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Explanation Please

Why are golf pros not pro golfers???  This is not a joke so please don't wonder what the answer is. I seriously want to know why they aren't pro golfers.

Taking Care of Business

So the other day I was in my bathroom and noticed a fly zipping around. I calmly walked over to the door, shut it and said to myself "Now you can't leave!" Anyone who saw the movie A Bronx Tale knows what happened to the fly.

Don't knock it til you try it!!!

My sister said she loves it. My Aunt said she does too. So I tried it and you know what, I am hooked. Sauerkraut and eggs. I love them both but never thought they would taste good together until one day I tried it. Wow, it was delicious. I made egg whites without the yokes and mixed them with kraut. Try it!!

Steven Paul Jobs

What can I say that hasn't been said already? I just want to thank Steve Jobs for his innovation and maintaining creativity over the years. Too bad his successors won't be able to see the future through his i's!!!!
Thank you.......

If you like to make a call.........

Remember when these were state of the art? Then cell phones came out (mid to late 80's) and you can count the cell phone owners on one hand. Today you can count the non cell phone owners on one hand.

Something To Ponder

Just say this to yourself a few times and think about it. Ready..... "Recycled toilet paper."

Man's Dilemma

Here’s a question for the guys. What is more painful, sitting through a chick flick or having your chick explain the flick you were lucky enough to miss? I am sure your answer would be different given to me as it would be to her.


My answer is to sit through the chick flick for this twofold reasoning. It allows me to possibly sneak in a quality nap sometime during the movie and also allows me to keep the score somewhat close for the amount of macho movies she struggles through. Besides what would be your defense if you started dozing off while she was explaining the flick.

Relax Joey Chestnut

So I guess we have to congratulate Joey Chestnut for his victory at the 2010 Coney Island hot dog eating contest. In an interview after the contest he stated that if Kobayashi were a real man he would have entered the hot dog eating contest. Hey Joey I didn't know manhood was defined by the amount of hot dogs one can eat. Relax!!!! It's not like you just won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sweet Betty

She’s back. She is funny, witty and cute. Betty White graces us with her presence once again on the new sitcom “Hot In Cleveland” on TV Land. She is the only reason I would continue watching the show and she is the only reason the show will cling on for dear life before getting the boot. So if you get a chance turn it on and get as much of Betty White as you can before they pull it from the network.

Timing Is Everything!!!

Anyone who has seen the movie “The Departed” may be familiar with the picture below. If not watch the movie again and you will see it hanging on Matt Damon’s wall in his house, apartment or whatever he lived in. I was able to get a closer look at it one day because a friend had the same poster. So intrigued by this picture I did a web search of the name that was on the poster and the below story was what I found on-line. Before you read it try to guess what happened to the man in the doorway of the lighthouse.

Jean Guichard is a prolific French photographer known for his lighthouse photos. His best-known photo is a series called “Phares dans la Tempete, la Jument,” a dramatic sequence of a lighthouse engulfed in a huge wave, with the keeper looking out from the doorway.

The story:

During the night of December 20, 1989 the storm had broken windows and flooded the lower floor of the lighthouse, washing away the furniture and appliances. The keepers had taken refuge in the lantern room. The next day, they were awaiting rescue when they heard Jean Guichard's helicopter. Keeper Théodore Malgorne opened the door. He realized it was not a rescue helicopter and headed back inside, just as the giant wave broke against the far side of the lighthouse and engulfed it. While this was happening, Guichard was taking pictures as fast as he could, ending up with a sequence of seven shots. Théodore Malgorne survived.

You Mean You Didn’t Know

Please tell me you are really not surprised of Mark McGwire's admission of steroid use during the 1998 homerun circus. It certainly was fun to watch I will admit even though I was certain all the while. And there was an asterisk on sixty one.

From Pong to Kong to…..

I remember sitting in my grandmother’s house when I was a little kid playing my uncle’s pong video game. If you don’t remember pong, it was a basic video game in which you would move this bar like object up and down the screen to block this white square dot from passing you. It was a type of tennis game with no characters on the screen, just a white dot. It was a very basic but fun game to play. It had you thinking to yourself, “Wow, what will they think of next?”


Well I am not going to give a history lesson on what video games came out after Pong but, in my opinion, think the single game that really started it all was “Donkey Kong!!!!” Yes that’s right, in 1981 this game featured a giant ape (Donkey Kong) and this little Italian plumber named Mario, two of video gaming’s most popular characters. Even though Mario was this little man who had to jump over barrels and fireballs as well as other obstacles to rescue his girlfriend named Lady (who was captured by Donkey Kong), he later became the biggest name in the video industry. There were other video games that may have shared popularity votes such as Pac-Man and a few others but Mario’s character had numerous amounts of spinoff games to date. Playing Mario Brothers back in the day made you feel that that time was just the beginning of video gaming.

As a kid I played all the systems. I didn’t own them all but I played them all. Every time we played a new system we felt the gaming couldn’t get better. The graphics and game play went from 2D stick figures to 3D life like characters. The controllers to operate the video games went from a box with a knob to a joystick with one button to, what we have now which are these spaced out controllers with about two hundred buttons on them that controls every move your character makes including making their eyes blink (exaggeration here). With technological advancements today you can play video games with people through the Internet. You don’t even need to be sitting next to them during game play. The Tiger Woods 2010 golf game has this on-line feature that allows you to play the video game in the current weather conditions as the pros are playing in at the exact time they are playing the real tournament, for example, if it is raining at Bethpage Black golf course during the US Open while Tiger is teeing off then you are playing in the rain in your living room. When I saw this on-line option I realized that this in fact, is the beginning of video gaming.

Ralph Kramden's Wish Come True

All Ralph Kramden ever wanted was to brive a dus, do the Huckle Buck, hit the high note, answer the $99,000 question and buy a 3D television. With 3D television technology right around the corner, I think the “Chef of the Future” was ahead of his time.

What I Am Really Thinking Is……

Jason Bay (free agent outfielder) will be announced today as the newest New York Met today, January 5th, 2010. In the press conference filled with flashes and media he will say how great it is to sign with such a dedicated and committed organization but then again all players say that to probably justify their signing bonus. Every ball player really wants to be a Yankee. So what’s really going through their head during their introductory press conference is more like, “I really like my Ford Focus but I would rather be driving a BMW “M” series instead.” He, deep down inside, really wishes he was playing across town.

Another Decade

I just want to express a Happy New Year wish to everyone who touches my heart and to those slightly out of my reach. May 2010 bring health and happiness to you and your loved ones. Anything more than good health and happiness is a bonus. Don’t be greedy!!!! Enjoy.

Thank You Dr. Oz

Now that the Dr. Oz Show is becoming a huge hit I will be looking less likely in need of a straight jacket. People I am surrounded by think I live my life as if I am trying to reach the age of one hundred fifty two. I do the best I can by living a healthy lifestyle eating mostly the right foods, maintain my daily fiber and vitamin intake, exercise, limit cell phone use, avoid unnecessary chemical exposure and cross on the green but by no means do I want to be around that long. I don’t want to one day say “Well, I should have ate better”, or “I should have done this or that”. Thanks to Dr. Oz and his extremely informative shows on healthy living all that I have been saying to people for that past five years is starting to sound not so crazy.  Besides, it sounds better coming from a doctor.  Thanks again Doc, I enjoy your show.

