Back Again

It seems good intentions on setting up a blog, diligently posting and keeping readers informed always seem well intended until the realization of how much work is involved to do so.  So, in order to keep Word Press from deleting my account for inactivity I’m positing a couple of thoughts.

There are more people that go to church (mosque, temple, etc) than there are actually people that adhere to the faith they choose.

Zealots are simply folks who are very vocal about their beliefs, unfortunately a lot of them have lots of beliefs.

Racisim is not dead, it’s alive and well in my community.  It’s just too bad that those who spout it off are too stupid and chicken shit to do it in a crowd other than with those who feel the same. 

My new phone, a Motorola Hint is awesome.  Multifunction at it’s best.

I ended up losing 34 lbs with Weight Watchers and fully recommend this program to anyone serious about losing weight to join a group near you.  I’m currently maintaining and staying with it.  I hope those battling their weight issues would give it a look and I wish them the best.

The best thing anyone can do for themselves as far as finances are concerned is to be content with driving a paid off car.  Driving the “‘99 Man Van” and the Yellow 2001 Escape has managed to help us put away approxmately $30,000 (and counting) for who knows what will cross our paths.

Later

School Board Gone Wild

Who’s looking after our kids when school board members abuse their position.

POV: Stimulus Objections

The way I see it, some of the fussing about the Democrat’s stimulus bill is appropriate.  However, I see how other points can be made for stimulating the economy.  Republicans have objected to several little inserts into the bill.  I though pork was going away.  Anyway,  some of what they object to have little to do with stimulating the economy and looks like typical Democrat public funding.  On the other hand, some of the inclusions could be good for the economy.  Let’s take a look:

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient. I agree here but not with the reasoning Repubs are stating.  Continuing to justify the use of fossil fuels when there are other clean methods is foolish.    Besides, ask those folks living near that dam that collapsed containing coal plant sludge that was cleaned from plant emissions how clean “Clean Coal is.  Whoops, I almost overlooked the state in which this project is located.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film. I Pay 8 bucks a ticket to see a movie and these guys gross millions on films and now the government wants to get into the movie business.  Agree with GOP

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. Not much stimulation here, just more liberal agenda handouts.

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). Build it in the US with US labor and Parts, go for it.  People are working

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. US Labor force at work again, however, one wonders if this government department is even worth a new out house. 

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. See previous, however, buy American and lots of furniture factory workers are working.

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. Ford, GM or the other company would appreciate this.  But to overpay a Union worker to build these would only net about 100 cars.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s. Are you kidding.  We can make all kinds of “Stimulate” jokes with this.  Agreed with the GOP, eliminate this porking.

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs. Now we know how much rural waste costs.  Strike this please

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system. Putting people to work again.  Is this the DC version of Washington?  If so, they’re going to need about 3 times that much to handle the sewer that is generated in DC.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. Are they buying relics or building or upkeeping.  One puts legal Americans to work and made in America materials to good use, the other, doesn’t.

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion. No Way.  I’ve never believed those population signs and numbers can always be manipulated where needed.  Agreed with GOP.

• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.” Haven’t we wasted enough on weak willed people.  If they choose to die by smoking, so be it.  Remember the waste of tobacco settlement money,  75 million is a drop in the bucket but it still flushes the same.  Agreed with the GOP.  We can’t govern stupidity. 

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges. I have to think about this…

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI. What happened to that salary freeze.  Now, if we’re hiring new agents and employees, maybe I can accept this. 

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction. See my comment on the smoking program above.

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. How about printing more flood maps that show that if you build here, your house will flood.  When are we going to quit trying to tame mother nature.

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas. Throwing more tax dollars away in New Orleans.

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings. Are we spending 6 Bil on legal US labor and materials?  if so, go for it.

• $500 million for state and local fire stations. That 500 mil would build what, 100 fire stations? What’s a state fire station?  Agreed with the GOP, strike it.  Too many unknowns. 

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands. Screw the USFS.  I get so sick of smelling prescribed burns, lousy timber management and forest rangers sleeping on the job.

• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs. What’s wrong with putting lazy kids to work.  It’s a well known fact that kids have no concept of saving so the minute the check is cashed, they’re out buying booze and video games.   Good for America!

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. The last 3 fall under that “Green Building” thing above.

• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service. Oxymoron’s don’t qualify for tax dollars.  However government morons do.  I would be OK with this if they weren’t called “paid volunteers”.  Just call them more government morons and I approve.  At least they’re “working” and doing the public a service.

• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. Do we really even need this department?  Remove this please!

• $850 million for Amtrak. To do what?  Refurbish rails and tunnels.  I see lots of workers improving an energy efficient and recently growing mode of transportation.  Besides, I like trains. 

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint. Shouldn’t be here as part of a stimulus package.

• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies. Agreed.  Get it out.

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.Get em a DELL and I guess this is OK.  Now if DELL could find a way to build all those PC’s somewhere other than China and not at Union wages. 

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. I thought we already did this earlier.  My thoughts are the same as previously stated above.

Just a note…

Occasionally I go back and read my own musings about weight loss and sometimes it may seem like I don’t get it.  Weight loss is hard but it seems like I’m writing like I take it all lightly.  I’ve never really been critically obese so I don’t think I’ve had half the struggle others have had with weight loss.  Losing weight comes easy for me.  Keeping it off isn’t.  My guess is my attitude about all this will change when that fight begins again.  What I’m trying to say is that I feel for you all who have this struggle and I hope you can get to where you want to go.  Please keep trying.   When you don’t have the same results as I, don’t think that’s how it should be for you.  We’re all different but we all want the same thing.  I’m secretly pulling for the big guy in the WW group to do well, and being a guy, I’m hesitant to go over and pat him on the back when he has a good (or bad) week.  God forbid 2 guys show any speck of encouragement for one another in a public place.  Maybe he’ll read this some day.  Here’s to ya buddy!

Also, to my good friend and co-worker who occasionally wastes some of his valuable time reading this dribble.  Consider quitting smoking.  I’ve told you I’ve already watched a good friend die from lung cancer.  I hope to never see that again.  I’m sure his daughter never wanted to see it in the first place.  I’ll do what I can to help you in that respect, then we can work on those Moobs.

Weight Watchers Week 3 & 4

It’s scary what a few simple changes will do to aid in weight loss.  “Simple” may be a stretch for some in describing changes about the way one eats, but for me, no major changes, just some minor adjustments.  Those minor adjustments has led to 14.5 lbs of weight loss in the 1st 4 weeks of my program.  I refuse to start exercising right now so that’s not been part of the program.  I’m not downing the water like WW suggests because I hate drinking water.  Because I now have a basic idea of how the WW points work, I stopped tracking my eating last week and still managed to have my 2nd biggest weight drop since I started.  I have started back because I recognize the fact that if I stop tracking, I will for sure go back to bad habits and start slacking.

My simple changes have been portion control, elimination of unnecessary calories, no recreational eating and being aware that all the BLT’s (bites, licks and tastes) can sneak up on you.  I ’ve also figured out that a treat should be a treat, not an every day addition to your eating.  If you want a bag of Peanut Butter M and M’s, have one but don’t make it a constant part of your daily routine.  Find substitutes for sweets.  When I get a craving for something sweet, a Diet Soda usually cures that.  A smaller portion sweet also is fine after all the good eating is done.  Brownie in a mug has been a life saver:  4 Tablespoons chocolate brownie powder mixed with 2 Tablespoons of water in a mug.  Put it in the microwave for about a minute then add 1 tablespoon of fat free cool whip and eat it.  Eat it slowly, enjoy every little taste and once it’s done- it’s done.  Don’t make another thinking that since it’s only 2 points, you’ll have room for another.  The key, EAT SLOWLY.  Every meal you should eat slowly.  It took me forever to eat that laughably small cut of steak at Applebees but as far as I can remember, it was the best steak I’ve had.  Oh yeah, a lady in our group said that when you eat at Applebees, the steamed broccoli refills are free.  I didn’t know that and they’re a Zero point food.  

For those of you that are having a hard time, stay with it.  My weight loss is Atypical and I’ll have my Zero loss weeks and even a few gain days.  We all do but let’s not let that derail the program.  Keep going to the group meetings.  I never imagined that folks sitting around talking about weight loss would be fun, but it is.

Weight Watchers Week 2

Progress.  Weighed in 7 pounds lighter that last week and I even left my 3 lbs of shoes on.  I figured I can take the shoes off when I think I might have a bad week.  Our whole group did well and the “Big Guy” in the class lost a record 13 lbs. (The record was for classes led by our group leader).

