Demented Dieter

I love these four day weekends. The trouble is that I get into bad habits. I go to bed later and later (half past two last night) then sleep in till ten and by the time I'm out of bed half the day has gone. I drift through the day quite happily, watch some TV in the evening then Jim goes to bed at ten and I realize I've done no work. So, I settle down to do something constructive at around half ten at night and I'm still at the computer when it's way past my bedtime. The crunch comes on Tuesday morning when I have to get up early to go to work. I'm a bit of a bad-tempered grouch when that alarm goes off, I can tell you.

It was a bit blowy on the seafront today but I managed to make it to Il Gelato for a dark profiterole flavoured cone. Delicious.

Current weight: 77.8 kg

The specs have arrived. Jim now looks ten years older but with a higher IQ. He is thrilled with his new found ability to read tiny print on the TV screen. So much so he's seeking out programmes with subtitles!

The only trouble is, he says I've aged a lot since he last saw me clearly. Apparently I looked much younger when I was all blurry. Oh well.

Jim has finally declared that he needs a pair of glasses. (no, not a matching set of beer steins or Guinness pint pots, be serious!) The deciding factor was being unable to see the tiny cricket score that appears in the top left hand corner of the TV screen during the test match. Specs being expensive he thought he'd better go back to work for a few days. Then the dental bill came in and prompted him to sign up for a further two days work next week. It's nice to see he's taking his financial responsibilities seriously.

Current weight: 77.6 kg again.

Of course, I should have anticipated being asked 'So what are the lyrics of Wall Street Shuffle?'

In response to reader demand, here's the link.


10CC — ( Wall Street Shuffle Lyrics )

Here's something to keep you amused. Next time you are listening to a song on the radio consider how you would explain the lyrics to a group of intermediate Japanese students. I was pondering this the other day as I idly let 10cc's Wall Street Shuffle wash over me in the supermarket. I probably just need a holiday.

Jim cooked a selection of curries yesterday and invited 10 other people to join us. I pointed out that we have a house the size of a shoebox and don't own a dozen plates but he still insisted it was a good idea. And indeed it was. Folk without plates ate out of bowls. We drank coffee in relays. I'd forgotten that we only own four mugs. However, the sun shone on us (albeit weakly) and the curries were tasty so a good time was had by all. This type of entertaining was highly appropriate in our youth but I am sure that when you are pushing 50 there is a rule book somewhere that says you are supposed to have good cutlery and matching china. Maybe one day that'll make it to the top of my wish list but don't hold your breath.

Current weight: 78kg

I finally completed my latest project. The one where I have to eat at every food outlet within easy walking distance of the house. Pizza Hut got good marks for price, speed and efficiency but in terms of taste they couldn't compete with Bar Pizza on Glyde. A superior pizza, for sure. Our local Thai will be getting further visits as will Subway but the nearby Chinese restaurant was too appalling to even consider a return trip. Ditto Red Rooster. Jaffles pies could not be faulted except on health grounds. I think their Happy Hour whereby you get two pies for the price of one between six and seven could prove very dangerous to even a dilettante dieter like me. We finished off with a drive-through coffee and muffin from Muzz Buzz. You'll be pleased to know that I had a long black sugar-free decaf with a Pritkin muffin. Jim had something creamy and frothy with a double choc chip muffin the size of a small house. He gave me a taste, it was to die for. Now I glance at the place longingly as I drive past every day but it didn't get our top award. That honour goes to Chez Uchino where we had a delightful Japanese meal on Jim's birthday. If the name doesn't sound very Japanese that's because it claims to be a fusion restaurant, a sort of mix of Japanese, French and Italian or some such. Whatever, it works. There is a purely Japanese restaurant close to the house but we took one look at the prices on the menu and decided it would have to wait for a special occasion... like a major lottery win.

Current weight: 77.6 kg

I woke up late, lay in bed listening to a CD of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Tertiary Phase' then went out for a delightful stroll along the seafront with Jim. He's so thrilled to be not working on a Monday morning after two months of full time employment. (Your heart bleeds for him, I know) We stopped off for an ice-cream (choc chip, since you ask) and, well, here's the thing, I totally forgot to weigh myself. A Freudian slip? I'll try to remember tomorrow.

The casserole was certainly edible. In fact, Jim placed a repeat order for the following week. I'm bored with that now though. Send me some suggestions for next week please.

I have received complaints from readers about the lack of updates to the DD. Yes, I have been a little tardy. It's all these domestic responsibilities I've suddenly acquired since Jim decided to go out to work for a living (albeit temporarily). Ironing, for example, is very time consuming. Hoovering seems to take forever, and then Jim complains that I don't do it properly. Move the furniture? He's kidding, right? I even had to put the bins out this week because on Saturday he tripped over his slippers, landed on his head and did his back in. Don't laugh the poor boy's in agony. You're laughing aren't you? Don't lie, I know you are.


As if I didn't have enough worries. The doctor called me in to discuss my recent blood test results. The good news is that my blood pressure is good, I’m not diabetic and everything seems to be more or less normal… except that (no surprise here) that my cholesterol level is now 6.3. Considering that it’s been as high as 6.7 in the past that’s not too bad but, of course, still warrants attention. It’s all down to Jim working. We’ve been getting take-aways instead of eating his healthy stuff. He's back to Mr Domestic next week. In the meantime, it was fish and chips for tea. I compromised by having the fish grilled.

Current weight: 77.2 kg