Recent Discoveries

As the saying goes, live and learn.  Until I read a cartoon recently I had no idea why a typewriter keyboard was configured qwerty, etc….  Apparently it had to do with arranging frequently used keys on a mechanical keyboard so that they wouldn't jam when both were struck in sequence. 

 

I don't personally plead guilty to having a lead foot but I just read a very good reason for not speeding in Reader's Digest.  Fuel efficiency drops drastically when your speedometer exceeds 60 miles/hour; therefore any time you might save at faster speeds is more than eaten up by the time you have to spend in more frequent gas tank fill-ups.  It also makes the trip more expensive.  Lateral thinking if I ever heard it. 

Rain, Rain Go Away

Today we even got to enjoy rolling thunderstorms along with torrential rain.  At least it doesn't have to be shoveled.  Finished making little maps at 2:30 AM this morning. By 7 I was at work installing them.  Now I need to catch up on some sleep.  The screen that was giving me problems last week turned out to be faultless; which means either a glitch or a problem with my system.  A four year-old computer has more than a few problems so I've discussed its replacement already.  Most worrisome is a suspected failing hard drive and it happens to be the one that holds the operating system.

 

The new Archos Player seems to do everything it was billed as being capable of.  The bad news is that the unit that synchronizes it with my TV comes with its own remote control—that makes 6 plus a reclining bed controller.  Though I'm still miffed that to make my player be all that it could be I needed to buy $30, currency still indeterminate, in downloadable plug-ins to make it work.  The unit is resting beside me as I type being synchronized with downloadable material as I type.  Archos has just released software for that purpose.  One discovery I did make on my own while loading my player with data from my iTunes file in remote hard drive mode—the unit's operating system will only recognize video files if they are placed in the video folder.  Remarkable how good downloaded files look on my TV. 

 

 

Rainy Weekend Blues

"I've got that rainy day feeling again."

As predicted the rain is falling outside. Felt so energetic after I got up this morning that after taking my necessary medications I went back to bed and slept a couple more hours. A good prescription for bad dreams if there ever was one. Not sure that I feel any more rested.

Here's one of the things that has been occupying my time. Had to order the thing online as local stores don't seem to stock it. The price one pays for not using an iPod is that iTunes podcasts don't natively play on this player but it is more versatile overall and will not become obsolete in 6 months. It also has a much higher capacity and a larger screen. The square-jawed hunk on the screen does not come with the player by the way. So I'm working my way through the owner's manual, attempting to work the controls, load media onto the hard drive and get it to play. I do find it irritating that after paying so much for a piece of equipment one is then forced to pay even more for "plug-ins" to enable it to play more media. For that price they should come with the machine. And, of course, the first thing one must do, even before one starts using the player is update the installed 'firmware'.

Canada Post is sending its delivery employees back to Kindergarten. As a result of an impending visitation by the auditors I've been seconded to produce 45 route maps that will depict the portion of each route on which a third of the householders—junk mail to the public—Unaddressed Admail worth Millions to Canada Post—must be delivered each day. After those technocrats check to see that they're in place no one will ever look at them again. Even more Mickey Mouse are the three coloured flags that will be prominently displayed to show which of the three delivery days are in force. Three guesses as to how long they're going to last!

So there you have my wild and whacky week. If I'm feeling particularly munificent toward my employer I'll go in to work early Monday and have the rest of those maps in place before the delivery people arrive—I was originally told I had close to two weeks to accomplish the task, now it turns out those auditors could arrive anytime next week. The things we do to keep our betters happy.

Good News--Bad News

The bad news is that the red element of the back-light of my LCD Screen blew last night—the good news that it's covered by a three-year warrantee and it's only 13 months old.  So now it's dig out the original invoice, find the box it came in and pack it up for the trip back to the store I got it from—it's still in business.  So far the seven-year-old IBM Screen that my ViewSonic replaced is still working.  It's how I confirmed it was the screen and not my video card that was the problem.  Remembered I still had it sitting around in a corner of my dining room just before I went to the work of unhooking my new 32 inch LCD TV and lugging it downstairs to see if it actually does work as a computer screen—it does have the input.  The difference in colour profile takes some getting used to and after a ¼ inch bezel an inch and a half makes quite an impression, (edge of the screen). 

