Strangers who matter

AHS Grads '85
Originally uploaded by The Put-Man.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1925288,00.html

My random web-bit of the day really got me thinking. How would I categorize the people in my life? Who makes which cut? The categories range from stranger to soul mate, with consequential stranger, acquaintance, friends, and intimates in between.

To me, a true stranger is someone I’ve never before met, never seen their face before. Unknown.

I don’t like the nomenclature of ‘consequential stranger’, but I ‘get’ the idea. This is someone who you recognize & see on a regular basis, but don’t ‘know’. People like fellow dog-walkers, gym nuts, or service providers – people whose name we may not know, but we see them and exchange bits of conversation on a regular basis. The above article points out how important they are to us, and it really opened my eyes.

An acquaintance is someone whose name I know, and maybe even have had lunch with. This is the pool of ‘potential friends’, people you know, but not well enough for a ride to the airport. Happy Hour compatriots, but not the ones invited over for a cook-out when my Mom comes to town.

Friends – ah, the conundrum of who is, and who isn’t! We all have cycles in our lives. As we change jobs, neighborhoods, and significant others, we have a cascade of people falling through our lives like water going downstream. Things change, some come closer, some fade away.

Intimates – the people who make the grade beyond being “just friends”. These aren’t the ones who come bail us out of jail, these are the ones IN the cell with us!

Soul Mates – I expand this category a bit more than some would. Most would say this is the “one & only”, the person you marry. I say we all have several rare people at this level, the “first phone call”, if you will. When something (good or bad) happens – who do you call first? I’m not married, so maybe I don’t yet quite ‘get’ this level, but I have a few very-important-to-me people whom I’m sure I’ll know again in future lives.

Today's random web bit

Congrats to Project Icarus!

http://space.1337arts.com/

MIT must not be too challenging to these guys who spent $150.00, and successfully accomplished a near-space launch with time lapse photography!

Way to go guys! Innovation like this is what we need more of these days.

Illinois Stink Weed

Turning golden outside
Originally uploaded by The Put-Man.

Goldenrod grows wild around here, in amazing abundance. "Naturescaping" as done by the Hoffman Estates Village includes a lot of it, regardless that it makes me miserable.

...you'd think they'd be more considerate of my transplanted East Coast allergies...

Of Olives, Martini's, and Guinness...

Best Bartender EVER
Originally uploaded by The Put-Man

No matter how well my Health & Fitness program is going, sometimes I just need a damn drink.

Alcohol, of course, isn't usually listed as an "approved item" on a diet's authorized food list.

...so...

I improvise!

The best choice is a Vodka Tonic, made with Diet Tonic. Easy rule of thumb - clear liquor is zero carb, brown is NOT. The diet Tonic isn't "too bad" tasting, and technically, made this way, the drink is zero-carb. It tastes a LOT better with a lime wedge squeezed in it, but that adds to the carb-count, even if only incrementally. I purchase my Diet Tonic at Dominick's, and my favorite bartender keeps it available behind the bar as my own "Private Stock". I tip her very well, and she takes excellent care of me. (Circle of life)

Next best is the Vodka Martini. Dry (no vermouth), made dirty, dirty, FILTHY, dirty! (That's just salty Olive Juice!) Best with Blue Cheese stuffed Olives, but that requires a certain level of dedication in your favorite bartender. Flavor by soaking. Tip accordingly.

Last on the list is a favorite - Guinness. Nearly as low-carb as some beers advertised exclusively that way, it also has protein & vitamins! Practically health food, you know?

All things in moderation, though. Otherwise it's hard to say "no" when the twenty-somethings order shots, and next thing you know it's 2am and you're at IHOP ordering pancakes with syrup.

Little Blue Car has been sold

LBC sold to Tony the Pizza Guy
Originally uploaded by The Put-Man.

...oh, the bitter-sweet angst! The car drove me insane, drained my budget, and gave me such joy to drive.

It goes to a new owner who truly seems to "get it", who says he wants to join our club. He has another Fiat, which is beautifuly restored, though non-functioning. He also has a Ferrari, two Masserattis, two Ducatti's, and a cruiser of a Moto Guzzi.

