Weekend:
Picked up Tracy from the airport.
Saw Wall-E (cute and engaging ... loved the fat people ... can SO relate!)
Taught my grammar and punctuation class Saturday (I love the class but can't get many people to come ... shocking, I know!)
Watched the newest "Rambo" flick on NetFlix (bloody violence, good ... dialogue and plot, bad)
Saw "Son of Rambow" an English flick about a kid who makes his own Sly movie (cute but not great) with Christi and Andy.
Took the kiddos to the pool.
Watched a couple episodes of Season 2 of "Dexter" (love this show almost as much as the books!)
Finished reading "Heartsick" by Chelsea Cain on the recommendation of my buddy, Dan. What a great book. I know I'm sexist but I normally don't like female thriller writers, but this one is awesome. Great story.
Started the new Odd Thomas book by Dean Koontz. I love Dean. Not a huge fan of this series, but it starts off pretty good.
So, now the countdown begins. Short week this week because of the Fourth and then we prep to head out for our family reunion in Seattle. I can't wait! I'm so excited to see my neice and nephews (and my sis, her hubby and my mom and dad). Golf. Beach. Not working. I can't wait!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Mist
On a recommendation of a friend, I rented it.
I'm sure this was WAY better as a book. King movies often feel that way (except Misery which was equal to it).
Anyway, it's a bizarre story. Has some interesting elements about religion and faith driven by fear ... which certainly was a major theme.
The ending, however, was so sad and shocking, that I just had a hard time with it. As a parent, it was brutal to watch. I think it would have been better with a better actor. The main dude just doesn't look nearly as shocked as a real person would be.
Anyway, I guess it's worth a rental, but plan on having bad dreams.
I'm sure this was WAY better as a book. King movies often feel that way (except Misery which was equal to it).
Anyway, it's a bizarre story. Has some interesting elements about religion and faith driven by fear ... which certainly was a major theme.
The ending, however, was so sad and shocking, that I just had a hard time with it. As a parent, it was brutal to watch. I think it would have been better with a better actor. The main dude just doesn't look nearly as shocked as a real person would be.
Anyway, I guess it's worth a rental, but plan on having bad dreams.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Brilliant
My friend Eric posted this on his blog and I thought it was just brilliant.
This is a site for cubicle workers to fake work while reading great works.
http://www.readatwork.com/
Not sure if a Mac version is planned.
This is a site for cubicle workers to fake work while reading great works.
http://www.readatwork.com/
Not sure if a Mac version is planned.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wedding weekend
So, we went to a fun wedding on Saturday. Greta Willoughby used to work for me at Aims and she's just a hoot. She got married at a rodeo arena and then had the reception at a bar (that is being closed and will soon be a church!?!?).
Pics below, me and the bride at the reception and then Tracy sitting on a hay bale for the ceremony (the boys are standing behind her under umbrellas because it was freakin' hot!
Pics below, me and the bride at the reception and then Tracy sitting on a hay bale for the ceremony (the boys are standing behind her under umbrellas because it was freakin' hot!
Other than that, we had a low-key poker game on Friday (everybody but Dono and I finished early. He and I stayed up late drinking, playing cards and arguing politics ... fun).
On Sunday, the whole family (including Ruth and Greta) went to see "Get Smart" (funny flick but not as slapsticky as the TV show). After dinner together, we did a short tour of the tornado zone in Windsor and Greeley. This was my first time out there (the tornado hit a month ago). It's amazing to see some people already rebuilding. But the devastation is incredible.
A moment of $%&#ing silence
George Carlin is dead. Truly sad day.
Say at least one of the seven words today in his honor.
Say at least one of the seven words today in his honor.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Daddy day
Had a great Father's Day weekend. A little swimming. Saw "The Happening" with Dono (I actually liked it and he hated it but he hates everything right now and somehow he ends up comparing every movie to a flaming bag of dog poo ... ).
On Sunday, Big Andy (as opposed to Little Andy, my son) and some other friends played the Eaton Country Club in our continuing quest to play the local courses we haven't played before. It's a nice course ... not great, but nice. So far this summer we've added Marianna Butte, the Olde Course in Loveland, Highland Meadows in Windsor, Thorn Creek in Thornton and I got to play the Greeley Country Club in a tourney last week. Marianna and the Greeley CC are my favs so far, but I'm such a hacker that I still enjoy Mad Russian more than any of them. Currently my game sucks. My drives are pretty good (hit one 298 at the GCC!) but I can't pitch or chip or putt to save my life.
