VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN

Chicago has long had the well-earned reputation for voter fraud. It's the kind of thing that happens when Democrats rule a city for generations. Nevertheless, (legitimate) early voting began on Monday and on Tuesday morning, I took advantage of the opportunity. Before I arrived at the polling station, I managed to squeeze in a 7 mile urban hike.

DON'T BE A CHUMP, VOTE TRUMP!

In Chicago, we have electronic voting machines. This is an actual photo of my selection for President and Vice President of the United States.  During the primaries, Donald J Trump was about my 15th choice for the nomination. On the day that he became the presumptive nominee, he turned into my first choice. 

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Part of my 7 mile urban hike had me walking along paved trail on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Chewy Dipps Choc Chip, 2 bar	280	46	10	2	120	26
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 3 packet	300	66	0	6	930	0
	580	112	10	8	1,050	26
L U N C H
Fresh Thyme - Dark Cocoa Melting Wafers	500	55	30	7	102	48
Fresh Market Cafe - California Sushi Roll	350	62	6	11	1,695	9
	850	117	36	18	1,797	57
D I N N E R
Campbell's - New England Clam Chowder	360	36	20	10	1,780	2
Almond Joy - Mini	160	20	8	2	40	16
Bread - Corn	200	37	4	4	0	0
	720	93	32	16	1,820	18
S N A C K S
Whole Foods - Banana Chips	300	34	20	2	0	20
Whole Foods - Organic Date Pieces	200	52	0	2	23	41
Chocolate Chips	300	38	15	4	0	30
	800	124	35	8	23	91
Totals	2,950	446	113	50	4,690	192
Your Daily Goal	3,376	422	112	169	2,300	126
Remaining	426	-24	-1	119	-2,390	-66
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,446 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 207.9 lbs in 5 weeks.

Your Exercise Diary for:

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
SEVEN MILE URBAN HIKE	89	1,446
Daily Total / Goal	89 / 30	1,446 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	399 / 210	7,138 / 4,130

Meanwhile in Cleveland, Ohio where Game 1 of the World Series was being played... the Chicago Cubs lost 6-0 to the Indians.  There is much baseball left to play, so no reason for Chicagoans to panic just yet...
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Out of a sense of curiosity, I have been monitoring Stub Hub to view ticket prices for Game 3 of the World Series (first game at Wrigley Field) and when I first checked two days ago, the least expensive prices asked for Standing Room Only were $2200.  Those asking prices might have been a bit optimistic... As of Wednesday morning, the prices have 'crashed' down to the $1700 dollar range.

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LIES, DAMNED LIES AND STATISTICS

"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments. It is also sometimes colloquially used to doubt statistics used to prove an opponent's point..

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Yesterday I posted a graph showing my most recent 13 pounds weight loss. It is a thing of beauty, it shows almost a straight line going down over the past two months. Here it is:

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However, if I expand the length of time to be examined out one more month. My progress is far less impressive.  In fact, one can see that in three months, I have made NO PROGRESS, in fact, I GAINED 0.1 pounds.

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And if I extend the timeline out to six months?  Things look even worse, this chart highlights how I have GAINED nearly 14 pounds in the past six months.

Well, if one can go back six months, how about going back one year? In this chart, perhaps there can be made a case that things are not so bad, as I have ONLY gained 8 pounds in the past 52 weeks (one year).

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It is on this last chart that I can take solace in my weight loss achievement. Since I started my WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY on December 24, 2014 - I have LOST 80 POUNDS. This is something to be proud of, and I am proud of this achievement. It has not been easy. It is clear that it will never be easy to hold onto this achievement.  But hold on, I will.

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Yesterday was an unremarkable day regarding my calorie burning.  In the morning, I spent 97 minutes on the elliptical machine. In the evening, I took a walk to REI to pick up some new socks and made that trip a five mile trip before returning home.

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Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, July 9, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium	95	25	0	1	2	19
Kroger - Instant Country Grits	500	105	5	10	1,700	5
	595	130	5	11	1,702	24
L U N C H
Breaded Fried Chicken (Drumstick)	520	16	28	48	1,000	0
	520	16	28	48	1,000	0
D I N N E R
Hebrew National - Beef Franks - 4 Franks	680	8	52	24	1,800	0
	680	8	52	24	1,800	0
S N A C K S
88% Dark Chocolate, 1 bar	420	34	40	8	0	10
	420	34	40	8	0	10
Totals	2,215	188	125	91	4,502	34
Your Daily Goal	4,022	503	134	202	2,300	150
Remaining	1,807	315	9	111	-2,202	116
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,092 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 199.6 lbs in 5 weeks     

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your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	97	1,132
Walking	71	910
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	50
Daily Total / Goal	169 / 30	2,092 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1174 / 210	11,951 / 4,130

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This quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, although it is also attributed to Benjamin Disraeli. 

