2011 Is Almost in the Books

Dec 2011 at league Pool Night

Another year has come and gone... well almost gone.  With only a couple of weeks left in the year this will probably be my last post till 2012.

On Friday I make the trip north to visit my mom for the holidays.  Only this time I don't have to drive all the way to Fort McMurray.  What a blessing that is! Most of my Christmas holidays have been spent in the great white north and though I do have some great memories from those times, I'm not sad that I no longer get to spend time up there.  The trip to St Albert will be a much nicer drive if  for no other reason than the fact that it will only take me 3 1/2 hours instead of 8!

It will be a much quieter Christmas too.  My sister and her husband bought a house in October and have now moved into it.  So it seems we will be enjoying turkey at their place this year!  I will be staying with my mom at her house though, since my sister is expecting company in the form of her in-laws for the holidays. What should make things interesting though, is that I will be travelling with my cats this time!

In all the time I have owned my cats (going on 6 years now), I have never taken them farther than the vet's office.  In fact they have only been to the vet twice and both of those visits were in the last 2 weeks. *cringe* I'm not sure how they will handle the drive up the highway for three and a half hours in the truck with me while I sing along with the Christmas Carols.  I'm a little worried about taking them to my moms house for other reasons too actually.

It seems that in the last month, one or both of my cats has decided to start spraying on my carpets and on my stuff around my house.  I had them checked out for crystals and other issues but they seem to be relatively free of medical problems (actually Crush needs a tooth pulled to the tune of 1400 bucks! ouch!).  So it appears that it might be a behavioral problem. I'm trying to see if using an open litter box makes a difference. The theory goes that the closed litter box traps extensive dust in them when they "scratch" and aggravates their sinus'. As a result they may be peeing elsewhere to demonstrate their displeasure.  They may also be pissed at me for a number of changes that have occurred in the last month or so as well.

They no longer get to sleep in my room at night, and since I can't trust they won't pee in there during the day, they're not allowed in there period.  I also put in a new pool table downstairs which is where their food used to be (now upstairs by the water dish).  There was lots of stuff for them to play and hide in before, and now it's pretty empty except for the table itself - which they're not allowed on (for obvious reasons).  I also haven't been home as much since I've started increasing my activity so they may not be getting the loving they need either.  It seemed like I was out of town every second weekend during the summer and fall so that might have affected the amount of "me time" they get too.  *sigh*

Well, if they come with me to St Albert for a week, they'll get all the loving they can handle.  My mom really enjoys their company and if she has enough lint rollers handy she will give them plenty of nurturing.  Not to mention my sister.  She too loves how friendly my cats are and will scoop them up for some lovin' too.

Luckily Crush and/or Tang have not been spraying in the last few days so hopefully the behavior has come to an end. If that's the case, they should enjoy the trip to St. Albert next week in spite of the long car ride.

On a side note, I hit another milestone today in my weight loss objective.  I tipped the scales at 210 lbs!  Yup I'm down over 40 lbs now with only 25 to go before I hit my "hold" weight.  Another 10 lbs and I'll be below 200 which I haven't seen in about 10 years! wow.  I really hope I can be good over the next couple of weeks and sit somewhere around 205-207 by the 31st of December.  *fingers crossed*.

On that note, I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! 

The Dating Game - Part 52a

I'm not sure how many times I'm going to play the dating game.  Each time I "tag in" I think it will be my last.  *fingers crossed*.  I keep hoping that I will find love ever lasting and just be able to enjoy life without the sadness of not having anyone to enjoy it with.  So each time I hold my breath, screw up my confidence and jump in with both feet, hoping that someone will find me interesting/attractive/funny/exciting enough to want to date me.  

That doesn't sound particularly confident does it?  I suppose in a way it isn't.  I mean *I* know that I'm a catch. I have lots of great qualities to offer beyond physical attraction.  I'm pretty sure any girl would be lucky to have me.  I guess I just have never been "that guy" which all the girls are drawn to.  Perhaps it's better this way though.  At least when someone finally decides that they want to try dating me, they've pretty much got it figured out and know that I'm worth it - at least beyond the physical sense I suppose.  

