Released from Reality , the newest anthology from The Final Twist, contains sixteen short stories featuring mysteries that take unexpected directions in science, technology, sports, history, medicine, physics, and space exploration--plus original fairy tales and other fantasies. Rube Waddell is one of those stories. 

 Released from Reality , the newest anthology from The Final Twist, contains sixteen short stories featuring mysteries that take unexpected directions in science, technology, sports, history, medicine, physics, and space exploration--plus original fairy tales and other fantasies. Colossus is one of those stories. 

Released from Reality Rosa Red's Jewel

The Moonwalk Challenge Nears the Finish Line

The 6-month Moonwalk Challenge is coming to an end and my hardworking team has proven we are much better at walking than raising money for worthy causes. It looks like we'll exceed our goal of walking enough miles to circumnavigate the moon, but we've raised a pitifully small amount for the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis.

I've personally walked an average of 26 miles a week. With more than 500 miles under my feet, I'm one of the lowest mile people on my 10 person team. I feel bad for only raising $225 for the cause. I'm glad I don't earn my living via fund raising. Clearly, I'd be unemployed.

MS is a horrid disease that strikes both children and adults. I personally know two adults who were struck in their prime. Neither is a close friend, but it is still difficult and humbling to watch relatively young people fight to keep normalacy in their lives while an unseen predator saps more of their physical abilities each day.

Accelerated Cure is a four star charity working to find the cure that will eliminate MS. You can help!

Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit public charity. When you donate to the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (which is rated a four star charity by Charity Navigator) via this link: Donate Here your tax deductible donation (US tax payers only) will go directly to the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis. Also if you enter “Logica” in the message/comment box after you’ve entered your credit card details, our team will receive recognition for your kind donation.

Week #3 - Pound a Week and 6-month Moon Walk Challenge

This has not been a good week. I only logged two hours in the pool, seven miles walking and the numbers on the scale are still rising. Since starting the moon walk challenge in June, I've gained nearly twenty pounds. I joined the pound a week challenge determined to reverse the trend. To say I was angry this morning when I checked the numbers would be quite an understatement. On the bright side, I did decide to behave like a grown-up and not throw the scale through the window. I didn't even throw it in the trash. Instead, I gave myself five minutes for pouting, followed by ten minutes of planning. Next week will be better.

I have a big decision to make. One of my co-workers in Chicago has started training for a triathlon. Swimming is his weak spot, so every day we're in the hotel, he'll spend time in the hotel pool. Another co-worker may coach him. Do I dare squeeze myself into a bathing suit and swim along? I love swimming, but no one I work with has ever seen me in a swim suit. The closest they've come is seeing vacation photos of me in my dive gear. I don't think I can do it, but maybe I can find out what time they're training and log some hours at a different time. I have to do something different. Walking alone is obviously not working.

Steve's tip this week is about Isometric Exercise. Check it out.

Week #2 - Pound a Week and 6-month Moon Walk Challenge

Week 2 has come to a close and I'm going backwards! Too bad the goal isn't to simply make the scale change by a pound every week. I'd be doing great then.

I mentioned on KK's blog that I walked more than 20 miles this week and managed to gain weight. After I pushed the save button, it occurred to me that I shouldn't just spout off numbers like that when I have a pedometer and can be more accurate.

So how far did I walk over the last 7 days?

Friday - 1
Saturday - 1
Sunday - 2
Monday - 4.5
Tuesday - 4
Wednesday - 5.5
Thursday - 4.5

Looks like 22.5 miles! On a side note - any guesses which days I was in Chicago with its temps in the mid-80s and which days I was roasting in Houston?

So 22.5 miles and a gain of 1 pound. This brings to mind a visit to the doctor's office when I was about 11 years old. My mom wanted him to recommend exercises for me. His suggestion? Try pushing away from the dinner table sooner. I didn't fully appreciate that advice then, but I think it might be time to give it a try.

Steve's tip for week three concerns setting a timer when you sit down at a computer so you remember to move at least once an hour. He also shares an entertaining story about his adventures at Target. I can put this week's tip to good use when working in Houston. However, when working is Chicago, I'm generally in a conference room with 10-15 other people for the bulk of the day. We don't take hourly breaks. My first reaction was - well I can't use the timer in Chicago. My second thought - hmmm, wonder what they'd do if I got up once an hour and walked around the room. It might be fun to find out.

I'm off to celebrate my success in the moon walk challenge with a stroll around the block. While walking, I'll be thinking of ways to improve results in the pound a week challenge.

What challenges have you set for yourself and how are you doing?

Week #1 - Pound a Week

The first week of the great Pound a Week Challenge has come to an end. How did I do? I'm probably cheating a bit as I didn't weigh in until Friday morning (instead of Wednesday), but I did manage to take off a pound. I'm going to stick with Friday weigh-ins from now on, so I'll be out of step with the group, but, for various reasons, Fridays work better for me.

This week's tip from Steve - take the stairs! My first thought when I read that tip was "I already do that!" However, on further thought, I don't always take the stairs. In fact, in one building I frequent, I don't even know where the stairs are. I plan to find more stairs to climb this week.