All of the links here are on my sidebar under links. Enjoy!
From time to time, I will add links and try to remember to explain them a bit and why they are here.
Some of them may not seem to be relevant to Bariatric Surgery, but they are to the Post people.
For example:
www.ilike2rock.net
I have started to clean up my life. I need a few things for my brain and general sanity. One of them is new music.
ilike2rock.net is a site that has all indie artists. Once you register, you can access and critique various new bands and artists. These people are all trying to make a name for themselves. There are many different venues.
The site was created by a friend here in Lancaster County, who has been trying to help promote new artists for a few years.
If you go there, check out "Project 43". This is a group of musicians, who have NEVER met! They probably never will. They are from all over the world. They play together using the new technology. Amazing.
ilike2rock.net allows me the escape when I need to concentrate on something more enjoyable. When I am too tired to do anything else, or when I need to know there is so much more in this world than lying/cheating politicians.
www.pandora.com
Register, sign in, and type in the artist or song you want to hear, and pandora will play that song/artist, and then continue to play song in that genre. You can rate the songs, and add as many "stations" as you want. I listed 20 artsts I like from various genres, and then combined them into a random list. Then, while I am cleaning the house, or exercising, I can listen to the music. You can ban songs so you don't have to listen to anything you don't like. And, it doesn't get upset if you quit in the middle.
When you are stuck, and just can't seem to walk away from the computer, click on the link "This is the end". Nuff said......
November 15, 2008
November 14, 2008
Saving money
I have been saving tons of money on food, but am still open for bargains.
So, I thought I would pass on a few here and if you find any, let me know.
First of all, this isn't a bargain, but it is good sense.
I need to maintain my protein levels. One of the way to do that is to buy meat. There is a local butcher that buys beef from the local farmers. This beef doesn't have any of the usual additives, steroids, hormones, etc.. It is all just pure beef raised locally.
He sells the beef by the quarter or half, or full cow. I have read where he will store it for you in the cut that you want, or you can buy it and store it yourself. The price per pound is not as expensive as you might think.
He will also arrange it the way you want. So, if I order 50 pounds of ground beef, he will use the beef I pick, and split it into the portions I want.
I have an industrial freezer that I bought 25 years ago, and it can hold a half cow if I choose. Something to think about.
Next: The wholesale club.
I belong to BJs over in Centerville. They have a good general selection of food. I can buy it and store it and use it as I need.
I buy the large containers of paper products (Towels, Kleenex, Toilet) and store them in the closet. It will take me a year to go through the toilet paper, and it is cheaper in quantity.
They sell products you could get at the supermarket in quantity that is cheaper than the supermarket. The portions are the same size, but they sell more of them bundled together. For example, since I like to make chili, I can buy a case of canned tomatoes, in 3 different varieties. I can store them in the basement and get what I need as I need them.
Where the supermarket sell a pack of 6, BJs sells 18. Frozen items are good this way. I have 2 Perdue chickens for my rotisserie whenever I need them.
They have a lot of different items there for my wife's menu too. Yogurt by the case is better than paying more for individual pieces. I can get my fiber one yogurt in 18 count. Saves going to Weis once a week.
I buy the pain killer of my choice in 500 count bottles. Lasts a long time.
I can buy a 3 pack of shaving cream that lasts a year or more. Tooth paste, brushes, light bulbs, and bottled water too.
They have a Verizon store where I bought my bluetooth and some other accessories.
They will let you wander around and even let you buy if you sign up.
I would go to all of the clubs before you make your choice. All of them have gasoline, so that isn't a big consideration. BJs works for me, but I've been to Costco, and Sam's club too. We check out the other once a year to make sure this is the one we like the best. So far it is.
They charge you $40 a year to join, but you can make that up in savings. Buy larger quantity, shop less per year, save money. Good deal all around.
So, I thought I would pass on a few here and if you find any, let me know.
First of all, this isn't a bargain, but it is good sense.
I need to maintain my protein levels. One of the way to do that is to buy meat. There is a local butcher that buys beef from the local farmers. This beef doesn't have any of the usual additives, steroids, hormones, etc.. It is all just pure beef raised locally.
