Axis cameras

So How much should we tip?

One of my football discussion message board pondered this subject and the opinions were diverse and somewhat emotional. Me personally; I've never understood why the tip% has gone up over the years. I can remember in my youth when 10% was the normal tip percentage. One would think that inflation of meal prices would handle the waiter getting more each year. I mean 10% is good enough for Jesus, right? But no, soon meal tipping went to 15%, and now most people assume 18-20% is the correct amount.

But I digress. CNN has published a study from Emily Post Institute that includes comments from a Cornell Human Behavior Study that purports to be the bible of correct tipping. I offer it for your benefit.

RESTAURANTS/BARS
Waiter/waitress:	15% of bill (excl. tax) for adequate service; 20% for very good service; no less than 10% for poor service
Headwaiter/captain:	often gets a cut of table server's tip; so tip your server extra to reward captain, or tip captain separately
Sommelier, or wine steward:	15% of cost of the bottle
Bartender:	15% to 20% of the tab, with a minimum of 50 cents per soft drink, $1 per alcoholic drink
Coatroom attendant:	$1 per coat
Parking valet or garage attendant:	$2 to bring your car to you
Washroom attendant:	50 cents to $1

	DAILY LIFE Taxi driver: Varies depending on locality. Assume 15% will be enough; an extra $1 to $2 for help with bags. Food delivery person:* 10% of the bill (excl. tax), at least $1 for bills up to $10. Should tip 15%-20% for a difficult delivery. Grocery loader: Check with store policy if tips are accepted. If so, $1 for bringing bags to car; $1.50 to $3 if you have more than 3 bags. Barber: 15% to 20%, minimum $1, for a haircut. For other services (shampoo, shave or manicure) tip $1 to $2 to service provider. Hairdresser: 15% to 20%. (It is now acceptable to tip owner, unless he or she says otherwise.) Shampoo person: $2 Manicurist: 15% Spa service (e.g., massage): 15% to 20%. If service is provided by owner, no tip. Staff at coffee/food retailers with tip jars: No tip required. It's completely optional. Handyman: No tip Gas attendant: No tip * Mike Lynn, associate professor of consumer behavior at the Cornell Hotel School suggests tipping pizza delivery folk a minimum of $2 per pizza. His reasoning: Food delivery can be dangerous if delivering to crime-ridden neighborhoods or driving in bad weather, etc. The Web site www.tipthepizzaguy.com suggests the following: 15% for normal service, with a $2 minimum; 20% for excellent service; 10% or less for poor service; at least 10% for orders of $50 or more. Don't assume a delivery charge, if there is one, goes to the pizza deliverer. Ask the person who takes your order.

	TRAVEL Skycap at airport: $1 per bag if you check-in curbside; $2 per bag if skycap takes bags to check-in counter. Hotel doorman: $1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 per person for hailing a cab Hotel bellhop: $1 per bag for bringing luggage to your room (but a $2 minimum if you have just one bag) Hotel housekeeper: $2 to $5* per night Hotel concierge: $5 for getting you tickets or reservations ($10-plus if they're hard to get). No tip required when you ask for directions. Cruise: Varies. Ask cruise line about customary gratuities.

Source: Emily Post Institute

* Additional source: Tipping.org

Finally a fresh post and a fresh outlook

The past 30 days have not been much to brag about from this challenge perspective, and thus there have been no posts. During this time I have travelled to Hollywood, bought a new couch (sectional actually) and a new media player which allows me to watch movies in my living room that are stored on the hard drive of my computer in my office. This is especially nice since I have that new sectional to watch them on.

I still managed to average about 2 workouts per week, and have held fast where I was since the last post. Now that spring is here (finally) I have awoken from my winter funk and have a fresh outlook. I have decided to extend my challenge period by 45 days since my main goal is the weight/waistline loss, not the time deadline, and I realized there was no way I would make my goal by April 4th. This change alone has instilled a renewed sense of purpose that I trust will carry me through to completion.

Pretty much sums up my life

The wonderful steak Kaye and I prepared for Valentines involved a unique way of preparing it.

Heavily salting the beef for 15-60 minutes and then rinsing and drying just seemed to intriguing to pass up. Always the overachiever, we left the salt in too long for the thickness of our steak, so it was a tad bit too salty for my tastes. Nevertheless, it was a wonderfully tender steak, and I have now become a huge fan of Jaden Hair and her Steamykitchen.com web site.

The downside for me is that the salt apparently caused me to retain water because I was around 246 this morning. (At least that's what I'm going with).

The rumors of my demise are greatly exagerated

Contrary to what you may have been wondering, I am not dead.....


Although, there have been times over the past two weeks that I considered death a preferable alternative to the miserable condition I found myself in, but my commitment to you and this blog required me to manage this intractable illness. (I learned that word from Obama - he was describing the Middle East). This "crud" I picked up has not wanted to leave. I'm still congested in my chest but not nearly as bad and each day it gets a little lighter.

