Set up.. kind of

I have the first camera and the DVR set up.. kind of. Turned out the DVR doesn't have a coaxial connection and the old TV in the front room only has a coaxial connection. The DVR has VGA, HDMI and BNC connections. My modulator doesn't have any of those connections, either. 

So, I put the box in the big living room and hooked it up to the newer TV, which has HDMI input. Just to get the system set up and tested. Formatted the hard drive. Everything works really well, happy to say! Only down side is that the camera controls don't let you invert the image and the dome camera is arranged for ceiling or wall mount. Can't turn the camera over. So, the camera will have to be on a wall or ceiling. However, the video quality is amazingly clear! I like it! Especially if the rest of the cameras are as clear as this one. The image isn't grainy at all. 

It's a bummer I have to get a different monitor but I found a seller on CL who is selling a 17" LCD monitor for $25, so I'll go get that tomorrow. I already checked to see if they'll be around and they will.

Down side of where the camera and DVR are placed right now is that the system cannot be hooked up to the router, necessary for setting up saving video online plus email and SMS messaging. I can correct that once I get the monitor and it should take only a few minutes. 

I can get that stuff done and still have time for most of the other stuff I want to do. 

Broke down

The snow started melting a bit earlier. Had the ex ask daughter if she wanted me to pick her up. She wanted to stay there. That's okay. I figure she was probably well on her way to having a snowman built. Besides, road conditions may have made her nervous. 

Never know, maybe she just wanted a weekend away from me or a weekend at her mother's house.

I didn't feel so hot this morning, any way. Did not sleep well at all last night. Not sure why. Took a short nap this afternoon, then went to Walmart. Got the Valerian Root I needed. 

Left the lights on to the car. Then when I went out the car wouldn't start. Had to pull the battery and take it to the auto shop there. They charged the battery and tested it. Battery is good, just needed charging. I suspect I need to tighten the alternator belt a little bit, also. It may be slipping, more so when it cold and wet. 

I also wound up spending longer in the store than expected. Tomorrow is the 1st of the month, so government funds went out yesterday. The store was filled with the walking dead. Could barely walk 5 ft without stopping and waiting for someone to get the hell out of the way. Not crowded, just same old shit from the needful fucks around here. They have no idea what they need in truth and would claim they aren't needful if you confronted them about it. No realization at all that if you are not in control of yourself, you will never be in control of your life. 

With all the extra time at the store I didn't get some things done which I had hoped to do today. Oh, well. Guess I'll take the day primarily off and get things done tomorrow. I did sweep and mop. Had already done laundry and dishes. I'll go ahead and work on the camera for the front room tonight. I was considering mounting it on the ceiling but instead just going to keep it on a table or something for now. Decide on final placement later. 

Going to work on the work shop and the office tomorrow. 

Next weekend is the time change. So I'll be doing more outside after that. Including putting up a new garden fence. I want to set the posts in concrete, so that's better after the weather is a little bit warmer. 

Picked up a couple more supplements at the store. One I know is helpful, creatine. Did some reading and I haven't been taking enough of it. I've only been taking it only before working out. Taking it daily would be much more beneficial. Supposed to help decrease toxins and increase energy. Plus I picked up some Gatorade powder. Not necessary but somewhat helpful. I know I burn off a lot of potassium, which is present in Gatorade. 

Snowed in

So, woke to 4-6" of snow on the ground this morning. I don't find that crippling but many people do. Or worse, they don't when they should. 

Of course, my road is so small no plow enters our street.

Been checking traffic cams and it looks like it's clearing slowly. 

So, if I pick daughter up, it's going to be later than usual. Our normal time I would be there in 6 minutes from now. Temperature definitely warming up. I'll give it another half hour or so and maybe give it a try. Major roads get more attention, of course and mostly major roads between here and there. 

I still hate cold weather. Not quite as much as a few years ago. My shoulders don't cramp up nearly as bad as they used to in the cold. I would say I miss Texas but much of Texas has been snowed in for a couple of weeks, also. And Texans definitely cannot drive in snow! (Why should they be able to? Most of the state only sees snow every 12-20 years.) 

Took all my morning supplements. Maybe get a few things done around here in a minute.

Up in smoke?

It is really strange. There are three things which help with my ulcerative colitis. So strange that all three of them are most effective when inhaled. Tobacco (nicotine), CBD and Cannabis. Each one can be taken in other forms but require a lot more because they don't absorb as well by other routes.

Well, other things help with side effects, mostly dietary. However, there are no safe medications for either of my conditions. 

I will admit that I have been using it a bit more than I had planned. Partly because I ran out of Valerian Root and forgot when I was close to Walmart last night. Grr. I used the cannabis as a replacement last night and tonight. It does help me sleep and may be helping to slow my metabolism a bit. 

I do seem to be gaining a small amount of weight. Been remaining mostly at 162 or above. Most of the weight seems to be muscle, judging from my mirror. I would still like to have a slight fat tissue buffer. Not for looks at all. Just because I burn so much so quickly. However, if I gain all muscle, that's okay.

Work was a bit better today than yesterday. I still feel like someone was passing out Stupid Pills. (If I ever find out who's doing that, their ass is mine!!) However, they were slightly less aggressive. Plus the network didn't crash, so that's always a good thing. I did manage to pick up enough extra shifts that I should round it out to have an extra $200 on my next check.

It snowed last night. Then this morning. Then this afternoon. Then tonight! Just looked outside and it's still snowing, harder than ever. 

As a result, I may not see my daughter this weekend. While I can drive in this weather, most people cannot. Even so, it would scare the heck out of my daughter to drive in this. Wait and see what happens with the weather in the morning. 

