WIXY's Gone Bananas

I was a skinny kid until I was 10 years old. Not being very athletic and exercising my imagination more than my body, I started gaining weight. I got my feelings hurt often as I would be the target of quite a bit of meanness and the butt of many jokes. This continued until I turned 21. At the time I weighed 260 pounds. I had some coworkers who took an interest in me and were able to communicate in a way that sounded more helpful than hurtful. A change of eating habits and an increase in exercise, mainly walking, was instrumental in my losing of 60 pounds within a space of a year. Shortly after that was when I met Kathy. I guess you could say that I lost 60 pounds chasing women but once I caught one I started putting it back on. Three years later Kathy was pregnant with our oldest child. At this time I decided to quit smoking. I was also around 240 pounds. Usually when people give up smoking, they usually pick up weight. I didn't, but rather lost over 50 pounds and when that was do...

Another follow up at the doctor's office today. Leg is healed, although there is some swelling due to water retention. My blood glucose is down and I've lost 10 pounds in the past month. The doc wasn't happy with my blood pressure and has prescribed a now BP med, which also serves as a diuretic. All in all I'm happy with the visit. Maybe I can be happier at my next appointment in four weeks.

I was at Evil Big Box Store #1812(tm) this evening talking to a customer service manager, whom I worked with when I was employed there part time from 1996-1998. She was telling me that they don't hire people to work the hours I worked at that time. She also told me that they don't want people making announcements on the public address the way I used to. Funny how businesses are all getting away from the personal touch. It seems the cashiers are getting away from the "thank you for shopping at..." more and more. Perhaps some of these businesses would quit losing customers to the internet if they would try personalized service a bit more often. I also saw recently a situation which could have been avoided when I was cashiering. At another department store this man paid for about 4 dollars worth of merchandise with a fifty. The cashier handed him his change and the man claimed she shorted him 20 dollars. I suspect this was a scam by the customer. This could have been av...

This post is dedicated to my 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Leiberman, who made us write a stupid journal, making entries in it every day. I hated it then, but I blog now. Go figure... When I was reintroduced to Beth a few weeks ago, I was also reintroduced to some pleasant memories of my junior high and high school years. You see, Beth was everybody's friend and I was one of probably several boys who had a crush on her. I admitted that when we were reintroduced. Yesterday I was there getting my paper and pop on my way to work. The cashier had a problem getting the money out of my hand. I made a comment about it being rare that a woman has trouble getting money from a man. Beth then held her hand out, saying that she heard that. I told her that she missed her chance 40 years ago. She told me she never knew until I told her a few weeks ago. I learned the spring before, going to another school district, when you were the fat kid from the other side of the tracks, that you had to be ...

September 12 saw the Rittman Indians Marching Band at the Fighting Irish Band Show, hosted by the St.Vincent-St. Mary High School marching band. The emcee for the show was Tim Daugherty from WONE/WAKR. Appearing in the show were bands representing the following schools: Central Catholic High School, from Canton, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Rootstown High School, Springfield High School from Akron, Woodridge High School in Peninsula, and of course Rittman and host St.V-St.M. The WIXYcam was there and following are some photos of the show. Enjoy!

This morning Beth and I had a conversation as I stopped for my morning paper. We both appreciate the fact that we were raised in small towns. I spent most of my formative years in Hinckley, Ohio and Beth spent her childhood in Sharon Center, Ohio. I have lived in Rittman for the past 26 years. Beth had mentioned about some of her siblings who moved to metropolitan areas, but she had always enjoyed life close to home. One thing I always enjoy about living in Rittman is that although the town is small, population about 7000, major shopping areas are no more than 20 minutes away. Even the ride to work is easier due to the freeway being close to my home. I lived in Cleveland for two years in the late seventies. There was quite a lot within walking distance, or accessable by public transportation, but there was also this thing about being lulled to sleep at night by police sirens. I decided it was not for me. It's also nice to be able to brag about being heard all over town on Friday ni...

It's been one of those weekends where I've been quite busy and cannot wait to get to work on Monday just to get some rest. And as of this morning, I'm about three "From the Pressboxes" behind. Hopefully I can get to my keyboard early enough today and start catching up. In the meantime enjoy some of my photos from the weekend!

