Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Pic Of The Day - 01.04.15 - Do You Fit?
I guess I did more damage than I anticipated because as time went on my legs hurt more than the evening of the fall. And in case you're wondering, I'm doing much better.
I was a bit hesitant to go to the gym because anything aerobic would involve the legs. So, on Sunday I went to the gym, remembered my member identification number and did some cycling for 30 minutes. There was a bit of discomfort but it didn't kill me. So, I'll probably head back in a few days and see what happens.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Pic Of The Day - 05.06.14 - Let The Spinning Wheel Spin
On Tuesday morning I got this wild idea in my head that I wanted to go to spin class. So at lunch I started gathering my things and I couldn't find my shoes. I had just about talked myself out of going when I found them.
I showed up for the 5:30p rhythm ride class with Kelli but it was Brice. Fifteen minutes into class I was sweating like a whore in church. I didn't think I was going to be able to finish class but I did. And then the leg cramps started.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Pic Of The Day - 04.10.14
Do you ever accidentally see something in the view finder and think, "That would make a cool photo?" That's what happened with this photo.
This is a table in the café at fit. It was by the window and the light from outside created a cool reflection.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
What's Love Got To Do With It?
At Fit, there are rows of television monitors and I usually scan them to see if anything looks interesting. I can usually count on CNN to keep me entertained until Today Show starts up again.
So...this morning I see THIS yahoo being interviewed by Chris Cuomo.
The yahoo actually has a name. His name is Bill Donohue and he is president of The Catholic League.
According to their website:
The Catholic League is the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organization. Founded in 1973 by the late Father Virgil C. Blum, S.J., the Catholic League defends the right of Catholics – lay and clergy alike – to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination.
Motivated by the letter and the spirit of the First Amendment, the Catholic League works to safeguard both the religious freedom rights and the free speech rights of Catholics whenever and wherever they are threatened.
And there's more! Why is there a need for this organization?
And today’s brand of anti-Catholicism is more virulent and more pervasive than ever before in American history. While it is true that Catholics as individuals have made progress in securing their rights, the degree of hostility exhibited against the Catholic Church is appalling. Quite simply, Catholic bashing has become a staple of American society.
REALLY? The Catholic Church is under attack? Am I the last (Roman) Catholic to know this?
So...this morning, Chris Cuomo talks to the yahoo about the Anti-Gay Bill (SB 1062) that was vetoed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. The yahoo should have known better not to argue emotion because Chris was arguing facts. And the more facts he argued, the more outrageous the answers became from the yahoo.
I actually found myself laughing in disbelief at some of the answers and the unreasonable answers. I wish I could post the entire interview. You can listen to a part of it here.
And I guess the thing that really got me was when he said that love has nothing to do with marriage. According to him, marriage is about duty and commitment. If marriage is based on love, then a brother and a sister could get married.
And a couple of more things...
1. According to a recent survey, the views on gay marriage are shifting.
2. Bill Donohue DOES NOT speak for all Catholics.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Pic of the day - 01.19.14
Anywho...I had several friends running both races. Because of road closures and not being real familiar with the new course
I went to workout since I was already at Fit and then went to Starbucks to feed my daily addiction. While I was there, I received a text message that AlanTheRealtor aka AlnHouston had just crossed the 30K marker. I made my way to the portion of the course that I refer to as The Dog Leg. Memorial Drive to Shepherd to Allen Parkway. And yes, the big hand was with me.
When I saw AlanTheRealtor, I ran with him and the big hand for a few steps and wished him well down the Allen Parkway Death March. This photo I snapped is of people still on the course who may or may not have finished within the allotted time. I posted it on Instagram with the caption, "Never give up on your dreams."
Now for the rest of the story...
It was somewhat emotional being out there. Chase Dreyer had posted this photo on his Facebook page.
Chase's dad died a few months ago so Sunday he was running for his dad. I saw Chase before I saw Alan The Realtor and gave him a high 5 and then I almost cried. This is an email I sent to Chase later on Sunday:
Hi Chase,
First of all, once again, congratulations on finishing today!
Second, I hope you don't think this is a weird message. I think we've only briefly talked once at Fit a few years ago or so but there is something I want to share with you.
I don't know if you remember me giving you a high five on the Memorial Drive/Shepherd dog leg of the marathon course. I had seen your signage on your torso on Facebook page earlier so when I saw you come around the corner it really moved me.