The Italian Piper

The sounds of bagpipes were always a pleasant sound to me since I was real young. I never put much thought into how one learns the pipes other than it was more of a cultural thing passed down from generation to generation. In speaking with my buddy Dirty Copper taking up the pipes is not as complicated a task as I thought, meaning I don’t have to fly to Scotland for lessons once a week. Don’t get me wrong you still have to practice and put your time in just as learning any instrument but it is definitely obtainable. And thankfully there is only one octave.


Once I researched bag piping equipment I knew I was getting ready to pursue another instrument. This time instead of rocking out in a cover band till the wee morning hours I will be playing bagpipes at funerals, weddings and if I join a band, parades which is a little different venue than I was playing at approximately eight years ago. That’s okay, 2009 was a great branching out year for me when I joined Saint Mary’s Schola Cantorum (Gregorian Chant Choir) and in 2010 I will branch out a little further taking up bagpipes.


In mid November I received my practice chanter which is the first piece of equipment you purchase when just learning bagpipes. The only problem was my instructional book and cd were on backorder so I had to rely on my intrinsic musical skills plus a quick video on YouTube to give it a whirl. WOW, I had no idea what I was doing. My kids quickly wanted to give daddy a music lesson on how to play so they grabbed their recorders (another type of woodwind musical instrument) and started to show me what I was doing wrong. I really didn’t need them to show me I was a novice. It was clearly the sound of a dying duck in my living room which came from the practice chanter that gave me the slightest hint I needed severe help. Thankfully I play in my basement for my neighbor’s sake. I wish my chanter came with an aspirin because after about ten to fifteen minutes of trying to produce a melodic sound I got a crushing headache. The next day I hit the internet in search of bag pipe instructions to hold me over until I got my cd and book.


Now that I am about three weeks into practicing to become a bagpiper I must say I am having fun. It is different from playing bass guitar which is what I used to play but I will certainly be back doing what I enjoy most (except spending time with my kids), and that is playing an instrument. I am glad it takes about a year to learn the fundamentals of bag piping because it will take me that long to save for a set of pipes as well as the full set of highland wear. I also want to break my youngest daughter in slowly that daddy will be wearing a kilt. I can only imagine what her reaction will be when she sees me in full garb. Time will tell.

I Am A Loser

First off I want to congratulate all of my co-workers who entered the “Biggest Loser” contest. Any amount of weight that was lost during this contest is an accomplishment. It just shows you can do anything you set your mind to. So for that I think everyone should be proud of themselves for losing whatever percentage of weight they lost over those six weeks of torture.

This was the second time my coworkers decided to attempt this contest, my first. I did not enter the first contest due to the fact I didn’t want to lose any weight at that time. About four months before the second contest started I decided to put myself on high protein diet. I increased my protein intake daily and changed my weight training routine from a more toned routine to a muscle building routine. This steered me away from my cardio routine, as I needed to focus more of my energy to lifting weights five days a week. After a short period of time I started to pack on the weight. I found that I did not feel comfortable and that I preferred my cardio routine maintaining muscle tone instead of muscle building. This is why I decided to enter the contest. I figured being challenged to lose weight would get me back on my cardio track and maintain a normal weight for my comfort zone. There were other perks of entering the contest such as the competition and the cash prize. I enjoy good competition and being the biggest loser was my motivation. The first place winner received seventy five percent of the prize money and second place twenty five percent. Not a bad purse right before the holidays.

For those who thought I was not overweight and had no reason entering this contest my initial weight was 227.2 lbs. This is well over my BMI (body mass index weight), which should be in the 180 lb. range. People think I carry my weight well but my answer to that is I wear baggy clothes. So this is why I wanted to shed a few pounds especially before the holidays.

The contest stretched over a six-week period. As I mentioned in my blog “One Pork Chop” I used the first week to slowly wean myself off the junk food. At the start of the second week I geared into cruise control. I was doing cardio six days a week. I even stopped lifting weights for the six weeks as I did not want muscle to weigh me down. I bought a big steamer pot. I was eating better than Jack Lalanne. I didn’t even eat half of an M&M. I steamed chicken, fish and vegetables. At first steamed food wasn’t bad, in fact, I was having fun experimenting on how to make steamed food taste good. After a short time I knew I was not going to be successful in flavoring steamed food without adding calories. At that point I knew I had to take one day at a time and that it was going to get tough. I am a firm believer in eating small meals throughout the day, approximately five to six meals a day. My meals included fruits, vegetables, steamed chicken/fish and egg whites. I continued this for the next five weeks, which brought me to the end of the contest. I have to tell you, the toughest days were the last two. I felt like I saw more good food in those two days than in the entire six weeks of the contest. I never wanted to rush a weekend as much as the last one. The weigh in was Monday morning and once I weighed in I felt relieved it was finally over. I was then ready for the holiday menu.

In conclusion I must say this had to be one of the hardest things I was ever involved with. If this was the first time I tried to lose a substantial amount of weight I am not sure I would have been as successful but being that this is the fourth time losing forty pounds and more, experience was on my side. I’ve been called many things in my life but being called a loser never sounded so good. Remember, you can do anything!!

Tiger's In The Rough

Tiger, just when you thought breaking wind on the eighteenth hole was exposure!!!

Solving For “x”

All those years growing up I used to ask myself “Why do we have to learn all this stuff?” I was referring to the math lessons in school. My friends and I would always wonder how solving for “x” was going to help us land a good career. Well, we had to do what we had to do so we rolled with it just waiting for that future job interview feeling fully prepared knowing the answer to the question how fast does light travel, just in case they asked. The speed of light was a tid bit of info that is stuck on the side of my brain where the useless information resides. I am still waiting for someone to ask me what the speed of light is. I bet by the time I am asked I will have forgotten the answer.

I never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the draw so sometimes things take a little while to click inside my head. The other day it clicked as I was helping my daughter with her math homework. I finally realized we had to learn all that stuff in school so we can help our kids with homework. Outside of the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division the rest is a time filler. Learning how to write a numeric value in standard form was a waste of time with the invention of online banking. Thinking back to how long we spent learning that, well, that’s a good amount of time we will never get back.

I think it is great that kids are learning computers in school. Computers are the future, obviously. Teaching kids how to navigate through accounting programs such as Quicken and Quick Books as well as Excel and Access will help them immensely in the business field. I taught myself how to use these programs along with some help from my colleagues, and knowing how to use them pays dividends for completing business projects and keeping good records. In fact, the other day my boss wanted a complete analysis on the overtime spending for the last fiscal year. Boy, it was a good thing I learned the Pythagorean theorem (a2+b2=c2) to help me provide him with an accurate spreadsheet of the information he requested.

For The Love Of Music

Of all my hobbies, music is the one I have the most passion for. Growing up there was always a radio playing in my house and it was mostly tuned to the oldies station 101.1 CBS FM unless my mother needed to hear the news, she would then tune to 1010 WINS. As I got older music became more and more important to me. I was a DJ in my early to mid 20’s and played in a rock cover band in my later 20’s and early 30’s. Being in a rock band was the single greatest outlet for any stressful day but as my family man responsibilities became increasingly demanding listening to music was the only way I fed my musical appetite.

