Believe it or not but my house, my 2 story 4 bedroom house, only came with 2 phone jacks, one in the kitchen and the other in the master bedroom. When we set up the computer, we decided to use the formal dining room as an office as we really don't have much use for a room where we're only going to eat 2 or 3 meals a year. The problem though was the modem connection for the computer. We solved it by buying a "cordless jack" which I suppose is a radio unit the communicates between the computer and the phone jack in the kitchen.
I tried installing the DSL modem today and it seems that the cordless jack won't support DSL. I called tech support and they confirmed my suspicion. Shit.
I called and discussed ways around this with the tech support guy and he suggested that I buy something called a "cordless router" which sounds really expensive to me. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can see if there's another cordless jack that maybe can handle the DSL signal or I may even have a plug installed in this room, which I don't want to do as it would involve running a 50' cord around the perimeter of my house and drilling a hole in the brick veneer on the other side of the wall. That would probably be expensive too. Or, I could just mail the stuff back to SBC and say no thanks, can't do because of a hardware problem.
I think I'll probably go to Circuit City tomorrow and see how much the routers are. It they're more than $50 then I'll probably decide to stick with good ole dialup AOL. I am not very confident about my ability to rig up something like that.
Oh, and I weighed myself at the gym this morning and I am finally below 300 lbs. I weighed 296 lbs, which is a loss of 17 lbs over the past 3 weeks. So tomorrow for free day, I think I'll hit that Taco Bell I meant to last week and for dinner we'll all go to Grant Street Pizza for some New York style pie. Yeah baby!
Saturday, January 24, 2004
Friday, January 23, 2004
End of week 2
Today was the last gym workout of my week 2 Body For Life workout plan (even though I started a workout regimen a week before then). So far, so good. Though I'll weigh myself tomorrow, I would estimate that I've probably lost about 15 lbs in the past 3 weeks. That's not too bad.
It's not really enough that people are readily seeing it yet (at least no one's commenting) but I can tell. The reason it's not that apparent is because all of my shirts and sweaters are size XXL and were loose and billowy even before I began this routine. I can tell that there's less around my middle and my face looks a bit thinner to me though. I've always wanted to go back to having only one chin.
I remember seeing this show on TV ( I think it was Dateline or another one like that) about a celebrity chef who lost over 100 lbs on a diet and exercise regimen. When asked how he could stand being around food so much and not eat, he replied that when he gets a craving, he smells the food. It showed him tearing apart a fresh baguette roll and deeply inhaling the scent of it. Frankly, I thought that was stupid and I laughe at it . . . until last night. Megan baked a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies and when I caught a whiff of them in the oven I almost lost it. However, I remembered what I saw on that show so, instead of eating one, I broke it and deeply smelled it. The incredible warmth and richness of the butter and brown sugar believe it or not satisfied my craving. It wasn't as good as eating one, of course, but it was better than nothing. And not a crumb passed my lips.
I'm bored shitless here at work. Vivian got sick after lunch so I sent her home. Usually I'd be home by 4:30 but not today. Oh well. Like I'm really such an asshole that I'd make her work sick so I could have an extra 30 minutes doing nothing at home.
I am so bored that I am clicking other peoples' blogs on Blogger. Some of them are good and some are quite bad. I don't understand though what problem most people seem to have with CAPITALIZATION! For heaven's sake, people, did no one take English in high school? Hell, not even high school, that's grammar school level stuff. Jeez.
It's not really enough that people are readily seeing it yet (at least no one's commenting) but I can tell. The reason it's not that apparent is because all of my shirts and sweaters are size XXL and were loose and billowy even before I began this routine. I can tell that there's less around my middle and my face looks a bit thinner to me though. I've always wanted to go back to having only one chin.