After golf, I got to go home, open some nice gifts from the fam, call my dad to wish him a good one and watch the Tiger/Rocco show that continued into the work day yesterday which was awesome.
Tracy wanted to take a pic of me and the boys to show to a friend of hers, so I thought I'd share it here.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Exhausted
This is Alex after staying up all night for the Relay For Life on Friday/Saturday.
He was excited to stay up, but he couldn't even keep his eyes open once the sun came up. All night long, he was putting entries into a raffle for a portable bike that one group was selling. He waited for them to do the drawing, but fell asleep on the sidewalk. He didn't win, but the lady who did win wanted Alex to have it.
We tried to wake him up to show him, but he was dead to the world. I picked him up from the sidewalk and he stood up, but he was still pretty out of it and didn't even register the bike. He started to stumble and I caught him and placed him in this chair. About 30 minutes later, he woke up, saw the bike and said, "Whose is that?"
All in all, it was a great Relay. Alex's team won Bronze status (I've never had a ranked team ... must help to be cute!).
This is an amazing community and even after the horrible tornado and the more than $250,000 raised in relief for the victims there, this event still raised $417,000 for cancer research and programs.
The rest of the weekend was a blur ... sleeping (lots), saw "Don't Mess with the Zohan" (terrible!), watched the first disc of Season 3 of Weeds (hilarious!), almost finished Season One of Veronica Mars (pretty darn good but not as "top 5" brilliant as Kevin Smith says), took the boys to "KungFu Panda" (OK, but the voices were under-used), bought some more plants for my garden (my volunteer pumpkins didn't volunteer this year ... got some more, some watermelon, tomato and cucumber), killed three wasp nests in the backyard (I hate those buggers) and watched a HUGE fire just down our street as one of my neighbors was later arrested for setting his own house on fire.
Yesterday I played in an Arizona Scramble golf tournament at the Greeley Country Club. It was the first time I've played that course and it was awesome. I didn't play particularly great but we used my drive about six or so times. The best was on the last hole which also happened to be the long-drive competition hole. I cranked one right down the middle and it measured 298 yards! (ended up being halfway between the women's long drive and about 30 yards shy of the men's). That was probably my best drive ever and I was pretty darn giddy. Then watched Alex's baseball game and then played softball. No wonder I'm tired.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Nice
10-hour days suck, but having three-day weekends is nice over the summer.
Sure, I spend most of my Fridays doing work around the house but then that leaves Saturday and Sunday for a little more fun.
This weekend, the boys and I did a massive cleaning job on their activity room on Friday and Tracy went to the Sex and the City movie with her chick friends (woo-hoo! I don't have to go!).
Saturday, I had to do a work thing in the morning and then Tracy and I went out to see The Visitor (not bad, Tracy liked it more than me but it still wasn't as good as the director's The Station Agent) that night.
Sunday was chill day. A little cleaning. A little laundry. I got to read a bit on the back porch ... until I started noticing all the weeds and so I started pulling. And then Tracy came out to help.
And then we realized we hadn't heard from the children in a while... They are at that age when you think you can leave them unsupervised for long periods ... And then you go to the front yard and see this ...
Yes, Alex and his goofy sidekick, Andy, had built a mud dam to block the gutter and then gotten in a mud fight (Alex took the worst of it). The worst was their mud dam was not in front of our house but rather a house three or four houses down and we had to carry buckets of water down there to wash it out.
Yes, I was pissed about it, but boys will be boys and it's good to see my kids getting in trouble outside for stuff like this than inside vegging all summer.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
14
It was 14 years ago today that a lovely woman agreed to be my lovely wife.
In that time ...
* We've had two amazing kids who make our lives even better every day.
* I gained and lost 50 pounds (ouch!)
* Both my best-man and Tracy's maid-of-honor got married and divorced.
* And my best-man got re-married (this last weekend ... congrats, George!)
* The Rockies made it to the World Series (probably another 14 years before they win the damn thing)
* The U.S. has been involved in several bloody wars that didn't do diddily-squat for anyone
* George Lucas finally finished the first three Star Wars movies
* The Broncos won the Super Bowl ... twice!
* We own two mini-vans
* I've had five different jobs (still would rather be writing full time)
* Tracy's had three
* My mother-in-law moved to Greeley from Fort Morgan (woo-hoo!)
* My father-in-law passed away (we miss you, Joe!)
* We've made many friends and lost contact with a few, too.
* I discovered I really like shrimp
* Brussel sprouts ... not so much
* Tracy has probably had less than 10 glasses of wine (I may have had a few more than that)
* Terrorists have done a number of really bad things
* So have US politicians
* We've only had two presidents (that's strange, huh?)
