Half A Life

Am I the only crazy one in the world or are there others? Let me explain why I ask this question. The process of my morning weigh-ins has become a bit of a ridiculous ritual around my home these days. Like most people I weigh myself in the morning but I only do so right after my morning pee because ya know that liquid can add valuable weight. I then proceed to take of my clothes and step on the scale, but while on the scale I make a good point to exhale all of the air out of my lungs and stand up properly. It is of course a commonly known fact that air in the lungs at just ounces of weight onto your frame and that when you stand as straight as possible it also reduces the amount of weight on your bones. I then step off the scale, look at my weight and repeat the process at least once more. Well ok I don’t try to pee again but I do get on the scale 2-3 times a morning. I just want to make sure that the weight is consistent and the same. I also don’t count for weight change unless the same number shows up two days in a row; it only seems the logical thing to do. This is all normal right? I must also admit to being just a little happy after a good morning Bowel Movement, because that means a lower number on my scale. Also because I am such a curious guy I will even weigh myself pre and post potty break because I find it fascinating how much that can change your weight.

So again I ask, is this crazy? Do I need to get rid of my scale for a few weeks? Do I need to start seeking help for some type of mental weight disorder? Or the final question of the day… Am I normal?

Elliptical Machine- 603calories and 3.7miles

Half A Life

The Enterprise is picking up a scientist named Timicin from the planet Kaelon III. The planet’s population is a race who prefers to be isolated from other worlds but they need help because their sun is going to collapse within the next 30 years and in the process it will destroy their whole planet. Timicin has found a potential way to solve the problem but when they reach the test site the experiment fails. Before the experiment thought Timicin meets Lwaxana Troi who is on board visiting her daughter. The two take an immediate shine to each other. On the way home it is revealed that Timicin is now on his way home to die, not because of the sun though. Apparently on Kaelon III the residents are forced to commit suicide when they turn 60 to prevent them from wasting away and becoming a burden to others. They do this in a ceremony called the Resolution. This is supposed to be a joyous ceremony to celebrate life and pass on in peace. Lwaxana is just beside herself because this Resolution is making her rethink her life and if she has become useless not to mention the fact that she is in love with the man. She talks to Timicin and through her words of wisdom he requests asylum on the Enterprise, this of course pisses the residents of Kaelon III who now want to exile him and blow up the Enterprise. It is at this time that Timicin’s daughter comes to visit and talk some sense into her father. She convinces him but he does atmit the decision is difficult. He returns to Kaelon III for his Resolution but Lwaxana insists on going with him to participate but she agrees to be on her best behavior.

The show is a statement on euthanasia and the rights of the elderly. It also shows that two older people can still get it on as there is a scene that clearly happens the morning after some serious booty call action has happened. The show also features a guest starring appearance by Michelle Forbes who later went on to play Ensign Ro during the fifth, Sixth and Seventh seasons of the show. 

The Drumhead

Today was a busy day but a quality day! I got to spend some time at work and some time with my mom later in the day. She had asked for my help taking the dogs to the vet’s office and offered me dinner, so naturally I said yes! It was then that I learned that Veteranarian offices are like quickie oil change facilities! They are always trying to up sell you on everything from different procedures to new fancy treats to a million other things. I found the comparison slightly amusing but my mother decided that this was ridiculous and some sort of government plot… LOL. Then it was off to rehearsal for the play and that was in one word LONG.. ugh.

Elliptical Machine- 460calories and 2.5miles

1/2 of this workout was done rotating between going forward for one minute and backwards for one minute so that is the reason for the lower numbers than usual.

The Drumhead

There has been an explosion on the Enterprise and some top secret plans have been leaked to the Romulans. It is thought that the sabotage and the leaked information are linked to a Klingon science officer who is on the ship as part of an exchange program. Soon after Admiral Satie is brought on board to head up the investigation with Picard. Satie is a respected Starfleet investigator and the daughter of an even more respected Starfleet judge who has since died. The Klingon is interrogated and found to be guilty of espionage but he denies that he had any part in the sabotage of the dilithium chamber. The investigation is spread now to determine if he had an accomplice on board. Suspicion falls next to a medical technician who was responsible for giving the Klingon injections. The technician, Simon Tarses, happens to have a grandfather who was a Vulcan but it is revealed that the grandfather was actually a Romulan. The whole crew, and most especially Admiral Satie, begin to become frenzied with the idea of catching the spies and saboteur. Data discovers that the explosion in the dilithium chamber is actually the result of a faulty panel but everyone on board with the exception of Picard doesn’t believe it. Picard tries to plead with Satie to stop this investigation that has gotten out of control and at the end of that conversation Satie threatens to bring him down if he opposes her. Picard is then brought to trial and everything is thrown at him to try to bring him down and ruin his career. Picard then makes a statement and quotes the late Judge Satie, which drives her mad. She makes a strongly impassioned speech which just reveals that she is one crazy bitch!  The investigation ends and everyone is left to try to sort out what has happened to them.

