ON MY MIND

Hurricane Irene

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:21:00 +0000

In the aftermath of the hurricane, many residents of East Hanover experienced power outages and flooding. Luckily for us, we had power. But the Passaic River has really overflooded. I took some photos of the back of Castle Ridge, where we live. There must be 6 feet of water in the back, because it is generally on open field with a downslope, all covered with water. Luckily, its not near where we live in the complex, but scary to say the least.

Good twitter story

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:04:00 +0000

Leave it to my dear friend Toni to start off with this tweet: "Having long cellphone conversations in work bathroom is foul & gross ... worse would b 2 have convo, in stall, barefoot" and then continue on a stroy with me about a particular incident. Blondes definately do have more fun. Enjoy...

tonigannon: @EOZ324 thank u! true story: in '05, i overheard some1 in bathroom @ wedding. Pooping loudly, while having phone sex w/ man NOT her hubby.
EOZ324: @tonigannon ... I think my ear drums would have exploded
tonigannon: @EOZ324 i VOM'd a lil. at 1st,thought she was phonesexingw/ hubby till i went out & saw hubby at bar, talking to friends, no phone in sight.
EOZ324: @tonigannon ... aw, if the poop wasn't involved I may have liked her
tonigannon: @EOZ324 &THEN she walked out, still on phone, hung up, kissed hubby on cheek. He asked what took her so long. that's when i took a shot.
EOZ324: @tonigannon ... there is nothing like a dame, nothing in the world #southpacific
tonigannon: @EOZ324 gets better. she was a stripper who left hubby 4 man she told every1 was her BROTHER. They moved back 2 Brazil w/ 1/2 of hub's $$$.
EOZ324: @tonigannon I am glad there was a happy ending #strippersrule

Tripping to New Bern

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:27:00 +0000

Mary Ann, Rob and I are traveling down to New Bern NC for our friend's mother's funeral tomorrow. So far it has been a pleasant trip. We just had lunch in Laurel MD and are now contnuing on ....

Plans for renovation

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Sun, 08 May 2011 23:56:00 +0000

So we are looking to renovate our master bathroom. We took this 4 minute video of what we are looking to accomplish and send it off to some contractors. Kind of silly, but I found it to be funny - I mean who lets the public in our such an intimite part of the house? Of course, Mark had to be behind the camera as I gave the tour.

So this is how it is

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:41:00 +0000

On the night before my birthday, the weather has been insane, and it is expected to continue tomorrow of course ... plus the fact that we lost Elizabeth Taylor today. Rest in peace dear Lizzie.

Definitely 'winning'

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 21:21:00 +0000

Just a video blog recap of the last week for me, in case you haven't been following all the posts on facebook or twitter. I am really celebrating a lot of the good things in life and taking a cue from Charlie Sheen.

Extremely grateful

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:50:00 +0000

A lot of good things are coming into play for me. I really do have so much to be thankful, especially now finding out about my progress on my weight .... AND about the job I started last week. Yes! You are reading correct - finally I am back working again, and it feels incredible. Thanks to everyone who supported me and sent me words of encouragement throughout the last year.

Is my luck changing?

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:48:00 +0000

So I am one of those people who say, "I never win anything" when I enter a contest of any kind. I sometimes enter for just the simple amusement to prove myself right ever time. Usually I am left feeling rather proud that I do not put all of my hopes and dreams into a once in a lifetime chance of actually getting something for free. Usually, there is a small price to pay, or you have to agree to purchase something in exchange, etc...

But it looks like my luck is changing. I entered in Logo's RuPaul Drag Race Twitter Sweepstakes and actually won! Now granted, this is not the ultimate prize of ALL prizes, but it was definitely amusing when I looked outside my door and found a fedex box with my winning prices. I decided to take a picture and share with everyone who is interested. Inside the box came a poster, a calendar, RuPaul's book "Workin' It," a t-shirt, a drag race pom-pom (lol) and some sort of eye mask where you can pop out the eyes and, I guess, wear around the house? I guess my luck is starting to finally change for the better.

I do have more to share on a secret I have been sitting on, but I have to wait until Monday to publicize it. My role in this situation is not a definite yet, so I have to wait and see how things play out before I announce it. But if RuPaul had anything to do with this good karma around me, I need to personally thank her - LOL!

Ellie

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:29:00 +0000

No I did not adopt again. However, I wanted to show off my friend's dog, Ellie. She is an Italian Mastiff. Blue eyes. 4 months old.

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Week three: -3.2 down

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:41:00 +0000

Frankly, I was a little shocked that I lost over three pounds this week. I was not believing what my mind was telling me the night before, because I had dreamt I lost that much, and I woke up yesterday morning all disappointed that it was a dream ... but it wasn't. One thing I did note about the week was that I was not as diligent in tracking everything I ate, but became more away of choices and was able to say no to certain foods that I new would be bad for me. As of right now, I am averaging 2.5 pounds per week - not bad considering I have not started exercising.

Oh that dreaded word - exercise. Eventually, I know that there will come a point I am going to have to being a routine with that. I just kind of hoping that I will have a job by this point, so I wont feel as guilty spending money I don't have. Speaking of which, no word yet on the interviews, except I have to travel into the city tomorrow to meet with some of the senior staff with one potential offer. Again - I will not get wrapped up in creating scenarios for myself, but leave it in God's hands. If it's meant to be, I will happen. Now, I concentrate on the freelance work I have been gracious enough to get and volunteer at the animal shelters.