 

Just changed the black ink-jet cartridge on my Canon i560 printer—it's been telling me I'm about to run out of ink for three months now.  Good thing I didn't panic. 

 

Friday I had to work overtime—I was strongly encouraged to not forced.  When I work overtime it means that the rest of the office is going to get more householders than they'd prefer to see.  It's the kind of scenario that leaves no one happy.  The day's servitude confirmed my intention to celebrate Saint Paddy's Day early by eating out after work.  Dropped into East Side Mario's where I preceded to stuff myself while I read two week's worth of NOW Magazines picked up at the local HMV.  Enjoyed it with a draft, I not a fan of dye in my beer thank you very much.  Even sprang for the only item on the dessert menu that's free of nuts and chocolate and a coffee.  Despite an hour and a half to unwind it still took time to purge work from my mind and finally have my belated afternoon nap.  In the evening watched the final episodes of Season one of JAG.  One of the pleasures of getting entire seasons of a show is the opportunity to see installments one missed the first time, even if it is a decade later.  Season one culminates in one of those classic cliff-hanger endings that closes with one of those "To be continued" screens.  Imagine my annoyance when I got out Season 2 and discovered that it did not begin with a resolution of that cliff-hanger—indeed the situation is only mentioned in passing three quarters of the way through the first episode.  I suppose the fact the series was dropped by its original network and only picked up later by another might have a bearing on this.  Tacky nevertheless.  I suppose I might have learned more if I'd listened to the commentary.

 

The sun that streamed in my balcony window earlier today belies the ugly storm that blew in overnight Friday and Saturday.  Friday evening was ominously quiet but the sleet and snow certainly followed—during the day Friday the temperature plunged.  The storm came in from the south-east so it didn't rattle my windows but apparently had quite an impact south and east of us.  The OPP reported 300 + accidents on the highways they patrol.  I had nowhere to go that necessitated my risking those driving conditions.  Even those who know how to handle a vehicle in those conditions face being the victims of those who don't.  I remember a trip I took in February some years ago nearly 900 miles to Kansas City, Missouri.  On the way to I was moved to pass thirty tractor trailers that had jack-knifed in the cross-wind the night before.  On the way home, 20 miles from home I took my foot off the gas when I realized I was driving on a highway glazed with black ice and coasted to a two mile-long stop 100 feet short of the traffic jam ahead.  The car in front of me slammed on his breaks and went into a four-wheel skid rotating 720º clockwise and then 540º counter-clockwise ending up 200 feet down an embankment facing toward the highway.  Miraculously during all those pirouettes the car did not roll but it did manage to clip 5 other cars in the process.  I was certainly thankful to be a detached witness.  Ah well, Spring arrives this week. 

Work--Curse of the Drinking Class

I've been back at work 3 days after a three-week holiday. What a wrench going back was! In the first place getting up at a set time, packing a lunch and having to forgo a leisurely browse through the web and my E-mail over a second cup of coffee. In the past two weeks I've undergone three time changes. At work a parcel of relief supervisors; I suppose I should be thankful that I am held in sufficient respect that they allow me to do my job without micro-management. Although I appreciate being left alone without being checked on an occasional compliment or reinforcement would be appreciated but I expect too much.

I am greeted by my fellow worker with a litany of the latest bright ideas from upper management. If you get the impression that he found the light bulb cloudy you'd be on the right track. I don't know which is worse: the mountain of mail one can face on a Monday or the helpful suggestions of one's fellow workers as to what one may do with it. Retirement never looked so good. Eight hours later one gets to put on one's coat and go home for a well-earned afternoon nap.

Went online to the union's web site to find a .PDF copy of our new tentative contract—all 714 pages of it in both official languages. That's a mind-boggling pile of baffle-gag and symbolic of historic distrust. When will they learn that the adversarial model only makes work for lawyers or perhaps that the point—without it there wouldn't be cushy jobs for all those pompous self-important strutting union reps. No matter how many "i's" they cross or "t's" they dot both sides will find new ways to subvert the original intent of any agreement. Of course word is on the QT that we weren't sent this tentative agreement for our approval but for our sound rejection so that the great legal minds can go back to the table and attempt to add more chapters to a document that's already too long. I've been reading the youthful works of the Canadian Poet, P.K. Page and this afternoon it struck me; the work-week, when this was written was six days and probably 10 hours a day. I guess unions have done something for workers over the years—I'm just not sure I'm $70/month grateful.

