Peter’s Soapbox

Medifast – Stumble!

Two days ago I was just a shade over 190#, down 18# from my starting weight of 208#. Yesterday and today, I weighed in at over 193#. I suspect that I know why. Two days in a row, I “winged it” with my lean portion (sliced turkey meat). I suspect I ate too much. Furthermore, two days ago I dug out some of my old favorite hot sauce, Iguana Gold.

To my dismay, I realized that the second ingredient on the list is cane sugar. Sugar is a big no-no on this diet.

Damnit.

So I’m back on track, and using some Tabasco (much less salt, no sugar, etc.) and paying closer attention to my intake again.

Medifast Log: 30 Days and Counting (Down)

One month ago, I joined my wife on the Medifast plan. This is just a short progress report to say that, as of 8:40am this morning, I have lost 16 pounds in the first month. Continue reading Medifast Log: 30 Days and Counting (Down)…

Transcript of My Chat With APC Technical Support

I have a client with an APC UPS which has a failing battery. Since it is under warranty, we contacted APC to arrange for a replacement. The conversation is enclosed for your entertainment. Continue reading Transcript of My Chat With APC Technical Support…

Christopher Moore’s Coyote Blue

I’ve been dieting for nearly a month now, but I’m not talking about the Medifast diet, rather the media fast as recommended by the The Four Hour Work Week. Given that I’m spending less time reading hundreds of RSS feeds and listening to dozens of podcasts, in the last month, I’ve read two books (Practical Demonkeeping and Coyote Blue) and listed to two books in audio form (The Four Hour Work Week and The Tipping Point). That’s an nearly four more books per month than my average!

Coyote Blue is a good read. Moore again takes established mythology and challenges what we “know” about said myths, this time interweaving Egyptian and Native American gods. The main supernatural focus of the book is the Indian god Coyote, the trickster. Moore sets him up as a guy you love to hate from the get-go. The other main and supporting characters are largely likeable and memorable, despite their character flaws. I particularly liked “M.F.” (guaranteed not to stand for what you think it stands for) and am looking forward to seeing him in Moore’s other books. I also appreciated the subtle references to Practical Demonkeeping, and how he casually reminds the reader of the previous book.

While this book won’t go down as one of my favorites, I definitely recommend it as a great way to get a few hours of solitary entertainment

ECFiber Finds Underwriter

It was announced this evening at the regular ECFiber governing board meeting that the group, representing 23 towns in east central Vermont with an aim to build a municipal fiber-to-the-home network, is in negotiations with Oppenheimer & Company, Inc. to underwrite an $80M investment to create the network. Sovereign Bank has been hired as a financial advisor on the deal, and Greenberg and Traurig, LLP has been chosen as financial counsel to ECFiber and its member towns.