Alert the militia, there's been a sighting

Lots of news, some good, some not so good. I'm not sure where we left off, gentle readers. Had my dear old Dad broken his hip? Was I driving to Fairfield every day of my life to the tune of $3.35 a gallon? That was exhausting. Then there was the ill fated trip to Chicago. Yes, I bombed out for the first time in probably three years. The third time in my life. OTOH they had the rules so FUBAR that I really didn't completely bomb out, but I should have been so I stripped down and sat in the audience only to have my name called for the Dead. Are you kidding me. Oh well, it is what it is. The good news: The Chop House. Creme brulee that's off the hook. Morton's of Chicago, in Chicago, yeah, it don't get much better than that. The Mag Mile is in fact Magnificent. I'm back to the gym with a different workout. Dr. Squats. It's been 112+ for four days running. I'm melting. I took the big man in the pool yesterday. It was 114 out and I was afraid his core temp was going to sneak up on him. At first it thought it was a suck ass idea, then he warmed up to it. He put his feet on the bottom of the pool and his front paws on the floaty thing. It was very cute. Weigh in 203 in Chicago. 206 this morning.

My life so far...

3/27/06
Start:
Weight 209
Fat 35.1
BMW 35.6
Bust 43
Waist 40
Butt 47

6/18/06
Finish:
Weight 211
Fat 35.5
BMI 35.9
Bust 43
Waist 40
Butt 47

Unbelievable. I worked harder, probably had a little bit of wandering on the food, but I'm not mad at myself like last time. I've increased my bench press easily by 10 pounds. I've started cycling and running. I have a swim suit and may swim today. I'm doing a better job of living my life, so I'm actually ok with the results. I did some math and I need to weight 161-165. My knees are killing me, but it's not stopping me. That weekend up at Mrs. H's house did me good. I'm glad I got my head on straight then.

Last Monday, the 12th, my Dad fell and broke his hip. His feet froze on him, which is a biproduct of the Parkinson's. My Mother called me around 9pm on Monday, but didn't seem to want me to go up there. She futzed around and waiting to call friggin' Kaiser because she didn't want to go to emergency. The emergency room at North Bay is full of homeless people. Mom, then stop voting Republican. There were no homeless people before Reagan. And Hillary was so very wrong to want to fix the health care system in this country. Stop voting Republican. So finally 8:30 the next morning she gets ahold of Kaiser and imagine that! Call 911 and have a bus bring him to Kaiser. They operated on him around 5:30 that evening. He was stupid on the morphine until Friday morning. I thought he was getting better, but Mother can't handle him, she's fragile herself, so we wanted him moved to a rehab on Sat. I saw him Sat. afternoon and he was confused as hell. I saw him yesterday and he was just as confused. I don't have a great feeling about this but I don't know what else to do. Time will tell.

Stuff that gets my shorts in a twist

The Dixie Chicks

They are musicians. Artists. They can say what they want. Corporate America cannot blackball them. Natalie did it again, and God bless her.

Bon mots and cheap shots

That was my favorite Herb Caan column title. And that's today's theme. Things that make me happy this week, the California Primary.

Dear Jackie,
You will not go to the Capital on Breed Specific Legislation, not on my watch. Thanks for playing our game, now hit the bricks.


Me and my new bike went for a ride today, it was 28 miles with my friend Javier. He told me on the way back that the route (minus the coffee and donuts) was the old test route that the US Olympic Team used to use back in the 70's. Starting in Orinda, to Pinole, to Martinez back to Orinda. We started at 7:15, road 14 miles and stopped for donuts and coffee (today is my free day) and road back. I hit my 10 and my 11 and 12 and I hit the wall and bonked and everything else...but I finished. Some gals went by me at one point and said something that inferred familiarity with the route and I gasped, "it's my first time!".
They were at the end hootin' and hollerin' for me. That felt great.

Dear Right Wing Ass Wipes,
The Dixie Chicks are back and they're Not Ready the Make Nice and neither am I.

And at the gym this week, 200X2X6. Yeah, I'm a bad ass.

And a word from my pussyboy Doberman. Please make the wind stop, I'm afraid of it.