* We've seen hundreds (if not thousands) of movies (include bad TV shows and we're easily there)
* I am now comprised of 90 percent ice cream and popcorn
* I've published one book and several hundred columns (see many of 'em here)
* I've written several novels ... edited a couple and pitched to one agent
* My parents have moved from a gorgeous lake in California to Texas (please forgive them)
* We have killed at least two hermit crabs, countless sea monkeys (although two live!), a couple goldfish, a strange swimming frog and not nearly enough mosquitoes.
And through it all, I have been the most fortunate person on the planet because I have been able to experience it all with my incredible wife. She's my best friend and the hottest chick ever ... it's an awesome combination.
ILYM!!!
In that time ...
* We've had two amazing kids who make our lives even better every day.
* I gained and lost 50 pounds (ouch!)
* Both my best-man and Tracy's maid-of-honor got married and divorced.
* And my best-man got re-married (this last weekend ... congrats, George!)
* The Rockies made it to the World Series (probably another 14 years before they win the damn thing)
* The U.S. has been involved in several bloody wars that didn't do diddily-squat for anyone
* George Lucas finally finished the first three Star Wars movies
* The Broncos won the Super Bowl ... twice!
* We own two mini-vans
* I've had five different jobs (still would rather be writing full time)
* Tracy's had three
* My mother-in-law moved to Greeley from Fort Morgan (woo-hoo!)
* My father-in-law passed away (we miss you, Joe!)
* We've made many friends and lost contact with a few, too.
* I discovered I really like shrimp
* Brussel sprouts ... not so much
* Tracy has probably had less than 10 glasses of wine (I may have had a few more than that)
* Terrorists have done a number of really bad things
* So have US politicians
* We've only had two presidents (that's strange, huh?)
* We've seen hundreds (if not thousands) of movies (include bad TV shows and we're easily there)
* I am now comprised of 90 percent ice cream and popcorn
* I've published one book and several hundred columns (see many of 'em here)
* I've written several novels ... edited a couple and pitched to one agent
* My parents have moved from a gorgeous lake in California to Texas (please forgive them)
* We have killed at least two hermit crabs, countless sea monkeys (although two live!), a couple goldfish, a strange swimming frog and not nearly enough mosquitoes.
And through it all, I have been the most fortunate person on the planet because I have been able to experience it all with my incredible wife. She's my best friend and the hottest chick ever ... it's an awesome combination.
ILYM!!!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Whew!
In case you didn't know, our county has been dealing with the aftermath of a horrible tornado that hit about 10 miles from our house on Thursday. It's been a scary couple days. On Thursday, Tracy and the kids spent much of the afternoon under the stairs (Tracy has a nice area set up ... since Y2K!!!). I was at work but I was at the gym for the lunch hour and we all had to go into the basement aerobics room to wait out the tornado warnings. Tracy's mom, Ruth, was driving home to Greeley from Windsor and went right through it. The baseball-sized hail caused extensive damage to her car and her nerves, but she's OK.
On Friday, Alex and I went to the mall to get me some clothes that fit (finally) and while we were there, another tornado warning came up and the power in the whole mall went 0ut. We were kicked out of JC Penney's until we found out that store is one of the "safe" areas. (duh!). With the power out, the pretzel guy was giving away pretzels, so Alex was OK.
All in all, it's really a miracle only one person was killed. We don't have sirens in Greeley or Windsor. But I guess we really are connected enough these days that nobody was really caught off-guard (although some kids in the day care in Windsor were nearly sucked away).
So, the rest of our weekend ...
* Took Alex and a friend to Indiana Jones. Not bad. Not great.
* Tracy and I were going to see a double-feature of Married Life and Baby Mama on Saturday but the theater was doing construction (not tornado-related) and they failed to tell people until the last minute. So, we had a good dinner and went home to see the Savages on OnDemand. Good flick.
* Spent 3 days cleaning the kitchen (and we're not done). We emptied and cleaned every cabinet. It's amazing what crap you collect over 12 years! Should be done today!
That's about it.
On Friday, Alex and I went to the mall to get me some clothes that fit (finally) and while we were there, another tornado warning came up and the power in the whole mall went 0ut. We were kicked out of JC Penney's until we found out that store is one of the "safe" areas. (duh!). With the power out, the pretzel guy was giving away pretzels, so Alex was OK.
All in all, it's really a miracle only one person was killed. We don't have sirens in Greeley or Windsor. But I guess we really are connected enough these days that nobody was really caught off-guard (although some kids in the day care in Windsor were nearly sucked away).
