Registered

I sufficiently dried out and warmed up after the rainy golf outing yesterday. After the late lunch with my dear friend I made my way back to the office but before arriving I stopped at Starbuck’s. My mother was kind enough to send me gift cards to Starbuck’s so I could get more of my favorite; Tazo Chai Tea Soy Latte. As it turns out this is also my mother’s favorite (sans the soy) and as we were talking last week this beverage is very high in calories. I implored my mother not to inform me of the calorie content because if I knew how many calories were in the drink I would stop drinking it. This is how my mind works which is very strange indeed. If I know the calorie and fat content of a food item that is high in both categories I will stop eating it. I have very few “guilty pleasures” and they really only include pizza and the chai tea soy lattes at Starbuck’s.

There was a point in my life where I stopped eating pizza with cheese on it as I would ask for a pizza with only vegetables and sauce. I thought this was a bit too far in my finicky diet so I went back to eating pizza. I don’t eat pizza all that often but with my “free” pizza deal it is hard not to take advantage of this. The same goes for the chai tea soy lattes; I limit my intake to one a week and sometimes less then that especially if I don’t have any gift cards. I knew these were high in calories prior to the conversation with my mother which is why I limit myself. I could probably stand to put back the 8 pounds I lost since I was release from prison almost three months ago but for whatever reason I do watch my calorie intake.

I arrived at the office last night where I did mostly personal stuff which did include writing the blog. I also finally bit the “bullet” and registered for the San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon. I figured “why not” and sure it will be different not having my family there but it will be wonderful running 26.2 miles through one of the most beautiful areas (San Diego) in the country only three months removed from prison. I was also researching hotels since I would have to wake up very early next Sunday morning and make the 65 mile drive to the start line. The hotels were either booked or extremely expensive; however; I came across a “hostel” in downtown San Diego.

Hostels are all the rage of students traveling throughout Europe and I had no idea there were any in this country. Since it is a “hostel” the bathrooms are shared per floor which is a unique concept at least to me and the rooms are very small. The rate is very reasonable and all I need is a place to lay my head the night before the marathon. At first I found the concept of sharing a bathroom a bit “foreign” but upon further thought I had shared a bathroom for over 19 months while I served my sentence so I am certainly not “above” sharing a bathroom. The more I contemplated the thought of staying there the more I convinced myself I should. Life is filled with experiences and now I know I don’t need 5 star lodgings to have a great experience. I am looking to fulfill a need and it appears this hostel does fulfill the need so I will be staying there next Saturday evening.

My night had come to an end and I made my way home where I spoke with one of my dear friends before retiring for the evening. I lay down and had a smile on my face knowing my life is headed in the right direction. I woke up a little later then usual and I figured I could save my exercise regimen until after the Saturday morning GA meeting. I watched a bit of the news and then got ready. I made my way to the meeting and I once again stopped at Starbuck’s.

This morning it was to get a green tea since I restrict myself to one Chai Tea Latte per week. As I was walking into the Starbuck’s I heard my name being called. I glanced to my right and notice a person from my past. As was the case earlier this week I didn’t immediately recognize the person but after a few seconds the face registered. This was a person I had business dealings with at my previous job and as it turns out this is a very good person. We shook hands, hugged and spoke briefly. It was great to see this person and I got that warm sense when I was speaking to this very good person. It seems the consensus comment I receive when people who haven’t seen me for almost two years (if not more) is “you look good”. I guess prison did me well in terms of physical appearance!! Prison did me well not only in physical appearance but emotionally. I do have this inner peace and I can feel it growing stronger with each day as I stay focused in recovery.

This was a wonderful way to start the day and I drove off to the GA meeting. The meeting was very good and something “hit” me during a member’s therapy. The member was talking about “promoting” the ills of gambling and I knew exactly what they were trying to say. Gamblers Anonymous does not take any positions on any issues because it would destroy the unity and the sanctity of the program. I think this is wonderful; however; there does need to be an organization such as Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers. There are so many people who are becoming adversely affected as the proliferation of gambling continues to engulf this country. There are states agencies such as the California Council on Problem Gambling which I hope to become more involved with over the summer but there doesn’t seem to be enough being done.

I was watching PBS last night and several states have initiated an awareness program in regards to Meth use and it seems to be working. I had heard commercials in regards to problem/compulsive gambling when I was in prison but I have yet to hear these commercials again, I guess the agency has run out of money. I do believe these programs provide value in the awareness category. The more awareness the better and someday there will be a problem/compulsive gambling curriculum in the grammar, middle and high schools as to the ills of compulsive gambling. This isn’t the answer to getting rid of problem gambling because that is impossible; however; if it helps one person stay away from the problems caused by compulsive gambling then it was well worth it.