If I don't see her, I'll spend the weekend cleaning and setting up the base for the camera system. Can't do any of the outside work in this weather but could get the inside camera installed and the DVR hooked up to the small TV. Decided that's the way to go. Set the whole system up, hooked up to the small TV in the front room. I thing that's the best monitor placement and best way to run the cables.

Which brings up something else. While I was up on the roof scouting camera placement I notice something which I have noted to lesser degree in the past. There is a chimney on my roof which doesn't go to anything! I am guessing there was once a wall furnace in the living room, maybe passing to the front bedroom. When it was removed, they left the chimney in place. Now it goes nowhere. However, it may well be allowing cold air into one wall in winter. On the up side, it lets heat release in summer. I need to scout it out further and figure out exactly where it goes. If it drops far enough in the wall, I could use that pipe to drop cables into the front room. From that wall, run raceway conduit for the cables.  

Bad day, good workout

Had really bad day for work. Network and telephone problems all day. Wound up doing all written cases after two hours today with my phone malfunctioning causing me to be sidelined. Finally got word from my supervisor it was a widespread problem. Never heard a single word from IT, who should have informed me.

Had a good workout at the gym tonight. Really feeling it. Still slightly shaky from it. 

Back up to 170 lbs on bicep curls and doing more reps. Not a lot, like 3 reps at that weight but that's how you get up higher. 

Up to 220 lbs on pectoral flies (butterflies). I wasn't expecting to do that well but kept adding weight until I could do nothing higher. 

Some of the people on the seated leg press are just flat pissing me off. They sit there for ages, listening to MP3 players, not doing anything or use a weight level of about 20 lbs. WTF?! You'd get more benefit from doing standing squats! And yes, I have stood there and watched them and they do not go higher. After a long wait for campers to get their lazy asses off the machines, I finally got on. Remain at maximum, 335 lbs but seriously increased reps. From just lifting that weight the first time, what, last week? Now doing sets of 30 reps, 10 for each leg position, 2 sets. 

Now up to 105 lbs on split weighted crunches. No question you feel those! When I started I was still sore from Tuesday's workout but didn't want to hold back. 

Thurs is my heaviest workout because I won't be back to the gym until Mon or Tue, so I have 4-5 days to recover. No complaints. I actually think that schedule is helping with my rapid progress. When you work out too often, you are continually tearing muscle down. It takes time to rebuild that muscle. Besides, the more muscle you tear down too frequently, the more sore you become and you progress more slowly. 

For now, I need a bath and bed.

Stronger effect

Been using cannabis since Monday. First two days only a small effect. Tonight seemed much stronger. Not sure why. I bought a water pipe because it improves the flavor considerably. Could that be it? Or some drastic difference in strength between different parts of the plant? If the latter is true, maybe I need to break it up and mix it to homogenize it. 

Oh, well. It did increase my appetite, which is good. Took a while for that effect. Nothing new, had that delayed effect decades ago.

Been drinking a protein shake mixed with frozen yogurt every night. Just for the calories, though it does taste good. 

Looking in the mirror, happy to say my abs are more obvious. Takes a day or two after a workout for muscle mass to grow. Thing I am happiest about is the fact that my workout methods now are more effective than when I was younger. Not suffering much pain but maximizing effects, including rapid strength improvement. 

Work has sped up again. Made around an extra $100 extra last week. In three days this week I've made roughly $90 extra. Two days to go, I think I should be able to reach an extra $10. So that will be an extra $200 on my next check. Hasn't been any OT offered yet this year. Not sure it will be, with the way they have changed things. However, I'm still expecting some things to change back. 

Pissed off

I am pissed off at the damn dogs. I have to keep repairing the invisible fence. I had hoped to start working on a more solid fence this week to keep them out of the garden but the weather isn't permitting that. 

They have invaded the garden, tore up the weed fabric I placed last year in many places while displacing the mulch. Meanwhile, there is dog shit every place I look. 

Once I get a more solid fence in place to deter them I will also turn the invisible fence up to full power and double the cables.

Backtracking

So, I was happy this morning. Hopped on the scale and found I had gained 3 lbs.

Got on the scale again after going to the gym tonight. Those 3 lbs are gone. Plus one more. 4 lbs lost between morning and evening.

Backtracked a little at the gym. Maybe just still recovering from muscle breakdown because I worked hard enough last week. In any case, wasn't able to reach 170 on biceps tonight. Oh, well. Keep working at it.

On the other hand, I am up to 90 lbs on split weighted ab crunches. 60 lbs to feet, 30 lbs to upper body. Could probably do 75 lbs to feet but the weights weren't available. 

On that, my timetable has moved back up! Looked in the full length mirror and found I actually have a lightly defined six pack! Only have one more workout before the end of the month. However, keeping at the same weight level or increasing it means chances are excellent it will be more defined within the next few days, so I may have it quite visible before 3/1/15. Of course, keep working on it and try to make it more defined over time. 

Chest, arms and shoulders have increased tone and size quite visibly.

Of course, my biggest concern is my health. Definitely having improvements there. Feel much better than I did a couple months ago. However, improving my appearance is good for my self esteem. And I hope becomes a good example for my daughter. The better condition I achieve and the more visible it becomes and the more my energy increases, the more of a positive example it becomes for her. 

Never made it through my whole workout. Too many campers. I think the people still riding the $1 for the first month are spastically attending their final few days. Yet most are still spending more time bumping their gums or sitting on machines while doing nothing. 

I had planned on getting some things done outside. However, the weather turned. Went from being nice and warm to having highs in the 30's and 40's. Blech!

Cameras and cannabis

The main shipment of cameras arrive today. I will say I expected them to be a bit larger. However, happy with their size. Large enough to be highly visible, small enough to not be a good target or to be precocious. Black color makes them more visible in daytime. Loads of LED's for night vision. So, that's 5 of 6 cameras I ordered. The last one is in the next shipment. 

