Burger Frenzy

I went all of 2012 without eating a single cheesburger or hotdog. And I missed it. I didn't miss the hotdogs as much because I did eat things like polish sausage and bratwurst. But for the cheeseburgers, there was no substitute. Starting on Jan 1, I have tried to make up for it. To the point that a stroke may be imminent. The good news is that I have now scratched the itch and will limit my cheesburger consumption to more normal patterns.

This year, I am going without cakes and cookies. Cupcakes are out. Cake donuts are out, but not raised donuts. Brownies are in. Cakes won't be a big deal, other than cake donuts, but I will miss cookies. We'll see how it goes.

Thanksgiving 2012

Things that I am thankful for this year, other than family, faith, friends etc.

1. The end of the election season. Fatigued by the whole thing.
2. Football
3. Sausage
4. Cheeseburgers. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
5. Good books. World War Z tops the list this year.
6. Good movies
7. Technology

It's been asked before

Sometimes it feels like every question has been asked before. And not just asked, but asked frequently. When I have a question, I often do what everyone else does, which is, consult the Google, and ask my question. It seems like every time I do this, I'm a few words into my question, and Google, in all its infinite wisdom, has already completed my question with the little suggestions that it provides. Which I think means that that search is not a new one, or that the question has been asked before. For instance, the other day, I wanted to ask why some planes leave visible trails, and others don't. If you already know the answer, and have known it since you were six, don't judge. In any case, I Googled my question, and it popped up immediately. And now I know. Contrails, apparently, and something to do with moisture in the air. This happens a lot, asking questions about weird rashes, horses, cars, you name it. I guess this is a good thing, because the answers are out there, but it makes me feel like I'm late to the game with all my questions.

Sugar

My no candy for a year successfully concluded on New Year's Eve. On Jan 1, I ate too much candy. I avoided a diabetic coma, but I did get a bit of an upset stomach. Well worth it though.

This year, the new goal is no cheeseburgers or hot dogs. Its already been tough. I saw a commercial for the "Big Carl" the other day, and I thought, "ooh, I want to try that", but then remembered that I can't. Bummer. I think the biggest problems will come in the summer with BBQ's. I will be grilling a lot of chicken and bratwurst this year.

Every year, multiple people ask me why I'm doing it. I still don't have a good answer. Its not really for health reasons. I suppose the no soda thing made a difference in my caloric intake two years ago, but last year, I substituted for the candy with other sweets.

I guess the only answer is that I want to see if I can do it. This will be the hardest yet.

Which Little Piggy Are You?

Megan, like most little kids, is a big fan of finger games and songs. I think I did This Little Piggy about 15 times last night. It got me thinking, that the finger game of This Little Piggy could be an interesting personality assessment.

Which piggy are you?

1. One little piggy had roast beef.

2. One little piggy had none.

3. One little piggy went to market.

4. One little piggy stayed home.

5. One little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home.

Which one you identify with kinda says something about you right?

I think I either had roast beef or stayed home.

Something Smells

I am sometimes blown away by how powerful the sense of smell is. It has a variety of really strong behaviors for me, and I think most.

1. Smell makes food taste so much better. Walk into a room where a Ham has just come out of the oven, or where bacon is frying, and the ham or bacon becomes so much more desirable, and more tasty when you eat it. This is especially true when you were already really hungry.

2. Go without candy for awhile, then take a whiff of some M&Ms or some red vines. Makes me want it so bad I feel like a recovering addict.

3. Smell has a strong connection to memory. Sometimes a whiff of something brings back really specific memories. For instance, I was walking down a street in Seattle a few years ago, and I was hit by a pollution-related smell common in big cities. It triggered very specific memories from my mission in the Philippines, where that specific smell was much more common. I went to my Grandparents house in LA a few years ago for a visit with my Dad and brother. The smell in their laundry room (soapy?) was the exact same smell that their laundry room had the last time I visited them, at least a decade before. That smell hit me and my brother like a wall and was almost the highlight of the trip for me. The smell of Lilacs always makes me remember summers in Rock Springs, where we had a Lilac bush in our front yard.

Smell is awesome.

Thanksgiving

One year I would like to try the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special meal. Popcorn, Toast, Jelly Beans. Sounds good.

This year, aside from family, faith etc., I am thankful for, in no particular order:

1. Curry

2. Football

3. Soccer, specifically Real Salt Lake, Liverpool FC, and the USWNT

4. Megan and Andrew wrestling matches

5. ESPN3.com

6. Christmas Music (I wait till after TG, and the anticipation is high right now.)

7. Sushi

8. Good books