Ruggedness Training: 82111-82811 (Editor's Note: Extra Day in the line up)
82111 - Day 64 - 182 17.5 Even a small gain in weight can mean a trend especially when I realize I haven't run in a while.I have designated this coming Tuesday as a run/sprint day. Also I treated myself to a half duck last night and did some push ups on the bars, some balancing and grip strength with the classic eagle claw. Today will be tidying up... I hear that's good exercise. I ate a lot yesterday, Vietnam Cafe (chicken curry), Salmon at home, breakfast Canadian bacon and cucumbers, half a duck over night, some frozen fruit and all the H2O I drank and a beer. So a pound or two gain isn't that outrageous.
82211 - Day 65: 182 23.5% _ didn't care for the morning numbers. My feet are jacked up and I probably need to see the pedi peeps. I drank a lot of tea yesterday, I guess it's true what they say about caffeine dehydrating _ I expected it. Last night I was doing some push ups and working the old school "eagle claw" I got when I was into martial arts stuff... Today is a different kind of Monday, dynamic agility and balance training at the Y provided I can find the space - and body wt training.. push ups, pull ups and dips.. How I HATE dips!! Probably b/c I am weak at them (again). Oh yeah, been feeling cold symptoms coming to I've been popping the Vita-C in the AM when i get home as well as psyllium husk b/c the pipes seems clogged. I notice a bit more detail in recent journals.. I'm approaching a more creative time. Recalculated to 17% after some coconut water, guess that works too. Very energetic intense day of body work. went from crane to headstand and back for the first time. Hanging windshield wipers were strong, roll ups were kind of weak tho. The body will be paying the price for today.. Oh yeah, the killer combos.. YIKES.. I pity the fool...
82311 - Day 66: 180 20.5% - perhaps it's the weather, I didn't feel that dehydrated. (In case you're reading a hi BF% at wake up usually means low H2O). I'd been doing good for a while, probably not a good idea to have tea before bed. This drop can be attributed to a night off from work. I usually eat less at home, sleep earlier and longer. More time to burn calories in my sleep. I am surprisingly not SORE... however it's not been 24 hours yet so it may come during the day. 72 degrees out, low humidity. I promised myself a run... better get at it. Gave myself a pass today: did manage what I call a lite workout day - 10 mins treadmill, recumbent bike, and elliptical. The soreness from yesterday came this afternoon and the energy wasn't there for sprints or a 3 mile run.... so I compromised.
82411- Day 67 - 181 19% a wake up... don't know why the bf% is so much higher than a few weeks ago... I am guessing all the tea I've been drinking. May have been a lack of fruit this week too - I got that covered... I need to cut that and get back to the elixir - ok so as for today.. Feels like redemption.. started with 435 lbs leg presses and hit a 25 rep set (that was one out of 4 that went to at least 15) The squats 2 30 reppers, added wt and did maybe 12: I did some different stuff this time around...3 back stations (rev grip barbell row, bent lat flys and shrugs) pull overs and inclined db flys for chest and called it a day. A GOOD day.. I love moving wts. but I know I need to distribute my activities for balance.
82511 - Day 68: 180.5: Thursdays are my "rest" days however since I do most of the exercises with the class i teach at the Y it's more like an aerobics day so I am pretty beat by the time I get to UPenn for aqua aerobics. Anyway that's what I did today. Now eat, work, and back to the Y for some dynamic body work tomorrow.
82611: Day 69 181 - Sprint Day Treadmill 2 1 min sprints @ 10 mph, 1 @ 9.5: 2, 2 min sprints @ 8mph 1 3 min run @ 7 mph, then cool down, then various abs trying to get the "L" leg lifts and holding it.. OUCH Keep at it til you can do it!!
82711 - Day 70: Chillin around the house, the ruggedness part will happen when I have to leave for work, through the wind and rain... with gear. Kind of what I've been training for.. but kind of not too.. 182 lbs.
