A Man With Bread: 2006

Happy new year from Brenda and Marty!

The Year in Review: 2006

Well here I find myself on the last day of the year 2006.

This year was marked by a lot of moving. Many people in my life had to move this year.

Brenda and I moved this summer into our dream house. Becky and the kids moved into a single family house also. My sister Amy and her family moved to to their new house. My neice Emily and her family moved into Amy's old house. My townhouse that she lived in is ready for sale!

That is a lot of moving, not to mention painting and carpentry and cleaning.

--What will next year bring?

Total Package '07

I am joining my good friend Mr. Jer in his project for 2007:

Total Package '07

This will be a complete review and tune-up of our lives. I have already started on my fitness efforts. The key to the Total Package '07 is that it involves the mind, body and spirit.

--Keep an eye out for updates on the plan.

My Favorite PC Desktop Wallpaper of the Year

I collect pc desktops and change mine often.

This is my best one collected this year.

--Click on it for a full size version.

Selling the Rental!

I own a small townhouse that my niece, her husband and daughter have been renting from me for that last couple years. They headed for greener pastures on December 15th and we started getting it read for the market.

Last week the inside was repainted top to bottom. It is amazing what a simple coat of paint will do. Today Brenda and I started working on a long list of little things. We made a run to Lowes and got supplies, a huge variety of things.

Wednesday and Thursday I will finish up on the inside of the house. Friday I will be working outside. I will be painting the remaining trim, repairing and power washing the deck.

I hope Friday or Saturday we will have the carpets cleaned professionally!! Then it will be ready to go!

I can't wait to sell it.

--Motto for '07: Simplify

More Movies Watched

Fearless

I expected a simple action epic. I got much more.

"Cry when you are sad. When the tears are gone, life will move on."

The Christmas Movie Festival has begun...

Today BR and I will watch many movies and eat Shrimp.

It begins with The Lady in the Water, directed by M. Night Shyamalan!

I liked this movie a lot. It is a simple bedtime story. An excellent one. He is such a good craftsman on his movies. I will own them all as they come out.

Now if only I could figure out who borrowed them all!!

--More to come!

Peace on Earth, Good will toward men

It is early Christmas morning and very quiet as I have my coffee and cranberry muffins.

BR is sleeping in and I am here to wish the world a Merry Christmas.

I wish a happy holidays to those young men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and other dangerous places around the world who want nothing more than to be home in their beds in America tonight.

I will be thinking of you today.

--Peace on Earth, Hope, Love.

Birthdays and Antiques

BR made me a beautiful viking tunic for my B'Day! I love it!

My daughter Cady shocked me with a present for my birthday.

She picked me out this Oliver No. 3 classic type writer!

I had her with me as I was shopping for the perfect gift for Brenda. Little did I know she was watching me and the items that spoke to me.

--And Gray got me the Die Hard Trilogy on DVD!!

Birthdays

My Birthday is Friday and I am falling off the diet wagon for a few days. A total food fest for my B'Day.

Currently I am at 239 lbs. I have lost 46 pounds so far.

We are doing a shrimp platter on Christmas day. A pot luck on Dec 30th. Lots of wine and beers and festive action.

--I can't wait for the Rice Crispy Treat action!

RIP Joe Barbera

Cookies of Doom...

We got a package today from Brenda's parents.

I opened it up. The good part is that it smelled soooo good I actually had a couple cookies!!

The bad part was the package was actually for her brother Steven and his family! Anne and Mark had presents in there!

--But the cookies are awesome!

It's a Wonderful Life

Last night BR and I watched It's a Wonderful Life.

We watch it ever year. It makes me misty in the same scenes every time I watch it.

As we were watching the scene in this picture where the guy says, "Why don't you kiss her in stead of talking her to death?!" BR paused the TiVo.

--So I kissed BR. Soundly...

Texas Monthly

For the first time in years I may actually have to make a point of dragging myself to a news stand just to buy a magazine.

