Nietzsche Knows

Cool gusty winds lifted my hair today. (Smiling) I cannot recall the last time that happened...

It has been eight weeks since my last chemo and it was the most difficult one. For four additional hours I was subjected to a two-pint blood transfusion. My lower back was also a spasm of pain most of the day which caused me to adopt different positions to try and relieve it without taking pain medicine. Even knowing all this, I would do it all over.

Steroids were again a part of my chemo care regimen. It came with baggage though -- an extra 25 pounds of weight on my body on top of the weight I need to lose. Since re-joining Weight Watchers eight weeks ago, I have lost 15!

My health motto taken from a shirt on bodybuilding.com is "Rise from Weakness". Last year's chemo recovery was not easy so I took a time off this time around two weeks ago to try and make my way to the gym to restart a weight lifting regimen with my coach at 5am. Yes, 5! A nasty alarm wakes me up at 4am Monday through Friday so I can get geared up and eat a pre-workout snack of one banana and seven pieces of raw almonds plus water. Oh yes -- my mouth looks like it is filled with Chiclets when I smile at my Jamaican coach each morning. The joy I feel is immense even when my muscles protest from underuse and chemo recovery...

My home address is new but I have not moved. The emergency network insisted on my apartment complex updating their address system to make it easier on them in case they are needed. A mobile vehicle from the Department of Motor Vehicles was parked in my parking area for everyone to change their driver's license (for free!) to reflect the change of address. I wanted to change my address earlier this year, but this is not exactly what I had imagined.

On the same vein, my UK company has sold off the Healthcare division. I was a casualty of the split that will be finalized in November. My job was moved to the Healthcare side as part of the divestiture. I get to drive to work in the same building but just work under a new company name and with a new manager yet to be named. Mind you, I started out at the Healthcare division and I have been supporting them for six years so the change is more paperwork than anything. I am still happy.

My bigger personal projects are still simmering on the burner; however, I am very proud to inform you that I completed my first quilt. Buoyed by this accomplishment, I also designed and put together a bed scarf as well as recovered my frou-frou pillows to match my new duvet set. I may have finally conquered my fear of sewing!

Sigh.

For now I have to concentrate on my job and improving my health. A quote from Nietzsche sums it up, “He who has a why can endure any how." My whys are worth every step no matter how small or difficult. I think of that each time I see my hair and wince. It has grown much longer, but chemo thinned it out by more than half. Through the magic of a curling iron, brush techniques and a fumigation of hairspray, I still manage to receive compliments on it from strangers. If they only knew how I cannot wait to have my full crown again. I need a bigger crown to rule over Sprinklesville! Ha. My hair is coming back more and more each day judging by the havoc the wind did on it today. It was a nice reminder that things are coming along nicely.

Love,
Sarah

Nietzsche Knows

GIDDYAP...It's Exercise!

A man must have invented this contraption...


.

GIDDYAP...It's Exercise!

Charwoman

Wore my new running shoes for the first time this morning. Yes, I've held onto them for almost two weeks. They were very expensive ($140!) and I wasn't sure if I could do better on price while still getting a similarly featured pair of running shoes. I gave up shopping around and decided to wear them. Four miles walking with Kristey this morning was a great way to break them in. I knew they were good when my back didn't seize up at all today. It had been with the previous pair. Hurrah!

I did all the laundry I could do today with the exception of the slipcovers on the sofa and club chair. In between moving them around, folding them and putting them away, I cleaned the apartment. Man...I don't have that much floor to wash and I still despise washing floors! Vacuuming the carpet was more rewarding for me. Dusting was a despicable thing to do especially when I started to sneeze from the act. Grrr. These kinds of labor have to be...well, labored even for your favorite AGOL.

For dinner I made spaghetti dressed with tomato, basil, meatballs and mushrooms in a red sauce. Oh and extra pressed garlic! Made too much of the noodles though. I can't measure noodles. (Read as too lazy to measure.) I just dump a bunch in the salted boiling pot of water without breaking the noodle strands. Twirling the pasta with my fork against a spoon is a lovely way to eat spaghetti.

It wasn't a Sassy Saturday, but I accomplished much including a good nap to catch more Z's. Naps are not sassy, but they are bold. I mean to just say to your laundry Screw you! I am taking a nap on the comfy couch. That's bold. Never let it be said that I don't live on the edge.
.

Charwoman

Triple Threat

How far should you include your boss in your life outside your cube walls? Bridget has already had him at two of her derby bouts and today we had him at the gym with us. He doesn't need to lose weight, but he does need to improve his fitness level especially to improve his higher than normal cholesterol count for a forty-year old.