Went to the cannabis dispensary for the first time today. I can really say it was a much better experience than I had hoped for! The people were all polite, professional and helpful. Gave me a lot of advice and information which was sorely needed. Tried the first dose when I got home. Hasn't really done that much for my appetite as I had hoped. A little bit. It does seem to help with relaxation. Think I should sleep well tonight.

Not much else to tell about today. Need to take the new DVR out, install the hard drive and see how to hook it up.

Improvement

Got more done with daughter's room today. Almost done organizing in there and it looks so much better! That made it easier to get both living rooms in better condition. 

So, I should be able to get the rest of the house in much better condition now within a week or two. Been working on the house in general but getting her room organized was one of the major steps forward.

Next major steps will be the office and the work shop. That will let me organized other rooms. 

As the weather warms up, I can move more plants out to the solarium, which will let me make the inside of the house look better. Not happening today/tonight. 

Started filling dish pans directly with potting soil and planting smaller flowers directly in them today. Salvia, Snapdragons and Impatiens. 

One Walmart had soluble fertilizer in stock, so picked that up. Think that should help speed up growth of seedlings.

I did teach daughter a bit about sword fighting, general fighting and dealing with bullies this weekend. I was right. Now that she's in middle school, she's having to deal with more bullies. She sometimes feels powerless. She doesn't quite understand some of the tactics I tell her to use, which is focused on reducing their power by turning it back on them. I've always found the strongest weapon on earth to be a mirror. Make a person see themselves for exactly who they are. It's a concept which takes time to absorb but I think she'll grasp it quickly.  

She's picking up sword fighting very easily. She likes the new sword. Unfortunately, I do have to overcome some things she has read in books which are misleading. Then again, the same books have awakened a stronger sense of self preservation. Coupled with facing bullies, she is more willing to use means which are necessary. She can use force if required. Now it's teaching her to avoid that. More difficult when so many mindless and dramatic forces around her are encouraging the use of force. I just don't want her to get in trouble or wind up thinking force is the way to deal with problems without trying other approaches. From what she says, she only uses some level of intimidation to back down people trying to use intimidation in the first place. Hope what she's saying is all true. 

Late shipments

So, the camera system and the new arrows which shipped from China cleared customs a week ago. Just got confirmation that they have been shipped in the states today. WTF?

Throws my time frame back for installing the camera system. Oh, well. Not by too much. Going to get on the roof tomorrow and check visual angles and figure out if I need to add elevation for the best coverage. Just planning on using short wood beams. Biggest challenge is how to mount them. It may actually be best if I waited until the later shipment arrives, since I have a power splitter coming with that shipment. One cable to supply power to all the cameras. (They're all very low power requirement.)

The price is still worth it (assuming the equipment is decent) but shipping time is long. Then again, guess I've learned to be rather impatient. Been two weeks since I placed the order on a weekend and it is being sent over 11,000 miles. 20 years ago that would have taken months to arrive. 

Doing a few things different this week from normal plans (which don't always work out, any way). Going to the cannabis dispensary on Monday. No fitness center. I do need a few more things from the store, so pick those up Sunday or Monday night. Then do fitness center Tues and Thur. 

I was thinking of starting work on the fence to keep the dogs out of the garden but that can wait a little longer. The time changes in two weeks, which will make it a lot more convenient. The invisible fence just isn't enough without a physical barrier to slow them down. Otherwise, they just run fast enough that the shock barely occurs. 

Going to get daughter's room in better order Sunday and start working on the office this week. My calculations say I can get most of the room completed including wiring, flooring and ceiling fan for under $100 before tax. There will still be the issue of telephone line and climate control, though. From the same $100 I will have enough electrical cable to install lighting in the laundry room and a few other things. I have the fixture I want to install. May need one or two circuit breakers. Those are cheap. Even with extra costs thrown in, not bad for getting several rooms finally completed. Just a matter of manual labor. 

Daughter's choir!

Last night was daughter's first school choir performance. She and the whole choir were awesome! She looked completely confident and natural up there. I am so proud of her! 

I messed up. Seems like karma that I was not supposed to record that performance. First my camera was stolen. Then I asked to borrow hers and she forgot, took it with her. She brought her camera and her mother gave it to me. I thought I had it turned to record but I didn't. It was on record function but I didn't have the record button on.

Nothing to do about it now. Really mad at myself.

We went to the zoo and out to eat today. Was debating and decided I will renew the bio park annual pass. We go to the zoo and botanical garden enough to make it worth the price.

I did it!

I did it! Maxed out the bicep machine! 170 lbs! Plus up to 80 lbs on split weighted crunches, 175 lbs on lat rows, 175 lbs on butterfly press (seems to be a trend here). I will admit at 175 on the butterfly I can only do one side at a time but working on it. Long way to go before I max out that machine.

I was really proud of myself once they released me from the ER! jk!

My chest has seriously grown in the last two weeks. As far as having a somewhat defined six pack by the end of this month, not gonna happen. Maybe another 2-3 weeks. Getting close but not there yet. Not doing too bad for having two auto-immune disorders and turning 53 years old in two months, though.

Daughter's first choir performance is tomorrow night. No way I'm missing that! I can't wait! 

Good news. I got my license, so I am legally on the medical cannabis program now. Of course, I'm such a lightweight that what some people go through in a week will probably last me a year or more. Still going for the lowest THC content stuff available on the market and the smallest amount they will sell at one time. 

Okay, I need a bath and some dinner.

Maxing out

So, one day after being off work sick, I went to the gym. And maxed out many of the circuit weight machines I worked out on. 