Stopping for my newspaper today, I had a brief, pleasant exchange with Beth . She had told me that she had been meaning to tell me if she were to go gray, she hopes her color would turn out like mine. Easy for her to say as she still has much of her youthful good looks. Me, I never had youthful good looks. But this convenience store is a very pleasant place to shop in the morning. I love the enthusiasm shown by those working there. Looking around the blogs, I read a post by Diane Ferri , of Coexist fame, that really blessed me as a Christian. Diane shares a testimony about how she would share her faith , only to see her life crumble around her. During all this, she made it a point not to blame God for her struggles. Betty Ann had been doing some remodeling at her blog, renaming it From New Utrech to Figurea Avenue-Recovering in Al-Anon and ACOA. New name, new template, same great content. Also same good hearted supporter of many. My leg continues to improve...

I saw this at the Evil Big Box Store(tm) yesterday and I had to take a photo with the WIXY/at&t phonecam(tm). The sign reads:"Save even more. Was $6.98" Current price is $6.98, so I'm wondering where is the saving is? I know where I was saving money and living better. I did not buy any of the product. The rumbling sound you hear is Sam Walton turning over in his grave.

I went to the doctor yesterday and he was pleased with my progress. Redness and swelling was down. I have a followup appointment in a couple of weeks when he will discuss other things, namely my bad cholesterol and blood glucose. Suffice it to say that this cellulitis has been a wake up call of sorts for me. My daughters have also taken notice of this, as they realize that diabetes runs on both sides of the family. Hopefully with the use of my blood glucose meter and scale, I can motivate myself enough to stay the course this time.

What I heard, then saw on a Yahoo video, what Kanye West did during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech during the MTV awards, it makes me wonder why some people think their star is so big that they say or do whatever they want? I want now to direct you to my friend, Sue Wilson's blog. She posted last week how down to earth Taylor Swift really is. If anyone would know about being down to earth, it's Sue. Maybe someone could send Kanye West that way. He could learn something.

The thinking for today's musing is twofold. The first thought is the cellulitis that has currently flared up in my lower right leg, as it's largely a result of my not properly taking of my diabetic condition. I have been telling folks a lot the past couple of days that I will look at my right leg and now say to myself, "say no to donuts." Second thought is that we are heading into the holiday season, and what better to say "I love you" than with tasty food full of carbs, sugar, and saturated fats? Here in the United States, we sometimes identify parts of the country with the types of food served there, most of the time unhealthy foods, especially when taken internally. The landscape is also dotted with many monuments to excess, McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. The town I live in has three pizza places for a population of 7000. In our quest for a more convenient life, we are gradually losing sight of our toes. And the all you can eat buffet is an...

Cliff Note: I apologize for the poor quality of the band photo, as I was shooting it through a screen. I promise to get some good quality ones tonight. Last night your ailing favorite high school band announcer traveled with the best bunch of student musicians to Sandy Valley High to cheer on the 1-1 Rittman Fighting Indians, as they faced the Sandy Valley Cardinals. I could feel the enthusiasm of the band as I rode the bus with them. The team started the evening on offense, but eventually gave up the ball to Sandy Valley who converted it to an early score. The rest of the first half showed the Rittman offense holding their own, while the defense was overmatched. Halftime saw the Rittman Indians Marching Band performing before a polite Sandy Valley audience, opening with the majorette feature, Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". Next the band rocked the house with the rolling Stone's "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." The musical "Chicago" provided...

Well, this week's almost a wash. I was supposed to be working 7 extra hours, but my body had some different ideas. First started Monday night when I maybe got an hour's sleep before getting up Tuesday going to work. I then got ready for a day's work, but by the time I got there, I was sweating very profusely. I then turned on the air conditioning in my office. I had to turn it off at lunchtime when I started shivering, which I continue to do for the next 45 minutes. I figured at this point that I had a touch of the flu, as I also had some aches in my leg. I had been keeping Kathy abreast of what was happening, so she knew that I wasn't intentionally avoiding her when I got home and parked in my recliner. I also figured taking some acetaminophen PMs at 6:30 would give me plenty of time to sleep it off. Sleep went well with the exception of getting some chills. Wednesday started well, and I was thinking that what I had was a touch of the 24 hour bug. Later I realized why ...