You should have seen us. It was me, Bridget and my boss in a row taking up all the treadmills. I was walking briskly, Bridget was running and our boss was half running half walking while he was engaged in a conversation with a lady on the elliptical machine next to him. He added his own commentary to ESPN on TV, too. He talked for most of the 30 minutes in the gym. I am not sure whether he was just nervous or disliked being silent unto himself. Today may be his first and only foray into the gym; it was less than enjoyable for him physically. He ate right after and experienced heartburn. (Shaking my head.)

I stayed late at work to finish up some things. Tomorrow was my telecommute from home. As I was wrapping it up a little after 7pm, I received a text message from Dan asking if I would help him plan the party. Oh. My attention was certainly arrested. Years like layers of veils parted away and memories of being in that role of planner were revealed once again. Why now?

I texted back sure and that I was just leaving work and would call him on my drive home. He replied that he was meeting with our old boss and would contact me later. It was about 9pm when he texted me that he was ready. I called and asked him what he had in mind before adding my own ideas for atmosphere and props. You have to understand, it takes no time for me to plan events complete with food, theme and props. This situation with us was not the norm and hasn't been for six years. (There is more to this that I am not willing to explore online.) On a more upbeat thought, my creativity was sparked to life again and all the guests should have a great time.
.

Triple Threat

Pronation? No, Prosprinkles

Shin splints are annoying. Getting them this time was my fault. I tend to skip stretching after the brisk walking and I haven't made the trip to the specialty running store for proper fitting on my shoe needs...

There was an athlete on the next treadmill over at lunch. I watched him increase the incline to level 11 and increase the speed to get him running at warp speed. Ugh. He said he was trying something new in his training. I don't mind him trying something out but droplets of his sweat were flinging on either side of him. Normally I might appreciate his efforts, but not when my shins hurt. I pushed myself through the discomfort.

Talked to Rob about this new development. He said that I may be suffering from overpronation or over striding. Before I knew it, I was sending him pictures from my phone showing him the wear on the underside of my shoes and the side views. He gently reminded me about a proper shoe fitting at this place at the mall behind us. They provide videotaped gait analysis and blueprints of your feet. I must say that all this science appeals to my geeky side...

Remember I spoke about my friend Sam on Saturday? Well, he and I have been catching up on 19 years of absence in each other's lives. I had asked him about our friend John. They had a falling out several years after high school and he had no contact with him either. He found him on myspace today and left him a note. I had to create another myspace account to message him, too. We're hoping he responds very quickly. Meanwhile I will try to minimize my shin splints.
.

Pronation? No, Prosprinkles

Healthy Attractions

Sometimes I feel like a pack mule when I make my way from garage to the my building. My handbag can double as small carry-on luggage if I really wanted to use it that way. (Just kidding.) It weighs about five pounds. We can add my laptop bag and peripherals inside the bag. Then there is my gym bag with workout gear which is made heavier by my lunch and water bottles. I carry this set most everyday and up a couple of flights of stairs inside my building. Today when I reached the top of the stairs to my floor, I wasn't out of breath at all. Was that elation I felt?

Bridget was telecommuting today so I worked out by myself. Being in such closed quarters with perfect strangers, I found myself struck by unusual shyness and turned up my music louder to focus on my own efforts. When I began to perspire, I used my yellow hand towel to dab my face. I set it back and not securely enough. As if in slow motion, I watched it drop on the belt of the treadmill and pass by my feet onto the floor. Just great, I thought. Here I am at the zenith of my workout that is certain to produce copious amounts of perspiration and my towel was on the floor behind me. Grrr.

The towel lay on the floor for several minutes while I wiped sweat off my face with my hand and on my clothing. I stared daggers at the reflection of a man behind me lazily moving from one machine to another and admiring his own reflection in the other mirrors. He had looked at my general direction but made no move to retrieve the towel for me. An imaginary dark plot in my brain began to take form. I was wishing the mirrors would shatter when he admired himself and that the machines would come alive and attack him. Before my imagination could really get out of control, a handsome stranger came by my left side and handed me my towel. Uh, thank you. Okay, maybe that was worth the wait. Chivalry was not dead -- struggling to breathe but not dead. I thanked him again as I passed by him after my workout. He smiled and said "no problem" in a heart-stopping voice. Oh, Lordy...

In the afternoon, my Filipino friend Sharon and I tried our hands at matchmaking. It's not what you think but the usual steps were employed as if it were a romantic vein. This was to set up my friend Rob with her friend Rick as biking buddies. Both are competitive, same height, military background and they rode miles on their bikes. We exchanged their e-mail addresses for them and hoped for the best on their first date. Ha.

