Health Update and Random Thoughts

My apologies, but I need to get this posted and didn't edit for content, speeling (lol), or anything else.

For those who have asked (and I thank you greatly for doing so), I am still moving forward in my focus on health.  Recently, I hit the 50 lb mark and with it, a few nice milestones:
1.  I got to reunite with my bathroom scale.  It only goes up so far, and now I am under that number.
2.  I know now that I wont need to drive 20-30 miles to get a cat scan (or MRI, I forget which).
3.  I made it through Thanksgiving without hitting the desserts.  Now I did hit the main meal a bit too much, but I feel comfortable that I ate decent foods and stayed away from the bad choices.

Next I do need to find more exercise in my routine and continue to eat smart.  I haven't weighed in recently, but I feel stronger and I am not as sore when I am on my feet for long periods of time.  

Anyway, back to the grind.  Pray for me for continued resolve as I get through Christmas.

Now for some other random thoughts:

I know politics for me is usually full of skepticism, so this wont be any different.  I am already ruing voting in the Presidential election.  I do not think Obama has done a very good job and I have no confidence that either Newt nor Mitt would do any better.  It may be time for a 3rd party vote for me.  This makes me sick and sad.

The BCS is all messed up and you know their supporters are hoping for a very good game with LSU winning.  This would let them claim they got it right and have a champ people could get behind.  If Alabama and OKSt both win (which I hope for). LSU, OkSt, and Alabama will all have a legit claim tot he title.  Playoffs anyone?

Red Sox tabbed Bobby Valentine for the managers job and while I actually find him entertaining and reports are he is a good manager, I was hoping they would give a younger manager a shot and bring in a solid veteran bench coach (Don Baylor or Gene Lamont maybe) to help out.  I hop this works out but I dont know!

Jerry Sandusky case is really confusing me right now.  Why is this guy doing interviews?  Is his lawyer going to claim malpractice on himself?  Even if he was innocent, these interviews only make him look more guilty.  I guess we should all be happy Sandusky isn't trying to claim the law is bad and that he did everything he is accused of but it shouldn't be a crime.  I hope justice is served and the victims get whatever justice they can.  I suspect the damage is already done.

The Fine case in Syracuse brings up a very interesting point.  For those who said a woman would have protected the child when McQuery didn't in the Sandusky case, here is a case of a woman who not only didn't protect the children involved, but they she victimized them further by having an affair with one.  I do believe Jim Boeheim knew nothing, but I wish he would retire and go out there speaking to support victims rights groups.  His attack on the kids involved was a mistake and while he shouldn't be fired, he should quit.

Tim Tebow is a better Qb than people want to credit him for because he uses his head.  If Vince Young had Tim Tebows head, he'd be giving Aaron Rodgers a run for MVP (probably in Tenn working for Jeff Fisher).  People, Tom Brady didnt throw a great deep ball when he won his first ring.  He made smart throws, he was accurate, and he protected the ball.  Tebow does these things too.  His defense has confidence in him and thus they don't overplay, they are not put in too many bad situations, and they get to rest during the game.

Look, it's Christmas time.  It is about God's gift to us, his sacrifice, and his grace and mercy.  For those who believe in Him, please remember that Jesus was born not only for you, but for everyone.  For those who do not believe in Him, let's make a deal.  You promise that if I wish you Merry Christmas, you wont get offended.  I promise, in return, to try and be respectful and wish you Happy Holidays.  See folks, I read a tweet the other day saying to make your faith obvious but not obnoxious.  I completely agree and while I will try my best to live by this, I hope others with respect me enough to not find offense in my beliefs.

Lastly, while watching a video of a missionary in a foreign land, it hit me as I looked a picture of one of the native people in the video that there were people in third world countries who suffered from kidney stones or cluster headaches without any medical care and no chance for relief of pain.  Needless to say, it terrified me.  So during this holiday season, no matter what you believe, try and do something for these people.  Give some time or money, pray for them, or even just get the word out that they exist. 

What is a Nittany Lion?

Sitting by the pool watching my kids swim, I read the following story:

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/12/penn-state-stadium-profanity-scorn-joe-paterno/?page=1

It is one of dozens I have read about the Penn State scandal. I have been vocal in my disgust and yet I wonder what should be done. Should they have played the game, should Paterno have quit,  and most importantly what about the victims? 

The above story has sealed it for me. PSU should have either earmarked every dollar of proceeds to the victims or cancelled the season.   I feel bad for the players who did nothing wrong but worse for the permanently scarred victims who could have been helped.

If you cussed at the guy in this story, you should be disgusted at yourself, if you threw a beer,  you should be nauseated.. if you didn't walk by and at least say amen, you should ask yourself why.

See folks, if football is that dang important to you that you can't think of child victims for a second when walking to the field without assaulting someone, then the game is too important.  You actually prove the point that the game shouldn't be played.

Folks, learn from this. Make your default response one of silence not violence when you don't agree with a protester. And diligence not silence when you don't agree with a predator 

I know my thoughts are random. That's the beauty of a blog. If you expected to find out what a Nittany Lion really is, you did. He stood for the victims....... finally.

Sports Thoughts

The Boston Red Sox destroyed my love of baseball (for the time being).  They continue to stomp on my love of the team and the game.  Here are a few messages to people involved:

Terry Francona:  I respected you when you came, when you were here, and now that you are gone.  Do not think for 1 minute that any Red Sox fan blames you for what has happened.  Yes, it was your job to fix it, but you didnt cause the problem.  You were a top manager and a class act.  Marital problems or pain meds are not my concern.  Red Sox fans wish you luck in the future, you will always be a Red Sox Hall of Fame Manager!

Theo Epstein:  Good luck in Chicago.  May you lose 5 straight World Series to the Red Sox!  You did an amazing job rebuilding the team.  I wish you luck.

Ben Cherington:  Good luck.  You are inheriting a team with a ton of problems.  I expect it to take years to fix it!

David Ortiz:  You want to go play for the Yankees as you said in an interview?  Goodbye!  The Red Sox believed in you when you had done nothing, the fans supported yo when you couldnt catch up to a Tim Wakefield fastball, and now you are trying to use the Yankees to get more money?  You could have been a leader in that clubhouse.  You could have grabbed Crawford, Pedroia, and Paplebon and run that team.  Instaed of trying to start fixing the problems, you are courting the Yankees?  COMPLETE SELFISHNESS in a tough situation is so against everything Sox fans had thought you were.  Thanks for all your incredible moments, I hope you get paid a ton of  money on a losing team.  I wish you had remained the person we all admired and not an RBI and $$ focused athlete.   There is time for you to cement your image and retract what you said, take a leadership role, and bring the Red Sox back to glory!  Your choice!


Carl Crawford:  Red Sox fans owe you an apology.  By all accounts you work your tail off.  By all accounts you wanted to be a leader.  By all accounts you were stunned by the lack of professionalism.  With all that, the only thing you have said is that you blame yourself and you will work harder to turn it around.  You are a real man and I, for one, would rather have 25 players like you than most of the guys you shared a clubhouse with this year.  My hope is that with a new manager, you and Pedroia can get together with a few others and lead that clubhouse.

Larry Luccino:  Here are my choices for manager.  Martinez (TB), Pena (NY), Baylor, Sandberg, or Hale.  I know most are being talked about except Baylor.  What I like about Baylor was his ability as a player to run the clubhouse kangeroo court.  He also went to 3 straight World Series with 3 different teams.  He was a leader who might be able to empower some of the Red Sox to do as he did and unite this clubhouse.

John Lester and Clay Buchholtz:  Go apologize to the strength and conditioning coach.  Apologize to your teammates.  Apologize to your owners.  Then go out and do what made you both so darn good.  WORK HARD!!!  You both can make us all forget the junk by getting back to where you were!

Josh Beckett:  I dont know what to think about you.  I think you have it in you to turn around and be a leader for the BETTER.  I just don't know if you care about that now that you got paid.  I hope I am wrong about this, I just don't see that fire to dominate that the greats all have.  You have the stuff.  Is the desire there?

Dustin Pedroia:  With Tito gone, you have the numbers and work ethic to take a leadership role.  Embrace it!  Tito may have loved you, but you earned it too!

OK, I am done ranting.  I still love the Red Sox.  I just want to respect this team again!


Here's my message to the NBA:  LOLOLOL     Enjoy the time off!

Health Update and Call to Arms

Well folks, it has been forever since I have given a health update and I really appreciate the many of you who have inquired.  I NEED that accountability.

Although I continue to stay focused on my health, I have struggled to really get the train moving.  I have lost a total of around 40 lbs so far and I continue to make solid food choices, but I need to add exercise and counting calories to my routine.  I have a new goal and a new reason for my goal.

I am going to have to have surgery.  It is minor surgery but involves general anesthesia.  At my weight, general anesthesia has risks.  I have been told if I lost 100 pounds, I would reduced the risk a large amount.  Lori and I (barring last minute information) have decided to wait on the surgery for a year while I try to drop 100 (more) pounds. 

