Friday, September 29, 2006
Wednesday Whatever - September 27 edition
As seems to be the norm lately, I'm writing this not on the day it should be, but at a later date. This time on Friday afternoon.
Well, Dad's County Supervisor campaign signs are slowly being put up. I think he said a day or 2 ago that we had about 150 of our 250 plastic yard signs up, and there are a bunch of the bigger wooden signs in place. We have some names in the remaining towns, but really need to think of more to get adequate coverage.
Sounds like my favorite lunch will be no more pretty soon. I've been getting KFC's famous bowl and some of their (evidently) soon to be discontinued Honey BarBQ Boneless wings. I guess it would be a good opportunity to cut back to just the bowl and hopefully further my getting into better shape. I don't really like the term "weight loss", as I have considerably more to get rid of than most people.
Speaking of that term, I've been watching this season's episodes of NBC's "The Biggest Loser", and enjoying it much more than I thought I would. It helps that one of my fellow message board posters and bloggers is related to one of the contestants that made the show, and that he is also a fireman. I just wish that during that show (or really any time I'm at home), I'd get off my fat, lazy butt and do something instead of sitting there munching away.
I must be doing something right though...I'm not sure if I already posted this or not, but last week after Fire Department training, I weighed myself at the local Co-op's grain scale, and found that since May of 2005 I had lost at least 30 pounds, and possibly as much as 70. The scale was fluctuating due to the wind, so I couldn't get an accurate read. I've decided to try again after our next Fire Department Meeting, which is Thursday the 5th of October. That's going to be after a full week of taking water pills, and 4 days of taking "Trim Life" vitamins and fat burner pills. I know the drug type stuff isn't going to do anything for me by itself, but I'm hoping it'll do enough to make me feel like it's helping and give me the push I need to start doing other stuff. If the scale shows I'm down 90+ from May of '05, I'll be starting some serious training, and keep those numbers falling. If it's not there yet, I'll bitch about it for a while, and continue what little I am that is sort of working, but make it a little less intake and bump up the mini workout I do right before bed.
Well, Dad's County Supervisor campaign signs are slowly being put up. I think he said a day or 2 ago that we had about 150 of our 250 plastic yard signs up, and there are a bunch of the bigger wooden signs in place. We have some names in the remaining towns, but really need to think of more to get adequate coverage.
Sounds like my favorite lunch will be no more pretty soon. I've been getting KFC's famous bowl and some of their (evidently) soon to be discontinued Honey BarBQ Boneless wings. I guess it would be a good opportunity to cut back to just the bowl and hopefully further my getting into better shape. I don't really like the term "weight loss", as I have considerably more to get rid of than most people.
Speaking of that term, I've been watching this season's episodes of NBC's "The Biggest Loser", and enjoying it much more than I thought I would. It helps that one of my fellow message board posters and bloggers is related to one of the contestants that made the show, and that he is also a fireman. I just wish that during that show (or really any time I'm at home), I'd get off my fat, lazy butt and do something instead of sitting there munching away.
I must be doing something right though...I'm not sure if I already posted this or not, but last week after Fire Department training, I weighed myself at the local Co-op's grain scale, and found that since May of 2005 I had lost at least 30 pounds, and possibly as much as 70. The scale was fluctuating due to the wind, so I couldn't get an accurate read. I've decided to try again after our next Fire Department Meeting, which is Thursday the 5th of October. That's going to be after a full week of taking water pills, and 4 days of taking "Trim Life" vitamins and fat burner pills. I know the drug type stuff isn't going to do anything for me by itself, but I'm hoping it'll do enough to make me feel like it's helping and give me the push I need to start doing other stuff. If the scale shows I'm down 90+ from May of '05, I'll be starting some serious training, and keep those numbers falling. If it's not there yet, I'll bitch about it for a while, and continue what little I am that is sort of working, but make it a little less intake and bump up the mini workout I do right before bed.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Wednesday Whatever - September 20 edition
Okay, you may notice I'm doing this on Thursday the 21st, I forgot to do it yesterday, or ran out of time, or something like that.
For the first time, I watched a "reality" show on purpose last night. The Biggest Loser was on, and since I "know" somebody who knows one of the contestants this round, I decided to watch once. I don't think I was actually following the spirit of the show for the first half hour or so...I was busy stuffing a home made pizza down my throat. The show itself was pretty good, although I really didn't care for how they'd tease you with a weight coming up and cut to commercial, or when the red team had to vote somebody out, they did the same thing. But I guess the producers think that adds drama to the show.
