Category Archives: getting fit

Project 365 4-27-2010

Before we begin, a video presentation:

I found that on Facebook today posted by my friend Kristin.  I think it’s important to point out stuff like this because it’s easy to ignore things when you don’t see the final outcome or consequences.  I used to watch Penn & Teller’s Bull Shit on Showtime, I even own the first three seasons on DVD, and even though  they were definitely pushing an agenda I really liked seeing a different perspective on very hot topics.  What I liked best is that they could back up a lot of their claims with straight up facts.  Verifiable, cross-referenced, generally accepted facts.  There was plenty of editorial tossed in, but the facts were there all the same.  I stopped watching when I stopped paying for Showtime, is the show still on?  Just checked, it is.

I have been very bad about my workouts this week, I’m definitely placing higher priority on movie biz things then on my fitness and I’m a bit conflicted about it.  I try to ease my guilt of not working out by checking off stuff on the task list.  Honestly that could be shrinking a little faster too, but whachagonnado?  I’ve found that, in all the mire, I’m keeping my personal integrity but it isn’t making the choices any easier or making things move any faster… but I have made a commitment to not randomly vent on this page – if I did there’d be noting else – and I’m trying to push myself to write more story-like posts, in the vein of The Tobolowosky Files from /film.  Since all of these posts for the rest of the year are focused on the actual day and its associated picture it’s been hard to do genuine reflection, I mean, at best I get a day to think about what happened and the effects of it all, but I’m enjoying looking for that one part of the day, a certain hour or five minutes, that ignites deeper insight then just a list of what went on through the course of the day.

I just thought about what that would look like on paper.  Here’s the last couple days as a list:

  • Wake up.
  • Turn on computer.
  • Get water.
  • Load pages: Email, calendar, RSS reader, FB, blog pages, hootsuite.
  • Read/reply/archive email.
  • Read RSS feed.
  • Check FB messages.
  • Talk to Zeke (director for CMD!)
  • Feed dog.
  • Feed self, including making coffee if Rene didn’t yet.
  • Return phone messages.
  • Determine tasks for the day.
  • Pet dog.
  • Submit packages for film funds.
  • Eat again (Tuesday involved a lengthy trip to the post office, then eating again.).
  • Head to the school to teach.
  • Return home.
  • Last pass at email.
  • Sleep.

Most days I could literally copy/paste this string and it would be 90% accurate.  Although tonight I added a trip at the end of teaching to watch Doctor Who with Dean and then get to the grocery store for some general supplies.  Then home.

Today’s picture is from my trip to the store:

The cart just seemed so lonely.  I think I might be thinking too hard when I start impressing emotions on inanimate objects.

See you tomorrow!

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Filed under getting fit, musings, politics, project 365 2010, social commentary

Project 365 4-21-2010 Dramarama Says Today Is Earthday

Is it Earthday?  No, apparently not.  Tomorrow is Earthday, but ever since 1991 and I first heard the Dramarama song “What Are We Going To Do?” all I can think is that, “it’s April 21st and everybody knows today is Earthday, Merry Christmas, happy birthday to whoever’s being born.”  It’s an inaccuracy that shouldn’t matter, but every year it makes go a little crazy.  Was Earthday on April 21st that year?  I suppose that I could look online and see, but that kind of ruins the fun.  A little scheduled insanity on the calendar never hurt anybody, at least that I know of.

Today was another training session with Tony, the breaker of bones and wills.  I am still sore from Monday and today we did a series of free weights that has already made me feel like my arms are made of lead and about as useful.  When we completed that workout I decided that my abs weren’t punished enough and did a bunch of work on them too. 

As much as I think I’m being funny with my workout complaints I’ve actually really enjoyed getting back in shape.  The running, punching, lifting and grunting is helping to relieve the stress as I wait on other people for the deals that I’m working on right now.  I completely cop to the fact that I don’t like it when my destiny is in the hands of other people, but that’s the nature of this business – there’s only so much that you can do on your own. 

Another side effect from waiting and working out is that my creative juices are flowing.  I’ve had an idea for a web-series that I’ve been tossing around in my head but I figured out, at least intellectually, how to actually produce it.  I don’t know how quickly I’ll actually move on that, there is so much other stuff that I feel has priority, but I like the feeling of being a “creative” again and not just the “business” guy.

Speaking of businesses my sister has just started a new cookie business!  Her first orders go out this weekend and I was asked by her and my Mom to help come up with some temporary labels for the packaging as Molly gets her logo made.  Today’s picture is of the label test sheet:

See you tomorrow! 

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Filed under business, getting fit, project 365 2010

Project 365 4-20-2010

I hurt pretty bad today.  Tony, the personal trainer, is definitely making me work hard for my free sessions.  When I woke up this morning it was hard to sit up.

I am so out of shape.

The only exercise I could manage today was walking the dog (a little over two miles).  It hurt to bend down to pick up his poop.  Getting in shape for the wedding might kill me.

Did I mention that it rained today?  Cuz it did… but only when I had to be outside!  Like when I was bringing up the trash cans, and it poured, and then literally stopped pouring when I was finished so I looked like this:

Yes, that’s right, the picture for today is my soaked ass.  That sweater shouldn’t be that dark – it also shouldn’t weigh eight pounds.  Rain is wonderful when you’re not in it.

See you tomorrow!

