Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Accountability
I am a 36 year old man with the desire to be healthy and fit. I know which ones of my habits are not helping but find I have a hard time sticking to a healthy lifestyle. I am going to take space here in my 'lab' area to record my progress (or lack thereof) in weight loss and to keep track of what dieting and exercise habits work for me. I will also try to track both of those as well as I can. Wish me luck. Wish me luck. I am going to take the next few days to start the habit of blogging here. Starting in September, I am going to make it my experiment, which means I have to do it every day. See you later.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
August 2009
I am a back after a little hiatus. I have tried to come back and do some more experiments, but have been distracted. If you what to know some of what I have been up to, check out baldonpurpose.org.
So August is here and it is time for some new tests. These are personal growth ones that I think will bring me some happiness. For a long time, I have wanted to be able to play the guitar well. Last year I took lessons and never had any time to practice. Or I did not make the time. With the encouragement of lovely wife, I have decided to try again. To help me practice, I decided to make it a challenge/test. I am going to practice at least 15 minutes every day for the month. That's it. I plan to post my progress and to post my schedule for practice. I am following the online guitar lessons presented by Jusin Sandercore at www.justinguitar.com. If anyone wants to follow along with me. Please do. I hope to post the practice schedule that I am on here, but you know how good I am about posting.
The other test, which is going to be a little harder, to spend at least 10minutes doing something for my wife. That something cannot be chore that simply benefits her. In other word, I cannot just do some laundry and say that I have done something for her. On Friday night - I think it was after midnight, so I believe that counts as the 1st, I drew her a bath. Later that day I made some small token gifts for the cast of a play she was in. Today, the 2nd, I went with her to meet her parents for lunch to celebrate her sisters birthday and then I went again for dinner with her other parents and sister. She knew that I had a ton of work, but I think that I could hear something in her voice that wanted me to go to both lunch and dinner (I had planned to only go to dinner). So I did not think twice, and maybe she really did not care, but I changed my plans and went with her. Not a big thing, but it counts in my book.
Gotta go and get some rest. later-.
So August is here and it is time for some new tests. These are personal growth ones that I think will bring me some happiness. For a long time, I have wanted to be able to play the guitar well. Last year I took lessons and never had any time to practice. Or I did not make the time. With the encouragement of lovely wife, I have decided to try again. To help me practice, I decided to make it a challenge/test. I am going to practice at least 15 minutes every day for the month. That's it. I plan to post my progress and to post my schedule for practice. I am following the online guitar lessons presented by Jusin Sandercore at www.justinguitar.com. If anyone wants to follow along with me. Please do. I hope to post the practice schedule that I am on here, but you know how good I am about posting.
The other test, which is going to be a little harder, to spend at least 10minutes doing something for my wife. That something cannot be chore that simply benefits her. In other word, I cannot just do some laundry and say that I have done something for her. On Friday night - I think it was after midnight, so I believe that counts as the 1st, I drew her a bath. Later that day I made some small token gifts for the cast of a play she was in. Today, the 2nd, I went with her to meet her parents for lunch to celebrate her sisters birthday and then I went again for dinner with her other parents and sister. She knew that I had a ton of work, but I think that I could hear something in her voice that wanted me to go to both lunch and dinner (I had planned to only go to dinner). So I did not think twice, and maybe she really did not care, but I changed my plans and went with her. Not a big thing, but it counts in my book.
Gotta go and get some rest. later-.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
End of April/ Start of May
Last month was not a huge success. I totally gave up on staying outside for an hour a day. It is harder than it sounds. I also did a crappy job of documenting my spending. I did, however, try really hard to not help where help was not asked. I started to notice that I have a tendency to offer up advice or assistance even when not prompted. It made me think about why I do this and if it is conscious or sub-conscious. It turns out that it is nearly completely subconscious. I truly just want to help people out by sharing what I know or think or by doing something. Unfortunately the part of my brain that tell me to wait until you actually ask for help does not seem to be functioning. So for most of April, I was trying to only comment or assist on something when someone would ask. Most of the time that someone was my wife. I know I am helpful=hardest on her most days. I guess I always think I am trying to make things better. Whatever. I now realize that not caring as much and not try to make things or people better is so much less stressful. Now, I still do it try to help, but now I try to not care as much about not helping if people do not ask for it. One byproduct is that I used to feel bad if I could not help someone who needed it, and now I really do not feel anything. Cold, perhaps, but it seems to be what most people prefer today. This may not make sense to most people if you do not already know me...but not thinking about others as much is so much easier. I feel like Peter in Office Space, "I just don't care." Well that is not completely true - I still do care and it adds some stress at times. But I am trying to care less overall and learning that I do not have to share every thought with those around me. I know who my friends are who I can have that exchange with - the ones I can still say anything to at any time. And they know who they are. That is enough for me.
