My new gym has a Biggest Loser program. They're actually the developers of Biggest Loser, and NBC purchased the rights to use the program as the basis for their tv show.
My first weigh-in was on 1/23, at 206 lbs. Just the week before I had been weighed in for joining the gym, and was at 199. Weird. Maybe staying in during Snowpocalypse was really really bad for me?
Our first official weight-in was 1/31. I came in at 203. I hope this is progress and not just the scale moving about. That week following weigh-in, I worked out 4 out of 7 days. That's what I'm shooting for. I want to get one personal training session in per week, and then two weight/cardio sessions at the gym by myself, and one weekend day when I ride my bike.
Riding the bike is important, because I need to be prepared for the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride this summer. I signed up for a few other cycling events, too, to get me pumped for STP. My first one is 2/26: the Chilly Hilly ride around Bainbridge Island. It's approximately 33 miles, and is both cold and hilly. It's not a race, which is good. Last weekend I rode for about 25 miles from my house to Gasworks, out to Ballard, and down to Elliott Bay before heading home. This Saturday, I plan to ride out to Woodinville and back to celebrate the re-opening of the Burke Gilman trail! I might go with my neighbors, who are also doing Chilly Hilly.
My next BL weigh-in is 2/13. I will have worked out 4 out of 7 days for two weeks, been taking care to make better food choices (though you know I splurged during Super Bowl and wine tasting in Oregon), and taking vitamins and supplements to help ensure my muscles are in top working order. Extended cardio (over 45 minutes) saps nutrients from your muscles; you need adequate protein to help your muscles repair themselves. I started taking a glutamine supplement, and have not been as sore as I was before. Coupled with an Active Multivitamin, I feel really good :)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Monday, December 26, 2011
I want 2012 to be BIG
I want to try my hand at boxing. Not kickboxing...BOXING! With a bag! I don't want to hit other people, but it'd be cool I think and some form of "self defense" training, which I have been wanting anyway.
I might take a new language. Portuguese? French?
I'm doing the STP, and a bunch of training rides for it. I might invest in a real road bike.
I'm thinking about my next move. It seems the company is moving very slow about potentially making a Portland office. So now, I'm thinking, since 2012 is going to be a BIG year for being HAPPY and adventurous, I want to move to Wallingford. Maybe back to Fremont, but Fremont proper. We'll see.
I would be excited to hear any suggestions you have for making 2012 BIG and HAPPY and ADVENTUROUS! :)
I might take a new language. Portuguese? French?
I'm doing the STP, and a bunch of training rides for it. I might invest in a real road bike.
I'm thinking about my next move. It seems the company is moving very slow about potentially making a Portland office. So now, I'm thinking, since 2012 is going to be a BIG year for being HAPPY and adventurous, I want to move to Wallingford. Maybe back to Fremont, but Fremont proper. We'll see.
I would be excited to hear any suggestions you have for making 2012 BIG and HAPPY and ADVENTUROUS! :)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Birthday 2012
I know it's months off, but I've decided this year's birthday party will be at the Lynnwood Skate and Bowl. They have a party package that includes dinner, two drink tix per guest, an hour and a half of bowling, followed by two hours of roller skating. $35 per guest. Awesome! I'm already thinking about the invitations will look like.
Plus my birthday is on a SATURDAY this year. Hooray!
It's also the first ride in the training series for the Seattle to Portland bicycle classic. I'll spend my morning/early afternoon riding the Seward Park loop (25 miles).
Excite!
Plus my birthday is on a SATURDAY this year. Hooray!
It's also the first ride in the training series for the Seattle to Portland bicycle classic. I'll spend my morning/early afternoon riding the Seward Park loop (25 miles).
Excite!
Friday, December 16, 2011
MTME: Allen Stone
I don't think it's any secret or surprise this most recent MTME post is in regards to the hugely talented Allen Stone. Since seeing him play at the Wild Buffalo in early October, I have probably listened to his second album 200 times. Seriously. It's a good thing I bought a digital copy, because I will listen to it 2, 3, sometimes 4 times a day. In fact, as a Christmas present to the fam, I am taking everyone to see him play with the Seattle Rock Orchestra at The Neptune in January.
