Jealous Boy?

Little Baby
Originally uploaded by aham23.

This dog makes me smile!!!

How You Like Me Now?

As one cool 90s rapper once said.

223 Lbs for the weekly weigh in. Yeah that is right, I lost three pounds last week. Word! Treo Out.

Hello Gym........

how have you been? it's been too long my friend. i sound like a county song? the local YMCA is brand spanking new and open for business AND ten minutes from my house. Of course, i am its newest member. it is amazing to me how just eating better can improve fitness. the proof is in the pudding, man i like pudding......it was 32 minutes on the elliptical machine which resulted in 2.83 miles and 535 calories burnt. it felt so good i tackled the stairmaster for 10 minutes on my way out the door. all this and it aint even noon!!

hey, anyone know where my sitemeter went? it seems to have dissappeared from the bottom of my page. must find it. it could be lost and lonely.

later.

And in this corner...........

we have 226 lbs. boo boo boo, you suck, we hate you, yeah what he said.

well i didnt expect to lose weight every single week, but it sure has been a nice run down to 225, er, 226 lbs. the breakdown and recap to date:

• 1/3 = 236 lbs
• 1/10 = 232 lbs
• 1/17 = 233 lbs
• 1/24 = 229 lbs
• 1/31 = 225.5 lbs
• 2/6 = 226 lbs

i will take it. the earlier pic is in reference to the fact that i am home alone with Baby J while the wifey works late. before you jump me about the diet, it was regular coffee and not some fancy frapalapachapaslapameinthefacechino. regular plain old black coffee has minimal calories which really makes me happy.

this just in, the superbowl was a super suck fest. could that game have been any worse? no! the refs blew, seattle blew, big ben blew, the bus stalled, that seattle big mouth tightend had catching the ball issues. just a real piece of crap game. however, i did manage to partake in 12 amstel lights and a crockpot of little barbecue weenies. holy crap, no wonder i didnt lose any weight. i am out. later.

Fuel

Fuel for baby duty. Ha I said duty.

THE BIG GAME?

that is all i have heard on the radio for the past two weeks, THE BIG GAME, and every time i do, i am like WTF? really WTF is THE BIG GAME. then i remembered that those punk arse richer beyond belief peeps that run the NFL copyrighted the phase SUPERBOWL. so unless you are a paid sponsor, or become a paid sponsor you can't say SUPERBOWL in any manner that could be construed as a money making statement. you got that? THE BIG GAME!

uh, whatever. so as you know i am hooked on fitday.com and it is helping me kick the ass of fatness. i log exactly what i eat and try to keep my calories under or around 2000. it really has jump started my Cleansing 2006. once i start to level out on the weight loss it will be hello gym, how you doing.

my point is, today i will be taking a break from fitday and the calorie counting starting around 4pm. i have little barbecue weenies, miller lites, chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, veggies and spicy ranch dip, and THE BIG GAME. it's a must. i love football and all that is THE BIG GAME. the commercials, the hype, the 8 hour pregame shows, man i dig it all. so let there be no diet from 4pm on, and go BEARS! Da Bears 29 Steelers 3. later.

Are You Messing With Me?

i think my scale may be fucking with me. why? cause it's trying to tell me that my current weight is 225.5 lbs. jump back jack. so just by reducing calories consumed i can drop pounds. that is just crazy talk. what if i were too really start working out?????

this fitday.com is the key for me. it makes tracking my calories kinda fun. it is amazing to see the calories of the stuff i use to eat. i had to be taking in at least 3500 calories every day. my friday and saturday eating out dinners likely topped 2500 calories just on their own. anyway, so for so good. off to work. later.
'

Uh, Your In My Chair

Uh, Your In My Chair
Originally uploaded by aham23.

It has been too long with no pics of Eddie Vedder, the dog! Later.

Who Wants Some?

i am really enjoying The Cleansing 2006 version 1.0, and with that today's number is 229 lbs !!! using fitday.com is really keeping my calories in check. plus, the wife is hitting the weight watchers program and we are actually helping and motivating each other, i think. i have not had a ton of time to work out. see, the gym is too far away, i got a promotion which means more work, and i got this little bundle of joyness, baby j. amazing thing is i have discovered that consuming less calories then i burn is easy. i am a big dude and most charts have me burning like 3000 calories just being me. i am targeting around 2000 to 2300 for my daily consumption. i did manage 2 miles in 30 minutes last nite on the home treadmill. so far i have cleansed 7 lbs and i feel good.

to totally flip it for real i would like to remind the world that kobe bryant is an admitted adulterer and alleged rapist. just cause he put up 81 pts doesn't change those facts. lets not run to recrown him the NBA King. i don't care if he puts up 181 pts i wouldn't want my kids idealizing him. the parents should be a kids hero, but we all know the sports superstars seem to get this role more than not. hopefully the kids can find a better sports hero. i am out. later.

