Belated blogiversary

I completely forgot to celebrate my recent blogiversary.  

On 12/28 my blog turned 13 years old!  There have been times (mostly prior to Facebook) where I've spent more time writing really thoughtful posts, and then there have been times where I have 'phoned it in', but I've always striven to keep this blog going.  Not because I think anyone's depending on me to write, or that anything I have to say has much meaning to anyone.  Really, most the stuff I write is little more than entertainment (if that) to others.  But I have on several occasions used my blog to determine when things happened in my life.  If for no other reason I'll continue to keep it going for that.  Hopefully readers will also enjoy it.

Speaking of my blog, you many have noticed there was no New Years resolutions post from me.  Typically I'm a big believer in writing down my intentions for the new year, and making sure they are measureable so I know when I've completed them.  But for whatever reason, this year I just couldn't think of anything new.  The things I want to do/change/improve are really the same as I've written about before.  I should go back to my new years resolutions posts and celebrate the ones I accomplished, AND make a new list of those I haven't.  THAT could be my new years resolutions for 2018!

Thoughts on the new year

As I peruse a few of my favorite blogs this week I see a recurring theme of people who are against making New Year's resolution.  Instead, they say they like to set goals, write down their aspirations, and track their progress towards these.  Um... isn't that basically the same thing?!?!  A resolution IS a goal or a written aspiration.

I think the issue is with follow through and accountability.  New Year's resolutions have the reputation of being somewhat unrealistic and quickly discarded, while goals and written aspirations sound more reputable. 

Regardless of what you call it, any desire to change a behavior or do something you're not currently doing requires being specific, being accountable, and being able to measure.  I've written about this a number of times. Click here or click on the 'resolutions' tag on the bottom of this post.

Personally I'm a fan of New Year's resolutions (or goals or written aspirations) because they are intentional steps toward betterment.  Losing 20 lbs, learning a foreign language, exercising 3 times a week - whatever - you are telling yourself that you're not satisfied with the status quo, and that you know you have the ability to change.  Its empowering!

But its often not easy.  Quitting smoking, eating healthy, reading 12 books in 12 months, can be painful in the beginning, but as with nearly everything, the more you do it the easier it becomes.

One of my resolutions is to go to the movies at least once per quarter.  Hopefully it will be even more frequent, but I think once per quarter is realistic and attainable.  Sometimes the films available to us don't interest me, and especially in the summer we busy, so I'm setting my goal/resolution at a realistic level, with the knowledge I can exceed if it I want/can.  

The reasons we don't go to the movies very often: 

• a film only interests 1 of us
• Spouse thinks it'll be too crowded and suggests we go later when its not as crowded
• a film we both want to see leaves before we get to see it
• Spouse questions if the movie will be 'worth' spending the money to see
• we think the movie be on HBO in a few months
• we're busy (mostly in the summer)

So for 2017 I am setting my intention to overcome the obstacles above and see at least 1 movie per quarter.  Some of my other resolutions are to increase my business/sales by a specific amount, lose at least 20 lbs, and practice at least 1 random act of kindness each month.

What are your resolutions, goals, or written aspirations?

Happy New Year!

New Years Eve

Tonight we are meeting friends at Dos Locos for a late dinner (9:00).  This will be our 3rd year in a row spending New Year's Eve there.  Unlike many restaurants that have special menus, a live band, and 'free' champagne toast for $100 per person, we like being able to order off the regular menu (at regular prices) and ringing in the new year with a champagne toast, noise makers, party hats, and good friends.  This year it will be Steven & Thad and Marty & John joining us.
 

Thanks to Sean for this adorable photo!

Here is a re-post of what I believe to be a helpful observation regarding new year's resolutions.  Enjoy!

A common New Years Eve custom (in the US at least) is to make New Years resolutions.  Many people find New Year's resolutions to be worthless, since most are not resolutions at all, but rather, wishful intentions that are forgotten within a week. Here are the top 10 most frequent New Year's resolutions:

1. Diet
2. Quit smoking
3. Exercise
4. Quit drinking
5. Quit procrastinating
6. Save money
7. Go to church
8. Wake up early
9. Quit cursing
10. Read the newspaper

I, on the other hand, like to make a few resolutions each year that I really work to achieve. For any chance at success one's resolutions must be realistic and measurable.  How else will you know for sure that you've accomplished them?

"Diet" is not a good resolution because there is no way to measure it.  If you loose 1 lb have you accomplished your resolution?  Technically, perhaps but "Loose 15 lbs" is a better resolution because its realistic and measurable.   

"Stop procrastinating" is not a good resolution, as there is no real way to measure whether or not you've done this.  Being more specific such as "do laundry every Sunday" or "clean the fridge on the 1st of each month" are examples of how you will stop procrastinating that you can measure.

