Dearest Rachel – So yesterday saw me and Lars meeting for our usual walk in the woods. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary, apart from the exchanging of Christmas presents that is part of the current season (I was rather pleased about finding something for him, as it was something that’s always been made inContinue reading “A Change of Terrain”
Tag Archives: eating
Frozen In
Dearest Rachel – It so happens that one of the members of the praise team at the church is from Florida – in fact, she’s Brian’s niece, and therefore a relative of ours, albeit a time or two removed – and isn’t used to the weather here (to be sure, no one gets used toContinue reading “Frozen In”
Half the Holiday
Dearest Rachel – I was getting serious flashbacks from 2020 yesterday morning, honey. You remember that year; we’d all been tested for Covid before Thanksgiving, for the sake of the folks (and, I think, at the recommendation, if not requirement, of the government when it came to such gatherings at the time). Yours and Daniel’sContinue reading “Half the Holiday”
Blame it On the Rain
Dearest Rachel – Friday morning in Ginosar – yes, somewhere along the way, I seem to have lost a day – and while I keep hoping to be able to wander about the hotel campus (and maybe find the duplex we stayed in back in 2018), I’m still short on time to do so. The hourContinue reading “Blame it On the Rain”
On the Way Out and Up
Dearest Rachel – Wednesday morning, and we’re up and out after an hour’s breakfast. Daniel and I try to eat as early as possible to finish putting ourselves together afterwards, but we barely make it to the bus by our scheduled departure time. You would have been, maybe not so much proud, as understanding of ourContinue reading “On the Way Out and Up”
Outed
Dearest Rachel – You would have found it amusing on Friday evening as we were setting things up for the Family Fest at church. As I have no work schedule to speak of (in fact, I’d taken the day off for the express purpose of making sure I was home to pay Kris as soonContinue reading “Outed”
Could Have Been So Much Worse
Dearest Rachel – You might have noticed that I’ve said very little about my weight or exercise regimen over the past couple of weeks, but you probably haven’t been wondering much about its absence. After all, Daniel and I have been cruising, and you know what it’s like. You were with me on enough ofContinue reading “Could Have Been So Much Worse”
A Halifax Busy Day
Dearest Rachel – I realize that I should have taken a moment yesterday to wish you a happy thirty-third anniversary before I went on about our day, but as we were anticipating a busy day ashore, so we were rather preoccupied, I’m afraid. At the same time, do anniversaries still tally up when one partnerContinue reading “A Halifax Busy Day”
Greenland Isn’t Icy Either, But…
Dearest Rachel – We were in the Crown Lounge yesterday morning, enjoying our coffee (which I’d spiked with chocolate syrup from the pancake table; for some reason, they don’t have hot cocoa mix on this trip, when it would be so much more appropriate to have on hand, given some of the places we’re visiting)Continue reading “Greenland Isn’t Icy Either, But…”
Time Afoot
Dearest Rachel – After finishing up my last letter to you about the city (granted, I didn’t dwell too much on the city, since you remember having been here – and, like I said, we didn’t spend too much time in Reykjavik proper), there wasn’t a whole lot for us to do at the timeContinue reading “Time Afoot”
Our First Misadventure
Dearest Rachel – It’s said that it’s the misadventures that make the memories when you’re traveling (yes, I rather realize I’m effectively quoting myself; that doesn’t make it any less true). If that’s so, Daniel and I may have finally given ourselves a memorable trip to London, even as it’s short and limited in anyContinue reading “Our First Misadventure”
Primera Mañana
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure what you would’ve thought of this place, honey. I’m still trying to get used to it myself. After yesterday’s travels (particularly the obscenely early start to the day), I retired at what might otherwise be considered a ridiculous hour of nine o’clock, but which you might have at least beenContinue reading “Primera Mañana”
