A bit of an update...

It's been too long since I wrote anything - sorry! Although I know that the world doesn't revolve around reading this thing, still - I try to make sure I blog more than Hannah, and as of late she's ahead of me. *how embarrassing...* Anyway, not much to say...

We're nearing the big hurdle with Vicki and that many-headed beast known as Datatel, the four-lettered... She got a little window into my world last night, being up most of the night working on some final pieces or something. Sorry - I know that my wife works her well-sculpted tushy off on this stuff, but actually discribing what the heck she's doing is like trying to speak Chinese. I do it badly, with no actual meaning whatsoever...

I've picked up a little part-time work (thanks, Dodd!) for CBH Ministries as a recording engineer for Down Gilead Lane. And, along the way, I've learned some bits about another audio editing system, and observed just how much I don't know about using my voice expressively. The cast members are amazing, and a joy to work with. Aside from the extra income, it's a fun experience. Even got to go in and read some lines in my Gus voice (ask for a demo sometime - he doesn't translate well to the written word...) which I sincerely hope will hit the cutting room floor. Gus is alright - he's kind of an old man character, but a bit over the top for real life. But to do him in a room with other real, honest-to-goodness actors was something else altogether. Whew... True radio people may know how to read and talk on the air, but I'll be the first to admit that we don't know doo-dah about radio drama. It's a whole other skill set, and amazing to observe.

No news on when the new trike gets here... sigh. Hopefully before family camp at the end of July.

Weight-wise, I've gained quite a bit back. I know it's a number of factors right now, and that it will change soon. We'll get back to progress, but some stuff has to clear out first. That will happen...

Off to life - have a fun holiday weekend!!!

Sunday Morning

I've discovered one of my favorite things about Sunday Morning - the view of the city... Odd?... Well, hear me out.

Sunday morning, we get up pretty early (6:30 today, since I had a little trouble sleeping), to be to church by 8am to practice with the worship band, and our service starts at 9am. So we rise, do the typical morning thing, head off, and take College to the expressway downtown. This takes us down the hill to the river and the 196/131 Junction. (When you hear Kevin or JohnnyB talking about downtown at The Junction, that's the place...) And there is my favorite view of the city, at my favorite time to view it. It's quiet, not much traffic, and when the sun is out, it's shining from behind us down over the buildings, the churches, the houses, and washing everything in a beautiful golden light.

And I associate that view with what follows - going to church, lifting up praises, fellowshiping with brothers and sisters, being taught from the Word. And I anticipate that day where, to quote a great song, "We shall stand in the Golden City, in the new Jerusalem..."

Have a blessed sabbath!

My ULTRA CUTE Nieces!!!

Keeping up with Hannah and her nephew pics... here's Cal & his lovely nieces. From L to R: Kara, Adrianna & Kassandra. All three are sweeties, and make their uncle smile when they give him a hug! They all know me as Weird Uncle Cal, and we laugh about that one a lot. :-)

"How's it going?"

"How's it going?"

Isn't it amazing how often we ask that question, with no intention of actually waiting around for an answer? I've actually had folks that were going one direction on skates, while I was going the other direction on my bike, say "how's it going?" So, I say, "Wellnotbadallthingsconsideredalthoughmykneesarestillgivingmefits..." Too late. They're gone. :-)

I've tried to banish that phrase from my file of Pithy Things To Say When One Is Trying To Exchange Pleasantries But Not Commit To An Extended Dialogue... So, if we should meet, and I should ask the dreaded (but important!) question, know this dear reader - I'd really like to know, I am interested, and will take the time to actually listen to the answer. :-)

My friend Jenelle is a master at this... if she should happen by my office, and ask "how's it going?", I know that not only does she actually want an answer, but she doesn't mind if the answer is more than one short paragraph, even single spaced... :-)

As for me, it's all good. Have my second counseling appointment tomorrow, and am actually looking forward to it. :-) We've changed my depression medication as well (dang - got to remember to stop at the pharmacy and get it...) so we'll see how that goes. And, I'm meeting with my boss this afternoon to try and get a better picture of my job responsibilities, so that I can get a handle on what things I'm actually supposed to do around here, instead of guessing (as I have as of late). My weight has increased slightly, but as these other things start to get addressed, more energy will be available for that challenge, so we'll get back to the downward trend. And, riding my bike is heaven, although I had a flat tire last night and couldn't ride. :-( Vicki was willing to take it down to the shop this morning, since I was out the door early, and hopefully it'll be ready for tonight. All in all, not bad.

So, dear friends, how's it going?... :-)

Knees? What knees? (weekly weigh-in)

Too much uncontrolled eating this week - gained 6 pounds. Am I discouraged? No...

I've mentioned before that I'm finally realizing that more has to be put into place in my life in order to keep on the path and get to my goal. Dr. Osborne asked today if I'd consider bariatric surgery - but I'm just not ready for that. I still believe that if I get my head together and get my life in order, that I can do this thing without the surgery. The surgery is the right choice for some folks, but I don't think I'm one of them. It's a matter of, am I willing to put things into place to be able to avoid the surgery? Can I get that goal so firm and real in my mind that it will override a whole lifetime of destructive behavior? Don't know yet, but I'm working on it. :-)

Riding the bike is helping - almost too much. :-) My knees are letting me know in no uncertain terms that they'd prefer it if I would lighten up on them a tad. I mean, going the length and back of Riverside Park twice in the last 24 hours (make it thrice, if I can get a ride in tonight) is a little much for them to handle. I've told them to stuff a sock in it, drink some Biofreeze, and get on with it. We'll see who wins that arguement. All I can say is that riding is theraputic on a number of levels, and I'm not gonna stop if I don't have to.

Amanda says that next, I'll be wearing leather. Hmmm... big ol' jacket with 'BigCal' across the back. Nice... :-D Might be a little much for the recumbent, but who knows?...