Update XIX: Melancholy and the Infinite Napping

[Joe Biden 2020]

How about this, guys, you know I can't stay away from the update.  How about we just change the subject and leave me to live my life how I please?  I may lose more weight if I don't have birds chirping in my ear all the time criticizing me for every adverse and boneheaded move.

[Joe Biden 2020]

How about this, guys, you know I can't stay away from the update.  How about we just change the subject and leave me to live my life how I please?  I may lose more weight if I don't have birds chirping in my ear all the time criticizing me for every adverse and boneheaded move.

Jeff, actually start with ONE THING. Not a promise. Not a plan. Not an "I'll get around to doing that." Just start DOING. You talk so much about changing your life but never execute.

Can anyone suggest a lunch that Jeff can purchase and pack for himself every day (without suggesting some hipster BS like celery veins and half of an apple shadow ... be realistic) so he can get started?

Here's mine:

Get some whole grain tortilla wraps and TURKEY lunch meat. It's not the greatest for you, but healthier than fast food by a long shot.

Spread a small bit of horseradish on a tortilla (not a lot; don't treat it like mayo). Layer some turkey onto a tortilla along with some lettuce, a light amount of LOW FAT shredded cheese. I'd encourage you to dice in some tomatoes and bell peppers, too.

Roll it all up and cut it in half. Get some baby carrots and celery and take a small amount of low fat ranch dressing to dip them in for your side.

That's easy, not expensive, you'll buy enough to use over and over, and best of all, it's a step in the right direction. TRY IT. Don't give me any toddler BS about not liking something ... you haven't challenged your palette for years, and it will take some time to get used to a new diet.

But TRY IT. You no doubt can get to a grocery store tonight and purchase, for probably less than $15, all of the items required.

Stop with the excuses, Jeff. Some of us actually don't enjoy watching a man kill himself and are trying to pry your finger off the trigger.

That actually sounds good.  I might substitute a small amount of mustard for horseradish, but the rest of it actually sounds delicious.  There is a Walmart only 3 miles away so I can run down there and be back pretty quickly.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just got back from Walmart and got everything you suggested and will fix that for my lunch tomorrow.  I'm glad to know that mustard is good.  I've never liked mayo because of taste and I feel it is less healthy than mustard.  IIRC, and correct me if I'm wrong, the only thing mustard has that's more unhealthy than mayo is more sodium.  Mustard has no calories and very little fat and therefore doesn't add much to the sandwich or whatever its put on except a little sodium.  Like I said, please tell me if that's not true and tell me what the correct figures are.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just got back from Walmart and got everything you suggested and will fix that for my lunch tomorrow.  I'm glad to know that mustard is good.  I've never liked mayo because of taste and I feel it is less healthy than mustard.  IIRC, and correct me if I'm wrong, the only thing mustard has that's more unhealthy than mayo is more sodium.  Mustard has no calories and very little fat and therefore doesn't add much to the sandwich or whatever its put on except a little sodium.  Like I said, please tell me if that's not true and tell me what the correct figures are.

?!?!?!

Your question marks prompted me to check the bottle of mustard that we have in the fridge and it says 1 teaspoon = 0 calories.  This is Griffin's yellow mustard.  I'm pretty sure I've seen the same thing on French's.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Wow, guys, I did not ask to be lambasted while I was gone to church.  You think I'm hopeless.  You all, except for J-Mann, are hopeless for pointing fingers and viciously assassinating my character.  You'd think I'd learn and stop updating.  Let me ask this:  When I cease updating would you please stop assassinating my character and my family's character?  I do not want to hear a single, solitary word more of this vicious, no-good, lying, un-manlike garbage.

You are hopeless and helpless and your parents and your 95 year old granny are hopeless enablers. They're as bad as you. You'll all have a big laugh when you're a beyond hope diabetic.