Once Burned
Dearest Rachel – All too often, when we would bring home a certain local foodstuff from one or another of our travels, it would get lost in the back of the pantry and just go stale or otherwise bad. Sometimes, it would be due to a fear of never be able to have it againContinue reading “Once Burned”
Food at Home
Dearest Rachel – It’s so memetic that there isn’t a single iconic image to represent it; all there is to it is a basic script. Child asks for restaurant food (usually from a low-grade fast-food place – and yes, I know that’s something of a redundancy), to which the mom replies that “we have foodContinue reading “Food at Home”
The Right to My Day
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think that I’ll ever fully comprehend the ‘gym rat’ mentality – nor, as I’m sure you would expect, do I wish to; to do so would be to become one, and for all the desirable effects, there are more than enough adverse ones, primarily having to do with attitude, thatContinue reading “The Right to My Day”
Queasy
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what’s been going on the last few days, honey, but every so often – at least, when I bother to think about it – there’s been this nagging sense of unease in the pit of my stomach going on. Now, it’s entirely possible that it’s simply due to anotherContinue reading “Queasy”
Tell-Tale Feet and the Chocolate Plateau
Dearest Rachel – After telling you about how I ‘cheated’ to get under the two-fifteen line yesterday before I was to go and meet up with Lars yesterday, I didn’t have as much to talk with him about when we started to make our way around the mall. Oh, and by the way, I thinkContinue reading “Tell-Tale Feet and the Chocolate Plateau”
The Price of Recovery
Dearest Rachel – Well, as much as I may have complained yesterday that it wasn’t instantaneous, my foot certainly feels much better this morning. I can still feel a slight nagging if I try to wiggle my big toe, and there’s a noticeable twinge if I put too much weight on the meaty part ofContinue reading “The Price of Recovery”
Parking Lot Pandemonium
Dearest Rachel – There’s a passage in Piers Anthony’s On A Pale Horse in which Zane, the mortal who has inadvertently assumed the role of Death by killing his predecessor in the position, is summoned to meet with the woman who serves as the incarnation of Nature. To get to her, he is required toContinue reading “Parking Lot Pandemonium”
Constructive Notice
Dearest Rachel – This morning, when I woke up and reached for my phone (to see what time it is, honest! I’m not gonna look through my news feed until I know I’m not going to go back to sleep, and need to use the washroom. Yes, that happened this time around, and yes, itContinue reading “Constructive Notice”
Cheaper Than Miami
Dearest Rachel – It so happens that, not only have Daniel and I been eating out a bit more than usual lately, but we’ve been making a point of checking out places we’ve never been to before. Moreover, several places have been unapologetically… let’s just say ‘carnivorous,’ and add that one of the places wasContinue reading “Cheaper Than Miami”
Watching the Numbers Bounce
Dearest Rachel – Ever since I determined that ‘Megumi’ (assuming, as always, that she exists) wouldn’t be interested in a 275-pound dad bod, I’ve been finally getting around to doing more things that would cause (or at least encourage) me to lose weight; particularly the basics of eating less (and/or healthier) and exercising. It hasn’tContinue reading “Watching the Numbers Bounce”
In Prandium Veritas
Dearest Rachel – You’re well familiar with my rule regarding long-distance travel; if it takes longer to get somewhere and back than the time spent at the destination, then it really wasn’t worth the time to bother with. It always struck me as overly cruel when executives from my old workplace were required to flyContinue reading “In Prandium Veritas”
Fasting? Here? Now?
Dearest Rachel – Between the cooking and baking and the occasional restaurant visit we’ve made while on the islands, we’ve already built up a considerable stockpile of leftovers on this trip. Combine this with the fact that I packed more than what Daniel and I would have normally eaten on our own throughout a typicalContinue reading “Fasting? Here? Now?”
