Hello, everyone!

Welcome to my new journal. This is the third journal I've had during my time here at Diettalk. Right now, I have 23 pounds to lose until I reach my goal weight. I've been spinning my wheels for a while, not really gaining but not losing either, so it's time to renew focus and dedication and Get to Goal!

So, with renewed focus and energy, I got up this morning at the ungodly hour of 6am and lifted weights. 6am is not that bad, actually, although I'm looking forward to the time change when it won't be so dark.

I did my Lower Body weight routine in the Body For Life manner, which is one intense workout. I liked it. A lot. I even did the crunches for 6 sets of 12.

My legs feel like jello right now, and that's a good thing. I'm building muscles!

So, off to a good start.

I'm still going to write about my life and talk about what amuses me in it, don't worry. I'll just talk about the workouts, too.

This is all your fault, you know. You know who you are. Several of you.

And thank you for that :) .

Hi.

I will keep my post brief and exercise related. I wish you luck in with your weight loss and new journal.
I am going to the gym tonight....I hope.

Andrea

Congrats on the new journal!

Tell me about this "Body for Life" stuff....all strength training?


morgayne

Visitors already! Hi ladies! Girls. Whatever label you desire.

No need to be brief or exercise-related, Nanny. How was Buffy? I saw a few minutes of it last night during a commercial break. Xander has gained weight since last I saw him.

Morgayne, hi! Body For Life (BFL) is a complete weight-lifting, cardio, and nutritional program. It's very sound and I highly recommend it. The book is cheap (Body For Life by Bill Phillips) or it can be checked out from the library.

Basically you alternate cardio and weight days. I did lower body weights today, so tomorrow is cardio, and the following day will be upper body weights.

The focus is on intensity and effective workouts. No sissy stuff.

The nutrition bit calls for 6 small protein/carb balanced meals during the day. Which is how I eat normally, so I don't talk about that so much.

And a free day once a week. No workout, eat whatever you want.

It really works. When you do it consistently, that is.

The icon with sunglasses IS a secret service smiley, right?

Catchy title.

I am so proud of you, Kilogo (see I used your proper name for this very formal love fest). You are getting it in gear.

So, what's the deal? Have you noticed that a lot of us are starting over lately with vim and vigor? Is there something in the water? Maybe I need a new journal too. But with a better title.

Hmmmm.

I eat somewhat similarly to that which the BFL guy recommended too. At least on the good days. I was encouraged by that, actually.

Here is a GO ANGELS for the new journal.

Btw, you aren't THAT skanky.


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Skankiness is a relative thing, true.

Oooh, secret service smiley. I'd best be careful.

Yes, I've noticed that too about everyone getting in gear again. A bunch of us when into a summer blahfest and now most of us are pulling out again. What is that?

Let's all make this a long-lasting upswing, shall we? Carry us through the holidays and into the new year? Hmm?

Your journal has a great title. Its only potential drawback is that it's too long so DT cuts it off in many place. Bad DT. But a new journal is always good. Fresh start and all. Keeps the stalkers confused, too.

Go Angels!

I'm going to walk around the building. Got the obnoxious pedometer on, need to put some steps on it.

I missed the skanky reference, but I will laugh with you anyway.
Thankfully my employer left the house and gave computer control to me. You see how wisely I use this control.

Buffy was OK. Xander has put on weight. I am thinking he should join our club. I don't like the direction his character has taken. Last night there were all kinds of Anya flashbacks.

Alternating cardio and weights is a good idea. I tend to do everything when I am at the gym and it takes forever.

Andrea

Thanks for the information, Kilogo...

I think i'll stop by the library and see if i can find a copy of this BFL book to glance through...i don't wanna switch from WW, but it'd be nice to add a bit of structure to my workouts...

Hmmm....i think i missed the skanky thing too, but stay skanky :)

morgayne

The start of the skankiness is in the entry that closes my old journal, if you want to go read.

It's approximately 400 steps around this building. Huh. So I just need to do 25 laps and I've got the steps in for the day. No problem.

It's been a busy day here at work. And I've even managed to get in a quite a bit of frivolity here at DT. Good day. They ripped the sign off the front of the building and broke down a bunch of cubicles to send to the new location, so this is our first major sign that yes, this is really happening.

The building looks pretty odd with just a jagged hole where the company sign used to be.

I feel good. Ready to get up and run tomorrow morning. Ready to watch the Angels play tonight. Ready for my trips to Tampa and Dallas, although they are a week away.

Ready to lose at least 25 pounds.

Go ANGELS!

Go KILL!

Go! Go! Go!!!!!!!!!

Go Angels!

5:30: 2nd inning, Angels get the first run. 1-0 Angels.

5:45: Yahoo!! Homerun in the 3rd! 3-0 Angels.

Anastasia -- I woke up in the middle of the night with this startling thought: "well no wonder Anastasia thinks baseball is boring. She's a White Sox fan!"

:tomato: (don't hurt me. Although that really did happen) :D

And McMarto -- did you know our best catcher is from Puerto Rico? Ok, lots of pro baseball players are from Puerto Rico, but this one is an ANGEL. Bengi Molina is his name.

6:15: YES! Angels survive a bases-loaded situation in the 4th. Still 3-0.

6:45: Dinner arrives. Gallo Pinto and cucumber salad. Water. Must logoff to eat.

7:15: Oh no! Giants get 2 runs and the inning isn't over yet! AAAAAAhh, tie game as I type and bases are loaded. Oh no!

7:30: They make it out of the inning but the game is tied. 3-3.

8:00 X-( bf has commandeered laptop for half an hour. Fortunately, no change in the score.

8:30: oh woe :c( Giants takes the lead. 3-4. 8th inning. Not much time to catch up.

8:45: Game over. Angels lost :c( .

Series is tied 2-2.

On the plus side, this means they will definitely come back and play in Anaheim, so I might get to go to a game! Or at least they can win it at home!

Poor Angels. Tomorrow will be better.

:laugh: re: the White Sox reference. I was a competitive gymnast so that's my sport of choice to watch, and as a Chicagoan I was into the Bulls during their winning years. Yeah, I'm a fair-weathered sports fan.

Oh, my, my, some of you ladies, girls, whatever you want to be called, have had WAY too much time on your hands today judging by the journal entries (and you know who you are Kilogo, Nanny, Chumlette, Morgayne...)

And I :D am one of the ones who I believe is guilty as charged by the renewed focus in your journal! But selfishly I'm happy about the timing of it as I begin MY new journal this week to coincide with my move and.......as when we first met months ago, at nearly 5'2" also, I too have circa 24ish lbs. to lose as well. So, dear Anne, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!! (Again.)

Ok, join the race Anastasia! Bring it on!

Must go back to other post . . . game is exciting!

Good morning.

I got up this morning, worked out, showered, brushed teeth. Same ol' same ol' . . . :boring:

Misty has been so good. She knows she can't bark now so when another dogs walks by out front she's taken to blowing her cheeks out with a little "blerff. blerff" that makes very little noise. Just enough so that we know she'd really like to bark right now. This morning she did a little bit of that and then just put her head down and pouted for a while. Then all of a sudden she lifted her head and let out a huge howl, "arrroooooooooo!!" That was so funny. It's not a bark!

"Arrooo!" Howling Misty. Maybe she's practicing for Halloween.

Tonight we are taking the bf's aunt out for her birthday along with his mother and an uncle. The usual Thai joint. Plenty of opportunity for weight loss regression there. Sigh.

But the worst part is that we will miss most or all of the game tonight, darn it.

And work still sucks. 84 days to go.

Hi Kilogo!

I hope you have cheered up a little bit after last night's game. From your entries it sounded like a good one! What a shame you will miss the game tonight - although perhaps that's not a bad thing, in Nanny's book, if you watch something your team automatically lose. So you may just be doing them a favour!

84 days is not all that long, but at a sucky job it can definitely feel double that! Believe me I know! Although I have really crazy busy lately - makes the days go quicker though!

Hope you have a great time at bf's aunt's birthday meal tonight - be good!

Hey, Mickey!

If I miss the game tonight, they'd better win it, darn it.

And if I watch parts of it, I hope they still win it. In spite of me watching.

I'm thinking about ditching work tomorrow. I have a dentist appt in the morning to get my chompers cleaned. Am considering taking the rest of the day as a "work search" day. We'll see.

They are tearing down and hauling off a bunch of equipment today -- cubicles, office furniture, conference room tables, etc. Sending it off to the surviving divisions. It's going to echo in here.

And it's bloody noisy right now. Lots of pounding and banging and rolling wheels noise. Irritating. B@stards. Maybe I should go home now.

Ah me. Could I have an attitude problem today?

Nah.

So tonight is the Thai dinner. Tomorrow night, no plans (hooray!). Saturday we go to yet another familial thing with the bf's aunts and uncles (he has tons of them). After that, we have to go to the yacht club and be "Officers of the Day". Which means we have to dress up in the silly yacht club uniform (navy blazer, white pants or skirt), sit at the front door and check membership cards as people walk in. And turn away people who think the club is a restaurant or something open to the public. Members Only, please.

Yes, it'll be a true joy 8-| . And the absolute worst part of it, aside from the fact that I don't think my white pants will go up over my thighs, is that Game 6 will be on and I will be nowhere near a TV. This could be the deciding game. Heck, we could even get invited to this game and then what do we do? Say no? I don't think so.

Will cross that bridge if we come to it. Right now, I'm forseeing us sitting down there at the door, listening to the cheers and groans of the people upstairs in the bar watching the game on TV. :(

Very very sad.

But your Misty story was very very funny. I am howling right along with the silly girl. I love your writing...it is so descriptive. I can imagine her puffing out her cheeks with sorrow and desire. hahaha

I do that sometimes.

God, your description of the yacht club thing sounds horrid. I'd punt in favor of going to the game. For sure.

Did you see Cal Ripken got the prize for something? My friend will be so happy. He is really a sweetheart, I'm told. Not an egomaniac or anything.

I'm glad your eating and working out (you know, as part of your day, nothing special or anything) fit so well with your tooth brushing today. Is that the right thing to say? You can eat healthy at Thai if you want. But that is your choice. I prefer Pad Thai myself.

I guess this is late, but is there any way you could have taped the games and tried not to hear the ending? Unplug the TV in the bar or something? So what if they get p.o.'d? Maybe everybody will go home early! Make their lives miserable if they try to watch the game.

It's gonna be interesting to see how you and CJ do on your challenge. You go girls!

Cheers!
Linda

Morning. Got up, worked out, took shower, brushed teeth. Then went to dentist and got teeth cleaned so the chompers are all fresh and sparkly now :D .

Another unsolicitated product endoresement: I bought one of those cybersonic toothbrushes from TV a few months ago. Didn't mention it to teeth cleaner lady. She started commenting on what good state my teeth were in -- far less coffee stains than usual, far less plaque-ola. I told her I'm still drinking just as much coffee, but I am using the cybersonic toothbrush now. She said that was it. Says she is seeing a significant difference in her patients that are using the sonic type of toothbrushes these days.

So. My teeth are happy teeth.

I am now home with the rest of the day off. And it is chilly!! Brr!! I wore a t-shirt to see the dentist, bad idea. Got home, put on a sweatshirt, but that was too much. So I dug up some long-sleeved t-shirts and they are perfect. I'm comfortable now. Fall weather just sucks, doesn't it?

I'm about to head out to the back yard to play with my plants. I just stopped in here to greet my wonderful visitors (hi Chum and Tmayder!) and give CJ and Anastasia a hard time over in Bring It On.

I can just see you puffing our your cheeks in sorrow and desire, Chum. Too funny.

Tmayder, I think they would kill me on the spot if I unplugged the TV. Since there are two of us, I think we'll have to take turns going upstairs to check on stuff a lot. That might work out ok.

Since the Angels lost last night (alas :( ) they are down 2-3. If the Giants win again, they've won the series.

Oh, Cal Ripken. There are a few good guys in baseball. Pity that the drug addicts, wife-beaters, and smack-talking jerks get most of the press.

I didn't hear about it, but I looked it up. He won the "Most Memorable Moment in Baseball" award. Good for him.

Kilogo~

i'm not a baseball person myself...but you should see how crazy everyone is up here with the Giants in the series! Yesterday, i was sitting up here at work, and Jason comes running out at 2pm, saying "i won a ticket on ebay, i'm going to the game!" Then he waltzes in this morning having caught a foul in the fourth inning from Benito or whoever the guy everyone's crazy about is...

Anyhow...it's quite amusing to watch even my non-sports father and brother listen to the games on the radio every night....just for you, i'll root for the Angels...no sweat off my back ;)

morgayne

Hello bright shiny tooth lady. Loved chatting with you last night.

Hello, Chum. Thanks, I enjoyed that chat too. Good stuff.

Morgayne, it's the same way down here. People are going nuts, even die-hard baseball haters are insane about it now. Thanks for defying your father, bf, and area neighbors and cheering for the Angels.

Grab that Rally Monkey.

It's raining here. My plants are loving it. So a fire is definitely in order tonight. The bf crock-potted a pork loin which is nearly ready. Along with a salad, some potatoes, and a lovely Cabernet.

I worked out and have eaten very lightly and healthily all day long, so I can afford a few extra cals tonight.

We rented Legend of 1900 for tonight. I also got Scooby Doo, but the bf says he will not watch that with me. He favors dramas, preferably with lots of courtroom scenes. Nothing frivolous like Scooby Doo, oh no.

But yet when he watches something like that, in spite of himself, he laughs himself silly. I rented Galaxy Quest a while ago, and he said he didn't want to watch it. But halfway into it he walked through the room, watched a few minutes, and was soon rolling on the couch laughing non-stop. We watched it again so he could see the whole thing.

So maybe he'll be watching some Scooby Doo, too. Although reviews on it weren't great, so maybe it's not good. We'll see.

Well, I'll see.

Hi,

I am quickly making the rounds. I am too cold to post much.

I haven't watched to Scooby Doo movie yet, the kids just got it.

Your dinner sounds delicious!!!

Andrea

Will the bf be walking through the room in just his undies? :D Just looking for a visual here...

Hey Kilogo!

Sorry it took me so long to stop by......and that you actually had to come get me out of my stupor....I was confused...posting on your "Bring It On" journal...cause for some dumb a@# reason I thought that was your new journal?...Well...as I read that one I was confused......thinking...gosh...I don't get to chat with Kilogo anymore?...Ok...so now I am not so confused!

So I caught up and I read that you have gotten Misty to stop the barking...What finally worked?...Was it the bathroom time-outs?

You are doing so great with the food and exercise!...Thai food...yum......I really do enjoy the apps the best!..."Go Angels!"...or am I too late?

Well........I got home today at about 3:30...at an early dinner...then watched a little TV...I was asleep at 6:30...and...I woke up at 9:30!!!...I still feel dazed and confused!...This happens to me every Friday I stay home!...I am so tired!...Well...I am off to search some literature!...

mcmarto

McMarto -- you found me! I'm so happy. I think I lost a few others, too :( . I'm hoping Lutha and Sandielynne find me when they return from their travels.

It was the shunning that did the trick with Misty, yes. She's not perfect yet, but much much better. We've gone from three shunning incidents a day down to about one every four days or so. Soon she'll have it completely figured out.

She still barks during the day, though. Don't know what to do about that. Let her bark, I guess. The other neighborhood dogs do.

The bf does walk through rooms in his underwear pretty often, so that's a working visual. Last night he was in shorts and a t-shirt, though. He's impervious to cold.

Poor frozen Nanny. No luck on getting the radiator fixed, eh? I quite liked Scooby Doo. Had me laughing several times. And Mr. Bean is in it, wow. I knew that Buffy was in it, but she didn't remind me of Buffy even once. Wow, you mean she can really act?

But the bf never watched Scooby Doo as a child. Said his little sister did, but when it came out he was too old for it. I guess people were right after all -- our age difference is an issue :c( .

Turns out that during fall/winter the yc uniform is navy blazer with grey pants. I have grey pants that fit. Hooray.

And the Angels must must must must win tonight! Everyone root for them for me, please (begging). Because if they win, they go on to play tomorrow AND WE HAVE TICKETS TO SEE THEM!!!!!

So they must win tonight. They must. I'm bringing my Rally Monkey to sit on the table with me tonight.

I'm going to take my dog for a jog this morning.

Have great weekends, everyone.

Have fun on that jog (I am jealous...you know I am!)

"Red...and White...Red...and White...don't mess with the best cause the best don't mess...don't fool with the cool cause the fool don't cool...Red and White...Red and White!...Go Angels!"

mcmarto

Have a great weekend Kilogo! Yay. Gray pants. Sounds like a prep school uniform! I am glad that Mc found your journal. I really think people are just confused. You should email Lutha and Sandielynne. They'll be really confused.

I returned the makeup this morning and I was going to try it here at home, but my headached is returning and I've gotta do laundry, so I will try it tomorrow. It is really wet and clammy today too. Yuk. I think we will be staying in for the rest of the day (whenever DLIP gets home from gift shopping!).

I still haven't decided what to get him for his birthday. I think we are going to the Village again this year to see the drag queens on parade. But I'm not sure if he wants to spend his birthday that way again. haha I know I will get him a book and some CDs with my Borders certificates. I've got tons of them, so it will be a good birthday for him. I'll let ya know what I get.

Don't forget to set your clock back tonight!

Hey! Almost forgot...GO ANGELS!

good luck with your jog:D

Well, that proves it. :( You are young enough that you watched Scooby Doo as a child. Which means...

(swaller)

I REALLY AM OLD ENOUGH TO BE YOUR MOTHER!!!


:c(

I haven't seen Scooby Doo yet either! I loved it as a kid (perhaps I saw the repeats???).

So did the Angels win last night?

Hey, I found you no problem! I just read the directions at the end of the old journal. Okay, so I was distracted by the Bring it On thread, but only briefly!

I'm way too behind to comment on everything from the past few days. I'm sorry you couldn't watch the game! My DH actually watched the better part of the game last night, but I was upstairs watching Hearts in Atlantis (I'm a Stephen King fan, but I hadn't seen it yet). To have your home team going to the 7th game in the series must be very exciting! Of course it would also be nice for their fans if they won it in four straight, but I think it's better for the sport as a whole that it is a close thing.

Congrats on your new journal and fresh start! I know that I am far from being able to treat eating right and exercise as just the norm, although I envy those people who can.

I also loved Scooby Doo as a kid.

Well, clocks to set back...suitcases to unpack...

We're going to the World Series!

Arrroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

We're going to the World Series!!!!!!


Look for us on TV!!

My but that was an exciting game last night. The yc thing turned out to be kind of fun. Greeted lots of nice people and there was plenty of activity going on. They were having a halloween party, too, so many people showed up dressed up. Some of racer buddies were there, so they kept coming to the top of the staircase and shouting down updates to us. It was kind of funny. Also, a wedding was going on in the banquet facility next door, so wedding guests kept coming over and asking us for the score.

Whoosh. What an exciting game.

Lutha! Welcome back! How was the trip? I will head on over to your journal to read all about it. I'm glad you found the new journal. I'm glad Chum gave me the idea to give directions to it in the old one.

Mickey -- you young thing you. They probably were reruns. Let me know if you like it when you see it.

Tmayder -- well, my mother is 67 years old if that helps at all. Um, how old are you?? Ok, no need to answer that. I'm sure you'd be a fine mother, if you were mine. And now you've caused me to look up when Scooby Doo premiered -- it was 1969. I was 4. Sorry. The bf was 14.

Chumlette! Happy Birthday!! Heading over to your journal to wish you happy birthday!

McMarto -- the cheer worked! Thanks! The jog was nice, too. Turned out to be a beautiful day here. Hope today is equally gorgeous. Cuz we'll be AT THE GAME!!!

Ah me. I suppose winning it in 4 means that you are clearly the better team, but doing it this way is certainly more exciting.

The game starts at 5 but our hosts want to get to the stadium by 2:30. They say the crowds have been incredible. So we're getting together some tailgate items this morning to bring along.

This is going to be so much fun! Go Angels!!!

Hey kilogo

Sorry it's been so long. Love the new surroundings, they're just great.

That's so exciting that you get to go to the world series. I'll be thinking of you and the angels (except I'll probably be asleep, but I'll do my best).

I watched Scooby Doo too. They were definitely re-runs. It's still on terrestrial TV now. (sh, don't tell anyone that I have a thing about kid's tv :o ).

And I'm very impressed that you've got re-motivated to carry on. That's great.

See you soon (promise not to leave it so long this time).

Chuckles

Oh boy, that must be very exciting!!! When's the World Series start??

Scooby premiered much earlier than I thought! I just remember my girls watching it. So I'm not quite old enough to be your mother. You're mom is my mom's age. I am just your BF's age, I think... but my, he looks loads younger than me. Bastard.

Actually, I'm 48, no regrets. I love my age, the 40's have been the best :) . Women find it hard to believe that life begins at 40, but it's twue, it's twue!

