Training 18-19.

Thurs
PT
9 2m-rounds Rutten MMA/Thai Boxing. Absolutely horrible wkout. Lethargic, slow... blah, blah, blah. Better than nothing. But barely.

Food
2cups coffee w/equal, cream
Shake - 2 eggs, peanut butter, cream, equal
2 salami sticks, pack of jerky, 4 chs snacks
500g pork chops
2L water
500ml diet soda

Bed@2330. No med.

Friday
PT
DB front squat - 25x10/10, 35x5, 40x5, 45x5/5/5
DB press - 15x10, 25x10, 35x5/5/5/5/5
Single leg DL - 10x10, 15x10, 30x5, 35x5/5, 40x5/5
Seated dips - 20/11/9
Shoulder dislocations - 25
Pushup/chins/shrugs - 1 set max
Neck nods - 40


Food
Cup of coffee w/equal, cream
1L shake - 4 eggs, peanut butter, inst coffee, cream, water
2.5L water
Cup of coffee w/equal
1 oz almonds
Subway BLT salad + 6oz tuna, black olives, ranch, cheese


Bed@2350+20m guided med.

Cindi?

Typhoid Mary Was Also an Avid Bowler

Woman at table dining with friend: I mean, I love infectious diseases, don't get me wrong, but that's not my life.

Red Restaurant
Nashville, Tennessee

Overheard by: kyndgrrl

via Overheard Everywhere, Apr 25, 2008

Fair warning, you dirty Gaijin.

Fake Police May be Casing Foreigners, Stealing Identities | Japan Probe:

"If you are a foreigner in Japan, you may want to take a good look at the officer the next time you are asked to show your ID, especially if at your own home. I just caught this story at a online blog community called Expats Japan... the poster tells of a suspicious cop who came to her home and asked for personal information. She later called the local police and sure enough, they knew of no such information collecting activities being performed by their own officers. They offered the following advice:

1) the police department usually sends officers out in pairs, not alone, to someone’s door
2) if the police want to collect personal info, they will tell you explicitly what it’s for (and this would be a very rare case). if language is an issue, they would encourage you to call a japanese speaking friend or would just leave and return later with an (insert your language here) speaker
3) police officers will always show clear IDs, and you can copy down their ID numbers for your records
4) police officers who come to your door will always be wearing large badges, also with ID numbers
5) and of course the usual….always keep your door locked, hide your valuables, don’t answer the door to anyone you don't know..."

At least.

4PM The Workshop Required Them All to Crochet "Fags Is the Best Girlfriends" on Little Pillows

Black female coworker: Oooh, honey, I love me some fags. Fags is the best girlfriends.
White queer coworker: That's 'cause we all want to be black women!
White female coworker: Can the rest of us get workplace diversity hours for listening to this shit?

Columbus, Ohio

Overheard by: Giggling in my cube

via Overheard in the Office, Apr 24, 2008

Another fine product of a Naval Academy education.

Tony Zirkle attended USNA, according to his "About" page here - About - from 1988 to 1990 [where he did very, very well, he'll have you know] before being medically discharged. He then, apparently, went on to get his law degree, and is now running for Congress in Indiana...

Crooks and Liars » GOP Candidate Tony Zirkle Wishes Adolf a Happy Birthday:

"On Sunday, Tony Zirkle, a Republican candidate for Indiana’s 2nd District, took time out from saving the economy by shredding vintage Playboys (of course!) so he could attend a 119th birthday celebration for Adolf Hitler. He claims he was only there to talk about his experience as a state’s attorney in Indiana, his wacky theories about pornography, and to preach the gospel, so of course his being there had absolutely nothing to do with his segregation plan that would allow blacks to “have six states, so instead of having one half-black senator, well they would have 12.”"

...the guy is thoroughly obsessed with other people's sex lives, too. Seriously, read some of his "position papers"... I defy you to get through them and not come away wondering just what incredibly large skeletons dude has in his closet. You know, besides Nazis. So very, very wrong in so many, many ways. The mind reels.

Let's all welcome Japan to the 1980s, shall we?

You keep it up and you'll hit the 21st century in no time.

NHK ventures into the closet for first time with program on homosexuality - Mainichi Daily News:

"Coverage of homosexuality by Japan's notoriously squeaky clean, hyper-conservative public broadcaster NHK has so far been as hard to find as a G-spot, but the taxpayer-funded network is finally coming out of the closet, according to Shukan Shincho (4/24).

NHK's Education Channel program 'Haato wo Tsunago (Let's Connect Hearts)' will screen a program on homosexuality on April 28 and 29, continuing its trend since hitting the air two years ago of taking on controversial topics like child abuse, learning disabilities and hikikomori recluses."

Smoke, mirrors and prison.

