Yes, I know I haven't posted anything in a week. Quite honestly, there hasn't been that much to post. I suggested to someone that we make a movie about this place, then I figured out someone already had. It's called Groundhog Day.
Doug and Cina were here over the weekend, and it was nice to see them. I'll get on and post more about that stuff later. On to the important news of the day....
5 more lbs gone, under 270. just under, but under nontheless.
290.something when I got here, and 269.4 this morning.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Drum Roll Please....
It's Wednesday, that means weigh in day here at the DFC. Over the last week i have lost.......
9.1 lbs.
So, since i checked in here I have lost 16 lbs, I am back under 275. Just under, but under is the key. My goal is now 5 lbs a week. Over that is gravy, but I like gravy.
***Just left the clinic. My Blood Pressure has stayed down. 102/60 today.
9.1 lbs.
So, since i checked in here I have lost 16 lbs, I am back under 275. Just under, but under is the key. My goal is now 5 lbs a week. Over that is gravy, but I like gravy.
***Just left the clinic. My Blood Pressure has stayed down. 102/60 today.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
This and That
Fall arrived this past weekend. Last week it was sunny and wonderful here. Friday it was cold and raining. the weekend was cold as well. Well, cold for a southern California boy anyways. It seems like overnight there is more color on the trees. Monday morning, there was ice on my car window. Now, it is cold at night. Low 40's cold, and up into the high 60's low 70's during the day. From what i hear that is fairly tpical fall weather. I wouldn't know, I've never experienced fall before.
Things are going fine here. Life has settled into a routine. Wake up, eat, work out, class, work out. Ocassionally a little golf gets thrown in.
The problem with the golf is that as I am going through my lessons, I'm getting worse, not better. But, I did go out and hit a bucket yeaterday, and today trying to work through this rough patch. I guess I am trying to hit it to much like a baseball swing. I need to pivot from the shoulders, not drop the back shoulder to initiate the swing. I haven't given up yet.
Tomorrow is weigh in day. I've been trying to weigh in on the scale in the mens locker room, but I have no idea how accurate it is. There was a big drop, on that scale anyways, after last week's weigh in, but it seems to have stayed flat since then. The scale is going to say, whatever it says. The positive is that my pants fit better no matter what it says. I do think that it will show a drop though, as I have been staying on the program and exercisng like crazy.
Val and the kids say that I look thinner on the web cam too!
Things are going fine here. Life has settled into a routine. Wake up, eat, work out, class, work out. Ocassionally a little golf gets thrown in.
The problem with the golf is that as I am going through my lessons, I'm getting worse, not better. But, I did go out and hit a bucket yeaterday, and today trying to work through this rough patch. I guess I am trying to hit it to much like a baseball swing. I need to pivot from the shoulders, not drop the back shoulder to initiate the swing. I haven't given up yet.
Tomorrow is weigh in day. I've been trying to weigh in on the scale in the mens locker room, but I have no idea how accurate it is. There was a big drop, on that scale anyways, after last week's weigh in, but it seems to have stayed flat since then. The scale is going to say, whatever it says. The positive is that my pants fit better no matter what it says. I do think that it will show a drop though, as I have been staying on the program and exercisng like crazy.
Val and the kids say that I look thinner on the web cam too!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Apparently...
I don't need to be here. At least that's what some of the other clients here keep telling me. I guess I'm not fat enough for them. The response "Yeah, well i wanted to get here and do something about my weight before i looked like you" didn't go over well.
Time to say goodbye
Today, it's time to say goodbye to an old friend. One who has been by my side for literally two years. I first met this friend right before my uncle and I went Elk hunting two years ago. There hasn't been more than a day since that I haven't seen it over the last couple years. However, I have decided that, well, we no longer have a good fit so I must move on.
Yes, it's time to go buy a new belt....
Yes, it's time to go buy a new belt....
Lyle Lovett...
I was searcing for things to do this weekend, when I saw that Lyle Lovett was going to be playing in Greensboro. It's a 40 minute drive from here, but it's not like I had a whole lot of other things to do on a Friday night, so I obtained some tickets (Thanks Zev!)
I thought the show was going to be Lyle and his "It's not big it's Large" band. I was wrong. Instead it was an acousting evening with Lyle trading songs, quips and stories with another great singer songwriter John Hiatt. It was a great show, both from
a music standpoint, as well as an entertainment one. Lyle has an incredibly dry sense of humor and it was on display all night. You could also see that he truly loves to watch and listen to Hiatt play his guitar. At one point in the show Lyle stopped John as he was tuning his guitar and asked what he was doing. Hiatt explanned that he was dropping his "e to G" I think which would open up the tuning, remove a third of the cord and give a nice dual tone sound" musically it was over my head, but it was interesting to watch someone as accomplished as Lovett learn something about his own instrument.
I took one of the ladies from the orentation group I was in, and we had a great time.
I thought the show was going to be Lyle and his "It's not big it's Large" band. I was wrong. Instead it was an acousting evening with Lyle trading songs, quips and stories with another great singer songwriter John Hiatt. It was a great show, both from
a music standpoint, as well as an entertainment one. Lyle has an incredibly dry sense of humor and it was on display all night. You could also see that he truly loves to watch and listen to Hiatt play his guitar. At one point in the show Lyle stopped John as he was tuning his guitar and asked what he was doing. Hiatt explanned that he was dropping his "e to G" I think which would open up the tuning, remove a third of the cord and give a nice dual tone sound" musically it was over my head, but it was interesting to watch someone as accomplished as Lovett learn something about his own instrument.
I took one of the ladies from the orentation group I was in, and we had a great time.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Nothin Unusual...
The blank post is because Blogspot are a post I was writing about how we manage our menus here. I'll post more about it this weekend, but i don't feel like re-creating it now.
To a large extent, we are tied to the DFC, as that's where all the meals are. I hear people talk about "off-program" eating, but I am endeavoring to stay away from that. The only two "sins" I've committed since arriving here is some Popcorn at the Hockey Game, and one (okay two) small tootsie rolls ( I love tootsie rolls) while shipping a couple things home from the UPS Store today.
A typical day here starts at 7:15-7:30 for me. I wake up sadly forgo the shower. I mean, what's the point. I'm just going to either 1) get all sweaty after breakfast or 2) get in the pool after breakfast.
It's about a 5-10 minute drive from the Towers to the DFC. Once I arrive I head to the "Cafeteria" and grab my menu from the files on the wall. All meals are done by menu, you hand the menu to the food service personnel (one of whom had her 21st anniversary of working at the DFC today). They then give you what's listed on your menu for that meal, nothing more nothing less. I usually have the same breakfast. A 2 egg white with 1 whole egg Omelet with 2 ounces of ham and 1/2 a cup of sauteed vegetables and a fruit serving. Most mornings I have been picking grapefruit.
If there is an 8:00 lecture, you can take your breakfast into the Lecture Room. If there isn't a lecture I head to the Gym. The entire day is spent moving from Fitness Activity, to meal, to appointment. Twice this week I have taken some time out of the day and gone to the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Course to hit some range balls. A couple days a week I fit in a golf lesson. This week it was Monday Morning, and I have another one tomorrow afternoon at 4:15. I digress...