So, the rest of our weekend ...
* Took Alex and a friend to Indiana Jones. Not bad. Not great.
* Tracy and I were going to see a double-feature of Married Life and Baby Mama on Saturday but the theater was doing construction (not tornado-related) and they failed to tell people until the last minute. So, we had a good dinner and went home to see the Savages on OnDemand. Good flick.
* Spent 3 days cleaning the kitchen (and we're not done). We emptied and cleaned every cabinet. It's amazing what crap you collect over 12 years! Should be done today!
That's about it.
Monday, May 19, 2008
B-day week(end)
On Friday, I turned 39. I had a pretty good week, too.
On Wednesday, I was part of a drinking study for the Tribune as several of us got loaded to see how fast someone can get drunk and its impact on driving. See the article (with a link to video ... what was I thinking?!?!?) here http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080518/NEWS/950371384
On Friday, I was off work because we're on 4-day weeks this summer (nice, but 10-hour days suck). Anyway, Andy Segal and I went (with a friend of his, Rob, from Denver) to play 18 at Marianna Butte in Loveland. It was great! I actually hit a shot that skipped across water (twice!) and landed in a great spot. Andy and I had such a great time that we decided to play the Old Course in Loveland when we were done. Yes, 36 holes of golf in one day. It was a good day.
The diet is going OK. I lost another pound last week and I bought a pair of shorts that were 8 inches less than all the others I own. That felt good. I actually bought another pair that is two inches less than that but they are a little too snug right now but it gives me something to shoot for. The hard part with the diet is my birthday. With the drinking before and during as well as the tasty ice cream Tracy bought me and the amazing cake my mother-in-law made me (glutten-free!!!) and the banana bread Tracy made (GF!), I have eaten more than I have in a long time. I know they say you can just bounce back, but it's tough. I feel like poop. But I had some good fish and veggies last night for dinner, so I hope that will begin to cleanse out the body again.
As for movies, Tracy and I went with Christi and Andy to "What Happens in Vegas" (after going to PF Changs which was awesome ... but stuffing also). It's a pretty good movie, actually. Lots of good laughs. The hardest part for me was the gambling. It was totally wrong. They won the slot jackpot ($3 million) with ONE QUARTER. Any moron could see the machine said it needed TWO to win the big one. And, earlier they were playing craps and with a table full of money (including money on the Come line), they were cheering for a seven. (Of course, they hit and they win). Anyone who has played craps knows this is crap. Sure, they could have been playing the no-pass line, but they had their money on pass. Stupid thing to complain about, but still. It wouldn't have been that tough to make it right.
Watching Veronica Mars (Season 1) and The 4400 (the newest season) on DVD. Both very good. Can't wait to see where The 4400 is going.
On Wednesday, I was part of a drinking study for the Tribune as several of us got loaded to see how fast someone can get drunk and its impact on driving. See the article (with a link to video ... what was I thinking?!?!?) here http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20080518/NEWS/950371384
On Friday, I was off work because we're on 4-day weeks this summer (nice, but 10-hour days suck). Anyway, Andy Segal and I went (with a friend of his, Rob, from Denver) to play 18 at Marianna Butte in Loveland. It was great! I actually hit a shot that skipped across water (twice!) and landed in a great spot. Andy and I had such a great time that we decided to play the Old Course in Loveland when we were done. Yes, 36 holes of golf in one day. It was a good day.
The diet is going OK. I lost another pound last week and I bought a pair of shorts that were 8 inches less than all the others I own. That felt good. I actually bought another pair that is two inches less than that but they are a little too snug right now but it gives me something to shoot for. The hard part with the diet is my birthday. With the drinking before and during as well as the tasty ice cream Tracy bought me and the amazing cake my mother-in-law made me (glutten-free!!!) and the banana bread Tracy made (GF!), I have eaten more than I have in a long time. I know they say you can just bounce back, but it's tough. I feel like poop. But I had some good fish and veggies last night for dinner, so I hope that will begin to cleanse out the body again.
As for movies, Tracy and I went with Christi and Andy to "What Happens in Vegas" (after going to PF Changs which was awesome ... but stuffing also). It's a pretty good movie, actually. Lots of good laughs. The hardest part for me was the gambling. It was totally wrong. They won the slot jackpot ($3 million) with ONE QUARTER. Any moron could see the machine said it needed TWO to win the big one. And, earlier they were playing craps and with a table full of money (including money on the Come line), they were cheering for a seven. (Of course, they hit and they win). Anyone who has played craps knows this is crap. Sure, they could have been playing the no-pass line, but they had their money on pass. Stupid thing to complain about, but still. It wouldn't have been that tough to make it right.