Last year I asked my daughter’s piano instructor, who I will refer to as “The Maestro”, if there was any local church band in need of a bass or guitar player as I explained to him I needed to get back in a band. Since no Sunday mass ends at 2:30 am, that type of gig suited my musical needs just fine. He did not know of anyone needing a musician and understanding my desire for music he asked me if I would be interested in joining the church choir. I replied with a quick “I don’t even sing in the shower, are you kidding!!!!!!” Due to the fact the choir sang at a different church than the parish I belonged to I knew it wasn’t going to work out, plus I was looking for something more. The Maestro, being persistent and proud of this new program he was putting together, asked if I would be interested in being part of a Gregorian chant program. Gregorian chant was a genre of music that I really enjoyed listening to since I was in high school. Now, one year later, the Saint Mary’s Schola Cantorum I am part of is getting ready for our second Advent season. Instead of being part of a cover band in a local bar/club venue I am rocking out at a variety of masses singing in Latin. The first time my youngest daughter saw me at mass in the choir loft she asked why I was wearing a dress (I was wearing a robe). Wait until she finds out I am seriously pursuing bag piping and she sees me in a kilt.

Recently we brought our chant to The Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Raritan. It was a great experience and if I do say so myself, we sounded really good. My buddy, who I will refer to as “Dirty Copper”, wrote about the experience in his blog. I can’t describe it as well as he does so I attached the link for your reading and visual pleasure as there is a picture of us in action up in the choir loft. Enjoy and if you are daring enough to hear us chant we will be at the Vatican for the entire month of December. Okay, don’t book a flight, I am kidding. Click this link to read my buddy’s blog story as well as many more of his genius Shakespearean writings. http://dirtycopper.blogspot.com/2009/09/chant-rant.html

A Mere Bag Of Shells

During the Yankee game the other night a fight broke out in the bottom of the eighth inning because emotions got the best of the athletes. I understand the emotions of the game and how something like this happens but what I find interesting are the penalties a professional athlete receives after some sort of professional misconduct. For last nights brawl Jorge Posada received a fine of thirty thousand dollars and a three games suspension. I have nothing against Jorge, in fact I am a fan of his but a fine of that magnitude given to a player who makes millions of dollars is like a speeding ticket for the average income worker. I can’t feel bad for any athlete that makes an obscene amount of money to play a game. At the end of the day the only people that really suffer are the fans that pay money to see the games of which these athletes are absent due to serving a suspension.

A Special Day

Congratulations to my cousin and his wife for they celebrated their wedding day yesterday. The only thing more beautiful than the weather was the way they looked on their special day. It was special in so many ways. The first and most important reason is my cousin and his wife joined as one where they will enjoy the wonderful institution of matrimony. It was the first day of the rest of their lives together. I was very grateful that my two children celebrated in the ceremony as their flower girls. It was a proud moment as we watched our two girls follow two of the cutest ring bearers down the aisle sprinkling white rose pedals on the bride’s path. As I watched them get married I could not help but notice the smile on my new cousin’s face as she stared into my cousin’s eyes the whole time during the ceremony. This is a day a girl dreams about from childhood and her day has come.

Bringing my family together again was another reason that made this day special. It was great to be able to see my aunts, uncles and cousins again. We were able to celebrate this occasion together like old times laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We danced so much that I will be feeling the after effects for a while but it was well worth it. I took a lot of pictures that will be added to the rest of the family photos and cherished forever. Sitting at the children’s table with my sister and cousins during dinner and glancing over at the table where my parents, aunts and uncles sat enjoying conversation with each other only confirmed my belief that family is one of the most important things in life.

As all good things come to an end so did this special day. I would like to congratulate my cousin and his wife for they will enjoy a wonderful life together. I would also like to thank them for allowing my family to be part of their special day.

The Worst Day Of School

I was always able to estimate how much summer vacation was left when my mother would ask me the much anticipated and dreaded question “Do you want to go shopping for school shoes today?” After a while my mom realized I was never going to answer a joyful yes to that question so she learned to just tell me when we were going shopping for shoes. I was very thankful I went to catholic school due to the fact we had uniforms which limited my clothes shopping big time. Am I coming across like I don’t like clothes shopping? Good, because ‘til this day I don’t even enjoy going shopping for socks. In fact, I dread taking my kids clothes shopping because I get flashbacks of when I was their age. This is where most men are thankful for a sporting goods store in the mall when they take their family shopping, “Ok, I will be in ABC sporting goods store while you shop. Meet me there when you are done.” Anyway, the “back to school” stuff usually came out in August which made me realize I only had one more month before school started. Now it comes out in July which I am not sure why but I would have liked this back when I was in school because I would then have two months left ‘til school. I also had to do three book reports before school started which limited my outdoor activity in the month of August. The week before was a real gut wrencher. The jitters of starting a whole new, full year would begin to take over. The day before school started I would put my fresh new sharpened pencils in my nerdy pencil case (nothing against the nerdy pencil case) along with my new black and white marble notebooks in my new school bag. The smell of a fresh new year almost made me vomit. You know the smell of new books, new book bag, stiff uniform and a clean class room. It’s certainly not as enjoyable as the new car smell. Anyway, I would get so nervous, for what reason ‘til this day I am not sure. I guess the start of a long new school year made me nervous, the fear of not knowing what to fully expect. It seemed that the worst day of school was the first day. I just wanted to get to school, get my books, see my friends and start my routine. That went on for a few years until I realized it is the same every year and I always adapted to a new year just fine. I try and teach my children that same thing when a new school year begins for them but it seems, in an adults eyes, that kids adapt just fine and they do, but I wish I knew what was going on inside their little minds. It is probably the same things that went on in my little mind.

As I look back, for a short while and only a short while, I wish I could go back to school on that first day and take a whiff of what that new year smells like.

Eye On The Ball

I am sitting with my dad watching the 18th hole of the PGA Championship and Tiger, down by one stroke, is making a surge. I always believed there is nothing more graceful in sports than watching a professional golfer drive a ball. But, I must say, I am just as impressed with the skill of the camera man following the golf ball in flight. SSSSHHHH!! Tiger is getting ready for his second shot. GET IN THE HOLE!!!

It's Not What You Say.....

You have heard the phrase “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it!” This is very true. Many of us should remember this before speaking. I know a few people who probably never heard of this phrase because when they say, “Good morning” it sounds like you have just been cursed out. Being able to put the negative things in a nice way is not an easy task in fact I believe it is a gift. I know a few people with this special gift that when they tell you to go to hell, they say it in such a way that you would actually enjoy the trip down.

Twenty Five Feels Like Twelve

Growing up it seemed Christmas Day came around every two years, now that I am older it feels like six months passes before it shows up again. It just proves time flies even if you are not having fun. I haven’t tried staring at the clock to slow time down but maybe I should.

Currently I am in the process of coordinating a twenty-five year grammar school reunion along with a couple of other graduates. I recently had lunch with a former grad to discuss the details of making this a special event. During our conversations we couldn’t stop laughing about some of the fun times we had. We also looked at class pictures I had dug up to see how each of us matured over the years. I could only imagine how hard we would laugh when we get more people together to discuss the years of our youth.

Once grammar school ended then came high school in which case I had the pleasure of spending another four years with some of my grammar school friends. Then came college and as nature took her course we went our separate ways. Occasionally I would run into some of my friends from grammar school and we would reminisce about the younger days. As I go through the list making calls to my former graduates I am getting a positive response to the idea of getting the class of 1985 back in the same room for a gathering of some vintage memories. Preparing for the reunion just confirms how fast time flies. Twenty-five years feels like it was only twelve.

Who Needs Money Anyway?

