#1876, Monday, June 19: Major accomplishment: Showing up

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Post 1876, Day 170 of 2017
- 2,362 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Whenever I get anything done on any day, I feel productive. Even though every day starts off with a long list of things to do, if I get anything on that list done, I feel accomplished.

Today I had a "mole count" dermatology appointment - that's what happens when you change primary care physicians, and the new one feels the old one didn't take care of something. It's been more than ten years since my last one, back in North Carolina. The result was that I have no abnormal-looking moles - most are in the back where I can't see them. No worries.

I went on a search for SWAD heat-and-serve curry dishes (from India). My local Indian market doesn't seem to be carrying them any more. That was unsuccessful. There may be an importing problem. A little later, when I did my 'regular' grocery shopping, I bought some other brands at Wegman's to try. Wegman's has some kind of everything.

I met Al for 'LT', which is dinner for him and breakfast for me. The weather, crappy all day, turned briefly beautiful, and I felt that called for an ice cream celebration, so we had some.

I could have done more, but the ice cream predictably played out leaving me wanting a nap.

Maybe, in the scheme of things, not much of a day. I didn't advance any plans, other than to keep showing up. I'm grateful that I still feel that's an option.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      201.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/16/17):           204.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 2.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

Well, that's what I call a good weekend - very little activity, zero off-plan eating. Although, like an idiot, I celebrated my success by having ice cream from the stand next to Core after 'breakfast'.

Food Log

Breakfast
5:15pm, at CoreLife Eatery:

Tuna poke salad with: Kale, cabbage, quinoa, cucumber, carrots, scallions, ginger,edamame, avocado, tuna poke, sesame seeds, almonds and miso-sesame dressing. Not shown: Medium black raspberry and vanilla soft-serve ice cream.

Lunch
10:45pm: Cottage cheese, an oatmeal-quinoa-raisin cookie, and a Quest bar.

Dinner
1:10am: Sriracha chicken breast, cole slaw, cottage cheese and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 88+ oz.; 

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#1875, Friday, June 16: No comment

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Post 1875, Day 167 of 2017
- 2,359 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Nothing today.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      204.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/15/17):           201.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 2.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

I expected some gain, a little bit less than this. This is what happens when you get as hungry as I was after my 'scope. Nonetheless, I fasted for hours today.

Food Log

Breakfast
8:30pm: Green and blue protein smoothie with coconut-almond milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (36g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, turmeric and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
12:15am, Cottage cheese and a Quest bar.

Dinner
12:30am: Salmon salad (wild-caught salmon, home-made mayonnaise, arugula, chard, kale, spinach) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 88+ oz.; 

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#1874, Thursday, June 15: Colonoscopy day

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Post 1874, Day 166 of 2017
- 2,358 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

The colonoscopy couldn't have gone smoother - this one (my fifth) was, by far, the easiest and quickest.

Two "very small" polyps were found. The doctor assured me that I had nothing to worry about, although, per protocol they had to be sent to the lab for analysis.

From pick-up at my apartment to drop-off back there was just over two hours. I was in the medical center almost exactly ninety minutes. Some mind-cloudiness from the sedative was the only after-effect. I wasn't even very hungry, and didn't eat for two hours after I got home.

I got restless, as well, which might also be an after-effect of the sedation. Anyway, less than six hours after getting home, I drove (against doctor's orders) over to Rooter's for the Blues and Barbecue jam. I had a great time, there, too. Still hungry, I devoured the 'cue, got to play a few sets I found very satisfying. Beaming with joy, I cut myself a jumbo-size piece of birthday cake that was around - I have no idea who's birthday it was, because it was mostly eaten, including the birthday inscription.

By the time I got home, I was hungry again, probably thanks to the big sugar-dose from the cake at Rooter's. This time, I decided to eat clean and healthy.

That's the story of my day. Sorry if it wasn't that interesting. I am just grateful for such a good day, when it had the potential to be so much less than good (which would have meant having to find something else to be grateful for.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      201.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/14/17):           205.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 3.7 lbs.

Diet Comment

Thirty-four hours into my forty-one hour fast. I was empty. Now I expect to be very hungry and eat a lot a lot a lot after my colonoscopy. I've reached my Friday goal, and suspect, after this day's eating, to gain some tomorrow.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:00pm: Spinach, eggs and cheese omelet and a Quest Bar.

Snack
6:20pm: A Quest bar.

Lunch
8:00pm, Rooter's Lounge/Big Awesome BBQ: Pulled pork, with just a little sauce (on the side), and a big piece of birthday cake.