--Hey! I don't want to get shot in the face! Do you?

Diet Status

This weeks weigh-in was 241lbs. That is a loss of 44 pounds so far.

If I can get through the next 2 weeks and just maintain where I am, I will be happy!

--I am eatin good on my B'Day!!

RIP Peter Boyle

NEW YORK (AP) -- Peter Boyle, who played the tap-dancing monster in "Young Frankenstein" and the curmudgeonly father in the long-running sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died. He was 71.

--Rest in Peace Peter Boyle. I may have to watch Young Frankenstein tonight.

Barnes and Noble and Cabins...

At Cady's B'Day party yesterday she received some gift cards from Barnes and Noble. I love going to bookstores, especially HUGE ones.

I was wandering aimlessly looking for random goodness and found this excellent book on Cabins.

After we sell the townhouse next month I'll be having a long talk with BR.

--Probably while scratching her back...

My friend Kim has a B'Day today.

Today is my friend Kims B'day.

She has seen me through thick and thin.

I am really glad she was born.

I love you Kim!

--Marty

God Help Me Please

I am in the middle of a sleep over, birthday party, for my daughter Cady, with ten kids all together.

She is turning 13.

What the hell was I thinking?

Ten pre-teens, filled with pizza and sugar, running amok with my video camera.

Only one fight so far. Hurt feelings already resolved.

Thank the makers my ex-wife Becky is here. She is totally amazing with these kids!

--BR is great also. Between the two of them I might survive...

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!!

Every Christmas I must watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

It makes me wish for snow and time with friends and a Christmas Tree to Love.

Now you can buy the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!

--God I love the Internet!

Weight Loss Update

I am completely back on track for my diet. I lost another 2 lbs this week.

Thanksgiving day I enjoyed myself and ate what ever I wanted. I wanted lots of pie. I got what I wanted!

I didn't lose any wieght that week but didn't gain any either. Back on track. Doing good.

--I need to buy a new belt...

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

Santa Teresa private detective Kinsey Millhone is hired by wealthy Nord Lafferty to pick up his daughter at the California Institute for Women and get her through the first few days of freedom. Out on parole, Reba takes to Kinsey and the two women go out to dinner together when her former boss Alan “Beck” Beckwith arrives at the restaurant. He invites himself to have a drink with the two women and Kinsey knows she has been set up by a pro.

--Great stuff!

Long Spoon Lane by Anne Perry

By the summer of 1893, the English have become concerned with the bombing activities of anarchists who set explosions recently in London and Paris. A tip has come into the Special Branch, whose mission is to stop terrorists, claiming a bomb is set to go off in East London. Special Branch Chief Victor Narraway and Agent Thomas Pitt rush to the area; they capture two of the bombers. A third, a parliament member's son, is killed.

--Anne Perry is great! London in the late 1800's!

P is for Peril by Sue Grafton

Dr Dowan Purcell is Kinsey Millhone's missing person in P is for Peril, the latest of the Alphabet mysteries from Sue Grafton. Kinsey sometimes says she thinks taking a case is a mistake - missing person or whatever - but she always takes the case.

Dr. Missing is a respected doctor running a nursing home. He left work and never showed up anywhere. There's money missing from his savings and where is that passport? He's disappeared before but he's been gone an awfully long time. His first wife thinks the police could be doing more. Everybody thinks he's dead.

--Kinsey is Hott!

Dark Assassin by Anne Perry

A Thames River Police superintendent struggling to win the respect of his men, William Monk is on a patrol boat near Waterloo Bridge when he notices a young couple standing at the bridge railing, apparently engaged in an intense discussion. The woman waves her arms and places her hands on the man’s shoulders. A caress or a push? The man grasps hold of her. To save her or to kill her? Seconds later, the pair plunge to their death in the icy waters. Monk can’t help but wonder, was it an accident, a suicide, or a murder? It seems impossible to determine the truth, but haunted by the woman’s somber beauty, he is impelled to try.