I was always considered an old sole. My thought process was always from an older angle. I was taught to save half of whatever money I earned. Thinking, if saving half was good than I would always try to save more than half. But here's the thing, you have to work to earn money and earn money to save money. My parents helped me as much as they could but I would never take advantage of their generosity.

Most of my working life I was surrounded by an older generation. The older generation of people would follow the same theory I did then and I still follow now, “Work first, play later!” Whatever job I had and even ‘til this day I focused on completing the task before I just sat around. Now, I am not saying this is the correct way of doing things just stating this is my work ethic. As evolution continues I do not think many people have heard of this theory. It seems that the some workers follow the "Coast now" mentality. I am not knocking these work habits, I am just stating that I do not live by the “I get paid by the hour no matter how hard I work” theory nor do I take the path of least resistance. I focus on the job I have to perform at work and do not pay attention to the way others perform their duties. I prefer not to work next to someone who gets paid more than me and does less than me and I certainly do not like picking up their slack but sometimes you only have so much control.

Today I notice that the younger generation of employees, no matter what field, act as if they do not need money. They act as if they work just to keep themselves out of trouble. When asked to work overtime they respond, “Oh sorry I have plans.” When I was younger I took every overtime shift offered to me because I knew one day I would not be able to put in the long hours. I certainly did not want to regret capitalizing on extra income when I had the opportunity. Plus I had to pay my own way through most of my early adult life. Maybe I am just venting about today’s society and how people coast with their hand out doing as little as possible. I ask "Who is the fool?"Not me because at the end of the day I sleep at night knowing that I do not owe anybody anything.

"One Pork Chop!!"

The title of this blog is a quote from the movie Saturday Night Fever. One of my all time favorite scenes is when the family is sitting at the dinner table and John Travolta is sitting there with a sheet wrapped around him because he did not want to get dirty before a big night of dancing. As he reaches for a second pork chop his father quickly grabs it from his plate and shouts “One pork chop!!!!” Classic!!!! Well, just read the blog and you will understand the correlation of the title and meaning of the blog (hint - portion control).

I am no Jenny Craig but I do know a thing or two about dieting and losing weight. I lost forty pounds three times in my life following the same guidelines all three time and not by following the Atkins or South Beach diets. I always felt I would gain the weight back once I started eating the foods I avoided during a restricting diet. Plus I avoid digesting excessive amounts of fatty meats as possible. That is just not healthy. I always believed in portion controlled moderation dieting. Using my own formula of maintaining a balance of the two E’s: portion control Eating and Exercising, I was able to reach my goal weight. I will discuss dieting in this blog and exercising in a future blog. This blog is a short description to guide people in following an effective and inexpensive diet plan. If you know anyone who would help me write a book about my diet plan I can go into more detail.

Maintaining a stringent diet is not easy. It takes discipline and determination to achieve your goal weight. I believe everyone has the ability to achieve any goal desired. Staying focused on a daily routine and not looking ahead should be the approach taken following any diet. One thing to remember is that not all diets work for everyone. Everyone is different and their body responds differently to dieting and exercise. You can see results by following a strict diet but you will see more positive results if you put the two, dieting and exercising, together. Aerobic and anaerobic exercising helps making a weight loss program more effective. You may not notice the weight coming off after aerobic and anaerobic exercising but you will notice your clothing fitting better. The reason for this is muscle weighs more than fat and your weight shifts throughout your body. I call this “The Shift”. You burn fat and gain muscle tone. I have noticed that when I dieted and started exercising my mid section became flat and the muscle tone in my body increased, making my body feel tight and toned. It is seeing results that drives you to maintain the focus needed to continue in obtaining your goal.

I always followed the same formula of items when dieting:
Ø Getting started
Ø Set realistic goals
Ø Take one day at a time
Ø Portion control
Ø Do not eliminate foods you enjoy
Ø Stay satisfied, not hungry
Ø Stay out of the kitchen
Ø Weigh in everyday
Ø Believe in yourself

Getting Started
It is a challenge to start a diet. I always treated the start of my diet as a detox program. I would slowly wean myself off of certain foods during the first week of my diet program. These were the foods that I really enjoyed and knew that I would be limiting but not eliminating during my diet. This may help some people who have a hard time cutting out foods cold turkey.

Set Realistic Goals
When starting a diet you should set realistic goals. Setting the bar too high eventually leads to burnout and disgust. I never set my goal weight to be achieved in a certain amount of time. For example I never set my goal to lose forty pounds in six months. I set my goal of a certain weight to lose and then started the program. I focused on a one day at a time plan that eventually led me to achieve my goal. I also knew that I would't run into the challenge of trying to fit into that dress by a certain date.

Take One Day at a Time
I would always ramp up my diet during the first two weeks of the program. Take one day at a time, concentrated on the next pound and the current day’s diet plan. I never focused on the fortieth pound. You will notice that you may not lose anything in the first week but just remember you are preparing your body for good things to come. I always believe that the “one day at a time theory” leads you to positive results.

Portion Control / Do Not Eliminate Foods You Enjoy / Stay Satisfied not Hungry
I do not believe in depriving yourself of the foods you enjoy. Remember eliminating the foods you enjoy can eventually lead to a binge. I do believe, however, in depriving yourself of the portions you enjoy. Make a list of all the foods you know are your weakness then a list of all the foods you enjoy and know should be more consistent in your diet. You are not going to completely eliminate the foods that are you weakness just space them out and limit them. Now evaluate you daily routine. Do you work crazy hours? How can you set up your meals? Do you need to cook all or just some foods in the plan? If you work at a place that does not have the conveniences of a refrigerator or microwave then pack dry protein snacks. Protein holds you over longer and helps you get through to your next meal. Now set up a balanced diet plan of five small meals a day. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. You want to stay satisfied during the day, not hungry and not too full. Set up a portion controlled meal plan around your routine. The snack between the three meals holds you over to your next meal. This is the most effective way in keeping your metabolism going. It allows your body to maintain digestion and for you to function after a meal; it also conditions your stomach in getting used to small meals. Do not overload your stomach with a big meal where you feel like a nap is needed. Your stomach eventually shrinks and will feel satisfied with the five small meals. This is more effective than three big meals. Do not starve yourself. It is also very important to continuously drink water throughout the day. This helps flush your system and keeps you hydrated. It also keeps your metabolism going.

For breakfast you can have a small bowl of fruit or just a piece of fruit, bowl of cereal, bacon and eggs or whatever you enjoy but just remember, portions!! Don’t have that second bowl of cereal and only have two eggs and a couple of strips of bacon or sausage. Remember you have the snack in a couple of hours to help hold you over. The snack falls between the previous meal and the next meal. The snack can be a piece of fruit, hard boiled egg, cheese stick, a small container of veggies, handful of peanuts or something real small and preferably healthy. I always ate a piece of fruit or an egg white. I stay away from yokes to aid in maintaining low cholesterol. For lunch it could be anything you want but that word keeps sneaking up, portions!! Okay not just anything, and certainly not a sleeve of cookies, maybe a sandwich, grilled chicken, fish or a hot dog (but one) accompanied by a small portion of veggies or fruit. Only you know what you enjoy and should be eating. Just stay focused on a one-portion meal. Then comes the second snack, again something small to hold you over to dinner. Now it’s dinnertime, the last meal of the day. This is the challenge. This is where your mental toughness and discipline comes in. Can you do it? Can you make this the last meal of the day? Of course you can. You have to want to do it. Follow the same procedure as the other two, breakfast and lunch, a small-portioned dinner followed by a snack that you love right after the meal. Some people need something sweet after their meal, me too. What I used to do was have three cookies directly after the meal. I ate a small portion controlled dinner followed by three of my favorite cookies. Why three? The first cookie satisfied my sweet craving, the second cookie was the catalyst that sealed my satisfaction and carried me into, what I call “One for the road”, the third cookie. The third and last cookie was the one I would remember until my next cookie, which was the next day. That’s it, only three. A small bowl of ice cream is okay too in place of the cookies. Now your craving may be fruit, well that’s even better. Have a small bowl of fruit for dessert but have it directly after your dinner.

