#2721, Tuesday, August 31, '21: No comment

Post 2721

- 11 years and 243 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.4 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/30/21):         201.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

Fair eating didn't screw me up as much as all yesterday's exercise - the most in years - helped me, so we have a loss, and a reversal in the trend. 

Food Log

Breakfast
1:30pm: A LEO (Lox Eggs Onions), and roasted brussels sproutsj with brewer's yeast.

Lunch
5:45pm: Cottage cheese and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
9:40pm: Vegetarian Sloppy Joe (Quorn Grounds, kale, spinach, Wegman's Grandpa's Sauce) with black bean penne pasta and parmesan cheese.

Liquid Intake

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

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#2720, Monday, August 30, '21: The Fair

Post 2720

- 11 years and 242 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

Today was my 'day at the Fair' - the New York State Fair, held in Syracuse every year - except last year (COVID-19) - at the end of August.

I went for the first time in 2009. It wasn't that much fun for me. I have only gone as a performer since - in other words, I was paid to go. But I only stayed from load-in to load-out.

Until today. 

True, I did have a gig - the same one as last Monday, but with the closing/headlining spot at 8 o'clock, instead of the opening slot at 2, which we had last week. 

However, one of my favorite friends' bands did have the opening slot, and I decided to attend her set and then hang out until my 7pm load-in. Not only that, but I had been asked by BFF Marco to check up on a vendor friend who was set up at the Fair, far from home.

A phone call from my sister-in-law's social caseworker, and then an inconvenient gate closure, made me late, but the call was important, and the gate closure was only inconvenient.

It was great seeing my friends, I got to see the end of the set, and catch up with a couple of band member friends I hadn't seen since before the pandemic. Plus, the day was fabulous, with a beautiful skyscape, and agreeable temperature. 

However, the Fair was still the same one that I had abandoned for lack of interest more than a decade ago, and even though I was determined to go 'native' and eat Fair food, I ended up with a burrito bowl that cost twice as much as a non-Fair trip to Chipotle. And a fresh but disappointingly seasoned 'spicy' fried potato side (the Fair is all about fried food) that was approximately three times as expensive as it should have been.

I consider this self-harm penance for whatever bad things I've done recently. Now I forgive myself.

After getting his number from Marco, I did meet up with Marco's friend Amit. Although his jewelry booth was open, so after a 'welcome' we decided to meet up after my show, and his booth closing. We smoked, he had some excellent Japanese whiskey, I did my old man thing, talking about our mutual friend and some of our fifty-years-ago (glory days) adventures, when I, too, was in the jewelry business.

In the course of looking for Amit, who was quite literally on the opposite side of the Fairgrounds from me, I walked further than I had in years - accumulating more than five miles and more than ten thousand steps. So, that was good.

I'm grateful for these opportunities, even though I will happily, now, wait another ten years for a Fair day.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/27/21):         199.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  2.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

From a diet perspective, this weekend was somewhat of a disaster, beginning with the large quantity of food eaten Friday, and continuing through Saturday's high-carb, high-calorie eating and Sunday's weekly stop at Gannon's Arctic Ice Cream stand. This is a highest weight I've carried in more than three months, so I am definitely going to have to take care this week to get back on track. After today's Fair visit, that is. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: A feta cheese omelet and  overnight oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, kefir, brewer's yeast, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, stevia).

Lunch
At the NY State Fair: Burrito bowl and spicy potato 'chips'. 

Dinner
8:10pm: A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 96+ oz.; 

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#2719, Friday, August 27, '21: Mundane day

Post 2719

- 11 years and 239 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I finished The Four Agreements today. I'm going to start re-reading it tomorrow.

I also went grocery shopping today.

It's Friday, so, at around 4:30pm, I did my weekly portfolio updates. For my two portfolios, it's the end-of-week daily update, but for Marco and Sophie's and Alex's, it's weekly. We all had a good week, investment-wise. 

I watched some of the TV series Mr. Corman, which stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an actor I like - but I can't decide if I like the show or not. 

Most of the day, though, I was on the phone. I had five conversations, the shortest of which was twenty minutes, the longest, over an hour-and-a-half. Sister-in-law, social worker, and three friends.

That's a day. Was it interesting? Not for anybody who wasn't part of it, I think. But it's life. It's my life.

