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.

Salad

I make from scratch some interesting salad concoctions. The one I made today had balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil as a base. The first distinctive ingredient was a winter squash (chilled), though I'm sure any kind of mashed sweet squash would do. After that I threw in the following: red onion, sweet white onion, red bell pepper, chard, baby spinach, mixed salad greens, jalapenos, three chopped string cheese fingers, walnuts, tomatoes, celantro....then tossed it. Very good tasting. I really like adding squash or yams as it gives the salad some body and a distinctive sweet taste. Someone give it a shot and let me know.

I've got lunch box packed with a sliced turkey sandwich half, celery and string cheese, the salad mentioned above, a few pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts and lastly some cottage cheese with a sliced fresh half. It's funny but I probably eat better on my eight hour work shift than I ever have before. I am committed to six meals a day hence the reason for such an elaborately packed lunch. I am no longer a chow hound; I usually feel full and when I do eat it is out of knowledge rather than hunger pangs. This is something I never thought I could master.

Today I weighed in at 285.0 lbs. I've yet to use the fantastic weight/body fat scale that Megan and Damian sent me. I'm going to wait until I'm 280 lbs for initial weight in..........use this as something like an incentive.

Last night I rode up Mission Ave hill in eight an a half minutes starting from Butler Ave to the top of hill where the traffic lights are located. When asked by a driver how long it takes me, I estimated twelve minutes and the driver told me no way. Well, I guess it's "oh Way!" I think he is beginning to think about exercising after watching me pedal off into the night homeward bound.

I'm going to take Nancy to the park for a 20 minute tour. Last night at work I was able to fit in my "Tiger Moves" so I'll do the same tonight. Sleep tight Avery, Gramps is thinking of you:-)

Saving Joy's Foot

Monday night Heather, Joy, DJ and I went to Capazelli's for some Italian food. As we were being seated our waitress was bantering about and as she left Joy remarked that she was pregnant and how she wanted to ask her when the baby was arriving, etc... I said to Joy to be careful, because maybe she's NOT pregnant. Joy assures me that she surely is, but I persist that she not ask about any new birth assignment. As the night went on the waitress came over and was chatting about work, her family and tying down all the mundane facets of life. At the right moment I asked the waitress, "So do you plan on having any more children?" "Oh my heavens, no!" she exclaimed and we all laughed as she left with the check. All eyes went to Joy and I handed her a napkin to dab away the perspiration pooling on her forehead.

And me, the hero of the night, how did I fare the next day at the Z-Market? I'm making a beverage purchase and feeling witty and chipper. Proud of how I was able to save Joy's foot from the abyss of her mouth. So the foxy young Argentinian woman behind the deli had just finished talking to the man at the cash register. "Is that your daughter?", I asked. He hands me my change and says, "She's my wife." GULP.................I was certainly glad that I had washed between my toes the night before.

On being frank

Frankly readers, I crack myself up. Fortunately, Dougie is my sounding post and he laughs whether it's funny or not.

Crazy Stuff

I drove to Petco with Nancy riding along. I've got some far out customized (Best Buy)CD's. So I'm cruising Mission Ave. doing exactly what pisses me off about the young punksters: I cranked up the stereo to maximum volume and play Bo Diddley mean and nasty. All the while, just like the punksters, I glance around me to see if any cars have their windows down so I can drive by real cool with my eyes casually staring straight ahead while blowing out their eardrums and probably Nancy's too, but I'm still cool and laid back with my head bobbing ever so slightly. I B KOOL!

LET'S GET NAKED! No,wait hold that thought..........let it pass, whew I'm under control again. Now, where was I?

The wheels are smoothly rolling along for a home purchase. (I just remembered, I have to get a phone fax source). Hey, Collin, when you read this I have an established goal: When I am under two hundred pounds and can do a minimum of 20 push ups, I want to climb Edward's Crack with you or John leading and me in the middle. I think the 20 push ups is a good safety factor. Soon I will be able to say I live in the "avenues area" of Cheyenne. I'm ready for the cowboy factor. I've already told Denise how to recognize a "real cowboy".......with three in the front seat of a pickup truck, the real cowboy is the one in the middle. You non-cowboy people eat your hearts out, 'cause I ain't (cowboy talk) givin' any cowboy secrets away and that's that! Specially since them horny toads from Brokeback Mountain started sharing their shit with the public.

So Avery here's the deal: I'm going to own the Mission Ave./Airpot Road hill climb, but here's the real deal........by the time your cousin is born, I'll celebrate the event with a Foussat Road climb. Can you feel it? I'm getting psyched up all ready!

Sunday Bicycle Ride

I awoke this morning and thought I had overslept going to Unity. Fortunately, I misread my watch and saw that it was 9 and not 12, go figure. Anyway, on my bicycle I leaped and away I went. I was cruising coast highway when this mountain bike (all purpose) passes me. Not to be denied I stepped it up a notch and passed him. I glance at the rider and recognize him as a passenger I drove for two nights ago. So now I'm out in front and WHOOSH, he scoops me. I bide my time until a slight downhill appears and I turn it on. SCOOPED HIM BIG TIME......so long punkster! Damned if he didn't scoop me on a slight uphill climb, but I faked it and acted like I had reverted to cruise control and I was just out for a fresh air ride. I guess this explains that stealth not strength is what oldsters do best.

Speaking of bike rides. Man, did I ever revert to young and insane.......I mean, it couldn't be brushed off as a senior moment. I've got the Marines Corps running cadence CD blasting away into my eardrums, jacked up from coffee and exercise and then the rush of Megan's phone call. This resulted in a downhill charge that made me quiver. I had cut in front of a truck because I was just plain out speeding him, then the next car was slowing down for an off set zig zag designed to slow cars down. I took the opposite side and flew by them and cut back to the right entering a ten degree curve at around 35 mph. I couldn't hit the brakes or I would have lost it so I just leaned over to the left and let tire traction do the work. Not over with craziness I went opposite side again sailed by another car. By this time the Marines were "fussin' and a fightin' yada yada yada and I made it to the four-way stop intersection at 20 mph and pedaled through a left hand turn in top gear. YES, way to go Gramps. Now this was clearly not a controlled moment, this was absolute insanity, but I must admit that it rocked. In retrospect I will never do that again......unless there's a really slow ugly car, maybe then...............I'll have to cogitate a tad more :-)

Great News!

Megan called me around 1:30 p.m. yesterday and what a great surprise! As she spoke, while Damian drove, she was holding their daughter, Avery Madison Smith, riding home from the hospital to take up residency on NW Sunset Circle in Portland, Oregon. Oh Avery, I hope you come to understand the meaning of "lucky ducky" because you just made Megan and Damian very lucky ducks and they will try to do their utmost to make you a "lucky ducky" too. By the way Avery, Megan and her brother, Collin, loved to go to the park to feed the ducks in Glenmere Park, so be sure to ask them to do the same thing in Oregon. Hopefully, they do have ducks in Oregon.

I look forward to being in the Unity congregation tomorrow and share the joy I am feeling at this moment. Reverend Julie is very special leader.

Avery, this blog is for you and I want you to know that I dedicated my ride home from work to you. I rode up the Mission Ave. hill faster than any other time, because December 22nd was a special event for me, you inspired me to get in shape and be healthy so that I will see you grow into womanhood. Oohah (that's a military thing)

Scrabble With Megan

Last night when I got home I found Megan up and online so we attempted a scrabble game. I wouldn't say things went swimmingly, however progress was made on how to bring up, stay up, select, undo, ask, cry about the intricacies of setting up. Finally we got rolling. Megan allowed me to go first. All seven of my letters were consonants (with power too) so I had to pass. Eventually Megan hit the rack so I assume that the game is in limbo. It will be fun once I don't have to plead my way onto the game room.

I rode up Butler Ave. in a straight line from the bottom of the hill at Mission Ave. to the intersection at Todd Ave. Never had done that before. I just about tried for the whole enchilada and do the section between Todd Ave. and Mesa Drive, but figured I'd wait for the return of the Marines running cadence CD I sent to Collin so I can get just a tad of motivational juices into my system. Love that CD!

Lots of packages beneath the tree. We're sending the San Diego Super Shuttle to pick up Heather and friend rather than drive down. I was going to call in sick and do it, but I'm probably going to call in sick in a couple of weeks so I didn't want to push the issue. Besides it is a more convenient way of travel since they will be delivered right to the home porch.

We were pre-approved for a house loan. We're now awaiting delivery of a DVD that Collin and Denise took of the house.

Ashamed to say I am still getting ready to clean my room. Who's kidding whom, it doesn't bother me that much, but it does tweak Joy a bit.

Since I am trying to become more spiritual in outlook and practice I feel it only correct to let all eyes know that you are being prayed for. Something in the Bible says something about praying in a closet as well as not beating one's chest while in the course of supplication. So prayer is what the eyes get, not for whom, what, where or when....nothing more; just enjoy knowing that I love you.

Christmas Tree

Yesterday we drove to Home Depot and picked out a five foot Nobel Fir. With the tree on the car rooftop and Nancy in the backseat we were a joyous sight to behold. The tree was decorated last night between plays on Monday Night Football, swigs from green bottles Grolsch beer and chit chat with Joy. As I type this my head is adorned with a festive red and white Santa hat. Christmas is here and all is really well.

I am posting the following from the Transformetrics website:

Make the Choice!

“There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” -- Denis Waitley

The decisions you make in life, day after day, moment by moment, will make the difference in the quality of life you enjoy. Nowhere is that more evident in health and fitness. Americans are, by and large, obese, out of shape, and unhealthy, because of the little choices they make day after day.

Little do they know that, with some simple nutritional choices and as little as fifteen minutes per day of basic exercise (like the Tiger Moves), they could transform how they look, how they feel, and how long they’ll be around.

Each one of my books in the Transformetrics™ Ultimate Training System series—The Miracle Seven, Pushing Yourself to Power, and Isometric Power Revolution—are designed to help you make those little choices on a daily basis. They are choices that will help lead you to health, fitness, and a quality of life you may never have thought could exist for you.

Actually, I’ve found that when individuals make the choices to turn around this one part of their lives, it very often leads them to success in other important areas of life, as they choose to succeed rather than fail.

The point is, changing the cycle of failure in life to a cycle of success means making a start and enjoying little successes. As the prophet Zechariah counsels us in the Old Testament, do not despise small beginnings. They will inevitably pay big dividends if you stick with them.

Think about it. – J.P.

Today I have to push myself a bit to get over to the park. My plan to step it up a notch to PUSHING YOURSELF TO POWER hasn't started yet so I'll have to give myself a pep talk over in the park as I take Nancy for her walk. She really helps me stay on the exercise routine, because she needs to be exercised and therefore the window is wide open for me jump through and complete my "Tiger Moves."

Got an email from Al Grams telling me about his grandson being invited to spring training with the L.A. Angels which is very hot stuff! I'm guessing two more years in the minors and he may get more then just an invitation to workout with the big leaguers. What a grind to finally get to the big show.

We're expecting a callback from a Wyoming bank loan officer giving her approval for a "pre-qualified" home loan. Then we'll take the next step and make an offer. We trust Denise's judgment and expertise in making this purchase happen.

Gotta rap this up and get to the recycling center as well as the park.............and then there's the bedroom mess, damn!

Saturday is my Friday

Today is my final day of a five day work week. It's a different route, but roughly the same hours. Work is going well, aside from the head on crash I barely avoided a couple of weeks ago, the job is a piece of cake. My body is still adjusting to the late shift hours, but I'm used to odd sleeping hours. Everything I've read says that continuous sleep is very important for one's health, but I just deal with weird and varied sleep patterns the way I have for nearly forty years.

I weighed in at 286.2 lbs today. My weight will go back up four pounds in the course of a day due to water retention, but the fact I got to 286.2 means that in one more week I should be doing the rear view mirror routine to anything over 285 lbs.

Not a whole lot planned for the weekend. I keep reminding myself to clean up my bedroom, but it is still a mess. Maybe I'll accomplish that task by Monday night.

