From Bad to Terrific in two point five hours.

From Bad to Terrific in two point five hours.

We were celebrating our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary and so we chose to go to one of our favourite dress-up places in Victoria – the Harbour House.  The restaurant is located near downtown Victoria with views of a park and the inner harbour: Harbour House is situated in an old home which adds to its character.  It has been there for thirty years and it is almost a throw-back to those days of the ‘70’s when steak houses were all the rage. 

When we got in the usually lightly occupied restaurant was filled with a bunch of older people having a wonderful time.  They were a tour group having a night out.  We had 7:30pm reservations and by 8:30 rolled around things quieted down a bit.  By then we had our appetizers and a glass of wine.  I found it nice that the waiter, who was their junior waiter (he had only worked there for 25 years), recommended the less expensive wine over the featured selections.  And he was right.

You could tell that the tour group cut into his usual still because he acted kind of rushed until we said we were not in a hurry and he could take his time with us.  I don’t eat very much so our meal was basically an escargot appetizer with garlic butter and whole wheat buns.  The main course was steak and lobster split between my wife and me.  All tasted very good and was well prepared.  Steak and lobster is definitely a special of the house.  They have had a sign outside promoting the dinner for years.  When we first came it was $14.99 and now 30 years later it is $29.99.  It is pretty good bang for your dollar when you consider that also includes potatoes and three vegetables. 

By now things have become quite subdued and less noisy.  The waiter had some time to chat with us and we felt a calm in the room.  We had an evening coffee and while we were sitting we had a chance to talk to the people across from us.  They were from Australia and visiting Canada on a month long vacation.  So we gave them some travel tips for Victoria and had a great chat.  Soon after they left their table, the owner of the restaurant dropped by our table with a small bottle of champagne to help us celebrate our anniversary.  It was a gift from the Australians.  The owner talked about the history of the place with us and how he enjoys having a restaurant in Victoria.  It is quite an achievement for a restaurant to stay open that long here.  They are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We will definitely go back again and I would recommend it for anyone wanting a romantic night out, just avoid the tour groups.  The evening of wine, appetizer, Steak and Lobster dinner split, and an Irish Coffee came to just over $100 including the tip.  All in all a pretty good night.

Cardiac check up

I may have mentioned before that I have been having some issues with my blood pressure in the past couple of months.  It turns out that in the last while my BP has been creeping steadily upwards.  My GP was alarmed by this and put me on some new medications.  But because it was a change I told Dr. Amson and he wanted to see me straight away.  He got me into see a cardiologist Dr. Skinnerder at VGH.  So this morning (Tuesday) I went to the hospital to meet the Dr.  I had an appointment for 8am but the office didn't open until 8:30am.  But all is still cool.  I met Dr. Skinnerder's resident who grilled me for about an hour on lifestyle, medical history, issues and just chatting away.  He was all business and fairly bright.  Then Skinnerder came in and we went through it all again.  This time though the resident had to present all the findings and my job was to correct him. It is amazing how much information gets lost or changed through interpretation.

So before we get into too many tests Dr. Skinnerder wants me to be off all the heart medications.  Especially the new ones  my GP prescribed.  They take about three weeks to get out of my system so I will have some waiting to do.  In the meantime, my blood pressure is still high but according to Dr. S not all that dangerous.  I didn't know this but as a diabetic my blood pressure is supposed to run about 130/90.

My May Staycation - work, rest, work, rest

So I had a week off and the week started with the best of intentions. To begin with I attacked the lawn on friday - my day off. When I stood up and a tree branch hit me on the head I declared war on any limb that was under 5'10" high. Out came the saw and off came the branches. Soon I had enough to fill the back of the truck. I had them all placed out front and ready to go on Saturday morning but first I had to do my walk with Christopher. It was the start of Swiftsure so there were lots of boats gathering to start the big race. It was like a huge parade of ships heading to the starting line. On Saturday afternoon I planned on dropping off the wood when I discovered that the Saanich Yard, the place we deliver the wood clippings, closes at 1:ooPM. I discovered this at 1:30pm.

Marla and I had a really nice an quiet Sunday. Then on the rainy-ish Victoria Day Monday we stayed home to watch the Parade on CHEK TV.  Then spend the rest of the day puttering.  Absolutely not hungry but remembering to drink water and eat.

