American Idol Spoiler Alert....Huh?

        It's less than 2 weeks before I return to America, and yes I am excited! The travel plans are almost complete, land in Washington, DC on Friday, April 1st after my 14 hour flight on Emirates Airline. Then some business to take care of in New Jersey, followed by arrival at my parents home in Southwest Virginia. My dad is still in rehab from his health scare, and is hoping to be released about the time of my visit. After a couple of days, its off to St. Louis on Tuesday to see my friends Amy, Stacey, Chad, Rez, and Moe. On Thursday, I head south to Atlanta where I will stay Three nights at Lee and Danny's homes (not quite sure which nights where).After my baseball draft on Saturday, I head north to the folks home again Sunday. Monday finds me traversing back to catch my early Tuesday flight back to the UAE. I will have a busy dozen days back in the States.
            Speaking of America, let's humor me and chat about the final season of American Idol. Rodz and I watch every Friday night and root away. (sorry to the 90% of you that don't watch Idol) They are now down to the final 5 and I think something sort of funny is happening. With this weeks performances the theme was overcoming hardships. The first contestant (Mackland) told about how he had congestive heart failure as a senior in hs. It was  touch and go while he waited for a heart transplant, only a miracle cured him....Then there was the second contestant (Dalton) who contemplated suicide while he battled depression...then he found music and it saved him. Then (Trent) the 3rd contestant told about how his close friend helped him design and order a special guitar, than the day it arrived his friend tragically died before he could ever play the guitar. He told a crying JLO about how he never performs without thinking and dedicating his performance to his late friend. Then came the  crowd favorite (La Portia) who told about marrying "Prince Charming"  who quickly turned into an abusive spouse. After the birth of her daughter, she finally found the courage to leave her abusive husband and enter a shelter. This poor gals life has been changed because of music. JLO bawled her eyes out at La Portia's gut wrenching story. Then finally, the beautiful, privileged Indian girl said she was nervous performing and that was her struggle.....I want to predict who goes home this week...one privileged Indian.
          Rodz and I were treated to dinner tonight by our Dubai bestie, Vinny.
We dined at Denny's.

Rodz and I, dinner at Denny's - March 19, 2016

         I know I'm not half as handsome as I used to be...but check out the skinny neck. This morning I reached a new adult low of 89.7 kg's or 199 lbs. Since the fall of my Senior year of high school (yes 1980) - have I been this light. I'm psyched to see the friends and family who saw me last November at 231 lbs...Still have a bit of a belly, so hopefully will keep getting lighter.
           Rodz think she has found a job, more on that next time...time now, to turn in....another busy work day to follow. Hopefully will see you soon....

Rain, Rain Go Away...

      Hello from rain soaked United Arab Emirates. In a country with virtually no sewer systems, 24 hours of heavy rain creates a travelers nightmare. The roads became impassable when standing water has no where to go.

Dubai Industrial City - March 2016

      The above photo taken from my office looking out at the street that runs past our factory. Due to road hazards, and the realization that with darkness even more challenges for drivers, I closed our operations early and attempted to get our employees home to safety. My normal 35 minute drive back to our apartment in Motor City took a little over 2 hours. Natalie, our QA Manager was attending a training class in downtown Dubai, turned her normal 1 hour drive home to a 5 and a 1/2 hour trek - only to find her top floor apartment filled with two inches of standing water. This morning the sun is out, and it will be awhile before people here bemoan the dry weather of this desert nation.
        Rodz's parents returned home this past week, and life with us returned to some normalcy. We have been catching up on American Idol (we are down to top 10) and have taped Survivor to start back with this weekend. Some of the HBO series (Game of Thrones/Banshee) are coming soon. Entertaining evenings for us to chat after our nightly dinner out and about in Dubai. Speaking of eating, our favorite Friday shopping place (Dubai Festival City) just remodeled and opened up 4 new American restaurants right next to each other. Texas Roadhouse, Serendipity, PF Changs, and Cheesecake Factory all opened this March, and give my bride and I great lunch choices on my day off. I know what your thinking, "all this food talk, what's happening to your weight?" Not so fast, I weighed in this morning at a new 35 year low of 202 lbs. Not since my senior year of high school have I been this light. My banged up ankle is slowly getting better, so now I hope to add exercise to my diet change, and maybe tone up the new sleek John. Returning home in 3 weeks to America, it will be interesting to see the reactions to my 30 lb weight drop since November 1st. Ill fitting clothes are my biggest challenge that I plan on addressing in April.
         Two big trips are right around the corner for me. I am planning on traveling to Chennai, India ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai ) to visit a shrimp factory that packs for us. Chennai is in the South Eastern corner of India and is a very hot climate. Out of the fryer into the frying pan. Of course, I am more excited to return to America on April first. I have a general idea at what cities that I will be sleeping in at night, just not sure which friends homes that I will get to visit. One sure stop is my parents house in southwest Virginia on April first.
          Rodz is back to battling boredom. She loves the idea of working and having her own extra money, but she finds most jobs - work...go figure...lol. I know for her saneness she needs to find a job to keep her busy and give her more independence. It's been great to have her back home. I will try and check in before the end of March, time now to hop in the shower, and head to lunch....