Hit 160 on the bicep machine. Note I said I did it, not that I did it well. Just lifting it halfway is an accomplishment. Lifting it the rest of the way is the challenge. Though I was wrong. Top setting is 170 lbs. Forgot about the little knobby that adds 10 more lbs. Oh, well.

Still 145 one butterfly but that may be because I had rather fatigued some of the muscles involved before doing it. I did spend more time on it than before.

Lateral obliques I did 160 lbs, which is max setting. Definitely felt it but easier than expected. 

Maxed out the seated leg press at 335 (plus my own weight, so 495). Not all the way to 90 degree leg flexion but almost and that one always increases large amounts at less than full flexion. 

Did less on the ski machine. After being sick, wasn't so much up for aerobic stuff.

Up to 50 lbs lower and 15 lbs upper on weighted ab crunches. Keeping a good number of reps. 

Maxed out the back extension machine a couple weeks ago. Haven't been using it last couple of times but will get back to it next time. 

Definitely seeing visible differences now. Can't judge entire by just after a workout but it would seem I have added at least 2" to my chest and at least 1" to each arm. 

So, I guess I'm not too badly for a guy only 5'7" and 160 lbs. 

Better but not much

Feeling a bit better. Still no appetite. Only thing I've been able to tolerate today has been a protein shake at half strength, a few hands full of popcorn and a piece of gluten free cake. 

Got outside and trimmed the grape vines and apple tree. Saved Zinnia seeds and cut down the dead plants. Took cuttings from both apple trees and the plum tree. Got them in potting soil. Used honey as a rooting hormone.

I had thought what happened was what I ate for dinner last night. Then I remembered something else. I wasn't hungry last night. I pretty much forced myself to eat dinner. So this was probably something which began before I ate dinner. 

So, I was rather surprised at just how fast I was progressing with circuit weights. I had never lifted that much weight with one arm before. Doing free weights at home tonight, it made a bit more sense. The weight is not total when lifting one side. Instead, it's a little over 70 lbs for each arm. That's okay. Slight blow to my ego but not much, since I was suspicious. But it does mean I'm about back where I was a few years ago. If I can advance to 160 lbs total, I will be beyond my previous level. Hoping to reach that this week. If I can advance another 15 lbs next week, it will mean a more serious advance. As it is, I'm building some decent muscle mass. 

Admittedly, free weights are better than circuit weights for truly useable muscle. But getting primary mass and definition built is good on circuit weights. Moving to free weights will mean dropping total weight because supporting muscle won't be as built up. However, they will build up more quickly if main muscle groups are already strengthened. 

Of course, the main object is just getting back in shape and progressing to the best condition I can reach. 

Off sick

I had to take today off sick. Stomach felt bad this morning when I woke up. Thought it would pass. Took everything I had to make stomach calm down. Then about the time I was logging in for work, had to run for the john. Couldn't work because I was gagging randomly.

Called off. Today is a holiday, so I got an "occurrence". Too many of those and I get in trouble. Last time I got one was for a headache, I think. Hopefully that one rolled over already. It's not often I call in sick.

Wound up going back to bed once my stomach calmed down enough to allow it. Took a nap for 3 hours. Been a long, long time since I did that. Means I really needed it. Still no appetite but not gagging or throwing up. Maybe I'll try drinking a protein shake.

Guess I'll be skipping the fitness center tonight. Means I won't have a full workout but also means I won't throw up or get dizzy on any of the machines. I did drag out my old free weights, so I can work on my biceps and forearms tonight. Maybe triceps, too. 

Been a frustrating thing at the gym. They have only two machines for lateral obliques and both of them are constantly taken up. By people that really need it, I admit. However, they never put any appreciable weight on the stacks, so it's mostly wasted. I would prefer that be a part of my complete workout but if I can't get to the machines, guess I'll start doing those separately at home. Or grab a free weight and do those in a corner of the gym. I hate the free weights section. Too many people watching each other. Oh, well. Guess I have to get over it. Once I max out the machines, that section will be the only option. I should have every machine I work out on maxed out within a month or two at my current rate. 

Ordered the last camera for the current configuration today. I was going to wait but they're on special, so even with shipping it costs less than the camera alone at normal prices. This time I ordered a high definition camera for a certain placement which I will not divulge. 

What I am mentally working on now is how to do the installation for all the cameras. But most of that will have to wait until the main set gets here. I think it has to be connected by hard wire to the router for connection to the internet. That means I have to use the small TV as a monitor and run the wires down through the front room. Biggest consideration is how to run the cables. I can drill holes through the roof and run a conduit for them. That would be most secure to eliminate access to the cables from outside. The set comes with several 60 ft cables. Sounds like a lot but not so much when you run it across 50 ft of roof. Not a lot of room to play with. I may eventually move the main access point to the office, once I get a new telephone cable run there and actually use the office as an office. Or maybe not. The monitor being in the front room may be more logical. Decide later. 

Circus and more

Took daughter to the circus last night. Then we went to It'z Pizza. I had a coupon for a 2 for one deal, unlimited non-reward games and attractions. We stayed there pretty late.

We had fun. She said she thought it was the best circus she had seen. I kept my mouth shut and just agreed. I felt it was seriously lame this year. Except for the motorcycle in a globe act. They keep getting better, up to four cyclists at once now, which is truly impressive. 

Today we went through the last box for her room. At least sorted through what she wants to keep or toss. I'll sort things out and organize the keep pile this week. 

I have a box or two of my own I need to go through. I should have the whole house looking nicer this week. 

Rising number of tomato plants getting started. I think the tactic of using larger containers from germination will work out well. Been starting seeds in stages and different varieties. Tonight I started some "watermelon beefsteak" tomato seeds. Supposed to grow as large as 2 lbs each. 