I made my way to Tawny's place after 9pm to pick up the tub of sugar cookie dough I bought from Lisa's daughter's school fundraising drive. I called ahead and asked (more like ordered) Tawny to fire up her oven to sample a few scoops. They tasted better straight from the oven instead of waiting for them to cool down. No taste buds were harmed.
.

Healthy Attractions

Heart Rate Monitor

Walking surrounded by nature is a secret pleasure of mine. I only enjoy it when the weather feels good; most of the time my friends and family think I am too prissy to be outdoors. Not today! Kristey met me for our four mile walk and we chatted away. She wants to try and walk again after work one day next week.

I wanted to bring my new Polar F6 heart rate monitor (HRM) on the walk, but I got home too late last night and by the time I wound down, I was too tired. Calibrating this HRM takes concentration. Let me let you know that this is an investment at $110. (Rob has one from Polar that is around $400.) My F6 came with a wrist unit and a coded transmitter that you strap on your chest which sends heart rate signals to your wrist unit. Ooh, Geekville! I couldn't find the new green tea color in town after calling several places. Pink is pretty, too.



Polar has an explanation why you should have a HRM. Here is the American Heart Association guidelines for determining your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR), too. Mostly, I am going to use it as a tool to help me work more efficiently. I read an article where this guy thought he was working hard then found out he needed to step up his activity level. From there the weight he'd been struggling to lose finally started to fall off. Also, this will help me when I plateau and let me know to vary my activities and target zone for my heart rate. Getting geeky about fitness is introducing a whole new set of vocabulary that for sure.

I was able to get a catnap in later in the afternoon which felt wonderful! Normally I catch up on Saturday mornings. Oh - a teaser for you - some time I will let you know what I bought this afternoon that will help in my branding of Sarah Sprinkles for Project AGOL. What could it be, my lovelies?
.

Heart Rate Monitor

Resistant AGOL

Today was supposed to be my commute from home; however, I had encouraged Bridget to stay home yesterday and by me coming in today, she would feel comfortable to call in. A 8:09AM cell text confirmed the other half of my Dream Team would be home sick today. Bridget had been pushing herself and not allowing sufficient recovery from everything: being a mother, roller derby, online classes and moving her family. It was only a matter of time before her body cried for rest.

My boss was working from home today and the network was doing its disappearing act again which meant Tawny was in a good mood. Not. All day I kept my laptop on the wireless card. Slow, but able to work...and catch up with my posse. Hee.

In my world, most everyone has a nickname. It is part fun, part fondness for that person or a mnemonic device to help remember that person. The names are very rarely mean because that is not what the naming is about...I had another strong discussion with Tab and this time on how I was referencing someone. Mind you, he only remembers things if it is important enough to him so it was easier to use the nickname to put this person in perspective rather than use the person's given name. He told me that if it were him, he would be severely hurt. OMG. What ensued next was a discussion lasting until after I got back from my workout. The 30 minutes on the treadmill felt like 10 minutes and I walked at a faster speed. That's how I burned up I was. My feathers were eventually soothed.

Stopped at Target tonight to buy my new set of resistance tubes. I also noticed a big selection of jump rope and (gasp!) there is an exercise DVD for jump rope! Man...I have to get a super resistant bra to do jump rope or I will be giving myself black eyes. Skipped that whole purchase entirely for now and settled happily for the new tubes.
.

Resistant AGOL

AGOL is Asian?

It has been a few months since I have walked the woods just miles from my apartment. Kristey was already there by the time I arrived. Her new friend was nowhere in sight. I found out later that she was horrified that we would begin our walk at 8:30am. She was lucky because last year we started at 7:30am! We blissfully completed our own four mile circuit with me noting a lone red dragonfly along the way.

My friends always want me to bring my Pretty Boy Dog, but it would be more hassle than happy for either of us. He's getting on in years and he hates other dogs. It would be stressful to try to control him every third mile when we would encounter other dogs. He wouldn't make the whole circuit. He's a spoiled aging gentle doggie. Belly and back rubs are more his style.

When I got home, I saw another flying creature. This time it was a large needle dragonfly flying near my door. What kind of messages are my winged friends bringing me? I had no time to think about it more until hours later on my way to see my hairdresser Michelle.

I bought a musical card for Michelle that played Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive and I tucked in her pictures of her kittens I had taken last weekend. She wants me to take pictures with her more sophisticated camera next time I come over because she says I take good shots...