--I love the depth of description of the settings in these books.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

--Thomas Edison

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today we did a very BIG project. A new fireplace surround.

We found this beautiful, antique, oak, fireplace surround at a small store in Manassas a few days ago. BR and I were talking about doing one from the beginning when we bought the house. The existing one was a total yawnfest. This was exactly what I had imagined for the spot. All oak, double mantles, beveled mirror, and the perfect spot for out manger!!

We Bought it and installed it today.

It is not really the final install because we also need to replace the gas fireplace insert. It works but it is not good. It doesn't look good, doesn't give off much heat. It is hard to light.

But now it has an awesome new look.

--Notice the beautiful woman reflected in the mirror...

RIP Dave Cockrum

Wearing Superman pajamas and covered with his Batman blanket, comic book illustrator Dave Cockrum died Sunday.

The 63-year-old overhauled the X-Men comic and helped popularize the relatively obscure Marvel Comics in the 1970s. He helped turn the title into a publishing sensation and major film franchise.

Cockrum died in his favorite chair at his home in Belton, South Carolina, after a long battle with diabetes and related complications, his wife Paty Cockrum said Tuesday.

At Cockrum's request, there will be no public services and his body will be cremated, according to Cox Funeral Home. His ashes will be spread on his property.

--A family friend said he will be cremated in a Green Lantern shirt.

Cady is turning 13 and we are having a party!

Who knew that Bruce Lee loved birthday parties as much as he loved making movies!?!

Cady is turning 13 and we are having a party!

What: Pizza, Cake, Candles, Presents, Film Making, Movie Watching
When: Saturday, December 9th at 5pm
Who: By Invitation Only!
Where: Marty's Monster McMansion!
Why: Because that Pic of Bruce Rocks!

Beg me and you might actually get invited. Beg me!

I may have found yet another hobby!!

--My neighbors are going to be so pissed if they find out!!

I got measured!

Greed:	Very Low
Gluttony:	Low
Wrath:	Very Low
Sloth:	Low
Envy:	Very Low
Lust:	Medium
Pride:	Very Low

The Seven Deadly Sins Quiz on 4degreez.com

My food fest aftermath

So yesterday I was completely off my diet. Ate as much as I wanted, way more than I wanted really. My morning weigh-in was 244, (41 lb total loss so far).

The odd thing is that I still ate way less than I use to eat all the time.

We all went out to breakfast to start the day. We went to Shoney's and enjoyed the breakfast buffet! Lot's of sausage, ham and bacon! Plenty of eggs, cheese, and French toast. And really good coffee... Mmmmmmm...

For lunch I had half a pumpkin pie! More, coffee with extra BR love added!

Dinner was a mountain of Classic Turkey and the fixins! Lots-O-Gravy! It was over so fast.

My weigh-in this morning was 249. I gained 5 lbs in one day!!

--Time for my morning bran muffin...

Marty's Diet Status

I hit another diet milestone this morning. 40 pounds down, 60 pounds to go.

I will be keeping a tight handle on my diet for the next few days because on Thanksgiving day BR and I are having a total foodfest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lots of mashed potatoes and gravy!

As an experiment, I am going to weigh in that morning and see how much damage one day can do! I have been so good so far. I have had pizza for dinner twice since the diet started (both times were cheese pizza).

Thanksgiving day and my birthday are our pre-meditated foodfests!!

--See you at Denny's for the breakfast buffet!!!

No Sleep Tonight

My neice Holly is having a brain tumor removed right now.

Send all the good vibes you have her way...

UPDATE: Holly is out of surgery and responding well! Talking and joking. All her eyes, fingers and toes are working!

Keep those prayers and good vibes coming!

"There is a profound difference between information and meaning."

--Warren G. Bennis

Hello Saturday !!

I love Saturdays.