Cilantro is growing really well in the solarium. Broccoli seems to be doing well but waiting to see. Have not had good luck with broccoli over the years but these look better than anything prior to this. Carrots and spinach are coming up slowly. Not seeing any definite signs of cucumbers yet. Planted a couple more seeds tonight but they do need consistent heat to even germinate. 

I have noticed a number of times that when I pick daughter up she talks a lot. Then when I drop her off, she barely speaks at all on the drive home. Wondering if she feels some of the same things I do after dropping her off every week. Soon as I drop her off, I feel a weight, an emptiness, like it's just wrong. Looking ahead to a week of work, pressure, stress, responsibility. I never wanted to have a child and have so much separation between us. My idea of having a child included being there on a daily basis, helping her with her homework, PTA meetings.. 

Financial advances

Work is speeding up again. Finally. I earned at least an extra $140 this week with no extra hours put in. Today was the first I heard of OT being offered this year. However, it was only for the weekend. Good sign, though. Most likely it means more OT will start being offered during the week. 

If nothing else, if I can earn an average extra $100 a week on extra cases, that's $200 a check and over $5000 a year. Okay, considering slow months and vacation time, maybe more like $3500 a year. That is only counting net pay, not gross. So, not complaining if I can do that without the extra hours. If things pick up more, I can increase that, too. Today was my first day of 90 cases in months. I was doing that on an average a few months ago. If it keeps at this rate daily, I can earn as much as $200 extra per week. So the possibility of doubling the above estimate. 

The new trackball finally came in today. That one kind of pissed me off. The Walmart site said it would be available for pickup the same day I ordered it. Then it took 3 days to come in, even though it was in stock at another local store. During that time, the old mouse was driving me crazy. Big relief to have the trackball.

In addition to the circus this weekend, decided to take daughter to It'z Pizza. Got a special in email for buffet and unlimited rides and games (except reward games), 2 for one price. We haven't been there in a long time and since the tax refund came in, it's only fair. She's a good girl who deserves rewards. Not so much she gets overtly spoiled but enough to enjoy life and not think I don't care about her.

I do worry she may think I spend more on the garden than on her. Definitely not true. I would like it if she took more active part in it with me but it does tend to be some work. Since she works at school all week and sees the garden as work, I won't push it. 

However. I still want to organize her room. Figured out a way to get some cooperation. Going to turn it into a party. Make popcorn, drag out boxes and sort through them together this Sunday. We can go through objects and memories all at once. Should be fun. I think that may be why she has avoided it. I think it's why I have avoided it to some point. Better we do it together. 
 

No karaoke

I call Valentine's Day "VD day". I think it's more honest than all the advertising. And I find each one as appealing as the other.

Was going to go to karaoke tomorrow night but then I realized it's VD day weekend. Then changed my mind. Think I'll stay home, clean house and watch TV. Maybe rent a movie. With lots of explosions in it. Hopefully a Bruce Willis movie I haven't seen.

Got my protein powder today. That's good. I used up the last of the chocolate powder last night. I have some vanilla but don't care for the flavor. It's acceptable if I mix it with the chocolate. 

The hard drive for the security system arrived. There was some question from reviews if it was new or refurbished. It's new, still in original package and with original label. 

My symptoms from ulcerative colitis continue to decrease. It's a combination of medications, supplements and exercise. My body is healing. One thing I can definitely attribute to the CBD is that my appetite is increasing. That's a positive for the most part. However, I'm not used to actually feeling hungry. Especially not this often. So now I have to be able to ignore it most of the time. Good part is that I am eating more, which helps maintain my weight. Maybe I'll be able to gain in the future. 

Still physically tired a lot but more mentally alert. I think my energy is kind of coming back as days get longer. 

More progress

I'm still happy with my progress at the gym. Though it is slowing down a bit now because I am reaching weight limits that equal or exceed anything I have lifted before. At least anything I ever measured.

I am now doing bicep curls of 145 lbs. That is each arm. Tricep press is up to 160 lbs each arm. Butterfly chest press is at 145 lbs each side. Seated leg press is 280 lbs plus my own weight of 160, so 440 lbs. 

Most painful is abdominal crunches. Doing 45 lbs on leg ab crunches with concurrent 10 lbs to upper body. Not a huge amount of weight but they are the kind of crunches which most people do with no weights at all. Not many people ever use the machines I am using for that purpose just because they are really hard to do. However, they are some of the most effective. My real preference would be full inversion crunches but you never find the equipment for those in a gym. Too many people get pulled muscles or fall while getting in and out of them. 

Though abdomen for now is showing visible progress, it is slowest showing. Chest and arms are most noticeable. I still stick with the statement that I should have several extra inches to each within one month. I'm guessing at least 4-6 inches to my chest by the end of Feb. Not measuring, just going by appearance. My goal for arms is to be at 180 on the bicep curls by the end of the month. Can't really go above 160 on triceps with downward press because that would exceed my body weight and I just wind up lifting myself out of the seat. But 160 for triceps is good for now. 

My workouts are getting longer as I add more muscle groups and go up on weights. 

Gave further consideration to notifying neighbors before the new cameras get here. Decided against it. Increases risk of the package being stolen when it arrives because it's an announcement something valuable is coming. It would also be too much knowledge that my current cameras don't show enough, which I think has become common knowledge among people who don't need to know that. I think the new cameras will be a definite change for the whole neighborhood. I'll announce their installation including some information about increased visibility after I install them. But not too much information. Just enough to be valuable and little enough to remain so. 

Lazy again

I was going to clean house and stuff tonight but got lazy. Not sick, just lazy. Maybe a bit sore from my workout last night, maybe weather changing again. Don't feel bad.

I'll get the dishes done before bed and call it a draw. May do more stuff tomorrow night after the gym. Then more on Thur night. 

Fri I'm going to karaoke.