82811 - Day 71: Post Hurricane Irene - 183.5 at wake up and dehydrated. Lots of shin work and wrist curls at the jobs. Trampoline jump and push up process at home. Maybe some scattered calisthenics throughout the day/evening. Start cleanse cycle maybe get off tea for a day, week month.. who knows. Ended up going back and forth on the trampoline and push ups.. I felt VERY light pushing up although I didn't get the entire 15s in the pushup process. In fact I felt lighter going up steps and everything. decided to work what I think are my weakest points while I'm at work, wrists and ankles - the forearm and calve muscles will get a good workout, but I need to strengthen and stretch the tendons as well. I gotta keep the joints strong so I can keep on exercising.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Ruggedness August 81411 - 82011
81411 - Day 57: today (180) seems to confirm chest pain was simply delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) Friday (81211) i did more than the usual single set of plyo push ups, I did roll ups into push ups and a couple of sets of plyo pull ups, which sent a sensation through my chest. But it's ok now. If I do anything during the "break" it will be jumping combos, plyo push ups, and maybe some running if I can find someplace to do it.
81511 - Day 58 - Early AM some abs work and push ups (at work) which involved pushup bars and rolling chairs. Up all night then train to NH Ct. no wt charting next 2 days.
81611 - Day 59 - HAPPY Birthday POP!! Long-azz walk around NH Ct. scaled a freekin rock mountain... not rock climbing per se... there were railings. I was SOO winded I wondered if all the ruggedness training was doing anything. I'm going to need to start "sprinting" up hills, paved and unpaved. Maybe a few weeks of that before I go mixed bag (i.e. 2-3 mile runs through the woods, sprint interval days, and uphill days. This sounds like a good fall strategy.
81711 - Day 60 - Back in Philly 3-4 hours on the road, opted for sleep over the gym (gotta work tonight) 182.5 14%.. not bad. wt is up a couple lbs, but that's just a matter of metabolism, elimination and getting back to a regular routine of high activity. Got a nice compliment from some ladies shouting at me from a car going by my house. It may be a bit uncouth,but it's not everyday I get called "sexy" .. we (my ego & I) will take it.
81811 - Day 61 - 182 17.5% measured the belly today, there IS some reduction albeit small, I am however on the right track and if I can maintain progress I will reach my goal. No numbers will be posted until the drop is significant (at least 10 centimeters.) Meanwhile on today's schedule group fitness... this is my first week off from Temple which means Thursday is the first chance to dance jump and twist around. Then aqua-robic at UPenn. Was high energy at YGX, not so hi at Aqua and after both I am quite tired. Need to eat a decent dinner, then work.
81911 - Day 62 - 181.5: Beginning month 3 of Ruggedness and what I am doing is working, you already read about the small centimeter reduction on the belly. Weight's staying in the low 180s (but would like to be fluctuating 10 pounds lighter, although body fat seems to be reducing as I'm maintaining the weight.) Headed to the Y today for lifting 30s!!! Guess i should get going. Somewhat disappointing session, NO 30s... however as they say about Florida, a bad day there is a great day everywhere else, so even tho I'm not doing 30 reps, I'm still getting up there and making progress! Good day.
I need more run days, I didn't have that many this past month.
82011 - Day 63 - 181 19.5% a little high....!! what will I do today? Some lite yoga.. Sun sal and some twists. Got my every 3 weeks massage, both rt ankle and rt trap was less sore than last time. After most of the week of NOT working out I feel a bit guilty today. Thought about swimming but then opted out. I will stretch instead, maybe edit some pix... maybe some push ups at the job. Occasionally i try balancing in semi-yoga poses, but I don't consider it a workout. Maybe I should.
81511 - Day 58 - Early AM some abs work and push ups (at work) which involved pushup bars and rolling chairs. Up all night then train to NH Ct. no wt charting next 2 days.
81611 - Day 59 - HAPPY Birthday POP!! Long-azz walk around NH Ct. scaled a freekin rock mountain... not rock climbing per se... there were railings. I was SOO winded I wondered if all the ruggedness training was doing anything. I'm going to need to start "sprinting" up hills, paved and unpaved. Maybe a few weeks of that before I go mixed bag (i.e. 2-3 mile runs through the woods, sprint interval days, and uphill days. This sounds like a good fall strategy.
