Thursday, January 9

Post 1051, Day 9 of 2014
- and 1104 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

A decade-overdue visit to get my eyes and eyesight checked came out very well. 20/20 vision - but I still need reading glasses, as I have for the last 20 years. That means, no change in my vision since my last exam, fifteen years ago.

I am so caught up in my other senses - touch and hearing are dominant when I play, of course, and taste, smell and sight come to the fore at different times. None of my senses is ever not in play, of course.

I have some lingering after-effects - symptoms, but not medical concerns - from my diabetes (the reason my personal doctor wanted me to see a specialist at this time) and my now-historical bout with high blood pressure. The ophthalmologist I went to carefully explained the concerns, and why he wasn't concerned.

No glaucoma present. A follow-up visit has been arranged in a month for a fancier test to make sure there aren't any other hidden problems, but the eye-guy basically said, it's all good.

Then we both sang the Boss's "Fire" - him as Elmer Fudd, me as Bob Dylan. I wish I could show you a film.

Dr. Tucker, you are a trip.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.2 lbs

Previous Weight:        206.4 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 1.2 lbs

Diet Comment

That's better. I'm going to try for two in a row: I had a dinner-time gig, and the rushing around caused me to eat a couple of Quest bars (high-protein, high-fiber with only benign ingredients, certainly not whole food, but with minimally processed ingredients), my new discovery in on-plan eating, on the go.

Food Log 

Breakfast

A cacao-kale-hemp-chia protein shake (almond-coconut milk, kale, a large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), celery, cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

Salmon salad (wild-caught salmon, celery, home-made mayonnaise) on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax  bread with coconut oil, and a salad of baby kale, baby spinach, chard, cole slaw mix and balsamic vinaigrette. Back at the office, a piece of birthday cake.

Dinner

Due to eating on the run, two Quest protein bars. 

Snack

Ezekiel 4:9 Golden Flax sprouted grain cereal, blueberries, almond-coconut milk and stevia-inulin blend.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 112+ oz. 

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Wednesday, January 8

Post 1050, Day 8 of 2014
- and 1103 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Tonight begins four nights of playing out, with both bands in all formats. I haven't done the duo with Chad in a while (since the last time we played Eskapes), and it was predictably fun. The main thing there is always the good food, also known, at Eskapes, as 'pay'. That isn't a joke.

Of course it doesn't matter. I play for free more than any other gigging musician I know. The money isn't the point. The joy I get from playing is the whole point. Although it hasn't come to that so far in my life, I'd pay to play.

Any day.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         206.4 lbs

Previous Weight:        204.8 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 1.6 lbs

Diet Comment

I predicted the result of yesterday's all-you-can-eat dessert binge. For once, I was right. Unfortunately.

Food Log 

Breakfast

A cacao-kale-hemp-chia protein shake (almond milk, kale, a large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

At Ling-Ling's Chinese Buffet and Grill:

Brussels sprouts, kimchee, and, from the "Mongolian Grill", my go-to dish: pork and chicken with cabbage, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and broccoli. This is the same meal, and the same picture, as always.

Dinner

At Eskapes: Black bean and lentil soup. Caprice salad (baby spinach, bacon, peppers, cucumber, mushrooms and avocados. Mariscados (mussels, shrimp and scallops) on sauteed vegetables. 

Snack

A Quest protein bar - different than other protein bars, this one doesn't have any ingredients that are off-plan.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 90+ oz.  A glass of pinot noire.

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Tuesday, January 7

Post 1049, Day 7 of 2014
- and 1102 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Nothing much to report today, that isn't covered in the Food section (and nothing much really going on there either.

This is probably the best day to skip catching up on this blog, LOL.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         204.8 lbs

Previous Weight:        203.6 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 1.2 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm still leaving the old chart up until I have a more data for 2014. When I realize the vast quantity of food I ate last night, and the amount of time it took to eat it, and the high carb count, my gain is surprising only in how little impact it had on my weight. Tonight I went to an open mic/birthday party, and after eating one piece of the very rich, ery sweet birthday cake relatively early in the evening, I just lost it - I had insatiable carb cravings, and nothing but encouragement to indulge them - including nothing but desserts available. Tomorrow won't be pretty.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Dal Tadka (lentil curry), spinach and scrambled (large, organic) eggs.

Dinner

Pepperoni and more "Greek" cole slaw (home-made cole slaw with lots of feta cheese added).

Snack

More black bean hummus with Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain bread.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  8 oz.   Water: 60+ oz.

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Monday, January 6

Post 1048, Day 6 of 2014
- and 1101 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

The first real work day of the year (I worked on January 2nd, but it was D-E-A-D, and so, in a manner of speaking, was I) and there are changes afoot.

