TYPHOON

Last night a we got a typhoon warning and it started raining. Now today it has caused a lot of flooding and quite a few trains have stopped running. people are stuck at the train station in this bad weather and I feel bad for them sitting inside this warm house. But hey, I count my blessings, will say a word or two in prayer for them and focus on enjoying where I am at.

Last weekend Uncle Shinji came back from the hospital and I had a chance to see him and eat with him. He looks a lot better than I thought, but he moves around gingerly. He seemed to be in good spirits and even cleaned off a exercise bike he had in storage for me to use if I wanted. Even made sure the batteries were new and everything is in good working order. I have to say they have made me feel pretty welcome and pretty comfortable. This house has more space than a typical japanese house and thats good, but i have to say the best feature to me is the shower/bath area. The temperature is already set so you know what the water is going feel like when you turn the shower on and the water pressure is outstanding.

I just have start working out!!!! Or with this food, in a couple of months me and Robert Floyd are going to have the same build....Robert Floyd is good peoples but I aint going that way.

Im going to see if I can post some pics later on....

Back in JAPAN!!

Yes im back in japan. Got off the plane, motoko met me at the airport, got on a bus for 2 hours, then rode a train for about 7 minutes, then me and motoko lugged all my stuff to her uncles place which is about a 7-10 minute walk. I was worn out when I got here. Motoko made some food, I watched some tv (japanese tv-no english channels, but im getting ready to get my japanese on so I dont need it...) then I was dead tired. Slept for 5 hours, surfed the net a little and now im updating the blog to get a strong start so that I can keep it current. I will be posting pics on it from time to time... Its going to take a little time to get back acclimated to the country and customs. But its ok because i got alot i want to get done. Its time for me go because now I got to take a shower because im going on 28 hours without a shower and im smelling a little gamey about now...

The adventures are back!!

First of all let me say Sorry!!! I know that i should have been filling in all the adventures since I last inputed- But I am working on that beast named PROCRASTINATION and his twin brother LAZINESS. That dynamic duo have detroyed the plans of many people- and they have been getting the best of yours truly. But Im trying to get back with the tried and true friends called EFFORT and his boy PERSISTENCE. Hey Im coming around. I see motivational speaking in my future I do.

Well first all Motoko is back in town as of Monday and to have a good time earlier I had reserved some tickets on the Tonight Show in Burbank, California. We needed to be there before 2:45 in the afternoon as the email said. Well me with my Major Smith mentality- (I resisted the first urge to get there at 5:30 in the morning as my grandaddy would have done) and we left Port Hueneme at 11:00 and was in the waiting area outside at 12:30. There was people already there holding their place in line. Nothing special-not to many people there ahead of us so its all good- but I did notice something odd- The first person in line looked just like Sarah Catherine- Yes Johnny's Sarah Catherine. Honest to goodness I was reaching for my cell phone and looking for Johnny Smith at the same time....Well any way it wasnt her but I knew what ever church she went to that she was on the choir. At the same time Motoko could not resist the urge to take pictures of the NBC building like she was paparazzi... Even when we went inside the holding area and they told us NOT to take any pictures she still kept asking me should she take pictures anyway. I asked her what plans did she have for the evening if we got kicked off the premises if she got caught. My case wasnt helped when we both saw this spanish guy right behind us pull out huge expensive camera and started taking pictures...So she took a couple. Any way we got in and the show was pretty good. The guest was zoo animals, some actress I didnt know too much about, and the rock band Def Leppard. Which sang I song remembered from the 80's. (Pour some sugar on me). Overall it was a good experience for Motoko because I have been to his show before...(Military appreciation day-still had ol Kevin Eubanks running the band). What I realized is that the band comes out about less than 5 minutes before the show actually starts! And that there is a black dude that is the official hypeman to get the show started and get the crowd in a cheering mood. Personnally I dont mind cheering but when somebody tells you to do it and keeps on egging you to cheer and laugh- It kind of takes the fun out of it some. - Brotherman helps his case some by throwing free stuff (T-shirts, rubber balls, rubber glasses cases, etc..) to people in the stands for cheering personnel who got his attention. What are we kids? I didnt want any of that crap. I just wanted to watch the show. Good thing it was free-because if I had to pay to get in I wouldnt have done anything...But it was good intertainment and the AC felt good in there. What makes it interesting to me was to see how many people it takes to do a one hour show...Also you learn what they do during commercials...which is.....Put makeup on Jays face/comb his hair/and the band plays and Brother hypeman does his thing with the toys...Thats it. Mystery solved. If Jay makes a mistake they will re-record a small part of the segment.

After all this excitement(We didnt eat anything all day)..We ended up going to a Carls Jr in Santa Monica for a couple of combo's. It was all I could do to drive back to Point Hueneme without falling asleep..

MLK Weekend- Rolex challege update!

