Is It Too Early For A "Bah! Humbug!" ?

There is a lot that has happened since my last post. Unfortunately, since I've started on Facebook, I haven't taken the opportunity to blog much. Bah...who am I kidding? I just haven't had any thoughts worth writing down lately. I have read a lot more classical books lately. I can't remember which ones came between the last one I wrote about and my current one (and I'm too lazy to go figure it out). The book previous to my current one was "A Midsummer's Night Dream."

(striking a dramatic pose) "Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania." ...and all that rot. It was a quick read and (in all honesty) wasn't overly interesting. Yeah, I'm an uncultured swine. I've accepted this about myself.

Currently, I'm reading "Great Expectations." I haven't read that since high school. I remember so very little about it other than Miss Havisham catching on fire (that does happen, right?) - morbid remembrance, I know. I'm still in the early chapters and enjoying it quite a bit.

The kids are doing good in school and work is going okay. Although, I found out that my spine is all messed up and if I ever have to have back surgery, I probably won't return to that particular job. In any case, I've started physical therapy and go in to see a neurosurgeon every 6 months or so. Fun stuff.

If I Was Unbalanced, Could I Do...This? (::insert awkward pose here::)

As a youth, I was never considered a jock or a nerd. Yes, I was athletic and yes, I did think of myself a quite smart (even if my grades didn't reflect it), but I didn't fit into either category. (Looking back, I admit I wasn't smart enough to think there might be more than two possibilities.) I had heard the phrase "jack of all trades" fairly early in life and attached myself to that - only to later hate that I was never passionate about any one thing. But that is going in a different direction than I want to go right now.

In my first year in college, I came across the term "philosopher-king" in my classical reading. This is a concept of someone who is strong physically like a traditional strongman-type "king" but who also trains his mind to be an equally strong "philosopher." The idea was that a perfect ruler would combine both worlds of jock and nerd. At the time, it was a mind-opening concept for me. Even now, I love the thought of living a balanced life of the physical, mental, and spiritual.

So, with that in mind, I've found a gym that has a pool. Now, in addition to my classic reading kick I've been on lately, I'll have the opportunity to workout as well. I'll be alternating swimming workouts with free weights.

3 Month Goals:

• Squat 150 lbs (5 sets of 5 reps)
• Deadlift 225 lbs (1 set of 5 reps)
• Bench Press 115 lbs (5 sets of 5 reps)
• Overhead Press 75 lbs (5 sets of 5 reps)

6 Month Goals:

• Squat 195 lbs (5 sets of 5 reps)
• Deadlift 270 lbs (1 set of 5 reps)
• Bench Press 135 lbs (5 sets of 5 reps)
• Overhead Press 105 lbs (5 sets of 5 reps)

...and I'm starting tonight.

Shape Up, Eh?

Today was the first day in a new exercise program I've started. It's called "5BX" meaning Five Basic Exercises. I came across it recently, but it is an old program that was used by the Royal Canadian Airforce. I honestly didn't even know the Canadians HAD an airforce. I guess I am just another ignorant American.

In any case, I won't go into all the details; you can click on the link above to read more about it if you're that interested. It was an easy start, so we'll see how it goes. More to come...

I Really Need More Exercise

...Anyhoo...back on an even keel now...

Middle age is starting to catch up with my middle. It's not bad, mind you, but it certainly isn't great. I've lost a lot of my "tone" over the past decade, even if I haven't put on much weight. There are a couple of new pools being built around town; that might help provide some motivation.

I'm not a complete potato, however. I do take the stairs (up to the 5th floor) every day I go to work. But I really could do more. Blah, blah, blah... I'm a great procrastinator and it's probably going to kill me in another 50 years or so.

...and here's a picture from last summer...enjoy!

Blood Money

Blood money. I don’t mean the traditional sense of the phrase, but a much more literal interpretation. I donated plasma yesterday and got paid $40 for it. Technically, they didn’t pay me for the plasma, just “compensated me for my time.” Okay…

It’s kind of a weird process: They extract about a pint of blood at a time and it goes into a centrifuge-type machine that separates the plasma from the red blood cells. When the container of red blood cells is full, it is pumped back into your system (along with a saline/anti-coagulant solution). This cycles happens several times until they get the amount of plasma needed. I’ve been told it averages about 45 minutes to an hour. At the end, you have a large bottle of stuff that look (I swear I’m not making this up) exactly like urine. Weird.

Apparently the human body replenishes plasma (which is mostly water) quickly – you can donate twice a week. Other than being bored, I had a good experience. I didn’t get dizzy like I sometimes do when I donate whole blood. Admittedly, it is an odd feeling when the machine reverses and pumps the red blood cells back in, but after describing it to Leslie, she said it sounded exactly like having an IV drip. I’ve never had an IV, so I can’t compare. All I know is that it is cold…the saline solution is sitting there at room temperature (which is cold). Having something cold flush through the INSIDE of your arm is just plain weird (notice that I’ve been using that word a lot? It’s not by accident).

So why did I do it? Well, first off…$40. If I go a second time (which is likely), I’ll get another $40. After that it drops to $25. It’s nice to have a little extra “fun money” sitting in my pocket. Other than that, why not donate? In the past, I’ve tried to give blood whenever the opportunity arose (since I’m AB+, I figured it was my duty). When I saw the advertisement for the plasma center, I figured it would be an interesting experience.

My only warning: The first time you go, plan on spending several hours there as there is a TON of paperwork to fill out (the industry is highly regulated by the FDA) and you have to have a physical, get blood drawn for testing, pee in a cup, etc. After the first time, you just go in, sign in on the sheet, and wait for your name to be called. I almost certainly will not be going in twice a week. I don’t want my arms to look like I’m a drug addict. But I figure once a month would be enough for me to buy a game or a book or whatever I have my eye on and not feel guilty that I’m spending money my family needs for everyday living.

Clean Bill of Health and a Trip to Indiana

I had a doctor's appointment today. It has literally been decades since I had a checkup. I was a bit curious to what rare ailments I might have (not Maid's Elbow...PLEASE...anything but Maid's Elbow!) As it turns out, I'm perfectly healthy. I'll try not to be too disappointed. A brain tumor sure would have explained a lot, however.

I do have to go back for some lab work. They want to screen me for diabetes and high cholesterol. Something about "family history"...go figure. At least I squeaked out of having a colonoscopy...'nuff said.

In other news...I'M GOING TO GEN CON! WOO HOO! Yeah, there is still another task to perform and an interview, but at this point I figure I've already got my prize. I mean, a free trip to Gen Con: Plane ticket? Paid for. Hotel? Paid for. Entrance fee? Paid for. And hopefully I'll come back with lots of swag.

Yeah, I'm geeking out about it.

Over/Under Pressure

Pressure is defined as force per unit area.

In my case it is defined by a series of (unfortunate) numbers gathered over the past few days:

130/98
143/86
121/89
128/92

For an average of about 130/91...not good for a guy in his 30s (especially that last number).

If you don't understand, don't worry about it. I'll probably rant about it some more at a later date.