Speaking of weight loss, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that surgery is the only way I'll be able to accomplish even getting halfway to my goal weight. Fortunately, I have found a WLS (weight loss surgery) that I am seriously considering. My biggest hold ups right now are a) paying for it (no insurance), b) it's MAJOR surgery and should not be jumped into, and c) I am the biggest wuss you've ever seen when it comes to needles and/or pain, and there would be plenty of both involved in the recovery as well as during the prelude to surgery.
I'm doing okay on my own, pretty much maintaining, if not dropping a couple of pounds here and there, but at my current weight, it's not enough to even mention. I mean, really, a couple of pounds here and there is fine if you weight around 200-250 or so, but up where I am, that would compare to 40-50 pounds here and there for something to be proud of.
One thing I've definately decided, I am sick and tired of letting my weight determine what I can and cannot do. I want to go to more "big league" races (they finally just built a track 2 hours or so from my home). I want to go to an amusement park and be worn out because I went on every ride and walked the entire park 3 times, not because I walked up to the front gate. I want to walk up to any vehicle, get in, and drive it, not stand there and say "nope, ain't gonna fit in this one either". There's more, but I'm getting depressed here.
I'll add my disclaimer that I put on a message board once. I'm not helpless, I've never used a wheelchair, cane, or walker. But I can only walk a very limited distance before my body starts telling me to stop and rest. Not my heart and lungs either, my back, knees, and hips basically tell me to "sit down before we make you fall down."
For the first time, I watched a "reality" show on purpose last night. The Biggest Loser was on, and since I "know" somebody who knows one of the contestants this round, I decided to watch once. I don't think I was actually following the spirit of the show for the first half hour or so...I was busy stuffing a home made pizza down my throat. The show itself was pretty good, although I really didn't care for how they'd tease you with a weight coming up and cut to commercial, or when the red team had to vote somebody out, they did the same thing. But I guess the producers think that adds drama to the show.
Speaking of weight loss, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that surgery is the only way I'll be able to accomplish even getting halfway to my goal weight. Fortunately, I have found a WLS (weight loss surgery) that I am seriously considering. My biggest hold ups right now are a) paying for it (no insurance), b) it's MAJOR surgery and should not be jumped into, and c) I am the biggest wuss you've ever seen when it comes to needles and/or pain, and there would be plenty of both involved in the recovery as well as during the prelude to surgery.
I'm doing okay on my own, pretty much maintaining, if not dropping a couple of pounds here and there, but at my current weight, it's not enough to even mention. I mean, really, a couple of pounds here and there is fine if you weight around 200-250 or so, but up where I am, that would compare to 40-50 pounds here and there for something to be proud of.
One thing I've definately decided, I am sick and tired of letting my weight determine what I can and cannot do. I want to go to more "big league" races (they finally just built a track 2 hours or so from my home). I want to go to an amusement park and be worn out because I went on every ride and walked the entire park 3 times, not because I walked up to the front gate. I want to walk up to any vehicle, get in, and drive it, not stand there and say "nope, ain't gonna fit in this one either". There's more, but I'm getting depressed here.
I'll add my disclaimer that I put on a message board once. I'm not helpless, I've never used a wheelchair, cane, or walker. But I can only walk a very limited distance before my body starts telling me to stop and rest. Not my heart and lungs either, my back, knees, and hips basically tell me to "sit down before we make you fall down."
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Wednesday Whatever - September 13 edition
Good afternoon, readers, lovely day here in Western Iowa.
First off, several of my friends participated in blogging about victims of 9/11. I debated doing so myself, but I felt that I couldn't even do decent job of memorializing a friend or family member, let alone somebody who I had never met. I'm glad not everybody feels the same way I do about it, or if they did, they took a shot at it anyway. I only read a few, but it was nice seeing that people are still willing to take the time to research, and put into words what others of us are too scared or lazy to. I know there are other reasons people didn't participate, and I respect those reasons.
This weekend marks the 58th annual "Calf Show" in my community. For the second year in a row, there will be no calves on display, unless people roll up their pant legs. This used to be a really big deal, but now it's basically a parade on Saturday morning and a reason (if we really need one in this small German town) to go get drunk. Maybe I'm a bit cynical about it because I'm not in good enough shape to walk all over and take in the sights and sounds, but my observations are what it looks like from where I can get to.
Dad's supervisor campaign has been at a standstill, but last night he revealed to me that he's been told to hold off on putting up signs for a while...I'm assuming until after the School Board election which was held yesterday. Last night when we got home from getting groceries, we assembled 98 signs to the wires that hold them in peoples yards. We also have 8 large signs ready to be put in along highways here in the county, with enough wood for 6 more. We should be ready once we get the green light to post 'em.
Well, I guess that's about all I can think of for today. Thanks for stopping by.