He sells the beef by the quarter or half, or full cow. I have read where he will store it for you in the cut that you want, or you can buy it and store it yourself. The price per pound is not as expensive as you might think.
He will also arrange it the way you want. So, if I order 50 pounds of ground beef, he will use the beef I pick, and split it into the portions I want.
I have an industrial freezer that I bought 25 years ago, and it can hold a half cow if I choose. Something to think about.
Next: The wholesale club.
I belong to BJs over in Centerville. They have a good general selection of food. I can buy it and store it and use it as I need.
I buy the large containers of paper products (Towels, Kleenex, Toilet) and store them in the closet. It will take me a year to go through the toilet paper, and it is cheaper in quantity.
They sell products you could get at the supermarket in quantity that is cheaper than the supermarket. The portions are the same size, but they sell more of them bundled together. For example, since I like to make chili, I can buy a case of canned tomatoes, in 3 different varieties. I can store them in the basement and get what I need as I need them.
Where the supermarket sell a pack of 6, BJs sells 18. Frozen items are good this way. I have 2 Perdue chickens for my rotisserie whenever I need them.
They have a lot of different items there for my wife's menu too. Yogurt by the case is better than paying more for individual pieces. I can get my fiber one yogurt in 18 count. Saves going to Weis once a week.
I buy the pain killer of my choice in 500 count bottles. Lasts a long time.
I can buy a 3 pack of shaving cream that lasts a year or more. Tooth paste, brushes, light bulbs, and bottled water too.
They have a Verizon store where I bought my bluetooth and some other accessories.
They will let you wander around and even let you buy if you sign up.
I would go to all of the clubs before you make your choice. All of them have gasoline, so that isn't a big consideration. BJs works for me, but I've been to Costco, and Sam's club too. We check out the other once a year to make sure this is the one we like the best. So far it is.
They charge you $40 a year to join, but you can make that up in savings. Buy larger quantity, shop less per year, save money. Good deal all around.
November 13, 2008
Clothes for sale
I finally put my clothes on craigslist for sale.
I would give them away, but I really need the money right now. I have my name in for the bailout, but I don't think they are listening.....
Anyway, here is the list, the link, and the prices:
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/clo/916780294.html
2 PAIR GRAY OLD NAVY LARGE POCKET SWEATS USED $5.00 each
1 PAIR YELLOW BANANA JOE XL CARGO SHORTS USED $4.00
1 PAIR BLACK BANANA JOE XL CARGO SHORTS USED $4.00
1 PAIR BEIGE DICKIE'S 874 FLAT FRONT WORK PANT 46X28 NEW $10
1 PAIR BEIGE DICKIE'S 874 FLAT FRONT WORK PANTS 46X28 USED $5
1 PAIR WRANGLER FADED BLUES JEANS 46X29 USED $5
1 PAIR LL BEAN FADED BLACK JEANS 46X29 USED $10
1 PAIR DICKIE'S BLUE JEANS LINED 46X29 TRIED ON BUT NEVER USED. These pants are very heavy and very warm. Great for riding motorcycle in winter. $15
1 PAIR LONG HAUL LIGHT BLUE LIGHTWEIGHT JEANS 48X29 USED $5
1 PAIR LONG HAUL DARK BLUE JEANS 48X29 USED $5
Shirts:
4 2X HANES GRAY NO POCKET T SHIRTS WORN ONCE OR NEW $10 for all 4
4 STAFFORD LIGHT BLUE DRESS SHORT SLEEVE 18 NECK USED $10 for all 4
1 STAFFORD WHITE DRESS SHIRT SHORT SLEEVE 18 NECK USED $3
1 STAFFORD DARK BLUE DRESS SHIRT SHORT SLEEVE 18 NECK USED $3
I also have a few shirts, and pants that I am going to throw out, unless someone wants some well worn pieces.
I would give them away, but I really need the money right now. I have my name in for the bailout, but I don't think they are listening.....
