Tom's Diary

Dear   [KC],

I’d stay well away from this project if I were you. There seems to be little scientific evidence to date, that supports the belief that black rhino dust is a “wonder” substance that can cure anything and give the consumer increased energy and sense of well-being. Here’s a couple tid bits I’ve located on the web about the horn and the “medicinal” value they possess . . .

…The [black] rhino is being exterminated by poachers who sell the horn for medicinal and ornamental purposes in Asia and the Middle East. Without drastic action, four species of rhino could be extinct in the wild within the next ten years. Only fourteen-thousand of these marvelous creatures survive in the wild with another one-thousand in captivity. Of these rhinos, over half are of a single species – the white rhino. There are fewer than five-thousand of the other fours species combined…

…The horns were once used to treat rheumatism and as a traditional aphrodisiac. Both applications, however, have since been proven useless, and the practice has been outlawed…

Even though the horn you discussed was extracted over 50 years ago, people would likely question the circumstances. And you might have a hard time proving its age, especially once it is ground into dust. There is a lot of passion surrounding the use of these horns because the rhino is almost extinct. If someone got it into their head that you were selling a fresh kill, they could make lots and lots of trouble for you, even though that would not be the case here. Avoid this.

Further, I talked with a Chinese coworker about this. He says that black rhino dust is only effective as an invigorating dietary supplement when it is fresh. He felt that a 50+-year-old horn would be too stale to render any health benefits by those who would consume the powder made from it.

The horn itself must be very mono-colored (one color) to be effective. If it has lots of different colored dots or splotches, it doesn’t make a good elixir powder.

Well, that’s what I know. Take it for what it’s worth, and do the right thing.

Tom

Dear   [Mel],

Cool. I’m eager to see the site once it’s up and running.

You can send the disk back if you like. But you might just hold on to it until this summer, when I get there. I could get it from you then.

See ya later,
Tom Hesley

Dear sister Diane,

Yes, Tammy and husband seem to have mastered the art of raising children. Theirs seem so mannerly and polite. And quiet!! Nice.

I learned yesterday that Joann has shingles. Hope it wasn’t from that Atkins diet.

All Is well here in Dayton. I make my presentation to the architecture board tomorrow morning about how we’re going to migrate the software components I support over to more current infrastructure. Gave them the 100-page document for review on Tuesday. So I’m sure they’ll have lots of questions. But there seems to be lots of momentum building for this effort. So I’m not looking to get much opposition. We’ll see how it goes.

I miss Philly and am eager to get back to settle in for the winter, and lose some serious weight, where I’m not tempted by all these lunch and dinner outings I’ve enjoyed here in Dayton, and in Florida as well.

Well, must run to a meeting at 9:00. So take care and thanks for writing and calling when I was in Florida. Talk to you soon.

Tom

Dear sister Joann,

Mom mentioned the shingles last night. Quite a shock. Will send lots of positive energy your way. Are shingles contagious?

All went well in Florida. Learned very much, brought back lots of books, flyers, white papers, and pamphlets. Lots to read about over the next few months.

I’m here in Dayton, Ohio this week. Will be heading back to Philly on Saturday. All this traveling around is kind of nice. Hoping to get out to other conferences this year, perhaps out west or south west (say in Arizona or New Mexico). The managers want us to do more of this stuff. So more traveling is on the horizon.

Will be spending two weeks at the end of March with you all in Altoona.

Well, take care of yourself. Get lots of rest, and so on. I’ll give you a call during the next couple of weeks.

Later,
Tom

Dear   [Lynn],

No, didn’t see the Philly apartment lights. However, they would certainly have been visible, had I been in Philly when that pic was taken.

Don’t break any ankles or legs tomorrow on the skis. Enjoy. Hope the weather cooperates.

Later,
Tom

Dear   [Lynn],

Cool. What is interesting about that pic is that, the mass westward exodus of the past few decades notwithstanding, there are more lights in the eastern United States than in the western half. And the brightest parts are around Philly, New York, and Boston. I guess we still have lots of people here. Perhaps California could learn a few things about power management from us easterners.

Later.

Tom

Dear   [Emeebee],

I’m now in Dayton. Wow, what a climatic shock. 50 degrees cooler here today than when I left Orlando yesterday afternoon. The sun was shining brightly and the temp hovered around 82 to 84 degrees. *quiet sob*

My hotel number is 937-432-0000, room 325.

Talk to you later.

Tom

Dear sister Diane,

Another nice day here. Low 70s. I’ll be here until Thursday. Then, I’m off to Dayton, Ohio for nine days. Then, finally, back to Philly for the winter stretch.

Bowling sounds fun. I love to do it. Didn’t the whole family go one time back in the 70s? I know Mary Ann, Joann, and myself did it. But I can’t remember if you twins were part of it. It would be a blast to get all the siblings to do it sometime.

Enjoy the ride to Lancaster. You should try the train sometime. The one I take to Philly stops in Lancaster. And the ride is pleasant. Not too bumpy and nice, scenic landscapes.

Well, I must head back to conference. Take care, and we’ll talk again soon.

Tom

Hey there [Tina].

How are you? How’s Debbie? Has she reappeared?

[Debbie was a rogue computer that kept appearing on Tina's school network, that Tina administered. Tina never figured out where Debbie was located.]

All is well up here. I’m still settling in and getting organized. I lost all of my Christmas weight except for about five pounds. Working on that now. Thanks for the info.

Later,
Tom

Dear   [Ang],

Can’t understand why you’re snacking on carrots. You certainly don’t need to lose any pounds.

But if that is what you wish, then you might consider adding green tea to your diet. This is a powerful, natural, appetite suppressant. This beverage also raises the metabolism, which burns more calories per hour. Plus, it gives you some chlorophyll, a very beneficial plant substance. And if you get the kind that has ginseng, you may find that the drink invigorates without making you feel “wired”.

On my last diet, in 1998, I lost some thirty pounds in six months by walking an hour a day on average, and drinking two to four cups of green tea per day.

Oh, and don’t put sugar in the tea. Sucrose counteracts green tea’s hunger-reducing properties. I use Stevia sweetener instead.

Stevia is an herb found in the south west US, Central, and South America, which tastes very much like sugar but has zero calories. Also, it causes no insulin response in the body, a key contributor to weight-gain (or difficulty in weight-loss). Stevia is available at health food stores as a liquid extract or a powder. But I’d stay away from the powder, as it contains fillers and chemicals that you don’t need. And, to spice it up a bit, add a few drops of peppermint, spearmint, or vanilla extract.

I’d like to shed about fifteen to twenty pounds. Most of THAT is in the stomach, so it may not be too visible. Especially when I wear those baggy oxford shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters. But a “spare tire” is indeed there which must be deflated, rest assured. I feel better when I weigh around one-hundred-fifty pounds, rather than the one-hundred-sixty-seven Lbs. I’m at now. During the summer months, I love taking four to six VERY LONG hikes. Say fifteen to twenty-two mile ones. And to complete these without getting VERY SORE feet, it is crucial that ALL excess weight be eliminated. So I probably won’t even attempt a full length one until I’m back at one-fifty.

I picked up the excess inches when living in Altoona. Difficult there to maintain a healthy weight because my sisters and relatives were always having me over for dinner and parties. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. After all, I went to every one. I just didn’t have the heart to decline their invitations on weight-maintenance grounds, as they take such pride in their food and party preparations. *smile*

More later.

Tom Hesley

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