FEBRUARY 26, 2009 AFTERNOON

In my family I would think if you won the lottery you may get a card of congratulations. If you won an award maybe an email about a year later. If someone or something dies, they all email and call. It's a good thing, don't get me wrong but it is kinda dysfunctional. Heard from my sister in India and my brother in Manhattan and my parents. Sister in California, not so much, but miracles are rarer than dysfunction. All in all the gym has helped me a lot in only five days. I am walking better already and my joint pain is gone. Sore from hard work at the gym rather than lack of movement. Reading a lot also and writing while the new life goes forward. Will splain more tomorrow

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 MID MORNING

Yesterday was tough. I kept looking at the couch for my pal, and she was not there. I tossed and turned all night, tried to get warm, but the big hairy kid was gone. She is in a better place I supposed, although life a the Klein house didn't suck. Elvis the wonderdog, 12 years old and a spry terrier, senses a difference. More food for him and a lot more attention. Still lonely for a blind dog in the house all day. He will be fine. Got to the gym after having the Raisin Bran. I might try to BBQ tonight. Pretty weather for late February.  Didnt need the $500 burial fee, but that is the cost of a big dog I guess. More later..

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 AFTERNOON

The first difference is the quiet. I opened the front door after going to the gym this morning and the greeting was something I will take time to get used to. Stillness, no noise at all, and then a little pitter patter of Elvis' terrier paws on carpeting. He moves with the grace of a nursing home resident that is arising from the morning nap. No sudden movements, no bellowing hellos just the noiseless patter of his paws. He is not sure what is different today. Something is missing and something is off but his blindness can betray him at times. The subtle odor is still in the air but he knows there is a difference. I went to the kitchen and cut his roll in half and filled it with have the egg salad I bought for lunch. His morning treats sat on the floor and he just then started to enjoy them. Finishing the lunch prep I brought the feast to the couch. He looked around for his big sibling and realized he was going to eat alone. No sharing, no growling and all for him. He was happy to eat alone but realized then that he wouldn't have to share anymore. We will miss Morgan and we are thankful that our big girl passed painlessly this morning after 10 great years of loyal love. I miss her so...

FEBRUARY 23, 2009 MID MORNING

Got up to continue the start of my life as usual but with some new focus on getting really fit once and for all. I showered and got dressed into gym stuff. Had two ounces or so of Raisin Bran with some skim plus milk and a bottle of water. As an aside its 11:45 and I am hungry. Lunch at 1 today. I dropped off Sue at work and went to the library. Computer there until I get a new one for the house. Did what I had to for ten minutes then went to the bathroom. I swear I go everytime I get there. Picked up a Sandford book too. Left and got to the gym at 10. Walked on the treadmill for 40 minutes then tried the elliptical. Managed ten minutes and got some water. Hopped on another treadmill for 12 minutes and now I am waiting for the 12 appointment I have with Steve the trainer. I get one free orientation class here and have decided to take it now. I want to know their opinion of how to make the most of my time spent here. That is at noon and then I will go home for some lunch. Picking up sue tonite and back home for dinner from last nights chicken parm leftovers I made from scratch. Normal food in small amounts. I slept a little better last night and hope it continues. And for the record Thanks again Judy and Marty for the support. As always my parents rock. More later as the Blackberry is easy to use with the reading glasses.

FEBRUARY 21, 2009 MORNING

If given the opportunity to take 6 months off, to get in excellent health and become mentally fit without burdening your family would you do it ? The government has pledged weekly income for a year and will cover most of my health insurance. The wife's income plus annual bonus coupled with this and a little frugality can afford me a unique, once in a lifetime chance. Rather than waste the opportunity why not get healthy, lose the weight in earnest and really make a life change while not stressing about commuting and work ? The options are to continue the stressful search for a better career in this crazy world or to let it ride, still search without crazy pressure and get fit. I realized that I can do anything in NYC in the sales field as long as I am presentable. That means a further slim down in earnest, toning, and the ability to comfortably wear a suit or just dress well. Unfortunately as presentation is important wouldn't I be better served and more helpful to my economic prosperity if I looked and felt great. The question remains if this is fair and fiscally responsible. If I have a heart attack or fat related illness won't I be in worse shape than I am in now ? So I have almost reached the decision. My plan is simple. I will get up in the morning and walk the dogs and straighten the house. I will walk or bike ride to the gym which is 4 blocks away. I will do a NYSC tested cardio regimen with weights and jogging. No fads, or crazy, just healthy and long term. I will walk from there to the library at noon, another 5 blocks, and continue the online job search and stay current with my industry. If something comes up that I can do well, then I will take it. I will eat a sandwich or protein shake that I bring from home and return to the gym for afternoon excersise. From there I can bike or walk home and prepare dinner for the wife and I. No real expense to live having cut out the wasted money on food and with no travel costs. By June I will be in much better shape and able to continue the search. I am not advocating a year of this but a few months to get my crap together to make the next half of my life better is the best investment I can make I think.

FEBRUARY 2, 2009 MORNING

It was August 1975, and I had a brand new Panasonic Receiver with really big speakers, 8 track plater, turntable and a new cassette machine that I was learning how to use. My bedroom at my father's house was small and makeshift and wouldnt be expanded for two years until I was going to move in permanently. That is another story and for another time. Reception on the receiver was great, even though I was in the basement. There were no cell phones, no cable TV, no satellites, just a 12 year old boy and his Panasonic. It was big, brown, and had dials galore. Sound, bass, treble, level, all the bells and whistles. If I turned it loud, the house would shake. It was late that summer evening and my parents were out. I cooked some franks in blankets, in the oven of course as toaster ovens and microwaves were yet to appear.

Took my feast downstairs, turned on WNEW and got ready for my future. Live on the radio, with no commercials, an event I had been waiting all week for. Live at the Bottom Line, Bruce Springsteen and his band. The first song was 10th Avenue Freezeout, a melodious arrangement that showcased Clarence Clemons and Roy Bittan. I listened in awe. It spoke to me, it moved me, and I knew the future of music was in this man's hands. Last night, as 200 million watched, Bruce Springsteen started his 12 minute set with 10th Avenue Freezeout. There were 250 people at the Bottom Line that night and only a few of us believed. 34 years later, seems everyone is catching on.....