Howdy guys and gals! I didn't want you all to think I've just dropped off the face of the earth, and figured you all would appreciate an update to know I'm thinking off you!

Yes, I'm still alive and kicking! The past two years have kicked my a$$, but I'm pushing right on through!

I've missed all of you, and I do miss smoking cigars, especially when stressed. I've found other ways to deal with stress, mostly with exercise.

I'm doing pretty well, physically. Lost over 100 lbs since last October, and feel fantastic! My heart is also doing well, thankfully.

The wife is also doing well, but going through a lot at her job of the last 22 years, and it has gotten to the point where she is exploring a career change altogether.

Carson, the kitty, is also doing well! He'll be 8 years old next July, but still acts like a kitten.

Some of you may remember I work for my father-in-law. He's 81, and almost died twice last year, once in October from a blood infection, and again the day after Thanksgiving last year from COVID. Both times he was in the hospital for two weeks. But he came back strong and is still working five days a week. He just celebrated 50 years in practice, which is huge!

Hope all of you are also doing well, and that the upcoming holidays are better than they were last year!

Cheers my Brothers and Sisters!!

Glad you are doing well and I hope all the hardships turn around (sounds like they mostly have!).

See what happens to you when you smoke a bunch of Gurkahs? I mean, look at Tony FFS.

Great to see Carson Kitty Cat. Continued prayers and blessings for all.

Damn brother!? 100 pounds?

Sheeit I thought dropping 15-20 was good! Glad to hear it, man. Just stay ahead of it now that you did it. Regular weigh-ins to be sure you don't slip back into bad habits.

Thanks brother!!! Those dang Gurkha's were almost the death of me!!! LOL! Yeah, it does seem like things are a bit better than they've been the last two years. Still more room for improvement, but forward is always a good direction.

Thanks Ram!!! And the same to you and yours! Great to see you all again! I hope to pop in a little more often as the craziness dies down a bit. Might even pop in on a Saturday Zoom (if those are still going on) and treat myself to a cigar. I was a year in October since I last had a smoke of ANY kind. Saved a handful of good sticks in my Tupperdor, so the age can only help!

MACS! How are ya? Yeah, 105 pounds to be exact! It feels damn good to shed myself of all that, and to wear a Large Tall shirt instead of a 3XLT! My wife and I are on a medically supervised program together, so the support we give to each other is everything! Not a chance in HELL I'm ever going back to where I was after all my hard work!

Way to go Carson! Good to see you back.

And do yourself a favor and listen to MACS.
He’s been my life coach for the past two years,
And while it’s been a constant downward spiral during that period,
I’m sure his advice will eventually lead me on a positive trajectory…

Glad to hear the good news...Carson.

Face all your trials with smiles will definitely relieve the stress, always look on the bright side of life.

Been doing it for years, it really works.

Hey IZON! Good to see you too buddy!

Hey, whether it's upward in a straight line, or downward in a spiral, every trajectory eventually has an end point!

Thanks for the positive reinforcement brother! My wife might ALMOST complain that I'm usually FAR too optimistic, but I think that's probably a good way to be. I'd rather always assume the best, and if the worst comes, I'll face that head on too and hope to turn it around somehow!

Since it is now public record that I have been your life coach... you owe me for 2 years of life coaching.

You, sir... are delinquent!