First, it was freaking cold, 16.4F when I woke up. Since it was so cold Andrea asked me to stay home until it got closer 40F so the dogs could stay in, and since it was a “work from home” day it was okay, even though I planned to go in later.

I let the horses out, mucked the barn and then did my usual Wednesday run (4 miles, 43 mins). I’ve been very nervous about my weight over the holidays. I used to weigh myself twice a day but recently stopped doing it altogether unless I’ve had a run. On Monday I was at 179.4, which is about five pounds heavier than I like (but still 45 pounds less than the same time last year). I was really working hard not to hit 180, as it might have been an emotional downer. Today, however, I was at 177.2, so as long as I eat right over the next week or so I should get back below 175. I like hovering around 173-174, since that means I can occasionally splurge and it not have a big impact.

While I was waiting for it to get warmer, I noticed that American Airlines has decided to screw me. I have been striving to hit 2 million program miles which would make me elite Platinum status for life. However, it turns out that they’ve changed the rules and now only in-seat miles count, no bonuses or other means of adding miles. I only do about 60K-70K in-seat miles a year, but since Platinum doubles those miles and I have a couple of credit cards tied to the account, I post about 250K miles a year. I was hoping to hit 2 million this year, but it looks like that ain’t gonna happen.

They started the new program on 1 Dec, where I posted 1.719M miles. Now my balance is 1.768M but since I haven’t flown since before Thanksgiving my “million miler” mark hasn’t changed.

I was really pissed until I realized that nothing has really changed but that one aspect of the program, but it still might make me look elsewhere (Delta, perhaps).

Anyway, once it got warmer, I locked the dogs up and went to the office via Angelina’s, where I went to get lunch and drop off the cheesecake.

I made the mistake of giving them the cake before I ordered, so my money was no good (and John even threw in an extra falafel). I’ll have to wait until I go back to see how they liked it. From what I could taste from licking the bowl it was mighty good, and Andrea asked me to make one for her office.

At the office I finished the storeroom. I don’t have a “before” picture, but it turned out pretty well.

Outside of loading up the excess cardboard boxes to take to the dump, I spent the rest of the work day doing the usual support and e-mails.

Well, with one exception. Andrea and I are going to Vanuatu in November and I’m really thinking that I might attempt to get my scuba certification. This would be huge, since I’m deathly afraid of the ocean. I love being in a swimming pool and may someday own one, but looking down into the inky depths while the shore is an uncomfortable 50 yards (or much, much more) away scares the bejeesus out of me.

But Vanuatu hosts the [SS President Coolidge][1] considered by many to be one of the premiere dive sites in the world. And since I don’t know when and if I’ll ever be able to return, this may be my only chance to see it.

I got home, let the dogs out and prepared the barn. Then I went in and made a cheesecake for Andrea. She made it home about 8pm, so we ate a light supper, I cleaned up the kitchen, practiced guitar and wrote this note.

Off to bed.