I remember seeing this show on TV ( I think it was Dateline or another one like that) about a celebrity chef who lost over 100 lbs on a diet and exercise regimen. When asked how he could stand being around food so much and not eat, he replied that when he gets a craving, he smells the food. It showed him tearing apart a fresh baguette roll and deeply inhaling the scent of it. Frankly, I thought that was stupid and I laughe at it . . . until last night. Megan baked a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies and when I caught a whiff of them in the oven I almost lost it. However, I remembered what I saw on that show so, instead of eating one, I broke it and deeply smelled it. The incredible warmth and richness of the butter and brown sugar believe it or not satisfied my craving. It wasn't as good as eating one, of course, but it was better than nothing. And not a crumb passed my lips.
I'm bored shitless here at work. Vivian got sick after lunch so I sent her home. Usually I'd be home by 4:30 but not today. Oh well. Like I'm really such an asshole that I'd make her work sick so I could have an extra 30 minutes doing nothing at home.
I am so bored that I am clicking other peoples' blogs on Blogger. Some of them are good and some are quite bad. I don't understand though what problem most people seem to have with CAPITALIZATION! For heaven's sake, people, did no one take English in high school? Hell, not even high school, that's grammar school level stuff. Jeez.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
This is what you call "Classic Rock?"
I've been trying to fing something, anything on the radio that would motivate me to write. Unfortunately, with few exceptions, the "Classic Rock" station over here only rarely goes outside the dozen or so focus-grouped-to-death songs that have been worn smooth over the years by so much radio play. I mean, for God's sake, does anyone really listen to "Stairway to Heaven" when it comes on anymore? Anyone? Didn't think so.
Heard "Legs" by ZZ Top coming back to the office this afternoon. This is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. ZZ Top was a good band back in the mid and late 70's and the very early 80's. In fact, I think they reached their peak with 1981's El Loco. Yes, it was juvenile and sophomoric and all that but it was also brilliant. "Tube Snake Boogie" and "Pearl Necklace" were all guaranteed to make teenage boys go into titters but they were as original as they were daring. And try to get either song out of your head after listening to it. After that, though, ZZ Top went into their MTV phase and released a bunch of silly video-friendly songs like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man." After that, adios career.
I also heard "Breakin the Law" from Judas Priest today. I used to really like JP (but honestly not really that song) but a guy named Greg - who used to work for me - totally ruined them for me when he told me that Rob Halford was gay. Don't get me wrong, what Halford does in his bedroom is his business alone. I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is that now I have to wonder what the hell Halford is really singing about when he howls "You Got Another Thing Coming" every time I hear that song. In fact, Greg told me that he saw Halford in concert a few years ago with his new band. Halford rode a Harley onto the stage then dismounted and fellated the handlebars. Again, to each his own but that's just not my cuppa tea, y'know.
Perhaps not coincidentally, I fired Greg a few months later.
Heard "Legs" by ZZ Top coming back to the office this afternoon. This is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. ZZ Top was a good band back in the mid and late 70's and the very early 80's. In fact, I think they reached their peak with 1981's El Loco. Yes, it was juvenile and sophomoric and all that but it was also brilliant. "Tube Snake Boogie" and "Pearl Necklace" were all guaranteed to make teenage boys go into titters but they were as original as they were daring. And try to get either song out of your head after listening to it. After that, though, ZZ Top went into their MTV phase and released a bunch of silly video-friendly songs like "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man." After that, adios career.
I also heard "Breakin the Law" from Judas Priest today. I used to really like JP (but honestly not really that song) but a guy named Greg - who used to work for me - totally ruined them for me when he told me that Rob Halford was gay. Don't get me wrong, what Halford does in his bedroom is his business alone. I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is that now I have to wonder what the hell Halford is really singing about when he howls "You Got Another Thing Coming" every time I hear that song. In fact, Greg told me that he saw Halford in concert a few years ago with his new band. Halford rode a Harley onto the stage then dismounted and fellated the handlebars. Again, to each his own but that's just not my cuppa tea, y'know.
Perhaps not coincidentally, I fired Greg a few months later.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
I feel like Howard Dean
Well, I decided after watching Paul Teutel pop 405 lbs on American Chopper (they were following him around a gym obviously) that I would set that as my goal and try to finally become a member of the 400-lb bench press club myself. So, I went into the gym all full of piss and vinegar this morning ready to start training for it. However, the piss and vinegar evaporated the moment I lifted 135 lbs., my nominal warmup weight, off the rack. Jee-zus my shoulder ached! I wanted to try to see if I could push it and maybe do a single of 275 on my 4th set. Wasn't happening. My last set was a very sorry set of 4 at 235 lbs.