It's late - let me post a new experiment before I fall asleep.
It's late - let me post a new experiment before I fall asleep.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
New Month, New Expieriment
Ok - I know that I need to blog about my month off from drinking, but I do not want to do that now. Maybe after I finish my neatly poured drink in front of me. I will at least summarize. I did it. I did not have one drink all month. It was hardest after about the first 7 days or so. I think that what made it the hardest is that so many social interactions I have involve people partaking in a few beverages. Anyway, more on that later.
It is April now and I have started a new experiment. Actually, I have started 3. The first (level 1) experiment calls for me to stay outdoors for one hour every day this month. All I have to do is be out of any building. I am still working on the gray areas, like what if I was in my garage and the door was open? Or what if I was in my car and the windows were down? I am still working out the bugs. But the main constraint is that that 1 hour has to be continuous. In other words, I have to stay outside for one hour straight. If I go in, the clock resets.
Yesterday I had a planning meeting that was held at a local restaurant. I was leading the meeting so I got there 30 minutes early and was able to sit outside on the patio. As people started to show up for the meeting we stayed out on the patio. I made a point to go to el bano before I sat down. Anyway - we eventually moved to a bigger table inside, but it was well after 1 hour. So the first day worked out ok. Today is a little different since the weather today was not great. I worked all day and then it started to storm towards the end of the day an into the night. So I was inside taking care of my boys most of the night. My wife came home at 8:30 and helped put the boys to bed. At 9:15pm I walked out of the house and sat on my front porch. Yes, I in within wireless internet range, but I am still outside. I will sit here for at least an hour and take care of things i need to in cyberland. It is nice out now. Little cool, and there is a breeze, but the rain has stopped. I can hear a plane flying overhead. We live about 10 miles or so from the airport. I can hear strong gusts of wind as it passed through the nearby trees. The trees are just starting to get their new leaves, so there is some resistance that make the sound louder. The gusts seem to pulse and last for several seconds at a time. Reminds me of a scene from the John Travolta movie, Phenomena where he is talking about Aspens or something like that.
I have 2 other less important experiments that I am testing out. First I am going to record every penny I spend personally all month long. I have become a huge fan of Google Docs so I simply started a spread sheet there so I can access it from work, home, phone, anywhere. If only I could set it up to receive text messages, that would be great. I thought about twittering my amounts and where I was, but I am too lazy. Maybe if I have a QWERTY keyboard on my phone. Sidetrack: Remember what it felt like to go from a rotary phone to a tone dialed phone. I wonder if it feels the same to for from the regular ABC=2, DEF=3 phone to a full keyboard on a mobile phone for texting.
The final experiment is not a easy to document, it is more of a way of living. In a kind and loving way, I have been advised to "lighten up" and not try to always have a solution for everything that people bring up to me. Even things that do not need a solution - as a man, I have been trained to solve problems and that will make people happy. As a scientist, I have been trained to never stop asking questions. Those traits spill over into places where they do not necessarily make the situation better. Anyway, so my final task is to accept as many ideas as I can from everyone I run into in their initial state. Do not offer advice or opinion unless I am specifically asked to do so. I may even require that they ask twice so I am clear. So for example, if someone from work suggest going to get Thai food for lunch and I do not care for it that day, I will either go anyway, or not go. I will not suggest that we go somewhere else. If my wife suggests that we go on a cruise, and I wanted to go skiing...a cruise it is. Now, I am free to make whatever decision I want to when I am on my own, I just will not offer any "suggestion" or "fixes" to others if that is not what they specifically asked for. Don't ask what started this test off - let's just say that it needed to be done. I will not apply this rule at work, since I am supposed to be somewhat critical and seek improvements. This is what leads to new ideas and better products in the end for our group.
So for the month of April...
1) Stay outside for one continuous hour every day
2) record every penny you spend
3) No giving of unsolicited advice and go with the first suggestion offered by others.
Wish me luck.
It is April now and I have started a new experiment. Actually, I have started 3. The first (level 1) experiment calls for me to stay outdoors for one hour every day this month. All I have to do is be out of any building. I am still working on the gray areas, like what if I was in my garage and the door was open? Or what if I was in my car and the windows were down? I am still working out the bugs. But the main constraint is that that 1 hour has to be continuous. In other words, I have to stay outside for one hour straight. If I go in, the clock resets.