81711 - Day 60 - Back in Philly 3-4 hours on the road, opted for sleep over the gym (gotta work tonight) 182.5 14%.. not bad. wt is up a couple lbs, but that's just a matter of metabolism, elimination and getting back to a regular routine of high activity. Got a nice compliment from some ladies shouting at me from a car going by my house. It may be a bit uncouth,but it's not everyday I get called "sexy" .. we (my ego & I) will take it.
81811 - Day 61 - 182 17.5% measured the belly today, there IS some reduction albeit small, I am however on the right track and if I can maintain progress I will reach my goal. No numbers will be posted until the drop is significant (at least 10 centimeters.) Meanwhile on today's schedule group fitness... this is my first week off from Temple which means Thursday is the first chance to dance jump and twist around. Then aqua-robic at UPenn. Was high energy at YGX, not so hi at Aqua and after both I am quite tired. Need to eat a decent dinner, then work.
81911 - Day 62 - 181.5: Beginning month 3 of Ruggedness and what I am doing is working, you already read about the small centimeter reduction on the belly. Weight's staying in the low 180s (but would like to be fluctuating 10 pounds lighter, although body fat seems to be reducing as I'm maintaining the weight.) Headed to the Y today for lifting 30s!!! Guess i should get going. Somewhat disappointing session, NO 30s... however as they say about Florida, a bad day there is a great day everywhere else, so even tho I'm not doing 30 reps, I'm still getting up there and making progress! Good day.
I need more run days, I didn't have that many this past month.
82011 - Day 63 - 181 19.5% a little high....!! what will I do today? Some lite yoga.. Sun sal and some twists. Got my every 3 weeks massage, both rt ankle and rt trap was less sore than last time. After most of the week of NOT working out I feel a bit guilty today. Thought about swimming but then opted out. I will stretch instead, maybe edit some pix... maybe some push ups at the job. Occasionally i try balancing in semi-yoga poses, but I don't consider it a workout. Maybe I should.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ruggedness August: 80711 - 81311
80711- Day 50 - Dancing at Shakedown, must have moved for 90 minutes straight, it was awesome.. woke up at 179 lbs today. Wonder if it was the dancing, the swimming, the elliptical, the big meal at Perkins (reving the metabolism) or the many hours of sleep. Or maybe it's just the regular dip?? It's been a long time since I broke 180... (March 8th 2011 last 179... ) Long walk downtown, probably about an hr's walk... maybe less... hot humid, good sweat. House cleaning..... :-/ (and general sweating from humidity.
80811 - Day 51: 182 wake up and post run... phantom 3 lbs gone one day and back the next?? Sprint intervals.. no records.. best 1:47... 4 x 1/4 miles, 1 x 1/2 mi. 4:33 and 2 more 1/4 miles. Pro-WMz-Crt drink and almonds for breakfast... now second breakfast. Great work at the Y 3 - 30s, leg press, (added 30 lbs), lat pull down, advanced to 90 lbs, and shoulder press... now doing 35 lbs... I am close to maxing out on the wt limit of the smith and the DB wt upstairs in the wellness ctr. Very good strength. Now wondering whether to swim or do laundry??? I hv maybe 30 minutes to decide.
80911 - Day 52 182.. back to a steady wt. Subbed a fitness class of out of shape students... too bad, they seemed perplexed, but maybe something will kick in... or maybe not... anyway. PUMPED Today and laundry folding off tonight, what to do??? Relax probably.. 180 after 1st GX class of the day, and rituals. Not used to being up and active this early. (Oh, might mention I was up at 630AM to teach a class at 910am hella early for me. More intense PUMPED than I'd planned... but time to relax now, maybe some stretching tonight. Wish i had this day at a resort.
81011 - Day 53: 180, right out of bed 18% BF, a bit dehydrated, but compared to this time last year... a mass improvement. It may be informative to start writing down what and when I eat again. I think I had a substantial amount of food yesterday, which included one of my fave meals out, Asian Salmon salad. I also wonder how much the supplements I take have to do with wt. I've been taking 3 grams of arginine a day in 1.5 g doses, one at wake up and usually one before workout. Also supplement with a scoop of protein and waximaize, and take a teaspoon to a scoop of NO Explode before workouts. YMCA body/agility workout then aqua box.. still charged from the latter. Today's post workout drink: 6 ice cubes, 1 banana, 1 kiwi peeled, handful of fresh frozen blueberries, double-double shot of coconut water, 1 dbl shot of pineapple juice, single shot of fresh 100% ginger juice (very potent), blend and drink. Very yummy, just a hint of banana and ginger, maybe a 1/2 shot more ginger if you can take it. (add rum or protein powder if desired.. depends on what you're into.)
