Looking for the Weight Update?

My wife suggested that I move my "weigh-in" day to Saturday because that's the day she goes to Weight Watchers. I agreed, so this week's weight post won't be until Saturday, but I will say that if I don't do much better between now and Saturday, I will have gained.

Will on Free Speech

Today's George Will Op-Ed, "Less Freedom, Less Speech" (Wash. Post, registration required) sums up my thoughts fairly well.

I remember disagreeing with my Criminal Law professor about the constitutionality of "Hate Crimes" laws. Will writes:

American legislators, using the criminal law for moral exhibitionism, enact "hate crime" laws. Hate crimes are, in effect, thought crimes. Hate-crime laws mandate enhanced punishments for crimes committed as a result of, or at least when accompanied by, particular states of mind of which the government particularly disapproves. Governments that feel free to stigmatize, indeed criminalize, certain political thoughts and attitudes will move on to regulating what expresses such thoughts and attitudes -- speech.

First Amendment rights are not absolute, but I believe we have gone much too far in the attempt to protect people from being offended by what others say.

For several decades in America, the aim of much of the jurisprudential thought about the First Amendment's free-speech provision has been to justify contracting its protections. Freedom of speech is increasingly "balanced" against "competing values." As a result, it is whittled down, often by seemingly innocuous increments, to a minor constitutional afterthought.

As has been attributed to Voltaire, I agree with the sentiment expressed as "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Political Correctness is not just a tool to create a more polite society, but is a calculated effort to squelch the voices of those with whom people disagree.

The Old Gray Hair Just Ain't What it Used to Be

While I was getting my hair cut Tuesday, the barber looked down at the top of my head and said, "Hmmm . . . you have a few gray hairs up here." Now, I'm not vain about my hair. In fact, I have been willing to do dramatic things with my hair in the past without worrying too much about it. I mean, hey, it grows back.

What has caught me a little off guard is that my father didn't go gray until he was 55 years old, after he had open heart surgery. I'm sure he had some gray hairs up there before that, but I don't remember any being noticeable.

I guess I should be glad, in a way. My whole life, people have thought I am younger than I really am because I have somewhat of a "boyish" face. Maybe some gray hair will get people to realize that I truly am a "grown up" now.

Getting in Shape Update 63

Water intake was poor this week. Exercise was non-existent.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 222.0

Today's Weight = 222.0

Weight Loss in past week = 0.0 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 45.0 pounds

Weight Loss Disappointment

I was really hoping to have hit the 50 pounds lost mark by my Doctor's Appointment on Friday, but that obviously didn't happen. Ah, well. I know I will get there, and beyond, but my impatience is kicking in.

Update on House Buying

Ugh! Apparently, the Realtor® had set the listing without discussing it with the bank. The house is in foreclosure, and the bank said our full asking price offer wasn't high enough. We bumped it a little last night, but if they don't accept that, we'll have to walk away from the deal.

Getting in Shape Update 62

Had some ice cream last night at an event, but it didn't seem to hurt. For all I know, It may have helped shock my system into burning some more fat.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 222.5

Today's Weight = 222.0

Weight Loss in past week = 0.5 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 45.0 pounds

House Hunting

Today, my wife and I went to look at houses. We only got to the 2nd one. Our Realtor® and we rushed to get an offer put together on House #2. It has been turned over to the bank as a foreclosure, but it's still in good shape. House is only 3+ years old. Nice neighborhood. Lots of space and a decent sized yard.

We are supposed to hear tomorrow if our offer has been accepted. If it is accepted, I'll fill in more of the details about it.

I feel like boasting

My two oldest girls took some sort of reading/vocabulary assessment this week at their homeschool co-op. Erin, our First Grader who is approaching her 7th birthday, is reading at a Fifth Grade level. Hannah, our Pre-Kindergartener who is nearing her 5th birthday, is reading at a First Grade level. Right now, all my girls love reading and/or being read to. I hope this continues. I know firsthand the great value in being a reader throughout life.

