Roadtrip to Vegas

On Thursday I got to spend some time with Vinnie while he was up here visiting his dad. Vinnie's been suffering with multiple disk herniations in his neck and so I decided to drive with him back down to Vegas since his partner Phil had to return to Vegas for work. I was worried that in Vinnie's state of pain, it wouldn't be a good idea for him to drive himself for 10 hours with 3 dogs.

So on Wed night, he showed up with the pups and it was real nice. Bailey, the dog that Vinnie and I got together back in 1997, was here and it was great to see him. Bailey spent the night on my bed so that was super special. He doesn't really remember me, but it was still great to have him in bed with me. I slept SO great that night. Funny how having him there made a big difference in my sleep.

Thursday we set off for Vegas in Vinnie's giant Yukon XL. In classic Vinnie fashion, he had created a giant doggie bed in the back of the Yukon so the doggies would be totally comfortable. Tons of blankets and big pillows. Perfect for 3 dogs on a long trip.

The drive actually went by really fast. We talked a bunch and listened to XM radio, flipping back and forth between the 70s, 80s, and 90s station. Heard some songs I hadn't heard in decades. Was really nice.

This one song, "The Second Time Around" by Shalamar came on. When I was 12, I used to play that song OVER and OVER again while rollerskating in my garage - pretending it was a roller rink. How my parents never knew...I have no idea. Anyway, we had a nice roadtrip together.

When we were together, we would spend a great deal of our weekends in the motorhome, so traveling for 10 hours was definitely a flashback to a big part of our relationship. Glad that we've been able to become friends again and can share time together that lets us reminisce and smile.

Hello Faggotron, meet Bearbot!

In the never-ending saga of "Decomposing Davey" it turns out I now need reading glasses. "Are you kidding me? Reading glasses...? Like ones that old people use?" Um, yes. So I picked out the coolest frames I could find and got fitted and I get my new pair of reading glasses next week. I'm shopping online right now for a walker, the clapper, and a bed pan.

As part of the eye exam, they had to dialate my pupils. I didn't have my sunglasses so I had to wear the disposable ones they provide. I turned into a superhero when I put them on.


HELLO FAGGOTRON..............................MEET BEARBOT

Good news on the heart front

After 2 weeks of being on the blood pressure meds, no liquor, strict diet, and ferocious workout schedule, I've brought my blood pressure from 158/94 down to 132/80. That's a "normal" blood pressure, if you didn't know. So things are looking good so far. He said that in 2 months if it comes down even more, he'll consider weaning me off the meds and see how I do on my own. Yippie!!

Bearin' it, East Coast Style

Just decided today to go to Bear Week in Provincetown in July with Gabe and Jason. They swear it's a super fun week. Even more motivation to stay on my program and get physically fierce since I'll have to hang around with my shirt off [insert cringe here]. That's 4 months away - plenty of time to become bear-licious and bear-ocious!

Sometimes it takes so little - yet means so much

In my blog entry dated Feb 28th, I told a story of a woman that was speaking passionately about the issue of Misogyny and how it's still strong in America. Well, just the other morning while I was at the gym, I saw that woman working out. So I decided to meet her.

I approached her and politely apologized for interrupting her workout but that I wanted to share with her that one day in the doctor's office, she touched me so profoundly that I wrote about her in my blog.

She was so touched that she pressed her fingertips to her lips and then against her heart. She then put her hands together (in prayer formation) and put her hands to her mouth and did a quick bow to thank me. She then grabbed my hand between both of hers and thanked me so genuinely.

Later that same afternoon I was back at the doctor's office and I ran into her again. She reached out both hands and put them on my shoulders and said a hearty "Well Hello!"

After this neat experience, it reinforced my belief that we need to go out on a limb more often and tell people how they touch our lives. Wouldn't you want to hear that? I would. So glad I took the 3 minutes to talk to her. Such little effort for such a huge return.

I've solved MUNI's poor ridership issue

MUNI is constantly talking about "how can we encourage more people to take the bus?" Well, I think I've solved this big mystery. GET RID OF THESE ADS!