81111 - Day 54 181 (@ wake) 17.5% - I have to be disciplined enough to drink water as soon as I wake up... then take the arg, and then don't know whether I should eat first or take the protein/waxi/creatine powder stack?? Try it for a week and see what happens. GX @ YMCA then Aqua at Penn... got to take it easy on the jumping/running for a few days i think.. Ankles...
81211 - Day 55: Wake up and do some balance stuff... on one leg, etc. 183, 19% at wake both higher than in recent weeks. Body work day at the Y, some agility stuff. A bit sore in right shin, ankles seem ok so far, didn't wake up sore. 180.5 18% after rituals... time to get active. Awesome workout, much to recount.. slow start but as usual, it became very intense, some stuff I can use for classes.
81311 - Day 56 a day of eating, resting and socializing. However I did feel like my chest had been banged up from the inside out. my guess the plyo push ups. A brand new feeling. Otherwise a pretty mellow day. It also looks like I won't be getting a "proper" workout for the next 4 days. We'll call it a rest... and come back stronger.
80811 - Day 51: 182 wake up and post run... phantom 3 lbs gone one day and back the next?? Sprint intervals.. no records.. best 1:47... 4 x 1/4 miles, 1 x 1/2 mi. 4:33 and 2 more 1/4 miles. Pro-WMz-Crt drink and almonds for breakfast... now second breakfast. Great work at the Y 3 - 30s, leg press, (added 30 lbs), lat pull down, advanced to 90 lbs, and shoulder press... now doing 35 lbs... I am close to maxing out on the wt limit of the smith and the DB wt upstairs in the wellness ctr. Very good strength. Now wondering whether to swim or do laundry??? I hv maybe 30 minutes to decide.
80911 - Day 52 182.. back to a steady wt. Subbed a fitness class of out of shape students... too bad, they seemed perplexed, but maybe something will kick in... or maybe not... anyway. PUMPED Today and laundry folding off tonight, what to do??? Relax probably.. 180 after 1st GX class of the day, and rituals. Not used to being up and active this early. (Oh, might mention I was up at 630AM to teach a class at 910am hella early for me. More intense PUMPED than I'd planned... but time to relax now, maybe some stretching tonight. Wish i had this day at a resort.
81011 - Day 53: 180, right out of bed 18% BF, a bit dehydrated, but compared to this time last year... a mass improvement. It may be informative to start writing down what and when I eat again. I think I had a substantial amount of food yesterday, which included one of my fave meals out, Asian Salmon salad. I also wonder how much the supplements I take have to do with wt. I've been taking 3 grams of arginine a day in 1.5 g doses, one at wake up and usually one before workout. Also supplement with a scoop of protein and waximaize, and take a teaspoon to a scoop of NO Explode before workouts. YMCA body/agility workout then aqua box.. still charged from the latter. Today's post workout drink: 6 ice cubes, 1 banana, 1 kiwi peeled, handful of fresh frozen blueberries, double-double shot of coconut water, 1 dbl shot of pineapple juice, single shot of fresh 100% ginger juice (very potent), blend and drink. Very yummy, just a hint of banana and ginger, maybe a 1/2 shot more ginger if you can take it. (add rum or protein powder if desired.. depends on what you're into.)
81111 - Day 54 181 (@ wake) 17.5% - I have to be disciplined enough to drink water as soon as I wake up... then take the arg, and then don't know whether I should eat first or take the protein/waxi/creatine powder stack?? Try it for a week and see what happens. GX @ YMCA then Aqua at Penn... got to take it easy on the jumping/running for a few days i think.. Ankles...
81211 - Day 55: Wake up and do some balance stuff... on one leg, etc. 183, 19% at wake both higher than in recent weeks. Body work day at the Y, some agility stuff. A bit sore in right shin, ankles seem ok so far, didn't wake up sore. 180.5 18% after rituals... time to get active. Awesome workout, much to recount.. slow start but as usual, it became very intense, some stuff I can use for classes.
