JUBILATION

It took 108 years.
It took 7 games.
It took 10 innings.
It took 4 hours 28 minutes (including  17 minute rain delay)
The Chicago Cubs are the World Champions!
The moment, that the last out was recorded at first base, there were cheers throughout the city.
Fireworks could be heard coming from many different directions.
I can only imagine the bedlam going on in Wrigleyville by Wrigley Field.
Final Score Cubs 8 - Indians 7
What a game!

time for a new logo!

time for a new license plate!

As it was raining throughout the day, it was time to take refuge indoors and spend some time on the elliptical machine. I did something different than usual. I often set the 'resistance' to the top setting and pedal along at a comfortable pace. Yesterday I set the 'resistance' to 'only' half of what I usually set it, but pedaled much faster and much harder and had an equivalent calorie burn in only 60 minutes.

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 6 packet	600	132	0	12	1,860	0
Nature Valley - Cherry Dark Chocolate	200	30	5	10	150	15
	800	162	5	22	2,010	15
L U N C H
Subway - Footlong Turkey Breast on Wheat	560	92	17	36	1,890	11
Whole Foods - Banana Chips	225	26	15	2	0	15
Fresh Thyme - Dark Cocoa Melting Wafers	500	55	30	7	102	48
	1,285	173	62	45	1,992	74
D I N N E R
Banana (2)	270	70	1	3	3	38
Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
	810	171	7	18	3,103	84
Totals	2,895	506	74	85	7,105	173
Your Daily Goal	3,011	376	100	151	2,300	113
Remaining	116	-130	26	66	-4,805	-60
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,081 extra calories from exercise today

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Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	60	1,081
Daily Total / Goal	60 / 30	1,081 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	376 / 210	6,228 / 4,130

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My 59th birthday is still a little more than one week away... yesterday my daughter made this cake at school during one of her special elective classes. This was presented to me on the night of the 7th game of the World Series. I loved the baseball theme. What a nice surprise.

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CHICAGO CUBS WORLD SERIES FEVER TRAIL

Each of my hikes 'need' a theme, mostly because it amuses me. (I am easily amused.) Yesterday's theme was an urban hike that created its own trail of Chicago Cubs World Series Fever related points of interest. There were three highlights of this imaginary trail that I hiked in yesterday's cold and windy day, which turned into a cold, windy and rainy day. I was 'rescued' by my wife after I had hiked ten miles. My clothing was wet, although my new waterproof hiking shoes kept my feet dry and my spirit remained undampened. First stop along this 'trail' was Daley Plaza.

Daley Plaza's fountain is bright blue for the Cubs. The fountain outside the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., was dyed blue at the start of the National League Division Series.  The fountain is scheduled to remain blue as long as the Cubs are playing. With their win in Game 2 of the World Series, the season is now guaranteed to extend at least three more games.

The next stop on this Chicago Cubs World Series Fever Trail was the Willis Tower. You might recognize the previous name of this skyscraper - Sears Tower.  As the Cubs are playing in the World Series, it made sense to visit the giant globe at the base of the Willis Tower. The 2016 Major League Baseball World Champions will either reside in Chicago or Cleveland - we will know in about one week. Flying nearby are blue "W" (win) flags and Chicago Cubs flags. Willis Tower has the fever.

The Willis Tower Globe was installed in January 2010 in front of the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. The 25 foot diameter globe was made by the Poblocki Sign Company entirely out of 316 stainless steel, which was rolled, coped and fully welded at each intersection.

