I’m sooooo fucking tired. Yesterday was good, managed to get the nasties while helping my Scotsman put insulation in the attic. So, instead, I started planning my Generic Holiday party for next month.

As for today, PM is officially gone, left the coffee pot to attempt suicide with no water on the boiler. Made peace with MM. Couldn’t believe he was so pissed for so long (granted, he was pissed at himself – IMO). Turns out he didn’t quite grasp the fact that he can ask for help, and get it (he was mostly mad about the fact that he helps everyone and no one helps him – the power of asking, imagine).

While in the shower, I had an interesting pondering. Before I hopped in, I was watching one of CNN’s news-thingies on health. They were interviewing people who had managed to lose mass amounts of weight, and kept it off. The woman they’ve interviewed has been on several other segments on weight control. I sat watching her. In watching her, I managed to find all the muscles that aren’t healthy. Now, body-wise, yes, I’d say she’s healthy. She maintains her weight well, she eats healthy, has healthy habits; but in gaining them, she’s made things swing the other way. Her muscles are over-toned, in constant state of contraction, her pelvis is grossly tilted forward. I’d even be willing to bet she has low back pain (not much, but will grow). Anyway, this came back to my own workout sessions, and a small conversation that I had with my eventual trainer (when I can manage the funds). He was talking to me about diet, exercise, all that jazz. My main goal is health. I want to be healthy, I want to feel healthy. His comments, were that yoga is great for stretching, but not for much else – note: he admits he’s never taken a yoga class. Diet? Well, he’s more of the Adkin’s persuasion, I’m more of the Harvard persuasion. The thing I think we both agreed on was the fact that working the entire body out in different manners is the most efficient. This then brings me to how I actually work out. I believe in lengthening to strengthen (you’ll find this in Ballet workouts). It allows the muscle to maintain its resting length, while increasing its contractility. Yoga Journal had an interesting article on this concept a couple months ago. It posed the question, “How do you effectively workout a contracted muscle?” Well, rational, you can’t. When a muscle is contracted, sustaining weight upon it only increases muscular endurance. In order to effectively workout a muscle, it must be lengthened before it can be contracted. Prime example of this issue are ab workouts. Best method to workout your abs, is to start with an arched back (supported properly to avoid low back strain).

Now, my real ponderance: Health begins as a state of being, not a state of existence. That is why yoga, tai chi, and other Eastern theories work so well. When the MindBody is in balance with the spirit, the muscles will work as they need to, the body will transform into the shape best needed for its existence and health will be achieved. The muscles will be in balance, neither the protagonist nor the antagonist muscle will maintain constant contraction. Instead, they will sit in a constant state of act/react preparedness with each being at perfect rest. Want to see this in action? Watch a 6th degree black-belt (of any art) walk, run or ride a bike. It’s absolutely beautiful and amazing at the level, which, the human body can perform at, in even the most basic of movements.

Ok, I just got this

I started reading book 4 of Will Durant’s Story of Civilization, again. I think I might actually be able to finish it this time around, makes for good bedtime stories (easy to go to bed afterwards). Of course, it does give some perspective on the events overseas right now, as the section of this book deals specifically with the rise and fall of Islam’s golden age.

The turkey turned out great. Today was a day of family, the local one. Decided that we’re going to have a Yule party later in the month. It’s a must have (minus the turkey). Tomorrow will be a work day, gonna take my Scotsman to Target and show him the car stuff I like. Spoke with the family this morning, got to speak with my Gram a bit. She’s doing well, my cousin got remarried, again. Hopefully this time it will last and her daughter won’t suffer the emotional issues that resulted from her last family.

Saw off some more friends to Iraq. They said they’d be back in a few days to pick up more stuff. I’m going to leave them the store address to write, so I can send them stuff. I really hate the fact that so many of my friends are going over there. My hopes are that they come home, alive and in one piece. It’s sad that both those qualifiers have to be added, but lately, they are perfectly applicable.

Ok, in reading an article about the Judge that authored the Mass. decision, I was reminded about Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country. In searching for it, for my amazon list, I find that Oprah has put it on her bookclub list. Now, while I’m thrilled that she’s putting actual Literary (big L) classics on her list, it becomes a sad comment on our education system that some of the people (as oxrandyyxo has pointed out) go running out for it, because it’s on her booklist. Many of the current classics are books I read in H.S., I enjoyed reading them and re-read them every chance I get. Then there are those who go running out for these books, thinking that they are recent publications and ask whether the author has written anything since (in the case of Steinbeck, “Oh, when did he die?”). *sigh* I love the “gimme” culture.

Stupid customer story of the day:

Guy walks in (nastiest mouth, deaf people notice these things), he’s introduced himself as very extroverted. Conversing with everyone possible, in the loudest possible way, about everything. After spending time in boots, comes up to pay for stuff and notices my necklace. Looks at it very hard and says, “That looks familiar, I think I’ve seen it when I was overseas. What’s it called?” My answer, “Well, it’s a triskele and it’s fairly common overseas, specifically Europe.” His reply, “Well, I didn’t see it in Europe, I saw it in Asia.” Me, “Well, the Celts did make it all the way to Asia.” Him, “Celts? That sounds Irish.” Me, “Well, actually, it’s the other way around.” Him, “What?” Me, “It’s the other way around, the Irish were a Celtic culture.” Him, “No they weren’t, I’m Irish and the Celts were Irish.” Me, “No, sir, you’re wrong, it’s the other way around.” Leaves him standing there dumbfounded.

