I'm a gadget person. So it should come as no surprise to anyone that knows me that I bought a GPS unit. Ann is now upset because no matter where I go, I can still find my way home.
It came with standard roadmaps; nothing spectacular. In order to get more detailed maps you need to buy the software, which can run from $80 to $110 and up. Worth it, I suppose, if you do lots of driving - and I do.
I also ran into some bargains at Walgreen's today: a Uniden walkie-talkie for $4.45 (to go with my 2 Uniden and 2 Motorola units) and an Eveready AA/AAA battery charger for $2.30. How can I pass that up? I only wanted the Sunday paper but those'll do, too.
I remember I said I was going to write 2 more entires on my last post, but I can't remember what the other topic was going to be. Oh well.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Good News, Bad News
First, the good.
I had to go to the dentist yesterday. While that may not sound like good news to anybody, it actually was. I had a filling fall out of a tooth some time ago and I never got it fixed. Since then, the tooth has begun to fall apart.
The good news was that after the exam, the doctor told me that a root canal was not necessary. The bad news? It'll have to be yanked out eventually and replaced with a bridge. Bah.
I guess I've been so damn paranoid of dentists because the last time I went in for major work I was still in my teens. They had to pull 4 permanent teeth and because this was in the days before oral surgeons had their own practices, the procedure was done in a GP (general practice) office and was all bloody and messy. I cringe just thinking about it.
Next step: a consultation with the oral surgeon. I hear he's pretty good so I feel better about it.
Two more [unrelated] entires will follow this one. Stay tuned.
I had to go to the dentist yesterday. While that may not sound like good news to anybody, it actually was. I had a filling fall out of a tooth some time ago and I never got it fixed. Since then, the tooth has begun to fall apart.
The good news was that after the exam, the doctor told me that a root canal was not necessary. The bad news? It'll have to be yanked out eventually and replaced with a bridge. Bah.
I guess I've been so damn paranoid of dentists because the last time I went in for major work I was still in my teens. They had to pull 4 permanent teeth and because this was in the days before oral surgeons had their own practices, the procedure was done in a GP (general practice) office and was all bloody and messy. I cringe just thinking about it.
Next step: a consultation with the oral surgeon. I hear he's pretty good so I feel better about it.
Two more [unrelated] entires will follow this one. Stay tuned.
Friday, January 21, 2005
Updates!
Okay, it's Friday and it's a little slow at work today. Since I haven't had time at home I'll post an entry now.
The diet's going along well. While I can't see an immediate change, I can sure feel it. I am up to my last belt notch and am wearing pants I haven't worn since...well, ever. If I had to take a guess, I'd say I've lost almost 10 lbs. But have gained some back - in muscle. Jesus, my actually have muscle!
Ann is also experiencing the same changes. She's a bit frustrated I've told her to hang in there. Like me, her clothes are fitting larger.
We went to Wal-Mart and bought one of those Ab-Lounge exercise things to complement the Body Bow routine. The first time we tried it we could barely do more than 10 crunches. We were working out muscles we hadn't worked out in years. Now I can do about 40 of the regular crunches and about 15 of the others - in the morning and evening. I contribute that to part of our success.
Tax time has rolled around once again. As usual, it's not even the end of January and I'm done with them. Since I don't get along with numbers I don't trust myself to do my own taxes. We've been going to the same tax guy for years and since we now have a baby, this year we filed jointly. It paid off in spades. Let's just say I'm getting new tires on my car tomorrow, we're putting a nice amount into Anthony's piggy bank, paid off our Christmas debts, and still have money left.
In case you were wondering, the episode of American Dreams featuring my brother Raul as a TV new reporter will air on NBC at 8pm on March 6th. Screencaps will soon follow the airing.
Well, the boss is lurking. I see you next week!
The diet's going along well. While I can't see an immediate change, I can sure feel it. I am up to my last belt notch and am wearing pants I haven't worn since...well, ever. If I had to take a guess, I'd say I've lost almost 10 lbs. But have gained some back - in muscle. Jesus, my actually have muscle!
Ann is also experiencing the same changes. She's a bit frustrated I've told her to hang in there. Like me, her clothes are fitting larger.
We went to Wal-Mart and bought one of those Ab-Lounge exercise things to complement the Body Bow routine. The first time we tried it we could barely do more than 10 crunches. We were working out muscles we hadn't worked out in years. Now I can do about 40 of the regular crunches and about 15 of the others - in the morning and evening. I contribute that to part of our success.
