I suppose this is a good problem to have?

I need to buy new clothes. My wardrobe literally doesn't fit me anymore because everything is too big. I went through my closet this morning and picked out 30 shirts to donate to Goodwill. None of my work uniforms fit. They're so big that I need to tighten my belt (on which I have keys and a small tool pouch with a flashlight) to the point where it hurts my skin around my now, smaller hips, and yet they still fall down from the weight of my heavy Carhartt pants. All of my pants, for that matter, fall down unless I wear a belt. Shirts, underwear, and even older socks are now too big.

I don't want this post to sound like I'm complaining. I've just never really had to deal with an issue like this before.

I've started with buying Fruit Of The Loom colored tees from Target that are $5 each (and fit very well, I might add), only because they might be a bit too big in a month or two when I hit my final weight goal. Pants are different, though. They can be costly, and throwing them out in a month isn't ideal.

Uniforms are in a different realm. My company pays for them through the uniform supply company, Cintas, and I can only order twice per year. I made an order in December for shirts and pants that are one size smaller than I used wear, but I fear those will now be too big when I finally get them.

This is a weird transitional time in my life and this clothing issue makes it all the more weird. I think the solution is to buy cheaper clothes for the time being until I stabilize my weight and settle in to my new body.

My First Weekday Beer...

...since October 1, 2017, that is. Today isn’t really a significant day for me. I’m not marking a special occasion or anniversary. I just want to enjoy a rich, dark ale.

When I started running in October of 2017, I couldn’t run a quarter of a mile without taking a break. Now, I’m up to at least three miles per day. I’m still on my weight loss regiment, part of which consists of not drinking beer on weekdays, and since the beginning of October, I’ve only missed a handful of cardiovascular excercise days. I’m confident that I’ll hit 199 pounds by the end of this week, and I’m feeling great about my progress.

But right now, I’m not celebrating that. I just want a rich, dark ale, and this Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron brown ale is hitting the spot, and it’s goddamn delicious.

Change in 2018. 🏢

I’ve been in the elevator trade for 20 years as of January 1, 2018, and a journeyman elevator mechanic for the last 16 of those years. I’ve always had mixed feelings about my job, but nevertheless, I’ve excelled at it and done quite well.

There’s an opportunity for me to go into a different department at work, allowing me to work 20 minutes from home and really change up what I’ve been doing with my career for the last ten years. I didn’t really want to change things up just yet, but if I don’t act now, it might be a while before the opportunity comes around again, if ever.

I’ve already had an interview with the manager of this department I might be transferring into and it seems highly likely that this might actually happen. I’m ready for the change. I’m more than happy to keep doing what I’m doing at work, but I’ve been getting more and more burned out with it as time goes by.

Change is good, and I’m ready for it. I’ve got at least another 20 to 25 years left before I retire and capping off my 20 year anniversary in the elevator trade with this change is welcome.

Update: 01.25.18: I got the position. I’ll now be an elevator service mechanic with a route in the Riverside area, which is about 20 minutes from home. The change happens February 13, and I’m really happy about it!