This isn't a New Year's Resolution.
This is about getting focused again and getting healthy.
The last time I was close to being this heavy was in November of 2005.
I'm not going back over 200lbs.
I'm going to be exercising 6 days a week from now on. I don't care how busy I am. 20 minutes of cardio minimum or worse on "strength" days I will follow my workout over at http://hundredpushups.com/ as a minimum.
My standard routine will be to attempt to follow the Body for Life workout routine as close as possible. I have done that program in the past; it made sense to me, and most importantly I enjoyed it.
The holidays are over and I need to seriously overhaul my diet. Food is the bane of my existence and what I used to get into this mess in the first place.
More to come...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
It's the Thought That Counts...
Today I received a Christmas gift from my maternal Grandmother. My grandmother died in August. More than four months ago, when she was well into the last stages of her illness, she was thinking about her family and what to do for them for Christmas.
Her gift to me today wasn't the gift she gave me. The real gift was her act of giving; giving all the way until the end.
It truly is the thought that counts.
I can only hope to be a good a person as she was.
I miss you Grandma Jean. I miss you and thank you.
Monday, December 22, 2008
A December Rantings and Ramblings
Labels:
work anger frustration
(Click on any one of the images to view them on flickr.)
Getting Hot Under the Collar and Putting Out the Flames
Last week I wrote a LONG, angry post about an incident at work.
I never published that blog entry.
I was quite upset by this incident and the behavior of a few individuals. After some thought (and a voice of reason that sounded remarkably like the Girlfriend's voice) I decided not to publish that post. More and more of my co-workers are finding me via Facebook or Twitter, and so far all of these co-workers I would be happy to call my friends and on occasion hangout with them outside of work. In fact if it wasn't for the good company provided by several of these folks I probably would have quit my job a while ago.
However, in economic times like these where I work at a company that is very susceptible to the effects of discretionary spending of individuals and large corporations, I just assume not provide the smallest spark that will burn any of my bridges. Overall this past year I have been much more calm than in past years (at least in my highly biased opinion), but a few key points have really caused my blood to boil.
Looking Towards Next Year
I wish I could say I was looking down the road towards next year with some great excitement or anticipation, but quite frankly I'm focused on what I believe to be an impending storm on the horizon.
More than one member of my immediate family are struggling with health issues. I'm worried about what lies ahead for them. I like to think I'm optimistic, but after my grandmother lost her battle to cancer this last year my faith has been rocked.
As I mentioned above, I work for a company that is nearly 100% at the mercy of the disposable income of both individuals and businesses. We went through layoffs last year due to changes at our local site, but with the current economy I can't help but worry corporate wide cut backs will be made.
My job should be fairly secure, but that does not prevent me from worrying about my employment.
A Good Day
I am looking forward to spending time with family and loved ones over the next several days. I have lot to be thankful for in my life right now; a stellar girlfriend with four of the best dogs to have ever run and played on this planet. We have a nice warm home and plenty of food.
Today is going to be a Good Day.
Why?
Because it has to be. :-)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Vote for the Loser? Or Vote for the Muslim Terrorist?
Last night was a first for me.
It was the first time I attended a political rally... of any sort.
I attended a rally for presidential candidate Senator Obama. It was amazing to see how many people had turned out to show their support (most local news agencies report ~45,000 in attendance). On the surface I find it encouraging this many people (especially in my state) care.
However I'm wondering if they are doing it for the 'right' reasons. Allow me to explain... a week ago the Girlfriend and I attended a wedding reception. At the reception we introduced ourselves to a couple at our table. The topic of the election came up. He was a former marine and had served over in Iraq and was now a police officer. During the conversation they admitted that they were going to vote for Obama because John McCain was going to lose and they wanted to vote for the guy that won...
Za?! Really? Are you serious?
Over the last several weeks I have been receiving lots of emails about why one shouldn't vote for one candidate or the other. Most of them were ridiculous and I was able to ignore them until... several of the anti-Obama emails began to pander to fear-mongering and demonizing Muslims. The emails contained little fact, a lot of lies, and a whole lot of anti-muslim implications. The gist:
Terrorist == Muslim == Obama == Vote for McCain.
I could not let these emails go by unanswered. There are plenty reason why both of these men should not be president. However, even if it were true that Barack Obama was Muslim (it's not)... so what? Why should it matter? At least 20% of the population in the U.S. is not Christian... that means at least 60 million U.S citizens don't share our current president's religious views. I replied to those emails with a bit of angst. Solid facts against one candidate or another are fine, but just don't tell me a lie based on fear and expect me to go with it. I hope the people at the rally do get out and vote.
In the last election (2004) I felt McCain was one of the stronger/better candidates. I'm not so sure now; previously he was very anti-Bush, then he was very pro-Bush, and now he is claiming he is anti-Bush again. Obama promotoes "change" however in the last year he has voted with the status quo on a few key issues of which I hold particular interest; claiming he would change them once he got in the White House. Why wait? If you believe in change, then start now... don't wait until it becomes more convenient.
