2011-09-28
200 (-32), NS+59, 5:30 AM, LF
Another good weigh-in, despite the weekend at FARGO (which included some carrot cake and a brownie). Also, one more belt loop down. Still looking at 195 as the plateau, even though the BMI indicates I should be at 175 to hit their "healthy" mark. Scheduled follow-up health screening to see where the numbers ended up. The original numbers (7/21/2011) weren't so hot, so we'll see how they end up after the retest in October.
Not an awful weekend at FARGO, but pretty close. Got stuck early on Thursday and Friday, and didn't really do well in the tournaments until Sunday when I bubbled the final table in the HOSE tourney. I probably could have held on and made the final table and a few rounds, but I felt pretty good about the result. I seem to have decent results in Stud and Stud/8, so I ought to look closer at those games for the future.
I did get half-unstuck Saturday night with a longer 1-2 NLHE session, so the weekend wasn't a complete loss. The way I figure, I've got a certain amount set aside, and that's the limit. If I get some back, I've had a good weekend. If I get even, it's a great weekend. If I'm ahead, then it's an awesome weekend.
Did get to talk some with DavidK and JessK - haven't seen them in a while. David is working with the GCNE this season, and it's good to see him back working with the team. Also good to hear that as he comes to the end of his time in law school that he should be set to go. A good conversation at the Thursday dinner with David, Jess and a couple of other FARGOers about critical thinking, and it's seeming absence in modern American discourse (political and otherwise). Also some discussion about how to affect this, beginning at early years, and why it's either simply lacking or aggressively opposed in early (pre-teen) education.
I am constantly remined that this group of people is unusually smart and talented every time I am exposed to them, and I feel quite fortunate to be a part of it every year.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Last minuteness
2011-09-16
206 (-26), NS+47, 5:30 AM, LF
More connected when I got up this morning, perhaps I slept a bit better now that it's cooled off.
------------------------------------
Goofy morning - had an e-mail from our tech people that the manager in our area was putting a hold on something we'd had pending for two months that was ready to move forward. I love intermediaries dealing with vendors. Seems like it has been addressed, but it still set a bad tone for the day. Also had to reschedule a meeting, since the majority of the team would be calling in. I'm getting to a point where I won't accept call-ins for my meetings any more. People on the phone "multi-tasking", having to repeat things, plus the added bonus of language & accents on the phone makes having a productive meeting next to impossible.
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Made a good dinner last night, inspired by a corn side dish. I don't often make tacos, but with the fresh produce of the season, salsas, pestos, corn, peppers and onions lead me right down the path of a good Mexican style meal. Or at least as Mexican as a Polish kid can do.
206 (-26), NS+47, 5:30 AM, LF
More connected when I got up this morning, perhaps I slept a bit better now that it's cooled off.
------------------------------------
Goofy morning - had an e-mail from our tech people that the manager in our area was putting a hold on something we'd had pending for two months that was ready to move forward. I love intermediaries dealing with vendors. Seems like it has been addressed, but it still set a bad tone for the day. Also had to reschedule a meeting, since the majority of the team would be calling in. I'm getting to a point where I won't accept call-ins for my meetings any more. People on the phone "multi-tasking", having to repeat things, plus the added bonus of language & accents on the phone makes having a productive meeting next to impossible.
-------------------------------------
Made a good dinner last night, inspired by a corn side dish. I don't often make tacos, but with the fresh produce of the season, salsas, pestos, corn, peppers and onions lead me right down the path of a good Mexican style meal. Or at least as Mexican as a Polish kid can do.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Minimalism
2011-09-15
206 (-26), NS+46, 5:30 AM, LF
A little bit of a rough beginning today - feeling a bit distracted, and not quite in contact with the day's work despite the morning exercise. A few extra pauses as a way to help with this, we'll see how it works.
------------------------------------
Listening to a song by Hollywood Undead, took me nearly the entire song to realize that the main riff was Crazy Train...
206 (-26), NS+46, 5:30 AM, LF
A little bit of a rough beginning today - feeling a bit distracted, and not quite in contact with the day's work despite the morning exercise. A few extra pauses as a way to help with this, we'll see how it works.
------------------------------------
Listening to a song by Hollywood Undead, took me nearly the entire song to realize that the main riff was Crazy Train...
Monday, September 12, 2011
How do we know?
2011-09-12
??? (-22), NS+43, 5:30 AM, RH
Questions, notes and quotes for the day:
How do I know when I've actually accomplished something? What internal and external signs are there that something has been completed?
"Majority Rule" is meaningless in an insane asylum. - NOFX
-------------------------
Less sleep last night than I might have liked, but we did stay up a bit later watching True Blood and 300. I did manage to hit the Flea, Farmer's market, a bike ride, and get some laundry done before settling in for TV mindlessness.
This morning has been a struggle against a certain level of inertia, mostly a successful one. The question on completion and accomplishment is an important one at the moment. It fits in with the questions of vital needs and what it takes to live a satisfied life. Channeling my energy into those things that fulfill is important work, as is being aware of those times I drift into the unnecessay, and sap time and energy away from those other things.
??? (-22), NS+43, 5:30 AM, RH
Questions, notes and quotes for the day:
How do I know when I've actually accomplished something? What internal and external signs are there that something has been completed?
"Majority Rule" is meaningless in an insane asylum. - NOFX
-------------------------
Less sleep last night than I might have liked, but we did stay up a bit later watching True Blood and 300. I did manage to hit the Flea, Farmer's market, a bike ride, and get some laundry done before settling in for TV mindlessness.
This morning has been a struggle against a certain level of inertia, mostly a successful one. The question on completion and accomplishment is an important one at the moment. It fits in with the questions of vital needs and what it takes to live a satisfied life. Channeling my energy into those things that fulfill is important work, as is being aware of those times I drift into the unnecessay, and sap time and energy away from those other things.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Adjustments
2011-09-08
??? (-22), NS, 5:15 AM
Early rise again. While I'm wondering at the cause (shifting to Lisa's schedule, the weight loss, the crazy rain storm & paranoia about water leaks), I'm not going to look at this too closely. I feel as if this change in timing is good: more time in the morning to get things done, more energy, more feeling of accomplishment. I still have some lingering agita that I need to suss out, but in the meantime, I'll accept an increase in productivity - or at least the feeling of it.
I do note that my crankiness is up this week. I can probably guess the reason (it's definitely a Vital Need), and if this is the case, there's really nothing I can do about it - the resolution is in someone else's control. The best I can do be aware of it, acknowledge it, and manage it the best I can.
-----------------------------
Crazy amount of rain this morning, though I'm sure far less than what Vermont experienced last week. Most of the roads on the way in had a lot of water on them. Even so, some of the other drivers were testing my patience. I'm noticing that I'm handling this less civilly than I could - perhaps this is related to the crankiness. Perhaps I'm becoming a less pleasant misanthrope.
Got in without too much issue, and am working through the morning tasks with some attention in my right foot.
------------------------------
To follow on from yesterday (regarding my struggling): at the end of the work week, I want to feel as if I've accomplished something of quality. Currently, I just feel a sense of relief that I've made it through. I think this is the difference between concluding/completing and finishing.
Note.Self: look into Scala as a development language - it's supported in v7 of the JVM.
------------------------------
Good walk around the building at lunch - about 1/2 again as long as normal. Sun starting to poke out meant that it was getting hot & humid quickly. Now to tie some things up before leaving for the day. On to the first week of bowling(!).
??? (-22), NS, 5:15 AM
Early rise again. While I'm wondering at the cause (shifting to Lisa's schedule, the weight loss, the crazy rain storm & paranoia about water leaks), I'm not going to look at this too closely. I feel as if this change in timing is good: more time in the morning to get things done, more energy, more feeling of accomplishment. I still have some lingering agita that I need to suss out, but in the meantime, I'll accept an increase in productivity - or at least the feeling of it.
I do note that my crankiness is up this week. I can probably guess the reason (it's definitely a Vital Need), and if this is the case, there's really nothing I can do about it - the resolution is in someone else's control. The best I can do be aware of it, acknowledge it, and manage it the best I can.
-----------------------------
Crazy amount of rain this morning, though I'm sure far less than what Vermont experienced last week. Most of the roads on the way in had a lot of water on them. Even so, some of the other drivers were testing my patience. I'm noticing that I'm handling this less civilly than I could - perhaps this is related to the crankiness. Perhaps I'm becoming a less pleasant misanthrope.
Got in without too much issue, and am working through the morning tasks with some attention in my right foot.
------------------------------
To follow on from yesterday (regarding my struggling): at the end of the work week, I want to feel as if I've accomplished something of quality. Currently, I just feel a sense of relief that I've made it through. I think this is the difference between concluding/completing and finishing.
Note.Self: look into Scala as a development language - it's supported in v7 of the JVM.
------------------------------
Good walk around the building at lunch - about 1/2 again as long as normal. Sun starting to poke out meant that it was getting hot & humid quickly. Now to tie some things up before leaving for the day. On to the first week of bowling(!).
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Move along
2011-09-07
210 (-22), NS, 5:15 AM
Progress this past week on the weight, resisting my natural urge to be idle (though the trouble spot on the belly lingers). I wonder if I'm losing muscle mass, though my protein intake was good, and I did more physically (lifting, walking, etc.). At the beginning of the 7th week, and I'm going to set a "final" target weight of 195. I figure at that point I'll be able to better balance intake & exercise to shift the remaining pounds to better locations, as well as re-develop some stamina.
Decent sleep last night, up with the alarm and listening to the downpour. Supposed to have the chimneys cleaned, but given the rain it wasn't likely (though it cleared enough later in the day - better to reschedule than to hang out at home wondering). In to work by 6:30 and playing with the upgraded computer. Eventually it settles enough to allow me to work.
I am working to improve the aspects of my life I have control over, and operating under the assumption that improving the quality of one thing will positively impact others. Ended up beginning with weight and health, as it underlies so many other aspects of living. I've noticed that part of me that just wants to fill space - in this case it's with food - and looking to better manage it. I have also begion to notice it in other aspects of my life, so I at least have a shot at managing it in other places. Not sure I need to "order" things I'm going to focus on, but it makes sense to clearly spike them out.
- food/weight/exercise/health
- work work
- home work
- practice and play
New concept this week from the NS program about "vital needs", those things that, if they are not being met, reduce your quality of life. The instructor listed somewhere over 20, but suggested that each person has 7 that are vital to them. So, some work to honestly evaluate which are the most vital to me. I expect the list to shift over time, but it's a good place to begin.
-----------------------------
I struggle, because sometimes I don't know where to begin, I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of the end goal. I have to learn to begin *somewhere* and build on that.
210 (-22), NS, 5:15 AM
Progress this past week on the weight, resisting my natural urge to be idle (though the trouble spot on the belly lingers). I wonder if I'm losing muscle mass, though my protein intake was good, and I did more physically (lifting, walking, etc.). At the beginning of the 7th week, and I'm going to set a "final" target weight of 195. I figure at that point I'll be able to better balance intake & exercise to shift the remaining pounds to better locations, as well as re-develop some stamina.
Decent sleep last night, up with the alarm and listening to the downpour. Supposed to have the chimneys cleaned, but given the rain it wasn't likely (though it cleared enough later in the day - better to reschedule than to hang out at home wondering). In to work by 6:30 and playing with the upgraded computer. Eventually it settles enough to allow me to work.
I am working to improve the aspects of my life I have control over, and operating under the assumption that improving the quality of one thing will positively impact others. Ended up beginning with weight and health, as it underlies so many other aspects of living. I've noticed that part of me that just wants to fill space - in this case it's with food - and looking to better manage it. I have also begion to notice it in other aspects of my life, so I at least have a shot at managing it in other places. Not sure I need to "order" things I'm going to focus on, but it makes sense to clearly spike them out.
- food/weight/exercise/health
- work work
- home work
- practice and play
New concept this week from the NS program about "vital needs", those things that, if they are not being met, reduce your quality of life. The instructor listed somewhere over 20, but suggested that each person has 7 that are vital to them. So, some work to honestly evaluate which are the most vital to me. I expect the list to shift over time, but it's a good place to begin.
-----------------------------
I struggle, because sometimes I don't know where to begin, I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of the end goal. I have to learn to begin *somewhere* and build on that.
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