It has become a habit to stop at the bubble tea place a few doors down where I ordered the same flavor of jackfruit with mango fruits gels and boba (tapioca pearls). The Vietnamese guy behind the counter asked me how I knew about jackfruit. I told him I was half Filipino and with a face full of surprise he asked me, You're Asian?! I almost died. I said yes and how I was born in the Philippines and had lived the first 11 years of my life there. His lady helper heard this last bit and said to me, You're Asian?! OMG. Were these people blind? Did they not see my chinky eyes? I called Angie and Tawny to ask them if they knew I was Asian. We had a great laugh.


(To their credit, I am only HALF Asian...Still, give me a break.)

Ended up at Tawny's with her family for a very non-Asian dinner of cheeseburgers. I was a nuisance to her in the kitchen, but I was a good helper in setting up the table and making sure everything was on there. Stayed late enough to remember that they had to get an early start to go to Universal Studios tomorrow. Walked back across the complex to my doggie who waited for me like an irate parent. Apparently, the only allowable fun in his book is with him. Good thing he is cute...That's all I can say.
.

AGOL is Asian?

Practice Love

"Practice love. Sitting alone in your room, be loving. Radiate love. Fill the whole room with your love energy. Feel vibrating with a new frequency, feel swaying as if you are in the ocean of love. Create vibrations of love energy around you. And you will start feeling immediately that something is happening -- something in your aura is changing, something around your body is changing; a warmth is arising around your body... a warmth like deep orgasm. You are becoming more alive. Something like sleep is disappearing. Something like awareness is arising. Sway into this ocean. Dance, sing, and let your whole room be filled with love."

- Osho

That's just it. I really haven't been Practicing Love. Love for Myself. This morning gave me one of my "walking the dog epiphanies". Why these things happen when I walk the dog, I truly do not know. Perhaps it is because I haven't started to pollute my brain with the daily grind or built walls on the truths trying to vie for equal time with the other crap I seem to focus on.

Before I get to the epiphany, let me share this finding on a recently found blog:

We all want friendships that will last for eternity, don’t we? Follow these pointers and you’ll be blessed times over…

1. Speak to people — there is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people - it takes seventy-two muscles to frown and only fourteen to smile!
3. Call anyone by their name - the sweetest music to anyone’s ear is the sound of their own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful - if you would have friends, be friendly.
5. Be cordial - speak and act as if everything you do is a real pleasure.
6. Be genuinely interested in people - you can like everyone if you try.
7. Be generous with praise - cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate of the feelings of others - it will be appreciated.
9. Be thoughtful of the options of others.
10. Be alert to give service - what counts most in life is what we do for others!

(Taken from The Speaker’s Quote Book - Roy B. Zuck)

If you know me personally, you know that I just might be the embodiment of those 10 lines. Hell, I give myself cavities. I have never met a stranger. (Strange people - yes!) I can talk to anyone, anytime and in any situation AND be engaging. Smiling is natural as with responding with the word, "groovy" when people ask me how I am doing. I respond that way on purpose because it stops people in their tracks and makes them smile...big!

So, Sprinkles, what was that epiphany again? My epiphany which I shared with Rob in an extended IM conversation this afternoon was that I am not as important to other people I am close to as they are to me. They don't hold me in the same regard as I do them. While it stung, it was the truth. The times I get more timely feedback is when they read something on my blog or when I don't call or communicate in some way. Operative word I. I always give wholeheartedly of myself (always have!) and have received only scattered partials of others whether in romantic relationships or friendships.

Why share with Rob and not my closest buddies? Because he hasn't known me long enough and can sift through my bullshit, he's become a great friend, his approach is more militant (which I somehow respond to -- childhood stuff, I guess) and he has a vested interest in getting me to compete in mini triathlons. In order to get me further and steady in my training, he's going to need to help me get past a couple of hurdles.

Where I've feared him getting too frustrated and giving up is a delusion he's willing to correct throughout the day...everyday. He wants me to be inspired to resolve and not count on hope. Hope doesn't get you anywhere -- resolve gets you moving. If you could see the arguments in IMs and his pulling information out of me to get to the crux of the matter, you would wince. I've told him that when I start to tell him things, I get the case of the dum-dums and what I say sounds stupid and petty, but when I feel the same things, they hurt. He assures me it doesn't sound stupid to him. Here's his take on my epiphany:

First... you tend to be overly thoughtful... in hopes of getting the same…you like to please people... exceed expectations...somewhat you really truly enjoy pleasing people.. and exceed those expectations...but at the same time. You have some what more lofty expectations than the people around you seem to manage to live up to... you question yourself all the time.. "Are my expectations that high?" or "do these people just don’t hold me in the same regard... what is wrong with me?"

