#1604, Monday, February 29: Leap day!

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Post 1604, Day 60 of 2016
- 1,886 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Still looking for a new normal.

But not looking too hard.

Over the weekend, most of my activities didn't involve 'normal' things I would do on a recurring basis.

For instance: Getting my held mail at the post office, because it wasn't delivered and service restarted on Friday, per my request; or, doing my taxes (I got my final 1099 in the held mail); or hosting an open mic.

I wouldn't mind hosting an open mic regularly, and have in the past, but I don't see that happening.

There are, however, things that I want to do regularly, like practicing/learning guitar and upright bass; meditating; exercising; and apartment cleaning.

I haven't gotten around to these things so far in this brief retirement (I've been retired for four weeks now, and spent a week-and-a-half on vacation, doing nothing normal).

Why? No idea - except the thought that I might be kidding myself about what I really want to do; maybe I don't want to do all these things as much as I want to hang out online or watch TV.

If that's the case, I might need to change my thinking, because I'd rather be someone who spends his time doing all the things I've said I want to, and not the things I've been doing instead.

Maybe I'll start tomorrow.

Leap day thoughts.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   200.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/26):           204.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  4.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

I knew once I got back to my normal, non-vacation eating habits I would quickly drop some of the weight gain, and even with Friday's excess liquor consumption, and a not totally strict weekend, The correction is nearly complete.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
Green protein shake with almond-coconut milk, kefir, extra-large organic egg, chia gel, kale, whey powder (36g protein), almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, celery, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, and stevia-inulin blend.


Dinner
Kimchee, roast beef rollups with micro-greens and Philippe's famous hot mustard, melted cheese on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain bread, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 1;  Coffee:  30 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz. 

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#1603, Friday, February 26: Back, happy

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Post 1603, Day 57 of 2016
- 1,883 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I am back from a wonderful vacation. Care-free, one-hundred-eighty degrees from my normal life here in Syracuse.

I went fishing nearly every day (last two days were too windy). I even caught some fish (everything I caught was eaten), including a few pretty sheepshead, that I had never seen (or eaten) before.

Fishing put me out on the Orange River, with its mangrove islands, dolphins coming right up to the boat to play, and spectacular variety and presence of sea-fowl; or on the beach, with its peace and tranquility, and slow-slow-slow pace. That's a lot of quality time spent outdoors, more than I ever spend outdoors back home, and I relished every minute of it!

I spent one morning, more than four hours, managing the transfer of my 401K plan to my Rollover IRA, which included rebalancing my existing portfolio, and adding some new stocks and funds, as well as updating the spreadsheet I use to track my investments. It was to do this that I brought down my MacBook Pro.

Mission accomplished and although it demanded a lot of concentration, fun!

I got to jam one night, too. Nothing great, but still fun!

The eating was spectacular! Not only is Marco a spectacularly good fisherman, he is a chef. Not just a good cook, but someone who has managed the kitchen in restaurants. That boy can burn!

Along the way, I did wreck my diet. Lots of beer, consuming more in ten days than the past ten years (not including the last time I visited). Marco also eats a lot of grain, including a lot of refined white flour products. But as his guest, and with a supply of Quest bars to ensure I got enough protein (which was never a problem by the end of the day, but breakfasts were too often all bread/pastry affairs), I ate a sandwich almost every day, for instance.

Weight gain was inevitable, given the off-plan eating and extra exercise I got (appetite stimulant, muscle (bulk) enhancement).

No regrets, though. Nothing but love!

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   204.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/16):           198.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   +  6.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

I ate extraordinarily well over the past ten days. I had some of the best fish I've ever eaten, including some I caught myself. I also drank more beer than the preceding two years combined. I also ate more carbs, especially refined carbs, than the total over the last three months. Hence, an average half-pound-a-day weight gain. Coming back, that weight will come off, as I return to documenting what I eat, and eat according to my plan. Tonight, I never got my order in at my gig before the kitchen closed, so I ended up eating Quest bars.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
At Core Grains, Greens and Broth:

Chicken broth bowl: with kale, baby spinach, grilled chicken, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, black beans, ginger. Not shown: A large macadamia nut cookie.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Dinner
Two Quest bars.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2;  Coffee:  0 oz.;  Water: 56+ oz. Plus 3 or 4 shots of NY Regional whiskey

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#1602, Tuesday, February 16: Gone Fishing

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Post 1602, Day 47 of 2016
- 1,873 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I had a nice conversation with Andy, I got ready for my trip tomorrow morning (very, very eaerly), I did a little cleaning, picked up my new guitar from the luthier, where it got a thorough and professional setup.

There was every crappy form of frozen water to deal with: ice, slush, and snow (falling)."

It will be seventy degrees and sunny when I get off the jet around lunchtime.

Have a great week or so. I'll be back in time for a three-night-in-a-row weekend of gigs. Until then, "Gone fishin'."

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   198.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/15):           198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Light eating yesterday, not much of a loss, pretty much the same, but... No gain!

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
Green protein shake with almond-coconut milk, kefir, extra-large organic egg, chia gel, kale, whey powder (36g protein), almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, celery, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, and stevia-inulin blend.

Dinner

Omelet with peppers, onion, greens, cheese and bacon. Not shown: celery with home-made mayonnaise, Ezekiel 4:19 Flax bread, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2;  Coffee:  22 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.

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#1601, Monday, February 15: First real day of retirement

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Post 1601, Day 46 of 2016
- 1,872 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Up until today, when asked "How does your retirement feel?", I have answered, "Like a permanent weekend" or "Like being on vadation."

In other words, I was still defining my retired life in relation to a job. But the job didn't exist.

So it felt less real.

Today, I was active. Today I did things that I imagine I will do every day going forward, and a couple of things that will enable things I intend to do, going forward.

I did some housework. I took my new jazz guitar for a professional setup. I did some grocery shopping. I started packing for my vacation.

Wait a minute. Can I have vacations in retirement? Not really, I think. So let's make that: I did some preliminary packing for a trip I am taking to visit Marco and Sophie in Florida Wednesday.

And I did what I did without feeling rushed.

I think I may be getting some rhythm back in my life.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/12):           199.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Lost a pound over the weekend. Yeah, me!

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
Green protein shake with almond-coconut milk, kefir, extra-large organic egg, chia gel, kale, whey powder (36g protein), almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, celery, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, and stevia-inulin blend.

Dinner
Salmon salad. A chopped salad with kale, spinach, chard, feta cheese, bacon and balsamic vinaigrette. A Quest bar for dessert.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2;  Coffee:  28 oz.;  Water: 56+ oz.

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#1600, Friday, February 12: Hard Day's Night

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Post 1600, Day 43 of 2016
- 1,869 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Tonight I went against all my instincts - except one - and drove forty-five minutes to Oswego to play a gig with I am Fool.

Normally, this would be completely consistent with all my feelings, ideals and beliefs. Playing music I love to play with people I love. Doesn't get much better. But...

The weather forecast was downright scary. Sometime during the evening, we'd be seeing snow and high winds, up there on the banks of Lake Ontario. And bitter cold temperatures, with the high winds making a wind-chill factor of something like thirty-to-forty degrees below zero.

Everything about that forecast screamed, "Don't go!" The mitigating factor was an unusually early eight-to-eleven pm schedule for the gig. That meant, there was a possibility of getting out before things got really bad.

I get very frightened by the prospect of having to drive in a snowstorm.

And then I thought, the car's in good shape. Four friends are depending on you. It's the first gig at a club that believes in the band, without having heard us play - they booked us for four gigs this winter, tonight being the first. And, fear comes from living in the future. It'll be fine, I decided. I mean, Music!

The drive up was easy. Cold, a little windy, roads were clear. Load-in, was problem-free.

By the end of the first set (with zero customers in the bar), it was snowing hard. By the end of the second set, it was still snowing hard, but horizontal. The winds had kicked in.

Which is when people started showing up! I knew it was going to be okay when a guy in a Philadelphia Flyers hockey jersey and shorts started shoveling the path, and laying down salt.

Oswego. Best snow-town party people around.

So, load-out was a bit of a bear, it was cold and snowing and windy and cold. We had to push Tami's car to get it on the road. The drive home was slow, very slow, but accepting that, not too scary. But this is the kind of thing that brings friends closer together.

And, you know, Music!

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   199.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/11):           200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  0.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

No change is fine with me today.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch

Omelet with peppers, onion, greens, cheese and bacon.

Dinner
A little popcorn and birthday cake.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2;  Coffee:  24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz. And a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey, neat.

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#1599, Thursday, February 11: Weekend syndrome

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Post 1599, Day 42 of 2016
- 1,868 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I don't know what to write about.

The discipline of a work schedule stimulated me in a way that so far, I can't replace.

This Daily Comment section may be destined to catalog my activities, which doesn't interest me much.

Thus far in my retirement, my activities themselves haven't inspired any thoughts to write.

This feels like writer's block. Since I rarely, almost never wrote about work, and since no new activities have been added since my birthday party, what is it about work that stimulated topics to write about? I don't know.

I think there's a transition going on - a door has opened, and I haven't gone all the way through.

Part of the answer may be that "every day feels like a weekend" feeling - weekends are when I don't write Daily Comments.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/10):           201.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  1.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

Nice loss! What a great start to the year, right?

Food Log

Breakfast
Green protein shake with almond-coconut milk, kefir, extra-large organic egg, chia gel, kale, whey powder (36g protein), almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch

Roasted turkey breast chopped salad: shaved Parmesan cheese, baby kale, baby spinach, chard, cole slaw mix and balsamic vinaigrette. And a Quest bar for dessert.

Dinner
Cheeseburger with guacamole and salsa and a Quest bar.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 1;  Coffee:  24 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz. 

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#1598, Wednesday, February 10: Boring retirement

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Post 1598, Day 41 of 2016
- 1,867 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

One thing that's different now that I'm retired is that I feel less inclined to go out.

I think, so far, I've been indulging in my dislike for all cold weather and snow. When that's what's going on, I take any alternative to subjecting myself to that weather.

And what do I do with my time, now? Nothing much. I've watched some movies, and a few series I follow.

I've kept up with my chores, if not exactly advanced on the clean apartment front.

I am enjoying not doing what I don't want to do, a lot.

And even while living on Cripple Creek here, I have a vacation coming up next week - a week in South Daytona with my friend Marco and his family.

I'm sorry if it doesn't make for the most interesting Daily Comments. So it goes.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   201.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/9):            200.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   +  1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

This is closer to what I've been expecting. Also, quinoa and lentils and almond butter might contain too many carbs eaten in close proximity.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
At Core Grains, Greens and Broth:

Chicken Cobb salad (shredded kale and romaine, grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, hard-cooked egg and blue cheese dressing with a little sriracha). Not shown: A cup of chicken bone broth.

Snack
Roast beef with Philippe's Famous Hot Mustard and cole slaw and a Quest bar.

Dinner
Sriracha chicken breast and a Quest bar.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2;  Coffee:  0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz. 

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#1597, Tuesday, February 9: The limited freedom to do, vs. unlimited freedom to not do

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Post 1597, Day 40 of 2016
- 1,866 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today feels like the first actual day of retirement.

I woke up early, even though no alarm was set. I lay about in bed for awhile, doing computer and online stuff.

I had an appointment at Noon to do a video testimonial for the Collision shop that was so great about fixing my car before Christmas.

Which I nailed in one take.

And that left me time to do some housecleaning, a load of laundry (single guy, one load) and catch up on some TV.

This retired life isn't too bad! It looks a lot like my weekends used to.

Anyway, we were supposed to rehearse, but a couple of people weren't feeling well. That opened the door for me to play at some open mics I would have missed.

But it started to snow.

So I watched a little TV, did a little more computer work (I guess I need to explore my computer activities in a Daily Comment sometime, so you'll better understand).

The freedom from having to do things I don't want to do is pretty mighty, even though my freedom to do what I do want is limited by available resources and social priorities.

But even within the limited amount of freedom to take action, and the unlimited freedom to not take action, I'm feeling freer than ever before in my life.

Of course, I'm grateful.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   200.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/8):            199.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   +  0.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

I'm surprised at how slowly weight is coming back up, with my appetite fully restored after being sick for 5 days.

Food Log

Breakfast
Green protein shake with almond-coconut milk, kefir, extra-large organic egg, chia gel, kale, whey powder (36g protein), almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
Roast beef with Philippe's Famous Hot Mustard and cole slaw with feta cheese.

Dinner

Beef with Creole sauce and quinoa with lentils. A Quest bar for dessert.

Snack
A Quest bar and almond butter - a lot of almond butter.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2;  Coffee:  0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz. 

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#1596, Monday, February 8: Weekend recap

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Post 1596, Day 39 of 2016
- 1,865 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

A lot happened on the weekend. Sadly, I was under the weather for most of it.

I was still feeling sick Saturday, although markedly improved. I stayed in bed late, and didn't really go out until it was time for the gig.

The venue was the Flat Iron Grill, where I had played before with Bradshaw Blues and been the house bass player for open mic night for almost three months. A known quantity for me, and a place where I am pretty well-liked.

I was set up first and early. With some time to spare, I drank some Core chicken broth I'd picked up on the way. And bought a square on the Super Bowl board.

Helping with the band setup, I got hot. Sweaty hot, just sitting there at the bar. So, hat off. Jacket off. I'm in a tee-shirt, and my hair is sweat-wet. Uh-oh!

I played most of the night sitting on a bar stool. But, as the night wore on, I actually began to feel better! The healing power of music! Ultimately, the night was a complete success for the band. The audience danced, whistled, applauded, cheered. The owner stayed to the end, and I'd never seen him take any interest in the music before.

Sunday was a good day, too. I felt better than I had since I began feeling sick. I went to a monthly jam in the afternoon - I didn't play, I just wanted to see my friends there, and represent. Good time.

Then it was time to take my place as house bass at Rooters open mic. This is ground zero for me in Syracuse. The very first place I went to meet other musicians. Whatever else I've done in the music community, the roots are right there.

To my delight, the emphasis wasn't on the Super Bowl, but on blues saxophone ace Dugan Henhawk, a wonderful guy who happens also to be a great storyteller, vocalist and comic. It was his birthday. And there was a big food spread laid out, much better than a Super Bowl party (I'm not much into Super Bowls in the last forty years or so, but I do enjoy Super Bowl parties. I'm still glad this was a birthday party.

The night went well, although there was a paucity of jammers, and no other bass players, so I worked hard.

At the end of the night, after loading out, helping everybody else pack up, and getting paid, I turned my phone back on to discover I had one $500 from that Super Bowl board square I'd bought - and forgotten about.

Even my disinterest pays off. Still the luckiest guy I know.

Monday was a recovery day. A take-it-easy day. (Anybody else see a trend?) I rolled out of bed around Noon (I'd been awake by eight-thirty, but I do a lot of computer work in bed) and went to have lunch and pick up my winnings at the Flat Iron. Dave, the owner, had also won, but all he wanted to talk about was how much he'd liked I am Fool. Music to my ears.

I told him how much I liked the Flat Iron, the staff, and the meat loaf. Then I turned to a quite-good steak salad, and had a good conversation with the bartender, who looked like he was about fourteen years old, but was actually quite easy to talk with... Oh, sorry, bartender cliche. But still true.

From there, I did a little grocery shopping, deposited my winnings in the bank. Then I went and fired my friend Vince, the booking agent who'd gotten us that Flat Iron gig.

I was acting as the messenger for I am Fool in this case, but that wasn't easy. The band had decided that some negatives in regard to Vince's business, and an initial bad commission arrangement, meant they needed to separate from him. I didn't disagree, but thought there should be a negotiation, rather than a firing. However, I presented the situation in a straightforward way, honestly, and listened. He didn't like it, but given they the personal relationship he and I have is not affected, and I refused to let it be in play, it went well.

We're cool.

Still, that pretty much ended my day.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   199.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/5):            198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   +  0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Less gain than I was expecting.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
At the Flat Iron Grill:

Flat Iron Steak salad (mixed greens, Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, crumbly blue, bacon, candied pecans and craisins with blue cheese dressing).

Dinner

Beef with Creole sauce and broccoli. A Quest bar for dessert.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 0;  Coffee:  16 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz. 

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#1595, Friday, February 5: Sick day three, but better

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Post 1595, Day 36 of 2016
- 1,862 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I am still sick. But this afternoon I began feeling better. Thank you, CORE chicken bone broth.

I went out to pick up my lunch, and then later for a few minutes on an errand. I cancelled plans to go out and stayed home, making and eating dinner and a snack.

Resting. I need to feel even better for tomorrow night's gig.

I'm not pushing anything.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (2/4):            199.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   -  1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

More meaningless illness weight loss.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.

Lunch
At Core Greens, Grains & Bone Broth:

Chicken Bone Broth Bowl with grilled chicken, kale, spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, and broccoli.

Snack
Roast beef on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax bread with greens and home-made mayonnaise.

Dinner

Salad made with sriracha chicken, kale, spinach chard, cole slaw mix, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 1;  Coffee:  0 oz.;  Water: 96+ oz. 

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