10 things

After Tuscon, I had a 3-day conference in Phoenix at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort. While I worked, Larry slept, ate and enjoyed the pool all day. Last Sunday, we had a wonderful dinner with two friends that I've known since first grade. There are 6 of us from grade school that stay in touch, though this was the first time in 14 years that I saw one of them.

I'm amazed at the environmental contradictions that many companies have. Like most hotels, the Sheraton has a sign that asks guests to hang up their towels if they will be used again. If you're going to ask patrons to do that, why do you put plastic cups (in plastic wrap) in the bathrooms?

Did you know that Loverboy, The Hooters, Night Ranger, Dokken and REO Speedwagon all released new CD's in the past year? Loverboy and Dokken's were particularly good.

We are dog-sitting Barky for the week. It's been weird to have a beagle back in the house and we've accidentally called him Rodney more than once. Papa Bradstein joked that we'd want to keep him, but I think we'll be like grandparents--come to visit but we're always glad to have the house back.

Since school has been out, I've done near nothing. Yesterday, I watched about 8 hours of television. I can't tell you the last time I did that. One just can't get enough of Law & Order: SVU.

However, I did do something productive yesterday. Our garbage disposal stopped working and I installed a new one. Seriously, it wasn't that hard. Do not think that only a plumber can do it. We did have to call my dad in Chicago twice to ask questions on removing the old one, but I installed it all on my own. I'm really thankful that he did a lot of home repair work as I grew up. It's made me a lot more confident in my "hardware" abilities.

I'm totally hooked on the group, Cinder Road.

I leave for Vietnam in less than 2 weeks. I was originally going to try my luck and not get vaccinated, but everyone has completely flipped out at that idea. My friend Stephanie went this week and got tetanus, the heps and typhoid. It turns out you don't need malaria for Vietnam & Cambodia. I'll probably end up getting scurvy or something weird. My doctor appointment is on Thursday.

Corey lost his 2nd tooth this past week. He was chewing on the end of a water bottle and it popped right out.

Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite moms out there. (That includes you, real mom.)

Just use the White Strips

I had my six month check up today. As always, my teeth are in great shape. I am blessed to have a really good mouth. That could also be directly correlated with how much I talk.

The hygienist always takes care of the crappy part of scraping and polishing. Normally, I see Shelia. We've become friends over the past eight years. Today I had Karen who while nice, wasn't as on top of things as Shelia.

She spoke to me a lot as if I were seven years old. "See that machine? We're going to be putting the x-ray thingy in your mouth. Are you ready to make your mouth really big?" Weirdo.

Halfway through, the dentist came over to give me his two minute blessing. He's ecstatic with my teeth, but made a recommendation "You may want to consider whitening your teeth at this stage since they are beginning to get a little dingy."

My teeth have definitely become more of an antique white than a true white, but hey, I deserve to have beautiful teeth. "Sure, let's look into that," I said.

When he left, I asked Karen about the price. "It doesn't cost that much."

They took molds of my teeth so they could...well, I'm not really sure why they did. Then Karen gave me a follow-up appointment to do the bleaching.

As I checked out, I told Robin, the receptionist I was making my teeth sexier. She laughed.

"By the way, what is the actual amount for the whitening?" I asked.
"$1500.00," she replied.

I think my exact words words were "Are you fucking kidding me?"

When I explained my surprise, she went back to speak with Karen. Robin came back and then apologized to me.

Needless to say, I canceled the appointment. As I left, I turned to Robin and said, "So what does a hygienist here make if $1500 is considered a cheap procedure?

Breakfast of Champions

I for one, hate breakfast. I know, I know...the most important meal of the day.

But I am the guy who ate Chips Ahoy for two years every morning for breakfast. (Seriously, did you think I got this incredibly ripped physique from eating broccoli and carrots?) Every time we are in the supermarket, Larry buys these healthy granola-laden cereals and I still head for the Eggo section.

I'm 40 years old now. I have to at least look like I'm eating healthy.

Luckily, I was asked to review a product that could not have arrived at my door any sooner. It takes no effort to make, it's healthy and it's actually good.

Fiber One Oats & Chocolate chewy bars finally make me feel like I'm eating an adult breakfast. The bar contains 35% of the daily recommended fiber, so while I may not be eating solid granola, I'm becoming quite regular.

The bars are pretty healthy with everything they offer. There's no trans fat, they are low in calories and they are a good source of calcium & whole grain (both are things I don't eat enough of). I also love how quick and easy they are to eat given that the entire bar is 1.4 oz.

The “Oats & Chocolate” flavor is actually good. Since I have an allergy to nuts, I am lenient about about most breakfast bars. This one contains no nuts and actually reminds me of my Chips Ahoy days.

For those of you who are really health-conscious, there is one bad thing about the bars: high fructose corn syrup. Given my normal morning cuisine, it means nothing to me, but after showing this to a co-worker, she pointed it out. I guess that's bad, huh?

Whatever.

If you're looking to change your morning routine (including some highly related bathroom visits), then this is great start. It's healthy, it's good and it's quick.

Remember, 40 isn't that far for most of you. I can hardly wait until you join the club.