44 today...yesterday

Well, I sit here at the late end of the 21st of May 2009, and at some time during this day 44 years ago, I was born. I am now officially the age of my step father Allen, when he passed away, and that thought has passed through my mind more than once today.

I have been kept very busy on assignment and at what is now 11:44pm I am truly tired, drained and perhaps even exhausted for good measure. I was shooting the gorgeous sunrise this morning at 5am and believed that there was a moment or two at that time when the colour disappeared from the sky and the tendency I had was to leave thinking the colour had gone, but as though a birthday gift designed just for me from the BIG man Himself, the sky then doubled in it's intensity and created a massive and beautiful swathe of colour and beauty through the heavens. I feel so honoured to have witnessed and felt this experience.

I am also very humbled at the amount of friends, relatives and family who have emailed and texted me birthday wishes. It certainly made me feel loved and appreciated. A big thank you to all who took the moment to let me know a simple birthday wish.

My feet are throbbing, my head is heavy as are my eyes, and I certainly did not want the day to pass as it will in a mere couple of minutes, without expressing my gratitude to you all. what a day of mixed blessings and feelings. One of my colleagues bought me a cup cake and a single candle and I just finished eating it with a soy milk hot chocolate and feel like a king.

I was sent this today from a friend.

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!