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  Tuesday, October 28, 2003


Rorty and Weinberger

The typical reader of Heidegger and Derrida views the hard sciences as handmaidens of technological progress, rather than as providing windows through which to glimpse reality unveiled.  Such a reader will agree with Kierkegaard and Nietzsche that Plato and Aristotle were mistaken in thinking that the pursuit of objective truth is the most worthwhile, and the most distinctively human, activity of which we are capable. Most such readers will agree with Nietzsche that what the Greek philosophers missed was the priority of art and literature to science and  mathematics—the need to view science through the optics of art and of life. Plato envisaged a science-centered education, whereas Nietzsche envisaged an art-centered culture, one in which we acknowledge that the poets determine our ends, and that the scientists merely provide means to realize these ends.

I'm thinking maybe I should ask Dr. Weinberger what he thinks of that.  Also, I think I should ask him about writing for Woody Allen.  Also it would be interesting to know how much he'd be willing to share about his daily life.  And what he thinks Dr. Dean's greatest challenge will be over the next year.

Let's have a show of hands.  Should I pester the JOHO guy for an interview?

Now, side bets... how many think he'll go for it?


8:54:42 PM    


Vegetables...

Less simple than it seems, the diet challenges me every day to eat enough vegetables.  I'm not talking beans here.  Beans are proteins according to Jorge Cruise, author of 8 Minutes in the Morning.  Nor would I find it difficult to eat sufficient potatoes, or rice.  Unh-unh, says Jorge... not veggies.  Complex carbohydrates.

For the last few weeks I've not only eaten less food each day than I'm used to, but also I've addressed the challenge of balancing the nutrition according to Jorge's plan.  I'm tempted to argue with his advice.  "What?  Only one stinking piece of fruit a day?  I'll get scurvy!"  "Unh-unh," says Jorge.  "One piece is plenty."  We want to stay away from the simple sugars.

Like a lot of nutritional counselors, Jorge paints a black and white picture of what's good for us, all of us.  Why do I submit to his will in these matters?  Several good reasons:

  • Jorge has a plan.  I don't.
  • Beth researched it and found that people who follow Jorge's program lose weight.  (I'm given to understand that people who wire their jaws shut lose weight too.)
  • The 8 minutes in the morning referenced in the book title are 8 minutes of simple exercise.  I need exercise.
  • This is one of those last chance things. At my age, good intentions roll around only so often, and if I wait for the next mood to strike, the only food I may be capable of - pablum, the only exercise - rolling the chair to the toilet.

Here's how it's been so far. 

In the week of October 5th we came to terms with the idea that we would do this thing together.  This was a crucial element.  One dieter in our house always fails.  As s/he watches the un-dieter eating cheese cake and buttery popcorn and large portions and fatty goodness, the commitment dissolves.  So we agreed that we're in this together.  We took measurements, weighed in and calculated that to achieve a wonderful weight loss, we'd have to commit to a program lasting six months or so.  We are a couple of fatties.  Even after six months we won't be at our ideal "goal weight," but we hope to have drained off a lot of excess poundage.  At that point we can re-evaluate and re-commit if it comes to that.

So after the weigh-in on Sunday the 12th, we went to the grocery store.  We bought things like soy milk and scallops and brocolli.  No chips, no dips, no snacks at all really - although we did buy some seedless grapes and when we got home froze them in little baggies containing 12 grapes each.  Jorge thinks this is a treat.  i don't always agree with Jorge.

The first week's regimen was about 1000 calories a day. 

"You must try some of these purple berries.  I've been eating them for six or seven weeks now.  Probably keep us both alive."  - Jefferson Airplane, Wooden Ships

When the entree is two scallops, you know you're on a diet.

Week one was a fast. The results were reinforcing and dramatic:  ten pounds lost between us.  I lost six.  Beth lost four.  In week two, the calorie restrictions were eased.  I'm up to a whopping 1800 calories a day.  Beth gets 1400.  I lost another two pounds in week two.

Meanwhile, the embarrassingly simple exercises and stretches that go with the diet have left me with a pleasant achiness in muscles that haven't been tested since about 1987.  One of the biggest benefits of the diet so far has been the relationship building.  We have a wonderful kitchen, designed it ourselves, about 250 square feet, two ovens, marble island with plenty of electric outlets, gas range against the wall, bay window looking out at the bird feeders on the east lawn and a cozy breakfast table in front of the bay window.  We weren't making the most of the kitchen.  We were making the LEAST of the kitchen with convenience foods, catch-as-catch-can meals, eating standing-up, the whole Americans-on-the-run drill. 

I've really enjoyed the menu planning, the shopping expeditions, and the joint meal preparation that has been happening as a result of the regimen.  Not only that but the rolling out of bed into a simple set of exercises in the morning has been kind of a bonding experience too.

We're in week three.  Some of the novelty has worn off.  It's starting to feel a little more like work and less like entertainment.  But it's for the best and I think we can stick with it.  After we roll through Jorge's 28 day program, we plan to re-cycle th exercise part staring at day one, and take a close look at the dietary mix.  The calorie count seems right, but maybe we'll start to loosen up on just what we call a vegetable around here.

 


8:14:05 AM    



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