Trans Fat

"High cholestrol?"
"What?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you.." said the doctor as he sailed the news, smoothly over his desk.
"How high is it?"
"It's high."
I sat back into the chair, and started a mental replay of all the junk I eat while I'm out running around in my car during the week. Hmmm. Yesterday a co-worker and I devoured a box of Krispy Creme doughnuts in less than 3 miles. Later that afternoon, a bag of chips and a Dr. Pepper for lunch. This can't be good. Business lunches mean usually a burger and fries, plus last week we went to the local diner twice to eat breakfast at 12 noon. That means bacon and eggs - both times.
My heart, and my head, sink.
I turned my head to Marci for some sympathy, and all I get is cold stare followed by a look that plainly says, "You idiot."
Well, that was a quiet ride home, folks. All I wanted to do was yell out "Are you kidding me!"
The kind of yell you save for when someone pulls out in front of you.
Apparently, my cholesterol just pulled out in front of me.

So my new diet consists of everything I don't want to eat. Which includes severe restrictions on sugar, fattening food, soda, sodium, potato chips, krispy kreme's, and worst of all bacon and eggs. I feel like I am on some sort of 1943 war time rationing. And the only war I am fighting is against some little chemical called "cholesterol."

I sat down for a business lunch last week and looked at the menu thinking, "I can't have that, that, this or any of this, no, no, not that. I told the waitress to just bring me a chicken wrap, and "go easy on the salt."

I called my friend Mike, who has the same problem, perhaps to see if I could get some sympathy. His answer, "You're screwed."

Grocery shopping is much more fun these days too. I guess that they put that little label on there for good reason. Not all is lost however, I have already dropped a few pounds from my once slowly expanding midsection. I feel better, and I don't seem to suffer any more from sugar highs and the impending crash shortly after. I eat tangerines, and yogurt like crazy now (and yes, it's low fat yogurt.)
The other good news (I am being told) is that I caught this early enough to deal with it.

I still miss the eggs and bacon though.....

American Heart Association

Old Friends

This weekend marked the annual Maynard and Friends "retreat" and it was the first year that Sean and I were able to attend. My cousin Daryl (a.k.a Maynard, not that interesting of a story really) has been organizing this little get together for the past 5 years or so. A crew of old friends from the big town of Chambersburg get together at Cove Valley Camp for a weekend of relaxation, hiking, boating, fishing, running after a passel of kiddos, eating and reminiscing. I subjected Sean to this crowd and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. I haven't seen some of these folks for quite a few years, so it was fantastic to catch up with them.

So, thanks, Old Friends, for a great time. Daryl, put us on the list for next year.

Enjoy the photos (mostly of the cute kids). . . Cove Valley Photos

Springtime

Spring is almost here.
We made it.
This winter officially goes down as one of the wettest, and windiest on record.
I'm glad its almost over. It seemed like every morning, the few steps I would take to get from our backdoor to the garage were greeted by icy cold, sharp, and stinging winds.
The kind of wind that just sucks all the warmth from your body. The kind of wind that makes you dread getting out of you nice warm car, to fill up the tank.
I've watched those warnings over and over on TV where they warn you not to get back in the car, lest the static electricity you create when returning to the pump handle could ignite and start your vehicle, and your person on fire. My answer to that? The same as everyone else at the gas station.
Screw it.
It is freezing out here, and the car is warm inside. I guess a cold winter makes me want to live on the edge of life. How invigorating.

Marci's plants are starting to emerge from the frozen tundra we now call our yard. They look nice outside. The daffodils are going to look lovely when they bloom. Our lawn is waking up from a deep slumber, just like when you wake up on a saturday morning at 8:30 and lazily stretch yourself out of bed. I can't wait to start mowing again. Marci thinks I am mad. Just for fun yesterday I pulled my mower from its dark, dormant corner in the garage and fired it up. A few pulls of the old rope and she sprung to life, as if it had been waiting all winter for my return. The grassy smell of the engine whirring brought a smile to my face (it also made my clothes stink like fumes)
I have had the Tru-Green guys pre-treat the grass for weeds. Last year, they were the bane of my existence. This year, they are all going to die.
I bought in the professionals this time. "Weed B Gone" be gone with you. Last year you did nothing for me. This year, I shall be crowned "King of the Lawn"

On Tuesday the weather tricked me into thinking I could bring my nice grill out onto the patio.
So I rolled it out, cleaned it up and positioned it in its place, ready to cook.
Two hours later, a 20 knot wind kicked up, and I was sitting at our kitchen table when I saw it rolling across the cement outside, followed by a mighty crash.
That ended up with some very special language, and a nice dent in the metal.
I can fix it, but still...