This is the copy of an actual MUNI ad posted in an actual MUNI bus. Gee... I wonder why people don't want to take the bus. Read:

One time I picked up a man who was kind of strange. This was early, like 4am. He rang the bell like he wanted to get off, but he wouldn't get off. So we go to the next stop and he does it again. The he says "Close the door!" I said "I have to let people get on." The he starts shouting, "Go! Go!" I said, "No! It's a red light." Then he puts his foot on the gas pedal! And I'm like - Oh My God! I'm fighting with him trying to kick his foot off. Another passenger comes running to the front and he was able to put him off the bus. It was something. - going through red lights - we were lucky it was so early in the morning.
- Vawanda, MUNI Operator since 1989

WTF?

Here is a photo of the ad, if you don't believe me.

Invasion of the Combustion Engine Snatchers

I just had a real-life South Park experience. On my way home last night, on northbound Highway 280 between Cupertino and Portola Valley, I was completely surrounded by Priuses. Seven to be precise. I had 2 right in front of me. 3 just in front of them. And 2 directly behind me.

I had a flashback to the South Park episode where Kyle and his family move to San Francisco and EVERYONE drives a Pius (great play on the name Prius). Too funny. Oh, and when two exited on Magdalena Ave... two more were coming up the onramp. So good to know that The Bay Area is part of the solution and not part of the problem. Thaaaaaaaaaanks!!!

Separated at birth?

I love me some Carly Smithson but a friend sent me this and I thought it was pretty funny.

34... here I come

I've been on my regiment now for a little over 2 weeks and I'm happy to report that I've already lost an entire pant size. Over the weekend I was able to actually slip off my jeans without unbuttoning or unzipping them. That felt AWESOME.

I'm totally back into looking forward to the gym and have built it back into my weekly routine. What's that Eric Bana? You scared? Feel me breathing down your neck? Uh-huh... you better be. Here I come!

My ultimate goal would be to get back down to a 34" waist. It was Fall of 2003 the last time I was that trim - but I'm confident I'll get there.

I may actually get demoted from Bear status to Wolf...or even to, dare I say, an Otter...

No longer a Virgin

I went to LA this weekend with Jim and Matthew to visit Wilma and Andrew. We flew Virgin America. What a sexy flying experience that was. The planes are chic, back-lit in pink and purple, with black pleather seats wrapped in glossy white laminate. Felt like we were on a spaceship. I loved it. And it was tons of fun playing their touch screen inflight entertainment system. I played video Mahjong the entire time there and back. It was so fun, I want to now try and play the real Mahjong tile game now - god I'm getting old.

So the screens are touch-based and I was tapping hard on the screen which is built into the back of the headrest of the seat in front of me. Well, I was unaware of how hard i was tapping the screen and the lady sitting in front of me turned her head around and looked Matthew who was sitting next to me. Matthew then advised me that I should be gentler cuz I was moving her seat. So I apologized profusely and the lady and I had a laugh about it and she was very sweet.

So, this has never happened to me before, but when I got on the return flight tonight, the SAME LADY sat in front of me again. As she was getting into seat, she looked at me and said "Oh no, not you again!" And then we had a nice laugh. But really - what are the odds of sitting behind the same person?

I hope I can fly Virgin America more and more. What an awesome flying experience. Our outbound flight was delayed so they brought out a nerf basketball hoop and ball while we were at the gate, and were giving away free drink passes if you made a basket. Very friendly and personal. The inflight staff were sassy and sweet. I was a VA virgin. No longer. I've tasted the forbidden fruit. And I liked it.

Back into the swing of things

Since my little wake up call on Thursday, Feb 28th with the Grim Reaper (and by that I mean my doctor), I've totally changed my diet, completely stopped drinking any alcohol, and have been to the gym pretty much every day save 2. What's been awesome is that Andy is now going to Gold's so I've got a partner in crime. It will help keep me honest about going and him too for that matter. I should post my pic here as the starting point and use the blog to track my performance. Hmm... let me think about that. Anyway, it feels good to look forward to the gym. Went tonight at 9pm when I REALLY didn't feel like it. But afterwards I was SO glad I went. Feel super good. YEAH!!! Eric Bana... lookout!

Predictions

I'm addicted to American Idol. I've watched it from the very first episode of season 1. Here we are in Season 7 and I'm still totally into it. So, I thought it would be fun to cast my predictions for the Top 12 - putting them in order of their departure from the show. It will be fun to come back to this in 12 weeks and see how I did. Feel free to post your predictions in the comments.

