Since I started this pilgramage of weight loss, I have cut back on many food items that I over indulged in before I began.  Some food items I haven't even thought about like I used to, for instance...bacon.  Which reminded me of this clip of comic Jim Gaffigan, who in my estimation describes bacon more than adequately.

   

Here is a good video for all those that sometimes don't feel like going into work....

 

A wise man at work once told me that you should always have one or two backup pens while at work or home....you should never rely on just one pen.  I brought backup pens just to appease this wise man, but never really found occasion to use them.  Since then I have changed jobs, but I did not bring my backup pens with me. 

On Friday I misplaced my pen here at the office.  Ever since I have been searching for an appropriate writing tool.  I tried using a pencil but I think that the only people that use pencils anymore are elementary age children and building contractors.  My next move is to steal someone else's pen.  There could be some risk to that in a new job though....I will let you know.

My new years resolution to watch less TV is going rather well.  Considering that we are currently residing with my brother-in-law and he has no TV, it couldn't be easier.  However, have you noticed how many TV shows are online now?  We watched a new episode of LOST on the computer together last night ; the commercials are shorter, I can rewind and fast-forward (like with TiVo), and it is free! 

Anyway, here are a couple of videos that I watched tonight because I missed the NBA dunk contest and the 3-pt shootout.  These two events are the only good thing about NBA All-Star weekend.  Looks like it was an exciting night!

  


  

We attended a Valentines party last night...without the children.  Good food, good music and again, no children.  We played a version of the newly-wed game that attempts to show how much a couple knows one another.  I must admit that I was wary at first...usually these games can end up with Amie and I fighting.  Turns out that in our 15 years together (11 married), we got to know each other rather well.  We won the game and the prize!

Happy Valentines y'all.

Today I spent a good portion of my day running back and forth between my desk and the fax machine.  I have committed the majority of my 1st quarter ad budget to three different publications and in order to confirm my ad booking, I have to fax back a signed confirmation. My first thought when I was asked to do so was..."Can we not confirm this via email somehow?  We have, after all, had quite a few technology innovations since the invention of the fax machine." 

Nevertheless, I succumbed to the deadline pressures and did as was requested of me.  Only to receive an email an hour or so later saying that my faxes did not make it through.  Strike one. 

So I tried again.  This time they made it over, but the quality was poor enough that the pages were illegible.  Strike two.
 
I waited a couple of hours before faxing the confirmations again, somehow hoping that my procrastination would enable the fax gods to make things work.  They did not.  Strike Three.

I now liken the fax to another technology that long outlived it usefulness and finally was put to bed...the telegram.  Somehow the telegram lasted more than 150 years.  I pray that we as a society will have enough sense to let the fax die sooner than that.

I can understand superstition.  When I go golfing I think that I will play better if I wear a hat.  Sometimes on Friday the 13th, I feel that there just might be something to the bad luck thing. However, I do not understand the Chinese and their fanatic obsession with weird farm animals and household vermin. 

Seriously, the Year of the Rat?!  In what way is a rodent going to bring good karma?  What exactly does a rat have to offer, the bubonic plague perhaps?  My favorite part of the Chinese Zodiac is that they associate all these human-like traits to the different animals.  "The rat is shrewd and compassionate but lacks a sense of humor."  "Oooh and watch out for the snake because they aren't compatible"...now why is that, cause snakes eat rats?

I guess the biggest problem I have with Chinese New Year is that everyone over there gets an entire week off to eat, drink and be merry and we get one day for our new year...maybe.  I will just chalk it up to jealousy and the fact that I was born in the year of the bunny rabbit instead of the dragon or something cool like that. 

What year are you?  Find out HERE.

I watched President Hinckley's funeral on Saturday with much respect and admiration for a man that lived a good life...he had a good woman, a lush garden...nevermind, I don't mean to make light of things and interject Nacho Libre quotes.  Seemingly, that is how I cope with adversity...with useless humor.

Anyway, Amie and I have been inspired by President Hinckley on numerous occasions and we were inspired by the many that have accepted the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days to honor him.  We have chosen to do the same.  Not only for him, but for us.  We are in dire need of a spiritual injection and we feel that this will help.

The challenge started on Feb 4th, so we are late to the party and already we are playing catch-up.  We are 15.7 pages behind the pace....but it is a marathon, not a sprint!   Hope you have fun monitoring our progress in the charts below...I know that we will.
Lastly, I have also been impressed with the numerous blogs and video clips revering Pres. Hinckley.  Here is one from tv/radio host Glen Beck.  You probably have already seen it by now, but again, I am late to the party.

  

Well, it has been a hectic couple weeks.  After completing two weeks of the Fitness Ridge program, I lost 12 pounds total.  After three weeks of being active and counting calories, I am down 17 pounds.  My goal is to reach my wedding day weight in this year of 2008, which is 220 pounds.  For any of you that are counting, that will amount to 88 pounds total weight loss by the time it is all said and done.

A lofty goal you might ask?  Yes.
Impossible?  Absolutely not!

Last week I got into my office job full-swing.  I am enjoying it immensely and everyone here has been very supportive as I deal with the learning curve associated with the spa industry.

Yesterday Amie and the kids joined me here in St. George.  We drove down together and the usual 3 1/2 hour trip took 7 hours to complete.  High winds, endless snowfall, and semi-trailer accidents do not make for a very leisurely drive. 

Lastly, my mom and my sister Jill were apparently inspired by the blogs of my 'pilgramage'; and they drove down yesterday and started the Fitness Ridge program this morning.  I was correct in my blog entry titled Fitness Ridge here we come..., this place has changed my life and will in fact save it.  I still miss my fellow CirclePixians though.