None of these workplace changes are for the better. My manager retired, and has been "temporarily" replaced by a team consisting of the Regional Manager and the Director of Software for the Region.

The good part is that the Regional Manager is my former manager from when I was first hired here, and she is very pleasant to work with, an excellent administrator and very savvy, technically. That covers all the good things. 

Unfortunately, the Regional Manager is also fairly demanding, requiring updates, and with a mindset that everybody should be busy all the time.

Which doesn't describe me or my aspirations at all.

I am pretty safe in the knowledge that any time after my nest birthday, in about three weeks, I can - and will - quit and start being retired. That won't be ideal, I've been shooting to retire when I can get the full package from Social Security and the minimum pension from the VA, which is on my 66th birthday, in 2016 - two years and 3 weeks away.

But, I'm not all that attached to any plans, and while less than ideal, in some ways an earlier retirement would be even better, get me moving on the next chapter of my life a little sooner.

I'm just going to roll with it - see what comes around, and keep trying to stay in the Present, be present, and have a good time.

I read something I thought was profound and pretty damn inspirational this weekend: "When an egg is broken from the outside, it is death. When broken from the inside, it is life."

Here's to breakthroughs from within.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         203.6 lbs

Previous Weight:        203.6 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 0.0 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm still leaving the old chart up until I have a more data for 2014. No gain, despite my late snack last night.

Food Log 

Breakfast

A cacao-kale-hemp-chia protein shake (almond milk, kale, a large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

At Ling-Ling's Chinese Buffet and Grill:

Brussels sprouts, kimchee, and, from the "Mongolian Grill", my go-to dish: pork and chicken with cabbage, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and broccoli. This is the same picture, as always.

Dinner

Black bean hummus, Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain bread, "Greek" cole slaw (just my regular home-made cole slaw with lots of feta cheese added - I was surprised how good it was!).

Snack

More black bean hummus with Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain bread.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  20 oz.   Water: 122+ oz.

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Sunday, January 5

Post 1047, Day 5 of 2014
- and 1100 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Whenever double-zeroes show up on one of my numbers, I take note. In this case, it was three years and five days ago - 1100 days ago) that I put my plan to lose weight into action. That plan included keeping a food journal, which I had read was the one practice in common used by people who had successfully lost weight and kept it off.

The desire to do it in an online blog came from a different report - one that stressed how doing it this way made you more accountable. Then came a still different source that recommended taking pics of everything you ate.

Worked for me.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         203.6 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 1.4 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm still leaving the old chart up until I have a more data for 2014. Yesterday's one big meal-and-a-snack seems to have let me step off my brief plateau.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

A cacao-kale-hemp-chia protein shake (almond milk, kale, a large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend). Ezekiel 4:9 Golden Flax sprouted grain toast with coconut oil.

Dinner

Turkey breast and spaghetti squash with balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack

Egg salad with guacamole on a salad of baby kale, baby spinach, chard and cole slaw mix.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  0 oz.   Water: 64 oz.

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Saturday, January 4

Post 1046, Day 4 of 2014
- and 1099 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Another recovery day, but this time I was even more indolent. Finally got up, made some dinner, went to hear a couple of bands, came home, had a snack, lights out. Tomorrow's a jam day, then back to work on Monday. 

Happy birthday, Andy! I love you - many happy returns! (Unless we're talking reincarnation, in which case, I hope you step off the wheel soon).

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.0 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 0.0 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm still leaving the old chart up until I have a more data for 2014. Last night's party food made no impact.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Skipped.

Dinner

Sausage (chicken-feta-spinach) and scrambled eggs (with sauteed onions, peppers, baby kale, baby spinach and chard) and cole slaw.

Snack

Ezekiel 4:9 Golden Flax sprouted grain cereal, blueberries, almond-coconut milk and stevia-inulin blend.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  0 oz.   Water: 78 oz.

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Friday, Jan 3

Post 1045, Day 3 of 2014
- and 1098 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Recovery day after the big show, at least until I the evening, when there was another gig to go to, this time with the Chad Bradshaw Trio. So, basically, all I did today was watch some TV, spend 'way too much time on Facebook, and play bass.

Good day!

I am always so grateful for my downtime. I have to acknowledge that I need more of it than I used to, and that it is an established trend.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.0 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 0.0 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm still leaving the old chart up until I have a more data for 2014. I thought last night's late and off-plan eating was going to mess me up good, but it didn't.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

A cacao-kale-hemp-chia protein shake (almond milk, kale, a large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Dinner

At the Cafe at 407: A Caprice salad (hard-boiled egg, Mesculin mix greens, bacon, chick peas, Parmesan cheese, unidentified salad dressing. Organic Oatmeal-fruit square.

