Fall Update

Well, we have had a very busy fall.  I believe I reported on going to the The Lady Gaga Enigma concert earlier in the year.  We returned to Las Vegas to see her Jazz & Piano show, the one I really wanted to see.  Let me start by saying that Lady Gaga is an amazing musician and singer.  I would love to hear her play and sing anytime, as long as she does not speak.  I understand she has issues, but I did not pay a significant amount of money to be her therapist.  I do not want to hear her go on and on about how difficult her life is.  I know it is a drag making millions of dollars a year doing what you love and to be cherished by adoring fans.  That can be really rough.  Even if your life is not what you want, share it with a friend, therapist or priest, but spare me. I want to hear singing and music.  That part of the show was fantastic but the drama that went along with it guarantees that is the last Lady Gaga concert we will be attending.  Oh, one more thing.  At the end of a song she throws up her hands as she listens to the adoring crowd cheer her on.  She eventually drops them as the cheering dies down only to quickly raise them again as everyone looks around thinking, um...should we clap again and then they do until she finally drops her arms.  Very weird.  We also went to see Sara Bareilles in concert.  It is her first time touring in over five years.  It was worth the wait.  No therapy necessary, just excellent singing and music.  I would see her again in a minute.  This weekend we are going to see Fleetwood Mac.  I know, we see a LOT of concerts...

Ok, time to change subjects to something a little more serious.  We are going vegan...When Julie broached the subject I really did not know a lot about Veganism.  I quickly checked Google and most alcohol is ok as a vegan so I said yes.  She had me watch a movie called The Game Changers.  It is a documentary on the benefit of going Vegan.  I highly recommend even if you want to remain a carnivore.  If you have ever tried becoming vegan, you will find it is very difficult.  There are so many rules to follow.  I thought it was no meat, but that only scratches the surface.  I would list the rules except I cannot type that much.  I have boiled it down to a few easy rules to remember.
1.  No meat, eggs or anything that has anything to do with an animal.  If an animal has even looked at it, you can't eat it.
2.  No milk, cheese or anything associated with dairy and or cattle.  No animal should have its private parts tugged on for your eating pleasure.
3.  Even the littlest things fall under the vegan rules.  For instance, no honey.  While bees naturally produce honey and are not harmed or harassed in anyway in the making of honey, it is not ours to harvest and enjoy.  Bees must not be forced into working against their will, even if they produce honey naturally.
4.  Lastly and most importantly, if it tastes good, it is most likely not Vegan.  SPIT IT OUT!!!

In order to start our vegan journey we went to the local Costco.  I have never read so many labels in all my life.  Long story short, we were able to purchase $300 worth of vegan approved food, although not enough to prepare a single meal.  Next stop the specialty grocer in town.  That should be a fun trip, not...

I know you must be thinking, Dave a vegan?!!!  What next, voting for AOC?  (If you are not a political news junky such as myself, you may need to look that up)  Here is why I am doing it.  While I love animals, I do not really care if they are part of my meal.  It is not a religious thing for me like it is for some people. (God Bless You)  It is about eating healthier for better results.  After you see the video you will see what I mean.  I have a torn rotator cuff ( yes, this time the left one) and have to have surgery in December.  With any luck, Veganism may heal my shoulder and not require surgery.  Ok, I'm kidding about healing my shoulder.  I just want to see how the new diet makes me feel and if it improves my blood work which is not too bad but can always be better.  I wanted to illustrate the improvements I expect from the new diet...

Dave before becoming a vegan

Dave after becoming a vegan

 If veganism does not heal my shoulder, I am having surgery December 20th.  That means no skiing this season as well as a long painful rehabilitation period.  I'm dreading it as my last shoulder surgery is still very vivid in my memory.  Oh, enough about me.  Julie is doing great.  We went to visit a college friend in Ohio. They took us to an Ohio State game. It was an amazing experience.  The Buckeyes crushed Maryland but the highlight for me was the Ohio State Band.  They did a tribute to Santana.  Their movements and configurations are the best I have ever seen.

One last thing....  Cookie did it again.  Remember how she sat at her airport gate sipping a Starbucks while everyone else loaded and eventually missed her flight?  Well, this time she read her boarding group B23 on her ticket and thought it was her gate.  She went to B23 gate, looked around for a while and eventually figured out she was at the wrong gate.  By the time she got to the correct gate, the plane was long gone.  Lesson learned, do not let her travel alone or even with Petey since he is not always watching her...

Best wishes,
Dave and Julie

Pictures of Ohio Visit below: