Who Can Figure this Out?

Who knew? Who knows what is correct anymore? It seems like they change the rules daily.... and it is hard for people to follow...especially those who do not like to follow rules.

I am working hard at my resolutions. Damn hard. It is a fight everyday. It is not easy. Imagine my surprise last night when after being put through the third degree by the nutritional Nazi, and wonderful life partner, Peggy that she would go so ballistic over a simple innocent chili dog.

Matt's Chili Dog stand IS NOT FAST FOOD. It takes forever. I go there, talk with Matt and then the food shows up. This is not a fast food operation with teenagers and AARP misfits in hairnets running around taking corporate food our of industrial machines. This is friendly old Matt, taking about life and things and getting some (what I thought) wholesome food out of recognizable home made pots and pans. And the dogs are delicious. And they are Boars Head brand, like you can get a better hot dog. They are probably kosher, and that food has kept the Jewish people alive for thousands of years.

But apparently, according to the Food Nazi's in this world, these tasty delights are on some body's bad list. Even though the best physical specimen of the 1920's, none other than BABE RUTH was always seen eating them.

Go figure.

I am going to have to give this one more thought.

Check out this article - AND NOTE THE ABSENCE OF THE WORD FAST FOOD, and the medical challenge. Apparently Hot Dogs are not sold fast, they are purveyed, which sounds kinda classy.

1916 - An employee of Charles Feltman, Nathan Handwerker (1892-1974), broke away from Feltman in 1916 and, with his wife Ida, started Nathan's Famous, Inc., which now calls itself the world's greatest hot dog purveyor. He opened his stand in Coney Island near the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues and called it Nathan's. Handwerker sold his hot dogs for five cents each. He used two spice suppliers to keep his hot dog recipe secret. To counteract the rumors of his cut-price hot dogs being less than palatable, he offered free hot dogs to the doctors and nurses at Coney Island Hospital. When questioned in later years about his love for his own food (hot dogs), Nathan bragged, "I'll gladly wrassle anyone who's been living on caviar and champagne for thirty-nine years."
It is said that a local singing waiter, Eddie Cantor (1892-1964), comic actor and singer, and his prominent piano accompanist, Jimmy Durante (1893-1980), comedian, piano player, and singer, resented the fact that the prospering Charles Feltman had raised the price on his "franks" to a dime. They suggested to Nathan Handwerker that instead of working for Feltman, that he go into competition with him, selling franks for half the price. Some historians suggest that Nathan Handwerker borrowed $320 from entertainers Eddie Cantor and Jimmy Durante to start the business.
To assist in serving his customers, Nathan hired a redheaded teenager, Clara Bowtiinelli (1905-1965), who later was discovered while working there and became the famous actress Clara Bow, the "It Girl" of the 1920's silent films.
The annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island has been held at the original Coney Island hot dog stand every Independence Day since 1916.

Like you can get ANY BETTER than Nathans!

Safety First....That's My Motto

I have these two friends, and all I will say is their names both start with the letter P. I am married to one of them. They are currently giving me grief, talking me down and making light of my concern for safety.

They just do NOT get the number one rule in mountain climbing. One MUST, prior to climbing, define the conditions for when to call off the climb. And ONE MUST STICK TO SUCH PARAMETERS, or risk death or worse!

They do not get that one must treat all outdoor activities with the same risk awareness of mountain climbing. Believe me, I know, frozen death awaits us all when we ignore Mother Nature. She can be a cruel master.

Pradeep and Peggy have both been 'calling me out' on my bicycle riding. My answer to both of them is that I defined my parameters for riding and the current conditions are just too risky.

I defined sub 40 degree weather as a dire health hazard and think it most imprudent to risk the ride when conditions are not conducive to safe standards.

Now perhaps they could argue my parameters. That would be a fair discussion, and one that I would be willing to enter into (and perhaps win). But to just callously call me out for not riding is cheap, and shows a complete disregard for my safety.

And in conclusion, this has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my current addiction to watching the entire collection of the Soprano's and staying up till past eleven on most evenings and feeling really tired when I wake up, and waking up too late to invest the 30 minutes needed to ride to work. I repeat, this is a SAFETY ISSUE.

Just What Do You Mean By That?

First just let me start out by stating that I am not a religious man, I do not believe in a man made God. That said, I have two big problems with peoples attitudes towards Obama.

