Thoughts on Patriotism
Back in parochial school, the Sisters taught me that Patriotism was a virtue, along with honesty, charity, chastity, humility, temperance and the like. Mainly, they taught me that virtues were to be quietly practiced to improve your character, not displayed for personal aggrandizement. I am moved to write about this because of an experience I had today. More about that later.
I was taught, and so I believe, that people who try to get others to notice and admire their virtues may have different motivations. First, they may just be ignorant. Second, they may be doing it because, in their heart of hearts, they know they really don't have that virtue. When someone begins to tell you how honest he is, its time to check your wallet. What about the person proud of his humility?
Third, and worst, are people that point out their virtue in order to accuse others, openly or implicitly, of not having that virtue.
Too much of what passes for political discourse today involves this third idea. People with different ideas, different party, different ethnicity and the like cannot be patriotic because they don't agree with me! On a daily basis, I hear people impugn the motives of people that disagree with them on an issue merely because they disagree. There appears to be no comprehension that someone can have a political disagreement and still be patriotic.
Today, I was driving down the road and a large jacked-up pickup truck went by me, covered in political stickers, with a large 3 foot by 5 foot American flag hanging off of a PVC pipe in the back. The "White Lives Matter" sticker looked pretty new.
What message was that person trying to convey to me? Certainly, that the size of his patriotism was reflected in the size of his flag. Also, that his particular political affiliations showed that he was a "Patriot." Implicitly, that people of other political persuasions were therefore not patriots. Or. maybe, that people of a different skin color were not either.
I have some issues with his presentation. PVC pipe is not, perhaps, the best or most respectful flag pole. At least paint over the specs. The flag was hung right over the tailpipe, so it was looking dingy. Finally, with the flag being whipped around at 65 miles an hour, it was getting a little tattered at the edges. It was not, to my way of thinking, a respectful display. It probably violates Federal Law, in fact. According to the US Code, "The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender." You know, like in every movie you see of an official motorcade. Stuck in the bed of a truck and lying over the tailgate is probably improper.
I have no illusions with regard to my own virtues, which are few and far between. Perhaps this just goes to show my own lack of tolerance for other peoples' opinions. I don't know. I do know, however, that when a guy tells me how honest he is, I have to grab hold of my wallet.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Monday, April 1, 2013
Pope Francis: So Far, Very Good
With four+ years of Jesuit education, I was quite surprised that the College of Cardinals would elect a member of the Society of Jesus as Pope. I was even more surprised that he picked the name "Francis," since the last Franciscan Pope suppressed the Jesuit Order. Then again, he didn't ask for my advice.
Although I don't expect any dramatic changes in Church teaching, we've already seen dramatic changes in the Papacy. Here's a Pope that rides on the bus, pays his own bills and decides to live in a two room suite instead of the 22 room Papal apartment. He told people from Argentina not to come to his installation, but to give the money to the poor instead. He washes the feet of the most disaffected of society, juvenile detention inmates (including Muslims and women) at the jail, instead of priests in St. John Lateran. He's wearing plain white robes and using the same vestments he had in Argentina. He charges right into the crowds. I'm no liturgical expert, but I understand that Pope Francis simplified some the formal ceremonies at St. Peter's for Easter as well.
He wants a Poor Church to serve Poor People. Pope Francis seems like a well-needed breath of fresh air. So far, so good.
What can we hope for from our new Holy Father? Is this a change of style or substance? I'm hoping for a few things:
1. an acknowledgement of the sins of the past, a recognition of the need for hard choices, consequences for those bishops and staff that covered up child abuse and recompense for victims;
2. reform of the Roman Curia to allow for more openness and collegial decision-making;
3. a re-examination of the role of women in the Church and an expansion of their roles;
4. an understanding that historically there is no reason for the Roman Church not to ordain married men to the priesthood as many of the Eastern Catholic Churches do; and,
5. an appreciation of the role of the Pope as the "servant of the servants of God" and not as an absolute monarch; and
6. fruitful discussions with the Orthodox churches.
There's an old joke I heard in college.
A Franciscan, a Dominican and a Jesuit were up late talking and suddenly the lights went out. The Franciscan said, "This is great. We can talk about brother Sun and sister Moon and how they give light to the world." The Dominican says, "We should discuss the philosophical implications of light versus darkness as an allegory of good and evil in the world." The Jesuit says "You guys talk all you want, I'm going to change the fuse."