"Save money" is not specific enough.  If you want to have $5K more in your savings account, make that your resolution.  If you want to go to Hawaii on vacation and you think it will cost you $5K, your resolution should be "Save $5K for Hawaii vacation".

One year my resolution was to entertain on a regular basis. Spouse & I picked a weekend in every month and invited friends over for dinner both Fri and Sat nights. The dinners were often simple but we had a LOT of fun. 

Another year my resolution was to sort, throw away, organize and file several bags/boxes of paperwork (ie: bank statements, paystubs, real estate documents, insurance documents, etc.) before April 15 when tax filings were due. What a relief it was to finally accomplish this!

So while you wait for the clock to strike midnight tonight and you ring in the new year with a toast, give some thought to a few realistic, measurable, new years resolutions and then work to accomplish them.

Happy New Year!

After the holidays

A year or 2 ago in the latter part of June, Thad asked electronics guru Joe P to come over to help him with his cable box and DVR.  Joe P said he would, but not until 'after the holidays'.  The rest of us burst into laughter, thinking he meant he wouldn't be available until Jan!!  But what he meant by 'after the holidays' was after the upcoming July 4th and Labor Day holidays.  From that point on 'after the holidays' has been a joke in our circle, reminding us of that funny misunderstanding. 

This came to mind yesterday as I was taking down the Christmas tree and decorations, since it is literally 'after the holidays'.  Fortunately this task is much easier this year than usual due to the minimal decorations we put up.  Within about 1/2 an hour I had the 4' prelit tree undecorated and back in its box, the 3 wreaths back in their boxes, and the mantle candles and greenery removed and the framed photos back up on the mantle.  It didn't take long to say goodbye to Christmas for another year.

'After the holidays' is when most people resolve to lose weight, myself included.  Honestly, I have been eating like a totally crazy person since early Oct with the justification that I would go on a diet 'after the holidays'.  Well, now it is time to pay the piper.

Last time I lost weight on Weight Watchers.  For whatever reason, I don't feel like going that route again, so I'm going to do Fit for Life.  I followed Fit for Life back in the early 90s and it worked great.  I lost 45 lbs in about 6 months and I felt terrific.  The concept is that weight loss will naturally occur with proper food combining.  Here are the simple rules:

• Eat fruit (and no other food) from the time you get up until noon.  Any kind of fruit; as much as you want.  Fruit and only fruit until noon, and not after noon.
• Combine proteins with vegetables in the same meal, with a desired ratio of 1 part protein to 2 parts vegetables.
• Combine carbs with vegetables in the same meal, with a desired ratio of 1 part carbs to 2 parts vegetables.
• Proteins and carbs are never to be eaten in the same meal, but may be eaten in the same day.
• Avoid processed foods as much as possible.  Natural is always better, even if it has more calories as is the case with margarine versus butter.
• Avoid dairy as much as possible, as it contains fat and calories.  The vitamin D people attribute to milk (thanks to the Dairy Counsel) can easily be replaced by leafy green vegetables.

You can buy the book if you're interested in the specific reasons behind these food combinations.  As with any every diet or lifestyle plan, its effectiveness will vary from person to person.  But I like that the book tells you that you'll get the benefits (weight loss, more energy) to the extent that you follow it.  So if you don't follow it 100% you will still get some benefits, unlike others which are predicated on never cheating in order to remain in ketosis. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Happy new year!

For New Years Eve Spouse & I decided to go to Dos Locos again with Steven & Thad, Joe P, and Michael.  (Michael's partner Nathan is a nurse and had to work at the hospital.)  We rung in the new year there last year and had a great time.  Joe & Darryl own and run Dos Locos and they always make sure we have fun.

Michael & Joe P

We started with a pitcher of Spicy Mango Margaritas and chips with salsa and a large guacamole.  Honestly, I probably could have skipped ordering an entree with the number of chips and guac I ate.  But no, I ordered the Mexican Platter which consists of a beef taco, a chicken enchilada, and a cheese enchilada with rice and beans and about 7 lbs of melted cheese.  Don't get me wrong - it was delicious, but way too much food.  I wound up taking 1/2 of it home.

Me & Spouse

Part way into our meal Joe (of Joe & Daryl, the owners) passed out party hats, tiaras, Happy New Year necklaces, and noise makers.  Some at our table were slow embrace these accouterments but I forced them to put them on, at least for photos.

Steven & Thad

At some point Joe (of Joe & Daryl, the owners) came around with a tray of shots, passing 1 out to each of us.  I'm not certain of the ingredients but I think it was Cotton Candy vodka and cranberry juice.  Steven took a tiny sip and wrinkled his face, so I finished his.  Thad was unwilling to even try it, so I drank his too.  A 2nd pitcher of margaritas was delivered to our table so I freshened everyone's glasses.  (Isn't that a funny term?  "Freshened"??)

Joe P asked our group to make new years resolutions.  Most came up with silly things (ie: lose 150 lbs) which was funny and made us laugh.  Our waiter brought us champagne flutes and before we knew it, we heard the countdown to midnight.  I forced everyone to don their party hats and tiara (again) and we toasted the new year.

Afterward we hung around for about 1/2 an hour, then went home.  It was a fun way to celebrate New Years Eve.  Here's hoping all of you celebrated New Years Eve the way you wanted to (out or at home) and that your 2015 is peaceful, happy, and prosperous.

New Years Eve

Tonight we are meeting friends at Dos Locos for a late dinner (8:30).  I'm guessing that will be the extent of our New Years Eve celebrating since we were not invited to any parties this year.  But we will be with our friends and eating good food, so it will be fun.  Perhaps when we get home we'll watch Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin banter back and forth until midnight.

A common New Years Eve custom (in the US at least) is to make New Years resolutions.  Many people find New Year's resolutions to be worthless, since most are not resolutions at all, but rather, wishful intentions that are forgotten within a week. Here are the top 10 most frequent New Year's resolutions:

1. Diet
2. Quit smoking
3. Exercise
4. Quit drinking
5. Quit procrastinating
6. Save money
7. Go to church
8. Wake up early
9. Quit cursing
10. Read the newspaper

I, on the other hand, like to make a few resolutions each year that I really work to achieve. For any chance at success one's resolutions must be realistic and measurable.  How else will you know for sure that you've accomplished them?

"Diet" is not a good resolution because there is no way to measure it.  If you loose 1 lb have you accomplished your resolution?  Technically, perhaps but "Loose 15 lbs" is a better resolution because its realistic and measurable.   

"Stop procrastinating" is not a good resolution, as there is no real way to measure whether or not you've done this.  Being more specific such as "do laundry every Sunday" or "clean the fridge on the 1st of each month" are examples of how you will stop procrastinating that you can measure.

"Save money" is not specific enough.  If you want to have $5K more in your savings account, make that your resolution.  If you want to go to Hawaii on vacation and you think it will cost you $5K, your resolution should be "Save $5K for Hawaii vacation".

One year my resolution was to entertain on a regular basis. Spouse & I picked a weekend in every month and invited friends over for dinner both Fri and Sat nights. The dinners were often simple but we had a LOT of fun. 

Another year my resolution was to sort, throw away, organize and file several bags/boxes of paperwork (ie: bank statements, paystubs, real estate documents, insurance documents, etc.) before April 15 when tax filings were due. What a relief it was to finally accomplish this!

So while you wait for the clock to strike midnight tonight and you ring in the new year with a toast, give some thought to a few realistic, measurable, new years resolutions and then work to accomplish them.

Happy New Year!

New Years Eve

Well, its New Year's Eve; typically a time when people reflect on the events of year that has been and look forward to the opportunities of the year that is about to begin.

Many Americans make New Year's resolutions, of which I am a fan. I think there is power in making resolutions (or goals) for the year and stating them publicly so your friends can help you stick to them!

But many people speak disparagingly of New Year's resolutions, since most are not resolutions at all, but rather, wishful intentions that are quickly forgotten a few days later. Here are the top 10 most frequent New Year's resolutions:

• Diet
• Quit smoking
• Exercise
• Quit drinking
• Quit procrastinating
• Save money
• Go to church
• Wake up early
• Quit cursing
• Read the newspaper

I like to make a few New Year's resolutions that I will really work to achieve. I make sure my resolutions are measurable. "Diet" and "Exercise" are not good resolutions, as there is no real way to measure whether or not you've done them. "Eat more veggies" and "Exercise 3 times per week" are much better resolutions because you can track them.

One year my New Year's resolution was to entertain on a regular basis. Spouse & I picked a weekend in every month and invited friends over for dinner, both Fri and Sat nights. We did it and had a LOT of fun. The dinners weren't 'fancy'. Often we had casual meals like chili or homemade soup, and we ate in the kitchen instead of the formal dining room. Another year my New Year's resolution was to sort, throw away, organize and file several bags/boxes of paperwork (ie: bank statements, paystubs, real estate documents, insurance documents, etc.) we had accumulated over many years. We did this, too, and felt a real sense of accomplishment when finished.

This year my resolution is to re-invent my appearance! (Yeah, I know. Sounds crazy, right?) No, I'm not talking about plastic surgery to look like Taylor Lautner.