He has some of the most soulful and catchy songs I've heard in a long time. My favorite on the album is "Satisfaction", but I do love "Sleep" and "Celebrate Tonight", "Say So", and a single (you can find on Spotify), "Another Break Up Song". He can slow it down, too. "Unaware"...I cannot keep myself from rocking back and forth in my chair whenever that one comes on. You can feel everything he's saying.
Live, he and the band are very entertaining. He's got a stellar group of guys, including a brass section. Can't wait for January!
He has some of the most soulful and catchy songs I've heard in a long time. My favorite on the album is "Satisfaction", but I do love "Sleep" and "Celebrate Tonight", "Say So", and a single (you can find on Spotify), "Another Break Up Song". He can slow it down, too. "Unaware"...I cannot keep myself from rocking back and forth in my chair whenever that one comes on. You can feel everything he's saying.
Live, he and the band are very entertaining. He's got a stellar group of guys, including a brass section. Can't wait for January!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
MTME: Bumbershoot 2011, Monday
Last one from Bumbershoot.
Quadron
Electronic soul. Very different! The lead singer had a phenomenal voice, and the music was mostly upbeat. Great way to start off the last day.
Grand Hallway
The lead singer from Grand Hallway has performed with The Maldives before, and I knew he was a wonderful artist. He has a fairly high voice, kind of sounds like heaven. They were enjoyable, but unfortunately, a lot of the music is repetitive sounding.
Lemolo
Two young ladies, a drum set, keyboard and a guitar from Seattle. They are self-described dream pop. The EMP Level 3 stage was a good fit. I rather enjoyed their music. It was pretty dreamy, but then they'd break into these runs and just rock out with so much passion!
Greensky Bluegrass
A bluegrass band. I was a little disappointed. Or maybe just tired. They play around here often.
Eisley
Girl-fronted rock band. Pretty good. Nothing spectacular, unfortunately.
My paper says I saw Sharon Van Etten, but I don't remember her. Maybe we went to the Starbucks lounge instead. I'm telling you, free drinks! Almost their whole menu!
Vendetta Red
AGGHH! VR is getting back together, agggghhh! Okay, it's not that big a deal to me, more just that one of the old rock bands is back together. Kind of a nostalgia thing. And although the audience for them was small (they've been broken up since 2006, none of the young kids know them), their fans are still rabid. Not many people, but enough for lead singer crowd surfing, apparently! So much energy, and I was surprised to remember a few of the old songs (they played at WWU a few times). Their bassist is the guy from Schoolyard Heroes (moment of silence for another AWESOME disbanded Seattle band). Glad to see they're back at it.
Two more Decibel Festival bands: SPLATINUM and Truckasaurus. Okay, we pretty much skipped the latter...The former were dressed in these wacky robes, and at one point brought their toddler on stage. Adorable. Also, pretty entertaining for electronic music.
Ended Bumbershoot with a beautiful (visually and audibly) show by Phantogram. They're actually electronic too, but this one was out under the stars by the fountain (perfect!) The key to electronic music: having a SINGER, instead of just DJ's. The lead singer gal for this band makes sweet sweet music. Check them out on Spotify. I love "Mouthful of Diamonds".
And that was it for Bumbershoot! A lot more local acts, fewer bands I was psyched to see, but discovered a lot of great music. Best shows of the festival: DEFINITELY Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Presidents of the United States of America, Astronautalis, STRFKR and Mad Rad. Hip hop definitely shined in 2011!
Quadron
Electronic soul. Very different! The lead singer had a phenomenal voice, and the music was mostly upbeat. Great way to start off the last day.
Grand Hallway
The lead singer from Grand Hallway has performed with The Maldives before, and I knew he was a wonderful artist. He has a fairly high voice, kind of sounds like heaven. They were enjoyable, but unfortunately, a lot of the music is repetitive sounding.
