People who don’t take their due holidays are a pain in the neck. They invariably have an air of noble sacrifice about them and seem to genuinely believe that without their presence, the whole deck of cards will collapse.–Helen Martin in the Scotsman
People call me a “workoholic” at the office. What I try to explain to them is that most of my work lands on my desk at the end of the day (4-5pm). So in staying at the office until 6ish, or coming early to finish some work up, I actually get much more done without everyone else there! Really!
Nor is it I who believes my absence will cause “the whole deck of cards to collapse”, to quote the author. Rather, it’s my colleagues who say that to me (to which I respond with a shrug of my shoulders and a chuckle–in disbelief). Or I simply deny it, and insist that they’re exaggerating. It’s more some of the senior staff who are most worried by my absences (especially those who are in need of computer help–they’re the most worried). grin
As personally predicted, my upper body strength still needs a lot of work. (It’s been that way since birth, so…)
That being said, here’s today’s lifts. The power-clean and push-press were probably the most frustrating to me. I found it somewhat difficult to “catch” the bar after the power-clean (wrist flexibility issue?). Also having to do this without bumper plates is a bit annoying.
Deadlifts–how can’t you love this lift? You can feel the muscles working while you do it! Now I see why it’s such an important lift. Only gripe is that my gym has these 12 sided plates, so when you put the bar down, you have to be careful about the landing.
Wide grip pull-ups…ugh. Thank goodness the rep set is only 5×5 and not, say 3×10.
Reverse-woodchopper…nothing special….
Just realized today marks the completion of 4 successful years of having made a life-style change to lose weight (and keep it off!)
Yay me!
Double bonus: new lifting routine tomorrow. 5×5’s–with deadlifts. Hooray!
So, after another stimulating HIIT session at the gym this morning, made my weekly trip down to Trader Joe’s (one of the best stores ever!) and back home.
Now, I’m about to head out on another sojourn, this time down to the Lower East Side, for the Sister’s Birthday Party late-brunch thingy. Another trip on the subway it is.
Even in day school, there are parts of the Bible which the teachers decide to “skip over”, depending on the students’ age, because of the content.
Cracked (of all places) has put together a list of the “9 Most Badass Bible Verses”
I can think of a few others that should have made the cut, but oh well.
Double bonus for the fact that quote #3 comes from my Bar Mitzvah Haftorah!
Huckabee appears to be clueless about foreign policy
He should ask his big celeb supporter, Chuck Norris for some tips. After all, Norris should know something after making the plethora of B-movies about foreign affairs (e.g. Delta Force 1 and 2)
With Netscape Navagator about to be discontinued…wow…that brings back memories.
Then again, I remember dialing up with a PPP account and using Mosaic (before “upgrading” to Navigator). My how times have changed.
Last workout of Phase 2!
Leg Day:
Squats @ 205, x8, x8, x9
Superet w/ Leg press: 450 2×10; 460 1×10 (+ wt of sled)
Good-Mornings @ 135: 3×10
Superset: swiss ball glute raise leg curl: 3×10
Calf-raise @ 105: 3×10
Superset: weighted situp @ 45, 3×10
Not yet sure what phase 3 has in store…
From the December 26th issue of the Journal of Neuroscience
Systemic and Nasal Delivery of Orexin-A (Hypocretin-1) Reduces the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in Nonhuman Primates [Abstract]
Or in laymans terms, here’s the article from Wired
I’m so looking forward to this article.
So for the second straight day, we were without our main computer application today at work. It made for a long and boring day.
Of course, the main data file, which we found to be corrupt was backed up (to the end of last week). Problem was, that the backup tapes were all ready cycled off site as per the SOP. Adding to the amusement is PHB-wannabes trying to act as if they know what’s best for IT. I guess that’s one of the things that makes PHBs what they are.
It looks like more of the same tomorrow at the office. It really begs the question of why bother going in? (well besides all the other things I do, and the end of the year work that now begins)
Ooh, and tomorrow is my last workout of Phase 2 of HGM! Yay! A lower-body day at that! Squat day!!!!!
Happy Birthday to the Sister!
[a thought which at some point I’ll continue to expound on]
There are times, mainly at work, when I find myself feeling that I’m on a different page than those around me. More often than not, recently, it’s been more of a desire within me to push for an increase in our business activity. Perhaps it’s all the testosterone suddenly running through my body after a tough workout that’s causing me to be this way; but simultaneously, I find myself surrounded by others who aren’t as motivated towards this same goal.
There’s gotta be a Dilbert cartoon out there somewhere on this subject.
Since it wasn’t a white christmas here this year…looks iike mother nature decided to make up for it with a hail storm this evening. (That was hail, right?)
Made for a nice walk home from the subway….
“When we’re in the gym, we’re in this indescribable euphoria zone. It’s a feeling of being on, of being completely alive and aware. If you haven’t been there, then it’s like trying to describe color to a person who’s been blind since birth. Within this haze of pleasure and pain, there’s knowledge and power, self-discipline and self-reliance. If you do it long enough, Bob, there’s even enlightenment. Sometimes, the answers to questions you didn’t even know you had are sitting there on those rubber mats, wrapped up in a neat package of iron plates and bars.–Chris Shugart
Some of my best ideas come to me in the gym…not sure why, but they do.
Campaigns hit by absences of students who went home for holiday breaks
Most Iowans are probably hoping that the 4th rolls around soon, whereupon all the campaigns, ads, solicitation calls and the like will just disappear
(I’d be remiss if I didn’t wish those who are celebrating a Merry Christmas)
Perhaps I should consider today’s workout as a Festivus “feats of strength”. [Forgot to log in on my worksheet, so I’m recording it here as a reminder]
Superset 1:
Squat: 195×10, 205×10, 205×9 (PR)
Leg Press: 430×10, 440×10, 440×10 (PR)
Superset 2:
Good-Mornings: 115×10, 115×10, 135×10 (PR)
Swiss-ball glute raise+leg curls: 3×10
Superset 3:
Seated Calf raise: 105×10, 105×10, 105×10
Weighted decline sit-up: 35×10, 35×10, 35×10
It was a great workout this morning, and I’m totally pumped from it now
So how does Santa operate in Manhattan, as most apartment buildings don’t have chimneys?
Does he leave packages with the doormen?
Time for the annual classic:
The Physics of Santa Claus
and of course, equal time for the
Rebuttal of the physics of Santa Claus