Dinner
12:30am: Sriracha chicken breast, a salad (chard, kale, spinach, balsamic vinaigrette) and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 6 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 64+ oz.; 

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#1873, Wednesday, June 14: Bread and water (hold the bread)

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Post 1873, Day 165 of 2017
- 2,357 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Today is colonoscopy prep day. Today I drink nothing but water. And coffee. Today I eat nothing at all.

Today I am overactive in my trading, but actually close a trade profitably within hours.

Today, I did a load of laundry. Other than that, I didn't do much to speak of. There was surprisingly less TV in my day than I expected. A good thing.

Today, I played a lot of sudoku on the toilet. Once prep started, I played a lot of sudoku. The prep worked well.

Today I listened to some new music.

Today, I felt well, and happy and content. I'm grateful for today.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      205.6 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/13/17):           207.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.5 lbs.

Diet Comment

On my way to a full recovery, weight-wise. I expect to be at no more that 202 by Friday.

Food Log

Breakfast
Skipped.  

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
Skipped.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 20 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 90+ oz.; 

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#1872, Tuesday, June 13: Body focus

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Post 1872, Day 164 of 2017
- 2,356 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I'm in a very physical-conscious mode this week.

After getting myself in trouble with food over the weekend, I am intensely aware of the need to lose weight (so far so good on that) (it's only been a day) (see what I mean?).

Today, I started physical therapy. Easy, simple stuff. I found it very difficult. It should not have been, and ten years ago, the whole thing would have been an inadequate warm-up. I have three more weeks before re-evaluating continuing the therapy or transitioning to a gym, so this is a prelude to joining a gym. I will join a gym, for sure.

At the end of the day (12:30am Wednesday morning, actually), I started prepping for Thursday afternoon's colonoscopy. Which is coming two years earlier than needed, because three years ago the prep didn't work.

Tomorrow, I will be on a water and coffee fast that will last until Thursday afternoon - thirty-six hours.

And I'm feeling good, my weight is getting back down to normal (should be fine by Friday, if not Thursday). Boy, am I grateful for that.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      207.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/12/17):           208.9 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

The turn-around starts. I expect to lose another five pounds in the next three days.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:30pm:  

Omelet with peppers, onion, greens, chia seeds, hemp seeds and bacon.

Lunch
8:00pm: Cottage cheese and a Quest bar.

Dinner
12:15am: Sriracha chicken breast, cole slaw, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 0;   Coffee: 22 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 80+ oz.; 

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#1871, Monday, June 12: First stone

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Post 1871, Day 163 of 2017
- 2,355 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

The first time I knew or heard anything about pot was in volume 9 of the Golden Book Encyclopedia. Each volume arrived, one at a time, every two weeks, in the mail, and I read them cover-to-cover as they came in.

There were a couple of paragraphs talking about the plant that was smoked to intoxicate its users, along with a lurid illustration of a Mexican(-ish) hooker in a bar with a reefer hanging out of her mouth, looking very depressed, and some musicians. The effect was described as a mood exaggerator making some people euphoric and others depressed. It's illegality was mentioned in passing, I believe.

I remember it stuck, because I thought to myself that if you didn't 'take it' in a bad mood, sounded like fun.

I was fourteen years old, early in my junior year in high school, and quite innocent, the next time it came up. In homeroom one day, a girl I liked was extolling the virtues of the Rolling Stones, especially contrasted to the Beatles, and another classmate turned around and said something about they're just being potheads. I had no idea what that meant - the image I had was of Disney's Johnny Appleseed cartoon character, who wore a cooking pot on his head for a hat.

It was explained to me what it meant, sort of. The words 'grass' and 'weed' and 'maryjane' were used, and I still didn't know what they were talking about. Then they used the magic word, marijuana, and it connected.

It was about six months later on a Winter Friday night when I first tried it in the basement of my friend Steve's house when some friends (all one to two years older than me) had a pot party. Passing around a joint, we got high. I got wasted. Steve sprayed some room spray around, and everybody lit up cigarettes to cover the smell, which was a good thing, because before a single record side had been finished, we were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his parents upstairs, and scooted out the garage, undetected. Very high, we talked about where we could go and hang out (it was Winter and cold) and I volunteered my apartment, because my parents were out for the night.

We got to my apartment, and settled in, listening to some records. To appease my younger brother and sister for interrupting their TV time, I agreed to do some chores, and washed the dishes from dinner, still in the sink. One of the girls in the group expressed surprise about how 'domestic' I was.