Not Really Trying
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you before about the running app that keeps track of my exercise regimen on a weekly basis, and how it’s meant to motivate me to keep up with the effort I’ve put in during previous weeks. It also doesn’t hurt that – as with any other social network – thereContinue reading “Not Really Trying”
Hoover Parenting
Dearest Rachel – It should hardly come as breaking news that, with a few exceptions, I’m no fan of leftovers. There’s something decidedly distasteful about being obliged to eat more of the same meal you couldn’t finish the day or two before, simply because if you don’t, it’s going to be forgotten about in theContinue reading “Hoover Parenting”
Not Perfect, but Simple
Dearest Rachel – The house still smells a bit too much like curry for an early morning, but I suppose that’s on me. It’s a pervasive scent, whenever it’s used in cooking; some people find it objectionable, while to others, it’s a way of life. I don’t fall into either of those categories, but ifContinue reading “Not Perfect, but Simple”
Work Keeps You Sane
Dearest Rachel – I really thought that coming back to your hometown would hurt more than it did. As I’ve said before, what with you being gone (to say nothing of your folks, who served as your anchor to the place), there’s nothing for me in the place anymore. It represents somewhere – and moreContinue reading “Work Keeps You Sane”
Cheat Day (and a Half)
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure if you’d be grateful for it or wondering about the topic’s recent absence, but you might have noticed that I haven’t been telling you much about my weight loss journey for the past week or so. Much of what’s been going on has had to do with my carContinue reading “Cheat Day (and a Half)”
Down to the Two of Us
Dearest Rachel – As weird as it sometimes is to have Daniel’s friend Logan rooming with us, there are times when he’s almost indispensable. While he hasn’t been the influence toward improving Daniel’s work ethic (but what’s he going to be able to do that will earn him more than his portfolio already does?), he’sContinue reading “Down to the Two of Us”
The Price of a Jones
Dearest Rachel – Obviously, you know I’m not talking about the mythical neighbors who our generation (and the one before us) would often attempt to try to “keep up with.” You and I, while growing up, never had the same tastes as the general public, as we knew them to be; why expend the effortContinue reading “The Price of a Jones”
It Feels Like We’ve Done All This Before
Dearest Rachel – Considering how rare it is that we get the gang together these days, and considering this is the first time we’ve been to this place, I feel like I ought to talk about last night and give you my impressions of the place. At the same time, for all the unfamiliarity ofContinue reading “It Feels Like We’ve Done All This Before”
Back From Backsliding
Dearest Rachel – I woke up with an idea to write you about this morning, and even began adding to it between reps at the gym (I’ve gotten into a pattern of doing twenty-five crunches at a time, with pauses in between on the way to a total of a hundred – remember when thatContinue reading “Back From Backsliding”
Ice Cream Headache
Dearest Rachel – It should come as no surprise that, upon returning from the cruise last month, I found myself not only no longer dancing around the two-ten line that I’d been considering a near-permanent plateau after four or five months, but hovering around the two-twenty line I hadn’t been at for as many monthsContinue reading “Ice Cream Headache”
Spending Out Of Spite
Dearest Rachel – It’s the sort of thing that would be an episode in any number of high-school (give or take a grade year or two) anime comedies. The main character goes on a date with a girl he likes, while another girl (who he also likes, but assumes wrongly that she hates him, becauseContinue reading “Spending Out Of Spite”
Not a Bad Meal In the Lot
Dearest Rachel – It hardly needs to be said that the food on a cruise ship is expected to be, if not always gourmet (after all, the kids have to have their hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders and pizza, and I don’t have any objection to those items now and again, either), at least topContinue reading “Not a Bad Meal In the Lot”
Not Entirely on Repeat
Dearest Rachel – This trip has barely started, and already there’s plenty to amuse you about it. Not only has it turned out that the hotel room has but a single bed (which I had been assured otherwise, but what can you do?)… …it’s at the same hotel we stayed at when last we visitedContinue reading “Not Entirely on Repeat”