This is not news for my dedicated readers. In fact, if you have been reading this for a long time you will have suffered through many posts about Saturday mornings. Posts about the wonders of coffee, getting up early and watching hours of Sci-Fi as BR sleeps in, cartoons, and snuggling with the wife on cold days.

Today, the kids had friends staying over. The boys are currently playing video games and the girls are in the hottub!

Last night I had a the pleasure of taking care of my friend Wendy's son Mark!

I forgot how cool 2 year old kids can be. The way they play is so much fun. I love having conversations with them! We still have a ton of toys for that age kids. I was expecting a small, Tasmanian Devil type terror. He was the greatest. I didn't even mind changing a diaper!

--BR was having fun with him too. Happy times all around!

Happy Veterans Day.

My father was a WWII vet. I have spent a lot of time thinking about him today.

I have the flag that draped his coffin at his funeral. I bought a beautiful, hand made cherry case for it. I considered bringing it out today but it turns out the new house has no flag pole. I need to get a flag pole.

--I must have a flag pole...

Bernie the Burglar by Lawrence Block

Bernie Rhodenbarr novels by Lawrence Block:

1. Burglars Can't Be Choosers (1977)
2. The Burglar in the Closet (1978)
3. The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling (1979)
4. The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza (1980)
5. The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian (1983)
6. The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (1994)
7. The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart (1995)
8. The Burglar in the Library (1997)
9. The Burglar in the Rye (1999)
10. The Burglar on the Prowl (2004)

There are also Bernie Rhodenbarr short stories, "The Burglar Who Dropped In On Elvis" and "The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke".

I LOVE these books. LOVE em!!

The Amiela Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters

* 1884-85, Amarna, Crocodile on the Sandbank
* 1892-93, Valley of the Kings, Curse of the Pharaohs
* 1894-95, Mazghuna, The Mummy Case
* 1895-96, Dashur, Lion in the Valley
* Summer 1896, London and Kent, Deeds of the Disturber
* 1897-98, The Lost Oasis (Sudan), The Last Camel Died at Noon
* 1898-99, Amarna, The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog
* 1899-1900, Dra' Abu el-Naga', The Hippopotamus Pool
* 1903-04, Seeing a Large Cat
* 1906-07, Valley of the Kings, The Ape Who Guards the Balance
* 1907-08, The Lost Oasis, Guardian of the Horizon (published out of sequence)
* 1911-12, Zawyet el'Aryan, The Falcon at the Portal
* 1914-15, Giza, He Shall Thunder in the Sky
* 1915-16, Giza, Lord of the Silent
* 1916-17, Gaza and Deir al-Madinah, The Golden One
* 1919-20, Children of the Storm
* 1922-23, Valley of the Kings, The Serpent on the Crown
* 1922-23, Valley of the Kings (tomb of Tutankhamun), Tomb of the Golden Bird

Morse Code of Jericho

So I have been watching this new show Jericho.

It's about a small Kansas after nukes start going off. It is good in some ways and crap in other ways but it is interesting in a LOST kinda way.

I found out that at the beginning of each episode, as the opening credits roll, you can hear Morse code. It turns out that it is different every time. Each time it is a clue about the episode:

#1 JERICHO PILOT
#2 JERICHO FALLO
#3 JERICHO THREE
#4 HE KNOWS ROB
#5 THERE IS A FIRE
#6 THE EMP HITS
#7 PRAY FOR NYC
#8 ROB NOT FBI

--Cool Stuff. I bit too soap opera but still good.

Time to get off the sofa

OK, people.

I do not care who you want to vote for, just vote damn you.

--Vote. Do it.

Marty's Diet Status

So the diet is still moving along well.

I got on the scale this morning and was at 250lbs. That is down 35 pounds since this kick-off. It is still a steady down swing with 65 pounds to go to get to my goal of 185 lbs. A total of 100 lbs of weight loss.

When I hit 50 lbs I am planning to buy a new bicycle and start some serious bike action. An guy I know with knee problems like mine has a special touring bike that does his knees really good!