After my last relationship I did a lot of soul searching and tried to figure out what it was that I really wanted from a relationship, and whether or not someone else out there wants the same thing.  I've also changed my views on Long Term Relationships (LTR's for short) and what they mean to me as well.  

I've come to the conclusion that most people get together for some sort of short term need.  Whether that is sex, a combined income, similar travel desires, or even just someone to go dancing with.  When people decide that they want an LTR, there is usually some subconscious thing that the other person provides for them that makes them feel "fulfilled".  

Sometimes a girl is looking for a father figure, or the boy needs a "mother' to take care of him, or one of the two is an introvert and needs and extrovert to bring them out of their shell.  Once these subconscious needs are fulfilled, then the need for the relationship goes away.  Maybe the boy has turned into an extrovert as well and no longer needs another extrovert to help him get there.  Now he needs an introvert in his life instead.  Whatever the reason, 2 people will suddenly find themselves incompatible because they have "grown" as people. Sometimes relationships end well when both people realize that they have grown in different directions, can acknowledge that and comfortably move on.  However when one person outgrows the other, it usually ends badly.  One has grown, while the other has not.  

Why am I telling you all this?  Well, because understanding this has helped me to see that my idea of a Long Term Relationship needs to change.  I no longer look at a relationship as something that will last forever after. It is rare to see two people that continually grow but not outgrow each other.  I hope that I find a relationship with someone where we end up in a lifelong journey together and continually find new reasons for loving the other person. 

Maybe I'm a little jaded though.  I'm not sure that my next relationship will be my last.  I hope it is, but if it isn't I recognize why it will likely end sooner than one of us desires.  You'd think that would keep me from wanting to dip my toe in the dating pool.  I guess I still desire the companionship that comes from having someone close to you.  So even knowing that it won't be a "forever" thing, I still want to enjoy what I can from my next relationship.  Growing and learning about myself is still a good thing. :o)  

I guess that just leaves me with a decision about how to get there.  I've had some great experiences with online dating, so why mess with a good thing?  I'll probably try a new service like Plenty of Fish or Match.com.  I've tried some other dating sites before, but I think it's time for a change.  That just leaves me with the task of coming up with a good description, some great photos and some confidence in myself!  

Lets do this thing! 

The Big Switch

I currently own a factory unlocked 32 GB iPhone 4 that isn't tied to any particular carrier.  I happen to use it on Rogers but am seriously considering switching to Telus.  I paid over 800 bucks for it direct from Apple.  It's probably still worth close to $800 on the free market.  In January, I plan to test that theory and sell my  iPhone 4 on Kijiji.  

Obviously I am utterly dependent on technology and specifically my smart phone. I can't help it.  I'm a techno junkie.  Actually I'm just a gadget junkie and seem to drawn to bright shiny things that make me want to buy them.  I'm not alone though, and I'd dare say that once you have had a smart phone, you can't go back to not having one.  The same things people will say about my compulsive obsession with my smartphone, have also been said about Microwaves when they first came out.  I dare you to take away someone's microwave today and see what kind of reaction you get! Better count your fingers after you try that.  

What's that you say?  iPhone 4S instead?  Ummmmm no.  

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not an Apple fanboy.  Yes yes, I own a bunch of ipods, and I own an iPad 2, as well as my iPhone 4.  I don't have a MacBook or any of their other computing products even though I have entertained the pervasive thought of getting one.  Truthfully I can't justify the price of a macbook just for the sake of trying one out.  Not even used.  

"Those crazy mo'fo's on Kijiji want next to new prices for stuff that's years old."

The worst part of that, is that they actually get those prices.  Cra-zay-zee!  I will however take advantage of that ridiculous Apple pricing on used products when I sell my phone.  So yes I own some apple toys but I don't consider myself a die hard.  My PC works great.  I know how to support it and there's very little that a Mac would do that I can't on my PC.  Definitely not worth the switch.  

I digress.

Essentially I am tired of the Apple regime and the new iPhone 4S is not enough of a step up from my phone for me to want to buy it.  I don't think much of the new Siri feature either and having seen Google's voice software, I'd have to give it the edge.  There's nothing really that I'd be missing if I didn't get the iPhone 4S.  I also tire of Apple creating restrictions in their App Store.  Their proprietary iTunes software is a little annoying and I definitely worry about letting Apple handle my stuff in their "cloud".  The price they charge for space is outrageous too.  I'm tired of their whole system really.  

