachable. My main source of starches and proteins are potatoes, squash, red kidney beans, lentils, yams and rice. Veggies are whatever I put the knife to. Fruits are mainly melons, oranges, mangoes and bananas. I've switched to green tea, but today I just brewed up some decaf coffee.

Health wise I feel very good. I have noticed that my overall body is not as sore anymore. I still have swelling in the lower extremities, but not so much as when I returned from three straight days of driving home from Wyoming. That kind of stint turns my ankles into swollen softballs. My skin is not as oily and my mind seems to be a bit more clear.

Having a tough time getting started on a regimented exercise program, but I can feel it in my bones; the time is near. I'm planning on moving the health rider out to the garage and putting it just outside my sliding glass bedroom door. My bicycle should be good to go by Monday night at the latest. I'm still gun shy with doing push ups, because of the shoulder.

I bought some plants for the front. The lobelia I planted earlier are a partial shade plant which I didn't realize so I bought some Verbena (trailing) to replace them.

AA is going well. Anytime I get bored I just drive three minutes down the hill and I am at the North County Fellowship Center for any of three meetings throughout the day and night. King of Kings will be no more as of August; The 7:00 a.m. meeting will move just up the hill to another church setting. I've got 158 days of sobriety and learning the AA approach is beginning to gel.

WE AGNOSTICS

Yes, we of agnostic temperament have had these thoughts and experiences. Let us make haste to reassure you. We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God.
Much to our relief, we discovered we did not need to consider another’s conception of God. Our own conception, however inadequate, was sufficient to make the approach and to effect a contact with Him. As soon as we admitted the possible existence of a Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe underlying the totality of things, we began to be possessed of a new sense of power and direction, provided we took other simple steps. We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men.

p. 46 AA Book

How Am I Doing? 324.6

Learning the intricacies of the keyboard is not my thing. I kept hitting the enter key after typing in the title and it kept posting.......ayeeeeeeeeeeee.

After five complete days of being on the vegan McDougall Diet Plan I am well. There is still edema in my legs, but it is slowly coming around. My mind is clearer and the overall soreness in my body has been lightened so I am pleased with my decision to go vegan.

I considered yesterday to be my official vegan diet startup. Mondays seem to be good startup days. I shaved my head and will keep it such until the scales read 250 lbs. Hell, I might as well make the decision right now to walk backwards until I reach 170, that makes sense too. Anyway, who loves you baby? Go Telly go!

Going to KoK meeting in an hour. Things are going well with sobriety. I'm considering taking on a year long commitment involving community outreach. I'll go to an informational meeting this Friday to find out the requirements and expectations.

Joy and I had a wonderful time visiting both families. Heather is doing quite well and she's happy with her life. Denise, Collin and Dylan are grooving and they're busy in Cheyenne building their life and having fun while doing it.

So this is what's happening. I'm getting my bicycle out of the shop today. Oceanside is a good place to live. Our HOA is a pain in the arse, but only a small pain for sure. We can live with it.

Starting Today June 1, 2009 322.8

"The one thing most needed to change a person's lifestyle and improve their health is: A COMMITTED DECISION TO REACH A PREDETERMINED SPECIFIC GOAL, COMBINED WITH BURNING DESIRE, FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE, MASSIVE ACTION REPEATED CONSISTENTLY FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES UNTIL YOUR GOAL IS REACHED." (Tom Venuto)

My goal is to weigh 170 pounds

Pressing On May 26th 321.4

I Found Them! May 25th 322.0

I misplaced a couple of workout programs in the file system and by trial and error I just retrieved both. This is momentous! I've got one more program that is in a weird looking form so I have to contact the webmaster.

I created a new blog on Musecrafters.com just to see if I could do it. On a couple of boxes I didn't know what I entered, but typed something in and it worked. Megan, I'll be begging for help eventually. The purpose of a new blog is to exclusively record my workouts none/few or all on a daily basis (501 Day Countdown). I'm going to see how I feel by mid-October '09 and if I'm still in one piece then I'll enter the QualComm Million Dollar Challenge 2010. I'm open to any and all encouragement. June 3rd I'm going for a wellness evaluation at Kaiser-Permanente in San Marcos.

(Obstacles are seen only when the eyes are taken off the goal. I CAN DO IT!)

I went to KoK this morning and now working on some cups of coffee. I will do the house chores today! I just read Denise's and Collin's blog......I must work in the house now! Get to it now, WIMPY!

The kitchen floor was steamed and the living room and hallways vacuumed. Better late than never.

May 24th......What if? 322.4

What if I set a goal to ride from San Francisco to San Diego in October 2010, but I would have to raise $10,000 for the charitable event; would I have support from my readership to help me collect donations towards the cause? Check out the website and let me know....... http://www.challengedathletes.org/compete/MDC_2006.htm

Yesterday, I planted some flowers in the front. With soil preparation and slow movement I managed to spend 2 hours. Usually after a prodigious effort such as this, in the hot sun may I add, I would have had some ice cold beer. I let the thought pass and chose a chilled oatmeal drink concoction loaded with Purity Products and a banana.....eat your heart out Aunt Carol :)

Later on I took Nancy for a local bike(me)run(she) around the neighborhood. The sun shone on her to perfectly bring out the glistening brown that mixes in so well with her black coat. What a beautiful dog; she is so loving. She's well known to the KoK group.

Below are my baseball and football futures bets:


Brewers 40/1 = $200 @ (5.00 all )
Twins 28/1 = 140
Dodgers 17/1 = 85
Cubs 8/1 = 40
Red Sox 7/1 = 35

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chargers 13/1 = $130 @(10.00)
Eagles 16/1 = 160 @(10.00)
Bills 55/1 = 275@( 5.00)
Texans 45/1 = 225@( 5.00)
Jaguars 35/1 = 175@ (5.00)
Saints 25/1 = 125@ (5.00)
Vikings 13/1 = 65@ (5.00)
Titans 20/1 = 100@ (5.00)

I think I'll take a slow bicycle ride to the beach on the San Luis River bike trail (sorry Nancy).

May 21st 323.8

Did a KoK meeting this morning. Let Nancy roam the area before returning to our hacienda.

Spent over an hour on the phone talking with Gary Davis and catching up. We might take in a Padres game one of these days.

I want to take care of the chores I didn't do last night.

Not too much to write about. Things are mostly mellow around here. Manana, manana, manana...........

May 20th 322.4

Man, do I have an issue. This f====ing renter while bicycling with his dog, bags up the dog shit then leaves it on top of an electrical box located next to the road (on another person's lawn). This same asshole has a crucifix dangling from his rear view car mirror.......need I say more? I am frosted and I am going through management and the owners of the unit where he resides to remedy the situation. Last week I took two bags of poop from there and tossed them on his driveway. Not taking the hint, he's looking for some action, but I refuse to confront him for obvious reasons...........It's now three hours since I wrote the above paragraph. I left a message with our management company and then I stapled the following note to the plastic filled bag: TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN DOG MATTERS......THANK YOU. No sooner had I left the bag on the electrical box then I heard the "man-child" renter bicycling by. I went outside a few minutes later and noticed the bag was gone. End of story....he's still an asshole.

Went to KoK this morning and I'm prepared to get cracking on some chores, however, I am going to experiment on something first.....I'm going to do the COMPACT 5 MINUTE EXERCISE WORKOUT first and then pursue the chores. The other night when I did this I found I accomplished some piddly tasks without much psychological effort after that five minute routine.

Time has elapsed and I've yet to get started on the chores though I did take care of vacated poop matters and fixed myself an awesome fruit salad sans lettuce. Now sipping green tea, typing this and getting ready to do the 5 MINUTE THING.

