Boy, do I have some Tales to Tell...
What is it about company road trips that makes people crazy? Yesterday, 17 people from my work team went out on a "team building" event. We drove up to the Hudson Valley to a sheep farm that makes cheese. We had directions. Why didn't we follow them? What normally took 2.5 hours, took 3 on the way up and 4 on the way back.
What is it about some people and directions? Follow the directions; especially when they come from the place you are visiting. Chances are they have done that drive a billion times and know the most direct route.
What is it about some people and highways? Backroads are called backroads because they fucking set you BACK!!!!! They don't save time. They are not logical. You can easily get lost!!!
What is it about some people and maps? It's easy. If the highways intersect, they will show it on the map. Even though the highways touch, doesn't mean you can get on. See that break in the road, it means you are either going under a bridge or over it. Just because you can move your finger from one part to another part of the map, does not mean you can drive your car that way.
What is it about some people and taking directions? Uh, since we got lost on the way to AND I got us back on track by reading the map, AND we are lost on the way back, AND I am telling you to go this way not that, CHANCES ARE I am leading you in the right direction AGAIN!!! It's not meant to be punitive or mean, I am just trying to get back to NYC since you have been whining about us being lost and done nothing about it.
We did build a team. We did have a good time while at the farm (lambs are cute). We had a decent lunch albeit it was at 5:00pm. We were paid for the day and all the expenses taken care of. I still do love my team at work. I did learn that I will never ever take a road trip with my team unless I plan the damn thing. Later.
This gymrat is pooped. When I started my new job, I was all gung-ho about working out for myself and going to work. I am still excited about my new job; now more than ever. The "working out" part... well... not so much. I just don't have the need, the motivation, or the patience.
The first time this all happened was one Thursday morning. I had planned to lift and take a step class before heading to work. First, I decided to forego the step class. Then, the lifting went out the window. It all really came to a screeching halt after I called my best friend in Jersey. Then Golden Girls came on. What has happened to me?
I am trying to figure out a way to motivate myself. It does not help when I show up for a class expecting a workout only to barely break a sweat because the class is... not so good. Any suggestions out there? Maybe I should try a new type of exercise? I don't know. It all seems so... laborious. Later.
I need to do more cardio. When I was a full-time instructor, I did so much running around from gym to gym to teach around 12 cardio classes a week that I never worried about caloric deficit. After I switched to part-time instruction, I had gotten to a point where I just needed to do cardio about 3-4 times a week and I maintained my physique. I also began seriously lifting weights. Up went the muscle mass, away wasted the calories.
Since I only teach 2 classes now, a body sculpt and an abdominals class, well... let's just say that I burn more calories walking in and out of the subway. I have continued to lift weights AND have continued to eat like usual. Actually, since I get a discount at work, food is currently plentiful in this house. Not that I am complaining but I am endomorphic... damn it.
So, I am going to take a step class this morning. I don't care who teaches, I am just going to try to lose some calories. I have to work at 2:00pm but I need to stop using that as an excuse. I need to remind myself to take at least 3 cardio classes per week or at least a combination of teach & take three cardio classes total. I really cannot stand using cardio equipment of any sort. I don't run; I don't even run for the train at 3:00 in the morning - another will be by shortly. I just need to go to class.
I am 34 years-old in a happy seven year relationship. We are still going strong. It's simultaneously stimulating and comforting. It's not good for our waists (ask my partner!). Or was it the roasted red pepper & smoked mozzarella ravioli with mushroom marinara with sauteed kale? I just have to make it to step class. It's not getting easier. Damn it. Later.
Okay, I admit it. I miss teaching Step class. There, I said it. I taught a step class this morning for the first time in three weeks. I missed it. I had a couple of ex-groupies of mine in class. They did not know I was teaching. They just showed up and... BAM! There I was. They seemed glad to see me. They hooted and hollered. We had a ball. Even the ones who did not know who I was started screaming. As I ended class, for the first time in a very long time, I listened and heard why most instructors teach. Applause always feels good. It's vain but it's quite the motivator. It felt very good.
Just not good enough to pick up a permanent class. Later.
It's been two weeks since I did any type of cardiovascular exercise. I haven't visibly blown-up since work does require me to keep moving around at quite a brisk pace. Not to mention the big wheels of cheese that I have to move once in a while. I do feel... well... blehckh! It's that feeling of needing to have my blood circulating much faster. I think I will take the 9:30am Step class tomorrow morning since I don't have to be at work 'til 2pm.
I have been lifting a lot more to compensate for my lack of cardio. I went back to a gym where I used to lift before I would teach a class. One of the regulars who has NEVER said a word to me, and I would dare say ever glanced at me, came up and said that I look very lean & strong. Made me feel good since he is this 6' 3" shredded black guy. I assume he knows what he is talking about. I am choosing to believe he does.
My best friend's son's blessing went quite dandy. Short, sweet, poignant, and meaningful. Every single ceremony should be that way. For someone who just gave birth 5 months ago, she sure looks good. Even her husband is looking good. Happiness really can do wonders for your appearance. Her husband's brother, who was the Best Man at the wedding (I was her Man of Honor), looked really HOT!!!!!!! Wonder why I didn't get to dance with him during the wedding reception? Oh yeah, it would have turned New Jersey upside-down. Plus he is married with two kids and I think she would not have approved. Anyway, opportunity lost. Later.
Can someone please tell me where the other "internets" are? All this time, I have been on just this one. I feel jipped.
This weekend, I will be attending the non-religious spiritual welcoming of my best friend's first born. Apparently, we are to think about what we are going to offer her son as a welcoming promise into this world. I think I will promise to make sure he never goes hungry. I know I can at least give that to him.
She called me at 8:00am the other day to see if I was still working out even though I now work a 40-hour week. We used to be workout fanatics. Now, the hardest thing she does is vacuum her house. She says she gives me a month and I will no longer be going to the gym regularly.
The scary thing is, she tends to be right about me. Always. Later.
My first week at my new job is done. It's the first time I have worked a 40-hour week in... in... I can't even remember. So far, I love it. I got asked by one of the Shift Leaders (Assitant General Managers, to those of you in the corporate cog-dom) if I was looking for a career. Scarily, without any hesitation, I replied "Yes".
Apparently, a lot of the people who know me from the gym also shop at this store. I love the look that I get when they realize it's me. It's the "wait-aren't-you-that-guy-who-teaches-class-at-NYSC-who-is-half-naked-all-the-time?" look. There are also a good number of "ex-friends" who I used to... to... "chat" with. My past is catching up with me.
One other thing, I don't miss the gym. I had a day of melancholy right before I started working but that was it. I taught on yesterday and loved it. I guess it's the knowledge that I don't have force myself to get motivated to "jump around" more than once or twice a week. If at all. Later.