Favorite driving memory?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeputmanjr/2671740837/

The 2200 mile roadtrip to & from the 25th annual Fiat Freak Out in 2008, just 200 miles after a full engine rebuild, with ZERO mecahnical issues the whole way!

LBC, you will be missed.

...and other things to see in the dark...

Originally uploaded by The Put-Man.

When was the last time YOU saw the Milky Way?

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/060825_night_sky.html

I remember as a kid in Virginia having nights so dark you could barely see your hand in front of your face. But if you looked UP, you saw an incredible carpet of light.

...with the wispy edge of The Milky Way...

But I've not seen it in years.

Suddenly, I feel the need to drive out into the country for an evening's exploration.

Who wants to come?

Clyde has been a big help. Seriously.

Because sharing is the important thing...
Originally uploaded by The Put-Man

So, my new Health & Fitness routine has the buy-in of my little buddy, Clyde.

I'm sure you were worried!

First, I noticed around week 3 or 4 that my energy level had increased to the point where I was LOOKING to do things that previously felt like a lot of work.

Like walking.

Now, every night, The Clydester gets a 1.5 mile walk. He LOVES it! In fact, he looks forward to it so much, that any time I approach the 'zone of leash', he gets all twirl-around-happy. Laundry can be a real disapointment for him, being withing the 'zone-of-leash'.

The other thing I noticed in that first month, was what I refer to as "TV Avoidance". I was finding other things to do, because when in front of the TV, I get munchy, and crave "The Crunchy".

Not much crunchy stuff on Atkins.

Lots of meat, cheese, eggs and such - but no bread (toast), or any chips, or any sort of potato/corn/flour based products whatsoever.

So, since I craved that, I was avoiding the situation.

Then I figured out a neat compromise! Tuna salad with celery sticks! I use the celery as crunchy-eating-sticks, and the tuna salad has yummy bacon bits and shredded cheddar - and TUNA for the important omega 3's.

...and Clyde likes it so much, he helps with the dishes...

Today's Random Web Bit...

Need an offbeat iPod accesory?

Try this!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090918/od_nm/us_technology

A designer necktie with an iPod pocket to keep your portable device hidden, and YOU looking stylish!

...dorky, but stylish...

...better with bacon...

Brunch
Originally uploaded by The Put-Man

Hello, Internet. I've missed you!

Guess what? Since we last spoke, I've lost 50lbs!

Yes, you read that correctly - 50 (fifty) lbs!

After more weight loss frustration early in the year, I actually gave up. I was tired of beating my head against the wall, tired of constantly feeling like I'd failed. A friend researched some different plans, and she talked me into reading a book about Atkins.

I began on June 1st.

The first week was all about the sugar withdrawls, and all I can say is - WOW. Anyone who put up with me - you are truly a friend.

The rest fo the first month was learning how to implement the system for myself, and by the time I hit July, I was rolling pretty well with it.

My energy has increased a ton, too!

...anyway, read up on it:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Atkins-Diet-Revolution-Revised/dp/1590770021/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253560256&sr=8-2

I'll continue with my story, and try to motivate you to grab onto my success!

...and Little Blue Car is sold

Originally uploaded by The Put-Man

It's amazing how quickly the warm glow of yesterday's adventure turns into yesteryear's history.

It really wasn't long ago that I bought this car. I dragged it to the 24th annual Fiat Freak Out in Detroit in 2007, about 6 weeks after purchasing it - took it there non-functional! Fiat people helped me fix it in the parking lot of the hotel, and I got to enjoy the weekend DRIVING, made a flock of new friends, and was inspired enough to try starting my own club.

Flashing forward, my "new" club is entering it's third driving season with over 90 members, I've been to three Freak Outs, I'm on my 7th Spider, and while the Blue Car has been totally rebuilt & driven more than 20,000 miles - it's now off to a new home.

I have mixed emotions.

It's great that it's going to someone who wants to joing the club, keeping it "in the family". I'm glad it goes to a good home. I'm thrilled to have Spider #7 so close to being functional.

...but I'm gonna miss the comfortable familiarity, and fun driving of this car.