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > The Long and the Short of Prison Sentences:

"New York Times legal writer Adam Liptak digs a little deeper into the story of America's astonishingly high incarceration rate and finds that the main explanation is longer sentences, as opposed to more frequent sentences or a higher crime rate:

People who commit nonviolent crimes in the rest of the world are less likely to receive prison time and certainly less likely to receive long sentences. The United States is, for instance, the only advanced country that incarcerates people for minor property crimes like passing bad checks...

Efforts to combat illegal drugs play a major role in explaining long prison sentences in the United States as well. In 1980, there were about 40,000 people in American jails and prisons for drug crimes. These days, there are almost 500,000.

Those figures have drawn contempt from European critics. 'The U.S. pursues the war on drugs with an ignorant fanaticism,' said [prison researcher Vivien] Stern of King's College...."

Well, I know how to spell Kropotkin... does that count?

Go Back to Williamsburg, Wednesday One-Liner!

Hipster: It was a mess. I mean, you don't want anarchists at the socialist barbecue. Haven't you ever read Kropotkin?

--125th St

Overheard by: Ali


via Overheard in New York, Apr 23, 2008

Ah, relationships.

Slylock Fox's Puzzle: How Many Things Are Wrong with This Conversation?

Thug sitting in traffic yelling into cell: I moved you and the goddamn kids out here! I robbed muthafuckas for you! I'm facing five to ten goddamn years for you, and I can't even get a goddamn thank you?! Bitch, you drunk?!

Highway
Orlando, Florida

Overheard by: scaredspectator

via Overheard Everywhere, Apr 23, 2008

Why I steal stuff.

Just kidding. I still buy most of my music on CD. I steal other stuff for other reasons. And DRM always sucks. Don't buy anything with it. For the record, once again, your archaic and outdated business model is not my problem. Welcome to the 21st century.

DRM's final insult - Boing Boing Gadgets:

"DRM is dead. And just like every activist, pirate and skeptic ever warned you, all the DRM-laden songs you bought will join it in the grave. Cory over at the motherboing notes that Microsoft is to close its 'license server' for good, making it so DRM tracks are useless on any computer other than the one they were originally downloaded to.

They're nuking customers' music collections from orbit, an expression of spite on a cosmic scale. It's unimaginably bad form, but you know what? If you're affected by this, you're getting exactly what you paid for."

Oh politics, when will you stop with the ice pick to my soul?

Balloon Juice:

"Hillary’s campaign now seems to boil down to her playing the role of Lucy, with little more than catcalls that Obama “can not close the deal.” “Sure,” she seems to say, “he has kicked my ass in every measurable metric this campaign, but why, oh why can he just not finish me off? Clearly that means you should make me the nominee.”"

Reducing/trying to wean oneself off of caffeine = serious ass dragging.

I'm an addict. That is all.

*Update* - tasty cola beverages = nirvana. Also, the world comes back into focus.

Training 17.

PT
Half assed my way through my workout, despite lethargy and soreness. But that's better than no wkout at all.
Single arm DB snatch - 20x20, 45x6, 52.5x6
Single row - 52.5x10x3
P-ups - 12/8/6
Press - 35x18, 40x10, 50x7
SLDL - 50x10, 60x10, 70x10
Neck nods - 50x
Spine board - 50 count

Food
2 cups of coffee w/equal and cream
Shake - 3 eggs, cream, coffee, water, equal
4 salami sticks, sausage
500ml diet soda
150g beef
Shake - 3 eggs, PB, equal, cream, water
2L water

Bed@2310+20m meditation

Sobering realization of the day - It's been a year since I've done any kind of scheduled, regular PT [excepting the last two weeks.] It's been about 5 years since I've been in any kind of passable shape. And it's been almost 10 since I've been in any kind of ass-kicking condition. 10 years? Jesus. So, when after 2 weeks, I've not transformed into Bruce Lee/Stallone/Arnold, I should probably bear in mind the reality that's escaped me the last 5 years or so.

"...the most terrifying headline ever"

Balloon Juice:

"...the most terrifying headline ever:

Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

Lynchings AND penis theft? That can’t be good for tourism."

All right, now it's just getting ridiculous.

With the caveat that it'll all be fine and I'm sure I'll probably have a grand time all around... as of this morning, in May, I've got - 2 enkais, 2 concerts, a wedding and a community group trip. And the school sports day. [Which doesn't really count, as kids > adults, almost always.] For one such as I, who is, for whatever reason, generally inclined to introversion and quiet evenings with a book and/or the internet... the social activity level for the next month is rapidly approaching the "way too fucking much to want to deal with" threshold.

Gambaremasu.

[I am not doing a damn thing in June. And I'm not going to any post-undokai enkai. The enkai money-suck has already exceeded comfort levels.]

