First, it was a great week and a fun wekend. My wife is down below the goal she set for this week's weigh-in, and I am Steady-Eddy at another 2 down!
The Tigers won games 3 and 4, securing their spot in the AL Championship Series. And by "won" I mean POUNDED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS out of the over-hyped, overpaid, so-called "greatest lineup in the history of baseball" Yankees! Good times.
We took the kids swimming on Saturday and I wasn't even the least embarrassed to take off my shirt. Deal with it world, it will look even better in a few months...
Sunday we went to the Mega March for the Animals, a Michigan Humane Society fundraiser. It was very successful, pulling in over 3,000 participants and about $200,000.
This event is what something my father started 17 years ago has evolved into. He has been with the Humane Society for over 40 years now, and back in 1989 he started a small walkathon called the "Mutt March". It was very successful and quickly became a twice a year event, raking in big bucks. I've spent many a weekend working at these events, and they are a lot of fun and a lot of work.
A couple of years ago, some corporate types in the upper-upper ranks decided to start making changes. At first, they didn't work out so well. The latest iteration was to combine the two annual events into one and have it downtown. Some people are ticked off, thinking that this is taking credit away from the man who started the whole thing, but my father is not upset.
Neither am I. In fact, I am proud to think that such a successful event would not have been possible had my dad not had the idea and initiative to create this thing so many years ago. He has worked hard to keep it going and improving every year, and his success led to others having even grander ideas. He is passing the torch on now, and seems at peace with it.
I will borrow a quote from Isaac Newton to express what should have been said by those who coordinated this weekend's event:
"If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants."
So, to the MHS, congratulations on very successful event, and here's hoping for many, many more. Move forward with honor, and remember those 'giants' who have brought you to where you are today...
Posted By: bigguy
Comments to this post:
10/10/2006 10:59
I Know The
Mutt March! I walked in it with my Afghah Hounds, two of them at the time... great fun! I'm totally impressed!!! btw, I'm WalkinItAway over at NS! Good to see you here, there's a great bunch of people here too! Keep losing that wt!
I understand the commitment to a team. We have a house FULL of Boston Celtics stuff! My husband (Martin) has even bought me a jumper to wear as well! All the kids have something Celtics, including the baby! And this is from someone in Australia. So I can imagine how passionate you get when you live in the same country as your team. It looks like you are apply that same passion to your weight loss. You are doing really well. And thanks for posting a photo. You actually look similar to my husband. Here is an example of dedication to your team - Martin has even rung up one of the radio shows in Boston to talk about the Celtics! That's my boy! Keep up the great work and well done to your wife too.
I so understand what you and your family are going through. We have 3 sons, and the youngest was diagnosed with epilepsy at 4 1/2 months and then developmentally delayed at 10 months, then the "official" autism diagnosis at 3 years of age. Went through the mad at husband, mad at God, mad at myself, and pretty much everyone else too for awhile. Come to think of it, it was around the time Cole was diagnosed when I started having weight issues. I guess I used food as an escape from something I had absolutely no control over. My husband deals with it in other ways, I guess, cause he's sure not fat. For me it was food, and anti-depressants. But, you go through a grieving process for this child. And eventually you come to realize alot of truths about yourself, other people, your spouse, other family members, and God. God didn't "do this to you, or your family, or to your child" . . . but, he allowed this to happen in your little world to open your eyes to what's really important. Why you're really here, your "purpose", so to speak. No, it's not easy, and it's downright crappy sometimes. But, you'll notice the small accomplishments, the small victories, and appreciate them alot more now. And you and your family will come in contact with some wonderful people that you might not have known otherwise. You'll also need to develope some thick skin . . . cause just like us, before we had a special kid, we didn't know better. Hope this helps ya'll. Please fill free to contact me about anything I might can help you with . . . weight or special little angels sent from God. And they are, you know . . . God thought very highly of you and your wife to entrust you with one of His Special Angels.
Thanks for posting a comment on my blog. I really thought I was the only guy out here. I know what you mean about TOM. Even I haven't pissed off that many women.
A friendly competition sounds intriguing. What's the bet? I see you're a Tigers fan, so that does nothing for me. I hope they win it, too. I see possiblities with college football if you're intersted. I'm an Irish fan. I can only assume you'd like MSU of UM. Maybe the loser has to purchase and wear a T-shirt supporting the opponent. (pictures required to be posted on this site!)
Tell me what you think. I weigh 230.8 as of this morning, so I'd have to lose 30.8 pounds by years end. By your weightloss scale you'd need to lose 34 pounds to get to 220. I could lower my goal to 196.8 for it to match the 34 pound goal. And, what if we both make goal? I guess we would just both be fortunate enough to reach goal?
Alright - Game on! NO WAY I'm wearing Sparty Green while Johnelle is still coaching there! But, at least you're still true to them while they're in the dumps. So, good luck.
One thing we missed. In the depressing event that we both miss our goal, the person with the greatest percentage of weight loss wins....if you agree. Your start weight of 254 and mine of 230.8 would be used to calculate the percentages.
I'll keep an eye on your blog. Again, thanks for helping me get back into this and good luck.
It's not often that you come accross a guy on these blogs and it is really quite refreshing. I think most guys have an attitude of 'I can do this by myself' and 'sharing is for sissy's!' You must be one of the few guys who can understand what it is like for your wife - though she may still disagree :-)! Great to get a view point from 'the other side'! Good luck with your weight loss and your waiger with Bubba!
I think that most of us there with weight issues who have kids, feel the same guilt about how the fat comes between us and the type of parents we really want to be for our children.
I also have a son who has several learning difficulties and whilst I know that there are children out there suffering far worse ailments, it doesn't diminish the hurt I feel for him! THere is a great book that I came accross a few years ago called "A mind at a time" by Dr Mel Levine. It's about how different minds are wired differently and learn differently and how to help your child find their strengths and bypass their weaknesses. it gave me hope!
