5:30 – 8:00 a.m. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. (that’s my usual time) fed Trouble some roast chicken and fixed myself a bowl of Cheerios with milk and blueberries. Ate that while online checking emails and updating my Facebook post for the day. Next, I watched the first 90 minutes of CBS Saturday Morning. Saw a cool feature on a wild animal preserve with beautiful lions, tigers and other big cats who’ve been abandoned by assholes. Also, an interesting interview with director Darren Aronofsky whose new film “The Whale” comes out next Friday. I look forward to seeing that one, featuring Brendan Fraser in a comeback role.
8:00 – 12:30 a.m. Headed to the Courts Plus for a swim but saw the parking lot was packed and decided to delay that and gas up my car for the week. I used a rewards card from BP Amoco and filled up at the station in Villa Park. After that my car went dead! No power, no revving, nothing! This problem came out of nowhere. The towing service I called didn’t answer but there was a tow & repair place right next to this gas station. One of the guys came over and gave my car a needed jump for 40 bucks. (Saved me on a pricey towing fee) I brought my ride over to JMS Auto in Elmhurst, owned by my friend Jeff Durante. That’s where I always get my car worked on and it turns out my dying battery was still under warranty so in 15 minutes time Jeff and his crew loaded me up with a new battery (no charge) and I was out of there. Jeff refused any money for the labor work. He’s the best!
I swung back to the Courts Plus and the early work-out people were leaving in droves. Got a great parking spot then hit the pool for a thirty-lap swim. Thirty laps are my minimum in the pool, with more laps to come.
Next, I spent time in the dry sauna having an interesting chat with a woman named Olga from Ukraine as we talked about diets and exercise. She’s married with her husband often away since he works for the U.S. Department of Defense. Olga shared the benefits of what a vegan diet has done for her, her son and her husband. She wasn’t pushing this animal product free eating plan on me (some vegans annoy others doing that) but it was interesting to hear how she thrives on that daily diet. Yet, I have friends who are total 180’s as they live healthy lives eating beef, eggs, whole milk and other animal products.
A hot shower followed and I got home to make a supplement drink. Then watched what I saved on my DVR including “My 600 Pound Life” and NBC Today Show Saturday which had a wild report on a ten year old Picasso-like artist who’s selling his paintings for 6 figures! That feature will be shown to my students on Monday.
Sorry soccer fans but I missed the U.S. loss in the FIFA Tournament. (Soccer is not my thing)
12:30 – 6:30 Spent time on my PC editing the annual year end wrap-up parody song Al Flash and I send to the Channel 9 Morning News. Each year we do it to the melody of the Lil Nas X hit “Old Town Road.” The 2022 review tune looks to be a fun one.
Next, I started reading and outlining notes for “Winter’s Bone,” a book we’ll be reading in English class come January. I know the story well and hope to show the film when we finish reading that 200 page book. “Winter’s Bone” is one of my favorite movies from the last 20 years.
6:30 – 11:00 p.m. Cooked two lean meat burgers with pickles for dinner and wrote up quiz questions for the first half of “Winter’s Bone.” Had “Gone Girl” on TV while I worked. I also chatted on Facebook instant messenger with a couple of friends. Last, I swept & mopped the kitchen before tuning in to SNL and hitting the sack.
I know what you’re thinking; “What a wild and carefree life of excitement you lead.” Well, somebody’s gotta do it, why not me?
NEXT BLOG- The night we hijacked The Who.