I'm grateful for my life.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/26/21):         199.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Same as yesterday, another weight change that's more or less noise, but trending in the direction I like. 

Food Log

Breakfast
3:00pm: A LEOMP (Lox Eggs Mushrooms Onions Peppers), roasted brussels sprouts, and  oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, Greek yogurt, brewer's yeast, blackberries blueberries, raspberries).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:20pm: Vegetarian Sloppy Joe (Quorn Grounds, Kale, Wegman's Grandpa's Sauce) with parmesan cheese, buttered Flax toast, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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#2718, Thursday, August 26, '21: The Four Questions

Post 2718

- 11 years and 238 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

In October, 2018, I bought a book, The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, that had been recommended to me.

I bought it to take with me for reading on my Winter trip to LA, but forgot about it.

I finally started reading it about a year-and-a-half ago, got halfway through - formed a positive impression but wasn't really engaged - and put it down.

I picked it back up again, looking for something to read before bed. I couldn't pick up the thread from where I'd left off, so decided to start from the beginning. 

That turned out to be a good idea. I responded much more positively to the material the second time through. 

I've reacted to this book differently than anything else I've ever read. In the past, I would sometimes, frequently, identify with a character or a situation. I would read something and it would resonate, feel true with me.

But this is the first time I recall feeling accurately described, seeing thought and behavior portrayed so well. I'll tell you the truth: it was unsettling and exciting. I have things I can learn from this book.

I'm grateful for still having the capacity for learning and surprise.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/25/21):         199.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Another weight change that's more or less noise, not a significant change, although I do appreciate that it's noise, but trending in the direction I want it to. 

Food Log

Breakfast
12:40pm: A LEMO (lox, eggs, mushrooms and onions), and roasted sweet potatoes with olive oil and Everything But the Bagel seasoning, and oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, oat milk, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, stevia).

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Chopped chef's salad (chicken breast, parmesan crisps, walnuts, arugula, beets, cabbage, carrots, chard, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic vinaigrette).

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 2 shots of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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#2717, Wednesday, August 25, '21: No comment

Post 2717

- 11 years and 237 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    199.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/24/21):         200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

Finally, a loss after having the same weight since last Friday. Great! 

Food Log

Breakfast
12:10pm: A LEO (lox, eggs and onions), roasted brussels sprouts, oatmeal with berries (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, almond milk, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, cinnamon, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, stevia).

Lunch
Air-popped popcorn with olive oil and nutritional yeast. 68% dark chocolate. 

Dinner
11:45pm: Celery and peanut butter.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 74+ oz.; a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey.

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#2716, Tuesday, August 24, '21: No comment

Post 2716

- 11 years and 236 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/23/21):         200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Five days at the same weight may be the longest same-weight streak I've ever had! 

Food Log

Breakfast
12:50pm: Scrambled eggs and avocado toast (Flax sprouted grains bread).

Lunch
5:45pm: Chopped chicken salad (chicken breast, chick peas, beets, arugula, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, balsamic vinaigrette). 

Dinner
9:40pm: Celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

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

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Thank you!

#2715, Monday, August 23, '21: Playing the Fair

Post 2715

- 11 years and 235 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I got to play at the New York State Fair today, and it was better than I expected it to be.

Playing with Modern Mudd, a group I play a lot with but refuse to join because the group leader, Big Daddy Vince (which he named himseldf) is an amateurish performer. Also a Trumper, but I let that pass, as it is recent history and I eschew politics.

The problem is, Big Daddy Vince took up performing as a karaoke singer. He has a good voice, pitch- and tone-wise, but no feel, no timing. It makes backing him up difficult. 

He does, when he's not talking politics, have a good rap, and he has managed to attract some good players over the seven or eight years I've known him. In fact, I first got involved with the band from my friendship with his original drummer, who complented BDV by being a weak player with very good timing. 

Anyway, the current lineup is interesting, centering around a fifteen-year-old drummer with great parental support, who will, in all likelihood, be a monster player in the future, and a bunch of other musician friends I enjoy playing with.

Still, musically, I am the strongest player in the group, and, as best I could, I held the show together today. The show was a success. Everybody played well. 

Vince only missed a total of two cues out of four songs he sang (there are three other singers in the group). Old singer joke: How do you tell when Vince is knocking at your door? He doesn't know when to come in.

