Why Support Groups are Annoying

I know that is has been a while since my last post, and I am sorry about that.  I really need to get into some sort of schedule to keep the viewership up there a little more.

Anyway, since my last post, my current weight lose is 125lbs.  It's been about 13 months and much has changed for me, including the first ever time that I had to return a pair of pants because they were TOO BIG!  Yes, that shocked me too. But seriously, when you are losing weight you are never really sure what size you are in.  The sad part though is that I have seemed to hit a major plateau lately.

This is actually my first major plateau since I started but it is none the less frustrating.  I so want to be under that 200lb mark and I am about 31lbs away. So I figured maybe I needed some pointers or advice, so I joined an online, facebook support group...BIG mistake!

While most people are very like me, there are a certain percentage that are...lets just say...bat shit crazy!  Then there are the ones that are just...lets just say dumb, ignorant and probably really should not have gotten this severe of an operation without further psychiatric evaluation.

While it is somewhat entertaining, it also really becomes annoying when you have people that have had this life changing operation and are sad and depressed because they cant drink soda any longer or cant eat a whole pizza, cake or tray of lasagna!  What?? Really??  You idiot, you got to BE 500lbs BECAUSE you ate a whole pizza, cake, tray of lasagna in a sitting for YEARS!  I know, I have been there!  And there are still a lot of things that I used to eat that I just cant eat anymore but you know what? I DON'T CARE, I have LOST 125LBS!!!

Oh and others that annoy me, every time I eat, I throw up!  Really?  maybe that's because YOU ARE EATING TOO MUCH you moron!  Aren't you listening to your surgeon?  Usually around 3 weeks after the operation you are put on a soft food stage, yogurt, scrambled eggs, stuff like that.  I just LOVE the people that consider soft food, McDonalds parfaits or Wendy's soft serves.  Really?  You couldn't find something else that would be better and more nutritious for you?

My all time favorites are the bat shit crazy ones.  There was a thread on this support group, I kid you not, that was made by a woman that claimed she was turned down for the surgery because she had...Multiple personalities...What? what??  What???  And it gets better, there were a number of OTHERS on that same thread that said they also had multiple personalities!  ARE you freaking kidding me!  I was just awestruck but the sheer stupidity and wackiness of that entire thread...Sometimes I think that people just make this shit up specifically for the shock value.

So I have learned that these online support groups are more or less a total waste of time, they are rife with wackos and very seldomly actually give you any real information you can use.

Still Going....

As of today, I am 18 days away from my Anni-surgery date and I am currently 113 lbs down.  I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would lose this much weight.

I am thankful every day that I did this for myself.  If anyone were to ask me if they should do it, I would tell them, Oh heck yea!  But don't expect it to be easy. But do expect it to be worth every ounce that you will lose!

I would still like to lose another 50 lbs at least and I know it will happen.  My whole life has changed now and I can do things I haven't been able to do in years. I have almost no clothes left LOL but hey, they will come in time, and will come smaller and smaller...

Good things are happening when you do right for yourself!

Peace Out!

The Left Lane Driver Debate

I work in NJ and live in PA so I commute every day.  I take major highways, rt 195 and rt 130.  Route 195 is a big highway, a large part of it being 2 or more lanes each way.  Route 130, 2 lanes each way as far as I have to travel.  I always try to keep up with traffic, unless of course, the traffic is doing 100 mph.   But I will do the speed limit and keep to the left for the most part.

I have noticed over the last year or so that although I keep pace with traffic and do not drive below the speed limit, I usually use the left lane to pass.  Drivers have been using the left lane as what I refer to it as "the Audubon Lane".  Whereas, no matter how fast you are going or if you are passing someone or not, they feel that only they have the right to drive in this lane and the saying "left lane dick" gives them the ability to go as fast as they want, act as reckless as they want and as obnoxious as they can get, just because everyone else around them should not be allowed to drive in that lane unless you are doing 100 mph!  When I was a kid and got my license the rule was the left lane was for "through" traffic, meaning if you were not going to be turning off of the road anytime soon, then you travelled, the speed limit I might add, in the left lane.

Don't even get stuck in the left lane while trying to pass someone and then come into traffic and not be able to safely get back into the right lane...some people will lose their ever loving minds!  YOU are in my way and not driving like a maniac in the left lane!!!

So when did this all change?? Who is it that came up with the nickname "left lane dick" anyway?  Were they part of who actually wrote the laws for passing on the left?  Why is it that I can only drive in the right lane yet people going way too fast and driving recklessly are allowed to drive in the left lane?  Are they the true Left Lane Dicks?

I checked out the laws in NJ and PA as research for this post.  The actual law in both states is that you should keep right unless you are passing.  Period...end of statement.  There is absolutely no mention of anyone being able to drive as fast as they can in the left lane or continuously driving in that lane at a high rate of speed is legal.  All instances that I have found state that you must drive the speed limit and you can only pass in the left lane then get back into the right lane, and do the speed limit...

So tell me...who really is the left lane dick???

A Town Divided

I know its been awhile since I last posted and I am a bad bad person for ignoring my blog when so many delectable things have been going on in the world!

