I know it has been quite a while since my last update. And, although things around here generally tend to be interesting they are not always exciting, at least not without some embellishment. Having acknowledged that, if this entry is a little long, I'm going to try and catch you all up. This is actually a number of drafts I put together during the year and did not publish along with some more recent updates.
First, Maureen, Liam and I hope this finds everyone happy, doing well, and enjoying the holidays!
Abs Are Made In The Kitchen. At least that's the theory promoted by one of Maureen's skinny friends. My Abs? They were made at the microbrewery! I do an hour on the recumbent bike 5 or 6 days a week and lift weights at least two days a week. I've really made an effort to eat right most of the time. I cut about a half acre of lawn every week with a push mower and have started walking 18 at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course (the back 9 is truly a mountainous course) hopefully at least once a week. And, I'm back into Racquetball, playing about twice a week. You would think with all that exercise and conscientious eating I would be sporting a bikini figure to die for. Not so much! I still maintain a 32" waist but I'm not a "flat belly" by any stretch of the imagination. I appear to be a victim of my environment. The only six-pack that I'm sporting is the Sierra Nevada Kellerwies (pronounced "keller-vice") in our fridge. Maureen and I are out at least every Friday night as well as multiple special events during the summer months. One of our favorites is the "Main Street Music" festival in downtown Weaverville. And of course I always make a point of supporting our local businesses, especially Blue Mountain Pizza who sponsors the beer concession. After years in Corona and the inland empire which always seemed to be devoid of readily accessible entertainment opportunities we now have to prioritize what events we want to attend. And although Asheville and the surrounding areas are a "resort" destination and tend to get crowded especially during the summer months it's nothing like the sparse events in southern California. I suppose I could just drink more water? Yea, like that's going to happen!
First, Maureen, Liam and I hope this finds everyone happy, doing well, and enjoying the holidays!
Maureen had an opportunity to walk with a friend a portion of the "El camino de Santiago", an ancient walking pilgrimage through Spain. They completed the portion from Santiago to the sea. If you've ever seen "The Way" (2010) with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, it's the section Martin Sheen walked at the very end of the movie after the main pilgrimage was finished. It was over 100 kilometers and it took them a little less than a week. Maureen had such a good time she wants to do the main camino that starts in France and crosses most of Spain. It's over 800 kilometers (500 miles) and takes 4 to 5 weeks.
We have some very good friends that we've met and Maureen was explaining how she was preparing for this more than month long trek through Spain and how I was not interested in the least in going. Our friends did not quite know how to express their concern that there might be some issue between Maureen and I that she would consider spending that much time away and that I would be OK with it. I would like to assure them and anyone else concerned that the only potential for marital discord would be if Maureen and I vacation across Spain and she makes me walk the whole way (well, unless there are a number of golf courses laid end-to-end involved). I'm a "get there and enjoy" kind of vacationer. I will fly, go by rail or bus, and possibly even bicycle, anything but walk every day all day.
Abs Are Made In The Kitchen. At least that's the theory promoted by one of Maureen's skinny friends. My Abs? They were made at the microbrewery! I do an hour on the recumbent bike 5 or 6 days a week and lift weights at least two days a week. I've really made an effort to eat right most of the time. I cut about a half acre of lawn every week with a push mower and have started walking 18 at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course (the back 9 is truly a mountainous course) hopefully at least once a week. And, I'm back into Racquetball, playing about twice a week. You would think with all that exercise and conscientious eating I would be sporting a bikini figure to die for. Not so much! I still maintain a 32" waist but I'm not a "flat belly" by any stretch of the imagination. I appear to be a victim of my environment. The only six-pack that I'm sporting is the Sierra Nevada Kellerwies (pronounced "keller-vice") in our fridge. Maureen and I are out at least every Friday night as well as multiple special events during the summer months. One of our favorites is the "Main Street Music" festival in downtown Weaverville. And of course I always make a point of supporting our local businesses, especially Blue Mountain Pizza who sponsors the beer concession. After years in Corona and the inland empire which always seemed to be devoid of readily accessible entertainment opportunities we now have to prioritize what events we want to attend. And although Asheville and the surrounding areas are a "resort" destination and tend to get crowded especially during the summer months it's nothing like the sparse events in southern California. I suppose I could just drink more water? Yea, like that's going to happen!