81311 - Day 56 a day of eating, resting and socializing. However I did feel like my chest had been banged up from the inside out. my guess the plyo push ups. A brand new feeling. Otherwise a pretty mellow day. It also looks like I won't be getting a "proper" workout for the next 4 days. We'll call it a rest... and come back stronger.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Ruggedness August: 80111 - 80611
Here's the first weekly post as promised... I don't bother with spell check, these are just notes for me to refer back to later. If you want to follow along, you are welcome to, any questions, drop a comment - Thanks..
August 2011:
80111 - Strong day 44: To the Y to press wt.!! Got 2 30 rep sets (leg press and lat pull down) See book. Don't feel like writing too much now. Started off with the push up process... will explain later if u haven't seen the video. 182 lbs... 16% BF 1 hr after wake up. Took the nite off for something that didn't work out. An extra nite off is never a bad thing. Oh yes... The daily push up process is in effect also. Will have to explain this for the sake of new readers.
80211- Day 45: PUMPED at Temple, Push up process (high) i PUMPED at Temple today, details on this later. Shooting hoops with the boy for about an hour, and didn't get worn out. Fitness is dashizzle!!
80311 Day 46 - 182 steady 3 days start with movement, light squats jump on trampoline which I usually do just haven't mentioned, push up process 3rd day of this.. This shish is HARD!! haven't gotten thru the whole process yet. 20 laps at the YMCA, 10 regular, 10 breast stroke. Towards the end I was getting two str8 laps... about 20 minutes total... Not bad, first time out in years, May have to dedicate 1 day a week to swimming laps.. Ruggedness baby!
80411 - Day 47 182 needed to rehydrate this am 20%, later 17% pushup process (hi) I FF at the Y, Aqua at UPenn, both went well.. now the nite gig... Looking fwd to Friday
80511 - Day 48 - 182.5 SPACERB day at the YMCA, just a lot of movement that got me out of breath quickly. Basically I did a hard core version of my class which included a lot of jumping, broncos, squat pul up push up combos and a good amount of stretching towards the end. I was tired before I started, which is par for the week, but I pushed on.. Lots of shadow boxing and shadow kicking a la class, but I won't bring this stuff to the sessions anytime soon. Took protein & waximaize before, banana and two slices of pizza post... cheat day perhaps???
80611 - Day 49
183 lbs... Woke up and gave myself another hour of rest, rt ankle was tender so I went for a swim instead of sprinting, determined to do 1/2 mile (18 laps or 36 lengths says the YMCA's all time lap leader a 79 year old retired doctor.) Achieved in a combo of crawls, breast strokes and inverted breast stroeks, which is basically the beast stroke on ur back. Then did 30 minutes on the elliptical and yoga stretch/breathe out - Then a big 730 PM "breakfast" at Perkins w/ French Toast... filling. I have taken to reminding myself that the military has (tried) to make me a Super Seabee...
August 2011:
80111 - Strong day 44: To the Y to press wt.!! Got 2 30 rep sets (leg press and lat pull down) See book. Don't feel like writing too much now. Started off with the push up process... will explain later if u haven't seen the video. 182 lbs... 16% BF 1 hr after wake up. Took the nite off for something that didn't work out. An extra nite off is never a bad thing. Oh yes... The daily push up process is in effect also. Will have to explain this for the sake of new readers.
80211- Day 45: PUMPED at Temple, Push up process (high) i PUMPED at Temple today, details on this later. Shooting hoops with the boy for about an hour, and didn't get worn out. Fitness is dashizzle!!
80311 Day 46 - 182 steady 3 days start with movement, light squats jump on trampoline which I usually do just haven't mentioned, push up process 3rd day of this.. This shish is HARD!! haven't gotten thru the whole process yet. 20 laps at the YMCA, 10 regular, 10 breast stroke. Towards the end I was getting two str8 laps... about 20 minutes total... Not bad, first time out in years, May have to dedicate 1 day a week to swimming laps.. Ruggedness baby!
