The Last Supper, or Somesuch...

So have you ever thought about what you might want to eat if it were your last meal? I don't suppose that a lot of people this side of death row need to think about that very much, but it does make for an interesting question, frankly. With the start of the new year, and with the recent deaths of two friends both with young kids still at home, (RIP Rich and Rick) I am going to participate in a meal replacement program designed for diabetics.

On that program you can eat as much of the prescription food items that you need to stay full, but ZERO outside food. That's nothing. No samples at Costco, no licking the beaters,... nothin'. I have to go to the doctor to get my glucose checked weekly too, so it will be a full-on hoot for 2012.

It raises an interesting question for the day though. If you had one last day to eat regular human food, and could essentially choose whatever you would like, within reason, what would it be? I'm not sure yet. I made boneless pork ribs for friends last night and am going to a New Year's Bash where I know that carnitas will be served along with homemade pico de gallo... that should do it, I would think.

Also, I got an Applebees gift card burning a hole in my pocket too... Decisions, decisions...

A tragic epiphany moment...

It has been an interesting, awful week in many respects. I lost a good friend, suddenly- http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/13/2648527/local-briefs-fresno-unified-administrator.html

Rick was the District's pride in the area of career / technical education, and just a terrific human being. He was one of those guys with whom inside jokes always seemed really appropriate. Once, for example, one of our fellow District staff members- an Asian lady, to be precise- confused the two of us, calling Rick my "twin." Being my typical smart-alecky self, I responded, "Jeez, you see one big white dude around here, and you think we are all the same ..." That stuck, and we were "twins" from there forward.

Well, my twin died Tuesday morning, suddenly, at age 47 (not 46 as reported in the story). All signs point to him having had a heart attack, leaving behind a wife and several children, none older than high-school age. Tragic. Such a kind, warm, funny person. I was proud to be his twin.

I realize, though, that Rick's fate is mine in 5 years if I make no changes...

Diabetes is interesting. When people hear that you have cancer, they usually say "Awww... I'm so sorry to hear that." When they find out you have diabetes, though, the response is more along the lines of "Damn.. that dude eats way too much fried chicken."

Not interested in dying. More to come. RIP my twin, Rick Ehrlenheim...

Fear and (Self-)Loathing in Folsom?...

Had a reunion with the Henkle side of the family today at Aunt Cathy's... So amazingly wonderful! If I weren't related to those people, I would fight hard to make them my friends! It is scary though, how many of us there struggle with weight issues. When it comes to me, I just joke around about it mostly. Like with everything. But I am sensing a new trend...I hate to see myself in pictures. When the opportunity exists to sit in a booth, I tend to opt for a separate chair... I make the joke about it before anyone else can make a sarcastic comment. It isn't healthy. I didn't get to attend the SC reunion with my friends, but when I saw them taken in a photo together, I was glad I didn't, frankly. They looked terrific- not aged beyond their years. Frankly, I gotta prioritize things differently, or I am going to die. And I'm not ready to die yet. And moreover, if I die, Tiff is going to kill me.

I am about positivity, motivation, and straight talk in ALL OTHER aspects of my life. All of my work in my adult life is about helping people get real. Why not this?

Glucose Monitoring and Weight Loss...

Got the glucose monitor via UPS today. Took two readings... 176 and ...260! WHAT? Not good...

Also went to weigh in with the good people at weight watchers today and lost 1.6 since my last weigh in... I went at the tail end of the meeting. There is something too bizarre standing in line with a bunch of other fat people talking about wheat germ...

Tiffany took a shot at the blood sugar monitor too, and weighed in at a mighty 49. Apparently she needs more Snickers bars... The cruddy thing is that I couldn't erase her test in the memory of the monitor, so she has skewed my average downward mightily. She will be taking all of my labs for me from here forward. I may have high blood sugar, but my estrogen levels will be right on the money...

First Course of Action? Host Dessert Auction...

When given a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, which in and of itself creates a feeling of numbing shock, there are a lot of possible responses: price compare glucose monitors, contact a resigistered dietician, gather relvant reading material, etc. As for me, I am going to host a dessert auction.... Tonight the youth program at church is raising money to send young men and women to camp. It is a great cause, and raises a lot of money annually. I've been the auctioneer for the past few years, but tonight's experience should be a whole lot more ironic...given that I can't eat a single thing I will be hawking... I hear the Jewish guys are auctioning off pork loin next door at the synagogue too.

AFGO! Another Freaking Growth Opportunity!

Today I went in to meet with Physician's Assistant Angelini at the Oakhurst Medical Center and she let me know that I have Type 2 Diabetes. Life never ceases to throw curveballs. Sometimes it is easy to forget that this life is essentially a test rather than a reward.

When I shared the information with Andrew Lustig, my life coach / rent-a-friend / actual friend, he described the whole thing as AFGO. "Another Freaking Growth Opporunity." Seemed pretty appropriate to me, actually. So here I go, delving into the blogosphere, to chronicle this next somewhat inglorious phase of my life. So much for the Jabba the Hutt, high living lifestyle...

I prayed that 2011 would be easier than the previous year. So far, not so much.