I have been trying hard to control it. I won't go into the Kierkegaard existenial arguments... but I try to control the worry inherent in parenthood. Internet probing of the Khost-Gardez Road didn't help. 90 km of mountain road through the Paki border passes will be on my mind for the next year. I pray that the Spring thaws will be late and Pres' men ready. I have ordered, through Evan, a handmade desert tan 550 cord woven deployment bracelet for obvious reasons.
Enough of this.
RESOLVED: I have decided to cut my alcohol consumtion in half. AND to lose four more pounds, coming down to 176 winter weight and 172 summer. Hand-in-glove on these two... I just have to do it.
I did get on the bike yesterday for my one and only December '10 ride; a fast ride to the cabin and back. 16 miles, µ of 16.1 which included a quick chat with neighbor TJ and a stop at Fred's burn pile. Cloudy, threatening to rain, 50º and winds of 15 out of the SW. The hills reminded me how out of shape one can get by not riding for a month. Hence I will be taking the mag trainer and a bike over to the bike shop where Jamie has set up the side room as a trainer gym for the Winter. I HATE riding trainers. BUT I am going to increase my miles back up to at least 2500 (2093 for '10).
After the ride, I loaded Jack and two bar stools in/on the TDi and headed back out to the cabin. I swapped out the EA stools that have been in place at the farm house for nearly 18 years for the Red Lobster one's Jeff S gave me, putting mine in the cabin. Later, Evan and Nick H made THE BEST Scottish eggs yet. Parker and Clint dispatched one of the roosters with my 22 rifle. One rooster is enough... maybe one too many.
Sadly, it was the last time we were to enjoy Hank the Tank. Nephew Ben's mastiff died late last night, of no apparent reason. Throughout the day he had appeared a bit mopey and Evan even found him in the cabin curled up, all 130 pounds of him, in a recliner, snoozing. He was a great dog. I am sure that Ben grieved his New Year in.
Spencer and Aunt Connie were both under the weather after ringing the New Year in at Meyer's last night. We had played Left-Right-Center and a prolonged game of Scrabble (Gretchen won) before the midnight toasting with bubbly (Spencer and Leila had non-ETOH). This morning I went out for meds and my chicken rounds in the cool rain... no New Year's Day ride for me (sorry Rails to Trails Triangle group... maybe next year).
Parker came around noon and he and I drove to Tyler's for pork and kraut. Tomorrow he will fly back to Brooklyn for four days and then return here on the 6th for Intiation into the Order. He will be our annual Inspection candidate. It should prove interesting. As the SD, I will have an active part in his entrance into the Fraternity.
I discovered at Tyler's another excellent radio streaming program (KCRW) to augment my steady diet of WCBE and WOUB (listening to it as I type this). Over the headphones, I just heard the drop of the upstairs commode seat. I had put SPS to bed at 2130 and told him he could read for a half hour. At 2330 he was pleased to announce that he had finished Weetcha the Raccoon. "I read over 100 pages tonight, Dad." He reminds me of my mother. She would sometimes read through the night, napping into the dawn. He must be feeling better.
Work tomorrow: Sunday schedule. Studying for the upcoming promotion exam... again.
I would like to drive down to Ft Knox before Friday... doesn't look like I can make it though. Line officer's meeting Mon, regular meeting Tue, work Wed, Pediatric teaching Thurs, and the Inspection Fri.
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