Weekend Update

Played a lot of golf. Weather was great at least.

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Taught my Little One to ride a two-wheeler bike in less than 10 minutes. The three or four times she fell, I caught her. She's been off and running since.

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I put in a little gym in my garage. A bench, some free weights over a nice pad. Its nice and I really think I'll give it some use.

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My wife has been so.........HAPPY. News of the pregnancy has just put a complete spring in her step and its awesome to see. I bet it doesn't even taint her 40th birthday coming up in a few weeks.

Handle With Care

Handle me with care. I'm so fucking fragile!

So, since February or so I've been carrying around 15 to 20 extra pounds on my slight of build body for a while. I'm nearly 6 feet and the heaviest I've ever been at 197. Not good.

And I know that frequently I post about how I'm getting back to the gym, running more, eating better, blah, blah, blah.

But for one reason or another, I'm just not sticking with it. Some of its life's demands, some, admittedly is laziness, but for the most part, its health.

I'm rarely sick. I'm also fortunate in that I don't have any chronic conditions. But I can't stay physically healthy anymore. Tweaks, strains, sprains. Name it. Lately I get them. I play some softball and golf and surely that doesn't help. But I can't even stay healthy running!

Thursday, I loaded up my workout gear, ate a sensible breakfast and planned to get to the gym for lunch. My wife has been working brutal hours and by the time she gets home and we have some family-time I can't muster the energy (like I used to be able to) to work out after 9pm or so. And getting up at 5 am? Please! I used to do that too. Maybe its my weekend casino hours (8pm to 4am, Fri and Sat) that don't allow me to get up at that time or laziness but -- it ain't gonna happen. And I need to be in the house by 6:30am to get my Little One ready for school. So, I figure when work isn't too hectic I'll pop over to the gym for a workout during lunch which in turn will get me more motivated to work out and then when I miss an afternoon perhaps I'll be able to squeeze in the makeup one later that evening (I belong to two gyms -- one near work and one near my home).

I was ready for a back workout since my last workout was shoulders and that's the order I go. Chest, legs, shoulders, back then arms. Of course my shoulder workout was in MAY! Doesn't matter though. I fucking hurt my back! Dammit! It STILL hurts and working the casino all weekend did nothing to help.

I was going slowly. I didn't kill myself with some ridiculous overzealous workout so that doubles the frustration. I did everything right. I will go back as soon as I can, but its frustrating the hell out of me.

I want to lift. I want to run or bike or whatever. I just simply can't stay healthy.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr........

Late, late, late, late, late show.

One of my main worries when I started dealer school was the long drive home after midnight. I feared I would be exhausted and fighting falling asleep at the wheel. That hasn't been an issue at all. In fact, after class I'm kind of wired up and usually stay up for 45 minutes to an hour once I get home, which means I'm getting to sleep around 2 a.m.

Since I've learned I'll be awake anyway, I've been stopping at the gym on my way home once or twice a week on days I haven't been able to get my workout in at lunchtime or right after work (but before school). So I'm in the gym at 1 a.m. working out. Its quiet and nice and tons of equipment is available. I was very happy a few years ago when my gym switched to 24-hour format because I've always been inconsistent in my workout scheduling and like all the flexibility I can get.

Plus, the tendinitis in my elbow has been cooperating. Things are good. This week marks the half way point of schooling too. We have a final, for blackjack, next week and our "auditions" the week of the first. The audition is the review of your dealing abilities and knowledge of all the rules and procedures. I'm pretty confident I'll do well.

Then the last few weeks are novelty games: Acey Ducey, Casino War, the Money Wheel, Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold 'Em.

I'm getting there!

Tidbits Part Deux

Tonight I have kindergarten orientation for The Little One. Nearly impossible to believe we're already at that stage. Every step is new and exciting and surely I don't miss midnight feedings and diaper changes, but its amazing how fast she's growing up and I can't seem to slow it down.

We just had The Little One tested for stuttering. Most of the time one doesn't notice it, but she gets more and more stuttery when nervous or tired. At one point a doctor told us its that she's so smart her brain works faster than her mouth can. Apparently, he was off. While its rare for a girl to stutter, apparently she qualifies and we'll be looking into getting her the appropriate services. Nearly anything can be overcome, especially if its caught early, and Mrs. B. and I will do everything possible put her in position to overcome this.

Speaking of Mrs. Blogger, she is on spring break this week yet she has not once gone on a bender or flashed in a Girls Gone Wild mode. Funny how different college is for graduate students in their mid-thirties. Damn maturity!

