CPAP Letdown

Every 6-months I have take my CPAP snore machine to a CPAP outlet so they can download the computer chip analysing my sleep patterns. They also change the filter. All the previous trips resulted in no change in my sleep patterns. I was dreading today's trip because I would have to haul the machine in this deadly cold snap, trudging through snowbanks. I showed up at the appointed time after a 45 minute walk. No one was at the CPAP office. I waited 30 minutes, no one showed up.

I called the CPAP people to register my disappointment and anger. When I headed to work I had  voicemail message waiting, indicating that they were late due to road conditions. On previous visits there were 3-4 people working in the office. Not one of them was able to show up on time. They suggested I may want to make another appointment.

I will guarantee that I will never make another appointment. I went on-line and ordered the filters from a website. I'm pretty sure that it is a good idea to have at least one person show up at work on time.

I was able to run for 2-miles today on the treadmill without any walking breaks. That is good sign for me. Once I'm able to run 2-miles I can really ramp up the exercise.

Peppermint Patti is a Treadmill Hog

Half-Way to Challenge

Reached half-way point of my 50-day challenge today. I'm slightly ahead of the goal of reaching 600,000 steps even though I started counting steps on day 3. I am also half-way through my second Arctic Vortex weather event. This latest one is lasting nearly 2-weeks and will take us near to February. The good news is they installed a second treadmill in the condo gym. Peppermint Patti can only use up one at a time.

The other good news this week is that my nemesis at work, Angry IT Guy, put in his resignation. He seems to be very pleased with himself. I will soon be able to walk the halls with impunity. I will be able to safely leave the cube without an escort.

Ford Brothers Serial Liars

Our Mayor Rob Ford is at it again, drunk on video sporting a Jamaican accent while talking to locals, badmouthing our police chief. Doug Ford was in usual full denial mode, claiming his brother had not fallen off the wagon despite videotaped evidence. Lying to the public is a Ford brother trait. These two clowns have no trouble uttering bold face lies at the drop of a hat. They are serial fibbers and tattle tails that rat out enemies and the press without any shame. You have to wonder if Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has any trouble with Doug Ford carrying the PC banner in Etobicoke in next year's election? Worst case is Dougie wins and the Queen's Park press corps has a field day with the least honest man in politics.

I will give Rob Ford credit, he does seem to have a genuine rapport with the Caribbean community. He does hang out in areas that silk suit lefties would fear to tread. Much like his coaching of troubled youth Ford does have a connection with some of the tougher neighbourhoods in the city. You won't see Michael Layton or Adam "No Fun" Vaughan hanging out is these parts.

Tomorrow I reach the half way point of my 50-day challenge. I have been alcohol free, eating right and getting plenty of exercise. The weight loss appears to be slow but in fact I have been dropping weight slowly but steadily. The second waive of the so-called Arctic Vortex has hit the city hard. It has been difficult to walk in shockingly low temperatures. I have been Mall walking and using the treadmill. One  of my fellow building residents, Peppermint Patti, has been hogging the treadmill running daily marathons, wrongly thinking that hours on the treadmill will mask homely features and a dull personality. Sadly her lone accomplishment is to force me to seek exercise elsewhere.

I was forced to purchase long johns to endure the Arctic conditions. I have to say that my first pair of long underpants since childhood have been a saviour. I'm now an advocate of long, lower body under garments. Next on my list maybe a ski mask. Or at least a Mexican wrestling mask.

Caught Red-Handed Cheating in the Food Court

Day 20 of Challenge

Last time I went through the challenge I found that by the second week I no longer craved beer. This time it is more difficult but not to the point that I am close to quiting. I have been to a bar or function at least 6 times since the challenge started. I received an email while sitting in the pub last night sipping diet coke, from my Edmonton lawyer. Without knowing I was on the wagon, he indicated that he was going through his own dry period and finding it very difficult. He is well known for enjoying a few pints. I have ran into several people on a January dry spell including the man that inspired my original effort James Giffen. My challenge extends well into February.

I have been eating well since Jan. 1st. At lunch I have been primarily eating sushi or very small sandwiches on whole wheat. I'm talking half sandwiches or wraps. On Friday after a long lunchtime walk, which has become the norm, I had a craving for a roast beef sandwich at Eat Fresh. There is no doubt this sandwich would break all the rules. Out of nowhere Ana Maria sprung into action. I was in a long line in the north Eaton Centre food court. Bearing a sensible salad, AM scolded me for lining up in the sandwich line. Head down in shame I abandoned the line and slumped toward the sushi aisle. I was caught red handed cheating myself.

