Computers had to be left at the Presbyterian Center today to receive new security patches. That allowed some extra time at the gym which coincided with the second half of the Duke-Boston College basketball game. Duke won handily.
Time on a couple weight machines followed time on the treadmill.
The step count for the day totaled 10, 795 steps. A few too many nuts were eaten afterward.
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Late last night, I learned of the death of Tom Niccolls. Tom had served at Hiram College. He was a gentle, patient, passionate, dedicated peacemaker and justice seeker. He was in Eastminster Presbytery – in the Youngstown area. We often ended up at events together – sometimes unintentionally.
I remember walking across the Ninth Street Bridge in Cleveland. The march was for nuclear disarmament. And there, on the bridge, I met Tom and Betty. Again and again that happened.
Tom was a writer – a number of his skits will appear among the resources offered by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program for the 30th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling.
He was also a fool. For Christ. In profound ways. Tom engaged in clown ministry – a ministry that he shared around God’s world. A ministry rooted in the gospel which proclaims, in the face of the weary, worn wisdom of the world, that love is stronger than hate; goodness is stronger than evil; resurrection will follow death; and God will have the final word and that will be a word of grace.
I give thanks that God shared Tom Niccolls with us for a time and that I had the privilege of knowing Tom. I give thanks that God who Tom followed in this life has welcomed him home. I give thanks for Tom’s foolishness. May I be such a fool.
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Got back to the gym today. Did a little over two miles on the treadmill and several weight machines. I made it to 10,093 steps. The goal worked as I did some extra walking to make it.
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On our Christmas trip to New Orleans, there was music everywhere – at least in the French Quarter. Music blared out of bars and various other institutions of entertainment. But there were also street musicians. It was like having a soundtrack for the trip.
Since it was a weekend, I stayed a bit longer on the treadmill than usual and did 2.6 miles. A blister seems to be developing on one of my feet so tomorrow’s trip may be a bit shorter.
In the afternoon, a friend and I went to Costco. I have discovered a need for new blue jeans (the one pair I own is too big – I have enough pairs of what pass for dress pants in my life) and a belt. There are issues keeping my pants up. An intriguing problem to have on this journey.
Blue jeans and a belt were not found, but a number of other items were ranging from salmon burgers to pistachios to drain opener. Lots of walking took place – but the pedometer – and all those steps – had been left on my dresser. Sigh. I totaled 7,148 without them and would have probably exceeded the 10,000 goal had I worn it.
This evening I went to watch the Cowboys with friends – who are Cowboy fans. A good time for them!
Eating went pretty well. Chili in the bar.
See you along the Trail.
“Does that mean Casino Royale?” I asked, gesturing to the sign behind the reception desk of the Louisville Athletic Cub.
“No, the other one,” replied the attendant.
“Quantum of Solace?”
“That’s it,” she said.
I headed off toward the Cardio Theater.
The club usually posts the movies they will show a few days in advance. There must have been a change, as “007 – The New One” had not been posted on Thursday. I had gone to the gym planning to listen to some new CDs that we had purchased in New Orleans. But Quantum of Solace was too good to pass up. The iPod went into my pocket but it came back out when I returned to the Shire. Great music with memories of a great time.
Sean Connery will always be James Bond for me. Daniel Craig is a very, very close second.
However, I find that it is Dame Judi Dench who makes the new Bond films. As in almost every one of her films, she is incredible. Can you even name the actor or actress who played M in the earlier movies? I can’t. But Dame Judi establishes an unforgettable presence through her amazing performance. “If you could avoid killing every possible lead, it would be deeply appreciated.”
Stats for the day: 2.02 miles on the treadmill; 10,324 steps overall; eating within the guidelines.
Today was the weigh-in for a biggest loser type program with friends in Cleveland. The total numbers will not appear, but I will post the pounds lost or the pounds gained each week.
And someday, we will be able to say “Mark – The New One”
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Mixed results on a snowy Louisville day. I made it to the gym before the snow started. Now, bear in mind that this is Louisville snow so we are talking around 3 inches max but as always even that amount snarls roads.
My plan had been to listen to music again, but I managed to leave my headphones at home. So I headed into the Cardio Theater and caught Catch Me if You Can – 1.82 miles worth (this is about 35-38 minutes of walking at the moment). Amazing how calm and normal Christopher Walken‘s character is in this movie as compared to a number of his other films.
Eating went well. I discovered that the chili and salad combo at a local restaurant fits the calorie guidelines I am using.
However the general walking did not go so well. I only made it to 7,806 steps – my lowest total since I have started this endeavor. Lots of meetings today. Good meetings – but lots of sitting.
Tomorrow – the weigh in.
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No movies were viewed. No national parks were visited. But there is big news from today.
My step count was 11,178! I exceeded my goal of 10,000 for the first time.
I went to the gym this morning and listened to Christmas music on my iPod. The movie in the Cardio Theater was Blow. That simply seemed a tad intense. I did 1.84 miles on the treadmill.
But I moved around the building a lot and spent some time at the grocery store and the numbers added up.
I also managed to eat well. The goal there is 3 meals of about 400 calories and 2 or 3 snacks of about 200 calories. Met that one again today too!
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I have considered the idea of creating a blog for some time now. Three factors converged to make this the moment to take the plunge.
Several weeks ago, Tricia and I watched Julie & Julia. It is a delightful film based on Julie Powell‘s effort to cook every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child in a year and to blog about her experiences.
The movie further whetted my desire to create a blog. But what would be the topic? I like to eat, but I don’t cook much.
The new year arrived, bringing yet another resolution to take care of myself – to exercise and to eat well. Having made such resolutions time after time, with new years not necessarily being needed to make them, and having sometimes kept them well but always falling short, I nonetheless made them again in the spirit that past efforts have not been failures but have been practices and learning experiences.
Then on January 2, I attended the wedding of a daughter of friends. As the cake was cut (I ate none), one of my friends made a toast in which she thanked those of us who were present for our role in nurturing her daughter and supporting her family in such a way that this moment had arrived. It took a community to bring her daughter and the man she married to this point in their lives. It will take a community to sustain them in their life together.
And the tumblers clicked – through a blog I can lean into my community for support as I seek to work on my self-care. It is an opportunity to let others know how I am doing and what I am doing and to support me in prayer and thoughts and other ways.
A tad narcissistic? Of course. But that seems to be the definition of a blog.
So what will you find here in future posts?
Reflections on my effort to exercise and eat well and musings on that process. I went to the gym tonight and used the treadmill – walking 1.75 miles. Step count for the day is 8,487 (goal is 10,000).
But there may also be observations on film (the movie at the gym was Finding Nemo) and sports and music and current events and my travels and national parks and issues of peace and justice and maybe even a touch of theology from time to time. It remains to be seen what all ends up here . . . that’s part of the beauty and wonder of being on the road . . . you are never quite sure where it will lead.
So come along and see what we discover along the Graybeard Trail.
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Along the Graybeard Trail 