And I told him about the focus on trying to please everyone with a Sarahfix during my free time. I call and I write almost a dozen people at least on any given day. IM, facebook, e-mails and cell calls have become crutches/excuses on why I am not focusing more. I don't want to miss out or not be there for someone. I want them to know I care. Rob's no nonsense response is, It is not being rude, but being focused. For him: Umm...4pm gotta go....Jim at work not running at lunch lunch with me?...gotta go. Thanks to his military training, his training schedule is set and he adheres to it devotedly, but he still manages time for his family and a side job. Yes, he manages his time very well. I need to manage my time 'better' to get to 'very well'.

Sharing the above was difficult, but with a cheering squad like Rob, I was able to write the words. It is another cog in the wheel to get me moving in the right direction. Like the medical profession, they practice their profession to get better. In order to Love Myself more so in the end give more of myself in a truly authentic way (and not in deficit of myself), I need to practice Love for me by me.
.

Practice Love

Herby Healthy...?

Walked in the cool full moonshine with my Pretty Boy Dog at 5:30am. It was a bit nippy this morning with the wind going everywhere like a wayward child...

Today was a day of introspection, mostly about my journey back to health. I bought this Canadian product called Vega which can be used as a meal replacement (240 cal, 9g fiber and 24g of protein) or as a supplement. The creator is a triathlete who follows a mostly raw diet. I special ordered the chocolate flavor from a local health food store. The taste? Well....it is a rather herby with a dark chocolate nuance. It costs $70 a container of 15 servings so I will be drinking it all. I will use the big boba straws to suck this stuff down. Next time I am buying the berry flavor. I also bought five of their meal bars for snacks. (An idea of making my own bars to eventually market them came to mind. I have a unique idea so we will see how motivated I get at testing recipes.)

Why would I buy this stuff? I want to be able to take it before I leave the office. I can feel good about going home and taking care of the dog and immediately go to the gym after without eating an elaborate dinner I may have to make (vs. powder mixed with water) and have the food churning in my tummy during the workout. This stuff isn't loaded with fillers like other bars found at the grocery store; it was created with nutrition in mind. I can always have a post workout snack if I get hungry. So far, so good.

Received a notice last week to come and get my free sample of bliss naked body butter from Sephora as my birthday gift for being a member. The kind I received was unscented. Omigosh!! I want to buy a vat of it. It is one of the best lotions I have ever put on my skin. (Origin's Ginger Souffle is the first because of the fragrance.) It is perfect for men, too! Try it and tell me don't want a vat of it!

I worked out tonight on what is apparently everyone's favorite treadmill because there were some disappointed faces staring at me. My earbuds were on piping in some music while I walked a brisk pace for a longer amount of time. I was sweating well and wondered if anyone had moved the thermostat to hot. What I was most proud of was that I didn't have to hold onto the bars from the start; I kept my form and balance. Hooray! Small victories are sweet.

Today is my dad's 66th birthday, but he wasn't home when I called Chicagoland. He was out for the Knights of Columbus of which he is an officer. This man is busier now that he is retired! I chatted with my stepmother instead who bemoaned the fact that his and her schedules are busy. There will be no official celebrating until the weekend, but I think she mentioned something about going to a black tie event.

I tried to quiet my mind and think about the things I want to personally/physically accomplish this year like skydiving, indoor rock climbing, kayaking and baby triathlons. The idea of pushing myself in some extreme sports is very appealing. Not only will it broaden my scope of experience and mentally test me, but I will get to meet new people. The more I read about these athletes, the more I am fascinated by their individual journeys...
.

Herby Healthy...?

Sprinkles Volunteers

April? That is just around the corner and definitely not enough time for me to get in shape for any kind of triathlon. That was my initial thought when Rob forwarded me an announcement for it. Before I could let my mind wander even further, he IM'ed to reminded me that I could volunteer at triathlon for water stops, mark bodies with numbers or participate in the sign-in stuff while he competed.

Oh, um...yeah. That is a better idea. Duh, dorkgirl!

I left a voicemail for the triathlon's contact to get back with me on volunteering. The longer I wait, the more likely I would get a less than desirable duty. Granted, I may be a little early in calling. Rob said that I could be in the environment and learn what the process was all about. Basically, he was managing my expectations. He said he was stressed at his first triathlon. Later in the IM, he asked about my access to a swimming pool. We have two in my complex, but not sure it is heated. I doubt it and it is a little to chilly to swim during the evening especially. I am also to need about 25m length to practice swimming, but a decent length will do. Research for tomorrow after my workout then.

Now I have two DVDs from Rob. One is Swimming Techniques for more efficient swimming and the other is full of Yoga Routine which will complement my other yoga DVDs. He's been very generous so I'd better get with it. I am benefiting from his own research and experience. He is frighteningly informed.

