DEMOCRATIC DEBATE

Wow... what a debate on Tuesday night.
I am a Conservative Republican therefore I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Democratic Mental Midgets yelling at each other and accusing each of other of various wild crimes and indiscretions.
If you are a Democrat - my guess is that the debate may not have been very enjoyable.


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DEMOCRATIC DEBATE WEDNESDAY LAS VEGAS - WHO IS FRONTRUNNER NOW?

I am 'publishing' this page before I sit down to watch the debate...
I cannot fathom that Bloomberg will increase his poll numbers.
The guy may be a billionaire - but it does not make him a genius.
I know that this an unpopular opinion.
The guy has zero charisma.
Charisma is important.
Bernie may be nuts, but at least he is interesting.
Bloomberg is also nuts, and he is not interesting....
Ok, that's enough for now...



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HUMBOLDT PARK

Humboldt Park, the community and the actual park are located on the west side of Chicago. It is in a part of the city that many 'northsiders' never see due to its 'inaccessibility' and/or the fear that it might be dangerous. 

Humboldt Park Field House and Refectory, 2014

I am fairly certain that I would not make a habit of visiting this location after dark. A lone guy trekking along with a backpack garners unusual stares in some neighborhoods. I have only once in all my urban treks felt uneasy, and that was much closer to home in broad daylight in front of a low income housing project. At that time, not a single person said anything to me to make me feel unsafe, but there is something discomfiting about walking past a block with scores of people just hanging around, apparently not doing too much of anything. And recently in America, thanks to our President, race relations are not exactly at a zenith.

Apparently Humboldt Park has been a place for Chicagoans to kick back for quite some time.

1883 Lithograph by Louis Glaser (1881-1915),  german printer

Humboldt Park was nothing like that. The park itself was large and reminded me of Central Park in New York. The park is home to a lagoon where fishing is allowed and encouraged, although I have no idea what fish are being hooked. I saw a lone woman with an entire section of the park to herself doing some new age exercise - yoga? pilates? Honestly, I have no idea. My hike yesterday, took me to Humboldt Park, and from there I continued my urban hike to visit to Garfield Observatory, then I turned east back to the city and passed the United Center which is currently adding a completely new wing to the building. I had wanted to see the famous Michael Jordan statue but that will be out of public view for a few months more as the construction project continues. During my hike I passed Roberto Clemente High School. I stared at this wall mural for a few moments trying to figure out why the artist has written the word 'hate' on Roberto's jersey.  Finally, I figured out that I was seeing the artists rendition of part of the name of the team that Roberto played for, The Pirates.

I had to stare at this wall mural for a few moments trying to determine why the word 'Hate" was on Roberto Clemente's jersey. I finally figured out that it was not 'Hate" but a part of his jersey, "PIRATES."  (Yes, that did make much more sense!) The artist depicted on part of Clemente's jersey, as the complete name of the team was obscured by a tiled rendition of a jacket.

I have lived in Chicago for 23 years, yesterday was the first time that I ever saw Humboldt Park from within the park.

* * * * * * * * * *

Isn't this supposed to be election season? Perhaps you have heard, the United States is about to select its next President in less than 50 days. When one walks 17 miles through a city, one might expect to see some yard signs, or signs in windows professing support for one candidate or another. The thing is, since both candidates are mostly distrusted by their own supporters, it appears that not too many people are willing to publicly announce their support to the world.  I have no doubt that the upcoming debate on Monday will be watched by many millions of voters. It is not a lack of interest that prevents people for publicly endorsing their guy (or gal). I did pass a bar which is looking to cash in on the Monday debate in much the same way that bars like to cash in on popular football games.

Other than this sign promoting the upcoming nationally televised debate, I did not notice one single solitary sign on anyone's lawn, window or doorway endorsing either candidate for President. I did see one "Hillary" sign, but it appeared to support her for a different job aside from the Presidency.

Hillary for Prison 2016

The private house that posted this sign on the west side of Chicago was protected by a iron fence.  That was probably a good idea. Chicago is a city in a state that has voted Democratic for the Presidency every time in recent years. This sign would probably not be too popular with most of the nearby neighbors.  Me? I concur completely the sentiments of this placard.