Bought tickets online for the circus this Sat. Daughter said she wants to go. I checked and Ringling Brothers isn't coming to town this year. 

Also ordered a new trackball for the PC. Been wanting to get one for over a year. Got one for work computer a long time back. Now the mouse has become so buggy it's really on my nerves. Not putting it off any more. 

After the security cameras, have to reign my spending in a bit. Not going on some big spree. Just catching a few things up. Then back to being more patient and getting things accomplished on a slower, steadier pace. 

I am glad the price on hard drives has come down. A 2 terabyte drive will hold 2000 hours of video, so roughly 80 complete days. Of course, that depends on video quality. Besides, with 4 cameras that means 20 days each. That's enough. If anything happens which needs video pulled, I should know within 3 weeks. I will have to play around with different settings to maximize effectiveness and storage. I think I'll max out camera density at 6 cameras, so that would hold about 2 weeks of video. Still enough.

Why the hangup on security cameras? Because I have seen an increase in abnormal traffic down the street in the last few months. Way too many cars driving up and down a dead-end street during the day. If there is anything actually suspicious about it, I expect it to decrease as soon as I install the cameras and announce them. There is no good reason there should be 4-5 vehicles an hour driving down a dead-end street but there is. 

I'm figuring 3 cameras for the front of the house, 1 for the back and 2 inside. 

Dates mixed up

Glad I didn't spend all my money. Got my dates mixed up for the tax refund. It's scheduled to be sent on 2/11/15, which is tomorrow. For some reason I thought it was today. So that means it probably won't be in the bank until Thur.

Still have money in the bank. Been itching to order that security camera system and could afford to now but better to wait. 

After that, the biggest major expenditure I plan on for this year is an X-Box. Lots of home improvement plans for this year but supplies can all be purchased gradually, unlike the larger projects from last year. 

I do need to save up money for vacation but haven't even made solid plans where we'll be going this year. Lots of little road trips over the summer. 

All stocked up with electronic cigarette supplies, CBD oil for the moment, vitamin supplements and ordered protein powder. Most of those are cheap in the long term but have to be purchased in large amounts at once. Renewed the car registration online last night. 

It won't happen overnight but my goal now is to have at least three months worth of pay set aside in the bank. Eventually more but that's my current goal, which is reasonable and rational. Now that work is picking up again and I have no major extra expenses, going to try to live on base pay and lay aside the extra. That was my plan before but kind of fell off it. Good reasons but they still set me back. Though I now have insulation, dentures, most of a concrete ramp (needs finish work) and the major solarium structure in place. 

I do still want some more pieces to round out the wood shop to do better work. Couple of those aren't cheap. Less expensive in the long run than buying finished furniture. Actually each one less expensive than one piece of furniture I need, so not a bad deal. I'll get to them.

Pushing boundaries

Just got back from the fitness center. Really earned it tonight! 

I am pushing boundaries which I have not reached in nearly 20 years. In some cases, haven't reached the same levels I once was, in other cases, I am actually exceeding any prior abilities. 

Still at 130 lbs on bicep curls. However, increasing repetitions considerably. Up to 160 lbs on tricep press. Still around 130 max on chest butterfly but again seriously increasing repetitions. Up to 1 mile on the ski machine but will say I have not increased speed from last week on that one. 

Up to 260 lbs on the leg press Thing to recall on incline leg press is that you have to add your own weight to the stack weight. So effectively I'm pressing 420 lbs. That's an increase of 80 lbs in one month. And lots more repetitions. 

Increased weight slightly but also increased a lot of repetitions on abdominal crunches. 

Of course, all of this is normal. Once you reach your true baseline, you never increase weights, speed and repetitions concurrently. The one I've always been worst at is speed. Just not built for it. 

The difference is becoming very visible, especially to my arms, chest and abdomen. Things people tend to focus on most. I may even move up my timeline on my chest and abdomen. Think I'll have a well defined washboard and several inches to my chest inside of one more month. Not going for bodybuilder physique per se but not too far off. Not going to spend every minute at the gym. Blech. 

It is amazing. Getting inflammation under control has removed so many limits and increased how fast I build muscle. I cannot help but wonder what I could have done if I had known about this and gotten it under control 30 years ago. Then again, if I had known at that time, I would have gone with the traditional treatment. No knowing what the result of that would have been. So, it's useless to ponder. May have been better, may have been worse. Definitely would have been different.

I still believe things happen a certain way in my life for a reason.

One thing is likely. A person in extremely good shape when they are younger declines from that baseline as they age. In my case, if I am increasing my condition now after a previous decline, it's an improvement. The person in good shape when younger who declines has negative emotional effects. In my case, the improvement means positive emotional effects. Most of my life I haven't been in bad shape but not exactly in great shape. Something always held me back in some way. My schedule, finances, back injury.. Not as much holding me back now. 

Besides, I know a lot more about how to build muscle now than I did when I was younger. So that's another advantage.    

Defense

Mostly due to the dragon and sorcery books she has been reading, daughter has taken an interest in bows, arrows and swords. She even wanted me to order a sword for her. I did. We looked at some traditional historic styles. Those were both expensive and mostly poorly made, mostly good for nothing but decoration. Instead, we settled on a modern design, decent length which seems like something she could handle. 

Yes, this is the real thing. I trust her to be safe and cautious. She has used a machete around the yard quite a few times and never hurt herself or gotten dangerous with it. The one I ordered also comes with two throwing knives.

I'm actually glad to see her taking some level of interest in some form of combat training. I have tried teaching her different forms of self defense in the past but she tends to be rather resistant to it. Now she has her ethics well established and ingrained. The violence inherent in the books she is reading shows she can handle talking about such subjects. I think I can have more success in teaching her more methods of self defense with less resistance now. 