First off, several of my friends participated in blogging about victims of 9/11. I debated doing so myself, but I felt that I couldn't even do decent job of memorializing a friend or family member, let alone somebody who I had never met. I'm glad not everybody feels the same way I do about it, or if they did, they took a shot at it anyway. I only read a few, but it was nice seeing that people are still willing to take the time to research, and put into words what others of us are too scared or lazy to. I know there are other reasons people didn't participate, and I respect those reasons.
This weekend marks the 58th annual "Calf Show" in my community. For the second year in a row, there will be no calves on display, unless people roll up their pant legs. This used to be a really big deal, but now it's basically a parade on Saturday morning and a reason (if we really need one in this small German town) to go get drunk. Maybe I'm a bit cynical about it because I'm not in good enough shape to walk all over and take in the sights and sounds, but my observations are what it looks like from where I can get to.
Dad's supervisor campaign has been at a standstill, but last night he revealed to me that he's been told to hold off on putting up signs for a while...I'm assuming until after the School Board election which was held yesterday. Last night when we got home from getting groceries, we assembled 98 signs to the wires that hold them in peoples yards. We also have 8 large signs ready to be put in along highways here in the county, with enough wood for 6 more. We should be ready once we get the green light to post 'em.
Well, I guess that's about all I can think of for today. Thanks for stopping by.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Wednesday Whatever - September 6 edition
Okay, so I'm not writing this until Saturday, September 9th. Sue me or deal with it. lol.
This week just plain sucked. Started out with computer problems for our Utility Billing system that lasted most of the week. Then yesterday Dad was trying to assemble the Agenda for the monthly City Council meeting and kept getting ticked because he couldn't find stuff, and you just know who was getting caught in the line of fire (if you don't know, guess...here's a hint, ME).
I mentioned in one of my last posts that I was heading to the City to buy some ribs to BBQ on Labor Day. Well, I bought the ribs, but didn't feel like cooking them on Labor Day. Went fishing instead (wait, is it still fishing when you don't catch anything?). My buddy (who was pretty well drunk at the time) somehow convinced me to take gravel/dirt roads home from the lake to avoid some of the looking into the sun, which was not bothering me very much on the highway. Well, we about wrecked going down one hill, because it was pretty much dirt, was very rough, steep hill, oncoming car at the bottom, and when I got over near the bottom to go by the car, the road felt like it sunk away. A few hills later, the sun was really bad, but I was able to see some motion in front of me a little ways...3 young deer decided to be running down the road. No, I didn't get any of them either, just startled me for a second.
My County has way too many Hog confinements. Saturday on my way either to or from the City, I counted up the number along the highway that runs on the North side of my town. There are 5 of them (2 under construction) in 18 miles...plus, you can see more from the highway. In the next county over, and I guess 1 up, I was on a back highway and saw ZERO confinements. Also, one day this spring, I did some smoke chasing, and once I located the smoke, I took a drive on a lot of gravel roads in the West Half of our fire district, and found about a dozen confinement units.
I used to be in favor of people being able to put these buildings up, but GEEEZE, enoough is ENOUGH.
Okay, I'm done ranting. Have a good day.
This week just plain sucked. Started out with computer problems for our Utility Billing system that lasted most of the week. Then yesterday Dad was trying to assemble the Agenda for the monthly City Council meeting and kept getting ticked because he couldn't find stuff, and you just know who was getting caught in the line of fire (if you don't know, guess...here's a hint, ME).
I mentioned in one of my last posts that I was heading to the City to buy some ribs to BBQ on Labor Day. Well, I bought the ribs, but didn't feel like cooking them on Labor Day. Went fishing instead (wait, is it still fishing when you don't catch anything?). My buddy (who was pretty well drunk at the time) somehow convinced me to take gravel/dirt roads home from the lake to avoid some of the looking into the sun, which was not bothering me very much on the highway. Well, we about wrecked going down one hill, because it was pretty much dirt, was very rough, steep hill, oncoming car at the bottom, and when I got over near the bottom to go by the car, the road felt like it sunk away. A few hills later, the sun was really bad, but I was able to see some motion in front of me a little ways...3 young deer decided to be running down the road. No, I didn't get any of them either, just startled me for a second.
My County has way too many Hog confinements. Saturday on my way either to or from the City, I counted up the number along the highway that runs on the North side of my town. There are 5 of them (2 under construction) in 18 miles...plus, you can see more from the highway. In the next county over, and I guess 1 up, I was on a back highway and saw ZERO confinements. Also, one day this spring, I did some smoke chasing, and once I located the smoke, I took a drive on a lot of gravel roads in the West Half of our fire district, and found about a dozen confinement units.
I used to be in favor of people being able to put these buildings up, but GEEEZE, enoough is ENOUGH.
Okay, I'm done ranting. Have a good day.