Saw a funny thing about Chris Rock on You Tube: How to avoid a police ass kicking. Also saw a despairingly depressive (meant to be funny) interview with Americans..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE&NR=1

Okay, I putting this on Save and am going to get cracking!

I didn't crack and it's now 3:20 p.m. Got caught up in HOA stuff and then had to make lunch. Power packed to say the least. I guess I'll start in at 4 o'clock.

At 6:45 p.m. I finally did my 5 MINUTE ROUTINE and I'm now sweating profusely while at the keyboard.

On a final note, we watched Keith Olberman lambast Rush Limpballs and it was ha ha all the way through. Oh how I loved it. To watch that turd licker get his just dessert is like Nirvana for me. He's such a fricking coward and the righties don't even care. ROCK ON KEITH!

May 19th 322.8

Back fro Vegas where I've placed some Super Bowl futures bets. My baseball futures include the Dodgers, Brewers and Red Sox so things look okay there.

Kind of feeling the classic H.A.L.T. of AA warnings, i.e, hungry, angry, lonely and tired. Hunger is the big one for me. I was on the bus for so long and didn't properly prepare for the ride home. Going there was fine.

I'm winding down from the ride home. I did take the LA to Oceanside portion by way of MetroLink train so that provided some variety.

Tomorrow is another day and I am psyched and ready to get after it. I've got some inside household chores to contend with.

So life is good, it's good to be home.

May 18th 321.0

Yesterday, the Padres beat the Reds 3 to 1 on a four-hitter by Jake Pevey. We just about caught a home run ball hit to right field, but we had vacated the section where the ball landed, because we wanted to be in the shade further up. It was a fun day, I think I'll do it again. Really reasonable with the Senior Discount for train fare and stadium ticket. PETCO PARK has to be the easiest stadium in the U.S. to get to. Take the train, switch to the city trolley and you're off to the stadium walking less than a quarter of a mile.

It's 5:30 p.m.and I just finished working out on my bike for the first time, I mean like truly working out. The time pattern is 10 seconds all out and 20 seconds cool down, done within the time constraint of a five minute package. I used the hill directly in front of our driveway so that Nancy was able to frolic about. It was over before I knew it and now I'm reaping the rewards of the increased metabolic rate. I think this this is going to work out very well.

I've made some power packed meals throughout the day. One more and then I'll head on down to Oceanside Transit Center and catch a bus to Las Vegas in order place the Super Bowl bets as I've mentioned before.

I've decided to take in a lot of daytime Padres games in the coming weeks and try to get some of my friends from high school to partake also.

May 17th 324.4

A friend and I are taking the Coaster down to San Diego to watch the Padres play Cincinnati. Play starts at one o'clock, I'm looking forward to the outing.

I've put together a lentil based soup in the crockpot so that should hold me for a while. Haven't missed a day of bicycling to Cream of the Crop (I guess I'll give myself a Mulligan for today though).

May 16th 323.8

Just finished reading the blogs of both families. "Nekkid" certainly has an element of freedom attached to it. As I recall, Megan bought me a bathrobe to cover my semi-nekkidity (moi in the morning being seen in underwear!). Quite a swashbuckling picture of the new motorcycle. Collin won't be tired when riding this bike any kind of distance. It looks like a good selection......well done.

Missed my morning meeting. Last night I attended a meeting where an outside visitor came and shared that he had just come from a funeral for his son, a fallen Marine. He told of his anguish and how he had just about given up his 19 years of sobriety, (other family members were at Camp Pendleton at the NCO Club) fortunately, a couple of AA Marines were with him in support. He said that his son approved his choice.

I plan on the same routine today. There's a bunch of veggies in the refrigerator so I have to see what I can concoct.

May 15th 323

The number just above is today's weight record.

It's 6:00 a.m. and I'll be going to KoK shortly. Hopefully, I'll meditate before without rushing into it.......what's the point if I rush into it? On second thought that is probably the best time to do it since that's when I am wired.....I got through the meditation and I'm back from KoK. Had a piece of carrot cake for Paul's 34th "Birthday."

I have a power breakfast to make, some food preparation and then I'm off for Cream of the Crop. They have some nice outside tables right next to Coast Highway; Using the sound muffler Megan gave me makes it an excellent place to lunch, relax and read without the distraction of auto traffic.

I think I am going to expand my bicycling to Cream of the Crop to include brief workouts at 24 Hour Fitness. I'll probably buy a bus pass which will allow me to go to various cities to do those small workouts.

Right now an average day look like this:

1) Meditation/prayer
2) Kok
3) Breakfast
4) Small garden chores
5) Bicycle/read
6) Home/computer/

I rode about 10 miles this afternoon at my own pace. I'm starting to generate some energy with this output. Stopped by the bike store and bought a pair of riding gloves and a helmet.

Did some reading from the Big Book as well as some from the baseball book that I am reading.

Going to a speakers meeting tonight at KoK.

Reunion and rededication 324

May 13th.........Had a great get together at John Smith's house in Huntington Beach along with "Luke" Lunquist, Bill Howley, and Mike Lavrusky. We rehashed the "good ole days" and we all concluded that we truly lived out "Happy Days" in the Covina of the '50's.

While there I concluded that my overweight(5/10 = 327, 5/13 = 324)problem should be addressed, so starting yesterday I am on a quest to drop poundage and better my overall life. Last night I had boiled spinach, chopped tomato, whole grain bread, mozzarella cheese, 2 oz chopped chicken, almonds, veggie thins and rice milk. This morning breakfast was a concoction of: lentils, white rice, onion, tomato, jalapenos and mozzarella cheese. Lunch was essentially the same with the addition of brocholli and a very minute portion of yam.

Exercise today will consist of a short bike ride, light Miracle Seven dynamic exercises and five minutes of health rider using the 10 hard 20 rest technique............................................................
May 14th.......I did the KoK meeting, things went well, returned home and had a BIG breakfast of steamed spinach, fish and you name it.........became tired and went to bed......It's now 2:00 p.m. and I'm ready to bicycle down to Cream of the Crop market, about a seven mile round trip. I've decided that this will be a daily regimen thereby solving the need for exercise and always having fresh food. I'm off...........................................................................

One more time

Went to a KoK meeting this morning, I'll be conducting morning meetings every Thursday. Then a couple of hours later I took Joy and Nancy to In and Out Burger for early lunch. On the way home, stopped by Lowe's and picked up some bedding plants (they're still in the car trunk though I did water them for the night).

Went online with Kaiser-Permanente and registered for a weight loss program as well as an overall wellness physical scheduled for 6/03/09. Slept and listened off and on to the radio until just a few minutes ago. The weight loss program has all the recording tools and goal setting forms as well as a variety of information. I think I can feel the boulder slightly moving as I push.

Life is good.

May 4th

I have been having a terrible time getting over the hump. I have the easiest garden in the world to prepare and take care of, yet I've managed to weed and move a few spade fulls of dirt, no plants or seeds.

I've decided to keep track of my time from morning until bedtime* to see if I can shame myself into more productive bouts of time spent within the twenty-four hour orb. The following has taken place since awaking at 6:00 a.m.:

6 to 7 a.m.---dressing, reading emails and spending time refuting misinformation from the right by using snopes.com One high school teammate keeps sending me bullshit emails about various conspiracies, fraud by the government agencies, etc....each one he has sent me (at least ten) has been bogus according to snopes.com

7 to 8 a.m.---attended a King of Kings (KoK) meeting.

8 to 11:00 a.m---chased after Nancy, made coffee, worked the computer for Rawstory.com articles, fixed a breakfast of: steamed white rice, chunks of baked chicken and organic baby spinach, downed a variety of supplements and blood pressure medications, called library to lay away the book, Playing With The Enemy.

Note* It's now 7:00 p.m.5/07/09.......regrouping once again

Phoenix

Arising from the ashes once again, after obsessing with the NFL Draft for the past two days, I'm ready to disassemble and reassemble my habits. The garden has remained fallow for over a year....my weight has increased eight percent since last year....I've indulged myself with too many sugary products....exercising has slowed to a standstill. It's time to get after it! More to follow............

February 28th

Awoke at 3:30 a.m and vowed no coffee. I mixed some chocolate protein mix with powdered dry milk and microwaved it for some hot cocoa drink. Love coffee, but the jolt it gives is supposedly not the best thing in the world if one is trying to rewire his circuitry.

The Kaiser-Spa, as it's affectionately termed, is alive and well. My monthly Coaster pass was purchased yesterday. Being over 62 years allows for a discount so the cost is $45.50......reasonable to say the least. Anyway, the train usually gets me within a ten minute bicycle ride to Kaiser and I've made the ride daily with the exception of two days.

It's wonderful to watch people change as the days go by. I'm in a yoga class. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step and oh how true that is with yoga and where my flexibility and endurance are for starters.

Today, I'll try to take down my raised garden bed the depth of one cement block. Also, I'm going to clock a bicycle run to the train station by a different route in order to increase my strength and stamina. As it now stands, I can ride to the station in 14 minutes with most of the ride downhill. This new route will be mostly flat and will increase the distance by a mile to two miles. My knee certainly is feeling better (like 99.8%)....YES!

So that's the happenings and thoughts on this day. I love my grand children, children and their spouses. May we all smile.

Update

Last Tuesday I started an overall wellness program (at my pace) in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente. I attended various meetings and explored the surrounding community and found such basic needs as: a Subway Sandwich Shop, 24 Hour Fitness, Vons Market, the safest bicycle route from the train platform to Kaiser and return, a quiet place to read, etc...

I made the decision to structure this program as a typical workday, i.e., 5:00 a.m. wakeup, take the train to Kaiser (Point Loma), do what I have to do and then return home anywhere from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Joy wholeheartedly supports this approach towards adjusting to full retirement.

My knee is 95% better, it now feels as if I've just recovered from a hyper-extension injury, in other words, I can jump from a ruler, but not a yardstick. My weight is at the 300 plateau so it's still an issue, but it can be remedied.

Finished listening to the Hollywood Crows and am now reading a true story by Wambaugh, The Fire Lover, an account of capturing and convicting a Glendale, California fire
captain turned arsonist.

One cup of green tea got me to this point. Nancy just awoke and requested egress for her early morning front yard pee and then a quick return to the comfort of HER bed which she shares with me.

Moving Forward

I took care of some paperwork for Social Security (and indirectly private health insurance) today and tomorrow hopefully, I'll be closer to health benefits during retirement.

Tomorrow, I'll get my peepers checked and see if I need glasses.

I've got an audio book, Hollywood Crows, which is the sequel to Hollywood Division I've just finished, and I'm now listening to on the recorder.

Denise, Collin and Dylan are coming out Easter Week and that will be wonderful.

Today I purchased my bus pass for the month of February so my game plan is to fully go about my business by way of the local bus routes..............we'll see.........the interesting thing about retirement is the fact that whatever I've dreamed of accomplishing or attempting has always been tempered with the fact that a work schedule has always been considered. GUESS WHAT?.....no more........now I can put "my would of, could of and should of" into action without any kind of rationalization. In my short period of retirement I have found some inadequacies in my plan, but I am still excited!

Las Vegas Bound

Tomorrow, the 13th, I ride to Las Vegas via Greyhound and meet up with Collin. From there we'll leave the next morning and drive on down to Santa Margarita CA. We're staying at the Union Plaza so perhaps some craps is on the agenda.

I've got a $5 bet at 26 to 1 odds that the Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl. I keep all my paper propositions in a marble cigarette box. Every few months I look at them then dream and brag to others.......well guess what? Now I can't find the tickets! I feel like a kid who's lost his baseball trading cards. Somewhere in my room of clutter is my precious Super Bowl bet, I MUST FIND IT!

I finished reading Hollywood Division; it was a great read filled with all kinds of cop talk. I'm now reading The Life of Jesus by the same author (Joseph Girzone) who wrote Joshua. After this one I think I'll read something by Zane Grey or Louie Lamour....I've had an interest in reading a western novel lately.

Overall, things are going well. I'll miss Joy and Nancy. I am hoping that Joy will be able to give Nancy some exercise. I'm going to try to have Nancy (a neighbor) try to assist Joy by running Nancy (the dog) back and forth for treats. Joy and I used to do this at the park when we first got Nancy.

Adjusting To The Retired Life

I'm adjusting to this new environment which doesn't require me to observe the clock. Interesting........Saturday night I watched the Chargers defeat the Colts, SWEET! Then today I watched the Ravens and Eagles advance. I have Super Bowl bets on the
Eagles and Chargers made six months ago. Eagles are at 26 to 1 and Chargers at 7 to 1. It would be cool for both to make it all the way.

I just finished reading a Tom Clancy book, SSN, about nuclear submarines and now I'm reading a Joesph Wambaugh novel, Hollywood Division, about the LAPD in 1996. I think I would have enjoyed being a cop, however, I remember talking to a seasoned LAPD detective in 1968 advising against it, because of politics, sociological changes and various other drawbacks. Now I realize how easy it is to become injured working in that profession.

I'll be meeting Collin and Maggie, his newly adopted chocolate lab, October 13th in San Luis Obispo. We'll drive back together to Cheyenne and I'll visit for a few days.

Megan's blog about Mexico is entertaining. I envy her being in a pristine environment able to observe the majesty of blackened skies sprinkled in a colorful mix of astronomical settings.

Incidentally, my knee is much better and I have no need for crutches. There is some stiffness and tenderness, but now it is quite tolerable. I am certain I made the correct decision in retiring from driving; I would have just continued to cause more pain and damage if I had attempted to gut it out.

Eventually I want to start riding more than just taking Nancy for her exercise sprints and jogs, but that is a few weeks off. For the time being I am going to slowly begin some type of program at 24 Hour Fitness.

Home chores include rearranging and cleaning my room, thinning out my collection of used books, taking my block garden down one level and relocating the soil to relieve pressure against the south side wall. Oh yes, and preparing wholesome meals for myself (Joy is included as long as she isn't too finicky about what I prepare :).....I must admit that some of my concoctions would make someone appear to be finicky if not panicky.

Retirement

Tomorrow begins my official retirement from NCTD. Today Joy and I will sign some papers to initiate retirement processing. This is all good, but the real happiness is that my knee is much better. With that said I vow to lose some weight in order to lessen the workload on said knee. As anyone can tell from my past writings this has been a real cause for concern.

I want to apologize to Denise and Collin for not phoning them on Xmas. I just got caught up in events and before I knew it it was the 27th. Megan, I could have done a Facebook "Merry Christmas" to you, but I didn't think of it until just today.

While I think of it let me share this with you: I appreciate birthday gifts and Christmas gifts, but unless it is an "extra special kind of gift", I would rather have Kiva gift certificates or else money donations to AC MaNalac (PH-439-0114) at Compassion International, Colorado Springs, CO 80997.

Here's hoping that 2009 will be fine and that I'll be able to make some visits to Wyoming and Oregon to see my grand children.

Rain

It's raining finally, a cold rain, good.
Joy and I will be going for her six week visit to the doctor. She's outside now, bundled up with a ski cap and layers of clothing completing her soduku puzzles.

My knee problem is still a problem. I am using the crutches more and more since it takes so much weight off when I walk. I am really at a loss for the moment. This really sucks, yet what is there to do? Compared to the Sunday before last I am 50% improved so that's a plus. The fact that I can still ride a bicycle without much discomfort is also something to cheer about.

Life is good. Joy is good and Nancy too.

Found an interesting blog site: http://yes-to-me.com/

Off From Work

I went to work this morning with the aid of crutches. The crutches allowed me to cover ground much faster than to go without them and trudge toward a destination. Everything went fine, passengers never saw me with crutches and I got to the bus and back to the drivers room quite easily. This was a bit much for the boss upstairs so I've worked it out to be off until December 29th and either I'll be good to go or ready for retirement. Actually, the only reason I am working now (other than money) is my uneasiness with the economy and the future of my pensions. Regardless of the outcome after Dec. 29th I think I will go ahead and retire. Part of this knee problem is from repetitive motion and now with an older body frame I should quit while I am ahead of the game.

Home For The Day

Got a cortisone shot in the knee, hopefully that will lubricate the bothersome area. Right now I can limp around the house. I'll try to ride my bike for the sake of Nancy's walk. In the past the pedaling movement didn't seem to bring on pain. Nancy is patiently waiting by my side trying to read body language.

Sunday

Went to Walgreen's and bought a pair of crutches. Will go to the doctor's tomorrow to find out wtf is going on? I will not work tomorrow. I am wound up tight.

Mid-week

At the middle point of my work week. Purchased some green tea from Peet's online and just had my second gigantic cup (the Starbucks Coffee cup won at our last reunion); pretty good taste and there is a choice from a variety of three teas.

I started Weight Watchers on November 20th and have lost 3 lbs. I haven't been following it to the letter, but at least there's hope. Right now about the only exercise I am getting is my bicycle time with Nancy. My knee is really bothering me which limits any kind aerobic motion on the ground. I'll see the doctor on the 11th to figure out my next step. I suspect part of the problem is repetitive motion and pressure applied to the foot feed (accelerator) for so many years. Yesterday, I adjusted the height of the seat to see if I can cause any change for the better.

I'll try to read Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations since this is the genesis for free market style economy. I'm a slow reader, but I want to go through every sentence to see if ever there is any mention of social responsibility. I doubt it since the premise of Milton Freidman's economic philosophy is that the free market alone will make adjustments along the way to keep an economy strong. This dilemna our nation and world faces is extremely worrisome. I've heard that it is quite conceivable that every man, woman and child in the U.S. is burdened with a debt of $60 thousand plus. The U.S. citizenry will never be able to ascertain with certainty, because so much of budget is off limits for accounting because of national security.

Well breakfast is coming to mind, obviously I'll be doing my lentil thing.

Great Breakfast

A quarter cup each of diced onions, green pepper and tomatoes stirred in olive oil with low heat. After a few minutes add pre-cooked lentils (about 3/4 cup) and stir. After all is heated add one chopped up cheese string finger and two eggs and scramble. Season with whatever moves you. A very hearty breakfast and easy and quick to make.

I'll do a bit of shopping for next week and then return to watch the Chargers. They have their work cut out for them.

It was great to have a four day work week, I'm looking forward to Christmas and New Year's and the days off it provides me.

I saw an interesting article on research being done in Michigan on vortex hydro energy.

http://www.vortexhydroenergy.com/

I've got 23 games of chess ongoing on Facebook's ChessPro. Anybody care to play?

Saturday

In a few minutes I shall clean the house and pick up (ahem) Nancy's items left outside. I just now called her in from the front yard. Her coat is so full and she literally gleams from the sun's rays. Such a treat to have her as a companion.

I fell over my parked bike in the middle of the pitch black night about two weeks ago. I had a puncture wound in my left hand which is finally in the last phase of healing over. Antibiotics.....the whole works.....it could have been nasty so I'm grateful for the assorted bruises and scrapes rather than an ambulance ride.

I get such a good feeling when I read about the good that Kiva loans do. I also sponsor a young Filipino boy through another organization. His parents are dirt poor and so appreciative of this support. I'm going to add some kind of monthly stipend for the family. They have some kind of small store business and I'm sure whatever amount I decide upon will be of help. So much poverty in this world, but it's better to hope than to hope less.

Joy and I spent a quiet Thanksgiving together. I bought some marinated chicken from a local market however, what I thought were chicken breasts was some other part and tasted bad. So we savored the potatoes and green beans. There's always next year :)

The Night Before Thanksgiving

It was the night before Thanksgiving and glad to be alive, glad for my children and grandchildren too, turkeys were frozen no need to awake, just wait for tomorrow and savor the bake. Avery and Dylan you're enfolded in love, you're held gently in a giant velvet glove. Nephews and cousins isn't cool, playmates will soon be there for you?

I am thankful for my children and the mates which they chose.
I am thankful to be earning a living.
I am thankful that I am an American.
I am thankful to be where I am and what I know.
I am thankful to experience love in such a variety of ways.
I am thankful for brave people who are much braver than me.

Mistake

Yesterday I strolled into the drivers room confident that everything was well. When I went to sign in I was advised I was 18 minutes late and my run had been assigned to someone else. My mind had quirked and I thought that 1:50 p.m. was the report time, but that was the report time to the bus location NOT the drivers room where I was to have shown up at 1:28 p.m. Aside from money loss and a slight reprimand no harm done.
Irksome though.

Going to work shortly (at the correct time); still working on the eighteen games of chess.

Nancy has had her park walk and run in our cul-de-sac.

It was good to read Megan's blog once again.

The Wyoming clan sounds well.

Time to go.

End of the work week

Am listening to some KUNC jazz (McCoy Tyner) while I blog...I have the most wonderful work schedule; split shifts which allow me to go home and take care of Nancy (Joy also is obviously included :)

I joined Weight Watchers for 10 weeks......butt naked I was at 304 lbs at the time of enrollment........and NO I wasn't such at weigh in time! ( I did a weight check prior to going to the meeting.....you BAD people! )

I've got 18 games of chess going thru Facebook (18)..... it's fun, because I spelled out the situation that I may make four moves within an hour or one within twenty-four or forty-eight.

The state of the national economy is unbelievable. To think my off-spring must go through a recycling process of the the 30's is unthinkable. My solution is borrowed from the Rotary Club:


The 4-Way Test

Of the things we think, say or do:



1.

Is it the TRUTH?
2.

Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3.

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4.

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

_____________________________________________________________________________

This mentality should be plastered on every wall of every high school, grade school, and every institute of higher learning everywhere and tattooed on the foreheads of every CEO in the world.
______________________________________________________________________________



From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. This 24-word code of ethics for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy

Getting ready for Monday

The Chargers lose to the Steelers. I watch some numb nut #27 give a chip block/tackle (HELLO?) with three seconds on the first half game clock and I go ape ..............calming myself, I realize I can't do anything about it.........I take Nancy to the park and return to watch the Chargers lose...........oh, how I have issues....never mind..........

Joy surprised me with a BOSE Radio for our anniversary.....very cool....very, very cool.......

I've heard The Angler is an important book to read........

Life is good........I'm always seeking self improvement (though not necessarily accompanied with the necessary motivation from said self).

OH, how we love Avery and Dylan!

Inspiration

Determining Your Own Future

“We are face to face with our destiny and we must meet it with a high and resolute courage. For us is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty; let us live in the harness, striving mightily; let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out.”—Theodore Roosevelt

Why is it that so many people who exercise and diet year after year remain overweight and lacking in muscle definition? They go through the motions, thinking that success is merely the combination of the right exercises and the right foods. Although that is definitely part of the route to success, the truth is that you cannot get the results you want unless you begin with the goal clearly defined in your mind.