Not to let me off the hook right away, he added: well try to start working on the swim technique even if you just watch he video a few times...lay on the floor and practice some of the drills...not going to help you to learn balance in the water.. but at least you can learn the drills..

Talked to Kathy on the way home. She will be my swimming buddy (when it gets warmer) for the drills that require one. Been missing her, too. Haven't seen her in almost three weeks!

Eyes are too tired right now. I have to work out early so I can check out the pool and go back home to start doing some chores around the apartment. It's just Excitementville over here. I am not too bothered. Putting the pieces of the puzzle to this prep stuff is another part of the magic happening. I can't believe how very different this year is already becoming...and it is exciting!
.

Sprinkles Volunteers

Motivation: Feed the Warrior

Boredom threatened the AGOL today until Rob sent me this video link in an IM for Motivation.



Wasn't that great?!

Worked out tonight at 8:30pm in my pigtails and disco kit. I am trying to change my workout time earlier so that I am not doing the hamster thing on the treadmill at 10:00pm. Gosh, with this Hollywood writers strike, there are no new episodes on TV to magnetize my butt to the couch... I managed to multi-task during the treadmill worship. I walked briskly on the treadmill, watched TV and spoke to Tawny and Kathy on my cell phone. Kathy (another Fitness Fanatic) mentioned that she enjoyed hearing me huff and puff over the phone. Ha! Just wait until Rob gets back with my new workout schedule...
.

Motivation: Feed the Warrior

Life in Sweatville

Fitness and dieting are the current subjects in my life which are mirrored at work and at home. Rob the Trainer is out of town for work and me not working out regularly (lately) was making me feel guilty all day. I bet his hotel has a gym good enough for His Fitness Freakishness…

Ant stopped by to ask when we would go to Schnitzelhaus again for some German grub. Are you on crack? We’re on diets! You will be messing with our program. Bridget proudly mentioned she was following the South Beach Diet which works for her to which Ant replied that he was following the Clearwater Beach Diet of Hooters Buffalo Wings and Beer. Great... Bridget said we would have to have a cheat day. Great… This goes along with Dan asking me when we’re going out for drinks. I told him two weeks and he said he could be really thirsty by then. Great...weirdo.

Shared with Lisa that I want to try more excursions like kayaking or indoor rock climbing. There were more on the list of outdoor stuff. My conflict: how do I keep my albino/geisha white skin? More rice powder all over? Michael Jackson get-up? SPF 400 at least to keep my albino look? Photo aging is not attractive.

Talked to Tawny tonight before I headed for the gym. She was watching a show on the Travel Channel about the original McDonald’s. Huh? One was a diner. The original McDonald’s was in a diner? No, Sarah, it is original as in unique. Ohhhh… Tawny said, Damn homonyms. We laughed a good while.

I was minutes from heading to Sweatville when Lisa called to give me choices for my upcoming birthday. Both involved helping me towards achieving my new fitness goals. I told her I didn’t want anything for my birthday, but she wouldn’t listen. We agreed on something before I begged off to workout. Gawd. Who woulda thunk it?

As I approached the gym, I could see through the French doors that someone was on my favorite treadmill and he was jogging like a sonofagun. Okay…I adjusted (figuratively speaking) my big girl panties and tried out the recumbent bike. My legs were too long on the current setting which made me pedal like a porcine grasshopper. Aargh. Took a couple of minutes to find the lever to adjust to my trunk legs and pedaled for 10 minutes. This was clearly not my favorite machine. I secretly glared at Fitness Man who was STILL jogging.

Adjusted (figuratively again) my big girl panties, and got on the elliptical machine. Ooh…AGOL likee this machine, but legs were already tired from strange stationary bike. Hung in there for a bit before switching to MY treadmill that was recently vacated by man working out on the bench. Happy again. Oh good God. Now I really had to adjust my big girl panties thanks to my shorts riding up and if Rob called to check if I was working out, I was going to tell him that I was trying to start a fire from my thighs rubbing together...

A Chinese man came in and had to fiddle with the bike. (Snicker) His legs didn’t quite reach the pedals so while I was huffing and puffing on the treadmill, I gave him instructions on how to adjust it. Then he asked how to turn it on. I said he had to pedal first then press Start. Listen my lovelies…this man has been in here before to use MY treadmill. He had to put his big girl panties on, too, and pick a different machine. He was much more fit than me and I was the one giving instructions on how to operate a machine. Oh, the irony.

I made it home in tact and wrote in my portable journal the shame that was my workout in Sweatville. Maybe eating a weird dinner an hour before didn’t help. Hee.
.