Who's Gonna Shovel?

Who's Gonna Shovel?
Originally uploaded by aham23.

I shouldn't be too bummed. I mean I live in the Chicago Burbs, it's January, but yet I have managed three road rides in the last two weeks. However, I really do not enjoy the snow. I guess it is time to tear apart the road bike and break my virgin wrenching status.

On the cleansing front I only have this to say; "Damn you evil Chicago Deep Dish Pizza! Why must you be so delicioius?" Evil Bastard!"

Later.

Holy Crap.......

just took some Biggest Loser Style pictures of myself and they confirmed that i am a heavy dude. why take the pics? so i can post them in 6 months when i have dropped like 60 freakin pounds. yeah baby just like on TV. or something like that.

anywho, i have been messing around with fitday.com and think its the tool for me and my calorie counting. i normally do great until dinner time and then BAM double my calories for the day. what up with that? another great site that i have blogged before is caloriesperhour.com. check them out. the link to fitday.com is actually my daily chart.

it was around 50 degrees today in the WINDY City. i went for a quick road ride after work. managed 13 miles at 15 mph average in 50 minutes. did i mention the wind? going out it was a nice cold 20 mph avg sustained right in my pie hole. riding into the wind is totally hard.

i am soo behind on my reality TV that i have not even started American Idol yet. i did finally watch The Shield season premier and it was off the hook cool and the gang. best show on the boob tube. i am out. later.

The Funk....

i cant shake the bears funk? that game really funked me up. i hate that game. i hate the bears. man, this funk is deep. my cleansing 2005 has me at 233 lbs this morning, so i got that working for me???????? i am out. later.

Chicago Blues......

I got nothing. With Da Bears sucking ass and laying an egg yesterday I got nothing. Nothing but a case of depression coming on. I mean it is winter and I mean full blown winter in Chicago, the Bears are abruptly no more, the Bulls suck, hockey always sucks, the Cubs will suck, and we still got two to three more months of nasty cold winter. Why? Where is the sun? This blows. Treo out.

What?

i am sooo bummed i can only repeat what i have already said:

"uh, i dont feel so good. my thoughts on da game da bears played.....i have none. just a dirty arse taste in my mouth. i mean like hello, steve smith is good. how about some freakin cleats that dig in to the turf, dirt, painted dirt, whatever that field was. RUNNING GAME i miss you. peanut tillman...........not even worth it. i am so sad."

later.

Wrenching?

The Upgrade
Originally uploaded by aham23.

So instead of dropping $2K on a new bike I decided to spend much less and do some upgrades to my 2005 Trek 1000. I am going 9sp, mainly so I can upgrade the brifters from the Shimano Soras. I got new 105 brifters, 105 front and rear derailleurs, Ultegra 9sp cassatte and a Sram 9sp chain. Oh yeah and for a better fit I picked up a used Easton EC70 stem. Put that together with my new tool set and repair stand and I guess I am ready to wrench???? I'm Scared. Later.

Winter is BACK!!

IT was 50 degrees yesterday and I even managed a quick 14 mile after work road ride. Today it aint 50. We got some ugly rain/snow/winds beating us down right now. I hate winter. Yes, I have a window view of the Interstate at work. Treo Out. Later.

I'Id do her......

uh, why do i still find her hot? who you say? get over to alimartels and check out the brittney pic she blogged on monday (1/9). its too hot. or not. but i cant stop looking at it. later.

Slow Going.........

232 lbs

its freakin hard to find time to work out. or really do anything when you have a newborn. we only have one. how the heck do peeps handle two, three, FOUR, oh no you didn't. its tough. we haven't really found our happy place when it comes to scheduling and balancing all the new things or new thing in our life. she is sooo damn cute though!!!

so i have lost 2 pounds in a week. i am basically eating much better, but not finding much time to exercise. me and eddie hit the road Saturday and Sunday for a total of 4 miles. It's walking, but at a rat terrier pace. that would be a slow run for me.

Saturday night was a bad eating night for me. oh yeah, i need to amend my original declaration of cleansing to allow for drinking when its presented with a free $100 steak dinner at a top notch Chicago steak joint. yes, i had several glasses of whine and four beers Saturday night while partaking in a 22oz bone in kansas city ribeye.

and get this, my wife brings home girl scout cookies last night. wtf? dont worry i only had one box, in two nights. damn you woman. everything else has been solid............................this sucks, ten days in and i have fallen off the wagon.

tomorrow i have another work function involving free gourmet food, but i will have fish and i will like it. plus, temps are projected to be in the upper 40s the next two days. that is too cool for us Midwesterners. i must get the road bike out on the road!!!!

big season premier of the shield tonight on FX. or should i say right now. great show. gotta go. later.

Solid Start........

to my cleansing. i resisted evil office temptations such as delicious fudge chocolate chip muffins and ate well all week. basically it is two breakfast cereal bars around 6am. my filled up coffee mug on the way to work. then two more cups of coffee while at work. then lunch, consisting of two ham sandwiches from home and yogurt or soup and salad when we eat out. several afternoon cups of water and one green tea. dinner consist of something with boneless skinless chicken breast. then i go to bed hungry. its all for the good of the cleansing. i needed a week like this.

not much working out. about 4 miles of walking and some sit ups. i plan to put in 2 miles of walking today. despite that i am already feeling much better then i did on new years day.

my bike obsession is still around, if you were wondering. i have decided to do some upgrading to my 05 trek 1000. the parts are flying in as i type. i have found some nice deals on shimano 105 components. i will be upgrading to a 9 speed and changing out my brifters, rear derailleur, and front derailleur to shimano 105 versions. the black ones! the cassette will be a new ultegra 9 speed and the chain is a sram pc 991. finally i am putting on a shorter stem for a better ride fit and picked up a used easton ea70 off eBay. i love eBay. now, i know nothing about bike mechanics, but i got a bike repair stand and basic tool kit to get me started.

oh no I didn't........

234 lbs..................if i wasn't 6'3'' this would be really bad. i mean it's bad, just not really bad. must work out. must not eat crap. must lose weight.

on a side note due to my recent promotion and new arrival at home i am finding little time to blog from home. so, since i am now management i say why not blog from work? not about work, besides the occasional work sucks or pic of me hiding in the bathroom, just from work?

my job use to be 70% field work and 30% office work. now its more like 90% office and 10% field. the official corporate hours are 745am to 415pm. corporate peeps get two 15 minute breaks and one 30 minute lunch. they even have grade school style buzzers to keep them on time.

well out in the service or branch offices we start and end at the same times, but we really don't take breaks. unless we want too and normally we take an hour lunch. i mean who can eat in 30 minutes.

wtf am i blogging on about? blogging from work. i got two 15 minute breaks i can spend blogging to the world about my cleansing. yeah for the world.

ok, back to the cleansing. bowl of honey oat cherrios for breakfast, 4 cups of coffee, two ham sandwiches, yogurt, and granola bar for lunch, and four 10 oz cups of water so far.

did i mention that the weather was really crappy in the windy city.

later.

Let the Cleansing Begin....

four eggs with veggies and 3 cups of coffee for breakfest. one salad with tuna for lunch. cheese and crackers for after lunch snack. dirty rice that included hamburger, green and red peppers and onion for dinner. oh yeah a pre-dinner coffee with gingerbread coffeemate creamer. two 32 oz glasses of 100% cranapple juice and four 32 oz glasses of water. throw in a two mile walk and it has begun. i will weigh in tomorrow morning with hopes this journey begins under 230 lbs. later.

CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i feel like total crap. oh yeah, happy new year. i am done with it all. i have ate and drank my self into some type of sickness that has hit me hard today.

lets see, there was that drunken Christmas Eve with the in laws. two prime rib dinners Christmas Day. back on the hooch two days later. of course i have followed up every drunken holiday night with an excessive day of fast food feasting. crap i say.

last night it was a $135 dinner at Hugos Frog Bar. i had some 22 oz bone in rib eye, mashed garlic twice baked something, and blah blah blah. followed that up with some brownie ice cream cake thing. oh yeah 4 sam adams, some whine, some water, some more beers at home and man i dont feel good.

then today it was mcdonalds for lunch, then a taco bell feast for dinner. i bought everything on that big value menu thing. how the heck does one spend $11 bucks at the bell?

what have i done. this is one really serious Holiday Hangover. it is back to basics for this dude. i started this blog to track my path back to fitness. well one year later and i may be bigger then ever. so i say no more booze. i must go atleast two months with no booze. i must cleanse myself. however, if the chicago bears make the super bowl i will partake in a few miller lites. fast food no more. soda pop no more. candy and chocolate no more. coffee...............wait a minute, coffee is still allowed. it will be my two month cleansing program. it begins now!

happy new year to all. later.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!

that's right i said it, MERRY CHRISTMAS. if you don't like that then go back to your own damn county and call it whatever you want. yeah that's right. you are reading this correctly.................MERRY CHRISTMAS. the good old USofA is a nation founded on Christian beliefs. sure we got freedom of religion. worship whatever and whoever you want. just don't be telling me the freaking wally world greater can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS because it offends you. you are the minority in this Christian founded land. so, piss off if it offends you. its freakin MERRY CHRISTMAS. what, you are at wally world picking up gifts to celebrate a MERRY CHRISTMAS, you know the day Christ was born, but we can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS. who put sour milk in my starbucks gingerbread latte today????

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

later.

The Holidays..........