So, yesterday there was no morning lecture, but I had a 9:20 medical check in. After the medical check in (283.4 and a BP of 102/66), you have a brief consult with the Dr.'s. I had nothing really going on, so it was quick. Ten I went to the Gym, as I was going to hit the treadmill. However one of the ladies in my Orientation group was heading to "chair aerobics and stretch" and it was only her and the Instructor. Melissa, the instructor is an Intern from Penn State, who I have had a couple Private Training sessions with so her and Jane got me to join them for Chair Aerobics. Now, chair aerobics really isn't that challenging for me, so I did the whole class whole on a stability ball, which increased the workload, and actually provided a good "core strength" workout.
At 11:00 there was a class "Awareness training through Mindfulness Mediation", so I went to that. It was a interesting. All about focusing on the moment, and how to stay "in the moment". More information can be found here. Then, at 12:00 it was Lunch. There was a 12:00 Lecture session called "Ask the Dr.", but I passed on that one. So, from 12:00 to 2:00 I made phone calls, checked the Internet and socialized.
2:00 brought on "Advanced Portions and Calories" which was about, well, portions and calories. Quite a bit of discussion about growing portion sizes in American society. You know, "supersize"
For instance, did you know that 20 years ago the standard bagel sold in a bagel shop was 3" in diameter (140 calories) and it is now 6" (390 calories). Also, a Quiznos 8" Turkey sandwich with Swiss Cheese and Ranch dressing has 1,060 calories???
3:00 was "Body Image and Self Image" I passed on that and went and did 3.1 miles on the treadmill in 45 minutes. After the treadmill I had a Private Training session. I may not be able to lift as much weight as I used to, but I remember the moves, and am fairly co-ordinated so the trainers and I get along well. They seem to enjoy having someone to work with that is, comparatively speaking, fit and flexible. However, after 45 minutes on the treadmill I was a bit sweaty and that was providing some humor in the gym. Everywhere I touched we had to wipe down afterwards.
That took it to 5:00, and I spent 1/2 an hour in the Hot Tub after that. Dinner and back to the towers after that, and another day had passed. All told I was exercising, actually they don't use the word exercise, it's "Physically Active" for around 130 minutes. According to my Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor:
To a large extent, we are tied to the DFC, as that's where all the meals are. I hear people talk about "off-program" eating, but I am endeavoring to stay away from that. The only two "sins" I've committed since arriving here is some Popcorn at the Hockey Game, and one (okay two) small tootsie rolls ( I love tootsie rolls) while shipping a couple things home from the UPS Store today.
A typical day here starts at 7:15-7:30 for me. I wake up sadly forgo the shower. I mean, what's the point. I'm just going to either 1) get all sweaty after breakfast or 2) get in the pool after breakfast.
It's about a 5-10 minute drive from the Towers to the DFC. Once I arrive I head to the "Cafeteria" and grab my menu from the files on the wall. All meals are done by menu, you hand the menu to the food service personnel (one of whom had her 21st anniversary of working at the DFC today). They then give you what's listed on your menu for that meal, nothing more nothing less. I usually have the same breakfast. A 2 egg white with 1 whole egg Omelet with 2 ounces of ham and 1/2 a cup of sauteed vegetables and a fruit serving. Most mornings I have been picking grapefruit.
If there is an 8:00 lecture, you can take your breakfast into the Lecture Room. If there isn't a lecture I head to the Gym. The entire day is spent moving from Fitness Activity, to meal, to appointment. Twice this week I have taken some time out of the day and gone to the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Course to hit some range balls. A couple days a week I fit in a golf lesson. This week it was Monday Morning, and I have another one tomorrow afternoon at 4:15. I digress...
So, yesterday there was no morning lecture, but I had a 9:20 medical check in. After the medical check in (283.4 and a BP of 102/66), you have a brief consult with the Dr.'s. I had nothing really going on, so it was quick. Ten I went to the Gym, as I was going to hit the treadmill. However one of the ladies in my Orientation group was heading to "chair aerobics and stretch" and it was only her and the Instructor. Melissa, the instructor is an Intern from Penn State, who I have had a couple Private Training sessions with so her and Jane got me to join them for Chair Aerobics. Now, chair aerobics really isn't that challenging for me, so I did the whole class whole on a stability ball, which increased the workload, and actually provided a good "core strength" workout.
At 11:00 there was a class "Awareness training through Mindfulness Mediation", so I went to that. It was a interesting. All about focusing on the moment, and how to stay "in the moment". More information can be found here. Then, at 12:00 it was Lunch. There was a 12:00 Lecture session called "Ask the Dr.", but I passed on that one. So, from 12:00 to 2:00 I made phone calls, checked the Internet and socialized.
2:00 brought on "Advanced Portions and Calories" which was about, well, portions and calories. Quite a bit of discussion about growing portion sizes in American society. You know, "supersize"
For instance, did you know that 20 years ago the standard bagel sold in a bagel shop was 3" in diameter (140 calories) and it is now 6" (390 calories). Also, a Quiznos 8" Turkey sandwich with Swiss Cheese and Ranch dressing has 1,060 calories???
3:00 was "Body Image and Self Image" I passed on that and went and did 3.1 miles on the treadmill in 45 minutes. After the treadmill I had a Private Training session. I may not be able to lift as much weight as I used to, but I remember the moves, and am fairly co-ordinated so the trainers and I get along well. They seem to enjoy having someone to work with that is, comparatively speaking, fit and flexible. However, after 45 minutes on the treadmill I was a bit sweaty and that was providing some humor in the gym. Everywhere I touched we had to wipe down afterwards.
That took it to 5:00, and I spent 1/2 an hour in the Hot Tub after that. Dinner and back to the towers after that, and another day had passed. All told I was exercising, actually they don't use the word exercise, it's "Physically Active" for around 130 minutes. According to my Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor:
- I burned 213 Calories in Chair Aerobics, with an average heart rate of 124 and a max of 154. Another 95 during the stretch session
- 601 calories on the Treadmill. I was doing some interval work. 2 minutes at 4.0 miles per hour, and 1:00 at 5.1, although I had to raise the interval to 3:1 for the last 15 minutes. Average heart rate 154, max was (gulp) 179.
- 516 calories during my strength training workout. 140AHR, and a max of 173 (medicine ball squats)
So, the total calorie burn for the day: 1,425, which is about the same amount as my food intake. In other words, I worked out pretty hard yesterday.
I don't want to get super fatigued, so I took it easy today. I did a "Deep Water" aerobics class to give my joints a rest, and hit a bucket of Golf balls this afternoon and that was it for the day. Tomorrow I'll either Treadmill or Elliptical after a Private training session that I have at 9:00.
I also have to check in with the nutritionist tomorrow.
As i said earlier, I have really focused on sticking to the diet plan here. No real breaks on that, except sometimes I have an apple at night. Tonight I went to Whole Foods to get some more apples (the Cortland apples are fantastic). So, I was heading to the checkout at the market when I ran smack dab into one of the nutritionists from the program. I immediately pointed to my basket and said "Looks, it's only apples". She laughed and said "I trust you"
They offer a grocery store tour as part of the curriculum, they take a group to the Krogers and help you learn to read food labels etc. If you want, you can also "for a fee" hire one of them to take a tour of Whole Foods as well.
