eventsrm

If you were to take a vacation, by yourself, where would you go?

Today, my first day focusing on training for the Triathlon, I didn't change much. I spent the morning getting my driver's license and vehicle registration renewed (yet two more reminders that I'm getting another year older! LOL)
After the hell of dealing with the government, I went to Bob Evans and had their Chili taco salad (lunch portion) with Iced Tea.

I came home and Jack, my dog, and I went for a walk. It was probably more than a mile, but not by much. After having not done any exercise for so long, we both came home and took a nap.

For dinner, Jerry and i went to Cheesecake Factory. I had the Cajun Ribeye with gilled veggies. To drink I did have a Margarita, but only one. I had a glass of water to go with it. The BAD part of the meal was, and yes, the restaurant is named CHEESCAKE Factory, the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake I had for dessert.

So, now I'm sitting here rethinking what I've done today, and trying to make plans on what to do tomorrow. I'm thinking I'll take Jerry's bike to the gas station to pump up the tires. Then I'll go for a good long ride.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Current Location: Couch
Current Mood: full
Current Music: none

Can i post pics from text? Hopefully Y'all will see a pic of my computer if this works. If not you'll just see the text.

Ok, so I have two new "toys", sorta!

A week ago, I found a Web camera on ebay. I ended up winning an auction for a camera that retails for $350 for only $10, so with shipping, I only paid $20! What a deal, eh? It arrived in the mail today, and I'm now wired for color TV! LOL I'm live and in color! I've only got it set up on Y IM so far. If you want to check it out, my YIM name is evenstrmrick (Don't worry, I'm not into any of the weird stuff web cams get used for. I actually got it in case I ever have the opportunity to do web conferencing in relation to my business, but in the mean time, its a toy! Mwah-hah-ha!

The other "toy" is right here at LJ. I figured out how to post using text messaging! I'm a texting freak. In fact my Valentine's day card from Jerry called me a "Text Maniac". LOL (He knows me so well.) Now that I know how to post here from my cell phone, I'll be posting all the time! LOL My cell phone is never more than a few feet from me. I even usually have my wireless earpiece in as well. (Though, I have finally gotten to the point where I will turn it off at night so I don't get woke up. Hey, at 4AM, someone can leave a message, right? LOL)

So, I'm going to keep playing with my new toys. Ought to be fun!
Talk with Y'all later!

Current Location: Living Room
Current Mood: excited
Current Music: "Thunder Rolls" (Live version) by Garth Brooks

I'm trying out this text posting thing! If this works, Y'all never hear the end of it. LOL

I've made a decision -
I'm going to compete in a Triathlon.
I've been contemplating healthy changes in my life for some time - eating organic foods, detoxing, quitting drinking... etc. etc.

I've got a yearly physical coming up and I've decided to actually discuss the training regimen for a Triathlon with my doctor. I'm going to do this smart.

My goal is to complete a Triathlon by my birthday next year. This gives me one year to complete the training. From all I've seen, that is plenty of time.

I'll keep y'all updated!

Current Location: Living room
Current Mood: determined
Current Music: TV commercials as background noise

not much has changed on the detox front.
I'm on week 2 of the supplements and things continue pretty much as I described in the first couple of days.
I have done the skin brushing that Maeve suggested and I have seen a big difference in my skin tone and the 'softness' of skin. As was described would happen.

Hey all,
Its Official! We're doing it again. Registrations are open for NCIS Fan Fest 2007.

AND!!!!

NCIS Fan Fest 2007 has arrived at Live Journal!

Any NCIS fan please friend "ncisfanfest" so you'll get all the announcements.

Go to www.ncisfanfest.com to find out how to get your registration for the weekend and reservation at the Airtel! September 13 - 16th, 2007 is the date! Mark it on your calendar!

See Y'all There!