Thing I’m missing right now most is a Snickers Bar and I know I’m entitled to one with all the points I have but I’m still holding off.  This may be a mistake because I fear when I finally allow myself that treat, I may end up over indulging.

I’m still leaving a lot of points at the end of the day.  Two days last week I had 15 points left at the end of the day.  BUT, I was never hungry.  I’m eating filling foods and they’re doing the job.

This simple fact of the success of week one for me was portion control.  Savoring every little bite and actually tasting food.  I remember once when I was in college between semesters at home dad suggested we drink a beer.  Because I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to chug that beer down I sipped it.  It was the first time I had actually tasted beer and it was good.  You see, before that day, the whole goal in drinking was to drink it fast so you could line up in front of the keg for another.  There was no effort to actually taste the drink.  It all had to do with how fast you can get it in and get another.  I think we have the same attitude with food.  A good eater in America is a guy who can put down several pounds of food at a time.  Well, I decided that a good eater should be one who respects food and the folks who prepare it.  I’m also trying to be mindful of the lack of food in a lot of the world.  For us to shove in so much with so little need is so wasteful.

This weeks topic was “Get Moving”.  In reading over the material, I’m “Not Interested”.  Since I’m losing weight without a lot of unnecessary movement, I think I’ll stick to that for now.  But, like the extra weight of shoes coming off after a bad week, it may be needed later.

Weight Watchers et al

Things I miss today: nothing, not even my beloved Doritos or Peanut Butter M and M’s.

Things I wish I didn’t have to do: Water.  The new Weight Watchers plan allows any sugar free beverage to count towards liquid consumption, but our leader suggested at least half of it be water.  I hate water.

I’m seeing a few patterns that need adjusting.  I left 1 point on the table last night and right now 7:05 PM I have 7 to burn.  Even after some excellent suggestions on sneaking in a few last minute points, I’M NOT HUNGRY!  I never imagined I would be in this type of predicament.  But, the key is less consumption of empty calories.  It seems the food’s that are suggested do a better job of filling you up and keeping you satisfied.  Right now I don’t miss Doritos and Sweets.  That may kick in later but right now they’re nothing to me.

I havent yet added any exercise because with things going on at work, I haven’t had time.  I’m not a morning person so getting up early won’t do.  I do plan to gradually add it in next week but like a lot of things I do, I do too much and burn out quickly.  Pace, pace, pace.

Get a load of this.  I got to thinking back about my eating over the Holidays and there was some point (I think New Years day lunch) that the thought of eating anything actually was a huge turn off.  It would have been fine with me to skip all the eating that day all together.  Really, my eating habits had gotten so bad that the mere though of shoving another bite in my mouth about mad me gag.  However, being the good diner I am, I managed to shove down 2 plates full but skipped the Apple Pie.  It would have been too much.

et al:  Economically, I’m guessing things wont be much better for the country this year.  Some economists have predicted that the proper corrections won’t be completed until 2011.  The way time flies by these day’s, I look at that as not to long to wait.  However, right now my job SEEMS secure, we have no car debt or credit card debt and a reasonable mortgage.  Dave Ramsey would be proud.

Dave is on almost nightly on Fox Business.  If you are in need of a good sound economic rap on the fingers, Dave is the guy.  Like common sense dieting, he offers no-nonsense financial advice.  He’s pretty hard (no pity) on folks who have gotten in way over their heads financially with expensive cars, bad money decisions and  buying way more house than they can afford.  Watch his show and sometimes he’s downright mean but some folks don’t understand.   His motto “Live like nobody else NOW, so you can live like nobody else LATER” means make some sacrifices today so you can retire and live the good life later.  Some folks can’t wait to live the good life and end up screwing themselves.  Like I said before, time will fly by and retirement will be on us before we know it.  So where’s the wait.  The way I see it, we don’t have much time.

Mario Cart for Wii is awesome.  The on line play works without a glitch and we have all had a great time with it.  Nintendo does it again.  The kids were asking about Wii Fit tonight and due to my previously mentioned disdain for exercise, it’s may be an option.

Enough for now.  If I go too long, I may try talking about politics.

Let’s try Weight Watchers

Good to be back…

New for 2009.  New President!!!  New wars.  New Chicago political screw up.  I’ve started Weight Watchers.