So at around 8am this spread was laid out at work. Consisted of coffee cake cheese ball spinache dip sausage cheese crackers lil weenies chocolate candies.....ect...... All this at 8am. Plus I have had four cups of coffee heavy hazulnut cream and sugar. Good time to start my new diet? Later.

somebody stop me...........

yes, i have decided to be lazy and not capitalize where needed or follow other proper english speaking, typing, whatever, etiquette. if it bothers you, then piss off. or is it, than piss off? anyway, piss off.

so i cant stop searching eBay for a new-to-me road racing bike. i must have a trek, say 03 to 05, carbon fiber racing bike. its been two months of constant eBay'ing for me. just looking, asking questions, busting scammers, and general obsessing. why used? well i can get more bike for my budget if i buy used and gosh darn it i love eBay.

anyone know what a reasonable asking price for a 2003 trek 5500 with full dura-ace, chris king headsets, and low miles is worth? i really want one. one in particular that is.

survivor...............what the heck was up with the two fugly chicks? danni had some lip work done? collagen or something. those lips was fat or phat. like the season but the end was dull. the gayman, rafe, what a dumb arse. say good bye bye to one million dollars. good bye bye.

daycare lady has called in sick for tomorrow. can they do that? looks like me and baby j are working from home. can i do that? i am management now? shit i dont think i can do that? well, fuck'em if they cant take a joke or go a day without me.

i am out. later.

Let It Snow!

Snow in Chicago means two hour commutes! Snow Blows! Later.

Happy Holidays

Grande Gingerbread Latte!!!!

Scumbags.............

Where the heck have I been? Not a statement, but a question to myself. I do not yet have that answer????

Survivor is very goooood this season. I had Judd in the office pool and was looking so nice until he got Jersey Cocky. I think it was a bad move on Stephs part to vote him out. She is clearly on the chopping block next. Everyone loves her, but she sure is dumb when it comes to the non physical parts of this game. Oh yeah that would be like the most important parts of the game. Second chance got her on the jury, but its time to dump the dumbie.

Do I find myself cheering for the Weavers? Maybe? I mean why do the other teams hate them. There must be some stuff not making the final cut or I just don't get it. I mean it seems like the other teams really hate them. I don't care for all the praying. Doesn't the almighty have better things to do then help the Weavers with directions? AND Production errors? WTF? Get a portable battery charger and stop draining the leaders car battery. If the Linz get screwed because of that "Production Error" I am done with the Family Edition.

Freakin Pete!!!! I started this blog and so so excersie working out stuff about a year ago because of The Biggest Loser. This second edition was just fabulous. How do they top it. How do you lose 185 lbs? Are you kidding me? Pete lost 185lbs. He looks like he is all muscle. Just the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen. AND Matt, I dig that dude. Screw your friends who don't get it and make fun of you cause you aren't drinking. You just won $250,000 in cold hard cash and likely got hotties lining up at you door, you skinny arse stud.

To answer the earlier.......................newborn, promotion, newborn, holidays, promotion, and newborn. Later.

Thanksgiving Hangover......

Thanksgiving Hangover......
Originally uploaded by aham23.

He didn't eat to much turkey, but he played non stop with a 80lb Doberman. My boy is tough. There were five dogs in total at the family feast. Later.

I Love.............

........The Biggest Loser, but Matt what the heck are you thinking?

........Eddie Vedder, the dog, but why did you poo on the floor?

........The Amazing Race, but just not this family edition crap!

........My Name Is Earl, Tuesdays on NBC.

.......The FIRST place Chicago Bears!!

........My little Baby J, but why must you wake screaming at 2am?

........Being a Daddy who has no clue what day, time, or year it is.

........Later.

My Spot.......

My Spot.......
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Holy crap where have I been????? I mean freakin Pete of biggest loser, judd, bobby jon, bonaduce, the white sox, so many great things to blog about.....and i blog nothing. did i mention eddie vedder the dog is famous? later.

Eddie Vedder, the dog, is officially a STAR!!!!

i dig flickr and flickrdogs is one of my favorite groups and blog. eddie vedder has made the cut. get over there and check it out. later.

flickrdogs

Are You Kidding Me?

Are You Kidding Me?
Originally uploaded by aham23.

I can't stop thinking about tomorrow. What? No, I can't stop taking pics of Eddie Vedder, the dog. I love him. Later.

Mr Mom Day 10 6:35am

My two week run as Mr Mom is coming to end. Today is the last day. I have been up since 3am today, mostly because I just can't sleep. I am tired. I mean I have been running on short sleep since being called to duty (ha I said duty, you know poo!). We ate at 230am and 6am, but for the most part she has slept well tonight or today or whatever it is.