When the Whim Becomes Expected
Dearest Rachel – These days, when I head home from the men’s Bible study each week, it seems like I can’t help but stop by the ‘other’ smoothie place on my way. Not for myself, mind you, although I don’t have the aversion to them I used to think I had. No, I stop byContinue reading “When the Whim Becomes Expected”
Not Exactly Sugarplums
Dearest Rachel – I suppose that I should write you about last night‘s dreams; I had myself a pretty vivid double feature last night. The first one was pretty upsetting, having to do with being on campus somewhere (oddly enough, I somehow knew I was at the University of Montana, of all places. I don’tContinue reading “Not Exactly Sugarplums”
Preparations of the Day
Dearest Rachel – I get it; on this day of all days, I should be telling you about the things I’m thankful for. It’s not as if I don’t have anything to be thankful for. Between being at leisure all year as opposed to just today, and having the ability to brush off the worstContinue reading “Preparations of the Day”
Routine But Rare
Dearest Rachel – I sometimes wonder what little things I might say or do will happen to resonate with someone, without me ever knowing it. To be sure, everybody makes offhand comments from time to time; sometimes, one of them lands in an onlooker’s mind, and stays there for the rest of their lives. ByContinue reading “Routine But Rare”
Chipping Away at Progress
Dearest Rachel – After waking up from (and amazingly, going back to, at least for an hour or so before conceding to the day) a dream about having been college buddies with Matsuhito, the future Emperor Meiji (setting the anachronisms aside, the idea that a future Japanese emperor would study abroad when his country wasContinue reading “Chipping Away at Progress”
At Participating Locations, While Supplies Last
Dearest Rachel – While I’m sure that, to a certain extent, I coddle both Daniel and his friend Logan a bit more than I should, given that they’re supposedly grown men who should be able to pay their own way in life at their age, I don’t know that I can really help myself. I’mContinue reading “At Participating Locations, While Supplies Last”
Breaking Training
Dearest Rachel – Thanks to the effects of this cold – symptoms such as coughing, congestion and sneezing, combined with more peripheral effects such as body aches and a general malaise, not to mention the concern about further contagion – this is the third morning in a row in which I haven’t made it toContinue reading “Breaking Training”
Puzzling Dissatisfaction
Dearest Rachel – Two hundred ten point five. That’s what I was looking at this morning when I first woke up; before making my way to the gym to work out. Yesterday aside, I’d only seen that number after a hour or more of vigorous exercise, and only a couple of times before bobbing backContinue reading “Puzzling Dissatisfaction”
Walking On Fumes
Dearest Rachel – When I got up this morning at 3:30 (I have no idea why or how – I was up until 10:30 last night watching videos with Daniel, so it’s not like I had what I would call an early bedtime. Yes, I know you’d call it that, but five hours isn’t aContinue reading “Walking On Fumes”
I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese
Dearest Rachel – I know I really don’t have the right to complain about this. There are plenty of times where I don’t feel like cooking – most recipes are made for at least a family of four, anyway, which, now that I think about it, must have irritated you no end in your ownContinue reading “I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese”
To Descend Without Stumbling
Dearest Rachel – I’ll say one thing for these weekends in which I’ve purposed myself to go without eating for forty-plus hours; they make Monday that much more bearable (even setting aside the fact that I don’t have to worry about going to work anymore). At least this morning, I can finally allow myself somethingContinue reading “To Descend Without Stumbling”
Taking Compliments
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday had me breaking my weekend fast at a holiday party at Jeff and Julie’s place; ironically, my last meal had taken place Saturday morning with Jeff in attendance as well, so he probably thinks I eat a lot more often than I do. I can’t recall at this point if you’dContinue reading “Taking Compliments”
Filling Vacuums
Dearest Rachel – It’s said that the shopping mall is one of America’s major contributions to civilization, right alongside baseball, hamburgers and the internet. But while there’s certainly something to be said for having a collection of shops all in a single (albeit large and labyrinthine) place, such locales appear to be dying out inContinue reading “Filling Vacuums”