There's no business like show business

Here I am on holidays and back at work again. Now that sounds confusing but the truth is that I sometimes have two or three jobs. This little extra job was that tonight I worked on the crew at the McPherson Theater to strike the set of Shirley Valentire. It was a good out we started at 5pm and finished at 8pm. It was good to be a carp; I hadn't done any carp work since 2005.

It was a very good food day. Something that I find interesting is how I am appalled by some foods that are bad for me. Now I have had a bite of chocolate now and then, the odd sugar candy but for the most part I really don't like the high calorie and especially high carb foods.

I turned down pasta, scones and breads today and feel pretty good about it.

Its a numbers game

So I went to my GP to get my allergy shot and check my blood pressure.  It was actually really good so the pills must be working.  However, my Hometics wrist pressure gauge - it sucks.  So I returned it to London Drugs and went out to Costco.  There I picked up and Omron BP762 for about $5 more and it appears to work much better.  My numbers are still going high but not as high as it was. 

I got a confirmation call from the Hospital again reminding my about the cardiologist meeting on Tuesday.  My slow week next week is getting busier.  I was planning on painting the house and will likely still do it.  I am going to start prepping tomorrow.  But now I have a couple of show calls to make it interesting.

I went to pick up the truck today after is $3,000. repair job.  It was kind of nice because Precious and I walked the 2.5 km to the shop so we got our walk in.  Combined with doing the lawn and a bunch of yard work I got my exercise for the day.  Once I came home Marla and I went out for a lunch and an afternoon adventure. 

We went out for lunch at Big Wheel Burger on Cook Street.  It is pretty whole earth and actually it was pretty good.  It is a walk up counter service bar in what used to be a laundromat.  The architecture dictates the shape of the room which is kind of odd.  Basically there is a small seating area, a small service widow, a crowded kitchen and dual condiment bars.

They are a hamburger place but also I saw Nathan's Hot Dogs on the menu.  So I had a hot dog (without the bun) and Marla had a burger and fries.  We shared (as much as we share) an orange creamsicle milkshake.  I am only good for two or three slurps.  So I dressed up my dog with onions, relish, and mustard and it was surprisingly good.  I could only eat about half of it but that was fine.  Next time we are there I am going to order the kid's portion.  I keep forgetting that I can do that.

We were going to go down to the museum to see the new Dinosaur exhibit but when we drove by looking for a parking place.  We were a bit disappointed because there were no spots but then we saw there were four big busses at the museum and got scared off.  So we came home.  Then I did some more house stuff but I think because I am on holiday I gave myself a reward and had a nap.   

My Blood Pressure goes up when ...

I had been feeling really good lately.  I am still dropping weight and am down to 243 pounds.  I am getting close to a 100 pound weight loss from my heaviest weight.  Nearly lost 60 pounds since my RNY surgery.  Yes, I am feeling pretty good.  So then why is it that two weeks ago when I got my Blood Pressure checked it read 140/85  then this week it was 150/90.  This sucks!

My doctor now has me on a new pill to lower my blood pressure but there still are some issues.  I have been taking a lot of readings lately with my own blood pressure toy - Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor HoMedics BPW-060.   So I have been taking a bunch of readings and comparing them to my doctor's office machine.  They appear to be close considering I am measuring a wrist and theirs goes on the arm.

So since my GP wanted me on these new pills I thought i should also check with my Surgeon and Encologist.  They both agreed I should be on the pill but my surgeon wanted me to see a cardiologist.  I figured we would get the heart doc appointment in about two or three months.  Very typical for Canada Health Care. Nope, I see them next week.  That worries me a bit but at least we are taking care of it.

Its been a long Month Part 2

The arrival of spring to Victoria was most welcome.  One of the springtime rituals is to attend the Walls Optional educational conference at the college.  It is a good time to learn a little more about teaching and how my department can help other instructors. 

I snuffled my way through it because it is also spring and my allergies are driving me a little nutsy.  Sniffle.

Also I was a little stiff because last weekend I ran in the Times-Colonist 10K.  Well I ran a little and walked a lot.  But it was enough to cut 20 minutes off of my last year's race time and I was pretty pleased with that.  I prepared for the race by taking Precious out with me and we walked the 10km course a few times before the actual race.  I very much enjoy walking and should really do more of it. 

Precious, I think, could leave it alone after the 8km stretch.  But she does come along sometimes pulling me and sometimes dragging me aside.  I think of it as resistance training. 