This two weeks has been something else. I am a man and have no patience, but I think I may have gained a fraction more then I possessed before. I mean when this little person is screaming and you don't know why or how to stop her or how to help her you are forced to control yourself and be the adult and have patience. You know? I have had to walk away and take a deep breathe, but I did and was able to handle the situation. Having a child is a lot of work! Hello, like I am telling the mothers of the world anything new. I am bad at expressing what things like this mean to me.......So I must move on. BUT, I would not give back these two weeks for one billion dollars!

OK, anyone watching My Name Is Earl? Very funny sitcom on NBC Tuesday nights. Jason Lee, Jaime Presley, and some dude who was in Remember the Titans star in it. It's a comedy, but there is no annoying "Laugh Track" just good old humor. I like shows that don't try and tell me what is funny. Watch Joey and you will get what I mean. My Name Is Earl, well not my name, but you should check it out.

Holy Crap Balls Batman, the Chicago White Sox are in the World Series. Fuck yeah a Chicago Baseball Team has finally done it. Albeit not my beloved Cubs, but I don't and won't hate, Go Chi Sox.

What the heck is a man to do at 630am in the morning while his 8 week old baby sleeps. Porn or Poker you say. Yes, online Poker here I come. Later.

Mr Mom, Day Off, 115pm

Loving the Sun
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Yeah it's Sunday and I got a day off, sort of. Wife is home and the Mom in law is up for a visit. Of course she must hold the baby ALL day. I am watchin the Bears, getting ready for the White Sox clinching victory, and maybe even a mountain bike ride!! I still have The Contender fights on Tivo to watch too!!!!!!!!!!! How about the awesome pic of Eddie Vedder, the dog! Later.

Mr Mom, Day 4, 336pm............

I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!

This event is powered by PokerStars.

Registration code: 6076959

Blah Blah Blah Blah.................HELP.....................Sign up for this freakin poker tourney NOW...........Hello Baby..............Later.


Really, 130am eat, 530am eat, 930am eat, 1230pm eat, and through in some crying, pee and poo and the fact that the fence peeps miss ordered my shit and now it looks like I will have a half done fence for atleast two more weeks..................NO..............NOT the DOORBELL.................Damn you Eddie Vedder, the dog, why must you bark franticly at the doorbell...........NO..........BABY IS UP................NO CRYING...........Piss all over me.....................Later.

Mr Mom, Day 3, 5:53pm

Can I be done after only three days? Wiped out from three days on baby on call duty? Yes put a fork in me. Mr Mom needs reinforcements. Heck, how about a nap?? Oh yeah, the fence guys fucked up the fence. So now I really got "Fence Drama!" Wife is working late tonight, until 10pm. Are you kidding me? I got nothing. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 3, 9:06am

First, being Mr Mom for two weeks I should not have to do double duties (ha I said duties). Meaning someone else has to be Mr Dad. Right? See I got "Fence Drama." Do you remember my "Paint Drama?"

We are getting a vinyl fence and the process started yesterday. Guess who came home from work and was unhappy with the progress of the fence. Yes, the wife who can find the littlest issue and blow it up real good. Something about it didn't look right and the measurements were off and she was panicing because this aint a cheap home improvement or one that would be easy to redo? It's $5k and the post are all cemented in. So in her panic and stress she has them change the length in a spot. After they leave for the day we stare at the damn fence and argue about it all night. We call the sales guy. We are outside in the pitch black fall night trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Finally, we agree that it should be left the way it was intended. Our entire night was stressed to hell over this and ultimately we decide, uh she decides, it should not be changed. They are back today digging a third and final hole for that last post. Just like the "Paint Drama" the attempted changed and assumed dislike was not to be and all stayed the same but not without a little pain.

OK, 230am and 530am was eating time. At 830am we ate again a took a very large green yellow softish poo. Too much info? I never knew my life would be all about baby poo. Currently she is up in her crib contently, wait, forget that she just started screaming. Mr Mom is off. I love coffee. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 2, 2:25pm

Playing Mom sure makes time fly. So it was up at 3am and 6am for feeding time. Baby J is real good not to miss any feedings. Back to bed at 7:00 am until around 8:30am. Two more feedings, a gas and screaming attack, some nap time in her swing, another gas and screaming attack and now in the pack play for a nap. Time for me to wash bottles, baby clothes, let the dog out (if he didnt follow me around everywhere I would probably forget about him), eat lunch, and maybe take a nap, blog, and.......................man how do people do this?? Later.

Mr Mom, Day1, 655pm

At exactly 5pm all hell broke loose. Baby J went crazy with the screams the gas the screams the gas and did I mention the screaming!! Mommy arrived home at exactly 5:05pm to save the day. I now have some time off before duty begins again at 10pm with the bedtime feeding. Then likely 3am and 6am but maybe this will be the day she sleeps through the night? Or not? Off to watch the White Sox's kick some jet lagged Angle arse. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 1, 215pm

Made a trip to Target and Wally World with little trouble. Next feeding is at 3pm and Baby J is back in the swing (God Bless Fischer Price). I tried to lay her down in her crib so we all could take an afternoon nap, but she wanted none of that. So back to the swing, but its downstairs and my nice soft bed is upstairs. I must nap now. I mean I still got hours before the wife is home.........AND the White Sox are on the boob tube tonight. I gotta get my rest. Later.

