I Need A Shot Of Adrenaline

It was an odd weekend in my life. I got stood up on my non-date dinner (it was a friend’s birthday dinner and she canceled), I spent the majority of Saturday out and about, and all of Sunday in the house.

Today’s Daily Challenge
Eat one meal or snack without any digital distractions: Turn off the TV, computer, and phone.

Distractions during dinner (or any other time) compete for your attention with your food! When you’re less aware of what you’re eating, you are way more likely to eat more food than you need. That’s because you aren’t paying close attention to how much you’re putting in your mouth, or whether or not you are feeling full. By focusing on your food, you will enjoy it more and may eat less.

Hmmm, should have read this before breakfast.

75% Is Good, Not Exellent
I made it to breakfast and the High Museum with my photography buddies, even though we had to navigate around the Children’s Hospital’s annual Christmas Parade. Post museum (btw- I plan to get back to the High at least twice more before these exhibits leave; I like them that much.) we caravanned over to the west side to have lunch at 5 Seasons Brewing and then a few of us moseyed into Hop City Beer and Wine for some extra credit. Dangen, I just realized that I was so close to The Gear Revival (who are apparently updating their website) and didn’t stop in!

After lunch I hustled home to relax a bit before heading over to the party/art project that I mentioned on Friday (I have a copy of my portrait that I might post tomorrow). On my way to StudioPlex I decided to stop into Savi Urban Market (link to their site 404’ed) to pick up a six-pack of beer. While inside I felt that I needed a pick-me-up so I bought a coffee. Apparently I failed to get the lid on the coffee secured and had a coffeexplosion in the car. Fortunately I managed to keep the coffee off me, but the center console and passenger’s seat weren’t as lucky.

When I was done with attempting to mingle (more on this in a second) I fought my way into downtown (that streetcar construction is a clusterfuck) to see Theatrical Outfit‘s performance of “The Gifts of the Magi.” The play had one thing going for it — I love the O. Henry short story on which it is based — and two going against it — I wasted a “date” ticket for the final time, it was a musical — but I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. To my surprise the theatre was not sold out on a Saturday night, perhaps because of the SEC Championship Game (unlikely because most theatre-goers are older farts than me)?

By show’s end I was spent, be it because I had been up since 5:30am or that this cold (or whatever) is still working on me, so I chose Option #3 (see last Friday’s post) and headed home. I was bummed to miss The Whiskey Gentry or The Happenstance, but I think I made the proper decision given the circumstances.

ITP Flickr Pic
Before the High Museum of Art opened on Saturday morning we sat inside the Woodruff Arts Center because the weather outside was frightful (yeah, I went there).

“Boy In Window”

This boy (and his sister who didn’t make the crop) ran up to the window to look out. At first I was bummed because they ran into my frame and I thought they ruined my (precious) shot; instead I realized that the photo was much better with them (and then eventually just him) in it.

ITP-Reader Barb’s Flickr Pic
As you probably read, ITP-Reader Barb and her hubby Allan flew up to Green Bay for the Falcons v. Packers game. Here is a shot she send to me.

(Used without permission)

I’m Neither An Introvert Nor An Extrovert, Or I Am Both
They say that “‘introverts’ have energy taken out of them when they interact with others, and that ‘extroverts’ thrive on other peoples’ energy.” Both happen for me, depending on the person with whom I am interacting.

But what I find is a better description for me is that I avoid any interaction with people when I am at a gathering such as a party. I find the wall, or a remote chair, and watch people, mostly because I feel like I have nothing to say. What does that make me? A troll? A wallflower? A loser? I really don’t know.

Dave & Buster’s, Part 2
Today is my office’s annual “Holiday” party. I’m appropriately attired with a green t-shirt and my cranberry Chuck Taylors because I celebrate the “holiday” known as “Christmas.”

Our party starts around 4:30pm so I am hoping to get out early enough to partake. Normally this would be a no-brainer, but a meeting that was supposed to happen last Friday got rescheduled for today at 4:00pm. DANGEN!

Today’s Personal Project
Finally shake this funk. Have fun at Dave & Buster’s.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – meh
Current Music – silence at the moment
Website Of The Day – My MacBook Air is sporting a new decal today, one I purchased from the fine folks at GelaSkins. The thing I love most about this decal is that it is made using a photo that I uploaded. (Photo of the MacBook Air to be shown tomorrow.)
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – ??? pounds (December 9)

Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~0.0 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Gym Visits – 0 (0 cardio)

Days Of Bed-Making – 0

Vegetarian Meals – 10
Carnivorous Meals – 14

Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0

December Goals
– clean my basement to the point where I could have people over
– hire a plumber, and a painter to work on the ITP Estate
– dissolve Sharpened Stone, LLC?
– follow up on some critical life details
– walk no fewer than 75 miles

2013 Goals: Measurable
– Get my weight down to 190 pounds so that I can wear a 36″ waist pants comfortably
– Completely read ten books, audio books permissible
– Dissolve Sharpened Stone
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Completely run at least one 10k
– Fix all (or at least most) of the things which are wrong with the ITP Estate

2013 Goals: Unmeasurable
– Simplify, simplify, simplify
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
– Start, and continue, to make my own bread using my bread machine as well as using the technique outlined in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
– Read and discard magazines during the month in which they arrive (even digitally)
– Take two real vacations, perhaps one abroad
– Take a more proactive approach to meeting women (read “stop being such a pussy”)

Books I’ve Read/Heard In 2013

1. Pages 1.7 for iPad (Timestompers Guide) — by Sean Wells
2. 60 Mountain Lion Tips — by David Sparks and Brett Terpstra
3. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business — by Charles Duhigg
4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy — by Douglas Adams
5. Amazing Things Will Happen: A Real-World Guide on Achieving Success and Happiness — by CC Chapman
6. So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love — by Cal Newport
7. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life — by Steve Martin
8. Who Am I: A Memoir — by Pete Townshend
9. Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? — by Billy Crystal
10. Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good — Andrew J. Mellen

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]