Sean's American Idol predictions:
1: The winner is going to be either David Cook, or David Archuletta
2: The final three will be those two, and the irish chick.
3: Kristy Lee Cook is going home very soon - she may be easy on the eyes, but her voice cant get any better.
4: Jason Castro is cool, but he has an average voice, he wont be around too much longer
5: The hippie girl (Brook) is going to have to step up her game if she wants to get any further
6: Watch out for Sayeesha (is that how you spell her name) She can really sing, and she looks like a star. However if she tries to sing another Whitney Houston song, its all over. This goes against cardinal rule #1 for American Idol: NEVER ATTEMPT TO SING A WHITNEY HOUSTON SONG. You will always be compared to one of the best singers that ever lived, and you will never sing as well as her.
For that matter - don't attempt any of Celine's songs as well.
7: Simon will continue to be arrogant, but right 97% of the time.
8: Paula will continue to attend the space cadet academy, and live on planet Paula.
9: Randy will continue to tell everyone who he has "worked with" in the industry.

Anyway,
Feel free to add your predictions in the comment section.

Sean.

Return to the Motherland

Marci and I will be traveling to South Africa this summer.
YAAAAY for us!
It's been a good 15 years since my family left, and I decided that it was now or never.
(The other motivating factor was that I found airfares really cheap)
The best part is that I get to plan the whole trip. Marci told me last week that she just wants to go, and have it all organized.
This is awesome!
And so I have planned a week long trip across the Karoo desert on camelback.
(Don't tell her it is going to be a big surprise.)
Yeah right. Can you imagine? "We are doing what?" Followed by the look of death.
You know, the one all wives give their husbands when what they are trying to say is - "Have you lost your mind"
I used to get that look a lot when we first got married. Now I know when it is coming and I just start to laugh nervously, or do what all guys do and say "ha, ha, just joking" in the nick of time.

I have discovered that ladies like traveling away from home only on the following conditions:
1: Proximity to a working electrical outlet must be maintained.
2: Proximity to a working toilet, must also be maintained
3: An entire country must ensure that their electrical system will function with the grooming tools of choice - namely hairdryer, and curling iron. (Works in conjunction with rule #1)
4: A much larger then necessary suitcase is required, and non-negotiable.
5: Any overflow of luggage will require additional space in your luggage, also non-negotiable (see section a/addendum B "using sex as a bargaining tool")
6: Proximity to running water must be maintained at all times
7: Running water MUST be available in a heated configuration.

Men have few rules for travel. In fact, these are some of Sean's rules and tips.
1: Always carry on luggage. They cant lose it that way, and no checking baggage!!
2: Travel light - underwear can be turned inside out if necessary
3: If I forget it here, I can buy it there.
4: I don't want to talk to anyone on the plane, even pleasant old ladies. I just want to sit and be quiet and miserable like everyone else
5: Don't take shampoo or soap, the hotel will have plenty of that stuff. Then you don't have to put it in those little bags for security.
6: Always get the aisle seat, that way you can get up when you need to.
7: Check in online at home, print your boarding pass, and go right to security. No checking in. This has saved my butt from missing a flight countless times.
8: Always travel with earplugs. You never know when that broken old A/C in your hotel room is going to go click, click, click all night.
9: Essentials for any trip - your most comfy jeans, and an I-pod
10: Leave your parking stub in your car, under the visor. Once you get into the airport put your car keys in a secure place - for me usually in a pocket in my suitcase.
11: Remember your parking spot!! A handy trick I use is to send myself a text message with the space number. Nothing is worse than getting into a dark parking lot after a long flight and not remembering where you parked the car. I did this once on a cold, snowy night, and walked the lot for 45 mins in my business shoes and dress pants. Never again. This way you store the number on your cell phone and voila.

