Saturday 31 January 2015
Wednesday 28 January 2015
Tingling Toes
I spoke to M today at lunch. She came to our office to speak to her sister and I. M broke the very sad news that she has Brisbania or some such disease. She self diagnosed this ailment on Web MD. Apparently the symptoms are tingling of the toes in cold weather. Curious I did some research and I found out that 93% of people that live in cold climates suffer from some form of Brisbania. In 99.9% of cases the disease goes undiagnosed. The 7% of the population that do not suffer from the disease are known to wear sensible footwear.
I understand that M is angling for a disabled parking sticker for the car. Best to get into a warm dry building promptly while on shopping excursions. I thought the electric cart was pushing it
As Brisbania is such a widespread disease and likely met with scepticism by the general populace it seemed like a good idea to raise awareness. Why not a fundraiser? Bouncing around ideas we came up with a performance of the play "Death of a Salesman" entirely in mime, or with hand puppets. We settled on a combination of mime and hand puppets. M thought that proceeds might go towards her Mall scooter. I thought an investment in woolly socks might garner more sympathy.
I might add that there is a lot of pressure on me to sing my show stopping rendition of Danny Boy acapella, or accompanied by Jimmy on the spoons.
I might confess that I also tend to self diagnose by entering various symptoms on the Internet. I recently diagnosed that on occasion I suffer from mild anxiety. No, please I'm not looking for sympathy. I thought about applying for a disabled parking pass but thought it would make more sense if I owned a car first.
I understand that M is angling for a disabled parking sticker for the car. Best to get into a warm dry building promptly while on shopping excursions. I thought the electric cart was pushing it
As Brisbania is such a widespread disease and likely met with scepticism by the general populace it seemed like a good idea to raise awareness. Why not a fundraiser? Bouncing around ideas we came up with a performance of the play "Death of a Salesman" entirely in mime, or with hand puppets. We settled on a combination of mime and hand puppets. M thought that proceeds might go towards her Mall scooter. I thought an investment in woolly socks might garner more sympathy.
I might add that there is a lot of pressure on me to sing my show stopping rendition of Danny Boy acapella, or accompanied by Jimmy on the spoons.
I might confess that I also tend to self diagnose by entering various symptoms on the Internet. I recently diagnosed that on occasion I suffer from mild anxiety. No, please I'm not looking for sympathy. I thought about applying for a disabled parking pass but thought it would make more sense if I owned a car first.
Sunday 25 January 2015
Double Down
Since I completed my challenge I have actually increased my daily steps and have finished with over 20k steps 5-times this past week. I'm down about 25-pounds. I turned down another Friday night of drinking and will likely consume my first adult beverage either this Friday, or the following Tuesday.
There is no doubt that I made the right call staying away from the bar. Last year I had a 57 day dry period but lost less weight as I exercised less and did not eat as well. It was also a mistake to attend bars and drink diet soda. Those were wasted, boring evenings cutting into exercise and increasing temptation.
Interestingly not a single person, that does not know what I'm up to, has mentioned that I have lost weight. Part of that is that I work essentially alone. The people that I interacted with in the office have moved to other offices or left the company. I do get more work done and it frees up my lunch hour to walk the Mall. That makes up for some of the boredom.
There is no doubt that I made the right call staying away from the bar. Last year I had a 57 day dry period but lost less weight as I exercised less and did not eat as well. It was also a mistake to attend bars and drink diet soda. Those were wasted, boring evenings cutting into exercise and increasing temptation.
Interestingly not a single person, that does not know what I'm up to, has mentioned that I have lost weight. Part of that is that I work essentially alone. The people that I interacted with in the office have moved to other offices or left the company. I do get more work done and it frees up my lunch hour to walk the Mall. That makes up for some of the boredom.
Sunday 18 January 2015
Saturday 17 January 2015
Stephen Lewis Public School
I went to the ACC this week for a Raptors game. I noted that there was a group from Stephen Lewis Public School at the game. Stephen Lewis sent his son to Upper Canada College the most exclusive private school in Canada even though he was the leader of the socialist NDP political party in Ontario. If public schools weren't good enough for Stephen Lewis kid why did they name a public school after him? Apparently there is more than one.