That was my day in a nutshell. Imagine that 20 times over with a different conversation. Holidays bring out the stupid, they store it up all year and unleash it between Halloween and Christmas.

In other realms, this is a question I always end up asking myself, and I expect people to answer this….

Is there something about me that just puts people off? I’ve noticed several instances, lately, when I meet people that I think would make great friends, I seem to run them off in less than 2 hours. Or, in the case of one friend, over the course of a year. It’s not like I’m actively pursuing them the way I would someone I’m interested in, romantically, but I’ll put out the flag that I’m interested and watch them bolt. Seriously, I don’t get this. I would really love to meet new people and gain some new friends, but I seem to be doing something wrong. Most of the people who know me, alread,y say they don’t see anything wrong, and I never hear from these people again, to find out what got them doing the 100 yard dash in the other direction. Seriously, I’m not that odd, am I?

May their souls and families find peace….

Today’s casualties

So, I went shopping today (got a gift certificate for the b-day). The Limited is still, well, limited, granted they’ve gotten a bit more creative with some of their designs. Bought me a pair of dress capri’s (they’re going to look so cute as a punk outfit), a nice thin, woolen sweater, and a pair of bracelets. Caught a glimpse of Charlotte Russe out of the corner of my eye, and headed down. OMG, my fav stores are proving themselves, finally, why I love them so much. Honestly, I like the fact that gothy stuff is trendy now, easier to find things. And Charlotte Russe is cheap, in comparison. Got me a nice dress velvet coat, with faux fur cuffs and collar for $40, a nice bodice for $20. Express has some cool things of late, granted, their winter selection isn’t as good as their fall selection was, but it’s still neat (more expensive than Charlotte). I need to go back through all my stuff and throw out old make-up and things like that. Then, off to Sephora for more!

In other news, the blue honda is up for sale, as of Sunday. I’m posting the price at $1000.00 OBO. If you know of someone who needs an in-betweener car, first-time driver car, or short distance commuter car, send them to me. It’s in good condition, it’s old and needs a bit of work, but most important, it still runs pretty good.

So, some people interpret Nostradamus’ prophecy that the 3rd WW would originate from the mid-east by the guy in a purple turban. There were rumours, in various history media, that the guy was Saddam. Now, what I find funny is that the guy who’s “started” all this fun stuff is no where to be found. Yet, new countries are being targeted.

In today’s bombing, George I of the US and Tony Blair, used it to justify why they attacked in the first place. My question to them, is can they prove that these attacks would have happened whether they attacked or not? My voice, is that the attack provoked these attacks (please keep in mind that those who are perpetrating these attacks are not playing by “gentleman’s rule of war”).

Personally, I’d throw out this concept of a gentleman’s war, geneva accords or no. I think trying to put a kinder face on the concept of war is a joke. War has no rules, and it has no form. The only way either comes into existance is by the agreement of both sides to abide by common rules. Our “opponent” in this war has shown itself to not agree to the common rules, we are not taking a “high” road by holding to those rules. Instead, I think we’re trying to perpetuate some “martyr complex” with it. Screw it, I think we should throw out the book.

Last night, Dimmu Borgir. All’s good, though I shelled out more money than I got back. Things are in the work on that, no hard feelings on my end.

I’ve come to the conclusion, after last night’s concert. We could simultaneously increase the IQ points of the gene pool by annhialating both concert venues, where death metal is being performed, and arenas, where monster truck rallys are held. Seriously, it could work. Though, determining which intelligent people in both audiences to warn would be a bit difficult.

During Dimmu’s performance, I was pleased to find myself placed in front of some dipshit yelling, “Death to Christians!!!” when they came on. Now, I’m sitting here contemplating whether or not I should nail him in the throat to shut him up, or whether I should just chalk it up to a pagan/satan convert and laugh, while shaking my head in wonder. That “holy shit, we’re fucked” type sarcasm. Anyway, that was my thought for the evening.

Made it through today, the conflicted co-worker refused to talk to me, and apparently has refused to help out at the register (when clothes need to be restocked) since Monday. Had to explain that one to WB. She got a good laugh out of it and thanked me for telling him off. Since we’re now separated from the “floor stockers”, we’re getting better about working together. It’s just us, till SL finds out and clarifies a few duties. Finished the inventory this morning before we actually opened. Took a whole 5 minutes because we were out of everything that was left (boy, I’d love to be able to point that one out).

I’m sore as hell from yesterday’s workout. Hour’s worth of leg and upper arm weights, then off to yoga. Tomorrow will be similar, except it will be kick-boxing instead of yoga. My mum wants me to start up dancing. Maybe I’ll take that up once I get my bills back in order and the budgeting situated. I’m not sure what I want to take, I know I want to start Irish step-dancing, but modern has tweaked my interest, and I’ve always wanted to go back to ballet. Decisions, decisions.

Saw the Matrix last night. Not as bad as I was expecting, but I can see where the criticism came from.

I had to update my reading list last night, because it seems my Scotsman had a copy of Ancient Irish Myths by Cross and Slover. So, I no longer need a copy. I feel like a dork because it was sitting right next to my Squire copy when I was doing story research earlier this year. At that time, it was recommended by one of the grove Bards, and I vowed myself to get a copy. I had one, pretty sad that I never even realized it.

Tonight, I’ve got yoga, then off to see Dimmu Borgir and co. I’m contemplating yoga, because my arms are a bit shakey after today’s workout, but I think it’ll be a good thing for me to go. Stretch me out and give me brain time.