New Year's Resolutions

Well, now that I've got 43 things to do over at the website 43 Things, it would seem that I have a ready made list from which to choose. I think these three would be the most beneficial.

1. Lose 30 Pounds by following the South Beach Diet.
2. Exercise at least three times per week.
3. Continue to work on changing my career to one more suited to my interests and talents.

I am a Brie cheese. I am a fine, triple creme boursin.

OK, this evening I topped out the scales at a whopping 200 lbs. Twenty Six Percent Body Fat. I am a Brie cheese. I am a fine, triple creme boursin.

The time for South Beach Diet Phase 1, she is here. The hour? Arrived. The moment? At hand.

Also, my friend Larry (who’s going on the trip I won with me) has now lost more than ten pounds on South Beach. And he’s doing this as vegetarian, which makes his choices more limited. He is a South Beach God. I revere him.

Dammit, if he can do it, I can do it. 8 days until the trip, 8 days to lose some of this weight, and, frankly, feel better about myself, too. Off we go.

Edited to note that I seem to have an SBD ally and neighbor. I may have to capitalize on this.

Merry Christmas!

Abby, Suzy and I wish a Merry Christmas to all.

Ignore the look in Abby's eyes. She's happy to see you. Really.

Time Vacuum

If you need to get rid of several hours of your life, check out this site. Highly addictive.

We need a little Christmas . . .

Today is just dragging by at work. It's not even like I don't have anything to do, which is the usual case. I just cannot get myself motivated. At least it's Friday, so a blessed weekend of rest, relaxation, and not being in this place lies ahead of me.

Christmas Cards: All sent.

Christmas Shopping: Still have to do all of it, except for Aunt Esther.

Diet: Back on South Beach Phase 1, day 2.

Job Status: Still no word from AIG. Now the career counselor tells me I need to go into hospitality management? Eek. One thing at a time, missy. Still, going to an NYU open house next Tuesday.

This is Just a Test Message

This is just a test message to see what's up with things not posting over here. Very strange. I wonder if this will show up?

In other news, almost finished my Christmas cards tonight! Yay!

Friendster

Virtual Goldfish?

adopt your own virtual pet!

Eiffel tower with moon and blue ship

Eiffel tower with moon and blue ship
Originally uploaded by kmsf.

Stunning photo from Flickr.

And you think YOUR cats are talented?

By which, of course, I am kidding, because no cat, anywhere does anything it doesn't want to, right?

The Moscow Cats Theatre will have you thinking again. I can't really do it justice, but suffice it to say that cats can be trained to do a lot of things that would surprise you, first and foremost being to come when they're called and stay where they're told to.

A silly way to spend the afternoon, but enjoyable.

Also, a friend and I bought the tackiest, most evil Chirstmas card ever:

I'm apparently not the only one . . .

I'm apparently not the only one struggling with weight at the moment. From M. Giant's Velcrometer

South Beach (again)

In what can only be described as Divine Providence, I have been given a sign that I need to return to the South Beach Diet. I won a trip to freakin' South Beach from Kraft Foods in a contest related to their South Beach Diet food items. Who knew people actually won internet contests?

So, now I have to lose weight by the time I go (early January). I don't want to have the contest organizers think that I actually meant to enter the "Tater Tots are Teriffic" contest and only entered theirs by mistake.

So...DAY TWO of Phase One, baby. Mmmmm....cottage cheese!

I Like Mike

What's not to like?

Amusing music video from Jay Spears . . .

(Note: Video is proceeded by a commercial...)

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

I had my second appointment with the career counselor today. I feel a little conflicted about it. On the one hand, I see how blinkered I've been about my career options, and how there are lots of things I could be doing in the world of work that would make me much happier than I am now. On the other hand, I worry that I may be gaining lots of "wishful thinking" type information that will be of little practical use.

For the time being, however, optimism has the upper hand, so I'll try to go with the limitless possibilities.

[5 minutes pass]

My boss just came in and reassured me (again) that I have a job until the end of the year (or beyond) and seeking my help with a project. So I think I was right to be on the optimistic side of things.

THIS is PROGRESS?

Hmmmm….interesting day yesterday. I had to be somewhere in the evening, and found myself with 45 minutes between work and my evening engagement in which to eat dinner. So I’m heading for Wendy’s, all on auto-pilot and whatnot, and then I remember my no fast food pledge, Day 25, and DAMMIT. So I went across the street to the decidedly non-national fast food chain Shake Shack in Madison Square Park.

For a Hot Fudge Sundae. For dinner. sigh

See more progress on: stop eating fast food

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Well worth seeing. Norbert Leo Butz alone is worth the price of admission.

Admiralty Arch - the Mall

Admiralty Arch - the Mall
Originally uploaded by cast on cast off.

Well, since I'm sitting at my desk working on a case involving a London admiralty arbitration, this seems like an appropriate photo for today.

