• Four of my least favorite words: "reshape and dry flat."


• Having said that, I had a good day! Yesterday at work was crazy. Practically everyone on my team called out. I -- like an idiot -- went to work. I was there for ten hours. It was incredibly rough. Today was a vacation in comparison. But my boss was really pleased with my performance from yesterday. \o/


• I was amazingly productive this morning. Took Hubby to the train at 6:00, went and got the car gassed up, came home, did a good workout on the treadmill, showered & dressed, took out the garbage, made a protein shake and packed my lunch. And got to work on time. Boo-yah!


• Ha! The impostor Life on Mars has perished, not even making it to the second season like the original. Dear TV people: stop remaking perfect British TV series. You cannot improve it. The Office was lightning in a bottle. Just stop it.


• I love love love my iPhone! I've discovered why the white noise apps like Binaural Beats and Ambiance are so popular. It's absolutely the perfect stuff for me to listen to while I work and concentrate on these long complex loan credit agreements! I spent a huge part of the day listening to both apps, and when I took my headphones off, I felt like I was coming up from underwater. I can't listen to audiobooks; the talking is too distracting. Even rock music makes it hard for me to concentrate. But I could listen to thunderstorms or wind or the ocean for hours.


• Another app I've come to love: Lose It. It's a simple and elegant calorie tracker. It makes it easy to count calories and journal your food. The database is huge, plus it's easy to add your own foods. Oh, and it's free! If I have an easy system to help me work on losing weight, I will do it!


• More reasons to love mah prezdent: Obama Suspends Bush Rule on Endangered Species. Yeah, it ain't sexy, but it's the right thing to do!


• How did voting in the 2008 election look when analyzing voter incomes? FiveThirtyEight.com knows. The answer... will probably not surprise any of you. But there are cool graphs!


• "A surplus became an excuse to transfer wealth to the wealthy instead of an opportunity to invest in our future. Regulations... were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market. People bought homes they knew they couldn't afford from banks and lenders who pushed those bad loans anyway. And all the while, critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day." Our prezdent gets it.


• Off to make a "brag book" album so I can have my favorite photos on... you guessed it, my iPhone! G'night!

why I should lift weights? I mean, apart from all the reasons I intellectually already know: maintain lean mass, build strong bones, yadda yadda.

Because I just cannot care about lifting weights right now. I got on the treadmill for a while yesterday, and I think I will do some intervals on my exercise bike when I get home tonight, but getting up in the morning and going to lift weights... meh. Mega-meh.

And yes, if I'm going to go, I have to go in the mornings during the week. After work is just completely packed.

• I am at work.


• And hardly working.


• The odds of us getting out early aren't great.


• I finally bought a cool new camera bag the other day, and naturally I found it online this morning for cheaper. Arrrrgh! Oh well, way to support a local merchant? Sheesh, between this and the engine flush crap, I spent way too much money that we don't really have. Must do more research in future.


• Speaking of the camera, I am trying to buy a replacement lens cap for my telephoto lens. It is 62mm wide, not 67 like my other lens cap. Or 52 like the 50mm prime lens. ARGH. If I buy it online, even via Amazon, I will pay a redonkulous amount of money for shipping. I tried calling the local camera store, but no one was picking up. I just want to know if they will be open today, so I can swing by and grab the right size lens cap.


• Just reinstalled Greasemonkey on my PC, and added a ton of Flickr and LJ scripts. Shiny!


• So I really did go to the gym this morning around 5:50 a.m. to do a Turbulence Training strength workout... aaaaand the gym was closed. They must be opening later due to the NYE holiday. So of course I turned around, went home, read LJ, and didn't work out at all. My plan now is to get on the treadmill this evening, before the NYE party. Not only will I get a workout in, I will earn useful activity points for party noshing. Plus working out after dinner seems to keep me up late, so I should make it to midnight!


• I need to make backup plans for when I can't work out. I still tend to be a little all-or-nothing when it comes to exercise.


• redstapler's gym is not only offering a free weight loss plan to its members, but you can win valuable prizes! Weight loss + prizes = \o/


• Hubby thinks we can move the fridge downstairs to the rec room, if we get rid of the sofa down there, and then I can still park my car in the garage while the remodeling is going on! Hmmmmm. I don't know if that will work. But I appreciate him trying to devise a way for me to not have to park in the driveway this winter.


• PS, we will have a lot of furniture to donate: two sofas, a dining room set, coffee & end tables. Everything is in pretty good shape, except the small two-seater sofa which has been used as a kitty scratch pad. But if you're handy, you can re-cover it and it will be fine. If you are interested in any of this stuff, please let me know. Otherwise it's all going to Homefront.


• I have a funny concept for today's and tomorrow's Photo of the Day. I hope I can make it work.

lubedpumpkin

Aug. 29, 2007 - ZIP codes are more than just a way to deliver mail,they can say a lot about their residents—and not just the ones living in California’s famed 90210. In a study published in the September issue of the journal Social Science & Medicine, University of Washington researchers found that adults living in ZIP codes with the highest property values were the slimmest, and those living in ZIP codes with the lowest property values were the fattest. The findings show that there is significant geographic variation in the obesity problem, and that this variation is very much tied to socioeconomic status and diet. Is this yet another reason for Americans to feel bad about not living on McMansion row? Would people lose weight if they moved to a tonier town? NEWSWEEK’s Karen Springen talked to the study’s lead author, Adam Drewnowski, director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition and professor of epidemiology and medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: You looked at 8,803people in 74 ZIP codes in the Seattle area and found that those living in areas with the highest property values were the thinnest. The inverse was true for those living in the lowest-property-value ZIP codes. Why? Is it because they have less disposable income to spend on healthy food, and they feel less safe going outside and exercising?
Adam Drewnowski:It's a combination of everything. We're using where people live as anindex of what's called socioeconomic position, which is usually predicted by education and income and occupation. We think that knowing where people live—not the exact address, but the neighborhood—tells youa lot about poverty and wealth. For most Americans, their biggest single asset is their house. If you live in a nice neighborhood with nice property values, that tells us something about who you are. For example, property values determine taxes, which in turn determine support of schools. The nature of the neighborhood determines access to healthy foods.

Do ZIP codes affect grocery stores?
Take a look at Whole Foods [the organic supermarket] in Seattle, I think now they're in three locations. One is by the University of Washington, which means education. The second is on the east side, close to Microsoft, which means income and education. The third is downtown. Nice stores set themselves up in areas with buying power. In underserved or disadvantaged poor neighborhoods, you will not get very much other than, in some cases, fast food. People will be buying their groceries at the gas station.

ZIONSVILLE, Ind., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Mary Miller of Zionsville, Ind., a petite 65-year-old grandmother of five, is one of the world's strongest women -- and she has the world record to prove it.

Miller last month set a world record in the bench press for her age and weight class, lifting 115.5 pounds during a World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters competition in Lansing, Mich., The Indianapolis Star reported.

The previous record was 95 pounds.

Miller plans to lift 120 pounds in November at the world championships in Anaheim, Calif., the newspaper said.

Miller started lifting about 15 years ago when she realized she was beginning to lose muscle mass. She and her husband, Curt, started to work with personal trainer Pete Rogers.

"When we started out, I just wanted to stay fit," she told the Star. "Pete made everything happen. He made me believe in the strength I have."

Miller said she also has a genetic connection to physical strength -- her father was a 5-foot-4-inch, 135-pound boxer. He died at age 95.

gymrats

Man arrested for having big muscles

Published: 13th August 2007 08:30 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/8168/

A well-built man was forced to take a drugs test in Stockholm recently after a police officer assumed that muscles like his could only have been developed with the help of illegal substances.

The female assistant police officer got into a conversation with Tomislav Boduljak and his friend late at night in central Stockholm.

According to Boduljak, 27, the police officer was pleasant at first,but changed her attitude when he said he worked out. Saying his muscles were 'abnormal', she said he must have used drugs.

"I asked if she didn't think it possible that I work out a lot and eat well. She said that if someone looks like me, she assumes they have taken drugs," he told Metro.

Despite Boduljak's assurances that he didn't use steroids, she forced him to go to the police station and give a urine test. In her report, the officer said he had "unusually large muscles, particularly large arm muscles, which are a sign of steroid use. "The test was negative, and Boduljak made an official complaint against the police officer. Prosecutors looked into the case, but decided not to pursue it.

Janne Magnusson, an officer at Stockholm Police's drugs unit, told Metro that he thought that the officer had been "a bit too ambitious".

After my late shift last night, I decided to go run some errands, which turned into code for "buy a lot of stuff." I went to the huge Nassau Park shopping center, which is actually not horrible on a weeknight.

Best Buy: Got some new workout headphones, because those other ones just weren't, erm, working out. Hubby called from DC just as I walked in, so I wandered around and talked with him about what I was looking at.

PetSmart: Tasty and nootrishous kitteh foods, and kitteh litter. They also had those little plastic tops you can put on the kitteh food cans to seal them! We had one for our family cat's food, but that was a freebie from the vet's, and I hadn't seen them at the store before. A guy was walking his Newfoundlands (I think?) around the store, and they were gorgeous! Also tortured myself by looking at the kittehs for adoption. I could have taken them all home with me! (Fido & Tulum: "Uh, think not.") There was also a puppy training class going on, so I peeked in and cooed at the puppehs.

Yankee Candle: Bought a big vanilla and lime candle for the TV/workout/kitteh litterbox room. Because sweet cute kittehs make-um big stinkies! Candles really seem to help. The store already has their fall stuff out, and they were advertising a Halloween Spooktacular on August 7 and 8. Ack! Do not want yet! (In 5 days it's August 1. How farked up is that?)

Dick's Sporting Goods: Went in to browse around treadmills and see what was on offer. Um, not a lot. I was very amused by one with a whole iPod dock and speakers in the top! I snapped some photos with my phone so I could research them later.

Omni Fitness: Closes at 7:00 p.m.? How nice for them. I will be going back tonight after work to check in there.

Verizon Wireless: Wanted to see what Bluetooth headsets they had. They had brand names -- Motorola, LG, Plantronics -- but no model numbers. I asked the saleslady if it would be possible to try any on. She found two in the back. I'm so glad I asked, because there was quite a difference in comfort levels. The first one actually hurt; the second was much nicer. I said, "This costs more, doesn't it?" She said yup, but only $10. So don't cheap out on the headsets. I went with the second one, pictured here. The saleslady said my phone shouldn't have a problem with connecting to the headset, and I could bring it back if I had any issues. Sweet.

Dear Verizon: You should really have models open for people to try on! I probably wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't been sure it would feel OK on. My recent experience with the headphone shopping has hipped me to the fact that I might have kind of weird-shaped ears.

Tried the new workout headphones this morning. They go around the back of your head and sort of clip around your ear. The phones sit on your ear, not inside. They were much more comfortable, and I could still hear sounds around me. Again, don't cheap out on anything you attach to your ear!

The Bluetooth was so easy to set up! I charged it overnight (agh, another thing that has a plug and needs to be recharged!) I just had to turn it on on my phone, then pair the device, and it took two minutes! Then I called Hubby on it, and he said he couldn't tell the difference between hearing me talk on the phone normally and through the headset! It just boggles my mind that I can talk normally and you can hear me, even though the receiver is up by my cheek. So now I'm ready for when the Cybermen come to take over.

So that was quite the productive evening!

• Best mashup in the world: Pussycat Dolls "Doncha" + Prince "When the Doves Cry." Amazing!


• I set up X-Files to DVR this afternoon. It's the "Orison" episode -- yes, with my TV boyfriend Nick. His second appearance on the show playing the same character, Donnie Pfaster. I've seen it before, but there's a shot of him in tighty whities, and it's breathtaking! I'm sure he's very intelligent and a good person, but damn. BEEFCAKE! (It's on at 5 p.m. ET on Sci Fi!)


• I totally failed at self-control at this weekend's food events. I scarfed food at the party on Friday night. Then I ate bingey food before our guests came over for dinner, plus I had two helpings of ribs. Ugh, I felt so gross even this morning. I didn't think calling out for fatness would be acceptable, so I had some Pepto and came to work. Yay me.


• I did make my own barbecue sauce from scratch yesterday, thank you very much! Hubby said it was not bad, but I guess to him it's not as good as Gates barbecue sauce from Kansas City. But I liked it. So there.


• Plus this Thursday is the day I'm taking off to hang out with Dr. H. Still don't know what we're doing, but hey! We won't be at work, and that's the point!


• Another thing to discuss with the designer lady about our living room: we desperately need more comfy chairs so when we have guests over, we can sit with our coffee and chat. Everyone stayed at the dining room table after dinner last night, and the chairs get kind of hard after a while.


• Our one friend brought her boyfriend to dinner last night, but gave Hubby the heads-up that she might be breaking up with him. I'm not 100% sure why. He seems nice and fun. He has kids, but if that doesn't put her off, then I'm not sure what the problem is. So that may have been the last time we see him. Odd!


• Hubby's pal and best man from our wedding is still single, and I don't understand that either. You've never met a guy more eager to settle down, get married, kids, dog, et cetera. He's cute, he loves kids, he's funny and smart. Yet every single female we know makes this face when we suggest him as a potential date, like, "Ohhhhhh, I don't think so..." I doangeddit.


• We stopped in at the Princeton Fete on Saturday. The big draw seems to be the flea market and rides for the kids. We don't care for flea markets all that much, and we have no kids, so we didn't stick around for a long time. We did try to meet up with our friend who was on the organizing committee, and we called her from the stage where the music was playing, so she knows we were there. We also said hi to another friend who can verify our attendance.


• OK, got work to do. See ya later.

Hubby and I got to Dr. M and Dr. H's around 5:00 last night for their cookout, and we had a blast! They got all the food from Whole Foods (so the hot dogs had actual meat in them!), and everything was delicious.

We finally got to meet their cool new neighbors from across the street. H has been raaaaving about them for months now. CC and Nacho (yes, that's a nickname) showed up one night at Dr. M and Dr. H's and invited them to dinner at their house! (Isn't it usually supposed to be you invite your new neighbors over? But hey!) She's French, he's Spanish, they met in London working for the same pharmaceutical company, and now they work here. They already invited M and H to their August wedding! In Spain! How cool is that! They are tons of fun. The six of us ended up sitting out in M & H's backyard drinking wine and talking till 10:00! I've already decided we have to have them all over to our house for a cookout soon.

Between staying up having fun, and getting up early to hit the gym (weights, baby, pumping iron), I am pooped.