However I would like to talk today about Municipal Politics.  Not many people realize how the politics in your town, hamlet, city or place of residence affects you more on a day to day basis then your state and/or federal government. And now with the advent of social media, things can really be out in the open, gaping wide open so that everyone can see.  Of course there will always be those that choose to live with their heads in the sand and not be involved, thinking they will never have a bearing on the outcome of an election but that could not be farther from the truth.  At the municipal level, every single vote really does count.

Perhaps my views are naive in that I believe that people that are elected to represent a certain constituency should indeed represent them first and put aside personal feelings and agendas for the greater good of their citizenry.    I also feel that in being a politician they are held to a higher standard than that of the regular public citizen, however I do not think that they should dismiss the ideas and concerns of their constituents.  I feel that if you do not want to be held to a higher standard and act accordingly, then you are not an effective representative of your constituents.  I also believe that they should have a tough skin and be able to hold their tongue and defuse situations that may arise, not cause situations.

Small town politics can be even more hostile than what you would see in your state or federal arena.  Nepotism runs wild through small town politics, which is one of the reasons your property taxes increase.  But it is when a town becomes divided is when we begin to see its downward spiral into a place no one wants to be.  Businesses begin to fail and not even come to town, schools begin to break down, kids begin to fail, infrastructures begin to crumble, houses become rentals instead of owners living in them, crime goes up, morale goes down.

Community is important in a small town.  Everyone wants to be part of a community.  It is unfortunate though that opinions get in the way of being a well rounded community.  If people could just check their opinions at the door and work together for the betterment of the community, this world would be a much better place.  Picking "sides" is not an option, in small town politics, and community there is no left or right, no one cares if you are pro-choice or pro-gun or pro-anything else, it's all about what is good for the whole community.

Its easy to sit behind a keyboard and point fingers and blame others for your own shortcomings, but in the end, ask yourself, what have I done for the community lately?  What I have done to make things better here?  Its time to take a good long look in the mirror and know that the person that you say you hate and causes problems and is all so bad for the community...is YOU!

I wish that I had the answers to what could bring a town divided together.  As much as I do try in my own ways, there is always flack to be had.  As I have said in the past, and will say again, it's time for all to lay down their swords and sharp tongues and come together for the sake of OUR community before its way too late.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday, I turn 49.  Wow, I can't believe I'm actually 49.  Time sure does fly.

As I look back on my life, I can say I have done a few things that I regret but nothing I think I would change.  There are some things that I would like to be able to do over again, maybe with a little more knowledge or some foresight.

So today I am going to list 49 things that I have learned over my 49 years on this planet.

1. Be Patient or at least TRY to be patient
2. Don't drive like a jerk, be courteous of other drivers, you are not getting anywhere any faster driving like you are a nascar driver!
3. Treat people and all living things the way YOU want to be treated.
4. It's not necessary for one to believe in God to be a good person.
5. If you're going to be passive aggressive, I will be also!
6. Give to charity as much as you can, it doesn't have to be money it can be items too.
7. Have a pet, or 4, they do bring joy to your life.
8. Always Adopt from a shelter or take in an unwanted animal, they will be grateful for life and will show it.
9. Don't Live in a bubble, remember there are others around you.
10. Travel if you can
11. Say Please, Thank you and EXCUSE ME, when needed, it shows you have manners and were not raised in a cave.
12. Tell the people you love that you love them, you may not get a chance to say it tomorrow.
13. Ask for Advice when you don't have the answers yourself.
14. Don't harbor hate or anger, it makes you old and sick.
15. Cherish your friends.
16. Love what you do, do what you love.
17. Don't drink soda it rots your teeth.
18. Kindness is a virtue not a weakness.
19. Know that there are people in this world that are not as lucky as you are, have empathy for them.
20. Learn something new every day!
21. Read as much as you can, knowledge is awesome!  
22. Make time to Relax or you will burn out.
23. Enjoy the seasons no matter how HOT or WET or Cold they are.
24. Ask your parents and grandparents questions about their youth, you will find some very interesting stories.
25. Love yourself no matter what.
26. Its usually easier to keep something than to try to get it back.
27. Be content with your accomplishments but always try to do better
28. Life is a ride, enjoy the highs and the lows
29. Sometimes you have to do things you just do not want to do, but you have no other choice.
30. Let someone else make decisions once in a while but always be the master of your own ship.
31. Take Responsibility for YOURSELF and your actions.
32. Doing nothing does not work.
33. Smile, be happy.
34. To be compassionate does not mean you are a sucker.
35. Its ok to cry if you are sad.
36. Tube down a river at least once in your life.
37. Enjoy Nature thats where the magic really happens.
38. Have a vegetable garden, it's hard work, but well worth it!
39. Dance in the rain at least once in your life
40. Learn how to cook something better than anyone you know.
41. Start a journal or a blog for your own amusement
42. Turn your cell phone, computer and tv off once in a while...remember before they were invented?
43. Stay off of Facebook and Twitter sometimes, because they can make you nuts.
44. The world is full of stupid people, don't be one of them.
45. Know how to be diplomatic, it will help in many situations.
46. Learn how to negotiate, first question, "is that the best you can do?"
47. Animals are usually better than people.
48. Dont sweat the small stuff, believe me there will be bigger things.
49. Live, Love and always Laugh!