Anyway, here is the list, the link, and the prices:
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/clo/916780294.html
2 PAIR GRAY OLD NAVY LARGE POCKET SWEATS USED $5.00 each
1 PAIR YELLOW BANANA JOE XL CARGO SHORTS USED $4.00
1 PAIR BLACK BANANA JOE XL CARGO SHORTS USED $4.00
1 PAIR BEIGE DICKIE'S 874 FLAT FRONT WORK PANT 46X28 NEW $10
1 PAIR BEIGE DICKIE'S 874 FLAT FRONT WORK PANTS 46X28 USED $5
1 PAIR WRANGLER FADED BLUES JEANS 46X29 USED $5
1 PAIR LL BEAN FADED BLACK JEANS 46X29 USED $10
1 PAIR DICKIE'S BLUE JEANS LINED 46X29 TRIED ON BUT NEVER USED. These pants are very heavy and very warm. Great for riding motorcycle in winter. $15
1 PAIR LONG HAUL LIGHT BLUE LIGHTWEIGHT JEANS 48X29 USED $5
1 PAIR LONG HAUL DARK BLUE JEANS 48X29 USED $5
Shirts:
4 2X HANES GRAY NO POCKET T SHIRTS WORN ONCE OR NEW $10 for all 4
4 STAFFORD LIGHT BLUE DRESS SHORT SLEEVE 18 NECK USED $10 for all 4
1 STAFFORD WHITE DRESS SHIRT SHORT SLEEVE 18 NECK USED $3
1 STAFFORD DARK BLUE DRESS SHIRT SHORT SLEEVE 18 NECK USED $3
I also have a few shirts, and pants that I am going to throw out, unless someone wants some well worn pieces.
November 11, 2008
Next year!
I don't know where I will be this time next year, but this next summer, I would like to organize a group trip to Hershey Park to ride the roller coasters.
This trip will be open to anyone who is a post bariatric, or band. The pre's may go along if they want in order to be inspired.
Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you on the list.
This trip will be open to anyone who is a post bariatric, or band. The pre's may go along if they want in order to be inspired.
Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you on the list.
Where am I in the journey?
So, you ask, where am I in my "quest"?
I call it a quest, rather than a journey. It will become a journey for me when I reach my goal. I am not sure there will be an exact day or time that I reach this goal, and it probably won't be the magic number of 155 that I have in mind, but it will be a very important time in my life. But, I digress.....
I started this quest by praying for a solution to my problem. I wrote something about it in another part of this blog, so feel free to find it and read it.
305+ was my starting number. That is, I weighed 305 pounds, plus. My scale at home read "EE" above 300, and I was only weighed once at the doctor's office during that time,and it was 305 or thereabouts.
I am now 231 pounds.
Waist, from 52+ to 42 inches. My waist is actually smaller than that, but the fat around my middle makes me look funny if I dropped my pants down to my waist. If you are fat, then you know what I mean. If not, I hope you never find out. Stay thin, or call me and I might drop my pants so you can see. Not too pretty!
My neck went from 18.5 to 15. I have a bit of sag, but I will live with that.
Other dimensions have dropped dramatically too.
The most interesting loss to me, and one that you might not think about, are my shoe size. I lost weight in my feet! My shoes are getting baggy.
People are starting to look at me. Up to this point, I have been almost invisible. That is, most people don't realize it, but they don't see fat people. They don't look at me directly, unless they know me. Once you get to know someone, you tend to see them for who they are, not what they are covered up with. In my case, that was fat.
Why was I fat? I know the answer to that, but probably won't be posting that here.
I call it a quest, rather than a journey. It will become a journey for me when I reach my goal. I am not sure there will be an exact day or time that I reach this goal, and it probably won't be the magic number of 155 that I have in mind, but it will be a very important time in my life. But, I digress.....
I started this quest by praying for a solution to my problem. I wrote something about it in another part of this blog, so feel free to find it and read it.
305+ was my starting number. That is, I weighed 305 pounds, plus. My scale at home read "EE" above 300, and I was only weighed once at the doctor's office during that time,and it was 305 or thereabouts.
I am now 231 pounds.
