If you’ve read this space for any length of time then you know that I battle depression occasionally. Last night I decided that I need to start removing that which depresses me from my life. Makes sense, no? The first step in this process is to stop reading Twitter because for some reason reading constant updates about how great people’s lives are, or what sort of fantastic luck they’ve been having, or how often they go on vacation has been getting me down. I’ve not gone as far as to delete my account, but I’m very close.
Next up is to rid myself of the twenty pounds I’ve been trying to lose for the past five years.
Consumed With Laundry And Dinner
Last night I took a load of laundry to the lavanderia next to Lee’s Bakery. I started the process fairly early (5pm) and after all was said and done I was home again ay 8pm.
I treated myself at dinner last night. For my main course I ate a grilled pork Banh Mi with a glass of water. On my way out I wanted something sweet so I purchased a mango smoothie which was quite sweet and delicious.
With at least one more day of reccying and then actually laying the Black Sheep Hash on Sunday I’m sure that the next load of laundry I take to the lavanderia will be just as nasty as last night’s; I can only hope that it won’t be as large.
Cruising Through The Mad Men
Other than laundry and dinner my night consisted of chatting with my mother (using Skype on my end) and watching two more episodes of Mad Men. I am nearly through Season Two.
I meant to mention this yesterday, but if you’re looking to catch up on Mad Men and don’t feel like waiting for Netflix to deliver all of the discs, for a limited time you can buy and download each season (Season 1-3) for only $9.99 each (or $14.99 for HD if you are a high roller) from iTunes. Just be ready to spend some time downloading, however; each episode from Season Three in Standard Definition was over 400MB and there were thirteen episodes in Season Three.
ITP Flickr Pic
Feeling hot? Stare at this photo for a while.
Then imagine drinking the beer that resides behind this cool wall.
The Jackmobile Has A Clean Bill Of Health
For the first time since our lovely politicians returned emission testing to an annual task, and allowed testing centers to charge up to $25 I was able to get an emission test done for less than the maximum allowable fee. On many trips to lunch I’ve notice an emissions testing center on Ashford-Dunwoody just inside I-285 advertising a $20 emission test.
Yesterday I pulled in to get the emissions test done (now if I can locate the tag renewal paperwork), and with the exception of the kid running the machine telling me that my OBC (on board computer?) connector being “loose”, everything turned out well.
Next up is to find my paperwork and pay the State their damn ad valorem tax so that they’ll send me a new sticker.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – meh
Current Music – listening to today’s Tour de France stage
Website Of The Day – I hear that going to the movie theatre is a popular past-time. If you are one who enjoys movies you may want to check out Slash Film (aka /Film) to see what others are saying about movies.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – didn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~7 miles, Wheel Mileage – 95.1 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 13 (13)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 12
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
July Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month (still waiting to accomplish this)
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 150 miles
– Get the Sharpened Stone, LLC moving further
– Complete at least one iPhone application
– Completely plan out my August/September Colorado trip
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
I do want to watch Mad Men someday, but I think I’ll just do it the old fashion Netflix disc way.
And- congrats on getting the emission test almost 2 weeks early – you are on a roll to get the tag in plenty of time before your birthday.
Mad Men is alluring. I am not one to get sucked in to television dramas, but I am hooked and look forward to my “Mad Men time” each night. Of course I should probably be reading, or watching instructional videos for photography or programming instead…
Yeah, after failing to pay one of my insurance payments on time I’m trying to stay on top of things again.
I’ll throw out a comment request today:
I’m considering getting new cycling shoes. I *may* stop at Performance Bike and/or REI to get some tonight. My pedals are Shimano (SPD), any suggestions?
Just get some shoes that are comfortable. Allan swears that Sidi’s are the best but they hurt my feet (and are expensive). I have liked all the Shimano’s I’ve had, and I think my last pair were Specialized (a deal thru the bike shop of course) I also like mountain bike shoes (even on the road bike), you can walk around much easier.
I’m currently wearing some Diadora mountain bike shoes that I purchased 12 (13?) years ago for Spinning classes. I’ve really liked these shoes but they’ve blown out on one side and the cleats have worn considerably.
I’m all about getting rid of things that don’t make you happy. For the last year or more I’ve been clearing stuff out of my house, it isn’t the stuff itself that bothers me, its just the clutter…I’m happier when things are in order.
My project for the fall (once it cools down) is to put up a shed in the back yard. One just big enough to store the bikes, yard tools, etc. More room, means more stuff. I may have to have a little shed raising party…Jerry isn’t very handy and I can’t do it myself 😉
I’m only 4 pounds away from my goal, so of course I’ve been barred from the gym for two days…okay that has nothing to do with my weight, more the mini-meltdown I had yesterday in the middle of a workout. At least it gave me time to get the new computer set up…question, any idea where the data for my garmin might be stored? It looks likes I was able to save my music and pictures!
I have no advice on biking shoes.
Martha, though I’m not much of a handyman if I am around when you have your shed-raising I’ll be happy to try and help out.
I’m going to return the Declutter-o-meter to “HIGH” again very soon. I have to clean out my utility room before I can get someone down there to repair my plumbing.