My dad passed away the Saturday after Thanksgiving in November 2011. In late August, cancer cells had been found in his bile duct. He had several options. Chemo & radiation and maybe have another year. Do nothing and live 3 months or less. Do surgery (a very complicate procedure called Whipple Surgery) and possibly live another 5 years.
The surgeon who agreed to do the surgery only agreed to do it because he said even though my dad was 81, he had the body of a 60 year old. My dad ran his first marathon in Ft. Worth at age 50 and probably ran on a regular basis until some time in his 70s. The doctor attributed his fitness regimen to being so healthy.
I was on the course for his 2nd and 3rd marathons. I think he only ran three (and I don't mean "only" to sound like I'm discounting him) marathons. He continued to participate in 5ks and 10ks.
After watching him run those marathons, I remember thinking, "I can do that" but it wasn't until 1998 that I ran my first marathon. He came down from Ft. Worth with my mom, sister, and brother-in-law. And he came down here two other times to cheer me on. He was with me at the start line along the course and at the finish line. I've traveled to other cities to run marathons and half-marathons and always had his encouragement.
So back to 2011. I had been training for the 2012 Houston Half Marathon but I ended up going back and forth to Ft. Worth that fall in preparation for the surgery and my training schedule went out the window. I remember after the surgery the surgeon said, "I guarantee you he will not die of cancer. We removed all of the cells." The uncertainty was whether or not he would survive the surgery. It was too much for his 81 year old body and his body rejected the changes that were made.
Looking back, it's almost as if I lost all my inspiration to run when he died. I keep thinking that one day I'll get back out there (and lose all of this weight I've put on).
You really moved me today. Seeing you out there running for your dad was very inspiring. I'm sure your dad was with you every step of the way just like mine will be the next time I get out there on a long run.
Once again, congratulations and...
Thank you!
Timmy
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Mizzle
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Sunrise
This is the view from FIT. I took the photo on 1/3/13 while I was on the elliptical. The sun coming up behind the Houston skyline is always a beautiful sight.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
The End Of The Year Begins With...
It was a fluke that I was able to watch the fireworks from Sydney as the Aussies rang in 2014. You see...
I woke up at 4:15AM after sleeping on the couch for no apparent reason. I woke up The Calvinator to give him his pill and walk him and decided to head the gym. Well, I got there and they were closed. I remembered they were closing early today but didn't realize they were opening late. So, I went home and streamed the fireworks from Sydney. 7:00AM is 12:00AM there.
I saw an interview about the cost of the display. $6M (AUS) was spent and for the first time in 10 years the iconic Sydney Opera House was aglow with pyrotechnics. 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the Opera House which was controversial when it was built.
My love affair with Sydney continues. It was rather fitting that my the beginning of the last day of 2013 was started with fireworks from The Land Down Under.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Photo Journal: January 26, 2010
I went out of my way to get this pic.
Monday, October 6, 2008
dilemma
If I turned left on Gray, that would take me to West Gray which would put me within spitting distance of LeFittes. If I turned left on St. Joseph, that would eventually put me on a few streets to take me to Memorial Drive which would take me home. What to do?
This morning I woke up around 3:00a.m. and had a sore throat and was sneezing so no running for me! Knowing that I had done any physical exercise today I decided to go to LeFittes.
I'm a bit tired right now due to my illness and fitness routine but I do feel better from physical exertion. I guess I should always keep a change of clothes in the car in case I'm faced with similar
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 17.0
Last night at Krewe of Olympus's Fais Do Do I was publicly reprimanded for being a bad blogger. You see...
I have several readers who live and breath by Str8 Up With A Twist. It seems that I have let them down. I explained to one that because of my new job I don't have as much time on my hands and I don't think it would be appropriate to spend a bunch of time at work blogging. So I guess I could quit my job and blog full-time?
Just thinking about the conversation made me think of a song. This next clip is dedicated to Kenny In Montrose (KIM).
Big As A
I can't stop eating! Ever since Ike bitch slapped Houston I have been on an eating binge and I have reduced the amount of time that I spend on my fitness routine. Now...part of this has to do with the fact that
Also, the work schedule and other commitments are interfering with my workouts at LeFittes. These are not excuses but just facts.
However, I could cut back on my eating but well Houston is known for it's good food and some of my friends are good cooks and who am I to say no to a good meal? Just sayin'.