This is a pic of the recumbent bike I want. Not cheap but I want to use it a lot.

--15 pounds to the bike! A reward and a tool to my goals end!

It is Halloween

Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me...

"An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth."

--Bonnie Friedman

I Love Saturday Mornings

In recent months I have enjoyed a new routine on Saturday Mornings.

During the week the alarm clock goes off at about about 5:10AM. On Saturdays I usually sleep in until about 6:30AM. I sneak out of bed to let BR sleep with the cats.

Then it's Marty's Time.

I make coffee, sit in my recliner, fire up the TiVo, and watch my fill of Sci-Fi!!

BR wakes up later and make me pancakes.

--Life is good

In praise of hot tubs.

I did something to my back this week. I won't whine too much because it's not a brain tumor.

Anyway, I don't know what I did, but it is killing me. The only thing that seems to really help is our hottub. It is truly amazing the positive effects there are from a 20 minute soak. I sleep better, move easier and it does more than any pill I can take.

Now that the weather is cool it is so very nice out there.

--I cant wait for snow.

Think about this the next time you have a bad day.

My brothers 14 year old daughter has a brain tumor.

She started having seizures (rescue squad came to the school, strapped her to a back board and carted her off etc.). An MRI by a really great doctor in Warrenton revealed the culprit. A trip to UVA (University of Va.) followed. UVA happens to have one of the leading brain problem programs in the world and got the scoop that it is not cancerous but still needs to be removed.

This particular form of brain tumor is the best to have if you absolutely have to have a brain tumor. 90 percent plus survival rate with no function loss. Plus, they have all the best technology and all star doctors. Her doctor and his father did the Christopher Reeves stuff.

Within the next two weeks she will have brain surgey to remove the tumor (for those with a Google itch, it's a "low grade primary astrocytoma").

She will be up to a week in the hospital with additional time at home before everything gets back to normal.

--Send some good vibes her way!

BattleStar Galactica

I can't believe how good BSG is. The last episode was heart wrenching. By the time the episode was over I felt emotionally drained.

There was excellent plot twists. A main character was KILLED!!

I love this show.

--Thank the makers for TiVo!!

FEAST: The Return of Monster Movie Madness!!

October is here and to warm up for the big spookfest of Halloween we are going to have a Horror Movie at the new Moviemeister Manor!

What: Feast (John Gulagers Project Greenlight!)
When: Saturday October 21th, any time after 5pm
What: Dinner and screaming blood covered babes!!
Who: Those that have enough guts!
How: RSVP, Damn you!

Make sure you email me you are coming so we make enough food (or order enough pizza!)!

--See you there!

"DISASTER RECOVERY PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT"

President George W. Bush recently signed legislation that included language based on H.R. 5013, the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act," to prohibit the confiscation of legal firearms from law-abiding citizens during states of emergency.

--So when the Zombies come, I'm good to go!

Dead End Cemetery

BR and I put up a new light fixture in the dining room this week. We had the original chandelier surplused so I put it up on the local FreeCycle list. The guy that came to pick it up will be using it in a haunted house!

Better than that he came and picked it up in a hearse!

--I love giving my neighbors a thrill!!

I discovered today I am known as the "Black Quad Espresso Guy" at Bad Ass Coffee.

Every Wednesday night, while my son is in his Guitar lesson, I go to Bad Ass Coffee to get a coffee and do some piling. This last Wednesday I left my umbrella behind without realizing it. So I stop in today and see if they still had it. Not only did they still have it, the beautiful 19 year old behind the counter handed it to me without my having to ask. It was labeled with a post-it that said, "Black Quad Espresso Guy".

Before I say a word, "Can I get you a Black Quad?'

"Oh yeah", I replied.

"Dude... that is hardcore..."

--I always thought I was just an invisible, middle age, fat guy.

