I returned to the gym yesterday.

I had a several week hiatus- for several real reasons and excuses. Amazing how quickly the body changes one way or another. I have to keep that in mind as I sweat all over the exercise equipment..

Physical exam and tests proved beneficial in my wanting to get back into my beloved gym routine. As usual, all things checked out great. Awesome blood pressure, complete blood count results, cholesterol, pulmonary and so on- all good to great. A few areas to tweak, but otherwise nothing that a conscientious lifestyle change can't help. And so I simply want to keep it that way. Altering the physical shape is just a bonus, really.

Putting the halloween candy down is good too.

I was giddy to be back in the determined energy of the atmosphere, which is mostly made up sweaty grunting college guys yet otherwise quiet against the backdrop of machines whirring in use; so many people in their own world. I felt silly breaking out into a grin as I stepped onto my much missed elliptical machine. Everything fell back into place. Other than going at a lesser resistance than I had left off from, I finished out my hour successfully. I refrained from using the weights this session, choosing instead to skip straight to the track for several laps of quick walking- sluggish jogging with my MP3 player full of high energy awesomeness (oh how I missed using you!!).

I admit that I did not stretch as well after my workout as I normally would have. I was sore last night, everything ached by the time I went to bed, but I think it had more to do with getting back into sustained physical activity than anything else (certainly more than any cleaning, yard projects, long walks and hikes can offer). This is also why I chose to ease myself back into using weights and weight machines. How awful it is/would be to be so sore that I couldn't move for a couple of days. Perhaps today I will, but likely not.

Hopefully soon I can add swimming back to my routine.Over the summer, the facilities were often used for swim meets, which made the free swim lanes congested with regular users and therefor difficult to get in when I wanted. Last winter it was usually perfect timing- no one really wanted to swim in the cold winter months, so I am hoping for more of the same this year.
However, I realize from this past year that I need a new swim suit. The one I have now barely stays on- not so much from it being too big, the suit just isn't made for lap swimming, so it lets everything fall out or it slides off. It had been ok for simple water exercises but not good at all for longer swim laps. It is annoying to constantly pull up swim straps every few feet, or to hope that no one is looking as I feel the suit slide over my chest, exposing more or all than I ever care to anywhere.

So that is my little update. Now I am off to charge my iPod and get ready to head out for another session, even if my shoulders are protesting..

I'm sitting at Panera at 5:00 pm and it is so dark already.

I forget that it is November and that such things as rapidly diminishing day light occurs at this point in the calender. Now that I think of it, I still haven't changed more than 90% of the clocks in my house. My bedroom clock is the only one that has been set back so far. A rebel? An affinity for simple math? Nah, it just takes me a little while to get to it. I'm easing off of being a "procrastinator" to one who is "selectively productive" ™ April is my deadline, heh

Anyway, much to my distaste, I now see many neighborhoods peppered with full on outdoor 'Christmas' decorations. Seriously, it's a little early for the GIANT PLASTIC SANTA ornaments plopped on your lawn. Perfect weather for outdoor work aside, it is still too early to see those decorations for any reason on route to anywhere. Sure, string your lights while your ladder is still free of ice, but DO NOT turn them on.

Yikes.

Where is my "marshmallow assault rifle" when I need it?
Essentially a passive-aggressive toy, but I want it. Actually, been wanting it forever now, but am too cheap/lazy/cheap to order:

I love ThinkGeek.

I'd rip into the numerous stores/ads/sites that are/have been heavily pushing decorations and gifts 'perfect for the holidays', but alas that along with the above mentioned, is a moot point. It is expected by this time, but I need my moment to snark at it because it has been going on for much longer.

AND..As much as I love (love love love) Chocolate Peppermint cappuccinos, and the occasional "Gingerbread latte", I'm still enjoying the flavors of fall. A nice Pumpkin Spice hot drink is still welcome. I want to see again each Charlie Brown episode to its respective 'holiday'. That November day of sweet glutton seems so lost. What is it called again? Please, just slow it down a bit- there is no need to have three months of "Christmas". Yes, holiday "season" really is more appropriate, time wise, isn't it?

Oh, yes friends, we are just moments away from hearing Jingle Bells. Maybe you have already???