Today I was with AttyHou in The Cal Mobile and there was a lady at a service bent over putting air in her tires. Her car was a Mini Cooper and lets just say her ass was so wide you couldn't see the side of the car. Guess that is the reminder I need to cut back on my eating.
Fais Do Do
Last night Krewe of Olympus had our Fais Do Do (fundraising party). Pretty much it's a reason to get together, eat homemade Cajun food and drink adult beverages. It was a bunch of fun.
I schlepped drinks for a couple of shifts and chatted with our guests when I wasn't schlepping drinks. There were many new faces and I hope that everyone had a good time.
Needless to say, I was a bit tired this morning but I did make it to LeFittes for a workout. And in anticipation of eating quite a bit on Saturday evening, I did a quick jaunt around Memorial Park on Saturday morning.
And In Case You Missed Sarah Palin on SNL
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
P P Wednesday
Function: noun
Date: circa 1919
: a frequent subject of complaint
1. People at Memorial Park who walk or run left when they should be walking or running right.
2. People who stop in the middle of the running trail at Memorial Park and decide to have a chat.
3. People who don't clean their table at Starbucks on Memorial Drive.
4. People who plan a first time event and deem it 1st Annual. OK. It's not a 1st annual event. It is an inaugural event.
5. People at FIT who will sit in the parking lot waiting for a parking spot near the door. Uh...you're going to the gym to exercise. Will it hurt you to walk across the parking lot?
6. People who read their Blackberry during Mass.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Hello
It's getting hotter here in H-town. It's so hot (how hot is it?), The Calvinator is cutting his walks short. Seriously. When he has had enough and is ready to turn around he just stops and digs in and won't move. It's sort of like trying to get a mule to budge.
I went running this morning a bit before 800a.m. and it was already in the low 80s. In fact, when we went for our morning stroll at 630a.m. it was already 83 degrees and the humidity was high. I'm one of those people who sweats like a whore in church (no comments please) and I just can't understand those lizard people who don't sweat.
This morning as I was finishing up my 5 mile jaunt at Memorial Park, I saw a familiar face...well, familiar from his blog. It was Active Runner. I had about 1/2 a mile to go and REALLY wanted to finish so I didn't stop to chat him up. I think I surprised him though.
So I showered and went and did some weights and worked up another sweat. And showered again.
Then later on I went to AttyHou and Everyday Italian's pool and was joined by Neighbor Michael. At this point the temperature was in the 90s. OY! I didn't last long because I was sweating like a whore at The Vatican. So yes, I showered...again.
I must ask. Is it normal to take three showers in one day? Am I bordering on OCD or am I OCD?
So that's what's on my mind tonight...well that and whole bunch of other stuff that you may or not may not be interested in, like:
1) I can't figure why gas is so high in Houston when the f_cking refineries are right down the road in Texas City, La Porte and Deer Park? I'm just saying.
2) Is it normal to have a job interview at 800a on Memorial Day? Is this some kind of test?
3) I finally had to look up the words to 4 Minutes and I still don't understand part of it and I'm laughing at myself for not incorrectly singing some of the lyrics. (Lyrics I don't understand: "Keep it up, keep it up, don't be a pri..")
4) I'm wondering if Candy Shop will be remixed?
5) I don't think Betty Suarez went to Tuscon (with Henry) or Rome (with Gio). If she was going to marry Henry, that would mean she has to leave Mode and there goes the whole show. Plus, she would want her family at the wedding. I think she is afraid of Gio because she knows she belongs with him. I think she went on a trip to Mexico to visit family and get her head together.
And while I'm on the subject of Ugly Betty, did anyone else LOL when Naomi Campbell pulled out her cell phone and everybody took cover? And poor Hilda. She gets a hunkalicious love interest only to find out he is still married.
6) Did anyone watch The Bachelorette? Deanna was in her own Candy Shop. My assumption is that they don't let the guys eat any food and then do a vodka drip so the alcohol can go directly into their bloodstream. And the guy who didn't get picked and was howling at the moon? Uh...LOL
I hope everyone is having a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
LIVESTRONG Day

Friday, April 4, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Biggest Loser -Houston (sort of)

Sunday, February 24, 2008
Ramblings Of An (un)Caffeinated Mind 9.4
HillarySunday, February 17, 2008
Sunday: 3 walks with Calvin totaling 56 minutes; weight workout (abs, chest, arms)
Monday: 4 walks with Calvin totaling 45 minutes; 3 mile run at Memorial Park
Tuesday: 3 walks with Calvin totaling 49 minutes; 35 minute treadmill run (_/_\_); 60 min. spin class
Wednesday: 2 walks with Calvin totaling 25 minutes; weight workout (abs, chest, arms)
Thursday: 4 walks with Calvin totaling 46 minutes; 4 mile run at Memorial Park; 60 min. spin class
Friday: 3 walks with Calvin totaling 41 minutes
Saturday: 3 walks with Calvin totaling 45 minutes; 6 mile run at Memorial Park
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 9.2
...and I have the bosom to prove it!