I want to get excited about a candidate and believe; but then I remember in the end they are both big politicians and they will continue to behave as such.
Monday, October 6, 2008
To Heal Like a Dog
It's been almost two months since my grandmother died (see my previous blog post). I miss her.
I have had a few break downs, but for the most part I'm doing really well. I wish I could say the same for other members of the family.
Death tends to bring out the best and the worst in some people. There is a lot of anger and hate regarding things that happened in the past. Nothing can be done to change them, they are in the past and we are living in the present.
I have simply slipped back into my daily routines as they were before; ny daily routines did not include talking to my grandmother or those closest to her. I will probably feel her void next around the holidays as those were when I would usually be with her. Will enough time have passed that it won't be a big deal? We will see.
I wish my loved ones could heal as quickly as Darby. We adopted him a few days after my Grandmother died. He had a hard life the first few weeks he was alive.
He was found abandoned on the side of the road at two weeks of age; two of his litter mates were already dead. His paws were burned from the hot asphalt of the parking lot where he was left. His eyes were just beginning to open. Once he was in the shelter he had protect his food and eat it as quickly as possible because he was so small and young.
When we brought him home he was eight weeks old and showed some extreme food aggression. In fact he actually bit me and drew blood. Through hand feeding and giving him positive experiences with food he no longer has any food issues (unless you count barking at the food bowl just before he starts eating). We free feed him just like the rest of our dogs, and he will eat right along side his adoptive brothers and sister; even sharing the bowl.
In a little more than a month he no longer feels the pains of his past. He lives in the now and the now is good.
He is happy.
He doesn't occasionally have 'bad food days.' Those are gone. They are less than a distant memory to him.
When people say that our dogs have it easy I think there is more truth to that statement then they realize.
I have had a few break downs, but for the most part I'm doing really well. I wish I could say the same for other members of the family.
Death tends to bring out the best and the worst in some people. There is a lot of anger and hate regarding things that happened in the past. Nothing can be done to change them, they are in the past and we are living in the present.
I have simply slipped back into my daily routines as they were before; ny daily routines did not include talking to my grandmother or those closest to her. I will probably feel her void next around the holidays as those were when I would usually be with her. Will enough time have passed that it won't be a big deal? We will see.
I wish my loved ones could heal as quickly as Darby. We adopted him a few days after my Grandmother died. He had a hard life the first few weeks he was alive.
He was found abandoned on the side of the road at two weeks of age; two of his litter mates were already dead. His paws were burned from the hot asphalt of the parking lot where he was left. His eyes were just beginning to open. Once he was in the shelter he had protect his food and eat it as quickly as possible because he was so small and young.
When we brought him home he was eight weeks old and showed some extreme food aggression. In fact he actually bit me and drew blood. Through hand feeding and giving him positive experiences with food he no longer has any food issues (unless you count barking at the food bowl just before he starts eating). We free feed him just like the rest of our dogs, and he will eat right along side his adoptive brothers and sister; even sharing the bowl.
In a little more than a month he no longer feels the pains of his past. He lives in the now and the now is good.
He is happy.
He doesn't occasionally have 'bad food days.' Those are gone. They are less than a distant memory to him.
When people say that our dogs have it easy I think there is more truth to that statement then they realize.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Time to Say Goodbye
I've had so many things I've wanted to blog about in the last several days, but when I finally got a moment to myself I did not have the energy to do it or I could not remember what I wanted to write about. Here's some rambling about events over the last week...
Last Wednesday I got a call from my father that my grandmother was in the hospital due to complications from melanoma.
My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer about 15 years ago and she beat it. The cancer returned in November of 2007. My parents and I spent Christmas with her (it was the first Christmas the Girlfriend and I have been apart since we started dating). I returned home with the intent to return to visit and enjoy her company while I could. I would return, but not with the frequency I had intended.
My Grandmother did very well throughout her treatments. She retained all of her hair while undergoing chemotherapy and never got sick. The tumors shrank.
The tumors returned, she began taking interferon shots. The tumors shrank. She was doing well.
Then a week and a half ago she came down with a high fever and I nausea. The doctors found two more tumors on her liver that were inoperable.
My parents and the Girlfriend and I arrived by her side a day after the phone call. A few days later the Girlfriend and my father returned home to take care of things on our respective home fronts.
My mom, uncle, and I took turns watching my grandmother through the night once she was moved to hospice care. She was doing very well. On the night of my shift, she lost the strength to swallow her pain medication. I had to switch to giving her liquid morphine.
Some advice a co-worker gave me was incredibly useful. She said, "it's good you are doing this, this is a decision you only get to make once."
The Girlfriend made my grandmother one of the most touching and beautiful cards I have seen. I was able to share it with my grandma before she passed.
On my grandmother's final night with us, my mom couldn't sleep and was constantly hovering. Constantly adjusting things, the blankets, the pillows, the flowers in the room. I told my mom to take this opportunity to tell her mom all the loving things that come to mind.
Remembering my co-workers words, I told my mom there was no reason to wait or to save her words. Now was the time; tell her while she can still hear you and can respond to your voice. Don't wait until she is gone.