Have a fabulous day!

Linda

Girl...it must have been an exciting game last night...While i was flipping through the channels I saw that they were down by 4!...So they sure did have a comeback!

Yahoo!.......Have fun at that game...and yes...you can have some peanuts and cracker jacks!

I am off to continue my research...I am having no luck...no luck I say!

mcmarto:(

tmayer, I told the bf that you called him a bastard and he laughed. Said, "thank you!" No one guesses his real age correctly. He's well preserved. Pickled, some might say. He's 48, too. Still has all of his hair, no grey, few wrinkles, no fat. It really isn't fair.

Hi Chuck! You're really busy at Uni, I know. Thanks for stopping by, nice to see you! I watch cartoons a fair amount, too. I like them. And I love South Park, Chum. Who doesn't?

Mcmarto -- Ahh what a game. They were down 5-0 going into the 7th inning. But then the rally monkey arrived (she's not allowed to come out until the 7th) and Angels hit a 3-run homerun. 5-3.

Then in the 8th they went ahead 6-5. What a game! The farthest comeback in World Series history, they say.

I have been a lazy slug today, anticipating going to the game and that's about it. Didn't take my dog for a walk, even. Bad me. I still have time, though.

Wow...what a game!

Well...take that dog out for a walk...would ya?...Then...continue with the game excitement!

What will you wear?...so I can look out for you!...hahahahaha!

mc........but seriously...I am off to continue my research!...

Hey,

I will be watching and looking for you. If the Angels fall behind I will quickly turn the channel. No bad luck from me. I promise!!!

Have fun.

Andrea

Wow. A rookie pitcher! You must be sooo happy! And to go to the game where they win the Series! Woohoo!!!!!!!

GO ANGELS!!!!!

:tongue:arty: :tongue:arty: :tongue:arty: :tongue:arty: :tongue:arty:

YAY!!!!

I'm hardly ever this excited over sports. I must really like you.

So what happened then? Did they win? If so are you still celebrating - and did poor Misty get her walk?

Yes they won! I think it may have been their first time, but I'm not sure.

Very exciting!!!!
Give us your thoughts on seeing it live.

Congrats!!!!

Andrea

Kil - WHERE ARE YOU? Are you still out celebrating??? Are you out seeking a job???

You must be so excited and pleased, I don't think I would be able to being to contain myself if I was in your position!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I mean, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Good god that was exciting!!

Yes, their first World Series title ever. Their first time even playing in the World Series. And they won!! Everybody played brilliantly and they won this last game easily. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

My voice and my hearing are both gone. It was so noisy in there it was truly deafening. We were whacking those thundersticks together the entire game and screaming whenever necessary. Thundersticks are fun.

I called everyone I knew on my cell phone during the game. Could barely hear them, although two friends did say, "you're at the game?? -- you ******!!" Har! I do have loving and supporting friends. I made them listen to crowd noise.

There were a bunch of San Francisco fans there, too. Lots of little islands of black in a sea of red. They weren't making much noise. Poor things.

After the game, the parking lot was a mad house. People honking, hanging out their car windows screaming, continuing their tailgating. It took forever to get out of that parking lot. Once out of the stadium (finally) we ran into crowds of people dancing in the streets. A huge crowd seemed to have gathered under an overpass and even all the cars were stopped under there, honking and screaming and taking advantage of the echo provided by the overpass. Fortunately, that was on the other side of the street from us. These were people who didn't attend the game in person but had watched it at one of the huge sports bars that are in neighborhoods around the stadium.

Very, very exciting. And I was there! Deciding game of the World Series and my team won! Once in a great while, baseball can actually be better than sex. Who would have thought?

Aaahhhhh. I think I need a cigarette. It was good.

Anyway, back to the real world.

In spite of our late and exciting night, I got up this morning, worked out, took shower, brushed teeth. I'm liking this workout = brushing teeth analogy and I'm sticking with it.

The time change helped a great deal with getting up this morning in time to get a workout in.

I'm telling you, my concept of myself as a lean, mean, athletic machine is so inconsistent with my current flabby belly and cellulite-ridden thighs. It's just not right.

We leave for Tampa early Friday morning. Misty goes to start her demo stint Thurs night. What with the time differences and all, we won't arrive in Tampa until Friday eve. Saturday, the bf wants to see the Gulf, drive around a bit, maybe go to a museum. Any suggestions for fun things to do in Tampa?

On Sunday we are going to watch the Buccaneers play the Vikings. I don't care at all about football, and the bf doesn't either, really. But he wanted to go to this game to experience the "atmosphere." Ok. It'll be fun, in any event. A recently axed co-worker lives in Tampa (he was a salesman), so we're meeting up with him. He invited us to his tailgate party, which he says involves about 20 families who have season tickets and do this every game. Game starts at 3, I think, they start partying at 10:30. He found us tickets to this game, which was sold out, and told us not worry about bringing anything to the tailgate party because there is always tons of everything. Wasn't that nice of him? So we'll meet up there, hopefully meet some nice people, and then watch the game.

Then on Monday I fly to Dallas by myself :( . The bf stays in Tampa to attend his convention or whatever the heck he is doing there.

No doubt the hotel has a gym, so I'm planning to continue my morning workouts while I'm there.

Once in Dallas, I start putting together the network there. I assembled all the bits I think I need and shipped it off along with their furniture and conference tables and such last week. Hopefully it arrived intact, and this installation will go fairly smoothly. I've given myself 4 days to do it all, and I return home Saturday midday. The bf returns home on Weds, so he will have retrieved Misty by then.

So I have Monday eve thru Saturday morning in Dallas by myself. Plenty of time in the evenings to wander around and check things out. What shall I do? Aside from workout and don't go nuts with the food, that is.

I'm actually working in Lewisville, a truly boring little suburb on the north side of Dallas. But close enough to Dallas proper.

Oh how exciting for you to experience winning the World Series last night.......a good memory for sure!

But what did you eat?...J/K

hahahahaha!...Well...I will miss you while you are gone...but you will be able to write and let us know how everything is going?...Right?

Well.....I have done well today...got out of my last class early!...My next class does not begin until November 18!...Yahoo!

mcmarto:D

You could go to Six Flags. Though I don't know if you'd find that fun by yourself. There is a fantastic art museum in Fort Worth that you would definitely enjoy. The website is: http://www.kimbellart.org/

There is driving directions on the website. There is also an Aquarium and an Arboretum that you might enjoy. There is also a website called http://www.dallas.com/ that looked like it had some links to alternative weeklies for fun nightlife stuff.

You are going to have a blast. Though of course, I will miss you terribly.

Congrats on brushing your teeth. And everything that goes along with that very mundane daily activity. (You know what I mean...the "E" word)

I've never been to Tampa by the way, though I intend to go someday. My close friend from law school lives there though, and I sent her an email to see what fun stuff is happening over the weekend there. PM me your email address if you want and I'll send you the info. Or I can just cut and paste it here if you prefer. No matter.

Have a wonderful day girl.

Good morning!

McMarto, I ordered a Carl's Jr's hamburger and fries while at the game. The fries were cold and limp, so I took your advice and said, "well I don't like 'em, so I'm not eating 'em." I gave them to the bf and he happily scarfed them down. I ate half the burger, then wasn't hungry anymore so gave the rest of it to the bf. Not bad, eh?

Then he had a polish hotdog for himself. And he weighs 146 with 16% bodyfat. The bastard.

Hey, thanks for the great info, Chum. That museum looks cool. I need a good map of the Dallas area so I can see where all this stuff is.

And you know my email address -- or you have means to find it out, anyway. I know yours. Even though you've never given it to me. Being an IT geek is such fun.

Yes, brushed the ol' teeth this morning. This body of mine is feeling alive and properly exercised again. I'm waiting patiently for signs of change in the scale and the tape. It's early yet. When I got home last night I did a pretty good lower body and ab workout. Then this morning I huffed and puffed and got all sweaty with Billy. That's a good way to start the day and I like it. Clean teeth, body exercised, showered and ready to go I am.

CJ is apparently not ready to hit the workouts hard again, so I'm going to stop trying to push her. CJ -- when you're ready let me know and I'm there!

And here I am at work, yet again. 79 more days. They have booked me at the Extended Stay America motel in Texas, yee haw. A one star motel. $45/night. Should I be insulted? Does anyone know anything about Extended Stay motels? They have a kitchenette, which will be nice. Make it easier to eat what I want to eat and stick with the weight-loss program. But they don't have a gym. I've checked out several other hotels in the area and none of them have gyms, either. Apparently working out isn't a priority when travelling in Texas. So I'm hoping to find a gym nearby that will do a guest pass. Or if all else fails it's jogging on the street and pushups in the room. God knows I've done that before. I used to travel quite a bit with the old job. Back when I weighed 109. :( .

Extended Stay America Motel.......I don't know anything about it but I have the feeling it won't be The Four Seasons.

I would love to visit Dallas. I have been to Tampa. I don't remember thing about it. Florida is not my favourite State. I have yet to visit Miami, perhaps that would change my mind.

Have a great day!!

I've been to Tampa too, but I was only 11 years old. Wasn't that the place where there was a man camped out at the top of a pole to break the world record? Anyway the Buccaneers were there, but I didn't get to see them, I think it was out of season. I supported them for years afterwards because it was the only place I had ever travelled to in the whole wide world.

I've just been on the Guinness Book of World Records site to see if I could find the record, but I stumbled across the lady with the smallest waist instead - a record 15" - apparently that's the same size as a regular jar of mayonnaise. Apparently she's worn a corset every day of her life for the past 12 years!

Oh apparently the pole sitting record was broken recently - 187 days, by a German, Roland Maier, in case any of your are interested.

It's been 8 years since I have been to Texas (the DH's Aunt and Uncle live there)...and all I remember was their was a lot of food...buffets everywhere...we ate a lot...when we got home my mom said that we both looked "fatter"...gee...nice!

The DH was dying to go to Jack in the Box and Whattaburger...something like that........I wanted b-b-que and it was pretty good there!...We went to Six Flags...(no lines)...and we went to the ranch where they filmed Dallas.......we also went horse back riding...the sign said..."If you can't mount it...you can't ride it!"...hahahahaha!

I have been to Tampa...but only to visit Busch Gardens...and this was like 13 years ago......

So...that's all I got!

mcmarto

Hee! Turns out Lewisville's best inn is a 2 1/2 star establishment. We are out in the sticks, apparently. Although I did find several gyms to choose from. Extended Stay is know as clean, basic, and cheap. I can live with that, if they throw in quiet and smoke-free along with it. Mine is a company slowly going bankrupt, after all.

JR's ranch is a big attraction there, apparently. I can mount it, so I guess I can ride it :laugh: .

Here we have a saying when talking about surfing the waves: "If it swells, ride it." Popular amongst female surfers.

So these two places are good for kids apparently. I'll root for the Bucs for you, Mickey. And it figures that it's a German that would spend 187 days sitting on a pole. Stubborn people.

Hey, Kill? My friend seems to be not around...still haven't heard back from her. I'll keep nudging her, b/c usually she is reliable.

I am watching the Frontline special on the Clinton presidency. Very interesting take.

Did you brush your teeth yet this morning?

You are supercalifragilisticexpealidocious.

Thanks, Chum. I'm still here tomorrow so will get any email through about 5pm my time. After that, will be out of touch while in Tampa but should have email access once I get to Dallas.

So yes, I will be Diettalkless for at least 4 days. Whatever shall I do? Hopefully be so busy having fun that I don't notice.

Teeth are brushed, hair is clean, body is worked out. Yes indeed.

Misty needs a bath. Can't have her going out as Demo Dog without smelling her best. But when to bathe? It's too cold to do it outside now and it's dark by the time I get home, anyway. I guess we'll just have to do her in the bathtub tonight and let her be wet dog in the house. Wet clean dog is probably better than stinky dog.

Tonight we go to feed yet more of the bf's aunts at the Thai place. His mother has 12 brothers and sisters. Two aunts have just arrived for a visit from Holland, so he hasn't seen them in a long time. I will get to meet them for the first time. All the family members who live locally will be there, so it should be a big too-doo tonight.

They were all born in Indonesia. The family moved back to Holland after the Japanese occupation of Indonesia. The bf's mother was 18 at the time, I believe. Thai food is apparently very much like Indonesian food, which is why we always do Thai with them.

The bf's grandmother, mother, four aunts, and an uncle live here in Southern California. One uncle was killed in Vietnam. Another uncle lives in the US but moves from place to place a lot. The last uncle lived in San Francisco and died of AIDS. One aunt lives in Australia. Two aunts remain in Holland.

So now you know why I have dinner with the aunts a lot. I intend to eat lightly today to have some calories available tonight.

4 whole days!!!! It seems like no time but here on DT it is an eternity. Do you have any Tampa plans yet?? What kind of Thai food will you order tonight?

Andrea

I hope you managed to get smelly Misty bathed and dried! Sounds like fun to me. I am imagining little puddles of water all over the floor. Delightful!

It's going to be a little quieter on DT for the next few days. I will miss you. I hope you have a great time and look forward to hearing about it when you get back.

Oh, and I didn't see the Clinton thing, Chum. I was over at a friend's house delivering her birthday present. What's the interesting take?

Hi Nanny. 4 days and maybe more, if I get too involved in my project in Dallas and don't have any free time. Oh no!

In Tampa we are thinking of going to Yruba City, which sounds a lot like Bourbon Street in New Orleans. And maybe to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, which I hear is right on their beautiful waterfront which bears exploring. May visit the St. Pete's Yacht Club, just for fun. Unless someone sends us some better ideas. The football game on Sunday, of course.

Let's see . . . for dinner tonight. It's served family style so there will be loads of different dishes. The peanut butter cow (beef satay) is a must-have for me. They seem to order the Mee Krob every time, which I can live without. Fried rice thread noodle tossed in a sweet sauce. High cal and not worth it. For entrees, for me, Panang. The bf's mom always wants the green curry. We've all recently become attached to this stir-fried spinach in garlic dish. Everyone will get something for the table. I'll tell you all about it if anyone orders anything really tasty or exotic.

Hi Mickey. You're so sweet. Diettalk will certainly be quieter without my babblings, although it has been somewhat quiet this week even with me here. Are we all going through a somber spell? And you reminded me -- how am I going to bathe Misty and have dinner with the visiting Tantas both tonight? Poop. Maybe I'll have to go home an hour early and give her a bath then. It is a messy affair. The best part is when she shakes and sends watery dog hair all over the bathroom.

Hope you have fun tonight!

and what's all this brushing your teeth!...I hope you brush at least twice a day!...OH...and don't forget to floss (code for...whatever!)

Well...you know I will miss you too...but I look forward to all the stories........oooohhh...Salvador Dali is the DH's favorite artist...we are definitely visiting that Museum......I have ordered him gifts from there!

Well I am off to visit a friend...not feeling to goo!

mcmarto

Oh no, McMarto. Hope you're not sick-o.

The brushing teeth thing means that I am exercising. Every morning, a routine that I do, just like brushing the teeth. See?

AAAAAAAHHHHHH!! I was browsing the web site of that new resort that is being built just up the street from me, and they are now ADVERTISING FOR AN IT MANAGER!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! I could ride my bike to work. It's right up my alley, too. Ignoring the fact that I don't want to do this any more, of course. I applied online. Cross your fingers for me!

This is the first lead I've seen that I actually wanted to apply for.

I'm still here tomorrow. We leave Friday morning.

Ok, off to bathe a dog now.

Oh...that's it...that's all.......I thought brushing your teeth referred to something else...:D ...if you know what I mean!...hahahaha!

Well have fun bathing the dog......and good luck with that online application!

I just want you to be happy...and riding your bike to work...just may make you happy!.......

mcmarto

Good luck on the job application!!!

I will be away for the rest of the day and in the morning, so I want to wish you a fantastic trip NOW. I hope the information my friend sent is OK. Did you get the email?

Don't forget to take your toothbrush (get it?)

I will actually miss you. Check in as soon as you can!

Happy Halloween...:ghost: :ghost: :ghost: :ghost:

Good luck on the application Kilogo! I hope it works out for you. Suppose you did get the job, would you resign from your present job? You don't have to answer this if you think that it might be bad luck. (you know forward planning, that sort of thing)

Echoing yesterday's thoughts - have a great trip!

Good luck. Good luck. Good luck.

Have a wonderful trip. I will say my goodbyes now as Halloween will swallow my day. You will be missed.

Aw you guys :c( , you're so sweet. I'm going to miss you, too.

There's almost nobody here today. Tons of people called in sick. There really is a cold going around, but I suspect it's a little Halloween bug, too.

Misty got her bath so she's clean and fresh and soft again. Then we dashed out to meet the aunties on time.

Aunties were very nice. They didn't speak much English, though. Much Dutch was spoken last night. The bf speaks Dutch, but the one uncle that was there does not, so he and I chatted most of the night. They speak a little English, so we did exchange pleasantries and had a few short conversations. I learned how to say "dog" in Dutch. Not sure how it's spelled but it sounds just like "haunt" as in haunted house. They are going to report back to the bf's father that I am a nice girl. The bf's father has decided that I am scary mean and doesn't want to stay with us when he visits because he's afraid of me.

The bf's father is weird as hell.

But he'll get another positive report on me. He's apparently asking everyone in the family who's met me everything about me. What does she look like? How is she? How tall is she? Everything. They all tell him to shut up and stop fussing about it, she's nice.

But I ate way too much. Good food and lots of it. Basically had what I expected -- Panang, Satay, Chicken Curry, Mee Krob. mmm mmm good.

I already got a response back from the HR Dept at the resort. Online job applications and email are wonderful things. Answer a few questions, cut&paste the resume, and you're done. They said I passed initial qualification and am moving on to the next round and will be hearing from them soon.

So I have to endure one last day here at work, thinking about last minute things I may have forgotten for this Dallas network. Then home to finish up the last of the laundry, pack, hand out treats to kiddies, get Misty's gear together, then drive Misty off to her resort vacation home. I sure hope she's ok there. I don't want her to think that she is being abandoned. :c( My poor baby.

Then -- 4am tomorrow -- up and off we go. I will not get to exercise the poor body tomorrow as I am not willing to get up at 3am to do it. Sort of borders on "what's the point of going to sleep at all", you know? So the body will be allowed to decay and get cavities tomorrow. Can't be helped. I could walk a few laps around LAX and with luck we'll get out and walk about Tampa in the evening when we arrive, but it's not exactly a workout.

This is going to be fun! Happy Halloween, everyone!

See you on Tuesday, I hope!

Oh Mickey, I didn't answer your question. IF I were to get the job, which is a big IF, they'd either have to match the amount of my stay bonus or wait until this job is over. Unless it were such an absolutley killer job that it would be worth it for me to give up the stay bonus. This is unlikely. This stay bonus will pay my mortgage for a year.

Things tend to move very slowly for my kind of job. Lots of interviews, lots of reference checking. It takes time. Plus the Holidays are almost upon us, which slows everything down in the business world. This resort is not yet open -- they are scheduled to open in January. So I really don't know when they need this position filled. Ideally, they will want me so much that they can wait until mid-late January for me.

Or better yet -- mid to late June. I'd really like a few months off before I start working again. So ideally, they'll hire someone else, then that person will quit or get fired after a few months, then they'll call me and ask if I'm still interested and hire me in June. Or July. That would be ideal.

Oh Kilogo ~

I hope I didn't get here too late to wish you a safe trip and a wonderful time in both Tampa and Dallas.

I'm sure Misty will be loved and adored, and who knows. She will be an ambassador for dogs everywhere, and so I just know that family will end up wanting a pet just like her for themselves. And I would have to agree. I had a black lab once. I will never forget him, I loved him so much. Sweetest animal there could be.

Well kiddo, I sure will miss you. This seems so unfair, but only in a selfish way. I missed you for a week already, and now you are leaving and so I will continue to miss you. But you deserve some time away and some fun in your life too, and for that reason I really hope you have a wonderful time while you are gone.

Oh yes, good luck with that bike-ride-away job too. That would be really neat to get a job so close to home. My daughter had a job like that for quite some time, and so she got to go home every day for lunch.

Bye sweetie. Have fun!

Kil well babe I have exacly 34 pounds to lose to get to goal. the scale has not been forgiving of me the last few weeks. I started a new journal and will cheer you on here in yours. BTW stopped into diarly land and read your journal really enjoyed it. I am trying to get mine to show more than one post a day but the instructions there were very nebulous to me and I messed up my little post big time. Will see if I can fix it. Maybe I will spring for the xtra space like you did and add pics of my bike rides etc....

Hi Sandielynne! I'm still here, but off soon!!! Thanks for the lovely sendoff. I'll miss you too! All of you!

Misty will be fine. Misty will be fine. I keep telling myself that.

