Boromir Is Dead

Yesterday the Orc hunt did not go so well. We lost Boromir, yet we will live to fight another day. I did not last in my second day of the Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure when I got a set of threes beaten by a flush on the last card. For those of you who are poker novices, a set of threes means three threes with two in your hand and one among the common cards.

I have walked 50.5 miles so far in 2009. The Bahamas is incredible. When I lost yesterday I was in shock for a little while, but this place is a wonderful place to regain that step in your stride. I've also been reading a book by Tony Campolo and both of those things combined have me back to 99%. (This is the biggest tournament I've ever played in as well as this vacation being the grandest prize I've ever won.) If you come to The Bahamas, you must stay at Atlantis and eat at The Marketplace buffet. We may not eat again today and for The Bahamas, that place is a great deal.

Beautiful Wednesday In The Bahamas

So far in 2009 I have walked 38 miles - most of it in the beautiful Bahamas. We had great food this morning in Murray's Deli and in less than an hour and a half I will start Day 2 of the poker tournament. Every day I've awakened singing a different song. First it was Bob Marley's Three Little Birds and then ABBA's Dancing Queen and this morning The Cars' Dangerous Type. I'm picturing myself as Aragorn hunting Orcs this morning. Here's hoping!

Keep walking!

Bahamas Update

Yesterday I started the Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure tournament at noon and survived the first day. We started with 20,000 in chips each and, unfortunately, I am down to 14,800 while nearly all of my opponents will have multiples of that when we start again on Wednesday. The tournament is so big that there are two "first" days and we are combined on Wednesday. Late in the day I was moved from my first table to one where Tom McEvoy was on my immediate left. If you Google him you will find that he has extensive poker experience. I have one of the tournament books that he co-wrote with me here in the Bahamas! The good news is that I have today off to rest after finishing after 1:00 a.m. last night.

At this morning's buffet I finally gave in and have more carbohydrates than I've had for a while. I realized that I failed to mention that I ended the year at 112.2 kilos which means I lost 24.2 pounds in 2008. I'll share more about that later as my time on this computer is running out. I have walked 33.5 miles so far in 2009.

Keep walking!

Tournament Starts In Less Than Half An Hour

My wife and I have enjoyed a few days of really nice weather in the Bahamas and we've walked more than we probably would have at home in early January. This morning we had a nice "American" breakfast at Murray's Deli and now we're back at the library. I am ready to go for the tournament and will head over there as soon as this posts. I've walked 26 miles so far in 2009. Blessings to you.

Keep walking!

15 Minutes In The Bahamas

There's not much computer time available here because we share with all the guests. If I had realized that, I would have brought my laptop! Last night we recovered sleep time after falling asleep to the Chargers overtime win. This is day 2 here for Marianne and me and we have been walking. My total for the 2009 is now 21 miles. And, yes, the food is good AND expensive.

Keep walking!

We're Leaving Imminently

My brother should be here to pick us up in less than 20 minutes. For those who might have been wondering, yes, I am still walking and so far I'm a little behind for 2009. I have walked 5.75 miles as of about 1:30 p.m. January 2. I expect that moving through the airports will catch me up to my expected above 5 miles a day average. Gotta go! Next post will hopefully be from the Bahamas.

Keep walking!

Happy New Year!

We had a great time with family last night and I took my nephews to the bookstore today. I told them getting a book was a great way to start off the new year. I'm amazed that it's 2009 and told them for someone who remembers 1976, our bicentennial, it's even more amazing.

My wife, son and I got home this afternoon and found that our neighbors think a water leak is coming from our place and I've been running around getting ready for the trip to the Bahamas tomorrow. We didn't really anticipate challenges with tasks like doing laundry right before departure. Thankfully a friend of mine and I came to an accomodation with him taking our dog to the boarding place tomorrow. If I win this tournament, he'll be amply rewarded. My goal is to blog every day while I'm away and fill in the readers of Big Man Walking. We shall see. Time to get back to the last minute preparations/complications. Honey's home and we're going to talk with the neighbors who got home, too.

Keep walking!

For A Community To Be Whole

Happy 74th Birthday, Millard Fuller. Who is Millard Fuller? In my opinion he is one of the biggest "should be more famous" people in the United States. This is from the website of an organization you probably know:

Millard Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976 and served in executive roles until 2005. His leadership helped forge Habitat into a worldwide Christian housing ministry.

Now Millard Fuller heads The Fuller Center for Housing and the following is from their website:

The Fuller Center for Housing is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and material support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.

Here are two quotes:


For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people's love and concern for each other.

Faith without works is as dead as a doornail.

Millard Fuller




The Fuller Center for Housing

Fuller Center - Who We Are

Fuller Center - How We Work

Get Involved

Millard Fuller fan club

Twitter quote 120 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777193 at ThinkExist.com

Resolution Poll

Because I had some success this year with my New Year's resolution (for which I asked God's help), I am trumpeting the idea that you can do it, too. Here is a very quick poll to get you thinking in that direction. If you are someone who does goals and not resolutions, so be it. Like somebody said, "Just do it."

Click this link to make your voice heard and maybe be an inspiration to someone else. http://tinyurl.com/BMW777192


Keep walking!

There Are Always Flowers

My parents grew carnations and roses and were co-founders of The Valley Center Florist when I was growing up. The coming new year has me thinking about them. Who do you think about when you think about flowers? Do you want to see the flowers?


There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

Henri Matisse


Matisse's Dishes and Fruit

Henri Matisse at Artcyclopedia.com

Twitter quote 119 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777190 at ThinkExist.com

Moral Obligation Of U.S.A.

I found an short(really!), interesting poll about the obligation of the United States toward the world. I'll bet it's self-evident to many. Whether or not you are a christian, I urge you to click below and cast your vote in this Christianity Today poll. Add your voice right now!

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/features/poll.html


Keep walking!

Enthusiasm Of An Inspired Moment

Herb Elliot mentioned "resolutions made in the enthusiasm of an inspired moment". Now is the time to make New Year's resolutions. How do you make yours? I didn't make one for a long time and last December 31st, I finally made one. I asked for God's help and it has turned out well. (I don't think I'll gain 20 pounds between now and January 1, 2009 to mess it up!) I urge you to make more than one resolution and differentiate it from goals. If you haven't made a resolution in a while, you can do it now. Ask for our creator's help.



Training was a time where resolutions made in the enthusiasm of an inspired moment were put to personal test.

Herb Elliott


Herb Elliott News Timeline http://tinyurl.com/BMW777187 (Google)


Twitter quote 118 http://tinyurl.com/BMW777186 at ThinkExist.com


Don't miss Twitter (video) 117 -Thank you to Guy Kawasaki - Here's what I Tweeted - If U visit only 1 tweet 4 the rest of 2008 - THIS IS THE ONE http://tinyurl.com/BMW777185