We're going out to breakfast, shopping chores at PETCO and a romp in the park with Nancy before mounting the bike for the downhill run to NCTD.

A health tip for anybody reading this: An Exercise You Can't Do Without: Squats! (HALF SQUATS UNTIL YOUR FANNY TOUCHES THE SEAT OF A CHAIR) my emphasis........ "They strengthen all of the major muscles of the lower body, including the gluteals, hamstrings, quadriceps and calves." Taken from an online source.

287.4

Alright, the 290's are in the rear view mirror! Weighed in at 287.4 this morning. The first reading was 288.2 and that was satisfactory, but I went back to bed thought about it for a while and decided to go back to the scale for a reread and presto, somehow .8 of a pound mysteriously dissolved (no bathroom break in between either :-).

Just got through contributing $25.00 to Congressman Wexler's (Florida) campaign, because he has the huevos to pursue impeachment hearings against the Dickster. This nation is in peril and this administration still does anything it damn well pleases without any kind of dissent from the public. The right wing pundits cry out about a left wing press....... Question: If our newspapers are so left winged then why aren't headlines screaming for impeachment?

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Spurned_by_major_newspapers_Dem_Congressman_1214.html

Joy and I are on the same page in regards to buying a house in Cheyenne. I keep running through various scenarios with her as to why we shouldn't and no reasons come up. We can swing it and still stay where we are for the foreseeable future. We would plan on renting it out until the dust settles around here. So as of this moment I'm acting as if we have acquired some rental property.

Tomorrow I will attempt to incorporate some or all of the features in the book, PUSHING YOURSELF TO POWER. The main thing for me to do is provide time in order to work a sensible program.

Part of a prayer that I am remembering: "I understand that I am on a journey of self-awareness, inner healing, and spiritual growth, with lessons to learn, issues from the past to heal and Divine Ideas to bring into expression. With God's help I will resolve anything that comes my way so that I may demonstrate greater good in my life!" I feel comfortable with Unity Chirst Church in Carlsbad.
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More BS from the White House

The White House gives the go ahead to destroy video tapes of water board interrogations in order to "protect the identity of the agents." Huh? Does this mean that the CIA doesn't possess the capability to alter video tapes in order to protect its agents? Again, huh? If so, we are in deep doo-doo.

Got in a good 50 minute bike ride in last night as well as getting my Tiger Moves in too. This morning I weighed in at 289.2 so this may signal the end of the 290's forever, AMF!

I'm floating the idea of buying a house in Cheyenne. It's only floating at this point, but one never knows. We would keep this place. Which reminds me that Joy and I have to talk to Megan, Heather and Collin about our Oceanside property.

Lentils

Last night another concoction was made in the crock pot. I assumed the lentils would cook overnight, but such is not the case. They were still crunchy, edible but still crunchy. Note to self: precook lentils before adding to the crock pot. Each batch has a different taste. I added more olive oil this time around.

I've noticed my eating habits are changing and this is a very positive sign. In the past I've been a chow hound, but now because of work and diet I find that I am eating five to six small and varied meal portions instead of the basic three squares a day. Yesterday, Joy and I went to Coco's for lunch. I ordered a hamburger and upon arrival of the order I found myself scraping off the cheese and not eating the bun. Just meat and the trimmings. What is so unusual is that afterwards, as we drove home, I found that I was not feeling stuffed, but pleasantly and comfortably without any hunger, a very good feeling.

I received my four month bid assignment which starts in January. I'll work the extra board with Sundays and Mondays off. It was hard to believe I was able to get a Sunday off, because anytime an officially paid holiday occurs the work schedule automatically reverts to the Sunday work schedule which in my case means I never have to work on any holiday. I am #302 of 312 coach operators on the seniority list so I didn't think I'd have chance, go figure!

Today I'm going to call a place that professionally puts up Xmas lights. If it doesn't seem to be too high an expense I'll go ahead and purchase the service. Extension cords, electrical outlets, burnt out bulbs isn't my cup of tea.

That's all the news from Lake Wobegone. Readers, I assume you do occasionally listen to Garrison Keeler of PBS Radio if not, for shame.