Observations

Missed a few days, but I'm doing OK (except for Friday, see below). Just a few observations tonight.

Sleep matters. Of my "fuels" (food, urgency, exercise, liquids, and sleep), I have been doing the best on sleep. But Thursday night I was up late with our house project and had an early morning meeting. Five hours of sleep. And Friday I ate by far the most, with the least commitment and discipline. I have to get about seven hours of sleep. Period.

Gluttony sucks. Every time it seems like it will be fun. Every time it disappoints. Learned this lesson again on Friday.

Have you noticed what they say about Chris Christie? I'm a politics junkie and all week I paid attention to commentary about the New Jersey governor. Every single time there was a reference to his weight. Every single time. I guess they do mention Obama's race and Romney's religion often. But with the one obese national figure, they mention his weight every time. C'mon folks, leadership matters and we need to pay attention to substance. I'm more concerned with what comes out of his mouth than what goes into it.

I wrote this before Penn State lost today. I'm a native Pennsylvanian and life-long Penn State football fan, but also a father of two boys and a person who has reported child abuse to the authorities. So I think I have a balanced take on the Penn State situation. It's so frustrating that moralizing and judging seems to take precedence over actually helping victims of abuse. Once again, the NCAA punishes the innocent, as almost all of their biggest penalties are served by those whose only transgression was the misfortune of following people who blew it big-time. Everyone at PSU who dropped the ball is gone. The NCAA sanctions won't affect the people who were responsible, just reinforce the image of the NCAA as an overzealous vice principal. How is the elimination of scholarships justice for hurting children?

In regard to my last post...My new shoes are the Brooks Beast. I have wide, flat feet that need motion control. Works for me. But get shoes that work for you. I'm glad I went in for a fitting. (Thanks for asking, Clyde.)

Exercise is going pretty well. Nothing dramatic to report, but the "26 minute" challenge is keeping me engaged. One night I went to our neighborhood pool with my nine year old for an hour of intense pool play. Today, I parked a 17 minute walk from Safeco Field for the Mariners game. Good exercise, and free parking.

All the best, everybody!