Call it a guy thing. I know I will not be there to protect her every minute of her life. There is no delusion that whomever she dates or hangs out with will be protective of her or capable of that. It is much more practical to teach her to be able to defend herself in as many situations as possible. Not to the point of being paranoid, a "prepper" or some garbage like that. Just enough to have the knowledge if needed. 

I considered getting a matching sword for myself. However, ultimately decided to wait until hers arrives and see what the quality is. May even be better if I order a different style, so she can try out various designs. Until then, I can teach her some of the basics of handling a sword. Who knows? Maybe we'll start a collection.

I'm gearing up for spring. Bought a bunch of dish pans from Dollar Tree this evening. They truned out being very valuable last year. I had to visit three locations to find them in stock. (I'm starting to wonder about the stability of Dollar Tree. Their shelves at all locations have been sorely depleted of many items for some time now and it seems to be getting worse.) In some cases, I can fill them directly with potting soil. In other cases, they hold any kind of smaller container with plants for seeding. 

I did order the hard drive for the security system today. (Combined with the sword, got free shipping.) I'll order the actual system after the tax refund comes in. Have to wait until it gets here to decide how to anchor cameras and run cables. Not much I can do in advance. 

Tried to get to the fitness center after dropping daughter off but didn't make it. Going to the dollar store took a little time. Would have had only about 15 minutes to work out before they closed. Oh, well. Try tomorrow. 

Even better

The IRS finally approved my tax refund and it should be in the bank by Tue or Wed morning. I was getting slightly nervous. This is the most I can recall itemizing. No huge list but I've never been audited. I know I would pass and it would be fairly quick but I would just prefer not going through it because it would be a pain.

That money coming in now along with my raise means my finances are set in the right direction for months, hopefully the year. Hopefully forever, actually. Been working toward this point for a long, long time.

I am going to make a few expenditures. Security camera system. Checked into it and the system with 4-6 cameras, DVR and 2 TB hard drive will cost around $170 if I install it myself. Which of course I will be doing. 

Daughter and I went to the book store, did some shopping at a couple of places and ate at Rt 66 Casino today.

She does like the new arrows. Glad about that. We shot quite a few arrows today in the front yard. Going to move the target to the back yard and have her try my bow tomorrow at a longer distance. Once she starts archery class in school, it will be at farther distance and probably with a stronger bow, so want her to get more feel for it in advance. 

Moving ahead

I was thinking about finances and comparing to previous years. Realized one thing. I don't have the expenses (contrived) that I had last year. The mortgage is up to date. I have a working vehicle. 

That means I should be able to accomplish more goals and move ahead financially. At last!

Not like I'm getting rich or anything. But I can put money in savings and let it stay there. It's been years since I could do that!

Not for lack of trying. I've definitely made efforts. Something always reared it's head to stand in my way.

I keep inching closer to having various goals finished. Maybe this is the year many of them come to fruition.

Better

Feeling a lot better now. Skipped the fitness center tonight. Just giving my body more chance to recover from whatever the hell I've been going through this week. Still not sure what that was. 

That does seem to prove the problem had nothing to do with the CBD. I've been using a lot of that while vaping. Have it mixed with the nicotine liquid. If anything, it may have helped me feel better.

Had enough energy that I finally got up and patched the bedroom ceiling. Still more holes plus some texture work to do. Then painting at some point. Though the plaster blends pretty well. Not perfect but not terrible. I may wait until later, do more texture work over a larger area (like entire rooms) and then paint. 

Fixing up my bedroom will be a lot more work intensive. In the long run, going to build a room length wall unit including closet space and maybe another set of drawers along another wall. Not ceiling height for the second set. Once the new storage is in place, then I'm going to tear out the existing closet. The new unit along the east wall will help insulate the room from temperature and outside noise. Like the Mexican neighbors dogs and loud damn vehicles. 

I think the next project I should tackle is the bathroom ceiling. I'll get that done next week. It should only take one evening for structure. Of course, there will also be plaster and paint to do. It also involves some minor wiring but nothing huge.  

I've been talking about adding more security cameras which can view the street for a while. Found a site which sells 4 hard wired cameras plus a DVR for around $100. Note a separate hard drive must be added for video storage but still not a bad price. The DVR does also have the ability to save video to a USB thumb drive. My original plan was to place a camera on a pole by the street but that poses security and logistic problems. I think if the resolution is good enough, it would be as good or better to mount one camera on each end of the front roof so they view the road. Less visible from the road but maybe a sign will do the job for that. If I place them carefully, they will view the entire neighborhood. I can raise one or more on poles on the roof if necessary. Though I may place a dummy camera on a pole (viewed by the real cameras) which is quite visible from the road. Have to wait and see. I'll be able to afford that when the tax refund comes in.

Expanding my vaping collection. Ordered more tanks, coils and liquid. Trying different equipment. Though I cannot picture myself spending as much money as some people do. Prices for decent equipment are coming down. Some of the coils I ordered are 0.8 ohm resistance. The lower the resistance, the more vapor they emit. Right now I'm using a 1.8 ohm, which is decent. Just trying out the other stuff. My batteries are variable voltage, so if the tanks wind up being too effective I can dial it down. In any case, I will have enough equipment to last for a good while. 

No, I haven't been able to transition to all electronic cigarettes yet. But I have cut back on regular cigarettes. In the long term it will save me money, even though I'm spending some money on it now. Actually, I may be breaking even already, considering that I've been spending less on cigarettes. Difference is that I have to spend more all at once, so I'm more acutely conscious of it. 

Tomato seeds I planted are all coming up nicely (except the latest ones). So they should be a good size by the time I can transplant them out.

Going to rebuild the fence using 2x4's this year to keep the dogs out of the garden and use as a trellis. 

Blech

I feel like poop. All week this week.

