Penn Ave & American Blvd, Bloomington MN

Motivation:

"The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started." ~Norman Cousins

You may have noticed a theme here this week with messages about HOPE. It is a good think to think about at the beginning of a new project. I have discussed this before, but feel that I should write later this week about the importance of HOPE. It is one of my favorite words, and I am sad when I meet people who have no HOPE, for themselves or for others.

Diary:

B: bagel and peanut butter, coffee
S: protien bar
L: chili, mixed greens, xs, vitamins
S: yellow bell pepper, peanut butter
D: orange, 2 dome dogs with pickle, mustard, onion, ketchup, saurkraut
S: beef jerky
g: elliptical 1.96 miles, 391+ calories, walk 1 mile, sauna

Notes:

Twins win vs Athletics. Again, a good game and a fun night, with one exception. I had a choice, and was encouraged to get gasoline near Memphis' home, however my stubborness told me, hey, I can make it...... I made it to Penn Ave & American Blvd. Amazing how a car just stops. no coasting, no warning (other than that bright yellow light on the dash that looks like a pump.), it just stops.

Joke of the day:
Ken Griffey Jr and Darryl Strawberry are having a discussion:
KGJ: MR DUCKS.
DS: MR NOT DUCKS!
KGJ: OSAR, CDEDBD WINGS?


So, I promised to tell the story about Saturday. It is a 'Good Story/Bad Story' story.

I am starting to feel my collar bone. In the past, my barrel-chested nature did not allow me to really feel individual bones on my body, but now I am starting to make out legs and neck and arms, (and coming later, ribs). My legs have muscles and I feel them when I walk and I can see the changes. I also can see and feel my collar bone and, while there is much work to do, I am starting to imagine what things are going to look like when I am leaner. It is quite fascinating on a purely scientific level.

The unscientific side came on Saturday morning while taking my 16-month old goddaughter to the Easter Egg Hunt. The event itself was scary. Imagine the number of kids you would see at say, the State Fair on a busy day. Take that number of people and cram them into 3 baseball fields. Then blow a whistle and let the kids race to see who can find the eggs (which aren't hidden, just laying in the outfield.) MASS HYSTARIA ENSUES. Kids racing, parents filming, me cringing. My Poor Goddaughter found no eggs, and the line to the "bunny" was over a block long.

It was decided to get some groceries and have our own private easter egg hunt at a local park. Much better... On the way into the store, I carried my goddaughter. She grabbed my neck and hugged me - really big hug - and patted my back. She got up real close to me and it felt great. She patted my back as if to say "there there, there there"

So what does this have to do with my collarbone? The loss of weight in my neck and chest made the physical connection to my neice so much more intimate. I could feel her breathing and she could get up close. Before, hugs were difficult, as several inches of fat seperated me and my hugg-ie. I felt so connected to her. I almost lost it in the grocery store. I lost it later on Sunday. I am going to miss having her in the state, and will relish hugs and kisses from my family. You will agree that she is the best. I have attached a picture of her above. (appropriate that she is hugging in the pic....)

Tonight before the Twins game, I gave some attention to the precious daughter of one of my best friends. Let's call her Ramona. She was playing around, rolling and wiggling and looking around the room at her afternoon guests. Her grandfather, also at the house, said "Are you looking at your Uncle Chazz?"

That felt great.


more later...


Chazz