Not too impressive.
I think I'll start doing a few sets of pushups to try to strengthen the joint at night before bedtime. God, I don't want to see an orthopedist for this.
Not really too much to write about. I guess I'm still emotionally spent after seeing my new niece this past weekend. Oh, wait. There is some drama, if you want to call it that. Megan has got the bright idea that it would be really cool if she and her friend Kayla took a road trip to Mobile during Mardi Gras. That's 13 hours each way in a 5 year old car with 70,000 miles on it and a persistent oil leak. Sorry, hate to bust your bubble honey but that is about the worst idea you've had since . . . well, I don't know when. She's still at that young age where she thinks she's invulnerable. Like what the hell's going to happen if she breaks down in, oh I dunno, how 'bout Louisiana, and I can't do anything about it? Say it with me, kids: NOT HAPPENING.
I'm still with the religion of working out and dieting. Despite my poor showing on the barbell bench, I felt strong in the arms and still managed to have a good workout this morning. As for work, "John" has worn out the last bit of my patience with his rescheduling of his appointments and taking unauthorized days off. I was going to tell him this morning that I was completely taking him off new leads forever but, surprise!, he called in this morning and told Vivian to cancel his appointments because he "had his kids with him." He had no appointments but it still pissed me off.
As Howard Dean would say, "YEAAAARGH!!!"
Not too impressive.
I think I'll start doing a few sets of pushups to try to strengthen the joint at night before bedtime. God, I don't want to see an orthopedist for this.
Not really too much to write about. I guess I'm still emotionally spent after seeing my new niece this past weekend. Oh, wait. There is some drama, if you want to call it that. Megan has got the bright idea that it would be really cool if she and her friend Kayla took a road trip to Mobile during Mardi Gras. That's 13 hours each way in a 5 year old car with 70,000 miles on it and a persistent oil leak. Sorry, hate to bust your bubble honey but that is about the worst idea you've had since . . . well, I don't know when. She's still at that young age where she thinks she's invulnerable. Like what the hell's going to happen if she breaks down in, oh I dunno, how 'bout Louisiana, and I can't do anything about it? Say it with me, kids: NOT HAPPENING.
I'm still with the religion of working out and dieting. Despite my poor showing on the barbell bench, I felt strong in the arms and still managed to have a good workout this morning. As for work, "John" has worn out the last bit of my patience with his rescheduling of his appointments and taking unauthorized days off. I was going to tell him this morning that I was completely taking him off new leads forever but, surprise!, he called in this morning and told Vivian to cancel his appointments because he "had his kids with him." He had no appointments but it still pissed me off.
As Howard Dean would say, "YEAAAARGH!!!"
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Little Lillian
I am blogging this from my brother Mark’s beautiful home in Ft. Worth.
My newest niece came into the world today. Shortly after noon this overcast and cold day, the heavens parted, the angels heralded and Lillian Addison Cooper came into the world riding a sunbeam. She is a healthy and happy 8 lbs, 9 ounces and 20.5 inches long. Mark and Natalie are elated if a bit beleaguered to at last have their gift from God safely delivered to their arms.
Mark, I’ve left you a link to my weblog so I think there’s a good chance you’ll read this. I want to thank you for letting me be a part of this. Coming here, I of course wanted to see Natalie and everyone else and Lord knows I wanted to see and hold little Lillian. But mostly I wanted to see you. I wanted to see the look on your face as you held your little girl. And seeing that, I want you to know that I wasn’t disappointed. Believe me, brother, I could have walked here from San Antonio and the paradisial expression on your face this day would have made it worth it.