We need someone to change the fuse and get some light into the darker corners of our Church.
Although I don't expect any dramatic changes in Church teaching, we've already seen dramatic changes in the Papacy. Here's a Pope that rides on the bus, pays his own bills and decides to live in a two room suite instead of the 22 room Papal apartment. He told people from Argentina not to come to his installation, but to give the money to the poor instead. He washes the feet of the most disaffected of society, juvenile detention inmates (including Muslims and women) at the jail, instead of priests in St. John Lateran. He's wearing plain white robes and using the same vestments he had in Argentina. He charges right into the crowds. I'm no liturgical expert, but I understand that Pope Francis simplified some the formal ceremonies at St. Peter's for Easter as well.
He wants a Poor Church to serve Poor People. Pope Francis seems like a well-needed breath of fresh air. So far, so good.
What can we hope for from our new Holy Father? Is this a change of style or substance? I'm hoping for a few things:
1. an acknowledgement of the sins of the past, a recognition of the need for hard choices, consequences for those bishops and staff that covered up child abuse and recompense for victims;
2. reform of the Roman Curia to allow for more openness and collegial decision-making;
3. a re-examination of the role of women in the Church and an expansion of their roles;
4. an understanding that historically there is no reason for the Roman Church not to ordain married men to the priesthood as many of the Eastern Catholic Churches do; and,
5. an appreciation of the role of the Pope as the "servant of the servants of God" and not as an absolute monarch; and
6. fruitful discussions with the Orthodox churches.
There's an old joke I heard in college.
A Franciscan, a Dominican and a Jesuit were up late talking and suddenly the lights went out. The Franciscan said, "This is great. We can talk about brother Sun and sister Moon and how they give light to the world." The Dominican says, "We should discuss the philosophical implications of light versus darkness as an allegory of good and evil in the world." The Jesuit says "You guys talk all you want, I'm going to change the fuse."
We need someone to change the fuse and get some light into the darker corners of our Church.
Monday, January 7, 2013
AC Marathon?? Maybe
So, I haven't written in a while, mainly because I had nothing to say.
However, now that Christmas is officially over, its time to set some goals for 2013.
To my own great surprise, I have completed two half marathons, one in 2010 and the other in 2011. I'm thinking its time to double up and go for the full deal. I'm not getting any younger.
The problem, of course, is that I hate to run. I don't care for the drudgery, the constant effort or the actual experience. Some people are natural runners. You see them all the time; tall, thin, extra lean, great form, wonderful rhythm. That's not me. I'm more of a plodder. I throw one foot out in front of the other and hope to get done with it. I tend to stare at the pavement and wonder why I did this to myself. In all my training and actual competition, there was no explosion of endorphins, no "runner's high:" nothing at all except sore feet, a feeling of accomplishment and a new t-shirt. Not quite true, I did lose the nail on my big toe the first time, and had a very embarrassing brush burn the second time. Remember, no cotton t-shirt.
Unfortunately, I still haven't lost all the weight that my doctor's PA wants me to lose. I gained about 8 pounds over the holidays and am slowly getting rid of it. So, I have work to do. But to get back into training, I need something to train for. I started going through my marathon books and I figure I'll need at least six months to get into good enough shape to finish a full marathon. I have looked into the Atlantic City Marathon before, so I am very tempted to try it.
The AC Marathon has two great attractions for me. First, its close to home and I could get away with a cheap hotel room nearby for just the one night. Second, its flat. Flat is a big advantage. Atlantic City is just a big sandbar. No hills to climb.
So, I think I'll get started. If I'm going to complete a marathon, the sooner the better.
However, now that Christmas is officially over, its time to set some goals for 2013.
To my own great surprise, I have completed two half marathons, one in 2010 and the other in 2011. I'm thinking its time to double up and go for the full deal. I'm not getting any younger.
The problem, of course, is that I hate to run. I don't care for the drudgery, the constant effort or the actual experience. Some people are natural runners. You see them all the time; tall, thin, extra lean, great form, wonderful rhythm. That's not me. I'm more of a plodder. I throw one foot out in front of the other and hope to get done with it. I tend to stare at the pavement and wonder why I did this to myself. In all my training and actual competition, there was no explosion of endorphins, no "runner's high:" nothing at all except sore feet, a feeling of accomplishment and a new t-shirt. Not quite true, I did lose the nail on my big toe the first time, and had a very embarrassing brush burn the second time. Remember, no cotton t-shirt.