It's winter break time for school-age children and there's been a lot of absenteeism at work. Is there a connection? With temperatures the last few days approaching the low teens in metric terms, the mid-fifties for those who think in Fahrenheit the ski operators will be crying in their melting ski runs. What with no snow over Christmas they have not had a good year. Today is overcast and balmy with Thunderstorms in the offing. I've run the dishwasher and had supper so I guess it's time I stretched out in front of the TV or got back into my latest book—The Eagle by Jack Whyte. It's only tangentially about Arthur. Somehow after the elaborately researched and expounded earlier books in the series Whyte seems to have run out of steam at the point where Arthur reached adulthood and assumed the throne of Camelot. It's a disappointment as I, and I suspect many others, was waiting with anticipation to see what he'd do with the legend. Having laid the background over a series of six detail-rich books I feel robbed that the author is not following Arthur and his Knights to the Round Table and beyond. When I've gotten further into The Eagle I'll review it in my sister blog. The book Clothar, which preceded the present tome was engaging but left one with an empty feeling of loss at the lack of the story that went in between.

Laugh With Me, Please

Friday March 9

Laugh with me on this one please. Just got back from a $500 grocery shopping spree. It's been six weeks since I shopped. Visited Wal-Mart—the evil empire; The LCBO—wine is a grocery (?); The Bulk Barn; and Longos. Also checked out Best Buy but as usual they didn't have what I wanted in stock. I've just finished putting it all away except a few fiddly non-perishable things from the Bulk Barn. I hadn't driven since I got home from work three weeks ago today at noon. For the ten days I was in Nova Scotia and carried no keys—I took with me only the key to my front door—less for airport security to ponder. For the last ten days I've been looking out at the cold, ice and snow banks. So, when I went down to go shopping at noon today I forgot my car keys! The good news is that the car started after all that time. The bad news is that gas on Trafalgar Rd here in Oakville is $ 104.9/L. I've no idea whether or not the apprehended gas shortage in the wake of the refinery fire at Nanticoke exists; but I'm under no doubt that the oil companies are taking full advantage of the shortage scare. Luckily my tank is ¾ full—in this case definitely not ¼ empty.

I've just finished a three minute pour of Guinness—yes, I know it should have had more than two hours to settle and chill. Some time I must watch to see how they put the shamrock on top at East Side Mario's. Among other things I found some fat and gristle free stewing beef with which to make slow cooked stew and the vegetables to go with it so I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. No, I haven't made it to my favourite picture framers but that will wait. In the meantime I get to look at my new prints.

The sun actually came out today and the temperature got above freezing. In the elevator met a Sheridan student dressed in shirt sleeves for the dash across the road. Tomorrow threatens rain but Sunday will live up to its name and the remainder of the week will be balmy, if wet.

(And I didn't get back to this until Sunday the 11^th.)

The sun did come out today and as the above picture proves the Silver Maple outside my balcony window is starting to show signs of swelling buds. The sap is definitely running today. Is the return of skate boarders to the parking lot across the way a sign of spring?

In the kitchen my slow-cooked stew is starting to emit pleasant odours. I made spinach salad yesterday and have decided I'll be sticking with Oscar Meyer Bacon Bits in future for the same reason I never ordered bacon on my pizza at the Organ Grinder in Toronto—both they and the makers of Hormel Bacon Bits put their bacon through the meat grinder; real, indeed.

Last evening I spent too much time attempting to reconcile Windows XP to the driver for my ViewSonic VP930b Pivoting Computer Screen. ViewSonic is only one of the world's pre-eminent producers of computer screens—that from someone who didn't have them to sell—so why should they pay Microsoft to endorse their drivers? It therefore follows that my Windows XP Device Manager has issues with my screen's driver. It works just fine—its just that ViewSonic didn't choose to line Billy Gates pockets.

Does anyone out there know who Honus Wagner was or why his fading image on a cheap scrap of cardboard should be worth over $1,000,000? If Gretsky needs the money then his accountants should be taken out and shot or else Janet's one fantastic spendthrift! Was listening to a podcast yesterday that listed the four secrets to financial security:

1. Earn a good income
2. Spend less than you earn
3. Invest your savings wisely
4. Make sure its protected

If it were really that easy everyone would be rich.