And if you'll look to the left, you'll notice I've updated my book and movie links. Haven't had much time for movies since the Great Flood of '07, but Mrs. B. bought me the Bruce Edwards story written by John Feinstein. I haven't delved into it yet, but, Edwards (a local boy to me) was a caddy for professional golfer Tom Watson. He was afflicted with and eventually died from ALS which just may be one of the most horrible diseases. Anyway, regarding Feinstein, I LOVE his subject matter and the research he does about his topics but I really don't care for his writing style or his opinions most of the time. I'll read it and be fascinated by it, but I'm sure I'll be raising my eyebrows a few times.

Regarding the Great Flood, we're pretty much back to normal now. I have a bunch of crap to throw away but my trash container only holds so much stuff, so it will be a while before its all disposed.

Today is the first full day of Spring but I woke up to a temperature of 18 degrees out. Its supposed to moderate later this week. Damn I'm getting anxious!

I've noticed that comments are down. Either I'm boring or bloggers are busy this time of year. I hope its the latter.

The other night Mrs. Blogger and I were watching American Idol Rewind at like 1am (I know, how lame is that?) and it was Season 1 (remember Brian Dunkelman?). Anyway, the singers were ALL pretty bad that year. We both noticed a remarkable difference in quality when compared to this year.

Speaking of this year's American Idol, Howard Stern, among others, is soliciting votes for Sanjaya to win. I wonder if AI likes the extra publicity or hates that fact that less talented performers are advancing as a joke. I would think that can only hurt the show.

I haven't been to the gym in nearly two weeks and I'm getting a cold too. Rat-farts!!

Finally, I fought through a snowstorm Friday afternoon/evening to drive to Maine to visit my parents. The normal 3 hour 50 minute trip took 6:50. It was important to go because my weekend visit opportunities are limited and my mother has terminal cancer. She's doing very well lately so it was wonderful to see them and to see her spry and vivacious. We're trying to visit as often as possible and cherish each and every one of them as we never know when it will end. She is not the type that complains much or seeks any pity either. And my father has been wonderful in every respect. I'm very proud to be his son as he takes on more and more (if not most) of the household responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning in addition to his normal "manly" duties of home repair, yardwork, snow removal etc. Throw in the frequent visits to the doctors as far as 90 minutes away plus patience and coddling of my mom and his days are certainly full. Yet, not one complaint. I even noticed the bickering between them absent this weekend. Once can sense he's doing it all out of love and "wanting" to do it, not as an obligation.

Here's to you Pop - a real man!

(now I'm misty-eyed, lol)

Dont Get Old

There's tons of bitching blogs out there so please indulge me as I bitch too.

I pulled my calf, yet again, last night on the treadmill. I just can't maintain any kind of continuous exercise without injury. What was I thinking when I toyed with the idea of running a marathon in the fall? Sheesh!

I suppose for many, the lack of being as fit as they could be is time or motivation. For me, its pain. My 40-year-old body is running ragged after years of sports-related physical abuse --

Tackle football, unpadded, into my 20's while getting hit by guys 100 lbs heavier? Sure! No problem. I'll hold my breath tight and ward off the blow.

Running into a fence in centerfield to catch a friggin' softball? Its chain-link and has some give....long as I don't hit a pole. Besides, we're only down 12 runs, this could be a game-breaker.

Rollerblading at night up and down stairs, off walls, over fire hydrants? That's dangerous? Oh, that unusually bent wrist? It can be fixed by an Advil. Or an Orthopedist.

Skiing bumps through the trees on legs that can barely support me in the lift line? Oh, certainly that's not dangerous. In any event, there's an ice cold Bud Lite waiting on me in the lodge!

Ok, I have an even better idea. How about skiing behind a 4x4 with a tow-rope on newly snow-covered streets? Surely, there's minimal inherent risk in that, isn't there? Was that a cop?

Alas, I remember that difficult descent on my sparkling new mountain bike that I hadn't even rode around the block. My confidence bolstered by the cool suspension and my sweet new colorful biker shirt. Piece of cake. Sorta.

Anyway, its no wonder I just can't seem to stay healthy, especially cardio-wise.

After skiing on Sunday, my knees, left big toe and back ached. Now I have this tight spot in my left calf. Goes nicely with my achey right wrist. Same one I broke years ago. Its been bothering me for months and I think I jambed it skiing too. Hmmm...then there's the wicked case of tendinitis in my left elbow. Don't know how that came about, but it hurst like hell lately. Those take forever to get better. And don't get me started on my shoulders. I can't even swim anymore as any kind of pulling motion, especially with my arms away from my body, is painful. Or when The Little One wants to use daddy as a jungle-gym.

Of course, I'm thankful that there's nothing life-threatening or even life-altering But damn! It sure get annoying.

Don't get old.

**Sigh**

Weekend Wrapup

I had myself a rather nice weekend. Hope you all did too.