For the Rest of My Life
Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that I remember when I was first prescribed it, but it had to have been within the past decade; at some point after one or another company-ordered physical, I was informed that I had to go on lisinopril for high blood pressure. Not that it seemed to matter; whenContinue reading “For the Rest of My Life”
They Don’t Make It Like They Do Over There
Dearest Rachel – It’s wild for me to realize at this point that I’ve now been back home for almost (but still not quite yet!) as long as I was abroad on that Asian cruise this year. And while I’ve still not gotten around to getting myself a deep-dish pizza like I said I wasContinue reading “They Don’t Make It Like They Do Over There”
Give the Superego What it Wants…
Dearest Rachel – There are some mornings, honey, where I come to the conclusion that I don’t necessarily like who and what I’ve become. This morning found me lying in bed at a little after four, with that little nagging voice in the back of my head telling me that “well, as long as you’reContinue reading “Give the Superego What it Wants…”
Lowering the Ceiling
Dearest Rachel – …And this is why I think I can still take a little pride in just maintaining my weight while traveling the world on that cruise ship, despite never quite being able to escape from that same ten-pound range I would occasionally feel trapped in. The fact that I didn’t gain a considerableContinue reading “Lowering the Ceiling”
The Extent of the Effect
Dearest Rachel – “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” So goes Isaac Newton’s first law of motion, the product of the Enlightenment concept of experimentation and observation, as opposed to blind acceptance of received wisdom from generations past. Best envisioned (and demonstrated) on a billiard table or a croquet lawn, thisContinue reading “The Extent of the Effect”
In Every Direction At Once
Dearest Rachel – There are days when, as I sit down in front of the computer to write to you, I find myself dealing with writers’ block, even with – possibly even especially when – considering the events of the day or so past. Some days, there just isn’t much of interest going on; thereContinue reading “In Every Direction At Once”
Festive Dream
Dearest Rachel – I’ve got to admit, I’ve been having a pretty active dream life lately. As I understand it, this is supposed to mean that I’m getting more than an adequate amount of sleep, despite the fact that I’m still waking up within an hour or so after the fitness center opens up –Continue reading “Festive Dream”
Lapse
Dearest Rachel – These letters aren’t meant to be a confessional of any sort, but occasionally I feel a little compelled to do so regardless. And I know the thing that I’d be confessing this morning wouldn’t be of any concern to you – while I don’t think we we exactly enabled each other, weContinue reading “Lapse”
Not According to Plan
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday did not go according to my plan for it, honey. Ordinarily, I try to fast over the weekend when I’m working the booth; and while there was the temptation of a party involving the worship team after the Saturday service (which for the sake of my social life, I probably shouldContinue reading “Not According to Plan”
Eighty-Three Steps
Dearest Rachel – They say that travel is broadening, and, given my effort at weight loss over the past couple of years, that’s exactly the sort of thing I didn’t need. But it was something I was keenly aware of as I launched out on my trip this year. Cruise ships are famous (infamous? IContinue reading “Eighty-Three Steps”
Better Than Cook’s Tour?
Dearest Rachel – Back in the day, I understand that Thomas Cook & Son was considered to be the gold standard for tourism; the “Cook’s tour” was proverbial for being given a decent understanding of a place and situation, whether a new job or an actual vacation spot. So, taking into account that the jobContinue reading “Better Than Cook’s Tour?”
Without Fear and Without Research
Dearest Rachel – It’s not much of an excursion, though; just transport from the port to the capital city, where we’re to be dropped off at Pavilion Shopping Mall in the Bukit Bintang area (the advertising copy adds the adjective ‘famous’ to the district, but given my familiarity with the city – which is absolutelyContinue reading “Without Fear and Without Research”
What Would “Uncle Ho” Think?
