Dad - it's good to hear you are quitting smoking! As long as I can remember - I wanted you to do that. You quit once in the early 1980s - we were burning a small fire between the cement slab by the stream and the bridge, and you threw your filter in the fire, as a symbol of your quitting smoking. The next day, I poked through the ashes to find the little metal ring that was on the filter, as a symbol of your quitting. I don't remember if I ever found the little ring, but I do remember looking for it. I was about 10 years old.

I think your doctor said it best: "You have great genes, which got you this far, but the smoking will get to you eventually."

Like I said, I'm glad you are quitting!

JP - Is 225 lbs a lot, or a little? I have trouble gauging these things. When I look at everyone else I categorize them "shorter than me" or "taller than me". (taller than I, Dad, I know!) So a 6'0" person is about the same as a 5'6" person - shorter than me...
Same thing with weight.
Speaking of which - I've started my new plan, which is to mostly eat cereal at work (breakfast and lunch) to try to cut down on calories and get a lot of fiber (Raisin Bran!). Also, I started running home from work, which I plan on doing about twice a week. Last night, I ran about 1/3 of the way, walked the rest (alternating running and walking). But that will improve with time, I know...

JP - there is a solution to your salary puzzle, you know - Step 1: make yourself indispensable, and then Step 2: start making noises about your unhappiness with your pay. If you do it right, and you really achieved Step 1, they'll pay you more!

JP - Any chance you can tell us the website for your new job?

Word,
C
- posted by Christoph Roggenkamp @ 1/10/2006 03:58:00 PM