Bad Ass Coffee

Every Wednesday now my son Gray has a guitar lesson. It kinda crack me up. If you would have told me ten years ago that my son would have a green Mohawk and be taking guitar lessons I woulda laughed in your face!

Anyway, Gray is having fun with it. Me too! The lesson is only 45 minutes long. While he is in there I go to Bad Ass Coffee and get my favorite, a Quad Espresso!

I take my laptop for some surfing on the open wifi.

--Mostly I love that Bad Ass Coffee is right next door to a conservative Christian book store!

Brick

I watched the movie Brick last weekend. Great stuff.

"In a modern-day Southern California neighborhood and high school, student Brendan Frye's piercing intelligence spares no one. He's not afraid to back up his words with actions, and knows all the angles; yet he prefers to stay an outsider, and does - until the day that his ex-girlfriend, Emily, reaches out to him unexpectedly and then vanishes."

--I love the contrasts in this movie. Film Noir in Sunny California.

Brick

Diet Update

Had yet another good week.

So far I have lost 26 pounds. My current weight is 259. My pants are getting bigger!

Only 74 more pounds to go!

--Maybe then I can be in a Nutrisystem advert!

Mister Jer's Wretched World

It's a wretched World afterall boys and girls!

"You want to give up. What keeps us going? I have all my books to show me hope to "live your best life now". All that I want to do is sit in my backyard and drink beer. I don't date much but I have 2 squirrel friends."

--My very good friend Mr. Jer has a new blog. Stop in.

I am getting married again on Sunday.

BR and I are getting married again on Sunday. We will stand and take vows for the third time with eight other couples in the courtyard at our church. Everyone else is doing it to show solidarity with "Marriage Equity" efforts.

I just love BR so much I'll marry her at any opportunity...

From the website: "Marriage Equality Witness Event following the service. In this service, we'll celebrate the very best impulses that lead loving couples to not only choose marriage for themselves, but work for marriage rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation. Stay after the service for a moving witness for marriage equality by some of BRUU's committed couples."

--Why do people keep saying we need to be committed?!

Gay Rights

"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?"

- Ernest Gaines

Jericho

I started watching this new show called Jericho. I have seen two episodes so far. I am enjoying it as much as the first season of LOST.

Here is the description from the official website. Give it a try!!

JERICHO is a drama about what happens when a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears on the horizon, plunging the residents of a small, peaceful Kansas town into chaos, leaving them completely isolated and wondering if they're the only Americans left alive. Fear of the unknown propels Jericho into social, psychological and physical mayhem when all communication and power is shut down. The town starts to come apart at the seams as terror, anger and confusion bring out the very worst in some residents. Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich), prodigal son of the town's mayor, becomes a reluctant hero when a school bus crashes as a result of the explosion. Mayor Johnston Green (Gerald McRaney) is conflicted with the return of his estranged son, but is called to action when the town begins to riot. Johnston's wife, Gail (Pamela Reed), is the strong, savvy first lady of the town who runs interference between her husband and her favorite son. Attempting to usurp the mayor's power is Johnston's political adversary, Gray Anderson (Michael Gaston), who is not above putting his personal agenda before the welfare of the very community he wants to lead.

Will you be ready when the big one comes?

--That reminds me... I'm low on Scotch!

What a weekend!

It was an action packed weekend in Marty's World.

My brother Russ came out for a visit for the first time in 15 years! We hung out, drank some beers, ate some good food, had some good wine and sipped a massive amount of coffee. My new bar stools were enjoyed, my new guest room occupied.

I even got to see my sister in law Cindy twice in one weekend!!!

That was not all.

BR and I also went to a wedding (congrats Cynthia and Bryan!) on Saturday! We had the best soup in the history of mankind. It was a creamed squash soup. Sounds not so good but we have spent the time since then wishing for a bucket of it with a loaf of French bread and a snorkel. The food was amazing, as well as, excellent coffee!

To top it all off, Sunday was our 1st wedding anniversary!! Wow. A year already.

--Wow.