Current Location: Living Room
Current Mood: excited
Current Music: None - episode of Bridezilla on TV

Ok, so I've gone an entire 24 hours since starting the Detox supplements. Already some strange things are happening. LOL
Physically, my stomach is very bloated from the fiber supplement I'm taking. My clothes don't fit today. (I'm wearing everything that should be 'loose' and its not! LOL)

My visits to the bathroom, (Yes, I remember I said I wouldn't get gross here...LOL) have been rather smelly. (more so than normal) LOL I've got to laugh since I just find it very strange that I'm making a concerted effort to pay attention to what is happening when I am in the bathroom now. I've not seen any of the strange or horrific things yet that I've seen in pictures on the internet (Thankfully!). However, after all the crap I've shoveled into my body the past 35 years, I wouldn't be surprised to find anything. LOL

One very interesting thing I did today that I've not done regularly, ever, was burp. I burped a lot today. Unless I drink something that is overly carbonated, I have never burped. (my bodily gasses tend to exit the other way...LOL... Hey, I'm a guy! What can I say?) Today I was burping like a mad man!

That is it for today. Thanks for the feedback so far. (Maeve, I checked out the skin brushing thing. Once I find myself a natural bristle brush, I'll definately start that. Also, massages are one thing I already do. Up til now, they've been for relaxation and muscle therapy. However, I have a session this Tuesday and I think I'll ask her about the lymphatic massages and let her know what I'm doing right now.)

Thanks,
Rick

weight - 225.6
I feel - tired, but not overly so
Breakfast - a bannana and glass of Mango juice
Lunch - Turkey sandwich on 10-grain bread and glass of juice
Dinner - Arby's regular roast beef, curly fries, Pepsi, Mozzerella sticks (Yeah, this is where I blew it for today!)
Snack - had popcorn and sprite at the movies.
Good News from today - I drank NO coffee. Had green tea instead.

Current Location: Computer desk
Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Bridal Chorus by Wagner (one of my wedding music CDs)

Recently, I've been learning about eating and living "healthy". Organic foods... No preservatives... No Chemicals... No Growth Hormones... etc. etc. etc.

Several times in reading much of the stuff I've been seeing, I have repeatedly read about detoxing. The food that is out on the market these days is simply not healthy, and virtually undigestable. Therefore toxins build up in our systems to very unhealthy levels. Problem is, we've lived with these toxins for so long, we are used to feeling like crap and don't even realize we are sick.

This evening, while shopping at Whole Foods (a great grocery store for Organics), I found a Detox program that I'm going to try. It is herbal supplements, in combination with each other, that increases the ability of the body to get rid of the built up toxins.

Now, I've heard horror stories of those that have gone through detox programs, and seen some GRUESOME pictures of "things" that have come out of ppl detoxing. You won't find those here. I'll save those kinds of posts for those that truly believe that ppl want to see that stuff on the interenet. (YUCK!)

However, I do think it will be good for me to post about my progress in the next 14 days (did I mention it is a 14 day program?) and how I improve. Also, in the moments over the next two weeks, when I think I'm going through hell, I can post here and vent to all of you. LOL

At the end of the program, I'm hoping to realize how great this has worked for me and it give me the incentive to continue forward with changes to make me healthier, rather than going back to the old ways.

I do think the hardest part will be giving up the coffee. However, I have started drinking teas lately, and several kinds of teas can not only give me the caffeine, but also aid in the detox effort. So, I'll be trying that.

At the end of my posts, I'll just posts some updated figures for myself to track the progress and ups and downs while doing this.

So, everyone sit back, relax and get ready to laugh your asses off as I turn myself into a personal science project! LOL

Thanks!

Evening Day 1 -
Weight - 228.8 lbs.
Feel - blah. drank pop tonight so bloated.
Water intake - didn't count the glasses today
Breakfast - none today
Lunch - Chicken and Steak Salad at Great Steak Escape with a Coke
Dinner - Chicken Parmegean Pizza and cup of Chili at Whole Foods with bottle of water

Current Location: my office
Current Mood: blah
Current Music: none

The saga of our fishtank has come to a very misterious close.
Nearly 4 years ago, I bought Jerry an aquarium set up for Valentines Day.
The first 3 fish we purchased for this aquarium were three Hatchet Fish.
These three Hatchet fish were surviors. They outlived nearly 30 other fish. They survived ich several times. They survived other fish who nibbled at their fins. They even survived a bout of tuberculosis (yes, fish can get tuberculosis! who knew?) Of the 3 hatchet fish, we had to get rid of one that lost both his eyes to the tuberculosis bout. One stuck himelf in one of the tank decorations and couldn't get out. The final Hatchet fish, who had only one eye, outlived all other fish. The expected life span for a Hatchet Fish is only 3 years. This fish was well over 3 years old. Even after he was the only fish left, Jerry and I decided that we would simply allow this one to live out his life and die on his own terms.
Well, it seems that this fish has simply disappeared.
I have overturned every decoration, uprooted all the fake plants, stirred up all the rocks and
NO FISH!