The whole key to making miracles happen in your life, whether in your fitness, your career, or your marriage, begins exactly the same way—with your intention. First, you must establish order through mentally picturing what it is that you want to achieve. Then you add power, life, vitality, radiance, and passion to the mental image by breathing life into it.

We become what we think about with deep, vivid emotion. To merely think a thought does not give it transformative power. But to think a thought backed by an abundance of passion, enthusiasm, and life-affirming emotion puts it into the realm of the extraordinary.

This is the way of the transformed life. You, and you alone, determine what you want in life. And you alone—with faith, courage, and perseverance—make up your mind that nothing will prevent you from reaching your goal.

Resolve to stop thinking negative thoughts such as “I can’t—there’s too much for me to overcome.” Start saying, “I can! I will! Nothing will stop me!” Each day is a new day and a new start, so make yours happen positively.

Refocus your life priorities and make fitness a dynamic part of it. Then put your heart and soul into your workouts and you can achieve goals that are beyond your wildest dreams.—J.P. www.transformetrics.com

____________________________________________________________________________________

Actions not words...........do the walk and walk and walk some more.

How the weeks fly by

Just read in my last blog how I put poppy seed pods in a 55 gallon barrel and that in a week I would spread the seeds around...WRONG, they're still in the barrel, perhaps today...........

It's a great day the temperature is at 79 degrees with a gentle breeze. I'm now working a Monday thru Friday bid which lasts through January 24th. It's a split shift where I work Mondays and Tuesdays early morning and mid-afternoons until 7:30 p.m.; WThF I start at 11:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. then return at 4:30 and off at 8:30 p.m. SWEET!

Joy is doing relatively well. She just doesn't have a sustained energy level. Her white cells counts are down, but so are her blood platelets so that's the quirk.

My shoulder is much better, but not the same. I've got some arthritis going in my right knee, but other than that things are well.

Still doing the crock pot thing, but lately I've just been cooking a large batch of lentils and extract what I need then place the remainder in the refrigerator. The basic dish I make is: lentils, chopped onions, brocolli, green pepper, tomato, jalapenos, one string cheese, large amount of cayenne pepper then microwave for two minutes, place a scrambled egg on top and chow down.

I am very happy and relived that Obama won. If he can stabilize the mess he has inherited I will be astounded. He actually speaks too!

July 24th

Had a relatively good sleep last night. It is never terrific, because Nancy sleeps with me and though we share halves it always seems to shift to 4/7ths to 3/7ths in favor of her side. Wouldn't have it any other way though.

Just finished picking poppies from the street area. I threw a bunch in a 55 gallon plastic barrel and now I'll let them sit for a week and then I'll bang the bottom of the barrel on the cement floor to shake loose the seeds and go about distributing the seeds in various spots around the HOA area. Each year the propagation of the species becomes larger and larger. Around Super Bowl playoffs is when I begin to see where the seeds are sprouting. California Poppies are so beautiful!

I received notice that my ING (savings) check is in the mail which means I'll be transacting purchase of my military credits at this time next week give or take three days. I am assuming I'll be laid off and I'm comfortable with that. Part time work may become available, but I am not actively pursuing that path. As it now stands I'll try to collect unemployment and when that runs out I'll retire; after that I'll just play it by ear. If I find that I am laid off as of August 10th then Joy will request her chemotherapy treatment be postponed until after our reunion is over.

Today I'll be working a protection assignment which will probably allow me to read as much as I want. Every once in a while some bus breaks down or some unknown transportation problem pops up, but on the whole things are usually quiet and reading friendly.

Went to my King of Kings meeting for the third day in a row. Some really nice people go there, and I always feel welcome.

It's 11:00 a.m. and I want to squeeze in some ChessPro and Scrabulous before readying for work.
_________________________________________________________________

BRUCE'S JUMBLE WORD OF THE DAY: something that functions with water: IKSREPLRN

July 23rd

Today I have a few chores to do such as: pick up bottled water, put air in my bicycle tires, give Nancy a run/walk, pick-up around the house, make more salad, make a crock pot of lentil based soup, read something about Soduku, read more of The Poisinwood Bible and do some Jumble (whew!).................just how much will be accomplished..........who knows? Right now my energy level is up. I noticed yesterday after eating some turkey my energy dropped significantly.

Sounds like all is well with Avery. Dylan seems to be holding his own too. Pretty cool grandchildren :)

I contributed $25 towards Al Gore's 10 year goal of eliminating fossil fuel dependence for our country. What a vision and what a challenge ahead. The oil companies and their stockholders are not pleased I'm sure. My pet peeve is watching the driving habits of U.S. citizens. We are gradually entering a crisis stage, but still assholes race past one another to be first at the red light; others show their displeasure with other people's driving mistakes by accelerating and roaring past with disapproval.

It's now 9:30 a.m. ..................and time to do some things.

BRUCE'S NEW "JUMBLE" CHALLENGE

The following mixed words that Moody blog readers would run across while reading the blogs:

YERAV LICONL GAEMN MNIADA IEEDD SEDINI LRETUT MOABO OYJ

Joy's Doctor Visit

Joy went in for her blood test prior to starting up her third round of chemotherapy, but after analysis the doctor suggested putting off anymore therapy for a month. Chemotherapy is reducing the cancerous cells (good), but it is also reducing her platlet count (not good). So for now she's rescheduled for the third week in August. She mentioned to me about putting it off for another two weeks so that she, Nancy and I could drive out to the reunion. She'll run that idea by the doctor tomorrow. She doing relatively well, however she tires easily.

I saw my naturopathic physician today in hopes of starting up another weight loss attempt. Made a heck of a salad this afternoon. Sometimes I just can get myself to make up a salad so today was quite an accomplishment.

Weighed in at 303 lbs today. I can't see a physical therapist until August 20th, but the shoulder is much better so I'll just do movements which will not exacerbate the injured area.....the doctor described it as an impingement. Had X-rays taken the other day, but I haven't heard anything back.

I've gotten into playing Jumble, the mixed letter game which can be found in most newspapers. I went into Barnes and Noble and bought a book full of Jumble games. I also bought a book on how to go about solving Soduku puzzles. Perhaps I'll become as addicted to finding solutions as Joy does on a daily basis :-)

I certainly enjoy the photos which Collin and Megan post. It gives me such a glowing feeling knowing my children are such loving parents along with their spouses........ EVERYONE ROCKS!

Well, Jumble awaits me at the living room table as well as some serious Soduku studying.

ERASIES

I've changed my mind, I'm going to exercise my seniority and bump a lower man than me from the part-time board and that makes me lower than the lower man; he'll be pissed I am sure. Anyway that's what I'm thinking three days since my last posting. My purchasing of military credits is still firm. I'll be working anywhere from 17 to 25 hours weekly, with Saturday and Sundays off. With that said, nothing is ever etched in stone.............

Nancy was freaking out last night from all the fireworks. I finally thought of a solution, I put big band music in the CD player and cranked up the volume and she mellowed down. This dog has taste!

I've emailed some of you about Luminosity.com, check it out, it's fun and very interesting to track one's improvement in the various functions of brain skills, i.e., memory, etc.... it costs about 10 dollars a month, but they'll give you the first 14 days free as a teaser and trial test. I sure hope that Avery and Dylan get signed up for it when the time is right.

I'm going to work in about 45 minutes and I want to play some quick Scrabbulous and ChessPro so that's all for now.