I know this sounds crazy, but I want a change. 

Galaxy Nexus

If not the iPhone 4S then what am I considering as a replacement?  Well, I'm really considering an Android phone.  A few friends have them and after playing with them I think I was a little surprised by how slick they are now compared to when they first came out.  The touch interface has really improved, the resolution is comparable to the iPhone Retina display and they horsepower under the hood is great too.  They take great pics and often times better than the iPhone.  Video recording is available in 1080 HD and the number of applications that are available now has increased tremendously.  A lot of the apps that I currently use on my iPhone are also available from the Android Marketplace.  The switch will be relatively easy and I don't imagine suffering to many growing pains.  Sure I'll have to learn a new interface, which means getting comfortable with all the tricks and tips that come with using an Android O/S but I think it will be worth it.  

Not to mention the new version of the Android O/S is now available to certain models of the phone as well.  It is called Ice Cream Sandwich or ICS for short.  Many existing models will benefit from an upgrade but release dates for the update haven't been written in stone yet.  Only one phone currently has it installed natively  and that is the new Google phone called the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.  

Galaxy S II

The phone that is widely considered king of the Android phones is the Samsung Galaxy S II.  That is until the Galaxy Nexus came along.  They are very similar in specs but most reviews I've read, put the Nexus a rung or two above the S II.  The new Motorola Razr is also a decent competitor but is close but not close enough from what I've read. 

So for me the choice comes down to the brand spanking new Galaxy Nexus or the Galaxy S II.  I like the display, speed, and new Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) that the Nexus offers.  However, the Galaxy S II will take a micro SD card, takes great pics/video and is already available to the Telus network.  The Nexus will be offered by Telus once their network is upgraded to LTE - which probably won't happen till the new year sometime.  Unfortunately the Galaxy S II doesn't come with ICS right now.  I know it is slated for an upgrade though, but that too will probably not happen till the 1st quarter of 2012.  

So I think I'm going to wait till the new year to make a final decision.  Once the S II gets the ICS update then things might swing in it's favor.  I also want to make sure that I can switch to Telus and so if the Nexus is only available to Bell as an alternative, then I'll have to think really hard before I switch to them.  

Which phone would you pick if you were me and wanted to get an Android phone? 

End of Weight Loss competition #2

Well, we started competition #2 on the 13th of September and it wrapped up today - roughly 12+ weeks later.  I managed to drop 22lbs during the competition and did well enough to take 3rd place.  Yaaaaay and there was much rejoicing.

For my efforts I received my entry fee back plus a couple bucks for coffee. So I'm pretty happy with the results.  If I had lost another 6 pounds during this time, I would have taken first place.  Crazy huh?  That's only 1/2 a pound more each week.  So instead of loosing 1.8 pounds a week, I would have been in the lead if I had been averaging 2.5 lbs per week and would have taken home $144 instead of $24.  *sigh*

Still I'm pleased that I was able to stick with it.  On the scale at work I weighed out at 215 lbs and at home it was 212 lbs - must be the difference in weight for the clothes I wore today. ;o)  I have about 12 - 15 lbs to go before I'm comfortably below 200 and then another 15lbs to hit my "hold" weight.  I'm getting there, slowly but surely.  It will be interesting to see the effect that the Christmas holidays has on my diet now. lol

At 2 lbs per week I hope to hit my hold weight in about 15 weeks, or sometime in late February - early March.  I was originally hoping to be down below 200 by the end of December, but I'll be closer to 206 or 207 by then I think.  I'll keep you posted.

By the way, how do you like my winter beard?  This pic was taken a week after I shaved off my Movember Mo'stache. :o)

Dec 7 2011

Here's something you'll get a kick out of.  This is a pic of me taken 10 years ago.

Oct 2001

Something for the Christmas Season

Found this little clip on youtube.  The Calgary Phil Harmonic collected tweets about how to stay warm this winter and then compiled them into a song and had their chorus sing them!  Very Awesome!!