I just want to reiterate what I said to you earlier. You have just entered the nirvana of your life. But this rapturous time will be as fleeting as it is precious. I’m not saying that your life won’t have other happy times; it will, of course. But nothing will quite compare to the cloud that little Lillian, your firstborn, has so obviously lifted you on upon. So savor this. Grab it with both hands and savor it. No one can hold the present forever, any more than we can catch or long hold flowing water in our hands. But your memory will hold this time and again, like we talked about earlier this evening at Starbucks, no matter how rocky your road may become at times later in your life (and it will; it’s part of life) your memories of this day and the days to follow will always put a smile in your heart.
Savor how she looks, savor the sounds of her cries and coos, the sweet smell of her breath and the way her little hand holds onto your fingertip as you hold her and talk softly to her at night. But always keep in mind that though little girls are God’s most precious gifts, He doesn’t let us have them for very long. She’ll grow, and quickly. You’ll find that time is a thief now. In three months, you’ll get up in the middle of the night and rock Lillian back to sleep after giving her a bottle. In three years, you’ll lay beside her bed as you read her a story to send her gently off to her dreams. In eight years, you’ll kneel beside her bed to say prayers then softly kiss her forehead before turning out her lights. Right now, she's your delicate flower. Before long, she'll be your baby; then she'll be your little girl. Then, she'll be your big girl.
So hold onto it. Too many men glibly walk through this part of their lives blind to the magic of it. Appreciate this gift. Hold onto these moments in your heart, for this is what completes us as men. This is what makes us fathers.
Again, I thank you for having me here. I'll always remember this day, when I saw my brother Mark and his wife become a family. May God bless you, Natalie and Lillian always and ever.
Your brother,
James
My newest niece came into the world today. Shortly after noon this overcast and cold day, the heavens parted, the angels heralded and Lillian Addison Cooper came into the world riding a sunbeam. She is a healthy and happy 8 lbs, 9 ounces and 20.5 inches long. Mark and Natalie are elated if a bit beleaguered to at last have their gift from God safely delivered to their arms.
Mark, I’ve left you a link to my weblog so I think there’s a good chance you’ll read this. I want to thank you for letting me be a part of this. Coming here, I of course wanted to see Natalie and everyone else and Lord knows I wanted to see and hold little Lillian. But mostly I wanted to see you. I wanted to see the look on your face as you held your little girl. And seeing that, I want you to know that I wasn’t disappointed. Believe me, brother, I could have walked here from San Antonio and the paradisial expression on your face this day would have made it worth it.
I just want to reiterate what I said to you earlier. You have just entered the nirvana of your life. But this rapturous time will be as fleeting as it is precious. I’m not saying that your life won’t have other happy times; it will, of course. But nothing will quite compare to the cloud that little Lillian, your firstborn, has so obviously lifted you on upon. So savor this. Grab it with both hands and savor it. No one can hold the present forever, any more than we can catch or long hold flowing water in our hands. But your memory will hold this time and again, like we talked about earlier this evening at Starbucks, no matter how rocky your road may become at times later in your life (and it will; it’s part of life) your memories of this day and the days to follow will always put a smile in your heart.
Savor how she looks, savor the sounds of her cries and coos, the sweet smell of her breath and the way her little hand holds onto your fingertip as you hold her and talk softly to her at night. But always keep in mind that though little girls are God’s most precious gifts, He doesn’t let us have them for very long. She’ll grow, and quickly. You’ll find that time is a thief now. In three months, you’ll get up in the middle of the night and rock Lillian back to sleep after giving her a bottle. In three years, you’ll lay beside her bed as you read her a story to send her gently off to her dreams. In eight years, you’ll kneel beside her bed to say prayers then softly kiss her forehead before turning out her lights. Right now, she's your delicate flower. Before long, she'll be your baby; then she'll be your little girl. Then, she'll be your big girl.
So hold onto it. Too many men glibly walk through this part of their lives blind to the magic of it. Appreciate this gift. Hold onto these moments in your heart, for this is what completes us as men. This is what makes us fathers.
Again, I thank you for having me here. I'll always remember this day, when I saw my brother Mark and his wife become a family. May God bless you, Natalie and Lillian always and ever.
Your brother,
James
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