For a while now I've been kind of bored with the way I look. I've always had this kind of 'wholesome', 'goody two shoes' kind of look about me. This was taken about 12 years ago......and look how utterly BORING I looked! Don't you just want to vomit? To fight my inherent saccharine sweetness I've always been willing to try experimental or avant garde hairstyles. I got my current 'fauxhawk' hairstyle almost 5 years ago when nobody else had it... ...but now its simply too common for me. Every wannabe hipster has a fauxhawk now and I'm bored with it for me. So I'm letting my hair grow out for a while. That should give me more options for my new look. My stylist is currently wracking himself in search of the next hot look for me!

But a new hairstyle is not a re-invention of my appearance, it is just one element.

I also stopped shaving right after Christmas. Unfortunately my beard doesn't grow very fast and doesn't fill in evenly so I probably won't be able to sport that 'scruffy face' look I find so sexy on other men. But I'm letting it grow for a while to see how it looks and to give me options (like a goatee, van dyke, soul patch, etc).

But I'm not done.

I'm going to continue my weekly personal trainer visits, but I'm also going back to our local gym at least once a week. Hopefully more than once a week, but once a week is an attainable goal. I want to burn some calories on the treadmill and lift weights in order to sculpt my aging body into a less embarrassing sight.

But I'm still not done.

Starting on Mon Jan 4 I am going to eat smaller, more healthy meals. My aim is to make portions that will not 'fill me up', but rather, satisfy my hunger and nourish me. I really want to increase my fruit and veggie intake and decrease my processed food intake. So if you have tried-and-true, flavorful, healthy meal recipes please email them to me! I'll need all the help I can get.

So, there you have it: my 1 New Year's resolution is to re-invent my appearance by changing my hair, possibly doing something with my facial hair, exercising regularly and more often, and loosing weight through smaller, more healthful meals. It all starts on Mon.

Tonight Spouse & I are going to a New Year's Eve potluck at a friend's house at 7:30. I have a crockpot full of meatballs simmering away in my special sauce to take with us. Then around 10:00 the potluck gang is heading out to a local watering hole to socialize and ring in the new year.

Whatever your plans tonight, please do NOT drink and drive. Seriously, call a cab if you to 'celebrate' a little too much.

I wish you a SAFE and FUN New Year's Eve, and a new year overflowing with happiness!

Crush du Jour: Jeremy Scahill

New Year's Eve

I neglected to mention that Sun was my 4 year blogiversary! Hard to believe, but its true. What kind of gift does one give for the 4th year? According to this website its flowers, fruit, and appliances. Any and all virtual gifts will be warmly received and appreciated!

Well, its New Year's Eve and I am tempted to make a few resolutions. Most people speak disparagingly about New Year's resolutions, since most are not resolutions at all, but rather, wishful intentions that are forgotten within a week.

Here are the top 10 most frequent New Year's resolutions:

1. Diet
2. Quit smoking
3. Exercise
4. Quit drinking
5. Quit procrastinating
6. Save money
7. Go to church
8. Wake up early
9. Quit cursing
10. Read the newspaper

I, on the other hand, like to make a few resolutions each year that I really work to achieve. I also make sure my resolutions are measurable so I will know for sure I have accomplished them. "Stop procrastinating" is not a good resolution, as there is no real way to measure whether or not you've done this.

One year my resolution was to entertain on a regular basis. Spouse & I picked a weekend in every month and invited friends over for dinner both Fri and Sat nights. We did it, too, and had a LOT of fun. The dinners were often simple, and we ate casually in the kitchen instead of the formal dining room. It also forced us to do a really good/deep housecleaning once a month.

Another year my resolution was to sort, throw away, organize and file several bags/boxes of paperwork (ie: bank statements, paystubs, real estate documents, insurance documents, etc.) we had accumulated over several years. We did this, too, and will never again let our paperwork get out of hand. It was so frustrating to KNOW we had our car titles and birth certificates SOMEWHERE, but not be able to find them when we needed them.

This year my resolution is to enrich other peoples' lives (and my own) by doing something unexpected and nice for them, at least once a month for the entire year. Such random acts of kindness could include sending a friend a funny e-card for no special reason, sending Spouse flowers to his office for no special occasion, making cookies or brownies for a neighbor, donating to a charity, you get the picture.

Tonight Spouse & I are going to a New Year's Eve party at a friend's house, but I think we will sneak out at 11:30. Why would we leave a New Year's Eve party before midnight? Well, a neighbor told me that a neighbor on a nearby street rigs up his very own 'dropping of the ball' at midnight, and I want to see it! Apparently neighbors gather shortly before midnight to watch and enjoy this miniature replica of the famous Times Square event.

Whatever your plans tonight, I wish you a SAFE and FUN New Year's Eve celebration, and a...

I leave you with this.

Crush du Jour: Anton Antipov