My 1st Weight Watchers meeting was last night and I clocked in at 208.  About 5 lbs higher than what I thought.  However, everyone knows that your weight is always highest in the evening, clothes can add 3 pounds and your first weigh in at Weight Watchers (WW) should be your heaviest.  My 10% goal weight is 187.2.  This morning for giggles I weighed and it said on my really accurate bathroom scale 201.5.  I have no problem initially losing weight, but if I’m ever going to reach the recommended 167, I’ll need big time help with the last 10 pounds and then keeping it off to get Lifetime member status is where WW will come in.  As a matter of fact, I predict I’ll reach the 10% goal in 2 months or less.  Ultimate goal is set after the 10% goal is met.  However, the already mentioned 167 is on my mind.  I hit it once for a very brief period in 2006 right before my 10th wedding  anniversary cruise (my Speedo weight).  Since then, it’s been nowhere near in sight.

I already see a problem.  In tracking my eating I see that I don’t intake a lot in the AM.  All my consumption comes after noon.  Spreading it out will be hard for me to do and writing down everything will be hard as well.  My plan will be to use the prepackaged Weight Watchers meals that list the points on the front of the package.  We already eat those since they’re good and easy to prepare.   I also see that it’s going to be hard for me to consume 31 points worth of food.  I still have 29 to go and it’s already noon.  I see that I don’t eat a lot but what I’ve been eating is bad stuff in a really short span each day.

The other more obvious problem is that my output is nowhere near enough to burn off the input.  This is a simple fact of weight loss, burn more calories than you eat and you will lose weight.  No paid for program needs to tell you that, however, with me, if there is no financial reward at the end or a financial obligation up front, I’m less motivated.  So, the next in my long line of weight loss schemes has taken me to WW.

Bailout Blown Away

The Bailout plain failed!  Based on the reaction from our elected reps on Capitol hill, they still think we’re too stupid to make decisions for our selves.  They insist that this bailout plan proceed whether we like it our not and will probably finagle this through later this week EVEN THOUGH a possible majority of their fellow Americans aren’t completely ok with the idea.  I think the initial defeat is a good thing,  for those of us that contacted our Representatives and expressed our disgust of our government trying to wipe away this mess by using 700 billion dollars worth of toilet paper, this is a victory.  They see that maybe we don’t take the idea of more government waste to clean up corporate greed using the money I have to work 3 months out of the year and pay in taxes as a good idea.

Oh yeah, Marion Berry, Mike Ross and Vic Snyder (my guy in Washington) all figured my e mails were stupid, that I was stupid and had no business in determining where my money went ignored my pleas not to again throw money at stupidity and all voted yes!

Tickle the Bloomberg link below and see how, once again, that the Scandinavian countries seem to lead in all social, educational and common sense categories in the world.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aNXCS_zSlb9U&refer=economy

Good Driving Habits. How easy it is to forget…

I’m probably one of many folks who think the high gas prices are a good thing.  Everyday in the news we see the positive results of high gas prices.  Although overshadowed by the negatives, the positives are there.  More motorcycles and scooters on the road, fewer emissions polluting the air (see whats happening in China as they prepare their skies for the Olympics), better driving habits, more carpooling, smaller cars, fewer SUV’s, more bicycling.  These are good things.  But, now that we have seen gas prices rapidly drop in the past few weeks, old hard to break habits are starting to come back.  For example, when gas prices hit the upper $3.00’s earlier this year, my neighbors 17 year old daughter parked her Dodge Ram pickup and began riding to work with her mother.  Why not, they live and work at the same place and it was refreshing to see a teen using some good ole common sense.  However, yesterday, gas was at 3.59 to 3.63 a gallon locally and and already 3 days this week, both mother and daughter have taken their own vehicles to work at the same place and coming and going at the same time. This is my neighborhood example but I’m sure it well represents the thinking of a lot of America.  It wont be long before Ford begins making the Ford Excursion II with it’s 3 MPG and 100 gallon tank and it will be the best selling tank in America.   It was all too good to be true.

The other interesting thing about all this is us jumping on the $3.59 bargain gas.  I had to wait for my place at the pump to get gas as it seemed that everyone wanted to fill up on the cheap stuff before it jumped back up an additional 3 cents a gallon.   Which by the way only means an extra 60 cents for a twenty gallon fill up.  If we saw 60 cents laying in the gutter, few of us would be tempted to bend over and pick it up.  Congratulations go out to te oil companies as they have now conditioned us to thinking that $3.59 a gallon is a bargain.