Congratulations on the driving test, JP!
And I'm glad you survived that storm, Dad and H! Too bad about the power, but it does focus your mind on what kind of back-up plans you need to have the next time things go screwy. So far, I've bought that keychain flashlight and 2 wind-up radios: one at home and one at the office (the radios also have a flashlight built in...).

I haven't written much; we should all try to keep contributing to this blog, but it's hard when you don't have much new going on.

I think the Prez is staying in the hotel next to my office building:
- On Monday, three of the cross streets were blockaded with concrete barriers on the sidewalk and NYPD vehicles as gatekeepers restricting passage down the street. (The fourth street is a major artery that you couldn't block).
- We're very close to the U.N.
- Tonight, when I was leaving work at 6:15, the Secret Service wouldn't let us cross the street. After about 5 minutes, a motorcade went by with 3 to 4 black Lincoln Towncars (a few decoys, I guess) followed by 2 SUVs with armed folks inside, and a van with open sliding doors on each side and a fully armored and very well-armed gentleman leaning out each side. I guess if something happened to the convoy, these guys could run up to the 'subject' car in about 3 to 5 seconds, and with the heat they were packing, they could immediately clear any obstacles. A couple of NYPD cars in the rear, almost 10 vehicles in all.
Had to be the Prez.
Secret Service is looking younger every day, and I noticed they traded in their white plastic earpieces for clear ones, so it's hard to see the earpiece at all, unless you're pretty close up.

Aah, life in NYC!

C

- posted by Christoph Roggenkamp @ 9/23/2003 11:24:00 PM

 
Poison Ivy report

I must have been in some of the ol' p-ivy when were were moving those stones, Dad and H. I have a mild case of poison ivy on my forearms and shins. Not too bad, but annoying. Another reason the Manhattan Mini Storage ad campaign "Bad Things Happen When You Leave the City" is correct!

C
- posted by Christoph Roggenkamp @ 9/05/2003 03:28:00 PM

 
Atkins, week one.
I weighed myself on August 26, 2003 at around 8 a.m. I weighed 292 lbs - the first time I've ever cracked 290.
I officially began the Atkins diet on that day, but had sort of started the day before.
My long-term weight loss goal is 65 lbs: down to 225 pounds. According to the BMI, for my height, my weight should be 200 lbs, but I don't think that's going to happen.
I weighed myself last night, September 2nd (on the same scale, of course). I weighed 285 lbs., so that's 7 pounds in a bit over 7 days!
Not a bad start...
I'm getting used to the diet; the intensity of my hunger is much less than when I was eating carbs; also, I don't have the tiredness in the afternoons when my blood sugar would crash. My appetite at lunch has lessened; I usually buy two entrees for lunch and eat one in the later afternoon. Today, I was full after one. All of these things have taken place as predicted by Dr. Atkins.
Dad: I own a Foreman grill and had a steak dinner last night for about $3. You don't have to worry about me blowing my budget because of the Atkins diet.
I'll update as events develop!

I had a nice, relaxing time this weekend, Dad! The cats are really cool!

C
- posted by Christoph Roggenkamp @ 9/03/2003 05:39:00 PM