Yes, I cannot help but wonder if the CBD has anything to do with it. Possible. However, nearly all my symptoms have basically ceased. I mean decreased to the point of almost nonexistent. So, even if that is the case it may just be something I have to adjust to.

What makes me doubt that being the problem is that what problems I am currently having are in no way dose related. So if that were the problem, wouldn't they get worse with higher doses?

Just seriously achy and tired. Slight headache and brain fog comes and goes. Can't get warm at times. Woke up one night soaked in sweat. Mild respiratory congestion, general upper and lower.

Just have to wait and see if it goes away. Most likely a virus. 

Yes, it could be signs of active TB but that usually causes a chest cough, nothing with sinuses. I have crusty eyes. And felt fine this past weekend. Not likely it would come on suddenly like this. 

My supervisor told me I'm getting a raise effective on my check tomorrow! Yay! 

Still waiting for word from the cannabis program. If they refuse my application, I have decided to go off board. Order some seeds from the Netherlands. Not much, only small amount for personal use. The CBD oil stands to get expensive with regular use. Then have to learn to extract CBD separate from THC in solution. Make my own oil. 

Wish they would just make it legal. 

Change of mind

Felt a bit better over the course of the day. Not top shelf but better. 

So, went to the fitness center. For one thing, historically if I am sick one of the fastest ways for me to get well is enough activity to sweat. 

Didn't do enough to advance much. I did increase bicep curls by 10 lbs at maximum, so up to 140 on those. Otherwise pretty static.

I am seeing some serious progress on my chest, abdomen and arms.  At my current rate, I'm guessing within two months I will have my abdomen fully defined and add around 4 inches to my chest. Legs are building up, too but less visible. The larger the muscles, the longer it takes to build them up.

Interesting thing. As systemic inflammation is decreasing, the crows feet around my eyes are fading somewhat. From the inside out. Just because my skin is getting healthier. 

I didn't do any abdominal exercises tonight. Felt a little pain and thought it a bad idea for now. Also didn't do tricep exercises. That was because of campers on the machines.

Incredibly, the number of campers has increased. And they are getting worse. One guy was sitting on an ab machine. His body overhung the machine on every side except where the back rest was. Minutes on the machine? About 10. Number of abdominal crunches performed? 0. 

Other people drive around the parking lot for half an hour, lines of cars, waiting for a space as close to the building as they can get. While there is a nearly empty dirt lot across the street, mere yards away. But they will spend all that time to park as close as they can so they can get out of the car and walk on a treadmill. 

Of course, most of these people tell their friends and family they spent 2 hours at the fitness center. They leave out the fact that 30 minutes was in the parking lot, another 30 minutes talking, another 30 minutes on a massage chair and 20 minutes catching their breath from the 10 minutes of walking on a treadmill at the lowest setting. And that's the people in their 30's. 

I really hope they end their $1 promotion soon. 

That explains it

Kept wondering why I was achy and tired last night without weight loss being a factor.

Now I know. I seem to have a low level respiratory infection or maybe a virus. Nothing severe but feel more achy today than yesterday. Was kind of losing my voice this morning but some honey, lemon juice and Ibuprofen helped somewhat.

So, maybe I won't be getting to the gym tonight. More prone to pulling a muscle when I'm sick. Tomorrow they're having their grand opening thing. Maybe I'll try and make it but that will probably be as packed as last night. 

If too packed tomorrow just have to make it on Thursday. Maybe Sunday for a while. 

Can go on Sunday but have to keep it short. No ski machine. 

Funny, daughter this weekend said the place smells like sweat. Personally, I think it doesn't smell bad for a gym in the south valley but it is still a gym. 

Dragging butt

Didn't get anything done this evening. Been dragging all day, not sure why. Maybe just sore, maybe allergies. Not feeling bad, just tired. My chest has felt pretty tight. Not cardiac. Medication hasn't really helped.

Keep working on getting my energy level back up to normal for me. 

Can't blame it on weight loss right now, which is usually the case when my energy tanks. Been pretty stable for the last 2-3 weeks. 

I do have sore shoulders and back from the workout on Fri night. Pushed a bit hard on that one. Not going to hold back, though. Trying to push myself back into a decent level of conditioning again.

Difference is becoming visible, now. Arms have gotten bigger and gaining more abdominal definition. Now that intestinal inflammation is decreasing, for the first time in my life the area below my waist is getting flat. It was a mystery to me that no matter what condition I was in, I was never able to get that area flat, no matter what exercises I did. Now that's changing. It's a good sign. 

There is always the possibility that the decrease in inflammation has something to do with my current fatigue. Even a positive physical change is a change which has to be adapted to. Takes a while for the body to regain balance. 

New arrows for archery I ordered for daughter and myself arrived today. They're awesome! Much better than the old arrows. These seem much stronger than the old ones. I swear these could punch a hole in a standard wall! (Not stucco.) Heavier. They have screw-on heads, so heads can be replaced, even with broadheads, which I plan on ordering in the future. I think daughter should like them. If she does, I'll order more of them.  

Never mind

I was going to go to the fitness center this evening after dropping daughter off. I did actually go. I had forgotten my lock at home for my locker, so had to come back home first, then went back. When I walked in the door, it was 6:45. They announced they close at 7 PM. My mistake. That's the time they close every Sunday. 

Not going tomorrow. Tomorrow is the first Sunday of the month. Free pizza night. In this neighborhood, the Mexicans will be stomping on each other. It will not surprise me to hear on the news at some point of a stabbing, shooting or gang war in the parking lot because someone grabs a piece of pizza someone else wanted. 

Oh, well. My back is sore from the workout I did on Friday. Maybe it's for the best. 

I'll use tomorrow night to patch as many remaining holes in the walls as I can.