We thought we'd play for ninety minutes, but we were limited to just under an hour. We got through about half our set list. While I was packing up for loadout, the sound man came over and complimented me on my playing. I thanked him and told him my bass-playing origin story. That made my day.

In a week, we'll do it again, same place, better time slot.

I'm grateful for all my musical adventures and opportunities.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/20/21):         200.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

I made back half of yesterday's one-day weight gain, that's something. Also, two hundred pounds is my 'classic' goal weight. And three pounds under my weight at the beginning of the year. So, I'm good. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: Ultra oatmeal soup (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, almond milk, Greek yogurt, kefir, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, whey protein powder).

Lunch
6:20pm: Carrots and mayonnaise, walnuts and cheddar cheese, and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
8:10pm: Roasted brussels sprouts with parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast and scrambled eggs.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 60+ oz.; 

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Thank you!

#2714, Friday, August 20, 21: No comment

Post 2714

- 11 years and 232 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    200.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/19/21):         201.2 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  1.2 lbs.

Diet Comment

I lost half of yesterday's one-day weight gain, that's something. Also, two hundred pounds is my 'classic' goal weight. And three pounds under my weight at the beginning of the year. So, I'm good. Taking advantage of entering the weekend, no-weigh zone, I really ate a lot today. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:30pm: Fretta (kale, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, eggs, cheeses) and sweet potato fries with balsamic vinaigrette. No-sugar-added fruit popsicles for dessert.

Lunch
5:45pm: Celery and peanut butter and a Quest bar. And more popsicles. 

Dinner
8:40pm: Spicy ramen with chicken, kale and spinach, made with ViteRamen high protein and fiber ramen.

Liquid Intake

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

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#2713, Thursday, August 19, '21: Yup, rained out

Post 2713

- 11 years and 231 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

Sure enough, the gig was cancelled due to the weather. Twenty minutes after I got the message, I learned that this is 'officially' the wettest Summer in over one hundred years.

I'm really disappointed.

I'm grateful for all the music I've gotten to make, and hopeful there's still more to come.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    201.2 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/18/21):         198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  2.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

Yesterday's too-salty breakfast, and lunch of breaded, fried clam strips and coleslaw, as well as high-calorie, very late eating has put the kibosh on weight loss. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: Scrambled eggs with cheese, and golden oatmeal (rolled oats, chia and hemp seeds, almond milk, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves).

Snack
4:00pm: No sugar added fruit popsicles. 

Lunch
7:30pm: Chicken breast and guacamole on Flax sprouted grains bread, and a green salad (spinach, kale, parmesan crisps) and a Quest bar. 

Dinner
11:10pm: Parmesan crisps (a lot - too much!).

Liquid Intake

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

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#2712, Wednesday, August 18, '21: Allaying a bit of fear

Post 2712

- 11 years and 230 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

In two days, I am Fool will play their first concert in nearly two years (our last show was in November, 2019).

We've had less than a dozen rehearsals this year, but tonight was a first: The second rehearsal this week. That's never happened.

Going into the rehearsal, I was afraid of the gig. I didn't think we could play a quality two-hour show on Friday. The weather seemed iffy, and part of me thought it would be a relief to be canceled. 

But the rehearsal went well. Not only that, but J. declared us ready (he's the most self-critical, and, generally, never appreciates the quality of the performances we do, until well after the show's over). 

I agree.

It's true that it is, at best, fifty-fifty whether the show will go on, but now I'm hoping it will, and I'm anticipating the performance with excitement, not fear.

I'm grateful for my I am Fool band mates.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/17/21):         198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    -  0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

No gain, no loss. Third day of no change in weight. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:00pm: Scrambled eggs with mushrooms, onions and grated cheese. Brussels sprouts (air-fried, over-salted).

Lunch
10:00pm, at Shifty's: Fried clam strips and coleslaw. 

Dinner
12:40am: Celery and peanut butter, grapes and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 56+ oz.; a shot of Jameson's

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#2711, Tuesday, August 17, '21: No comment

Post 2711

- 11 years and 229 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/16/21):         198.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

I admit I'd like to see a loss, but no gain is okay. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:55pm: Ultimate oatmeal soup: oats, almond milk, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, kefir, Greek yogurt, nutritional yeast, whey protein, cinnamon, walnuts.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
8:10pm, at my friend Darren's: Jambalaya with rice (chicken and sausage), coleslaw, dark chocolate.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 68+ oz.; 

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#2710, Monday, August 16, '21: Weekend update

Post 2710

- 11 years and 228 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I don't have much to say about the weekend.