Snack

After the gig, at a party: Nuts, cake, cookies, hummus, you know... party stuff.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  20 oz.   Water: 80 oz.

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Thursday, January 2

Post 1044, Day 2 of 2014
- and 1097 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Tonight was the big show, doing a 40-minute opening set for Rusted Root. What a gas!


The weather couldn't have been much worse - it started snowing in the morning and was still snowing when I got home at 1:30. The temperature at load-in was 1 lonely degree.

But there was a great crowd, and I thought we put on an excellent show, and Rusted Root was very good - much better than the studio recordings I was familiar with.

I hope i am Fool  made some new fans. The merch sales were okay - we sold some -  and hopefuly, people will find our web site and FB page.

Of course, the early load-in and train-schedule start-and-end times meant that I skipped dinner at the normal time, and ate it at the traditional post-gig breakfast, instead, so I was famished. That isn't going to help my just-forming 2014 weight trend-line.

Here're a couple of phone-pics from the show:

L-R: Tami, me, J.

 

L-R: Tami, me, J., Mike, John - i am Fool.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.0 lbs

Previous Weight:        206.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 1.0 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm still leaving the old chart up until I have a more data for 2014. I figure it will take a few more days to correct the New Year's Eve feeding frenzy, although tonight's pre- and post-gig eating aren't going to help that effort.

Food Log 

Breakfast

A cacao-kale-hemp-chia protein shake (almond milk, kale, a large egg, raw organic cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia gel, whey powder (30g protein), cinnamon and stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

Salmon and egg salad on baby kale, baby spinach, chard and cole slaw mix with balsamic vinaigrette.

Dinner

At Denny's: A Philly cheese steak omelet with hash browns and dry rye toast. A brownie sundae (I didn't ask for this - but someone bought one (each) for everyone at the table.

Snack

Hot Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain cereal with coconut oil and Ezekiel 4:9 GoldenFlax sprouted grain cereal with almond-coconut milk and stevia-inulin blend.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  32 oz.   Water: 96 oz.

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Jamuary 1st - New Year's Day

Post 1043, Day 1 of 2014
- and 1096 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I have done pretty well without them. I also don't have any personal goals this year. If 2014 unfolded to be just a continuance of 2013, I'd have no kick with that.

One thing I would like to be different in 2014 is the volatility of my weight fluctuation. So, on matters of weight, I'll try to stick closer to the eating plan.

Happy New Year!

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         206.0 lbs

Previous Weight:        201.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 4.8 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm just going to leave the old chart up until I have a few more days of data for 2014. The weight gain is completely expected, and today's eating should reverse the trend, and start what is hopefully a more weight-stable year for me.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch
Chili (grass-fed  beef, tomatoes, red kidney beans, spices).

Dinner

Chili (grass-fed beef, tomatoes, red beans, spices) over cauliflower.

Snack

Ezekiel 4:9 Golden Flax sprouted grain cereal, blueberries, almond-coconut milk and stevia-inulin blend.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  0 oz.   Water: 112 oz.

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New Year's Eve

Post 1042, Day 365 of 2013
- and 1095 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

What a good year I've had! I am so grateful for my family and friends, who make me feel loved and warm and strong. And grateful that the Universe has once again let me make the trip around the sun in safety, ready to try for another, better year.

I had an early gig that started after the Syracuse basketball game at a popular downtown sports bar, and it was poorly attended. Apparently, the bar owner hadn't done anything to tell people that there was a band showing up, and we didn't advertise because the owner told us that the place always had a big crowd watching the game, and more people came after the game was over. Apparently, it's different on New Year's Eve. Attendance at the game was also low).

When we were finished playing, I stepped outside downtown Syracuse, and it was deserted. I had some calls to make, wishing people a happy new year, and took this pic right outside the club:

Looking at Clinton Square in Syracuse, December 31, 2013, 8:30pm. There is a skating rink around the big Christmas tree. Empty.

Happy New Year, all!

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         201.2 lbs

Previous Weight:        203.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 2.0 lbs

Diet Comment

My goal, to end the year at the same weight or better as I ended last year, has been met. On December 31, 2012, I weighed 201.8 pounds, today, 201.2. Booyah!

To celebrate, I ate like I wanted to gain weight.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Chili (grass-fed beef, red kidney beans, tomatoes, spices) on quinoa. Not shown: cole slaw.

Dinner

At Sahota Palace: Indian buffet, the whole damn thing. Vegetable curries, chicken curries and tandoor-style, breads, rice pilaf, fried dough stuff.

At a New Year's Eve Party: Chocolate, cakes, hummus, nuts, veggies, and venison. You get the idea. Lots of food (especially chocolate - the chocolate was all dark and very good!).

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  20 oz.   Water: 96+ oz. Also, wine and champagne. 

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