There you go.
I am looking forward to spending time just with my wife. Once we see all our family, Marci and I are going to head out in to the eastern cape for 3 days, just us.
We are going up the garden route (google it if you want) after we spend some treasured time with my grandparents, and my family.

I will be sure to post a very informative blog after our trip!

Sean.

Some info on Cape Town
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

Go green

Marci and I have been on this kick recently, that we need to do our part to help "be good stewards of the environment"

What does this mean? Are we suddenly joining Greenpeace? Are we going to support community screenings of Al Gore's movie? Are we going to grow our own family of trees, and start hugging them at least once a week? No.
None of that nonsense.
For a while now, I've secretly been feeling that I need to be more conscious of the things I do on a daily basis that affect the environment around me. We in America are so used to living in a disposable society, we use stuff and then just throw it away. Its easy, its guiltless, its convenient.
Use, dispose. Use, dispose. Do you ever stop to wonder what happens to the things we just discard?
It has to go somewhere, it doesn't just cease to exist when you dont see it anymore in the bottom of the trash can. The space it occupies isn't just voided out underneath the garbage pile.

There used to be a lady at my old job who brought a big box into work every week. Her goal in life was to collect the used soda bottles from the lunchroom. She would take the box down to her local recycling center, and make sure that all that plastic was recycled, and re-used.
She never said anything, she just did it. No-one paid her for the extra gas she used in her car, or for her time. Why did she do it? I would often asked myself. What did she care? If I wanted to throw my used bottle in the trash and choose not to recycle that was my right! We didn't even get along, she used to call me "Mr big stuff" and she would sing that annoying song around me - probably because I thought I actually was "Mr big stuff" in my youthful arrogance.
I finally realized one day after I offered to help her carry the full box out to her car why she did this.
Every time she drove down to the recycling center, it gave her a good feeling inside to know that she was not being part of the common mentality that is used to simply wasting, and discarding. It didn't make her a better person. It just felt good.

Marci bought this book recently by Ed Begley Jr. He is passionate about energy efficiency, conservation, and going green. I must admit at first I thought it was another book by a tree hugger, bashing the Bush administration about global warming blah, blah, blah.
Well after I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.
Not a word about any of that stuff. Just really great ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly and frankly, save money. (I like that part!!!)
Save money? Huh?
Yes.
So, in the past few weeks I have installed a programmable thermostat, changed most of our light bulbs to the new CFL (compact fluorescent light) and paid much more attention to what we throw into the trash, and what we recycle.
And to be honest, it feels good. Not only do I feel less like and all consuming, disposing, human being - we are actually saving money.
The effort required is minimal, and yes the new light bulbs were a little more expensive. But 1 regular light bulb uses the same energy as 5 CFL bulbs. And they last up to 12 years. 12 YEARS!!! Do you know how much it irritates me when I have to change a light bulb and we don't have any left? But lighting 5 bulbs for one? And I get the same amount of light?
Hello - no brainer.

Simple things like running the dishwasher after 8pm (after peak demand) help save energy.
When we bought our new washer and dryer, the salesman convinced us to buy the fancy new (and much more expensive) Bosch models. His claim was that the washer only used 10 gallons of water per cycle instead of 40 gallons per cycle like a regular washer. His other claim that we only need "a tablespoon of detergent per load" seemed like a good sales pitch to me, but its true. Since we moved here in August last year, we are literally still on the same container of detergent, and yes, our clothes are clean and fresh every time. Our water consumption is very low as well.
The dryer has a moisture sensor in it that shuts the machine off when the clothes are dry.
Brilliant!!! No more just setting the timer to 60 mins, when you only need 25 mins to dry your jeans. That is wasteful, and we pay the electric bill.

Naysayers will say, "So what, there is plenty of fresh water, who cares?"
Sure there is. But it takes energy and more petrochemicals to clean every extra gallon of dirty water. So who does care - well at the moment everyone does, since a barrel of oil hit $100, up from 30 only 3 years ago.
Like paying over $3.00 for a gallon of gas?

