Okay, I have quit diet soda for the fourth time this year but this time I really mean it! The first few days are the hardest and I am just about through day two so things are going well. I knew I had a problem when I was finishing twelve packs every one or two days. I tried the moderation thing but that does not seem to work for me because one always turns into two, three, or seven sodas.

I really am going to miss the sound that the can makes when I break the seal. It is a comforting sound!! I will also miss the cold condensation from the can in my hand and most of all the fullness and the relieving belch I let out after slamming a soda. Hopefully I don’t get too depressed with my back, ear, and lack of diet soda?

Other than that I drove from Ashland to Wauwatosa yesterday. I stopped in Madison for a bit to visit the Joppa clan. Lucas and Jamie are great (sort of like me) and I ended up spending a few hours there chatting with them in their new apartment. I bought two (hard not mushy or grainy) apples and I was really hungry but I was nice and gave them to Lucas and Jamie as a house warming gift. Wow, I am nice! Take note, if you are nice to me I might give you nice gifts like hard apples.

Then this afternoon I made it to Michigan after driving for most of the day. I am going to see a physical therapist tomorrow so wish me luck.

later,
g.

I cracked and shaved my beard this morning. It lasted for twelve days before I could not take it anymore. I felt like I should be deer hunting, driving a big truck with a Chevy sticker in the rear window, and wearing a nascar hat. Plus, it was hard for my mom to find me at Walmart……….I looked like everyone else.

Today I think I set a record…………….I got up at 7:30 AM. I had a eight oclock dentist appointment. It feels great to go to the dentist and get my teeth all shined up so getting up that early was worth it. My ear is getting fixed, I got my teeth shined, and I shaved………..wow I am really shaping up.

For my birthday which is coming up on the second of the month my brother got me a stove top espresso maker which is awesome! It has this special feature that puts a nice foam on the espresso. No more coffee for me just a quadruple americano!

Tomorrow is the big Halloween shindig in Madison. I probably won’t be as cool as the last few years because I am not going to be there but if you get a chance you should go it is a great time.

later,
g.

It has been a busy last few days for me. I had my five week appointment with the back doctor yesterday morning in Wauwatosa. It went good……………… no surgery. I even got my body brace off and it was replaced by a new hard neck collar (see picture). I have to wear the neck brace for a month and then go back for more x-rays.

After the appointment my ear was still giving me some problems and even though I got good news at the back doctor I was sort of bummed. I guess I was hoping to hear that I was all healed and that I could get back on my bike……….even though I knew that would not be the case. Given the fact that I am completely falling apart I decided to go home and get fixed up. Nothing like paying a visit to mom and dad when everthing is going to shit.

I made the seven hour drive to Ashland, WI in eight and a half. I was not in a rush and made a few stops to strectch and eat. I had a wicked spinach salad at Copp’s in Stevens Point. Copps was voted, by Wes and I, as the best grocery store ever! It was relaxing but my back hurt.

Today I had my ear doctor appointment. It went good and I got all the junk cleaned out of my ears and got some antibiotic drops. I am even getting some new ear plugs which are not purple like the ones I have now. I had molds taken of my ear and then they send the molds in to get ear plugs made. I even got a new swimming hat at the doctors office for added ear protection when I am swimming With my new swimming hat, new googles, new brace, and new ear plugs I am going to be looking sharp (see picture)! Don’t you think?

I even got out on the bike for 30 minutes today but my shoulders are absolutely killing me. I know I only rode for thirty minutes but wow, I am FAST!

Okay, time to lay down and watch “Obese at 16: A Life in Balance” on the Discovery Health Channel………………it is some interesting stuff!

later,
g.

Swimming is GREAT…………………..I now have a massive ear infection! ‘Nuff said.

later,
g.