Saturday, January 18

Post 1060, Day 18 of 2014
- and 1,113 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

This is the night of the first full, headlining concert for i am Fool since September last year. I was pumped, and happily anticipatory.

The gig delivered. We had and maintained more energy than the 20-somethings in the 'opener' band, who played sandwiched between our long first set and shorter second set.

After playing for a total of three hours, ending after 2 in the morning, I was wide awake and happy.

Up on Cripple Creek.

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         203.4 lbs

Previous Weight:        203.6 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 0.2 lbs

Diet Comment

I'm amazed that chocolate-covered apricots and a bag of pepperoni didn't totally derail my weight loss. I also finished off the Quest bars, eating three of them for lunch. Amazingly, they kept me full and allayed any hunger until after the gig, at 3:30 AM. More on that in tomorrow's blog.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Quest bars.

Dinner

Skipped.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 72+ oz. 

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Friday, January 17

Post 1059, Day 17 of 2014
- and 1,112 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

A short nap after work, and I was ready to go out and hear some of my friends' live music. I had a shot of Jameson's as I caught a set of jazz vocals, then went across town to hear some blues. Sat in on a few numbers there - you'd be amazed at how rarely bass players are asked to sit in, so I couldn't say no - and had a great time. 

It was someone's birthday, she 'friend'-ed me on Facebook. Then I got a kiss. 

Living the dream. 

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         203.6 lbs

Previous Weight:        204.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 0.6 lbs

Diet Comment

Good. Looking for the trend line to flatten, and think it will.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

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

Snack

A Quest bar.

Dinner

I didn't feel like cooking, so had some egg salad on a bed of baby kale, baby spinach, chard, cole slaw blend and balsamic vinaigrette. Not shown:  Grilled cheese on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax sprouted grain bread with coconut oil.

Snack

Oh, this is no good: Dark chocolate-covered apricots. Pepperoni.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 132+ oz.  A shot of Jameson's. 

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Thursday, January 16

Post 1058, Day 16 of 2014
- and 1111 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Pretty uneventful day. I wore the new hearing aids all day without discomfort, and I have been taking and making notes on my phone for my follow-up visit in two weeks.

I wore them from eight in the morning to Midnight. That is the longest time I have ever worn hearing aids in one day. No problems, and no discomfort.

I went to my favorite open mic and turned them off (without removing them) so they acted like ear plugs. They were pretty good for that, but at my followup, I'm getting a set of custom-molded musician's ear plugs (even frequency attenuation - they don't kill everything above the upper-bass frequencies the way foam ear plugs do). More better. 

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         204.2 lbs

Previous Weight:        206.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 1.8 lbs

Diet Comment

Could this be the self-correction I was talking about? We'll see.

Food Log 

Breakfast

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

Lunch

Two Quest bars.

Snack

Custom-made trail mix from the Wegman's Trail Mix bar (and assorted bulk bins): almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds.

Dinner
Wild-caught salmon burger on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax bread with cole slaw and a salad of baby kale, baby spinach, chard, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

Snack

A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 128+ oz.  

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Wednesday, January 16

Post 1057, Day 15 of 2014
- and 1110 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

The new hearing aids are in... and on..

I am delighted. Thrilled. The difference between these aids, and the two models I owned previously since (I got my first pair ten years ago, the second pair about six years ago) is... astonishing. 

Some of the things these aids do automatically weren't even options five years ago. The quality of the amplification is better, even to my impaired ears - no longer so totally artificial. 

They are also relatively care-free. My previous pairs demanded various expensive options to keep them clean, dry and functional. 

They are more comfortable, but, since they are behind-the-ear, custom fitted, they are visible, though not obvious. My self-consciousness is slowly receding - mostly thanks to my gratitude about how well they work.

I did announce this to my bands, with the caveat that if they made fun of my new hearing aids, I would probably start to cry.

I wore them all day. They never needed repositioning, adjusting, nothing. I wore them during a Chad Bradshaw Trio rehearsal. Until I mentioned I was wearing them Chad and Jim had no idea. Then they loved not having to yell and use sign language, LOL.

To say I'm pleased stands as the understatement of the year (and last year, too).

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         206.0 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.8 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 0.2 lbs

Diet Comment

Basically, no change.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Scrambled eggs with onions, peppers, baby kale, baby spinach, chard and parmesan cheese.

Snack

A Quest bar. Cole slaw. Not together.

Dinner
Chicken in wine and mushroom sauce,  broccoli and a tossed salad with blue cheese dressing.

Snack

Two Quest bars. (Can you guess I'm trying to use up my supply? Too good to just toss. I know, I shouldn't have bought them in the first place, but I can't see any ingredient that would cause the weight gain I've experienced since I bought them because they were on sale - which never happens).

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  32 oz.   Water: 128+ oz.  

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Tuesday, January 14

Post 1056, Day 14 of 2014
- and 1109 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

i am Fool rehearsal tonight, then off to another open mic.

For me, this is pleasure-seeking. I have almost no social network here, except for musicians and those on the music scene. I have little human interaction at work, and in my life, none of the personal relationships that started at work has lasted, although by-product relationships have.

Work hasn't been a good social environment for me. In fact, my current job offers zero opportunities for in-person socializing. On the average day, I have exactly zero face-to-face interactions with people. I admit being surprised that this hasn't been a bad thing.

I regard this as the best job I've ever had. It gives me plenty of time for socializing in places where musicians and their supporters hang out.

This has been and continues to be the most fertile ground for growing relationships for me.

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.8 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 0.6 lbs

Diet Comment

Another gain. I know I'm doing things that work against my goals, but can only conclude, based on my history, that I will self-correct.