I was watching a documentary on the Exxon Valdez oil spill last night. I remember the absolute outrage, and anger this created about the affect this would have on the environment. How many Americans watched the news that night with utter disgust at the negligence of the "evil oil company" and then threw away their plastic tv dinner tray without even thinking about what affect that would have on the environment. The sad truth, is that all that oil was actually on its way to America to power our SUV's and cars, and make little plastic tv dinner trays.
So we are all part of the process. Now I know, we need cars, we need dinner, we all watch TV's.
But still - it made me think. Oil companies exist because we all use oil, and energy.
There would be no Exxon Valdez without the need we have created for oil, and all of the useful things it produces. I'm not condoning their actions, what happened was an accident, and a subsequent investigation blamed the spill on the inexperienced sailor who ran the ship aground and the captain who left the bridge unsupervised.
Oil is in everything. Like your new cell-phone? Plastic made from Crude oil. Like that new carpet in your house? Yep, from crude oil. Like that new salon shampoo you just bought for $14 bucks - you guessed it the container ultimately comes from crude oil. And it is very likely many of the chemicals in the shampoo are an oil by product.
So there are many factors as to why the price of oil is so high, but that is another discussion.
We can all still contribute to saving it, by recycling, driving a little slower, and choosing what products we buy.

Anyway, I digress.

We discovered that Lancaster County has a fantastic program just for recycling. I won't bore you with the details, but they take everything from old paint, to old TV's and computers, old household chemicals. My Dad recently recycled and old TV that he had for years (and was partially in love with) Way to go Dad!!
I also read that Lancaster burns 80% of the household trash they collect to create electricity.
This means that only 20% goes into a landfill. (And yes, they do treat the emissions this creates before releasing it into the atmosphere)
At the local Giant that we shop at, they offer these neat reusable fabric shopping bags.
You can use them as much as you want. 1 Bag hold up to $30 in groceries. We love them.
No more old plastic bags clogging up our trash and laundry closet, no more cereal boxes tearing through the side. No more multiple bagging for the gallon of milk, or big cans. No more of the handles stretching and cutting a line in your hand. When we are done shopping, they go back into the trunk.

So here are some helpful links that you can check out to help reduce your energy consumption.
You don't need to join the Sierra club, or Greenpeace. If you feel like hugging a tree then go ahead. You dont need to become a hippie, or a crazy environmentalist - but if the thought of saving money, and feeling better about the impact you have on the environment appeals to you than check these out.

Energy Star - Great for tips on saving electricity
http://www.energystar.gov/

Lancaster County recycling
http://www.lcswma.org/recyclingInfo.asp

Vegas, Baby!!

I spent a few days last week in Las Vegas. A group of us from work attended Conexpo 2008 Basically the largest construction equipment convention in the galaxy. We flew out last wednesday, and I came home on saturday. To say that the convention was rather large would be a complete understatement. Massive, gargantuan, completely impressive would be words better suited to describe the show, it was awesome. It took 2 days of solid walking to see everything I needed to see, and I still didn't see everything.
Needles to say that by the end of it, I was pretty tired.

We also had an opportunity to spend some time walking around 'Vegas.
What an experience that was, so here are my observations.

1: Las Vegas was built by an alien civilization, determined to extract as much money as possible from the human race. They needed this money to help re-finance the unfolding sub-prime mortgage disaster on their own planet.
2: The aliens have also constructed some kind of time altering mechanisim flux capacitor thingy that makes time, well, irrelevant. (That way you spend more money)
3: Elvis apparently has many brethren that look just like him. My opinion is that they are undercover alien FBI agents, keeping an eye on us humans.
4: The alien logistics, and zoning committee that picked the site for Las Vegas construction did a lousy job. Somehow, they picked the middle of the desert. Don't they know we humans require large amounts of water for survival?
5: After the Chief of the zoning committee was fired for this mistake, they just built Hoover dam, and solved that problem. Ah - free electricity too!!! Brilliant!!!
6: During the test and market research phase of their project, they also discovered that as long as you have cocktail waitresses feeding the humans free alcohol, they tend to keep putting more and more money into their slot machine-money collection systems.
7: Make it big and shiny, with lots of sparkly lights and neon, and the humans just keep coming back!!! Moohahahah.....