I want to thank both H sisters for inspiring me to stay the course. In another moment of weakness I was considering changing the challenge to January only, Mariana talked me out of it. Stick to the original goal. After a recent weigh in I know I have to complete the full 50-days. I then have to stick to the food changes long-term to keep the weight off. No binge drinking. Dawn and Bereza in my office have helped as well. Bereza has not tried to lure me down to the pub in our building during the week. On Fridays I attend but stick to diet soda. My Mom recommended I find a tasty non-alcoholic beverage which I think is a good idea. Diet soda is not good for you either.

Today I have already completed over 8,000 steps prior to 11AM. I ran on the treadmill and lifted weights. The weight loss has been slow to take effect but I'm trending in the right direction. I'm consuming way less calories and greatly increasing my exercise. I can't help but lose weight. I'm well ahead of my goal of 600,000 steps in 50-days.

There is a Guy in the Building That Bears a Striking Resemblance to a Famous TV Captain

Day 16 of Challenge

I'm very slowly losing weight on my plan. I have walked a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, averaging about 13,000. I have improved my diet and stayed off the booze. I even attended the combined 40th party of Shannon and Michelle on Saturday. I was out until 1:30AM but stuck with diet coke at PJ O'Brian's Pub. The recent warmer weather has helped with outdoor walking.

Not surprised to see Peterborough Conservative MP Dean Del Matstro's classy family embroiled in campaign funding irregularities. It will be interesting to see if he survives the Election Canada probe.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty continues to screw his home province out of fair funding. No single person, with the possible exception of Dalton McGunity, has done more to harm the Ontario economy than Flaherty.

Mayor Rob Ford has clearly lost quite a bit of weight. He claims he has not drank any alcohol since November. I believe him and wish him the best of luck with his sobriety. I would not be able to last as long as he has without booze.

D'Arcy Struggles With Beer Ban

Ford Brothers

I note that Mayor Rob Ford's brother Doug , a city councillor, leaped to his feet to report that fellow councillor Janet David whispered the "f-bomb" into his ear. The Ford brothers have a disturbing habit of ratting others to the authorities. Rob has called 911 on others, including his wife, on many occasions.  If you worked with either Ford brother they would have HR on speed dial. These guys would be management's personal spies. The Ford bothers act outside the "code' whereby you do not rat out other people unless absolutely necessary. I would not rat someone out unless they were stealing, or causing physical harm.

I'm on Day-12 of my challenge or nearly 25% of the way there. I'm feeling better, lost a bit of weight and improved my fitness level. I'm very determined to stick to the improved eating habits after the challenge is finished. It was able to keep up with my fitness goals even through the recent cold snap. I became a Mall walker and used the treadmill to avoid walking outside.

Bond Update Jan.2014

7 days into Challenge

It has been one week since I have had an alcoholic beverage in New Orleans. While that is only 14% of my challenge it represents a big milestone as the first week is the hardest. I have turned down at least 4 opportunities to drink alcohol. After this date it becomes routine.

The eating well portion of the challenge started on Jan. 1st. I cheated somewhat yesterday as I attended a dinner party but I have still not consumed any junk food, pizza, chicken wings etc. I'm trying to make that goal more of a complete lifestyle change rather than a 50-day challenge.

I have purchased a new pedometer tracking device called a Jawbone Up. This is one the wristband gadgets. I walked 17,000 steps yesterday which is over 8-miles. I also lifted weights for the first time in quite some time.

New Orleans Part 2

New Orleans

A dozen of Kelly Jones friends headed down to New Orleans for his stag. It was also an excuse for a boy's trip. New Orleans as many know has a crazy number of bars, many with very good live bands. We also ate in some great restaurants. We took a bus tour of the city during the day and caught a New Orleans Saints football game.

We dressed up KJ in the Grateful Dead dancing bear outfit as seen below. Let me tell you that KJ was a huge hit in New Orleans. I have never seen so many people insist on posing for photos with the bear. Frankly we couldn't keep him out of the bear suit. KJ loves to meet people and this outfit attracted plenty of attention.

Good times ensued and I slept for nearly 12-hours right through midnight New Years Eve in full recovery mode. I actually went to work New Years Eve but it was a fog, I was dead tired.

The Dancing Bear in New Orleans