I hit another bench mark with my weight lifting. Although I've always been somewhat active; playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer; playing racquetball, running, golf, etc... Most of that just required good conditioning and some leg strength. I've never had great upper body strength. I purchased a set of Bowflex 1090 dumbbells with my retirement gift. When I started my latest exercise craze in earnest I had three goals:
- Bench press 150 lbs (not just once, but multiple times as part of my workout.)
- Bench press my weight (an important part of that was getting my weight below the 2-90 lbs dumbbells weight set which I was able to do early on.)
- Bench press the entire 180 lbs set (not just once, but multiple times as part of my workout.)
A couple of months ago I hit the first goal. If any of you that don't or haven't lifted weights for strength training and don't think 150 lbs is that much, try it (but don't hurt yourself). You'll be surprised. Anyway, I told Maureen instead of washboard abs she's going to have to settle for the nice guns (biceps) I'm working on. On to the next goal.
I mentioned I'm starting to play some golf too. I've rationalized that I spent the last 15 years or so chasing Liam around to all of his event venues. Now that he's not competing anymore I can start doing some of my old recreational hobbies again for myself. Back in the day I was able to maintain an 18 handicap (bogie golf). I've learned a stark lessen in the past couple of months. Golf is a perishable skill. It's been ugly! The "I couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat" analogy wouldn't be too far off the mark. I joined the MGA (Mediocre Golf Association) Tour. On the back of my membership card it give me permission to practice because; "It's not going to matter anyway!" That's how I feel after my last couple of attempts. I console myself with the fact that I started out a hundred years ago shooting over 100 and over time managed to become an 18 handicap. My last time out I hit 100 on the number, which is an improvement.
"If it's true it ain't bragging!" Dick Haley
I looked up the definition:
brag·ging/noun
1. excessively proud and boastful talk about one's achievements or possessions.
So Dick, even though the following is true, the next few paragraphs are, in fact, bragging!
My renewed interest in Racquetball shows much more promise than my golf game. In Southern California, the mecca of racquetball, I was just mediocre. I learned from some very good players early on but never achieved their level of play. Here in Western North Carolina (not a mecca for racquetball), as of this writing, at the local YMCA, I've yet to play anyone who even holds the racket correctly and about 6 is the most points scored against me so far in any one game. There is a "Challenge Ladder" posted outside the racquetball courts which I'm working my way up but I've had issues scheduling matches during the holidays. I'll keep at it and let you know how I do.
PS I got a new racquetball racket for Christmas!
In the past I've also shared my involvement with a poker group here in Asheville. Through PokerStars.net's "Home Game" feature we play weekly for points. Season 6 (2017) I joined the group late at the end of February and had a few bad months while learning the ropes but still managed to finish 4th for the year. The goal is always to be number one, right?
This year, Season 7, I'm killing it. With two scheduled poker tournaments to go (you can earn 3 to 6 points per tournament for a win depending on the number of entrants) I'm first with a commanding lead. (Scarecrow111 is my moniker.)
I'm clear of the second place player by over 60 points. I've averaged almost 1.5 points per game, am in the money 47% of the time, have knocked out over 180 opponents, and have won 20% of the tournaments I've entered, all group bests for the year. I'm looking forward to a snowy 2019 winter (there are always more tournaments scheduled during bad weather) and Season 8!
It is predicted that we will have a heavier than average snow fall this winter. We've already had a couple of snow falls, one was 8 inches of "heart attack snow." For the Southern Californians who've never heard that phrase, that's snow where the bottom two inches or so is wet, heavy, slushy snow covered by the nice white stuff. Heart attack snow got it's name because old guys like me would get heart attacks from trying to shovel the heavy, immobile stuff. Once I figured out what it was I had no trouble letting it sit for a few days and let the sun do the heavy lifting.