80411 - Day 47 182 needed to rehydrate this am 20%, later 17% pushup process (hi) I FF at the Y, Aqua at UPenn, both went well.. now the nite gig... Looking fwd to Friday
80511 - Day 48 - 182.5 SPACERB day at the YMCA, just a lot of movement that got me out of breath quickly. Basically I did a hard core version of my class which included a lot of jumping, broncos, squat pul up push up combos and a good amount of stretching towards the end. I was tired before I started, which is par for the week, but I pushed on.. Lots of shadow boxing and shadow kicking a la class, but I won't bring this stuff to the sessions anytime soon. Took protein & waximaize before, banana and two slices of pizza post... cheat day perhaps???
80611 - Day 49
183 lbs... Woke up and gave myself another hour of rest, rt ankle was tender so I went for a swim instead of sprinting, determined to do 1/2 mile (18 laps or 36 lengths says the YMCA's all time lap leader a 79 year old retired doctor.) Achieved in a combo of crawls, breast strokes and inverted breast stroeks, which is basically the beast stroke on ur back. Then did 30 minutes on the elliptical and yoga stretch/breathe out - Then a big 730 PM "breakfast" at Perkins w/ French Toast... filling. I have taken to reminding myself that the military has (tried) to make me a Super Seabee...
Friday, August 05, 2011
Bragging Rights: 80511
Bragging Rights: 80511
By SOMA
A title comes to mind and the essay that follows has little if anything to do with it. This is why weblogs, more commonly known as “blogs” are a great invention for cats like me; people who write, who are not writers. Of course “journalists” and “media personalities” had to go and ruin it by posting their blogs on the side of their regular reporting.
UGH! I stopped watching TV to get away from these omniscient blowhards who use their status to sway public opinion. I might be a little bit jealous of their notoriety as well, but not much. I prefer the underground; that nostalgic, romantic realm where creativity thrives and small groups of eclectics gather and appreciate the obscure. I’ll save my thoughts on the Death of the Underground for a more lucid period of mental vibrations.
Photogenica
I think I can take a picture a day to go along with these cerebral lava flows, as long as I am not obliged to do it. I have my camera on a tripod, and a strobe screwed into a track light and a wall with nothing on it but my “to do” list to use as a background. I set the timer, stand in front and remember the day.
I was thinking the other day that it would be nice to invite a friend or two over from time to time for cocktails and a portrait. I can think of some funky undergroundee alliterative name to call this project later. Maybe they can come over, have a drink – I’ve been working on some spicy ginger-infused cocktail recipes – do a quickie photo session (suitable for social network profile pix) and as an added bonus they can take one of the many albums I am soon getting rid of… wax baby. So make your reservations now.
Competition from Other Places
I’m currently in a fierce battle with the 2004 version of My self. He is for the most part silent save echoes and images from that year. Bench pressing 295 pounds, doing 100+ pushups in a single set, some days churning out 1000 pushups a day, just because someone told him Hershel walker did it. Only that guy wasn’t running. He was big and bulky too.
Seven years later, seven years older and most importantly seven years smarter/wiser the transformation has been amazing, if I do say so myself. What I’ve sacrificed in brute (upper body) strength, I suppose I have made up for in core strength, endurance, lean muscle mass (more ripped) and certainly overall health.
Still that macho kid haunts me. I look at the young bucks benching 250, 275, 315 pounds with relative ease and I become (just short of) those guys who were talking about what they “used to bench” before this or that happened.
The barbell (flat) bench press is a real “guy” exercise. For most of us this is how we measure our strength (and ourselves against other guys.) I haven’t worked with barbell flat presses in a couple of years; it’s been all dumbbells. I made a pledge to myself as to when I’ll get back to the bench and I am trying my best to keep it. (The incline barbell bench press is a different story.)
I don’t blame you if you’re not interested in my strength gains; honestly. I write these essays up from time to time and post them, simply because blogs exist. Most of my exercise scribble goes into my little notebooks for future deciphering.
I suppose in a way I’m bragging. I’m okay with that only because I’m bragging against my past self; a bit faster, a bit stronger (overall if not specifically with barbells) a bit slimmer am I now as well.
Accomplishments within my seven pillars of fitness are my Bragging Rights, posting them are my bragging rites.
