via hulu.com
This is funny and a little disturbing.
Gavin Newsom's Fresno Townhall
Honestly, one of the main reasons I am paying attention to Gavin Newsom's gubernatorial run is the fact that his Communications Director is a childhood acquaintance of mine. But I've got to admit, even though I'm a Republican, Newsom is definitely the candidate that intrigues me the most. I don't agree with him on the Prop 8 / Gay Marriage (he prefers the PC term 'Marriage Equality'), I like the way he handles himself. He has beliefs, and listens to those who disagree with him, but sticks to his beliefs. He even answered a very serious question with an honest 'I don't know.' I think he played to the audience a little too much, by going back to the Marriage issue again and again, but he's probably in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation with that. It's his most identifiable issue, and he really can't dance around it. This statewide office election is a tricky dance, you've got to get the nomination by pandering to those who agree with you first, then once that's in hand, you can reach out to those who don't.
I also felt like he was a little condacending about the issue towards those who disagree with him. A continuing answer of saying that he respects people of faith doesn't mean much when the unspoken continuation of that answer is that he thinks they are wrong about the issue, and should move aside and change their minds, because his can't be changed. Now I disagree with both sides of the issue. Or perhaps I should say that I agree with parts of both sides of the argument. And it is an issue that highlights the extreme polarization of our political system. The same people who demonized George Bush's statement to the world that you're either with us or against us, use the same language in this battle. And don't get me wrong, there is hypocrisy on both sides of the aisle. Though I do think the left has a little stronger claim on the double speak, with the simultaneous demands for tolerance and the attacks (not to mention Homeland Security led investigations) against those who disagree with their message.
I went to this event hoping to hear one thing from Newsom not about Gay Marriage, and not about Health Care, as I consider those his stock expert subjects. And he didn't disappoint. The last question was about water (posed by a very nervous young lady who nonetheless was very articulate with her question). And his answers were very impressive. Mostly because he didn't try to simplify his way out of a complicated question. But also because he acknowledged that many people on his side of the aisle would not be happy with his solutions (see Jim Boren's article), but that they were solutions that would benefit the entire State, and therefore he would push them forward. The entire event was worth that answer.
Take a look. I agree with the estimate of 250 people at the event, though at least 25 were campaign folks. I don't know if they were local.
Honesty is definitely a nice thing to hear from a politician.
I also felt like he was a little condacending about the issue towards those who disagree with him. A continuing answer of saying that he respects people of faith doesn't mean much when the unspoken continuation of that answer is that he thinks they are wrong about the issue, and should move aside and change their minds, because his can't be changed. Now I disagree with both sides of the issue. Or perhaps I should say that I agree with parts of both sides of the argument. And it is an issue that highlights the extreme polarization of our political system. The same people who demonized George Bush's statement to the world that you're either with us or against us, use the same language in this battle. And don't get me wrong, there is hypocrisy on both sides of the aisle. Though I do think the left has a little stronger claim on the double speak, with the simultaneous demands for tolerance and the attacks (not to mention Homeland Security led investigations) against those who disagree with their message.
I went to this event hoping to hear one thing from Newsom not about Gay Marriage, and not about Health Care, as I consider those his stock expert subjects. And he didn't disappoint. The last question was about water (posed by a very nervous young lady who nonetheless was very articulate with her question). And his answers were very impressive. Mostly because he didn't try to simplify his way out of a complicated question. But also because he acknowledged that many people on his side of the aisle would not be happy with his solutions (see Jim Boren's article), but that they were solutions that would benefit the entire State, and therefore he would push them forward. The entire event was worth that answer.
Take a look. I agree with the estimate of 250 people at the event, though at least 25 were campaign folks. I don't know if they were local.
Honesty is definitely a nice thing to hear from a politician.
Not the biggest or the best, but enough....