Now that you are done with you fifth meal of the day, clean up your mess and stay out of the kitchen. Do not set one foot back in there. Going back into the kitchen can possibly lead to you regretting something. It may lead to you ruining your full day’s efforts and hard work. You will be so proud of yourself if you just say “No!” to entering the kitchen and will see results quickly. You will start to notice your mid section flatten and you will lose that bloated feeling. This is tough but essential to dieting. If you need to ingest something, drink water.

Weigh in Everyday
Weighing in everyday keeps you honest. It keeps you focused and maintains the drive to lose weight. If you know you have to weigh in the next day you will think twice about reaching for that extra cookie.

Believe in Yourself
I believe that the mind is a powerful force. You have to believe that you can do anything. You have to have the confidence that you can obtain whatever goals you set out to achieve. Dieting isn’t easy, you have to maintain focus and discipline using any diet plan, Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers or even my diet program. You have to want to do it and want to see results. This is something that only you can do for yourself.

Conclusion
Maintaining a diet is very challenging. People work crazy hours and find following a stringent diet difficult. I understand this, but it is important to figure out a way of consuming five small portioned meals throughout your day. I found success following, what I believe to be, an effective diet plan. Remember set realistic goals and take one day at a time. Once you achieved your goal weight then it’s up to you to continue this diet to maintain your ideal weight. With this program you don’t have to worry about adding back the foods you eliminated because you have been eating them all along through portion control. After you obtained your ideal weight then this diet turns itself into a "way of life" program. I always believed, “everything in moderation”, are important words to live by. You can do it. I will be writing about aerobic and anaerobic exercising in a future blog. Keep an eye out for it.

Good luck.

They Still Make Those Things

The movie “The Hangover” is almost finished showing at theaters. I was fortunate to get out twice to see it. If you didn’t, hurry, it’s worth every penny. I can’t pin point the funniest part of the movie but the entrance to Caesar’s Palace scene sticks out in my mind. I guess for some people out there it’s good to know, when entering a hotel, if it is pager (beeper) friendly and if they have a phone bank in case of an emergency. For all you pager-wearing people today, when you can have the internet strapped to your belt and you still wear a beeper, you should stay home. And for the record Caesar’s Palace was not Caesar’s home.

Just The Right Time

Sitting at the dinner table the other night I asked my kids what age they thought they should be when they get their first cell phone. Without really understanding why they would need cell phones my oldest thought around twelve years old and my youngest did not know. Of course being the old sole that I am I had to throw an old grandfather spin to my answer. I said to them “I was twenty five when I got my first cell phone.” My kids were amazed. “Why were you so old?” they replied. I figured this story for them is one of my better comparisons as to when I was their age because they do not need to know that cell phones were not really popular until I was about twenty-five. So in comparison to today’s technology standards they are more behind the times than I was by not already having one, but that’s okay I won’t rush their telephone years.

Are We Eating Again?

Unfortunately Sunday at Grandma’s does not happen anymore or at least as frequently as it did when I was younger. Today, kids are too busy with activities to even be able to make plans for ten minutes on the weekend. The weekends consist of waking up, having breakfast, running errands, then taking the kids from one activity to another with a play date in between. The activities include soccer, dance, gymnastics, piano lessons, basket weaving class and if your kid is really talented under water basket weaving class. Non-stop action that sometimes has you wishing the weekend was over. Okay, maybe not wishing the weekend goodbye but wishing you had a thrid day just to decompress.

When I was younger we would go to my grandparents house right after Sunday mass. As soon as we pulled into their driveway you could smell grandma’s sauce cooking in the kitchen. I would run in to the house, say hello to my grandparents, aunts and uncles then go play with my cousins until dinner. When we got called for dinner my grandfather made sure we washed our hands before sitting at the table. It was funny how I would always tell him my hands were clean until I washed them in their white sink and saw all the brown dirt mix with the soap as I lathered. We would then sit down to what we would call a typical Sunday meal, to others a feast and enjoy conversations and good laughs. We would eventually play the game “Telephone”. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all my aunts and uncles for tolerating this game as I am finding out now what they went through back then. After dinner we would run outside, play again until dessert. After dessert I would always ask if we were going to eat again. This was my way of gauging how much longer my cousins and I would be able to play before we would have to go home. “Are we eating again” is a quote we still say when we get together on occasions and reminisce the good old times.

Every once in a while, well after dessert, my grandfather would ask if we would want some pizza but it was the way he would ask “Hey kids, how about a nice pizza pie?” Well, we would get excited because we all loved pizza and knew it meant we would be extending the night because we would be eating again. See the method to our madness; we did not want to go home. But I love the adjective “nice”. I laugh ‘til this day, “a nice pizza pie”. What’s funnier is that I find myself saying that to my kids. He would call the pizzeria and order a large pie. He would tell the pizza man to cut the large pie into six slices because he would not be able to finish all eight. I could only imagine the look on the pizza man’s face when he heard my grandfather say that.

I am sure most families have their own stories to tell about the “good old days” of when their family was younger. To me those memories are one of my most prized possessions and I am very grateful for them and my family.

Worth Every Grain

I prefer quality over quantity but the quantity of sand that I dug to create this immense hole (7’L x 3’W x 2’H) allowed me to spend quality time at the beach with my kids. My back paid for it the next day but it was worth every grain.

What's This Button For?

You have to picture this in your head…. I will give you a second… I was in the gym using the elliptical machine burning off a big lunch (Yes, I waited thirty minutes before my workout!!) when I noticed something wasn’t right. I saw a seventy something year old man riding an exercise bike flipping through the TV channels using a state of the art remote control (man’s term “The Clicker”). No big deal right??? Well, as he briefly stopped on the ESPN station I said to myself “All right, a sports guy!!” No sooner did I say that off he went flipping again like it was his first time using a remote. I wanted to scream out “Hey pops, you’re killing me, pick a channel!!!” I was waiting, waiting for it to happen, just waiting for him to hit a wrong button. Then all of a sudden…. Bam! He did it. He did me proud! Now we were looking at a solid black box that covered approximately sixty percent of the screen. I wasn’t concerned that I could not see the screen because he picked a political channel to watch. Witnessing his frustration I cut my workout short to offer my superb technical wisdom to an obvious amateur. I walked over to him and asked if I could help. He smiled and said “I did something wrong.” I said to him, “Ya think pops!!” No!! I did not say that!! I wanted to, but I felt bad for him. He handed me the remote and after a few seconds the black box was gone. He proceeded to thank me and after a nice conversation I realized I completed my good deed of the day. He was a sweet man. I finished my workout watching the program he selected and realized to myself this poor man is a victim of today’s technology. As he was trying to keep himself in shape, I was afraid he was going to have a coronary trying to operate the remote.