I don't know how long my mom was in the room with us whispering to my grandmother, but it was long enough for me to fall asleep until I was awakened by the alarm to administer the next dose of morphine.
In the morning, fifteen minutes, after I had left her side to get a shower, she passed; peacefully, comfortably, and quietly.
Thank you Grandma.
Last Wednesday I got a call from my father that my grandmother was in the hospital due to complications from melanoma.
My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer about 15 years ago and she beat it. The cancer returned in November of 2007. My parents and I spent Christmas with her (it was the first Christmas the Girlfriend and I have been apart since we started dating). I returned home with the intent to return to visit and enjoy her company while I could. I would return, but not with the frequency I had intended.
My Grandmother did very well throughout her treatments. She retained all of her hair while undergoing chemotherapy and never got sick. The tumors shrank.
The tumors returned, she began taking interferon shots. The tumors shrank. She was doing well.
Then a week and a half ago she came down with a high fever and I nausea. The doctors found two more tumors on her liver that were inoperable.
My parents and the Girlfriend and I arrived by her side a day after the phone call. A few days later the Girlfriend and my father returned home to take care of things on our respective home fronts.
My mom, uncle, and I took turns watching my grandmother through the night once she was moved to hospice care. She was doing very well. On the night of my shift, she lost the strength to swallow her pain medication. I had to switch to giving her liquid morphine.
Some advice a co-worker gave me was incredibly useful. She said, "it's good you are doing this, this is a decision you only get to make once."
The Girlfriend made my grandmother one of the most touching and beautiful cards I have seen. I was able to share it with my grandma before she passed.
On my grandmother's final night with us, my mom couldn't sleep and was constantly hovering. Constantly adjusting things, the blankets, the pillows, the flowers in the room. I told my mom to take this opportunity to tell her mom all the loving things that come to mind.
Remembering my co-workers words, I told my mom there was no reason to wait or to save her words. Now was the time; tell her while she can still hear you and can respond to your voice. Don't wait until she is gone.
I don't know how long my mom was in the room with us whispering to my grandmother, but it was long enough for me to fall asleep until I was awakened by the alarm to administer the next dose of morphine.
In the morning, fifteen minutes, after I had left her side to get a shower, she passed; peacefully, comfortably, and quietly.
Thank you Grandma.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
"Hey, Did We Miss June?"
I barely caught July.
So much for my goal of blogging at least once a week... I didn't manage a single blog post for the month of June. July is almost gone as well.
I have several topics in mind, but I won't cover any of them here. This post is purely to make myself feel better because won't feel like I have been neglecting my blog.
I've been busy with work; traveling mostly. I have been trying to make that up with the Girlfriend by spending less time on the computer when I am at home.
We went camping over the 4th of the July weekend. It was great to be completely "off the grid."
I did some hiking.
I did some shooting.
I was able to spend some time with some new friends as well as my parents who joined us.
I'm going to attempt to get another blog post up this week. We will see how that goes...
So much for my goal of blogging at least once a week... I didn't manage a single blog post for the month of June. July is almost gone as well.
I have several topics in mind, but I won't cover any of them here. This post is purely to make myself feel better because won't feel like I have been neglecting my blog.
I've been busy with work; traveling mostly. I have been trying to make that up with the Girlfriend by spending less time on the computer when I am at home.
We went camping over the 4th of the July weekend. It was great to be completely "off the grid."
I did some hiking.
I did some shooting.
I was able to spend some time with some new friends as well as my parents who joined us.
I'm going to attempt to get another blog post up this week. We will see how that goes...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Dollars?
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service loves me.
I’m single, no kids, do not own a home, and I have a good paying job with a large company. That means I have virtually no tax breaks in the U.S.; the IRS can hit me from all sides.
I actually find comfort in my financial status with respect to the “Tax-man.” It means I have a good income with a regular paycheck, health care, and no one else is dependent on me financially (as much as the Girlfriend and I have tried… the dogs don’t count as dependents).
This past weekend I witnessed how someone on the other end of spectrum lives. Not someone who is unemployed, but a person who is self-employed and whose vocation is subjective to various external factors, who is married, and has child.
I saw a small piece of what it means to be a full-time professional photographer.
Recently I was hired to be a 2nd photographer for two separate sporting events. I was paid for my services. Let me repeat that… paid for my services.
The more recent of the two sporting events was the Iron Horse Classic. The event got canceled due to an unusually late snow storm that caused conditions to be unsafe for the cyclists.
No Event = No Service = No Pay.
Was I upset by this? No. I agreed to the terms going in. Was I disappointed? Yes. Photography is still a hobby for me (the Girlfriend might call it an addiction) and my main source of income is my above mentioned job. I lost some money on expenses traveling to the event and missed an opportunity to earn some extra spending money.
However, the photographer who hired me lost out on a significant piece of revenue. He was more than disappointed. How is he going to make up for his loss of income? Will he make it up? I don’t know. I feel for him. This folks is why I haven’t made an effort to go professional with my photography. I really want to… but I’m too scared.
