please come to Boston

"Please come to Boston for the springtime
I'm stayin' here with some friends and they've got lotsa room
You can sell your paintings on the sidewalk
By a café here I hope to be workin' soon
Please come to Boston
She said "No. Would you come home to me?"

Just back from taking my middle child to his orientation at Northeastern University in Boston......he just loved it. He'll never be home again. One more summer then he is in a co-op program.....and I know just how he feels.

I am so excited for him, and just extremely happy that he chose a school and town that fits him so well. I am terribly sad, at the fact that he is going on his way, but I know he is ready. Seriously, on cue I can produce tears....just ask me....and poof watershed, but not that out of control balling, just those quiet tears that swell, build, and then eventually roll down your cheek.

No one talks about this part when you are staring a family, or when your baby takes his first step or scores his first goal.

one of my beauties - click to enlarge

my little angel

lake erie sunset

what about the "f " word?

As many of you know, and have been bore to tears over my struggle to lose my extra weight, I have been conscientiously making this effort for the last ten months. Damn! Who knew it would be so hard?

Through this I am finding myself in a predicament, where I am viewing obese/fat people as the enemy....not literally, but as a symbol of all that I have work so hard to avoid. I find myself losing respect for them and thinking, wow how in the world do you get "that big"....when I see fat children I just want to scream. Those poor children do not stand a chance, they are doomed to a life of health issues and psychological issues....what the hell are their parents thinking? I know this is not a pretty side of me but it is true.

A few of me dearest friend are quite large, and I have many acquaintances that are obese....I feel for them, because I "know" them, I know how awful they feel. No matter how many people will say they like being fat....I, for one, find that difficult to believe.

But in the general public, when the guy sitting next to me on a jet lets his blubber overflow into my seat, I just get grossed out and annoyed. Really annoyed.

In any case, I hit my lowest weight last week, and gained 1.6 back this week. It is a constant struggle, and no telling how much I would have gained if we didn't start tracking our weight at work. We had to stop the biggest loser game because it was getting too expensive. Now we just weigh in every week and support each other in the struggle.

The End of Over Eating

check

Had a great time in Vegas, actually played in two live Texas Hold'em tournaments. I didn't get to the money, but in the second tourney I made it to the second to last table. Will be going back in August and as hard as this is to believe, we will be flying first class non-stop both ways for only twenty-two bucks....it makes me laugh. Got to love AMEX points and frequent flyer miles. Our hotel will be comped as well, so how could we not go??.

The city was really crowed with tourists, but many tables, both gambling and in restaurants, were empty. I think more people spent more time at the pool and sight-seeing rather than spending their cash on food and gambling.

Flying in as we looked down we saw endless residential development stopped in their tracks. The ground had been graded, ready to build but zero home building taking place. There were empty lots in the thousands. It was quite eerie.

Happy 4th to everyone!

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss

next stop.... the "bell"

Looking forward to a short get away....

after a shower

 

simply spectacular

This was taken today, tomorrow looks like another awesome bloom day. This is my front walk. I was given the arbor last year for mother's day. The roses are about the size of large oranges, and have hundreds of petals.

Small wonders...... what a long hard winter it has been.......

scary ice

She was born on 6-6, and she just turn two. This is the scary face she makes when she gets mad, it looks a lot worse than it really is. In this photo she is protecting her stick. Icey is currently in the midst of training. Not because of this face but rather because she doesn't listen and she runs our life. Icey actually has her own personal trainer now, plus I train daily when the trainer isn't here.

Funny thing I never knew the most important command is to teach your dog is to come when called. The trainer told me that Icey's number one issue was failure to listen. This has actual been quite a learning experience for me, as well as Icey.

I have sweeter photos of her, but this one kind of shows how bossy she can be. It's really amazing how dogs think and how manipulative they can be. I always just thought it was the way she was, and nothing I could do about it.

We are just finishing week one and there has already been great improvement.

one of my beauties

This rose has been a favorite of mine for the last couple years. It's called Rainbow Sorbet. Same rose different lighting.

checking in or checking out

Isn’t he the cutest thing you ever saw….that’s my Batman at a dog self-serve wash salon. What a trip, he was very good. Awe.

Been through prom, graduation is next. My children are 17,18 and 19 years old right now……I am looking forward a trip to Vegas, I have been given 3 free nights at the Bellagio, if I don’t take advantage of that then I am just an idiot.

My weight loss has stopped, I haven’t been trying, which really pisses me off……My son will be attending Northeastern University in Boston, my Daughter tells me she may not come home (from NYC) next summer, and my youngest will graduate High School next year, 2010 June.

My Hub had a successful first season coaching at the college level, and had a few athletes make it to the Nationals. I am very happy for him....it's great to watch. He is on a high……I think I am on a low. The other day a notice arrived in the mail…for my youngest to get his senior photo taken.....it made me cry.

