Fitness Revolution Update #7

It's hard to believe I've been going at this fitness program for eight weeks. As I sit here at work munching on mango chips (delicious!) from Carlino's Market of West Chester, PA, I am thinking upon what the scale read this morning: 228. That's a two pound loss from last week, I have lost a total of 11.5 pounds, and have thirteen to go. I certainly need to better dedicate myself to working out more frequently and eating a bit better (breakfast this morning was a piece of vegan cake I made on Saturday), but I am fairly pleased with my progress. Thank for your nice thoughts and comments.

Democratic Debate

Did anyone else notice that Hillary kept using the subjunctive mood, while Barack most often employed the future tense? Methinks (mehopes) a concession lies before us.

Verb Agreement and Politics

Cindy McCain asserted, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country," and repeated the sentiment later in Columbus, Ohio.

I am quick to admit that the grammatical gaff[e] isn't too terribly bad. Remembering that people stumping for candidates speak, for the most part, extemporaneously for hours each day, I can forgive the missing verb "been;" but it still bothers me a little.

Cindy, don't mess with Michelle unless you can do so with correct SAE.

ps-I hope this link is permanent.

This Settles It

Ben & Jerry Endorse Obama.

That pretty much wraps it up for him, no?

Fitness Revolution Update #6

So this morning, I weighed in at 230: a one pound loss from last week. That's really all. I guess I'll need to exercise more often and eat a little more consistently better. I'm not too discouraged by the slow loss--at least I'm not gaining.

Fitness Revolution Update #5

This morning the scale read 231: a loss of two pounds leaving 16 pounds yet to lose. Honestly, I was expecting a greater loss because I have been on a significantly stricter diet (not in the sense of a eating program diet as much as watching what I eat type diet. Eating as a vegan and not having soft drinks tends to do that to you). I attribute the not-as-significant-as-I'd-hoped loss to minimal exercise. Instead of walking around West Chester daily at lunch I've been staying in, in an attempt to get some reading for class done. I'd like to say that will change, but there's much more to read this semester than last, and the classes are a little more scrunched together, time wise.

I will, however, not get disappointed because two pounds is still pretty awesome and I don't want to come across as whining or pouting, I just feel like I need to express my achievements and set backs equally. I will, instead of pouting, work to exercise more. I already went to the spinning class this morning, so that's a nice start. It's a great start to a day to sweat for an hour with twenty other semi-groggy people listening to a combination of synth-rock and Kid Rock. If all goes according to plan, I may go to the early morning yoga class at the Y tomorrow. Sometimes I just can't get enough keytar.

Sunday Afternoon Comedy Minute

I must give the credit of this joke to Newman's Own Organic Raisins.

Q: What did the grape farmer whisper to his organic grapes each night?

A: Good night little ones. You're my raisin d'être.

Thanks and good night.

Batting a Thousand

So Obama goes 3 for 3 on Semi-Super Saturday. Hooray!

Phew

It looks like we got out of Arkansas just in time. I've always feared I would end up a leper.

edit- Apparently the story has been pulled because the physicians were mistaken about the cases of leprosy. At least that was the title of another article that was linked, but had been moved. I apologize for the misrepresentation of the wonderful Natural State.

edit take 2- according to the Arkansas Department of Health, only about 5% of the population in general can even contract leprosy. The contraction has to do with genetics. Even if you're genetically disposed to contraction, you have to be in contract with mucus and other body fluids.

Ignorance

Today, for the first time during this campaign, I have serious fears that the general American populous is intelligent enough to elect Barack Obama. I am not, however, saying that a vote for Clinton or any of the Republicans; but I fear that Obama may not get enough votes because of ignorance and ridiculous, unfounded fears.

Talking to a few people today, I realized that some people cannot let go of their racial/religious fears. The two I was speaking with both convinced that Obama is a closeted radical Muslim who will destroy the American way of life from the inside. One went as far as to say, "I don't like to seem prejudice, but I just don't like Muslims." I am still a little angry and befuddled by that comment. There's just no getting through to some people.

Now, I don't mind if you don't want to vote for or support Obama based on his policies, voting history, level of experience, or the simple fact that you like someone else better; but if you're not giving him a chance because his name is funny and he may be "one of them terrorists," then I'm bound to be a little upset and, frankly, think a little less of you.

While most claim a fear of his religious background, I can't help but believe it's based on his race. If Yusuf Islam had the political background, rhetorical skills, and charisma of Obama, I doubt there would be as much ado about his religion. Of course, this probably isn't true because, at one time, the-artist-formerly-known-as-Cat Stevens wasn't allowed back into the U.S., despite his fame.

All this having been said, I wish people would broaden their minds and allow themselves to think, learn, and love. That last sentence is certainly trite and rife with over-sentimentality; but I don't care. Love Love Love.

Super-Duper/Tsunami/Shrove/Gras Tuesday Fitness Revolution Update #4

Stepping on the scale this morning, before my hour-long spinning class at the Y, the number that came back at me between the toes was 233. That's a 3.5-pound loss from last week. I'm slowly making progress and with the new workout regimen I'm working myself into, I think things should go smoothly--at least I hope.

On to other things.

The last three years, I've given up escalating things for Lent: first pop, then pop and beef, then pop and all meat. I figured the logical step in the progression this year would be pop, all meat, and all animal by-products. That essentially means I'll be a vegan for 40 days, starting tomorrow. I'm not, nor have I ever been, Catholic; but I believe they have something very right in the whole Lent business. For me, it's similar to fasting (at which I'm horrible) but in a more manageable manner. It allows me a time to reflect on what I have been given while intentionally avoiding that which I would most like to have.

I say this, and I hope this is evident, not to sound righteous or pompous but in order to solicit some accountability and perhaps encouragement. And if you have a dynamite vegan cookie/any time of dessert recipe, I'd love to have it. Thanks and I love you.

ps-The last 15 minutes of the spinning class were devoted to "Free Bird." That was intense.

btw-- Yes, we can.