Oh, and I was trying to figure out something to do tomorrow night (tonight I played some Wii bowling and Golf with some friends at the DFC) and I found that Lyle Lovett is playing in Greensboro. That's about 40 minutes form here, so I sent an E-mail, and Zev arranged for some tickets for me (Thanks Zev!). I have wanted to see him in concert for years, so I am pretty excited about that. I'll find someone from the Center to go with me since Val is 2500 miles away,
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Addresss
A coupleof people have asked if there is an address for me here. The answer is no. There are two addresses for me here.
I can get mail at the DFC:
Doug Woodard
C/O Duke Diet and Fitness center
501 Douglas Stree
Durham, NC 27705
or the apartment
Doug Woodard
807 West Trinity Ave
Unit #147
Durham, NC 27701
I have received mail at the DFC and it works great. I have, as yet, not done so at the towers.
I can get mail at the DFC:
Doug Woodard
C/O Duke Diet and Fitness center
501 Douglas Stree
Durham, NC 27705
or the apartment
Doug Woodard
807 West Trinity Ave
Unit #147
Durham, NC 27701
I have received mail at the DFC and it works great. I have, as yet, not done so at the towers.
My Hip
I saw the Physical therapist today for my hip.
It still aches a bit all the time, but I really do not want it to interfere with my ability to workout while I am here. She did a full evaluation, and some manipulation to try to get a better handle on the problem. After examination she thinks that for some reason the ball joint is being compressed to much, and that is causing the pain. We haven't worked out the why yet. She's the first PT I've ever been to that spent time trying to figure out what was causing the issue, and not just treating the pain. Of course, she is also the first one I've seen with a PhD in Bio-mechanics.
I am going to see the therapist twice a week now. I told her my concern was not limiting my ability to workout while I am here. She asked if I had a cortisone shot, and I said no. Even though my wife wanted me to get one before I came back. She can't do a shot, but she tried something called Iontophoresis. Basically, she electrocuted the area above the pain to get the pores to "open up" and then put a patch on it containing dexamethasone. I have to keep the patch on for a couple of hours. She also wants me to start icing it after every workout. We'll see if it helps the pain at all.
It's not really limiting me here, yet. I hope that doesn't change.
It still aches a bit all the time, but I really do not want it to interfere with my ability to workout while I am here. She did a full evaluation, and some manipulation to try to get a better handle on the problem. After examination she thinks that for some reason the ball joint is being compressed to much, and that is causing the pain. We haven't worked out the why yet. She's the first PT I've ever been to that spent time trying to figure out what was causing the issue, and not just treating the pain. Of course, she is also the first one I've seen with a PhD in Bio-mechanics.
I am going to see the therapist twice a week now. I told her my concern was not limiting my ability to workout while I am here. She asked if I had a cortisone shot, and I said no. Even though my wife wanted me to get one before I came back. She can't do a shot, but she tried something called Iontophoresis. Basically, she electrocuted the area above the pain to get the pores to "open up" and then put a patch on it containing dexamethasone. I have to keep the patch on for a couple of hours. She also wants me to start icing it after every workout. We'll see if it helps the pain at all.
It's not really limiting me here, yet. I hope that doesn't change.
The Weekend
Sorry for not posting over the weekend, but Val and I were to busy hanging out. Now that she is gone I have time to write about it.
We spent a nice weekend in North Carolina. We didn't do anything that exciting however, it was nice to spend some time together. She was really looking forward to attending some classes when she was here. As it turns out, there really is very little activity at the center on Fri-Sat-Sun. Yet, we couldn't wander far ( a drive to Asheville would have been nice) because I have to come back here to eat my meals.
Friday morning she slept in a bit while I went to the center for a workout, and a flexibility class. After that I went and picked here up and we came back here for lunch. She also went with me to a Dr's appointment. I tried to get my Doctor at home to refill a prescription for AmbienCR, since I have been having trouble sleeping, but he wouldn't because I was in a "medically supervised environment". So, I went to see one of the docs at the clinic here. She did indeed give me the prescription, but she also wrote me a referral to Physical Therapy for the hip pain I have been having. I had already brought a referral from my orthopedist, but she wrote me one anyway. Friday night we went to the Hurricanes/Panthers game out at the RBC Center (about 20-25 minutes away).
On Saturday we went out for a massage, and in the afternoon found a place to watch the SC game. It was a smoky little dive/dump of a bar, but the game was on. I had water, and carrot sticks. We also did a little shopping. Got some stuff for the kids, and some stuff for my apartment, it is much "homier" now, and it also smells better. Saturday night we just hung out at the apartment and watch the movie "Sex in the City". I have to say, Blu-Ray DVD's are impressive.
Sunday we came to the center for Breakfast, then I went down to the Gym (it's downstairs) to do some cardio. After that we went and walked around Sarah Duke Gardens. Once lunch was over we drove out to Holly Springs for a visit with my cousin Abby, her husband Andrew and their 1 year old daughter. Sophia is a little cutie pie, and we had a great time talking and visiting. I can see why they made the move out here. They have a wonderful house for less than their apartment in West LA was costing them. I think I am going to go back to see them again this Saturday (especially now that they told me they will have the game on). We stopped at Lowes on the way back and got two little plants for the apartment. Now I just have to remember to water them.
Monday morning came all to soon and she was off to home. Yes, I put her in a taxi to the airport. I told her that I would move my golf lesson, but she didn't want me to. I offered, I really did.
Speaking of the golf lessons, they are going well. I had my first one last Thursday. I told the instructor that I was a complete novice, as I wanted someone to teach me from the start, and not try to modify whatever it was that I remembered from what I had learned 20 years ago. It seems to be working so far, and the instructor thinks I'm "a natural" at the game. The first lesson was strictly chipping and putting. Trying to work on keeping the left wrist straight at impact. This morning we did some full swing work with a wedge. My next lesson is Friday afternoon, but I need to get out and hit some balls between now and then.
I'm really glad Val came out. I wish that there had been more classes for her to sit in on, but I showed her all the notes, and she helped me review some of the things I had learned and I never would have figured out which supplements I should be taking without her help.
We spent a nice weekend in North Carolina. We didn't do anything that exciting however, it was nice to spend some time together. She was really looking forward to attending some classes when she was here. As it turns out, there really is very little activity at the center on Fri-Sat-Sun. Yet, we couldn't wander far ( a drive to Asheville would have been nice) because I have to come back here to eat my meals.
Friday morning she slept in a bit while I went to the center for a workout, and a flexibility class. After that I went and picked here up and we came back here for lunch. She also went with me to a Dr's appointment. I tried to get my Doctor at home to refill a prescription for AmbienCR, since I have been having trouble sleeping, but he wouldn't because I was in a "medically supervised environment". So, I went to see one of the docs at the clinic here. She did indeed give me the prescription, but she also wrote me a referral to Physical Therapy for the hip pain I have been having. I had already brought a referral from my orthopedist, but she wrote me one anyway. Friday night we went to the Hurricanes/Panthers game out at the RBC Center (about 20-25 minutes away).