Anyway, I hope all is well with you all……hope to re-connect when it starts snowing……or after I get everyone back to school.

(I have not checked my email, but I have been watching the titles of the posts....you guys rock!....looks like good stuff going on.)

Peace~ UB

Global Warming, What Can I Do?

I saw this polar bear strolling on thin ice, and it left me to wonder, “What can a Burrito like me do to stop global warming?”

First: understand the problem:
There are numerous articles linked from this page that offer a wealth of information. http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html (be sure to look at the North Pole retreating ice graphic about half way down the page)

Second: simple lifestyle adjustments:
- Switch motors = bike, walk, carpool, combine trips, public transportation

- Eat Greener = eat less meat and dairy

- Smarter homes = lower your thermostat, use new fluorescent bulbs, unplug tvs, chargers and computers

Third: get involved!
Please take a moment to visit www.stopglobalwarming.org
At http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_actionitems.asp you can join over one million other supporters to demand our leaders to freeze and reduce carbon dioxide emissions now. Also on this page you will see over 30 relatively easy and quick methods for you to “individually” make a difference. I know, not everyone can make every change listed, but real change comes from each individual action. Be aware of global warming in your daily life and express your concerns to your friends and family. “We are all contributors to global warming and we all need to be part of the solution.”

You can also get involved locally by encouraging your neighbors, city, schools and other organizations to think about the global warming problem with each decision they make. Encourage recycling, bike paths, ride share, eliminating plastic bags and less wasteful use of energy in heating and lighting. The list goes on and on but in reality there is no time to waste. Our planet needs your help.

Sources:

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/globalwarming/whattodo/whattodo-05.html

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_actionitems.asp

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html

http://organicmania.com/2008/08/03/ten-things-every-parent-can-do-to-help-fight-global-warming/

http://tinyurl.com/com6ug

'Most religious leaders are fools'

"The author and playwright Hanif Kureishi was born in London in 1954. He is the author of The Buddha of Suburbia, Intimacy and Something to Tell You."
Here he briefly tells BBC News his thoughts about religion."

"What do you think happens after you die?"

"You dissolve into the minds of others, and you haunt them until they are tired of you, and even after."

what’s new(s)?

About 19 years ago, I could watch a live military briefing covering the Gulf War every morning. CNN Headline news was available 24/7 and covered the big global events. Their sister station, CNN, was dedicated to live coverage of breaking news.

Today, broadcast news is a combination of broadcasted AP reports and specialized “news shows”, which are mixtures of opinions, interviews and items found on the internet. Local area news averages 7 minutes of murder, house fires and street closings, before moving on to their respective network news reels feeds, sport and weather.

The internet has become great resource for news and information, no doubt about it. Newspapers and networks alike have made the internet their new home. However, this change in how we acquire information has left me to wonder if we are only reading and learning about things we find interesting. Are we essentially cutting ourselves off from a more diverse understanding and awareness of our world?

Young Adults Are Giving Newspapers Scant Notice
Six of 10 Online Adults Watch Online Video, Most Prefer Professional Quality
Mobile News Network

rebel rebel

Well here’s our baby Rebel, being picked up after yet another breakdown.
She’s good looking but has proven to be very temperamental.

Here's the song I told you about-David Bowie-Rebel Rebel

Click here to visit the Back Channel Blog
The BackChannel Group is a group of friends who all came to know each other due to the efforts of Congressional Quartley’s columnist Craig Crawford and his blog.

Please visit and feel free to speak up, we support open an forum and differing opinions.

Look forward to seeing you there.

THE BACKCHANNEL BLOG

sandwich genration for sure

So much in the middle, that sometimes I can't see the clearness of day. These are very challenging times, and I think if it were not for the change in weather coming up, I might just turn into a pile of mush. That being said, things aren't bad, they just are not good, well, they are kind of bad, and kind of good.

I don't have it together, similar to the saying, "I am dancing as fast as I can." I am really happy overall, but oddly I am stressed. It's a bit wearing, but I keep on going, and making great progress on several fronts.

Expectations are too lofty, I expect way too much. I even expect too much from my vacuum cleaner....laughing at myself on that one, but it's true.

Searching for the middle ground without landing in a big ole' pile of mediocrity.

round 2 under way

Since my last win, in January.....15.4 pounds lost I have lost an additional 3.4 pounds. That brings my total 18.8. Now the problem I have is that the winner is determined by percentage, and the closer one gets to their goal the more difficult it becomes to loose the weight.

I blew off exercising and ate cookies and fries last week so I was really surprised by my loss....I'll take it, but I am going to have to get on the treadmill to make these last ten pounds disappear. This round ends first Wednesday in May....I may not win the cash, but I will lose the weight. I am determined not to fail.