Yesterday I had a planning meeting that was held at a local restaurant. I was leading the meeting so I got there 30 minutes early and was able to sit outside on the patio. As people started to show up for the meeting we stayed out on the patio. I made a point to go to el bano before I sat down. Anyway - we eventually moved to a bigger table inside, but it was well after 1 hour. So the first day worked out ok. Today is a little different since the weather today was not great. I worked all day and then it started to storm towards the end of the day an into the night. So I was inside taking care of my boys most of the night. My wife came home at 8:30 and helped put the boys to bed. At 9:15pm I walked out of the house and sat on my front porch. Yes, I in within wireless internet range, but I am still outside. I will sit here for at least an hour and take care of things i need to in cyberland. It is nice out now. Little cool, and there is a breeze, but the rain has stopped. I can hear a plane flying overhead. We live about 10 miles or so from the airport. I can hear strong gusts of wind as it passed through the nearby trees. The trees are just starting to get their new leaves, so there is some resistance that make the sound louder. The gusts seem to pulse and last for several seconds at a time. Reminds me of a scene from the John Travolta movie, Phenomena where he is talking about Aspens or something like that.
I have 2 other less important experiments that I am testing out. First I am going to record every penny I spend personally all month long. I have become a huge fan of Google Docs so I simply started a spread sheet there so I can access it from work, home, phone, anywhere. If only I could set it up to receive text messages, that would be great. I thought about twittering my amounts and where I was, but I am too lazy. Maybe if I have a QWERTY keyboard on my phone. Sidetrack: Remember what it felt like to go from a rotary phone to a tone dialed phone. I wonder if it feels the same to for from the regular ABC=2, DEF=3 phone to a full keyboard on a mobile phone for texting.
The final experiment is not a easy to document, it is more of a way of living. In a kind and loving way, I have been advised to "lighten up" and not try to always have a solution for everything that people bring up to me. Even things that do not need a solution - as a man, I have been trained to solve problems and that will make people happy. As a scientist, I have been trained to never stop asking questions. Those traits spill over into places where they do not necessarily make the situation better. Anyway, so my final task is to accept as many ideas as I can from everyone I run into in their initial state. Do not offer advice or opinion unless I am specifically asked to do so. I may even require that they ask twice so I am clear. So for example, if someone from work suggest going to get Thai food for lunch and I do not care for it that day, I will either go anyway, or not go. I will not suggest that we go somewhere else. If my wife suggests that we go on a cruise, and I wanted to go skiing...a cruise it is. Now, I am free to make whatever decision I want to when I am on my own, I just will not offer any "suggestion" or "fixes" to others if that is not what they specifically asked for. Don't ask what started this test off - let's just say that it needed to be done. I will not apply this rule at work, since I am supposed to be somewhat critical and seek improvements. This is what leads to new ideas and better products in the end for our group.
So for the month of April...
1) Stay outside for one continuous hour every day
2) record every penny you spend
3) No giving of unsolicited advice and go with the first suggestion offered by others.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
More Experiment Idea
With the April 2 weeks away, I thought it would be useful to come up with some ideas for a new monthly experiments Here are some that are open for conversations:
1) Go Green. Pick 5 Earth friendly 'Green' habits and stick with them. For example, ride your bike to work, no air condition, cooking on the grill ( is this really better then using the stove?), I'll need some help with this one.
2) Buy local. Only shop at locally opened stores for everything I buy. No chains stores or restaurants. What about if I am out of town, can I buy locally then? what if I am travelling and with other people and I do not have a car? I will have to do this during a month when I know I am going to be home.
3) No eating out. All meals will be at home or someones house or I can make it at home and take it where I need to go. What about prepared meals from the grocery store? Is that eating out?
4) Spend 1 continuous hour outside every day. Day or night, you just cannot go inside for any reason for an hour, if I do, the clock starts over.
5) Bike 150 miles in a month. I am starting to ride my bike more this spring. If I rode every day for 5 miles, that would be about 150 miles for the month.
6) Any more?? Please comment.
1) Go Green. Pick 5 Earth friendly 'Green' habits and stick with them. For example, ride your bike to work, no air condition, cooking on the grill ( is this really better then using the stove?), I'll need some help with this one.
2) Buy local. Only shop at locally opened stores for everything I buy. No chains stores or restaurants. What about if I am out of town, can I buy locally then? what if I am travelling and with other people and I do not have a car? I will have to do this during a month when I know I am going to be home.
3) No eating out. All meals will be at home or someones house or I can make it at home and take it where I need to go. What about prepared meals from the grocery store? Is that eating out?
4) Spend 1 continuous hour outside every day. Day or night, you just cannot go inside for any reason for an hour, if I do, the clock starts over.
5) Bike 150 miles in a month. I am starting to ride my bike more this spring. If I rode every day for 5 miles, that would be about 150 miles for the month.
6) Any more?? Please comment.
Ok - so sue me.
I have been horrible about posting since I got back from Mary's funeral last weel. It has been over a week since I wrote anything. I guess I failed at 1/2 of the experiments this month already. However, I still have not had anything to drink. And considering my friends and my love for celebrating St. Pat's day - I consider this a real accomplishment. We went to a b-day party for a group of friends who all turn 40 this year (some are turning 50) Dinner, drinks, and dancing - everyone had a great time. My wife and I went and took a good friend of ours with us. She recently broke up with her old boyfriend - I think it is safe to say that we are glad that she is not with hime any more. The party was actually pretty tame knowing this crowd. I guess that is what 40 does to you!
Yesterday was St.Pats - it was hard to pass up a pint and a shot. For years my best friend and I would throw a great party at one of our homes - I think we peaked one year with about 80 people. We have not had the party since we have had children - not for lack of desire on my part. Moreso due to lack of interest by others ( except my wife, she always encourages me to do crazy ass things like having house parties).
Anyway - more than 1/2 through the month and still not alcohol. I will try to post this weekend about how I feel and if I think I have been any more productive than usual.
cheers.
Yesterday was St.Pats - it was hard to pass up a pint and a shot. For years my best friend and I would throw a great party at one of our homes - I think we peaked one year with about 80 people. We have not had the party since we have had children - not for lack of desire on my part. Moreso due to lack of interest by others ( except my wife, she always encourages me to do crazy ass things like having house parties).
Anyway - more than 1/2 through the month and still not alcohol. I will try to post this weekend about how I feel and if I think I have been any more productive than usual.
cheers.
One Month at a Time/ Aunt Mary
I was thinking about how it is much easier to handle a large project in small blocks. That is how all of life is set up if you think about it. And there is a reason for that. In nature, everything cannot happen all at once. Everything takes time. It is easy to get overwhelmed with life and all its activities. But if you step back and break it into blocks it seems a little more do-able. I know that this is common knowledge for most people, but sometime in the past few years I have forgotten that simple structure. I get wrapped up thinking how I need to work on my marriage, or save for my kids college, or get caught up on the latest projects at work. I forget that "Rome was not built in a day". I hope that working these experiments here I can put some other things in my life in better perspective.
I really like unwinding with a drink now and again... and again :) I wanted one today. Just one to toast to Mary.
Today was Aunt Mary's funeral over in Chattanooga. She was "salt of the earth", and left a legacy that she can be proud of - it is safe to say that Mary left the world a better place than she found it. I know I am better for knowing her and sharing a some years and a dozen family reunions with her. When I finally got back to town, it was too late to go into work before I had to pick up my boys from school. I ran by my local watering hole and there were 4 regulars at the bar. I bought the boys a round and told them the raise their glasses to Aunt Mary. I drank my 1/2 and 1/2 tea and toasted to her. The guys there were a little surprised, but when I told them about Aunt Mary, they all had someone in their lives that carried a resemblance of Mary's spirit. We all know someone like that - and they are all one in a million. Peace be with you Mary. Cheers.
I really like unwinding with a drink now and again... and again :) I wanted one today. Just one to toast to Mary.
Today was Aunt Mary's funeral over in Chattanooga. She was "salt of the earth", and left a legacy that she can be proud of - it is safe to say that Mary left the world a better place than she found it. I know I am better for knowing her and sharing a some years and a dozen family reunions with her. When I finally got back to town, it was too late to go into work before I had to pick up my boys from school. I ran by my local watering hole and there were 4 regulars at the bar. I bought the boys a round and told them the raise their glasses to Aunt Mary. I drank my 1/2 and 1/2 tea and toasted to her. The guys there were a little surprised, but when I told them about Aunt Mary, they all had someone in their lives that carried a resemblance of Mary's spirit. We all know someone like that - and they are all one in a million. Peace be with you Mary. Cheers.
Beautiful day
I learned today that if you are a true Christian that you should actually by happy when someone who is "saved" dies and goes to be with God. I am strangely happy to say that, although I am going to miss Mary dearly, I am happy to believe that she is now where she hoped to be most of her life. I attended her funeral today and was proud to see how her children, grandchildren, and other family members rejoiced in their faith and was happy for her moving on to the next life after living such a full life here on Earth.
For those of you that know me, know that I am a empirical scientist at heart. I have a place for spirituality, but not one of the main stream methods. Nevertheless, I do believe there is good and evil. More about what I believe in when I have a few beers...
For those of you that know me, know that I am a empirical scientist at heart. I have a place for spirituality, but not one of the main stream methods. Nevertheless, I do believe there is good and evil. More about what I believe in when I have a few beers...
CRAP
I forgot to post yesterday. I watched my boys all day yesterday and we had a great time. I also did chores nearly all day - the fun Saturday of a married father of 2. Anyway, I think it is interesting that I had 2 simple things that I wanted to do all month. 1) not drink alcohol (so far so good) and the other was to blog every day. I already screwed that one up. I wonder how much easier it is now to do something then it is to do something. I think that depends on personality. I am unfortunately a careful person. I obey most laws and tend to try to follow instructions. I am better at being told what not to do. Oh well. Back to the grind - it looks like I have my boys again today. Hopefully we will get to see my godsons this afternoon.
Did not have anything to drink last night. It was a beautiful night - a great night for one of the Cigars I brought back from Honduras and some my my Nicaraguan rum... it will have to wait until next month. cheers-
Did not have anything to drink last night. It was a beautiful night - a great night for one of the Cigars I brought back from Honduras and some my my Nicaraguan rum... it will have to wait until next month. cheers-
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
One Month at a Time/ Aunt Mary
I was thinking about how it is much easier to handle a large project in small blocks. That is how all of life is set up if you think about it. And there is a reason for that. In nature, everything cannot happen all at once. Everything takes time. It is easy to get overwhelmed with life and all its activities. But if you step back and break it into blocks it seems a little more do-able. I know that this is common knowledge for most people, but sometime in the past few years I have forgotten that simple structure. I get wrapped up thinking how I need to work on my marriage, or save for my kids college, or get caught up on the latest projects at work. I forget that "Rome was not built in a day". I hope that working these experiments here I can put some other things in my life in better perspective.
I really like unwinding with a drink now and again... and again :) I wanted one today. Just one to toast to Mary.
Today was Aunt Mary's funeral over in Chattanooga. She was "salt of the earth", and left a legacy that she can be proud of - it is safe to say that Mary left the world a better place than she found it. I know I am better for knowing her and sharing a some years and a dozen family reunions with her. When I finally got back to town, it was too late to go into work before I had to pick up my boys from school. I ran by my local watering hole and there were 4 regulars at the bar. I bought the boys a round and told them the raise their glasses to Aunt Mary. I drank my 1/2 and 1/2 tea and toasted to her. The guys there were a little surprised, but when I told them about Aunt Mary, they all had someone in their lives that carried a resemblance of Mary's spirit. We all know someone like that - and they are all one in a million. Peace be with you Mary. Cheers.
I really like unwinding with a drink now and again... and again :) I wanted one today. Just one to toast to Mary.
Today was Aunt Mary's funeral over in Chattanooga. She was "salt of the earth", and left a legacy that she can be proud of - it is safe to say that Mary left the world a better place than she found it. I know I am better for knowing her and sharing a some years and a dozen family reunions with her. When I finally got back to town, it was too late to go into work before I had to pick up my boys from school. I ran by my local watering hole and there were 4 regulars at the bar. I bought the boys a round and told them the raise their glasses to Aunt Mary. I drank my 1/2 and 1/2 tea and toasted to her. The guys there were a little surprised, but when I told them about Aunt Mary, they all had someone in their lives that carried a resemblance of Mary's spirit. We all know someone like that - and they are all one in a million. Peace be with you Mary. Cheers.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Going to bed early/New Laptop
I got a new laptop for my wife today. She is one of the hardest working women in show business. She deserves better...but I think I did pretty good. I ended up getting her a new HP Pavilion from Sam's Club. I know some people think that WalMart/Sam's club is the devil, but I drink and occasionally smoke. I also like to dance and tell bad jokes. There is no saving me I guess. I think she will be happy with it even though we have to endure VISTA. It cannot be that bad, right? Let's hope. I still think that every tenured school teacher that can show that they work from home several hours a week should be able to have a new laptop every 3 years. There are far less productive people that have more sophiscated equipment - what a waste. I have to admit - for most of what I do, this MacBook is overkill. But I did not ask the taxpayers or the consumer to pay for this. Other buy big screen tvs, I wanted a Mac. Anyway - I hope she is happy with the new PC. She kept her old Compaq Presario working for 4 or so years now (I think) - she she has paid her dues with that one. I am going to try to steal it from her and make a little home network, maybe had a TB disk off of it so we can share pictures and music at home.
**
The boys Grandmother wanted to watch them for the night, so I am taking advantage of this and going to bed early. It is now 8:23 and I hope to be asleep in 1 hour. Giving that we just switched to DST, this should get me caught up with some lack of sleep. We have an early start and a 2 hour drive to attend a funeral out of town. We will make the round trip in one day, not a big deal really.
No real temptation. I saw my wife finished off the Baileys Irish Cream last night, so that is one more bottle out of my sight. I had lunch with some coworkers today at a Greek place and they had beer and wine there. Jokeingly, he said that he would buy me a beer. He is one of a few co-workers that I will meet for drinks occasionally, so I will make him buy me that beer in a few more weeks. This weekend we have a party to go to. My wife will enjoy knowing that I am her DD for the night. She is sort of a lightweight - 2 drinks in and evening and she is done. I love her anyway :)
Well off to get ready for bed. Remember when we were young and would make fun of people who went to sleep early. Now look at us, I am bragging about it! Later.