Dearest Rachel – Technically, we’re in the municipality of Phu My (and please, don’t ask me to pronounce that). It’s not all that unusual; many of the cities that we are visiting are separate from the port we actually dock at. Consider Keelung and Taipei, for instance, or even Yokohama and Tokyo, for that matterContinue reading “What Would “Uncle Ho” Think?”
Last Day in Japan
Dearest Rachel – It probably shouldn’t come as any surprise that I’m wearing my “America-jin” shirt yet again – it’s my last chance to do so and have it mean anything to anybody. I have to admit to being somewhat dismayed by the effect of a couple of laundries on it already; I think they use aContinue reading “Last Day in Japan”
Tokyo By Daylight
Dearest Rachel – For all my preparations, I’m apprehensive about how this plan of mine will work. You’ve already heard my concerns about the national attitude toward otaku culture (despite being more than willing to make bank on it), but as I sit in the theater, ruminating on just the transportation plans, I’m getting moreContinue reading “Tokyo By Daylight”
Filming One’s Seoul
Dearest Rachel – Morning in Incheon starts slowly; while I’m up an hour before the alarm I set for myself, I’m slow in getting myself put together. It’s reasonable, as I don’t need to be in the theater until a quarter after nine – and the extra hour, in particular, means I have more thanContinue reading “Filming One’s Seoul”
As Early As I Can
Dearest Rachel – After several stops in a row where I’ve been running late (or at least running out of time), I’m getting an early start on the day. I set my alarm for this morning, which you’d think you’d never have to do when you’re on vacation, but there you go. Sometimes you haveContinue reading “As Early As I Can”
What Does It Matter?
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it’s appropriate to be dealing with this conundrum on April Fools’ Day. After researching about the city of Okinawa (because our latest port couldn’t be just about the prefecture by that name, since we were already here in the form of the island and city of Ishigaki), the Cruise CompassContinue reading “What Does It Matter?”
Lost Hours
Dearest Rachel – We lost an hour on our way here, honey; Japan, it so happens, runs an hour ahead of Taiwan. I set my alarm to go off fairly early, so that it would be a reasonable hour in terms of Japan time, only for that moment to have been part of the hour skipped asContinue reading “Lost Hours”
With Time to Spare (Barely)
Dearest Rachel – As much as I’ve been trained to try and get every place I mean to be as early as possible, sometimes that just doesn’t work out. I’d spent the entirety of yesterday evening uploading the mall footage from Hong Kong, and this morning dealing with the Kai Tak rooftop garden video. TheContinue reading “With Time to Spare (Barely)”
Running Behind Time
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned at breakfast about how I still had two hours before I needed to report to the theater for Sunday’s shore excursion. Even as I was heading there, as per the scheduled time listed on the ticket, we seemed to still be moving. Not only hadn’t we been cleared to get off theContinue reading “Running Behind Time”
Too Early And Too Late
Dearest Rachel – Morning in Airlie Beach, and I’m not sure what to do with myself. My excursion doesn’t start until almost half past ten, although they were starting to call off those with tender tickets shortly after seven. On the other hand, I’m still trying to juggle breakfast and a phone call from Lars,Continue reading “Too Early And Too Late”
Another One Rides the Bus
Dearest Rachel – I will freely admit, honey, that, since we were going to be staying in Honolulu overnight, I was hoping to do what I could to get out and see the nightlife. Even though dancing and clubbing aren’t generally ‘my thing,’ how often do I get the chance to do this? Those plansContinue reading “Another One Rides the Bus”
Mall Walking
Dearest Rachel – It’s something I’d never think of doing at home – at least, barring extreme circumstances, such as losing a tire outside of one and having to walk home in a light snowstorm (yes, I remember that trip, even to the point of one of us observing that Chompers would be getting franticContinue reading “Mall Walking”
A Record, However I Can
Dearest Rachel – So this morning, just before I set out to wander around the port (as of 7:30, the call went out that anyone could hop on the tenders, regardless of what number their ticket said – or, in my case, the scheduled meeting time of my shore excursion – because there were soContinue reading “A Record, However I Can”
Morning Meanderings and Meals
Dearest Rachel – Morning, and with it, the acknowledgment that this ocean view isn’t all that bad, after all. While you probably already know it from the fact that it’s smokestacks aren’t what you should be looking for, that ship docked across from our hotel is not the one that’s “come in” for me. ThatContinue reading “Morning Meanderings and Meals”
The Pilgrimage
Dearest Rachel – The plane trip was uneventful, which is just the way it’s supposed to be. After touching down at LAX and collecting my bags (they showed up one right after the other, so that was convenient), I concluded that I’d need to summon an Uber to get me to the hotel. It’s a littleContinue reading “The Pilgrimage”
Obeying Whose Orders?