What a great episode about prejudice and paranoia in the 24^th century. It is essentially an interpretation of The Crucible and the McCarthy hearings of the 1950’s. The episode is really great and features a strong performance from the ever talented Jean Simmons a multi Oscar nominated actress and winner of multiple Golden Globes and Emmy’s. What a coup it must have been to get her to do an episode of Star Trek. 

Qpid

50 pounds have left the building! Is it odd to say that one is proud of oneself? If it is I really don’t care. I could not be more pleased with myself today, because I have lost a total of fifty pounds since beginning this adventure known as the Star Trek Workout. The one year anniversary is quickly approaching and I am looking forward to marking the event somehow.

Elliptical Machine- 3.33miles and 565calories

Qpid

The Enterprise is playing host to an archeological conference in which Picard is giving the keynote at the opening ceremony. When he returns to his quarters he discovers a chalice sitting on his table and then Vash appears. She has snuck in his quarters to surprise him and he is surprised and not in the good way. Vash and Picard are discovered by Dr. Crusher when she comes by the next morning to have breakfast with him in his quarters. Awkward party of 3! We find out that Vash  has heard of everyone on board but none of them have heard of her which upsets her just a little bit. At this time our good friend Q appears and he has vowed to do Picard a favor since he is owed one. Picard of course refuses to accept any help but Q is determined to help him. Q eves drops and discovers that the Captain is currently unlucky in love so he helps. He helps by transporting the entire bridge crew and Vash to Sherwood Forest where Picard is Robin Hood and Vash is Maid Marian. The crew must go through the motions and fulfill the Robin Hood legend. In the end Vash and Picard admit to really liking each other but Vash decides to go off with Q and explore the vast unknown.

The show is just simply cute and silly which for the Next Generation is at times a welcome relief as the show gets a little too serious from time to time. There are a few really great gags in this show including a scene where Troi shoots Data with an arrow on accident. The other is a recreation of the guitar smashing scene from Animal House; LaForge is plucking the mandolin and an annoyed Worf smashes it against a tree then adds a very grim “sorry”. LOL I love this episode. 

The Nth Degree

Man was not made to be sustained alone on watermelon, a diet must contain protein. Since my last post… a few hours ago, I have been starving so I’ve had several helpings of watermelon and a few pieces of turkey and  a cheese stick. Again I am modifying the watermelon diet to fit my needs. I have a feeling that by the end of the week I will be snacking on watermelon and following my normal diet. Yeah as you can see I have done a second workout for the day. I am going to try to do two workouts a day on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Elliptical Machine- 604 calories and 3.54 miles

The Nth Degree

The Enterprise is investigating the Argus array because it has shut down where they discover a strange alien probe. LaForge and Barclay (the most nervous insecure man in the galaxy) go into a shuttle to take more in depth readings when all of the sudden a bright light flashes and Barclay is left unconscious. After the accident Barclay’s demeanor completely changes, he is now confident, charming and intelligent. He begins to make changes to the ship and act on his own ideas as opposed to following directions. Barclay even goes so far as to make a pass at Counselor Troi! LaForge recommends that Barclay goes to sickbay, in sickbay Dr. Crusher completes a full examination and finds that his brain chemistry has completely changed. His new brain allows him to process and think on a whole new level, and soon this goes to his head (no pun intended). He assists with the repair of the Argus array but when trouble occurs he takes over the entire ship and winds up going too far and brings the ship to the center of the galaxy. There they encounter the Cytherians, a group of aliens that experience the galaxy by bringing others to them and learning. The Cytherians keep the Enterprise for a total of ten days before returning them to their last coordinates. They also return Barclay to his former self so that all is well in the world again. 

Identity Crisis

The Watermelon diet is really hard! I’ve decided already to modify it a little to fit my needs. I wake up in the morning and ya know what… I’m hungry as a mo fo! So in response I have decided to start the day with a smoothie and then have watermelon the rest of the day, let’s see how that goes for me. Today I finally repotted my hibiscus tree into a large fancy pot. It was really starting to look like shit outside in the little plastic pot it came in. The new pot will match my downstairs so that in the winter it can come right inside and look beautiful year round in my house. I also continue to be addicted to The Office, I’m just about to finish season 3 and I started watching it on Sunday. Maybe I need to get myself out of the house?