Lemolo
Two young ladies, a drum set, keyboard and a guitar from Seattle. They are self-described dream pop. The EMP Level 3 stage was a good fit. I rather enjoyed their music. It was pretty dreamy, but then they'd break into these runs and just rock out with so much passion!
Greensky Bluegrass
A bluegrass band. I was a little disappointed. Or maybe just tired. They play around here often.
Eisley
Girl-fronted rock band. Pretty good. Nothing spectacular, unfortunately.
My paper says I saw Sharon Van Etten, but I don't remember her. Maybe we went to the Starbucks lounge instead. I'm telling you, free drinks! Almost their whole menu!
Vendetta Red
AGGHH! VR is getting back together, agggghhh! Okay, it's not that big a deal to me, more just that one of the old rock bands is back together. Kind of a nostalgia thing. And although the audience for them was small (they've been broken up since 2006, none of the young kids know them), their fans are still rabid. Not many people, but enough for lead singer crowd surfing, apparently! So much energy, and I was surprised to remember a few of the old songs (they played at WWU a few times). Their bassist is the guy from Schoolyard Heroes (moment of silence for another AWESOME disbanded Seattle band). Glad to see they're back at it.
Two more Decibel Festival bands: SPLATINUM and Truckasaurus. Okay, we pretty much skipped the latter...The former were dressed in these wacky robes, and at one point brought their toddler on stage. Adorable. Also, pretty entertaining for electronic music.
Ended Bumbershoot with a beautiful (visually and audibly) show by Phantogram. They're actually electronic too, but this one was out under the stars by the fountain (perfect!) The key to electronic music: having a SINGER, instead of just DJ's. The lead singer gal for this band makes sweet sweet music. Check them out on Spotify. I love "Mouthful of Diamonds".
And that was it for Bumbershoot! A lot more local acts, fewer bands I was psyched to see, but discovered a lot of great music. Best shows of the festival: DEFINITELY Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Presidents of the United States of America, Astronautalis, STRFKR and Mad Rad. Hip hop definitely shined in 2011!
MTME: Bumbershoot 2011, Sunday
I know, I am WAY behind on these. But honestly, who finds the time to blog?
The Lonely Forest
Great local band, finally making it. These guys are from Anacortes, and I saw them play when they were still in high school (I think)...at least, I was still in college :) They had a single out on the radio this summer on 107.7. I really enjoy them!
Mad Rad
Holy fuck. I'd heard of these guys, but not their reputation. They're a rap group from Seattle. With names like P Smoov, Buffalo Madonna, and Radjaw, and DJ Darwin...their songs are titled things like "Party Mountain" and "I Want Your Blood"...whatever you do, SEE THEM LIVE! Because they bring it like almost no one else. Their music is nasty and crazy, almost exclusively sex, drugs, and craziness. And the crowd goes WILD. A couple of them work at Neumos, but not too long ago, they were all kicked out and the cops called on them there. They were banned for some time. This is how crazy these MC's are.
AgesandAges
I have them marked down on my paper but I don't remember seeing them. Tells you a lot...
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Ah, yes, we went to see this amazing singer while downing free Starbucks at the lounge. The Starbucks Lounge is awesome...Probably drank like $20 worth of drinks for free, plus had a good view of their stage. Jessica Lea is only 22, but she sings like she's seen a life of heartache. She recorded her first EP at 15. Depressing, but beautiful and poignant music. And she play guitar, which is always nice in a female singer/songwriter.
Warpaint
This band is made up of four young ladies. The music a'ight. I probably bobbed my head. Not terribly memorable, though.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
We arrived an hour early, and STILL had to sit in the top bowl of Key Arena. Mack "sold" that place the fuck out! What a show to remember. These men are Seattle boys, bringing the local hip hop scene to an increasingly national stage. Macklemore, 3 years sober, sings often of his experiences with drugs and alcohol, growing up as a white kid who loves rap, fidelity (with his very long-time girlfriend), and had a hit single this summer about his obsession with Nike's and disgust for consumerism, called "Wings". It's rap with brains. And he brings the party just as hard as Mad Rad. Ryan Lewis makes the magic happen, laying down the beatz.
Lusine
One more Decibel Stage guy. Probably liked him better than some of the others, but again, my heart's not in it with DJ sets.
The Lonely Forest
Great local band, finally making it. These guys are from Anacortes, and I saw them play when they were still in high school (I think)...at least, I was still in college :) They had a single out on the radio this summer on 107.7. I really enjoy them!
Mad Rad
Holy fuck. I'd heard of these guys, but not their reputation. They're a rap group from Seattle. With names like P Smoov, Buffalo Madonna, and Radjaw, and DJ Darwin...their songs are titled things like "Party Mountain" and "I Want Your Blood"...whatever you do, SEE THEM LIVE! Because they bring it like almost no one else. Their music is nasty and crazy, almost exclusively sex, drugs, and craziness. And the crowd goes WILD. A couple of them work at Neumos, but not too long ago, they were all kicked out and the cops called on them there. They were banned for some time. This is how crazy these MC's are.
AgesandAges
I have them marked down on my paper but I don't remember seeing them. Tells you a lot...
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Ah, yes, we went to see this amazing singer while downing free Starbucks at the lounge. The Starbucks Lounge is awesome...Probably drank like $20 worth of drinks for free, plus had a good view of their stage. Jessica Lea is only 22, but she sings like she's seen a life of heartache. She recorded her first EP at 15. Depressing, but beautiful and poignant music. And she play guitar, which is always nice in a female singer/songwriter.
Warpaint
This band is made up of four young ladies. The music a'ight. I probably bobbed my head. Not terribly memorable, though.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
We arrived an hour early, and STILL had to sit in the top bowl of Key Arena. Mack "sold" that place the fuck out! What a show to remember. These men are Seattle boys, bringing the local hip hop scene to an increasingly national stage. Macklemore, 3 years sober, sings often of his experiences with drugs and alcohol, growing up as a white kid who loves rap, fidelity (with his very long-time girlfriend), and had a hit single this summer about his obsession with Nike's and disgust for consumerism, called "Wings". It's rap with brains. And he brings the party just as hard as Mad Rad. Ryan Lewis makes the magic happen, laying down the beatz.
Lusine
One more Decibel Stage guy. Probably liked him better than some of the others, but again, my heart's not in it with DJ sets.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Oddest massage experience ever.
Okay, I know I'm over a month past my last update, but I just had to relay this story.
I bought two daily deals because it was such a steal. $30 for a 90 min massage. It's a block from Cafe Flora, so I thought "decent block, won't be a bad place to go" and the description of the salon didn't make it sound off or anything.
My appt was for 6pm. Got there on time. Had a hard time finding it because it was on the backside of the block-long building of various shops. Cute boutiques, a cupcake store, etc.
The salon is definitely one of those "I go there because I know it's there" places, not some place you drop by because it looks nice from the street. It was kind of run down and poorly lit. There were only 3 chairs, it was all in one smallish room. And it was a weave and braids salon. I was the only whitey there. Which, I know, is not a very sensitive thing to notice, but EVERYONE stared at me when I walked in.
The masseuse was the only male in the salon. Which also makes me kind of uncomfortable.
The massage area is partitioned off from the rest of the salon by a fake wall in the back of the room. The wall didn't go to the ceiling, there was about a foot and a half of clearance, so I could hear everything going on in the salon. Not very relaxing. The space was incredibly small and dim!
I got headphones for "soothing music" because he didn't have speakers.
There was a mini fridge and microwave in the massage room.
OH! And when I walked in, there was a little dog, I pet it and the masseuse says "Yes, that's Action Jackson. He'll be in there, too. He has a little bed under the massage table. He's my service dog."
The masseuse had several gold front teeth and long braids.