Saturday, I did some grocery shopping, later went to a friend's and hot-tubbed.

Sunday I had a long conversation with my friend Jerry, with terminal cancer. 

Then I went to my regular Sunday night blues jam, had a great time and picked up a wedding gig. 

I also got a box of cinnamon rolls, which I brought to the blues jam and ate some of - see my Diet Comment - and had a really good night of playing.

Today, weekend over, I had a productive rehearsal with I am Fool, and I sure am grateful for that.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/13/21):         198.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                    +  0.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

No question this weight gain is due to Sunday's high sugar consumption - cinnamon buns. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:35pm: Fretta (eggs, spinach, kale, mushrooms, onions, peppers, parmesan cheese), avocado toast (Flax sprouted grain bread), grapes.

Lunch
Skipped. 

Dinner
11:30pm: Chopped chef salad (roasted chicken breast, shaved parmesan cheese, walnuts, chick peas, arugula, beets, cabbage, chard, kale, spinach, creamy balsamic dressing) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 24 oz.;  Water: 56+ oz.; 

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#2709, Friday, August 13, '21: No comment

Post 2709

- 11 years and 225 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/12/21):         198.0 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.0 lbs.

Diet Comment

Ending the week at lower weight than it began? Cool. 

Food Log

Breakfast
2:30pm: Scrambled eggs with cheese and golden oatmeal (rolled oats, almond milk, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves) and grapes.

Lunch
7:10PM: Spicy chicken ramen soup with kale and spinach (ViteRamen high-protein, high-fiber ramen package used). Sugar-free popsicles for dessert. 

Dinner
10:50pm: Parmesan cheese, walnuts,  grapes, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

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

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Thank you!

#2708, Thursday, August 12, '21: As always, things change

Post 2708

- 11 years and 224 days since I started this blog -

August 3, 2021 at the Night Drop

Daily Comment

On my way to 'lunch' at Core today, I asked my friend Al what he was going to do while his house was being shown for sale.

He'd recently moved back into his house, very near my apartment, in order to prep it for sale. He'd relocated to his parents' farm, up North to help them through the pandemic closures, throughout which they were dealing with medical issues.

Al is the reason I've been in Syracuse since 2008. He reached out with a job opportunity here when I was in the depths of emotional and financial depression after my 2nd marriage failed. 

I've known him as 'Saint Al' ever since. That was only the first time he effectively helped me out. 

He told me that, after listing the house and showing it over the weekend, he'd gone to contract on an offer ten percent over asking. The house was on the market for a total of three days.

As overjoyed as I was for him - he'd worked really hard on the house for the entire ten years he lived there, and really busted his ass getting it ready to show over the last five weeks - there was a little wistfulness.

He's moving away. I'll miss him. He has a particular place in my life, and that space is unique. He is unlike any of my other friends, in many ways, and yet, few people have had a greater impact on me, especially in the last fourteen years.

I have benefited from his friendship much more than he has benefited from mine, although I hope I have never faltered or let him down as a friend.

I feel loss. I will miss him, and the benefits of having a friend close by, which, in the case of this friend, were so many.

I'm beyond grateful for the friends in my life: They sustain me.

Food and Diet 

Today's Weight:                    198.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (8/11/21):         198.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                     - 0.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

Weight changes under a quarter pound are really just 'noise' - it's a difference based on the body's water weight which can fluctuate dramatically day-to-day and doesn't necessarily have a lot to do with diet and/or activity. Still, better than a gain, right?

Food Log

Breakfast
1:50pm: Dinner for breakfast, for a change: Baked flounder with pesto sauce, roasted brussels sprouts with everything bagel seasoning and nutritional yeast, and buttered Flax sprouted grains toast.

Lunch
5:20pm, Corelife Eatery: Sriracha Ginger Tofu and Quinoa Bowl (roasted tofu, shredded kale, carrots, shredded beets, spicy broccoli, ginger, sriracha, carrot chili vinaigrette). 

Dinner
8:10pm: Cheese and walnuts and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 2;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Water: 78+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey, and another shot of Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

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