Life in Sweatville

Healthy Hoe-Down

The Healthy Hoe-Down at work is underway. Tawny is taking more vitamins, eating tangerines for breakfast and may hop on her treadmill at home. Lisa is exercising at lunch. Bridget started eating better and will resume her rollerskating with the derby girls as soon as her doctor clears her. Our boss stocked his office fridge with healthy food, snacks and vitamin water to combat his recent high cholesterol report. I am trying to get it in gear; the real kicking will begin in two weeks. We're monitoring each other and giving encouragement which will help motivation.

Rob asked me if I got on (any kind of) machine yesterday and I may have said no a bit defiantly. He replied, Okay. I guess we will have to draw out a schedule for you. Did I detect both disappointment and the merest hint of sadistic glee? Hmmm... He later asked me if I was getting scared. Scared? Was he f'g kidding me? Uh...um...no. I told you it was going to get more undignified.

Of course...Yours truly was trying to be a bad-ass by showing off some research. I asked him if I should get a comfort bike or a hybrid kind and that I didn't want to spend more than $500 to start. He said I could get an affordable comfort bike. I searched on a popular sporting goods store online; I couldn't find what he recommended: Women's Trek 7.2 FX WSD so I asked where I would be getting it. I was told, No, you're getting it at Oliver's. His favorite bike shop is a few miles up the road from me. They can give me the right size frame and fit the bike to me. Can you believe it? If I want to start playing with the big boys (in this sport - ha!) I have to get properly geared out. Jeezus. Pretty soon, I will be wearing my own disco kit*.


*Rob's term for flashy overdressed/geared cyclists on the road. FYI - Lance Armstrong has not worn a disco kit. AGOL might wear one though. Why be boring?
.

Healthy Hoe-Down

Friendly Friday

Rather enjoyed today. It was busy and my boss was kind of crazy, but I still had fun. Thanks to my extra layers of clothing, I was able to weather my area a little bit more with the cold.

Blessedly caught up with Tawny at lunch. With both our mad Christmas schedules, we've only been able to touch base. All is well again in AGOL/Tawny Land. I was feeling a disconnect. I wasn't worried or anything, just missing her.

Ohmigosh -- Tawny showed me the bling sticker she bought for Bridget's boot. Bridget hates this boot with a passion and can't wait to take it off in a couple of weeks when the doctor clears her recovery. She loved finding her gift when she came back from lunch and quickly applied it for me to take this crazy photo. We're all easily amused.

Bridget's Bling


Proudly told Rob about the Lance Armstrong book I bought. He then mentioned that I could read it while I was huffing and puffing on the treadmill or elliptical trainer tonight. What did he say to this AGOL? Is he allowed to make such a suggestion? Reading a book while exercising? The AGOL has (ahem!) many talents, but this could prove challenging. Never to back down from a challenge, I tried it for about 10 minutes. I was walking very briskly on the treadmill and the multi-tasking gave me a headache. I put the book down and watched the mindless show on the flat-panel on the wall instead while I was huffing and puffing around 9:30pm. How undignified. Somehow I know the journey from huff to buff is going to get more undignified.
.

Friendly Friday

Serving Frozen AGOL

I cannot remember ever being so cold while working, not even when I worked in Wyoming or Chicago. Did they pay for heat on our side of the floor? I complained and cursed all day at my desk. I got a little testy on an IM because I couldn't concentrate from the pain in my toes and hands. Wore my coat all day. Bridget shared my woes.

Surprised to see my boss today. I thought he was coming back next week. He had spent most of the holidays in a cabin in North Carolina with his wife and kiddies. By noon, he was in full swing.

OMG...Rob is a complete workout freak. Ever heard of football widows? His wife must be a triathlon widow. He swam meters unknown this morning, ran about 5-6 miles at lunch in the cold wind and had plans to pedal on the stationary bike like a demon tonight. He is determined to become more lean and be prepped for some upcoming events. I can only hope to work up to a third of his determination the next couple of months. He mentioned something about being able to motivate me. With what -- a cattle prod? I told him what kind of DVD I worked out to last night. TeeHee. Same routine tonight. I need the stretch it provides after the workout.

This was great: Rob asked me about Lance Armstrong's book again because he is Type Double-A personality (or just a crack baby) and I told him I was getting it tonight after I had printed a couple of coupons. Normally, I don't bother, but it was offered by the book club and I remembered to print them out. Free money. The paperback cost $14.00. A 30% discount was applied first followed by $5 off leaving me a total (w/ tax) of $5.14. Holy cow! I am very pleased I waited an extra day.

