Self-maintenance, mental and physical in one easy package

Which is to say, another gym post. I'm still getting over some chest congestion, so I did a lighter workout than usual (fewer exercises, and less weight/resistance on the ones I did). I figured I'd at least do the mat work (stretches and a yoga balance exercise) and the two weight exercises that I do partly for balance; I did those, and a subset of my other weight work. That seemed like a reasonable compromise between not stressing my lungs, and keeping my mood up by exercising.

At the end of my workout, while stretching, I chatted some with one of the trainers, who was encouraging me to encourage everyone I know to exercise. I explained that I've already told my friends how and why I like working out, and I don't want to come across like I'm trying to drag everyone I know to my church. He also told me a bit about what they're doing with the weight machines, namely removing some that they don't think are as good (in some cases, the older ones are better, he said), and thus making the weight room feel less cramped. I mentioned that sometimes it's nice to just go through the same routine as the last 20 times, rather than think about what exercise to do next, but that other times I vary it on purpose. I ended with an offer to show me more/different bicep exercises, and said maybe next time: stretching is the last bit of my workout.

After exercising, I went down to Chinatown, where I think I burned my tongue slightly on chicken dumpling soup, then up to Union Square, where I bought leeks and beets to roast, plus yogurt, garlic, and bacon.

( workout numbers )

Self-maintenance, mental and physical in one easy package

Which is to say, another gym post. I'm still getting over some chest congestion, so I did a lighter workout than usual (fewer exercises, and less weight/resistance on the ones I did). I figured I'd at least do the mat work (stretches and a yoga balance exercise) and the two weight exercises that I do partly for balance; I did those, and a subset of my other weight work. That seemed like a reasonable compromise between not stressing my lungs, and keeping my mood up by exercising.

At the end of my workout, while stretching, I chatted some with one of the trainers, who was encouraging me to encourage everyone I know to exercise. I explained that I've already told my friends how and why I like working out, and I don't want to come across like I'm trying to drag everyone I know to my church. He also told me a bit about what they're doing with the weight machines, namely removing some that they don't think are as good (in some cases, the older ones are better, he said), and thus making the weight room feel less cramped. I mentioned that sometimes it's nice to just go through the same routine as the last 20 times, rather than think about what exercise to do next, but that other times I vary it on purpose. I ended with an offer to show me more/different bicep exercises, and said maybe next time: stretching is the last bit of my workout.

After exercising, I went down to Chinatown, where I think I burned my tongue slightly on chicken dumpling soup, then up to Union Square, where I bought leeks and beets to roast, plus yogurt, garlic, and bacon.

( workout numbers )

Irony?

If the thrust of your campaign is to accuse the incumbent of corruption, don't get Al D'Amato to host a fundraiser:

Callaghan also got a boost Monday night from a fundraiser with former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato that netted more than $400,000.

Democratic Party official Blake Zeff bristled Tuesday at Callaghan's suggestion the GOP has more integrity.

Irony?

If the thrust of your campaign is to accuse the incumbent of corruption, don't get Al D'Amato to host a fundraiser:

Callaghan also got a boost Monday night from a fundraiser with former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato that netted more than $400,000.

Democratic Party official Blake Zeff bristled Tuesday at Callaghan's suggestion the GOP has more integrity.

More on October's lack of tropical storms

According to the National Hurricane Center,

Only one tropical cyclone existed in the Atlantic basin during October. Isaac...which developed in September...was still a hurricane as the month of October began. The last time no tropical storms formed in the Atlantic during the month of October was 2002...and the last time no tropical cyclones formed during October was 1994. In an average October...two tropical storms develop of which one becomes a hurricane.

So this is unusual but hardly unprecedented.

More on October's lack of tropical storms

According to the National Hurricane Center,

Only one tropical cyclone existed in the Atlantic basin during October. Isaac...which developed in September...was still a hurricane as the month of October began. The last time no tropical storms formed in the Atlantic during the month of October was 2002...and the last time no tropical cyclones formed during October was 1994. In an average October...two tropical storms develop of which one becomes a hurricane.

So this is unusual but hardly unprecedented.

Terminological inexactitude

The Chinese (and Japanese) restaurant we sometimes get to deliver dinner has two very similar dishes on the menu, "beef with orange flavor" and "orange-flavored beef." The difference between the two is that one is sauteed and the other is breaded and deep-fried: they have the same sauce, spicy and with dried orange peel. The menu does not explain the difference, so when we call to order, they ask whether we want the sauteed, and we say yes.

This evening, when the person on the phone asked, cattitude asked which was which. I heard him try to explain the question three or four times. He did not get an answer; it seemed that the person didn't quite understand the question. Either that, or Empire Szechuan (or this outpost of the empire) doesn't distinguish the two in English, perhaps because they don't believe their Anglophone customers will remember the distinction.

Terminological inexactitude

The Chinese (and Japanese) restaurant we sometimes get to deliver dinner has two very similar dishes on the menu, "beef with orange flavor" and "orange-flavored beef." The difference between the two is that one is sauteed and the other is breaded and deep-fried: they have the same sauce, spicy and with dried orange peel. The menu does not explain the difference, so when we call to order, they ask whether we want the sauteed, and we say yes.

This evening, when the person on the phone asked, cattitude asked which was which. I heard him try to explain the question three or four times. He did not get an answer; it seemed that the person didn't quite understand the question. Either that, or Empire Szechuan (or this outpost of the empire) doesn't distinguish the two in English, perhaps because they don't believe their Anglophone customers will remember the distinction.