It appears that this Hatchet fish has truly ended his life on his own terms and we don't know what those terms are. LOL

Current Location: Living Room Couch
Current Mood: morose
Current Music: Outback Steakhouse Commercial

Christmas shopping for my nephews and niece has been a blast!
I'm going to be the COOLEST uncle this year!
I bought my two nephews cell phones and have added them to my Family Plan for the next two years. They're going to think its so cool to have a cell phone! Of course, me being the responsible uncle, got them cell phones that can only dial two numbers, their parents numbers, without a 4 digit pin number. All other calls they make they'll need an adult to plug in a pin number. Plus, I'll be the bad guy and tell them if for any reason their mom, dad or teacher takes the phone away for them misusing it, then they'll lose it. I think that an 8 year old and a 6 year old will be able to handle that. My mom loves the fact that we'll all be on the same plan (my mom is the other phone on the family plan) and all our minutes to each other will be free and unlimited. She'll just love it. Plus, the boys will love being able to call grandma all the time.

And, picking out clothes for a new baby girl is just so enjoyable. There is a never ending supply of "just so cute and adorable" clothes! LOL I could have spent SO much more on my new neice, but had to stick to my budget. LOL

Just wanted to brag about being the coolest, and happiest, uncle on earth! LOL

Current Location: In bed with my laptop
Current Mood: happy
Current Music: Mas by Kinky

I'm SO tired of buying gifts for family and friends that they'll never use, or worse, don't want.
First, I really do believe that the Holiday season has been whored out to commercialism. At the very least, the holidays should be about treasuring relationships with family and friends. However, commercialism tells us that our family and friends must give us something, and that we must give them something in return. Hey, how about giving love and time. The two most valuable things on earth.

However, for those that just MUST have a "thing", tell me what you want! I once even bought someone a gift certificate and it didn't get used! So, just save us all some frustrations and hurt feelings - tell me what you want.

LOL

Me? If you must buy me something for Christmas - I want -
*Season 4 Smallville DVD set
*Season 2 NCIS DVD set
*New Office Computer desk set (I can provide specific styles if this is what you choose to buy)
*Dress Shirts - current 'chic' fashions prefferred
*World Peace
*a "fair" way to determine the College Football National Championship

Current Mood: giggly

Ok, you all have to see this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqKWXirsU&mode=related&search=

it is absolutely THE FUNNIEST COMMERCIAL I have ever seen.
And, one of the truest statements ever made in commercial advertising!

I'm convinced! LOL

Current Mood: giggly

Makes All The World Seem Right.

I realized this just a few hours ago as I held my brand new niece. My sister gave birth to her early Wednesday evening. She's so precious and looks just like her momma did when she was that age (YES, I actually remember what my sister looked like when she was born. LOL)

Current Location: Living Room
Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: none

****WARNING FOUL LANGUAGE RANT AHEAD*****

Holy shit!

I am in the middle of hell this week!

If you've met me, or know me pretty well, you know that I am from Michigan and live in Columbus, Ohio.
Well, this Saturday is the BIG OSU/UofM "rivalry" game.

I am a Wolverine in the middle of Buckeye country. (I actually live only a couple of blocks from the OSU campus)

I get that most ppl here are Buckeye fans. I get that they don't agree with me being a Wolvering fan.
However,...

What I don't get...

Why is it that one of my Supervisors at work throws a TOTALLY unprofessional fit about me playing the Michigan fight song over the building's PA system, and then admitting that HE was the one playing the OSU fight song in competition with me. Yet, he threatens to write me up if I continue, yet he continues.

Why is it that ppl that I thought were friends point blank tell me that I am not allowed to speak to them this week, and they mean it?