Waist, from 52+ to 42 inches. My waist is actually smaller than that, but the fat around my middle makes me look funny if I dropped my pants down to my waist. If you are fat, then you know what I mean. If not, I hope you never find out. Stay thin, or call me and I might drop my pants so you can see. Not too pretty!
My neck went from 18.5 to 15. I have a bit of sag, but I will live with that.
Other dimensions have dropped dramatically too.
The most interesting loss to me, and one that you might not think about, are my shoe size. I lost weight in my feet! My shoes are getting baggy.
People are starting to look at me. Up to this point, I have been almost invisible. That is, most people don't realize it, but they don't see fat people. They don't look at me directly, unless they know me. Once you get to know someone, you tend to see them for who they are, not what they are covered up with. In my case, that was fat.
Why was I fat? I know the answer to that, but probably won't be posting that here.
November 9, 2008
Youtube link
I added this onto my blog to show that I am interested in the rest of the world. These videos are of my grandkids, and the band of friends that I have. These guys are not only great musicians, but great friends too.
I took these videos with a digital camera to give people a snapshot of them, not to do a full length movie.
Enjoy.
I took these videos with a digital camera to give people a snapshot of them, not to do a full length movie.
Enjoy.
Ok, maybe a few words.....
www.dpcustom.com
So, the first picture is a guitar I had designed for me by Dave Pushic. He is a master builder and I picked out the woods, electronics and general layout of the instrument. Dave sent me pictures and drawings, and asked many questions.
The guitar here is a 6 string solid body with a "purpleheart" topcap. The body and neck are carved from one piece of maple. The fretboard is Pau Ferro. The electronics are Bartoloni and set to more of a jazz tone, but the guitar can and does scream when I want it to.
The neck is shaped in a "D" and it takes some getting used to playing.
All of the hardware is gold plated, and there is not one piece of plastic anywhere on it!
Cost? If you have to ask.....
Someday, I hope to play the guitar for real. Right now, I am scared to death of it. It is sooo pretty!
http://www.tedweber.com/
A few years back, my good friends talked me into buying and trying to build my own tube amplifier. I looked back at my youth and decided I always liked my old Fender Vibrolux the best. So, I went to the Weber website, and ordered a 6A20HP amp. Now, this is also a pick and choose, custom style amp. I chose Levant Purple for the tolex covering. I chose a black grill cloth because it blended well. I also bought "beam" blockers for the speakers.
I had choices for speaker size, and all the insides of the amp from tubes to capacitors. I thought I could read about this and learn it. I was wrong!
I did pick up some very useful information, but I also found out that I was not cut out to build my own amps. So, I enlisted the services of another good friend, and he helped me build it. Or, should I just say he built it for me?
Anyway, he ran into some problems and was able to upgrade the insides with parts that he was using to build another amp for a well known country band. I won't mention them here, because they might try to take back their stuff.
The amp is perfect now, and someday, I hope to play it. But, I am scared to death of it!
If you want to know what Beam blockers are, just ask me.
Ah, my 1997 Honda Helix! I bought this bike used. It looks like a scooter, but it is actually a very fast touring scooter. It will go as fast as 75 mph, and it gets roughly 65mpg. It has a 250cc motor, and is fully automatic. The transmission is called CVT, which means there is no shifting. If you've never ridden on a bike like this, let me know, and I'll make arrangements for you to ride with me sometime.
I just had the engine rebuilt and still need a few parts, but I am broke for the time being and the bike rides fine without them. I will replace those parts next summer. I ride all year round except in snow or rain. It is very relaxing to me.
Next, we have my 2006 Honda Metropolitan. I have this scooter up for sale for $1200.00 in case you're interested. This scooter has a 49cc motor and gets roughly 100mpg. It has a top speed of 38mph, and also has a CVT transmission. It is a blast to ride. I bought it for my son and he was supposed to pay me for it, but he didn't, so I have it for sale now. Please buy it so I can afford to buy more food. $1200.00 will feed me for a year!
At the bottom of the pictures is my Fender Player's Stratocaster. This is a very good Mexican made guitar with gold hardware, and lots of (ugh) plastic. I replaced 2 of the controls with gold knobs, and I added some other modifications that don't change it's sound. This guitar plays easily, and sounds great. It's not as nice as my DP custom, but then again, it's not as expensive either.