Well, it seems to be working - quite well actually.
I was almost suckered in, until I hit a 777 on the 25c slot machine, and took them for $12.50.
HAHAHAHA.
I got my money out before they could get any more of it. Take that you freaks.

So, also thanks to my company for putting us up in a very swanky hotel. I have vowed to return someday, I just find those big neon lights strangely attractive.....

Sean.

The Venetian, outside




Caesars Palace (E.T. HQ)

Safety Training

This week at work was our "annual safety refresher course."
So, for the entire day on Tuesday I sat through a class learning how to be more safe.
I have been so busy at work lately that I was not looking forward to giving up a whole day listening to the basics of CPR, first aid, industrial accident prevention, how to use a defribulator, etc etc.
I was doing fine, sitting in class allowing my mind to wander all around the universe (like it usually does) when the words "this next presentation will be extremely graphic" snapped me back to earth.
To say the next 45 minutes after that was graphic would be an understatement. We were forced to watch a video of what happens to someone when they come into contact with 7200 volts.
Trust me when I say, its not fun. I had to sit through about 35 slides of what 3rd degree burns look like, with detailed descriptions of infection, pus, "charred skin"
After what seemed like long enough, I had to leave the room. I couldn't take it.
Keep in mind, I was sitting amongst a group of tough guys. Most of them are members of our service crew. These are men that work on big equipment all day, with big manly tools and wrenches. They think nothing of working outside in the freezing cold, or the scorching summer heat pulling large engines to pieces and putting them back together. All of them bear the mark of tough mechanics, big thick-skinned hands and fingers, usually with a permanent grey stain from the oil and grease. Manly men. They drive big service trucks full of cool tools and hammers. They get the job done, pain, weather, dirt, blood or not.

And then there's me. Sitting in my nice pressed pants and ironed white business shirt, with my shoes nicely polished for work. I get upset because the black ink on my deskpad calendar sometimes makes my cuff's a little dirty when I type. The sleeves on my shirt always have a nice crisp pressed line running from the shoulder to the wrist. I like that, and when I see it in the office bathroom mirror it gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I may even twist my outstreched arm a little and take another look at how nice and straight it is today. I like my cubicle nice and organized, I personalized it with a few toys and gadgets I've found in my travels and things from home, you know so that you can have that nice blend of professional but fun. I guess I hope that my co-workers walk past it and think to themselves, "wow, what a nice cubicle, the perfect blend of professional, but yet fun!" And don't you dare get into my company car with dirty, oily shoes, there may be floormats there, but they need to be clean.

I suppose these guys would call me a "suit" If I were them, I'd call me a "suit" too.

As one would suspect with a room full of tough guys, watching the pictures soon became a contest of who could watch longer without cringing, or looking away.
There's them - stonefaced, emotionless.
There's me: "Seriously, I think I am going to pass out, I cant watch this anymore, I am feeling lightheaded, oh that is just nasty, please someone get me some water, just breathe, breathe man!!"
And then, I have to get up and walk out, I just cant look any more, and the commentary is even worse. There is no escape. Words like, infection, blood, pus, pain, gangrene, fill the air around me.
I tried to make it look like I needed to go to the bathroom, but I think the fact that I was covered in sweat, breathing heavily and as white as a ghost gave me away. Maybe my comment "I cant watch this anymore" didn't help either as I bolted out.

After about 10 minutes in the cool air outside, I felt better.
Now I had to go back in and face my destiny.
As I stepped back inside, one of the guys said "Hey Sean, you missed the best part"
Raucous laughter filled the room.
A hearty slap on the back from our service manager made me feel a little better.

Mechanics: 1
Suits: None

Fortunately for me, all of these big strong guys are really great guys. They will do anything to get the job done. I am amazed many times at their level of experience, pride and dedication to their company, and craft. In an age where everything is run by a computer somewhere, there is something to be said for folks who use their own hands all day, everyday to make a living.


Well, I feel safer I guess. I have a new regard for electricity. I learned how to use the heart defribulator that they have at the mall.

So be safe
And remember:
"A safe worker is a happy worker"
(Taken from a factory I visited in Mexico)

Sean.