So here is where you come in!  I need my friends and family to keep me accountable.  Keep reminding me to make good decisions.  Question things that don't look right.  Folks, the responsibility to lose this weight is all mine.  I caused this problem, it is my job to fix it.  While I am asking you all to help me, in the end it is going to be about me trusting in God to give me the strength to lose this weight.  It will be tough, it will take every bit of my determination and faith.  I ask for you to continue to support me as you have in the past.  Keep asking me for updates, keep questioning my decisions, and keep supporting me!  It is a lot to ask, and I do not deserve it, but I have always been blessed with friends who have shown me love, grace and mercy.

I celebrated my 13th anniversary this week and I fully expect to celebrate my 14th anniversary a 100 lbs lighter and ready for my surgery.

Thanks!!

Edited to correct local anesthesia to general anesthesia.

NFL Preview!!

Here are my NFL picks for this year.  I will be way off because I am playing it to safe and injuries will make a huge difference.



AFC Division Winners Jets*, Ravens*, Texans, Chargers
AFC Wild Cards  Patriots, Steelers
NFC Division Winners: Eagles*, Saints, Packers*, Rams
NFC Wild Cards  Falcons,Bucs
Round 2 matchups:  Jets vs Patriots, Ravens vs Steelers, Eagles vs Falcons, Packers vs Rams
Conference Finals:  Patriots Over Ravens, Falcons over Packers
Super Bowl  Patriots over Falcons

My feeling is that the leagues 7 strongest teams overall are NE, NYJ, Pitt, Balt, Phil, GB, and Atl.  However, my feeling is that the Patriots will start off slower than normal and will not focus on winning the division but being playoff ready.  Like the Falcons, they wont even win their division but they will meet in the Super Bowl.  Due to the short offseason, it should be easier for already good teams to be better out of the gate than teams who added pieces.  Those early games make it harder to break the playoff tape.  Teams I like to make things interesting are Detroit, NYG, Chicago, KC, and Cleveland (dont ask me why).  I dont think any make the playoffs, but they should make things tough.

Come join my pick em league and whoop me!!! 

http://picked-off.com/13542   password :  bringit


A health update will be coming soon.  I am still on track despite being in a holding pattern.  Other medical issues have jumped to the forefront but I have not started to gain nor give up!!

Health Update

So, I went to weigh in on Saturday July 2nd for fun.  I had been eating well, went swimming, and thought I had done really well.  It was only 4 days from my last weigh in, so I wasn't expecting anything much coming off my 5 lb loss, but was excited to find out.

I weighed in...... up 2 pounds.  UP?  What?!?!?!?

I was really upset.  I was on a roll and doing very well.  I thought I would be down a bit and it would help me stay focused during the holiday, which was made harder by making homemade ice cream and working the booth selling it.  I know there are ups and downs on the scale.  I am aware that without consistent exercise there will come a day that I will not lose anymore until I add it in.  But 2 pounds????? Dang!

This was another stumbling block put in my way to test me.  Could I resist temptation to give up?  I had not blogged in a while anything substantial, so it would be easy just to have a bad week and then blog when things were good!!!  However, this time is going to be different.  I wont let minor setbacks derail the greater goal.  I will not fail as I have in the past by giving up.  Having this blog and those of you who have encouraged me and kept me accountable (yes, Jonny and others, I mean you!) was a great source of strength.

So I kept going forward.  I made the ice cream.  I refused to even taste it.  I refused to lick a drop off my finger.  In this time when I could easily slip up or give up, I held strong.  I kept the course.  I cleared the stumbling block and I am ready to continue moving forward.

So I weighed in on Wednesday (first time I could get to the scale).  The result was a 1 pound loss (3 pounds down from my unofficial weigh in midweek).  That 1 pound was huge for me.  It not only symbolized another successful week, but it symbolized my first real challenge.  I must admit that I am very excited.  So, to sum it up....  I am now down 30 pounds.  Not bad so far. 

So, what do I go do?  Well, I opened my mouth and put my foot in it.  I made a challenge I can't really win.  I challenged someone to race to a certain weight.  They need to lose 135 fewer pounds than I do to get to this weight.  However, I am going to give it my all.  I do hope to lose this bet because this person is my friend and I want that person to succeed.  However, I am going to try and get there.  My situation is much easier for me to lose weight than for my challenger.  Family situation, work, and current eating habits all favor me.  I am a very competitive person with too big a mouth (and stomach FOR NOW).  Wish me luck and hope I get there soon but lose by a lot!

Well, good day for now. 

Health Update

Well folks, it has been a crazy few weeks, but here is an update on my health focus!

Weighed in on day 43 and I have lost a total of 29 pounds.  I lost 5 pounds last week!

I am hoping to keep up a 2 pound a week pace.

I am feeling better (except for the headaches) and have yet to include exorcize.  Once I do, the weight will begin to come off even faster.

As for eating, I am still making solid choices and while I occasionally eat too much, I am doing better with that as well.


Ok, got to run..... catch you all later.  Please feel free to bug me for updates if I don't post.  If I struggle, i am worried I will try and stop blogging.  That is why I started using my (used to be sports) blog for this purpose.  Thanks to a ton of you for your support.  It has been invaluable.  I will try and be more detailed next entry. 

Putting THE Father in Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day and had me thinking a lot about a lot of things. As many of you might know, Lori's Grandpa Farrell has been in declining health.  He was put on hospice and then had to be moved to a nursing home as it was expected to be his final days.  This weekend was a crazy one as we were in and out of the nursing home, celebrated Alex's Birthday, and also father's day.  It was a true emotional roller coaster.

God was again there doing what he does best.  Multi-tasking!  He had a plan and it was good!  I wont be able to relay all the amazing details of how He awesome his plan was, but I will tell you a few awesome things He did:

• Alex did not want Grandpa to die on his birthday.  He may only be 7 but he is really sensitive and we were so thankful that God chose to honor Alex's request.  Alex had a decent birthday overall, thanks to a party last week that went so well!  So, happy birthday little man!!!  You are the pepper of my life.  With you, everything is going to be interesting.
• While I thought it would be appropriate for Grandpa to die on Father's Day, as there is no greater gift than getting to be home with Jesus, it was not the wish of his youngest child.  She didn't want it and I am very glad, yet again, that God chose to honor the request.
• My kids got a chance to see him and we got a chance to make sure they understood what was going on.  By being honest with them and upfront, I expect when we have to tell them he has passed, it will be much easier.
• I am generally a very self-centered person when it comes to things like Father's day.  This father's day was not very much about me.  This was His message to me.  It can't be about ME.  

In the end, a weekend which normally would have focused on Alex and I ended up being so much more.  For me, I got a great gift.  A clear and wonderful message from God; a lesson I wont soon forget.  See, this father's day, I was reminded that the best fathers on earth need to still focus on The Father even on father's day.  As for Grandpa Farrell, he spent father's day weekend being kept comfortable, listening to gospel music, and surrounded by family.  I can't help but think that there was no better way to spend father's day weekend for him.  Grandpa died at 1am the morning after father's day.

Saying goodbye

Sometimes God has single messages to tell me and sometimes he goes with a series of messages.  Recently, I have been faced with a series of messages on goodbyes.  Some have been happy, some sad, and some mixed emotions.  Either way, God is trying to teach me a lot about being able to say goodbye.  See, for me goodbyes meant new beginnings and new beginnings meant change and change meant trepidation.  However, God is trying to help me learn not to get that far.  He wants me to able to have joy in change as well as joy in status quo.  Goodbyes come in so many forms and we all have to say goodbye much more often than we realize.

Recently, if you remember, I had to say goodbye to my old eating habits.  I have had to say goodbye to cookies, cakes, and just about anything with sugar.  My doctors told me I was either pre-diabetic or diabetic and that I needed to do something right away.  So, bye bye sugars and hello better eating habits.  This was a tougher goodbye than I thought.  I didn't realize how much poor eating was part of my lifestyle and how much comfort I found in food.  God has helped me though and I have lost 22.5 lbs and although I have more work and changes to make.... I feel like I have said goodbye the right way.

Meanwhile, our family has had to prepare to say goodbye to Lori's grandfather.  While we are unsure how long it will be, we are having to prepare for it.  My kids are at a tough age in that they understand death enough to be sad but they aren't old enough to have experience in dealing with it.  Ryan seems to be handling it well, Katie may not fully understand, but we had to talk with Alex last night as he was the one who got  very emotional about it.  I could go on for years about the psychology of children dealing with death, but I am really wanting to focus more on being introspective here.  I have found myself having a hard time with this goodbye.  Grandpa is Lori's grandfather and I always consider my in-laws as my own family.  The relationships are very different but emotionally, I care the same for them all.  He is going to be missed by a lot of people including a wife, 3 children (and their spouses), 8 grandchildren (and the 7 spouses), and many great grandchildren (I AM too lazy to count).  His illness and decline has been very tough for everyone involved.  He has always been a strong independent man and watching his decline has been tough.  Emotions have run high.  I honestly didn't think saying goodbye to him would be so tough for me, but it is.