The Planets Have Aligned

Everything seems to be working out to perfection. Yesterday I received notice that I was going to be let go......work force reduction......it was hard to keep the smile off my face. Today I will attend a retirement seminar. Probably about the time I will be laid off (mid August) I'll have received the necessary paperwork which will allow me to purchase credit units due to my Air Force stint and therefore qualify me for a partial retirement through CalPhers. I might wait a bit before officially retiring because of unemployment benefits, I'll find out more tomorrow. I consider myself extremely fortunate.

Collin sent more pictures of Dylan, great snapshots! I'll be flying out to give him a hello and caress in about a week. I was going to take a bus, but with a quick two day visit I can afford to fly since I won't miss any work.

Nancy has really gotten into staying on leash while I ride the bicycle. She's a pretty smart dog and since I don't know how to train she picks up on what she is supposed to do on her own. I just keep praising her and that seems to work.

Hopefully Joy won't be doing any chemotherapy around reunion time and the three of us will drive out to Wyoming. If she isn't up to it then I'll drive the two of them to Roseville, CA where Heather purchased a house and then solo out to Wyoming on a bus. I might be able to hitch a ride on Powder River Bus Lines out of Salt Lake City since Greyhound makes a diagonal approach to Denver bypassing a portion of Interstate 80.

I'm reading The Monster of Florence, a true story of an unsolved series of murders in Italy. I checked it out from the library rather than buy it from Amazon Books (what a novel concept, check books out from the library rather then spend money :) Anyway I asked the library to buy the book, Icon of Evil, a very important piece of history in the 1920's and 30's dealing with Palestine and the present problems the world faces with radical Islam. John Rothman is a co-author and a person I listen to on the radio on weekends. At one time he worked for Nixon, but is now on the Obama bandwagon.

So that's about it from the shores of Oceanside.

D-Day plus 2

Collin sent us pictures of Dylan and he looks great. Joy and I haven't been calling for fear of being in the way during this first week. Let us know the best times to call.

Going to work at 1:00 p.m. and drive southward along the coast to La Jolla (Hoy ya, not Joel ah). Looking forward to retiring, I'm getting stressed from being overly concerned with the passengers walking to their seats while the bus is in motion. I'm also tired of dealing with poop heads, though most passengers are appreciative of my services.

I bought a new bicycle seat yesterday. I had fallen off the bike at a very slow speed a few weeks ago and as a result the other seat was sprung. Same model though so my tush shouldn't feel any better or worse.

Watched Fresno State beat Georgia in the CWS at Omaha last night. Pretty good game and impressive that Fresno State could pull it off since they were seeded so low.

My shoulder is feeling much better. I never got the MRI I had intended to get, but since it's getting better there's no loss. Didn't consume any beer last night which is good news for my weight scale. I hit 304.6 yesterday, but today I was at 299 and the day before yesterday I was at 299.6 I'll try to start slowly with the Tiger Moves once again. I also plan to start short intensive periods of exercise. If anyone is interested in my approach go to www.bodybot.com I am very impressed with what I purchased - it was a one time purchase too. I like the concept of 20 seconds INTENSE followed with 10 seconds of rest for a duration of 5 minutes and the whole program can be executed in front of the computer. It has all the features, i.e. timer, music, selection variation, etc... I think I found the proper type of fitness approach to combine with Tiger Moves.

The real challenge will be to shut my pie hole during emotional upheavals.

I have a book ready to be sent to anyone wanting to read about a first hand account of what goes on at Guantanamo. Brutal treatment but told without any outrage...almost a dispassionate style. Very interesting, sad and informative.

WELCOME DYLAN!

Welcome Dylan, welcome from a lot of people who were anxiously awaiting your grand entrance upon the stage of life and in Wyoming no less. Okay, let's learn the first fact which all Wyoming newborns must learn: THE WIND.......remember Dylan, Wyoming generates no wind of its own. Your beloved state is unfortunately geographically situated between Utah on the west with Nebraska on the east. The only reason Wyoming has wind is because Utah blows and Nebraska sucks!

It will be great to hold you and look into your eyes. Grampa wants to learn some stories to tell at bedtime. I vowed to whip into shape when Avery came into our family. Well, Gramps took a few steps back so Gramps will dust off the Health Rider and assorted workout videos and get after it once again. Thanks for the inspiration.

Oh, by the way, Grandmother Joy is feeling much better. Her white count is good as well as her red count, however her platelet count is not at an acceptable level. She sends her love..............me too :)

Awaiting Dylan's Arrival

Hey fella, it's time to breathe in some of that wonderful Wyoming air.....come on out and meet your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and a bounty of friends!

Joy is funky from treatments, but hanging in there with all of her hair intact.

I'm coming out of a round of depression and ready to take on the world and take off the weight........got myself up to 297 lbs. I thought I was ready to start pushing it about a month ago, but I tripped over the dog ( by the way, I am convinced that Nancy has Great Dane in her. I came to that conclusion after watching a dog show this morning with Labrador/Great Dane mix.......she's an exact replica) in the darkened hallway and had to break my fall with my left arm which has left me with some kind of muscle or tendon damage around the deltoid area. I'll be going back to the doctor to request an MRI. Still riding the bike, and by the way, with gas prices nowadays, I'm probably saving myself a dollar each time I ride to work.

Just read an insane article..................... http://www.truthout.org/article/wrongly-jailed-detainees-found-militancy-guantanamo .........about Guantanamo and its influence on al-Quida and Taliban recruiting. Guantanamo turns out to be an excellent recruiting source for the terrorists.

Does this madness ever stop? Wouldn't it have made sense to have fair and speedy trials in the first place in order to determine those who truly were legitimate terrorists?

Enough of that kind of chatter........DYLAN, ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AWAIT YOU :) Love, Grandpa

Weigh In 280 lbs...

I just returned from weighing in at the drivers room. Lost 39 pounds (adjustment for no boots, pants or workshirt and I lost a legitimate 35 pounds.) I should be sky high, but I'm just pissed that I can't shake the remnants of a cold which prevents me from wanting to exert myself on the bicycle. I think I won first place, I'll find out tonight or tomorrow. I believe 1st place prize is $375. I don't think I'll enter this kind of competition again, especially at my age. It isn't about how much it's about how much from what source.......fat or body mass? I took a look at my arm the other day in a crooked position resting on my thigh and I saw quite a bit of atrophy (OFS).

I've got to get ready for work. This particular bid assignment ends after tomorrow and I'll go back to an on call basis routine. I'm still looking at retirement in a couple of months.

Time to restart

Just finished reading Denise and Collin's new blogsite, very entertaining. Of course there's Megan's to read too. Megan's blogsite is a Mercedes Benz type blogsite with the complete package of bells and whistles; a very cool website.

Was able to visit with she and Avery for a short time last Wednesday while Damian was in the Escondido area for a conference retreat and golf outing. (those two terms are interchangeable :)

Avery is just as precious as ever. She seems so very alert.

Our grandson's name is Dylan! I'll Google "Under The Milkwood" and see what comes up.

I've been remiss on exercise, biking to work and eating this past month. So I'm putting this out to be read for all to read (including me): I will do 31 days of straight exercise, biking to work and strict adherence to properly eating the right things. With that said, I am pleased to report that I start the day off weighing in at: 284.6 lbs

It's 10:15 a.m. and I've got to get Nancy over to the park for her exercise and mine too.

Dylan and Avery: grandpa's going to be rockin' and rollin' this month!

Time

Time has come for Joy to start chemotherapy. I will do my best to comfort her, she's a trooper. It's something that must be done; such a stark reality.

I was glad that we saw Avery and that we'll see her again at the end of February while Damian is in San Diego on business. She's very alert and already becoming a traveler. She's truly loved by all.

Work is going well. Still planning on retiring around June 1, 2008 and then working part time for the company (maximum 975 hours per year).