Blogless

We haven't blogged because there's nothing new here. I'm basically just posting this because we should have at least one entry for February, right? This month has been mostly run-of-the-mill. We work, sometimes we play, and we wish for warmer days. Every year I hit my blue spell where I feel down and blue. I begin to reevaluate my career and what I want to do with my life and poor Sean doesn't know what to do with me. It seems to come around the month of February. I've heard it called the "winter blues." Thankfully, I haven't had that this year. I have to say, I've been fairly even-keeled. Yeah for no depression! So, for blog's sake, here is what we've been up to this month . . .

• Sean had his teeth filled and created a bit of amusement for those around him as he tried to communicate with a face pumped full of novacaine. (Oh, wait, that was the end of January. Still worth noting).
• Marci had some snow delays and a snow day.
  
• We both worked a lot and were very busy.
• Went to visit Marci's family in C-burg.
• Marci had her annual Girls' Christmas with her three bestest friends (yeah, it was a little late, but that way Christmas kept giving).
• We hosted Marci's work holiday party at our house. Again, extending the holiday fun. Somehow everyone hung out in the kitchen. We do have other rooms.
• Enjoyed the Superbowl on our new TV.
• Sean spent some time in Louisville, KY. Hopefully this won't cause him to start making up bluegrass music again. See post . . . Cheese Please

So, that's what's goin' on here. Happy Leap Year!

Numb the Pain...

I woke up on Tuesday morning looking forward to a visit with the dentist.
Yes, I know this sounds like loads of fun. The reason? I like having complete strangers poke and scratch my teeth with sharp metal objects. Not really. And come to think of it , I don't think a single human being (with access to good dental care,) has ever woken up and shouted aloud
"Wohoo, today I'm going to the dentist!" While I was lying in the chair having my teeth drilled and filled, I got to thinking. Which insane human being came up with this crazy idea?
Who suddenly said, " Aha, I know how to fix holes in teeth, I will construct a drill and drill them out, and then I shall fill the holes with, well, something solid." Who was the first volunteer dental patient?
"Excuse me sir, you look like your teeth hurt, I know just how to fix that"
"How?"
"Well its very simple you see, I am going to use this drill I have constructed, and then drill your teeth out"
"Great"
Crazy.

I also re-discovered the effects of Novacaine on Tuesday.
So for fun, I took a few pictures of myself desperately trying to smile after receiving about 6 shots in my mouth.


I swear, this is not an exaggeration.
Worst, after arriving home, I volunteered to go pick up the pizza Marci ordered for dinner.
I thought, what the heck, I'm going to see how the guys in our local pizza shop like my new face.
And that evening I pronounced it "pppftttthhheethzzaa" not "pizza"

So brush you teeth tonight.

Or you may end up looking like this.

Sean.

Bridge to Tear-a-bithia

So a few nights ago, I happened to record the movie "Bridge to Tarabithia" on the DVR (fancy term for a "tivo" like device)

Marci and I settled in to the couch, and curled up with a nice warm blanket to watch the film.

I was enjoying every minute of it, taken in completely by the sweet story of two middle school kids and their growing friendship. After 45 minutes, I found myself completely emotionally invested in the wonderful imaginary world I was seeing on our new TV.

To say that the young lady that producers had cast in the film was endearing, would be an understatement. One could easily feel why Jess, the main character, falls in love with her.

Marci kept saying "she is adorable"

So their story moves from, a simple friendship, to innocent love. Needles to say that this is the kind of movie that is simply heartwarming.

And then it hits you. (WARNING: SPOILER CONTENT BELOW!!!)

They kill the girl off. BAM. Completely unexpected.

WHAT??!! Yes, that is correct. She hits her head, falls in a river and drowns.

Nice.

And now you, just like Jess are left sitting on your couch with a broken heart.

I fought back 1 tear, 2 tears, 6 tears. And then I saw Marci crying.

And then I cried.

Like a little girl.

So my wife and I were sitting in our living room, sharing tissues, wiping our eyes and holding hands.

I spoke with a good friend of mine today, who also saw this movie. And he cried too.

So now I don't feel so bad anymore.

So I challenge any man, to sit through this movie and not cry. You cant do it.

So why do we cry? I have no clue.

But here is a website doing some research on crying. Maybe you can help them out.

Sean.

www.crying-survey.co.uk/