As soon as I finished the dishes and put another side on the record player, my parents came home, earlier than expected. And this is when things got weird.

In the year-and-a-half since I started high school, I had only brought one friend over, Thom Jones. My mother didn't think I had any other friends, and Thom being black must have, in her mind, sealed that deal. She saw me as sad all the time (she wasn't far from wrong). This surprising evidence of me having a social life thrilled her. She went in her bedroom and brought out her Hanukkah gift, a Polaroid SureShot, and took a picture. As far as I know, the only one ever taken inside the apartment.

She never knew it was a momento of the first time I got high on pot. I have to thank my sister, keeper of records that she was, for unearthing it a few decades ago, three decades after the event. 

That's me, age 15, glazedly looking at my mom embarrassing me in front of my friends. I didn't know the couple to the left (indoor sunglasses stoned guy from college) behind me. That's Adrian directly behind me; Steve to the right of her; I don't remember the name of the guy next to Steve, but next to him, all the way on the right is Marge, who went on to direct the Senior Show I wrote, and as someone who was the most worldly person I knew at that time, she was probably the main instigator of the pot party in the first place. My sister Joan is lying on the couch behind Steve, looking happy at my discomfort.  

Thank you, Joan!

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      208.9 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/9/17):            202.8 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       + 6.1 lbs.

Diet Comment

This terrible result brought to you by relentlessly poor food choices beginning Friday and ending just after midnight, Monday. I am unconcerned, as prepping for a colonoscopy on Thursday begins Tuesday night, and involves a fast Wednesday - I expect my Friday weigh-in to have lost all or most of this weight.

Food Log

Breakfast
6:05pm: Green and blue protein smoothie with coconut-almond milk, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (36g protein), hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, cinnamon, turmeric and stevia-inulin blend.

Lunch
Skipped.

Dinner
1:45am:Chopped salad: sriracha chicken breast, shaved parmesan, arugula, chard, kale, spinach, cabbage, and creamy balsamic dressing. A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; 

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#1870, Friday, June 9: Lost and found

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Post 1870, Day 160 of 2017
- 2,352 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I had a gig tonight with Scuba Gear. It was at the Salt City Grill (the former Flat Iron Grill, whose closure in 2016 cost me so many gigs), outsie on the patio stage.

The gig went well, and afterwards, I was bound for a party celebrating a friend's retirement, where a blues band I had played with years ago was performing. I figured it would be a good time, and I wanted to support my friends, so I invited everyone in Scuba Gear.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, and got on the road, and signalled a left turn, I realized my headlights were off, and turned them on. Nonetheless, on the entrance ramp to I81, a cop rolled up behind me, lights flashing. The officer was at my window before I could get out my wallet - he told me my lights were off, I told him, blinking into his flashlight, that I had realized that at the light and turned them on. I expected a ticket - he had me dead to rights, driving with my lights off in the night - but he just said, "I see they're on, be careful!" and walked back to his ride.

Not everybody in Scuba Gear showed up, but the ones that did had a good time. I was really hungry, but when I asked, the kitchen at this bar was closed (it was, after all, after eleven by now). The vending machine was out of order. I grabbed a couple of candy bars left over from a party gift (I wanted to steal the whole chocolate chip party cake, but it was untouched, and that seemed too selfish, even for me). A Scuba Gear band member and her boyfriend left before the end of the last set, the three of us remaining decided to go to Mama Nancy's for a very late dinner/early breakfast.

It was there that I discovered my wallet was missing. I searched my man purse, I searched my car. No wallet. I remembered the last time I had used it, which was shopping before the gig. I remembered being about to look for it when I had to deal with the cop. I couldn't remember, hours later, whether I had it in my hand when that went down.

I told my friends what to order for me, and then drove back to the party. Some of my friends were still loading out, and helped me search for it, but it wasn't found and hadn't been turned in. I went back to Mama Nancy's, where my food had just been brought out, and my bandmates were very sympathetic. I thought I would have to check the now-closed restaurant before I could say the wallet was gone, put it out of my mind and enjoyed my first Big Anthony frittata since January.

Then I drove back to the restaurant (conveniently, only a block out of the way from my route back to my apartment. The patio was open, so I had no trouble searching the stage. No wallet. I looked behind the stage (bounded only by a wrought-iron fence), which had some ornamental shrubbery, and there it was: Spread-eagled on a bush branch. What a relief!

I realized if the police officer had asked for my license and registration, I'd have been screwed. But, for whatever reason, he didn't care (first time ever for me that I was stopped and let go that easily).