**
The boys Grandmother wanted to watch them for the night, so I am taking advantage of this and going to bed early. It is now 8:23 and I hope to be asleep in 1 hour. Giving that we just switched to DST, this should get me caught up with some lack of sleep. We have an early start and a 2 hour drive to attend a funeral out of town. We will make the round trip in one day, not a big deal really.
No real temptation. I saw my wife finished off the Baileys Irish Cream last night, so that is one more bottle out of my sight. I had lunch with some coworkers today at a Greek place and they had beer and wine there. Jokeingly, he said that he would buy me a beer. He is one of a few co-workers that I will meet for drinks occasionally, so I will make him buy me that beer in a few more weeks. This weekend we have a party to go to. My wife will enjoy knowing that I am her DD for the night. She is sort of a lightweight - 2 drinks in and evening and she is done. I love her anyway :)
Well off to get ready for bed. Remember when we were young and would make fun of people who went to sleep early. Now look at us, I am bragging about it! Later.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Dinner with Friends
Tonight we got to have dinner with some good old friends. Their children are my godsons. It was good to spend sometime with them. It turned out that they just got a new dog who they rescued from an animal shelter. We ordered chinese and let all the kids play together and watch Toy Story2. The adults say outside and talked about kids, getting more exercise, a little politics, family ...the normal stuff...but it is the stuff that really makes me feel good. The family we visited have been good friends of ours since about 2000 and I know we are a better family for knowing them. We went inside gave he kiddos some dessert and then the women played with the kids and the men folk sat out back on the deck and smoked a cigar. Nasty habit, I know - but relaxing. Everyone had a beverage, my friend even tossed back 3 or 4, about 2 or 3 more than his normal amount for one night as of late. I did not drink anything, but water. I wanted to, but was not overly tempted. It was good just to be with good friends and family. It was a strange weekend for me - got some cleaning done, spent a lot of time with my 2 sons, my wife came home a day early from her trip(, but is leaving again tomorrow to go to a visitation and I will meet her Tuesday for the funeral for her great aunt.) I got to spend time with some great friends both last night and tonight. Throughtout the weekend my thought would go to my wife's family reunion and crazy Aunt Mary. She was a great soul and I bet that where ever she is now that she is loving everyone around her. And there is no doubt that she is making someone smile and laugh somewhere. Peace out.
CRAP
I forgot to post yesterday. I watched my boys all day yesterday and we had a great time. I also did chores nearly all day - the fun Saturday of a married father of 2. Anyway, I think it is interesting that I had 2 simple things that I wanted to do all month. 1) not drink alcohol (so far so good) and the other was to blog every day. I already screwed that one up. I wonder how much easier it is now to do something then it is to do something. I think that depends on personality. I am unfortunately a careful person. I obey most laws and tend to try to follow instructions. I am better at being told what not to do. Oh well. Back to the grind - it looks like I have my boys again today. Hopefully we will get to see my godsons this afternoon.
Did not have anything to drink last night. It was a beautiful night - a great night for one of the Cigars I brought back from Honduras and some my my Nicaraguan rum... it will have to wait until next month. cheers-
Did not have anything to drink last night. It was a beautiful night - a great night for one of the Cigars I brought back from Honduras and some my my Nicaraguan rum... it will have to wait until next month. cheers-
Friday, March 6, 2009
11:35pm EST Goodnight Mary.
We lost my wife's great aunt Mary this evening at 11:35pm EST. Mary was always the life of the party and a great and fun soul. She welcomed me into the family from the first time my wife brought me to her family reunion back in 1997. I cannot believe that it has really been that long since I became part of her family and her part of mine. Mary will be greatly missed. She truly will live on in the lives of all the people she has ever come in contact. She has loving and vibrant children and grandchildren to carry on her legacy. Even though I had only know her for a few years, I could distinctly tell how she has impacted my life. Always happy, always smiling, always caring for others...she was a great role model, literally, until the day she died. The trips back to TN in the summer will never be the same. Peace.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
School re-zoneing sucks.
There has been a proposal to rezone the school district in out town of Madison, AL. It does not chance where our kids will go to school in about 2 years, but my on of my best friends home was move from the one of the newest schools with the latest technology to the oldest and the one with the least modernizations. Anyway - in the end, if this rezoning takes place, our friends will most likely leave our great little city and move to our neighbor, Huntsville and send their kids to private school. I am totally guessing here, but I think they will send their kids to public school in the end. They will end up in a great home and in a great hood. They are like that - careful and considerate. Even though they will only be about 20min away no matter where they move really, it is the thought that makes me sad. Their boys are my godsons and it has been hard enough to see them even once month now and they are only about 5 miles away. I realize that I will just have to work harder to make time to see them and to have their boys play with my boys. I really am looking forward to them growing up together. My mood: somber.