Elliptical Machine- 604calories in 3.56miles

Identity Crisis

Lt. Commander Susanna Leijten has come on board the Enterprise to assist in an investigation of a series of mysterious events. Tarchannen III was the site of a series of disappearances and five years ago Leijten and LaForge were part of an away team on the planet and now the members of that away team are starting to disappear as well. The Enterprise is now tracking a shuttlecraft carrying Lt. Hickman, a member of the landing team, who has hijacked it and is headed for Tarchannen III. The ship burns up in the atmosphere because it did not answer the calls of the Enterprise. LaForge and Leijten are now worried that something will happen to them next, which of course it does. Leijten begins to feel anxious and she has a bad case of the shakes. Cut to Leijten collapsing and LaForge noticing that she is starting to mutate. Crusher and Data look for an answer because this destroys their former hypothesis involving alien abductions. LaForge continues looking at the evidence and sees a shadow in the tapes that turns out to be some type of alien being in disguise, but at this exact moment he faints and the change happens much quicker than with the other people. Dr. Crusher discovers a parasite on the Thalamus of Leijten and then is able to reverse the effects of the parasite and cure her. LaForge makes his way down to the planet and the crew must now find him before it is too late. He is located and brought to the ship and cured. All is well for LaForge and Leijten but it is sadly too late for the other missing crew members from the landing party. 

Night Terrors

So this is post two for the day!

Elliptical Machine: 600 calories and 3.5miles

Night Terrors

The crew comes across the USS Brittain which is found paralyzed and adrift. Upon beam over the entire crew is found dead in a variety of odd ways, phaser fire, knife fights, strangulations, etc. One man is found alive, a betazoid who is in a catatonic state and will not speak. Soon after the landing party returns the crew of the Enterprise starts to go crazy, having hallucinations, paranoid thoughts, and Troi is having nightmares. The crew finds that they are in a space anomaly that sucks their power but it should not be resulting in the odd mental behaviors that have resulted on the Brittain and the Enterprise. Troi has had nightmares and hears the phrase “one moon circles” and other similar meaningless phrases. In an attempt to keep the crew safe Riker and Picard but Data in command of the ship because he is unaffected by the craziness. The problem continues to get worse but at least there is a reason for the paranoid behaviors of the crew. Crusher figures out that the crew is not dreaming and therefore not going into REM sleep which is driving them crazy. During a dream Troi figures out that there is another life form out there trying to communicate, these life forms are also caught in the anomaly. They work together through Troi and cause an explosion that allows the Enterprise to escape. In the end everything works out for both ships and Data commands the entire crew to go to sleep so that they can get some dreaming in and get back to normal. 

Galaxy's Child

So today I was a little crazy… I worked out on the elliptical two times and rode my bike for a half hour. I burned an estimated 1400 calories today between all of the working out! I am also a total ass and I’m going to try a crazy fad diet this week. The Watermelon Diet, I think this is a better option than the crazy maple syrup cayenne pepper diet because come on Watermelon is fricking delicious. Who can get sick of watermelon? I mean have you ever met someone who doesn’t like this fruit?? I have not but if I did I would have doubts about their patriotism!!!! I’ve also done some cleaning and laundry today but nothing to productive in all honesty.

Elliptical Machine: 605 calories and 3.55 miles

Galaxy’s Child

The Enterprise is one route to a Federation Starbase to pick up Dr. Leah Brahms, the designer of the Enterprise’s engine system. Geordi is beside himself with excitement because he has wanted to meet this woman ever since he created a fake version of her on the holodeck when he needed to solve an engineering problem. Needles to say the real woman is not what he was expecting. In his holodeck version she is sweet as pie and attracted to him, but in real life she is a stone cold bitch. Upon first meeting Geordi she does nothing but berate him for making modifications to “her designs”. The two have several rocky meetings and it gets worse when Geordi attempts to throw a romantic dinner for two which wierds her out just a little. She gets even more upset when she discovers his holodeck program of her and she reveals that she is in fact married. Meanwhile the Enterprise has come across a bizarre space creature but in an attempt to stop its attack they accidentally kill it. Soon they discover a baby inside the creature and help it out of its parent. The young creature latches on to the Enterprise because it thinks the ship is its mother. The crew now is faced with getting the creature off the ship before it drains all the power. In the emergency Dr. Brahms and Geordi work together and figure out a way to shake of the creature.