CJ baby, nice to hear from you. Thought maybe you'd dropped off the face or something. Those 34 lbs will go, we know they will. Glad you liked the journal. I feel guilty about it. I thought I would enjoy writing there more, but I don't. I'm basically using it as a place to keep pictures now. Maybe the urge to create a cool online journal will come back to me. What's yours called?

Good luck in your weight-loss and fitness endeavors. Glad you're back.

(Has this been a prolonged farewell or what?)

Bye all!

Oh...Did I miss you?

Well...good-bye...hope you have a good time!

Thanks for the pugsite info...cute pic's...my little Olive did a bad thing today...she ate up a dried up rose...not just any old rose...the one the DH wore on our wedding day!...ICK!...I don't know why I was keeping it...but the fact that she ate it made me mad...she ran off and hid until I turned around looking for her...she is currently sitting on my lap...apologizing!

Misty will be all good......unless she loves those kids!...

Talk to you soon...mcmarto

Hello.

I guess I miss you.

Didn't like it that your journal was on page 5. Thought I'd move it up to page one for your Dallas arrival tomorrow.

Have you been eating yummy seafood? Lots of delicious fruits? What did you do in Tampa?

Just thinking about you...

PS. No one likes the bag on my head. But I think you will. You are just weird enough to think it is funny. 8-|

I like the bag on the head.

I like the bag on the head too.

See what I'm saying? Only my coolest and most bizarre friends like my bag on my head, well except for Pengii. She is frightened by it. hahaha

She'll come around...

Oh, and I heard Misty barking last night I think. All the way in Brooklyn...

Hey, I'm cool too!

I like the bag head! Lots!

Mffpht!

i like the bag on the head too

Hi kill.

Hope things are going well over there.

Miss you lots.

Chuckles

Hi guys!

Thanks for rescuing the journal from the back pages, Chum. I like the bag. I can still visualize you screaming behind it.

I am working hard . . . but I wrote this last night. Will post more later:

Well, I made it to Dallas.

The past few days have been fun, for sure. It started out with our taking Misty to her luxury kennel to start her stint as Demo Dog. We drove and drove and drove, into the hills and away from the city, until at last we reached the gated entrance to this very exclusive community. A security guard cleared us to enter, and then we drove and drove some more, passing huge estates and golf courses in the night. At last we found the boss’s abode. He had his personal security gate left open for us and was out in his garage futzing with his cars. He has an extensive car collection – his current 6 favorites were in this garage but I’ve heard he has about 30 classic cars kept somewhere.

He met Misty and we went out to the “back yard” and turned Misty loose. Off she went, black dog into the black night. This yard is very, very large. Wraps around the house, has several different levels, a pool, a Jacuzzi, an entertaining area. Misty had plenty of room to run. We gave him instructions in Misty feeding and watering, and found a place in the garage for her to sleep. Then his wife and daughter returned from their Halloween party, and they were very excited to see Misty. The daughter petted and petted her, the wife told us all about the plans they had for playing with her and told us we could call to check on her anytime we wanted. Very nice lady. I felt much better after talking to her. The daughter was sweet, too. I think Misty will be fine.

Home we went, off to bed and then up at 4am to make our way to the airport. The flight to Tampa was uneventful. We stayed at the Hyatt downtown, which is a typically lovely Hyatt. Nice room, nice lounge, nice restaurant, walking distance to many things. They have a very well equipped gym that I admired upon arrival but did not see or use at any time after that. Turns out the Minnesota Vikings were staying there, too. So we ran into lots and lots of truly enormous men in the elevators and the lounge. I have no idea who any of them were.

We went Yruba City that night – Friday night. Yruba City is an area with a lot of bars, many with live music, lots of restaurants. We wandered a bit, had a Cajun lobster dinner with Conch Fritters that wasn’t very good, wandered some more, found a bar with a great live band, sat and listened to them for a quite a while. Then wandered some more and eventually went into a gargoyle shop. We have a thing with gargoyles. We have four protecting the home now. They had the cutest little dog gargoyle with its sculpted mouth wide open. Reminded me of Misty with her mouth open barking, so we had to get it. We call it our “pagan haunt”. (remember that haunt is Dutch for dog). We got back to the room rather late that night.

The next day we headed off sightseeing. First went to Clearwater Beach and had brunch there. I had a crab-stuff Portobello mushroom sandwich (tasty). Clearwater is a truly beautiful beach. Sand is like white flour it is so fine and smooth. The water a lovely emerald green. Tampa was having a ‘cold snap’, so it only got up to about 78 that day. Nice shorts weather, not too hot, not humid at all. A perfect day. We went to the Salvador Dali museum, which was a bit of a disappointment. Interesting, but at $10 a head we both thought it was overpriced. St. Petersburg is pretty, though.

For dinner we went to The Wine Exchange in Old Hyde Park. A great restaurant which I highly recommend should you ever find yourself in Tampa. I had seafood Alfredo – bad bad bad for the waistline but so tasty. And chocolate mousse thingy for dessert. Mmmmmm. We dined leisurely and then strolled around Hyde Park a bit. Lots of pricey shops there.

Sunday was game day. Bucs versus Vikings. We found my former co-worker’s tailgate party with no problem and bought the tickets that he had found for us. We did a little grousing about the current state of affairs at his former and my soon-to-be-former place of employment, but not much. Mostly we just had a good time, eating, drinking, and meeting his friends. All of them raved about Tampa being the best place on earth to live.

Then into the game we went. Our seats were very much in the nosebleed section, and we walked all the way up there. My only exercise for the long weekend. The cold snap was over, the sun was out, and our seats were right there in the blazing heat. I was soon sweating my brains out. As was everyone else. I looked down at my legs and realized I was getting sunburned, too. A sunburn in November? We had to move. Our friend had suggested that we just use the tickets to get in the door and go hang out in one of the end zone areas, anyway. Those are big party areas and lots of people watch the whole game from there. And it’s in the shade. So we did that, and it was a lot of fun. But I did get fried. Arms and legs and face got quite red. I have a farmer’s tan and raccoon eyes now.

That night we went to a Cuban restaurant called The Samba Room, which was good. I had paella.

On Monday I had to leave :( . The bf’s convention started and I had to fly to Dallas. We had breakfast at the hotel and then he drove me to the airport :( . It was cold and dreary in Dallas when I arrived. As soon I got on the road in my rental car, it started to rain. And night fell. I had only a vague idea of where I was going. I drove and drove, eventually making it to the town where I am to stay for the next 5 days. Drove around for a while, hoping to stumble across my lovely motel, but no such luck. I was starving anyway, so stopped at a Tex-Mex joint off the freeway. I forget the name, but it is probably a chain in Texas, of the TGIF’s or Chili’s ilk. Decent enough food. I had brisket with chipotle sauce and French fries. I am officially a bloated fat pig right now. That is the last of my dietary sins. The rest of this week will be back on the health, fitness and low-cal program. While at the restaurant I looked up the motel, called them, and got directions. It was nearby.

And here I am now. Let’s just say that there is quite the contrast between this room and the one I was in last night. Stark minimalism seems to be the theme here. It kind of reminds me of my college dorm room, actually. I have everything I need and absolutely nothing that I don’t need. There is a full-sized fridge, a microwave, a little stove and some plates and utensils and such. The heater works. The remote for the TV works. There was hot water for my bath. The room is clean. It could be much worse. Tomorrow I will find a grocery store and stock the fridge with some fruit, cottage cheese, and evening munchies (carrots). I have no intentions of cooking in here, but having a fridge and a microwave is handy.

Tomorrow – first day of Dallas network assemblage. I expect to get the internet access up and running and should be able to post this then. Then I must go workout as I am in serious need of burning off four days of excessive calories.

I wish I could get online and read all of your journals and find what’s going on right now. But I will have to be patient.

YAY you're back (well, sort of). Tampa sounds like fun love time with bf. Who cares if you were a big bloated sow for a couple of days. You'll work it off. I know you will. I am so proud of you for stocking your hotel fridge with healthy necessities. And with working out today. See! You're back on track already!

I missed you, funny girl. Good luck putting this thing together...

Glad to hear from you Kilogo!

OY...Misty's temporary home sounds like a place I would like to visit...hmmm...I wonder if they would like to pug sit...oh...and owner sit!...hahahahaha!

Can't wait to hear how the rest of your stay goes!

mcmarto

Hi Kilogo,

I don't know if I can wait 4 more days to hear from you real like. But I guess I will be forced to, just like everyone else.

Sounds like Misty got the best part of this deal. Her entire time is spent on a luxurious estate. I hope she is getting luxurious attention as well.

I hope you are not getting lonely there in Dallas. I would hate to be in a city for so long all by myself with no one I know to talk to. But then, you are a young and friendly woman, no doubt you make friends easily enough. Probably by now you have gathered a small group of acquaintances to keep you from suffering too much boredom. I hope so anyway.

You are such a dear to think of us back here. We are all managing but missing you just the same. I hope you are having good weather. It's crappy here in Pa right now.

Hugs,

Kil, I loved reading what you have been up to the past few days. I am always envious of people who travel, and your description really got me going - still we'll be in Florida in about 18 months time (either on honeymoon or actually getting married out there).

Have you checked up on Misty whilst you've been away - I'm sure she's having a fantastic time at her luxury kennels!

I hope the sunburn's not too sore still and that you are enjoying yourself in Dallas.

NOT that you are a bloated sow. But that you are NOT a bloated sow, as you referred to YOURSELF in your post.

Oh hell. Shall I erase it? You and I love sarcasm, but you know as well as I do that insulting our beloveds (even in fun) causes problems. Sigh. If I erase it, then I know you'll bring it up anyhow, like your gay boyfriend thing. Sigh.

Did you go out last night in Dallas? Did you get Barbecue?

God, I hope you filed an absentee ballot before you left California. Last night was an unfortunate bust (though Gray Davis won by a slim margin in your state). I'm sure you will agree.

I think you are a fantastic person, gorgeous and funny and a terrific writer.

So THERE.

Hi guys!

Mcmarto -- Misty is luxury, and good for her! She'd be having drama at home . . . read on.

Hi Sandielynne! I usually do ok travelling by myself. My goal on this adventure is to workout and eat right, so it's not a very social thing in the evenings. But it makes me happy. How could I stay away from here? I miss you guys!

Mickey- married in Florida? How exciting! You do know how hot it gets there, don't you? Can't have the makeup running down your face from the sweat, after all. But honeymooning there would be great. Sunburn is all gone. I just have a funky farmer's tan now.

Chumlette -- I didn't even think of being insulted. Don't erase it. I'd be crushed. Because I am a bloated sow! But I'm working on that. Thanks for the update on California. I couldn't find any results for CA on the TV this morning. And thanks for the compliments :o

Ok, now for the stuff I wrote last night, written in my “efficiency studio” room with no internet access:

I am doing pretty well. My network is coming along nicely, almost too well. Problems will come up, one way or the other. If they don’t come early then they will come the day I am to leave, and that is bad. I’d rather encounter them now. But over that I have no control, so as of now all is going well.

I succumbed to three chocolate cookies that were part of a welcome basket delivered to the new office location. But other than that, I did pretty well today. I went to the grocery store and got cottage cheese, bananas, peanut butter, jelly, whole wheat bread, carrots, and a bag of mixed greens for snacking and breakfast materials.

Then I found a gym right down the street. Nice place. Small but has everything you’d need. Not too many people inside after work. I went in, talked to a nice young guy in there. Turns out he’s the owner. A bodybuilder, has opened his own gym. He offered me $5/workout or $20/week. Knowing myself as I do, I went for the $20/week. Because then I will feel obligated to work out at least 4 times while I’m here or I won’t be getting my money’s worth. I am such a cheapskate that I’m sure that will work. Or else I’ll feel guilty about it.

So I signed up and then stayed to workout. Had a truly incredible upper body weights session. I doubt if I’ll be able to lift my arms tomorrow. This gym had all the machines that you really need and none of the foo-foo machines that look pretty but don’t really work. Good gym. A bodybuilder’s gym. Then I threw in a 20-minute jog on the treadmill, just to burn off some excess calories from last week. I don’t usually mix cardio with weights, but I did want to burn some more calories and didn’t have anything better to do tonight, anyway.

I am TOTally out in the suburbs. There is a huge mall near me, with all of the exact same stores that we have at home. It is sad that ‘regional flavor’ is almost completely gone from the US. We all have the same chain stores, the same fast food joints, the same chain restaurants. The Albertson’s here had pre-made box lunches of sushi, just like they have at home. Sushi in Texas? Oh yes.

People do talk funny here, though. At least that’s something.

So I’m pleased with my network, pleased with my temporary gym, and pleased with my workout. Food was ok today and will be better tomorrow. I talked to my boss and Misty is doing just fine. Tomorrow is cardio day, which means blasting my brains out with interval training (oof).

That’s about all I have to say, I guess. Good night, everyone. I miss you all. I hope to be able to read some journals and maybe actually reply tomorrow.

Well, I knew I’d regret saying things were going well. Although this was completely unexpected. . . .

My friend Jeanne came over to pick up our mail tonight. There was a note on the front door from a neighbor who lives on the next block over saying, “Misty got out and was running around the neighborhood. We caught her and put her back in the backyard. I’ve been feeding her since. Please call me when you return home.” And she left her name and phone number. Huh? Misty is at my boss’s place. And when she looked, there was no dog in our backyard.

Friend Jeanne freaked out a bit, then called my boss and asked him if he still had Misty. He said that he’d fed her this morning, but called his kid and had him check the backyard and make sure Misty was still there. She was. So then Jeanne called the dog-catching neighbor. Left a message saying that Misty was safe and sound being boarded elsewhere, there was no dog in our backyard, so what the heck was she talking about?

The woman called her back, said that she’d caught Misty running around the neighborhood. She was absolutely convinced that it was Misty because this dog had a white blaze on its chest. She enlisted the help of our new next-door neighbor. They got a ladder, climbed over our fence, unlocked it, and put this foreign black lab back there. This was on Monday. She came back and fed it last night and again this morning.

Jeanne told her that there was no dog back there, the other woman said yes there is, it just hides. Jeanne said that Misty was safe elsewhere, and the woman insisted that this was absolutely Misty she had put in our yard. They finally hung up and both drove over and met at our place to investigate.

And they found no dog, but the gate to the yard was now halfway open. There was evidence of a dog having been there – dog poop – but the dog was now gone. Apparently the rightful owner had located their dog and rescued it between Jeanne’s initial visit and the return visit with the busybody neighbor.

Our happy little home has been a busy place. The next-door neighbor was apparently equally convinced the dog was Misty, but he’s only seen her once so that can be forgiven. The other neighbor has seen her maybe three or four times. Black labs look a lot alike, people. This dog had no collar.

So, Misty’s yard has been invaded. We have no idea what dog spent a day and half there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get sued for dog-napping when we get home. We’ll have to pass that suite onto the busybody neighbor, I guess.

I suppose it was nice of the neighbors to be concerned and proactive like this, but do they actually think we’d leave the dog in the backyard unattended with no food or water for a week? Please. If Misty had gotten out, we’d be happy about it. But she didn’t. And this was just a little too weird.

Good for you, signing up for the gym in Texas! There is no way I can ever see myself being that dedicated. At least there are some benefits to being out in the boonies...

I like gargoyles, too. Not that I have a bunch of them, but I'm always drawn to them.

Your time in Tampa sounds like a lot of fun. All I got to see there was Busch Gardens, and not all of that. But then, I was visiting my parents, and my mom doesn't get around really well. And she is too proud to use a wheelchair. So when I go places with her, my pace practically slows to a crawl.

So there's a lookalike dog in your neighborhood...likely Misty will get blamed for all kinds of things she doesn't deserve. I hope not! I hope she's enjoying her stay in the lap of luxury.

Hope the rest of your trip goes well and be safe!

I am cracking up at your Misty story. How weird is THAT? There are millions of dogs who look kinda like Misty. Duh. I think it is fuunny what Lutha pointed out...that she will get blamed for all kinds of shenanegans. Funny. And dognapping charges? Too hilarious.

All this laughing isn't good for my stomach.

Congrats on the gym. Man, girl, you are dedicated. And you are eating right. Hell, it's like you aren't on vacation at all. Verrrry impressive.

Texas unfortunately elected some yuckos yesterday. Then again, so did NY. Sigh.

Can't wait to read your other missives from afar...

Kilogo, I can't believe what a committed person you must be! Going to the gym, getting some food in! Good for you - I bet you feel pretty pleased with yourself too don't you - and so you should. As you know I've been interval training, and I think it really does bring about quick results. I've only been doing it for about three weeks (or thereabouts), but I already feel more toned. I just wish I could do weights - you need to come over here and show me how to do them - kick my butt into it, that sort of thing.

I had to laugh too about the Misty debacle. Poor Misty, when she gets home she's going to smell strange dog all over her back yard. You must have felt a little uneasy with all this going on and not being able to do anything about it but wait to hear from other people. I suppose having two dogs similar looking in the neighbourhood work the other way - Misty could choose to be a bit naughty and do something out of character, which she could then blame on the other dog!

This is actually a very funny story!...Bizarre...but funny!...I know you must have been just a little worried!

Glad you found a gym!...Good for you for working out!

Talk to you later...I am sick...but go get some sleep!

mc

Leave it up to Mickey to look on the bright side! haha

Hey! Why don't you visit me anymore? I'm starting to feel all neglected...When do you get to come home? Do you miss bf? Misty? Your compost heap?

I agree with the others. You are some dedicated chica. I wish I had your dedication.

So is the interval training in the BFL book? I had to return it, so I can re-check it out to finish it if I need to find out about intervals. I want to feel like I am getting better results. What exactly is it? And I thought interval training was for professional athletes...

How is the system running? Do they think you are a genius? Have you heard anything from the hotel job?

You poor sickos. Get better soon, both of you.

I was worried about all those people in my backyard. The bf got home very late last night (1am my time). He called this morning and said that everything is fine. Yard looks fine, no damage, no signs of forced entry. He goes to retrieve Misty this morning, so all is well.

Now if I could just get home. I just got an email saying that National Airlines has gone out of business and any existing tickets are null and void. That's how I was to fly home. They say to contact other carriers to see if they will get me to my destination for a service charge.

Wonderful. Fortunately, the company has to pay for this and it's not on my dime.

The Tampa trip was vacation. There I ate high-calorie items, drank adult beverages, and did not exercise, not once. Vacation. This is work. Work away from home, but still work. It doesn't help that my room is reminiscent of a monk's cell. So I don't feel like I'm on vacation at all. So working out and eating right is much easier. Plus I don't want to go home with yet another 5 vacation lbs to lose. I'm so tired of that.

And I did workout last night. 4 waves of pretty serious intervals on the treadmill, plus about 15 minutes of just light jogging. It felt good. I rather hate intervals. How do you feel about them, Mickey? They are supposed to be very effective, though, so I do them.

So I've gotten two workouts in this gym in -- $10 used. I need two more to get my money's worth. See how this works for me? I was really tired after work yesterday and felt like just going back to the room and vegging for the night. But I went to the gym instead (because I'd paid for it, you see), and I felt great afterwards.

Food has been good. Yesterday I had 2 bananas, some cottage cheese, a bowl of bean soup, a turkey sandwich, a salad, some carrots, and half a PB&J sandwich. And a lot of coffee.

The network is still coming along nicely. I think I'd better start calling airlines and find out how I am going to get home.

I've been reading journals when I get a spare minute here and there, but I'm several pages behind on most of you.

Hey! Vacation or not, I am quite impressed that you are away from home, in a different city and you still manage to get that exercise in! Good on ya!!!!!!

I hate to see another airline go under :( I hope you get home without too much hassle. Doesn't Southwest do a route from Dallas to where you live? They might be a problem with reservations though. They seem to be the only airline to be making any money these days. I like their company setup and evidently others do too.

Cheers!
Linda

Hi kilogo,

I haven't been posting much but I have been reading all about your travels and the Misty2 escapades.

Andrea

Good morning Kilogo,

Just catching up, and read that story about the mistaken identity of Misty.

Actually, you would be amazed at the people that leave their pets totally unattended like that. It's totally pathetic, but it's done far more than you would think. You know parents do it to their children, so you have to know it's even more likely with pets. Some people just have no thought to being responsible at all.

It sounds like you are doing great while you are still in Texas. I'm really proud of you making sure to get your exercising done and staying on program. I don't think I would do so well.

I am looking forward to your return home. I'm glad you can still get to read and to post to your Journal, but I miss the normal interaction and talking to you in chat. Good luck in finding a flight home. I hope that proves not very difficult for you too.

Take care now and be good to yourself. Have a great weekend.

Poor Kilogo. Stuck in Geo W-land. At least you have a gym there. And internet. You can always call bf by phone and when they start a new airline that goes to Texas, you can move back home...Maybe you could run for governor there. I hear ANYone can do it. Give Ann Richards a call...maybe she'll show you around your new town.

Thank you for visiting me. I had missed you.