And about an epic free day:
EAS Myoplex bar
Maple bar and coffee
Pay Day
Hamburger on sourdough
Large slice of key lime pie
1 pound NY
Potato with everyfreakingthing
Caesar Salad
More Key Lime Pie

This weeks food:
WW English muffin 1/2
Turkey bacon
Lite Cheddar

1/2 ham sandwich w/lean ham
12 baby carrots

turkey sloppy joes on 1/2 ww hamburger bun

either apple and string cheese or protein enriched pudding

lemon pepper chicken
baked potato
salad

ricotta and strawberries or protein enriched pudding

MIA

Yes, I have been missing, but I have been working out, diligently. I have another meet coming up in July and I'm working very hard towards that. For the most part my eating has been pretty good. This week was:

Oatmeal with cottage cheese

1/2 WW english muffin, slice of lean ham, slice of lowfat cheddar

WW sourdough little roll with tri tip and salsa

apple and string cheese

Swordfish, ww couscous and salad

ricotta and strawberries.

yesterday, not so much. I'm remodeling one of our offices and the stress was off the hook yesterday. I shut down our biggest branch at 3pm and had every thing moved out on the balcony. At the same time a KD'ed all the existing cubes and had new workstations brought up and stored on the balcony. Finish time? 7:06, yeah I rock. Today the carpet goes in, tomorrow they build out the cubes, Monday the furniture goes back in and we're ready to run on Tuesday morning.

I've been running again. Hanging out with Mrs. H got that going. I got my new shoes two days ago and can't wait to take them out. I've been biking too. New shoes, new cleats and I can get out of the clips now without falling down. It's a great day to be me.

About Scooby...

Yesterday morning I took Beauregard for his morning walk. We went out a different way and I was planning on jogging home. As I turned to corner back into my neighborhood I saw something wierd, that I still can't identify in my head and heard I dog yelping and then saw him running in circles in the center of the street until he collapsed. Because I had Beau, I hung back while he was yelping and running. When he collapsed we ran, sprinted as much as I can sprint to get to him. He was down. He was a brindle pit bull with beautiful blue eyes. I knew he was in trouble, so I told him to hang tight, I'd be back. There were some landscapers hanging around and I told them to call the police. I'm sure they were illegal. They didn't. Jackasses. You can't live here if you have this little compassion for a poor animal dying right in front of you. I ran home got my truck and came back to take him to the vet, but he was dead. I had to fight with some idiot Mexican to get him to help me get him into the truck.
Will you help me?
No.
No? Are you freaking nuts? Do you want to leave this poor animal in the middle of the street?
No.
Then help me.
No.
Habla Inglis?
No.
Pero Muerto.
Si.
Then I motioned that I wanted him to help me put the dog in the back of my truck, and he did. Gracias. Dumbass.

Scooby, I'm sorry, I tried. Rest in peace buddy.

MY BIKE

Now, I haven't had a bike since my Schwinn Varsity I had when I was a kid. It was orange and to be honest with you, I can't remember what ever happened to it. I might have sold it. Anyway, after Dr. Anderson admonished me about my knees, I quit running and tried to lose some weight so she'd do a buff and shine on my knees. Well, I needed to replace the running so I bought a bike. That would be easier on my knees, right? Not if you fall off of the damned thing. So I got my clip stuck on Thursday and down I went, hard. Yeah, I hit my knee and my elbow. Then today, I'm smarter, I've been practicing getting my foot out of the damned things, so down I go on the right side. Beauregard is licking my wounds, he says that helps, but I just keep thinking that he licks himself too and how could that help? Beau?

...brings May flowers

The rain appears to be gone, and the flowers are definitely here. My roses are gorgeous. I hacked down the weeds in the front the day before yesterday, the Peace rose is En Fuego, the red rose is gorgeous, the natives are stealing them, which really pisses me off. The JFK by the pool is spectacular. All of the pool roses look great. I cleaned the pool decks yesterday and have been working on the pool to get it up and running for the summer. Yesterday I rode my new bike, LOVE IT. Jumped some rope and jogged a bit with Beau. I need to lift today, and will momentarily, after the little man gets his walk. It's amazing what a little good weather will do for me. I've been eating properly, making sales calls, doing what I need to do.

Weight 209
Fat 36.1
BMI 35.6

I think the fat measurement is off, but i'm not sure why.

