I’m writing to you early Monday morning December 1 as I await the next exciting chapter in the life of Big Jim.  Today I will have what’s known as "roux-en-Y" gastric bypass surgery, which will dramatically and permanently alter how and what I eat.

To those not familiar with this procedure growing in popularity, a surgeon will staple down my stomach to about the size of a walnut (yikes!), as well as bypass a couple of organs in the body’s digestive system by relocating a tube leading from my stomach.  It accomplishes two goals:  One, to restrict the amount of food my stomach can hold at any one time, and two, to restrict some of the nutrients my body would normally absorb during the digestive process.  What this means to me is that I will not only be eating a whole lot less, but much of what I eat will not be processed as it was before.  Multi-vitamins and calcium supplements will become a daily part of my routine from now on, but it’s a small price to pay for what I have been given.

For someone who’s always had problems being able to control how much and what I eat, this will serve as a constant reminder that I’d better be careful–or else.  I’ve been waiting to have this done for almost 2 years for one reason or another, and I am more ready for this change than you can probably imagine.

I’ll report to you again once I am home on Wednesday as to how I’m feeling and what I’m going through.  Please feel free to comment as you would like–I’m interested in any and all feedback.  I’m a little anxious–but mostly to finish something I started a long time ago.  My procedure begins at 10AM Eastern, so wish me luck, and say a prayer if you’re so inclined. 

I’m writing to you from a very unfamiliar place–that of an unemployed radio personality.  I haven’t been able to say that in 25 years, so the notion of it is more than just a little weird to me.

Monday, I lost my job at 93Q, where I had been working the past 16 years.  It was a particularly difficult thing, since I’m pretty sure that no one at my place of work wanted it to happen.  It was one of those corporate mandates designed to cut costs in an economy where that is becoming a frighteningly everyday occurance.

At this point, I truly don’t know what is next.  I have some personal medical issues that will probably be better handled without the pressure of having to return to work.  More on that in a short while–for now, I will say that the timing may be a blessing in disguise.  That sort of thing is hard to know when it happens, but I may yet find that it was the best possible thing to occur at the time.

I’m not sure what direction this creation will take from here.  My postings were always a direct reflection of the work I was doing at the radio station, so I’m just not sure it makes much sense to continue to do it while I’m not part of that world.  But I will continue to contribute in some way.  Keep watching this space for developments…I hope I have some soon!