Training 16.

Training
30m Bas Rutten MMA/Thai Boxing/2m rounds
Bungee shoulder dislocations x20

Food
2 cups coffee w/equal, cream
500ml diet soda
2L water
Shake - 3eggs, cream, inst coffee, equal
2 steaks
Broccoli w/cheese and butter

Bed@2340/20m guided meditation

"How much do we miss in life because of our attachments to who we think we are?"

Wise. More at the link.

Live Life Aggressively!: The High Price Of Ownership:

"Growth requires letting go of that in which we used to so firmly believe. Once we become comfortable within the constructs of what we think we are, it's difficult to let go, even if we don't like the construct! Many people like neither who, nor what, they've become yet find a coincident comfort there since the known is more acceptable to them than the unknown. Dishonest self-assessments always result in stagnant growth, and when you fail to grow, you fail in living life at its fullest--a serious disservice to yourself.

How much do we miss in life because of our attachments to who we think we are?"

Mad. Yo.

Another Fucking Book-Reader

Professor #1: Some fucking student requested we read the book in the class.
Professor #2: That's mad twisted, yo.

--Barnes & Noble, Court and Schermerhorn, Brooklyn

Overheard by: Ladle
via Overheard in New York, Apr 20, 2008

Training 13-14-15.

13
Training
Rutten MMA/Thai Boxing/2min rounds
Shoulder press/pressouts - 40x10/10, 50x8/8, 60x5/5
Single arm row - 35x15, 45x10, 52.5x6
DB snatch - 52.5x3
Lateral raise/side/front/rear - 20x10
Shoulder bungee dislocations - 20x

Food
Tuna fish sandwich w/mayo&blk olives
6slices meat combo pizza
1.75L Water
750ml diet soda
500ml coffee w/milk and Equal

Bed @ 2330+20m meditation CD

14
Training
None - Sunday

Food
250ml coffee w/milk and equal
2slices meat combo pizza
Ebi/fish tempura and 1/2 bowl rice
250ml green tea
360ml diet soda
Sausage and chs
Chips and salsa/guacamole
2pork tacos w/pineapple
2doughnuts and a glass of milk

Bed @ 0015

15
Training
DB snatch - 30x10, 35x10, 40x8, 45x8, 50x6
Pressup - 10-7-5-5-6
Lunges - 3x20
Calf rs - 35/30/30
Rows - 52.5x10/10/10
Neck nods - 50x each direction
Shoulder bungee/dislocations - 20x

Food
250ml coffee w/equal and cream
Shake - 3 eggs/sf cocoa/cream
1.35L diet soda
1.25L water
4 salami sticks, 4 snack cheeses
2 slices cheese/mayo
2 steaks/mayo

Bed @ 2330+20m meditation cd

I don't even play games, but c'mon... Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe? Even I can get on board with that one.

[JM, are you paying attention?]

NC continues slow descent into nanny-state retardation.

But it's for the children, of course.

Reason Magazine - Daily Brickbats > Afterschool Shooting:

"For 30 years, North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission has been holding marksmanship contests for high school students. Tradition apparently means little to East Wake High School principal Sebastian Shipp and area superintendent Danny Barnes. Less than a day before the school's marksmanship club was scheduled to compete in a regional contest, the officials barred the team from competing, negating months of practice by the students. The two cited school policy banning weapons at school and on school trips. 'If we had more time, we could have done something about it,' said team member Robert Lumley, which may explain why the officials stopped the team at the last minute."

Commentary on last week's debate, and how ABC cocked it all up.

Late to the party, but the best criticism is satire anyways.

Obsidian Wings: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Slight Return):

"Presidential candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held this debate on April 16, 1858 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MODERATORS:
CHARLIE GIBSON, ABC NEWS
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS

MR. GIBSON: So we're going to begin with opening statements, and we had a flip of the coin, and the brief opening statement first from Mr. Lincoln.

LINCOLN: Thank you very much, Charlie and George, and thanks to all in the audience and who are out there. I appear before you today for the purpose of discussing the leading political topics which now agitate the public mind.

We are now far into the fifth year since a policy was initiated with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented.

STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m sorry to interrupt, but do you think Mr. Douglas loves America as much you do?

LINCOLN: Sure I do.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But who loves America more?

LINCOLN: I’d prefer to get on with my opening statement George.

STEPHANOPOULOS: If your love for America were eight apples, how many apples would Senator Douglas’s love be?

LINCOLN: Eight.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Proceed.

...GIBSON: We get questions about this all the time over at Powerline and on Hannity’s talk show. Mr. Douglas has said this is a major vulnerability for you in the fall. So I’ll ask again – do you love America?

LINCOLN: (scowling with a forced smile). Yes.