Unfortunately, I still haven't lost all the weight that my doctor's PA wants me to lose. I gained about 8 pounds over the holidays and am slowly getting rid of it. So, I have work to do. But to get back into training, I need something to train for. I started going through my marathon books and I figure I'll need at least six months to get into good enough shape to finish a full marathon. I have looked into the Atlantic City Marathon before, so I am very tempted to try it.
The AC Marathon has two great attractions for me. First, its close to home and I could get away with a cheap hotel room nearby for just the one night. Second, its flat. Flat is a big advantage. Atlantic City is just a big sandbar. No hills to climb.
So, I think I'll get started. If I'm going to complete a marathon, the sooner the better.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Newtown, Gun Violence
After the news came out regarding the murders at Newtown, my Facebook news feed has been bombarded with a multitude of posts against gun control. You've seen them--"guns don't kill people, bad people do." Or "we don't ban cars because drunk drivers kill people." "If guns were outlawed, only outlaws would have guns." Or, my personal worst, "if we banned guns, people would kill each other with knives, stones or sticks."
Can any rational person condone the availability to the general public of semi-automatic assault rifles with 100 round magazines?? High capacity magazines for handguns?? It is my understanding that all of the guns used by criminals now were purchased legally by others and were either resold or stolen. This isn't the 1950's. Teenage thugs aren't making zip guns in shop class; they're buying them from thieves, straw purchasers or gun shows.
Sorry, but guns do kill people. Its a lot harder to kill someone with a knife or a rock than an assault rifle capable of firing 100 rounds a minute. As far as I know, no victim at Columbine, or Denver or Newtown was killed by a knife or a rock. When we catch drunk drivers, we take their licenses away and put them in jail for vehicular homicide. Keep in mind, cars have other uses than killing people, assault rifles don't. Also, we register cars, require insurance to operate them and require testing and licenses to use them. And, last I heard, if all guns were banned, cops would STILL have guns to go after the bad guys.
I wouldn't advocate banning firearms. The Supreme Court has ruled (wrongly in my opinion) that the 2nd Amendment gives individuals personal rights to bear arms, notwithstanding the language that the purpose of this right is to maintain a militia. Constitutional rights, however, are not absolute. Freedom of Speech is not freedom to slander or incite a riot. Freedom of the Press doesn't include freedom to libel. Freedom of Religion doesn't include the right to animal sacrifice, distribution of illegal drugs or polygamy. There is no earthly reason for a civilian to own an assault rifle. If you do, where do you draw the line? RPG's, AK-47's, tanks, cannons, grenades? If the right is absolute, why can't I own an RPG?
So, what's the solution? I don't exactly know, but here are a few suggestions. Register guns like vehicles. Every vehicle has a VIN number and registration has to be transferred by the state when the vehicle is sold. Maybe we can keep track of who owns what. License gun owners. Make sure they have training and don't have criminal or mental health records that would make them a danger to themselves or others. Limit the types of weapons individuals can own. We do that now. Individuals can't own fully-automatic machine guns in most states. No RPG's, armor piercing bullets or grenades are allowed now, as far as I am aware.
Will any of this stop gun violence? Probably not. But there is no reason to make it so effing easy.
Can any rational person condone the availability to the general public of semi-automatic assault rifles with 100 round magazines?? High capacity magazines for handguns?? It is my understanding that all of the guns used by criminals now were purchased legally by others and were either resold or stolen. This isn't the 1950's. Teenage thugs aren't making zip guns in shop class; they're buying them from thieves, straw purchasers or gun shows.
Sorry, but guns do kill people. Its a lot harder to kill someone with a knife or a rock than an assault rifle capable of firing 100 rounds a minute. As far as I know, no victim at Columbine, or Denver or Newtown was killed by a knife or a rock. When we catch drunk drivers, we take their licenses away and put them in jail for vehicular homicide. Keep in mind, cars have other uses than killing people, assault rifles don't. Also, we register cars, require insurance to operate them and require testing and licenses to use them. And, last I heard, if all guns were banned, cops would STILL have guns to go after the bad guys.
I wouldn't advocate banning firearms. The Supreme Court has ruled (wrongly in my opinion) that the 2nd Amendment gives individuals personal rights to bear arms, notwithstanding the language that the purpose of this right is to maintain a militia. Constitutional rights, however, are not absolute. Freedom of Speech is not freedom to slander or incite a riot. Freedom of the Press doesn't include freedom to libel. Freedom of Religion doesn't include the right to animal sacrifice, distribution of illegal drugs or polygamy. There is no earthly reason for a civilian to own an assault rifle. If you do, where do you draw the line? RPG's, AK-47's, tanks, cannons, grenades? If the right is absolute, why can't I own an RPG?