I met a friend from work at a bar for a short while after work. Just drank water and talked for 45 min and then I went to pick up my sons from preschool. I had a great night with them. They are my strength and heart. I am getting a little tired for some reason. I think I am going to try to get a good nights sleep and an early start tomorrow. Cheers and goodnight.
I met a friend from work at a bar for a short while after work. Just drank water and talked for 45 min and then I went to pick up my sons from preschool. I had a great night with them. They are my strength and heart. I am getting a little tired for some reason. I think I am going to try to get a good nights sleep and an early start tomorrow. Cheers and goodnight.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
In Search of an Uncluttered Life
I had the night off tonight. My wife is out of town and the boys are at their grandparents. But for some reason I was not able to relax. I know the reason. Clutter. We have too much stuff. I think my wife feels it as well. We are just not sure what to do with all the stuff we have collected. Pictures, CD, DVDs, books, dishes, furniture, toys, and on and on and on. We often feel overwhelmed. I am trying find ways to declutter our lives so we actually can enjoy it again. I welcome any suggestions on how to become and to live uncluttered. I might try a few things this weekend to get organized - but for some reason that will only last about 2d from the day everyone gets home.
Update:
Day 4: No problem tonght. Did not go out after work at all - just ran errands and came home afterwards. It's all goos. Cheers.
Update:
Day 4: No problem tonght. Did not go out after work at all - just ran errands and came home afterwards. It's all goos. Cheers.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Happy Square Root Day 3-3-09
That title was in tribute for my math loving fans.
I had 2 social situations where I was giving the opportunity to partake it beverages. I recently returned from a mission trip Honduras and had a post-trip meeting this evening over beers to summarize our trip. We met at the same little wings place for our pre-trip meetings and typically polished off 3 or 4 pints over the evening. While the others had some beers, I pleasantly drank my high quality H2O. Afterward I met a good friend of mine, CCW, down the road for dinner and to catch up on life. Usually we partake in the $1 PBR drafts, but again, I drank water. CCW and I have been friends for a long time. Unfortunately we do not get to catch up like this too often. So today, I had 2 more opportunities to drink and passed each time. It was not to hard, but then again today was a low stress day.
Only on day 3, and no real problems saying no to alcohol so far. I wonder how I would feel if I had to quit forever.
I had 2 social situations where I was giving the opportunity to partake it beverages. I recently returned from a mission trip Honduras and had a post-trip meeting this evening over beers to summarize our trip. We met at the same little wings place for our pre-trip meetings and typically polished off 3 or 4 pints over the evening. While the others had some beers, I pleasantly drank my high quality H2O. Afterward I met a good friend of mine, CCW, down the road for dinner and to catch up on life. Usually we partake in the $1 PBR drafts, but again, I drank water. CCW and I have been friends for a long time. Unfortunately we do not get to catch up like this too often. So today, I had 2 more opportunities to drink and passed each time. It was not to hard, but then again today was a low stress day.
Only on day 3, and no real problems saying no to alcohol so far. I wonder how I would feel if I had to quit forever.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Day 2 - no problem
I had an easy day - Typical day, take the boys to school, go to work, meet wife at the store to look for a new laptop computer (this is not typical), hit the gym (training for a 5K), made dinner at home, continued searching for a computer online. Since the day was low stress, I did not feel the call of wanting to have a beverage in the evening. Let's see how tomorrow goes.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Hypotheses for No-Drinking Test
My wife suggested that I post some hypotheses on what I think might change in my life due to me not drinking for the month. Think would be fun thing to do for my tests. After all, what good is a theory if it does not make any predictions. So, what changed might I see during or after a month of no drinking? Feel free to comment and add more to the ones I have here.
1) I will eat better and lose some extra weight.
2) I will sleep better and be more alert in the morning.
3) I will get more done around the house.
4) I will get along with my wife better. (and not just because I will be the D D)
5) I will catch up with some old friends.
6) I will get more exercise.
7) I will feel sharper at work.
8) I will be asked to have and will decline at least 10 drink.
I cannot think of any more at the moment and I am tired and need to go to sleep.
One day down...
Cheers,
Sandy
1) I will eat better and lose some extra weight.
2) I will sleep better and be more alert in the morning.
3) I will get more done around the house.
4) I will get along with my wife better. (and not just because I will be the D D)
5) I will catch up with some old friends.
6) I will get more exercise.
7) I will feel sharper at work.
8) I will be asked to have and will decline at least 10 drink.
I cannot think of any more at the moment and I am tired and need to go to sleep.
One day down...
Cheers,
Sandy
Observation: 525600 minutes
There is a song from the musical RENT called 'Seasons of Love'. One of the lyrics is "How do you measure a year?"