As I later reflected on my gym experience that day, I realized that, as technically inclined as I am, I too one day will be a victim of the present day technology. When that time comes I hope to be in the same shape that man is so I can whip the butt of the young whipper snapper who makes fun of me for not being able to operate a remote.

Keep Both Hands On the Wheel

I am a gadget guy, but then again what guy isn’t. He who has the most toys wins! I recently did some research on bluetooth speakerphones for my car. After extensive research on the internet I honed in on one such device, the BlueAnt Supertooth Light Bluetooth Speakerphone, made by BlueAnt. As I always do when I want good quality reviews of products I am interested in, I went to http://www.cnet.com/ to read the write ups on this product. This device received 3.5 of 5 stars. Even though I look for a perfect 5 of 5 rating, I was not looking to break the bank on this purchase and also was not looking for a ton of features; I wanted a basic speakerphone with good quality speaker and mic.

I received it in a few days and before I knew it I had both hands on the wheel talking on, what I consider, a must buy. If you want to spend more money then BlueAnt has other products you can explore but for the fifty-dollar range you can’t go wrong. The speakerphone is loud even on highways driving next to trucks and cars. You don’t have to talk loud for the other party to hear and the people in the backseat can join the conversation. It comes with a home and car charger so you never have to take it in the house to charge up the battery. Be Safe!

Clean Slate (revised)

They say that youth is wasted on the young. It’s so true. Which leads me to ask you “What is your restore date?” Everyone has one. Even computers have a restore date but you can only go back a few months. What would be your restoration date, if you had a choice?

In my past blog “A Million For One” I wrote about the willingness of having a pinkie removed for one million dollars, tax free. I am still not interested in giving up a pinkie for money. This may sound like a contradiction to my previous blog about giving up my good health but since I believe that health, time and knowledge is more valuable than money I would be willing to entertain an offer: trade my pinkie for my restore date of, January 1, 1983 (a year it all started happening for me) plus to go back knowing what I know now. Hell, I may even throw in a pinkie toe. I guess everything does have a price.

You always hear the older generation saying “I am not smarter, I'm just older.” True, but you're smarter because you are older.

What’s your restore date?

No More Toasted Almond

I am a true believer in that my weak eyesight is compensated by my strong sense of hearing. My hearing is so good that I can practically hear what you are thinking.

As the year goes by and spring and summer time come around it is nice to hear the sounds of nature such as trees blowing in the cool breeze, birds chirping and the local train pulling into the station which is well over a mile away from me. But as great as my hearing is and as much as I try I can’t seem to hear the sound that was once so familiar to me, the sound of the ice cream truck rolling through the local streets like I did growing up. When I was a kid the ice cream man was around almost every night. The only time we ran home as kids, besides when we were called for dinner, was to get money for the ice cream man. It seemed like he was everywhere and as I reminisce about it I realized he was everywhere because we played all over the neighborhood. It was almost like we traveled with him.

I am learning a lot as a parent and realize things never remain the same but being a kid should not change. Whatever happened to going outside to play after breakfast and only coming home to eat lunch, dinner and then finally come home to wash for bed. Whether it is video games, organized sporting activities, etc., it's a shame you don’t see kids growing up playing in the streets as previous generations.

Hello, My Name Is....

Tonight my daughter read me a chapter in her science book on planets and how they got their names from ancient Greek and Roman goddesses and gods. As she read the names of all the planets I thought to myself "How serious could the ancient god Uranus be taken?"

Think Long Term

I never said I was a doctor but I experimented with enough diets to know that genetics plays a major role in cholesterol, diet intake not as much. I have tried many different diet scenarios in an attempt to lower my cholesterol. My cholesterol numbers were in the mid two hundred range. Remember it’s not just the total cholesterol but the triglyceride, HDL and LDL numbers as well. A good way to remember the good cholesterol from the bad is: HDL is the good, think “H” for healthy and being healthy is good. (From now on I will use the letter C to reference the word cholesterol because I will be writing that word a lot).

I am a big snacker. I love my chips, cookies and donuts or at least I did. The first sleeve of Chips Ahoy was an appetizer to the second sleeve, a bag of Doritos were gone before the movie ended and a bag of M&M’s never had a chance. I finally realized I needed to do something about my high C because I knew that it could potentially lead to cardiovascular disease which can lead to a heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. So as time went on I tried different types of dieting for six month stretches. The diets did not include the South Beach or Atkins but included many different variations of a low fat diet. There were months where I would not eat a cookie, donut, piece of cake or M&M. After dieting my C test would come back as if junk food was all I ate. This went on for approximately seven years. In a conversation with a colleague about high C, she turned me onto Citrucel, a fiber therapy. It is a bulking agent that helps move material through the digestive tract (don’t worry no more details). I have heard of it before but paid no mind to the product. She explained to me that she took Citrucel to help lower her high C. I did say before that high C is mostly related to genetics and not diet intake but a high fiber diet can help lower cholesterol. I bought my first container of Citrucel and being the extremist that I am I followed the maximum dose of one scoop three times daily for five weeks. That’s right, one scoop for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Before I started Citrucel my C was 208; five weeks later of the max dose per day of Citrucel, my C results were 169. And now, five years later, my intake of Citrucel’s max dose daily is a way of life and helps me maintain a C level in the low to mid 160’s. Note: “The American Dietetic Association recommends 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day, but most people get 10 to 15 grams per day.”

Even though the C results of my experiments drinking Citrucel maintaining a normal diet versus drinking Citrucel maintaining a low fat diet did not differ dramatically I, til this day, limit my M&M and fat consumption. I have not had any Doritos, cookies, donuts or a piece of cake in five years. Again, I am an extremist. I do, every now and then, eat Paul Newman’s organic cookies though. I stay away from the partially hydrogenated oils and trans fats and limit the saturated fats all while maintaining aerobic and anaerobic exercising. I eat turkey, chicken and my red meat intake only consists of bison (buffalo), which is super lean and low fat. I do believe that this formula will not work for everyone but it is worth a try. The worst that can happen is that you will be regular while consuming Citrucel. I also believe that my body may change as I get older and this method will not be the answer to my high C, but for now I would rather continue this diet than start taking high C prescription medications. If you do not want to follow my extremist diet at least try to maintain an “everything in moderation” diet with the proper amount of daily fiber and exercise. I believe the Weight Watchers diet is the best out there because you get to eat the foods you crave. Avoiding them only leads to a binge.

Visit Citrucel at http://www.citrucel.com/ for more information.

I am curious to know what you think. Email me at thedwindleddollar@yahoo.com

Alone In The Dark

Does anyone get excited anymore when there is a blackout; you know, lose electricity in your neighborhood for period of time. Well, when I was younger and our neighborhood would lose electricity we, the children, thought it was a celebration. We would grab our flashlights and run outside to see what was going on all the while praying the lights would never come back on. It didn't matter how hot it was outside since most of them happened in the summer. We would just be glad we got to stay up late and hang out with our friends plus we had an excuse to eat all the ice cream in the freezer before it melted and spoiled.