So, what's the solution? I don't exactly know, but here are a few suggestions. Register guns like vehicles. Every vehicle has a VIN number and registration has to be transferred by the state when the vehicle is sold. Maybe we can keep track of who owns what. License gun owners. Make sure they have training and don't have criminal or mental health records that would make them a danger to themselves or others. Limit the types of weapons individuals can own. We do that now. Individuals can't own fully-automatic machine guns in most states. No RPG's, armor piercing bullets or grenades are allowed now, as far as I am aware.
Will any of this stop gun violence? Probably not. But there is no reason to make it so effing easy.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
A Crackpot Theory of Autoimmune Disorders
Let me state upfront that I'm not a doctor, scientist or anything else technical. I have no expertise in this area. I am, however, someone with vast experience in autoimmune reactions. As you may know, an autoimmune disorder is where a person's immune system overreacts to a stimulus. Recall Bill Murry in Caddyshack. The gopher is the stimulus, the crazy groundskeeper is your immune system.
In autoimmune disorders, one's immune system has a severe reaction to something which really isn't doing any harm. In some cases, there's no stimulus at all, just a misconceived threat.
Now, the immune system is a great thing. As an evolutionary concept, it makes perfect sense. If the concept of a strong immune system makes sense, we (as a species) have to live with the genetic throw of the dice, that some people's immune system will be too weak or too strong. So far so good. We put up with minor allergies so that we don't die of infection every time we nick ourselves shaving or fall over our own two feet.
An overactive immune system has some evolutionary benefits. Assume you are a 18th century Irish peasant. You spend most of your day shin-deep in pig, cow and sheep manure, no chimney in your hovel, mice and rats in the thatch; periodic malnutrition. Only the strongest immune systems survive. Simple.
Take that same peasant, stick him in urban America with a 21st century middle class lifestyle. Me, for example. No pigs in the house, no cows to milk or animals to slaughter. The air is filtered of dust and conditioned to comfortable temperatures. The milk is pasteurized, foods are processed, the home is sanitized. So, your jacked-up, supersized immune system is getting bored. It senses a bit of pollen; it jumps up and now you have allergies to everything that grows in your environment. I have singlehandedly kept the antihistamine and decongestant industry in funds for the last 30 years. After extensive tests, I am allergic to everything, except dogs.
Your system is so confused that now it starts to attack your own tissues. It doesn't like the look of that thyroid--you get Hashimoto's disorder. Last year, after many years of HD, I asked my endocrinologist about the possibility of thyroid cancer. He laughed. He said I didn't have enough thyroid left to get cancer in. I was not comforted by that response.
Take a less socially-accepted disorder. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1983. In UC (I love euphemisms), your immune system attacks the lining of your large intestine, causing inflammation, ulcers, etc. Very unpleasant. But, the same mechanism. Its like your immune system has shorted out and all the lights in the neighborhood have gone out, too.
Now, why do I note the Irish peasant background? There is the little matter of Celiac Disease. Celiac is another autoimmune disorder that attacks the intestine, but is activated when the sufferer ingests wheat products. What a great proof of my theory!! The 17th, 18th and 19th century Irish peasant had little access to wheat products. An evolutionary tweak to boost the immune system that had a side reaction of wheat intolerance was not a big deal. Irish Catholic religious practice made reception of Holy Communion infrequent. Potatoes were the main starch, maybe with some oats.
So, Celiac makes for a great case study on how autoimmune disorders work. It is not a problem, in the evolutionary sense, to be sensitive to wheat if you never get to eat it. As far as I know, Celiac is the only disease that has "family origin in the west of Ireland" as a risk factor.
So here's the theory: A sanitized lifestyle early in life promotes immune disorders. Get your kids dirty, early and often. Don't Panic if they eat food that dropped on the floor. Give their immune systems something to worry about.
In autoimmune disorders, one's immune system has a severe reaction to something which really isn't doing any harm. In some cases, there's no stimulus at all, just a misconceived threat.
Now, the immune system is a great thing. As an evolutionary concept, it makes perfect sense. If the concept of a strong immune system makes sense, we (as a species) have to live with the genetic throw of the dice, that some people's immune system will be too weak or too strong. So far so good. We put up with minor allergies so that we don't die of infection every time we nick ourselves shaving or fall over our own two feet.