Watching Veronica Mars (Season 1) and The 4400 (the newest season) on DVD. Both very good. Can't wait to see where The 4400 is going.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Movie weekend
Trying to stay out of Tracy's hair, I spent a lot of time in the movie theater this weekend.
On Saturday, I took the boys to Speed Racer. If you loved the cartoon, you'll love this. I remember loving the cartoon for a short time. I didn't like the film for the same reason I stopped liking the cartoon. Still was amazing to see the visuals.
The boys then stayed at Grandma's and I went to Harold and Kumar with Dono. Fortunately, we went to a bar beforehand which put us in the right mood. Still wasn't as funny as the first one.
On Mother's Day, Tracy still had to work so I took the boys (plus Grandma Ruth) to Iron Man. What a great flick. Robert Downey Jr. was awesome.
Also this weekend we had our last soccer game of the year. We lost but the boys played well. The wind came up at the end and that was no fun whatsoever.
Pretty sick of the wind right now.
On Saturday, I took the boys to Speed Racer. If you loved the cartoon, you'll love this. I remember loving the cartoon for a short time. I didn't like the film for the same reason I stopped liking the cartoon. Still was amazing to see the visuals.
The boys then stayed at Grandma's and I went to Harold and Kumar with Dono. Fortunately, we went to a bar beforehand which put us in the right mood. Still wasn't as funny as the first one.
On Mother's Day, Tracy still had to work so I took the boys (plus Grandma Ruth) to Iron Man. What a great flick. Robert Downey Jr. was awesome.
Also this weekend we had our last soccer game of the year. We lost but the boys played well. The wind came up at the end and that was no fun whatsoever.
Pretty sick of the wind right now.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Good weekend
So, Friday, I gave the boys the option of going to a really cool new model train exhibit and museum that's only open once a month or staying home and watching a couple old Star Trek Next Generation episodes from NetFlix. Pikard won out. Although I'd like to go see the exhibit some time, I'm pretty happy that both of my sons are into Star Trek as much as I was. They use ST refs all the time and talk about phasers and posotronic brains and, yes, I have created two total nerds ... and I love it.
Saturday, we had Andy's second to last soccer game and the kids played amazing. By far their best game. My assistant coach was blown away. It was incredible.
Then, Andy went to a friend's house for a birthday party and Alex and I went to see the play "Annie" at the UCCC with Ruth, Greta, Alex's friend, Ryan, and his mom Kristie. Tracy couldn't go because she's snowed with a major work project. The play was pretty good. I'll admit I am not a big fan of the music in it, but the staging was impressive.
Alex then had a sleepover at Ryan's house and the next morning I picked up Andy and his friend, Cameron, and we met Dono and Sara for the Rockies game against the hated Dodgers. And the Rox actually won one!!! Woo-hoo.
During the game, I also got to meet up with a friend of mine from California, Mike Ingraham. Mike and I grew up about four houses from each other in the Bay Area from 4th grade through high school. Growing up, we had a lot of fun together (he went to my first rock concert (Van Halen, May 11, 1984) with me) and we also fought a lot (about nothing ... which sounds about right). Anyway, I hadn't seen him since high school graduation. He's now re-married to a cool lady named Jen and they recently moved to Colorado Springs. He looks just like his dad (so do I, I think). It was a short visit but it was great to see him.
Finished Sunday off by watching "Dead Alive" on DVD. This was Peter Jackson's first movie and it was so darn funny. Absolutely laugh-out-loud cheesy. WAY over the top fake gore. Really funny lines. Really bad special effects (the rat monkey is now my fav!). Horrible acting. Really fun.
Saturday, we had Andy's second to last soccer game and the kids played amazing. By far their best game. My assistant coach was blown away. It was incredible.
Then, Andy went to a friend's house for a birthday party and Alex and I went to see the play "Annie" at the UCCC with Ruth, Greta, Alex's friend, Ryan, and his mom Kristie. Tracy couldn't go because she's snowed with a major work project. The play was pretty good. I'll admit I am not a big fan of the music in it, but the staging was impressive.
Alex then had a sleepover at Ryan's house and the next morning I picked up Andy and his friend, Cameron, and we met Dono and Sara for the Rockies game against the hated Dodgers. And the Rox actually won one!!! Woo-hoo.