On the actual walk day I met with a bunch of other WLS'ers and we had our photo taken infront of the Thunderbird Park Longhouse.  Chris and I walked the race together and had a great time.  Just before the race we met Chris's brother.  He is a nice guy.

So off the TC10K started.  It took 10 minutes and 5 seconds for me to actually cross the start line.  But then we were off walking.  It was so crowded that the first 2.5 km we were able to do little more than walk.  Finally there were some gaps and we could run a little bit.  I passed Megan and gave her a tap hello on the bottom as we went by.  I had loaded up my iPhone with theme songs from television shows.  And I could run for a whole theme - which is about 90 seconds. The road turned onto Vancouver Street and there was a bit more room.  This time we were able to run a little more so by the time we reached the Ross Bay Cemetary there was lots of room.  But as I climbed the hill I started to feel a little tired in my legs and feet.  We caught up the Jean Hamilton - she was doing really good just a trucking a long at a great pace.

As we reached the eight km marker I was definately tired but knew that it wasn't far.  This is always the worst stretch for me as we go up the hill by Fisherman's Wharf.  This is Chris's stomping ground and he couldn't resist going after some bottles along the way.  Major OCD in my friend.

I crossed the finish line with a good time - really good for me 1:34:22.  So I have some room to improve for next year.  And yes, I will be there next year.

However, I was so stiff the next day.  I hurt all over, especially my legs. But it was a good hurt and I felt fine for doing my exercises.  I dropped our team picture off at Dr. Amson's office.  It is so cool how I have changed over the years. 

Its been a long month

Oh my goodness it has been a long month since I have last written in my blog.  that is what seems to happen, you get started when everything is new and fresh, then after a while it just becomes more of the same.  Pretty soon you are forgetting or just saying "It's not worth it."  But really it is worth it to enter regularly for a couple of reasons.  First of all it helps my writing; Secondly it helps my head.

So what have I been up to since April 15th.  On Thursday April 19th Marla and I took off for a roadtrip to Seattle.  Our first night was a rainy drive to the Skagit Casino near Mount Vernon, Washington.  It is one of our favourite hotels.  I like it because I appear to have a bit more luck there on the slot machines.  On the first night I won $80 which was the same price as our room.  They also have one of the best hotel swimming pools. 

The next day we took off to the Tulip Fields of the Skagit Valley.  The flowers were really pretty and Marla and I had a wonderful time driving around and taking pictures of the plants.  It was all very cool.  We found our way down to the Residence Inn in Bothel, Washington on the outskirts of Seattle's northeast side.  I really like staying in Bothel because it is kind of like being in the country with all the flavour of big city action.  We went out for a highly unsatisfying supper at the Outback Steakhouse.  I think our expectations were too high when brought things down a little.

The next morning I was up bright and early and went for a walk behind the hotel.  They have a wonderful trail through the forests and around a small lake.  It follows a stream and has a very natural feel to it.  We had to get into town early because Marla and I had tickets to go see the Seattle Mariners play the Chicago White Sox.  We had great seats right behind first base in the fourth row.  About the third inning I met up with Doug M.  from Portland.  He was up for the NWMet conference in Bellingham.  I decided not to go because the department couldn't afford it.  So it was nice to catch up with Doug and pick up some media information.  Doug snuck down into the seats beside us and we had a great visit. 

Marla and I really like going to ball games and this was the perfect day for a perfect game.  And that was what we got to see.  For only the twenty first time in major league history a pitcher threw a perfect game - 27 mariners came up to bat and 27 went out.  No hits, no runs, no errors.

We kept the baseball theme going the next night when we went to see Damn Yankees at the Seattle 5th Avenue Playhouse.  It was an evening show so we took the opportunity to go to the zoo.  Bad day to go to the zoo.  Every parking spot was taken and there were people with kids everywhere.  So we said 'screw this' and took off for the Pacific Premium Outlet Mall to go shopping.  I would like a new jacket from Wilsons but the selection was yecchy.  Then we checked out a new hunting and fishing store called Cabela.  It was like a giant Wal-Mart with the redneck in mind.  I kinda liked it.  So finally we came into Seattle to see the show.  It was a good show on most accounts. 

We had a good time.  So we had one last night then headed for home after a wonderful weekend.   

More to come.