By SOMA
A title comes to mind and the essay that follows has little if anything to do with it. This is why weblogs, more commonly known as “blogs” are a great invention for cats like me; people who write, who are not writers. Of course “journalists” and “media personalities” had to go and ruin it by posting their blogs on the side of their regular reporting.
UGH! I stopped watching TV to get away from these omniscient blowhards who use their status to sway public opinion. I might be a little bit jealous of their notoriety as well, but not much. I prefer the underground; that nostalgic, romantic realm where creativity thrives and small groups of eclectics gather and appreciate the obscure. I’ll save my thoughts on the Death of the Underground for a more lucid period of mental vibrations.
Photogenica
I think I can take a picture a day to go along with these cerebral lava flows, as long as I am not obliged to do it. I have my camera on a tripod, and a strobe screwed into a track light and a wall with nothing on it but my “to do” list to use as a background. I set the timer, stand in front and remember the day.
I was thinking the other day that it would be nice to invite a friend or two over from time to time for cocktails and a portrait. I can think of some funky undergroundee alliterative name to call this project later. Maybe they can come over, have a drink – I’ve been working on some spicy ginger-infused cocktail recipes – do a quickie photo session (suitable for social network profile pix) and as an added bonus they can take one of the many albums I am soon getting rid of… wax baby. So make your reservations now.
Competition from Other Places
I’m currently in a fierce battle with the 2004 version of My self. He is for the most part silent save echoes and images from that year. Bench pressing 295 pounds, doing 100+ pushups in a single set, some days churning out 1000 pushups a day, just because someone told him Hershel walker did it. Only that guy wasn’t running. He was big and bulky too.
Seven years later, seven years older and most importantly seven years smarter/wiser the transformation has been amazing, if I do say so myself. What I’ve sacrificed in brute (upper body) strength, I suppose I have made up for in core strength, endurance, lean muscle mass (more ripped) and certainly overall health.
Still that macho kid haunts me. I look at the young bucks benching 250, 275, 315 pounds with relative ease and I become (just short of) those guys who were talking about what they “used to bench” before this or that happened.
The barbell (flat) bench press is a real “guy” exercise. For most of us this is how we measure our strength (and ourselves against other guys.) I haven’t worked with barbell flat presses in a couple of years; it’s been all dumbbells. I made a pledge to myself as to when I’ll get back to the bench and I am trying my best to keep it. (The incline barbell bench press is a different story.)
I don’t blame you if you’re not interested in my strength gains; honestly. I write these essays up from time to time and post them, simply because blogs exist. Most of my exercise scribble goes into my little notebooks for future deciphering.
I suppose in a way I’m bragging. I’m okay with that only because I’m bragging against my past self; a bit faster, a bit stronger (overall if not specifically with barbells) a bit slimmer am I now as well.
Accomplishments within my seven pillars of fitness are my Bragging Rights, posting them are my bragging rites.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Today's Account: 80311
Today's Account: 80311
by SOMA
That's me, "Jack of all trades. Master of fun!" To whom do I owe this quote? I'm not sure. I'll find out.
I am, above all else, a thinker; j'imagine. Writing comes in a very close second for it is the manifestation of my thoughts. As a thinker/writer, I of course love words, I love conversation and communicating. Although I try not to, I must admit to taking offense towards, or shall I say from those, who fail to reciprocate my initiated communication. I acknowledge their right not to, however I acknowledge my right to consider them rude.
Progressing - the word "whimsy" has been bouncing around in my mental lexicon for the better part of a year now, perhaps longer. Most of what I've done, including military service, my current profession and publishing two semi-successful independent magazines have been done without much planning. My mantra has been, "Wouldn't it be cool if..." and I subsequently made "If" happen.
One declaration I have never made is, "Wouldn't it be cool if I was famous?" Because I know it wouldn't. I eschew attention, going so far as not just changing my name, but completely changing my identity, when I stepped into what we shall reluctantly call, "the scene." (I stopped short of plastic surgery as I've been told I look different every time I show up somewhere, anyway.)
Let me change gears here before this becomes a chapter of my unauthorized auto-biography, and get on with my original thought for today.