I've been derelict with my posting, but I want to talk about my week. I was watching the Biggest Loser tonight. By the way, this is a great show to TiVo. Two hours worth of show can be boiled down to about 20 minutes of worthwhile footage. I used to dream about getting on that show, and dropping half my body weight. Unfortunately, I would be so depressed in general that I would sit down to a marathon of the show with a bag of potato chips wondering why I couldn't have that kind of success. I mean, it couldn't be as simple as maybe I should get up out of my chair and get active, could it? Or instead of eating potato chips, eat something healthy? No, I wanted a sitcom ending to my problem, and wasn't willing to do it myself.
Well, there are no sitcom endings in the real world. Instead, you have to work hard to achieve results. And I have. Eleven months after starting my diet (and I'm using the word diet to make the discussion easier, it's really a change in lifestyle), I've lost about 90 pounds, and I can actually say I'm an active person who goes to the gym 5-6 times per week. And it's not just going to the gym that makes me active. I go out of my way to NOT use my car now. When I visited my parents recently, I rode my bike everywhere instead of driving (thanks Mother Nature for cooperating with the nice weather). But my point is this, I used to think those people on the Biggest Loser were inspirational. And maybe in a sense they are. But really they are more lucky than anything. Sure you have to take advantage of your luck and perform once you are picked for something like that, but the real victory is getting picked. You get to consult with physicians and get 24/7 support for nutrition and workout, you hit the weight loss jackpot.
I had my annual physical last week, and my doctor's jaw practically dropped when he walked into the exam room and caught his first glimpse of a much smaller me. He first made sure that I hadn't done anything crazy by asking if I had gotten a gastric bypass, and I told him no, I did it the right way. At the end of the visit, he told me that the two things that made him happiest as a doctor were getting people to quit smoking and lose weight. His suggestions at my last visit were very simple, he told me I was eating too much and exercising too little. And he was right, and I changed those habits, and made big changes in my body.
My blood test results came back in the mail yesterday. I already knew my Blood Pressure was back to normal, it had been pushing the point where I needed medication. My glucose level was at the low end of the normal range (which is especially important since my Dad has Type 2 Diabetes), my cholesterol was really low, and everything else came out great. I feel like I'm back to where my actual age is equal or less than my chronological age, where a couple of years ago I was probably 10-15 years older. All of this doesn't even address my eye doctor's visit where my Ophthalmologist told me that my usual vision deterioration was definitely stemmed by the huge weight loss, and the corresponding effects on my vascular system. So yay me!
As the old saying goes, to make a long story short (too late!), the folks on the Biggest Loser aren't as inspirational as me. I'm not trying to be vain, because Lord knows, I'm not finished with my journey of weight loss and fitness, but that's not the point. I've been sticking with my personal journey for almost one year. My goal is to lose exactly 100 pounds by my birthday in June (about 3 weeks after my one year fitness plan anniversary), but I might even surprise myself and make it by the actual anniversary. A slow and steady excising of weight makes me a role model in my own mind. And even though I still have a ways to go to meet my ultimate goal weight and fitness level, the journey deserves a few occasional minor pauses for celebrations. It's been a long year, but I am now more understanding than ever of the John Burroughs quote, "For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice - no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service." In this case, the service is to myself.
Well, there are no sitcom endings in the real world. Instead, you have to work hard to achieve results. And I have. Eleven months after starting my diet (and I'm using the word diet to make the discussion easier, it's really a change in lifestyle), I've lost about 90 pounds, and I can actually say I'm an active person who goes to the gym 5-6 times per week. And it's not just going to the gym that makes me active. I go out of my way to NOT use my car now. When I visited my parents recently, I rode my bike everywhere instead of driving (thanks Mother Nature for cooperating with the nice weather). But my point is this, I used to think those people on the Biggest Loser were inspirational. And maybe in a sense they are. But really they are more lucky than anything. Sure you have to take advantage of your luck and perform once you are picked for something like that, but the real victory is getting picked. You get to consult with physicians and get 24/7 support for nutrition and workout, you hit the weight loss jackpot.