Over the past 4 years or so, I've bought and sold my guitars, basses, amps, and accessories with the intention of either buying new stuff to inspire me, or giving up on music altogether. I was going to give up because I was too fat. I couldn't play the guitar because it was tilted over my belly and I couldn't stand up long enough to play.
Baritric now allows me to play again. I am scared to death that I will explode from emotions I haven't felt since I was 18. Whew!
Did I show you my other amps? No, well write to me and maybe I will.
So, the first picture is a guitar I had designed for me by Dave Pushic. He is a master builder and I picked out the woods, electronics and general layout of the instrument. Dave sent me pictures and drawings, and asked many questions.
The guitar here is a 6 string solid body with a "purpleheart" topcap. The body and neck are carved from one piece of maple. The fretboard is Pau Ferro. The electronics are Bartoloni and set to more of a jazz tone, but the guitar can and does scream when I want it to.
The neck is shaped in a "D" and it takes some getting used to playing.
All of the hardware is gold plated, and there is not one piece of plastic anywhere on it!
Cost? If you have to ask.....
Someday, I hope to play the guitar for real. Right now, I am scared to death of it. It is sooo pretty!
http://www.tedweber.com/
A few years back, my good friends talked me into buying and trying to build my own tube amplifier. I looked back at my youth and decided I always liked my old Fender Vibrolux the best. So, I went to the Weber website, and ordered a 6A20HP amp. Now, this is also a pick and choose, custom style amp. I chose Levant Purple for the tolex covering. I chose a black grill cloth because it blended well. I also bought "beam" blockers for the speakers.
I had choices for speaker size, and all the insides of the amp from tubes to capacitors. I thought I could read about this and learn it. I was wrong!
I did pick up some very useful information, but I also found out that I was not cut out to build my own amps. So, I enlisted the services of another good friend, and he helped me build it. Or, should I just say he built it for me?
Anyway, he ran into some problems and was able to upgrade the insides with parts that he was using to build another amp for a well known country band. I won't mention them here, because they might try to take back their stuff.
The amp is perfect now, and someday, I hope to play it. But, I am scared to death of it!
If you want to know what Beam blockers are, just ask me.
Ah, my 1997 Honda Helix! I bought this bike used. It looks like a scooter, but it is actually a very fast touring scooter. It will go as fast as 75 mph, and it gets roughly 65mpg. It has a 250cc motor, and is fully automatic. The transmission is called CVT, which means there is no shifting. If you've never ridden on a bike like this, let me know, and I'll make arrangements for you to ride with me sometime.
I just had the engine rebuilt and still need a few parts, but I am broke for the time being and the bike rides fine without them. I will replace those parts next summer. I ride all year round except in snow or rain. It is very relaxing to me.
Next, we have my 2006 Honda Metropolitan. I have this scooter up for sale for $1200.00 in case you're interested. This scooter has a 49cc motor and gets roughly 100mpg. It has a top speed of 38mph, and also has a CVT transmission. It is a blast to ride. I bought it for my son and he was supposed to pay me for it, but he didn't, so I have it for sale now. Please buy it so I can afford to buy more food. $1200.00 will feed me for a year!
At the bottom of the pictures is my Fender Player's Stratocaster. This is a very good Mexican made guitar with gold hardware, and lots of (ugh) plastic. I replaced 2 of the controls with gold knobs, and I added some other modifications that don't change it's sound. This guitar plays easily, and sounds great. It's not as nice as my DP custom, but then again, it's not as expensive either.
Over the past 4 years or so, I've bought and sold my guitars, basses, amps, and accessories with the intention of either buying new stuff to inspire me, or giving up on music altogether. I was going to give up because I was too fat. I couldn't play the guitar because it was tilted over my belly and I couldn't stand up long enough to play.
Baritric now allows me to play again. I am scared to death that I will explode from emotions I haven't felt since I was 18. Whew!
Did I show you my other amps? No, well write to me and maybe I will.
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