Stephen Lewis claimed that he sent his kid to UCC because he had a famous dad and might be picked on in school. Premier Mike Harris who was a despised by teachers sent his kids to public schools.
If you want more hypocrisy from the Lewis family look up his wife, Michelle Landsberg, take on the butler and other perks of a diplomatic post. Fighting for the oppressed while enjoying the finer things in life.
Stephen Lewis claimed that he sent his kid to UCC because he had a famous dad and might be picked on in school. Premier Mike Harris who was a despised by teachers sent his kids to public schools.
If you want more hypocrisy from the Lewis family look up his wife, Michelle Landsberg, take on the butler and other perks of a diplomatic post. Fighting for the oppressed while enjoying the finer things in life.
Post Challenge
I'm not going to post my total number of steps, before I have my first adult beverage, after I reached 400k. I do note that I reached 25,367 today. That is a recent record number of daily steps and nearly 13 miles. I reached the 400k goal during lunch on Thursday. That night I ran on the treadmill. Friday I had to fly to Ottawa for work. As it was likely to be a sedentary day I figured this might be my first sub-13k day since Christmas. Instead at 5:30AM I was on the treadmill. I walked to and from the Island airport which is close by and managed 13.7k for the day. A low but still respectable day.
I very nearly had a beer on Friday. I went to Ottawa with two friends and colleagues. We had a stressful week and were in need of a post work beer before flying back to Toronto. Because we were short on time I changed my mind and stuck with a diet soda. I figured a quick beer was not worth the guilt. I can stick it out for another couple of weeks.
The whole point for me is that this is a long term project. I'm not letting my foot off the gas as in past years. The 400k was a minor short term goal, I'm in this for the long haul.
I very nearly had a beer on Friday. I went to Ottawa with two friends and colleagues. We had a stressful week and were in need of a post work beer before flying back to Toronto. Because we were short on time I changed my mind and stuck with a diet soda. I figured a quick beer was not worth the guilt. I can stick it out for another couple of weeks.
The whole point for me is that this is a long term project. I'm not letting my foot off the gas as in past years. The 400k was a minor short term goal, I'm in this for the long haul.
Thursday 15 January 2015
Wednesday 14 January 2015
Tuesday 13 January 2015
2 days until Finish Line
376,249 steps.
I even tried a new treadmill routine today. Instead of walking and running I tried brisk walking at 3.8 MPH plus running. I was able to recover during walking breaks even at 0.5 MPH faster walking speed. I may try and exploit this new method. It burns calories quicker and I seem to have the fitness for it.
I even tried a new treadmill routine today. Instead of walking and running I tried brisk walking at 3.8 MPH plus running. I was able to recover during walking breaks even at 0.5 MPH faster walking speed. I may try and exploit this new method. It burns calories quicker and I seem to have the fitness for it.
Monday 12 January 2015
Sunday 11 January 2015
Nathan Phillip's Square Renovations
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| Queen Pedestrian Bridge They will No Longer Remove |
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| New City Hall |
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| Planters 3-years of Renovation |
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| Southern Exposure |
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| New Parking Entrance |
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| I work in Glass Tower |
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| South East Entrance |
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| Weak East Side |
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| Skating Rink-Summer Fountain |
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| New Permanent Stage |
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| View South East |
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| Moore's Famous Archer |
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| Old City Hall |
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| It took 3-years to complete Queen St. Frontage |
Saturday 10 January 2015
Peppermint Patti
321,547
I walked over 18,600 steps today, just under 10-miles primarily outdoors in cold temperatures. It was my intention to split the work with the treadmill on this very cold day but the two treadmills were constantly busy in my condo gym. I'm pretty sure that my nemesis, Peppermint Patti, was running marathons on them. I did a walk by every hour or so and she was still running. Unless she has an identical twin she is running daily marathons on the treadmill. She is not a handsome woman so I know she is trying to gain any advantage. I can't be critical of her effort and admire her stamina.