Friday night I played in a monthly Texas Hold 'Em no-limit game. I'm thrown to the wolves every month as most of these guys play 3, 4 or 5 times a week and I play monthly. But I can watch it on TV and learn right? That Ben Affleck sure can play, lol. Made a mistake that didn't cost me money, but I didn't make nearly enough off trip twos. Finally, got beat on my all-in with ace/four when a jack came on the river for my opponent. I was getting low on chips and the blinds were rising and coming around. Had to make a move. Didn't work. Oh well. Came in about 20th out of 28 guys.

Saturday morning I woke up to rain. Shortly afterwards my cell phone rang (Metallica - No Leaf Clover -- always sticks in my head for hours after, lol). Brother says "Its not raining.....meet us at the golf course in 40 min". Quck shower, some wrinkled clothes thrown on and a twenty minute drive later, I was there in time. Stopped raining as I pulled in. Turned out to be PERFECT! Temps reached 72 degrees. What would be the normal high for that date? Hmmm....about 32 maybe? We played in short sleeve shirts on Jan. 6. Un-friggin'-believable!! And I played quite well too. I'm still high about it! Looks like the colder weather is on its way, but it was sure nice while it lasted. Again, hurray Global Warming (at least for golf).

Spend the afternoon taking down all the Christmas decorations, playing with my daughter and getting to the gym.

That evening, I took Mrs. Nouveau out to a nice dinner and drinks. Dropped the Little One off at the in-laws and had a pleasant evening. We dressed up a bit too. Mrs. N. looked fantastic as usual. Ate a so-so dinner at a new restaurant then went to the bar for drinks (and to catch football/Uconn basketball scores). Coincidentally, her sister and some friends happened by. We had a VERY nice evening out. Lots of good convo and laughs. UConn got killed (they're young and frustrating) and we bitched about brother-in-law, Big M (seems a theme lately) but had a blast. Hung out until about midnight. Didn't fall asleep right away when we got home either *wink* *wink* (que porn music, lol).

Sunday (yesterday) I slept in a bit then spent time loading music onto my phone/mp3 player and a bunch onto Mrs. Nouveau's new IPod (which I gave her for Xmas). Also, watched my beloved New York Jets lose to the Patriots in the football playoffs (to be expected). A very nice little "sit around the house" day. I even managed to drag my ass out for a run at about 5pm. Man, I so didn't feel like it but felt great afterwards.

That's about it. Just a nice, quiet weekend with no places I had to be, or things I had to do. Just the way I like it :)

Fitness

Its the New Year. That means hoards of people making resolutions. Without a scientific survey, I would have to think weight-loss is in the top three. New faces at my gym certainlybears that out. After work (especially early in the week) the place is friggin' PACKED every year from Jan. 2 through about Valentine's Day. But around then the not-so-committed begin to die off. Gym owners must love that. Monthly dues continue to come in without the person paying them.

Perhaps after missing a few workouts or days/weeks of eating poorly due to various reasons people feel they can't start up again. One can always start up again. My sister-in-law likes to set a date (I've heard it time and again too - but good for her for continuing to try). Its silly to set a date to start getting fit. "Oh, on March 1 I'm going to get my ass in gear to look good for summer". I don't get it. Why not today? Or tomorrow? Or even the next day? Why wait though? I think the perfect time to start is the next trip to the grocery store. One would think that wouldn't be more than a few days away, right? Stock up on "good stuff" to eat, you know?

Obviously, I'm pretty much into fitness. While I'm no Charles Atlas, on and off for over 10 years I've been a regular at the gym. Lifting, running the whole shebang. Although I get side-tracked at times and go longish periods without going, I usually find myself returning. Of course, I find myself weaker, slower and a tad heavier....but I return, lol. As a result, I have more or less managed to stay thinner than most (all?) of my friends and family and I'm rather proud of that. It's real tough lately as I get more and more injuries. Age. It sucks. But I tape up (is that a mummy in the gym?) and I press on best I know how. I also try to watch what I eat and at times get on very stringent kicks (like now). Although, rarely do I consider myself dieting.

To that end, any interested readers (do I have more than one, lol? My counter is close to 100, but most of those are my own I fear) should check out the link I posted to the left here.....Fitday.Com. I really love the site. One can go so far as to log in everything they eat, every day. Track weight, goals, log activities and even keep a journal. Its free too! I know to most its a hassle to track tons of information but if you spend a lot of time online, or have a job with long down periods 5 mins a day isn't too much, is it? Plus, you can track only weight, or workouts or whatever. If interested in tracking food it can be tedious especially in the beginning. When a food is not on their built-in list you'll need to manually enter it but once you do its there forever and the next data-entry is that much easier. By the way, most chain restaurants have all their nutrition facts online too and many are already on Fitday.

Therefore, if your New Year's Resolution is to be a bit healthier, eat better or lose weight, I'm sure you'll find the site helpful. Check it out :)

Remitter of this passage is in no way affiliated with or paid endorser for Fitday.com -- lol