muggles welcome.

JK Rowling's finally announced the title of her new book, and I am hoping that it will be out by next year...

On a side note, has anyone checked out her site lately?

Contrition

I have been a little remiss the past few days, not posting, not responding to emails or to the comments here and not adding comments elsewhere. Truly there is not much of an excuse that I can give for this, have fallen into a rut and have found myself in a retrospective, contemplative unvocal mood. [This will hopefully change soon]

So, to all you wonderful people to whom I owe emails, little love notes and inane blatherings [which I am very good at] thank you for your patience, kindness and understanding. I apologize for the delay and I promise that I’ll email you all by the end of this week. Ok? If I don’t you have full permission to nag, pester and tickle me.

As for the left comments and responses, I should be back to my quirky self soon and when I am I promise to leave little notes and oddities once in a while, which will hopefully make you smile and feel squishable.

Barrels o’ squishes,
A rather apologetic munin.

Courage.

I met a man today, while waiting at the passport office: Soft spoken, polite, and one whom I would have no problem calling honourable and courageous. A naturalized Canadian citizen he was born in Iraq and fled the country for a better life 25 years ago. In a couple of weeks he is going back to see family that he left behind, to rekindle old ties with childhood friends, to pay respect to those he left, morn those he lost and to work as a translator for the Canadian Government. My first question was, why? Followed closely by, aren’t you afraid? And how is your family coping with this?

He replied, that for him it is a matter of honour. That he does not want sit back as others who have no vested interest in his homeland, who have no ties to the land, fight for a better life for his people. That he wants to give back to his family, so that they may one day live in a world as free as he has known here. As for being afraid, the answer is yes. But that you never know what life will bring, that you can as easily be killed while crossing the street. That his family was terrified, but that this is something he has to do.

Sir. May the gods keep you out of harms way, may they always keep your feet firmly planted on the path that is sound and secure. May they guard you in times of danger. May they bring you back home to your family, safe and sound.

Little Life lessons: Courtesy of a walkabout taken a few weeks back.

If someone tells you that your destinations is only 20 minutes away, nod, smile and multiply that number by a factor of 3. Cause no matter how small that little hill looks from a distance it will grow exponentially as you trudge your weary way up it.

Knee braces are good. Knee braces are your friends. Knee braces are especially good for long, long walks. So why the heck did you leave it in your drawer. Hmmm?

Stay out of the way of mallards, especially if there are four of them who are chasing after the sole female in the park.

Botanical gardens can be fun, and are renown for serving up huge honking sundaes.

If you are going to walk for long extended period of times, make sure that your youngest sister is not wearing her 3-inch heeled boots, no matter how much she protests that she is way to short and that this way she can feel tall.

It is always good to charge camera batteries the night before you are going on a walkabout. ‘Cause you never know when that amazing shot of someone sticking a spoonful of ice-cream up their nose is going to happen, and really you want to make sure you get that shot.

Labyrinths are fun, especially when there are slides and crawl spaces and people spraying water. Next time though, make sure to tell your beloved that the adventure is going to take more than 15 minutes so that they won’t sit outside for and hour and a bit wondering if you have gotten seriously lost. Also, wear long sleeved shirt when sliding down slides that take a huge dip, failing that make sure you have lots of Band-Aids for scarped elbows, wrists and knees.

Time spent in the company of loved ones, meandering about, laughing and giggling is priceless.

Snazzykat

The wonderful Eka is celebrating her birthday today. Wishing you a wonderful and happy birthday sweetpea! Hope you have an incredible day, filled with much love, laughter and happiness. May all your hearts desires be granted. May all your dreams come true. Wishing you many, many happy returns! Sending you all our big squishy birthday hugs and love.
SQUISH!
us.

Go give her lots of birthday loving.

Lifting Break

So as I mentioned, I am taking a week off from the gym, just to recuperate.

I've been considering some changes to my workout when I go back and will incorporate some of them and save some for later.