On Saturday we went out for a massage, and in the afternoon found a place to watch the SC game. It was a smoky little dive/dump of a bar, but the game was on. I had water, and carrot sticks. We also did a little shopping. Got some stuff for the kids, and some stuff for my apartment, it is much "homier" now, and it also smells better. Saturday night we just hung out at the apartment and watch the movie "Sex in the City". I have to say, Blu-Ray DVD's are impressive.
Sunday we came to the center for Breakfast, then I went down to the Gym (it's downstairs) to do some cardio. After that we went and walked around Sarah Duke Gardens. Once lunch was over we drove out to Holly Springs for a visit with my cousin Abby, her husband Andrew and their 1 year old daughter. Sophia is a little cutie pie, and we had a great time talking and visiting. I can see why they made the move out here. They have a wonderful house for less than their apartment in West LA was costing them. I think I am going to go back to see them again this Saturday (especially now that they told me they will have the game on). We stopped at Lowes on the way back and got two little plants for the apartment. Now I just have to remember to water them.
Monday morning came all to soon and she was off to home. Yes, I put her in a taxi to the airport. I told her that I would move my golf lesson, but she didn't want me to. I offered, I really did.
Speaking of the golf lessons, they are going well. I had my first one last Thursday. I told the instructor that I was a complete novice, as I wanted someone to teach me from the start, and not try to modify whatever it was that I remembered from what I had learned 20 years ago. It seems to be working so far, and the instructor thinks I'm "a natural" at the game. The first lesson was strictly chipping and putting. Trying to work on keeping the left wrist straight at impact. This morning we did some full swing work with a wedge. My next lesson is Friday afternoon, but I need to get out and hit some balls between now and then.
I'm really glad Val came out. I wish that there had been more classes for her to sit in on, but I showed her all the notes, and she helped me review some of the things I had learned and I never would have figured out which supplements I should be taking without her help.
Here and Gone...
Val was here, now she's gone. I miss her already, but I'm really glad she came back for a visit. It's to soon to start counting the days until she comes back, but I'm going to be doing it anyways.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Deep Water Aerobics
Damn, deep water aerobics really can get your heart rate up. I didn't wear my HRM so I don't know the numbers, but it was definitely a workout.
Lots of the exercise here is based not on your heart rate, in fact for some people they discourage the use of Heart Rate Monitors (I use mine, and they are fine with me doing so). They use a scale called RPE, which stand for Rate of Perceived Exertion.
They also use the "Row Row Row Your Boat" method.
Lots of the exercise here is based not on your heart rate, in fact for some people they discourage the use of Heart Rate Monitors (I use mine, and they are fine with me doing so). They use a scale called RPE, which stand for Rate of Perceived Exertion.
They also use the "Row Row Row Your Boat" method.
- If you can sing "Row Row Row Your Boat", you are doing light exercise
- If you can say the words with a bit of difficulty, you are doing moderate exercise
- If you don't care if the damn boat is being rowed because you are to busy worrying about breathing, then it is difficult exercise
Blood Work...
OK, I got my test results back today. Not as bad as I feared, but not good nontheless.
Everything was in the "normal" range, but my Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol were just barely normal. And my HDL (The good stuff, H means you want it HIGH) was lower than it should.
They only check blood twice here. When you get here and when you leave, so it will be interesting to see what changes there are over the next 5 weeks.
The good news is that after my Liver Enzyme scare last summer, those tests are normal.
Everything was in the "normal" range, but my Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol were just barely normal. And my HDL (The good stuff, H means you want it HIGH) was lower than it should.
They only check blood twice here. When you get here and when you leave, so it will be interesting to see what changes there are over the next 5 weeks.
The good news is that after my Liver Enzyme scare last summer, those tests are normal.
Val's Visit...
Just got an E-mail form Val while I was in the "Reviewing you Labwork" class. She is checked in, and on her way here.
During her visit, since I am eating all my meals here at the DFC, she will be too. So, she will be getting the same 1300 calories per day that I am. So, since eating out is not an option for us, I have been trying to figure out what we should do.
There are massage therapists here on staff, that clients can book (for an extra fee, lots of things here are "for and extra fee", I'll post about that some other time) but, they wouldn't let me book one for her, since she isn't a "support person" (meaning she is just visiting, and isn't enrolled in the program as a support person), or a client. So, I found a day spa in Durhham and scheduled us for a couple massage on Saturday.
I also found a place where we can rent horses and go riding. Val always talks about wanting to go horseback riding, so I figured she would enjoy that. The Sarah Duke Gardens is supposed to be nice too. Oh, yeah and on Friday night we are going to go to the Carolina Hurricanes season opener.
I'd like to see a movie too....but NO POPCORN!!!
During her visit, since I am eating all my meals here at the DFC, she will be too. So, she will be getting the same 1300 calories per day that I am. So, since eating out is not an option for us, I have been trying to figure out what we should do.
There are massage therapists here on staff, that clients can book (for an extra fee, lots of things here are "for and extra fee", I'll post about that some other time) but, they wouldn't let me book one for her, since she isn't a "support person" (meaning she is just visiting, and isn't enrolled in the program as a support person), or a client. So, I found a day spa in Durhham and scheduled us for a couple massage on Saturday.
I also found a place where we can rent horses and go riding. Val always talks about wanting to go horseback riding, so I figured she would enjoy that. The Sarah Duke Gardens is supposed to be nice too. Oh, yeah and on Friday night we are going to go to the Carolina Hurricanes season opener.
I'd like to see a movie too....but NO POPCORN!!!
This and that
The last couple of days have been relatively uneventful.
Our days are filled with a series of lectures, interspersed with some open times. The lectures have been fairly informative for the most part. Although this morning's lecture on Vitamins and Minerals left my head spinning a bit. I wanted to says, just hand me a damn pill and I'll take it. In the end, it boils down to a simple Multi-Vitamin is all I should need. So, I'll go pick up some of those today.
Last night at Dinner time we had a "Guided Eating Experience". It sounded really cheesy, so I almost didn't go, but I did and in the end, it was a fairly interesting experience. I've always known I was a fast eater, but I never realized just how fast. One of the things they wanted us to do last night (as well as something the dietician recommended to me at my consultation yesterday) was to put the fork down between bites. We've all heard that advice before, but I've never really tired it. I was suprised at 1) how much I had to concentrate to get that done. I was seriously loading the fork up before I had even begun chewing the bite before. 2) It may be becasue of the environment I am in right now, but it made the whole meal a more enjoyable experience. It seemed like i could taste the food more if I paid attention to it. Now, I can't wait to try that new skill at Le Bernardin!
The meeting with the dietician was informative, but not earth shattering. We went over my "Three Day Food Record" ( I really wish I had done that correctly, but I think I made an honest effort at it). No real earth shattering revelations there, eatin gout to much doesn't help me. I put in a day that included a dinner that I had at the "Manhattan Supper Club" before I left. The calorie count for that day was over 5,000!! Bottom line, I can eat out, but I need to make better choices when I do, and exercise more when I do.
The Dietician reccomended that I pay particular attention in classes related to:
Our days are filled with a series of lectures, interspersed with some open times. The lectures have been fairly informative for the most part. Although this morning's lecture on Vitamins and Minerals left my head spinning a bit. I wanted to says, just hand me a damn pill and I'll take it. In the end, it boils down to a simple Multi-Vitamin is all I should need. So, I'll go pick up some of those today.