I was lucky that it was sunny with a light wind which made the outdoor walk more bearable.
I have a new routine where I walk up an incline at a brisk pace rather than run for now. It allows me to stay on the treadmill longer and kill more calories. My weight is dropping daily and my face is thinner. I'm less concerned about my current weight than the downward trend.
I should be finished my current challenge by end of next Friday, well ahead of schedule. I will be eligible to drink alcohol but will likely hold off until early February. I reserve the right to have a beer but have no reason to do so when I'm making great progress.
I walked over 18,600 steps today, just under 10-miles primarily outdoors in cold temperatures. It was my intention to split the work with the treadmill on this very cold day but the two treadmills were constantly busy in my condo gym. I'm pretty sure that my nemesis, Peppermint Patti, was running marathons on them. I did a walk by every hour or so and she was still running. Unless she has an identical twin she is running daily marathons on the treadmill. She is not a handsome woman so I know she is trying to gain any advantage. I can't be critical of her effort and admire her stamina.
I was lucky that it was sunny with a light wind which made the outdoor walk more bearable.
I have a new routine where I walk up an incline at a brisk pace rather than run for now. It allows me to stay on the treadmill longer and kill more calories. My weight is dropping daily and my face is thinner. I'm less concerned about my current weight than the downward trend.
I should be finished my current challenge by end of next Friday, well ahead of schedule. I will be eligible to drink alcohol but will likely hold off until early February. I reserve the right to have a beer but have no reason to do so when I'm making great progress.
Friday 9 January 2015
Thursday 8 January 2015
Record Cold
289,517 steps
It was so cold yesterday that I actually took a cab half-way home. My face was frozen. Even though I'm walking close to 17k steps a day I needed to take a taxi. A little more bearable today. I was able to walk outdoors the entire way home. In the morning I made my way to the underground as soon as I could. Warming up a bit each day for now.
It was so cold yesterday that I actually took a cab half-way home. My face was frozen. Even though I'm walking close to 17k steps a day I needed to take a taxi. A little more bearable today. I was able to walk outdoors the entire way home. In the morning I made my way to the underground as soon as I could. Warming up a bit each day for now.
Wednesday 7 January 2015
Tuesday 6 January 2015
Nathan Phillips Square
I pointed out in this Blog a couple of weeks ago about the pathetic pace of construction at Nathan Phillips Square, the 10 acre concrete square in front of Toronto's city hall. I read in the Globe and Mail that it may take 9-years to complete construction. We are already 5-years into the project.
Not surprisingly the project cost has ballooned from $40M to $70M. It is also not surprising that former Mayor Ford is responsible for much of the delays. Ford cancelled much of the project mid-construction. It was even his plan to leave the eastern section of the square, along Bay Street, untouched. I'm happy to report that since the clown prince of mayors left office the rest of the renovation is back on. It appears that Mayor Cheapskate delayed much of the project.
I don't care if you are left-wing or a neocon, you can't explain to me the pathetic pace of construction. Entire weeks would go by in good weather where no work was done and the construction site empty. No strikes, no explanations just tools down and no work done with multiple lanes and sidewalks blocked off.
I walk by this site everyday. I have no idea where the $70M is invested other than labour costs. The project is half-assed at best. There is a permanent stage and new sidewalks. A few unimpressive garden areas and a new skate rental building. They decided not to tear down the elevated exterior walkways to save money. The word is that the last part of the project is the lefty/artsy types installing community gardens on the walkways. In 25-years living in the city, including the last half dozen working across the street from city hall, I have never seen anyone on the elevated sidewalks. I'm not even sure the public is allowed access. If the socialists want to grow alfalfa up there that is fine with me, but it would have done wonders for the place if they tore down the structures that block access to the square.
What really needs renovations is the east side facing Bay street. This area is an uninviting barren space. The elevated walkway here is a real waste of usable space and access. The entire east side of Nathan Phillips Square is an empty wasteland. That the Ford brothers were going to leave the space untouched is criminal and a lesson on how not to build a city.
I have said many times that the nearby and much smaller Yonge-Dundas Square has replaced Nathan Phillips as the de facto city gathering place. It is not surprising to me that the "No" crowd decried the building of Yonge-Dundas Square even as it has become our mini-Times Square. There is no shortage of people in Toronto that say No to every proposed project. They are the same people that rave about other great cities around the world. Cities where people like them are ignored or marginalised.
Not surprisingly the project cost has ballooned from $40M to $70M. It is also not surprising that former Mayor Ford is responsible for much of the delays. Ford cancelled much of the project mid-construction. It was even his plan to leave the eastern section of the square, along Bay Street, untouched. I'm happy to report that since the clown prince of mayors left office the rest of the renovation is back on. It appears that Mayor Cheapskate delayed much of the project.
I don't care if you are left-wing or a neocon, you can't explain to me the pathetic pace of construction. Entire weeks would go by in good weather where no work was done and the construction site empty. No strikes, no explanations just tools down and no work done with multiple lanes and sidewalks blocked off.
I walk by this site everyday. I have no idea where the $70M is invested other than labour costs. The project is half-assed at best. There is a permanent stage and new sidewalks. A few unimpressive garden areas and a new skate rental building. They decided not to tear down the elevated exterior walkways to save money. The word is that the last part of the project is the lefty/artsy types installing community gardens on the walkways. In 25-years living in the city, including the last half dozen working across the street from city hall, I have never seen anyone on the elevated sidewalks. I'm not even sure the public is allowed access. If the socialists want to grow alfalfa up there that is fine with me, but it would have done wonders for the place if they tore down the structures that block access to the square.
What really needs renovations is the east side facing Bay street. This area is an uninviting barren space. The elevated walkway here is a real waste of usable space and access. The entire east side of Nathan Phillips Square is an empty wasteland. That the Ford brothers were going to leave the space untouched is criminal and a lesson on how not to build a city.
I have said many times that the nearby and much smaller Yonge-Dundas Square has replaced Nathan Phillips as the de facto city gathering place. It is not surprising to me that the "No" crowd decried the building of Yonge-Dundas Square even as it has become our mini-Times Square. There is no shortage of people in Toronto that say No to every proposed project. They are the same people that rave about other great cities around the world. Cities where people like them are ignored or marginalised.
Skin of a Champion
257,126 steps. I'm making short work of the 400,000 challenge. The average person would take about 57 days to walk 400k. I will take about half that time due to the extensive work I'm putting into the walking. I ran 1-mile today without stopping. Hardly an Olympian feat but I had to work up to that distance. I continue to run after a series of two minute walking breaks. It is a bit of a psychological barrier I had to work through.
I had a visit with my dermatologist today. Stelara suppressed about 90% of my psoriasis. I still have some stubborn spots around my waist. My doctor prescribed a strong foam medication to take care of this issue. I hope to be 100% clear which would be a miracle. I have noticed that by stopping alcohol intake my skin has cleared up nicely. I also noticed before when I was drinking that alcohol made my psoriasis worse. Another reason to cut back dramatically. I recall a few years ago someone pointed out that my skin looked much better after a month without alcohol during another challenge.
Again the difference this time is that I plan on making permanent and dramatic changes to my lifestyle. I have not touched any bad foods during this challenge and probably only gained weight on Christmas day. I think that was the last day I had red meat.
I had a visit with my dermatologist today. Stelara suppressed about 90% of my psoriasis. I still have some stubborn spots around my waist. My doctor prescribed a strong foam medication to take care of this issue. I hope to be 100% clear which would be a miracle. I have noticed that by stopping alcohol intake my skin has cleared up nicely. I also noticed before when I was drinking that alcohol made my psoriasis worse. Another reason to cut back dramatically. I recall a few years ago someone pointed out that my skin looked much better after a month without alcohol during another challenge.
Again the difference this time is that I plan on making permanent and dramatic changes to my lifestyle. I have not touched any bad foods during this challenge and probably only gained weight on Christmas day. I think that was the last day I had red meat.
Monday 5 January 2015
Sunday 4 January 2015
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