SKIPPED A DAY (DAY 99)

Monday was get-away day from Houston back home.
There was no time, or desire to get a walk in.
So I skipped a day.
In combination with some poorer eating choices whilst in Houston, it appears that I may have gone five pounds in the wrong direction...
OK, time to get back on track.

10% CHANCE OF RAIN - MEANS IT MIGHT RAIN (DAY 98)

Woke up early Sunday, checked the weather and saw a 10% chance of rain.  Naturally, I though that there was virtually no chance of getting caught in any downpour.  I was wrong. The last 2 miles of my hike were through a hard rainfall shortly after sunrise... My walk was shortened to 'only' seven miles.

SMILE, Y'ALL ARE IN HOUSTON (DAY 97)

Houston Saturday.
Woke up 4:45AM
Checked the weather: 57°
Checked sunrise 7:35AM
Left for my 10 mile hike at 5:03AM and returned to my hotel room at sunrise.
Great way to start a day!

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HOUSTON (DAY 96)

Friday was a long day.
Woke up at 4:30AM
by 5:00AM on my way to Midway Airport.
7:00AM flight takes off for Houston
Plane lands approximately 9:30AM
Supershuttle drops me off at my hotel around 10:30AM
Amazingly, I was able to check into my room early.
11:00 changed clothes, and hiked 5 miles.
and then rest of the afternoon, a couple of meetings with fabric companies.
Dinner with colleagues.
and finally got to sleep around 11:00AM

SUPER SUPER BOWL

I watch (approximately) one football game per year on TV. Last night I was out walking with my daughter during most of the first half of yesterday's game. I know enough about football to know that the New England Patriots were favored to win the game. I purposely tuned into the Half-Time show in order to see what all the fuss was about with 'Lady GaGa.'  As I settled in to watch the second half of the game, I was truly surprised to find that the Patriots were trailing by 25 points late in the third quarter. Sometime soon after, the comeback started. I went into the game not rooting for either team. Watching a blowout game is never too much fun, so with the Patriots down 25 points, I was rooting for them to make it close. I heard a lot of hype over the past week that the Patriot Quarterback, Tom Brady, was the best quarterback ever. By the time that that game ended last night, it would be hard to argue that point. Last night's game was a SUPER SUPER BOWL.

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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, February 5, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Egg - Poached Egg, 3 Large Eggs	213	1	14	18	447	1
Hostess - Classic Wheat Bread	280	54	3	10	580	10
	493	55	17	28	1,027	11
L U N C H
Read 4 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
Lucrene - Provolone Cheese	160	2	12	10	360	0
Aldi Savoritz - Buttery Round Crackers, 10	160	20	9	2	300	2
	715	112	21	18	2,162	61
D I N N E R
Fried Chicken Tenders	450	26	30	21	1,149	2
	450	26	30	21	1,149	2
Totals	1,658	193	68	67	4,338	74
Your Daily Goal	2,633	329	87	132	2,300	98
Remaining	975	136	19	65	-2,038	24
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 703 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
4 mile walk	66	623
Daily Total / Goal	66 / 30	623 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	638 / 210	6,846 / 4,130

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LAST DAY IN HOUSTON

Five days in Houston... I managed to get in my walk (urban hike) each day. On the final day, I 'only' walked 6 miles, but I started that day with 65 minutes on the elliptical machine. There could have easily been an argument made that there was no time for any of this - it is a priority, so I made the time. Now it's time to get ready to board a plane and get back home to Chicago.

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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, October 31, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original	600	132	0	12	1,860	0
Starbucks - Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon	230	28	6	13	560	3
	830	160	6	25	2,420	3
L U N C H
Green - Apple, 1 fruit	95	25	0	1	2	19
Banana - Banana, 1 medium banana (126 g)	124	30	0	1	1	19
	219	55	0	2	3	38
D I N N E R
Gyro, 1 gyro	978	64	61	41	1,950	7
	978	64	61	41	1,950	7
S N A C K S
Dewars - Scotch 1 Oz. Shot, 5 oz.	345	0	0	0	0	0
	345	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	2,372	279	67	68	4,373	48
Your Daily Goal	4,711	589	157	236	2,300	176
Remaining	2,339	310	90	168	-2,073	128
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,781 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, October 31, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
SIX MILE URBAN HIKE	97	962
Elliptical Trainer	65	986
Daily Total / Goal	163 / 30	2,781 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	164 / 210	2,832 / 4,130

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BOOMERANG TRAIL

I decided to name the path of my ten mile walk the Boomerang Trail as it appeared that my urban hike resembled a boomerang.  Of course, boomerangs when launched properly return to their origin, and likewise all 'loop trails' bring one back to the trailhead, in addition,  the entire outline of my travels looked like a boomerang to me.

I passed this artwork entitled, TOLERANCE, about 6AM in the morning.  It was difficult to get a photograph, but I did my best.

When I returned to my hotel after my 10 mile urban hike, the Houston Half Marathon was passing right by my hotel.