Maybe it's me, maybe it was just a Staten Island or Brooklyn thing but when I moved to New Jersey and we had our first blackout I got a flashback. I'll admit, being much older now I still got a little excited. It brought me back to my yout. "What's a yout?" I'm sorry, youth. So there I was grabbing my flashlight again, running outside to check out what happened and figured this is going to be great, my first blackout in NJ. I ran out into the street only to find out no one budged. I was the only one all alone in the street, me and my flashlight. Then, one of my neighbors came out, I was relieved. I said to myself, "Oh it probably took him a while to put his sneakers on", and thought people will start to come out now. I walked over to him and said, as he was looking up at one of the lampposts, "What do you think happened?" He said, "Not sure but it could be the generator". He then turned around and went back in his house. There I was, flashlight in hand saying to myself "Where is everybody?" I can’t believe how different things are when you cross a bridge.

A Proud Moment

She prepared all year for this night, her second piano recital. She was excited all week as well as the rest of us. She was calm, smiling and laughing in her seat waiting for her turn to perform. Then the caterpillars changed into butterflies which turned into, “Humina, humina, humina”. I wasn't sitting near her as I was in a section close enough to video her performance. For some reason I turned around to look at her and saw her wiping her eyes. I realized at that point it hit her, the “Oh no, I’m going on next, it’s my turn”, feeling. I quickly walked over to her while signaling to her piano instructor to skip her turn as he was getting ready to call her name. We took a walk into the back for some fresh air. Having that nervous feeling you get when performing in front of people got the best of her. She quickly composed herself, walked back in and gave a performance that I could not be more proud of.

This proves how resilient kids are. How fast they recover and adjust. It is important for children to have a good solid foundation around them. Having a good support system is important for everyone. I explained to her that everyone gets nervous and that nervous feeling is what makes you give it your best. She will build on this day and it will prepare her for the future. One day she will use this experience as motivation for someone who is in the same or similar situation. I always believed that life’s lessons and experiences prepare you for the next one. As you prepare for the next challenge you say to yourself, “I can do this, no problem!”

Special thanks to Chris Deibert (“The Maestro”), my daughter’s piano teacher, who with his exceptional skill, dedication and patience has really made a difference in her life as well as ours. Thank you.

Get Out Much?

When I first moved from Staten Island to New Jersey people would ask, “Where are you from?” I guess my accent had “This guy is not from around here” written all over it. This question came from the very sheltered people who have never traveled over the Outerbridge Crossing nor the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. And, of course, their answer was “No” when I asked if they have ever been to Yankee stadium. Did you think, at that point, I was going to ask if they knew what a johnny pump was?

What's That Smell?

It is human nature to keep up with the daily grind but not all daily grinds are the same. Did you ever stand on line at a supermarket in Florida? Your frozen food thaws before you checkout. WOW!! Those people are slow; I think they get paid by the millisecond. But then again, maybe they have the right idea. Slow down! Caution ahead!

Living and working in the Tri-State Region you can’t help but get caught up in the fast pace of the everyday lifestyle because if you don’t you will get trampled underfoot. I sometimes wonder what the hurry is. Did you ever stop and think, “What is going on here?” Where is everyone going and why so fast? Before you know it you are out of high school working a fulltime job, family man wondering what just happened.

Human nature forgets the simple things. We forget what’s important. For me it is my health and the health of others not just around me but everyone. I will elaborate on health in a future blog. Being in the health industry and the funeral business I am exposed to more things than the average person. I do not want to get into details. The things I am exposed to are what I call “Reality Checks”. Things that make you appreciate the fundamentals of life, the simple things! Many people need a wakeup call. Sometimes people need a serious event to happen to themselves or someone around them for them to stop and smell the roses. Remember 9/11 and how the subsequent weeks following the event everyone embraced and united only to drift apart once they got caught back up in the daily grind. You see what I am saying? Appreciate what you have because you will not have it forever.

It doesn't matter how bad it gets because.........

a bad day of golf is better than a good day at work. Period!!

I Need More

I think the science show "How It's Made" is phenomenal. It answers many questions we have regarding how, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, things are made. But what I would like to see and think is more interesting is a show educating us on how they make the things that make the things!!!

The New Black

As I raise my kids and participate in their activities I can't help but notice the involvement that dads are making in today's child society. I have noticed dads bring their kids to birthday parties as well as getting involved with church and school functions.

Growing up my dad got involved with all my activities as well as most of my friends and teammates dads, but not at today's level. Even though today's dads work hard, I think the dads of my father's generation worked multiple jobs to support their family, so for that they are not eligible for criticism. In defense to them, providing for family was their main priority. Most of the moms back in the day stayed at home to raise their kids, then once the kids were older they would seek employment for extra income. Today, for the most part, both parents work full time jobs to support their family which gives the dads free time to get involved with their kids and at the same time gives moms some relief. I commend the many dads I know today that work multiple jobs and still make time for their kids. So hats off to the dads of today, including myself, for realizing that "The Dad's" presence makes a tremendous difference in a child's life.

Happy Mother's Day

One day is not enough to celebrate just how important Mom's existence means to family. Thank you Mom.

Okay Class, Can Anyone Tell Me Why There's a Lack of Funds?

Anyone? Anyone?

Better Odds Playing Lotto

I'm scratching my head at this one, are you?

Job Justification

While reading the title of this article I got a slurpie freeze. You know that pain you get on the side of your head when you eat ice cream too fast. Huh!! Glad to see the Utah Poison Control is on top of their game.

Motivation 101

Everyone needs motivation, some more than others. Whether it’s mowing the lawn, cleaning out the attic or achieving certain goals. Motivation is based on human’s inner desire to achieve a certain something.

One day during a phone conversation with my mother she told me she was going to the mall to buy a book on motivation. I replied to her “If you have enough energy to get in your car, drive to the store and then read the book, you’re already a motivated person!”

One Ringy Dingy, Two Ringy Dingies…

I wonder if you get a mulligan for misdialing your only phone call in jail. Using the state of the art rotary phone I am sure you misdialed a few calls yourself. Wait, do you remember the rotary phone? I do, I was lightning fast. I could dial a number in about fifteen seconds, longer if there were a lot of nines and zeros. Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t want people to think I remember the first phone Alexander Graham Bell designed back in the 1800’s. So to the older generation, your can and string was my rotary phone. Thankfully I don’t remember talking into the phone hanging on the wall.

When making the late night phone calls the dialing of the rotary phone was so loud I was more concerned about the noise of dialing than my actual conversation waking the family. You probably would only see this phone in your grandmother’s basement or the Smithsonian. Remembering phone numbers was a lot easier back in the day because you actually dialed the numbers on the rotary phone as compared to today where everyone’s number is on speed dial. I can still tell you phone numbers of my friends I called all the way back in the fourth grade. I am not a fan of the speed dial feature.

I can’t remember the last pay phone I used. How much is a phone call these days anyway? If they totally do away with phone booths, where would Superman change? Today with cell phones many people are doing away with house phones. Me personally, I don't talk on the phone like I did growing up. I am a text fan. I would rather text than talk. Text what you have to say, you’re done. No long drawn out conversations with people you really don’t want to talk to anyway. Don’t get me wrong I am not going to have a lengthy text conversation; I would rather get on the phone, say what has to be said then end the call. I don’t understand this fascination with talking on cell phones. Everywhere you go someone is talking on a cell phone i.e. on a bus stop, in a car, doctor’s office waiting rooms, in church etc. What is so important that can’t wait? You think you are that important.

