Random Musings #5

Well, so it's been 2 weeks since my last musings post. With the holiday, last week was just too busy at work and at home, I've been occupied with all of the craziness and mountains of paperwork that go along with having a new house built. (We got our final plans back from the architect this weekend...... nice.) Okay then, right to it - Here's the current contents of my cranium (ewwww....) ? Yesterday afternoon, we took our daughter to the neighborhood playground for some quality time on the swings and the slide. Not 30 seconds after exiting my vehicle, a woman who was pushing her Grand-niece on the swings, glanced in my direction and shouted... "Hey! I've seen you on the internet!" Holy crap... I just froze in my tracks and took a quick mental inventory of all of the out-of-control experiences that I've had in the past where an unseen camera may have been present. (Unfortunately, there were many... fortunately, none of them involved Elvis impersonators) My heart descended from my throat when she explained that she'd had WLS also and had seen my profile on OH. (If you're reading this.... Hi Barbara!) We spent the next 45 minutes having a wonderful discussion about how much our lives have changed for the better. She was such a cool lady. Not only has this surgery helped me with my overall health, but our common WLS experiences have given me a unique opportunity to meet some great people who, in the past, probably would have stayed strangers. ? I have very little tolerance for intolerance and a very negative opinion of negativity. (Quite the paradox, I know!) Not everyone believes what I believe. Not everyone feels how I feel. Not everyone handles their accomplishments and failures in the same way. C'mon now... I learned these simple truths at 2 years old from watching Sesame Street. I've come across some adults recently that could stand to re-visit Big Bird & Company for a refresher course. In the words of a great teacher..."When we come into contact with another person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable." - Thich Nhat Hanh (Whoa, maybe I could use a little refresher course myself.) ...Off my soapbox now. ? Is every TV commercial about unhealthy food? If I want to be bombarded with images of Quarter-Pounders, Chalupas, Toasted Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Chicken Fries, Stuffed-Crust Pizza, and Bowls full of a mixture of Mashed Potatoes, Fried Chicken, Gravy AND Cheese Sauce(!!!!)... all I need is to flip on the tube. It's a good thing that none of this stuff appeals to me any longer. ? I used to equate it to a modern torture device... but, the elliptical machine has become my friend. Two months ago, I struggled to go 5 minutes. Now, I'm going full-steam for a full hour and burning close to 1,000 calories each time. My brandy-new iPod Nano has been a big help. I loaded it up with my custom "Cardio Mix" - 50 songs that get my blood (and legs) moving. Here's my top 5 cardio songs that really do the job: "25 Miles" - Edwin Starr; "Go Faster" - The Black Crowes; "I Just Want To Celebrate" - Rare Earth; "Domino" - Kiss; "Super Bad" - James Brown. I wouldn't listen to most of these songs in the car or at home but, they work well for me at the gym. Wow, If you've stuck with this post for this long, you deserve a smootch. Next time you see me in person, make sure you remind me of that... I never welch on a deal. Be Well, A.J.

I so enjoy reading your musings A.J.! Dawn

I so enjoy your musings too. Always good stuff. And I have to agree with meeting friends due to WLS. I actually went out with a couple of people I know from the Cali board Saturday night and had a blast. It wasn't an OH event or anything, just celebrating a birthday of one of my new found friends. Have a great week!! Beth

A.J. - good thoughts. I always enjoy them. You have a good outlook on life. Karla

I enjoyed your posting! Debbie

Your posting was great A.J. That's so exciting that you met Barbara at the park and she recognized your from OH. Good job on the elliptical machine. You've come a long way!!!! Karen S.

A.J. I, too, love your musings. I will have to tune in to Big Bird and get some of his inspirations. I agree with you on the junk food commercials. The one that really bothered me was Pizza Hut's stuffed crust pizza. That one started playing the day I came home from surgery. I wanted to try that soooo badly. Now it doesn't even appeal to me. I just got an Apple Nano in the mail today. I'm putting some of my favorite cd's into it right now. Aren't they the greatest? I had an FM radio that I was using until today, but the reception was terrible in the gym. I'm hoping to have enough tunes in my ipod by tomorrow's workout. I'm looking toward Gretchen Wilson for my cardio. She's country, but very very intense. Keep up the musings, Kathy

I like your way of thinking and am glad you post this each week. It actually helps me streamline and focus in on what's going thru my mind. Have a great week. ~Tiffany

...again, an old soul...do you have any books...philosophy...meaning of life genre that you can suggest? Jen

Hi Jen! First off, let me encourage you to change that old avatar pic of yours. I think you look just beautiful in the most recent shot on the bottom of your profile. (Not that you don't look beautiful in your old one!) So... Thank you so much. I find being referred to as an "old soul" to be one of the highest compliments I could recieve. And to top it off, you ask for some philosophical reading suggestions? Be still, my heart. My first reccomendation is always the works of my all-time favorite teacher, the zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh. (as quoted in my original musings post) He has written scores of books and I'm partial to a few: "Being Peace"; "The Miracle of Mindfulness"; "Peace Is Every Step"; "No Death, No Fear". I also really like "All I Really Need To Know, I Learned In Kindergarten" by Robert Fulgham as well as "On The Road" & "Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac. Then, all I need to do is add some music by James Taylor... and, it's a party. Let me know if any of this already rings a bell with you, or, if & when you get a chance to check any of it out. Either way... thanks for asking. Be Well, A.J.