Last year on our way to photograph a Quad (Bike, Run, Snow Shoe, Cross Country Ski) we discussed our differing situations, “I can’t imagine not knowing when or how much my next paycheck will be.”
To which he responded, “And I can’t imagine working on something I didn’t want to work on and working on something I didn’t absolutely love.”
Touché.
(A great article written by Craig Tanner called “The Myth of Talent” talks about ‘false’ limitations and is available at the Radiant Vista website. It is a great read for anyone who wants to make a career change.)
I’m single, no kids, do not own a home, and I have a good paying job with a large company. That means I have virtually no tax breaks in the U.S.; the IRS can hit me from all sides.
I actually find comfort in my financial status with respect to the “Tax-man.” It means I have a good income with a regular paycheck, health care, and no one else is dependent on me financially (as much as the Girlfriend and I have tried… the dogs don’t count as dependents).
This past weekend I witnessed how someone on the other end of spectrum lives. Not someone who is unemployed, but a person who is self-employed and whose vocation is subjective to various external factors, who is married, and has child.
I saw a small piece of what it means to be a full-time professional photographer.
Recently I was hired to be a 2nd photographer for two separate sporting events. I was paid for my services. Let me repeat that… paid for my services.
The more recent of the two sporting events was the Iron Horse Classic. The event got canceled due to an unusually late snow storm that caused conditions to be unsafe for the cyclists.
No Event = No Service = No Pay.
Was I upset by this? No. I agreed to the terms going in. Was I disappointed? Yes. Photography is still a hobby for me (the Girlfriend might call it an addiction) and my main source of income is my above mentioned job. I lost some money on expenses traveling to the event and missed an opportunity to earn some extra spending money.
However, the photographer who hired me lost out on a significant piece of revenue. He was more than disappointed. How is he going to make up for his loss of income? Will he make it up? I don’t know. I feel for him. This folks is why I haven’t made an effort to go professional with my photography. I really want to… but I’m too scared.
Last year on our way to photograph a Quad (Bike, Run, Snow Shoe, Cross Country Ski) we discussed our differing situations, “I can’t imagine not knowing when or how much my next paycheck will be.”
To which he responded, “And I can’t imagine working on something I didn’t want to work on and working on something I didn’t absolutely love.”
Touché.
(A great article written by Craig Tanner called “The Myth of Talent” talks about ‘false’ limitations and is available at the Radiant Vista website. It is a great read for anyone who wants to make a career change.)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Lingering Self Doubts and Photographic Complements
I often don’t like my own photographs. Right after I get done with a shoot, I will go through the shots and find one (maybe) that strikes me. Often I have to wait a few days and then go back and look at them. I’m getting better, but still I’m often unimpressed with my efforts at first pass. However, in the last year or so I have received many indications that I might be a better photographer than I think I am.
In 2007 I shot photos for other people. I did not charge them because I didn’t feel I was good enough to justify charging them. Also I enjoy taking pictures, so these were opportunities to take photos of people (which are out of the norm for me) and learn some new things. Twice when the recipients of the photos took them to be printed, the store(s) refused to release the shots because they were shot by “A Professional”. (In this age of digital photography, many places are protecting themselves and photographers by not letting people mass produce professional works.) In both cases the stores eventually released the photos. It was nice to hear a complete stranger who deals with photos all day, felt my work was of professional grade.
Recently, I was selected to have one of my images hang in a local club. I had to pick the image… I was terrified. I looked at some of the other work that was already on display; I did not feel that any of my stuff was of the same caliber. So I posted in a discussion thread on flickr; asking for some suggestions on which image I should put up for display. The group was very kind and a few suggested images; however a few people did give me grief about hijacking the thread and begging for attention. Truth of the matter is, I didn’t (and still don’t) feel my photography is all that great. How does one gauge their own talent fairly? And will I ever?
The above shot is currently hanging in "One Up" in downtown Albuquerque.
In 2007 I shot photos for other people. I did not charge them because I didn’t feel I was good enough to justify charging them. Also I enjoy taking pictures, so these were opportunities to take photos of people (which are out of the norm for me) and learn some new things. Twice when the recipients of the photos took them to be printed, the store(s) refused to release the shots because they were shot by “A Professional”. (In this age of digital photography, many places are protecting themselves and photographers by not letting people mass produce professional works.) In both cases the stores eventually released the photos. It was nice to hear a complete stranger who deals with photos all day, felt my work was of professional grade.
Recently, I was selected to have one of my images hang in a local club. I had to pick the image… I was terrified. I looked at some of the other work that was already on display; I did not feel that any of my stuff was of the same caliber. So I posted in a discussion thread on flickr; asking for some suggestions on which image I should put up for display. The group was very kind and a few suggested images; however a few people did give me grief about hijacking the thread and begging for attention. Truth of the matter is, I didn’t (and still don’t) feel my photography is all that great. How does one gauge their own talent fairly? And will I ever?
The above shot is currently hanging in "One Up" in downtown Albuquerque.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Poor Girl...
Explosive Diarrhea.
"Isn't that a cool term?"