Mr Mom, Day 1, 8am

Mr Mom was on call last night. Everyone was in bed by 1030pm. First feeding was 3am and back to bed at 4am. Next feeding was 7am with no back to bed time. Currently, the dog is upstairs sleeping solo on my bed in my spot. Baby J is in her swing thing fast asleep. This thing seems a bit violent. It flings her back and forth and has twirling fish with soothing water sounds. She seems to like it? I am online, blogging duh, and paying bills. I think I got this Mr Mom thing nailed. Only 13 more days to go. Wait, today is just getting started? 13.75 days to go? Oh crap the damn music on the swing just shut off. It shuts off every fifteen minutes. WTF? Atleast give us thirty minutes. Come on I wouldn't forget about my baby? Later.

Uh Oh................

Starting this Monday I will be playing Mr Mom for two weeks. The wife headed back to work today and I am finally taking some vacation time. Well, I am off from work, but I would not call it a vacation. Little J can keep a person very busy.

Yes, I said she went back to work today! That means I am at home playing Mr Mom and Mr Adjuster. I do NOT recommend it. The baby is crying, the work cell is ringing, work emails are flooding in, and our Pets Heads Are Falling OFF!! Of course, I found time to shout out to Blogger Nation! More to come.................Later.

Yeah Baby (no not that baby)!

Thanks to Reality/Online Poker Queen Cheesecakey I am signed up for my first Online Poker Tourney. AND it is for cool bloggers only! Check it out and get signed up. Off to practice. Wait, do I hear a baby crying????? Later.

I have registered to play in the
Online Poker Blogger Championship!

This event is powered by PokerStars.

Registration code: 6076959

Fetch Time!

Fetch Time!
Originally uploaded by aham23.

A fuzzy tennis ball is like crack cocaine for Eddie Vedder, the dogg.

Little Foot

Little Foot
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Four weeks ago this little person entered my life. It is amazing how small she really is. I can't even explain how I feel. Having a child is amazing.

YES HE DID!!!!

Face Off!!
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Can you say Face Off!! Eddie Vedder, the dog is fast on his feet, so he was able to avoid harm. They basically ran around the yard chasing each other! At no time did the Great Dane's owner show up. When he got tired he just galloped off to somewhere? Will we ever see him again?

WTF?

WTF?
Originally uploaded by aham23.

There is a horse in my backyard! That was my first thought when I spotted an unleashed, no owner, giant great dane in my back yard. Second thought was to grab the camera. Third thought was to send Eddie Vedder, the dog, out to protect the family. No I didn't???????

My new vice.....

Jamba Juice is my new thing. Well besides the baby thing. I like the Aloha Pineapple with an energy boost. Wish I had time for Survivor and Biggest Loser 2 thoughts but....... Back to work. Treo Out.

Help?!?!

Hello, I like to eat poo pee and cry!

Will they still love me.

Yes I am a proud new father of a baby girl. She arrived 8/25 at 1003am. It is just wonderful, scary, beautiful, and confusing all at once. I mean this little person came from where? I am responsible for her? I am her daddy!!

Big Brother Eddie wonders if he will still be loved? Ofcourse you will silly. Treo Out.

Baby Time?

8/25/05 & that clock is showing a.m.

How Many Will We Need??

Pee Pee and Poo Poo fun for everyone.

Jealous Dog.......

Eddie Vedder on the Baby's chair and stuff.

Pic Of My Day...

Pic Of My Day...
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Eddie Vedder and the Treo are a perfect team.

Twenty Miles and Counting.....

It was fabulous weather wise here in Chicagoland today! Temps in the high 70s with sun everywhere. So, I hit the road on the road bike. I planned and hoped to go where I have not gone before, over the 20 mile marker on the road bike. I woke up early, ate, stretched, got the gear ready, and headed out.

I managed 20.3 miles with a 16 mph average, 22 mph max speed, and total ride time of 1 hour 16 minutes. According to CaloriesPerHour my litte ride burnt up 1461 calories. Not too shabby for an hours work.

Around mile 10 I started to head south back towards home and in to a headwind. Holy crap I thought I was going to die, puke, poop, or something like that. It was tough. I am not in road shape to where I can get nice and low on the bike and just cut through the headwind. My back will not allow it, yet.

The ride was a great a workout and I pushed myself beyond my previous rides. Another cool thing was I actually found the road out in the county where all the roadies ride. Five roadies passed me going the opposite direction and two others could be seen way up in front of me. Maybe one day I will be a cool roadie riding and drafting in a group??