Dearest Rachel – In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the best choice for me to be watching while I was waiting for the girls to show up last night. For all intents and purposes, I really should be talking to you mostly about the dinner we had last night; one last get-together before I ship out. AboutContinue reading “Obeying Whose Orders?”
Accidental Mimosa
Dearest Rachel – There’s a place on the thoroughfare between our house and the folks’ place (as well as the church and the convalescent home Dad’s staying at) called Big Ange’s. It’s an authentic barbecue place, right down to the fact that it’s had its own smoker in the front of their parking lot for theContinue reading “Accidental Mimosa”
On the Same Frostbitten Wavelength
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that, intentionally or not, the gang has (mostly at my insistence) developed something of a habit of getting together at a splashy restaurant on or about the first of the year since you’ve been gone. It hasn’t been the same one each time – indeed, it’s been somewhere different everyContinue reading “On the Same Frostbitten Wavelength”
Backing Away From the Brink
Dearest Rachel – The other day, after our usual walk from Harms Woods to New Trier H.S. and back, Lars and I decided to revisit a place we’d been to once before the holidays. It’s in his neck of the woods, but he’s not ordinarily a fan of what it offers – although in fairness toContinue reading “Backing Away From the Brink”
Easy On the Envelope
Dearest Rachel – On paper – or on the calendar, anyway – I gave up this weekend; I didn’t manage to fast at all. Both days saw me eating something, despite the fact that, apart from December (because, you know, parties and other holiday get-togethers), I’ve been trying to go without when I’m working the boothContinue reading “Easy On the Envelope”
An Imbalance of Humours
Dearest Rachel – This is something of a delicate topic of discussion, but it is rather the one unusual thing that’s been going on within me – quite literally – the last couple of days, so I’m going to try to tread as carefully as I can in describing the situation. I’m not going toContinue reading “An Imbalance of Humours”
Therapeutic Misfire
Dearest Rachel – I’ve referred in the past to shopping as a form of ‘retail therapy,’ although this probably comes as no surprise to you and your girlfriends. At the risk of making some sort of sweeping sexist statement, women have known the value, in terms of mental health applications, of shopping as long as theContinue reading “Therapeutic Misfire”
The Hundred Kilo Coup
Dearest Rachel – Another weekend, another day and a half of fasting, with all the attendant effects. Some of them are good – even intended, which I’ll get to eventually – but some of them can be a real test of willpower. I actually felt slightly bad on Saturday night when one of the guysContinue reading “The Hundred Kilo Coup”
Not Instant, But Gratifying
Dearest Rachel – Setting aside the fact that I’ve explicitly told you numerous times over the course of the last thousand days, I’m sure you could figure out on your own that I don’t enjoy any aspect involved in what I often refer to as my ‘weight loss journey.’ Between the exertions of my workoutContinue reading “Not Instant, But Gratifying”
Old Reliable?
Dearest Rachel – There are some days when I don’t have a whole lot to write you about, and way too much time to do so. So I’ll fill a lot of space just complaining about the fact that, for all the things that I may have done in the day, there’s nothing particularly specialContinue reading “Old Reliable?”