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and on a completely unrelated topic....

My personal Kobayashi Maru. Star Trek predicted that Donald Trump will win the presidency, and annihilate  the Rupublican Party.  I know this going in.  I am going to vote for Donald Trump.  If Hillary Clinton were to be elected, it will not just be a political party that she destroys, but America itself. Not a great choice for a Republican to make: vote to destroy the Republican Party, which will lead to the destruction of America in the future or vote to destroy America immediately. (Oh, you don't know what a Kobayashi Maru is.... let me offer an explanation)

from wikipedia...

The Kobayashi Maru is a test in the fictional Star Trek universe.

It is a Starfleet training exercise designed to test the character of cadets in the command track at Starfleet Academy. The Kobayashi Maru test was first depicted in the opening scene of the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and also appears in the 2009 film Star Trek. Screenwriter Jack B. Sowards is credited with inventing the test, naming it after a friend whose last name was Kobayashi. The test is sometimes mentioned or depicted in ancillary Star Trek media, including novels and video games. The test's name is occasionally used among Star Trek fans or those familiar with the series to describe a no-win scenario, or a solution that involves redefining the problem and testing one's character.

TRUTH, JUSTICE, and the AMERICAN WAY

GOP is the 'Grand Old Party.'
These days, it is more like the 'Glorified Obsolete Party.'
A headline today from some clueless North Dakotan delegate was quoted as saying:
"The media has created the perception that the voters choose the nomination. That's the conflict here."
And here's the kicker....The statement is technically true. It is the delegates that elect the nominee.

And if the Republican Party really thinks that they can select and nominate another candidate other than one of the clear leaders in the delegate count - The party will be even more ripped to shreds than it already is.  Please understand that I am not happy that Donald Trump is leading in committed delegates.

AMERICA NEEDS SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND THE AMERICAN WAY.  AMERICA NEEDS SUPERMAN - SADLY HE IS NOT RUNNING.

This is going to be a long hot summer.
And the first day of Spring is still one week away.

Are these really the two most qualified Americans to run for President of the United States?  NEITHER OF THESE TWO HAS EVEN A RUDIMENTARY RELATIONSHIP WITH TRUTH. In Hillary's case, I would say that she has no relationship with Truth, Justice or the American Way.

I used to be the kind of guy who could listen to talk radio for endless hours each day.  When I was not listening to talk radio I used to watch cable news.  More and more I find myself purposefully looking for escape within Netflix and/or my vast music library while I am working out on the elliptical machine.  Reality has become unappealing.  Recently I have preferred to be lost in the 'future' watching old episodes of Star Trek. I find that entertainment is better for my mental well-being.

LOSING WEIGHT and/or MAINTAINING MY WEIGHT LOSS IS ALSO GOOD FOR MY WELL-BEING... and I feel that I might be soon be getting back on course in that endeavor.