During the game, I also got to meet up with a friend of mine from California, Mike Ingraham. Mike and I grew up about four houses from each other in the Bay Area from 4th grade through high school. Growing up, we had a lot of fun together (he went to my first rock concert (Van Halen, May 11, 1984) with me) and we also fought a lot (about nothing ... which sounds about right). Anyway, I hadn't seen him since high school graduation. He's now re-married to a cool lady named Jen and they recently moved to Colorado Springs. He looks just like his dad (so do I, I think). It was a short visit but it was great to see him.
Finished Sunday off by watching "Dead Alive" on DVD. This was Peter Jackson's first movie and it was so darn funny. Absolutely laugh-out-loud cheesy. WAY over the top fake gore. Really funny lines. Really bad special effects (the rat monkey is now my fav!). Horrible acting. Really fun.
Monday, April 28, 2008
What's up? Not much
Pretty laid-back weekend... lots of time with the boys since Mom is working on her HUGE work project ('til May 22, it's gonna be quiet on the Tracy front)...
Friday took the boys to their school's family fun night. This used to be an event where you paid a lot of money for the kids to play stupid games and win crap prizes. This year, the games were still there, but they were free! Woo-hoo! Much better. They also had a band playing outside and I got to hear the worst version of Hotel California ... EVER!
Saturday was crappy weather but the geniuses who decide to postpone soccer apparently can't look out a window. We got to the field and after a couple minutes, the snow and wind were so bad, I got together with the other coach and we decided to cancel our game and we alerted the refs. The girl ref (who was on the field AND bundled in a big blanket) turned to us and said, "Thank you."
Alex had a play-date for most of Saturday and into Sunday. So, Andy and I went to the city courts and played racquetball. I can't believe this little stinker is only 8. He has a good head for the game and is really impressive. Does a dad's heart good.
Sunday we did some cleaning around the house and then rode our bikes to the Library and the Family FunPlex (the boys couldn't pass it without wanting to play 18-holes of mini-golf!). There is a new (I think?) bike path that runs almost all the way to our house and to the FunPlex. It's a great trail and made the trip a blast. There's a killer hill at the end and the boys walked their bikes up it, but I was able to make it (kinda nice not hauling an extra 50 pounds up it).
As far as the weight goes, I'm maintaining. Seems like I'm down a pound or so. But I'm still exercising and eating good, so that's what matters.
Friday took the boys to their school's family fun night. This used to be an event where you paid a lot of money for the kids to play stupid games and win crap prizes. This year, the games were still there, but they were free! Woo-hoo! Much better. They also had a band playing outside and I got to hear the worst version of Hotel California ... EVER!
Saturday was crappy weather but the geniuses who decide to postpone soccer apparently can't look out a window. We got to the field and after a couple minutes, the snow and wind were so bad, I got together with the other coach and we decided to cancel our game and we alerted the refs. The girl ref (who was on the field AND bundled in a big blanket) turned to us and said, "Thank you."
Alex had a play-date for most of Saturday and into Sunday. So, Andy and I went to the city courts and played racquetball. I can't believe this little stinker is only 8. He has a good head for the game and is really impressive. Does a dad's heart good.
Sunday we did some cleaning around the house and then rode our bikes to the Library and the Family FunPlex (the boys couldn't pass it without wanting to play 18-holes of mini-golf!). There is a new (I think?) bike path that runs almost all the way to our house and to the FunPlex. It's a great trail and made the trip a blast. There's a killer hill at the end and the boys walked their bikes up it, but I was able to make it (kinda nice not hauling an extra 50 pounds up it).
As far as the weight goes, I'm maintaining. Seems like I'm down a pound or so. But I'm still exercising and eating good, so that's what matters.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
54
Just did my last weigh-in. I was really pushing to lose at least a pound to get me to a total of 30 for the Biggest Winner program at Aims.
And, even though the “good room” scale was unavailable (We weigh in two rooms and most of us have noticed one room is definitely better than the other and I was pissed it wasn't open on the last day!!!), I still lost 5 pounds, an inch in the belly and another in the chest as well as nearly one full point in BMI.
I am on Cloud 9!!! Can’t believe it!
My final numbers … Lost 34 pounds (plus 20 before BW beginning Jan. 1 … puts me at 54!!!)
Lost a total of 24 inches
And BMI dropped 4.4. (why I can’t get this one down as fast is a little frustrating!)
So, now this part of the weight loss is over (although we have awards being presented next week and I'm thinking I'm doing well), the big question is will I keep it off.
A lot of people ask me that.
Honestly, I'm not that concerned about it. I don't know why this time is different. I don't know how I was able to stick with it this far when I never could in the past. All I do know is that I won't be going backwards (well, I might celebrate a little this week!).