I am so thankful that I have avoided the dreaded diabetes diagnosis.  I get either my blood sugar or A1C (alternating between the two) checked every six months as part of my routine blood work and not only have I avoided diabetes, but both of them have been perfectly normal, not the least bit high, and I'm not taking any diabetes medication.  Now, I realize that that doesn't say anything about the future and I need to have a healthier approach regardless of past blood test results, but I am beyond blessed, and I'll admit lucky, to have avoided the diagnosis.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just got back from Walmart and got everything you suggested and will fix that for my lunch tomorrow.  I'm glad to know that mustard is good.  I've never liked mayo because of taste and I feel it is less healthy than mustard.  IIRC, and correct me if I'm wrong, the only thing mustard has that's more unhealthy than mayo is more sodium.  Mustard has no calories and very little fat and therefore doesn't add much to the sandwich or whatever its put on except a little sodium.  Like I said, please tell me if that's not true and tell me what the correct figures are.

?!?!?!

<5 calories per tsp.

Yeah, even though the bottle says zero officially, I think I saw somewhere that it might actually have like a single calorie or a fraction of a calorie or something.  Very insignificant whether it's 0 or 1.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I just got back from Walmart and got everything you suggested and will fix that for my lunch tomorrow.  I'm glad to know that mustard is good.  I've never liked mayo because of taste and I feel it is less healthy than mustard.  IIRC, and correct me if I'm wrong, the only thing mustard has that's more unhealthy than mayo is more sodium.  Mustard has no calories and very little fat and therefore doesn't add much to the sandwich or whatever its put on except a little sodium.  Like I said, please tell me if that's not true and tell me what the correct figures are.

?!?!?!

Am I missing something? This seems like some kind of exercise in false outrage.

It has very few calories (not enough to be listed on the label), but the idea that any food derived from naturally occurring plants would literally have zero calories is completely illogical.

We don't want Jeff guzzling down mustard by the jarful and thinking he's found a loophole.

Everything in moderation.  That's key.  I definitely don't guzzle it by the jarful especially because of the sodium content.  That's a quick way to a heart attack, IMO.  If I use a small amount, enough to cover a slice of bread, per sandwich or wrap or whatever I'm having, is not going to cause any harm.  I think that's what Jesse is getting at.

As far as the calories, read my response to Griffin.  I know it can't be 0.00 calories.  I'm not that dumb.  I read somewhere it maybe 1 calorie per teaspoon.  It could be 2, but it's definitely inconsequential as far as the daily calorie limit.  Again, though, moderation is key.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Advent is also a penitential season, but I doubt Bushie or his church will be giving that much thought.

Advent and Christmas are the same seasons.

What? No they're not.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Well, you shouldn't be because that's not what Advent is there for. It's an entire liturgical season dedicated specifically to the fact that it is not yet Christmas.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

...

.....

.......

...you know what? I'm not even going to dignify that with a response.

As Ebenezer Scrooge said in the Muppet Christmas Carol - "You keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine."

[Joe Biden 2020]

Advent is also a penitential season, but I doubt Bushie or his church will be giving that much thought.

Advent and Christmas are the same seasons.  By celebrating Advent, we are celebrating Christmas and vice-versa.  It's like Lent and Easter, they are one in the same.  You're right, though, Southern Baptists don't generally celebrate either Advent or Lent.  It doesn't make us wrong.

Celebrating Christmas without Advent and Easter without Lent is celebrating the feast without the fast, it's like the Resurrection without the Cross, the birth without the labor, and the victory without the battle. Not to pick on you in particular Bushie since you're far from the only one who sees it this way, but how are we going to build a Christian culture of virtue upon self-denial if we throw out all the parts of Christianity that deal with that?

What you and Nathan seem to be suggesting is that we shouldn't be listening to Christmas music or celebrating Christmas in any way but for a couple days each year?  That is outrageous, IMO.  It robs Christmas of it's intended joy, festivity, and peace on earth good will toward men.  I believe Christmas is to be celebrated all year long, maybe not with decorations, but the Christmas spirit should stick around all year.  I believe spiritual Christmas music can and should be sung all year long  The secular Christmas music can wait until October.  Furthermore, I see nothing wrong with decorating for Christmas weeks before Halloween.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Advent is also a penitential season, but I doubt Bushie or his church will be giving that much thought.

Advent and Christmas are the same seasons.  By celebrating Advent, we are celebrating Christmas and vice-versa.  It's like Lent and Easter, they are one in the same.  You're right, though, Southern Baptists don't generally celebrate either Advent or Lent.  It doesn't make us wrong.

Celebrating Christmas without Advent and Easter without Lent is celebrating the feast without the fast, it's like the Resurrection without the Cross, the birth without the labor, and the victory without the battle. Not to pick on you in particular Bushie since you're far from the only one who sees it this way, but how are we going to build a Christian culture of virtue upon self-denial if we throw out all the parts of Christianity that deal with that?

What you and Nathan seem to be suggesting is that we shouldn't be listening to Christmas music or celebrating Christmas in any way but for a couple days each year?

Christmas last almost two weeks, Bushie. That's no small amount of time for festivities. You can even make a case from tradition for dragging it out until around the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord if you really want to.

That's a pretty short amount of time, in all honesty.  It should last one or two months, not 12 days.  Eh, I'll stick with the Southern Baptist tradition of Christmas all the month of December.  By the time January 1 rolls around, I'm starting to turn my focus toward Easter and Springtime.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Advent is also a penitential season, but I doubt Bushie or his church will be giving that much thought.

Advent and Christmas are the same seasons.  By celebrating Advent, we are celebrating Christmas and vice-versa.  It's like Lent and Easter, they are one in the same.  You're right, though, Southern Baptists don't generally celebrate either Advent or Lent.  It doesn't make us wrong.

Celebrating Christmas without Advent and Easter without Lent is celebrating the feast without the fast, it's like the Resurrection without the Cross, the birth without the labor, and the victory without the battle. Not to pick on you in particular Bushie since you're far from the only one who sees it this way, but how are we going to build a Christian culture of virtue upon self-denial if we throw out all the parts of Christianity that deal with that?

What you and Nathan seem to be suggesting is that we shouldn't be listening to Christmas music or celebrating Christmas in any way but for a couple days each year?

Christmas last almost two weeks, Bushie. That's no small amount of time for festivities. You can even make a case from tradition for dragging it out until around the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord if you really want to.

That's a pretty short amount of time, in all honesty.  It should last one or two months, not 12 days.  Eh, I'll stick with the Southern Baptist tradition of Christmas all the month of December.  By the time January 1 rolls around, I'm starting to turn my focus toward Easter and Springtime.

Other than shopping and erecting plastic junk from Hobby Lobby, what does one do for the entire month of December?

Christmas parties, listening to Christmas carols, make preparations for the Christmas Day feast, buy presents for all the kids, but most of all, spend the time worshipping the real reason for the season - Jesus Christ.  Without Him there would be no Christmas and no reason to be happy.

[Joe Biden 2020]

That's a pretty short amount of time, in all honesty.  It should last one or two months, not 12 days.  Eh, I'll stick with the Southern Baptist tradition of Christmas all the month of December.  By the time January 1 rolls around, I'm starting to turn my focus toward Easter and Springtime.

Again, what a bunch of bullcrap. This is not a "Southern Baptist tradition", and you have NO RIGHT to claim that it is.

This is either something you:

a) have decided is so and want to convince everyone else is normal (forgetting that there are plenty of other, real Southerners on here who are steeped in the culture and who can rebuke your claims of "Southern" culture), or
b) your particularly niche congregation has its own wacky customs that you believe to be mainline, when in fact they are not.

My money is on a) for the most part, considering your fetish with holidays in general. People may put their trees and lights up after Thanksgiving - that is not confined to Southern Baptists or anything particularly to do with faith. Services may mention the coming holiday and have a feast or festival prior to Christmas (so as not to conflict with others' schedules), but Southern Baptists as a whole do not celebrate Christmas "all the month of December".