Giving it to God

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:33:00 +0000

This week I have had several interviews for potential employment and really believe I did extremely well. Some of the companies have already scheduled me for follow up interviews for next week. I have been down this road before and I know what it feels like to get your hopes up. Last year, I went through four round interview with a bank, only to be turned down, because they felt I was over-qualified: that reason I still do not fully understand. So I cautiously go into these rounds knowing the possible outcomes. And I am happy that I consciously made the decision to turn it over to God.

Whatever is meant to be, will be. I did my part to the best of my abilities. So in the end, whatever is decided, I know I will have peace of mind. I have been learning to hand things over to God more so now, then ever in my life. What I learned about myself is that if I try and manage things, I usually end up messing it all up. Just believing in a power greater than myself, it becomes easier to let my fears and doubts in life go. I owe this new thinking to this whole new spiritual journey I have been practicing.

Maintaining week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:46:00 +0000

Today was week 2 weigh in at Weight Watchers and I was able to maintain the 4.4 pounds I lost the previous week. And I truly am very happy with the results, even though I did not loose a pound, or even an ounce this week. Years ago, when I tried dieting, if I did not loose any weight that week, it was always looked on as a negative on my part - that I had eaten the wrong way, or I did not try hard enough. With the new plan I am on, I can expect to have some fluctuation in the first weeks until after the first month. Then, at a nice gradual pace, I should be loosing .5 to 2 pounds on an average week. Plus I will be eating healthy and learning how to continue to maintain that after I loose the weight I want.

Already people are starting to notice the change and I am not hungry at all. In fact, I have been finding it hard to reach my allotted points for the day. I am liking the meetings - it gives me a good starting point each week. Besides the meetings, I am learning more about the products offered in grocery stores and find some real tasty recipes. Yesterday, I went to Applebees for lunch and was happy to see their menu offered PointsPlus items. Also, I able to understand how fat, fiber, carbohydrates and protein are all working together.

On a different note...

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:15:00 +0000

So I decided to try something different. I do a lot of reading online and I get a list from google as to what people are searching and trying to get information on. In an attempt to bring my own spin on the world events, I figured maybe this might be a fun change to do with my vlogging.

Here it is, enjoy - or don't

For the Georgia relatives

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Snowing and watching Maury

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Android blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:29:00 +0000

This is really awesome. I really have been enjoying my phone from Sprint - the Samsung 4G Epic. It allows me to use the Android applications for facebook, twitter, foursquare and now with blogger. I think I am going to become such a smartphone nerd. On the go blogging has gotten so much better...

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Volunteering personal information

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:21:00 +0000

And another video blog... some of the projects I am working on, which include volunteering at local animal shelters and my weight watchers program. I can not believe that I had the nerve to admit my weight amount. Just goes to show that a little work on one's self can do wonders - plus I am enjoying being totally honest for a change. You all better watch out!

For those interested in the Cat Society Afternoon Tea at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, I have attached a picture of the postcard with the event information.

Click on the image to the right to make it bigger to read ...

Shoulder to lean on ... not

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Lovely way to start the new year. Friday morning, I fell on the ice while I was walking Ann Margaret. I fell with my left arm extended and this morning I went to the doctor's to find out that I have a shoulder sprain ... fun times trying to blog/type with one arm/hand. At least there is video blogging.

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years Day...

End of another year

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:08:00 +0000

So another year has come and gone ... as I get older, the months in a calendar year really seem to fly by fast. I also can appreciate all of the life lessons I have experienced over the years. I look at someone who is half my age and identify with all the mistakes I was making then. And I look at the people twice my age and it gives me a sense of hope, strength and inspiration.

Have a wonderful new year everyone...

Happy 40th birthday Rob

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:12:00 +0000

I was not able to attend the party last night, but I wanted to publicly wish one my best friends, Rob, a very happy 40th birthday .... Some funny, nostalgic moments from our junior high and high school years as well as a recap from his wedding where I was his best man. Some of the memories are a bit fuzzy, thank god for props!!!

Rap Rinse Repeat - Episode 3

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:53:00 +0000

For those who have not seen the latest webisode on Rap Rinse Repeat, here is part 3. I am featured again.

Rap Rinse Repeat

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:55:00 +0000

The webisode, featuring me, for the new web reality show, Rap Rinse Repeat debuted and I have to say I was a little hesitant seeing me on film (as myself). However, I am thrilled with the outcome. This is the 2nd episode, the show debuted on September 27th. Check me out at around the 2:40 mark in the video (it last about a minute my scene).

Come out wherever you are

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:27:00 +0000

My video blog thoughts on National Coming Out Day. I attempted to record this morning and after I was done, I was very satisfied with what I said. When I played it back, the sound was off - which really pissed me off. So I tried this another way on another computer. I am not sure if I captured all I said previously, but the main message is there. Please feel free to share and leave a comment. It's important to promote tolerance and end bullying and hatred, especially after the recent events in my area.

Resource: Human Rights Campaign, Horrifying Anti-Gay Attacks Stun The Bronx, The Tyler Clementi Tragedy

STOP THE BULLYING!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:43:00 +0000

Support HRC's campaign: Ask Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Include gender identity and sexual orientation in anti-bullying programs.

In just the last few weeks since school started again, too many teenagers have taken their own lives following bullying and harassment because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. How many more young lives will be lost before schools act?

IT GETS BETTER

It gets better

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:36:00 +0000

For all the teenagers and young adults who are struggling with accepting themselves, here are my thoughts about the recent news stories about bullying in schools. In memory of Tyler Clementi and all those who have taken their lives because they felt there was no hope.

Jersey Blood

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Otto Zielke) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:33:00 +0000