And CBC's Quirks and Quarks talked to scientists about the epidemic of obesity in North America. Seems a virus that colonizes our gut may be responsible for more efficiently digesting the food we eat and making us feel hungry and another facilitates the creation of fat cells. Everything from our diet, lack of exercise, sagging muscle mass, transit systems, and heated homes contributes to the problem but in the end it still boils down to eating more calories than we expend. Finally brought a pair of dumbbells down to my work-station so I can do sets while I wait for websites to load. Every little bit helps. I need to increase my own muscle mass to give my metabolic rate a boost. Those days when I couldn't gain an ounce no matter how much I ate seem to be history. The other day I looked at the cinched in waist of a young lad in the produce department at Longos and tried to remember when mine looked like that. Those were the days my friend.

More Musings About the Computer Age

I used to say that one of the best things about being a letter carrier out on the route was that once one left the office it was almost impossible to reach you. It therefore should come as no surprise that I have no understanding of the compulsion so many people, in particular young people, feel to be constantly online- and phone-connected. I've quipped that I pay at least $20/month each for the calls I actually want to receive on my home telephone—the rest would sell me duct cleaning and roofing repairs or survey my vices. And those people whose devices disturb the pianissimo sections of classical music concerts should be euthanized on the spot.

When I innocently took the plunge in November 2000 to buy a computer I knew not what I'd done. I'd inveighed against the evil empire up to that point and there are moments when I wish I could go back—particularly when I look at the impact computer time has had upon my reading. No amount of reading can prepare one for the speed with which computer technology becomes obsolete—a new model of a digital camera comes on line every 4 months. In my naïveté I believed that you turned a computer on and you used it. I had no idea the amount of maintenance, updating, new software, new versions, anti-virus, malware prevention software that would be involved. Forget Windows Vista—my system can't run it anyway—by Fall Microsoft will be releasing Windows XP Service Pack 3 and it's going to be half the size of the present installation when it comes time to apply it.

The upshot of all this musing is that I've spent way too much time during this vacation scanning Hard Discs for errors, viruses, tracking cookies and malware; defragging discs; updating software and installing new and removing old; repairing systems; and backing up data. Oh, I've written some letters—E-Mail actually, read E-mail, browsed the web, read electronic magazines, listened to podcasts and music; but working on the computer as against using it seems to take up way to much time.

Don't get me wrong. In spite of all the annoyances the advantages of having web access outweigh the pitfalls and having had the exposure there's no going back. It's just that sometimes I like to fanticize.

History Repeating Itself?

Does anyone else remember the South Sea Bubble?  Could the Chinese debacle lead to another stock market crash?  Remember who it is that owns much of America's trillion dollar war debts.  Asiatic Bears are racing down Wall St and the world markets are catching avian flu.  On Bay St in Toronto last week after overnight freezing rain investors had an opportunity to be hit by falling sheets of ice.  A good excuse for the economy to go underground. 

 

In Nanticoke a refinery fire has Southern Ontario drivers scrambling to pay through the nose for over-priced gasoline.  For once it's cheaper in Nova Scotia where I spent last week. 

 

Over the weekend there was a total eclipse of the moon. 

 

This morning I have a perfectly good excuse for not doing my laundry—the water has been off since midnight.  The poor workmen have been at it out on the street since mid-evening Sunday.   This also means our hot water will not have a chance to recover all day today.  So far the natural gas seems to be flowing to my furnace and electricity is coursing through my aluminum wiring.  Despite the lack of water I figured not brushing my teeth this morning just wouldn't wash—Ha! Ha!

 

Luckily I'd already washed my leather boots of the salt they collected walking about in Halifax.  First the washing; then black leather dye—to be used in well-ventilated areas—guess it wouldn't freeze outside but I would. Then leather lotion—shake well before using; normal shoe polish does not work well on oiled leather.  This morning I'll give them the final treatment with Waterstop.  Take care of your boots and they'll take care of your feet. 

 

Not sure if any of these issues are related but they're what's on my mind this morning. 

Taking a Winter Vacation

One of the questionable pleasures of air travel in the wake of 9/11 is the joy of being treated as if one is about to enter a maximum security penal institution at the airport. Number two is that it costs almost as much to get to and from the airport as the flight itself. Despite Spartan conditions I made it safely from Oakville to Halifax Region on the 17^th of February and thanks to our pilot made the softest landing I can remember. Home is where we are accepted for who we are warts and all and there’s nothing like a warm fire to make one feel welcome.