I'm not saying it is exclusively a Southern Baptist tradition or even one started by the SBC.  I'm saying it is a tradition enjoyed by Southern Baptists.  I'm sorry if that was what was taken from my statement.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Bushie, your Christmas celebration does sound very secular and materialistic, as though the God stuff is just a cover to look good for the neighbors.

You seem to be celebrating the holiday itself more than what it stands for.

You must not be looking very hard.  Jesus is the reason for the season.  Christianity is not a cover, it is the heart and soul of why I celebrate Christmas (and Easter) so fervently and for so long.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I made it to work this morning.  I couldn't fall asleep until almost 0300 this morning.  I'm tired, but I'm here.

[Joe Biden 2020]

1100 am Update:  Month 2 is off to a real good start.  My teammates and I have completed our first project of the day which we started before we left last Wednesday.  We are awaiting our next project.  He took a look at the first drawings and said we were doing really well.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Lunch time.  We are really starting to ramp up.  We're getting more in depth in what we're doing.  We will start the main work, what we were hired for, either tomorrow or Wednesday.  I'm still tired, but I'm managing it.  Get some lunch and I should be good the rest of the day.  I may turn in early tonight.

[Joe Biden 2020]

King, I don't remember saying that my only purpose is to praise Jesus.  It is true, my purpose and the purpose of all Christians is to know God and make Him known.  That's the main purpose.  However, there's so much more to that purpose than just talking a good game.  Perhaps what I meant was in everything I do, my life is to bring God glory and praise.  That's not just singing or talking, but it encompasses every aspect of my life.  I do try to dig deeper into what I believe.  I am a big fan of apologetics.  Perhaps you've heard of it.  It's knowing why we believe what we believe and giving an answer for the hope that we, as Christians, have.  Apologetics is not apologizing.  That point must be made clear.  Christians have no reason to ever apologize for taking the Word of God at it's inerrant and infallible value.

[Joe Biden 2020]

The turkey wrap was delicious!  And, yes, I had the carrots and celery sticks.  I left off the ranch because, to me, that would negate some of the benefits of the veggies.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Why do you always forget your meds.........seriously, you're not 6

They were just pain killers that I forgot today, but you're right, I do forget my regular meds a lot.  I am going to start leaving some meds at each place I would stay so I don't run into this problem.

[Joe Biden 2020]

will bushie work a full 24 hour week?

I've got every intention of working a full 40 hour week.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Walter, it is 1545, 75 minutes left in the day, and I have told no one except my mother that I'm tired and have a headache.  I am very tired after getting 3 hours sleep, but I'm making it without too much yawning.  I've got a Coke Zero right beside me helping me stay awake.  My headache is only fluctuating between a Grade 4 and a Grade 6.  It's nowhere near going home levels.  Besides, we're starting to get into a time where it will be harder to take off due to the type and volume of work.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Good evening, guys.  I am thoroughly exhausted.  I only slept 3 hours this morning and not very deep sleep at that.  I will probably go to bed before 2100.  My headache is better, but I'm just wiped out.  I'm going to read my Bible and then go to bed pretty quick.  Maybe tomorrow night I will be back to normal and will feel like talking.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Although, I will say that despite being super, super tired and really not feeling my best, I made it all day with not even a thought of going home.  I am going to bed early to catch up on some sleep.  I've still got 4 more days this week.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Feel better, Bushie! I'm glad you went into work today.

Thanks, Eraser, in all truthfulness, there wasn't even a thought of staying home despite being tired.  I wasn't about to let little sleep win the day.  No sir, I've given in way too much.  I thanked God for the sleep that I did get, because there for a while, I thought I would be completely void of sleep, but then I drifted off to a moderate sleep around 0245 and got 3 hours 15 minutes altogether.  I then asked God to help me get through the day and sure enough he did.  I was busy all day today until my AutoCAD started crashing at 1630 and then it was a relatively easy drive home.  I'll get to bed in a few minutes and get 9 hours of sleep.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I'm awake folks, and thank you for the kind words.  I'm about to hop in the shower and fix the wrap for lunch.  HD, I think my headache was caused by fatigue.