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Filed under getting fit, musings, project 365 2010

Project 365 4-14-2010 Taxes

Man, oh man, all this working out is making me sore, but it’s the right kind of sore.  I always get this feeling when I start and, intellectually, I feel like this should be when I want to give up on the whole “working out” bit, but the opposite is true.  Months from now I’m probably going to try and convince Rene that I simply don’t have the time to make it to the gym, even though we have been getting very effective workouts done – and then back home – in under an hour.  When it comes right down to it, as much as I like to yell up and down about loving butter, that everything is better when fried and that I can’t wait for more “fair food” it has actually been really busy easy to eat healthier and keep up with the fitness. 

All that good stuff is fine, but it doesn’t eliminate the fact that I need to get my taxes done – and I did them tonight.  This year definitely looked better than last year, but I can’t believe that taxes need to be as complicated as they are.  Really we need a math formula to see how much we owe?  Really?  There isn’t and easier, fairer way to do this?  I’m convinced that tax law is kept complicated just to keep everyone who works at the IRS employed.  I’m willing to be wrong, but no one has offered evidence to the contrary.

Today’s picture is tax inspired:

These were my tax forms.  As an actor I get a LOT of W-2’s.  The process of entering them takes longer than most people, but it also usually means that my tax obligation is covered – even though I have a lot of 1099 work too.

Well, that’s enough private info on the internet for one day.

See you tomorrow!

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Filed under getting fit, project 365 2010, taxes

Project 365 4-8-2010 Oh My God, It Hurts!

I’m sore.

I’m so sore.

My body tricks me. It tells me that everything is ok by making the pain go away, but then when I stand I can only hobble.

I’ve been hobbling all night.

Rene and I just hobble around the house saying, “Ow.” over and over again until we get where we’re going.

She keeps laughing at me.

Today’s picture are my offending appendages:

I have nightmares where I can’t get away from things that chase me because my legs hurt like this. I’m paranoid the zombie apocalypse will start tonight.

See you tomorrow!

…maybe…

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Project 365 4-7-2010

Along with our membership to Bally’s came a free personal trainer appointment.  Rene and I had that appointment today.  I’m shocked at how out of shape I am.  I thought I was good when I was poppin’ emails and talking contracts on the treadmill – but then Tony, that is the name of my torturer, invited me to workout with him and Rene.

I won’t embarrass myself by explaining how the “simple” cross training exercises made me feel like I was going to puke.  In my defense I knew that I was out of shape and had planned to keep it really light as I felt out my new environment.

I go back Friday for my scheduled ass-kicking.

Today’s pic has nothing to do with anything:

This was a sign outside the gas station that I saw when I was filling up. I always wonder why the gas station has a full on pizza joint in it and this sign does not help answer that question, but I guess I’m happy to know that there is a place to get bread sticks even while I get gas.

Also I like this song and video:

See you tomorrow!

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Filed under getting fit, music video, project 365 2010, WTF

Project 365 4-6-2010 I Now Belong to a Gym.

I will not bore you with details of what it is like waiting on contract details and other people’s lawyers.  Suffice it to say that it is not my favorite thing.

Instead let’s talk about my new adventure – joining a gym!

I didn’t so much “join” as “got-added-to-Rene’s-account-through-the-workout buddy-program” they have at Bally’s.  It was a pretty quick process and it’s really cheap, $20/mo.  Now I can get into tip top wedding shape!  Before I used to have a gym available at all the places I lived, but since 2006 not so much.  I tried running and strength training at home – had some good results – but I hate running outside in the heat (I don’t like breathing hot air) and it’s hard to get good cardio any other way.  I’m looking forward to all the toys and stuff they have there and I can go to any Bally’s across the nation!  Apparently that isn’t how many gyms work anymore.  I get a free personal trainer session on Friday so I’m gonna’ try and get limber before he finds out just how out of shape I am.

I’m gonna’ go because my mind is distracted by looking at my inbox waiting for news. 

Almost forgot, if you’re in the market for geek toys I’m selling some on eBay.  You can click on, or look up seller lordtrygve.

Today’s picture is of my new membership card:

Should I be holding out on mentioning Bally’s name until they offer sponsorship?  Eh, maybe next time.

See you tomorrow!

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Filed under business, getting fit, project 365 2010, the wedding

Project 365 2-6-2010 My Suit Still Fits… Again!

As a Saturday this Saturday was pretty typical.  School, home, etc.  The difference came in the evening as it was Rene’s Gala Opening Night for “Jake’s Women.”  Having seen the show last night I joined her for the event afterward.

In an effort to look good for the Gala I wanted to dress nice so I decided to put on my suit.  It’s a nice suit, but was tailored to me when I was about twenty pounds lighter.  I worry every time there is a formal occasion that I won’t actually fit into my formal clothes, but I just found out last week that I fit in my old tuxedo so I figured the suit would have to fit too!

When I first reached into my closet I pulled out a black suit, laid it on the bed and started getting ready.  I put on the pants and… not so much.  This was really confusing because my tux pants went on so easy and these felt inches smaller – but I was determined so I sucked in my gut, hooked and buttoned everything in place, and made to leave.  Then I tried putting on the jacket – wrong jacket!

Turns out I had put on the pants from a wedding tuxedo I had fro my friend Scott’s wedding.  All the pants had come a bit too small and on that day I actually wore different pants but kept the wrong fitting ones, apparently so I could have this comedy of errors two years later.

So I switched suits, ran out and enjoyed the Gala.  Today’s picture is the correct suit.

See you tomorrow!

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Filed under getting fit, project 365 2010, rene