Tax time has rolled around once again. As usual, it's not even the end of January and I'm done with them. Since I don't get along with numbers I don't trust myself to do my own taxes. We've been going to the same tax guy for years and since we now have a baby, this year we filed jointly. It paid off in spades. Let's just say I'm getting new tires on my car tomorrow, we're putting a nice amount into Anthony's piggy bank, paid off our Christmas debts, and still have money left.
In case you were wondering, the episode of American Dreams featuring my brother Raul as a TV new reporter will air on NBC at 8pm on March 6th. Screencaps will soon follow the airing.
Well, the boss is lurking. I see you next week!
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Flashback: 1986
[Note: Today's post describes in detail how I lost 90 lbs. back in 1986. These are the results of the diet I stuck with; I do not endorse it in any way. Therefore, I must sound like a magazine ad by saying that these are the results of my diet plan. Never start a diet without first consulting a physician or dietician.]
I started a diet this year. Another diet.
It's really nothing new, though. I've been on a few diets in my life, each with different results. But the best results came back in 1986 when I was in high school. Through diet and exercise, I was able to drop nearly 100 lbs.
What, don't believe me? Here's the proof, pictures I just found today:
I did it very easily. Well, it wasn't easy but the plan was. I stopped eating junk food, cut back on my quantities, and most importantly, exercised. At one point I was up to 200 sit-ups a day: 100 in the morning, 100 in the evening.
But it didn't start out that way. At first I was barely able to do more than 10 sit-ups. But like anything, your body gets used to it. 20 turned into 40, 40 turned into 75, and finally I reached 100. I took 1000mg Vitamin C. I drank lots of water. I went from a size 46 to a 36. I felt damn good.
As I've already stated, I've been on a few but these were the best results. During a recent trip to the doctor, he recommended going to diet class since, in his words, "You've gained some weight since the last time I saw you." That was all I needed to hear, so now I'm back to counting calories and drinking water.
I'm currently closer to the "before" picture above, but the simple fact is that I've always been the Husky-jeans-wearing kid in school.
I recently purchased this thing called the BodyBow which is supposed to sculpt your body. It seems to be working. I didn't spend that money on it, though. I got it for $15 at Big Lots.
So there you have it. Updates to come.
Oh, and here's another picture I found today:
This is in Lakewood, CA, near a house I used to cut grass for.
Hey, I don't name the streets around here...
I started a diet this year. Another diet.
It's really nothing new, though. I've been on a few diets in my life, each with different results. But the best results came back in 1986 when I was in high school. Through diet and exercise, I was able to drop nearly 100 lbs.
What, don't believe me? Here's the proof, pictures I just found today:
I did it very easily. Well, it wasn't easy but the plan was. I stopped eating junk food, cut back on my quantities, and most importantly, exercised. At one point I was up to 200 sit-ups a day: 100 in the morning, 100 in the evening.
But it didn't start out that way. At first I was barely able to do more than 10 sit-ups. But like anything, your body gets used to it. 20 turned into 40, 40 turned into 75, and finally I reached 100. I took 1000mg Vitamin C. I drank lots of water. I went from a size 46 to a 36. I felt damn good.
As I've already stated, I've been on a few but these were the best results. During a recent trip to the doctor, he recommended going to diet class since, in his words, "You've gained some weight since the last time I saw you." That was all I needed to hear, so now I'm back to counting calories and drinking water.
I'm currently closer to the "before" picture above, but the simple fact is that I've always been the Husky-jeans-wearing kid in school.
I recently purchased this thing called the BodyBow which is supposed to sculpt your body. It seems to be working. I didn't spend that money on it, though. I got it for $15 at Big Lots.
So there you have it. Updates to come.
Oh, and here's another picture I found today:
This is in Lakewood, CA, near a house I used to cut grass for.
Hey, I don't name the streets around here...
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Happy New Year!
My mom got me one of those LED clocks for Christmas. You know, those ones with the wand and flashing LEDs that show the time and assorted messages?
Well, I set up my camera and made an MPEG of the moment. These are some still images from the file, which were then aminated in Ulead GIF Animator:
Cool, huh?
Other stuff:
A quick review of The Phantom of the Opera movie will be coming later. Be prepared...
Well, I set up my camera and made an MPEG of the moment. These are some still images from the file, which were then aminated in Ulead GIF Animator:
Cool, huh?
Other stuff:
A quick review of The Phantom of the Opera movie will be coming later. Be prepared...
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