"Yes, but it isn't a cool problem."
"No, but it's a damn funny problem when it's someone else's problem."
"That is very true..."
That was a phone conversation I had with a friend near the start of the year. I came home from work as usual and when I opened the front door...
PWHAM!
It hit me, "What is that smell?"
Our youngest dog had had explosive diarrhea in her crate. Poor thing. I have no idea how long she was standing in her crate trying to avoid her own mess, but she had made quite the mess. It was on the walls, on the tile (her crate is in the kitchen), and on the carpet several feet away. Her crate has a tray in the bottom of it (so she isn't standing or lying on the wires), so she was doing her best to avoid putting her feet into the foul ooze.
I called the Girlfriend to let her know the situation... she told me it couldn't be *that* bad and to clean it up and call the vet. I didn't bother clean it up, but simply put the crate out in the front yard (as it was the shortest distance to go), confident no one in their right mind would steal anything covered in shite, and put the dog in the Jeep.
I met the Girlfriend at the vet; we got some antibiotics for her and headed home.
We walked into the house... and the Girlfriend then realized that when I said "Explosive Diarrhea" I meant it.
We cleaned and bleached for a few hours and then went to bed.
Why am I sharing this story on my blog? Last week this happened again... on a MUCH smaller scale. However, looking back on it now the girlfriend and I can laugh about this whole thing. Despite being about poop; I find this story quite amusing and back in February I would have never expected to have experienced "Explosive Diarrhea" twice in one year.
"Isn't that a cool term?"
"Yes, but it isn't a cool problem."
"No, but it's a damn funny problem when it's someone else's problem."
"That is very true..."
That was a phone conversation I had with a friend near the start of the year. I came home from work as usual and when I opened the front door...
PWHAM!
It hit me, "What is that smell?"
Our youngest dog had had explosive diarrhea in her crate. Poor thing. I have no idea how long she was standing in her crate trying to avoid her own mess, but she had made quite the mess. It was on the walls, on the tile (her crate is in the kitchen), and on the carpet several feet away. Her crate has a tray in the bottom of it (so she isn't standing or lying on the wires), so she was doing her best to avoid putting her feet into the foul ooze.
I called the Girlfriend to let her know the situation... she told me it couldn't be *that* bad and to clean it up and call the vet. I didn't bother clean it up, but simply put the crate out in the front yard (as it was the shortest distance to go), confident no one in their right mind would steal anything covered in shite, and put the dog in the Jeep.
I met the Girlfriend at the vet; we got some antibiotics for her and headed home.
We walked into the house... and the Girlfriend then realized that when I said "Explosive Diarrhea" I meant it.
We cleaned and bleached for a few hours and then went to bed.
Why am I sharing this story on my blog? Last week this happened again... on a MUCH smaller scale. However, looking back on it now the girlfriend and I can laugh about this whole thing. Despite being about poop; I find this story quite amusing and back in February I would have never expected to have experienced "Explosive Diarrhea" twice in one year.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I Don't Think We Are in Kansas Anymore...
I've been traveling quite a bit recently. In the last 30 days or so...
10 Days in Portland for Work
1 Day in Arizona for a Photography Seminar
3 Days in Northern Arizona for Camping/Photography
3 Days in California at Disneyland
Still to come in the next few weeks:
3 Days in Southern Arizona for Photography
4 Days in Utah for Camping/Photography
I'm enjoying these trips, but it's a lot of them in a short amount of time and all of them are occupying my weekends. I'm beginning to miss having a weekend where I don't have anyplace to be or anything to do. I realize most of these trips are of my own choosing, so I have no one to blame but myself.
I really liked the isolation while camping in Northern Arizona (pictured here). It was a huge contrast to the following weekend when the Girlfriend and I went to Disneyland during the Spring Break season. Ugh. Never again will we do that. We had a lot of fun, but there were long lines for everything.
I still want to plan at least two more trips for this year. I want to take another trip with the Girlfriend (most of the trips above have been without her) and dogs. It's always fun to have our dogs along. I would also like to take a trip with my dad. We do one every year and I don't want to make this year an exception. I'm still not sure what the destination will be for either trip; however I'm certain it will be fun.
10 Days in Portland for Work
1 Day in Arizona for a Photography Seminar
3 Days in Northern Arizona for Camping/Photography
3 Days in California at Disneyland
Still to come in the next few weeks:
3 Days in Southern Arizona for Photography
4 Days in Utah for Camping/Photography
I'm enjoying these trips, but it's a lot of them in a short amount of time and all of them are occupying my weekends. I'm beginning to miss having a weekend where I don't have anyplace to be or anything to do. I realize most of these trips are of my own choosing, so I have no one to blame but myself.
I really liked the isolation while camping in Northern Arizona (pictured here). It was a huge contrast to the following weekend when the Girlfriend and I went to Disneyland during the Spring Break season. Ugh. Never again will we do that. We had a lot of fun, but there were long lines for everything.
