It's a full month of free (and some paid for) entertainment played out under the warm skies of summer. which had me wondering why it was that students here huddle through bone chilling winters for school before flying home to miss the only thing that can erase the memory?
This town is cool when the weather isn't... weird then that it's only beardy professors and young Google execs that get to see that
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Big Meeting today
So today we have a "big meeting"... that means lots of people crammed into a small room concentrating hard on the face of one man in a bid to gauge his reactions before pressing a point hard.
Personally I'd be torn about being the "Big Guy" in the "Big Meeting". The spotlight would be good. Nothing wrong with having people write down your reactions... but the need for trust might be too much for me. You have to trust that the people that you're talking to actually know what they're doing, that the facts that they're showing you are the relevant facts and that they've genuinely done all of the things that they claim to have done. You have no time to dive into the data. You have no time to get a feel for things - it's all about "do I trust these people" and "does this make sense to me"?
And I'm just not sure I could do that. Instead I'd become the tricky, tough question, get 'em to admit to something that they don't know guy. Which would put people on edge. And mean that I get even less information.
Personally I'd be torn about being the "Big Guy" in the "Big Meeting". The spotlight would be good. Nothing wrong with having people write down your reactions... but the need for trust might be too much for me. You have to trust that the people that you're talking to actually know what they're doing, that the facts that they're showing you are the relevant facts and that they've genuinely done all of the things that they claim to have done. You have no time to dive into the data. You have no time to get a feel for things - it's all about "do I trust these people" and "does this make sense to me"?
And I'm just not sure I could do that. Instead I'd become the tricky, tough question, get 'em to admit to something that they don't know guy. Which would put people on edge. And mean that I get even less information.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Feeling good
I like the people at my new gym. They talk to you. They tell you things. They ask you things. And they play great music while they're doing it. Workout two has me buzzing with endorphins and possibilities. I'm picking bodies out of magazines the way that people pick hairstyles from books - and while a whole new me is going to take longer to sculpt than a razor finished bob it's going to last longer.
Having finished my session today I was given some fresh chicken-feta burgers, an invitation to an evening dinner, a promise that I get 10% off everything in the Sparrow market and was asked if I was around for lunch "It gets a little quiet in here in the afternoons, so we tend to fire up the grill and cook up some stuff for people in the neighborhood."
As I said, I like them. A lot.
Compounding the good feeling is the return from pasport purgatory of my lovely wife. She's looking good, she's not in pain and it's good to have her company again. Fun.
Wow - endorphins are good. I've even promised to do cardio on the days that I'm not doing weights. "Shape" here I come.
Having finished my session today I was given some fresh chicken-feta burgers, an invitation to an evening dinner, a promise that I get 10% off everything in the Sparrow market and was asked if I was around for lunch "It gets a little quiet in here in the afternoons, so we tend to fire up the grill and cook up some stuff for people in the neighborhood."
As I said, I like them. A lot.
Compounding the good feeling is the return from pasport purgatory of my lovely wife. She's looking good, she's not in pain and it's good to have her company again. Fun.
Wow - endorphins are good. I've even promised to do cardio on the days that I'm not doing weights. "Shape" here I come.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Then came the rain
After days and days of oppressive heat here suddenly all things have turned to rain. Moisture is falling from the sky faster than geriatric nonsense from the mouth of John McCain or 'senior moment' apologies from his aides.
I'm looking out at the lake that has formed on the flat roof that covers what I estimate to be my kitchen and wondering just how and where so much water will drain.
The dog is refusing to step outside, even to pee and I don't blame her - and the cats? Well they're looking to do what they always do - find food, escape, hunt down black clothing upon which they can shed. I swear people at work think that I have a thing for cat hair clothing.
Still Jude is on her way - as are some late night moments of weakness internet purchases (am I shopping myself happy or horny? I'm not sure)
Gonna try to get in a trip to NYC first - I miss the people and as Mike said "Kung Fu Panda!"
I'm looking out at the lake that has formed on the flat roof that covers what I estimate to be my kitchen and wondering just how and where so much water will drain.
The dog is refusing to step outside, even to pee and I don't blame her - and the cats? Well they're looking to do what they always do - find food, escape, hunt down black clothing upon which they can shed. I swear people at work think that I have a thing for cat hair clothing.
Still Jude is on her way - as are some late night moments of weakness internet purchases (am I shopping myself happy or horny? I'm not sure)
Gonna try to get in a trip to NYC first - I miss the people and as Mike said "Kung Fu Panda!"
Monday, June 09, 2008
A realization
I realized today - well just a couple of minutes ago while filling in the "Please don't sue us" gym forms - that this morning I didn't mention cancer at all.
This is unusual. Cancer has been my excuse and a defining part of my history for a while now. The 'getting back into exercise post cancer' story has been so often repeated that I've started to believe that it was true. The truth is that I gave up on meaningful exercise after I left Australia, replacing it with bile and indifference. But 'Hi, I'm here to get back into shape post chemo' (always post chemo never post cancer) is an easier intro than 'hi, I'm a middle aged guy who's decided that he doesn't want to look like a middle aged guy' and yet without thought I took the second option.
It's weird not playing the role of 'recovering cancer patient (victim)' and for the first time in a long time it feels as though I'm doing something for myself and the future, rather than something to help mitigate the consequences of the past.
This whole kick is about being fitter, okay looking better, in the months to come. And nothing at all to do with the fact that at some point my body filled with tumors and my lungs with liquid.
A turning point after two years of treading water?
This is unusual. Cancer has been my excuse and a defining part of my history for a while now. The 'getting back into exercise post cancer' story has been so often repeated that I've started to believe that it was true. The truth is that I gave up on meaningful exercise after I left Australia, replacing it with bile and indifference. But 'Hi, I'm here to get back into shape post chemo' (always post chemo never post cancer) is an easier intro than 'hi, I'm a middle aged guy who's decided that he doesn't want to look like a middle aged guy' and yet without thought I took the second option.
It's weird not playing the role of 'recovering cancer patient (victim)' and for the first time in a long time it feels as though I'm doing something for myself and the future, rather than something to help mitigate the consequences of the past.
This whole kick is about being fitter, okay looking better, in the months to come. And nothing at all to do with the fact that at some point my body filled with tumors and my lungs with liquid.
A turning point after two years of treading water?
Back in a new routine
Ann-Marie and Angel accpeting new clients for Spring/Summer season!
Originally uploaded by Boxing Angel
Better still was the fact that my basic levels of fitness aren't bad at all. I've been promised that the NUP is certainly realistic and that knocking me back into shape isn't going to take very long. Three sessions a week, 2 pilates sessions a week, a little swimming at the Y and a 'free' workout and I'm toned by Xmas.
So not the disaster that I thought I was going to be. Here's to saying hello to my abs again.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
All go on the action front
I've had a bit of a cool weekend. Lots of stuff happening but most excitingly Project Naked Uganda is a go and I'm closer than ever to the premier of A2 Sketchy's.
The new motto is in place - "You can't wish yourself in shape" and the first one on one gym session is scheduled for 7am tomorrow. We're going hardcore here and while I may want to quit at times I'll be relying on the collective "Call Bullshit" power of you - my 3 readers - to help me out.
The before pictures are taken. The bank account primed for a hit. And I'm ready to roll.
The new motto is in place - "You can't wish yourself in shape" and the first one on one gym session is scheduled for 7am tomorrow. We're going hardcore here and while I may want to quit at times I'll be relying on the collective "Call Bullshit" power of you - my 3 readers - to help me out.
The before pictures are taken. The bank account primed for a hit. And I'm ready to roll.
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