im a nerd

So while at work it is easy to talk about the many things that make me a dork or a nerd or dweeb. Whatever the phrase that fits for the situation at hand. It is easy to talk about because for the most part they kids can only make so much fun of me because i am their boss. Plus they almost all love me in some way and don't want me mad at them. Anyhow, one of the biggest issues lately has been chess. I have an associate that works for us that I saw playing chess online one day. I mentioned that we should play sometime, he immediately ran out to his car and grabbed a chess set.
I play nervously when I am out of practice, playing someone for the first time, or I know that they are better than me. So playing him for the first time I was out of practice, so double the issue. I beat him pretty convincingly. He was very frustrated the first game, we both made mistakes but mostly due to how locked up I had made the board. In our second game, I left it very open and destroyed his pieces from far away. Not a good game for him. Since then we have probably played somewhere between 200 and 300 times. I have taught him quite a bit, and it works out well for me. If there is someone new that comes along, i let them play him. Then I can tell their level of play and have an edge going into the game. Maybe its not fair but you still have to make the moves. Anyhow, i got off track. Now i am completely possessed by chess. I am reading a couple of different books about it, I dream about it. I play about 30 or more games per week. Let me clarify. I am not saying that I am amazing. There is no Bobby Fischer here. Anyhow now half of the staff is playing chess. I'm giving lessons to no less than 3 people in a week, all who have the same goal. To beat me. Meanwhile my biggest competitor is Micah, the original kid i played. I'm sure he's keeping count but why would I, i think he's beat me like 15 times. maybe 20. So the most exciting part of going on vacation next week, is the thought of finishing my last chess book so that I can get another one on a differnt strategy. Sad?

Cruisin' USA

So I am really starting to get excited about this cruise. I've got a guy at work who is so excited for me that I think that he is jealous. All he talks about is all of the food that I am going to get to eat. The food is probably the most exciting part for me as well. I have always loved to eat well. Most people know that I used to be very skinny. Weighed 120 lbs when I graduated high school at 6'1''. I remember that I lost weight my freshman year of college because I just didn't go eat. I think I got down to like 115. I never felt sick or anything, I mean I was still exercising and staying fit but I bet my body fat was less than 3%, If that high.
The best thing that ever happened to me physically was getting together with a couple of freinds at OC that had me lifting weights on a regular basis. I was thrilled when I got to 150lbs. This is also what I weighed when I got married. Now I look back and can't believe that I gained just over 100lbs since high school in only 10 years. I have always loved the idea of seconds as opposed to eating dessert. Thats the main reason the food is the most exciting part.

Of course the ocean will be fun, I've never been to california or seen the pacific. Never been on a boat that large. Definetely never slept on a boat. I think it will be very relaxing. I'll get a chance to finally finish my last chess book. Study up on some finer points of my game. Sleep, Eat a lot. Sleep some more, and just relax. Now I've just got to make it through 10 more days of work, an audit, a manager change, packing, and the thought of Caryn leaving the kids for 5 days in a row and the excitment can begin.