Food Log 

Breakfast

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

Lunch

At Ruby Tuesday's: A petite sirloin, medium rare, side of spaghetti squash, and a trip to the salad bar (spring mix, green peppers, mushrooms, peas, cucumber, crumbled bacon, hard-boiled egg, parmesan cheese, oil and vinegar).

Snack

A Quest bar.

Dinner
Chili (grass-fed beef, tomatoes, black beans and spices) with parmesan cheese and cole slaw.

Snack

Chili (grass-fed beef, tomatoes, black beans and spices) with parmesan cheese, plus a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  24 oz.   Water: 98+ oz.  A shot of Jameson's Irish Whiskey.

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Monday, January 13

Post 1055, Day 13 of 2014
- and 1108 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

A birthday present to myself from myself arrived today: A new guitar. 

The idea here is to back myself up when I sing. This solves the problem that other musicians don't know the songs in my repertoire, which tend to the obscure, and the old. For instance, I would like to cover every song on Runt's The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. This album is full, from beginning to end, of some of the best-written songs, and I want to sing and play them all.

And some lesser-known Buffalo Springfield tunes. And some 70s soul. Even some Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. And a couple of more rarely performed Louis Jordan greats.

I have a mental list of all this material. My one and only purpose for this undertaking is to satisfy my desire to sing. I'm under no illusion as to the quality of my singing, and I have no ambitions to become a guitarist or put together a solo act. Nope - this is just for the fun of it, something musical that makes me happy, and a place I haven't been able to get to playing bass.

It is also something that completely depends on me actively doing something to make it happen. If I don't, it won't.

Now under way.

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.2 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 2.2 lbs

Diet Comment

Yesterday's late-night pizza fail - the result of my being in the wrong (e.g., temptation-laden) place at the right time (playing with some really good musicians): the pizza was offered as a 'tip' and all the other musicians grabbed a slice, and started eating on stage. I was hungry, happy, and in no frame of mind to exert will-power, especially when it might look like I was putting myself above my friends.

Food Log 

Breakfast

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

Lunch

Roasted turkey breast on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax bread with home-made mayonnaise, a side of cole slaw and a baby kale, baby spinach and chard salad with feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

Dinner
Chili (grass-fed beef, tomatoes, black beans and spices) on broccoli with feta cheese. A Quest bar for dessert.

Snack

A Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  24 oz.   Water: 108+ oz.  

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Sunday, January 12

Post 1054, Day 12 of 2014
- and 1107 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

Just one of those recovery days I need so frequently, thanks to my 'addiction' to playing bass out. 

Got busy around 7pm, making a protein shake and going out to my Sunday open mics. Didn't eat or drink anything before that, out of guilt for knowingly sabotaging my weight loss late last night.

That'll teach me.

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         205.2 lbs

Previous Weight:        203.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      + 2.2 lbs

Diet Comment

Yesterday's very late eating took a toll, I guess. Today's fast should get things back to normal.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Skipped.

Dinner
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).

Snack

A couple of slices of pizza (long story); later, a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  0 oz.   Water: 80+ oz.  

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Saturday, January 11

Post 1053, Day 11 of 2014
- and 1106 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I've had an interesting couple of nights playing with i am Fool.  We were the first act in a Syracuse Shakespeare Festival fund-raiser, doing a set before poetry readings and a one-act, twelve-monologue play.

So we played in a small room, to a small, seated crowd. We played at as low a volume as a set of drums in the band would allow.

And the crowd really, really liked us. Although, in the total for the two days, we played to a smaller crowd than any but the deadest of our usual gigs (really, only one that I can think of), we sold more of our 'Freak In the Machine' CDs at this show than at any gig we've ever played.

Sweet.

Then I went out and visited some clubs, letting my gigging friends know that they have my support.

It was a good night. 

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 Food and Diet Section

January to June, 2014 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         203.0 lbs

Previous Weight:        203.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 0.2 lbs

Diet Comment

New chart! Yesterday's protein-bar-based eating (sandwiching dinner and a chocolate bar) has maintained.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Skipped.

Lunch

Scrambled eggs with spinach, onions, peppers and feta cheese. Sides of pepperoni and quinoa-lentil pilaf.

Snack

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

Dinner
From Chipotle Mexican Grill:

Steak burrito bowl with steak, black beans, sauteed peppers and onions, salsa, guacamole and lettuce.

Snack

Ezekiel 4:9 Flax bread, toasted and buttered. Two Quest bars.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  28 oz.   Water: 92+ oz.  A shot of Jameson's, neat.

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Friday, January 10

Post 1052, Day 10 of 2014
- and 1105 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I continue on my new year's journey into health care. Today I scheduled a colonoscopy for a couple of days after my birthday.

I need to burn up last year's Flexible Spending Account money - I lose any balance left on the Ides of March.

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 Food and Diet Section

2013 Daily Weight

Today's Weight:         203.2 lbs

Previous Weight:        205.2 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:      - 3.0 lbs

Diet Comment

Yesterday was so relatively low calorie, and high hydration level, that I expected I'd lose weight - but not this much.

Food Log 

Breakfast

Sausage (chicken-feta-spinach) and scrambled eggs (with sauteed onions, peppers and spinach).

Lunch

Skipped.

Snack

Quest bar.

Dinner
From Chipotle Mexican Grill:

Steak burrito bowl with steak, black beans, sauteed peppers and onions, salsa, guacamole and lettuce.

Snack

Green and Black's Dark Chocolate bar, with ginger and orange after the set. And another Quest bar when I got home.

Liquid Intake

   Coffee:  24 oz.   Water: 106+ oz. 

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