Nancy is on a restricted diet because of suspected allergies. I still take her to the park, but I have to keep her on leash so she doesn't scarf any leftovers strewn about the grounds. She's a wonderful companion.

Slacked off a tad in exercise, but not too much and certainly not back to becoming a couch potato. I've got the right attitude to stay the course.

I am concerned for Joy, but I am determined to stay positive and be of as much help as possible.

Netflix will deliver some Monk episodes to us by Thursday so we'll do our "green tea and Monk" routine in the late mornings or early afternoons.

So here we go........................................................

Lots of Rain

We've been inundated with rain. No flooding in the North County area where we live, but a substantial amount. It certainly is nice to wake up to the sound of rain drops on the cement walkway outside. I've always loved the rain and sloshing about though I remember the time my parents bought me a brand new fur collared coat then I went outside and explored the gully wash that ran nearby our property. After an hour of sloshing through mud and wet vegetation I returned soaked and the new coat a muddy collage of colors. I believe dad used a yard stick on my bare behind. I never quite figured out the logic of that punishment, because a half an hour later they presented me with a new bike. So I guess the sequence of events went something like this: we're pissed let's do something, then afterwards it was, "Now what? We bought this bike for him." It must have been my birthday.

Joy and I will be in Portland on February 2nd with plenty of rain I'm sure. Avery's pictures are adorable, it will be such a thrill to hold her and to look into her eyes. I will have amassed 20,000 points in Presidents Challenge program for fitness, that's enough to earn a bronze medal which will be my gift to Avery. Gramps aint going to be a fat ass no mo. Twenty pushups for Avery! (Not just yet Avery, pretty soon though)

I'm working on my off day. The dispatcher called last night and was breathing hard so I relented and volunteered my services. It's for six and a half hours and I don't go in until noon so it'll just kind of slide by for me.

I'll see John Smith tomorrow. It was John, who I saw in 1996, who linked me up with Joy after so many years of no contact. It is hard to believe that it has been over ten years since I last saw him. Anyway, I'll take the MetroLink up to San Juan Capistrano and visit with him for a couple of hours and then I guess it will be another ten years before another reunion.

We'll close on our house this coming Thursday. Can't say enough for the help from Denise and Collin. Thank you! At this time I'm entertaining the thought of full time work until June of 2009 and then take whatever retirement benefit is available to me from NCTD. At that point we'll consider our options as far as where and when to live and for how long, etc...

Today is the second week of the cleansing diet. First week went well. Second week will be the same except that I ramp up the powdered ingredients by one third more and eliminate all meat. I don't know that I'll ever become a vegan but it doesn't seem to be such a difficult lifestyle choice. For me the difficult lifestyle selection is a commitment to full time exercise. I have to continually remind myself to move rather than sit.

I am at 282.0 lbs today. I'm comfortable with .1 lb weight loss per day. There's not a need to hurry about this weight loss. It took me years to put it on and it is going to take much less time getting it off even if it is at the rate of a tenth of a pound a day. With this outlook I am rocketing downward. An aside observation: I can now step onto the weight scale and look down and actually see the registering numbers rather than having to step off before being able to see them. Ah, the small things in everyday life which make it so abundant!

Coffee, alcohol and adrenaline

Presently drinking coffee at the now time of: 12:15 a.m....... Twelve hours ago it was beer while watching a valiant attempt by the Chargers to unseat the vaunted N.E. Patriots from the top spot of the NFL.

How is adrenaline spelled? I thought it was spelled: a d r e n o l i n e but not the case, the schwa was an a and not an o. I am laughing at myself with my Kiva cap complete with a bicycle headlight, CD player and me stooped over the large dictionary by the front door searching for the correct spelling.

At Unity this morning, Reverend Julie spoke of going within to find peace and solutions rather than outwardly manipulating events to fit our definitions. On three different occasions someone's watch started beeping........meditation, prayer and a marvelous song by the guest pianist and the fricking watch was beeping! Oh how I was thankful to be able to go within and not step outside and crush that fucking watch! I mean that could have been my newly purchased watch from Walgreens Drug Store and I don't know how to shut the thing off. I have found peace.

I have mentioned how I have wanted to "turn it up a notch" in regards to exercise. I find it to be more talk than action. In my mind I can "just do it" but that's much easier said than done. However, with that said, I am up to six REAL push ups (I think I'm good for eight, but I am afraid that I may fail if I test my hunch). I have now begun to do push ups (maximum 6) in front of the bus when at time points. I don't do them on the ground, but I use the lowered bike rack as my grip for the muscle work. As I age I lament (but not too much) the fact that I didn't push myself for more strength. Actually, I am going to try to become as strong as I can be over the course of as many years that I have left; Now that is a lofty goal! It is in print for not only me to reread, but for anyone else to see. Do I walk it or talk it? At the moment it's talk.........I'm still hesitant to try for eight push ups.

For the next three weeks I am going on a controlled diet to cleanse various body functions. Wish me luck. I'll accept any kind of encouragement too :)
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“Isn't it the moment of most profound doubt that gives birth to new certainties? Perhaps hopelessness is the very soil that nourishes human hope; perhaps one could never find sense in life without first experiencing its absurdity...”

Vaclav Havel quotes (Czech Playwright and President of Czechoslovakia(1989-92), b.1936)

283.8

The ritual for my morning weigh-in is as follows: My right leg up and over Nancy (sleeping next to me) much in the fashion of a track meet high jumper. Take down the Tanita from atop my non functional CD player which incidentally has five CD's inside and I can't get to. Walk through the hallway and place the Tanita on the tile floor. Step on the scale while both hands are pushing against the walls; this allows for a gradual weight increase on the Tanita. In no way do I want this machine pissed at me. Think about it, if I can't get five CD's out of a broken CD player then what would be the consequences of having a fancy smancy weight scale disenchanted with the way it's handled. And the resulting read for today? Uh huh that's right dog, 283.8 lbs. Tanita, baby, today I'm going to rub your glass surface slow and gentle with a warm moistened cloth and loving hands, because Tanny Baby, you ROCK!

Talked to Al and Dot on the phone yesterday. Always enjoy talking to them. They are situated in a small comfortable house in Boulder close to where Johanna lives which will make it much more convenient for Johanna to check on the two of them.

I'm up to 92,000 grains of rice. It takes me approximately 6 minutes to amass 1,000 grains which is the size of an average serving of rice. So I think 15 minutes a day at the computer trying to do something for humanity while improving my vocabulary is certainly a positive.

Starting today I am going to do sets of three push ups ten times a day. I did six in a row two days ago so three should be the right number for repetitions.

Collin called a couple of days ago and told us the results were in on their child to be. It's a boy and all indicators say everything is fine. He told Joy they've decided on the first and middle names and said they were going to keep it secret, but he did suggest we probably would be able to guess the the middle name with certainty. My thinking cap is on Miss Olmstead (my fourth grade teacher); You would be so proud of me!.............or you are.....or.......you am? Never mind, I've put the cap on and I am not watching the clock, now give me the damned "C" so I can go out to recess and play kickball.

70,280

Just can't stop playing Free Rice.

I was watching Book Notes this morning and an historical author, Mark Perry, was discussing World War II and the working relationship between Eisenhower and Marshall. Somewhere in the course of questioning from the audience came this shocking gem: The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff is not in the chain of command! Huh? Think about it, not in the chain of command. It goes as follows: President, Secretary of Defense and then the seven commanders who form the Joint Chiefs, but the Chairman is out of the loop. Interestingly strange I say. Put another way: There are eight male Generals or Admirals who comprise the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chairman; (Question): If there are 14 gonads amongst them where is the missing pair?