This is where the statement, "Don't get me wrong" would go if I actually cared about being misunderstood. By all means, misconstrue what I write. Be very confused about what I say and what I mean. Please note the contradictions and bring them to my attention... onward.
I am truly loving my lifestyle at the "moment" (consider this moment the 21st century) especially the past seven years. I live alone in a three bedroom row home, I do little more than show up to my job and when i do have "work" to do it's something I enjoy doing. By day I'm a fitness trainer, my clients (in some cases employers) are two universities and the YMCA. I train on land and in the water, both of these activities help to keep me in shape, and i schedule my weeks with enough time to train myself. My endorphins are in over drive and I'm never more than 90 minutes from the next natural high.
For a while I wished I could pack this life in a suitcase and take it out to San Diego, and do everything I'm doing here, out there, with perhaps a little bit of laptop deejaying for Sunday brunches at a little cafe in Pacific Beach. Wouldn't THAT be cool? However, as un imaginaire, I have bigger fantasies... which I think I will have to reveal later, as I don't want to jinx myself.
Syndication
I've spent a lot of time on the internet becoming a member of this or that social network, website, blog page or whatever. These pages have been sitting their dormant for maybe 3 or 4 years just yearning for my words to once again dance on them, incite imagination and spread whimsey. Of course being a man of whims, this could be the first and last account of the day... or maybe not.
I'll probably return, "Maybe sooner, maybe later, maybe never." To whom do I owe this quote??? I'm not sure.
I'll find out.
FIN
by SOMA
That's me, "Jack of all trades. Master of fun!" To whom do I owe this quote? I'm not sure. I'll find out.
I am, above all else, a thinker; j'imagine. Writing comes in a very close second for it is the manifestation of my thoughts. As a thinker/writer, I of course love words, I love conversation and communicating. Although I try not to, I must admit to taking offense towards, or shall I say from those, who fail to reciprocate my initiated communication. I acknowledge their right not to, however I acknowledge my right to consider them rude.
Progressing - the word "whimsy" has been bouncing around in my mental lexicon for the better part of a year now, perhaps longer. Most of what I've done, including military service, my current profession and publishing two semi-successful independent magazines have been done without much planning. My mantra has been, "Wouldn't it be cool if..." and I subsequently made "If" happen.
One declaration I have never made is, "Wouldn't it be cool if I was famous?" Because I know it wouldn't. I eschew attention, going so far as not just changing my name, but completely changing my identity, when I stepped into what we shall reluctantly call, "the scene." (I stopped short of plastic surgery as I've been told I look different every time I show up somewhere, anyway.)
Let me change gears here before this becomes a chapter of my unauthorized auto-biography, and get on with my original thought for today.
This is where the statement, "Don't get me wrong" would go if I actually cared about being misunderstood. By all means, misconstrue what I write. Be very confused about what I say and what I mean. Please note the contradictions and bring them to my attention... onward.
I am truly loving my lifestyle at the "moment" (consider this moment the 21st century) especially the past seven years. I live alone in a three bedroom row home, I do little more than show up to my job and when i do have "work" to do it's something I enjoy doing. By day I'm a fitness trainer, my clients (in some cases employers) are two universities and the YMCA. I train on land and in the water, both of these activities help to keep me in shape, and i schedule my weeks with enough time to train myself. My endorphins are in over drive and I'm never more than 90 minutes from the next natural high.
For a while I wished I could pack this life in a suitcase and take it out to San Diego, and do everything I'm doing here, out there, with perhaps a little bit of laptop deejaying for Sunday brunches at a little cafe in Pacific Beach. Wouldn't THAT be cool? However, as un imaginaire, I have bigger fantasies... which I think I will have to reveal later, as I don't want to jinx myself.
Syndication
I've spent a lot of time on the internet becoming a member of this or that social network, website, blog page or whatever. These pages have been sitting their dormant for maybe 3 or 4 years just yearning for my words to once again dance on them, incite imagination and spread whimsey. Of course being a man of whims, this could be the first and last account of the day... or maybe not.
I'll probably return, "Maybe sooner, maybe later, maybe never." To whom do I owe this quote??? I'm not sure.
I'll find out.
FIN
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