In other goodbyes, I have said goodbye to my mom in a much less permanent way.  I dropped her off at the airport in Kansas City after a 20 day, or so, stay.  This goodbye was easier for me because she is planning to return soon.  I think it is obvious, but I will say it anyway.... the more permanent, the more emotional a goodbye is for me.  We miss having Aiya visit us, but it wont be long before she returns:)

I said goodbye this month to the 2010-2011 NBA and NHL seasons.  Both ended on a good note with the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup for the first time I can remember (I was only months old the last time) and the Heat losing.  Congrats to all involved on the Mavericks and Bruins for your success.

In May I said goodbye to many students.  This was tough for me as some of the students will not be returning.  The thing I enjoy most about working in schools is seeing kids grow up.  I look forward to see what is in store for these students.  The ones who wont be back will be missed next year.  I wish them all the best in the various things that await them in the future.  While our school isn't perfect, I am excited to see the direction it is going to move.  To me, it is still far and away the best education for my children.  So, goodbye to 2010-2011 school year is also hello to 2011-2012 school year.  Because I have difficulty with goodbyes, I am going to focus on the hello here and get excited for the new things on the horizon for my kids, our students, and His plan for it all! (Note: we are saying goodbye to some teachers as well, and I wish them ALL the best)

Today we spent some time saying goodbye to our next door neighbors.  In the short time they have lived next door, they have become an important part of our lives because my kids have always had other kids to play with almost anytime they wanted.  Even Lori and I have had the chance to spend a little time socializing with them.  I wish them a safe trip to California and my intense prayers that they sell their house quickly to some more great neighbors with kids!!!  Our neighbors are all really great right now, I just wish some of them would stick around!

Last week I said hello and goodbye to VBS.  VBS is a ton of fun for me.  I never had VBS when I was a kid, so I get to experience it as an adult where I can enjoy all the fun and really appreciate the learning aspect as well.  Thank you so much to all those involved in VBS planning... they are AMAZING and I had a blast.  Someone once told me VBS was geared towards the kids...... I'm not so sure!  I am very sad though to say goodbye again.  It is a very fun week!

I am hoping to say goodbye to the upswing in headaches.  My Cluster Headaches have been worse the last few days and I hope they settle back down to the much more manageable pattern they had been in.

Well, it looks like I am having a hard time saying goodbye to this blog entry.  I am very emotional these last few days for so many different reasons.  Change is everywhere and, if you know me, it means a massive uneasiness...... USUALLY.  Not this time folks, God is in control and He is going to help me get over it, grieve for the losses, and be joyfully ready for whatever is next!

Random Fram Strikes

My weight is now down 22.5 lbs since I started.  While the amount is smaller each week, I am learning and the eating the right foods has got easier.  I will have to add exercise and more portion control if I wish to lose faster, but for now, i am pleased with my decisions and commitment to this.

The Bruins are in a game 7 for the third time and I fear they will finally lose tonight (predicting 4-1).  Great season Bruins, you can do it, I just don't think you will.  PLEASE prove me wrong!
 
My poor brother is in India and doesn't have a way to watch the game yet.  Any ideas?

Thank You Dallas!  I would have been sick to watch Miami win.  You deserve it.

Note to LeBron.  Fire your PR people and call me.  I will help make you into what you want.  Without me, you are looking like a less sympathetic Alex Rodriguez.  I never thought that would be possible!  Send me a message here, I promise I can help you restore your image and get you to the next level.

Note to ALL people, not just celebrities/politicians.  I am not sure why people put things on text messages and social networking sites but here should be your litmus test:  If you wouldn't put it on a billboard on the closest major highway, DO NOT POST IT ANYWHERE OR SEND IT ANYWHERE on the INTERNET!  Think people!

Fianlly, remember to take the time to show others respect.  Hold a door open, pick up a dropped item, or even let a person with a few items in front of you in line.  Don't expect a thank you and don't expect getting it back.

A little Sports Post

As a die hard Boston sports fan, it is awesome to see a team of mine have a shot at a championship.  The Bruins are is what amounts to a best 2 out of 3 series for the Stanley Cup.  They are not the more talented team, they do not have home ice, and they do not have their 2nd leading scorer in the playoffs.... yet they DO have a shot.  Good luck Bruins.

The NBA finals continues to remind me why Miami is a team not worth EVER rooting for.  Lebron's acting, Miami's thug tactics, and the copious amounts of crying the Heat does is an embarrassment to the league.  They have been the benefactors of significant injuries to Rondo, O'Neal (J), Allen, Rose, and Dirk while being very much the reason for many of them.  Yet, before Game 5, they chose to act like a bunch of spoiled brats and mock a player on the other team.  Sadly Wade has learned how to lower himself to LeBron's level instead of helping LeBron rise to a higher level of class.  ESPN has the article (I will link it below) that talks about what they did.  Honestly, I thought the antics or the Canucks and Bruins in the NHL finals was bad, but this behavior is horrible.  If the thug tactics, faking fouls and winking, crying and celebrating because you won the conference SEMI-finals, and "The Decision" weren't enough to turn your stomach...... this article should push you over the edge.  I hope Cleveland has an amazing off season and finds a way to win a Championship before WahBron..... that, my fiends, would be worth celebrating.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/conversations/_/id/6648286/lebron-james-dwyane-wade-feign-illness-dirk-nowitzki-expense

A blogless blog? Just temp!

Things are crazy this week, haven't had the chance to blog.  I will return later this week.

My (maybe skewed) Philosophy

So I had chose not to classify my current focus on health as a diet for fear that once I have a minor setback, that I will choose to call it a failure and walk away (a sad tendency of mine).  However, I am beginning to question this decision as it assumes setbacks or failures and I want to focus on striving for perfection.  So, I run into a common quandary:

1.  Do I focus on striving for perfection, keeping failure and setbacks out of my mind and thus setting myself up for successes?

or

2.  Do I prepare for setbacks/failures so that when they happen, I am prepared to bounce back?

Psychologically, this is a conundrum for me.  I worry that preparing for failures set me up for failures.  I worry that not preparing for failures will leave me ill-prepared when they come.  Either way it leaves me in a less than ideal situation.  I am well aware that I am imperfect and that I will not perfectly diet (for lack of a better single word).  I am also aware that I am set up to succeed in the long run. 

This issue came to light from a conversation my son relayed to me.  Ryan and his teammate Eddie had a conversation Thursday night in the dugout.  Eddie told my son that (these are Ryan's words exactly) "if you say something like I stink at baseball, your brain will go along with it and make it happen".  Now, it is interesting to hear 2 elementary school kids discuss the concept of self-fulfilling prophesy but the more important aspect was the impact it had in me this week.  The fact that Eddie was trying to keep Ryan in a positive frame of mind as Ryan was struggling to hit the machine pitched baseball brought this concept to the fore-front of my mind.  Is it better to prepare Ryan for failure so he wont get discouraged or to have him focus on the end result so his mind wont "make it happen".   In answering this about Ryan, maybe it will help me with my own dilemma.

So, I asked myself that same question in my current focus towards better health.  The answer might be different for different people but for now I chose to focus on preparing myself for setbacks/failures.  Every time I have dieted (seems like I am getting comfortable with that word now) it has got derailed with a failure and never got back on track.  So while I am apt to suffer setbacks/failures, I hope I am set up better for long term success by being prepared for what has hurt me in the past.

Currently, I am struggling with appetite and portion control.  I am very happy with my food choices overall but my portion control and frequency of eating needs to get better.  With that said, I did tell myself to focus early on food choices, then add exercise, and finally pick a program (calorie, carbs, points,.....) and go with it.  Adding little by little until I am dieting (yes, I have decided that this lifestyle change must start with better choices, move to a diet, and finally go back to the long term lifestyle change). 

So overall, despite the imperfection of my current diet, I feel I am still succeeding in where I want to be.  Losing 18 lbs in the first 21 days is a good thing.  I do worry this week will not be nearly as good but I do think my body is happy with my current food choices and thus I am succeeding in step 1 and getting close to step 2.

Today I faced two monumental challenges/tests to my willpower.  They might not seem huge to you, but to me and my psyche they are huge.  We went out to Nakato Japanese Steakhouse (my favorite restaurant).  My favorite thing they serve is their fried rice.  I usually eat my portion and part of my kids portion too.  They also have outstanding noodles.  So, needless to say, I was worried going in.  So instead, I ate 3 small salads, shrimp, chicken, some steak, and extra veggies (onion, zucchini, and carrots).  I traded a few shrimp for some steak but otherwise had a normal portion of the protein.  So I replaced the rice, noodles, and 3+ servings of seafood sauce with 2 small salads, extra veggies, and 1 portion of sauce.  Not perfect, but I didn't even take a bite of fried rice nor noodles.  This was huge for me.  Resisting favorite foods that are on my plate without even a little cheat helps me to solidify my resolve.

My second test was when I was making dessert for my family.  I made a no bake oreo pie (pre-packaged).  Usually I will lick the bowl and beaters and get a little on my hands which I also lick off.  This time, I washed it off my hands and sent the bowl and beaters to the sink filled with warm soapy water leaving the remnants untouched.  I could have easily taken a little taste for a few calorie treat but instead I claimed victory over it and told it I was not going to waste even a few calories.

