Weigh-in

The biggest news this week is that I finished my novel! After the spelling and grammar check I will make some final tweaks and then off to Amazon!

I actually have another blog for that adventure! Go check it out!

Today's Weight: 238.4

Loss this Week: 4.6

Total loss so far:  31.6  pounds

Goal Weight: 195

--I already started book 2!

Weekly Weighin

What I thought was a sprained ankle, turned out to be a wicked bone spur. Ouch.

It was also our 9th wedding anniversary! We took a nice drive in the Blue Ridge mountains. BR had never done it before. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather.

Today's Weight: 247.2

Loss this Week: 3.2

Total loss so far:  22.8 pounds

Goal Weight: 195

--I'm going camping next weekend! Bourbon and not beer!

Monday Weigh-in

I have been nursing a sprained ankle, still, but did not manage to over do it too much.

I went to the Small Press Expo this week with friends. It was a good time. I will be going back again next year.

Today's Weight: 250.4

Loss this Week: 2.5

Goal Weight: 195

--This week I'm going the Bull Run Beer Fest on Saturday. Next week might be a problem weigh-in!

Monday Weigh-in

Week number 3 of the new fitness regime has gone well. I consider this the 2nd real week. 

I have been trying to get more active and do more things. This weekend I went camping and hiking. We went to the Woodstock Lookout Tower.

I have been nursing a spranged ankle but did not manage to over do it too much.

Today's Weight: 252.1

Loss this Week: 3.1

Goal Weight: 195

--This week I'm going to a comic convention!

Weigh In Monday

Week number two of the new fitness regime has gone well. I consider this the first real week because last week I lost 8.3 lbs but that was just to clear all the bacon and mashed potatoes out of my body.

Today's Weight: 256.0

Loss this Week: 5.1

Goal Weight: 195

--Brenda says I have lost weight in my head.

Being Social, Having Friends, Going Outside...

Someone asked me today, "How did you get so many real friends?" and it struck me they were qualifing a difference between Cyber space and Meat space, not Real and Imaginary. Do we need a new word for On-line "friends" and actual people Friends, that you spend time with, in person, on purpose? I have started using upper case Friends and lower case friends.

This was a comment regarding a discussion about my new pop-up camper and going camping at Bear Creek State Park with Friends next weekend.

"You always seem to have a house full of people. Always doing stuff with people. Grilling, coffee, firepits, movie nights, camping, vacations. I don't know anyone else that has 4 guestrooms that all get used."

It got me thinking how isolated people are becoming.

A lot of my FB friends have NO real Friends. Or maybe just family, one or two that they might see infrequently. There are those that FB has isolated them from their own spouses and children.

Please realize that Social Media has become Anti-Social. I have come to believe that Facebook is a lot like booze. A little is fun and social and interesting and entertaining as long as it is a part of getting together in person with Friends, not in lue of getting together with freiends. But being alone with FB ALL the time is so not good.

Somehow I have avoided the addiction. 

• Movie Night
• Firepit evenings 
• Dinner at my place, pizza, grilling, Shepherds pie!
• Dinner out with Friends
• Dinner out one on one with a Friend
• Range days, pistol, rifle, shotgun, archery!
• Whisky and/or cigar nights
• Wine tours
• Micro Brewery visits
• Camping! Both modern and midevil!
• Game nights! Scrabble, Words Against Humanity! with Friends
• Birthdays, Holidays
• Hikes, parks, lookout towers 
• Museums with Friends
• Flea or Farmers markets
• Cheesy road side attractions (I love caves)
• Hot Tub!
• Go to Parties

I know I am an extrovert. More so even than Brenda. I know I have friends that are introverts. I also think that they are at the greatest risk from the social media isolation trap. We also have an open door, please visit any time policy, and that is easy because our house is always company ready. (Screw dusting!)

--Call me, email me, or just stop it. Let's get together. 