Although in Game 1 of the World Series, the Chicago Cubs' bats were silenced, they do have a powerful lineup capable of scoring lots of runs. This brings us to the third and final stop along my imaginary Chicago Cubs World Series Fever Trail - Batcolumn

It would be difficult to find a bat bigger than 'Batcolumn'

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 3 packet	300	66	0	6	930	0
	300	66	0	6	930	0
L U N C H
Grilled Whitefish	300	0	13	43	113	0
Buttered Cabbage	150	6	14	2	120	4
Brussel Sprouts - Roasted	150	11	10	5	435	3
Garlic Tofu	200	10	10	15	565	4
Clif Bar - Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch	260	42	7	10	200	20
	1,060	69	54	75	1,433	31
D I N N E R
Chipotle - Burrito: Shredded Beef, Black Beans, Cheese	1,000	104	37	68	2,367	1
Nestle - Dark Chocolate Bar	300	31	18	4	0	0
Milano - Cookies, 3 cookies	180	21	10	2	80	11
	1,480	156	65	74	2,447	12
S N A C K S
Dark Chocolate Bar With Mint	440	40	36	6	0	22
	440	40	36	6	0	22
Totals	3,280	331	155	161	4,810	65
Your Daily Goal	4,221	527	140	212	2,300	158
Remaining	941	196	-15	51	-2,510	93
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,291 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 202.9 lbs in 5 weeks.
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
10 MILE URBAN HIKE	118	2,291
Daily Total / Goal	118 / 30	2,291 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	517 / 210	9,429 / 4,130

ROOT CANAL TRAIL

I have recently hiked along part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. Yesterday I was hiking on the Root Canal Trail. No, there is not actually a root canal trail, but I did have a root canal yesterday. I started my day by walking the four miles to the dentist. I 'paused' my workout as recorded on the MapMyWalk Application, and resumed it after my fun time at the dentist was completed. Before the day was over, I had hiked 22 miles. The high point of the day was visiting the lions that stand guard at the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue.  The lions were wearing their brand-new Cubs hats.

This was how my day started.  It was all uphill from here.

The weather in Chicago yesterday was simply fabulous. The sky was a deep blue color and there was little wind and the temperature was perfect for an urban hike. The first three pictures below were taken on Northerly Island.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Chicago is my Kind of Town!

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This is the 'South' Lion that stands guard at the Art Institute. He is wearing a Cubs Baseball hat for the first  time - ever.

This was reported by WGN...

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs championship run is making them part of another tradition in Chicago. For the first time ever, the lions outside the Art Institute of Chicago will be wearing Cubs caps. The caps were installed around 8 a.m. Monday. The lions also wore helmets for the Bears, White Sox, and the Blackhawks during their championship runs also.

In the evening, I needed to be at my daughter's school for a group meeting with the guidance counselor. After the meeting I continued my walking for another 5 miles. When the day was over, I had walked 22 miles.
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Your Food Diary For:

         Monday, October 24, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 4 packet	400	88	0	8	1,240	0
	400	88	0	8	1,240	0
L U N C H
Greek Mac & Cheese	200	18	11	9	332	2
Homemade - Pasta w/Marinara	150	23	5	3	705	15
Blackened Whitefish	300	8	11	43	3,612	1
Organic Date Pieces w/Oat Flower	240	60	0	2	20	44
	890	109	27	57	4,669	62
D I N N E R
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts	100	20	4	9	35	0
Cream corn - Cream Corn	100	23	0	0	0	0
Clif Bar - Chocolate Brownie, 2 Bar	480	88	9	18	320	44
Cafeteria - Fried Chicken Tenders	401	23	26	19	1,023	2
	1,081	154	39	46	1,378	46
S N A C K S
Nestle - Dark Chocolate Bar	500	52	30	6	0	0
Kelloggs - Rice Krispies Treats	250	46	6	2	280	21
	750	98	36	8	280	21
Totals	3,121	449	102	119	7,567	129
Your Daily Goal	5,959	745	198	298	2,300	223
Remaining	2,838	296	96	179	-5,267	94
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 4,029 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 183.8 lbs in 5 weeks     

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, October 24, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
17 mile urban hike	235	3,158
5 mile urban hike	74	871
Daily Total / Goal	309 / 30	4,029 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	309 / 210	4,029 / 4,130