In my quest to lose weight (and after all that exersizing) I am down only 4 pounds to 297. I seem to go up and down and up and down. I am exersizing (cardio/lifting weights) and my clothes are getting loose. But...The weight is not dropping as quickly as I would like. I know the problem - DIET!! I really have to make my diet simple - clean chicken, fish, and vegetables with a occasional serving of fruit. Once I get on board with this I should be fine.
I spent all day watching football-but I did clean the car today! Its nice and shiny now. When its clean and running good I dont want to get rid of it. But she may have to go.
I learned Billy blanks has a new workout DVD...I saw the commercial on TV and Im going to have to check it out. Probaly not going to buy it..Need to save some money...plus I have enough workout dvds..Im not trying to start a collection. I just want to get in shape.
Getting in shape is hard work!!!!! But Im going to win the ROLEX challenge..If i have to eat cabbage soup to make the goal..Im going to do it. Ill post a picture with my next post..Im out!!

2011 is here and Im back!!

Wow..Where can I start..lets start with the bad news..I lost my Iphone!!! This really upsets me because I had a lot contact and day to day info on it!!! I had to go and get a temp phone until I can get another one . So ill have to work on contacting everyone and using my notes and email to get everyone's contact information. Ok enough about my carelessness.
"Announcement!'" I have been challeged by motoko to lose 80 pounds by my retirement date of May 31 2011. The goal weight is 220. We named the challenge "The Rolex Challenge" because she has promised to award me one upon my victory. Notice I didn't say "if". I said when and upon. Key words when you know you are going to do it. I know I have a few naysayers.. But I can show you better than I can tell you. As a matter of fact I am going to document it on this blog. So every week you can check and see the progress. Right now im at 301.5. Yep thats right. check the pics to see what 300 pounds on me looks like.

First week 7 pounds lost..

Its not exactly biggest loser stats but i have only been at this for one week officially. My official starting weight is 305 and now im down to 297. My goal is to post once a week and record my weight loss. Im going to shoot for 3 pounds a week. If those jokers on the biggest loser can drop anywhere from 8 - 32 pounds a week, then surely i can handle 3 pounds weekly. Im eating cleaner than before but not perfect, but right now thats not my major concern. Im more concerned on being consistent with my trips to the gym. I can say im doing a decent job at that.
Im going to stick with it and see where it takes me, because I know exactly what happens when you do nothing...Ive traveled that road. Lets see where a decent daily effort gymwise will take me this year in regards to fitness.
im saving money right now to grant myself prizes at certain points. 25 pounds lost will earn me some new fancy gym shoes...50 pounds lost will earn me a nice chain I had my eye on at zales, and 75 pounds loss will earn me a weekend trip to see the lakers at staples or the warriors at golden state in which i will spare no expense reasonable. If i reach my goal weight of 210-stand by, I cant reveal what im going to do..but im going to treat myself big...real big.
So to all I say continue to persue those 2010 goals.

IM BACK- for 2010

Hey all im back from my 7 month hiatus off my entries. All i can say is that Im happy to see 2010 because so many people didnt get to see it. 2009 taught me alot about how expensive it can be not to properly plan for the things you want to do. I have learned my lesson and Ill take the knowledge along with the experience.

From my vacation trip to vegas-to my suprise trip to North Carolina - I learned that there are a couple of things id like to do in 2010.

1. Im going to reread the Bible again from front t back.

2. Im going to get into shape..( I have been saying this for years..stopped-started, stopped-started,. Its a easy pattern...its like this...oh its satuday, im going to start eating clean on monday..let me grab this cheesesteak sandwich right quick..then you eat it, feeling good because you are going start fresh on monday right??Well what happens...On monday (1) you forget to bring your lunch, or (2) Somebody brings doughnuts to the office, or three..on your way from work you pass good old KFC..and you think I would rob somebody right now for some chicken wings..then you get them because you say you can start the next day...then its something else..or you go good for two weeks..it starts raining outside or you get distracted and before you know it you have missed two workout days. then you say im good for now, ill start later as you order a large fries with that chicken sandwich.

Well ive already started..and I expect fully to have setbacks..but there is no quit this year. How can I be so sure you say...because I gave myself a incentive....Also im going to chart my progress with all who read this...

3. Im going to put a effort into keeping contact with folks...Im always thinking that people are busy because im busy sometimes so I procrastinate in calling..but this year..ill call them anyway.

Ive got a couple more but those are between me and the Lord....

Right now im a little bit sore because of all days i decided to lift weights and hit the stairmaster. The stairmaster aint no joke. but everyone knows that if you arent wore out after your workout then it wasnt a workout...

Now its time for random items and observations....

1. My new favorite subway sub is seafood/on wheat. I know the crabmeat is fake but its still good to me.

2. Im pretty much done with facebook. Vicki killed it for me..Ill now read posts from time to time but i know how to contact those i need to contact and those who need to contact me know how as well.

3. Im considering giving up pork...Ill keep you posted on this one..I need to control the B/P.(blood pressure)

4. I keep seeing the informercial with the same little boy and girl who needs help in africa..and its the same scene...and the same boy. Why hasnt the people filming this kickedin a few dollars for some potatoes and vegetables? Id be more inclined to give if they showed me different people everytime who needed the help. whenever i see the same sad face, im thinking someone else is spending that money and not little akebe.

Well gotta go...