I’ve not covered the activities happening in Gaza because, well frankly, Atlas does a much better job.  We all know the main stream media isn’t covering it.  If you only heard what the news said, you would assume that Israel is picking on those poor helpless terrorists.  There’s lots of talk about negotiation with Hamas.  I’m sure that Israel can find common ground with a ground that hides their weapons in the homes of innocent citizens, uses children as shields, and has a goal of exterminating Israel.  Rock-hard place.  Israel wants to exist; Hamas wants Israel exterminated.  Great way to start a conversation!

And in typical liberal media form, it’s all Bush’s fault.  Yes, apparently the evil-mastermind/buffoon is behind Israel’s defensive actions.  It’s his last ‘war crime.’  (We’ll ignore the fact that he’s yet to commit the first war crime.)  Because he said this:

This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas — a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel’s destruction. … Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable. And promises from Hamas will not suffice — there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end. I urge all parties to pressure Hamas to turn away from terror.

It’s quotes like this that made me choose him as a profile of a real man.

But the media doesn’t see it that way.  No apparently the efforts by Hamas to destroy Israel are not that bad.

But Israel could easily have absorbed the rockets launched by Hamas, nearly all of which crash harmlessly in remote areas, if it had truly sought to work out an accommodation with the Palestinians.

You know.  It’s just rockets.  No big deal really.  That’s like saying to a rape victim that it’s just sex.

It is violent action intended to do grave harm to Israel.  Deadly force is warranted to defend against deadly force.  Even if it is blundered deadly force.  If Israel were to just absorb the attacks as suggested, more would come.  The next might not be so remote.  Maybe a kindergarten.  Oh right, they’ve done that.

Hamas isn’t playing.  They’ve made no secret of their desires.  Israel isn’t taking it anymore.  And apparently, it’s all the fault of President George W Bush.

Or possibly public humiliation. I said I was going to do it. There are apparently witnesses. In fact, 2 of you have already admitted that you are crazy enough to play along. So here goes.

Yep, those are my feet. I should really paint my toenails. That is a vintage Health-O-Meter.

My beginning weight: 134.5 pounds! My goal is 120 or less.

Waist: 30 inches. Goal is 26.

Hips: 40 inches! Yikes! Yeah, should be more like 34. Must get the ass under control.

Chest: 34.5 inches. Meh, this is fine.

For added reference, I am 5 feet 4 inches tall. At least, without my fantastic shoes.

My husband has agreed to play too. So here are his beginning statistics.

Weight: 141.5 pounds. (He insists that I also tell you that with his guns and boots and clothing, his weight is 153 pounds.) His goal is to weigh at least 145.

Waist: 30.25 inches. Goal: 29

Hips: 36.25 inches (Yes, my ass is way bigger than my hubby’s.) Goal: None

Chest: 37.5 inches. Goal: 38-40

Biceps: 11.75 inches. Goal: at least 13.

So if we each achieve our goals, the net weight of our household shouldn’t really change. I lose it, he’ll gain it, and all will be well. I will post another update next Saturday. Hopefully, we’ll have some more players by then.

And yeah, after taking my measurements and stepping on the scale, I had to get out my ab roller almost immediately.

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year’s Eve and that 2009 is starting off well.

I don’t generally make New Year’s resolutions because I suck at keeping them. One year, I actually resolved not to make resolutions. Yes, I realize that is self defeating. This year, I’m doing it a little different. I figure a little accountability will help. Of maybe a lot. From strangers. On the internet. I’m nuts.

Like a lot of people, I’m not in the kind of shape I would like to be in. I’ve got to do something about it because I don’t want to wind up looking like my mother (sorry mom). I’m not big, but I’ve been in much better shape before. I don’t know that I’ve ever been in worse shape than I am right now. So I decided I would be very public about my progress. I plan to post my weight and measurements here every week this year. I need to obtain a scale this weekend, so I can’t do it today. This way, I can track my progress and so can you.

But why should I keep all the fun to myself? Join me, will you? I’ll even take the pressure off. You don’t have to give starting numbers, just a plus or minus pounds and inches. Email me (jennifer AT injennifershead DOT com) your info, and I will track it. You can even be anonymous if you like. (You have to tell me who you are, but I pinky swear that I will not share the information if you don’t want me to.) If you choose to be anonymous, I’ll just list you as challenger 1, 2, 3 etc. This way, we can have accountability and a little friendly competition.

If you want to play along, let me know by January 10th. I will need height, weight, chest, waist, and hip measurements. (On weight and measurements, you can use X if you only want to publish amount of change.) Also, let me know whether or not I can reveal your identity. If enough people play along, I will see what I can do about scrounging up some prizes.

Whether you play along or not, check back for my updates/progress. You can give me encouragement or tell me that I need to get my floppy butt back on the treadmill. I can take it. I plan to take a couple of before pictures, but I don’t plan to share them just yet. If you want to do the same, it’s completely up to you.

And I will go first. This weekend, I will either purchase, refurbish, or gain access to a scale and get my stats posted. Good luck to everyone!

Update:  Here are the starting statistics

Well 2008 is coming to a close.  It has certainly been quite a year.  Plenty of firsts all around.  The big one for my house being our first gun purchase (and second, and third, and fourth, and fifth, and sixth, and seventh, and eighth, and ninth, possibly tenth, but I’m not holding my breath).  It’s been a great new hobby and I look forward to many more years.

I’ve got a resolution in mind, but I’ve got to decide whether or not I really want to share that much information with the interwebs.  I won’t keep it without some accountability, and who better to hold me accountable than a bunch of people I’ve never met?  There may be a couple of things actually.  If I have enough to drink tonight, I might actually commit to it.

Happy New Year Everyone!  Be safe.  Drink within stumbling distance of a place you can sleep or have a designated driver.

A president of a small nation is disatisfied with his country’s policy of giving handouts to those who can work but do not.  He says government subsidies discourage citizens from being more productive.

Unfortunately, it’s not one of our leaders.  I would love to hear one of our leaders say this in reference to the federal budget.

The accounts don’t square up. You have to act with realism and adjust the dreams to the true possibilities.  Two plus two always equals four, never five.

This particular president is well acquainted with the failings of socialism. These words were spoken by Raul Castro, President of Cuba.

Can we learn from the failings of others?  50 years of socialism has not turned Cuba into some paradise where everyone is happy.  Government handouts do not encourage people to work harder and be more productive.  People, by nature, will follow the path of least resistance.  If working harder gains us no benefit, we won’t do it.  You must have a personal stake in your own success.  No one will give their all for the nanny state.  Our government would do well to learn from the mistakes of others rather than be so arrogant as to think it will be different here.