The other question I get is: How much are you trying to lose?
This is another easy one. My answer is simply: I don't care.
When I started all this, my goal was to lose the 50 pounds I have gained since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. That mission's accomplished.
So, my next goal is just to be healthy.
I'm going to continue my workouts like I have been. I'm going to continue to be good about what I eat. And that's it. It really hasn't been that tough. And I'm not going to kill myself trying to lose weight. If the pounds continue to drop (and I think they will), that's great. If not, then this is the weight I'm supposed to be at to still be healthy and fit.
I can't tell you how much it meant for me to get all of your kind words of support through this whole thing. It really did make a difference.
And, even though the “good room” scale was unavailable (We weigh in two rooms and most of us have noticed one room is definitely better than the other and I was pissed it wasn't open on the last day!!!), I still lost 5 pounds, an inch in the belly and another in the chest as well as nearly one full point in BMI.
I am on Cloud 9!!! Can’t believe it!
My final numbers … Lost 34 pounds (plus 20 before BW beginning Jan. 1 … puts me at 54!!!)
Lost a total of 24 inches
And BMI dropped 4.4. (why I can’t get this one down as fast is a little frustrating!)
So, now this part of the weight loss is over (although we have awards being presented next week and I'm thinking I'm doing well), the big question is will I keep it off.
A lot of people ask me that.
Honestly, I'm not that concerned about it. I don't know why this time is different. I don't know how I was able to stick with it this far when I never could in the past. All I do know is that I won't be going backwards (well, I might celebrate a little this week!).
The other question I get is: How much are you trying to lose?
This is another easy one. My answer is simply: I don't care.
When I started all this, my goal was to lose the 50 pounds I have gained since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. That mission's accomplished.
So, my next goal is just to be healthy.
I'm going to continue my workouts like I have been. I'm going to continue to be good about what I eat. And that's it. It really hasn't been that tough. And I'm not going to kill myself trying to lose weight. If the pounds continue to drop (and I think they will), that's great. If not, then this is the weight I'm supposed to be at to still be healthy and fit.
I can't tell you how much it meant for me to get all of your kind words of support through this whole thing. It really did make a difference.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wrap
Busy but fun weekend:
* Coached Andy's soccer team Saturday. We didn't play well, but the weather was great.
* Played 18 at Highland Meadows. This is a newer course in Windsor. Really nice although a little expensive. The greens were incredible.
* Saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Good flick. Very funny. Definitely worth a rental if you miss it in the theater.
* Rented "Founding Fathers" from the History Channel. This was Vol. 2. Great stories to accompany the last showing of "John Adams" on HBO on Sunday. The documentary was enlightening. The John Adams miniseries was spectacular.
* Played racquetball with Kevin H. at the city courts. I played pretty good but it was just nice to get a good sweat.
* Took the boys to the FunPlex for a swim. We had a great time coming up with diving games with quarters. Who needs slides and lazy rivers?
* Bought fabric for a beaver pelt for Alex's class. At first, I bought black, but Tracy informed me I was an idiot and I returned it for brown. Tracy sewed black tails on and I guess Alex's class is doing "trading" for a Mountain Man project at school.
* Doing OK on weight. I need to lose a couple pounds to ensure that I hit the 30 pound mark for the competition at Aims which will also put me at 50 pounds since Jan. 1.
*Almost done with my Illustrator class. I'm taking it online through Aims and it's really cool. A little frustrating at times, but I dig it overall.
* Coached Andy's soccer team Saturday. We didn't play well, but the weather was great.
* Played 18 at Highland Meadows. This is a newer course in Windsor. Really nice although a little expensive. The greens were incredible.
* Saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Good flick. Very funny. Definitely worth a rental if you miss it in the theater.
* Rented "Founding Fathers" from the History Channel. This was Vol. 2. Great stories to accompany the last showing of "John Adams" on HBO on Sunday. The documentary was enlightening. The John Adams miniseries was spectacular.
* Played racquetball with Kevin H. at the city courts. I played pretty good but it was just nice to get a good sweat.
* Took the boys to the FunPlex for a swim. We had a great time coming up with diving games with quarters. Who needs slides and lazy rivers?
* Bought fabric for a beaver pelt for Alex's class. At first, I bought black, but Tracy informed me I was an idiot and I returned it for brown. Tracy sewed black tails on and I guess Alex's class is doing "trading" for a Mountain Man project at school.
* Doing OK on weight. I need to lose a couple pounds to ensure that I hit the 30 pound mark for the competition at Aims which will also put me at 50 pounds since Jan. 1.