See folks, while little cheats or small tastes are okay for many dieters, for me I need to succeed so bad that it is imperative I pass the little tests to help with the bigger ones.  Tomorrow I hope to weigh in and while I expect 1 lb. or less weight loss, I am still very upbeat and ready to continue this journey.  My goal is over 200 lbs lost total at the end.  I hope to do it in 100 weeks or less.  I figure at that rate and duration, I will be in a habit I can sustain forever.  Also, it means when Ryan goes to middle school, he will have a dad in shape to keep up with him and his siblings.  That means more than fried rice or a taste of pie to me.

21 day weigh in

As expected my weight loss was not as prolific this week but not as bad as I thought.  Weighed in down 4 more pounds for a total of 18 in 21 days.

My first main goal is to get to 330 lbs so I can use the wii balance board. I have been told I don't have to wait until then but I will just in case.

So, I am 4 pounds closer. Got to do better this week.

A Note To Each Major Sports Commissioner

To Bud Selig:  I know this wont be popular but you need to suspend Scott Cousins.  I am well aware that he didn't mean to injure Buster Posey BUT what he did has got to be against the rules and ended the season of another player.  A small suspension would be worth it to MLB.  Contrary to popular opinion, Cousins did not do the right thing.  Since Posey was not blocking the plate and Cousins had a clear path to the plate, there is nothing legal to interfering with a player trying to catch the ball.  He should have been called out for interference and kicked out of the game for the severity of the hit to Posey.  MLB should make it clear that collisions by runners on fielders NOT obstructing the path to the base is not going to be tolerated.  For years I have wondered why breaking up a double play is legal.  The runner is already out and therefor should have no impact on the rest of the play.  Anyway, now that we have seen this problem impact a team's playoff chances, maybe we can fix this problem and make it safer for players to field their positions.  I think it is important to say I don't think Cousins tried to injure him and he was doing what he was taught to do, BUT that is what needs to be changed (especially since kids and recreational ball players to this all the time that leads to injuries that have no place in the game!).

To Gary Bettman:  After seeing the Nathan Horton incident where he squirted and then threw his water bottle at a fan, I wonder out loud if the NHL shouldn't make squirting heckling fans ALLOWED by rule.  If a fan is close enough to a player to be squirted and is heckling such player, shouldn't the player have recourse?  Squirting said fan with WATER (ONLY) would be a harmless recourse from the usually vulgar (and sometimes horribly inappropriate) heckler.  Players are people too.  Just because they are athletes doesn't mean they should be treated so rudely.  Fans should be able to boo and cheer and yell but not in the face of a player especially after a loss.  In this case, Bruins players were being pelted by hand drums by the classless TB fans after a loss and then players are expected to walk through a tunnel of rude drunk fans yelling obscenities?  I do not condone the throwing of the bottle at all but the squirting seems like a suitable response to me.

To David Stern:  Your league has great athletes, exciting plays, and intriguing match-ups but your officiating appears to be horribly biased if not completely corrupt.  One thing you could do is start instituting fines for unsportsmanlike conduct and issuing points to refs for horrible calls.  The first fine needs to go to LeBron James.  The flop he took in the playoffs vs Derek Rose was a complete joke.  Made your refs look horrible and your game a joke.  Rose ended the game with 5 fouls and thus may have impacted the entire game because LeCheat decided to take a dive.  His wink can and should be used against him in a court of NBA and he should be fined severely.  While I have a bias against LeBron to begin with, I can't imagine anyone out side of the Divacs family thinking his actions were anything but disgusting.  Mr Stern, I know the NBA wants WahBron to win a title but should they have to earn it without to appearance of help from NBA refs?  Refs should be instituted points for calls that upon review are horribly wrong and the refs with the lowest points for the season (per game called) should be your playoff refs.  Thus, maybe refs would stop trying to help your favorite teams, Mr Stern and call games cleanly.  (PS points should be assigned by a panel of ex-players)

To Roger Goodell:  Last week it was reported that the St. Louis Rams gave $25K to the Joplin relief cause.  While it impressed my wife, it disgusted me.  I wonder out loud how much money and time would have been given by the Rams and Rams players had the league not been in a lockdown.  The NFL and NFL players have always been very generous with charity causes but right now everyone involved is being frugal with money until play resumes.  This note goes to DeMaurice Smith too.  You guys have got to get it done now.  In this economy, I am not the only person to find it disgusting that our government has to foot the bill for you all to bicker in court!  Why not hire an independent mediator (where is Joseph Wapner when you need him!) who arbitrates (BINDING ARBITRATION!!!!) and gets this impasse solved?  It is a crying shame that charities will suffer, regular everyday employees will lose jobs and money, and the US government will have to pay people to hear the case in court!  Folks, it is disgusting now!

To those who follow my blog to follow my journey to good health, I will weigh in Monday or Tuesday.  Today the free app of the day on Amazon Appstore was Cardio Trainer Pro.  I am hoping to use this to help with my exercise regimen when I begin it.  Thanks to CP for alerting me to this!  I think I have been overeating so far this week, but my food choices have been very good, so I hope to better control portions and soon add some exercise.  I am nervous to get on the scale this week, but it will most likely be a good reminder to eat slower and watch portion control as well.

15 days in the books

Well, I had a bad weekend of eating.  Still eating the right foods but just eating too much.  Still haven't been able to add exercise either (which I expect to add after I have shed a few more pounds).  I was discouraged this weekend but realized I was still doing ok.

So, this leads in to the weigh in. Here are the results so far:


Day 7 weigh in: down 8 pounds
Day 11 wiegh in: down 3 pounds
Day 15 weigh in: down 3 pounds

15 day total: Down 14 pounds. 

I am happy with the results so far but I do need to be more diligent with my preparations.  That is my goal for the next 4 weeks.  Good preparation, good choices, and good thoughts.  Aiming for 5 lbs this week.  We shall see!  Thanks for following and keep up the comments, they really help!!

Week 1 is over

Well, week 1 is over.  I weighed myself lat Monday when I did the blood tests, and I weighed as much as I had ever weighed.  So, over the last week I have tried to eat better.  I am not jumping into a workout routine yet, but working to get my food choices fixed.

First I am focusing on sugar.  Since I am either diabetic or darn close to it, I figured it was most important to focus on learning how to eat like a diabetic.  This has gone well.  I am learning to check labels, use an app on my phone, and be smart about food choices.

My secondary focus is on calories.  Trying to make smart calorie decisions.

Both of these are dependent on having the right foods in the house.  So I have made an effort to bring in low sugar snacks and foods.

Well, I feel somewhat successful so far and the scale agrees.  I lost 8 pounds.  I am very happy with the 8 but it is a marathon and one can't get too amped up over the first 1000 feet!

More on the weight issue

I have to admit that tackling my weight problem had been very daunting.  The realization that I have got to this point is almost more difficult to deal with than the fact that I am where I am.  Maybe 200 lbs overweight.  I have always seen myself as overweight but never really seen myself for how overweight I have become.  Today, I struggle with exactly how bad it is for me at this weight.  I find the simple and important things to be nearly impossible.  I cant tie my shoes, I can't sleep without a machine, and I either pulled a muscle or got a cramp trying to scratch my foot.  Yeah, it is that embarrassingly bad.  I am almost a week into trying to change my lifestyle, and I am hopeful yet still ashamed.

The other day I was told by my personal physician that I am pre-diabetic.  I am dangerously close to being diabetic and thus I really have no more time to mess around.  I am trying to learn about good food choices, for both weight loss and blood sugar.  It isn't going to be fun at all, but I really have to do this.  After all the frustrations and fear that came with this week, I still struggle with good food choices.  So, in order to help myself remember why I am doing what I am doing, I am going to list some of the reasons I want to do this:

1.  I dont want to die.  I have 4 people who directly depend on me and a God who made me for a purpose.
2.  I would like to be able to tie my shoes without strain.  At my weight it is a very very tough thing to do and mighty embarrassing as well.
3.  I want to fit into seats.  Planes, sporting events, and heck just about any chair.
4.  I am sick of the embarrassment of breaking things.  In my life my weight has caused me to break a few chairs/seats and each time I am almost sick with embarrassment.
5.  Hygiene.  At my size, like tying a shoe, it is way harder to do.
6.  I want to play soccer and softball again.  I love them both and right now I just can't do it.  I would even love to ref or coach either, but that isn't happening at this weight.
7.  I have apnea and I would love to sleep without a machine to make sure I breathe ok.
8.  Clothing.  I want to have clothing last longer and fit better.
9.  I don't want to be diabetic or pre-diabetic.
10.  I teach my kids and students about making good choices and I want to be a good example of it. 

I could go on and on, but for now this is my list.  My long-term goal is ALL 10 of these.  Thank you all so much who have expressed their support and also to those who are praying for me in this area.  While I hate getting so personal, I think this is the best way to hold myself accountable.  

Special thanks to a friend (who is also a doctor) for taking the time out at a recent family event to talk to me.  I am truly blessed to have so many people supportive of me through this time, and you were a great reminder that God continues to put people in my life to help me when I am doing what He wants me to do.

Also, to all of you who have posted or talked to me with encouragement, I thank you all.  For God has brought each of you into my life to be help to me in so many ways.  As i have said many times, I am frustrated with myself but very hopeful as I move forward.  That hope comes from God and is reinforced by the people he puts in my life.