Marty's Rules

Don't Panic.
Be prepared.
Always have a plan B.
Don't lie to yourself.
Keep your overhead low.
Don't procrastinate.
Keep an escape route open.
Be decisive. Even if it means you'll be wrong sometimes.
Keep secrets.
Never cut what can be untied.
Be organized.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Make long and short term goals.
Consider the worst case scenario now and then and prepare for it.
Give people a second chance, but not a third.
Keep it simple.
Watch the sunrise now and then.
Act as though it were impossible to fail.
Admit your mistakes.
Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Always carry a Swiss army knife.
Call your Mother, she misses you.
Don't make sarcastic remarks.
Relax.
Don't nag.
Always wear seat belts.
Be romantic.
When someone hugs you let them be the first to let go.
Measure people by the jokes they find funny.
Marry only for Love.
Laugh often.
Keep several irons in the fire.
Moderation in all things, except Love and Justice.
Pay your bills on time.
Respond right away when someone writes to you.
Always take an outstretched hand.
Stay informed and Vote.
Drink skim milk.
Every day listen to some music you like.
Every day look for a small way you can improve your marriage.
Every season, spend some time in a forest.
Every so often push your luck.
Keep a journal, a life worth living is worth recording.
Measure twice, cut once.
Read every day.
Read to children.
Remember peoples names.
Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full.
Return everything you borrow, promptly.
Say "please" and "thank you" a lot.
Slow dance.
Stay in good physical shape.
Surprise loved ones with unexpected gifts.
What is honored in a family or a country will be cultivated there.
Write at least one novel.


Learn how to drive a motorcycle.
Learn how to drive a stick shift.
Learn how to throw a baseball.
Learn how to type.
Learn about other peoples beliefs.
Learn the general history of mankind.
Learn to grill, make stew, chili and breakfast.
Learn to handle all kinds of firearms safely.
Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softy.
Learn to live beneath your means.
Learn to maintain your own car.
Learn to make something beautiful with your hands.
Learn to play a musical instrument.
Learn to be a good listener.
Learn the Bill of Rights.
Learn to be a leader.
Learn martial arts and their philosophies.
Learn to speak at least one foreign language.

Don't badmouth people behind their backs.
Don't be afraid to tell someone you love them.
Don't buy cheap tools.
Don't carry a grudge.
Don't discuss salaries with your coworkers.
Don't envy.
Don't fear death, only dying.
Don't gamble. (except friendly poker)
Don't interrupt.
Don't leave the toilet seat up, even at home.
Don't put up with bigotry from anyone.
Don't smoke.
Don't try to top other peoples stories.
Don't wish for yourself when throwing a coin into a fountain.
Don't buy a house without a fireplace.
Don't cheat.
Don't forget your anniversary.
Don't loan a lot money to a friend, you may lose both.
Don't trust a politician.

Be loyal.
Be modest.
Be polite.
Be frugal.
Be positive and enthusiastic.
Be quick to praise, slow to criticize.
Be there for your friends and family in time of need.

Own a good dictionary.
Own a great sofa, stereo and TV system.
Own a large library.
Own a good shotgun, handgun and rifle.

Honor other peoples beliefs.
Honor Police Officers and Firemen.
Honor Teachers.
Honor the elderly.
Honor tradition, yours and others.
Honor your parents.

Yoga

I started doing Yoga for my back rehab.

It amazes me that I can get so sweaty, moving that slow, in just 30 minutes.

Imagine the Future

I went to the RSA 2014 conference this week. They had an "Innovation Lab" that had a lot of cool stuff. They had a wall where they "imagined the future". It had lots of predictions about technology and it's social implications. It also had...

Someone stuck this card in just to see if we were still paying attention.

--You've got 11 years people!!

Private Intercom System

Here is a cool project. Put those old phones back to work! This would be a great addition to a cabin off the grid!

Great Animated Short

Wow. This is Amazing

I am back to Fighting Gravity

Like everyone else I know I am also looking to lose weight this year.

Last year I was all about getting repairs done that I required. This year I will be about getting fit.

Here are this weeks numbers:

• This weeks weight:  259.3   
• Total remaining to goal: 63.3 pounds
• Starting Max Weight: 296    
• Goal weight is: 196

I finished

I finished the first draft of my Scifi novel yesterday! I even managed to get some real cover art for the book.

I also started a blog about the experience.

Here is the plan going forward:

• Cut it down to reasonable size.
• Do a full edit/revision.
• Holly will edit for spelling/grammar.
• Find 10 alpha readers for feedback.
• Final revision/edit.
• Self publish via Kindle.

This has been a ready fun project. Outlines have already begun for Book 2 & 3!