Update: I’ve just paid my tag renewal online. M-Fers charge you $4.95 “convenience” fee, as well as the $1 “mail” fee when paying online. Oh well, just send me my $130 sticker please, State of Georgia.
I stopped by Performance on the way home from the Cheesy Yellow Run. My Addidas shoes, which fit nicely, are about to be completely glued together. Not that you need pedals, but they have a deal iy you buy shoes and pedals you get 30% off.
I used my old shoes as a guide and managed to get the cleats almost perfect.
And the pedals came with a set of cleats- no where on the box did it say cleats, so I now have a spare set- so don’t buy any.
Martha- I have lots of tools and can tackle a shed raising!!
-FP
Thanks Steve. I *think* there were cleats in the box of pedals that I bought for my mountain bike.
No spoiler: Today’s stage is “interesting”
I went to the East Cobb county tag office, it is about a 10-15 minute drive, but I need something to do at lunch time everyday to get out of the office, so I saved the $1 & $4.95 & maybe burned $2 worth of gas. There is never a line, so it was in & out.
Martha – with the tree coming down friday, it hit another small tree that took out part of our shed (the shed that shocks me everyday that it just doesn’t fall down).
Once this variance geta approved tomorrow (I’m thinking positive), we will take it down, pour a new bigger cement pad & Allan will get a new shed along with a new garage. I’ll volunteer him to help too – he has plenty of tools too.
(right nwo the basement has all the regular stuff that will go in a garage now, plus all the shed crap). I can’t wait to get started on this damn garage!
Barb, I can do some of that too, remember, I’m off every other Friday- have framing nailer, will travel.
I just started season 3 of Mad Men last night — love that show — I think it is very well-written compared to some of the other crap that is on TV right now. I’m going to have to find another guilty pleasure when I run out of episodes — for now, I’m spacing them out (and then will have to wait for season 4 to come to DVD since we gave up cable when we started getting furloughed).
oh Steve – we will be building the deck ourselves too – I’ll feed you as much Skyline as you can eat (or whatever you want) – if you really want to help with this stuff. I don’t think Allan has a framing nailer……
If you were serious about your depresiion youd go to a doctor and/or take drugs. Anything short is frankly bullshit.
I don’t consider myself to be clinically depressed or on the verge of doing something like killing myself, so perhaps using the term “depressed” is bullshit. However, I am serious about my feelings, and trying to make an effort to correct myself without the use of medication or psychoanalysis. I’ve got a lifetime to keep trying.
Tour de France
No Spoiler: Really good finish to today’s stage.
Come on dude read your blog titles for the last 3 years if you don;t think you are depressed. Like, _actual_ depressed.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12814/rss.png
$4 burritos all day at Willie’s………. in case anyone is hungry.
Thanks for the offer guys, I will take you up on it! Don’t worry there will be plenty of beer and food in exchange for your efforts. I’m probably won’t be much help with the actual building of anything but happy to gopher if anyone else needs help. Paulie that goes for yard work as well.
Once the shed is build, then I will be redoing the ‘laundry room’, probably making it more of an office instead of just storage. I’m starting to feel like I’m getting things accomplished again.
It’s no secret that I’ve suffered from depression in the past. I never took medication but I did undergo two years of therapy and it helped, it helped a lot, just getting a different and unbiased view/perspective on things. I don’t know if one is ever cured but it seems to be under control.
Sure, now I read that Barb. I just came back from a really good lunch at Chef Liu’s on Buford Highway (in Pinetree Plaza). Now I just have to hope that I don’t fall asleep in my 1:30pm meeting.
hey – I can only tell you about the lunch special I found after I get back from finding it……… go there for dinner – okay???
Martha – I thought that storage area didn’t have heat or A/C, or did you change that? I’m never much help at building stuff either, but I go to the Ace Hardware very well in the middle of the project.
Not a bad idea, Barb. And you should know that I’m just goofing off with you…
Nope, the little room does have HVAC it just isn’t insulated well (Okay at all) so BC (before cat) I kept it closed off…once its cleared out, I want to take off the old paneling and add insulation to the walls, along with new flooring and such.
Barb, we can supervise, from the comfort of the AC with a bottle of wine?
Oh did I mention I have a big limb in my back yard after yesterday’s storm…I think my neighbor has a chain saw, it isn’t huge, shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes…just too big to move to the steet in one piece. Looks like there might be more storms tonight.
I’d offer use of my My First Chainsaw, but I think that I have beaten it to submission.
and Paulie – of course I know you were just messing with me.
Our chainsaw chains (yes, chains) are at the TruValue getting sharpened toay – I’m an equal opportunity hardware store girl. (TruValue is who sells the Stihl stuff, so that is where it goes to get serviced)
too late for this week but if you have time at lunch Performance has 10% off clothing and accessories Tuesdays 12-2
Damn, now I really wish they hadn’t closed the Performance Bike near my office.
I’m not sure how I haven’t noticed this until recently (and after my last emissions test), but there is also an emissions test center in town (across from the Cactus car wash on Ponce) that has $20 tests.