If I'd ordered from the restaurant at the party, I'd have been screwed there, too.

I still think I'm the luckiest person I know. I have so much to be grateful for.

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      202.8 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/8/17):            203.3 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

Well, that's a better result than I expected.

Food Log

Breakfast
4:05pm: A bunch of samples at BJ's and Wegman's - almost all of it off-plan - and a Quest bar.

Lunch
11:00pm: Candy bars at a retirement party.

Dinner
1:35am, at Mama Nancy's:

Half order of Big Anthony's Frittata (eggs, sausage, pepperoni, Swiss cheese, onions, peppers, broccoli, potatoes) and dry rye toast.

Liquid Intake

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

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#1869, Thursday, June 8: Forgive me

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Post 1869, Day 159 of 2017
- 2,351 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

One of those days where I just seemed to blow the entire day off. That wasn't my intention (I actually had in mind to get a couple of things done), but it happened.

I had to forgive myself. I do that a lot. It keeps me moving along, getting past the stuff that is... past.

One of the reasons I am happy these days is that I can do that - forgive myself. That was a hard life lesson. I have regrets, but there is nothing I have ever done that is, truly, unforgivable.

A side-effect is that I now easily forgive other people, many times without their knowledge. I forgive everyone, especially those who aren't aware of what they've done. For those who are, I forgive them with or without an apology.

I believe in the old adage, 'Forgive and forget' - except not completely. I don't forget when someone seems toxic to me - that is, when their 'affront' is an ongoing character trait (usually, a repeat offense) that will assert itself again, given the opportunity. I forgive them, bear them no malice, but I remember to keep my distance from them.

It's a simple habit, this forgiveness. It contributes to my happiness in that it frees me from resentment and allows me to let go of the past. When I forgive, I can let go, and when I let go, I can move on, unencumbered. And, boy, am I grateful for that!

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      203.3 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/7/17):            205.1 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 1.8 lbs.

Diet Comment

Well, that's a good result (better than I've had all week). Tomorrow will be another story - I have some evil barbecue ahead!

Food Log

Breakfast
6:05pm: Salmon salad (wild-caught salmon, home-made mayonnaise, chard, kale, spinach) and some cottage cheese with a Quest bar.

Lunch
10:30pm, at Rooters: Pulled pork barbecue (sauce on the side - this barbecue is too good to be swamped in sauce (also good, but not as good as the pork, so need just a tiny bit).

Dinner
1:35am: Dubliner cheese (a lot of it, too), and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 72+ oz.; and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey.

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#1868, Wednesday, June 7: Rough start to the day, then a good night

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Post 1868, Day 158 of 2017
- 2,350 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

As I wrote yesterday, today I had a "mild case of vertigo - not incapacitating, but uncomfortable." In the afternoon, I went for my first (evaluative) physical therapy appointment, hoping to leverage some knee pain I've been having sporadically for months into a general strength and flexibility upgrade. All the movement of the evaluation had a detrimental effect, slightly intensifying my vertigo, and I left early without actually engaging in any of the exercises.

I went home and rested, and then felt better.

Then I went out to my 'regular' Wednesday jam at Shifty's, a neighborhood bar with a great reputation for putting on music. I've been pretty regular there for about five years now. I'm known. I know most of the people there. I've seen some come, some go. I've made friends.

I had a particularly good night, with quite a lot of playing time, including a set of my own (last week, I showed up a little late, and didn't get to play at all).

I got a lot of friendly attention, which I enjoyed; I think (I hope), on balance, I gave as good as I got.

It is a simple thing, I think, to understand the good feelings: I feel liked, and I feel appreciated. Whether it's an illusion, a delusion, or simply my perception, it makes me feel good. I'm grateful for that.

My set at Shifty's, June 7, 2017

Food and Diet

Today's Weight:                      205.1 lbs.

Previous Weight (6/6/17):            205.7 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                       - 0.6 lbs.

Diet Comment

Finally, some progress!

Food Log

Breakfast
2:50pm:  

Omelet with peppers, onion, greens, chia seeds, hemp seeds and bacon.

Lunch
8:35pm:

Roasted turkey breast, shaved parmesan cheese, kale, spinach, chard, cabbage, carrots, chia seeds, hemp seeds, balsamic vinaigrette.

Dinner
1:35am: Cottage cheese and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Espressos: 1;   Coffee: 0 oz.;  Tea: 0 oz.;  Water: 78+ oz.;  and a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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