For those who read my blog for sports and such.  I do promise I will throw some in often.  Don't give up on it, it will be here.

A personal call for help

I am obese. There is no sugar coating it although if it was sugar coated I would probably eat it.  I worry about my health every day yet I have yet to be able to fix it.

Being a Christian, I know I need to use God to overcome this but right now I am failing.  I am worried about all sorts of health issues yet I don't seem to be able to muster the initial push to get the ball rolling. 

So folks, I am going to try and ask you all to sign on to help me.  If you are willing to pledge your support of me by commenting below, I will ask you to help me by keeping me accountable.  Here is what I am asking for :

1 you will ask me for updates making it harder for me to give up.
2 if you see me, you will encourage me or point out suggestions to help
3 you will pray for me (or do whatever you do if prayer isn't your thing)

So, if you are willing to help, comment below here.  I will update the blog when there is information.  Thank you. 

Death of a Terrorist

As we all know, as of May 1, 2011 the world has one less terrorist in it's midst.  This news brough a flurry of emotion around the world.  In me, it also brought a flood of emotion.  I wasn't sure how to feel or what to even say.  Do I smile, cheer, cry, ...... I just wasn't sure.  All I knew was that this day was more about the death and ressurection of my savior to me than the death of a terrorist leader.  See, every day for me has to focus on the death and ressurection of my savior.  If it doesn't, I fall victim to my own sin.

For me, I couldn't help but be sad to hear of the death of a human being.  I know many people said he was pure evil or his actions made him more an inhumane being than a human being, but for me, he was still a child of my God, a person my God loved, and a person my savior died for.  I can't help to think that yesterday, Jesus wept.  I know it sounds flat out insane to say, but I think that is exactly how Jesus would have spent last night, if he was walking amounst us.

For me, I can't fathom the emotion that is going through the heads of all those more directly effected by 9/11 than I was.  I was like every other American, saddened, angered, and even a bit scared that day, but there were many others who went though so much more.  I don't pretend to be able to tell them how to feel or how to react.  I can only speak for myself.

I do think it important to note that I completely support what our country did here.  While I do not celebrate the outcome, I DO support the decision.  I am very glad none of our military was injured in this particular phase of the operation.  I am very thankful for the brave heroes who fight for our country every day.  His death is justice.

With that said, I go to the Bible:

New International Version (©1984)
Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

So for me, I wont be celebrating.  I wont be cheering.  I wont be happy.  For me, I just weep inside.  The people lost in the twin towers are not coming back now.  The heroes of flight 93 wont be walking back into the lives of their loved ones. Those who died at the Pentagon will not be returning either.  Parents don't get to unbury their kids.  Kids don't get that reassuring hug from the parent they lost.  For me, all that happened yesterday was that a man died who could have been one of the greatest witnesses for Him like Paul was.  For that reason, I just can't celebrate.  Sorry.

More Framdom Framblings

I wrote the following days ago, but didn't have a chance to publish it. Today, I had one of those WOW days at work where I was reminded exactly how special my job really is.  It is a complete honor to sit at my desk and serve PCCS.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate what was done for me today.  I was also reminded what an honor it is to teach at our school.  It is a constant reminder to me of how much loving work goes into helping students grow and learn.  That work can be frustrating at times, but I know it is all worth it because these kids are growing up and learning so much (not just about academics).  Being a part time volunteer teacher is such a joy.  I am have been so blessed to see how amazing teachers teach and they have allowed me to be part of it all!  I hope Mr DiDomenico knows that here at PCCS, students get to hear some of his wisdom every once in a while!  I could go on and on, but I already have so much in this blog post.   I hope you enjoy these framblings.... they are quite random:

I have been blessed this year to work at a job with wonderful boss, wonderful co-workers and wonderful families.  I am truly blessed for being able to do this and I hope and pray I can continue to grow and get better at my job.I know we will see some students leave us at the end of the year, but despite being somewhere else, they and their families will still be part of our family.  Each person who steps into the doors of our school on a regular basis helps shape our school.  I thank you all for making me feel welcome.  I took the place of a very wonderful and talented individual and it was daunting trying to fill those shoes.  I probably came up short of her lofty mark in many areas, but I am thankful for the opportunity to try and reach for it again every day.

Got a tweet the other day from a fellow Christian that discussed political correctness.  It got me to thinking about the idea behind political correct use of vocabulary.  When I was younger, there was a "PC" movement to try and "encourage" people to use words that were less "offensive".  Some people decided that "black people" was more offensive than "African-Americans".  Thus this movement tried to force people to use the less offensive terms.  As a reaction, many people were upset and angry at the thought that they would be told what words to use and thus became angry.  While I don't condone people telling other people what to say or do in this kind of case, I wonder "what would Jesus have thought about this?"  And my answer was simple.  He would have wanted to respect the feelings of others and use the language as best He could.  Jesus met people at their level.  If calling Robert "Bob" made Robert happier, Jesus would have called him "Bob" and not thought twice about it.  Sometimes, showing someone the love of Jesus might be as simple as using a word that makes them more comfortable.

I still can't get over how American businesses and employees do their jobs.  I had 2 experiences in which I called businesses this week and it was shocking how different the experiences were.  They were both local businesses and I will not mention the name of the less flattering one.  In both cases I wanted to obtain some information over the phone.  In the first call, I got an automated operator who gave me some options and when I didn't know what to push, I waited for an operator.  The next voice I heard was the automated operator saying "Please hang up your phone now" and then the click.  1 time through the less than extensive menu and I was hung up upon.  REALLY???  It got worse when I then drove to the place only to be ignored by the receptionist.  When I finally got his/her attention, I asked for information that was right in front of  said person and was told "not yet".  I then stood there trying to sign language my request in hopes that this person could give me 3 more seconds of attention and I must have done a good job since I was then handed the "not yet available" information.  Then to top it off, I was at another local business that same day when this information was given to someone with me watching.  Now, the second business I called answered the phone a few minutes before they were even open.  The lady told me what I was inquiring about was not on the menu yet but offered to call me when it was put on.  This person did a few little things that were not expected but showed a tremendous focus on excellent customer service.  Thank you "Mister Wings" for making me feel like there is still quality customer service out there!

This video clip is not really recommended for kids (although it isn't awful and should be safe for work).  This was a clip from the show "Yes, Dear" that happened years ago but became a TON more funny with the understanding that this happened BEFORE Tiger's downfall.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48_CkFdTPTM  That line also reminded me of one of the most ironic TV moments of all time which was John Belushi on Saturday Night Live going through a cemetery talking about all his deceased colleagues.  He then says talks about how Gilda was the latest one to go.  The irony?  John died first (not last) and Gilda was 2nd to die (not 2nd to last),  a very eerie moment.

The NFL continues to find a way to go from my most favorite sports league to just below WTC (World Tiddlywinks Cooperative).  Folks, get it done NOW.  I don't know if they realize how much die hard fans love the offseason and free agent speculation but as of now, they are just wasting the time of our courts so that each side can greed as much as possible.  AWFUL!

Today's personal growth concept is:  Balance   If you dont think you are worth much, realize that to God you were worth dying for (and he KNOWS all of you!). 

Random meaningless quote:  "Sometimes "an eye for an eye" will only make everyone blind. - Unknown

Finally, I wanted to congratulate my wife.  She gave up soda as part of a focus on health for herself and I am very impressed.  I don't think she tried to prescribe herself the DrPepper Patch, which if you know her, is almost shocking.  KUDOS to a wonderful wife and mother.  She then went down with an awful case of strep throat and I am happy to say is coming out of it and hopefully will return to normalcy soon!

NBA Predictions

2nd round:  SA over POR    OKC over LAL

3rd round:  BOS over MIA  CHI over ORL

Finals:  CHI over OKC

Dont ask me why.  I still think Lakers and Celtics are best overall teams in each conference but injuries have forced me to go this direction.  While I am not a Bulls fan, I would say this final matchup would be an NBA dream with 2 young very good teams.  I wouldnt care who won because I like the OKC players and like the Chicago Head Coach.

NHL Playoff Predictions (just for champ)

Here are my selections for the NHL playoffs: 


Round 2:  SJ vs Chicago, Anaheim vs Phoenix      Washington vs TB, Philly vs Boston
Round 3:  SJ vs Anaheim, TB vs Boston
Stanley Cup: SJ over TB

I am guessing I will be wrong about every pick.  These just feel right to me (except picking Phoe which I did to avoid being flamed by my very large Arizona following!)

Random Rumblings

The Masters was awesome this year.  We got to see a disgraced super star make a run at the win, a young front runner drop like anvil onto Road Runner, and finally an unknown golfer whose name sounds like a German apple dessert win it all.  The Masters had everything.  It was drama, sport, and entertainment all wrapped into one.  I know many people don't think golf is very entertaining as a sport by itself, but the drama and stories made it The Event of the year so far in sports.

Danny Woodhead made a nice run at the cover of Madden '12 only to lose to Aaron Rodgers.  Congrats to Danny W.  A great story and a person I hope to be rooting for in the coming years.