I could, however have done without the other houseguests but isn’t he cute?

I’d arranged for the three of us—my Sister, Marguerite and Brother-in-Law, Richard to go to Halifax Feast Dinner Theatrethat Saturday night and discovered that Richard can’t go anywhere without running into work. The food was first class and we selected an excellent Merlot to go with it. The floor show was a take-off on the sitcom Cheers entitled Jeers and while no one could fault the actors’ musicianship thehumour was a bit raunchy for my taste.

http://www.feastdinnertheatre.com/index4.html

Sunday and time for church. Well, I was visiting the pillars of the congregation. Pastor Jim Slack, Jr. has aged a might since I knew him at Camp Mush-a-Mush at age 7. In the afternoon Richard and I took a long walk around the old Shubenacedie Canal Lock area.

We’d checked out the subdivision the day before. When we got back I was initiated into the joys of the Daytona 500—my Brother-in-Law is a mechanic after all. Those racers don’t so much drive those carsas wear them. Somehow it’s a young man’s game; I don’t particularly follow racing but most of the drivers seem to be atleast second-generation members of elite racing families. The finish was more like a demolition derby. When I got the chance I dipped into the Joudrey’s DVD collection.

Monday saw a blizzard hit the southern counties of Nova Scotia and although we were spared the worst in the Halifax area it was still a good day to be in by the fire. I spent time reading and fine-tuning my Brother-in-Law’s laptops. In fact, my efforts were so successful I got to work on at least four in all.

Tuesday, as pre-arranged Marguerite drove me to Bridgewater where we visited Bridgewater Mall for the “conveniences” and looked up Ganong’s Double-Thick Peppermints at Sobeys. At Ten I visited my Land Surveyor, a former schoolmate to learn about the hassles of being an absentee landowner of property that has never been accurately run. Business completed we went to visit my Father’s Sister, his junior by 10 years but now in her 87^thyear. There’s some pleasure in knowing that one can still walk into a few homes unannounced and unexpected and be made welcome. I do wish that I lived closer to be able to listen to the ‘gossip’ more frequently. The drive to and from along Hwy 103 was remarkable for the incredible number of potholes on a major trunk route. The storm of the night before had coated the trees along the road on the side facing toward the Atlantic in snow.

Wednesday and a trip to Mic Mac Mall inDartmouth. No word on what the local First Nations people think of that appellation. Went looking for some locally available CD’s and found a couple prints by a local artist named Frank Boudreau; my picture framer will be happy.

http://www.frankboudreau.com

This being Ash Wednesday, we were back in Church by 7:30.

Thursday. What’s a vacation if one doesn’t get a chance to sleep in? Richard had taken the day off and we went for a walk in Point Pleasant Park. It’s one thing to have read the Hurricane Juan knocked down 360,000 trees in this one park; it’s another to see the devastation up close—the park was closed for months until it could be made safe.

After that bracing walk we had lunch at Your Father’s Moustache on Spring Garden Rd:

http://www.yourfathersmoustache.ca/

And a fine meal it was! I’d go back again anytime. After we examined the dubious wares of the Halifax Mall which was under going major renovations. Have you ever been accosted by a talking pylon? Closer to home I discovered abook I didn’t already own at the local Chapters and then checked out the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission’s flagship store. One of its features is six varieties of wine available for fill your ownbottling and sampling in store. We settled for some Keith’s Ale after walking the aisles. No one asked us for proof of age ID. After supper Richard and I took a long walk in the crisp clear night air and did some stargazing though a waxing moon made it impossible to see the Milky Way.

Friday and I got up to join Richard while hemade breakfast. Joined Marguerite as she accompanied Richard’s sister Annie to the airport. In the afternoon went for a long walk with my sister stopping to check out a local arts and crafts store. We went back later when we had cash to pickup a heart-shaped jute welcome mat. After supper a warm fire, pop corn and a movie were the order of the day.