Striking, too.

Career Counseling

I had my first appointment with my career counselor yesterday. Pretty amazing, as far as the things she was able to show me about my current situation, and the ways I'm thinking about it.

I left feeling optimistic--and with a homework assignment.

Anyway, it felt good to do something about it rather than just bitch. In fact, it felt GREAT.

Suzy

Suzy
Originally uploaded by hawkwild.

Suzy, hiding from the Roomba.

We've all felt like this at one time or another.

Hmmmm....

Not sure how well this is going….Abby got stuck behind the sofa cushions last night….

See more progress on: Help my cat lose 2 lbs

Enough

The past five years have been the most discouraging of my working life. Also, I graduated law school five years ago. Coincidence? I think perhaps not. One thing that seems very clear is that I’m not of the proper temperament to be a litigator. And I think that’s probably a good thing.

So now it’s time to actually figure out what I’m going to be when I grow up! I have made an appointment with a well thought of Career Counselor for this Tuesday. It’s a little pricey, but I’m looking at it as therapy, so I can justify the expense that way. Besides, how can you put a price on finding something that makes you want to get out of bed every morning, rather than retreating under the covers? Well, you can, but I figure it’s worth some investment. So, here goes…. more later.

See more progress on: find work I’m passionate about

Slackers of the World, Unite!

I think I'm in love....

The slacker's new bible - Financial Times - MSNBC.com

Let's try this one next . . .

OK, the last Fast Food I had was Sunday. Burger King. Blech.

So, my first day without fast food is October 3, 2005. Let’s see if I can do this for thirty days. Or not do it, I guess (I feel like Morgan Spurlock!)

My definition of success: No fast food from major national chains for 30 days.

Let’s see how this goes…

See more progress on: Don’t eat fast food

Without Comment

Glorious

What a GLORIOUS day. Spent the day at Gunnison Beach on Sandy Hook, in New Jersey.

I woke up early and got over to the West 38th Street New York Waterway pier to board the Ferry. The ride was great…went right under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and everything. Got to the beach and it was just the most perfect beach weather ever. The water is delightfully warm, and everyone was just having a great time.

A wonderful official “end” to Summer.

See more progress on: Sandy Hook

Keep off the Grass

Could someone please explain to me how, if the folks who run Olympus Fashion Week are allowed to destroy the grass in Bryant Park every year by setting up tents and the like over the entire grassy center, people protesting the Republican National Convention in 2004 were denied a permit to use the Great Lawn in Central Park, even after they agreed to post a bond covering any damage to the grass?

Just sayin'.

In my thoughts and prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the people dealing with Katrina’s aftermath in New Orleans. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to donate to one of the organizations helping out down there, like the American Red Cross.

Godspeed to you all.

See more progress on: New Orleans

Go Paul Hackett!

Interesting goings on in my home state.

More on Tom Cruise

A recent article from the fabulous website Fametracker.

Grand Geyser: Worth the Wait

Grand Geyser, the largest predictible geyser in the world, is worth waiting for. Its eruptions are truly spectacular, and its very satisfying to wait patiently for Mother Nature to put on her best show for you…there’s something wonderful about the way we have no control at all over what these natural wonders do.

Find out when it’s predicted, pack a snack and some water, and go.

See more progress on: Grand Geyser

Abby's diet started today

The other day, I noticed she was starting to look like an ottoman—a little round footstool with short legs—and it was time for action.

I’m starting by feeding her half a can of quality wet food every day. This is the plan: it will will be down for 20 minutes each morning and 20 minutes each night. The pet store guy says this will start her losing the 2-3 lbs she needs to drop. She’s up to 15 pounds now. Yowsa.

This may also bring her skittish sister around to acting a little less feral (since she’ll have to interact with me if she wants to eat).

See more progress on: Help my cat lose 2 lbs

thirteen steps forward, three steps back...

Yay South Beach! Lost 13 lbs in Phase 1, but now am stuck (and backsliding a little) in Phase 2. Which, if I’m honest, isn’t so much Phase 2 as “How I Normally Ate Before But Without All The Carb Binging,” which isn’t really the same thing.

So the lower in fat plan (without cheating) starts at lunch today. Let’s get this train moving again!

See more progress on: Lose 30 pounds

Tom Cruise is a raving idiot

Like you needed me to tell you that.

But here are 15,000+ people who agree with me (and counting)!

Ta ta for now....

The voices of Tigger and Piglet both died this week! What are the odds?

The wonders of the Library

I have rediscovered reading by rediscovering the library, specifically, the New York Public Library. It sounds stupid, but that’s all it took. Now there isn’t a financial constraint to being well-read, and if I start an ill-advised book (that I’ll never finish) I can GIVE IT BACK, UNREAD! Freedom!

I’ve found it helpful to alternate heavier, longer more serious books (like a biography of John Wilkes Booth) with cotton candy type books (such as “Skinny Dip” and the Lemony Snicket books). So, my suggestion to those contemplating this goal…rev up your library cards and wear ‘em out!

As I mentioned, one advantage of taking books you read about in the New York Times out of the LIBRARY, rather than buying them, is that when you realize that you really have no desire at all to read the 400 page biography of John Wilkes Booth you checked out, you can just return it, rather than putting it on your bookshelf next to The Satanic Verses and Possession and a number of things by Michael Cunningham.

Avoiding Fast Food is HARD

Gak…this stuff is everywhere, and it’s so cheap and convenient. I need to rewatch “Super Size Me” and re-read “Fast Food Nation,” especially the latter.

Fast Food is SO bad for me. This is my new mantra.

See more progress on: Don’t eat fast food at 43 Things

Well isn't THIS delightful?

Yes, the Kansas Board of Education is rocketing us back to the Nineteenth Century with their kangaroo court regarding the teaching of evolution in the public schools. Ye gods.

Forty Three Things

Wow, when I Google myself, the first thing that comes up is 43 Things, which is this sort of aspirational thing. . . . that I'd forgotten I'd joined up with.

It's a bit like a public "to do" list, with the added twist that you can link with others who share your goal, whether it's losing weight (lots of people) or traveling to Iceland (fewer).

Given that one of my things is to "get 8 hours of sleep a night," I'd best wrap this up.

Can y'all believe that Brittany got cut on ANTM? Where is the justice?

Aforementioned photo of Chipper paying his respects to Senator Santorum.

Testing RSS

This is just a little test post to see what's going on with my Friendster RSS feed.

Also to see if I can give a shout out to my AWESOME friend Chipper who posted a picture of himself peeing on Senator Rick Santorum's office. So wonderful.

***

And, it apparently works. Depending on your browser.

The Amazing Race rocked tonight. Yes, I'm a geek.

36 Hours

Let me tell you about the past 36 hours.

Wednesday

5:00 pm: Plane flight cancelled due to Mechanical problem.

9:15 PM: Get on airport bus home.

9:45 PM: Arrive at Port Authority, walk home.

9:55 PM: Realize that I left bag with all candles, etc. in it on the airport bus. Run back to Port Authority. Bus is gone.

10 PM-Midnight: Runaround from bus company.

Midnight: Bed. Cat leaps into bed. Nauseating cat hygiene issue (not her fault) necessitates changing freshly laundered sheets.

12:30 AM Back to bed. Bedroom door closed and sad cats on the other side of it.

Thursday

8 AM : Bus company still hasn't found bag. Finally they tell me they'll call me back.

8 AM-4 PM: Work. Need I say more?

4 PM: Still runaround from bus company. Write angry letter to bus company on Firm letterhead, signed "William D. Hawkins, Esq."

7:30 PM: Leave work and go to post office. Post office has screwed up mail hold and I must pick up mail Friday morning.

8:PM: Arrive home; UPS notice. Walk to UPS on 11th Avenue. Wait for package.

8:30: Get package after half hour wait. Thank UPS guy, as this has been the most "right" anything's gone in the past 24 hours.

8:45: Get package home. It's a replacement strap for my briefcase; prior strap broke.

8:46: Strap doesn't quite match.

8:50: Put rice and water in rice cooker for dinner. Rice cooker doesn't turn on. Fiddle with it. Resist urge to throw it through a window. Look at online review site and find out it's a piece of crap (1st one conked out too). Throw it in trash and order Mexican food.

Midnight: Bed. Heartburn.

Friday

6:45 Awakened to sound of helicopters over my apartment. Call 311 (NYC Info). They have no idea.

6:50: I have no water.

6:55: I have FILTHY water.

7:00 I have no water.

7:30. Leave, unshowered and unfed, for work.

7:35: 43rd Street flooded; crews washing mud off of sidewalks in front of theatre up the street. 6 foot gash in pavement and muddy water everywhere. In other words, Water Main Break.

7:40: Pick up mail.

7:45: Jury duty notice in mail.

***

So, I'm waiting for: (1) my bag to be returned by the bus company and (2) the meteor that is undoubtedly headed my way. So watch cable news for the second one. I'll try to wave.

Springtime

Today I finally did some electronic housekeeping and revived the blog, cleaned up the website, and also, incidentally, threw out a lot of stuff.

Ran the Roomba (thanks Sa-Sa) and scared the heck out of the kitties. Planned to meet a friend, but that fell through, so did my taxes instead. Meant to go into work, but didn't, so will go tomorrow.

How can you Blog when you don't have much to say? I guess it will come with time.

Much spring cleaning going about. Selling half the contents of my apartment it seems. Not really, of course. I'm keeping the cats.

Still, feels good to get all this crapola out of here.

Gorgeous today.