Things that make you go GGGRRRRRR!!!!

Okay, so the Postal Service raised the rates for postage about a month ago. I rarely grouse about the price of postage because I know the U.S. still has the best mail delivery system in the world and the cost of postage has not risen at the same rate of inflation, making what we pay a relative bargain.

What chaps my hide is that despite the fact that the change was over a month ago, they USPS still doesn't have 24 cent stamps available. So, if you need to send a postcard, you have to use a 23¢ stamp with a 1¢ stamp. If you are still finishing up your 37¢ stamps as well, a letter over 1 ounce will require 4 stamps (unless you happen to have a 3¢ stamp lying around). I understand that they want to deplete the supply of 23¢ stamps before making 24¢ ones available because nobody would buy the existing inventory otherwise, but they should have done a better job leading up to the change so that there would not have been as much 23¢ inventory to clear out.

Getting in Shape Update 61

Okay, someone explain this one to me. I wasn't very good this week with food or water or exercise, but I still lost weight.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 224.0

Today's Weight = 222.5

Weight Loss in past week = 1.5 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 44.5 pounds

It's About Time

I think it's about time that I put up a new Profile Pic. I've had people tell me that the current one is the "Funny Teeth" one, and I've noticed that on some computers, the mouth does look a little odd.

It's also not terribly accurate because I haven't had a goatee in more than 3 years.

I'll try to get a new one up in the next few days.

Getting in Shape Update 60

I am really discouraged. About the only explanation I can think of is that I didn't drink anywhere near enough water this past week.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 221.5

Today's Weight = 224.0

Weight Gain in past week = 2.5 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 43.0 pounds

Blessed Rain

It started raining during the night. We need it. Actually, we need it to rain non-stop for about a week.

Getting in Shape Update 59

I guess it's better than gaining half a pound, but I was disappointed. I thought I would have come in a little better this week.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 222.0

Today's Weight = 221.5

Weight Loss in past week = 0.5 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 45.5 pounds

For my Semi-Regulars

I apologize for not posting anything but the weight update these past few weeks. Life has been hectic. In fact, I really ought to be doing something else right now.

I'll try to be a bit more regular, but for now I present The News, in brief:

Our family has been visiting a different church that is significantly closer to home the past few weeks. Theologically, it differs from my views in a few small areas, but not so much to make it unacceptable.

For the first time in a long time, none of my girls have been sick for almost a month.

Work has been hectic, as usual. I'm still enjoying it, but I could use some extended time off. I haven't taken more than a day at a time since Christmas 2003.

I got a chance to see my best friend this past week. I was happy to loan the use of my cable service to him while he was in the D/FW area and couldn't find a hotel with the SciFi Channel so he could watch the final part of a three-part Battlestar Galactica arc. There's a good chance that Rod and Sherri will be moving to the metroplex in the near future. I really look forward to getting to spend lots of time with them.

My niece and her husband signed a contract to buy our house, but we aren't closing until the end of April, so Jody and I haven't found a new place, yet.

Getting in Shape Update 58

I did a lot better avoiding snacking this week.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 224.5

Today's Weight = 222.0

Weight Loss in past week = 2.5 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 45.0 pounds

Getting in Shape Update 57

A small step in the right direction.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 225.0

Today's Weight = 224.5

Weight Loss in past week = 0.5 pound



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 42.5 pounds

Getting in Shape Update 56

A good start to the new year and the new focus on finishing the journey.



Starting Weight = 267.0

Last Week's Weight = 226.5

Today's Weight = 225.0

Weight Loss in past week = 1.5 pounds



TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS
= 42.0 pounds

New Year's Revolutions

No, not Resolutions.

This year, I will lose the rest of the weight I need to lose to get down to 190 pounds.

This year, I will be more consistent with reading the Bible and praying.

This year, I will spend more time playing with my family and less time playing on the computer.

I think that's more than enough to keep me busy for the next twelve months.