11.23.2007

Black Friday

We were supposed to go to Dallas this weekend, but decided against it this afternoon. I was feeling a little under the weather, Amy was tired from shopping and we both wanted to take it easy this weekend.

Also, I didn't go to the gym today and spaced my eye doctor's appointment.

I think whiskey is in order.

11.22.2007

Thanksgiving
















You can see from the pics that our thanksgiving was very tasty. We had a great time at my sister's, though the kids got a little uptight by the end of the afternoon. Amy did a great job on the bird and the carvings went swimmingly.

Hope yours was great as well!

11.21.2007

FL I / Workout A / Day 5

Superset #1
Squat: 3 sets / 10 reps - 155#
Cable Seated Row: 3 sets / 10 reps - 210#

45 sec. rest between sets

Superset #2
Supine Hip Extension: 3 sets / 10 reps - body weight
Dumbbell Push Press: 3 sets / 10 reps - 45# dbs

45 sec. rest between sets

Superset #3
Rotational Lunge: 3 sets / 10 reps - 30# dbs
Swiss Ball Crunch: 3 sets / 10 reps - 45# db

I ended up going to the gym late because I wanted to see Amy after she got home from work. It wasn't too bad, but I did have to go up on the weight today. Typically, I hate going to the gym at night, but the crowd was pretty light since tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I probably won't be able to go back until after we get back from Dallas on Sunday.

How about you?

It would take 16 bottles of Paulaner Salvator to kill me

11.20.2007

FL I / Workout B / Day 4

Superset #1
Deadlift: 3 sets / 12 reps - 135#
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 sets / 12 reps - 50# dbs

60 sec. rest between sets

Superset #2
Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 sets / 10 reps - 20# dbs
Mixed-grip Lat Pulldown: 3 sets / 12 reps (each grip) - 140#

60 sec. rest between sets

Superset #3
Romanian Deadlift: 3 sets / 10 reps - 95#
Bicycle Crunch: 3 sets / 12 reps - 10# medicine ball

Today's workout was more difficult because I aggravated something in my lower back on Sunday. It hurt Monday, but less today. So, after warming up, I felt okay. By the time I made it through my first superset and went to the split squats (which are always hard), I had to do less reps. The romanian deadlifts were even tougher. It'll be touch-and-go tomorrow.

Take that, Xbox 360.


sid with braces
Originally uploaded by R. Parks
Today, we got braces.

Well, at least on the top teeth. Because of Sid's slight overbite, the orthodontist thought it would be best to wait a few months before putting on the bottom set. It only took about an hour as they had pre-set the brackets up on a model and simply set them to his teeth in one step. (I remember being in the chair for about 2 hours.)

Fortunately, we don't have get both of the kids' teeth done at the same time. We may be able to wait until Sid's are off before Cait needs them. Let's just say, it's a good thing the whole "debtor's prison " thing was abolished decades ago.


When Sidney asked what he was getting for Christmas, we said, "Braces."


Then, Cait asked what she was getting for Christmas.

"Your brother's braces."

great.


dented highlander
Originally uploaded by R. Parks
Amy was picking Sid up at my sister's last night and backed into a car parked on the street. We filed an insurance claim last night and will bring the car in on Monday to get the bumper replaced. But, between this, paying for Sid's braces and my trip overseas, Christmas is going to be a juggling act.

Quite frankly, this sucks donkey balls.

11.19.2007

I hate weeks like this . . .


candle holder and vase
Originally uploaded by R. Parks
Really, there are only threes days of actual work to be done. But everything seems to happen in those three days.

I usually feel like taking it easy the week of Thanksgiving and things in my business typically slow down around this time, but this year has been difficult, business-wise. So, we're kind of in a crunch to make our numbers.

Therefore, instead of disliking the holidays for the regular reasons - too much extra family, too much money being spent and the general stress of making everybody happy - I now have work to worry about.

Happy holidays.

11.18.2007

FL I / Workout A / Day 4

[I'm using a book called The New Rules of Lifting, but I'm not trying to do the exercises in the order dictated in the text. The author designates a number of different body types/schedule restrictions and then recommends the schedule of exercises. Since I don't think I fit into any of the categories, I'm kind of adjusting it to fit my goals.]

Superset #1
Squat: 3 sets / 12 reps - 135#
Cable Seated Row: 3 sets / 12 reps - 160#

60 sec. rest between sets

Superset #2
Supine Hip Extension: 3 sets / 12 reps - body weight
Dumbbell Push Press: 3 sets / 12 reps - 40# dbs

60 sec. rest between sets

Superset #3
Rotational Lunge: 3 sets / 12 reps - 25# dbs
Swiss Ball Crunch: 3 sets / 12 reps - 45# db


Though I don't follow the book exactly, it is full of tips on proper form and good information on warm-ups and stretches. Typically, to warm up, I will jog for 5 minutes and then do some light weight versions of the major-muscle exercises. If time permits, I will try to do 15 minutes of cardio after the workout; usually stationary bike or elliptical.

Dallas Apartment


Living Room
Originally uploaded by R. Parks
I'm now in Dallas, working out of an apartment in Irving. I moved in last week, but won't be able to really start working there until after the 8th.

But, like I wrote earlier, we're going up on Friday to finish setting everything up.

Workout Progress


running shoes
Originally uploaded by R. Parks
With all of the travelling lately, it has been hard to keep up with my workouts. I try to go to the Y in the town I'm in (most participate in something called the AWAY program), but it can be difficult to find the time. Hopefully, by keeping track online, I can not only keep up the workouts, but keep myself motivated.

As of last week, I am officially working in Dallas. The company set up an apartment in Irving and I will begin commuting to Dallas on the 10th of December. I am trying to get everything set up there, so Amy and the kids will go to Dallas with me after Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping.