#1959, Tuesday, October 31: Still chilling

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Post 1959, Day 304 of 2017
- 2,496 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I continue doing the minimum: eat, sleep, watch a little TV. I never made it out the door of my apartment today, even though I had planned to go to an open mic or two.

I am pretty much caught up on TV - my DVR is depleted, except for some watch it someday recordings.

The next couple of days will see a return to my more typical schedule (not much different: More chores, more out-of-the-apartment stuff, more playing. Tomorrow, for instance, I am expecting a package I have to sign for, so I'll have to be awake in the morning, without my headphones on.

Then I have some grocery shopping to do.

Then a rehearsal with I am Fool. And after, an open mic: Shifty's, one of my favorites.

If I can pull all that off, it will be a very successful day for me.

My wonderful life. Living in gratitude.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/30/17):          204.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.9 lbs.

Diet Comment

That's more like it - one week after my trip to LA, I have lost more than half the weight I gained.

Food Log

Breakfast
6:15pm: Cauliflower, prosciutto and Quorn (mushroom-based meat substitute) casserole with chia seeds and hemp seeds in tomato-basil pasta sauce.

Lunch
8:45pm: A Quest bar.

Dinner
11:45pm: Walnuts with two squares (ounces) of sugar-free dark chocolate, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 74+ oz.; 

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#1958, Monday, October 30: The lazy man's way

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Post 1958, Day 303 of 2017
- 2,495 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

After Friday night's successful gig, I took most of the weekend 'off'. Just vegged out, for the most part, until Sunday night, when I went out to play at Rooters, like so many, many Sundays since I moved to Syracuse.

I made a sizable dent in my TV/DVR backlog, but basically, between one-in-the-morning Friday and eight-in-the-evening Sunday, I slept. I prepped and ate some food, I watched some TV, spent time on the computer, slept, and... Not much else.

What I did not do was anything I didn't want, even while also not doing some things (going to hear live music, talking to friends, see a movie; shit, even meditating) that I did want to do.

And I didn't do any chores, although many, many need doing.

I think of it as laziness. It is the path of no resistance. I'm mostly fine with it, even though I miss things (like a clean and orderly living space) that I would enjoy.

But for me the balance never tips to doing things (housework) I don't enjoy. At some point, it will, unless I die first. Not being morbid, but I really don't know which order (no pun intended) my cleaning my apartment and my death are coming in. I'm guessing I'll do it before I die, but nobody knows the future, LOL!

Still, my life seems golden, and I am not feeling the pressure of a bunch of things I should do. For which, I'm nothing but grateful.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/27/17):          205.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

I admit it - I wanted a better result than I got at today's weigh-in. On the other hand, any weekend that doesn't leave me with a gain is a good one.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:45pm, at CoreLife Eatery:

Tuna poke salad with: Kale, cabbage, spinach, cucumber, carrots, scallions, ginger, edamame, avocado, tuna poke, sesame seeds, walnuts and miso-sesame dressing. Not shown: A cup of chicken bone broth.

Lunch
7:30pm: A Quest bar.

Dinner
11:45pm: Walnuts and shaved parmesan cheese, carrots and goat cheese, celery and guacamole, two squares (ounces) of sugar-free dark chocolate, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#1957, Friday, October 27: Not much to say...

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Post 1957, Day 300 of 2017
- 2,492 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today I bought some stocks and options, took care of my vacation laundry and played a gig with Scuba Gear at Abbott's Village Tavern in Marcellus.

I've played there before, but never had such a good time. Everything was nice and loose and relaxed, and we all had a good time. I thought, this night, Scuba Gear is a really good band, and I told the other three members how I felt.

I felt the bar was a bit friendlier, too.

I'm grateful, so grateful, for how things are.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      205.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/26/17):          207.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 2.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

Look at that chart! My short-term goal is to come back from the weekend even lighter, although tonight's dinner is the opposite of a good start on that.

Food Log

Breakfast
3:55pm: Bacon and eggs and a chopped salad (red cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, goat cheese, walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
12:15am, at Abbott's Village Tavern: Burger (huge!) on a bun with bleu cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and sweet potato fries.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 48+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey.

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#1956, Thursday, October 26: Supplement fail

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Post 1956, Day 299 of 2017
- 2,491 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Life goes back to normal. Today, Modern Mudd rehearsal, then the open mic at the InsideOut Tavern.

I played, had a good time, but left early - not feeling quite right, and before I got home the source of my discomfort became obvious, and then a near-emergency: I needed to shit, and almost did, in my pants, as I rushed into my apartment. Thank goodness, I made it and experienced immediate relief with no further problems.

I believe this 'emergency' was due to the resumption of the Dr. Gundry products, which I've been using for almost two months, but stopped for my California trip.

So I invoked the 'full refund' clause.

I don't think the products are bad, but I don't think I need what they have, as long as I'm eating right. And, I endeavor to do at all times, just without creating so much rigidity that I feel guilty when I 'cheat' (and I try to contain the cheat to once a week and special occasions (like holidays or travel).

I'd rather have diarrhea than constipation, but things were pretty easy and on-track before I started taking the Gundry supplements.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      207.7 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/25/17):          209.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 2.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Weight dropping as fast as I gained it! We'll see how long that lasts.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:40pm: Green-blue protein smoothie with coconut-almond milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (24g protein), coconut oil, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, celery, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla extract, Dr. Gundry's Vital Reds and PrebioticThrive and stevia-inulin blend. And an ounce of sugar-free dark chocolate.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
11:30pm: Walnuts with shaved parmesan cheese and an ounce of sugar-free dark chocolate.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#1955, Wednesday, October 25: Back, and picking up where I left off

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Post 1955, Day 298 of 2017
- 2,490 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today was 'getting back on the horse' day.

It was a day for grocery shopping, picking up held mail, refilling a prescription, band practice and an open mic.

Do I need to say that it was a great feeling? It most certainly was.

Scuba Gear band practice was excellent: Productive and fun.

The open mic was special because I got to see a few folks I hadn't seen in a while, and after a rather mundane set as leader, I got to close the night jamming with one of those guys I hadn't seen lately, and it was a full-on blowing session. Off the hook.

It's good to be back, and I'm grateful for all the good things in my life here.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      209.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/24/17):          210.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

On the road back to two hundred pounds now.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:50pm:

Kale, spinach and goat cheese omelet (with onions and peppers, chia seeds) and 3 pieces (not 4) of bacon. Not shown: 2 1-ounce pieces of sugar-free dark chocolate.

Lunch
10:20pm Prosciutto, walnuts and parmesan cheese. A one-ounce piece of sugar-free dark chocolate.

Dinner
1:25am: Two one-ounce pieces of sugar-free dark chocolate.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey.

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#1954, Tuesday, October 24: Back from LA, heavier

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Post 1954, Day 297 of 2017
- 2,489 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I had a wonderful time in California. I met a few new people, visited some old friends and just had the best time with my son Alex and his girlfriend Stacy.

Very little could have been improved. I wish Alex had gotten some time off, but the time we had together, but the weekends and all the evenings (except one) were quality time.

The one thing that really could have been better was the AirBnB guesthouse I rented. For one thing, there was no pool, just a lot of construction where the pool had been. In fact, the exterior was pretty much engulfed in a construction site, and very unappealing. The interior was very clean and modern, but missing some appointments that were needed - like a table and chairs for dining, some usable pots and pans (not the cheap flaking aluminum non-stick that was there - I throw out pans in better condition), and some kind of drawers - there was no place to unpack anything that didn't hang, and most of my stuff stayed in my suitcase the whole time.

This disappointment only amounted to two things: I wouldn't be making my own breakfasts (which was a plan I had), and I couldn't lounge by the pool.

In other words, I wasn't really put out at all. Nothing slowed me down or brought me down.

I went to my favorite museum, the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. I saw a couple of films. I ate every meal at a different restaurant the whole visit, and had nothing less than great food every day. I went to my favorite museum, the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. I saw a couple of films. I ate every single meal at a different restaurant, and had great food every day.

I got to jam with my friend Frank Stepanek (on tour with Black Uhuru, we only had one day in LA together) at a rehearsal studio with some LA musician-friends of his, and Alex got to see it. Yes, I'm bragging: It was a great jam.

I got to see Alex perform on stage for the first time since high school, too! He was asked to do a small part (although he has the first and last lines of the show) a week before its one and only night of performances. The show was fun, he was great, everybody had a good time, and the two performances were sold out. The after-party was fun, too. It's a part of LA I hadn't personally seen before, a disco that normally hosts a drag show.

I think my summary is tepid, compared to the way I felt and how much fun I had. I'm so grateful!

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      210.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/12/17):          202.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 8.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

As bad as the chart looks now, it is better than I expected, although worse than what I expected. I ate every single meal out, and restaurant eating is bad for weight control. I'd thought that renting the guesthouse would allow me to prep and eat meals at home, but the furnishings didn't really permit any part of that plan to be executed. Daily improvement begins today - I am probably less than two weeks from losing all the weight gained in the last two weeks.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:50pm: A Quest bar.

Lunch
7:00pm A chopped salad: red cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, goat cheese, walnuts, prosciutto, creamy balsamic vinaigrette. Sugar-free dark chocolate.

Dinner
12:05am: Carrots and home-made mayonnaise. Prosciutto and parmesan cheese. Sugar-free dark chocolate.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 80+ oz.; 

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#1953, Thursday, October 12: Another vacation from my vacation

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Post 1953, Day 285 of 2017
- 2,477 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today's doctor's visit was pretty interesting.

He reviewed the results of my bloodwork, and clapped his hands and started to laugh. They were fantastic. Every single one had improved to or remained in the normal range. Every single one.

He extended my time between visits to six months.

We talked about my need for shots before Thailand - I only need one, the typhoid vaccination.

He said if I party with young girls to be careful not to bring back anything he couldn't fix.

So I'm very healthy.

Tomorrow I'm on my way to LA in the morning. I have some vague plans to see some old friends, Alex has some actual plans for me. But it is still all very exciting, I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with my boy.

I'll be back a week from Monday. 'Bye 'til then!

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      202.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/11/17):          200.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 1.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

Oh, damn! I knew this was coming after I let myself get so hungry at the gig last night that when I was offered dinner, I took what was offered, and cleaned my plate. And that was after a few handfuls of popcorn from the bar while I waited, and before dessert.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:50pm: A giant salad of chard, kale, spinach, shaved parmesan cheese, walnuts and turkey breast.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
12:45am: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 54+ oz.; 

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#1952, Wednesday, October 11: Scrambled

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Post 1952, Day 284 of 2017
- 2,476 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

All the excitement has been about getting ready to go to LA Friday morning.

And tonight's gig in Utica.

And the return from the Dominican Republic of my friend and travel-partner Darren.

And Thailand in January.

And my doctor's visit tomorrow - I just got my blood test results back - best I can remember.

My mind is over-stimulated, scrambled with stuff, and I'm losing the details.

As grateful as I am for all the good stuff going on around me, and I am, there's discomfort in this over-stimulation.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      200.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/10/17):          200.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

OK, this is an acceptable result, especially considering all the cheese I ate last night, but I really wrecked my diet at dinner today, so... uh-oh! I'm going to miss my goal of being under 200 pounds Friday.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:10pm: A Quest bar and walnuts.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
10:40pm, at Tiny's Grill: Popcorn, coconut-crusted catfish and french fries with cole slaw and pasta salad. Fancy oreo cake. This is what happens when you rush, forget to eat, and get so hungry you take everything that's offered and clean your plate. I am undone. .

Snack
12:45am: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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#1951, Tuesday, October 10: No comment

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Post 1951, Day 283 of 2017
- 2,475 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Nothing today, but it's OK.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      200.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (10/9/17):           200.4 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

At this weight, and with even this tiny loss, I am still confident of losing another half pound to meet my goal of below two hundred by Friday.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:15pm, at CoreLife Eatery:

Tuna poke salad with: Kale, cabbage, spinach, cucumber, carrots, scallions, ginger, edamame, avocado, tuna poke, sesame seeds, walnuts and miso-sesame dressing.

Lunch
10:15pm: A Quest bar.

Dinner
12:15am: Walnuts and shaved parmesan and Dubliner cheeses.

Snack
12:45am: A Quest bar and shaved parmesan cheese.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 68+ oz.; 

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