GIBSON: If your love for America were ice cream, what flavor would it be?..."

Crooks and Liars » Important Questions George Stephanopoulos Must Ask John McCain This Sunday:

"...in the spirit of seeing how all the candidates deal with “scandal,” or just being queried about everyone they have associated with since that 6th grade teacher who crossed the street against a red light (do you denounce her Senator Obama? Denounce and reject her!?! Or perhaps just reject?), here are some questions that John McCain should be asked...

1. Do you agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?

3. Doesn’t your confusion regarding basic facts about the war in Iraq, including repeatedly citing a nonexistent Al Qaeda-Iran alliance, make you unfit for command?
On four occasions in one month, you confused friend and foe in Iraq by describing Sunni Al Qaeda as being backed by Shiite Iran...

4. Given your past adultery, should Americans consider you a moral exemplar of family values?..

5. Doesn’t your flip-flop on Jerry Falwell being an “agent of intolerance” show your opportunistic pandering to the religious right?...

6. Given your wealth and privileged upbringing, aren’t you - and not Barack Obama - the elitist? You have called Barack Obama an elitist. Yet you recently returned to your exclusive private high school, one which now costs over $38,000 a year to attend. Your wife is the heiress to a beer distribution company, reputedly owns 8 homes and has a net worth well over $100 million... Shouldn’t the American people in fact view you as the elitist, and a hypocritical one at that?...

8. Didn’t President Bush betray you with his signing statement on the Detainee Treatment Act? You claim to be against torture, but aren’t you a hypocrite for voting “no” on the Senate waterboaring ban?..."

The random genius statements of Grant Morrison.

Crazy brilliance.

Comic Book Resources > CBR News: NYCC: Grant Morrison Spotlight:

"...Follow up question asked about drugs in his Katmandu experience, which Morrison has described as a divine experience. He was on hash, but has not been able to replicate the experience, leading him to believe it was not drug-related.

..."Pop Magic" is coming "very slowly. But my guardian angels are watching over me for this, saying if you don't finish this soon we'll kill you."

...He described his take as a deconstruction of Batman. "I kinda wanted to humanize the guy, because he'd been a dick for a while. Which is fine, because if you're Batman you'd probably be a dick."

...A fan said: Superman's my god. "Don't you feel good?" Morrison said. "Superman loves you! And he's a lot more proactive than God."

..."Christian Bale Batman is the best Batman ever," Morrison said, mentioning that he's loved most on screen interpretations. Batman and Robin? "The colors are brilliant! .. If you just switch off your brain and think, I'm watching the gay Batman..."

...Seaguy is "like if you put on a wetsuit and said I'm a superhero."

...He also said that "Superman escapes from the confines of the DC Universe into something else." Morrison is interested in the idea of dimensions, with comics occupying 2D space.

"Superman was born before us," Morrison said, and will outlast us all. "in a way he's more real than any of us, and he occupies 2d space within a 3d world." And what if there's something above us?"

Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare style.

That's funny. More at the link.

metaquotes: Pulp Fiction, as performed by the King's Men:

"ACT I SCENE 2. A road, morning. Enter a carriage, with JULES and VINCENT, murderers.

J: And know'st thou what the French name cottage pie?
V: Say they not cottage pie, in their own tongue?
J: But nay, their tongues, for speech and taste alike
Are strange to ours, with their own history:
Gaul knoweth not a cottage from a house.
V: What say they then, pray?
J: Hachis Parmentier.
V: Hachis Parmentier! What name they cream?
J: Cream is but cream, only they say le crème.
V: What do they name black pudding?
J: I know not;
I visited no inn it could be bought."

Can you be a man?

Most. Whipped. Ever.

God, You're the Wimpiest Kidnapper Ever!

Five-year-old boy: I want a spoon of peanut butter for breakfast!
Dad: Are you allowed to eat that for breakfast? I'm not sure, let's call your mom.
Five-year-old boy: You're an adult, you can make those decisions.

--Bleecker St

Overheard by: Cecilia
via Overheard in New York, Apr 18, 2008

Your political question of the day.

Crooks and Liars » Question(s) for the day:

"Do you think if Barack Obama had left his seriously ill wife after having had multiple affairs, had been a member of the “Keating Five,” had had a relationship with a much younger lobbyist that his staff felt the need to try and block, had intervened on behalf of the client of said young lobbyist with a federal agency, had denounced then embraced Jerry Falwell, had denounced then embraced the Bush tax cuts, had confused Shiite with Sunni, had confused Al Qaeda in Iraq with the Mahdi Army, had actively sought the endorsement and appeared on stage with a man who denounced the Catholic Church as a whore, and stated that he knew next to nothing about economics — do you think it’s possible that Obama would have been treated differently by the media than John McCain has been? Possible?"