12. Chikezie
11. Kristy Lee Cook
10. Amanda Overmyer
9. Ramiele Malubay
8. David Hernandez
7. Brooke White
6. David Cook
5. Michael Johns
4. Syesha Mercado
3. Jason Castro
2. Carly Smithson
1. David Archuleta

In love again after all these years

I didn't think it could happen this fast - but it has. I met him a while back through some friends. Every chance I got to be around him - I'd take it. I would often try to create situations that would end up with my hands all over him. And man - did I quickly learn how to push the right buttons.

I had recently thought about pursuing some other suitors but everytime I was with them - I kept comparing them to him.

We became an official couple on Sunday. We "made the deal" as it's often referred. We've been hot and heavy now for just under a week - but it seems like an eternity. I'm constantly looking at him, checking in with him, sliding my fingers all over him. I can't imagine how I got along without him all these years.

I know this is the one because I can't stop doodling "Mrs. David iPhone" all over my Pee-Chee folder ;-)

Just decided...

...that this is what I'm going to look like in 1 year's time... Watch out Eric! You're going to have a twin soon. Well... with just a touch less hair on top...

Hoping to turn that frown, upside down

Well - the doctor insisted. I tried to ward off taking the prescription for high blood pressure but he said that it was against his medical advice. And if I didn't take the meds, he would add in my file that he strongly advised and I ignored his advice... he got all "Hold my baby!" with me. Which I appreciate, actually.

So about 1 hour ago I took my first high blood pressure pill. I insisted that after 6 months and proven weight loss, if we could try and wean me off to see if I can maintain it naturally. He said fine. He stressed to me that even thin people have high blood pressure - and it's not always due to weight. But he's willing to work with me if I prove results.

So - I'm a sad camper today. I feel like a fat old man. It doesn't feel good to feel this way. I rarely get down about things. Really... rarely. I've been lucky to be a pretty upbeat guy about 99.9% of the time. Don't know why this is such a big damn deal for me. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. It'll pass. I'll forget about it in a few days.

I think I need to play some Rock Band to pick up my spirits. Singing "Long Time" by Boston always puts a smile on my face. Or Chant and I will have to go the mall and do DDR with the other 12-yr olds - or come over and we'll sing "What is Love" and do our silly drug-sniffing, mosh-pit dance moves a la SNL. That'll make me feel like a kid again.

But for right now, that emoticon says it all.

Signs of mortality

Well - I officially feel old - or mortal for that matter. Went the doctor's the other day to find out I have high blood pressure and gout. Yes, gout. Wasn't that from the time of the plague and consumption? It's such a horrible word. But what it means is that I have high uric acid levels and that deposits little crystals in the joints.

What causes it? Excess red meat...and booze. Well, I don't eat a great deal of red meat, so I guess we know what the culprit is. And liquor is also contributing to my high blood pressure. (Along with the excess 40-50 lbs I'm carrying around) so the doctor has forbid me from drinking any liquor INDEFINITELY until all conditions are under control.

He said, and I quote, "Dave, if you blood pressure continues, and you don't change your health - you're going to have a heart attack...soon."

YIKES! So that day I went straight to the market, bought a crapload of veggies, tuna, chicken, and course, sandpapery fiber products...and headed directly to the gym. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

Next week the doc wants to put me on blood pressure meds. He said that once you're on - it's rare you come off of them - EVER. I don't like the sound of that. So I'm going to ask that he give me some time with diet and exercise to bring my blood pressure down naturally.

As a natural born project manager - I know I can manage this one. I have to admit- it really scared me when he said "Dave, you're going to have a heart attack!" That's not a great thing to hear. So I've been to the gym 3 days in a row - been eating well - and am determined to get this under control myself.

Thursday, February 28, 2008 will forever be known as the day I became mortal. I guess every human being, at some point in their lives, comes to this moment. When they cross over from eternal childhood where you never think it's ever going to end - to really being aware that this is definitely going to end someday... and that I'm approximately halfway there.

I think that moment is what triggers the midlife crisis. Oh great - now I guess I have to go buy a Corvette.

There's no way in hell!

Referencing an earlier blog entry (Bye, Bye, Miss Mathematical Pi) I've come across one of those "College SAT Questions of the Day" that I can't even begin to figure out. It scares me that I knew how to calculate this when I was 17.

Can you figure this out?

If the diameter of a bicycle wheel is 0.5 meter, how many meters has the center of the wheel traveled when the wheel has made 3 complete revolutions along a straight road?

1. 



2. 3



3. 12



4. 



5. 25