Kathleen Passidomo had better not ever get elected again.  ( http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/03/16/republican-lawmaker-blames-11-year-old-victim-of-alleged-gang-rape/ )  I mean seriously.  Could there be a simply dumber statement made?  I do agree that it is always important for women to dress in a manner consistent with how they wish to be perceived.  If they wish to be looked at as purely a sexually being, then go ahead and dress in a manner consistent with that.  If they wish to be taken seriously in a business world, they need to dress the part.  This goes for all people, not just women.  HOWEVER, no matter what that message is, it is NEVER a message to rape someone.  This isn't even up for discussion.  You can dress any way you want, but be prepared to be treated like you represent yourself..... HOWEVER, sexually provocative dress is not an open invitation for rape.  With that said, what makes this statement so much more ridiculously sickening is 2 major points.  1.  The girl was 11   2.  It was 18 men/boys.    

I try not to jump into politics often but let's face it, articles like the one linked above force even a non-political person to have an opinion.

Today I want to focus on communication.  It is so important to try hard to communicate honestly, effectively, and with the understanding that it is YOUR responsibility to communicate your thoughts correctly.  Remember that tone, body language, and context can skew the message.  If you care about the person and/or the message, take the time to correct the perception of the message.  Sometimes, when you don't have an answer or you need some time, pick up the phone and let the person know you are working on it.  Sometimes long waits can inspire beliefs of apathy.  A simple honest correspondence often can avoid the need for a repaired relationship!

Just felt like sayin' I love my wife and kids.  Can't say it enough!

Conflicts

These days it seems that everyone has decided to play the game when it comes to resolving conflicts.  In most cases, the victim ends up being someone who is not even involved in the conflict itself.  What doesn't (sadly) surprise me is that the principle parties just flat out don't care.  Here are 3 examples:

Our wonderful federal government is example number one.  They were happy to go to the literal last moment to keep themselves open.  This over playing political games over hot button issues that should not have anything to do with the budget.  In the end I am sure they are high fiving one another over their "courageous" last minute solution.  However, I, for one am almost more upset than if they had a shut down.  Don't get me wrong, i am happy they wont be shutting down but this last minute solution could have been reached a while earlier and saved a lot of people the grief of being worried about being out of a paycheck.  As I have said before, if there is a solution out there, why not get to it BEFORE the last second.  Our soldiers and their families (to name one party) deserve a TON better than that!

NFL and NFLPA both asked to day for mediation.  They have no real intention on finding an impartial mediator to solve this, but they are beginning to realize they are getting close to losing a ton of money and it is almost the 11th hour on their $$.  Meanwhile, employees have taken cuts and jobs have be lost to save money .  FOLKS, it again are the everyday workers who pay for this.  I for one am sick of it.  A deal will be made and there will be NFL in 2011 or 2012.  Why not get the deal done in February this year and save the working people?  Absolute joke!

Federal prosecutors spent 8 years on the purgery trial of Barry Bonds.  This is a case where all the people he was testifying about already plead guilty and yet they think spending 9 years on a prosecution is a good waste, uh cause to spend our money.  Other athletes said the same thing he did, but they were not prosecuted!   At trial, the government called 3 (or more) witnesses that were found to have lied (or at least had convenient inconsistencies) during the trial.  How sadly ironic that they are depending on witnesses who lied to prove Bonds lied.  Why didn't they offer him a plea bargain?  He pleads no lo contendere (sp?) to 2 counts of lying to grand jury (make neither one about using steroids but about minor points) with no jail time,  He pays a small fine (lower than lawyer fees for trial would have been) and no jail time.  They make a point.  Bonds pays a very minor price.  We don't spend money hoping we can get people to lie on the stand to prove he lied.

In all cases we are going to have people who aren't getting hurt claiming to have saved the day while the hard workers are the pawns whose lives and livelihood aren't important enough to take care of these issues earlier!

Notes for fun:

I think it would be awesome if Tiger Woods won the Masters, spit on the trophy, and then turned WWE-style heel.  I don't now why, but I think it would be good for golf.

I'm a Red Sox fan.  Been one all my life.  Being at Game 4 of the 2004 World Series changed my sports life.  The Sox start out 0-6 and I am still convinced they will win it all.  Go figure!

Bye bye Manny.  Thanks for the memories.  I will never demonize you like others do, but it is time to take your $$ and memories and hit the road.  Good luck to you.

I just read the Commodore 64 is making a return.  Old look, new technology.  Man, how sweet!!!  I loved my C64.

MDA Jail, MLB Predictions, and a warning on e-lationships

Today, my daughter and I spent time in MDA jail as part of their fund drive to raise money.  We were blessed to have friends and family who are so generous and helped us raise over $600 for the cause.  Despite the jail time, we are doing well and happy to be free again.

MLB season is starting, so here are my predictions:  AL East: Red Sox  AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Card: Yankees  ALCS: Red Sox over Yankees  NL East: Philly NL Central: Reds NL West: San Fran NL Wild Card: St Louis  NLCS: Philly over Cincy  Wolrd Series: Philly over Red Sox.  Just a prediction, bound to be ridiculously wrong.

I saw a long time friend in person the other day.  She and I are "facebook friends" but have not seen each other in person in a long while.  From her facebook posts, I had thought she was not doing well and very grumpy in general.  However, in person she was happy and doing well.  Just goes to show you that there is so much lost in e-lationships.  So let me encourage you all to stay in touch.  Call or visit with your friends.  Don't let your entire relationship be "e".

Some random thoughts - Bonds and others

I am trying to follow the Barry Bonds trial (thank you unnamed tweeter) and I am finding myself increasingly sick over this.  The government really could have avoided this sham and saved us all a ton of money.  Let's say they prove Bonds knew he was using.  Let's say the jury actually has 12 impartial people.  Let's say they find him guilty.  Do we (the people) win?   Nope.  Bonds might go to jail but meanwhile the people are paying for the trial and then for Bonds jail time.  Why not let him plead no lo contendre (spelling) and pay a fine and be done with it.  Bonds can say he paid the fine to avoid trial.  The government can claim it means they made him pay for lying.  We can all be done with this sham and waste of money.

Please understand that the previous paragraph is ASSUMING they find him guilty.  If they do not, then the government will have wasted all sorts of money and resources over nothing.  For those not paying attention, it seems the government gave a deal to Mr Haskins that allows him to avoid jail to take the stand and make all sorts of accusations.  He without question made multiple tapes to try and blackmail Bonds.  Those tapes are now put into evidence against Bonds.  Humorous that somehow we allow illegally taped conversations that were made specifically to commit an illegal act to be the main evidence about someone else.  So our government believes that saying you didnt know you were taking steroids is worse than embezzling, forgery, blackmail, and purgery (sp)... yes, purgery, (sp).  Haskins lied many times and was caught but he will get away with it because he lied to help the feds.... kinda ironic, huh?  And we wonder why Bonds has said multiple times that he doesn't trust the government.

Bonds has never been a sympathetic character (thank you media) and the Feds are hoping that our distaste for the HR king will allow us to overlook that they were ok putting a guy on the stand who lied to try and help them put someone else away for lying.  Again folks, Bonds may have lied or he may have really blindly trusted his trainer and SHOULD have asked more questions.  I dont know and nor do I care.  Fine him and be done.

MORE THOUGHTS on other things:

Despite being embarrassed, I want to commend the Montreal Canadians.  They took a few cheap shots in their loss to the Bruins but in the end when they were completely and thoroughly beaten, they didnt just go out and throw around fists out of anger.  The NHL needs to address a few cheap shots but in the end we didnt see a donnybrook like I expected, so cheers for the losers for not embarrassing the league.

Folks, the NCAA tourney is awesome theater.  However, when will they learn to give mid majors a shot.  Missouri St dominated their conference and lost the conference tourney final in a great game and were eliminated from contention to allow teams with 10-14 loses to have an 11th-15th shot at it all.  The best tourney stories are always the mid majors.  GIVE THEM A SHOT!!!  I dont ever want to see the 9th or worst team in any conference in the tourney again.  SERIOUSLY!  I'd rather see Harvard, VCU, Richmond, Butler..... than people who arent in their own conferences top 8!

No matter how old I get and how much I despise WWE, I still turn it on every once in a while.  I grew up with it and while the sex and storylines are over the top, it still brings me back to the times in my youth when I enjoyed seeing the "Superfly" (even with a rowdy coconut to the noggin), the evil Russian (singing their anthem) vs Sgt Slaughter, or Roddy Piper putting up a poster of William Perry in the Boston Garden after the Super Bowl.  I now know a ton of that athleticism was drug (steroid) induced yet it doesn't tarnish the memories.  Wonder if I will think the same thing about Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa (you can bet it wont tarnish those memories either).