(if I were feeling sadistic.. and masochistic.. I would upload it as my user song, yup)

In a few weeks, I will be all for it. Music anyways. Feliz Navidad!

until then, gobble gobble.


:)

Voted.

Walking up to my local Fire hall, towards the voting booths, always has such an empowered feeling.

Happily, I just missed the rush. Walking out, the lot and street were busy with cars arriving and people walking in.

The sun is shining warm, what a fantastic day.

What is the best radio station and/or web site to listen to election day updates? Not having cable or an antenna to tune in kinda sucks today.

Starting my day out in the town of Lockport then heading to The Summit in Wheatfield for a business workshop, I loved driving in the bright sunshine. Music sounded extra good with the day being so warm and pleasant out. What little walking around I did, I enjoyed kicking my shoes through the crispy fallen leaves. Between yesterday and today, I found myself wishing for more of these perfect temperature days. I would have rather have been home working on some outside projects, but I did not want to miss any of the workshops I signed up for either. Besides, I knew I would have a couple hours of daylight once I returned home.
or would I?

Coming home (after being gone since Tuesday eve in general) from a business workshop (in specific), as I went down Lewiston Hill, I noticed a wide spread haze hovering over Lewiston, Youngstown, and Niagara Falls, Ontario. The entire view of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario could not be seen. I was curious as to what I would find once I got into my little neck of the woods. Looks like some heavy fog was rolling in.

I took these shortly after getting home-4ish. Within a half an hour, there was little to see at all.










Just whitish-gray. Then a little while later, the darkness settled in for the night. It always takes me awhile to adjust to the shorter days, feels so much later than what it is.

My hobbies tend to be cerebral. I really need to get back to the gym (especially after the Halloween candy consumption fiasco!). I love being there- it is so energizing and it simply feels good to do something, but I haven't in quite some time for various reasons (and excuses). Anyway, it is just turning 7pm and I want to curl up in bed with a book until I fall asleep. That sounds soooooo good right now. It will be even worse once the cold officially sets in. Maybe I can counteract the need to go to bed early by waking up early.

not likely..

That's it for now!

I didn't have to listen to the radio for updates- something I thought I would have to do seeing as I don't have cable nor an antenna to catch a fuzzy station or two. Thanks again to (e:mrmike) and (e:libertad) for the radio station suggestions. Instead, I headed out to my boyfriends last night and turned on CNN. We switched between every other station anytime there was a commercial, but CNN was the default. Besides, I needed my fix of James Carville, (Skeletor!).

I was attached to my seat for at least five hours. It wasn't until sometime after midnight that I went to bed. I was all tingly and feeling in awe...

Usually after an election, I am disappointed. Sometimes it is because my preferred choice was not elected, sometimes I feel like that even when that preferred person was elected (but I wasn't "all in" for them), or when I, on some level didn't really care- a major lack of affect- simply because I didn't like either candidate, and so I would feel a great sense of being let down regardless.

In the past it was rare that I became engaged or proud or excited. I mean, I follow the world, I am fascinated with politics- but I am rarely really positively moved by the experience of what I learn, watch, read or listen to. And furthermore, I never really felt the sense of "what can I do to help". I know that we have to start with ourselves, start locally to make things better and yet my motivation, inspiration and desires wax and wane a bit, truthfully.

I was totally "in" on my choice for Obama, so last night was really great. I have felt especially engaged throughout the past year during this whole political process (and tired at times too), but the prevailing feeling is that of pride, excitement, intense curiosity, hopefulness all with a stronger sense of thinking about how I can contribute more.

After five hours of tv, it isn't surprising that my dreams were replete with images of Obama. I wish I remembered more.

I really liked McCains speech- humble, positive, classy-- wish I saw more of that these past several months.

Obama's speech was about what I expected- elegant, hopeful, promising. Good luck to you, President-Elect, please, don't disappoint. "yes we can"- lets hope so.

I thought about all of you who may have been out celebrating, hanging at HQ etc. How was it? I imagine the energy was crazy high. What about the city streets- chaos--good, bad? I need to catch up on entries and local news now :)

wow, I have so many more thoughts, but I will end here.