Blogs SUCK!

All blogs suck.  My blog, your blog, your friend's blog, your friend's dog's blog, etc. 

None of us update enough.  None of us!

We all check each others blog on a daily basis.  "Is there an update?" we think.  And usually we are disappointed.  I find that most people update around two times a week; some more, some less.  But when you decide to read all of the blogs you are following, you are generally disappointed.  Out of 15 or 20 blogs there are usually 3 or 4 updated on any given day.  I check blogs in the morning.  There are usually one or two updated at that time.  Maybe during the day one or two more will be updated.  That's a trickle of information.  Not very impressive.

How to check blogs is another subject.  You can subscribe to the RSS feeds in your browser, that's one way.  It will check them for updates on a periodic basis and notify you if there are any changes.  Then you can go read them for yourself.  There is also Google Reader, which is pretty much just a fancier RSS reader.  You can "follow" those that you like with Blogger, but then you need to check your Blogger account for updates.  That seems annoying.  Or you can just click on them one at a time when you have a chance to see who updated.

How do you check the blogs you read?

Then there are comments.  I like to leave comments.  I know my comments are cryptic and confusing sometimes.  I don't mind that.  This whole medium is cryptic and confusing sometimes.  I think it was Kate that once said that she didn't mind my comments; she just figured that it made me think of something in my life and that led to my comment.  That's pretty accurate.  One person on a blog I read has accused me of being a stalker because I comment on nearly every post.  I spoke to the blogger about this and she thinks the person is crazy.  I agree.  However, I get the feeling that another blogger does think I am a stalker.  *shrug*

Lots of people don't leave comments.  That's a different personality than mine.  To me it's all about the interaction.  I'd rather someone call me a fucking idiot than say nothing.  But most people say nothing.  Not much I can do about that.

So, like I said, blogs suck.  I guess most people have moved on to Twitter or Facebook where you can say very little and make it meaningful.  (That was sarcastic, I think.)

Now, aren't you glad you had something to read here?

This Song Has No Title

Sorry, no song today.  I know how upset you all are.

Brian's Stats

Current Weight: 210.0
Loss this week: 1.2
Total loss: 6.0

Kate is at 210 too.  Good job, Kate!

Down to You

I loves me some Joni Mitchell.  Today's Random Song Friday is Down to You by Joni Mitchell.  It's on the fantastic Court and Spark album.  It's a wonderful song.  Melancholy and regretful.

Everything comes and goes
Pleasure moves on too early
And trouble leaves too slow
Just when you’re thinking
You've finally got it made
Bad news comes knocking
At your garden gate
Knocking for you
Constant stranger

A warning for all of us currently in a good state of mind.  Remember, it comes and it goes.  I don't really want to hear that right now, but I know it's true and I know I need to hear it.

Brian's Stats
Current Weight: 211.2
Loss this week: 1.2
Total loss: 4.8
% of body fat: 33.4%
BMI: 29.5

I need to talk about this whole weight thing.  I'm not losing weight all that quickly, but my love handles are almost gone.  I can only pinch them now, not hold them.  When I lost weight last time I was well under 200 before I could do that.  So this is clearly different.  I can also squeeze another belt hole down, but that wouldn't be comfortable.  When I can do that comfortably, my waist will be around a 34.  I started at a 38.  The last time around my waist was a 34 when I was under 190 lbs.  I feel I'm doing this the right way.  I'm not starving myself, far from it.  I'm usually not hungry!  Not that I starved myself last time, but I was clearly hungry more often last time around.  (The definition of starving?)

Bottom line, I'm proud my commitment and away I go!

The Book

So I'm reading a new book.  It just hit bookstores yesterday.  I recommend you read it too.

Click on it for more information. It's the most straight forward, sensible advice book I've ever read. And I'm only on chapter two.

Seriously, check it out. It's at all bookstores and Amazon, B&N, Borders, anywhere you would buy books online or at a store.

Summer Concert Series

I enjoy going to concerts, especially when it's with my favorite performers.  My children go to sleep away camp, so it works out well during the summer.  First, lots of concerts take place during the summer.  Second, it's easier to schedule since the kids are away.  Third, it's a nice way to spend time with my wife.

So when I saw that Sting was touring, I was very interested.  He's touring with an orchestra.  Ok, maybe that's a little more grown up than I want to be, but he was going to play lots of songs I loved, so why not?  I started watching American Express for their pre-sale.  If you're a card holder you can get tickets before the general public.  This is why the concerts are always sold out before they even go on sale to the general public.

So I checked the AMEX website and the tickets were on sale.  The closest place to my house he'll be playing is in Bethel, NY.  That's near Monticello.  AKA not close to my house AT ALL.   But it's less than a 2 hour drive.  I'm thinking, maybe we'll grab a hotel room and make a couple days out of it.  Or I guess we could drive home after the concert if we really wanted.

So I go onto Ticketmaster, put the information in and I get good seats!  Row L on the left side of the stage.  Cool!

Then I look at the price.  $162.80

$162.80????

Did I mention that was for ONE ticket?  Yeah!  It is!  So around $350 for the two of us plus fees.  And this is in Bethel, middle of nowhere, New York State!  I mean, seriously?  WTF?!?!?!  Ummmm, no thanks!

Madman Across the Water

Today's Random Song Friday is Madman Across the Water by Elton John.  This is my favorite Elton John album, same title.  I love Rotten Peaches, Levon and Razor Face.  I also like Madman Across the Water.

The chorus:

We'll come again next Thursday afternoon
The in-laws hope they'll see you very soon
But is it in your conscience that you're after
Another glimpse of the madman across the water

I always believed that Elton was referring to himself in this song, or more accurately, Bernie Taupin was referring to Elton, as it was Bernie who wrote the lyrics.  My Internet searches seem to agree with that.  I wasn't sure why Elton viewed himself as a madman, but I guess as I get older I understand.  We all have these demons inside our heads, don't we?  And it's all about how we deal with them.  I'm certainly trying to deal with mine and to a certain level succeeding.  At least I can say that today, maybe tomorrow will bring something different.  But I'll keep fighting, that I can promise you all.

As the song says:

Will they come again next week?
Can my mind really take it?

Yes, I think I know what he's talking about.

Now, on to the good stuff...

Brian's Stats
Current Weight: 212.4
Loss this week: 1.2
Total loss: 3.6 (probably closer to 6)
% of body fat: 34.4%
BMI: 29.8

Kate can post hers in the comments.  Or maybe I'll add it here later.  Either way, she's probably kicking my ass.  She's focusing on her diet much more than I am.  I'm focusing on fitness.  We're both winners!