Saturday. Taking a bath in a household that attempts to save on power in an electrically heated home is a challenge. I did survive. Richard drove me into Bedford for a tour of Wallace Equipment where he is the Service Manager. Did you know a tree harvester is run by no less than four computers; I certainly didn’t? Mid-afternoon we drove into Halifax and parked beside the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium—Dalhousie University’s Convocation Hall. Walked back up to Spring Garden Road and did some window shopping—an indoor mall seemed a good idea. On impulse settled on Ryan Duffy’s forDinner—and that was with a capital D.

http://www.ryanduffys.ca/RyanDuffys/index.asp

It’s one of those places with white damask tablecloths, crystal goblets, and silver service along with a Maitre D, wine steward, salad at your table creator, and steak cut to order from the side of beef. At least our waitress didn’t condescend to us.

At the price I expect it won’t be an experience I’ll want to repeat soon. Not exactly sated we walked back to the Cohn and found our way to front row balcony seats for the Ballet, Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev.

http://www.symphonynovascotia.ca/

The music of Symphony Nova Scotia was complimented by the Ballet Jorgen Troup’s dancing, sets, costumes and acting. The lack of legroom in that front row balcony seating served to ensure we stayed awake.

Where else would one go on a Sunday? And we also got to stay afterward for a potluck dinner. Ran into a neighbour from home in Midville Branch—Charlotte (Mailman) Conrad and we talked about her 94-year-old Father Herbert who has been living the lonely life of a widower. After helping with cleanup we hurried home so that Richard could rush to the airport to pick up his neighbour—the owner of the four-legged boarders. When he got back we took the path across the canal and walked through the “cottage country” on the opposite side of LakeFletcher. The sun felt good and with only a light breeze it almost felt warm in spots.

That evening was taken up by yet another Indy race while Richard checked out my efforts on one of his office laptops.

Monday. Took a drive to Bedford Place Mall with my sister but discovered that one mall looks pretty much like any other. The bookstore, which had done inventory the night before, looked like it had been hit by an earthquake. I was so bored I even spent time looking at Blackberries. Diverted myself with Joan of Arc and CalendarGirls in the afternoon. At Richard’s request we had turkey dinner. Richard helped make the stuffing the night before and along with cranberrieshand-picked on an island in Soldier’s Lake the repast was complete. Channel surfing was the order of the evening. Kurt Browning’s Stars on Ice and Little Mosque on the Prairies. OhWell!

Tuesday. Packed and ready to go. The morning paper—The Halifax Chronicle:

http://www.herald.ns.ca/

Followed by more reading by the stove. A brief walk to get the mail and get the blood moving and all too soon a drive to the airport. The check-in was very informal. Passed on buying Lobster but couldn’t resist browsing an Artist’s Co-op Kiosk in the main concourse. Even picked up a few art cards. Security was also a might more relaxed in Halifax and for the second time the departure lounge for my West Jet Flight wasright opposite the exit from security. I’m more used to a three-mile hike. Seating on a discount airline made the front-row seats at the Cohn seem roomy by comparison but the flight was smooth. The drive home in rush-hour traffic on a snowy evening was tense but free of major slow-downs.

The view out my window the next morning made meglad I had no crying need to go anywhere.

Cocooning in Canadian Winter

Above is the view from my window five days ago. Welcome to winter in Southern Ontario!

Got back from vacationing with my sister in the Halifax area on Tuesday and when I got up the next morning decided that even if the Wiarton Willie didn't see his shadow that this Marmot definitely did and would love to hibernate another six weeks. I'm working on a holiday blog but just can't seem to muster the enthusiam for the task at the moment.

Mozilla has released a brand new browser called Flock that has blogging and photo upload support built in and having just installed it I'm giving it a try. I'm accustomed to writing posts in Word and uploading them via E-mail so this environment is novel. If you wish to try it out:

http://www.flock.com/download/

I'm still struggling with a sinus infection and between stuffed up nostrils, nose bleeds and the side-effects of anti-histamines I don't seem to be overly ambitious. To add to the adversity the Town and our Condo has been working on our water supply for the last week. It's a might disconcerting to turn on the tap and have it do nothing but suck air--hot water has been up and down as well.

In the past five days I've been attempting to get unpacked, remember where I put everything, get caught up on my browsing and read my mail--electronic and hard copy. Don't know that I'll ever catch up on my iTunes podcasts.

I keep telling myself that when I start feeling better I have to get back to a structured work-out routine but I begin to fear that I'll just have to bite the bullet and get started or I'll never feel better.

Think I'd better stop now, I beginning to depress myself even.

So now I hit publish and we'll see just how well this new system works.