Why is it ppl tell me that I'm "forgiven" for being a Michigan fan? I don't need to be forgiven.

Why is it that when I bring up the phrase "hostile work environment" to my HR Director at work, she (an OSU fan) simply laughed in my face?

Sure, this year, OSU is ranked #1 and Michigan #2. This game means a bit more than normal. However, what the fuck is the big deal?

I just don't get it.

Ok, rant over...

for the moment...

Current Location: Living Room floor
Current Mood: enraged
Current Music: CNN in background

Its been a bit of time since I've posted here. Busy, busy, busy...
Work at PetSmart has been horribly busy with us trying to push all the product out to the stores before the Holiday shopping melee at the end of November.
Plus, I have progress for my own business to report!
My first "paying" bride will be signing her contract this week! Also, I'm going to have my first print advertising come out in January in a local Wedding Magazine! Exciting times! Plus, my Christmas Card sales are doing well. Not great, but the bank account doesn't say zero, so I'm not complaining...LOL

Just wanted to check in.
Talk to you all later,
Rick

Current Location: Bedroom
Current Mood: excited
Current Music: CNN Playing in background

I got my DVR to work, last minute, which was a good thing, since Jerry and I decided at 7:30 to go out to eat (which was kinda scary considering the gastrointestinal issues I've had the last two day... Bob Evans always tastes good, but I would not suggest choosing Bob's as your first meal after a bout of food poisoning..LOL)

Anyway, I did get to see the episode and after one viewing -
Here are my thoughts on Singled Out -
( spoilers behind the cut )

Ok, so now I can't wait for next week!

Current Location: Family Room Couch
Current Mood: pleased
Current Music: CNN's Anderson Cooper 360

Having been doing nothing but being a blob on the couch the past two days, I've watched A LOT of CNN.
If I hadn't been sick already, two stories in particular would have sickened me.
Both involving innocent children.
First, the Congressman who was taking advantage of his power and position to arrange sexual encounters with teenage boys.
Second, the shooting at the Amish school in Pennsylvania.

I have to ask, "What the hell did they do to you?"

Who does this guy think he is that he can use his access, power and authority as an elected official to coerce teenage boys into having sex with him? Why? Dude, you're one sick puppy and I'm thinking that whatever rehab center you're hiding yourself in should release you and let the public deal with you on the streets. (But, that would be too good for you!)

Second, the shooter in Penn. Why attack children in a community that is known for not harming anyone? They leave us alone. They live their lives and make no demands of ours. Yet you walk into the school where they are teaching their children and slaughter their young girls? My only solace in the fact that you killed yourself before they caught you is that you now have to deal with God. He won't be so kind either, I'm thinking. (There's a verse somewhere, and I forget the exact reference, "It would be better for you to tie a stone around your neck and throw yourself into the river than to harm a hair of a child.")

People -
LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!
Let them be kids.
Let them grow up.

Current Location: Family Room Couch
Current Mood: angry
Current Music: The Ellen Show

You'd think that after a decade in food service I would have learned this lesson long ago!

NOPE!

Folks, when you open a bottle of wine, if it sounds like you're opening a can of pop - DO NOT DRINK IT! Even if it smells and tastes fine - don't do it.

Needless to say, I've been out of commission for the past 2 days because of food poisoning.

The really funny thing is, I'm saving the bottle (the bottle, not the wine) for a craft I'm going to do. So, it will be a while before I forget about the past two days.

One good thing to come of me having to call off work today, I get to watch NCIS as it airs, instead of on DVR. (Which is good since BOTH my DVRs have decided to crap out on me. Maeve, you're recording it, right? LOL)

So, I'm finally at a point where I'm able to hold my head up long enough to type at the computer. LOL Its been a mess of a time these past two days. (Its a really quick way to lose some weight though. I dropped 5 lbs just yesterday alone!)

But, all in all, I would NOT recommend this to anyone!
Remember, the only noise you should hear when you open wine is the cork pulling against the glass. Anything else you hear, pour the crap down the drain immediatly! (If you don't, tell me what happens so I can say "I told you so!")

Current Location: Family Room Couch
Current Mood: sick
Current Music: The Ellen Show