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
2 Egg Omelette With Ham and Cheese, 1 Omelette	383	2	21	32	810	2
Trader Joes - Roasted Coconut Chips (1/2 Bag 1oz)	320	30	20	2	260	18
	703	32	41	34	1,070	20
L U N C H
EARTHBOUND FARM - ORGANIC BABY SPINACH, 85 g (approx 3 oz, two cups)	20	0	0	2	65	0
Louis Kemp - Crab Delights Leg Style, 3 legs (85g)	70	11	0	6	430	1
Roundy's - Sliced Beets, 1/2 cup	40	8	0	1	250	6
Jb - Hard Boiled Egg, 1 Large Egg (50 g)	78	1	5	6	62	1
Lady lLiberty - Asparagus, 3/5 cup	18	2	0	2	408	0
CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 1.5 CUP	480	80	14	10	120	30
Roundy's - Medium Peas, 1.75 cup	245	42	2	14	1,120	21
Roundy's - Corn Sweet Whole Kernel No Salt Added	280	32	5	7	35	25
	1,231	176	26	48	2,490	83
D I N N E R
ORGANIC BABY SPINACH	20	0	0	2	65	0
365 - Hearts of Palm: Salad Cut, 1 cup	50	10	0	4	580	0
Louis Kemp - Crab Delights Leg Style, 3 legs (85g)	70	11	0	6	430	1
libby's - Sweet Corn, 0.88 cup	105	16	3	4	350	12
Roundy's - Asparagus Spears, 1.75 Cup	70	11	0	7	1,225	11
Eggs - Hard Boiled - Large, 1 egg	78	1	5	6	62	1
Ham slices - Ham pieces, 3 oz	160	4	10	14	1,000	2
Goya - Chick Peas, 0.25 cup	50	10	1	3	180	1
	603	62	19	46	3,892	27
S N A C K S
Malt O Meal - Honey Nut Scooters, 120 g	480	96	6	12	840	36
	480	96	6	12	840	36
Totals	3,017	365	92	140	8,292	166
Your Daily Goal	5,537	692	184	277	2,300	207
Remaining	2,520	326	91	136	-5,991	41
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 3,607 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
PRECOR AMT (ADAPTIVE MOTION TRAINER)	125	2,262
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	92	1,568
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-223
Daily Total / Goal	218 / 30	3,607 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	621 / 210	9,829 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3017 calories

total calories burned (elliptical) 3830 calories

total net 813 calorie deficit

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fitbit day 196

25073 steps  

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THIS CRUISE IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Last night was the penultimate debate prior to some actual votes being cast by actual human beings in   the Iowa Caucus in less than three weeks. I have noticed that more and more people have been jumping on the Ted Cruz bandwagon. I would like to welcome you aboard. Sure, Donald Trump has been fascinating to watch. The man will (and does) say anything that pops into his mind. There is much that he says that I agree with, but I am really put off by his grade school tactics... He speaks too much about frailties of his opponents and spends way too much time touting his good poll numbers. Ted Cruz spends time talking about issues. Ted Cruz is exactly what our current president was labeled, but is not. Ted Cruz actually is a Constitutional Scholar. And more importantly, he respects, reveres and loves the United States Constitution. That is my kind of guy. And just to show you, my readers, my friends, that I am not new to the Ted Cruz bandwagaon - I have depicted a posting from my personal facebook page posted way, way back on March 22, 2015 openly declaring my affinity for this man. March 22, 2015 was a long time ago. Do you know how long ago it was? Back then, I had already made much progress on my weight loss, but even then, I still weighed 235 lbs.

I announced my affinity for this man on March 22, 2015.  In the 10 months since his announcement,  my support for Ted Cruz has only intensified. The biggest intrigue these days is who will the Republican candidate be running against.  If Hillary Clinton is indicted for multiple felonies, as she surely should be, who will fill that void? Joe Biden? Al Gore? Elizabeth Warren? Governor Jerry Brown? Bernie Sanders? (c'mon....get serious!) John Kerry?  Who are the other 'titans' in the Democratic Party? 

Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, January 14, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Tropicana - Orange Juice - 100% Juice, 16 fl	220	54	0	4	30	44
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal - Original	800	152	16	32	600	0
	1,020	206	16	36	630	44
L U N C H
Hostess - Classic Wheat Bread	280	54	3	10	580	10
Blackened Whitefish, 8.0 oz	360	7	24	33	1,480	0
Whole Foods - Macaroni and Cheese, 1 cup	320	31	15	14	460	5
Whole Foods - Spaghetti & Meatballs	169	18	6	9	381	3
	1,129	109	48	67	2,901	18
D I N N E R
Del Monte - Whole Kernel Corn	175	46	4	4	35	11
Del Monte - Sweet Peas Low Sodium	210	53	0	14	315	14
	385	98	4	18	350	25
S N A C K S
Nature Valley - Oats 'n Dark Chocolate Bars	190	29	7	4	140	12
WHOLE FOODS 8890 VANILLA STRAWBERRY	375	60	12	8	90	23
WHOLE FOODS 7700 - ORGANIC DATE	240	60	0	2	20	44
	805	149	19	14	250	79
Totals	3,339	562	87	134	4,131	165
Your Daily Goal	3,913	489	130	196	2,300	146
Remaining	574	-73	43	62	-1,831	-18
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,983 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	92	2,110
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-127
Daily Total / Goal	93 / 30	1,983 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	378 / 210	6,761 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3339 calories

total calories burned (92 min elliptical) 2110 calories

total net 1229 calories

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fitbit day 133

12828 steps

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