Giving Things Up

I can't recall when or why I decided to do it but sometime in January I decided that I would give up beer for the month of February. No it wasn't a Lent related thing. I just decided I was probably drinking too much and for me giving up beer pretty much meant giving up alcohol for the month.

There were just a couple of times when I was out to eat with others and allowed myself a glass or two of red wine. But other than that it really wasn't that hard. When out watching a game or playing cards with friends they'd ask why I was doing it and I'd say, "Just because" then joke that I picked February because it was the shortest month.

I didn't give up anything for March since it's my birthday month and I had a trip planned for Santa Monica and the Pacific Coast Highway with my girlfriend. I wanted my full range of vices available to me. Which was nice.

For April I decided to try and give up porn. I really did try but damn it... Well let's just say I was much more successful giving up other things.

In May I gave up Keno. No problem. And I've only played Keno once since. It is a waste of money and even if you say "I'm just doing it for the entertainment value" it's a losing proposition. Now even the thought of it makes me feel like a loser. (Though I still may have those Professional Keno Player business cards printed up as a joke.)

Coffee was next. My pot of coffee habit in the morning and two large Dunkin coffees for any long drive had long been a staple of my existence. The headaches were tough in the first week and a half and my energy levels dropped for about the same amount of time but I stuck to just one large hot tea in the morning (Irish Breakfast Blend) and by the end of the month of June I wasn't really missing coffee at all. Just like beer - I've gone back to drinking coffee but the amount has been drastically cut down and now any given morning it is 50/50 whether it's coffee or tea in my morning cuppa.

July I gave up betting on sports. Like giving up alcohol in February because it is the shortest month - I justified giving up placing bets because there's only really baseball in July. Both the NBA and NHL are done and football is still a couple months away. No problem. (Giving up sports betting during football season would be different but hey let's not get carried away here.)

For August I plan to give up eating.

Maybe I should clarify. I plan to have two 24-hour fasts on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. I hope to make this a permanent habit if possible. I've already started intermittent fasting based upon some of the health based podcasts I've listened to. Now I try to eat only between the hours of 9 AM and 7 PM. Between 7 PM and 9 AM just water. I've already experienced some benefits (lost 6 pounds) and am curious about adding in a couple 24-hour fasts into the regular mix.

Not sure what I'll give up for September yet but I like this giving things up deal. Maybe soon it will be time to go on a add things in kick. Trying to do something for 30-days straight is supposed to be the easiest way to create a lasting habit.

Anyway just thought I'd share. Try giving things up yourself. What do you have to lose?

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

When I see articles or Tweets about a remake of the horror movie IT. My mind always reads it as I.T. Truth be told I have more nightmares about technology than clowns at this point in my life... You know you want the answer to the question "How big is a fart?"... There should be a video of Donald Trump's most narcissistic statement set to Carly Simon's You're So Vain... Heh heh - True Detective Season Three... It's important for Red Sox fans to remember that we wouldn't have Rick Porcello if Boston never traded Jon Lester... So true!... Porn Stache Donald Trump would be a good name for a lesbian Gordon Lightfoot cover band... Fantastic act of kindness... My name is Chris and I'm a recovering Keno addict. "Hi Chris!"...

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Robert Plant's (Crazy on a) Ship of Fools easily could have been the theme song for either national convention. "I built this ship it is my making"... Heh heh... Keep in mind that many of those on the Left who are now warning about the dangers of the Russians mocked Mitt Romney when he pointed this out 7-years ago. Turns out Romney was pretty much right about everything... The Ice Bucket Challenge has done a world of good... Armed Propaganda would be a good name for a band (or a new Political Party)... The world's solar system's greatest travel expense report... Every time I play Keno - I hate myself for being stupid... Heh heh...

New Year's Resolutions

I don't look at these as "resolutions" so much as addressing some of my "life leaks". People tend to keep their New Year's resolutions until they break them while fixing life leaks are items you know need improvement and you also know that every once and a while you will fall back to bad habits. (The term "leaks" is a poker terms and refers to flaws in your play or money management.)

1. No more Keno. I play Keno just as entertainment but I know it is a waste of money and I sick of losing that money to a state that squanders it.

2. No more drinking while by myself. And before you start thinking - wow I didn't know Chris was an alcoholic - what I'm referring to in specific is two situations I often find myself in. A: my gym (Worcester Fitness) has a very good bar and often after a workout I will stop in for a beer or two (and maybe 10 games of Keno). No reason for me not to switch to water or diet Coke in those situations. B: often I will go out for lunch or dinner by myself and order or a beer or two (or three or four). Also a situation where a switch to water or diet Coke would be easy. Do want to note that my love of beer is not diminished. I just want to drop a few pounds and this change should help.

3. Like Big Stupid Tommy - a book a week is also on my list. I will take it one step further and try to also do a review of that book here in this space as extra internal incentive to actually get it done.

Boston Celtics - Game 5 Thoughts

Here are some thoughts on game 5 that I jotted down as I was watching the game but haven't had the chance to post.

- Kevin Garnett = Ray Bourque. The Boston Bruins traded Ray Bourque to the Avalanche for Brian Rolston, Martin Grenier, Samuel Pahlsson, and a first round draft pick. The trade gave Ray Bourque a chance to win a championship which he did in his first season in Colorado. Likewise Kevin Garnett was traded out of Minnesota so that he could get a chance to win a championship. Kevin McHale is made fun of for helping the Celtics get to the point where they are about to win a championship but truth his he did a much better job getting a return for Garnett than the Bruins did for Bourque (and yes I know it's apples to oranges). That said - if the Celtics win - Danny Ainge should order a ring for McHale.

- I was watching the game at a bar. After the first quarter I was getting a bit depressed. I decided to watch the second quarter on the porch while smoking a nice Cohiba Crystal. The Celtics proceeded to mount a big comeback and I became convinced that they were going to win the game. I was so convinced that I decided to play the numbers 4-1-17 in Keno (4-1 for 4 wins to 1 and 17 for the 17th Celtics championship). I finished my cigar and went back into the bar where I saw the numbers 1-4-17 on the screen. Another omen! I played the numbers for most of the rest of the game but alas they did not come up for me and the Celtics lost the game. If I was Bill Simmons I would write 10,000 words about how I jinxed the Celtics. Instead I'll play 4-2-1-7 in the daily numbers.

- I keep talking about how this season should solidify Paul Pierce as a Hall of Fame player. Then I remember that Dennis Johnson won three championships and he's still not in the Hall (stupid, stupid voters).

- I can't tell you how much those Denali commercials with that stupid parking lot attendant annoy me. The most annoying commercials on TV by far.