Since I last entered the gym 17 days have passed since and the Saints won the Super Bowl.

Today marked my triumphant return and it felt good. As I mentioned in my last post 10 days ago, I actually lost more weight while not exercising and just being sick. In the past 4 days, I have put on a couple back, but I'm not manic about it. As for the lack of posts during this period, two things: I haven't felt like posting and there wasn't anything new to post anyway. Nevertheless, I apologize and will attempt to never let it lapse again.

This will be a challenging week for the BigJohn-LittleJohn program since I am flying to Los Angeles for a conference from Wednesday through Saturday. I will make every effort to keep faithful to the program and the blog.

Check Out Today's weigh-in

Well, I can say one positive thing about being sick: I've broken through the 247-250 range I've been stuck at for about 2 weeks.

This morning I had to weigh 3 times to be sure, but I'm around 241-242.

4 Days of Total Feel Bad

Well he certainly got me.... I've been down since Friday.

No workouts and that's the farthest thing from my mind right now. Monday, I thought for sure I'd be back to form on Tuesday, and now on Tuesday night all bets are off. I've masked it with some symptom medicine and think I'm getting better, but then when the 6 hour window expires, I'm all achy again. I will make up these workouts over the next week or so.

On a positive note, I've lost weight. Finally hit 245. 6 more and I'll feel like I'm starting to get control of it.

13 minutes of Total Feel Good

I am not well

Earlier this week, Kaye got the "crud", (which required a trip to the doctor), and it found it's way to me about 2:00 am Friday, when I awoke unable to swallow.

I made it into work, but in my miserable state, could only dream about getting back into my pajamas and sleeping with some old movie in the background. I finally arranged for that to happen around 4:00 p. m.
As I write this (Sunday morning), I have not left the warm confines of my abode. It has been glorious.

Consequently, I am 2 workouts behind. My Friday lower body weights, and my Saturday cardio. I am happy to report that I am feeling better, and hope to knock at least one of these out today.

This video will make you feel good

A Mississippi Success Story....

Who Dat, Indeed!

Got back last night from the Big Easy and it was incredible. 43 years of waiting.

Even the Israelites only wandered for 40.

I will post more on this a little later. Behind in work and must catch up.

Gained back 2 pounds over the weekend, but I'm cool with it. Will double up efforts this week.

I need to hear from you

As weakness attempts to descend on me.....

I am told that several people are following this blog, and it certainly would be nice to get a comment every now and then. You can comment anonymously and thus really let me have it.

Even if it's just to express your opinion on peanut butter. I mean, c'mon, everyone has an opinion on peanut butter.

My new love

Peanut butter on toast. It was recommended for breakfast on the three day diet, and I have really fallen hard for it. I asked on a message board recommendations for the best peanut butter, and the opinions were varied. . A high number recommended the Smuckers organic, and I may have to give it a try. I'm currently using Peter Pan, because my wife said it's cheap

I have been a very

My loving but morally weak wife talked me into Mexican food for lunch on Thursday and the Sushi on Friday. Suprisingly, I lost the most weight in a week. I have this theory that sometimes you need to shock your body out of the routine it's used to. At least that's what I'm going with for now.

Day 18 Recap

Was there any doubt?

A moment of reverential silence.

Day 17 Recap

A surprise lunchtime visit by one of my vendors allowed me to be treated to a noonday meal. I suggested Applebees, he agreed, and we both got the all you can eat soup and salad. All in all, fairly healthy and a welcome break from the tuna. Wednesday was lower body weights and a good workout.

Progress?

Click picture to enlarge (if you really feel the need to)

Day 16 Recap

The temptation to cheat, food wise, is intense, strongest at lunch. I have been very diligent in my workouts, and I'm continued to be frustrated at being stuck in the 249 range.

Day 15 Recap

(14 was a Free Day and unremarkable). At the conclusion of 2 weeks, I did my weigh in and did a tape measure around my middle. It was 44 3/4", an improvement of 2 1/4", and for that I am grateful. I am still disappointed that I am stuck around 249. The workout today as upper body weights, and I really pushed myself. I am realizing that I am enjoying being back in the gym. The evening was uneventful other than my "socially active" neighbors descending on the house to plot what may be an excursion to the Big Easy this weekend for the NFC Championship game. For us long suffering Saints fans, this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Tickets are already over $300.00. We will see.

Day 13 Recap

Fairly uneventful close to the second week, though I can say that I faired much better than #13 Kurt Warner at the hands of the Saints. This sets up a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to finally make it to the Super Bowl. I am seriously considering going down there for the game, and if they win I may have to veto my firm recommitment of no alcohol. I think God would understand.

But I shall cross that bridge when I get there. For now, I am ready to see my weight drop a few more pounds because it is frustrating being stuck around 249 for almost a week.

I remind myself that I'm doing the right things.