*Almost done with my Illustrator class. I'm taking it online through Aims and it's really cool. A little frustrating at times, but I dig it overall.
Friday, April 18, 2008
22
Nope that's not the weight thing. Actually, that's how many innings the Rox played last night.
Got over around 2:30 a.m. I watched it at home and just couldn't believe it. Incredible that the game was only 2-1 after that long. Dono and I were texting through most of the game which was fun to have someone else to complain about how annoying George Frazier is.
Since I brought up the weight thing ... Lost another pound this week as well as four inches (waist, hips and arms) and .2 on the BMI. Next week is the last weigh-in. According to the Biggest Winner thing, I've lost 29 pounds. I had lost 20 the month before it started. So, basically, my goal now is to lose at least 1 more pound this week so I can get to the magical 50. We're walking 18 holes on Saturday on a new course so that should help as long as I don't drink too many beers along the way (HA!).
Got over around 2:30 a.m. I watched it at home and just couldn't believe it. Incredible that the game was only 2-1 after that long. Dono and I were texting through most of the game which was fun to have someone else to complain about how annoying George Frazier is.
Since I brought up the weight thing ... Lost another pound this week as well as four inches (waist, hips and arms) and .2 on the BMI. Next week is the last weigh-in. According to the Biggest Winner thing, I've lost 29 pounds. I had lost 20 the month before it started. So, basically, my goal now is to lose at least 1 more pound this week so I can get to the magical 50. We're walking 18 holes on Saturday on a new course so that should help as long as I don't drink too many beers along the way (HA!).
Monday, April 14, 2008
Spring Break
Took off three days last week to spend time with the kiddos and give Tracy a break.
Had a great time. Just had some fun guy time.
New stuff:
* Lost 4 pounds in last week's weigh-in. Kinda surprised by the amount. Also lost .5 in BMI and another inch in the belly. Need to add another notch to the belt (I love that!).
* The boys now want a guinea pig. They are actually pretty cool. Anyone have any experience with them?
* Saw Nim's Island with the kiddos. Not bad.
* Saw 21 and then The Ruins. 21 was pretty good. Loved the casino stuff. Fun story. The Ruins was mediocre. I had to see it because I read the book. Pretty true to it except for the ending which now makes no sense.
* The Rox finally beat the Dbacks on Sunday. Been a painful stretch so far.
* My fantasy baseball team is currently in second place. I was in first for a week or so. I'm thinking I'll end up in the middle of the pack like always unless I can make a few good pickups.
* Went swimming a couple times with the kids recently at the Rec Center. Fun just hanging with them.
* Andy's soccer team (that I coach) won their first game on Saturday in one of the worst wind storms we've had. And, believe it or not, most of our goals were against the wind.
* Been watching the John Adams mini-series on HBO. Absolutely amazing. Incredible how much of this stuff I never knew before.
* Also trying to get caught up with Battlestar Gallactica Season 3 (as 4 is taping). I have to agree with Entertainment Weekly that this is one of the best shows on TV. It's got the depth of Lost with the intensity of Heroes (when Heroes was good). Great stuff.
Had a great time. Just had some fun guy time.
New stuff:
* Lost 4 pounds in last week's weigh-in. Kinda surprised by the amount. Also lost .5 in BMI and another inch in the belly. Need to add another notch to the belt (I love that!).
* The boys now want a guinea pig. They are actually pretty cool. Anyone have any experience with them?
* Saw Nim's Island with the kiddos. Not bad.
* Saw 21 and then The Ruins. 21 was pretty good. Loved the casino stuff. Fun story. The Ruins was mediocre. I had to see it because I read the book. Pretty true to it except for the ending which now makes no sense.
* The Rox finally beat the Dbacks on Sunday. Been a painful stretch so far.
* My fantasy baseball team is currently in second place. I was in first for a week or so. I'm thinking I'll end up in the middle of the pack like always unless I can make a few good pickups.
* Went swimming a couple times with the kids recently at the Rec Center. Fun just hanging with them.
* Andy's soccer team (that I coach) won their first game on Saturday in one of the worst wind storms we've had. And, believe it or not, most of our goals were against the wind.
* Been watching the John Adams mini-series on HBO. Absolutely amazing. Incredible how much of this stuff I never knew before.
* Also trying to get caught up with Battlestar Gallactica Season 3 (as 4 is taping). I have to agree with Entertainment Weekly that this is one of the best shows on TV. It's got the depth of Lost with the intensity of Heroes (when Heroes was good). Great stuff.
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