So what am I doing?

I have been doing a three day split based on the big three lifts: bench press, squat and deadlift.

I also have been splitting my workouts into maximum effort days and dynamic days. On max effort, I try to increase my maximum weight lifted either in reps (but not past 4 or 5) or actual weight. On dynamic days, I take about 50-60% of my 1 RM (how much I can lift once) and do multiple sets of explosive lifts for only a few reps, 3 or 4.

Reps are few because that range is most conducive to increasing power, as opposed to size or endurance.

Basically one day tries to force the body to accomodate more weight, the other day tries to make the body more efficient and explosive in terms of output of force.

On each day I start off with a warm up stretch, a pretty short one, then I start with a warmup set on the above exercise (depending upon the day. I've been benching on Sunday because there don't tend to be a lot of people in and so the benches are free) so half my maximum lifting weight for about 12 reps. I stretch some more, doing static stretches and then grab weight equal to either what I maxed last time, or slightly less. Then I increase the weight or not depending upon how I feel. So far I've been doing well at increasing every time.

It's important to note that most people when they first start will see rapid gains virtually regardless of what they do.

After the primary exercise, which I will do either 3 sets on a ME day, or 8-10 sets on a DE day, I have a few other exercises to do.

I picked a couple exercises for the main muscle groups and just organized them in a way that seemed good.

So I do: incline bench press (chest), military press (shoulder), arnold press (shoulder), bent over barbell rows (back), pullups (back) and squat variant (legs). So each workout day I have three main exercises. In these exercises I only do 2 sets for the most part, although I have been trying to increase my pullups and so have been doing 3 sets.

Then I have some tertiary exercises, some stuff for grip and my ab exercises (generally incline situps - weighted, or hanging leg raises, or attempted half-dragon flags).

I also have listed dips (for triceps), calves and biceps. But I don't actually find myself doing these for the most part. The reason being that all of the primary and secondary exercises are compound movements, meaning that they all incorporate the use of multiple muscle groups working in conjunction and not a single muscle working in isolation (eg bicep curls). So when I do bench press I am also working triceps, when I do pullups I am also working biceps, etc. At the amount I'm lifting everything is pretty much in balance and no special focus is requried to restore balance by specifically exercising an isolated muscle group, no matter how much it might be nice for vanity purposes to do lots of bicep curls...

Since starting to workout in February, I have changed my routing three times to what I've not mentioned. I've doubled my once meagre strength into a now passable strength, but definitely feel the need for more.

To be precise, I am 150lbs at not quite 6'.
I am now bench pressing 2x 55lb dumbbells. But switching to barbell for the next 5 weeks to change things up a bit.
I am squatting 135lbs.
I am deadlifting 180lbs.

And really I'm not happy about any of those. I really want to be able to bench about 200, squat about 235 and deadlift about 250. I'd be happy with that.

But I am happy about the improvement that I've had and with careful eating and the occasional shaking up of my routing I look forward to continued improvement up until I reach my goals or change them as I change my focus.

City of Heroes

Well, it looks like it would be a bit of fun: creating heroes, busting up bad guys, gaining more super powers.

Problems being, it's expensive and it requires more computer than Munin has.

Which means in order to play it, we would have to get Munin a new motherboard, processor and ram. With the onboard videocard being similar to mine and hopefully enough oomph to run the game. That would be 300$ just there.

Then two copies of the game at 60$ea. And if we still want to play more after the first month, another 15$ea per month.

Ouch.

That's a lot just in order to play Superheroes together.

On the other hand, we would be playing superheroes together! :D

But it will wait.
Hopefully they'll sort out more balance issues as time passes, maybe the game will get cheaper, and early next year they are supposed to release City of Villains which will allow you to build a villain, rise through the ranks, gain super powers, and then port over to the City of Heroes and try to make a Super Villain name for yourself!

Cool. Can wait for that.

Riddick

So we went and saw the movie on Friday night.

I'm on my week off from the gym before starting back again, just giving the system a bit of a break so it doesn't get overloaded.

The movie was quite enjoyable. Riddick wasn't as much of a badass as he was in the first movie. He was still wickedly deadly but not as unknowable or unpredictable.

Spoilers ahead.
If you don't read any more, then just two words: tea cup.

Basically the movie was a lot of fun.

It reminded me of a space opera style movie that just didn't quite make it.

Fun, lots of action, nice vistas and good science fiction weapons. Some good fight scenes, some I'd like to have seen more of.

Didn't think Riddick got much of a chance to be a nasty fighter, except in the first fight on Helion.

Kyra was a great character, nice match for Riddick, or at least almost his match.

I thought the end was a little questionable, but it reminded me of the ending on Conan. And the only way it really makes any sense is if you take into account that Riddick has been brought into the system of "what you kill you keep" by the Lord Marshal earlier on in the movie.

It was fun.
I enjoyed my time there.
No real nitpicks, just sat back and thought, `cool'.

Fathers.

You taught us how to ride bikes. You tended scrapes knees when we fell. You were there when we needed a hug, a word of advice and provided a ear to listen to our qualms. You kept the monsters away and our fears at bay. You are a best friend, when you don't embarrass us and our greatest advocate. You have provided advice, and have been the calm voice of reason. Thank you for all you have given us. Thank you for the love, the laughter and for not wearing your socks pulled all the way up to your knees, or wearing sandals with black socks. But most of all thank you for being you. All our love goes out to those we have been fortunate enough to call dad.

Wishing all the fathers out there a happy and wonderful father's day.

flower parts

It's good to have a lazy morning after a long day of moving family. Hugin's still snuggled up in bed, nursing sore and tired muscles. I am up and about, puttering about the flat, drinking coffee and snapping pictures of almost everything in site. Here are a few of some Casa Blanca lilies that we picked up last week, and that the cat managed to knock over this morning.

Old PC Joke

Here's an old PC joke that has learned a new trick.
And never again will people have to mistake their cdrom tray for a beverage holder.

moi, me, mi!

Seen a while, erm make that a long while ago at the delectable Dagoddess: Me and You~ A Meme.

1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. When and how did we meet?
4. Do you have a crush on me?
5. Would you kiss me?
6. Describe me in one word.
7. What was your first impression?
8. Do you still think that way about me now?
9. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. When's the last time you saw me?
13. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
14. Are you going to put this on your [blog] and see what I say about you?

Anxiety.

I learnt today that I may have to travel to the States for business and that I may have to either fly or drive to get there. At first when asked my immediate response was yes. The idea of training abroad was an alluring one. I thought yeah, it would be good to do that again. Two hours later, and I am in full blown anxiety attack. I can’t do this; I just can’t drive down to the states, on my own, let alone fly. I don’t want to travel for work anymore and I don’t know how to tell my bosses this. I am sitting here dry-mouthed, a lump in my throat, on the verge of tears, praying that the course will be cancelled and trying to figure out how to tell them that the traveling is something I no longer want to do. Not for work. Not on my own. And I worry that if I make it clear that I no longer want to travel, that I will no longer be a valuable employee and thus may lose my job. But, I just can’t do this anymore. The anxiety and fears are just too much.

Heading Out West

My sister and her best friend left this morning for greener pastures, heading out to West Canada to frolic amongst the Rockies. They have been gone all of 6 hours and already I miss them. Five days is really not enough time to catch up with siblings. Sigh. Hopefully we’ll see them again soon. And hopefully it won’t take us another 4 years to see them.

Wishing you both a safe and amazing trip. Enjoy every moment of it. Lots of squishy hugs. Miss ya much ‘lil Sis. And don’t go growing up on me so fast; I don’t think my aging heart can handle the shock. ;o)

Constantine

Oh that's right, I wanted to rant about this a little bit.

For those familiar with the comic Hellblazer, you don't need to read any of this. Suffice it to look at the trailer and then produce your own rant.

OK, where to start?

Here's a good site page that gives a synopsis as to who John Constantine is.

The little images on that page are of Constantine and the other member's of a group he entitled the Trenchcoat Brigade, battling some Indian multi-armed flaming knife throwing creature. While the other members dive out of the way, Constantine calmly stands there, takes one of the knives that missed him by scant inches and lights his cigarette with it.

That's Constantine. Trenchcoat required.

Instead, we get Keanu Reeves in a suit. He may know kung fu, but he doesn't have the pure chutzpah required to play Constantine.

Note to self # 1273

When scuffling in the dark to find bathrobe in the middle of the night so that your bladder can finally find relief and not explode on you as you lay in bed dreaming of weird and odd imaginings, do not shuffle head on into the clothes hanger dryer thingy and graze your index toe removing a layer of skin from its side. This is very painful and rather nasty thing to do to your poor toes your carry your weight about all day long.

Furthermore, once you have finally made it to the bathroom, after having performed the one foot hop of pain, so that you may tend to said injured toe; do not drop the tube of Polysporin on your other foot.

Something tells me that today's going to be a very long day.

When it comes to Canada

Well, I've always lamented being stuck with Bell (especially when I look at the bill) but that's the price you pay for using ADSL here.

Which is why I like the news in this little link.

Which makes sense to me as a consumer.

Interesting

It's interesting the things you discover as you read about women working out. No, it isn't any kind of fetish for me... that I know of... I've simply become interested in the health benefits of working out as one becomes older in particular, and just benefits in general for those who defy getting older :D

So, I never understood what cellulite was or what caused it, now this page seemed to help with that, interesting.

edit: Didn't like the previous link...

Be vewy, vewy quite. We’re hunting wabbits.

My sister and her best friend popped in at the end of the week for a short visit and as such we have been dragging them about town, showing them the sights and haven’t been at home much to post. It’s been a good few years since I have seen her last, and it’s incredible how much she has grown in that time. I just can’t get over it. It's amazing how time passes so quickly and how when you are busy going about your own day to day life, siblings just shoot up around you. And when you finally get a breather from the day to day drudgery of work you realize just how much has happened and how much they have grown... Speaking of time, we got to run. We are showing her the other side of the city today. Will be back soon with some more stories and maybe some pictures. Until then lots of squishes to you all.

Mine!

I caved in today and bought the sandals today. They are soft, amazing light, deliciously comfortable and I can’t wait to prance about in them. Here’s hoping that the warm weather we’ve been having holds up so I can do just that!

shoes

Saw a yummy pair of comfortable sandals the other day, in a colour that was not black*. I should say they looked comfy; the leather was soft, subtle and silky. The sun is out, the weather is warm and I am sitting in a state of tortured contemplation, wondering if I should splurge and buy said comfy looking shoes, or if I should save my pesos for a rainy day.

[Though I really, really want them… silliness it is, I know, but I just can’t resist the temptation of a good shoe. Especially a soft strappy one.]

Hic a choo

One has to question which gods they have offended when they are caught in a bout of hiccups and sneezes that has thus far lasted an hour. Anyone got any good tricks for getting rid of hiccoughs? Hugin‘s been trying to scare me for the last half hour; sneaking up behind me and poking me, tickling me, yelling boo, rubbing my tummy and back, to no avail.

Rock meet Munin

Finding myself in a non-verbal mood these past few days. The effect of not having much to say due to the fact that I find myself caught between a rock and a hard spot at work. A hard spot that involves the trudging on of feet, the unwillingness to do so and the loss of any coherent thought on how to handle the matter, which in turn just makes me want to find a dark shadowy corner to hide in. If they can’t see me, the rock and the hard spot will go away. Right?

Blech. I really hate being in these situations.

Photo Friday: Black & White.

Late for the ball again. This is getting to be a habit, and not a very good one, the tardiness that is. Ah well, will see if we can break the habit before the next week is up... The following picture was taken last year on a warm, happy sunny day.

Black & White

Distrubing

Well, who thought that it could be a problem eating as a vegetarian? More to the point who would have thought that tofu could be a problem?

Well, according to this it might be.

Superhero extraordinaire.

There are days when I wish I were a superhero, fighting for the good of the world; amazing powers, secret identity, sexy dark form fitting outfits at my disposal and a smidgen of angst thrown in to make things interesting. There are the days when I wish I could hide behind a mask and cape, venture out into the dark and kick some villains’ butts’ vigilante style. And then there are days when I yen for the grace of some styling martial artist, those ever elusive masters who walk on walls and paralyse you with just a touch. Grace, power and discipline their garments of choice.

When it comes down to choosing what my mutant powers would be, I am never quite sure what would suite my alter ego. None of my current special abilities seem to do. Not the clumsy walking into walls, or the oafish way I swagger, or the butterfingered methods I use to grasp delicate breakable objects.

Telepathy, supernatural healing, superhuman strength, the ability to fly, to form ice from the barest hint of humidity, to crawl up walls, to control the weather or peoples minds, to disappear into thin air, to become invisible. My mind toys with each of these options, weighing, measuring, and pondering the pros and cons.

Would telepathy drive me to the brink of insanity, all the thoughts clambering at the walls of my subconscious, trying to make themselves heard. Would supernatural healing suffice or should it really be coupled with superhuman strength? Do I really want to be able to play with moisture, forming great spires/ towers of ice by thought alone or would fire be more suited to my character? Would I feel comfortable with the ability to control the thoughts of those around me, bending their will to my needs, hiding truths, blurring reality ever so slightly to protect them, or would my conscious be constantly wracked with guilt. In retrospect, perhaps it would be much easier to control the weather, less guilt involved. Do I want to soar high above the clouds, or would I much prefer to crawl up wall, a spider in the dark. And do I really have to stick to one superpower, or can I just select a multitude of them.

So, given the choice, which superpowers would you opt for

Absence of Hugin

Not to be confused with an absence of huggin' but there you go.

I haven't been posting much, been engaged in other pursuits to a certain degree, and just lacking that sharing on the internet impulse. Primarily through a lack of anything to say.

So what exactly have I been focusing on?
Good question.

Well, first there is the gym. Been doing much reading/scanning/perusing of material on the web regarding training. I tend to do that, and recently (hmm, I just used a comma before an `and' how unusual for me) doing some research/scanning/etc about women and weight training. Found an encouraging site at Stumptuous.

Then there is going to the gym. Something I'm trying to do three times a week for no more than an hour each time.

There's work, but the less discussed and the less done the better.

Reading. I've read a bunch of silly books over the last little while: Xwing book 6, Talion Revanent, Last Legionaire, Mack Bolan book 3, some Steve Perry Matador books, currently reading Eragon which is enjoyable.

Watching the occasional bit of the Stanely Cup just enough to make sure that Calgary does well but not enough to jinx them, been so-so successful on that one.

Watching a little TV, enough to see the finales of the OC, Alias and CSI. Really the only shows we watch.

Watching DVDs, at the moment consisting of the third season of Frasier. Just too good.

Doing a little bit of training my chess skills up from a basic level, they used to be moderate in ability with an erratic aspect to them. Well, they've slid a bit, so thought it would be good to reactivate that part of my brain just a little.

Still taking the occasional photographs as the weather permits, being somewhat frustrated with the lack of precise control in terms of macro focus, but then we don't have a macro lens, so I suppose you do what you can with what you have, or you complain about it. Here's to a little of both, chin chin.

rain and laundry

Why is it that on cold, rainy days all you really feel like doing is staying in and doing laundry? Is it some sort of deep seeded response, or is it just me?