The Chicago Cubs got their ticket to Cleveland punched by winning game 5 of the World Series. They still trail the Indians three games to two.
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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, October 30, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 5 packet (28 g)	500	110	0	10	1,550	0
	500	110	0	10	1,550	0
L U N C H
Phonecia Shrimp Chef Salad	800	0	90	60	2,400	0
Lance - Toasty Crackers w/Peanut Butter	180	21	9	4	230	4
	980	21	99	64	2,630	4
D I N N E R
Lobster Enchillada	1,000	70	49	70	2,325	0
	1,000	70	49	70	2,325	0
S N A C K S
Halados Mexico - coconut Ice-Cream	240	38	9	4	0	0
	240	38	9	4	0	0
Totals	2,720	239	157	148	6,505	4
Your Daily Goal	4,641	580	154	233	2,300	174
Remaining	1,921	341	-3	85	-4,205	170
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,711 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 193.1 lbs in 5 weeks.

       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Ten Mile Urban Hike	139	1,855
One mile	17	176
Two miles	29	359
Daily Total / Goal	186 / 30	2,711 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1251 / 210	19,210 / 4,130

from houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment

"Tolerance" sculptures along Allen Parkway promote Houston's diversity

By Steven Thomson

2.21.11 | 5:00 am

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Barcelona-based artist Jaume Plensa's septuplet of sculptures, "Tolerance," was dedicated last week, accompanied by addresses by Mayor Annise Parker, former Mayor Bill White, Mica Mosbacher, a representative of the Aga Khan Foundation and the artist himself.

The Houston Arts Alliance-commissioned sculptures of kneeling human figures, composed of multi-lingual melded metal letters resting on Spanish boulders, have been installed at the corner of Allen Parkway and Montrose Boulevard, and will soon serve as the locus of Harmony Walk and the Rosemont Bridge.

With the downtown skyline as a backdrop, the sculptures encourage Buffalo Bayou joggers and commuters on Allen Parkway to give pause and consider the city's dynamic diversity.

Plensa, who said he "grew up in a forest of books," sees the letter as a beautiful metaphor for human beings.

"When you compare 'A' with 'B' or 'C' with 'D,' or other characters, they seem different. But how beautiful when you can put them together and build up words. And words with words, text. And text with text, culture," he said.

Mosbacher, widow of former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher, detailed her involvement with the project, which was sparked by a vicious 2006 hate crime attack against then 16-year-old Latino student, David Ritcheson, who later committed suicide.

"In contemplating how in some small way I could help to right that wrong," said Mosbacher, "I began to think about Houston, and that in Houston our city is an open city, and those are not part of our values. We are tolerant, we embrace other cultures, and in fact, those other cultures have been the engines of our healthy and prosperous economy."

She quoted the United Nations definition of tolerance and how it relates to the city:

Tolerance is harmony in our differences. Tolerance is not a concession, it's not a condensation, or indulgence."

With special thanks given to her late husband and also to Museum of Fine Arts director Peter Marzio, who passed away in December, Mosbacher concluded, "I hope that those who visit 'Tolerance' on Harmony Walk contemplate what our city represents and will also focus on the value of each and every one of us as human beings."

At the dedication, White expressed thanks to His Highness the Aga Khan, who was pivotal in making "Tolerance" happen and has spearheaded plans for an Aga Khan Foundation Center on a lot across Allen Parkway. He became intimately involved in the project after meetings with White, with whom he shares a keen appreciation for diversity.

"I remember meeting with His Highness across the street when we first had a glimmer that public art may be attainable in this special place. At a time when we were in the depths of a great recession, the Aga Khan Foundation came through in a big way," White said. 

"Above all, I really pay tribute to those who break down barriers in this community. Sometimes they're very courageous people who have endured some hardship and taken a stance . . . but often, they are quiet strugglers, individuals who have persevered when there is stereotyping. For them, this particular public art will be dedicated."

MINUTE MAID PARK

I surprised myself on Saturday morning, when I woke up at 5:00AM, and made the instant decision to  get up, get dressed and head outdoors in the dark of night (sunrise was not until about 7:30AM) and hike ten miles. I spent a lot of time zigging and zagging and eventually I found myself near Minute Maid Park.  My Saturday night did not end until around 1:00AM Sunday morning.  Frankly, I am not sure how I managed to operate on so little sleep. But I did.

Taking a short break at Minute Maid Park

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Ultimate Mixed Grill at McCormick & Schmitt

CUBS UPDATE.   I don't want to be negative... but it is looking as if the World Series drought, currently at 108 years may soon be slipping to 109 years. With the loss of the Cubs to the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night, the Cubs are now faced with the loss of the World Series unless they begin a three game winning streak on Sunday. It's doable. It's been done before. It can be done again. But this team is going to need to actually score some runs if that is going to happen.

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, October 29, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 5 packet	500	110	0	10	1,550	0
	500	110	0	10	1,550	0
L U N C H
6" Hot Dog With Bun	580	0	0	0	0	0
	580	0	0	0	0	0
D I N N E R
Mccormick & Schmick's Mixed Grill	1,100	0	0	0	0	0
	1,100	0	0	0	0	0
S N A C K S
Dewars - Scotch 1 Oz. Shot, 3 oz.	207	0	0	0	0	0
	207	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	2,387	110	0	10	1,550	0
Your Daily Goal	4,116	514	137	206	2,300	154
Remaining	1,729	404	137	196	750	154
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,186 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 195 lbs in 5 weeks     

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
10 MILE URBAN HIKE	143	1,799
Daily Total / Goal	143 / 30	1,799 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1065 / 210	16,499 / 4,130

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