Old People are Mean

When my mother was younger, you could honestly say she was one of the nicest people in the world. I'm not saying she was going to fall over herself doing things for you, but she always had a smile on her face (except when I got caught sneaking out) for everyone around her. I was having a conversation with my sister today and she told me that Mom was mean to the lady who did her hair. I was shocked. She was always too proper and too concerned with what other people thought to make anyone mad at her or be rude to people. Now she doesn't give a shit who she offends and what she says. Of course, my first thought was about myself. Can you imagine what a raging bitch I will be at that age? I'm not near as nice as she was.

It's a Disgrace

I receive a daily gaming report that mostly talks about the investment arm of gaming.  It tells how the stocks are doing, any major stories, etc.  You know, an industry newsletter.  I read it faithfully.  Never know what you might learn.  It's usually really boring, but I came across something yesterday that really ticked me off.  Please keep in mind that Nevada was probably the hardest hit state by the recession.  Our property values are down 40 to 80%, which explains why we have the highest foreclosure rate in the country.  Our unemployment is still on the rise and is over 12%.  Everywhere you look, you see buildings that are half-built or abandoned.  It's not good. 

Enter the government and how we can always count on them to help.  The following is an excerpt from the Fantini Report, the gaming industry newsletter:

Newspapers seemed to have gaming on the brain in the last 24 hours.   The Wall Street Journal published a story on how the U.S. government may be saying they are not doing anything to hurt areas like Las Vegas but their actions are speaking a lot louder than their words.  The WSJ said that big agencies like the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture are being encouraged to host meetings in places like St. Louis, Milwaukee and Denver, rather than Las Vegas, Reno or Orlando.   The article discussed how a conference planner for MGM Mirage’s New York – New York Hotel & Casino tried to book a conference with the FBU but was sent an e-mail saying the Dept. of Justice decided conferences are not to be held in cities that are vacation destinations/spa/resort/gambling.   Las Vegas and Orlando were the two specifically listed as no-no’s.  The Dept. of Justice told the WSJ that they have guidance that says avoid locations and accommodations that give the appearance of being lavish or are resort destinations.   The U.S. Travel Association showed the irony of all this because locations on the black list are known for having the most hotel rooms and conference space and often offer the best deals on meetings and conferences.   The Association said they believe the agencies are worried about scrutiny and in order to avoid criticism from the media, they are spending more money.   When are they going to start getting media criticism for that or for the fact that their actions are resulting in lost jobs.  Has everyone forgotten the White House Chief of Staff statement that “government travel is not focused on specific destinations but on cost and efficiency?”   The people at the top will point fingers at individual agencies such as the Agriculture Dept. who said the guidelines for meetings include:  a travel hub; low cost; and a non-resort location.

Nice.  In typical government fashion it makes total sense.  Let's spend more money so that no one talks bad about us.  Let's put our money in cities with 9.8% unemployment (Milwaukee), instead of cities with over 12%.  Oh, and for all you convention goers this year, have fun in the Midwest while you think about what you are missing in Vegas.

Ok, I'm trying

I know I have been absent for awhile. There has been a lot going on. Lots of travel, sick family members, wedding showers, etc. I'm going to try to get back to writing.

We are going to start out with more triathlon training (yeaahhhh). I've just started training again for a triathlon in October. Somehow, since the last one I've managed to gain 10 pounds so that stops here. I wish I was at the weight I was when I was complaining I was fat. I'm working with the same coaches as before so that will be good. I'm going to try and log what I do everyday and hopefully that will spark a few stories.

Today I swam 3500 meters. Hmmm, no story.

My coaches suggested getting a new scale. I hate them for that. They suggested one of those fancy numbers that tell you percentage of body fat, metabolic age, and a bunch of other stuff I can't figure out because I can't get past the percentage of body fat. WHOA MAMMA! Have you ever been on one of those bastards? What kind of sick person came up with this tool? I'm guessing someone with 10% body fat. Now, I'm not giving out numbers but let's suffice it to say that it isn't pleasant. Also, probably not great for someone obsessed by their weight. If you lose a pound, then you can gain a pound of body fat. The whole thing is exhausting. I know it's not completely accurate, but yikes. Time to put down the fork, sister. It's just so hard when there is so much yummy food around. Bev set me up with a delicious meal over the weekend and some beautiful tomatoes which cried out for bacon. Of course, I had to oblige. It was my first bacon and tomato sandwich of the year. Based on today's scale numbers, it will also be the last. The few little jewels that came home with me on the airplane, will be eaten sans bacon. Dammit. Why does bacon have to be so tasty?

British scientists have pinpointed the exact chemical reaction that makes bacon so tasty. The Maillard reaction, which occurs between an amino acid and a reducing sugar when heated, releases the smells and flavors that make people salivate. Your mouth is watering now, isn't it?

In my many trips this month, I read the Spirit magazine on the Southwest flights. There was actually a drink made with bacon. Bacon flavored vodka and the garnish was a little piece of tightly wound bacon resembling a straw. Oh, you wrinkle your nose but you know you want to try it. In fact, everywhere I turn there are more and more ways to use bacon. America is in a sort of bacon explosion, and I can only applaud the expansion. I'm not, however, applauding the expansion of my waistline but to be fair to bacon, I don't think it is entirely to blame. I have recently seen bacon-flavored coffee. Now, we could get our entire breakfast from our coffee. If you had someone who had pancake flavored coffee, you could switch off and have a great breakfast - all with very few calories. For dessert, there is chocolate covered bacon. Mmmmmmm. Right when all the great bacon recipes are emerging, I have to watch my bacon input. It's so unfair.

Wake up, America. Embrace the Bacon Explosion. To fully enjoy it, I don't suggest buying one of those stupid scales.