I had my annual physical last week, and my doctor's jaw practically dropped when he walked into the exam room and caught his first glimpse of a much smaller me. He first made sure that I hadn't done anything crazy by asking if I had gotten a gastric bypass, and I told him no, I did it the right way. At the end of the visit, he told me that the two things that made him happiest as a doctor were getting people to quit smoking and lose weight. His suggestions at my last visit were very simple, he told me I was eating too much and exercising too little. And he was right, and I changed those habits, and made big changes in my body.
My blood test results came back in the mail yesterday. I already knew my Blood Pressure was back to normal, it had been pushing the point where I needed medication. My glucose level was at the low end of the normal range (which is especially important since my Dad has Type 2 Diabetes), my cholesterol was really low, and everything else came out great. I feel like I'm back to where my actual age is equal or less than my chronological age, where a couple of years ago I was probably 10-15 years older. All of this doesn't even address my eye doctor's visit where my Ophthalmologist told me that my usual vision deterioration was definitely stemmed by the huge weight loss, and the corresponding effects on my vascular system. So yay me!
As the old saying goes, to make a long story short (too late!), the folks on the Biggest Loser aren't as inspirational as me. I'm not trying to be vain, because Lord knows, I'm not finished with my journey of weight loss and fitness, but that's not the point. I've been sticking with my personal journey for almost one year. My goal is to lose exactly 100 pounds by my birthday in June (about 3 weeks after my one year fitness plan anniversary), but I might even surprise myself and make it by the actual anniversary. A slow and steady excising of weight makes me a role model in my own mind. And even though I still have a ways to go to meet my ultimate goal weight and fitness level, the journey deserves a few occasional minor pauses for celebrations. It's been a long year, but I am now more understanding than ever of the John Burroughs quote, "For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice - no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service." In this case, the service is to myself.
Do you know the way?
Blogging on the train. No that's not code for something. Especially something dirty, you need to get your mind out of the gutter. I am on my way to Los Angeles for a visit with my 3 month old nephew (who according to his parents is growing hair, all photographic evidence to the contrary) and his parents. My sister in law is back to work already, granted it is part time, but I am so happy that they are taking to the family thing like ducks to water. And now that I am living a life of leisure (at least until the unemployment checks run out), and travel time is not the most important factor in my trip planning, I decided to travel via rail.
I don't have the heart to tell them, but I actually have an ulterior motive for my visit. I have been somewhat remiss in my job search efforts this last week. Part of it was the school factor. I've enjoyed the freedom of purpose that acting like a college student brings. Having two very easy classes provides a slim illusion that I am actually requiring my brain to actually activate for some advanced work, but like I said, it's nice to pretend. I did have that psychological epiphany that I am better suited to study than work, but that's not a realistic long term plan.
I am going to scout the possibilities of moving to LA in the near future. That is my big secret. 75% of all job opportunities in my current field seem to be located in the greater LA area. So I'm going to see if the anecdotal evidence about reduced housing costs are true. If I can afford to live there, I might actually take the plunge. So do you know the way to LA? My way is on this lovely combination bus and train trip. I wonder if it will lead to my next big lifestyle change?
I don't have the heart to tell them, but I actually have an ulterior motive for my visit. I have been somewhat remiss in my job search efforts this last week. Part of it was the school factor. I've enjoyed the freedom of purpose that acting like a college student brings. Having two very easy classes provides a slim illusion that I am actually requiring my brain to actually activate for some advanced work, but like I said, it's nice to pretend. I did have that psychological epiphany that I am better suited to study than work, but that's not a realistic long term plan.
I am going to scout the possibilities of moving to LA in the near future. That is my big secret. 75% of all job opportunities in my current field seem to be located in the greater LA area. So I'm going to see if the anecdotal evidence about reduced housing costs are true. If I can afford to live there, I might actually take the plunge. So do you know the way to LA? My way is on this lovely combination bus and train trip. I wonder if it will lead to my next big lifestyle change?
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