Last night at Dinner time we had a "Guided Eating Experience". It sounded really cheesy, so I almost didn't go, but I did and in the end, it was a fairly interesting experience. I've always known I was a fast eater, but I never realized just how fast. One of the things they wanted us to do last night (as well as something the dietician recommended to me at my consultation yesterday) was to put the fork down between bites. We've all heard that advice before, but I've never really tired it. I was suprised at 1) how much I had to concentrate to get that done. I was seriously loading the fork up before I had even begun chewing the bite before. 2) It may be becasue of the environment I am in right now, but it made the whole meal a more enjoyable experience. It seemed like i could taste the food more if I paid attention to it. Now, I can't wait to try that new skill at Le Bernardin!
The meeting with the dietician was informative, but not earth shattering. We went over my "Three Day Food Record" ( I really wish I had done that correctly, but I think I made an honest effort at it). No real earth shattering revelations there, eatin gout to much doesn't help me. I put in a day that included a dinner that I had at the "Manhattan Supper Club" before I left. The calorie count for that day was over 5,000!! Bottom line, I can eat out, but I need to make better choices when I do, and exercise more when I do.
The Dietician reccomended that I pay particular attention in classes related to:
- Healthier Snacking
- Decreasing fast food and/or restaurant dining frequency
- Estimating calories and portion sizes
- Strategies for dealing with business eating or social engagements
She also predicted that my current Resting Metabolic Rate ("RMR") is 2,272 calories per day. That is, that is the amount of calories my body would burn if I never got out of bed in the morning. My Maintenance Calorie Level is 2,726. That is the amount I need to maintain my current weigh if I just get up, and walk around no real exercise calories involved. My reccomended calorie level while here is 1200-1500 while here, and 2100-2300 at home. Now, that number will go up eventually if I maintain my exercise level.
Speaking of exercise, I walked on the Treadmill Mon and Tues. Yesterday I did some warm up time on the elliptical ( I don't like those machines, as much as I want to. It just seems like they shorten my stride un-naturally.) Then I did my 1/2 hour free personal training session, and swam for a bit afterwards. I am sore today, but that is to be expected.
Now, I am off for a "Dual New Experience". I have never done a "Group" exercise class before, and I've never done "Deep Water" Aerobics. I am going to go change both of those things now.
Things you never thought you would see..
Driving back to my apartment last night I saw a "Tractor Trailer"(A big big, you know, a big truck" that had tried to make it under a bridge, sadly for the driver it was to tall. The top was peeled open like a can opener had been applied for about the first 10 feet.
I found it amusing, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation didn't. You could hear them cussing out the driver from about 20 yards away.
I found it amusing, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation didn't. You could hear them cussing out the driver from about 20 yards away.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I'm off, I mean, I'm here!!
As most of you know I left home this past Saturday to begin a 6 week stay at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham North Carolina. Some people have expressed an interest in what the program is like, what is going on, etc. So, I figured what the hell, I'll blog about it.
I am staying in a One Room Apartment at an older Condominium Complex in Durham. It used to be located directly across the street from the DFC (That's what the staff and clients all call the center. It's a lot quicker than saying and or writing the whole name). However, the Center moved in August to a new building about 2.3 miles from here. The closest place to stay now is the Millenium Hotel, but they didn't have any bigger rooms available for the time I was here, and I couldn't deal with the idea of being restricted to a single room hotel room for the next 6 weeks.
My room is certainly adequate, if a bit old. They recently "re-furbished" some of the units into "premium" apartments, and I have one of those. For an extra $10 a day I get Pergo Floors, and a flat screen TV in the Living area and the bedroom. In fact I am pretty sure that this is the actual unit I am staying in. It reminds me a lot of the apartment I had at USC, only that one had more dishes in the sink.
More on life here in Durham later, but first, i recorded these thoughts over the past few days. I had written them in a little memo on my Blackberry, sort of my own little journal about things, and I figure I may as well post them here.
Saturday October 4th, written on the plane
I am not looking forward to being gone from my family for the next 6 weeks. I know that Valerie will be coming out to visit and and Skype will let me and the kids stay in touch, but I wonder how they will change while I am gone. At times it seems that they change so gradually that it is hard to notice it, right up until it slaps you in the face. Other times you can watch them change right before your eyes. I am just afraid that the next few weeks will be a sea of change for them, and I am going to miss it. Will Paige still be Daddy's little girl when I get back, or will I fade from her life a little bit every day? Some times it feels like Trey is growing up so fast that there is little time to reinforce the things I want him to recognize as important, will this time away keep me from having that influence?
Pulling myself out of the world of self pity I can step back and realistically think that it will not make that big a difference, and in reality it will probably enhance my relationship with both of them in the long run. If I am healthier I will be able to be even more involved with them. I'll be less tired, have more energy and in general be in a better mood. If I am in a better mood there will be more patience and more laughter. Not to mention the obvious fact that I'll be around longer.
Perhaps the real reason that I am so depressed about going has less to do with being away, although it is going to be hard, and more to deal with the fact that I am pretty disgusted with my own self at letting it go this long. Being unable to make the changes I should without taking this drastic of a measure. Its not that difficult, I know what foods are good, and which ones are not. I know that exercise is important, I have the time to do it, yet there is always a reason not to.
What I need to figure out is why I make the bad decisions. Why I always think that tomorrow is the day that I will start making the right choices.
It's time for tomorrow to be today.
Sunday, October 5th
Wow is is hard to find anything in this town. I'm sure its got a lot to do with the fact that I haven't figured out the City yet, but it is very spread out. A typical east coast layout, older downtown area with all the major retailers out a ways.
I went to "Super Target" to pick up soap, soda etc. It was quite possibly the biggest retail store I have ever been in, bigger than a Costco back home.
Its about 30 minutes until the orientation starts. The one thing that I forgot to do prior to coming was my " Three day Food Record", which is exactly what it sounds like. I made one up, and its probably close to accurate, but I wish I had remembered it was supposed to be done. I guess I should have re-read the orientation materials before I got on the plane.
I know that this whole process will be good for me in the long run. I also know that I am incredibly lucky to be able to go through it. Between the cost of the program, housing, rental car, air fare and other miscellaneous expenses its not cheap. Apparently the enrollment in the program is noticing it as well. I was told that they have the ability to handle an enrollment of 150 people at a time. I hear the current census is 50.
The final meal before orientation? Japanese Pan Noodles with Beef at a place called "Noodles & Company"
First thought...I am the thinnest person here.
At Orientation we are given notebooks that contain information, schedules and basically all the power-point slides for all the lectures here. There are lectures scheduled for everyday, some are mandatory, some are not. Some are applicable to me, some are not (for instance, I don't plan on attending the Women's Issues Round table discussion), so if you are in town, I may be free on Wed at 4:00). Also contained in the folder is a schedule of all my initial appointments with the various departments; Medical, Behavioral Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and of course, Accounting. My appointments begin tomorrow at 1:00, and the final initial consultation is with the Nutrition Department on Wednesday.