The NFL and NFLPA are very close to losing a fan.  I know they don't care but I am so disgusted at thsi point that it is getting close to the point where even if they don't miss games, I won't come back for a while and when I do, it wont be the same.  (See NHL)

Some of my favorite people to follow on twitter are: ScottMatusow (Mike's brother), RealKidPoker (Negs), RickWarren (Saddleback Church Pastor), GlobeChadFinn (funny and Boston related), TexDolly (mostly for the blonde jokes I cant admit to my wife that I find funny), nickmangold (will root for his team to lose by 10000000000 every time, but I like his tweets), MikeandMike, KaraOTR (Kara Scott), AdamSchefter (please start tweeting more on UFL!!), markfwespn (for the Bonds trial so far)......  I also enjoy the poker brat, the hit woman, and others, but these are my faves for now.  You can follow me and the 10 tweets a year that arent in my blog at #FramCire 

Time to run and clean the house.  Feel free to comment here or on twitter or facebook!

Bonds and more bonds

While I love living in a free country, sometimes some things don't make any sense. 

Opening statements in the Barry Bonds perjury trial should also have been closing statements.  Prosecutors said basically they were going to prove Bonds used steroids.  Bonds lawyers said that Bonds admits he used steroids.  Bonds lawyers said he thought they were other things and prosecutors said that was crazy,  They plan on calling an ex-girlfriend and an ex-business partner to the stand to prove he knew they were steroids.

REALLY?

They are seriously prosecuting Bonds because he said he didnt know they were steroids?  Seriously?  The guy who gave him steroids has admitted already that they were roids and has also made it clear that he takes full responsibility for this fact.  For 8 years, the Federal Prosecutors have spend unreal amounts of money to go after a guy because they THINK he knew?  Why is this that big of a deal?  Did Bonds call a special Congressional hearing to say he didn't use?  Did Bonds refuse to testify under full immunity?  Does Bonds specific knowledge of the contents change the case against everyone else (who already pled guilty)?

Whether you believe Bonds or not, the Government is spending tons of money to take Bonds to court because they think he might have lied.  They are calling ex-girlfirend and ex-business partners (who both clearly hate Bonds) as credible witnesses?  They also wanted to enter in tapes of Bonds yelling on the ex-girlfriends answering machine as proof of roid rage.  Even I know what a ridiculous thing that is!  He admitted to using roids already, that fact is now stipulated, thus making such a tape a pure unadulterated attempt at making the jury hate Bonds and purely prejudicial..

Bottom line is that the prosecutors are stretching at this with no credible witnesses to go after a guy for a very simple technicality.  If today Bonds came out and said "I did it, I knew it, and I am just playing around with the government because I can"... then I would want the book thrown at him.  Until then, he will pay the price others who used steroids did but any further prosecution is a complete joke.

(With this said, it is important to note I have always supported Bonds because I think the media has always come after him and he has always fought back.  The media is a ton more powerful than people think and it was good to see a guy fight back.  I have often said Bonds is paying a much higher price for his steroid use than any other user ever.  I dont care much about prior steroid use since cheating has been apart of baseball for years and while i dont condone it, I also dont single players out when they were just a very small part of a HUGE problem of systemically approved cheating in  baseball). (cheating can range from sliding hard to break up a double play, which is illegal since the player is already out.  pine tar, cork, proxiimity rule at 2nd base, doctoring ball, using uppers...... do I need to go on and on?)

If you noticed, my title mentioned "more bonds" not "more Bonds".  This is aimed to Arizona.  Folks, get yourselves in a room and work this out.  Stop continuing to jerk fans around.  A guy wants to rescue your NHL team (who knows why) so work together to help it happen. 

These issues coupled with the NFL nonsense has got me wondering when rich people and lawyers were ever going to stop using our courts for vendettas, personal recognition, and and greed.  All 3 cases should not be in our courts and there is a good chance we will all get to fund some part of all 3 of these.

That's the joke...... I hope you are laughing!

a TON of random thoughts

Why exactly do we have nuclear power plants in anywhere in the world?  I used to sell wire and cable to the industry and honestly, it can not be a cost effective way to produce power.  A run of cable took a binder's worth of specs and paperwork.  I can't imagine how thee make sense.  Maybe now, we might find alternatives??

Would the media please help the NFL negotiations by telling both sides they wont report on ANYTHING NFL or NFL players until they have a CBA again.  I mean seriously, do I even care right now?  I'd rather see a story on the 3rd string center for Mid Kentucky Hair Academy's 14-12 Division 4 cricket team.

Libya?  Really?  What's next?  No fly zone over Luxembourg?  I admit it, I just love the word "Luxembourg"

I will admit it, while I am not very political, I think a dinner party with the Obamas, W Bushs, and Clintons would be a ton of fun.  It will have to wait a few years until they all are free for such a get-together.  It is an interesting change from Bush Srs, Reagans, and Carters who were all good men but who would probably annoy me at a party.

Why do I get annoyed when the Red Sox lose 10-0 in a spring training game.  Only pre-season I even mildly follow.  I only wish my friend Jay and I could meet down there again.  I mean, are there any Bob Horner's still left?  Inside joke  :)

"Pray for Japan" is big these days.  While I am big on prayer and completely agree, could you throw a few more in there while you are at it.  Pray for Obama (and our country), pray for our troops, and pray for yourself too.  It doesn't hurt to get in a few more while you are at it.  While you are there, could you pray for me, I always could use it.

The poster for good parenting should have a man and his daughter watching a 7" screen DVD player with Barbie Fairies on it together.  I am not the best dad in the world, but if I was scure enough in my masculinity, I bet doing that would be really cool.  I can also imagine having to watch the outtakes 50 times might drive a grown man insane.



Harry Potter isnt that bad.  Not great but not bad either.

NCAA basketball tourney is just great television.  Yes, GREAT television.  If you can stand basketball at all, watch the first 4 rounds.  They are usually awesome.

Well, it's spring break and my kids and I are heading outside.  Have an awesome day.

MDA UPDATE!!!!!!!:

OK folks. I am halfway there!!! If you wish to avoid hearing me sing the song "Halfway there", please donate. I am about $250 short! Please help... even $5 or $10 will help out!

https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/211264/Participant/elcohen/Default.aspx

Time to give up sports

Lets face it.  Money is the root of many break ups.  From musical groups to marriages, money and some times absurd amounts of money can break up partnerships.  So maybe I shouldn't be shocked that a league that makes billions of dollars is quite possibly going to stop playing over who makes what absurd amount of money.

Don't get me wrong, it is the american way to get as much as possible for yourself, however when you are a league that depends on the money of hard working people who are currently not making billions of dollars, maybe you should put away the greedy hat and replace it with that hat of intelligence. 

I am proposing that we all boycott all major U.S sports for as long as the nfl misses games and 5 times as long for the nfl.  Maybe this will get all the crazy billionaires and millionaires together to figure out how to devide our hard earned money.

During this sports boycott, which should include college since the universities are making tons on kids, we should focus our time and money on amateur sports or smaller us sports.  Replace nhl with curling, nba with water polo, mlb with cricket, and nfl with rugby.  Still get your sports fix but tell our leagues they need to care about their real bosses, the fans!

Deeply Personal, no need to read this, move on

Sometimes in life, we see ourselves for who we really are, flaws and all.  Some people don’t seem to ever see their own flaws, while others don't seem to be able to see their strengths.  Long ago, I realized that I was able to do both.  Unfortunately for me, I also realized that others had this ability to see these things in me as well.  My flaws were transparent to me, as well as others.  I felt like I was at the beach wearing a speedo (and for those of you who know what I look like, it is just THAT frightening).

See, being a Christian should mean a healthy self-esteem.  The reality that I was created perfectly with flaws should give me the ability to appreciate that God made me flawed for a reason.  This should lead to me knowing that he still loves me and created me this way and should help me accept myself, speedo and all.

Sadly, I can’t say I do.  I can’t understand why I battle every day and lose.  I should have Victory in Him and yet I seem to habitually have failure by myself.  He has given me everything, His love, wonderful family, great friends, and even a purpose that I am able to fulfill.  However, I feel so much like I fail all of them daily.  Being a Christian should mean joyful servant hood without need for recognition and praise.  For me it is miserable selfishness and sloth with need to be praised and respected despite not earning it.

The worst part is that there are solutions I seem too selfish or lazy to take advantage of.   And that is what hurts the most.  I know I need to work harder, read the Bible more, and be deeper in prayer and in my relationship with Him, yet I never seem to be able to do it.  See, I KNOW it can be done.  I can do better.  I just wish I knew why I wont.  I am sick of failing all those who love me so much, and I can't understand why I can't overcome my own lazyiness to do it for them.  I have no choice but to keep trying to change.  Keep trying to get myself to succeed.  Keep holding on to the hope that with God I can do everything.  Sometimes I think getting me to where he wants me to be will be a miracle greater than any he has ever performed.  I hope someday to read this and smile knowing that He did it.  For now, I pray daily that my kids see their father and learn not to be like him.  My only hope is that they learn to not want to be like me.  Someday, I hope to want to be like myself.

Negotiations

Well, the sports world right now is dominated with negotiations.  NFL labor, Pujols, and the list goes on and on.One thing that remains the same is the highly annoying practice of playing the PR game.  The sad thing is this game has no winners.  It is the most futile game since a computer once asked "Shall we play a game?" and Matthew Broderick almost killed us all.

