Lump on a log

The past two weeks have been glorious if you just like to relax and do absolutely nothing. Hell, I didn't even feel like blogging when I had all the time in the world. My business was closed early on both "eves" and I had to only work one, plus we were also closed the Friday after each holiday. So my total commitments in the past 2 weeks?

4.5 days of work
holiday stuff like visit relatives
prepare and host a new year's eve party

Other than that, I slept a lot and I mean a lot. I would end up sitting in the easy chair watching TV and the next thing I knew was that I had napped for an hour. I think I may have missed only one day where I didn't nap. I don't think we realize how much we deprive ourselves of sleep during the regular routine of going to work.

I also had the pleasure of going to AC for a day and playing some poker with my friend, Dave. I only won a small amount but he really did well and made almost 400 bucks. I admit I had some jealousy that the cards were hitting him so well but overall I was happy for him and enjoyed myself nonetheless.

Tomorrow the party is over. Kids go back to school, I go back to work and the regular hum drum routine. It was a much needed rest and I'm not regretful that I didn't make better use of my time. I'm well rested and raring to go. Perhaps it'll be a slow start tomorrow morning but I have a new year and a renewed battery.

at least you can turn a 7 into an 8

Made my first date screw up of the new year and dated something 07' today. Luckily, you can keep making the 8 after you catch the error, it just looks a bit angular and kinda like the symbol for the artist formerly known as prince. But, it's much better than last year when you had the erase or cross out the 6 since you can't salvage it into a 7.

Looking back or forwards?

As the countdown clocks are all ticking down towards the new year some of us like to take a look back at the year that was while others like to look forward at the year that could be. Sure, sure, I know you need to know your history to predict the future more accurately, but most of us are either rubber-neckers or tunnel visioned at heart.

Personally, I couldn't stomach another top ten list, but I still find myself looking back quite a bit- The first Phillies playoff game in 14 years was a blast. I've reconnected with a few old friends I haven't been in touch with for a while. I quit smoking. Gabe can ride a bike and started 1st grade. Jonathan continues to amaze me with his artistic skills and his empathetic demeanor. I had a great year at the poker table. The refinished basement that my wife put together almost by herself is awesome and we have new floors.

If I had to look ahead, I can see that there are things to look forward to experiencing. The best thing is that my lovely wife and I will have our 10th anniversary this May. While I'll save the ooey gooey love stuff for later, I am excited as we are taking a trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley for the celebration- and NO KIDS!! I'm excited for another year of the Phillies, despite the fact that it's been somewhat of a disappointing off-season so far. I have upgraded my Sunday plan seats and have better seats and now I can take the whole family instead of just 2 of us. Dan Harrington's new book on cash game poker is coming out soon. The scariest part is that my 20 year reunion for high school is this year. Yup, Ive been out of school longer than I've been in school- yikes!

I guess that's why I'm a rubber-necker- the new year is just another reminder that I'm an old fart and I'm another year closer to being even more unhip than I previously was.

New Year's resolutions (a.k.a. empty promises)

The new year is upon us and as tradition dictates, we all make pledges to do something in our lives to make us better people. Why we need some sort of kick in the pants by a calendar change is beyond me. I suppose we all have some sort of weird group OCD and like round numbers.

The good news for me is after the last 12 years of making resolutions to quit smoking and never having any success is that I finally quit. I have not had a cigarette for 6 months and have no real desire to smoke again. Thank you, Pfizer for creating Chantix. (strangely enough it was a blue pill just like Viagra, I guess Pfizer likes that color?) It was a true miracle drug for me and after years and years of trying to quit through all sorts of means, Chantix made quitting easy.

The bad news is that I'm still a fatty and need to lose some weight. I was exercising and dieting right after quitting smoking but fell off the healthy wagon when vacation came. Maybe I took on too much at once in the self improvement department. But much more likely it's the fact that I like ice cream, cookies, cake and potato chips way too much. I've lost weight in the past and I know it's just a matter of sticking to a regimen. It's just that I need some sort of motivation to get going again....

Hey Look! The calendar is starting over again- maybe I should lose some weight!!