Monday February 28, 2011

I watched the Oscars last night and enjoyed the show for the first time in a long time.  It was funny and enjoyable and snappy - I liked the pacing.

We cooked a nice healthy meal last night. Cornish game hens on the grill and I made yellow squash, zucchini, onion, and tomato cooked in olive oil with garlic.   Very yummy and low-calorie.  I was happy when I stepped on the scale this morning - I lost 2 more pounds!!

Friday, February 25, 2011

This morning while driving to the bank and then work, I listened to Kidd Kraddick interviewing Simon Cowell about his upcoming show The X-Factor.  Because I adore Simon (and have the teeniest crush on him!), I listened intently.  I was impressed by how Simon (who is mega, mega rich) is already out pounding the pavement to promote his new show.  It doesn't even air until September. 

The man is brilliant.  And interesting, even if he does have a healthy ego, to say the least.  But confidence is attractive and Simon's is well-earned.  His new show sounds fascinating and I will be watching.  I'm very competitive myself and can readily identify with a lot of what Mr. Cowell said.

How, you might ask, does this relate to writing?  Because one of Simon's remarks really stuck out for me.  He said (and I paraphrase here) "In the end, all I can do is make the show I would want to watch."

Bazinga!

Just like with so much else beyond my control, all I can do is write the book I'd want to read.

Good luck, Simon Cowell and X-Factor!  I don't think you'll need it, because the show will be a success.  How can it not?

Thursday February 24, 2011

Thursdays are often not very good days for me. Today is no exception.  I'm writing this from my car dealership's waiting room.  Yesterday when I left the gym after working out, I went to get in my car and the outside door handle just fell off.  The service guy joked that I need to quit working out - I'm too strong!  Hah!

Anyway, I braved rush hour trafffic and rain and am here waiting.  It's actually kind of nice - no distractions and I plan to try to write some too.

So maybe this Thursday won't be as bad as the last few.  I do have a workout scheduled tonight.  That's something to look forward to, right?

Wednesday February 23, 2011

Today's post is about exercise.  People sometimes ask me what kind of workouts I do with a personal trainer.  They vary, sometimes we work with machines or free weights or a combination, and sometimes we do body weight exercises. 

Last night's workout was a killer one.  After warming up for ten minutes on the elliptical, I had to run for 2 minutes on the treadmill, then drop and do 12 pushups, then 15 body squats, then 1 minute of jumping jacks, then 12 pushups again, then 15 body squats.  All without resting.  THEN, when all was completed, I got one minute of rest and had to start it all again. 

We did this three times.

Then, after than was over, I had to go to this inclined board thingee and do 15 crunches, then do 15 exercises on the stability ball (glute ones, the name escapes me). You guessed it - three times without break. 

And then my half hour session was over.  So I had to do 20 minutes of just cardio afterwards.  Because the workout was so brutal, I chose 10 on the recumbant  bike and 10 on the elliptical.

All done.  Sweaty, tired, and happy.

Tuesday February 22, 2011

Good days and bad days.  It's weird how I often equate a good day with getting a lot of writing done.   I'm happiest when I get to be creative.   Put that with beautiful surroundings - either indoors or out - and I'm ecstatic. 

I'm also happy when I exercise.  Not just going to the gym, though I love my workouts with my personal trainer.  But walking the dogs, riding the new bike I got for Christmas, or just working out with free weights at home.  I feel better when I workout. 

I was actually thinking about how much of each day I spend doing things that I don't want to do.  I remember being a little kid who couldn't wait to be a grown-up so I wouldn't have to do anything that I didn't want to do.  Hah!  I don't understand though how life became a series of working at an unfulfilling day job and spending the rest of my time trying to rush around so I could get it all done. 

And now?  I am what I am.  In a few months I'll be hitting that big milestone of age - 50.  Gulp.  Yes, I guess you could say it's hitting me hard.  It's difficult.  I find myself looking in the mirror, eying wrinkles and creases that seemed to suddenly appear and contemplating expensive face creams and lasers and cosmetic surgery.  Odd for me, who always, always, always got taken to be much younger than my actual age.  Not so much anymore, I don't think. 

This is the serenity fountain I have at my day job desk.  I'm not sure why I'm posting a picture of it, but it seems fitting.  Serenity = certaintly = happiness. 

I know I've posted before about the giant leap of faith that I'm poised to take.  Quitting the day job and finally, finally, finally getting to do what I've wanted to do since 1988.  Yes, I wrote my first (unpublished) book back then and dreamt of writing full time.  That's 23 years of putting my dream on the back burner.  Over, this year.  I'm excited and scared and worried.  But I'm going to do it.  And I will make it work.

And finally, give myself a chance to live up to my full potential.  At 50.  Who knew.

Sunday Night, 2-20-11

It's Sunday night, after a fairly decent weekend.  I'm drinking a beer, listening to music from my I-Tunes, and feeling relective.  Amos Lee's "Violin" is playing now and it's perfect.

I didn't write at all this weekend.  I feel vaguely guilty, but Friday I got hammered at the day job.  Customer after customer, problem after problem.  I handled everything, including one of my employees who tried to help but only suceeded in making things worse.  But by Friday night I felt like a dishwrag, wrung out many times.  Sigh.

I did good though.  Not a single margarita all weekend and not very much beer also.    I got a lot done around the house, saw Unknown at the movies with the awesome Liam Neeson and cooked.  I even did some core exercises today at home - planks and crunches and weights. 

Despite that, I'm still not ready for Monday.  Though I do need to get back to writing.  So bring it on.  Bring it on. 

Thursday, February 17, 2011

To tattoo or not to tattoo.  That is the question.

For many years (like 10 or so), I've said when I turn (gulp) 50, that I'm going to get a tattoo.  Not a bold, in your face, type of body art.  Something discreet, private, and mostly hidden.  Since that big birthday is rapidly approaching (in May), I've started perusing tattoo art online.  Right now I'm leaning towards a Celtic knot, considering my heritage and my beliefs about eternity and rebirth. 

I'd also considered an animal, such as a wolf (for obvious reasons) or a crane or hawk.

Right now I'm just looking.  I've been told it's quite painful and I'm a big wuss.  But we'll see. 

I'll let you know - and post a picture - after I do it.  In May.

Gulp.