The first urban hike of my day was ended once I had logged 17 miles. Late in the evening, I met my family at a supermarket for which I had to walk an additional 3 miles.

Your Food Diary For:

Friday, September 23, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Generic - Banana	110	30	0	1	0	19
Fruit - Honeycrisp Apple	80	22	0	0	0	17
YOGURT ALMONDS	300	30	19	5	27	26
	490	82	19	6	27	62
L U N C H
Trader Joes - Multigrain O's	440	96	4	8	540	24
	440	96	4	8	540	24
D I N N E R
Generic - Battered and Fried Codfish	300	22	16	19	0	0
Chef Salad	600	18	44	34	1,275	9
	900	40	60	53	1,275	9
S N A C K S
Dark Chocolate Chips	300	34	21	0	0	26
	300	34	21	0	0	26
Totals	2,130	252	104	67	1,842	121
Your Daily Goal	5,565	695	185	279	2,300	208
Remaining	3,435	443	81	212	458	87
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 3,635 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Friday, September 23, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
17 MILE URBAN HIKE	232	3,205
3 MILE URBAN HIKE	39	603
Add Exercise Quick Tools
Daily Total / Goal	271 / 30	3,808 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	859 / 210	13,007 / 4,130

SATURDAY - TIME TO WEIGH MYSELF
I am fairly certain my results would have been much improved if I could remember to eat less.
Nevertheless, my weight this morning was 219.9 lbs.
I guess, I will simply choose to be happy that I have remained under 220.0 lbs.
Still down 89 pounds from where I started nearly two years ago.

IT MIGHT BE AWHILE BEFORE I DO THAT AGAIN

After my evening stranded in Shipshewana, I managed to get up early and spend two hours on the hotel elliptical machine prior to breakfast. Late in the day, after I returned home to Chicago, I had a hankering to return to the elliptical machine. I used the wifi in the fitness room to watch a movie on netflix - Escape From L.A.  As it turns out, the movie was not that great. It is a sequel to a movie that I have never seen - Escape From New York. Only the sequel is available on netflix. The 90 minute movie lined up great with my 90 minute workout. Later in the evening, it was time to watch the Republican Debate on CNN. While I was considering watching this latest slugfest, I chose instead to return to the fitness room and listen to the debate over the radio. There is a TV in the fitness room but the sound is not loud enough to really hear what everyone was saying - so I just concentrated on listening to the debate on my phone (iheartradio) with my headphones. When the day ended, I realized that I had spent FIVE HOURS on an elliptical machine. It might be awhile before I do that again! It is a dubious accomplishment and I am proud of myself that I had enough energy to do this in one day. It was a somewhat ridiculous endeavor - but I fell asleep quite quickly last evening.

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, February 25, 2016       

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Cinnamon & Spice Instant Oatmeal	640	128	8	16	840	44
English Muffin - Thomas Original, 57 grams	120	25	1	4	200	1
Morningstar Farms - Sausage Patty, 3 patty	240	9	9	30	780	3
Northland - 100% Juice - Cranberry, 16 Oz (240ml)	260	66	0	0	70	58
	1,260	228	18	50	1,890	106
L U N C H
Kellogg's - Raisin Bran - Single Serving Box	420	102	3	9	450	39
Red Delicious - Apple, Large, 3 large	333	88	1	2	6	66
	753	190	4	11	456	105
D I N N E R
Bobak's - Polish Sausage, 1 link	230	1	21	10	0	0
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup	65	13	3	6	23	0
EARTHBOUND FARM - ORGANIC BABY SPINACH, 85 g (approx 3 oz, two cups)	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
Ham slices - Ham pieces, 3 oz	160	4	10	14	1,000	2
	595	39	34	42	2,098	3
S N A C K S
Clif - Sierra Trail Mix, 2 bar	500	80	16	20	460	44
	500	80	16	20	460	44
Totals	3,108	537	72	122	4,904	258
Your Daily Goal	6,457	807	215	323	2,300	242
Remaining	3,349	270	143	200	-2,604	-16
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 4,527 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
ELLIPTICAL (manual) 16	60	542
ELLIPTICAL (manual) 16	65	616
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	92	1,788
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	92	2,035
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-454
Daily Total / Goal	310 / 30	4,527 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	698 / 210	9,612 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3108 calories

total calories burned (elliptical-5 HOURS) 4981 calories

total net 1873 calorie deficit

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fitbit day 176

35138 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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THE DEBATE