Number one, he is not God, a God or God-like, get over this real quick or there is going to be a second crucifixion. I like his ideas, I love his messages and I like where he wants to take us….BUT hell I don’t know if where I want the world to go is the right direction and most importantly HE CANNOT DO IT ALL BY HIMSELF. He will have to fight both his own people and the ugly right to get anything done. Let’s give him a chance, but let’s stop thinking he will cure all ills.

And while I think it is wonderful that people think so highly of him, I sure hope people have patience to let him work. The last thing I want to hear is a “He is just like the rest of them” because he hasn’t done EVERTHING that EVERYONE wants done by March 2009.

Number two, and this one really has me going, I am getting real sick of the talking heads from the Right. They are showing their true colors with their incessant criticism of all things Barack. For starters I think they are the main ones giving him this rock star status, or at least calling it that and I think I know why.

They just do not get it. It is inconceivable to them that a man proposing fairness and reason can rise as high as Barack. Their world is based on fear, greed and power. Power to them can ONLY come from having more money or more weapons. They just cannot get Obama’s message.

They are all acting like the villain boy friend in every 80’s teen movie from Karate Kid to ….well any of those movies. They have wealth, fancy cars, and important parents…why are they not getting their way???? In the world they live in that is all you need for acceptance. Money = Power. Money = Social acceptance. Money buys everything……right? How can you like “him” when I have all this money and power?

I really cannot understand the hatred that Obama is generating from the Right. They sure do not like him, that much is certain. But when I listen to them and hear their arguments and EVEN try to wear their shoes around, I come up real empty as to “what do they mean when they say that”.

I did not like George Bush and his regime. And I am proud of my reasons for not liking him.

I am against the war. – Saddam was no worse than many others, including Bush.
I am against torture – You CANNOT force someone to tell you the truth, but yes you can make them say something
I am against name calling – how can you EVER reach agreement with someone you have labeled EVIL.
I am against giving tax breaks to the rich.

I will stand up ANYTIME and answer this way to these questions.

But for the people AGAINST Obama - what are you really saying when you say that?

You are for war. – It is OK to kill people who do not believe as you do.
Torture has it place?????????????
You can call people EVIL and then reach agreements with them? - oops see WAR above
Tax breaks to the rich – Yes I believe that those who benefit most should NOT have to pay for the system from which they benefit.

And the UNDERLYING BIGGEST CRUELEST SECRET THAT THEY ALL HARBOR – How can we let one of ‘them’ be in control.

Resolution Update

(walt ponders what to do for lunch and considers his options)

I guess it cannot be an update if I have yet to post the resolutions. So first things first:

My 2009 Resolutions
#1 ZERO Fast Food - zero - I will go hungry rather than give in.
#2 Health Care Freak-a-zoid
#3 Take care of "things"
#4 Time is running out - Use it wisely
#5 Kindness and love for others; all others

Now that you have seen them; here is my update for the two week check point, complete with grades

#1 ZERO Fast Food: A++++
I chose the word zero for a reason. It has no wiggle room. ZERO. All I can say is look at my picture. I have been good, but not sure I am happy all the time. I truly miss that 3 seconds of happiness that fast food brings. The CRAVE is still there, but my resolve is still strong

And just in case you are wondering - I haven't figured out pizza yet. Not sure that it qualifies as fast food - I mean it takes forever to cook if you are waiting for one- but a certain spider sense inside me tells me to back off just a tad on my former relationship - that's all I'm saying.

And in case you are really wondering, I've only had it once this year.

#2 Health Care Freak-a-Zoid: B
Working hard, taking my medication, monitoring the BP and taking my supplements. I am hitting the gym with what I call regularity, taking my walks (weather has NOT been cooperating). Am behind on making appointments with professionals and haven't met my inner floss standards yet (but you guys who DO everyday must be GIANT FREAKS, but maybe I will get there).

#3 Take care of 'things': B-
You know me, I am not a material person. The things I am talkin' 'bout here are bidness things and takin' care of bidness, ala Elvis, you know TCB. Doing things right the first time.

Well, I have high standards; all I can say here is that .....I'm workin on it!

#4 Time is running out - Use it wisely: B
Tough one here. Doing my best but it is a chore. Having fun anyway.

#5 Kindness and Love for others; all others: C
Proving to be REAL HARD. Man there are some real JACK-ASSES out there, and you KNOW who YOU are. I am really trying and twice now I have felt REALLY BAD after flipping people off in traffic and having impure thoughts on some real strange sitings. But all in all I am happy with my progress here and feel like a new man.