A Million For One

If you were never asked the question “Would you cut off your pinkie finger for one million dollars, tax free?” I am asking now, "Would you?" Or better yet, I would offer for you to have it surgically removed instead of barbarically cut off. I will even let you choose which hand. Your first reaction to the question would be “Of course I would remove it!” Who couldn't use a cool million sitting in the bank waiting for retirement? Don’t think you are going to retire on just a million in the bank, remember health insurance. Think real hard about this and not with your wallet. Think about all it is that you do in a week and then ask yourself if you could live without it. To test yourself in answering the question accurately, tape your pinkie down or try not to use it for one week. I thought about this one long and hard. I was on the fence for a while and realized I would take good health over money any day. Money may equal power but good health is everything. Remember, once the finger is off it may be hard to find one on sale for a million bucks.

Pins and Needles, Needles and Pins...

One day my father asked me if I wanted to watch a show called the Honeymooners. After my homework we sat down, loaded our state of the art VHS recorder with a tape of the show he recorded the night before. Might I add, which has no relevance to the story, it was a top loading VCR. Oh, you had one too! We sat and laughed so hard that I couldn't wait for the next episode. The Honeymooners changed the way I viewed television shows til this day. Kramer has nothing on Ed Norton. Just watch him do the Huckle Buck. The show has created memories that will last forever. The Honeymooners aired on channel 11 at 11:30pm right after The Odd Couple. I watched the show in preparation for the next day's trivia challenge at school where my friends and I would test our knowledge of the episode that aired the night before. I have the box set now on DVD of all 39 episodes. I sit and watch them as if I never saw them laughing as hard as ever. Even though I have the box set I look forward to New Years Eve / Day to watch the 24 hour marathon.

That's Right Billy Ray Cyrus........

Going through some old photos the other day I came across a beaut. The photo of photos. It’s the picture you say “Wow that must have been the style back in those days because why would anyone want to look like that!” The same reaction you had when you saw photos of your parents when they were younger. Yeah, I am not posting it. It was my high school id photo from the late 80’s. I was sporting a mullet hair style. That's right Billy Ray Cyrus, you had nothing like this. My photo replaced yours next to the mullet definition in the dictionary. I did look good though (emphasizing “did”). I bet you really want to see it.

Games People Play

Anyone up for a game of manhunt, kick the can or running bases? For the younger generation, “Did you ever hear of these three games? Oh that's right, you are too busy playing video games and texting!!” Of the three games manhunt is the best to play with a ton of people at night. It is a glorified game of hide and seek that kids play in their house but only you play outside and get to hide under cars, in shrubs and climb trees. Set boundaries, but the bigger the territory the better the challenge. We played using the whole block with about fifteen to twenty people. I don’t even see that many people on my whole block in a full weeks time. “Where is everybody?”

Kick the can is a hide and seek game also. The person who is “It” has to find the people who hide and when someone is spotted “It” taps the can on the ground and calls out that person’s name. The person caught has to stay close to base. If one of the kids hiding close to the can comes out and kicks the can before being caught then all who are caught go free. It starts all over again until your mom or dad whistles you in for dinner. I guess recycling has something to do with this game being extinct.

Running bases? Can any kid today even guess as to what the game is about? Don't bother asking. If you never played than you missed out.

Anyone older than me reading this is thinking I don’t have a clue as to what games they played when they were kids. True, but from the stories I was told from my parents the game they played where you get whacked with a sock full a chalk does not sound fun.

How Would They Find Out???

Is it true? Fifty dollar fine for killing a praying mantis. You tell me. I have been told this for so long and have yet to hear of such a fine in the news. I can’t imagine the praying mantis police keeping up with the killing spree. Besides, growing up I never heard any kid running through the neighborhood screaming “Little Bobby just stepped on a praying mantis!!!!!!!!” It’s the same type of tale as “Don’t keep making that face, it will permanently stay like that” you are told when you are a kid. Just don’t step on any cause you just may get a summons (from the praying mantis police) in the mail with pictures of you stepping on it, just like the photo sequence of you running a red light at various intersections. Oh! They got me!!

Spending Hours Reminiscing

I have always been one to enjoy reminiscing. Throw on a pair of headphones, crank up some tunes, sit back and remember the good old days. It is funny how I can remember things (in great detail) that happened twenty-five years ago but can’t remember what I did last weekend. I guess I have to wait twenty-five years from now to remember what, in fact I did do last weekend.

"The Others"

You are probably thinking I am going to make a “Lost” (TV show) reference here with this title but I am not, just keep reading.

When I first started driving (and until this day) my mother's nervous level would heighten when I would drive in the snow. She would state that she was worried about me crashing but more worried about the other people crashing into me. Understanding her concern, I replied to her "But mom, I am the other person."

After living in a house with walls painted an off white color we decided to update the color scheme. We always toyed with the idea of a different color pattern for each room but nervous how it would look. How bad could it look? Do you notice when you go into someone else’s house the different colored rooms look beautiful? When you watch HG TV and they would paint the rooms different colors, it would look incredible. Well, if you think about it your house, is someone else’s house.

Think about it!!!!

Full Disclosure

Everything written in this blog is my opinion with no intent of insulting anyone. My values and beliefs are based on always trying to do the right things in life. I always strive to be honest, loyal, reliable and true to family and friends. I also try to be a good role model for the kids I surround myself with, whether family or friends. It is so true that kids are like sponges, they absorb everything. Without sounding too much like Father Frank, kids are our future and it is never too late to set a good example.

I have three beliefs (not in order):

1. Never forget where you came from
2. Always remain the student
3. Don’t let your dreams die

Throughout the duration of this blog I will speak my opinion on topics that interest me as well as others. If any comments are made or questions asked I will respond. I always enjoy a good conversation. I enjoy learning new things. I believe in branching out and broadening horizons. I welcome all.

Mozart Who???

This little one will have you saying Mozart who???? Move over Ed Norton she just may be the composer of the next Swanee River. She has determination and chops to be a fine pianist. Her music is melodic and soothing. Carnegie Hall here we come!!!!

Watch Out A-Rod

Watch out A-Rod. If you are not back in the Yankee line-up soon this kid will lock up third base and bat clean up too. She is ready for any shot that is roped down the line. Just pull the ball, I dare you!!!!!

The Traveler

He is shot, tired from endless flights and long business meetings. "The Traveler" is sleeping in the Orlando airport. He is in a glass case, and he's made of wax. I was visiting there back in 2007 and took a quick picture with my phone camera. It is amazing to see this. He looks so real. I bet if not in a glass case you would be tempted to give him a wet willie. Don't forget to check him out next time you fly into Orlando.

Introduction

So it seems that either people are blogging, on my space or face book. My mother always taught me to "never say never" but i will roll the dice on this one, "I will never have a my space or face book account." Wait for it.... Wait for it.... But, one day I may have to sign up and check if my kids are on it even though I will tell them they can't have either account. There is always a "But". I have to cover myself by inserting a clause to cover why my "never say never" belief may backfire in my face.

I am starting this blog to express my many beliefs that today's dollar value is dwindling fast. I don't want to mislead anyone in thinking that I will be talking about monetary value here. It is about life growing up and how things as I remember it do not exist in today's world. I will be writing about how I was raised and how I am trying to instill the same values and culture I had growing up to my kids and how those values in today's society are hard to duplicate.

Along the way I will also discuss miscellaneous topics that come to mind such as life in general, positive thinking, motivation, sports, etc. Two topics I do not discuss in public are politics and religion. I find these subjects eventually turn down the wrong path and only leads to an unresolved discussion.

I welcome any feedback or questions you may have. Post comments, and ask questions. Happy reading.

Thank you.

Nescro