I think the thing I like most about Christmas is it gives me a great reason to touch base with family and friends I may have neglected over the course of the year. It's a time when I can lay the past to rest, mend the fences, rekindle old friendships and acquaintances, and let bygones be bygones. Each year my wife quizzes me about the Christmas card list, "do you still want to send a card to so and so?" I always say yes. I like to think about the expression on the faces of the recipients, it makes me feel good inside. Kind of like winning money in a lottery, but not.
I wish life made it easier to keep in touch with people, but it doesn’t. Thank god for Christmas. (and blogs?)

"Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

On Monday after my run I was in so much pain I limped out of the gym. I took yesterday off partly due to the leg pain and partly because of the dizzy spells. Today I returned with a goal in mind. I know I said I was not going to run anymore this week but my legs felt OK and I had to repent for the buffet last night. I started my workout off with an ibuprofen and a thick coating of A535 on both legs from ankle to upper thigh. I then proceeded to stretch my legs for about 20 minutes before my run. As I circled the track I began to think about the short term goals I had set for myself last month and performed a quick mental progress check. So far I have only accomplished the "swim 2 km crawl with out stopping". I felt it was time to try and cross off another one. I decided not to push my legs so I nixed the 10-km run. I opted for a mini triathlon time. Even though I did it backwards I still feel OK with the effort. I actually think its harder to do the run first and the swim last. I did not track my transition times because I didn’t wear a watch but I am guessing I could add about 7 minutes to my total if I did.

Exercise
Run 5km 31:29
Bike 20km 43:38
Swim 1km 27:53 (I could have done better but I forgot my regular swim shorts and the ones I was wearing kept slipping down)
Total Time 1hr 43 minutes (a bench mark to improve on)
(+7 minutes transition)

Diet
Breakfast
Cherios and skim milk, Coffee
Snack
poweraid
Lunch
V8
Snack
None
Dinner
Spicy Thai vegetables with rice noodles, a piece of birthday cake
Snack
Coffee, another piece of cake

From the moment I got out of bed today my head has been spinning. It’s the same sensation I use to get when I was taking Zyban while trying to quit smoking. And similar to the momentary spins I would get while reading at night before I got my reading glasses. Needless to say I did not make it to the gym today. I'm trying to think of what may have caused me to feel this way and the only thing I can think of is the T/D shot I got yesterday at the doctors or could it be an early onset of the flu. Wouldn't that be nice. Not only would I be sick but I would have to look after the kids alone all weekend while Syzan is in NY, NY. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow.
Jack's birthday went well and he seemed pleased with his gifts. He got a game for the PS2 (Goblin Commander), "The Guinness Book of World Records 2004", A Magic Trick Kit, a push pop from his sister and some clothes from Grandma and Grandpa. Oh yea and a home made cake by Dad. We also went to Mandarin for dinner. The kids love it there because of the variety. I have a long history of gastronomic battles with buffets going back over 25 years to my 1st Buffet at a place called the Ponderosa. Looking back it was really nothing more than a shitty salad bar but to a hungry, stoned 15 year old it was a buffet.
I can still remember trying to determine whether I got good value for my money.
Next came the Las Vegas buffet. This has to be where the true meaning of the word feast came from. I learned the hard way that it’s possible to ruin a nice vacation by over eating. By the hard way I mean on our 4th trip to Sin City I finally figured out I could not eat so much as to "rip them off" so I stopped trying. I ate somewhat normal meals and was happier for it. Since this revelation I have been trying to master the buffet. Tonight was my best attempt at perfection yet.
To remove the guilt and stomach pain from over eating your 1st plate should be vegetables, Lots of vegetables all other plates of food should contain vegetables. At the end of the buffet you should be able to say over 50% of your meal was fruits and vegetables. Next only drink water, lots of water, as much as you want. Seafood is a good food choice as long as its not fried. For desert make sure you take a piece of each kind of fruit. Keep portions small and never, never overload your plate to create what I call "Buffet Stew" If you follow these pointers you will be a happy buffet eater.

Exercise
None (sick day)

Diet
Breakfast
Coffee
Snack
None
Lunch
Noodle soup with vegetables
Dinner
Mandarin Buffet
Snack
Pistachio nuts.