SO here, I will break it down for all parties:

Albert Pujols:  NOBODY cares Albert if you are the 8th or 1st highest paid player.  The numbers are all ridiculous.  The fans of whoever you play for will love you, the teams you play against will boo you, and if you leave StL, they will cheer for you 1 time then burn you in effigy.  Also, your contract will be held over you whether you are negotiating or not.  It will be a distraction, plain and simple.  Right now you have a ridiculously great reputation.  All that will go out the window if you leave StL.  Ask Mark Teixiera!

Cardinals:  Get him signed or StL fans will never forgive you.  Period,  Dont matter if you offered him 100 yrs $50 mill a  year.......sign him or prepare to be hated by your own fans.You could deal him to Boston for Adrian Gonzalez and John Lester and still your fans will be mad.  Stop talking in the press at all... NOONE cares.

NFL Owners:  You make big money.  If you play even 1 preseason game with scrubs or cancel 1 game........ fans will turn on you,  Noone wants to hear you cry.  So stop talking and get it done.

NFLPA:  You can cart out a bunch of crippled ex-players who are millions in debt due to football related medical problems and get some sympathy.  However, in the end.....if there is a work stoppage, prepare for noone to care about any of you

I just can never understand why people do what they do when in negotiations. In the end the fans want games to be played and players to stick around.  I dont blame them all for wanting to get the best deal possible BUT stop talking in the press and sit down and get the deal done.  Sometimes, it simply comes down to stop playing games and get it done so they CAN play games.

 A few random thoughts:

The Lakers will be fine.  A team with massive current success tends to play uninspired this time of year.  Notice what happened when they went into Boston..... they will be fine come playoffs.  No trade needed.

Who has retired the most number of times: Favre or Armstrong? 

The NHL should take this time to rid itself of the thugs.  More suspensions, more penalties, and lets get rid of all the violence which takes a very exciting sport and turns it into the WWE on skates.  PLayers with no skill but great at fighting need to go to UFC and put more players who can play onto the ice.  (maybe this will keep guys like Savard and Crosby ON THE ice)

It is sad that there is not a single ALL star game I care to watch.   NBA should be the best but it is the same joke the other sports are. I would rather see the NFL have the Pro Bowl be the worst NFL team vs the best players coming out of the draft with the same pro bowl rules to avoid injuries.  That might be worth watching.

Diana Taurasi is someone I want to believe but did she test positive or not?  WHo knows?!?

If you have kids around 7-10 years old, try watching Jeopardy with them.  If your name isnt Ken Jennings, I bet at some time you will feel mighty unintelligent.

In life it is always worth a few bucks to go to someone you trust.  I am blessed to have 2 mechanics, a doctor, and an eye doctor that I trust.  It is so very important.

Try saying thank you to someone who is "just doing their job".  We take for granted people who do their job very well because we think they should.  It is only when you run into someone who isnt as good, that you realize it and by then you missed your chance to thank the person who did it well.

Please comment here, on facebook, or on twitter.  Always interested in people's opinions.

What I love.....

The things I love:

Jesus, who died for my sins.
My wife, who is way out of my league but still loves me.
My kids, who are awesome in so many ways.
My family, who are amazing in their ability to love me.
My friends, who I can depend on always.
My bosses at work, every one of them.  They are amazing people who I am proud to work with/for.  My bosses include an administrator who is patient and kind, teachers who are amazingly talented and loving, parents who are dedicated to quality education, and students who amaze me at their ability to show me maturity beyond their years even though they are still kids.
Kisses from my kids!
Valenitnes from students.
Seeing people like past co-workers, fellow adoptive parents, a former PCCS teacher with her newly expanded family, and PCCS parents when picking up takeout.
The Patriots, Red Sox, and even Celtics and Bruins.  (you didnt think this would be sports free, did you?)
My pastor and his wife.
My CH family.  If you arent part of it, you wont ever understand.
Artwork from my favorite artists.... Donald, Monet, and Renoir.
Poker.  I love the game and the time I spend playing it with my friends.
Snow, but not ice and not the roads here when we get a ton of it.
Politicians who tell the truth and vote their conscience, leagues that do their negotiating behind closed doors not in the press, great tasting low calorie desserts, and Santa Claus (ok, these are things I WOULD love if they existed)

There is a ton more I love, but that is all I got right now.  Have a happy valentines day!  Mine was happy because I woke up to 3 kids, 1 amazing wife, and headed to a job that I am blessed to have!

Open Note to the NFL and NFLPA

This blog entry could be simply 2 words: WAKE UP.  It most likely would be just as powerful and informative as blogging out an entire entry on this topic.  However, like my friends to whom I direct this blog entry, I am choosing the longer and more excruciatingly painful way of getting things done.

As a sports fan, I have been through replacement players, missed games, strikes, lockouts, and even a missed championship.  While my life's focus is God and family, these events were emotionally taxing for me. People might tell me to get a life, but I am sorry, sports isn't my life, but my life does involve sports.


Now, here is your warning:  RANT IS ON. 

What exactly are you all thinking?  You have 3 choices.  Get a deal done, take some time off from playing, or disband the NFL.  After the most watched Super Bowl in history, a very successful and PROFITABLE season, and a bright future ahead, is it not in everyone's best interest to get a deal done?  So, what in the world are you all waiting on?  Get it done now!!! No more posturing, no more threats and hyperbole in the media, no more wasted time!!!!  Find a place to get this done, lock the main negotiators in, and do not let them see their families until a deal is in place.  You all know there are parameters that will get this done, you all know that EVERYONE loses if you miss even 1 game, and you should know that even an off season lockout is going to annoy/anger some fans.

So, here is my solution.  It is simple.  I live in a small town, few distractions.  Fly in both parties and rent a few rooms at our Quality Inn.  Every day I will come and check in on you all.  I will be happy to help mediate on a few items.  Noone gets to see family or friends until the deal is done.  Our town has tons of fast food, but only a couple decent places to eat.  We have a small movie theater and a bowling alley but otherwise no distractions to getting a deal done.  I love living here but I doubt these guys will love it here and hopefully it will force a quick resolution.

Now, I am not privy to all the details but here is what I think needs to happen: 

1.  Stay at 16 games.  Fans don't need or want more games and your entire record book becomes history instead of current events if you change the season to 18 games.
2.  Expand rosters 3 spots (2 more active per week) and also add the ability to add an emergency kicker instead of QB if a team wants.
3.  Make a rule saying that a player can only be franchised 1 time IF HE PLAYS AN ENTIRE SEASON.  If the player sits out even 1 preseason game for contractual reasons, he can be franchised the next season.  The next season, the player become a restricted free agent.  (legit injuries would count as playing)
4.  Make sure your retired players are covered medically for life.  (I dont know if this is already done, but it should be!)
5.  Take the large pile of profits and divide it up!  Give the players a little more and call it a day.

Here is your warning NFL.  I used to love the NHL.  I still love hockey, but I rarely watch a sport that used to be my #2 sport.  As I got older and the novelty of legalized fighting on skates got old, the league imploding and then not adjusting to make the game better has made me divorce my #2 and turn to other ones that I don't love as much.  The NFL is in danger of following this path if they choose petty squabbling and public posturing over getting it done and keeping their fans happy.

I dont care how far away you all say you are, I don't want to hear any more rhetoric, and I do not care to hear millionaires and billionaires cry.  I just want to hear about progress, hear about getting closer, and finally hear a deal is done.  Otherwise, lock your mouths shut, lock your focus on getting a deal done, and LOCK yourselves in and get er done Mater!!!

So guys, after all this, I will summarize the way I started:  WAKE UP!

Super bowl rants

Admittedly, being a Patriots fan clouds my judgement on everything NFL. However, one comment the commissioner made this week has stuck in my head as quite bizarre. When asked about Michael Vick hosting a party at the super bowl, the commissioner said he had talked to Vick 3 times about it and was assured Vick was not any part of it. Quite innocuous normally, but coupled with a lack of comment on another super bowl story, seems very strange.

Why exactly was the commish so worried about a player hosting a party who has been out of trouble for years and who has not had a problem with drinking? 3 times? Really?

So one would assume that a player who has had problems stemming from drinking and was seen out getting drunk would have got how many calls? 5? 8? 50? I guess none are needed. See, don't get me wrong, what Vick did YEARS ago was horrible but partying/drinking was not part of the problem. Does the commish feel like Vick has to be perfect?

Meanwhile millions of people will be rooting tonight for a guy who doesn't get it. He raped at least 1 girl and almost ended his life in an accident years ago both due to having alcohol/judgement issues. Yet, being out drinking the Tuesday before the Super Bowl isn't a problem? Why does Vick have to be spotless and Big Ben can continue this behavior?

I didn't root for Wilfredo Cordero and I hope some Pittsburgh fans will stop rooting for Ben until he at least shows a willingness to do something to change his destructive lifestyle.

Alcohol isn't the problem, Ben's inability to safely partake responsibly is.  I have a ton of respect for Mike Tomlin, so I hope behind the scenes, Tomlin is trying to help his star QB grow up before he does anything ELSE destructive.

So, enjoy the Super Bowl. I am taking GB 34-13. Injuries make me think this game won't be as close as it should be. Raji vs a backup is a huge problem.

This is my first blog here, so comment away.

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