I still want to plan at least two more trips for this year. I want to take another trip with the Girlfriend (most of the trips above have been without her) and dogs. It's always fun to have our dogs along. I would also like to take a trip with my dad. We do one every year and I don't want to make this year an exception. I'm still not sure what the destination will be for either trip; however I'm certain it will be fun.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Beware of Dogs?
Last night we took Scout and Bandit to their first session of dog agility training. I don't think the Girlfriend and I had laughed that hard in a long time! We had a blast. The boys were by far the oldest dogs in the class (everyone else was less than a year old). We are looking forward to next week's class.
On a totally different note... some people just suck.
I hate people sometimes...
On a totally different note... some people just suck.
I hate people sometimes...
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Big Brother is Watching
I got a call Monday night from American Express. They wanted to verify some recent charges to my card.
“Oh, that’s easy I haven’t used my card since the middle of last week.”
The security rep from American Express tells me that there is a total $327.68 of suspect charges. She cancels the card and then begins explaining the next steps… and… nothing…
Damn cell phone dropped the call! (I don’t have a regular telephone, only a cell).
Sunva…
I call back… the Security and Fraud Department is now closed? They close at 8pm. It’s 8:01pm.
F*&#!!!
I call the 1-800 number on the back of the card. Now the real fun begins… I get their “after hours” customer service.
I explain the situation and that I was on the phone and got disconnected.
“So then, how may I help you Mr. Cummins?”
“Ummm what happens next? What do I do? How do I get a new card?”
He explains to me that the card has been canceled (I knew that and told him that initially) and that in a few days I can call them back and file a fraud claim and refute the charges.
What?
“Call back and file a fraud claim? You people called me. You identified the charges first and I confirmed I did not make them. Why do I need to call back and open a fraud claim?”
“These charges are pending, so we cannot do anything with them right now.”
“How about you decline them and start the fraud claim now…?”
“Sir, these charges are pending…”
You can see where this was going. I’ll be calling them back today.
*Sigh* At least I’m not liable for the charges and they caught it early.
It’s at times like these when it is nice to have “Big Brother” watching.
“Oh, that’s easy I haven’t used my card since the middle of last week.”
The security rep from American Express tells me that there is a total $327.68 of suspect charges. She cancels the card and then begins explaining the next steps… and… nothing…
Damn cell phone dropped the call! (I don’t have a regular telephone, only a cell).
Sunva…
I call back… the Security and Fraud Department is now closed? They close at 8pm. It’s 8:01pm.
F*&#!!!
I call the 1-800 number on the back of the card. Now the real fun begins… I get their “after hours” customer service.
I explain the situation and that I was on the phone and got disconnected.
“So then, how may I help you Mr. Cummins?”
“Ummm what happens next? What do I do? How do I get a new card?”
He explains to me that the card has been canceled (I knew that and told him that initially) and that in a few days I can call them back and file a fraud claim and refute the charges.
What?
“Call back and file a fraud claim? You people called me. You identified the charges first and I confirmed I did not make them. Why do I need to call back and open a fraud claim?”
“These charges are pending, so we cannot do anything with them right now.”
“How about you decline them and start the fraud claim now…?”
“Sir, these charges are pending…”
You can see where this was going. I’ll be calling them back today.
*Sigh* At least I’m not liable for the charges and they caught it early.
It’s at times like these when it is nice to have “Big Brother” watching.
Monday, March 3, 2008
"I'm Not Dead Yet..."
I really should've gone running instead of taking pictures of my running shoes...
Originally uploaded by dcumminsusa
I started.
A couple of quick updates:
My weight still hasn't changed, but my running has improved. This tells me a couple of things. On one hand my cardiovascular health must be better than it ever has been.
Why?
Because currently I can haul my jigglin' self around for 8-9 miles at a reasonable pace every weekend. In the past I weighed less and had a more difficult time running that kind of distance. My heart rate is also approximately at the same level it was when I was 20lbs lighter; meaning my heart/lungs aren't straining to move the heavier me. To me those are good things. If you are REALLY interested
you can see the my running routes, paces, distances, etc on my Motion Based web page.
The fact that my weight has not gone down confirms that I have not been disciplined in what I have been putting down my gullet. I'm consuming just the right number of calories... to maintain my weight. If I was consuming too many my weight would go up and if I was consuming less calories I would be experiencing some weight loss.
I had a physical about two weeks ago. Everything looked good and my doctor was impressed that someone my age is taking an active interest in their cholesterol and blood pressure. I still need to get my blood work done so I know all those specific numbers. I plan to get that done tomorrow.
I'll have some more posts coming soon...
The picture above is of my running shows, heart rate monitor, and workout towel. Click on it for the details.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Pork Chop = Love
Another Rambling Thought...
The other night the phone rang while I was at work:
Girlfriend: "I'm leaving now, I'll be home soon."
Me: "Ok, I should be leaving soon too. I just need to finish up one thing."
Girlfriend: "On your way home can you pick me up a Sonic drink."
(Sonic Drink is a term we use to refer to her drink of choice from Sonic Drive-in's)
Me: "No."
Girlfriend: "Why not? Don't you love me?"