Other Orientation thoughts
First lecture of the day, is on Meal Planning. Surprisingly it is a fairly complex process. There are essentially set meals for Breakfast and Lunch, and a choice of two dinners. However, if you don't like certain things, you can modify the menus using a set of "always available items". The current recommendation for me is to have between 1200-1500 calories per day.
The other thing I notice, is that the Dieticians are damn skinny.
I see the Dr. after Lunch. Seems nice enough, tells me that I am actually under the BMI of their average client. We spend a bit of time discussing Sunday nights Angels/Red Sox game, he's a sox fan. He places no restrictions on my activities, and gives me a red dot on my ID card. We all wear ID badges, and have to have them on at all times in the facilities. Well, most of the time. They told me (because I asked) that you don't have to wear them in the pool. The red dot means that I am cleared for light exercise in the gym. It will be replaced by a green dot after my initial consultation with the fitness department. Oh, my initial starting weight....290.6. A BMI of 38.3, under the average of 40 for clients. I feel good about that. [Later I figure out that I am only 13 lbs away from being at a BMI of 40].
It already feels like I have been here for a while, and there is a lot of sitting around so now I have my red dot, I walk on the treadmill for 40 minutes before our final session of the day which is a mandatory gym orientation.
The evening "take" home snack is always a choice of an apple, or some crackers with peanut butter. I have been taking the 4 whole Wheat Crackers with 1/2 and ounce of peanut butter.
Tuesday October 7th
Have to see the vampires in the lab first thing this morning. I am now sporting a "Garfield" band aid.
Then it's a basic nutrition lecture
I am staying in a One Room Apartment at an older Condominium Complex in Durham. It used to be located directly across the street from the DFC (That's what the staff and clients all call the center. It's a lot quicker than saying and or writing the whole name). However, the Center moved in August to a new building about 2.3 miles from here. The closest place to stay now is the Millenium Hotel, but they didn't have any bigger rooms available for the time I was here, and I couldn't deal with the idea of being restricted to a single room hotel room for the next 6 weeks.
My room is certainly adequate, if a bit old. They recently "re-furbished" some of the units into "premium" apartments, and I have one of those. For an extra $10 a day I get Pergo Floors, and a flat screen TV in the Living area and the bedroom. In fact I am pretty sure that this is the actual unit I am staying in. It reminds me a lot of the apartment I had at USC, only that one had more dishes in the sink.
More on life here in Durham later, but first, i recorded these thoughts over the past few days. I had written them in a little memo on my Blackberry, sort of my own little journal about things, and I figure I may as well post them here.
Saturday October 4th, written on the plane
I am not looking forward to being gone from my family for the next 6 weeks. I know that Valerie will be coming out to visit and and Skype will let me and the kids stay in touch, but I wonder how they will change while I am gone. At times it seems that they change so gradually that it is hard to notice it, right up until it slaps you in the face. Other times you can watch them change right before your eyes. I am just afraid that the next few weeks will be a sea of change for them, and I am going to miss it. Will Paige still be Daddy's little girl when I get back, or will I fade from her life a little bit every day? Some times it feels like Trey is growing up so fast that there is little time to reinforce the things I want him to recognize as important, will this time away keep me from having that influence?
Pulling myself out of the world of self pity I can step back and realistically think that it will not make that big a difference, and in reality it will probably enhance my relationship with both of them in the long run. If I am healthier I will be able to be even more involved with them. I'll be less tired, have more energy and in general be in a better mood. If I am in a better mood there will be more patience and more laughter. Not to mention the obvious fact that I'll be around longer.
Perhaps the real reason that I am so depressed about going has less to do with being away, although it is going to be hard, and more to deal with the fact that I am pretty disgusted with my own self at letting it go this long. Being unable to make the changes I should without taking this drastic of a measure. Its not that difficult, I know what foods are good, and which ones are not. I know that exercise is important, I have the time to do it, yet there is always a reason not to.
What I need to figure out is why I make the bad decisions. Why I always think that tomorrow is the day that I will start making the right choices.
It's time for tomorrow to be today.
Sunday, October 5th
Wow is is hard to find anything in this town. I'm sure its got a lot to do with the fact that I haven't figured out the City yet, but it is very spread out. A typical east coast layout, older downtown area with all the major retailers out a ways.
I went to "Super Target" to pick up soap, soda etc. It was quite possibly the biggest retail store I have ever been in, bigger than a Costco back home.
Its about 30 minutes until the orientation starts. The one thing that I forgot to do prior to coming was my " Three day Food Record", which is exactly what it sounds like. I made one up, and its probably close to accurate, but I wish I had remembered it was supposed to be done. I guess I should have re-read the orientation materials before I got on the plane.
I know that this whole process will be good for me in the long run. I also know that I am incredibly lucky to be able to go through it. Between the cost of the program, housing, rental car, air fare and other miscellaneous expenses its not cheap. Apparently the enrollment in the program is noticing it as well. I was told that they have the ability to handle an enrollment of 150 people at a time. I hear the current census is 50.
The final meal before orientation? Japanese Pan Noodles with Beef at a place called "Noodles & Company"
First thought...I am the thinnest person here.
At Orientation we are given notebooks that contain information, schedules and basically all the power-point slides for all the lectures here. There are lectures scheduled for everyday, some are mandatory, some are not. Some are applicable to me, some are not (for instance, I don't plan on attending the Women's Issues Round table discussion), so if you are in town, I may be free on Wed at 4:00). Also contained in the folder is a schedule of all my initial appointments with the various departments; Medical, Behavioral Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and of course, Accounting. My appointments begin tomorrow at 1:00, and the final initial consultation is with the Nutrition Department on Wednesday.
Other Orientation thoughts
- I have to pass a swim test
- Consumption of Alcohol is discouraged, unless on "staff guided exercises" (this refers to a trip out to a restaurant for dinner) In fact we all sign a Drug/Alcohol memorandum
Our first dinner:
Canneloni; Half cup of Brussel Sprouts; Small Mixed Fruit bowl
Take home Snack
4 whole grain crackers and a half ounce of Peanut Butter
First lecture of the day, is on Meal Planning. Surprisingly it is a fairly complex process. There are essentially set meals for Breakfast and Lunch, and a choice of two dinners. However, if you don't like certain things, you can modify the menus using a set of "always available items". The current recommendation for me is to have between 1200-1500 calories per day.
The other thing I notice, is that the Dieticians are damn skinny.
I see the Dr. after Lunch. Seems nice enough, tells me that I am actually under the BMI of their average client. We spend a bit of time discussing Sunday nights Angels/Red Sox game, he's a sox fan. He places no restrictions on my activities, and gives me a red dot on my ID card. We all wear ID badges, and have to have them on at all times in the facilities. Well, most of the time. They told me (because I asked) that you don't have to wear them in the pool. The red dot means that I am cleared for light exercise in the gym. It will be replaced by a green dot after my initial consultation with the fitness department. Oh, my initial starting weight....290.6. A BMI of 38.3, under the average of 40 for clients. I feel good about that. [Later I figure out that I am only 13 lbs away from being at a BMI of 40].
It already feels like I have been here for a while, and there is a lot of sitting around so now I have my red dot, I walk on the treadmill for 40 minutes before our final session of the day which is a mandatory gym orientation.