If This Be Treason…
Dearest Rachel – When you come down to it, this is probably one of those stories that I don’t really have the right to tell, since it’s not exactly mine. I may participate in it, to be sure, but my perspective on the event is merely from the periphery. At the same time, it’s notContinue reading “If This Be Treason…”
Indulgences
Dearest Rachel – This past weekend has been the first – and consequently, the only – one this month in which I wasn’t working in the booth at church. This meant that Daniel and I could go to church together – and therefore, since I was the one responsible for getting him there and backContinue reading “Indulgences”
Six Pounds of Scattered Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – Once again, I begin a morning – and a week – with no single, coherent topic to discuss with you today. So I hope that you’ll forgive me for just throwing out a couple of paragraphs here and there as I splash through my stream of consciousness; try not to get tooContinue reading “Six Pounds of Scattered Thoughts”
Random Bits
Dearest Rachel – You know, I have a couple of letters that I’m currently working on to send you, but they aren’t exactly talking about things that are happening to me at any given moment; they’re more just ongoing stuff. So I’m carefully assembling those still, hoping to release them to you when I haveContinue reading “Random Bits”
Ice Cream Anniversary
Dearest Rachel – Well… happy anniversary, honey. This is the third one I’ve had to live through without you, and while it doesn’t really get any easier, there’s this feeling like I’m slowly getting inured to the sensation. Of course, I can guarantee that I’m never going to forget the date, coming as it doesContinue reading “Ice Cream Anniversary”
Chasing the Robot
Dearest Rachel – So, last night we went out to that conveyor belt sushi place that’s not the Station – the one out by Woodfield – to belatedly celebrate Logan’s birthday. In a way, he’s become rather a part of the family, complete with me having to nag him about getting his finances in orderContinue reading “Chasing the Robot”
Dangerous Race
Dearest Rachel – I need to get this written down quickly, as the details – such as there were – are already starting to fade from my memory. That’s the trouble with dreams; trying to put them into a story form is like trying to get a soap bubble to hold still so you canContinue reading “Dangerous Race”
An Exercise in Willpower
Dearest Rachel – So, after a day of trying to get Daniel to eat a little more (which turned out to be less than necessary, as he’s more than capable of doing so, if he wants to, and there’s something in front of him) by setting more of an example than I probably ought toContinue reading “An Exercise in Willpower”
Dragged Along in My Wake
Dearest Rachel – Last night, I actually managed to stay up until 10:30 again, despite having first woken up at a little after four (although at that time, I did try to go back to sleep for an hour or so before conceding defeat and writing to you about it) and finding myself painfully awareContinue reading “Dragged Along in My Wake”
Quidditch in Milwaukee
Dearest Rachel – Considering the title, and the fact that it’s barely six o’clock as I’m starting to write you (can you guess that I’m trying to do anything but head off to the gym? At least I’m far enough below that mental threshold – and have been for almost a week, now – thatContinue reading “Quidditch in Milwaukee”
Penance
Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure why l’m coming to you with this, as if I was confessing to a priest or something. It’s not that you ever concerned yourself with nagging me about my weight, even though I was twice the individual you were. You probably looked on it as a sort ofContinue reading “Penance”
I Can Only Be ‘Good’ for So Long
Dearest Rachel – Since I can’t quite tell you a success story about my drawn-out battle with weight loss – at least, not until I can prove to myself that I’ve attained a measure of lasting success – allow me to regale you with… well, would it count as a failure story? It’s not allContinue reading “I Can Only Be ‘Good’ for So Long”
Dating as a Non-Contact Sport
Dearest Rachel – Dinner and a movie. It’s been a long time since we engaged in that traditional dating pastime – and, by extension, it’s been a long time since I’ve done so, myself (although, one doesn’t do that ‘by oneself,’ almost by definition). It brings back memories from the days before we were togetherContinue reading “Dating as a Non-Contact Sport”
Letters to Rachel 