This was (second) great: I had to buy dog food and some other foodstuffs for me. An elderly man did his best to strike a conversation with me in the frozen food section. A point was made that he was a bachelor and didn't know these things. These things meaning how to cook certain things I was picking up which he made me explain to him. His younger relative (a son?) wanted to die of embarrassment as he watched him makes his moves. Like a good AGOL, I was gracious, smiley and let the guy have his moments with me just to make it worth his while. Rock on, Daddio!

Now warm and cozy in my home. Crap. I still have to take the dog out. I will be warm and cozy (again) in a few minutes...
.

Serving Frozen AGOL

Almost Back to the Grind

Brrr !! Yowza, it was cold today! About 40 degrees when Cabal and I walked? Overall, I felt burgeoning excitement at the prospect of starting the year anew as we walked around...even if it was cold welcome. We have freeze warnings for later in the evening/overnight. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the wind...

Bridget had her own car problems today and didn't make it to work. We're taking turns apparently. You could hear the frustration in her voice. We still had a good laugh about it because there was nothing to be done but get it fixed.

Rob greeted me on Messenger after a two-week vacation with his family. I expressed my frustration at having been ill while he was gone and not being able to properly do anything in the gym during the holidays. He made me feel better by giving me permission (of sorts) that life happens and just to get back on track. Rob has a good sense of humor which helps me deal with frustration. He has recommended that I devour Lance Armstrong's book, It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life. Another trip to the bookstore this week? He doesn't really understand how much I love the bookstore. We just won't tell him. The good news is we (his hope/my will) are getting back on track.

Tawny came to visit me to have me choose between two beaded cuff bracelets her mother-in-law bought for us. She was letting us pick our own color. Confession: When Tawny first brought these over, I thought SHE had made them. In my mind, I was screaming: You fucking bitch. You made these without letting me know?! What a whore you are for showing me up with your talent. Harsh? Not one tad. You just don't understand our competitiveness. Don't feel sorry for Tawny -- she would say the exact same thing and has when I've brought her samples of my own creation.

I picked the Hookerella Red one. My precious.


Intermittent network connectivity made the day interesting. I couldn't wait to leave at 4:30pm to finish re-signing the lease for my apartment. My initials and signatures became shameful for me to look at on paper with each page. Sigh.

Is it me or has your own handwriting gone downhill when you type ALL day? My God. In 4th Grade, I was awarded the best penmanship for the whole grade and in 6th Grade (I skipped 5th!), I was awarded again best penmanship for the whole grade. Only one blemish with that one: I had to share the award with freckly-faced British boy named Miles Johnson. Good thing I liked the funny way he talked. Dammit -- I just remembered that he also beat me at our Spelling Bee. Aargh.

Had to turn the heat on for the first time thanks to temps in the low 30s tonight. Didn't make it to the gym; HOWEVER, I did do a fun exercise tape to keep my commitment to get back on track. Rob is going to howl when he finds out what KIND of DVD it is. No, no brass poles were involved. I blab enough here as it is so you'll just have to guess.
.

Almost Back to the Grind

Chilly Dance

Ohhhh yes! It was 40 degrees this morning. Half the temps last Tuesday! Cabal and I were doing the Chilly Dance around the complex at 5am. Not sure how he took it, but he seemed energized.

Bridget was back and was I happy to see her looking well, but less than fashionable with her moderately cast foot from her surgery two Fridays ago. Our team was complete again. Tawny was off because she had two appointments for two of her kids.

I felt tired all day...sleep deprived really. Much more than with my insomnia. Everything was fuzzy in the afternoon. IM'ed my trainer Rob and let him know that I completed my walking assignment and about my research on certain topics. He, on the other hand, was a biking fiend on Saturday; he pedaled at a good pace for 28 miles with a group of about 20 guys.

Later he called me and asked what I was doing in the evening and I told him I was going to walk again. He seemed tickled and gave me pointers on doing the elliptical machine to start it out as if I was cross country skiing to get the feel of riding a bike. This may sound funny, but it has been a while since I have ridden a real bike. Rob rides a special road bike and a mountain bike on trails -- your AGOL is not quite ready for those kind of actions.

I stopped at Abby's Health and Nutrition on the way home to see if they had this special supplement I have found that will go with the program I am designing for myself. They didn't have it but would order it and a few related items. Apparently, the brand is new and was only available in Canada. It was a Canadian who first got this brand in the store. I will await a call for when my stuff comes in...

By the time I got home, I was feeling really exhausted and a slight tickle in my throat. I opted to go for a later workout after my dinner. I was halfway there and was running through my game plan in my mind when something told me to turn back. I was disappointed, but I knew I had to listen and get some rest.
.

Chilly Dance