Pull-Ups

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Look! A quest! 

Yes indeed, I have a new quest.  At the end of our paddling season, Coach mentioned at that one of the simplest fitness tests is the almighty pull-up.  (She may have even mentioned that 12 (!!) reps was a good number to shoot for.)

Ladies and gentleman, even after that fabulous season of paddling, I have never once in my life been able to do a pull-up.  I realized, however, that I had also never intentionally tried to change that fact.

Thus, my mission was clear, and many of my teammates have enthusiastically accepted the challenge.  I have given myself the personal goal of being able to do 3 pull-ups by Christmas.  

For the past month or so I have been walking from my place of employment to a local park, where my foe awaits me: the bar.  I guess technically it’s a set of monkey bars, but they do the trick none the less. 

The first week, no matter how hard I strained, squeaked, or ached - no matter how enthusiastically the toddlers scurrying about the playground cheered, I left in defeat.

That is, until today.

It took about a month, but my silly chinny-chin-chin can finally crest that metallic threshold.  

Once.  

With great effort.

As of this weekend, I am also armed with a bar of my own.  We set it up in our office doorway, so before I take a shower, after I take a shower, any time I feed the cat, or anytime I’m home and think about it, I can try my luck with our own personal torture unit.  Chris has been getting some good use out of it as well, which has been fun to see.

I will keep everyone posted on my progress.

(Someone mentioned my last cartoon was not up to date on my hairstyle.  Hopefully Captain Accuracy is happy now.)

Donut Day

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the lavish ways of my office, there is a tradition known as “Donut Day” that is marked on the calendars of every employee here at my firm.  This carb festival takes place on or close to the 15^th of every month in our luxurious kitchen, and is complete with many boxes of bagels, muffins, pastries, donuts and the occasional assortment of other baked options.  (During the first two months of the year there is also the welcome addition of fruit and yogurt to help the handful of folks who have resolved to avoid treats during the year, but such resolutions are nowhere to be seen by March.)

I do not usually indulge much on Donut Day since I’m not particularly fond of such treats, (I'd prefer something like nachos) though I will have the occasional bagel, especially if I have some turkey in the fridge with which to transform it into a most excellent (free) sandwich.

In any case, I have learned over time to avoid the kitchen when it is occupied by other souls, since I am constantly mocked, belittled, scoffed, scorned or occasionally overly praised for my non-donut food selections.

I pose this question to all: what is this crazy culture that attempts to guilt folks for making good choices?

Dear Winter

I know that there are many other parts of the country that have been melting in the dire, sultry heat this summer, but I assert that those super heated folks are thieves.  Yeah, you heard me - thieves!

Summer has completely skipped the majority of So. Cal this year, Santa Barbra especially.  Not only has it been windy, it has been down right foggy and frigid.  And you know what? We're sick of it!  (Especially we paddlers who are out in it at 6AM!)

That is all.

Inara Alarm Clock

I dare say, there are worse things to wake up to on a Friday.

Delights at Reception