Me: "Yes, but love has nothing to do with a Sonic Drink. One does not need a Sonic Drink to have love nor does one need love to have a Sonic Drink. The two are mutually exclusive."
Girlfriend: *Laughs*
I stopped by Sonic on the way home, because unfortunately I would actually have to drive out of my way not to drive right past one on the way home.
Later that night after dinner, our youngest dog Daisy was trying to lick the juice of our plates from our pork chops as we loaded them into the dish washer.
Girlfriend: "Daisy you like pork chop?"
Me: "No, she's never had a pork chop. Just like she's never had your Sonic Drink. As far as she is concerned the two are the same. Pork Chop = Sonic Drink. Since she has no frame of reference for a Pork Chop, a Pork Chop could be the same as love for that matter. So based on Daisy's limited experience a Pork Chop = Love."
This got me thinking about just how much our opinions of all sorts of things that seem totally unrelated shape who we are and how we perceive the world. Then I got to thinking about my friends' kids. Their kids are a virtual clean slate... no frame of reference on so many things. It's hard for me to imagine not having at least a small inkling of an opinion on something the first time I experience it because I immediate (subconsciously) start to relate it to some other experience I have had.
Where am I going with this post?
I don't know... but I do know in our house right now... a Pork Chop equals Love.
The other night the phone rang while I was at work:
Girlfriend: "I'm leaving now, I'll be home soon."
Me: "Ok, I should be leaving soon too. I just need to finish up one thing."
Girlfriend: "On your way home can you pick me up a Sonic drink."
(Sonic Drink is a term we use to refer to her drink of choice from Sonic Drive-in's)
Me: "No."
Girlfriend: "Why not? Don't you love me?"
Me: "Yes, but love has nothing to do with a Sonic Drink. One does not need a Sonic Drink to have love nor does one need love to have a Sonic Drink. The two are mutually exclusive."
Girlfriend: *Laughs*
I stopped by Sonic on the way home, because unfortunately I would actually have to drive out of my way not to drive right past one on the way home.
Later that night after dinner, our youngest dog Daisy was trying to lick the juice of our plates from our pork chops as we loaded them into the dish washer.
Girlfriend: "Daisy you like pork chop?"
Me: "No, she's never had a pork chop. Just like she's never had your Sonic Drink. As far as she is concerned the two are the same. Pork Chop = Sonic Drink. Since she has no frame of reference for a Pork Chop, a Pork Chop could be the same as love for that matter. So based on Daisy's limited experience a Pork Chop = Love."
This got me thinking about just how much our opinions of all sorts of things that seem totally unrelated shape who we are and how we perceive the world. Then I got to thinking about my friends' kids. Their kids are a virtual clean slate... no frame of reference on so many things. It's hard for me to imagine not having at least a small inkling of an opinion on something the first time I experience it because I immediate (subconsciously) start to relate it to some other experience I have had.
Where am I going with this post?
I don't know... but I do know in our house right now... a Pork Chop equals Love.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Whoa
Warning: This is one of my rambling posts. No photography or "I'm fat" stuff here.
A few weeks, er months ago my best friend Greg taught me a life lesson I don't think I will ever forget. He did it and I'm certain he didn't know he did.
Let me say American's have it good. I would say we are spoiled. I feel that way about us. I am not hoping we change and I am just as much a part of it as the next person. I look around me... I live in a small, but nice house. I have a good job that pays well. I have a good immediate family with my parents and the girlfriend's parents nearby. I have enough money to afford the computer I'm using to make this blog post and I have enough money to purchase the gear that has allowed me to make my photographs. I'm rarely hungry for longer than 3-4 hours and I would be willing to say that I have yet to experience real hungry like so many others in the world.
My friend Greg some months ago was describing to me how he had just bought a game for his Nintendo Wii and noticed it had a bug. He contacted the game manufacturer who then proceeded to question how he had his Wii connected and how he was playing his game. This is the equivalent of anyone in the general population telling Stephen Hawking that he needs to double check his math. Greg was quite upset that the game manufacturer refused to acknowledge the issue. Then he told me if his biggest problem in life was that his game for his Nintendo Wii wasn't working then he's got it pretty good.
Since then there have been three or four times I have started to get agitated about something of similar caliber. Then I remember Greg's words...
I've got it pretty good.
A few weeks, er months ago my best friend Greg taught me a life lesson I don't think I will ever forget. He did it and I'm certain he didn't know he did.
Let me say American's have it good. I would say we are spoiled. I feel that way about us. I am not hoping we change and I am just as much a part of it as the next person. I look around me... I live in a small, but nice house. I have a good job that pays well. I have a good immediate family with my parents and the girlfriend's parents nearby. I have enough money to afford the computer I'm using to make this blog post and I have enough money to purchase the gear that has allowed me to make my photographs. I'm rarely hungry for longer than 3-4 hours and I would be willing to say that I have yet to experience real hungry like so many others in the world.