365 days,
8760 hours
525600 minutes
Let's say that I only had one drink a day at $5 a drink. That would turn into $5*365 = $1825 a year (or about $152 a month). Depending on who you are, that could appear as a lot of money.
365 days,
8760 hours
525600 minutes
Let's say that I only had one drink a day at $5 a drink. That would turn into $5*365 = $1825 a year (or about $152 a month). Depending on who you are, that could appear as a lot of money.
Official Day 1: My first encounter with resistance
I went out of town to see visit a sick relative and be with extended family. Overall, the weekend was peaceful. It was good to see everyone come together. I spent most of Saturday with my boys, so I was not successful in cleaning house like I had planned. I will try again tomorrow night. Saturday afternoon we headed out of town. We planned on staying overnight and just hanging out with family all night and into Sunday. After we ate dinner and cleaned on Saturday, some of the guys ran to the store to get some breakfast foods. When they returned they were also carrying a case of beer. They dropped off the groceries and then cracked a few cans open. They were about 5 guys there drinking and talking. Good ol' Mike was the first and only one to try to "pressure" me into a drink. He was saying that it was not officially March yet, so technically I could have one. True, it was 11pm EST, but I had already mentally decided that I would start on the 28th for some reason. So I thanked him and rejected his offer a few more times. Now Mike is easy - meaning it is not hard to say "No thank you". I will admit that I did tell him what I was doing and that I wanted to not have a drink for a month and to try to see what changed in my life. He was curious to see the outcome as well. I thought it was interesting that he really wanted me to have one more beer with him. I am going try to see how many drink offers I have to turn down. Even though he asked more than once, I count this as one offer.
One thing this has made me wonder is if I should let people know why I am not drinking vs. just saying that I am not interested in drinking, but can hang out anyway. If I tell people about the experiment, that changes the outcome, right? I think as a general rule, I will not going to say anything about the experiment. I am sure there will be circumstances where it will come up.
Total drink offers to date: 1
One thing this has made me wonder is if I should let people know why I am not drinking vs. just saying that I am not interested in drinking, but can hang out anyway. If I tell people about the experiment, that changes the outcome, right? I think as a general rule, I will not going to say anything about the experiment. I am sure there will be circumstances where it will come up.
Total drink offers to date: 1
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Day 1: Cleaning house
One of the things I want to do today is get rid of all of my alcohol in the house. I do not mean to trash it, just to store it out of sight. I have a hand full of beers in the fridge and a few bottles of liquor in the cabinet. My wife drinks wine and an occasional Kahlua and Cream, so those will stay in the house. I think I can box up all my beverages and stick them in and upstairs closet. I hope that "out of sight/out of mind" works for me. Not drinking at home is not really a big deal for me most of the time. It's the social happy hours that are going to be tough. I think I am going to have to find other projects to fill the time. Between hanging out with my 2 young sons and trying to get some more exercise - I think I can do it.
Experiment of the Month: Stop the March Madness
Watching NCAA Basketball tournament and St. Patrick's day...it just seems right to have a beer and a shot on those days. This months experiment will be to not drink any alcohol for the month of March. For those of you that do not know me, this is a very difficult challenge for me. I hope to document my challenges in completing this test here at LIAL. I think the hardest thing is going to be particpating in social events and not tossing back a few. I really want to break some habits I have formed when it comes to drinking. I found an interesting article by Brad Bollenbach over at 30sleeps.com from back in 2007, check it out if you get a chance. He is the one that gave me the idea for this test. In fact, his site sort of inspired me to start this blog in the first place. My thanks to Brad for his interesting points of view and pursuit of happiness. So I am actually going to start tomorrow, Saturday Feb 28, 2009. No more drinking alcohol. That's it. I mean it. I am going to recuit one or two special friends to help keep me honest and I hope that before the month is over that I have some followers here that want to try to keep me honest as well. The other thing I am going to challenge myself to do is to try to blog every day, no matter how little I have to say.
I am relatively new to blogging so please forgive my lack of creativity at times and, above all, my grammer. My wife is an English major and has fits when I butcher the language. Sorry baby.
I am relatively new to blogging so please forgive my lack of creativity at times and, above all, my grammer. My wife is an English major and has fits when I butcher the language. Sorry baby.
About
This site is to document my life experiments. I am always telling my wife that we need to "test more theories" on way of living. I believe that since everyone and every relationship is unique, we need to explore the ways to exist in order to find happiness. In addition, we can find ways to improve our selves, our lives, and the lives of the people around us. I will be glad to take suggestion on experiments. I do not have a strict rule on the durations of the projects, I am just picking one month intervals for now. I will add more to this "about" section once I figure out more about what this blog is about. In fact the blog itself is also part of the Life Laboratory.
Cheers.
Cheers.
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