Long before the rumors surfaced about Elvis being alive, a prevalent rumor was that Paul McCartney was dead. Today's date-09/09/09- brought that to mind. The Beatles did quite a bit to perpetuate this rumor. Album cover-Abby Road:In the photo, the Beatles were walking across the road. All had shoes but Paul, some said that was a sign of death. There also was a car with the license plate "28 IF". Paul was 27 at the time, but some said that in the Eastern religions age also included time in the womb. Inside photo-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band. Paul is photographed with a patch on his uniform that said "OPD". Some speculated that meant "Officially Pronounced Dead". Paul said that really meant "Ontario Police Department." And now a couple of songs with hidden messages: Strawberry Fields Forever: At the end of the song, a you hear "I buried Paul". And now why this date is significant to this post. On the White Album is the song ...

It's a new season. The Rittman Fighting Indians have a new head coach, and the Rittman Marching band, for the first time since 1978 have new uniforms. It was parent's night in Rittman. Before the gam e, most participants of fall sports, cheerleaders, and band members were escorted on the field by their parents. Cliff Note:I felt I had to get my obligatory photo of Brenda here, so here's a photo of Brenda and her husband Tom escorting daughter Rachel across the field. Saturday night was a beautiful night for high school football. The game w as also broadcast on WQKT/104.5, so high school football junkies tuned in to the action from my small town. And the listening audience was treated to the Rittman Marching Band version of our national anthem. Although the Rittman Indians football team is much improved this season, they were overmatched by the Bridgeport Bulldogs, a team which were in the state playoffs last season. They were overmatched but did not give up, going into hal...

As this day comes to a close, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I made it. First, it feels good not to have a tired pair of eyes. I got my new glasses yesterday. I also decided to wear my diabetic shoes, which are more comfortable than my athletic shoes. Even though I started an hour earlier, I don't feel near as tired as usual. I was also told that I could work ten hour days next week, as the production people will be doing that. This means I could be getting 7 hours more pay for next week. God is good. All the time.

The official end of summer weekend is coming up and after this summer, which I have designated the "Summer from Hell," I welcome fall with open arms. But there is some real neat things coming up. But first some good news: I get my new glasses tonight and since one of my eyes has changed, I have been getting tired just reading lately. Saturday night, the surging Rittman Fighting Indians bring their one game winning streak home against Bridgeport. This will also be the long awaited debut of the 71st edition of the Rittman Indins Marching Band. Look for From the Pressbox sometime Sunday. I also have some western style ribs in my freezer. I plan on taking care of that situation. I want to see how the grandkids look with barbecue sauce on their faces. I find they like to eat whatever I cook when they spend time at my house. I'm mainly looking forward to some relaxation.

Today's a very special day For two of my favorite bloggers One who resides in my town The other in a home for loggers They both can lift my spirits up Their comments full of praise One spent her Mondays A's to Z's And now it's Z's to A's The other one has been my friend It seems like quite a while She always has a good word for me Which always makes me smile I figure you have made your guess Now please go and then please say To Brenda and then to Jen Have a very happy birthday

...Or the other way around. Took a vacation day yesterday as I had my annual physical. Things turned out fine, well at least until the bloodwork comes back. Something I thought about as I was mowing my yard yesterday afternoon was how my blog was taking care of itself. This is in regard to Tim helping Brenda out with directions to Sandy Valley. Rittman plays there a week from Friday. Perhaps if Tim decides to return to his alma mater, he will come over and introduce himself to myself and Brenda. Kinda nice having two three day weekends in a row. Even nicer having blogging friends who help each other out. And since I mentioned Tim, I also want to mention his blog, Cleveland Classic Media . He has a real passion for local media and does a very thorough job in his research of his material. Although his target readership is folks from Northeast Ohio, there is something of interest to anyone who has ever liked television.