220 (43) What's the Good Word?

Good Evening!

"Neon Triptych" was fun, although my favorite drawings are the caricatures of my brother, Brian.

I just bought a mechanical pencil with a .7mm HB lead and I'm pleased with the energy in the linework.

It's been a wonderful weekend, but I've come to the conclusion that my sense of organization is flawed (I tend to overbook events, resulting in last-minute cancellations, and that cannot continue). So I took the plunge and picked up a daily organizer/calendar! Daily events are "up-for-grabs" no longer! I hope it works! Once I finish this post I'm entering all my "things" for the week.

The medical procedure went well. I'm healthy and have no issues, aside from my penchant for bad puns. Thank goodness. I can live with dumb jokes. And the week has started well with a solid workout and a good starting weight (220). I've got a good feeling about the coming days.

Oh yeah, I just bought new music today. Best find so far is a group called Band of Horses. FUNERAL is the reason I sought them out. Good stuff. Amazing how quickly music can change your state. Sad but not sappy, good energy and thoughtfulness. I've been thinking about meditating (which is better than just sitting here, doing nothing!) and I wonder if this would be music I can meditate to...?

Talk to you soon! Have a great evening!

Frank

221 (44) C is for COLONOSCOPY

Good morning, dear friend!

And what a lovely day it is! The rain has been falling steadily since daybreak, and the earth is drinking its fill. What water collected on my Jeep poured down upon me in a shocking stream when I opened the driver's side door. I need to be quicker getting in the car... or get a better soft top for the Wrangler. Still, it was funny... and it's just water.

Well! Today is a very interesting day! Much like Christmas Eve. Well, it's the eve of something, but not presents! I have a colonoscopy tomorrow! Yay! I like to think of it as "The Fantastic Voyage". In just under 22 hours from now we'll join the good doctor and his team of specialists as they explore the inner workings of FRANK, searching for polyps, laughs, and high adventure on a Road Like No Other!

Will he be able to match the 99 hour fast of his fabulous sister? (no, as the late night chicken soft taco will attest to). Will he be able to bid "Adieu" to his beloved broccoli in order to make history? (well, for a day, I can keep the greens at bay). Will this help him jump higher, run faster, be overall funnier and STILL play the piano? (insert sound of 6Million Dollar Man here)

All these questions will be answered on August 27th!

... actually, I've been told it's a routine procedure, no drama, I'm sedated and pretty much out of it. Not even a fridge magnet as a keepsake.

Ahh well...So today it's water and Gatorade and more water and ever more Gatorade and yes, I'm still playing volleyball tonight (I HOPE this isn't a mistake, it'll be between dosings of the fluid that's supposed to help prep me). Fingers crossed....

hey! just fought off my first hunger pang of the day! Take that, HP, have more Gatorade!

All right, I should go. I'll write again on Friday, perhaps tomorrow evening. I'm sorry that the SCOPE has hijacked today's post. In other news, I've been working out regularly in the mornings, and it's been wonderful! Had a great dinner last night at a restaurant called KARYN'S RAW (on Halsted, by the Steppenwolf). Very tasty, very creative! I recommend the Jamaican ginger ale and the empanadas.

Um...I still need to buy a new bike helmet after last week's crash. and yeah, all else is good. I'm challenged by the usual trials, and I laugh at the antics of my friends. Life is good.

Take care! and thanks...
Frank

A few more sketches

latest efforts...

Hope, Regret and Nachos!

218 (41)! What a great number! Gotta love 218! I'm typing this line as I munch on some late night spinach, almonds and water! This is both my dinner and my defense against the ice-cream waiting for me at my parent's house tonight! There's an impromptu family party to bid 'adieu' to a cousin flying back to Spain tomorrow morning! As soon as I finish this note, I'll be off like a herd of turtles to get to the party!

So.... Hope.

Ever want to laugh and cry at the same moment? Mix in feelings of balance, calm and joy. That's been the last few days, weeks and (yes) months! (smiling)

Regret.

The time it took to get to this point in my life. The pain and hurt caused, clinging to emptiness, loss and confusion. A turmoil of noise and doubt swirling inside my head. Into the Storm, indeed.

Nachos.

Not much to say about nachos. You either love them or not. I found the best ones at Alumni Club in Schaumburg.... I recommend the combo, large! Order a 3-1-2 and watch some great volleyball! As much as I love spinach, some crispy nachos piled high with melted cheese, chicken and tomatoes....mmmmmmmmm!

Alright...the spinach is eaten, the broccoli enjoyed. Gonna fill up the water bottle and hit the highway!

I'm thinking of you, and hoping you're well! Until next time....

Frankie

p.s. Thanks for reading!

221 (44) Luke, you've turned off your targeting computer!

Good afternoon!

Hey hey, 221 on a beautiful Tuesday morning! Followed by a Sausage McMuffin at breakfast, a turkey/avocado sub for lunch, and a granola bar before 1! Alright, a little off the reservation (did I mention the Doritos?)... but now's a good time to rein in a little. 215... has been done, can be done again! Thursday?

Emissions tonight, vehicle sticker, gym, Trader Joe's (mmmm, Pita chips!), and then a salad and a very late 9:45 volleyball match. It's rounding out to be a full rich day.

I sketched in the doctor's office yesterday, and will post soon. SPIRAL #2 is still in my head, and I'm still not reaching for the sketchbook as readily as I'd like, but you know, I'm okay with the balance right now.

Have to stretch soon. Knee is tender today. Funny... more stretching = less pain, and no stretching = sore to the touch.

Take care out there! This feels like a "keep head down and stay focused" kind of day, and yet despite that, the near future seems so promising. It's a Tuesday of Contentment.

Frank

224.5 (47.5) Good Heavens! Are those... SKETCHES???

Good Afternoon!

I'm running out the door to a doctor's appointment, so allow me to paraphrase the underwear salesman when I say: "let's be brief!"

Hit 215 on Friday!

218 on Saturday!

230 Sunday night!

224.5 this morning!

It's a rollercoaster!

and Sketches are attached!! Including the first draft of SPIRAL OF GRATITUDE! The most interesting thing about these drawings is the new pen... it's more of a brush, and requires me to think differently about composing quickly and with less awkwardness.  It's been a pleasure, so far.

Be well, and try to find at least ONE interesting cloud out there today!

Back before either of us knows it!!

Frank

217 (40) Doc, I just don't stretch that far!

217 pounds.

It's awesome. A magical number. Totally unexpected.

So today is the tricky day.... first day after a new dip in weight, I'm most likely (historically speaking) to overeat. My plan? Water and spinach and broccoli and S - L - O - W eating of anything else.

It's 4pm.... time for some almonds.

Thanks for reading this! Today is a big day.

It's also a sad day. But it'll pass.

And it's also a SORE day. Physical therapy today....learned a bunch of new exercises! Ouch! In order, for the next week.... 10 min cardio warm up, stretch the hammies on the Prostretch, IBT stretch, then hip flexor (very important for my sore stomach muscle), performus (sp?) stretch (think cannonball and jacknife into pool), pelvis roll, London bridge (arch pelvis up with knees til back feels like, well, London Bridge). Finally, Imaginary Chair (with kickball between knees). But, if this keeps me running... Hell's Yes I'll do it! Oh yeah, and 10 minute treadmill, walking bacwards at high incline, SLOWWWWWLY, LONGGGGGGG strides. Legs and hips feel used and abused right now.

Alright, work beckons. Be good! Sketches... one day! (shaking head) I can acutally SEE the pics in my head.... must make time to draw!

Woody