Beginning of December Good and Bad plus Cabinet project

the good: After one month still doing the Thai Boxing and I hurt less

the bad:   I haven't lost one pound

the good: The Ravens beat the Steelers on Thanksgiving

the bad:   They are 6-6 and are hanging on to a wildcard spot, but they don't look good

the good: I am in 4th place in my neighbor hood fantasy league and hopefully playoff bound

the bad:   I am in last place at 1-12 in my work league (after winning last year)

the good: I have a job

the bad: people got laid off and and we are all at risk within the next few months

the good: I have a plan to move on in my career

the bad:   That I have to move on in my career

the good: We painted the first floor over the last couple of weekends (been dreading this since we moved in)

the bad:   Still have a few doors to complete

the good: My boat is floating

the bad:   That means it's still in the water and the creeks are freezing already

the good: Got the over the range microwave installed 

the bad:   No bad on this (so far) except we still need to get the modified cabinet doors back from the carpenter

Picture 1 is removing the cabinet and range hood.

 

Cabinet disassembled as its being cut down.

The cut down cabinet reassembled.

Vent adapter to adjust the height.

re-installed cabinet and microwave. 

Mid November

So I have kept up the kickboxing and haven't lost a pound.   It is intense and I am progressing skill-wise and I have been enjoying myself (except for the aches and pains). I have been going 3 times a week for 2-3 weeks now and I will continue for the next couple of months.  I did pull a double (Kickbox and regular gym) one day.  I felt great doing that.  This points to the next problem which is cost.  Two expensive gym memberships isnt sustainable.  My idea is to cancel and join a low cost (read no-frills gym) for when I will be doing a weight lifting workout.

Issue #2 is work.  We had layoffs and I was spared, but got the message loud and clear.  This initiated plan 63 which i will go into greater detail as things progress.  Looking out for those coworkers that were affected, I called and old contact at Black and Decker and made an inquiry on their behalf.  Turns out they are highering and may have already contact one of the laid-off folks.

Went to the Bengals @ Ravens game which was a good time.

More to come    

Two new hobbies

Ok as many people know I am a serial hobbiest.  A friend at work has been asking me to try out their gym.  It is a Thai Boxing gym.  I finally went.  I had been slacking on my working out and gained 15 lbs since the spring. I had been going regularly but the intensity enough to make a difference.  Now I have a true hour workout that is intense and I hope to gain a new skill in the process.  It has been hard due to the nature of the workout, lots of aches and pains from using new muscles but actually my cardio has been keeping up pretty well.  We'll see how the weight loss goes but I don't think my body has a choice but to lose doing this.

The second one I have taken steps to start but not actually done it yet and that is reloading.  I got two new rifles this year and ammo is actually still hard to find due to hoarding because of gun control crackdowns causing fear, but that is another subject.  I have purchased the majority of the items I need but I still need a few things.  The first is  a good reference book.  The library doesn't have anything on it which I am surprised or is this part of the conspiracy against gun rights?  I hope not, but it is odd.  I would rely on the old internet, but when it comes to a potential safety issue I think I am going back to the old analogue book for this one.   This hobby isn't about saving money because It probably going to take 1000s of rounds to break even.  It is more about tuning to get the best performance and availability.  Again we'll see how it is goes or I will be typing with one hand or eye in the next month or so...

Blog Mid October

I've been slacking on my blogging

I've been injured then sick thus slacking on my working out

I haven't lifted for a month until today

I had been doing some light cardio biking jogging but then I got a cold

But first I had cut my hand on an oyster knife (obviously) opening an oyster and needed stitches 

I was on antibiotics and once I stopped after 10 days I had a reaction (augmenten) my hands and feet itched but no visible rash.  This lasted a few days and them I got the cold

I went to the AUSA trade show this week.  It was like a Christmas Day for me with all types of my interests represented guns, knives, tools, optics, military hardware of all sorts.  I got free stuff and even Glock playing cards.  Then on top of that I was able to network personally and for the job.  I saw 2 old aquiantences (from black and decker and ASIT).  The only problem was I ran around so much I didn't get to eat.  I have to do these type of things more often.  

 The ravens haven't been commented on because they are doing about how I predicted but they are under performing.  Some in the media are giving them a pass because of their record and Super Bowl.   The Baltimore Allstate are not playing this year instead it's the B team or JV Ravens.  I'm not giving them a pass as they are who they are and have been. The Baltimore Allstars were a fluke that resulted in a Super Bowl and I will take that.  

Late September Update

Another mass shooting happened this month. Crazy guy with a gun. This one had warning signs, police contact, he self reported mental health issues, but no stopping him. I posted about Adam Lanza and my same thinking still applies. Here's a piece that was written about it

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/17/opinion/granderson-gun-control-fail/index.html

This argument the writer presents agrees with mine when it comes to the response to mass shootings. I go past we need to look deeper. No one has the b@lls to address the real issues these shooters have. The reason gun owners are targeted is because its easy to blame the guns its harder to address troubled people capable of violence. There were warning signs but they weren't heeded. I will say this gun control expansion when it comes to mental health issues should be increased. This shooter not only had issues but also committed 2 gun crimes but still was allowed to purchase a gun. That needs to be addressed. None of the gun control laws passed here in MD would have stopped him from buying the gun, so I guess that invalidates my argument. What laws were passed that would have gotten him treatment or sentenced for the crimes he committed which would have prevented this shooting?


On a lighter note I cut my hand shucking oysters and had to visit patient first for a few stitches. I think the same DR. that sewed up my lip awhile back sewed up my hand yesterday. That was fun. My fear is the bill as I may have reached the out of pocket portion of my new health insurance. In an upcoming post I need to write about Obamacare (a name I hate but since I don't know the real name I'm going with it).

Early September

Ok new hobby alert: Paracord weaving. It all started with needing a motorcycle key chain. The old one scratched the bars and tank, so I needed a soft option. Hence the paracord. I had been seeing these paracord survival bracelets many places and then I saw some variations like a key FOB, dog collars and rifle slings. I figured I love tying knots so I would give it a try. I can't stop, I replaced all my keychains and making random pulls. So far I Used 150' of it and I need more.

Fishing first catfish of the year. These were rare in that we were fishing with metal lures. Cats usually come with bait.

Random

September paintball

Just a few shots of the mostly ex-ASIT paintball team