The evening "take" home snack is always a choice of an apple, or some crackers with peanut butter. I have been taking the 4 whole Wheat Crackers with 1/2 and ounce of peanut butter.
Tuesday October 7th
Have to see the vampires in the lab first thing this morning. I am now sporting a "Garfield" band aid.
Then it's a basic nutrition lecture
- An extra 251 calories a day in excess of your bodies needs would lead to a 26lb weight gain over the period of a year.
- Weight loss comes through nutrition, Weight Maintenance comes through exercise
- The 1/2 life of a Caffeine molecule is 12 hours
followed by a 15 minute lecture on your diet options.
Duke is the only residential weight loss facility that isn't married to one dogmatic menu type. You can choose a Traditional Duke Diet, which is 165g carbs per day. A modified Low Carb plan which is 100-130g of carbs, then there are two Low Carb options. The Interim Carb level which is 60-90g of Carbs or the Very Low Carb plan, which is 35-50g of Carbs
The problem is that as a client you have to figure out what you want, and how to allocate it all. In the long run it is a good thing to learn, in the short term its damn confusing. It took me a long time to figure out my menu for this week, and that was without trying to get it to fit into a "plan"
Next is a lecture from the director of the clinic. The Title was "Obesity and Inactivity - Reaching Your Goals. It's essentially another orientation/motivation lecture.
- This is a medical facility, and privacy is key. If you want to take someone's picture you have to obtain a signed release from them
- The constant mantra here is "lifestyle change". The program isn't about losing weight, it's about supplying you with the tools you need you need to have to empower yourself to make the changes necessary to survive in the "real world"
- Another thought that is tossed about it how we all live in an "obesity encouraging environment". A commonly used example that they throw out to show how we as a society are "engineering" physical activity our of our everyday life...Automatic Car Windows.
After lunch I have my initial consultation with the Behavioral Health department (the shrinks), and then the Fitness Department.
I'll spare you the details of the shrink. The Fitness "prescription"
4-6 days a week of Cardio. 30 to 60 minutes per day. The Target Heart Rate they gave me was between 106-142. That seems low to me and I asked her about it. She said if I could make the time at a higher heart rate then go ahead. No high impact cardio because I am still having this pain in my hip.
2-3 days a week of Strength/Resistance Training. 2-3 sets, 10-15 reps per set, using a total body strength routine.
Flexibilty Stretching / Mind - Body (Yoga, Tai Chi) 4-7 days per week, Stretch after all workouts and try some Yoga and one or two of the "stretch" classes.
So, I scheduled some time with a Trainer, Walked on the Treadmill again, and scheduled a golf lesson.
Then it was dinner, which I was really hungry for. and home. But, not before I stopped to get an Obama/Biden sticker for my rental car. Hertz will love me.
I had one more set of thoughts today that I wanted to share:
One of the things I realized today, is in all my preparation to come here, and all of my anxiety about being away from the kids, my wife, the Dogs, the sporting events, well you get the picture, I never looked at it from the other side.
My being here, with nothing to worry about but myself has placed a huge burden on Val. Now, the kids have one parent to seek attention from, instead of two. I am not there to play with Paige, while Treys homework gets done. I know that I couldn't have done this without Val's emotional support, but I never really considered the fact that my being gone increased her workload and the demands on her. So, I just want to let her know that I appreciate her and her efforts to support my doing this in oh so many ways.
Thanks hun, you ROCK and I love you
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
She's growing up
She went to school today, but she's done that before. Yet, it was different
She wore a uniform, minor change.
All day, every day, major change.
She will always be my little girl, but today; she is a little less of that, and a little more of a big girl. She belongs more to the world now, and a little less to us.
She wore a uniform, minor change.
All day, every day, major change.
She will always be my little girl, but today; she is a little less of that, and a little more of a big girl. She belongs more to the world now, and a little less to us.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Cuz Shelby "Tagged" me
A~attached or single~ attached
B~best friend~Wife, Alan, Greg
C~cake or pie~ French's Bakery White Cake with Strawberry Filling or Dutch Apple Pie (Tie)
D~day of choice~ Friday
E~essential item~ Family
F~favorite color~ Red
G~gummi bears or worms~ bears
H~hometown~ Granada Hills, CA
I~indulgences~ Hunting and Fishing Trips
J~january or july~ July
K~kids~ 2 a 7 yr old boy and a 6 year old girl
L~life in incomplete without~ friends and family
M~marriage date~ 03/01/01
N~number of siblings~ 1 sister
O~oranges or apples~ oranges
P~phobias or fears~no irrational ones
Q~quotes~ bite me
R~reason to smile~ My family
S~season~ Christmas/Winter time
T~tag someone else~ yeah right.
U~unknown fact about me~ I have John Denver songs on my Ipod
V~vegetarian or meat eater~ Top of the food chain for a reason.
W~worst habit~ not cleaning up my stuff
X~ x-rays or ultrasounds~ makes no difference, so long as it doesn't involve barium and a tube
Y~your favorite food~ Steak and Ice Cream, not together
Z~zodiac sign~Gemini
B~best friend~Wife, Alan, Greg
C~cake or pie~ French's Bakery White Cake with Strawberry Filling or Dutch Apple Pie (Tie)
D~day of choice~ Friday
E~essential item~ Family
F~favorite color~ Red
G~gummi bears or worms~ bears
H~hometown~ Granada Hills, CA
I~indulgences~ Hunting and Fishing Trips
J~january or july~ July
K~kids~ 2 a 7 yr old boy and a 6 year old girl
L~life in incomplete without~ friends and family
M~marriage date~ 03/01/01
N~number of siblings~ 1 sister
O~oranges or apples~ oranges
P~phobias or fears~no irrational ones
Q~quotes~ bite me
R~reason to smile~ My family
S~season~ Christmas/Winter time
T~tag someone else~ yeah right.
U~unknown fact about me~ I have John Denver songs on my Ipod
V~vegetarian or meat eater~ Top of the food chain for a reason.
W~worst habit~ not cleaning up my stuff
X~ x-rays or ultrasounds~ makes no difference, so long as it doesn't involve barium and a tube
Y~your favorite food~ Steak and Ice Cream, not together
Z~zodiac sign~Gemini
Paige's Night Out
I know that I haven't finished writing about the Fishing trip, and I missed the 4th of July too. But tht's what happens when you have to go into the hospital for surgery, a few things slip through the cracks. I'll post about those things later...
Paige, and he mom, are heading to the Honda Center tonight with some friends and neighbors to see The Jonas Brothers. Paige really has no idea what she is in for but her friend Abby Goad is going so Paige thinks it must be cool to get to go. Honestly, Paige will go to the Honda Center anytime just so she can get something from the Dessert cart.
Our next door neighbor Susan is taking her daughter, and her daughters friends to the show too. Meghan and her friends all made shirts to wear tonight, and they made Paige one too.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Trip
Last Monday Trey and I left on a 5 day camping trip in the Eastern Sierras. We went thanks to the invitation of a good friend of mine who had made this trip the previous year with some other friends of his and their sons. Prior to this trip Trey thought camping meant parking the Motor Home at an RV park, so this was a new experience for him, and we were looking forward to it with much anticipation.