An overactive immune system has some evolutionary benefits. Assume you are a 18th century Irish peasant. You spend most of your day shin-deep in pig, cow and sheep manure, no chimney in your hovel, mice and rats in the thatch; periodic malnutrition. Only the strongest immune systems survive. Simple.
Take that same peasant, stick him in urban America with a 21st century middle class lifestyle. Me, for example. No pigs in the house, no cows to milk or animals to slaughter. The air is filtered of dust and conditioned to comfortable temperatures. The milk is pasteurized, foods are processed, the home is sanitized. So, your jacked-up, supersized immune system is getting bored. It senses a bit of pollen; it jumps up and now you have allergies to everything that grows in your environment. I have singlehandedly kept the antihistamine and decongestant industry in funds for the last 30 years. After extensive tests, I am allergic to everything, except dogs.
Your system is so confused that now it starts to attack your own tissues. It doesn't like the look of that thyroid--you get Hashimoto's disorder. Last year, after many years of HD, I asked my endocrinologist about the possibility of thyroid cancer. He laughed. He said I didn't have enough thyroid left to get cancer in. I was not comforted by that response.
Take a less socially-accepted disorder. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1983. In UC (I love euphemisms), your immune system attacks the lining of your large intestine, causing inflammation, ulcers, etc. Very unpleasant. But, the same mechanism. Its like your immune system has shorted out and all the lights in the neighborhood have gone out, too.
Now, why do I note the Irish peasant background? There is the little matter of Celiac Disease. Celiac is another autoimmune disorder that attacks the intestine, but is activated when the sufferer ingests wheat products. What a great proof of my theory!! The 17th, 18th and 19th century Irish peasant had little access to wheat products. An evolutionary tweak to boost the immune system that had a side reaction of wheat intolerance was not a big deal. Irish Catholic religious practice made reception of Holy Communion infrequent. Potatoes were the main starch, maybe with some oats.
So, Celiac makes for a great case study on how autoimmune disorders work. It is not a problem, in the evolutionary sense, to be sensitive to wheat if you never get to eat it. As far as I know, Celiac is the only disease that has "family origin in the west of Ireland" as a risk factor.
So here's the theory: A sanitized lifestyle early in life promotes immune disorders. Get your kids dirty, early and often. Don't Panic if they eat food that dropped on the floor. Give their immune systems something to worry about.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
IBD Awareness Week
Sorry I missed posting about IBD Awareness Week last week. Autism gets a month, but IBD only gets a week. Figures. As we should all know, IBD stands for inflammatory bowel disease. Yes, I know, its gross. That's why its called IBD.
IBD is the overall name for 2 related conditions: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Sounds even more gross. Yep.
As diseases go, IBD is impossible to talk about in polite company. If you are on Letterman, its easier to discuss testicular cancer than IBD. One thing you learn right away-NOBODY wants to hear about your guts. Millions of people have IBD, but its not really a topic of conversation. If you are talking about diseases, you ultimately have to get into symptoms. Not happening. No one wants to hear about your bowel problems. Cancers of all types have come out of the closet, IBD is still stuck in the WC. Breast self-exam--no problem--you can watch it on youtube. Prostate cancer--put a ribbon on it. Looking for blood in the toilet? No, there's no ribbon for that.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1983. My symptoms began in 1979, but the doctor I went to didn't suggest I had something chronic. Probably ate something that didn't agree with me. Lay off the peanuts. Drink plenty of water.
In 1983, when I was finally diagnosed correctly, there really wasn't a lot they could give you, either. Lots of steroids--you bet. Shove them in from both ends. 'Roid rage?--I had that before it was popular. Nasty sulfurous tablets that made you stink to high heaven. I always found it ironic that nausea was a sympthom, but was also a common side effect of the drugs. Learning to live with the idea that every few years, you would get very ill. Abdominal cramps, pain, hours in the john on a daily basis. It won't kill you, but you will want to die, first from the pain, then from the embarrassment.
It was a bit of a shock. I was glad that the gastro put a name on it, but I was not pleased when I asked about the cure. Cure?? What cure?? Live with it. And, by the way, shove this up your . . . The only cure was a total colectemy. Yep. Not a step you want to take.