Lastly, what the fuck is up with this new Blogger "Flag as Objectionable" button. Yeah, the one up top next to the "Next Blog" button. Stinks of censorship if you ask me. Did anyone ask me? I mean if you are "Next Blogging" don't you assume the risk that you may come across a blog you don't like. One selling stupid shit or promoting a stupid busiess or perhaps some jagbag political blog with anti something rhetoric or PORN. I mean Porn was the first internet business to make a profit! I guess if enough Rat Terrier Haters "FLAG" my blog then it is "See You Later" for Eddie Vedder, the dog. Later.

Hey, That's my chair!

Someone has been sitting in my chair....
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Eddie Vedder, the dog, you are too much. Flickr Out.

Car Ride Time

Why do dogs love car rides?

Ride on Cowboy..........

This past Saturday I was up until 3am playing Holdem with the guys. I wasn't drinking just playing and eating. I had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and a Buritto as big as your Head around 11pm. Not sure why I had the buritto.

So on to the next day and my Road Bike Ride. I hoped for 20 miles, but figured the previous night was going to set me back. Around mile 7 I started to experience stomach issues. Yes, those kind of stomach issues. Issues that lead to arse problems. I am out on a country rode with not a bathroom facility in site. I am off the bike and crippled over with stomach cramps. Yes I have to poop and poop immediately. I try to ride it out, Oh the bumps hurt. Finally, I took a chance and did the unthinkable............I did number two on the side of the road in some brush. Let me see, poo in the tight bike shorts or drop'em and do the two on side of road........Easy call right??

OK so I did finish that Sunday ride. It was 14 miles with a 14.7 mph avg and 25 mph max. Good times. This ride made for 35 miles last week.

Today I managed a quick 13 miles with a 15.2 mph avg, 23.5 mph max and 51 minutes ride time. The damn head wind was a killer and I still don't have a solid into the wind technique.

Just remember to skip the buritto and late night poker if you plan to exercise the next day. Later.

Must Have.....

Chicago's finest, Stewarts Columbian Coffee. Brewed in ChiTown since 1913. It is the only way I make it to work by 7am every morning. Treo Out.

Can't stop.........

From Treo Blogging. Next to Eddie Vedder, the dog, my Treo 650 is the coolest thing in the world.

Green toe?

Wait that should be Green Thumb. Anyway, I got a green big toe. Is that bad? Treo Out.

Eddie Vedder..............

Eddie Vedder..............
Originally uploaded by aham23.

The dog loves me.

Yummy!!!

Brownie Sundae Cheesecake. Yeah baby. Treo Out.

Dinner Time

Goodbye Wrigley

Cubs beat the evil Cards, but its too little too late. Treo out.

Bucket Boys

DrumRoll Please.

Jersey Modification

He does!

Center Field

My Day At Wrigley.....

The View.

I Miss Reality..............

First, as you can see below I am riding this week. According to CaloriesPerHour.com my two days of riding have burned up 1421 calories. That is 21 miles of riding with averaging approximately 15 miles per hour. I am headed to a Cubs vs Cards game tomorrow, but plan to ride Saturday morning.

My life has been really busy this summer and especially the last two months. Reality TV has suffered as a result. No Big Brother this summer which kinda bums me out. I have digged that show the last three years, but it is such a commitment at 3 episodes a week. No average Joe either and I heard it was solid. No Surreal Life and so on.

However, I have been catching up on Being Bobby Brown and all I can say is, "What The Fuck!" I was that skinny white kid wanna be in high school and Bobby was the shit. Don't Be Cruel was off the charts. I played that cassette tape into shreds. New Edition with Can You Stand the Rain was the bomb. Bell Biv Devo, Ralph, and Johnny Gill, man I had all their solo stuff. I was real cool.

Back to the show.......I knew he was messed up, but what up with Whitney? I had no idea she was sooo crazy. I mean when she was on top of the world (whatever year that BodyGuard movie came out) she just oozed Class. What I see on this show has to be an act? It just can't be real. And WTF (two times), why don't they a freakin house? AND how many kids does Bobby have with how many different women. I can't stop watching. Later.

How Far?

Nine Miles yesterday and Ten Miles today. I gots to get in shape. Treo out.

Recovery Time, Part Duex???

We had a little family and friends gathering at our house this weekend. Little like say 50 people. It involved Beers, Jello Shots, Jaeger Bombs, Pearl Jam, Texas Holdem, and so on. I did not realize 31 was sooo old, but it must be because I am just now feeling recovered from the weekend. Three freakin days of feeling like crap. I think some call it the Alcohol Flu??

I did get a road ride in last Friday morning and hit it for 15 miles. It felt good. The position on the road bike irritates my lower back. Never had lower back issues, but I guess it is always something. I have poor flexibility and think improving it will clear up this issue.