Diet Update

I am two weeks into my new diet and I am already down 16 pounds. This weeks weigh-in found me at 269 pounds. I feel pretty good. Not hungry as I get through the day.

It will take me a year to lose the 100 pounds. Only 84 pounds to go sounds way better than 100! I think the first 50 will be easy. The last 50 will be the work!

Ready for the scary part?

Brenda took before photos of me in just shorts.

-- Be afraid, be very, very afraid!

I am missing bench seats.

I mean the old fashion car seats that were like big old comfy sofas in your car or truck. I want one. I want a classic pickup truck with a bench seat so my wife can slide over next to me and I can put my arm around her as we take an autumn drive in the mountains. I want to take her to a drive in movie theater in that truck. Her head resting on my shoulder.

I want that.

I know head rests, bucket seats, seat belts and padded dash board are safer. I don't care.

A classic pickup might just be my midlife crisis hobby project ride!

--Hey! It's better than a Harley!!

My son Gray turned 10 years old today.

The presents were opened before breakfast. The living room is full of debris from the Marvel Legends action figure packaging. (I hate the damn twist ties.) Beanies, books, action figures and PS2 action will have our little man smiling all weekend.

It occurred to me today that in the last 10 years we have lived in 7 different houses. Lots has changed (besides his hair style). But through everything he has been and always will be my son, my friend, my pride, my future. Happy birthday Gray!

I am so glad he was born.

--Did I mention my awesome daughter?

Oh the Humanity!

MADRID. (Reuters) - The world's first ban on overly thin models at a top-level fashion show in Madrid has caused outrage among modeling agencies and raised the prospect of restrictions at other catwalk pageants.

Madrid's fashion week has turned away underweight models after protests that young girls and women were trying to copy their rail-thin looks and developing eating disorders.

Organizers say they want to project an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like, or heroin chic look.

But Cathy Gould, of New York's Elite modeling agency, said the fashion industry was being used as a scapegoat for illnesses like anorexia and bulimia.

"I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer," said Gould, Elite's North America director, adding that the move could harm careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models.

Madrid's regional government, which sponsors the show and imposed restrictions, said it did not blame designers and models for anorexia. It said the fashion industry had a responsibility to portray healthy body images.

"Fashion is a mirror and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk," said regional official Concha Guerra.

The mayor of Milan, Italy, Letizia Moratti told an Italian newspaper this week she would seek a similar ban for her city's show unless it could find a solution to "sick" looking models.

--At last! Sanity! Sammiches!!

"Civilizations fall because people bitch and complain when the electricity is off for fifteen minutes, and never give a thought to the fact that it has been on for their entire lives. "

--Unknown

Understanding Engineers

To the optimist, the glass is half-full. To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty.

To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

__________

An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me I'll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do ANYTHING you want." Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool...

Where were you when...

For some people it was when Kennedy was shot. For others, it was when the Space Shuttle exploded.

Five years ago today I was in a Windows 2000 MCSE class when my Blackberry went off. I didn't know what to make of the message:

"Dude, a plane just hit the World Trade Center."

Five minutes later:

"It was a 747."

Soon the second one hit, the Pentagon was hit, bad reports flooded the air and the towers began to collapse along with our long held sense of security. Class was canceled, rumors of car bombs and more attacks were rampant. When I got back to my office everyone was packed into the conference rooms... Watching it over and over.

I went home.

My big screen TV has a mode where you can watch 16 channels at once. So I watched it from angle after angle in slow motion. Watching it over and over.

--The images of the people jumping still haunt me the most.

The first of 50 weekly diet updates.

I got on the scale this morning.

I lost 11 pounds so far. That is just since Tuesday!! 285 - 274

I knew it would be fast to start, but damn, 2 pounds a day. I was hoping for like 2 pounds per week. I know it will probably average to that over the next 6 months.

The Nutrisystem food has been good so far. The only thing I have not liked is the Instant Scrambled Eggs and Cheese. Horror. It's what they served on the Nebakanezer in The Matrix.