I swear I am bruised all over (you can't see them but my skin hurts to the touch all over) because, despite asking four times, he gave me the most painful deep tissue massage I've ever received. After I asked for a Swedish massage. I told him I was sore from a workout the day before, but nevermind that.
I had the feeling something wasn't quite right with him socially. At one point I said my mid-back was really tight, and so he needs to go easy on it, and he responded (I got this a few times) "Oh yeah, I'm really good at disarming the nerves." and went on digging into the muscle. I've never had my kidneys massaged, but I'm pretty sure that's what hurt so much.
At the end of the massage, he said that the massage is designed to remove [long list of "toxins"] from your muscles, so be sure to drink lots of water to flush the system. I don't remember the list of toxins, except "herbs and spices" were the last two he said. I know you're supposed to try and flush your system after a professional masage, I just thought herbs and spices were funny. They weren't meant to be funny
I felt sorry for the guy, he just seemed so odd, I gave him a normal tip. He saw what I wrote on my check and said "Well, for customers who give me a tip over $10 (which I was giving), I like to give them one of my Auntie's homemade soaps" which were for sale in the front display case, along with cheap rhinestone jewelry. So, although that was weird, it was pretty nice. The soap smells really good.
And then he walked me to my car.
Oddest massage experience ever. Not relaxing whatsoever.
I bought two daily deals because it was such a steal. $30 for a 90 min massage. It's a block from Cafe Flora, so I thought "decent block, won't be a bad place to go" and the description of the salon didn't make it sound off or anything.
My appt was for 6pm. Got there on time. Had a hard time finding it because it was on the backside of the block-long building of various shops. Cute boutiques, a cupcake store, etc.
The salon is definitely one of those "I go there because I know it's there" places, not some place you drop by because it looks nice from the street. It was kind of run down and poorly lit. There were only 3 chairs, it was all in one smallish room. And it was a weave and braids salon. I was the only whitey there. Which, I know, is not a very sensitive thing to notice, but EVERYONE stared at me when I walked in.
The masseuse was the only male in the salon. Which also makes me kind of uncomfortable.
The massage area is partitioned off from the rest of the salon by a fake wall in the back of the room. The wall didn't go to the ceiling, there was about a foot and a half of clearance, so I could hear everything going on in the salon. Not very relaxing. The space was incredibly small and dim!
I got headphones for "soothing music" because he didn't have speakers.
There was a mini fridge and microwave in the massage room.
OH! And when I walked in, there was a little dog, I pet it and the masseuse says "Yes, that's Action Jackson. He'll be in there, too. He has a little bed under the massage table. He's my service dog."
The masseuse had several gold front teeth and long braids.
I swear I am bruised all over (you can't see them but my skin hurts to the touch all over) because, despite asking four times, he gave me the most painful deep tissue massage I've ever received. After I asked for a Swedish massage. I told him I was sore from a workout the day before, but nevermind that.
I had the feeling something wasn't quite right with him socially. At one point I said my mid-back was really tight, and so he needs to go easy on it, and he responded (I got this a few times) "Oh yeah, I'm really good at disarming the nerves." and went on digging into the muscle. I've never had my kidneys massaged, but I'm pretty sure that's what hurt so much.
At the end of the massage, he said that the massage is designed to remove [long list of "toxins"] from your muscles, so be sure to drink lots of water to flush the system. I don't remember the list of toxins, except "herbs and spices" were the last two he said. I know you're supposed to try and flush your system after a professional masage, I just thought herbs and spices were funny. They weren't meant to be funny
I felt sorry for the guy, he just seemed so odd, I gave him a normal tip. He saw what I wrote on my check and said "Well, for customers who give me a tip over $10 (which I was giving), I like to give them one of my Auntie's homemade soaps" which were for sale in the front display case, along with cheap rhinestone jewelry. So, although that was weird, it was pretty nice. The soap smells really good.
And then he walked me to my car.
Oddest massage experience ever. Not relaxing whatsoever.
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