Perry at one point expresses to the audience that he is a Republican in a party that no longer shares his values and goes on to explain he is an isolationist, small government advocate, etc...and then the following brought a big grin with an equal sigh from me. Perry is explaining how the present policy against global terrorism is skewed (at this point he apologizes for sounding like "liberal psychobabble") and then guess what? Uh huh, he uses the liberal position to explain a better policy to confront global terrorism, i.e., this is a battle of an idea and not a militarily forced solution. At that point I arose from my chair and repositioned myself in front of the computer screen and racked up more grains of rice for the Third World. Since I have to go to work, I couldn't very well slug down any beer. Third Worlders you lucked out this morning. COOPERATIVE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM POLICE TASK FORCE WHERE ARE YOU?
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I just looked at the pattern of rice grain contribution for the month of January:

January 1, 2008 114,143,280
January 2, 2008 143,815,320
January 3, 2008 161,073,080
January 4, 2008 163,428,220
January 5, 2008 112,720,840
January 6, 2008 109,177,920
January 7, 2008 159,954,980
January 8, 2008 168,648,120
January 9, 2008 173,358,320
January 10,2008 190,065,540
January 11,2008 195,108,860

I can only conclude that there others around the world who also have to go to work.

Back At It

Had a spill on my bike at 1 mph which left me sore on the Butt Tocks (Forest Gump enunciation). I measured the bruise area this morning: 7" X 11"! I thought it wise to chill out for a couple of days. I just now returned from the park with Nancy. She, cheering me on with encouraging barks and pants while I did the Tiger Moves. Not really........... Nancy is the quietest dog I've ever been around, though come to think of it, Arty is pretty mellow too.

I been obsessing with the www.freerice.com website. I've now been recording each incorrect answer. I'm up to over 75 words at least. Presently I've contributed more than 62,000 grains of rice to the program. I'm going to try for a minimum of 500,000 by next January (2009). Incidentally one thousand rice grains is the equivalent of the average meal size.
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How does playing the vocabulary game at FreeRice help me?

Learning new vocabulary has tremendous benefits. It can help you:

• Formulate your ideas better
• Write better papers, emails and business letters
• Speak more precisely and persuasively
• Comprehend more of what you read
• Read faster because you comprehend better
• Get better grades in high school, college and graduate school
• Score higher on tests like the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT
• Perform better at job interviews and conferences
• Sell yourself, your services, and your products better
• Be more effective and successful at your job

After you have done FreeRice for a couple of days, you may notice an odd phenomenon. Words that you have never consciously used before will begin to pop into your head while you are speaking or writing. You will feel yourself using and knowing more words.

How does the FreeRice vocabulary program work?

FreeRice has a custom database containing thousands of words at varying degrees of difficulty. There are words appropriate for people just learning English and words that will challenge the most scholarly professors. In between are thousands of words for students, business people, homemakers, doctors, truck drivers, retired people… everyone!

FreeRice automatically adjusts to your level of vocabulary. It starts by giving you words at different levels of difficulty and then, based on how you do, assigns you an approximate starting level. You then determine a more exact level for yourself as you play. When you get a word wrong, you go to an easier level. When you get three words in a row right, you go to a harder level. This one-to-three ratio is best for keeping you at the “outer fringe” of your vocabulary, where learning can take place.

There are 50 levels in all, but it is rare for people to get above level 48.

How is the difficulty level for each word determined?

The program keeps track of how many people get each word right or wrong, and then adjusts each word’s difficulty level accordingly. So the words at the easiest levels are the ones that people most often get right. The words at the hardest levels are the ones that people most often get wrong. As more and more people have played the game, these levels have become increasingly more accurate.

Is FreeRice adding more words?

Yes. A team of professional lexicographers from the firm of Lexiteria is working to add words and additional levels to the FreeRice database. In particular, the hunt is on to find the hairiest and most difficult words in the English language. But we are also looking to add easy words, medium words and all the other words you might ever want to know. The new entries should begin to appear in January 2008. In short, we do not want you to run out of vocabulary to learn anytime soon...

When did FreeRice increase the amount donated for each correct answer from 10 grains of rice to 20 grains?

For its first seven weeks, FreeRice gave 10 grains of rice for each correct answer. On November 28, 2007, we were able to increase this to 20 grains. We hope to be able to increase this again in the future. Here is how we look at it: Your part is to play and donate the rice. Our part is to increase the amount you can donate!

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It's 3:00 p.m. and I have to be in the driver's room by 1608 hours so I had better sign off for now. Tonight will the first time to ride the bike home in about a week.

Tanita Measurement

Today I used the scale which Megan and Damian sent me for Christmas. It was christened at 286.2 pounds. Then I pressed all the various buttons and a variety of numbers popped up indicating that I was still a fat ass (the Chinese have no tact).

Last night I took "the hill" with no sweat. I was wearing a headlamp and I guess it was good that I was, because another bicyclist was coasting downward and there could have been a good chance of collision. The area that I ride is about six feet wide with a guard rail to my left and a chain link fence on my right side. Very unusual to see another rider at 12:30 a.m.

Got an email from Dave Martin inviting me to come up to San Onofre (17 miles north on I-5) and rendezvous for a short bike ride after he finishes surfing. Dave's sixty-eight years old and the best all-around athlete I've ever been around. He had a heart attack about three years ago, but had a shunt implanted and now he's good to go. I still see him as the BMOC. He could do it all. Anyway, maybe next week I'll be up there pedaling away.

I'm at 75% of the 20,000 points I need to earn in order to receive a bronze medal from The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness. Avery, this one is for you! The next one will be for your cousin in Cheyenne. The third one will be a joint award and the fourth goes to Nancy who sees to it that I get over to the park and exercise.

Denise and Collin are keeping us appraised of the goings on with our house in Cheyenne. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty on this transaction!

January 2, 2008

Once again the flying colors racing across the TV screen have been put to rest for another year. I don't think I watched an entire game. Either I slept through a portion or all of a game, or I was jacking around with the computer. Still, I love January 1st and all of the football games.

We're very, very close to owning a house in Cheyenne. Actually we've signed all of the necessary papers for the purchase, but there are inspections taking place, etc..., but for all intents and purpose we have a second home in Cheyenne. It's located in the "avenues area"(whatever that means) about five blocks from Collin and Denise's house. This is great and Denise is doing a bang up job following through on all of the details.

Joy and I will be going to Portland (Feb 2 thru 6) for a visit with our new grand daughter, Avery! Is that cool or what? Very exciting.

Weigh-in for the "biggest loser" contest at work will be January 11th. I'm sure I'll be in the money, i.e, 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. I didn't do a weight check today, because I was afraid to look; I had a few 40 ouncers yesterday and the day before too....oh well...Still, I'm doing okay. As I look in the mirror and I can see changes taking place. As I remarked to Scott in an email today, I may have lost weight, but anyway you cut it, 285 pounds is still pretty stout for a 5'9" frame. I am projecting myself to weigh around 230 pounds by the time the next reunion takes place.

I'll be driving about six hours from now. I'll only have to work four days before another two off.....that is nice. I'm starting to formulate what's going to take place within the next two years. I'll probably retire within the next two years and then continue to work for NCTD, but at reduced hours. I'll be allowed to work a yearly sum of approximately 975 hours and no more. So my plan is to go balls to the wall and rack up the 975 hours as rapidly as possible and then just coast the rest of the year which means Portland and Cheyenne visits often. Babysitting service is done freely with love :-)

So life is good. I'm going to see Joel Osteen this Friday at Cox Arena in San Diego. I just love to listen to him; such a humble laid back approach to preaching.