--The hottub is helping the knee too! Thank GOD it is back in action!

I finally had to go to the doctor.

My knee has been getting worse and worse over the summer. All the camping and moving has kicked me down hard. Last week I went to see the doctor. He was amazed I could walk at all.

When I had my knee operation in 1999 he told me I had an artificial knee in my future. Now it is seven years later and I am due. He told me it was up to me. He'd do it whenever I'm ready.

I am NOT ready.

So... in an effort to get all the mileage out of this knee that I can, I have started a serious diet. I weighed in yesterday at 285 lbs. I have the ambitious goal of 185 lbs. by next labor day weekend.

I am starting off with Nutrisystem. I am going to give it a try for six months. You will probably be forced to suffer through a pile of whining posts in the next year about it. Already the egg&cheese breakfast sucks!

--Coffee is still my friend!

Catching up on TiVo

Catching up on TiVo

So I am back from vacation, done moving, my gear is set back up, including TiVo.

What happened?

I go on vacation and all the writers from SG1 were replaced by a committee of 12 year old fan boys. I just watched episode 200. This thing was done by fanboys on esspresso. Fan boys with ADD. I mean for gods sake they had Thunderbirds puppets.

O'Neil actually said, "I wouldn't mind one last trip through the orifice."

WTF!

--They should have gone straight to Claudia Black in a skimpy top and leather pants!

Wow. I have been busy.

The move went really well. We are in and mostly unpacked. Every night we do more and more. This weekend we are going to hook up the hottub finally.

We went on a two week camping vacation. Big fun but lots of work.

And my knee is killing me. I am going to see the doc next week. I need that hottub, and I need to spend some serious TIVO time with my leg up.

--And I gotta stop eating like a pig.

We are in the new digs.

Well, I was without the Internet for about 18 minutes.

I got through it...

We are in the new house, but BR and I will be spending the whole day getting the other house cleaned up. Spackle and power washing for me, scrubbing and dusting for BR.

--One more day and we are done. (except the whole unpacking thing)

It's Moving Day

The movers will be here in a few minutes.

At the end of this long day I will be in the new house.

Who knows how long it will take them to get me my Internet back up!

--Wish us luck.

How do you tell your wife is wonderful?

First you hose her computer depriving her of the Internet. Then turn her life upside down by stressing her out while on vacation. In stead of the vacation being a restful time to relax and recharge it becomes a big hassle, selling one house and buying another. Leaving her mind spinning at nights.

Then you give her only 2 weeks after you return before actually moving. Did I mention we are moving into the new house before we actually own it.

Toss in the lack of sleep and temps outside that approach a humid 100 degrees during the day!

Next. Her car dies and strands her.

In addition, subtract the things that usually relax her: regular hottub soaks, dates with her husband, snuggling in bed with the kids watching comedy on TiVo, quiet weekend dinners followed by wine candles and the quiet attentions of her husband...

Did I mention we leave for Pennsic 4 days after closing...

With all this stress she has maintained her humor, always kept a smile ready and a day has not gone by without taking the time to soundly kiss me.

Back scratching and sleeping in on Sundays will get her though.

How do I tell my wife is wonderful?

--In times like these, every moment of every day tells me.

Living in packing hell.

So the professional movers will be here a week from today. We broke down and bought a giant pile of serious moving boxes. At this moment BR is packing the kitchen. All the swords and axes are packed (seriously) and it was a way bigger job than I thought it would be. I may have to move those, quilt wrapped bundles myself. The third level is totally packed and ready. I need to get my AV boxes outta Em and De attic to break down the electronics.

Got kinda misty Thursday morning. Cady said, "Today is the last day I will see the inside of this house. It's been a very happy house, a good karma zone...".

Sigh...

Tomorrow, the whole day is dedicated to the garage. That will be a big job!!

--Breaks over! Game console packing is next!!