If you didn't already know, Liam changed his major last year to computer sciences. Pretty much all of his general ed classes are done so he is having a challenge scheduling his major courses with the prerequisites and availability so his graduation date will be stretched out a bit. No worries. Liam's grades are great and Western Carolina lowered their tuition starting January 2018, to $500 per semester. Liam and I are bowling almost once a week and he's even allowing me to show him how to play racquetball (sort of). With his reach, athletic ability, youth and stamina Liam should be able to give me a game if not beat me in short order. Of course that would require that he listen to me and focus a bit so I'm probably safe for a while.
Liam finally got an opportunity to see a professional football game live. The Riley's treated him to the Cleveland vs Cincinnati game when we were visiting with an all day tailgate party and a Cleveland win! We did our traditional Thanksgiving with my family in Richmond and Christmas with Maureen's family in Cleveland again this year. They were very nice visits and everyone is doing well and enjoying the holidays!
That should catch everyone up from between April and now. Again, Maureen, Liam and I would like to wish everyone a joyous holiday season, we hope you all had a very merry Christmas, and we wish everyone the very best New Year!
Rick
"If it's true it ain't bragging!" Dick Haley
I looked up the definition:
brag·ging/noun
1. excessively proud and boastful talk about one's achievements or possessions.
So Dick, even though the following is true, the next few paragraphs are, in fact, bragging!
My renewed interest in Racquetball shows much more promise than my golf game. In Southern California, the mecca of racquetball, I was just mediocre. I learned from some very good players early on but never achieved their level of play. Here in Western North Carolina (not a mecca for racquetball), as of this writing, at the local YMCA, I've yet to play anyone who even holds the racket correctly and about 6 is the most points scored against me so far in any one game. There is a "Challenge Ladder" posted outside the racquetball courts which I'm working my way up but I've had issues scheduling matches during the holidays. I'll keep at it and let you know how I do.
PS I got a new racquetball racket for Christmas!
In the past I've also shared my involvement with a poker group here in Asheville. Through PokerStars.net's "Home Game" feature we play weekly for points. Season 6 (2017) I joined the group late at the end of February and had a few bad months while learning the ropes but still managed to finish 4th for the year. The goal is always to be number one, right?
This year, Season 7, I'm killing it. With two scheduled poker tournaments to go (you can earn 3 to 6 points per tournament for a win depending on the number of entrants) I'm first with a commanding lead. (Scarecrow111 is my moniker.)
I'm clear of the second place player by over 60 points. I've averaged almost 1.5 points per game, am in the money 47% of the time, have knocked out over 180 opponents, and have won 20% of the tournaments I've entered, all group bests for the year. I'm looking forward to a snowy 2019 winter (there are always more tournaments scheduled during bad weather) and Season 8!
It is predicted that we will have a heavier than average snow fall this winter. We've already had a couple of snow falls, one was 8 inches of "heart attack snow." For the Southern Californians who've never heard that phrase, that's snow where the bottom two inches or so is wet, heavy, slushy snow covered by the nice white stuff. Heart attack snow got it's name because old guys like me would get heart attacks from trying to shovel the heavy, immobile stuff. Once I figured out what it was I had no trouble letting it sit for a few days and let the sun do the heavy lifting.
If you didn't already know, Liam changed his major last year to computer sciences. Pretty much all of his general ed classes are done so he is having a challenge scheduling his major courses with the prerequisites and availability so his graduation date will be stretched out a bit. No worries. Liam's grades are great and Western Carolina lowered their tuition starting January 2018, to $500 per semester. Liam and I are bowling almost once a week and he's even allowing me to show him how to play racquetball (sort of). With his reach, athletic ability, youth and stamina Liam should be able to give me a game if not beat me in short order. Of course that would require that he listen to me and focus a bit so I'm probably safe for a while.
Liam finally got an opportunity to see a professional football game live. The Riley's treated him to the Cleveland vs Cincinnati game when we were visiting with an all day tailgate party and a Cleveland win! We did our traditional Thanksgiving with my family in Richmond and Christmas with Maureen's family in Cleveland again this year. They were very nice visits and everyone is doing well and enjoying the holidays!
That should catch everyone up from between April and now. Again, Maureen, Liam and I would like to wish everyone a joyous holiday season, we hope you all had a very merry Christmas, and we wish everyone the very best New Year!
Rick