This blog has previously made mostly successful efforts to steer away from politics.  That will be increasingly difficult as the 2016 political year progresses.  In fact, I may increasingly choose to get a bit more political, maybe even a lot more political.  Last night was the final Republican Debate of the calendar year, and the last one before actual votes will soon be cast in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Finally, after months of campaigning, and some crazy proposals from a handful of candidates - voters will finally be able to weigh in. One thing for sure is that this blog has always been about weighing in. 

I  have a mini personal debate as I decide what to do for my exercise each day.  I have a few options available to me that: Do I go to the YMCA?  Do I just use the exercise equipment in my building?  Do I take a walk outdoors?  If I do walk outdoors, do I start by walking south, or north?  It is good to have choices. It keeps things interesting. It keeps one from falling into a dreaded routine.  My exercise schedule is anything but routine.  There have been days when I have exercised at midnight to start the day.  There have been days when I have exercised at 10PM in order to get in my session before a day concludes.  Yesterday was a day when I decided to get back outdoors and get some fresh air in the early morning.  It has been more than a week since I had taken a ten mile walk in my hometown of Chicago.  It was a reminder that the time goes by much quicker being outdoors than it does when walking on a treadmill.  Much quicker.

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Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
steel cut oatmeal - steel cut oat meal, 1 cup	600	108	10	20	0	4
Essentially you - cereal, 2 Cup	220	54	0	4	300	18
Red Delicious - Medium Apple, 2 apple	160	44	0	0	0	34
	980	206	10	24	300	56
L U N C H
Weight Watcher's - Cabbage Soup, 4 cups	176	18	0	4	138	10
Chicken Breast - Chicken Breast Cooked	374	0	8	70	200	0
	550	18	8	74	338	10
D I N N E R
Chilli - Chilli, 3 cups	600	21	42	36	1,590	0
	600	21	42	36	1,590	0
S N A C K S
WHOLE FOODS STRAWBERRY VANILLA GrANOLA	500	80	16	10	120	30
WHOLE FOODS - NATURAL WASABI GREEN PEAS	210	33	5	7	420	4
WHOLE FOODS - CHEDDAR SESAME STICKS	157	14	10	3	504	1
WHOLE FOODS - JUMBO TURKISH FIGS, 2	65	21	0	1	0	14
WHOLE FOODS - BANANA CHIPS	203	23	11	1	0	5
	1,135	171	43	21	1,044	53
Totals	3,265	416	103	155	3,272	119
Your Daily Goal	3,972	496	132	199	2,300	149
Remaining	707	79	28	43	-971	29
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,042 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	137	1,882
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	160
Daily Total / Goal	138 / 30	2,042 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	232 / 210	3,422 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3265 calories

total calories burned (ten mile walk) 1882 calories

total net calories 1383 calories

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fitbit day 104
25552 steps

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This photo shows three Republican candidates.
Donald Trump: The current 'frontrunner'
Ted Cruz: The challenger, the man who would be a terrific president
Jeb Bush: The man crowned the frontrunner, before anyone else got into the race.

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IT IS HALLOWEEN TODAY - THIS WILL SCARE YOU

It is Halloween today.  October 31. Is it really possible that the two people leading the polls for the Republican and Democratic nominations for the Presidency are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump? 

This decoration in a neighbors front lawn across the street from me should scare everyone.