Leaving day finally arrived and at 6:00 AM on Monday the 23rd the little man came bounding into my room and said "Is it time to go yet" and so off we went. We had to go over to my office hitch up the tent trailer and finish our packing. Right as we were done with that we got a phone call from Mom who was shocked to find out that we were out of the house by the time everyone else had woken up. I had set a goal for an 8:00 departure, but it was her feeling that she would be forcing us out the door at 10:00. Boy was she suprised. Once we were packed up and hitched up we returned home for goodbye hugs and then we set off from home at 8:20 and headed for the East Fork Campground in the Inyo National Forest.
It's a long drive, about 337 miles according to the GPS. Trey found a few different ways to pass the time.
Leaving day finally arrived and at 6:00 AM on Monday the 23rd the little man came bounding into my room and said "Is it time to go yet" and so off we went. We had to go over to my office hitch up the tent trailer and finish our packing. Right as we were done with that we got a phone call from Mom who was shocked to find out that we were out of the house by the time everyone else had woken up. I had set a goal for an 8:00 departure, but it was her feeling that she would be forcing us out the door at 10:00. Boy was she suprised. Once we were packed up and hitched up we returned home for goodbye hugs and then we set off from home at 8:20 and headed for the East Fork Campground in the Inyo National Forest.
It's a long drive, about 337 miles according to the GPS. Trey found a few different ways to pass the time.
Me, I just drove. The drive up was very uneventful. The only excitement we had was watching a water dropping helicopter fly up and down Highway 395 while fighting a fire near Kennedy Meadows. We could actually see some of the "Hot Spots" from the Highway. Gas in Lone Pine ($5.19 a gallon for Diesel!!); Carl's Jr. and and ice in Bishop and we pulled into the campground at around 2:30.
Mark and Andre had already set up their tent in space 88, and had managed to save space 90 for us, so we backed the trailer in, unhitched and set up our home for the week.
The next morning, Tuesday, we headed up to the Rock Creek Lake Resort store to rent a boat for the day so we could do some fishing.
When we got on the water we noticed that there was a great deal of fishing going on very near the boat dock. So. after getting the slightly tempermental engine on our boat going, we went no further than 100 yards from the dock and dropped the anchor in about 6 feet of water (good thing to, because the anchor lines on the boats are probably only 25 feet long). The water was "gin clear" and cold to the touch.
We had heard that "Flourescent Red Power Bait" was the hot ticket, and I wanted Trey to catch his first fish, so I rigged up one of my rods and his rod with a slider, swivel, some leader, and a treble hook; placed a gob of bait on each of them them and cast them out. I handed Trey a pole and went to work on stringing my other pole with a lure. After a short time he said "I got one" and eagerly reeled in his line. The only thing on it was the bait. I explained to him how fisheman have to have some patience ( a line he would repeat back to me later in the week when I asked him to do something a little quicker than he was) and he cast his line out again.
About that time I noticed my pole bending up and down, so I told him to put his down and grab mine and reel. He did and was rewarded with his first ever fully self hooked trout, the smile on his face was absolutely priceless.
I love the second picture in that series. The one where I told him to reach in and pick up the fish and hold it. He thought about it, and then asked if I could just take a picture of it in the net. I was smiling and laughing so hard that I did, but I cut his face out, which is what picture three is. I finally got him to hold up the fish, after I put it on the stringer.
Notice the "walkie-talkie" in his left hand. We could see Mark and Andre fishing on the shore, and they had the other one and Trey could not wait to tell Andre about his fish.
More to come later. but I wanted to get these pictures up now....
Friday, February 15, 2008
Love is...
So, it's late on a Thursday evening, but the kids have no school the next day. It's past bedtime but I (we) let them stay up and watch a little Noggin. Paige falls asleep in the sofa in about 8 minutes. I carry her up to bed, and go back downstairs to check on Trey. He's sitting watching TV, not paying attention to anything else. So, I go in the pantry and get out the hot air popper.
Sneak to the kitchen, melt some Nucoa and turn on the popper. Wham-o into the kitchen comes a manic 6 year old, eyes as wide as saucers and a look of bewilderment on his face. "POPCORN?!?!" he shouts. As I nod yes, his face breaks into one of the the biggest grins I've ever seen. He blurts "Man am I ever lucky to be up this late" and then he breaks into a happy dance that looked sort of Snoopy dancing to Vince Guaraldi.
So, we're chilling on the floor and asks for some cold apple juice. I stand up and think "I know what would make his night" so, instead of apple juice I head to the garage fridge and grab 2 diet 7-ups. I come back in, hold up the can and say "Will this do?" and he just giggles and nods yes. It was like I had offered him the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. He stits down next to the popcorn bowl, with his soda and says "man, this is the life".
Later we had climbed up into the recliner and a little girl came on tv. Someone off camera asked her what love was. Her reply was something to the effect of it's when you like someone more than anyone else. The narrator asks like whom, and she replies with the usual "My mom, My dad, My sister......" Then Trey looks at me and tells me she's wrong. I asked him why does he think she is wrong to which he replied "because that's not what love is". So while sountracks of 1980's pop rock ballads burn through the syanpses in my brain He replies...
"Love is when you really want to kiss somebody"
"
Sneak to the kitchen, melt some Nucoa and turn on the popper. Wham-o into the kitchen comes a manic 6 year old, eyes as wide as saucers and a look of bewilderment on his face. "POPCORN?!?!" he shouts. As I nod yes, his face breaks into one of the the biggest grins I've ever seen. He blurts "Man am I ever lucky to be up this late" and then he breaks into a happy dance that looked sort of Snoopy dancing to Vince Guaraldi.
So, we're chilling on the floor and asks for some cold apple juice. I stand up and think "I know what would make his night" so, instead of apple juice I head to the garage fridge and grab 2 diet 7-ups. I come back in, hold up the can and say "Will this do?" and he just giggles and nods yes. It was like I had offered him the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. He stits down next to the popcorn bowl, with his soda and says "man, this is the life".
Later we had climbed up into the recliner and a little girl came on tv. Someone off camera asked her what love was. Her reply was something to the effect of it's when you like someone more than anyone else. The narrator asks like whom, and she replies with the usual "My mom, My dad, My sister......" Then Trey looks at me and tells me she's wrong. I asked him why does he think she is wrong to which he replied "because that's not what love is". So while sountracks of 1980's pop rock ballads burn through the syanpses in my brain He replies...
"Love is when you really want to kiss somebody"
"
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Superdelegates or the Supreme Court
There has been lots of talk lately about the "Superdelegates" of the Democratic Party and the effect that they may have on the upcoming Democratic Convention. It seems to me that allowing these people to make up their own minds about who should be president is the equivalent of allowing the Supreme Court to make it's own decisions in the 2000 race, and we all know how that turned out.
MSNBC has an article on the Superdelegates here. You can sign a petition asking the "Superdelegates" to support the Popular Vote Winner here.
MSNBC has an article on the Superdelegates here. You can sign a petition asking the "Superdelegates" to support the Popular Vote Winner here.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
As the title implies...
As the title implies, any and all ramblings posted here may seem to be Purely Pointless to some.
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