I agree with your analysis of work v. pleasure travel. Sounds sensible. Maybe you will break even, huh? I think you are funny about paying for the workout. You are so easy to manipulate. haha Congrats on all the good eatin' and exercise, seriously. You are serious about your health and you really inspire me.

I love cottage cheese and bean soup. Yumm.

Hey Chum, I missed your previous post somehow.

Interval training is used by athletes because it is supposed to dramatically increase your fitness level fast. Far better than the same amount of time spent performing the same activity at the same pace the entire time. And in doing so, it burns far more fat, too. Read about it in the Body-For-Life book, and also here: www.hussman.org/fitness/bfl.htm in the section on HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). It explains how to do it and why it works.

Network is running but no one thinks I am a genius. That's the joy of IT. You are a stupid dunce if something is broken but if everything runs slicker than puppy ****zu then well, that's just expected and any bozo could keep it that way, right?

Fortunately, their opinion of me matters not. I sneer in their general direction.

Really, I do. 8-|

No news on the hotel job. I'll have to call them when I return.

I wish I were this dedicated all the time. Then I would be the lean, mean, athletic machine that I visualize myself being. Dedication, dedication, I will keep this dedication . . .

Maybe Ann Richards will give me a ride on her Harley.

Hi Nanny & Tmayder & Sandielynne. Southwest is an option. Also America West. They both say either buy a ticket of theirs outright or show up for standby and they'll see what they can do. It may be a long day in the airport Saturday.

The bf just called. He has Misty. Said she was very excited to see him, jumped all over him. The boss's wife said they really enjoyed keeping her and offered to do it anytime. The daughter isn't sure she wants a dog of her own (she's 16 now) but she very much likes the idea of pet-sitting for short stints. So she may get to do it again. We do travel a lot.

What should we get them for a thank-you-for-Misty-sitting gift? They aren't wine drinkers, so there goes the usual bottle of wine gift. Flowers, maybe?

I do interval training when I'm on the elliptical machine and when I'm running. I hate to tell you but I rather like it. :o It's hard as heck, but I feel so great afterwards and I really do think it helps.

I have enjoyed reading the continuing adventures of Kilogo.

Poor Misty.

Hey Kilogo!

So sorry to hear you may have to walk home!...But think of all the calories you will burn up!...You will probably be at your goal weight by the time you get home.......well.......if you stay away from all the diner food!

Glad Misty is happy and home!..........

As a gift.....maybe something the entire family can enjoy since the daughter shouldn't be drinking wine either!hahahahaha!

I am sick......well....the cold part kind of went away...but my voice is down to a whisper!...Its both sexy and scary at the same time!

I am off to start on my report cards...mcmarto

Oooh, sexy whispery Mcmarto. Glad the cold is better, anyway. I could drive home, I suppose. I do have a rental car. How long would that take?

Pphhhft on the intervals. It would be nice to like them. I can do different waves of intensity, that's ok. It's the peak wave where I'm running so fast and breathing so hard I think my lungs are going to explode that gets to me. I don't enjoy that very often.

More musings from last night:

Greetings from my Texan cell. What do monks do in their cells? I’d like to know because I’m bored silly. Self-flagellation is starting to sound entertaining. Pity I don’t have some Latin manuscripts to embellish.

I have just returned from the gym. 3 workouts, $15 down, bay-bee. One more workout and I break even. Tonight was legs night. Legs and abs. I really like this gym. Wish me luck on getting my heels to touch the ground tomorrow.

It has become abundantly obvious on this little journey of mine why I weighed 109 when I met the bf. When I’m having fun and doing exciting things, I eat for pleasure, drink wine, and don’t even think about working out. When I’m bored and life is dreary, like now, I work out and eat boring, utilitarian things like half peanut butter sandwiches and carrots. I work out hard and frequently. Food for pleasure doesn’t interest me much. I eat when I’m depressed, but not when I’m just bored.

Before I met the bf, I had been single for quite a while. My daily life was rather boring. Sailing on weekends was great, but the mid-week routine was not very exciting. Now with the bf, it seems like something fun and exciting is always going on. So I want to eat tasty foods and drink good wines. And exercising is a chore. Like I’m on vacation.

Now that I think about it, when I met him and we started eating out or eating his cooking and playing around and having fun, I knew I was gaining weight. But I said, “oh it’s only a few pounds, soon this will end and my life will go back to normal and it’ll come right off.” Well, it hasn’t ended. This is my normal life now. And I’ve put on 25 lbs and am having a bear of a time getting it off.

So what to do? Become bored again? Surely there is a better way.

I wonder what I will weigh when I get home. I still feel like a bloated sow, but I think that has something to do with all the bean soup I’ve been eating.

Oh good, Galaxy Quest is on now. Funny show. I watched The Crying Game last night. Then Queer as Folk or whatever that show is called. Lots o’ sex going on in that show. I suppose monks didn’t get Showtime back in the day. Poor monks.

Is it just me, or is the elliptical machine harder than a treadmill? I think it is, but my DH disagrees. The only time I used an elliptical machine was after I had been on a stationary bike for 30 minutes. That could be the problem.

I like the idea of flowers. Maybe a stuffed dawg for the kid. Misty would probably vote for beef jerky.

I think all my danger zones were when I convinced myself that my bad habits would only cause me to gain a few pounds... then a few more... Sheesh! What denial!

Cheers!
Linda

Hi kilo :wave:

I didn't see you on Wednesday night ; just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. Make it a great weekend .... take care of yourself. As always, Monica

Great to hear from you girl........and another workout!...Yahoo!

Well just think...if you are forced to stay in Texas maybe you can pay for another week at that gym......heck...maybe you can stay there til you drop the excess pounds!...

Well same thing happened to me...I was 140 and buff when I met my DH ( I had been working out for a year...4 times a week)...I was pretty solid!...Well...we met...we started going out...lots of eating......less working out........etc...etc...and after about a year and a half I had gained 40 pounds!...I then lost a few...then gained them back and more until I hit this all time high!...The only good thing...he gained too!...So now we are both losing...he is about 14 pounds down from his highest weight and me 8!...So hopefully we will do it...this time!

Ok...enough about me...this is your journal!...Hope everything works out and you get back home!...I will be away this weekend...back on Monday!

mcmarto:D

In my mind, the fact that you are bored in your monk cell does not detract in the least from the magnitude of your achievement in going to the gym every day! If I am alone in a strange place, I tend to do a lot of reading, eating out and shopping to amuse myself. So I am still very impressed with you.

I guess the ultimate way to get exercise is to find enjoyable activities which happen to achieve some of your fitness goals. I would imagine that sailing raises your heart rate, for example. Hiking could be a lot of fun, too. But maybe there's just no substitute for the weightlifting. I don't think the weightlifting is ever likely to be fun unless you get kind of addicted to it.

Hmm, I didn't know you could fly Southwest from Texas to Southern California. At least they won't let me book a flight from Ontario into Dallas. But I am probably just not going about it right! It's pretty scary that you have tickets which were purchased just a short time ago and now they are no good. I hope you get home soon!

Hey Kil, great going with the exercise!

I'm pleased to hear that Misty had a great time away, although it sounds like she was pleased to see her dad again.

I put on weight when I met my partner too! They have a lot to answer for don't they? Anyway, the weight will come off - it's hard work, but gradually it does get easier.

I interval train slightly different to the way you describe. I wrote about it in my journal, but the way I do it is 10 mins warm up, then 30 seconds burst as fast as I can go, then 90 seconds back down to working rate. I do that 10 times, so I do 20 minutes of interval, then do another 15 minutes of working rate at the end. I do enjoy it, and probably don't find it too much of a chore because it doesn't last too long. I only do it twice a week (out of 6 possible sessions), but I might up that to 3 sessions. I'm definitely feeling the benefits though, even though I've only been doing it for about a month. When I look back at how much progress I've made over the last six months, I can honestly say the biggest changes have happened over the last couple of weeks, and even though I'm eating lots more than I have been doing, the weight is still coming down.

I hope you do manage to get home! Can you hitch a ride with somebody? It can't be more than a three day trip surely???

Hi guys! I'm home! I'm home!

I wrote this along the way. It's really long and I can't imagine it's at all interesting, but what the heck. You all know how to just skip to the next post when needed. I'll come back and reply to you all later -- right now I'm tired and am going to bed. But here's the saga of how I got home . . .

11am, Dallas/Fort Worth airport.

I arrived at the airport at about 9am this morning, went to the America West ticket counter as advised to see what my options were to get home. The very nice ticket agent spent the next 45 minutes trying this that and the other option and finally ended up with a complicated itinerary for me for a mere additional $81. I have to fly standby out of DFW to Phoenix, fly standby again from Phoenix to Las Vegas, then an actual confirmed seat from Las Vegas to Orange County. Not a good plan at all. I asked what it would take to just scrap my existing tickets and fly straight to Orange County, they said that would cost over $1000. My company probably wouldn’t go for that. I asked to fly into Long Beach, LAX, anywhere vaguely close to home, they said they were already oversold on all flights today and this was my best bet.

Ok. Fine. I will spend today in an airport. I have high hopes for getting to Phoenix and changing my flight to a direct to Orange County. I will take this day off as a comp day at some point in the future from my company.

I have four hours to spend sitting here at DFW until I find out if I even get on this first plane. I am sitting here at a bar, drinking wine at 11am. I have no problem with that. I have no intentions of getting drunk, but wine will be involved in today’s efforts.

I am calling friends on the cell phone to pass the time. Friends Jeanne and Rick are in Phoenix right now for the NASCAR race this weekend. They said if I get stuck in Phoenix I can stay in their room tonight and fly out with them in the morning. That would be fun. They are traveling together but are not a couple so they are sharing a room with two beds. I could sleep with Jeanne or get a cot, I suppose. I thrash about when I sleep, or so I’ve been told, so Jeanne would no doubt be better off if I slept in a cot.

But that is a big unknown at this point. The bf says I should hit all the other airlines and try to find a better way home. I spent a fair amount of time at work yesterday searching for a way home, and I’ve learned that flights are sold out and America West is my best bet. I think I’ll just go with this and hope for the best. The only saving grace is that this is a business trip, so all my food, drinks, incidentals, and additional flight expenses will be covered by the company. I sent both my boss and the president an email yesterday explaining my plight and they basically said this is no fault of yours, do what you have to do to get home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

1:30pm – DFW airport.

Still at DFW. I had downloaded the book written by a friend that she is submitting to publishers now. Interesting book. That kept me going for a few hours. I have found a restaurant with a power plug right by a table, so my laptop is charging as I read and write. This is good. I have convinced myself that my best option is to get on this flight and try to change things in Phoenix.

I hope I get on this friggin’ flight. If not, I’m screwed.

Do you know how to tell if you’re dehydrated? Pull up a fold of skin from the top of your hand. Then let it go. If it snaps back quickly, you’re fine. If it slowly melts back down into your hand, you are dehydrated. The speed with which the skin flows back into place tells you how dehydrated you are. At this moment, I am fairly dehydrated, despite all of my water drinking this week. Texas is a dry place. The skin on my hand flows sluggishly at best.

My plane is supposed to leave in an hour. I am going to leave this restaurant, find a restroom, then my gate to await my standby announcement. Wish me luck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

4:12pm – In the air over Texas.

I made it on the plane to Phoenix! It looked grim for a long time. Overbooked flight, long standby list. They were calling for volunteers to give up their seats early on. Then they seated everyone who had seats and started in on the standby list. They filled up the plane with some standbyers and told the rest of us that we were out of luck. Then they did a final count, and found one empty seat. They offered it to the next name on the standby list, but that was a couple flying together and the man didn’t want to fly off and leave his wife or vice versa, so they opted to wait. The next name on the list was the same story – a couple which wanted to fly together. My name was next. “Hurry, hurry, the plane is pushing back,” they said. “Come here,” the security lady said, “she’ll check you in while I search you.” So I gave my ticket to the counter lady, went over to the frisking zone where they quickly searched my purse, wanded my body and inspected my shoes. The woman at the tunnel was saying, “Hurry, Hurry ” to the people doing the frisking. At last someone trotted my boarding pass over, they gave me my shoes back and told me to run down the ramp and to my seat. I did. The flight attendants cheered when I got aboard, closed the door and the plane quickly took off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

3:20pm Time Change. In the air over Phoenix.

Still on the plane, I gain an hour on the way to Phoenix. My next leg is another standby flight, and I have less than an hour to try to bypass the Vegas leg and fly straight into Orange County.

Why am I giving up a Saturday for this stupid company of mine? I don’t know.

Well, I do know why I am. Because I should have had the whole week in Dallas to work on my project, but because of my vacation I only had four days. I booked the flight on Saturday in case I didn’t get everything done and had to work late Friday night finishing things. I’m such a trooper. This for a company this is laying me off soon. As Ron Weasley says, "I really need to sort out my priorities."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

4:30pm Another plane, another time change.

I got off the plane in Phoenix and looked at the board for flights directly to Orange County. There was one, boarding at the exact opposite end of the airport from my Vegas flight. In 30 minutes. I could make it there in time, but if I didn’t get on that flight I’d likely not make it to my original Vegas flight. Decisions, decisions. I decided to go for the flight I wanted and take my chances. Both gates were a fair hike from where I was, so I hoofed it as quickly as I could. And yes! They could get me on this flight, no problem. The agent started typing in the changes, started frowning more and more. Said she didn’t understand my itinerary and was having trouble making this change. I kept quiet and didn’t elaborate on the trouble it took the Dallas agent to make this arrangement in the first place. She finally called a supervisor over, who did her own session of typing and frowning, then finally shook her head, printed a boarding pass, stapled my now-huge pile of tickets, credit card slips, current and bankrupted tickets together and told me to get on board. I didn’t mention my checked luggage out of fear she would say, “oh, of course you have to fly with your bags, I’m sorry you have to go to Vegas after all.” Didn’t need that. So I’m hoping that my bag got rerouted through the magic of the computer and will arrive at the same time and place as I, but seriously doubt that it will. I am expecting to be filing a lost luggage claim when I arrive in Orange County and having the bag show up at the house around midnight. That would be ok. There’s really nothing in there that’s near and dear to my heart. Dirty laundry. I would like to see the Pagan Haunt again, but everything else can be replaced. I suspect I’ll see the bag again at some point, anyway. Maybe even at the baggage claim when I get off this flight. We’ll see.

I called the bf and told him my new arrival time – 5:30 local time. Then I called Jeanne and told her I would not be camping in her room tonight. And now here I sit, on the last leg of this extended journey. Remind me not to do this again. When I go to Dallas again, I’m flying during company hours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

5:30PM – Orange County Airport

Arrived! On time, safe and sound. It is raining lightly. And lo and behold, my bag arrives on the carousel along with everyone else’s. How that happened is beyond me. My only guess is that the baggage carrier saw the ultimate destination as Orange County and decided the bag could bypass the Vegas leg on his own. There is really no other way that bag could have arrived with me.

I called the bf on his cell phone and he was circling the airport waiting for me. He drove up, hugs and kisses, grabbed my bag, and off we went. Home! Misty greeted me with much sniffing and wiggling. She was almost as happy to see me as I was her. Dinner was ready, a nice bottle of wine breathing on the counter. The bf takes such good care of me. We'll forgive the extra 25 pounds for the moment.

I am so very glad to be home.

WELCOME HOME KILOGO!!! :):) :hug:

And I am so very happy to be the first to welcome you home.

You may have thought it all pretty boring, but not I. I thoroughly enjoyed reading of your adventurous journey home, with all the sound effects I could muster up to go with it too.

Easy to understand why you would be so exhausted.
Now, rest up and renew yourself. Have a great Sunday. Be talking to you again real soon.

(((((((((((((( Anne )))))))))))))))

Awwwww, thank you Sandie. You are so sweet! What a nice welcome home. What sound effects did you muster? :laugh:

Hi Mickey -- there are lots of different interval programs, for sure. The point is to push yourself to a new high level beyond where you've been before, in short spurts. I've done your 10 bursts thing, too. It does the job nicely. Maybe I could use my way, your way, and find a number of other ways to do intervals and then I'd at least get some variety in. Maybe I'd find one way that I don't hate. Either that or just stop fussing about it and do it.

Hi Lutha. I kind of like lifting weights. It's those bloody intervals that get me. Supersets and reaching that high point are sometimes tough, but overall I like weightlifting.

I found out Southwest flies into Dallas Love Field and my rental car was out of DFW, so Southwest wasn't an option after all. Pity. I like Southwest Airlines. And JetBlue. No one fed me anything but peanuts this whole trip, anyway.

McMarto -- so DH is losing weight with you. That's news! What is he doing? Same as you? I think if I stayed in Texas for a couple of months I'd be at goal, for sure. Would rather not do that, though! Then I'd just come home and get fat again. I need to figure out how to do this with the bf in my life :) .

Monica -- I'm back, I'll be chatting again. Thanks for stopping by. Always nice to see you. Enjoying the rain?

Tmayder -- I think the elliptical is a lot easier. LOTS. I seem to be the only one who thinks that, though. I really don't feel like I'm working out at all on those things, and then I notice that I'm sweating so I must be burning some calories. This gym didn't have an elliptical, unfortunately. I like it that you can go backwards on those things, too. Treadmill is my second choice. Stairmaster my third. Stairmast seems very hard to me. Shoots the heart rate sky high right away and it stays there.

And I really like the idea of a stuffed dog as a thank you gift! We'll get them a little stuffed black lab to bring back fond memories of Misty. Great idea. Thanks!

It is far more common for me to eat, drink, and vegetate during a business trip. So I guess I am pleased with myself for working out this trip. Thanks you guys for pointing that out so often. Good thing I did, too. I weighed myself this morning and I am up a 1/2 pound from when I left. But I am also seriously dehydrated (flying does that), so I am hoping to be down a bit tomorrow after spending today drinking water. I'm going to call next Friday my "official" weigh in and not worry about it until then. Just keep going with eating right and brushing the teeth.

Hi again Kilogo,

Thanks for stopping in. I am taking a poll right now to see if anyone would be interested in an afternoon chat. So far, it's looking pretty good. I've had some good positive indications it would be well received. Of course, you are very cordially invited to attend if we go ahead with it.

Them sound effects were snickers and chuckles, but no belly laughs............LOL.

Anyway, glad to have you back kiddo, really glad.

Hugz,

Hey Kilogo........loved reading your flight journal!

Glad you are back ... and safe!

Your BF is sooooooo sweet!...When I got home from my weekend the only thing the DH asked me was "Did you bring me my clam?"...Ok...let me explain...I went to visit an old college friend and where she lives their is a donut shop called Swedoughs ... well they have this pastry called a clam...oh so good...oh so fattening...well......they only make so many and you have to get there early to get one...(before 6)...I had plans to drive there this a.m....but I changed my mind...decided I didn't need the temptation!

Oh well.......he then went to sleep!...

How is the DH losing weight with me?...Well I switched from regular pop to diet ... back in April.......and...I cook less food!...He basically naturally drops it...punk!

Hope you have a great week!

mcmarto

Hey, you made it! I enjoyed reading about your trek back. I'm so glad you were able to get back, and you even managed to skip a leg of the itinerary. That was pretty gutsy but you made it work.

I'd say your company definitely owes you that comp day, though.

even after all you have had to deal with

you offered a shoulder to lean on to a friend

thanks anne


you made a $hit day feel ok


and i luv you for that



hope i can do the same for you



:hug: Peng

Hi Kilogo

You probably lost tonnes of weight running about the airports on Saturday!!! Anyway, I'm really happy to see that you got home, and I bet you were pleased to sleep in your own bed.

It sounds to me as though your luggage was probably going to go the direct route all along - I bet if you'd have had to go the long way round your luggage would have been missing - that's the way it works (well it does for me anyway!).

Anyway, now back to the grind with the diet and exercise regime. Could BF cook smaller portions, use less fat? I'm sure you've already explored the options anyway. Perhaps just being aware of the situation will help?

Hi Kilogo,

Thanks for all the travel stories. Your BF sounds so sweet. It must feel so wonderful to come home from a trip and realize you were missed.

I hope it isn't too hard to get back to your home routine.

Andrea

Hi guys.

Work, work, work. El Presidente called last night about 8, couldn't get her email. I dialed in to see what was what and things were definitely awry. If they weren't laying me off in 67 days I would have gone into work last night to see what was wrong. But I didn't, because I had already given up my Saturday for these fools and was happily snuggled in bed watching a movie when she called, and I didn't feel like going out. I don't care all that much any more if she can get her email or not. So there. Lay me off, you @ssholes.

But I did get up very early and skipped my workout and came in to see what was wrong. On the way, two more earlybirds called and said they couldn't login or get their email. What are these people going to do without me?

So I got here about 6:30 this morning. A server had barfed. Bad server. Maybe it knows that its days are numbered, too, and wanted a little attention. Poor server. I gave it some love and brought it back up.

So I guess I'm back in the swing of things with a bang. I intend to leave early today and workout since I came in so early (yeah, like that's likely to happen).

Pengii -- I'm so happy I got to chat with you and Mcmo last night. That was fun. Glad I could help. I'll be leaning on you when my final day gets closer, I'm sure. Right now things are still ok.

McMarto -- are you feeling any better? I told the bf that you all think he is sweet and he said, "well yes I am." He does go out of his way to think of nice things to do for people, not just me. Probably why he has 10 million friends. He sends out something like 500 Christmas cards every year. Amazes me. Sorry DH puts his clam before expressing that he missed you. He'll learn someday.

Sandielynne, I voted in your poll. Hope that comes together! Although these next couple of weeks are looking awfully busy here at work for me. I shouldn't even be here now -- lots to do. But **** 'em. I'll get it done eventually. (can you tell I am annoyed?)

Mickey -- I didn't eat much with all that running around in the airport, either. Peanuts are only so satisfying. I had peanuts and a bowl of black bean soup and a couple of glasses of wine -- that was it for all day long. I was starving when I got home.

Nanny -- my own bed! It was so nice. Monks don't sleep in nice soft beds, either.

Poop -- problems abound. I must go. Take care, all!

(Chum, where are you?)

Welcome home Anne!

I'm glad that you (and your bag!!!) made it home in one piece. Various airport nightmare scenes of yonder years flashed through my mind as I read your tale. Glad you had something to read to keep you busy; that always helps. :)

I love the elliptical, but when I crank it up hard enough, everything after 15 minutes or so is tough - especially with the intervals added in. But that's good; I want to know something is working. I like it cuz it doesn't bulk up my already bulky thigh muscles like the stairmaster and doesn't pound my joints like running on or off the treadmill.

Have a great week. What WOULD they do without you?

Har! Guess what. I am indeed going back to Dallas next week. I made all of my own arrangements this time. I picked a name-brand hotel a mile or so up the street. Same price, and this place actually has room service and a restaurant on site. No more time in the monkery for me. Also booked a direct flight -- on American. No stops in Phoenix or Vegas or anywhere else. Now if American just stays in business through the end of this trip I'll be fine.

It is sunny warm and gorgeous here today. I think it's close to 80 now, and supposed to be even warmer tomorrow. I must go home early, take dog to beach, and we'll enjoy what's left of the sun.

Thanks, Anastasia. Are you enjoying the good weather today?

Your going back to Dallas?

Yikes...is this good or bad?

I enjoyed chit chattin' yesterday too!

Well I hope you had a good day!...I am off to zzzzzzzzzz land!

mcmarto

Me too. Off to Z-land. I did leave work at 4 and took my dog for a long walk at the beach. And miracle of miracles, the bf came with us! We walked for 40 minutes. He enjoyed it. Don't know if he'll make it a habit, but it was a start.

Then we came home and I lifted weights while he cooked. Misty sprawled out on the floor and took a nap.

Going back to Dallas isn't really good or bad. It's just sort of there. I knew I'd be making several trips there before my time is through. They just keep speeding up the schedule on me. But I hope this will be the last trip there until late December or early January. This time it's only for three days, and I am travelling on company time. So it'll be better.

Darn Kilogo :(

You just get home, and they are wanting to ship you out again. Well good for you taking over the arrangements. Smart thinking kiddo. Now, don't you wonder why they couldn't have done just as well with just a bit of effort? How dare they put you in a monkery.......hahahha.

It was great to see you in chat, and thanks for voting in my poll too. It looks like it's a go. I'll be posting in Announcements when it is all starting, and the exact time.

Take care, be good to yourself, smile pretty now.........:D

I missed you my little Kill-ette. I'm sorry I've been absent. Good intentions, lots of stress, didn't make me a good DT buddy.

I loved reading your travel posts, of course. Too bad you aren't writing a book, too. I, for one, would buy it in a flash. And I wouldn't even wait until it was remaindered.

I am going to try intervals tomorrow. Not today, no time to get to the gym (I'll need to work out here instead). I'll let you know if I survive. I have an interview tomorrow, but I can do it in the morning. And no, I haven't done the Pilates DVD yet. I promise with all my heart to do it this week. I PROMISE.

Will you do the gym again in Dallas?

What would I write a book about? Therein lies my problem. I have nothing to say for more than a few pages at a time.

I'm glad you're back, Chum. I did miss you very much.

Best of luck with the interview. Let this be the one!

I will go back to that gym in Dallas. I liked that gym. Convenient, it was, too.

Although I weighed myself today and I am up yet another pound. Sigh. I'm just going to keep working out and eating right and see what happens. Can't think of anything else to do.

I believe that there is generally a delayed reaction to our eating or lack thereof. So, the gain that you have noted might be due to the Tampa trip, and the benefits from your disciplined time in Dallas ought to show up any day now. Really! Unless it's your TOM...then all bets are off. But you are definitely doing the right things and it ought to yield results.

That's great that your BF went walking too! I almost always ask my DH if he wants to walk, especially since that's the only way the dogs can come, but it's hard to get him to budge. I would be down on the floor taking a nap with Misty (okay, well maybe on the couch).

Oh fun!...Walk on the beach!...

I love to walk here along the lake...its getting too cold now!...

I think Lutha's right about the weight thing...I am sure in a few days the pound will be gone!

So is Misty back to her old self?...and Did you ever hear anything else about that mystery Lab that was in your yard?

mcmarto

I dunno, I'm thinking a nice bottle of wine (to myself), some potato chips, and a big bowl of ice cream would fix me up nicely. Won't do the waistline any good, but then neither does broccoli, so what's the point?

Ok, you know I'm not really serious. But I am in a royally foul mood right now. Not sure why, really. Except for work. Plus the bf pissing me off this morning. And then there's work, of course.

Sigh. No TOM isn't my problem. That was just prior to the Florida visit, so I am well into "normal" mode.

Misty is a little mopey. I think she liked playing with children every day while we were gone. She got a little fat on her vacation, too, so she's been treat-free until she gets fit and trim again. She hates that. She enjoyed her trip to the beach yesterday, though. We haven't heard anything more about her evil twin. The bf was going to call that nosey woman but decided not to. She is known as a busybody in the neighborhood and we really don't want to cultivate her acquaintance, you know? I suspect we'll hear about it at some point, but haven't yet.

Misty would probably prefer the couch, too, Lutha. But that's one of the few places she's not allowed to go in this house. Poor Misty.

Phhft. It's a hot and beautiful day here. Think I can get away with going home at 4 again? Think anyone would even notice? They didn't yesterday.

Today is cardio day, so I was planning to run on the beach. Run or eat ice cream? Run or drink wine? Decisions, decisions.

Run to the ice cream shop?????

I am sorry you are in a foul mood. I agree with the others, your weight will start moving down soon. I have been pretty good this week but am still just maintaining. I think my body is anticipating some Halloween candy so it won't let go. I hate when that happens.

I think you should write a book.

Andrea

Run...run...run!

mc

Hi Kilogo,

So did you enjoy your run???

I wish I worked somewhere that I could leave at 4 pm and nobody would notice! Unfortunately there aren't many of us who work in my department, although my office is right next to the exit doors. Perhaps I'll give it a go...

I think sometimes our weight goes up for no apparent reason. For instance this morning I weighed in after I had been to the toilet. I then went back to bed for 10 minutes. When I got up I weighed again (I'm not usually that scale obsessed, once a day will usually do for me!) and I had put 0.4 lb on! I swear I hadn't eaten or drunk anything! Sometimes our bodies just don't do what we want them to do and it's very depressing, particularly when we have really, really been good and exercised, which can make you feel a little bit like 'what's the point?'.

I think you should write a book too. You could write one about your travels - you always make your journal entries sound entertaining and interesting. You could write one about Mexican food or trips to Mexico, or how to build a computer system.

Just a few suggestions to start you on your way. I won't charge any commission on your sales.

I didn't realize so many people were out looking for work until reading the journals this morning. Well, that should explain the blah mood around DT.

As far as writing goes, you know you can write. Have you ever read Stephen Kings book "On Writing"? As he says, forget judgment and anything else that hangs you up. Just write. Then edit for you, nobody else, when you have finished the story. Then maybe do another edit or just let the editors edit for publishing. Maybe try your hand at a short story or two. Other writers say they started out that way and before they knew it they had a novel because the story would seem to write itself.

Now that I have given you this advice I really should consider it myself... hmmm...

Cheers!
Linda

Hmm, good advice. When I write my best-selling novel I'll give you all a cut for encouraging me so.

I guess I should write sailing stories. I have done a lot of that, and it's a big unusual from the norm. I could embellish what actually happened a bit. "A Novel Based on Actual Events" you know.

You should write, too, Linda. And Chumlette. And anyone else who thinks they could make money at it. Does seem like easy money, doesn't it?

You've got me wondering what it is you learn when you read my journal, Sandielynne. Insight into how your daughters think, maybe?

I did run last night. Walked out of here at 5 like a good little employee, and it was already dark! That does suck so. But I drove home, got the dog, and we went for a little jog, anyway. It felt good. The bf wasn't cooking so he ordered Chinese takeout. I said I wanted wine with dinner -- specifically against our "No drinking during the week" rule -- and he popped the cork on a bottle of wine without argument. He's no help. So I had a glass of wine and no-doubt fattening chinese food.

And I was down a 1/2 pound this morning. You're right, Mickey, it makes no bloody sense. A general downward trend would be nice, though.

I am thinking about taking tomorrow as my work search/comp day. Weather is still gorgeous, so might as well take advantage of it.

Lots going on here at work today. Better get at it . . .

Easy money? Heck no. The writing is the fun part; the rewriting, editing, and submitting to agents and publishers is where you earn every penny you (may) eventually make.

But don't let that stop you; you - and everyone else - knows that you have the gift for storytelling, so GFI! (Now there's an old Valley Girl expression!)

It's certainly more rewarding to be working to get something that you have created published than rescuing all of your inane office mates from their computer crises.

OH! In looking through the publishers list in the 'Writer's Market' yesterday, I came across a publisher that specializes purely in sailing related books and I thought of you!

It still sounds better than horking with computers all day long.

Oooh, Writer's Market huh? That's what I need alright, a sailing publicist. Thanks for the idea!

And since I haven't been sailing in a while, I found myself a "bloated sow" avatar to use for a while. What do you think? I quite like it.

Oh, it's a bloated sow. I thought it looked kind of psychadelic! But I will go out on a limb a little bit and say that I sincerely doubt you are a bloated sow...

So there are enough sailing related books to keep a publisher afloat...haha!

See, I knew that weight would start coming off!

My DH also used to have a "no drinking during the week" rule (it never applied to me). But recently he has relaxed quite a bit on that. Following the delivery of our most recent wine purchase, he's even got about four bottles chilling in the refrigerator! And it's only 100 calories for 4 oz., so it's not that bad.

It's a psychadelic bloated sow, I guess. And I feel like one, and that's what matters.

I also liked this one, although I thought it might not get by the propriety police here. What do you think?

I am refusing to use any of John's new smilies. So, I've been using the duck quite a bit.

I love the bloated sow. Not that you are one. Frankly, I think you are rather cute. Not at all bloated or sow-like. But I really REALLY love the nasty bloated sow. I laughed out loud and DLIP thinks we are all very strange here on DT.

Congrats girlfriend on exercising and coming down, even a little. Every little bit helps, no?

Evil wine and evil Chinese and evil paper-mover.

Did you exercise today?

Send me a sailing story so I can judge for myself.

Someone wrote my book. The Nanny Diaries. Damn them!!!

I like your bloated cow. I am feeling a little bloated and piggish myself. When I go to Pilates I get to look at my profile in the mirror. Yuk!!! My little teacher decided to sit back to back with me. She wanted my spine to take on her shape. More curved. It was gross. I looked at our profile in the mirror and asked her to get her skinny F***ing ass out of the curve in my spine. I can't look at the shape, I only see that she is half my size. I hate all that posture stuff. It hurts my back and when I stick out my chest I look like torpedo boob lady.

Well aren't I a pleasant visitor!!

I am wishing you downward movement.

Andrea

Torpedo Boob Lady?

I suppose... technically... more grapefruit boob lady.

Kil, I kind of liked the bloated sow 21 although it's not actually a sow, but a clanger, and it reminds me of my misspent youth.

At least they aren't Dragging on the Floor Boobs.

Mick, you spent your misspent youth as a Frederick's of Hollywood Pig?

Hi,

I am playing hookey today.

No wait, I'm taking my "work search" day this month.

Or taking my comp day.

However you look at it, I'm not at work today (insert old biggrin icon here).

So course the gorgeous sunny weather is gone and we are socked in with fog. But I have hopes of it burning off and the sun coming out in a few hours.

My engineer buddy got a job yesterday, so we went to the Cuban joint to celebrate a bit. Not great for the diet. Not horrible, but not great. I had some mid-week wine, and that's two mid-week wino days in a row. Tsk tsk. That's no way to get skinny.

But I am going to get plenty of exercise today. I have plans for working in the yard, working out, and eating lightly.

Saturday night we are attending a big company party. Formal. I will have to get highly tarted up. I tried on my newest formal outfit and I can get the skirt part over my hips but can't button it up. But the sparkly top goes well over the part where it buttons, so it's hidden and I'm going to wear it anyway, darn it.

I can't think of a brief way to explain this party so please bear with me. . . Once upon a time there was a smallish company located here in Southern California. They were successful and after many years of business were purchased by the company I work for now. The old company became a division of that much larger company. The stockholders of the old company made a huge amount of money on that sale. When I started working here, the purchase was in the works and everything was in transition to the new company name and ways.

And now, two years later, the new company has closed this division, which is essentially tossing away the old company. Like in, "oops, big mistake, buying you. Time to wash our hands of you all." The party Saturday night is being thrown by the stockholders of the old company. Only "old company" employees are invited. Anyone hired after the sale date cannot attend. We've had to be careful about talking about it at work so that new company people don't even know that it is taking place.

It will be a lavish affair in the ballroom at a nice hotel nearby. A collossal "screw you!" to the evil new company. Should be fun.

Torpedo Boob Lady, I would hate that Pilates posture exercise, too. That sounds awful.

Mickey, what's a clanger?

Lutha -- do I hear a bit of naysaying there? There are lots of sailing books out there. Lots and lots.

Chum. Ok I'll send you a sailing story. In fact, here's a short one. It could be fleshed out and made to have an actual point, I suppose, but it gives you an idea of what I'd write about. Events in my sailing career that were meaningful. Actually, it could be fleshed out quite a bit. Give the characters more personality. Spend the whole summer with this crew and culminate in the big storm. Hmmm . . .

Well read and let me know what you think. All of you:
http://kilogo.diaryland.com/020729_34.html

There's another that I wrote about a boat delivery I did. Took a boat from Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles. I wrote that story for my grandmother because she didn't know what a boat delivery was. It's on the old computer. Maybe I'll fire that beast up today (see if still comes up) and get my old stories off of it. I think I have several.

Kil,

See link for what a Clanger is.

Chum,

I have no idea who Frederick is and have never watched Hollywood Pig. See below.

http://www.clangers.co.uk/w1.htm#tiny_clanger

Clangers are cute. But Bloated Sow 21 is not a clanger, she's a pig. A pig with her nose in the air and perhaps imitating a clanger, but still a pig.

So I'm guessing Frederick's of Hollywood hasn't made it to the UK. Well, Mickey, you haven't missed much. It's just a store that sells ladies lingerie. Of the somewhat trashy variety. Lots of red and black and lace.

I thought you had said that writing about sailing was a relatively unique niche. So when a sailing book publisher was mentioned, I was a little surprised. Then I amused myself considerably with my play on the word "afloat." But I believe you!

That's gardening rather than working in the yard, right? But your plans sound good! Enjoy your work search day.

Oh, and I can ascribe a meaning to "XYZZY" although it may not be the one you have in mind. That was the magic word in the text computer game "Adventure" which got you inside the cavern entrance from anywhere outside. I used to play this game when I was in junior high school. I always think about "XYZZY" whenever I pass the Xyzzx Road offramp on the way to Las Vegas (for those Southern Californians who have driven there you may have noticed it).

Oooh, good catch on the yard work. Yes, I meant, ahem, "gardening." And I did some today. Pulled a million weeds, planted some gladiola bulbs that I found in the garage that I'd forgotten about. They probably won't bloom this year as they got in the ground so late. Shame on me.

There are far few sailing stories than there are say, romance novels. But still plenty of them out there. And I completely missed the "afloat" play. Shame on me again.

And wow, good one with the "XYZZY" game. Did you play the text-based or the visual version? Many many nights I spent in the computer room in college with a fellow geek, playing that game until 3 in the morning. Ah, memories.

There are publishers listed in this book, the Writer's Market (aka the writer's bible) that specialize in publishing all sorts of limited genre. Some of these publishers focus solely on:

The history of North and South Carolina
Books about railroads and model trains
Books for the Automobile Enthusiast
Quilting
Coin Collecting
Alaska
Symposium based books for chemists
retro-pulp flavored dark mysteries

I came across some really funny listings as I began my search through the book, but don't have time to re-search through it now. I still have half of the list to go - I'll make notes if I find any good ones.

I enjoyed your sailing story, but then - I always like your writing.

Happy Day off!

I didn't get to completely catch up on your journal...but I will be back later!

I called AOL and some tech helped me until I got disconnected from him.....I did a few things...got back online and continued to get disconnected......well.....this last time...now...I have been on for like 40 minutes without getting disconnected...so I think it might be the numbers that my computer is dialing out to gain access!

Ok...I am off.........mc

Hola,

Isn't tech support a wonderful thing? They really need to pay those people more.

Thanks, Anastasia. I think you've read that story before.

I did indeed fire up the old computer and found some old stories. Pictures, too. A nice little stroll down memory lane. I found a story from my chartering days about seasickness that might interest some of you. If anyone wants to read it, let me know and I'll send it to you.

I read your story. That was cool! I think you're a very good writer. But I'll pass on the seasickness story...I've have enough problems with that and I don't care to relive any of it unnecessarily!

I played the text version of Adventure and then Zork. When I was in junior high (and I think high school too, although I kind of moved away from computers at that time), graphical computer games were very crude...at least those which would run on our TRS-80.

Have a great day!

Thanks, Lutha, I'm glad you liked it. But my seasickness story is about how to cure seasickness! It's something I think everyone who steps onto a boat ought to read.

But I re-read it last night and oof, it needs work. I wrote that about 10 years ago. It was actually published in the local women's sailing journal (no big shakes) and I got some great responses from people about it. But it needs work. Have I become a better writer in the past 10 years? Hmmm. Maybe. Or maybe I am far enough away from the actual event now that I see holes and things that need to be explained better.

So I'm doing a little editing and rewriting. Nothing major, just hopefully making it more readable and interesting.

I'll probably put it on my other web site and put a link here for anyone who is interested.

****

I quite enjoyed my day off. I kept telling Misty that this is what we have to look forward to. In a mere 62 days! She said that would be just fine with her. She likes daytime walks.

My near future holds the party tomorrow night, then Dallas the following week. I may have to stay longer than Weds as more and more is being loaded on my plate to accomplish. Whatever.

I had wanted to see Harry Potter tonight (midnight showing so that it might be mostly kid-free), but my dad wants to see it too. So we will probably go see it over Thanksgiving while we're with them.

Ooohhh...Potter!

I get to go see this on Wednesday...field trip!...Gee it should be fun...NOT...but it's only costing me $5.00.........this is a bargain price around here!...hahahahaha!

Hope you had a great day!

mcmarto

did ya have a nice dinner?

isn't life grand


thanks for the chats


even as I ponder all that is


you are a wonderful soul kilo


no matter what



it is great to know a woman who can read prose

and understand soul


and through it all


let her body give a friend a true hug


no matter what the means

or medium



:hug:

Well...after I logged off last night...I went straight to sleep!...I had to the DH was talking my ear off...and if you recall I was already annoyed at him!...So.......I wake up this a.m. at 7 with more computer problems!...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Well I hope you have a great day and a fun night!

mcmarto:rose:

Well I just had to do it. In honor of my formal affair tonight I changed my avatar. It is very much not "me" but it seems to fit tonight's occasion. I'll change it back tomorrow, probably.

I've also changed my AIM id -- it's kilogonomo now. Someone already had kilogo, hrrrmppf.

You are so sweet, Pengii. :hug: to you, too. Dinner was great. I ate far too much of it. Sigh.

McMarto -- tell me what you think of Harry Potter as I won't see it for another couple of weeks. You fell asleep while DH was talking? That must have been funny.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

I hope you had a great night light night Kil - did you eat lots and lots and lots? Did you drink them out of wine????

I read your story too, a while back (you are always giving out links to your Diaryland journal!) and I really enjoyed it. I hope you do put your other stories up on your journal too - it'll give me something to read during the long boring days at work!

So did the curls hold up?...Did the sparkles stay intact?

mcmarto

Party is over, so back to the regular bloated sow.

It was a good party. Tons of people were there, food was good, and the dj did his best to get people laughing and moving. My sparkles sparkled and curls stayed intact. Makeup even stayed in place. I had two glasses of wine and a very rich chocolately dessert. Yummy. They said they are known for their pastries, and I can see why. It was a buffet-style dinner, and I went heavy on the salad and veggies but light on the roast beast and potatoes.

My boss and his wife were there, too. They said that their daughter was so excited over the little stuffed labrador that we gave her for Misty-sitting. Named it Misty, of course. Sleeps with it now. Aww.

Ok, Mickey, I'll edit that story and put it up at diaryland. I'll do that while in Dallas -- give me something to do. Glad you liked the other one. Maybe I SHOULD put together a sailing stories collection.

Speaking of Dallas. Today I have to pack, of course. But I've forgetten a couple of things that I will probably need and so will have to go into work today. Which means I will have to disarm the security system to get in. Just before the shutdown announcement, they changed the alarm system from one access code that everyone uses to individual access codes so they can tell who is coming and going. But they had us pick our own access numbers. I picked mine, but the next day they came back to me and said I need to pick another one because the VP of Sales had picked the same code as I did. No big mystery -- it's the first 5 letters of the company name as dialed on a telephone pad.

So, IT geek that I am, I could go in today and enter using the VP of Sale's code and freak them out. Hee. VP of Sales resides in Dallas now. They will be in a panic -- did he fly in over the weekend? What was he doing there? Did he give his code to someone? Did someone guess his code?

And if they find out it was me I can just say that I forgot that they asked me to change it and just used the first number I'd picked.

But most likely no one is even monitoring that anymore. No fun.

Hi! I'm FINALLY able to access DT again after John erroneously deleted my account!

I don't recall reading that particular story before :o but if I did I'm sure I enjoyed it then too!

I saw 'Harry Potter' first thing on Friday morning; there was a long line of ADULTS only! I went to see it immediately as my favorite actor Kenneth Branagh was in it. Personally I think he stole the movie! The only problem is I have been dreaming of snakes every night since seeing the film. I wonder how 5 year olds are going to deal with this one...

Hello Kilo ~

Busy packing eh? Are you taking any knitting with you? Or just some good book to read? I sure hope it turns out to be a good trip for you.

See you again soon.............keep smiling...........:D

Knitting? I would have to learn how to do that first, I'm afraid. No knitting skills here. I'm really not looking forward to this trip. Phfft. But it must be done, and with luck it'll be over soon.

Welcome back, Anastasia. I am mistaken about you reading the story, obviously. Thought you had somehow. Der. Congrats on making it back to DT.

Harry Potter is rated PG. 5 year olds shouldn't be in there. Poor little things.

The bf is afraid of snakes. I imagine he'll be dreaming of snakes after seeing it, too.

Man, I don't want to go on this trip. I'm dragging my heels on packing, on getting ready for it, and getting anything at all done today. I don't wanna go!!! :c(

I'm sorry you don't want to go on your trip. Nothing worse then being forced into it and having no choise.

I hope somehow you are able to enjoy it. Maybe it won't be as bad as you thought. Maybe.

Well, take care and BE GOOD. LOL

Darlene :hop:

travel safe


:hug:

Sorry you have to go back to Dallas.

I just came back from Ottawa and my car wasn't in the driveway...they sold it. I think it is very sneaky that they sold it while I was gone. For this reason I am having a hard time focusing..... I'll be back to regular eccentric nanny soon.

Yes I know I'm being melodramatic here. It's just a lousy 3-day business trip. I'm packed and I'll go and it will be just fine.

I used to travel quite a bit back when I was a consultant. Some trips I'd really look forward to and some trips I dreaded like the plague. This is one of those trips. No particular rhyme or reason to it that I've been able to figure out.

And do I have to be good, Fleur? What fun is that? Or do you mean good with food? I will do that!

Poor Nanny. That is pretty cowardly to sell your car while you were away. That tells you they do feel guilty about it. Well, it just makes it easier to quit when the time comes.

I will travel as safely as I can, Peng. 6:30 tomorrow morning, I'm off.

oooo...by the time you read this you will be in the Lone Star State, huh?

I am reading your story now girl. It is quite interesting. Am I to read it to edit it or just for my enjoyment?

So, I know that it sucks to travel. I hate travelling for work. But look at it as a little spa vacation. You will work out hard at that little gym you found. You will eat very healthy meals. You will get lots of rest. Your bf will build up lots of missing Kil minutes, thereby ensuring a warrrrmmm welcome when you arrive back home. Hmm. Doesn't sound so bad, now, huh?

Be safe, little Kil. Did I miss a sparkly avatar over the weekend? B/c it is bloated sow now...

Helllllew,

Yes, I am in the Lone Star State! Bonny Texas. Made it here quite uneventfully. Nice flight, even.

Glad you think the story is interesting, Chum. I don't want you to edit it at this point. I wrote it very quickly and I know it needs fleshing out and reworking. Just tell me if you think it's worth putting that kind of effort into.

I am working on my Seasickness story now. No really, it's good! Ha. I am going to get it to a potentially publishable short-story status. Once I think it is to that state, I'll sent that to you and to Anastasia and to whomever else fancies themselves a writer. You guys can read it for editing and brutilize my writing style and ridicule me for ever thinking it could be published then.

So I'm here and I'm a-workin'. This stage involves a lot of starting processes and then sitting here watching them work, so I have time to pop in here.

The tarted sparkly sow was just BloatedSow21 from a few pages back. I did her as an avatar for one day. And John didn't toss me out of DT, either. He's slacking.

So, I am going to go read as many journals as I can before I have to go work again.

Glad you made it safe...have all the Texas fun you can!

mc

YAY! You are safe and happy. Yes, I think you should continue your work on the story. And I'd be happy to edit it and others whenever you want, darling. Even one on seasickness. (???)

So, what are your plans eating and exercise wise while there? I wish you could go out and get some BBQ chicken just once, b/c it is so delish in Dallas (well, brisket is tastier to me, b/c I don't like chicken, but chicken is healthier). Do you have a car? Perhaps that art museum in Fort Worth is open one evening while you are there? It is worth a visit (ooo a pun!).

Don't you like Mc's new quote?

Texas day 2. I ran into some technical issues yesterday that took a good long time to figure out and fix, so I worked late. By the time I got out of here I was tired and starving to death.

My new digs are in a much more colorful part of town, even though they are just one exit up the freeway. I saw a red barn with B-B-Q in huge lights atop, so I stopped in there for dinner. There was a sign on the door stating that Federal Law prohibits bringing firearms into this establishment. It was an interesting place. You ordered the amount of meat you wanted by the pound, and you got some sides with it. So I ordered a 1/4 lb of pulled pork (from the kid's menu) with spinach and pinto beans for sides. Not bad.

Once back at the new motel, I saw that the eating establishment connected to the motel is named Canuck's. That cracked me up. I wandered by to take a look at Canuck's menu, and learned that Canuck's is a bar, not a restaurant. Darts, pool tables, gambling video games, and tonight was Karaoke Night! Whoo boy. I went up to my room. Where I could still hear the karaoke.

My monkery from the previous trip is rated a one-star motel by the travel websites. This new place is rated two-stars. For the extra star, I get a little bottle of shampoo, a showercap, and a wall-mounted blowdryer. All things the monkery did not provide. Also access to an ice machine and a swimming pool, which the monkery did not have, either. My room overlooks the pool, which is pleasant. No hot tub, though.

The monkery did have an elevator up to my room, which the new place, which I will now dub "the dive", does not. I had to drag my heavy bag up two flights of stairs by myself. Call me a snob if you must, but I am not used to that. How do elderly people do this? Not everyone can stay on the ground floor. I always request the top floor, even in dive motels, because they tend to be quieter. So I had to lug my own bag up the stairs. I called it exercise.

It was late and I was wiped out and I didn't feel like exercising. So I went to bed. I will work out today, though.

Now, back to the grind. It is going to be another busy day.

Hi Kil,

Sounds like you are having a "fun" time in Texas again! Boy, I wish I was there... At least you are busy!

So are you going swimming in the pool, to the gym or will you be going down to the bar tonight? What are you going to do for entertainment? Did you key in the wrong code? Did anybody find out or will you now know until you get back to California?

How is bf coping without you? And Misty? Have you put your sailing stories on Diaryland yet?

What is pulled pork? Does it mean when it has been stretched???

Please answer my questions. I am bored.

Kilogo,

Hi, I'm just stopping to read, but Texas sounds....interesting. :) Hope you're having lovely weather and you get the chance to swim, if you feel like it.

I get really annoyed when motels don't have elevators too. Especially when they're more than two stories. I mean, by the third floor, they really aught to have considered investing in the elevator when they started the establishment.

Have fun!

:D

Well hello, Smile. Welcome to my journal. I wish Texas were at least interesting. But alas . . . And they really should have an elevator, the silly fools. A bellboy would be nice, too.

Poor bored Mickey. Well, let's see. I will not swim in the pool as it is outside and frickin' cold. But if it were warmer, I wouldn't swim anyway because I really don't like swimming. So I'll go to the gym. Won't hang out in the bar because I think I would prefer listening to nails scratching on a blackboard to sitting in a smokey bar listening to karaoke. No no no. I will work out at the gym that I found last time.

What else? Entertainment -- after working all day and then working out that pretty well takes care of my free time. But I may go see Harry Potter. Is that wrong to go see it by myself when the whole family wants to go see it together over Thanksgiving? I could just not tell them that I've already seen it.

Not sure what you mean by keying in the wrong code. You mean my technical difficulties? That was far worse than a wrong keycode. And I figured it out. No one here or in California would even understand what I'm talking about, let alone know about it. My technical world is a very isolated one.

Pulled pork is also called shredded pork. I think it's roasted pork that's then shredded with a fork, usually with bbq sauce over it. I skipped the bbq sauce. It's pretty tasty. Proper cooks can correct me on this as there may be more to it.

Ah, Misty and bf are muddling through without me, I guess.

No more stories on Diaryland yet. I didn't feel like writing last night. Too tired.

Anything else? I'm wearing black workout tights and a long sleeved t-shirt today. I've had a glass of orange juice and a handful of trailmix to eat so far today (I need to find some food somewhere). I've also had one glass of water and three of coffee (whoo hoo!).

I have 59 more days of this to go, I think.

Can't think of anything else the least bit interesting to tell you. It's time to cause major disruption in user's lives as I changeover to the new system. Whee!

Poor Kilogo...the lodging situation doesn't sound like much of a step up. I wonder why the bar is call Canucks?

I hope you are able to get to the gym and that you feel both invigorated and proud after your workout. You defintely need some more food!

If you go see Harry Potter...I can see that you could avoid volunteering that information, but it might be hard to dodge direct questions. You could always play upon the bleak nature of your Texas environs as justification for not waiting (yuck, that sentence didn't work out as well as I had hoped. Guess I'd better not put myself forward as a writer/editor type).

Hey Kill. Very funny. Now you are even telling us what you are wearing. This is getting kinky. Maybe you'd better bring back Frederick's of Hollywood sow.

Pulled pork is smoked in Texas, then sauced. In California, they probably roast it, b/c they know nothing about bbq there.

Hi Kilo ~

Wow, it seems like you just keep getting the short end of the stick down there in Dallas. Always thought it was a $hitty city anyway. Probably where GW comes from, that's why......hahaha. All they know how to do down there is rope cows and bbq steers..........whoopee, big deal! HaHaHa :D

I don't think they even know how to do that, Sandie. Their grandparents did, perhaps. Now they just wear the boots and talk about it a lot as they work in their cubicles.

So that's how they cook pulled pork. Huh. No need to disparage all of California just because one non-cooker made a wild guess at how it's made. I'm guessing there's someone there who does know how. Probably even the bf. Oh Ms Holier-Than-Thou. Not that ability to cook bbq is anything to get all self-impressed over.

My pulled pork was actually quite dry last night, Mickey. Apparently the taste is entirely in the sauce.

And I was telling Mickey what I was wearing because she's bored and I was trying to entertain her. Not you. So ppffftt! (where's that sticking out the tongue icon?)

Lutha -- I think you're right. It would be tough to answe that "so, what did you do tonight" question, at the very least. I'll wait. I'm tired (again) anyway, so will probably just go snooze. I did not give myself enough time to get this project done. I may have to stay another day :c( . Wish me speedy progress tomorrow!

Speedy progress grump-head.

Hi Kil.

Today I'm wearing my black suit and a blue, long sleeved t-shirt type top. I've got brown boots on though (I'm just trying to magic up a bit of Texas style here) - I'm not sure that they go with a black suit, but heck, who cares?

I was thinking about your pulled pork last night, before I read your thread this morning. When a girl says that she will go out with a boy, in the UK (and for all I know this may be used in the US), the boy would say that he 'pulled'. He had got a girl to go out with him. I was trying to equate that to your pulled pork. I couldn't. Anyway, as you can see, I am still bored today - it's 9.13 am, I have been at work for approximately 1 hour.

I would suggest you go and see Harry Potter and then pretend that you haven't seen it before, particularly as you are bored and stuff at night.

So did you go to the gym last night?

Sounds very stylish, Mick. And fascinating. See, when bored -- talk about clothes! I'm sure your Texas boots are making quite the statement.

Pulled in the dating sense is not one I've heard. I've always figured it means they pull it off the bone. Big whoop.

My perceived grumpiness comes from working 12 hours days in a town I don't like amongst people I can't stand. Not fun. Has nothing to do with my wine intake, since I don't drink wine during the week anyway (well, usually I don't). My commitment to the cause will be tested this weekend. :tomato:

I didn't do a thing last night. I worked here until 7:00 -- 12 full hours. I was tired and cranky and hungry. I had a shrimp appetizer, then went to bed.

Now back at work. Must go. I'm earning my keep at this company for a change.

Hi Kil, keep your pecker up, as they say, you've not got too much longer there have you? Is tomorrow your last day or do you fly home on Friday?

First of all...who in the hell actually says "keep your pecker up?" John Waters? Muddy Waters? The Queen Mother? Xavier Hollander?

Oh man oh man. Mick, that phrase does NOT have the same meaning in the States. hahahahaha

Poor little Kill-girl...I feel so sad for your lonesome, little, hard-working self.

Poor little one.

Chum, it doesn't have the same meaning in the UK really... but it's something us frightfully British folks would say on occasions.

Oh my, Michaela's entertaining us with British-isms again. :laugh: I wish I had someone in my life whose pecker I could keep up....

Must say, I'm looking forward to the story whenever it's ready....

Hang tight, cowgirl, the time WILL pass...

hmmm

hahahha

the visual is too much kilo


guess what??


got your card today !!!!!!


THANKS !!!!

it is going up with the beach collection around the puter :)


a couple more months of this $hit and I can picture you lounging on one of those beach chaise.... watching the waves... making mental notes for your evening writing..... and smiling



you made me smile anne

thanks babe !!!


hope you are smiling too



:hug: peng

I agree with Pengii,

The visual is too much, but I'm laughing my ***** off, so I guess it's all right.

It's such a shame you are stuck there alone, and forced to spend so much time WORKING! Blech!!! It wouldn't be all that bad if you knew at least one person to have conversation with now and then. Oh well, when you are finished up there, then you are done with Dallas for good, right? I sure hope so.

Try hard kiddo to keep smiling...........:D
We be missing ya.

Hi Kilogo,

How long do you have? I am sure it is posted but I don't have time to backtrack. Strange that the bar was called Canuck's. I can't imagine Texans even knowing about Canuck's.....perhaps there are a few ex pats in Texas that need a bar to watch hockey...

Hang tight.. it will be over soon (I think but since I don't know when you are going home I can't be certain).

I wondered what Texans look like. When we talk about overdone women (blonde, too much make up, big hair) we often say that she looks like she comes from Dallas. Or a mall in Dallas. I wondered if it was true. Do women have big hair?

Andrea

I'm guessing from your absence here that you went home yesterday afternoon afterall????

I hope so, for your sake...

Twelve hour days--that's just awful. I hope you get paid overtime! You don't even get the piddling benefit of an evening to go to the gym.

I seem to recall that this might not be the last trip to Dallas, either.

I hope you're on your way home today.

Hi Kids,

Yes, I got swamped with last minute things that had to get done and then take off for the airport, so I didn't make it back here.

And now I am home, and working yet again. Sigh. But I'm down to 56 days! Whoo hoo! With one week off over Christmas!

Ok, then. Mickey, you are too funny. I'm a-tryin' to keep my pecker up but it just makes me stagger around like I'm pregnant. Not working so well. No actual pecker, you see? I can pip my hooters, though. Will do that.

Pengii, geez mail to Canada is slow, eh? Glad it arrived at last, anyway. I'm going to be sitting on a nice warm beach soon, I hope!

Nanny, Nanny, Nanny. Haven't we talked about stereotyping before? Texans are not any dumber or less travelled than any other American. I imagine some of them know what a Canuck is and some don't. I actually found the people to be quite friendly. Chatty. I didn't see any instances of big hair or overdoneness, but remember I was out in the suburbs. People seemed very normal. It's just the ones that work for my company there that I can't stand, and few of them are native Texans.

You would be hard-pressed to find a proper business class hotel in any suburb like this one. I don't think it's a Texan thing to only offer cheap accomodations in a location like that. Mine is a dying company and they went cheap on locale for this new office.

I'm very excited about you and Chum meeting. Wish I could be there, too!

Ah Sandie, alas I am not done. I will go back at least one more time, probably two. Probably in mid-December. Whoopee.

Actually, this phase of the project was the easy stuff. The next bit is going to be much more difficult. I kind of like going out with a technical bang, though. Especially since I don't want to do this anymore. When I get old and grey I can rock on the porch in the afternoon sun and think about my last big IT project. Yippee.

Lutha -- no overtime. I'm salaried. But it does compensate just a bit for my sitting on my butt cruising DietTalk all day long back when I had absolutley nothing to do. That was awful.

So, best get at it. Phase two begins.

Hello, since you are feeling bitter and picked on (not peckered on), I thought I would stop in and tell you that you are fabulous. You are smart. You are witty. You are delightfully snide. I find you wonderful. You rock in the eating and exercise department also and I know you will reach all your goals in record time.

You are the wind beneath my wings.
:lily:

Well thank you Chum. You are so sweet. But I am not rocking in the eating and exercise department, apparently, and I will never reach my weight-loss goal at this rate. Because I weighed myself this morning and I am UP 3 lbs. :c(

:c(

:c( even.

I don't understand that. Really I don't. At best I should be maintaining, but a gain? Where did that frickin' come from?

Oh and I have broken out in zits all over the place. Sorry, chum - you hate the word zit. Well, what shall we call them? Spots like the brits? Pimples? Blemishes? Zits seems the most descriptive to me.

Anyway -- I have broken out. One on my snoz, a humungous one on my back, and two inside my ear even, fergodssake. Painful zits. I feel like I should just squeeze hard on the top of my head and pop my whole body.

What the hell is that all about? It's not TOM time. Stress, perhaps? Dallas did get to me. Dehydration? Texas is one dry, dry place. I am drinking extra water but still feel dehydrated from both of those trips.

It's Friday but I can't drink wine with dinner tonight :c( . Maybe I'll have some Teddy Grahams instead.

Up three pounds, with zits, and it's NOT Tom time? You HAVE at least been at the gym, so it DOES seem that you would be maintaining....Hmmm....

I know in my case, I can exercise till the cows come home but if I eat too much (esp too many carbs), I gain weight. Sounds like maybe that's what's going on?

Poor Kilogo.

You can turn it around.

It'll be easier to do back in your own sunny California home - away from all of those blond, big-haired texans with too much make-up.... :laugh: Oh, do let Nanny have her stereotypes. It's so much fun reading them.

I'm the same way, Anastasia. It's all about the food intake. The exercising makes me feel good and does my heart and lungs a world of good, but it doesn't make me lose weight.

Maybe it was the Texan rice and beans. They probably put a pile of lard in there without telling me.

Nanny's stereotypes are funny. Maybe she sees you and me and Lutha as superficial, fake-breasted, bleach-blonde dingbats?

And Chum is a loud, offensive, nasally obnoxious New Yorker, no doubt.

But she's just a Canuck, so what does she know? Do they even have schools in Canada?

And poor Nanny is out of town and can't even defend herself. Sorry Nanny! Will trade stereotypes with you when you return. Have fun chica! Good luck with the evil cheapskate heavily perfumed non-bathing arrogant speak-only-French-if-you-expect-me-to-respond Parisian mommy.

I can't think of an Illinois or Chicagoan stereotype. What would that be, Mcmarto? Or a Pennsylvanian one for Sandielynne. Pengii is another backwards Canuck (sorry -- you know I'm kidding here, right?)

Up 3 pounds! You were robbed...well, that's not quite right for an addition of something...you were vandalized? It sounded like you were doing so well, even if you couldn't make it to the gym.

Nah, I don't fit the California stereotype very well. I've got brown hair and my own breasts. No tan, either. I don't think I'm superficial or a dingbat, but those are rather subjective, no?

I've obviously missed the information on a challenge of some sort. Not that I want to take on any new challenges myself! No wine for you? That's tough...it would be for me. Especially since my DH has gotten more into drinking the wine lately. A lot of days I wouldn't even have thought of it, but then he asks if I want some. I can fit it into my calories alright, but they are empty calories I suppose. Especially since I rarely drink red wines, and I think those are the only ones with any demonstrated health benefits.

Nits...rhymes with Zits!
hahahaha!

Well....your TX trip was very exciting...well at least the pulled pork was!

Glad you are home...and safe!

As for a Chicago "type"...I'm in the mob?...Who knows?

Well........hope those 3 pounds magically disappear...maybe your just retaining water.........

mcmarto

McMarto -- how ya dooin'? You little gangster.

Lutha that's a good point - superficiality and dinginess are subjective. So perhaps I fit that stereotype to some and don't even know it. But I am not blonde or silicon-breasted, I know that for sure.

The Challenge is in Chum's Losing it for Love Challenge. We are to give up alcoholic beverages for a week, among other things. But she doesn't drink, so she's giving up her Teddy Grahams.

The bf is not helping this challenge, that's for sure. He opened a bottle of wine for himself last night with no sympathy or regard for my state of abstinence.

He also bought the latest Special Edition Fellowship of the Ring DVD -- the one with the extra scenes and extended scenes. It's 208 minutes long, oof. We watched it last night. The beginning of this Special Edition is much better than the released movie. It spends some time with Bilbo and the Hobbits, which was sadly cut from the released edition due to time constraints. It's a whole new movie, not just a collection of deleted scenes and outtakes at the end like you see in so many DVDs.

It'll still never take the place of the book, but then I guess no one expected it to.

I would really like to see someone put this much effort into it but do it as an extended series -- like I, Claudius was done. Even three hours isn't enough to do justice to the book.

But most of the characters are just spot-on perfect, and that makes it worth watching to me. Gandalf - Aragorn - Gimli - Boromir - Merry - Pippin - Bilbo: Perfect. Absolutley perfect.

I didn't have much of a preconceived notion of Legolas, so he was fine. Sam wasn't my mental image of Sam, but he was a very good Sam anyway.

I don't like dewy-eyed Frodo. He looks like he is about to cry in almost every scene. Elijah Wood is not my Frodo. Fine actor, nice looking young man, but not my Frodo.

The lesser characters were great, too. Elrond - The Hobbits - Saruman: Perfect. Orcs - The Balrog - Gollum: Very good.

But I hated, hated, hated the Council of Elrond scene. In the Writer's commentary they say they had the hardest time with that scene, and it shows. They did say that to do it right would have taken 35 minutes in and of itself, which I can understand. But I still hated it.

And I hated how they seem to whisper most of the dialogue. Yes, this is deep important scary stuff they are discussing, but must it all be whispered?

Yes, I know this is old news. But the Special Edition is new, so I am re-reviewing it now.

Hi Kil

It's great to be home yes??

Perhaps it's the change in water that made you get spots, and all that running around the country will no doubt have put you under undue stress, plus the flights and such like are always dehydrating, so all in all that's probably what's wrong. As for the 3lb gain, well that could be anything - most likely water retention, or perhaps you had just eaten something heavy the night before you weighed and your body was holding on to it? I wouldn't have thought you have actually gained 3lb in fat since you last weighed yourself.

So did you go see Harry Potter then or are you going with your family?

Hi Mick,

We were simultaneously posting. Yes, it's great to be home!

I think the 3lbs is travel-related. I can't imagine it's fat, either. Will weigh again on Wednesday (before Thanksgiving) and see what the story is then. The zits are probably travel-related too, as they are clearing up quickly now.

I did not see Harry Potter, mainly because I ended up working late and didn't feel up to sitting almost 3 hours in a theatre. So I'll see it with my dad over Thanksgiving.

I need to get up and get something done today. And I have to go into work for a bit today :c( .

Oh...so sorry you have to be at work!

Especially while I lay watching cooking shows and reading magazines all day!

Have a great wine-less weekend!

mc:tomato:

No doubt that weight fluctuates on a diet, particularly with exercise. In more than a year of bashing my way around DT, I don't think I have ever seen one serious dieter that didn't get a little gain now and then. Just hang in there, continued diet and exercise will help you win in the end.

I didn't lose any weight this past week but I was a real weiner about exercise and water. I just can't seem to get a grove going. Bill told me today that I don't have any extra @$$ anymore. That's a bit overstated, but even without losing any weight this past week I can tell my pants are a little more baggy than they were last week. Now if my @$$ would only talk to my gut.... sigh....

Oh my my.

I took my dog to work with me. She hasn't been out in a while and I am trying to widen her experiences, right? So I took her to work. There were a couple of women from accounting there, too. I introduced Misty to them, then took her off lease so she could run around. There's a pretty big wide-open area near my office that used to hold cubicles. Now it's just an expanse of carpeted floor. She starting romping around on that like the demented fool she is, and I went into my office to get my project going.

15 minutes later, I come out of my office and see a big steaming pile of dog doo right in the middle of the open area.

*&$% it, Misty! You are housetrained, you silly dog. What is this? I ran to find a bag and scoop up the dog poop, hoping that no one from accounting had seen it (OMG!). I found a handy plastic bag, and fortunately the pile came up without leaving any trace on the carpet. It's industrial low-pile stain-hiding office carpet, thank god.

So I guess taking the dog to work was a pretty bad idea, eh?

At least it's nice to know she feels the same way about my company as I do.

Misty had to sit in my office with the door closed after that.

My but I hope I don't hear about this on Monday.

Hi Tmayder. Heh. "Serious Dieter". That's a good one!

And McMarto - your day sounds wonderfully lazy and relaxing. You need it, no doubt. Enjoy!

seeing as I have 3 sets of poopers here


(5 including me and the turtle hahahahah)


exercise gets them going too


just make sure you feed her the eve before you take her to work,then a walk before you go , then no food till you are home


but I am sure she was just $hitting on your company because she could...and you couldnt hahahahha


I would give her a treat hahahahhahah


good misty



:hug:
Peng

Ooh, let's go back to the stereotypes; I do so enjoy them.

I wouldn't fit the California stereotype because I'm actually from Chicago. I believe in the good stereotypes about Chicagoans being salt-of-the earth, nice and direct people - but I think that New Yorkers think, 'Well, they are from a big city, but it's in the MIDWEST, so how intellectual can they really be surrounded by all of those farms?'

****************************************************

Don't you and your work mates have a game that you play wherein your try to find a little stuffed animal that's hidden around the office? Well, you can alter the game a bit and change it to 'find my doggy's poop'. Wouldn't that be a lovely game for the co-workers?

I wonder if Misty was letting you know that she would prefer to stay at home... LOL! I mean, if YOU don't like the place....

I dunno, a serious dieter by my vague ever changing definition is someone who diets more than a week or two. While DT is a fun place to meet people we grow to like a lot, it is also quite obvious that you have been trying to get into the healthy mode. Maybe dieter is the wrong word. Yeah, I think it is. I like healthy! Numbers on the scale don't matter so much, but are a consequence of better living.

I had to read back to see what Anastasia was talking about with stereo types. I chuckled when I saw Nanny's post, musta missed that one on the first go around. Just try growing up in Tennessee and traveling ANYWHERE in the world. It never fails. As soon as I open my mouth, most people ask "Are you from Texas?"

There is the exception of a party I attended in Norfolk, Va when several people who heard I was from Tennessee asked "Do you play the guitar?"

Then there is that other Tennessean stereo type. Way back in the dark ages when I was young and had a body I didn't appreciate, I was in Philly and in the hotel one night I got into an elevator and before the doors shut Don Rickles (anybody remember him?) and another guy got in. I was wearing this cute little cap and Rickles asked me if I was an airline stewardess. I said no, and muttered something else I can't remember (I don't like to talk to celebrities.. LOL) and he asked where I was from. Answered. Big Smile. "Tennessee!!! Where's your git-tar? How's it feel to wear shoes?"

While people here in Canada will ask me the Texas question now and then, the one that REALLY takes getting used to is "Are you a Yankee?" That's one I have NEVER been asked in my LIFE!!!!

"Paw, ah ain't no damned Yankee, am ah?" "Wayell, ah ain't riahtly sho' Ella May, go ask Billy Joe Bob".

...And I don't go to family reunions to pick up guys, either!

Well from my experience with dogs whenever they are in a new place they just like to make their mark...so Misty was probably just leaving her scent behind!

If you take her back she just might go in the same spot again?...

Well I hope you have been having a nice weekend.......mc

Oh good one, Tmayder -- how's it feel to wear shoes! That got a true Laugh Out Loud from me. It must be handy not having to change your last name when you get married, because it's already the same.

How is that gi-tar of yours? (LOL!)

(How I miss the old laughing and biggrin smilies).

Do you have Big Hair?

Remember that picture of me on the Harley a while back? The guy in the picture is a Texan and that picture was taken in Dallas. He must have left his cowboy hat and boots inside and taken out his chew just for me. Don't know how he figured out how to ride a Harley, given that it doesn't neigh.

But his wife did indeed have big hair and wore way too much makeup. She's holding up the tradition.

I was reading a book about a young black girl wherein she moved to a new school and was put in a singing class without even consulting her about it. "Well, you have that deep, rich singing voice" they told her without ever hearing her sing. And she couldn't even carry a tune. Funny!

Brits call us Yanks, too. All Americans, not just the Yankees.

I do remember Don Rickles. Sleazeball.

Healthy eater sounds good to me. I'll accept that label!

Misty has been on a roll lately. Silly, silly dog. I did give her a treat for pooping on my company. Good Misty, indeed!

McMarto -- you made it on for a few minutes. How frustrating that is. Enough to drive you to DSL or a cable modem. Pity they cost more. I bet she would go in the same spot if I took her back. I think one statement from her is enough, though.

Anastas - we stopped hiding the stuffed animal when one of the major participants in that fun game was laid off back in October. Just wasn't fun any more without her. :( . BUT -- I put the bag of dog poop in the trash can by the coffee station. Trash gets emptied on Friday and not again until Monday evening. So it should have a nice, ripe smell going come Monday. Hee. Find the dog poop indeed.

Wow, I just followed a link to this site and was blown away. Have you guys come across NAAFA yet? The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. naafa.org. Add the wwww yourself - I don't want to put the full link in here so they can't link directly back to me. Don't need a bunch of hate pms. But man, they are a confused lot.

They advocate accepting your size no matter what it is because you will never succeed in changing it. Fat people are just naturally fat and there's no way to change that, they say.
Their philosophy is so different than mine. For instance:


THE MYTH OF A SENSIBLE WEIGHT-LOSS DIET
Many articles claim that diets don't work, so you should eat less and exercise more. (What exactly do they think a "diet" is?) Do not believe that "sensible" eating plans or diets work any better than "quack" or 'fad" diets. There is no evidence to support this claim. Weight is usually regained at about the same rate as it is lost. "Sensible" weight loss programs might possibly be slightly less hazardous to your health and may result in slower weight regain, but the 5-year success rate is no better than any other method.

DO YOU ENJOY HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES?
You have about as much chance of winning the lottery as you do of permanently losing weight by dieting. Over a five-year period, only 2-5% of dieters succeed in keeping their weight off. and over one-third of all diets result in long-term weight gain. Would you accept a treatment for any other medical condition that had those "success" rates? If you've dieted frequently in the past, what makes you think this time will be any different? You may be wasting time, money, and energy, and risking your health if you go on another diet. Are the odds worth it?

BLAME THE DIETING PROCESS, NOT YOURSELF!
If you do go on another diet and the lost weight does reappear, don't just blame yourself or your lack of willpower. The dieting process just does not work for the vast majority of dieters. Relax. Reread this brochure. and consider joining NAAFA . Accept yourself at your current size. And get on with your life !

Plenty of articles about how fat people are not necessarily putting their health at risk. How some people are "naturally fat". How fat people eat exactly the same as skinny people. How diets are nothing but voluntary starvation.

Pity that their founder and main advocate for their fat-acceptance program died at age 57 from complications of diabetes. Pity he was just a victim and could do nothing about his health problems.

I am still appalled by what I read there. It's like they are trying to talk people into being fat.

Well, thanks for sharing (Yes, where is that old laugh icon when you need it to go bobbing up and down for you?)

I derive some kind of sadistic pleasure from belittling morons who advocate things like that - without a damn ounce of common sense to back up their claims. I mean, self-acceptance for 'where we're at' is one thing but TOTAL DENIAL, SHIRKING OF ALL RESPONSIBLITY - RATHER BLAMING EVERYTHING ELSE INSTEAD, and A*D*V*O*C*A*T*I*N*G A NEGATIVE UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE... - get a grip people!!!

Like many big lies, it sounds like the NAAFA folks (no, I hadn't heard of them before) are building upon a grain of truth. At least, I have heard before that only 5% of people succeed in keeping off lost weight. I don't think they were the source of that tidbit. That's a large part of the reason that I initially came to DT--fear of gaining the weight back.

What these people evidently fail to distinguish is that remaining fit requires an ongoing effort, but it can be done. I have to believe that anyway.

I agree that dogs often mark the new places that they visit with feces, instead of or in addition to urine. My parents had a dog which would poop in our house although she didn't do it in their home! But I think that dog also was making a statement about my cat...just a feeling.

Glad you made it back alright!

I agree with you Kilogo,

Who has ever called accepting the statis quo as living anyway? It has always been the quest of all life to improve in one way or another. We seek more education to improve our job prospects and our knowlege. If we all simply accepted ourselves as is, we would more or less still be totally uneducated stone age relics.

Now I can't help but wonder if these people that are so accepting of themself in their overweight size are also so accepting of themself in every other way without seeking any form of improvement. Hair dos, fashion, education, jobs, you name it. I bet not a single one of them have been so willing to just accept things as they were in any other area of their lives.

Talk about hypocrisy!

Isn't it amazing some of the stuff you can find on the Internet. Thank goodness that to counteract all the crap and junk, there are also many, many helpful and truthful, and interesting sites there are out there too, where you can go to learn just about anything your little heart might find interesting to learn about.

I hope you had a nice relaxing day too. But keep the information about running about in shorts quiet, ok? That's just a bit sadistic if you ask me.............hahahhahaha.

Just kiddoing Kilo. Maybe if I hated winters and snow, then it would be like rubbing salt into an open wound. But for me that doesn't work. I really don't mind the winter, and I find the snow really beautiful. I can't even imagine a winter with no snow. And if I ever moved to an area where it didn't happen, I know I would suffer terrible homesickness. So I'll just continue to enjoy my snow, and I won't envy you your sunshine and shorts in late November. I do envy you that beach though........hahahahaha

((((((((((( HUGS FRIEND ))))))))))))

If 5% it is, then I will be one of those 5%. So will you, Lutha, because you are so aware of the potential for regression. I don't see a low statistic as a reason to throw up the hands and give up, oh no.

I do believe that people regain because they treat the diet as a temporary phase, not a lifestyle change.

And if winning the lottery had the same 1 in 20 chance (5%) I'd be putting a large portion of my life's savings into it every week until I won. Which wouldn't take long.

Get a grip, for sure!

There is a lot of whacko stuff on the internet. One must truly read with caution.

Yes, I did wear shorts today and worked up a sweat in the yard. X-( (maybe the pink guy is useful for showing sunburn or heatstroke?) I grew with the snowy winters and I must confess, I don't miss it. I like visiting it now and then, while atop skiis, but don't need to deal with it every winter day. You can keep it!

Kilogo, Had to come and say I love your new avatar hehe :) It's really cute!:D You have a great attitude about everything .. weight loss and all and I want it to rub off onto me.. I think I'll drop in on ya more often! :) I hope you have a fantastic holiday!
Have fun!

I didn't read the whole NAAFA website, but went to the General Information section first. I'm all for the human rights of fat people. I think it's a rotten shame that fat people are discriminated against in the job force and I do wish the public would become more educated about the bazillion factors in what causes a person to be fat in the first place and it almost never has anything to do with their intelligence. On the other hand, fat people also need that kind of education because so many of them don't even know why they are fat. They also state that fat people need to accept themselves and live more fulfilling lives. Okay, I'm for that too.... but that in itself is a reason a lot of people gain in the first place, low self esteem. Let's face it, a lot of people are willing to get out and exercise, but there are people just waiting to make fun of them when they do. I guess I am thinking along the lines of the really big people I know who try cycling and going to the gym. Believe me, people can be so cruel and give no consideration to the fact that this obese person is trying to make a positive change in their lives.

So I do agree with the human rights issues, but it amazes me that they do nothing to encourage healthier living!!! I guess if they did that their numbers in membership would decrease, eh? I am amazed that they do not give real information to their members to guide them with education about different issues that could be causing them to gain weight. Did you look in their NAAFA in Pictures section? By looking at where a lot of these people are carrying their weight, it is obvious that they are having health issues. It's nuts to tell these people not to diet or make lifestyle changes. Do the members join up because it is what they want to hear? I wouldn't be surprised to see a lawsuit in their future.. wrongful death!

Shaddup, tmayder.

No, don't shuddup, tmayder. Expound away!

Did you read their advice on how to use a stick to wipe your @ss if you can't reach it yourself?

Sorry about that visual first thing in the morning and all, but it is in there.

Not everything they have to say is wrong, I agree. But their overall message is completely off base. Lawsuit -- I can see that: They won't take responsibility for their own fat or health issues, so they join NAAFA, and then blame NAAFA for encouraging them to remain fat and unhealthy and sue them over it. Make sense to me!

Hello, GoGetter. Nice to see you popping up your fuzzy head again. And I'm happy you noticed my new avatar. You're the first one! Come on by and take all the rubbings off of me that you want. Maybe that'll burn some calories from both of us (ha!).

Hiya kilogo! No, I didn't read that! Geez! Well, if that's their kind of reading material I'm glad I didn't read any further... What a thing to tell people! Don't worry about weight, get a stick! You will have wonderful self esteem! Yeah, right. I'm sorry, but these people are profiting from obese people. Sounds kind of like a scam to me!

Actually, I did forget to mention your avatar! I was busy ramblin' yanno! I like it, but I think it is a bit curious. Is it a pig? I'm kinda confused because pigs have 4 pairs of teats (I think!) but your avatar only has one set with 4 pairs of legs.

Remind me why you use a pig for an avatar?

Cheers!
Linda

Shorts?...I am jealous!

It was freezing here today...and we have snow...it did not all melt!

Now what's this I am reading about putting a stick up your as#?

eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...mcmarto

Leave it to a Tennessee girl to notice that my pig is not anatomically correct. :D

It is a pig and it is based on Da Vinci's famous anatomical drawing of man. I laughed long and hard when I found it on the internet. It is so me!

I have pig avatars because I feel like a bloated sow quite often lately. This is my latest sow. Plus I love pigs and I think they are cute. I'll go back to the sailboats if I ever sail again 8-| .

McMarto -- you use the stick to wipe your @ss, not to shove up it. Pay attention to directions, girl!

You are so right, TM. That can't be good for the self esteem.

See - I wonder how we can be in the same weight range at all because I wouldn't feel comfortable in the least being in shorts in public at this point...

Hey, where did you grow up with snowy winters? So, you're not a native bleached blond, valley-talking, California surfer girl?

You were wearing shorts and I was in my parka with mitts and hat. I was still freezing.

Luckily I have never had to use a stick to wipe..... Sounds pretty gross to me. I have not checked out the web site.

Chum had two eyebrows and she was very young looking. She could easily pass for 25. I looked older. Funny, I think people expect me to be more Valley Girl teeny bopper (deep down I am). Chum is way more perky than me. Her voice is higher and she is more bubbly. Very sweet and very smart. Great conversationalist... but perhaps that was the flu talking.

Now I MUST make it to California to meet you and Anastasia.

Andrea

Chum? 25? Thank god for olive skin. No unibrow? I can see her being perky, though, even while sick. Poor chum.

Come on out to California any time! It is usually warm and beautiful here.

Anastasia -- wow. I wear my shorts whenever I feel like it. If someone doesn't care for the appearance of my legs, that's their problem. Having said that, though, I don't wear a crop top or workout in just a sport bra any more. The tummy will need to be flatter and firmer before I do that again.

I lived near Denver, Colorado for about 7 years. Then lived in Reno, Nevada for another 3 years. I didn't move to Southern California for the weather, but I do like it.

Holiday plans: We are driving to Carson City, Nevada to spend Thanksgiving with the parents. We leave tomorrow, noonish. We are taking Misty with us. Her first big road trip. Mom won't let her in the house so she'll get to sleep in the garage. They are experiencing lows in the teens, so poor Misty will be a chilly dog. She's not used to that kind of cold, sleeping inside our warm house on her own futon as she does. But I think she'll be ok. We'll bring her blankets.