My friend Greg some months ago was describing to me how he had just bought a game for his Nintendo Wii and noticed it had a bug. He contacted the game manufacturer who then proceeded to question how he had his Wii connected and how he was playing his game. This is the equivalent of anyone in the general population telling Stephen Hawking that he needs to double check his math. Greg was quite upset that the game manufacturer refused to acknowledge the issue. Then he told me if his biggest problem in life was that his game for his Nintendo Wii wasn't working then he's got it pretty good.
Since then there have been three or four times I have started to get agitated about something of similar caliber. Then I remember Greg's words...
I've got it pretty good.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Inspiration and Motivation Can Come From the Unexpected Places
Let me take care of some of the formalities first. My weight hasn’t changed much and I’m guessing my body fat hasn’t either. This isn’t for lack of trying; it’s because of a half effort. I managed to increase my workout frequency last week. I ran four times, including one seven mile run, and did some resistance training twice. Despite my jiggle factor being fairly high, there must be some foundation of health hiding somewhere. At 190+lbs the fact that I’m able to propel myself around for a distance of seven continuous miles gives me hope.
I’ve decided to give myself some “additional” motivation. I have made a “Biggest Loser” type wager with a friend. Each month we will check our body fat. Whoever loses the least percentage of fat pounds will buy breakfast for our group at work.
I’ve been finding motivation in other places as well. Generally on the weekends I will go out for a long run. Typically we do this long run along the Rio Grande, specifically in an area called the bosque (pronounced boss-k). Bosque is a riparian forest along a river. During this time of year, many migrating birds make the bosque their home. In the last few weeks I have seen bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Canadian geese, Sandhill Cranes, and Great Blue Heron’s during my weekend long runs. It’s a great feeling to be out when most others are still in their beds, and then look up and in the sky or a tree see one of these magnificent creatures. I really look forward to my weekend runs right now; wondering what kind of wildlife I will see.
The above photo was taken by Michael Menefee a.k.a. Fort Photo on flickr. (Click on the photo to see more from him). Thanks allowing me to use this photo on my blog.
I’ve decided to give myself some “additional” motivation. I have made a “Biggest Loser” type wager with a friend. Each month we will check our body fat. Whoever loses the least percentage of fat pounds will buy breakfast for our group at work.
I’ve been finding motivation in other places as well. Generally on the weekends I will go out for a long run. Typically we do this long run along the Rio Grande, specifically in an area called the bosque (pronounced boss-k). Bosque is a riparian forest along a river. During this time of year, many migrating birds make the bosque their home. In the last few weeks I have seen bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Canadian geese, Sandhill Cranes, and Great Blue Heron’s during my weekend long runs. It’s a great feeling to be out when most others are still in their beds, and then look up and in the sky or a tree see one of these magnificent creatures. I really look forward to my weekend runs right now; wondering what kind of wildlife I will see.
The above photo was taken by Michael Menefee a.k.a. Fort Photo on flickr. (Click on the photo to see more from him). Thanks allowing me to use this photo on my blog.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Breaking A Paradigm
Yesterday evening I did something very contrary; contrary to most people's behavior at this time of the year and also apparently contrary to my goal of getting my weight down.
I canceled my gym membership.
Yup, right now millions of Americans are signing up for gym memberships to make good on their New Year's resolutions.
Not me.
First, let me clarify a few things which may not be obvious to a good portion of the people who might be reading this blog.
I used to be a lot "fatter." When I graduated from college I was 215lbs. Over the course of a year I got that down to 195lbs by cutting out a LOT of fast food and reducing my soda intake. Eventually I got more serious about things and lost some more weight. About a year ago on a bet; I switched to Vegetarian diet (almost Vegan, I still had an egg or cheese on occasion). In a matter of six weeks I dropped 15lbs and got down to my weight of 170lbs.
I joined the gym specifically because they had a pool and I needed someplace to practice my swimming because I was participating in some triathlons. This year I want to focus specifically on completing a full marathon or two. I don't need a gym to 'run'. In fact I really don't like running on a treadmill. If I need to go to a gym, the company gym is less than 100ft away from my desk and it's free.
If I can't make some progress using tools that are both free and convenient to me, I'm in real trouble.
I canceled my gym membership.
Yup, right now millions of Americans are signing up for gym memberships to make good on their New Year's resolutions.
Not me.
First, let me clarify a few things which may not be obvious to a good portion of the people who might be reading this blog.
I used to be a lot "fatter." When I graduated from college I was 215lbs. Over the course of a year I got that down to 195lbs by cutting out a LOT of fast food and reducing my soda intake. Eventually I got more serious about things and lost some more weight. About a year ago on a bet; I switched to Vegetarian diet (almost Vegan, I still had an egg or cheese on occasion). In a matter of six weeks I dropped 15lbs and got down to my weight of 170lbs.
I joined the gym specifically because they had a pool and I needed someplace to practice my swimming because I was participating in some triathlons. This year I want to focus specifically on completing a full marathon or two. I don't need a gym to 'run'. In fact I really don't like running on a treadmill. If I need to go to a gym, the company gym is less than 100ft away from my desk and it's free.
If I can't make some progress using tools that are both free and convenient to me, I'm in real trouble.
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