photo: AP/Kevork Djansezian
Feb 13, 6:27 AM EST
Franklin slams Beyonce Grammy intro
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- When Aretha Franklin is unhappy, she does not mince words. On Tuesday, the longtime Queen of Soul slammed Beyonce Knowles' intro to Tina Turner at Sunday's Grammy Awards, in which Knowles called Turner, not Franklin, "the queen."
"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyonce," Franklin said in a statement issued by her publicist. "However, I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy."
E-mails to Knowles' publicist Yvette Noel-Schure and calls and e-mails to Recording Academy spokeswomen Jaime Sarachit and Barb Deghan were not immediately returned.
In the first few seconds of Knowles' intro to Turner's performance, she name-dropped Franklin and a long list of famed female singers. Then the "Crazy in Love" chanteuse focused on Turner.
"There is one legend who has the essence of all of those things: the glamour, the soul, the passion, the strength, the talent," said Knowles, strutting in hot pants. "Ladies and gentlemen. Stand on your feet and give it up for the queen."
At a party later that night, Knowles called Turner her "ultimate icon."
Still, Franklin ended her brief criticism on a gracious note, thanking the Grammys and the voting academy and saying, "love to Beyonce anyway."
Known for such hits as "Respect" and "Chain of Fools," Franklin tied with the Clark Sisters for best gospel performance trophy for her duet "Never Gonna Break My Faith" with Mary J. Blige.
© 2008 The Associated Press
Hillary's Dream
This was sent to me from a good friend out on the West Coast.
Driving Miss Hillary
Confessions On A Dance Floor
1. I'm already hooked on Big Brother Season 9. 2. I almost ran over a blind person and his partner tonight when they were trying to cross the street IN THE DARK
3. I've been 2-timing the people at the office on Memorial Drive. It's been really crowded and noisy and I can't always get a desk to read my paper, enjoy my coffee and use my laptop. Plus at certain points in the morning it is hell making a left turn on Memorial Drive. So if I've been to the gym (aka LeFittes) it is easier to go the big office on Shepherd @ W. Gray. I can always get a desk and it's not crowded. (I feel better now that that is off of my chest.)
4. I'm getting really frustrated trying to do this career change. I'm trying to keep my pecker up but some days...
VD
Champagne. Flowers. Balloons. Chocolate covered strawberries. Condoms. Green M&Ms.
Afew weeks ago Brechi Reborn listed 15 things that he did over the weekend. Even though they were in no particular order, #13 was Ate Green M&Ms and #15 was Did X-Rated Things. I think there is a correlation there.
I remember in high school hearing that green M&Ms were an aphrodisiac. If I remember correctly, the green M&Ms only made up 10% of the M&M production and they carried that mystical quality.
M&M has embraced the legend and I noticed that this year they have special packaging just for green M&Ms. So Brechi, this is for you! Happy VD! 

Saturday, February 9, 2008
- Sunday: 3 walks with The Calvinator totaling 43 minutes; weight workout (abs, chest, arms)
- Monday: 3 walks with The Calvinator totaling 48 minutes; 3 mile at Memorial Park.
- Tuesday: 3 walks with The Calvinator totaling 46 minutes; 35 minute treadmill run (flat, incline and decline); 60 minute spin class
- Wednesday: 2 walks with The Calvinator totaling 24 minutes; 30 minutes on elliptical machine (cross-training mode)
- Thursday: 4 walks with The Calvinator totaling 49 minutes; 3 mile run at Memorial Park; 60 minute spin class
- Friday: 3 walks with The Calvinator totaling 46 minutes
- Saturday: 3 walks with The Calvinator totaling 46 minutes; 3 mile run at Memorial Park (note: Today's run should have been 5-6 miles but my allergies have been bothering me and I just wasn't up to it. I spent most of the day on the couch and didn't even go to the gym. It what I call a Louis Armstrong Day: You can't blow it out if you ain't got it in you.)

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