This week's offerings

Oatmeal with cottage cheese
Apple and String cheese
Bean tostada
Turkey on WW sourdough
Salmon, brown rice and asparagus
Ricotta and blueberries

Getting grounded

What a weekend. Later today I will write a note to the lovely Mrs. H, thanking her for reminding me of who I really am. Mrs. H is amazing. She is beautiful, but not in a classic way. Her beauty comes from within her in an amazing way, and she is a woman of divine class. Her relationship with Mr. H is something to behold and I learn every time I'm around her. Her love for her son is so sacred it's impossible to describe. She is a triathlete. She has accomplished what I wish I had accomplished, but my body has crapped out on me. She impresses me, she's got it right. We went to her beach house for a long weekend. We drank like fish, acted stupid, professed plans for World Domination and shopped. Yesterday morning, I watched her come out in her running clothes and strap on her running shoes. I doubt she knows it, but I cried watching her leave. I yearn to run, but my body won't allow it. I want to strap it on again, and run the reservoir with my dog. On the way home we talked about things that I hadn't spoke of in at least 20 years. It made my chest hurt, yet, I remembered who I was. For that Mrs. H, I will be forever indebted and in your honor, I will work to never forget again.

The healing process

OK the Cartoon Toe is healing. The Dog is almost completely healed. Hopefully that's the end of the crap. A Boxer came up to my house tonight. He had a collar and was really sweet. I called the number but no answer. I figured he lived locally so I hooked him up and started walking towards where he came from. Then my cell rang and it was his Dad. Yeah, I got your dog and I'm walking up Toyon, where are you? I live on Toyon, so I kept going and out comes Rasta Boy. I love freaks like him, but it must be a trip for them. I'm at least as old as their Mothers, but I'm just a headbanger.

Here's your dog dude, he's a cool dog.

Yeah, thanks, I gotta fix this fence.

Yeah, you do, he don't know to stay out of the street. I just hope someone would do the same for me if my guy got out, have a good one.

I'm off to Mendocino for the weekend. The Blonde called and was ticked that there were Reindeer Games and she wasn't invited. Like your family would let you play with the likes of us? We have:

2002 Rombauer Reserve Zin
2003 Rombauer Zin
Rombauer Zin Port
2003 Keenan Zin
2003 Unti Zin
La Storia Cuvee 32
2000 Freemark Abbey Bosche Cab
1999 Freemark Abbey Sycamore Cab
1998 Clo du Val Vineyard George III Cab

The ladies like their red wine. This should get ugly quick. Those are some fine vintages though. Lots of stuff way in the 90's.

Cartoon toe

Every now and again, I get a cartoon toe. This is where an ingrown toenail gets so far out of control that it resembles something from a Ren and Stimpy episode. Appropriate cartoon music should accompany the cartoon toe. I had this one cut out yesterday. It's always like the lion that has the thorn pulled from it's paw. As much as it hurts, you love your Podiatrist.

Can you dig it?

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft.
THEN WE CAN DIG IT!

Oh yeah, who's a bad mother? That would be me. APA meet yesterday in Sacramento. I opened with 195 since I'd been doing that for reps in the gym. Not a problem. Then comes the second lift. I'd done 205 in the gym a couple of times too. Punched that up no problem. I'd never ever done 210 in my life. So I put down 210 for my third lift and punched that up too. I missed my fourth lift at 215 but it was a good day all in all.

As if this were news...

Newt Gingrich is afraid that the GOP is going to have a rough go of it in November. Ya think? Let's see, what could it be?

Iraq?
Inflation?
The Economy?
$3 per gallon?
FEMA?
$400 heating bills?
Tom DeLay?
Valerie Plame?
Scooter Libby?
Babs $30k "donation" to Katrina victims earmarked to purchase her idiot son's software?
The Bushes?
Kevlar vests that can't find their way to Iraq?
Crappy international policy?
Sweetheart deals for Halliburton?
Soldiers making $30k while contractors make $300k for doing the same freaking job?
Uh, the 16 words that had nothing to do with fact? hint =State of the Union address WMD's
Church becoming State?

What's the difference between the Christian Right and the Muslim Fundamentalists? Uh, nothing.

Here we are..

I've got a meet next Saturday. Tomorrow will be my last weightlifting session before the meet. Then all cardio and possibly some yoga up until meet day. I'm certain I can press 205, maybe more. This is going to be good.

Here's this week's offering:

Oatmeal with cottage cheese

Ricotta and berries with almonds

Dirty rice (turkey, chicken andouille sausage, brown rice and a ton of spices)
Salad
OR Chicken Caesar.

Apple and String cheese

Ahi, couscous and salad
OR Grilled chicken, brown rice and salad

Chocolate mousse w/protein powder

The woman paid Beauregard's emergency bill. Unfortunately, Diablo View nickels and dimes you to death. I do like Dr. Schroeder though. The last guy gave him Rimadayl, which you should never prescribe for a Doberman. Never sulfur drugs actually. His tubes are out, but I'm fighting to keep his back drained. His stitches come out on Wednesday. And now a wine review, which I don't believe I did yet.

Collaboration Pinot Noir. MMMMmmm good. This is brought to us by the same guys that brought us Seven Peaks a few years ago. Michael got me cases of that stuff at $4 per bottle because they were bankrupt. At $16.99 Andronico style for this bad boy, they're going to go bankrupt again. This is a very good Pinot. A pretty wine is what Fifi would call this one.

Cranky Doberman

I got the big boy a Bite Not collar. It's a plastic turtleneck that keeps them from going after stitches. He's doing a little better with it, but he is just straight up depressed. He stands in the living room and bitches at me, he couldn't sleep last night, and neither could I. Oy.

Note to women who wear perfume, cologne, too much scent in the gym...Don't.

Weight 208
Fat 35.2
BMI 35.4

At the end of the week...

I had an epic free day yesterday. There was a bit of un-needed stress last week. A neighbor's housekeeper left their front door open while taking out the trash. The pit bull came running out of the house and attacked my Doberman. The owner pulled up just as it was happening, jumped out of the car and pulled her dog off of Beau. $829 later, Beau is home, resting, but pretty damn cranky about this change. OK the satellite dish sucks and the t-shirt tied in a knot is kind of faggoty. He's hoping that he doesn't have to wear Daisy Dukes too.




Free Day

Waffles and blueberry syrup
Buckhorn's Chipolte tri tip sandwich with fries and a Dr. Pepper
Key lime bar from Andronicos
Chocolate Bar from TJ's
Rum raisin ice cream
NY steak
Baked potato with butter
Salad
A lovely Pinot by Collaboration, the folks that brought me Seven Peaks...
A lemon bar

Today
Weight 211
Fat 35.3
BMI 35.9

This weeks menu
1. Oatmeal with cottage cheese
2, apple/banana and string cheese
3. dirty rice with chicken sausage and ground turkey or a tortilla with l/f cheese and black beans and salsa
4. 1/2 london broil sandwich
5. fish, pasta and salad
6. ricotta cheese and fruit

Settling in to another BFL Challenge

Actually the real challenge these days is dealing with an 80 pound Doberman who doesn't understand that when it's raining out the back door, it is also raining out the front door and walks are cancelled. It's been raining since I returned from Rancho Mirage on Sunday. SINCE. I drove into the rain and it just hasn't stopped. I'm not getting a break at all. I can't even hit golf balls, there's no break. The pool is near going over, moss is growing all over outside and I live in sunny California dammit. I really need spring to get here. Beau and me have had it.

Weight 206
Fat 35.3
BMW 35.1

Loading up the animals two by two...

My God I'm sick of the rain. I just got back from Palm Springs and the LPGA. Karrie Webb won in sudden death, but I had already left to drive home. I drove into more rain. It has rained ever since I got home last night. My weight is up a little, but not bad considering what the week involved. DW insists on going out every night. He thinks his meds are giving him a belly. It's his lifestyle. The best meal out was at Ormi & Boni in La Quinta. Unfortunately, Ormi and Boni are getting a divorce and the restaurant is being sold. Too bad. I had Pork prime rib with grilled pears and pineapples. Yum. A mushroom salad, which was grilled mushrooms and pancetta on a hearts of romaine salad and a lovely cheesecake dessert. Ormi is obviously brilliant. Off to the gym for now.

Meet Alyx

I don't know what that acronym stands for, but it's a fiendish device that lives at the Blood Bank.

I give blood, it's one of the things I do. Yesterday they talked me into trying Alyx, which is a machine that spins your blood, removes the red cells and gives it back to you with some added saline. It took about two hours and kicked my ass, but I did it. I'm O- so I'm the universal donor and they really need what I got, so I give as much as I can. The lady who hoodwinked me into the procedure was a gal named Terry. She used to work at Vacaville Prison, so she told me, and now was at the blood bank. When I asked how long the procedure took because my dog was in the truck, she asked what kind of dog. A Doberman. She had lost her Doberman two years ago to leukemia and was still broke up over her. I get that. I brought Beauregard down after for some meet and great. The lady just glowed. I gave her the web address of Dog Works and suggested she contact them about fostering to help her get over the pain.

The good news is before I went to the Ministry of Disinformation (the parental unit) I did go to the gym and had a spectacular work out. I benched 205 unassisted. Yeah, I'm a bad ass.

Weight 206
Fat 35.2
BMI 35.1
Resting pulse 64
BP 100/74

Today, I'm off to Palm Springs for the Nabisco Championship. Fore!