Today, there are a lot of options. There a bunch of non-sulfurous tablets that can keep you in remission. Other drugs to keep the surgeon at bay. They even have ads on TV for Humira and Remicade. There have been phenomenomal strides made in the last ten years.
But, still, no one wants to hear about your problem.
IBD is the overall name for 2 related conditions: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Sounds even more gross. Yep.
As diseases go, IBD is impossible to talk about in polite company. If you are on Letterman, its easier to discuss testicular cancer than IBD. One thing you learn right away-NOBODY wants to hear about your guts. Millions of people have IBD, but its not really a topic of conversation. If you are talking about diseases, you ultimately have to get into symptoms. Not happening. No one wants to hear about your bowel problems. Cancers of all types have come out of the closet, IBD is still stuck in the WC. Breast self-exam--no problem--you can watch it on youtube. Prostate cancer--put a ribbon on it. Looking for blood in the toilet? No, there's no ribbon for that.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 1983. My symptoms began in 1979, but the doctor I went to didn't suggest I had something chronic. Probably ate something that didn't agree with me. Lay off the peanuts. Drink plenty of water.
In 1983, when I was finally diagnosed correctly, there really wasn't a lot they could give you, either. Lots of steroids--you bet. Shove them in from both ends. 'Roid rage?--I had that before it was popular. Nasty sulfurous tablets that made you stink to high heaven. I always found it ironic that nausea was a sympthom, but was also a common side effect of the drugs. Learning to live with the idea that every few years, you would get very ill. Abdominal cramps, pain, hours in the john on a daily basis. It won't kill you, but you will want to die, first from the pain, then from the embarrassment.
It was a bit of a shock. I was glad that the gastro put a name on it, but I was not pleased when I asked about the cure. Cure?? What cure?? Live with it. And, by the way, shove this up your . . . The only cure was a total colectemy. Yep. Not a step you want to take.
Today, there are a lot of options. There a bunch of non-sulfurous tablets that can keep you in remission. Other drugs to keep the surgeon at bay. They even have ads on TV for Humira and Remicade. There have been phenomenomal strides made in the last ten years.
But, still, no one wants to hear about your problem.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Post-Birthday Weighty Random Thoughts
Since the tail end of November encompasses Thanksgiving, my birthday and Betsy's, I am now dealing with the inevitable sugar withdrawal and the coming Christmas carb frenzy.
As usual, I gained five pounds this week. It is almost impossible not to, since the week has been filled with potatoes, turnips, gravy, pie and birthday cake(s). For example, this morning I had leftover birthday cake for breakfast. Two pieces. I intend to steel myself for four weeks of carb-less eating before Christmas. Starting Tomorrow. Assuming the cake is gone. And the Costco muffins. And the Oreos.
I believe that this carb orgy is some sort of genetic memory left over from my Galwegian ancestors. "Eat when food is plenty, since it will soon be scarce."
I am amused every year by the great number of ads for gym memberships, diets plans, etc. that come out in January. We've spent six weeks stuffing ourselves until we have to bring out the "winter wardrobe." Then, TV makes us feel guilty about it.
The problem is, of course, that these end-of-year holidays all revolve around great excesses of food and drink. Not that this is a bad thing in general, its just not good for me. As a somewhat obsessive/compulsive person, I find it difficult to leave the table when there are sweets to be had. I am self-aware enough to know this, even if I'm unable to resist the temptation in the first place.
Tomorrow is another day. Have some pie.
As usual, I gained five pounds this week. It is almost impossible not to, since the week has been filled with potatoes, turnips, gravy, pie and birthday cake(s). For example, this morning I had leftover birthday cake for breakfast. Two pieces. I intend to steel myself for four weeks of carb-less eating before Christmas. Starting Tomorrow. Assuming the cake is gone. And the Costco muffins. And the Oreos.
I believe that this carb orgy is some sort of genetic memory left over from my Galwegian ancestors. "Eat when food is plenty, since it will soon be scarce."
I am amused every year by the great number of ads for gym memberships, diets plans, etc. that come out in January. We've spent six weeks stuffing ourselves until we have to bring out the "winter wardrobe." Then, TV makes us feel guilty about it.
The problem is, of course, that these end-of-year holidays all revolve around great excesses of food and drink. Not that this is a bad thing in general, its just not good for me. As a somewhat obsessive/compulsive person, I find it difficult to leave the table when there are sweets to be had. I am self-aware enough to know this, even if I'm unable to resist the temptation in the first place.
Tomorrow is another day. Have some pie.
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