Alright, I gotta go, see I am working from home again! Later.

Recovery Time............

When you are over 30 should it take a week to recover from a weekend of street ball? Back in the day I could hoop it up 3 to 4 times a week. Ah, the good old days. Actually this is the best I have felt after a championship weekend of hoop that I can remember. I even managed to get a short road ride in Tuesday, just over 8 miles. I am working from home today (wink, wink) and hope to get a ride in this morning.

I have a lot to do around here as we are preparing for a 50 guest party at our house. In-Laws, Friends, and neighbors will be spending all day Saturday at our house. Currently I am watering the lawn the to get it nice and green looking. I can't be that guy with the burnt brown grass. Then it's off to the various stores, Panera for bagels, Krispy Kreme for donuts, T-Birds for the booze, and so on. Then it clean up this place and try to find as much floor space as possible for sleeping. I am thinking the In-Laws will be on the floor???? Later.

Gus Macker 3 on 3.................

The Hardware
Originally uploaded by aham23.

This weekend was a Gus Macker Weekend for me. Since 1992 I have played in the Macker. It's a 3on3 basketball tournament where they match you up with simillar teams based on entry forms each team submits. There are usually 16 teams on a court and it is double elimination. It is street ball where we call our own fouls and it can get rough. The do have "Court Monitors" to keep things clean.

In my younger days we would travel around Illinois and play in about 5 a summer. Same team for each tourney. We had a two year run where we never finished lower then second and racked up numerous first place trophies. Actually I have boxes of Macker trophies in the basement.

Well, I am getting older and the tournament wins had been none since 2001. We scored a couple thirds, but that was it. Hoops is a rough sport and my body just isn't conditioned for it anymore. Or so I thought.

This year is my last year. I proclaimed this fact last summer that I would be retiring from the Macker. We played two. We finished third in June and I didn't have much hope for this Macker. I had not played since, well, June's Macker, and have been falling out of shape fast.

The core of this team has been the same for ten years. We got a sharp shooter, big guy (me) and the best freaking 3on3 guard around. Through in an aging all state high school stud athlete and we white boys can hoop.

We played five games and won them all. We won close games, came from behind, shot well, rebounded, made cuts, and played like it was 1997. It was freakin awesome. The sharp shooter and the guard played their best hoops in years.

Man, I may have to rethink this retirement thing. Later.

The Bracket

The Bracket
Originally uploaded by aham23.

Big Guns Forever!

You Looking At Me?

Best of Foo?

Or too much Foo? I have not yet decided. I borrowed the Foo's recent two disk release from a friend and just started jamming it this morning on my way to work.. They rock they chill they do it all with this release. I have read the critics think its too much? WTF do they know? Treo Out.

Where Ya Been.......

Where Ya Been.......
Originally uploaded by aham23.

No hail or high winds just sweet rain and cool temps. Heck it feels cold outside at 75 degrees. Is it wierd that I am in the garage blogging about rain. Treo Out.

Yeah for Rain

For the first time since May 19th we are getting significant rain fall. Be gone with the dry brown everything. Plus temps have dropped below 80. Should I be this excited?! Treo Out.

Everything is so damn burnt...........

The entire state of Illinois is burnt. The Chicago area is around 7 inches short for precipitation in 2005. The last time it significantly rained in my neighbor was that damn rain, wind, and hail storm of May 19th. The damn continued heat and burnt everything is kinda of depressing. I think I may be getting Cabin Fever, but the Summer Version?? Is that possible? I know I have the Electric Bill Blues as our A/C has been running nonstop since May.

Despite all that I did ride today. It cooled down to 86 degrees today so I hit the road on my 05 Trek 1000. Riding into the wind solo is a bitch. I managed 11.5 miles in 45 minutes with an avg speed of 15 mph and max of 21 mph. According to CaloriesPerHour.Com I burnt up 782 calories during my ride. Lance Armstrong and the boys of Le Tour burn up 5000 calories or more during a mountain stage. I got some work to do.

My lower back is still flaring up on me and has since I started my road bike career back on June 25th. I am still tweaking the bike to get the fit right, but think my main problem is a weak core. The road bike position is much tougher on the bike and I need to work on my back flexibility and abs. Yep, the beer belly is fucking up my back on the road bike! Later.

Didn't Make It....

Just over 20 miles last week which was far from my goal of 50. Poker Beer Painting and other things came up. I will get more miles in this week!

This Tour De France has got me. I tivo it on OLN and watch all of the coverage when I get home. I dig it. Treo Out.

Climb Lance Climb!!!

Who knew this Tour thing was so exciting? I am hooked. Treo Out.

Played Out....

Played Out....
Originally uploaded by aham23.

I'm tired of playing!!

WTF?

2.26 per and that is cheap???