Good News Bad News

Heart is fine but I'm diabetic. Seeing the MD on the last day of the year to address the diabetes issue.  Do know I will be popping pills to lower the cholesterol. Will be returning to my daily hikes in the Park (with or without the hound) using my gym membership (not like I have to go far, it's 4 blocks away) and saying farewell to Ben and Jerry's, daily bagels, my fondness for bacon and sweets. Care free days of devouring bad calories are history. Bye Bye. 

Oh, did I mention I have to loose 50 pounds?!?  Countless others will be doing this in the New Year to please their sense of vanity.  I'll be doing it to prolong my time on the planet. And so it goes.

Heart Felt

This afternoon is my visit with the cardiologist.  Going to take a stress test and have an echocardiogram done.  Lovely.  My only concern is not cramping up on the treadmill.  THAT would be so sad, not to mention embarrassing!  Guess I'll spend some time stretching out ligaments etc before I start running on the damn thing. Wish me luck!

In a Heart Beat

Definitely have one that isn't beating in normal rhythm. Who knew?  No signs what so ever.  Maybe shortness of breath on some of my treks but always figured that was do to the extra poundage on my 5 foot 3 inch frame. Hell one would think I wouldn't have been able to do the Half Dome trek if I got that winded. Honestly, THAT didn't stop me, snow on top and rangers saying no to the final ascent prevented the final climb. So wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours.  Return it to the Dr's this afternoon.  Only thing I've exerted energy doing is climbing 3 flights of stairs up and down while doing laundry this morning.  Otherwise a lounge lizard since seeing the cardiologist at 2pm yesterday. Watching the tube, emailing, eating and finishing Dick Cavett's "Talk Show". At least the BP was down to a normal reading.  I'll surmise prognosis will depend on stress test and echocardiogram results. Both taking place next Thursday. And so it goes. Until I hear what is what I'll not fret. Of course the companionship of chocolate is helping.

What's The Word

Visiting with the cardiologist this afternoon.  Hoping to have more tests and better understand why I've developed an irregular heart beat. Mystifies me. Maybe, for the first time in my life, the factor of my biological father's genetic footprint is finally showing itself.  Surprise. Surprise.  Guess I have to hope mother's superwoman heart is inside me and this discovery is just a blip due to weight issues and lack of exercise. Fingers crossed.  Heavy sigh.
  

New Direction

Back in the Land of La depressed and defeated. Not unusual feelings following a fabulous adventure in Cuba. No this time around the emotions are related to findings during my annual physical. I knew my weight would be a talking point but never imagined my heart would be one.  Seems I have a Bigeminal Heart Rhythm. Seeing a cardiologist this week to discuss. 61 is not old and being told I have this is alarming. A mortal soul sits quietly wondering "what now?"  How ironic would it be for me to get a pacemaker and not Bill?  Ah Gee!!!!

Runaway

After a quick visit to the lobby of the Hotel Riviera. Summoned a Coco taxi and head over to the Plaza de Armas.  A spot where book venders like to set up. Had no real plan but to wander and eye spy in route to Revolution Plaza. This was quite a trek and fearing I'd not make it in time to meet the guys, hired a bicycle taxi. Poor fellow. Thought he was going to die as he strained hard trying to pedal my lard ass over pot holed streets. After about 10 blocks told him to pull over. I got out, paid him and continued on foot. Boy was he happy. Arrived at the Plaza, waited 45 minutes. Oriel and Kim never showed so the solo adventure continued. Walked and walked and walked but finally grabbed a taxi back to the hotel around 1pm. Showered and spent two hours uploading pics to iPhoto.  Never saw the note on the floor until around 3pm.  It was from Oriel saying they waited in the lobby until 11am and then left and to please call Sarah. Phoned Sarah and was told "we are glad you're safe. We're at the Nacionale, come join us on the patio."  I joined them and realized that Oriel had been very worried about my well being for which I felt a pang of guilt. Thankfully, Dr. Kim knew I was fine and not dead in my room nor kidnapped. Seriously who would kidnap me?! After I apologized we headed off for dinner. Stopped at one spot, decided we didn't like it, left and went instead to Cafe Laurent. Sarah knew the place. GREAT choice. Excellent last meal in Havana.

Zoom Zoom

My Coco Taxi driver

The Plaza

Quiet and empty at 8:30am

I hope the tag reads "Adopt Me!"

Their version of Starbucks

This place and the bookstore below are on a street that has been refurbished.

What do you see?

 Generic, gentrified store fronts.

This is what one expects to see in Havana. Character.

Getting work papers for the leaf blowers for the day

Oink

School children at play

Art

"Yes dear."

A mercado

Out for a cruise

Viva!

Gabriel Byrne of the 80's lives!

Some pop star photo shoot

Taxi?

The auditorium of the Grand Teatro de La Habana.

Plan to see a performance there on my next visit.

Hotel Riviera

As noted, Kim is the night owl and Oriel partook in those nightly adventures along side him. I remained true to myself, stayed in and arose a the crack of dawn daily. My favorite part of the day. On our last day I made an executive decision to head out on my own early. We'd mentioned seeing the Revolution Plaza first thing so my plan was to see more of Old Havana before heading over to meet them there a little after 10am.  This was all based on the premise they'd keep to the plan. Wasn't worried. Figured if they didn't show we'd all meet up later. First thing I did was walk over to the adjacent Hotel Riviera.  

Talk about stuck in a time warp. Wow!!