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WORLD SERIES FEVER

I used to be New York Yankees fan. I kinda think that I still am a Yankees fan. Yet, this year the only player that I was able to name on the team - Alex Rodriguez - I despised.  In recent years, I would settle crank up my interest in baseball when the Yankees were in the playoffs. It's been a bit quite in October in recent years. Now in my adopted hometown of Chicago - the Cubs, yes the Chicago Cubs are going to be in the World Series. I watched my first game of the season on Saturday night as the Cubs clinched the pennant. Local TV media went wild and pre-empted all local broadcasting. It's the kind of thing that would usually be reserved for an imminent meteor strike heading towards downtown. I suppose Cub pennants are an equally likely occurrence. I am officially on board the Cubs bandwagon.  They have four more wins to achieve the greatness that has eluded them for 108 years. Go Cubs!
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Prices have increased a bit since the 1908 World Series

The resale market for Chicago Cubs World Series tickets at Wrigley Field seems a bit enthusiastic for Game 3.  These are the LOWEST ASKING PRICES for tickets as of October 23 @ 7PM Central Time on Stub Hub. These prices may go up or down depending on supply and demand. Me personally, if I were to pay $2,235.90 for a ticket I might expect to have an actual seat - but these tickets are for Standing Room Only. On the other hand, I suppose I could get some steps in while I tried to keep warm during a chilly October night. Can you imagine how much tickets will be traded for, for any potential World Series Clinching game? I'll keep myself updated... and you too.

from baseball-almanc.com

The Cubs became the first team to record three consecutive World Series appearances and two consecutive World Series victories with both championship wins coming off the heels of a record one-hundred sixteen victory season of 1906. In 1908, Chicago's West Side franchise was more than just a winning baseball team, they had just become sports first official "dynasty".

The thing about dynasties... they tend to end. For example, the Ming Dynasty. That only lasted for nearly 300 years - and then poof - no more Mings. The Cubs dynasty lasted 3 years. It was a good run. Might be time to crank up a new one. 

2016 World Series Schedule

Game	Date	Time (ET)	Home Team	TV
1	Tue, Oct. 25	8 p.m.	Cleveland Indians	Fox
2	Wed, Oct. 26	8 p.m.	Cleveland Indians	Fox
3	Fri, Oct. 28	8 p.m.	Chicago Cubs	Fox
4	Sat, Oct. 29	8 p.m.	Chicago Cubs	Fox
5	Sun, Oct. 30*	8 p.m.	Chicago Cubs	Fox
6	Tue, Nov. 1*	8 p.m.	Cleveland Indians	Fox
7	Wed, Nov. 2*	8 p.m.	Cleveland Indians	Fox

      Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, October 23, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Omelette - 3-egg Omelette With Cheese	425	0	21	28	650	2
Kirkland - Pre-Cooked Bacon	120	0	9	9	525	0
Honey Nut Toasted Oats	600	120	5	10	950	55
	1,145	120	35	47	2,125	57
L U N C H
Hot Dog With Bun (2)	580	0	0	0	0	0
Homemade German Chocolate Cake	300	16	26	6	207	5
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
	1,180	81	26	11	1,707	45
D I N N E R
Homemade Broccoli Chicken Casserole, 2 cup	600	38	16	62	1,392	0
	600	38	16	62	1,392	0
Totals	2,925	239	77	120	5,224	102
Your Daily Goal	3,084	385	102	155	2,300	115
Remaining	159	146	25	35	-2,924	13
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,154 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 210.5 lbs in 5 weeks.

       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	99	1,154
Daily Total / Goal	99 / 30	1,154 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1205 / 210	14,558 / 4,130

Throughout the day, I thought I would skip a day of workouts...that is, until 10PM .  At that time, I did decide that it was time to jump onto the elliptical machine 99 minutes.  At 9:55PM when I glanced at my fitbit, it indicated an accumulated total of ZERO minutes of activity and a grand total of 2634 steps. That was simply unacceptable. Perhaps if I had walked around the corner, or gone anywhere for any reason, maybe I could have skipped a day.  Seriously, I did more steps per day when I was recovering from my hernia surgery.

99 minute workout on the elliptical machine at 10PM burned 1154 calories

from wikipedia.com

The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China—then known as the Empire of the Great Ming—for 276 years (1368–1644) following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming, described by some as "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history,"^[ was the last imperial dynasty in China ruled by ethnic Han Chinese.