Mom and Dad are both farm people from the midwest, so they are quite unsympathetic to Misty's candy-buttedness.

Wow. Have I missed a lot.

I have to come to Kill's journal to feel really good about myself, huh?

I did the eyebrows just for Nann.

My voice is ridiculous...doesn't fit me at all. This is true, though it was deep and had completely vanished by 6pm that day. I dare say that I was less conversational than I could have been, due to ugly, feverish, sickliness.

Your journal has been fascinating of late, my darling Kill. Teats on pigs, DaVinci (of course it fits you), and Midwestern unfeeling-for-pampered-animal-babies parents. Perhaps you could get a little space heater for the poor little thing. haha If you give her some turkey and dressing, I'll bet she'll forgive you. (But maybe not your parents.)

I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving my dear. You staying all weekend?

About shorts...hell, I wear shorts and I weigh, what, about 100 lbs more than you? Why the hell not? You don't have to be Julia Roberts-like to wear what you like, right? While I think that web site about fat acceptance does huge amounts of damage, I also DO think that we should sort of like ourselves a little bit DURING the weight loss phase, ya know? I think it would be good to find some balance in life. If you find any, will ya let me know???

For all of those who have been envying the Southern California weather, today the sky is filled with blowing dirt and ashes--inland, at least.

My dogs sleep inside, too.

I was wondering where you kept finding all of the pig avatars. But I believe that you will sail again.

Kilogo, I hope you have a great trip and a fantastic Thanksgiving! Since you're leaving tomorrow, we won't be sharing the road after all--I'm just making a day trip to my in-laws' house in the desert (Lucerne Valley). When you had mentioned that you were going to Nevada, I assumed the Las Vegas area and thought we might both be on Interstate 15 Thursday.

Hi.

At last the wind has ceased. It blew very hard down here too, Lutha. At work the wind was making the building creak and groan so much that we thought were having an earthquake at times.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving in the desert, too, Lutha. Our route will take us either 405-5-Lancaster Palmdale (don't know the number)- 395 or else 91-15-215-395. Depends on traffic. So we may be sharing a freeway, you never know. We are planning to leave before noon, the earlier the better. It will take approx. 7-8 hours to drive there, depending on traffic, snow, and how often we stop.

Poor Chum. What did we say that made you feel bad about yourself? Was it the unibrow? Sorry. You know we love you.

I think Misty will get a space heater. Just a suspicion. My parents are not as cold-hearted towards her as they try to appear. She definitely won't make it inside, though. The cleanliness of the house was always more important than the love of a dog as we were growing up. Bad mom.

Does anyone share my amusement that Tmayder spells "teats" correctly? I mean, yes that's what they are, but most people spell it phonetically as "tits". Shall we call you Farm Girl? You and Chum. Farm girls.

Don't get all riled up -- so am I. I was born in California but in a small town north of San Francisco. Population about 5000. So I am a native Californian but as far from the bleach-blonde surfer girl as can be. We moved to an even smaller town when I was 6, and by the time I was 12 we lived in a town of pop. 300. We had horses, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, etc at various times during my childhood. I loved it. We moved to Denver during my teenagity and I've been pretty much a city dweller since. But the country is my first love and I will get back there someday.

But I digress. Where was I? Oh -- wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving as I will be away until Sunday night. I am not going online at the parent's house. Happy Thanksgiving to all my American visitors! Canucks, Brits, and others -- well, Happy Thursday.

My voice is ridiculous, too, Chum. I hate it. But there it is.

Oh -- and since nearly everyone in Southern California thinks that Vegas is the only town in Nevada, here's a geography exercise: Look up Winnemucca, Nevada on a map. My parents lived there for 10 years! I ****zu you not. Fortunately, I never did live there. I had moved away from home by this time. But I visited them regularly, and boy do you know what desolation is by the time you make it there.

But Carson City is a lovely little town. We will have a nice time there.

See you in a few days!

I didn't know I could say tits without getting ****! ****fire!!

Being a farm girl might have been nice, but sorry! I'm just a hickish type 'o city girl!

:)

Hi Kilogo

I hope you have a great time at your parents' house. 7 to 8 hours is a long time to spend in a car! Mr Stubby moans when he has to drive down to see his daughter, and that's on 2 1/2 hours - but it is a long way and is a boring drive, particularly as we do it every month.

I hope Misty does get her space heater. She's had an exciting life of late hasn't she? Spending time at the rich boss's house, going to work with you and now travelling up to your parents.

I'm a country girl at heart too, I live in a small town, but yearn to go back to the country. One day, like you, I hope I do.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I know Northern California well - what towns did you live in there? I spent a year in Aspen and some time in Boulder over the years; hiking in the Rockies is one of my :x favorite things to do EVER...but Denver is no great treat....

I'm glad that you all feel comfortable in your shorts. I do not. Partly from being in LA where I don't feel comfortable at all anyway. If you're not young, thin, and beautiful all at once then you get viewed with disdain or ignored. If you think I'm exaggerating, come and spend some serious time here! Also, I had a boyfriend once who commented that I shouldn't wear shorts with the way my legs looked at the time. I got rid of him soon after that, but stopped wearing shorts as well.:(

I agree with Michaela, Misty has had quite the adventures of late. A dog shouldn't lead a more interesting life than most of us, now should she?

Have a great time with the folks Anne, and when your mom starts to grate on you, just think of your friend Anastasia who is living with that 24/7 for the time being, and know that you dohave something to be thankful for! :rose:

That is indeed a long time in the car! My DH would love it and I would...not. But I won't be travelling anywhere until tomorrow (unless you count the trek home from work tonight, which bids fair to take just as long).

I'm glad that you will get to get away from the crowds for a bit.

Regarding Anastasia's comment, I guess I'm far away enough from Los Angeles proper that I haven't been overwhelmed by the young/thin/beauty bias. I'm not so naive that I think it doesn't exist, though. I saw it at work in the selection of student interns and receptionists, oh yes.

I wear shorts now, although my legs aren't firm.

Sorry I missed saying Goodbye to you Kilogo. I didn't read of your departure until after you left. I am still sending you my Thanksgiving Greetings, and I will be waiting for your safe return home. I doubt I will be around very much over the next couple of days either. Taking a pc break of sorts. About time really.

Hope you dinner was super too.......take care.

So does Misty get to hang her head out the window?

Hope you have a good time!...How is mom's cooking?

mcmarto

Happy Thanksgiving Kilogo.

I hope you are having a great time with your parents!

In honour of American Thanksgiving I am going to be a lazy assed nanny today. I will sit in front of the tele and eat. I think that would be the least I could do to further Canadian- American relations.

Hope you are having a fabulous holiday.

Andrea

Kilogo

Damn you. I am reading Darn Tootin' and it's darn good! I'm up to January 2002!

I'm still hoping you are having a great time with your parents. Perhaps they would like to meet Mr Stubby's parents? Or perhaps you might like to meet Mr Stubby's parents - they are a real treat! Mrs Stubby senior gives particularly good compliments, but unfortunately she gives them constantly so they wear a bit thin after a while!

Hello all!

I am back and happy to be so, although we did have a nice time. 9 hours each way, oh my. That includes stopping every couple of hours to let the dog out to stretch her legs and use the bush. And my, is that some desolate country out there on the 395. Beautiful in its own way, but mighty desolate. Not as bad as the trip to Winnemucca, though. Did anyone look that up? I didn't think so. Slackers.

Misty did very well riding in the Blazer for that long of a time. She just sat there and admired the scenery for the most part. The bf was driving (his car) and he'd roll down the back windows for her while we went through small towns and had to slow down. She'd hang her head out and wonder why it was so darned cold then. As soon as we got back up to highway speed it was far too cold for her, so she pulled her head back in and he rolled up the window 'til next time.

We arrived about 9pm. It was 22 F outside and about 50 in the garage, so there Misty slept. We had brought her comforter for her bed. In the morning it was still 22 outside, and Misty had burrowed down deep into the comforter and curled herself into a dog ball. She was fine. Even her ears were warm. No space heater needed. When it got up to 32 I let her loose in the backyard, and it steadily warmed up to a high of about 50. Chilly, but Misty seemed to enjoy it. She romped around in the back yard happily.

We had a nice Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, mashed potatoes, Norwegian meatballs, lefse, stuffing, asparagus, rolls, relish plate, etc, etc. Pumpkin pie and/or apple pie for dessert. Thanksgiving with a slight Norwegian twist. My mother is not a fantastic cook but most everything turns out edible if not extraordinary. The turkey was nice and tender, which is always a plus.

That night saw Harry Potter. I quite liked it. So did Dad. He has read the books and liked them a great deal. The bf liked the movie and has not read the books, so there you are.

Friday we went to Lake Tahoe. It's just a 30 minute drive up the mountain from where mom & dad live. Beautiful lake. Gorgeous day to see it, too. Crisp and clear. I shall post pictures, perhaps. They turned out really good.

Saturday we went to Virginia City. That's a mere 20 minutes from the homestead. Been there lots of times before, and it hasn't changed. Lots of history. Has that old western feeling in an amazing way, despite the tourism aspect. Hard to believe what a major town it used to be, stuck up there on a steep hill in the middle of nowhere. I have some pretty cool pictures of that, too. Will no doubt put them on the diaryland site and link to it from here for anyone who may be interested.

Then Sunday (today) we came home. Another 9 hrs in the car. I don't plan on doing this again any time soon. Oof. But the time passed pretty quickly and Misty started getting excited when were were about a half hour from home. I guess it started to smell familiar.

And here we are. Mickey -- hee! I told you Darn Tootin' was good! Glad you like it. I think my parents and Mr. Stubby's would get along very well. Would they like to see remnants of the American Old West? They could come out for a visit, perhaps.

Nanny -- good plan. I'm sure that helped! Love the television anchorwoman avatar.

Mcmarto -- thanks! Misty likes hanging her head out the window, yes she does.

Hi Sandielynne -- I've gone 4 days without DT. And I survived! Not sure how, though.

Lutha -- I drove right by the Lucerne Valley as it turns out. But probably a day ahead of you. 9 hours in a car is not something I will do very often, believe me. But this time it actually wasn't so bad. Maybe because I wasn't driving for a change.

Anastasia -- Well, my childhood stint in Northern California was REALLY Northern. One town where I lived for 2 years is 7 miles from the Oregon border. Another town where I lived for 4 years is nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas near Eagle Lake. My birthplace was near Fort Bragg.

I know what you mean about the attitude towards perfection in LA, and frankly they can stuff it. I wouldn't live there for anything. Even though my town may be a mere 45 miles away, it's a whole different world.

Mickey -- Anastasia -- if you want to come down and express your opinions towards my company in a scatological way like Misty did, please come on down!

My mother was mostly tolerable this trip. She had a lingering of the flu, so she was kind of subdued.

Tmayder -- I am a hick! After this trip, I know it for sure. I grew up in hicksville and wouldn't mind going back one bit. So long as a nice wine cellar and a sushi bar weren't too many miles away.

Did I miss anyone? I hope not. I am happy to be home. Back to work tomorrow X-( .

You missed me, but I wasn't here visiting. So, I guess you didn't miss me afterall. But I'm here now. So, no excuses in the future.

I am somehow comforted that you are back home, safe and sound. So welcome back and many hugs (with face mask, of course, so as not to spread pestilence) thrown at ya!

And I am delighted to hear that you had a nice time.

I look forward to the photo link. I always like seeing new places, as you know.

You haven't missed much in my life during your absence. Just a lot of whining and coughing. Nothing much at all.

Do you have to work today??

Kilogo

It's great to see you back, and also pleasing to see that you did have a good time. Perhaps that was because your mum was subdued, yes?

Misty is very well travelled, in dog terms, isn't she? I'm sure she's pleased to be back though.

I would love to go to Lake Tahoe and I can't wait to see the pictures on your diaryland site.

So, it's back to work today then?

Sounds like you did have a good time!...I am glad!

Hope your week is great!...Lots of snow here...ick........it has been snowing off and on since about 11!...It did looking rather nice this evening...but I could go without it!

mcmarto

Welcom home Kilogo,

I have been through Winnemucca scads of times - God help me - on the drive over to Colorado. And I went to college up in Arcata (Humboldt county, northern coast of Cally - so I know all of those little towns). What the heck were your folks doing in all of those small (dare I say...hick?) towns?

I'll speak for myself (but I feel as though I probably speak for everyone) when I say, I (we) like when you go on trips and outings cuz we like the blow by blow when you get home!

So, are you going to time your visits based on mom's immunity now? Sounds like it might not be a bad plan.

Nine hours each way though. Ouch. I don't travel by car well. I'd do better if I could travel like Misty: sticking my head out into the wind and peeing in the brush along the way...

Hello!

Yes, I'm back at work. 44 more days to go. My but it does suck here. Can I say "suck" or will the naughty word police edit me? I guess we'll see.

I have so much to do and no time to do it. I can only do so much while the users are here and using the system, you see. So I'm going to have to come in this weekend and get a bunch of stuff done. Poor me. I think I'll bring Misty with me again and see if she still feels the same way about the place.

Chum -- nice that you are visiting again. Of course I missed you.

Mickey -- thanks for the welcome home. I'm working on those pictures. Will post them for you soon

McMarto -- I saw snow! You can keep it. Brr. Wet.

Anastasia -- how nice of you to say you like my blow-by-blow stories! I like writing them, too. So I guess I'd better keep travelling, eh?

My father worked for the federal gov't dealing with the public lands, hence the hick towns and many moves as a child. So you've been to Winnemucca, how interesting. Well, drove by it anyway. Can you imagine living there?

Must work. Will write more later.

It's later.

My engineer buddy's last day is this Friday, along with 14 other people. The company wants to do a potluck on Thurs for them. A party? To celebrate getting laid off? The HR dept here is so out of touch with the morale of the company, it's just amazing.

Ok, so I'm ******ing about work too much. I'll stop.

But the engineering buddy wants to go out for a Happy Hour after work. The bf is attending some dinner function for work tonight as well, so I am going to this Happy Hour. Remind me not to smoke as these are my smoking friends and I am so easily led astray.

Weds should be uneventful.

Thurs: I get up at the crack of dawn and haul the bf to the airport for his annual ski trip to Breckenridge with a group of buddies. Yes, I will be bf-less from Thurs - Sunday. Thurs noon is the company-sponsored potluck (which may get boycotted by all). Thurs after work is the real goodbye party as most of us are meeting for yet another happy hour (much bigger group) to say goodbye to all.

Friday: Work. Misty and I will be alone in the eve. Hmm. Whatever shall we do with ourselves?

Saturday: Work. Sucks sucks sucks but must be done. I should take Misty for a long walk at the beach beforehand. We are invited to attend a Christmas party and watch the boat parade in Huntington Harbour at the bf's company's VP's house, but since he is out of town I don't want to go alone. So I shant.

Sunday: More work? We'll see. If not, a trip to Dog Beach is in order. See how Misty does around 1000 other dogs. I think the bf returns Sunday night. Either that or Monday morning.

So I have a very busy week ahead of me. And I have to feed myself while my chef is away. Eek.

Your week sounds almost as exciting as mine. Work-errands. Errands-work. I am constantly running little errands. Today in Toronto it was -19 degrees Celsius. (With a windchill of -27). My G@D DAMN eyeballs almost froze. It is so much colder than the place where I grew up. Not nearly as much snow here but who cares when you can't even stay outside for more than 30 seconds without risk of frostbite. In case there is some misguided soul out there thinking about a move to Toronto....please take my advice and stay away. Go to Montreal. They have a hugely extensive underground system. Most people never have to see the outdoors. You can live like a vampire for months.

Did you know that -19 C is -2 F. I can hardly bear it. You can imagine my frosty room.

HMMMMM..... give me a minute to think of something else to complain about.... YES!!! One more thing that bugs me is Christmas present etiquette. I am single(One piddly income) and I buy for my sister her husband and each of their two children. They buy a combined gift for me. That suck's. I am always getting ripped off. Same goes for work. Two grown ups and three kids. It is out of hand. I feel like pulling all my hair out one strand at a time. That is how tense I get about all the presents I have to get. It isn't even the money(well mostly the $$) but the time it takes picking out the right present that won't put me in debt for the next year. I think I am now going to search the web for a Scrooge avatar.

Joy To the World.......

Well look who has the bah-humbugs! Poor Nanny. Poor cranky miserable Nanny. Maybe you could give a fruit basket and label it "For the Family", thus reducing your gift load down to one.

Must be tough to buy gifts for the employers whom you don't like in the first place.

Maybe they would appreciate a nice card with, "sorry I couldn't do better, but times are tough" written inside. Isn't that what they said to you on your birthday?

My upcoming week doesn't have any errands in it. Actually, it's quite a bit of partying mixed in with work. Partying can be fun. But not when you're grumpy. But if I did have errands to run, I'd be doing it in 70 degree weather (F). I think -19/-2 would make me grumpy, too. Or at least very chilly.

Poor cranky miserable grumpy Nanny.

Smoking...ick...ack...uck...cough...cough...cough...

mc

Yeah I know. Smoking = bad.

Pictures are up:
http://kilogo.diaryland.com/021203_88.html

Enjoy!

Smoking is bad, but I used to like doing it very much.

The photos are beautiful. What a lovely area. I had no idea it was so pretty! And the man and dog photos show you have excellent taste in companions, as well. haha

Did you hike around that lake?

You are out partying tonight, yes?

I am not grumpy. I'm not sure why though.

Smoking...one of a few vices.......I have never had...but of course I am still addicted to overeating and not exercising which is just as bad!

The photos did turn out great...and the man...hubba, hubba!

Hope you had a fun night!

mcmarto

Did you smoke? Did you drink? Did you eat something dreadfully delicious? Did you ******? Did you moan? Did you come home and ravage your gorgeous foreign man? Did you run with your barking dog in her new run?

Sigh. Yes I smoked. I have no willpower. I suck. I know.

Actually I did well at the cuban joint. Both the engineer buddy and friend Jeanne smoked repeatedly and I did not. Then we left and just as I got home my phone rang. It was Jeanne, and she said, "talk me out of calling him to tear him a new orifice." (ok, that's not an exact quote). Long story, but basically the engineer buddy is a social moron (he is an engineer, after all) and he's latched onto friend Jeanne as his sole source of life outside of work. He's driving her nuts. And she's let it get to the point to where she can't even stand the sight of him.

So she was furious with some dumb comment that he made and was still ranting about it. I told her to come over, and she did. She brought a bottle of wine. She ranted and ******ed and moaned and then ranted some more. I built a fire in the cute little mexican firepot on the patio and listened to her ****** and started smoking. Sigh.

Ah me. She needs to completely remove him from her life. I see no hope for that relationship.

Anyhoo, didn't eat a darned thing last night. Well, a couple of tortilla chips, but not many. The beauteous foreign hunk o' man had his work dinner function thing so he didn't feed me, either. He got home around 10 and friend Jeanne went home then.

We have parts for the dog run but it is not yet installed. Will do that today, I think. Then I shall run with the dog, perhaps. In the meantime, she's staying inside during the day. Damn barky dog.

I don't think not exercising is an addiction, McMarto. But hey, I could be wrong.

I'm glad you had such a great Thanksgiving! I'm curious about lefse, but I am indeed a slacker and will not look it (them?) up. I've driven to Lake Tahoe on 395 before. And I don't think we even made it in 9 hours, although it sounds like that is a bit further than your primary destination.

I'm sorry to hear that you smoked. Good restraint at the Cuban joint, though! I feel kind of sorry for your engineer friend, although that might erode a bit if I was exposed to him for any length of time. But I can just picture this guy losing his job and then getting the heave-ho by this gal whom he sees as his closest friend.

Great pictures! Your BF is foreign? Somehow I missed that.

The engineer buddy is pretty pathetic, Lutha. He needs your sympathy.

He's one of those guys who you invite to something and he says (drippily), "well, I don't have anything better to do." Makes you want to smack him sometimes. How can someone go through life with no life? I just don't understand that.

He starts his new job on Monday, so at least he doesn't have to go through the "I have no job" misery. We're hoping the change of job, meeting new people, etc will do him good.

Lefse. Norwegian flat bread. Made out of potatoes. Looks like a flour tortilla, sort of. I think you have to be Norwegian to like it. You put butter and cranberry sauce on it, then roll it up into a tube and eat it. Best when warm. Mmmm.

The bf is not very foreign. He was born in Holland but immigrated here when he was 4. He's a US Citizen now. He does still speak Dutch. And he has a Dutch name. Which is actually a name used in many countries, but the dutch spell it in their own dutchy way.

I'm sorry I smoked too. I'm feeling it today, too. Bleah. My throat feels raw, my chest hurts. Why oh why do I do this to myself?

Kill is having coughs and more,
Because she smoked and drank and swore.
She had a blast, or so she said,
But really she should've gone to bed.