The two 'scarecrows' are what is really scary here.  On the left, Hillary Clinton.  (and boy oh boy,  is she ever on the left!) and on the right, Donald Trump (the thing is, I think he may be on the left too!) In other words, the prospect of these two unelectable politicians competing in an election is a scary thought indeed.  If one unelectable politician should run against another unelectable politician - one of the unelectable politicians will become President of the United States.  Happy Halloween!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I think after two plane trips and a bit too much walking in the rain both in Houston and Chicago, that your intrepid blogger might have caught a cold.  I was chilled and dead tired last evening.  I woke up yesterday feeling quite unrefreshed and after a quick breakfast, I downed another shot of Vicks NightTime medicine.  When I awoke, I was feeling much better.  Good enough to take a 13.1 mile hike in and around Lincoln Park and the Chicago Lakefront. 

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The 13.1 mile concluded by walking around the block in the neighborhood of Streeterville before I entered Whole Foods to grab some lunch.

Whole Foods: blackened whitefish, broccoli, sauté zucchini, and sausage

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After lunch at Whole Foods I still needed to walk another 1.8miles to get home.   Total dedicated walking today was nearly 15 miles.  This was only phase I of my physical activity for the day.  Last night was the final Friday of the month - that means Critical Mass Bike Riding.  That is always something to look forward to.  Last evening was my third time with this 'group.'  Here is the route we took:

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The Critical Mass bike ride ended up at something called the Monster Prom.  Set up in an alleyway was a stage and apparently live music was to come later.  I do not know whose party this was.  I do not know how this party was linked to critical mass. Basically, the Critical Mass ended up in the middle of nowhere and it was still another 5 mile ride back home from the spot where the ride terminated.

Your Food Diary For:

Friday, October 30, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
Apples - Apples, 1 medium apple	80	22	0	0	0	16
Sargento - Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sticks 2% Milk, 3 stick (2g)	180	3	14	15	405	3
Frigo Cheeseheads - Superstring Cheese, 3 piece	210	2	15	15	510	0
	1,070	135	29	46	915	19
L U N C H
Generic - Whitefish, Lightly Blackened, 8 z filet	244	0	2	53	2,312	0
Bobak's - Polish Sausage, 0.5 link	115	1	11	5	0	0
Generic - Zucchini Saute, 4 oz	60	4	4	1	135	0
Broccoli - Broccoli, 0.5 cup	30	3	0	3	25	0
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 36.0 g (approx 6 pieces)	99	25	0	2	1	18
WHOLE FOODS - SUPERFOOD CEREAL RADIANT RASPBERRY, 33.15 g (1/2 cup)	109	16	5	3	9	5
WHOLE FOODS - NATURAL WASABI GREEN PEAS, 0.28333305794727803 cup (30 grams)	102	16	3	3	204	2
Jongold - Apple, 2 large	160	44	0	0	0	32
	919	109	24	69	2,686	56
D I N N E R
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Jongold - Apple, 2 large	160	44	0	0	0	32
	400	80	6	10	1,600	38
S N A C K S
WHOLE FOODS - MILK CHOCOLATE CHERRIES 1490, 11.25 pcs (40g)	225	31	13	3	13	26
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 57.75 g (3/4 cup)	252	42	7	5	63	16
	477	73	20	8	75	42
Totals	2,866	397	78	133	5,276	155
Your Daily Goal	4,652	581	155	233	2,300	174
Remaining	1,786	184	76	99	-2,976	18
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,722 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:
Friday, October 30, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	166	2,682
Walking, 5.0 mph	23	377
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-337
Daily Total / Goal	190 / 30	2,722 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	599 / 210	11,170 / 4,130

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TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2866 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED (13.1 MILE WALK, 1.8 MILE WALK)  2722 CALORIES
TOTAL NET CALORIES 144 CALORIES

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220.0 lbs

I weigh 220.0 lbs.

I gained 1 lb this week

I have lost 89.0 lbs in 311 days. Today begins Day 312.

I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.

I weigh 220.0 lbs (311 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)

I have lost 28.8% of my weight since Dec 24.

I have a BMI, body mass index of 29.43 

I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 304 days ago (Class III obesity)

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fitbit day 58

32210 steps

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