This was my first full week back in the gym since my county got back into the red zone allowing gyms to reopen. I still cannot get over the idea the red zone is an improvement. Government at work I suppose.
While I have made an effort to stay in shape during the lockdown and partial reopening, I had no illusions I would pick up where I left off. It has been nearly seven months since I was in the gym (barring a very brief reopening followed by an extended closure). My 25-year-old self probably couldn’t do it. I know my 55-year-old self certainly can’t.
With that in mind, I went back to the beginning of the AthleanX program I nearly completed. Even though it is easier than where I left off, I was still cautious about what weights I would use. For upper body, I didn’t lose as much as I had anticipated. I am not happy about the setback but I’m glad to have overestimated my losses.
Legs are another story. It felt good and terrifying to squat again. I lost a lot of gains. Mind you this is all a relative measure. I have always had skinny legs but just before the shutdown there was some (barely) noticeable improvement in size, definition, and strength. I squatted using a weight I can currently handle. After a couple more leg exercises my routine called for deadlifts. I passed.
It is a damn good thing I passed. The following day I was sore but mobile. The day after is when it hit. JHTFC I was sore, had a very restricted range of motion, and wondered what I did to myself. I give it another day or two before I wonder how much more I can do on my next leg day. Onward and upward as they say.
The real question in my area is whether gyms will be able to stay open. Apparently, our Covid numbers are rising so we may be headed back to the purple zone. I simply hate my governor.
The only heartening part of this is my county is somewhat less authoritarian than the coastal urban areas of the state. From the same article:
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will revisit a proposed accelerated public health de-regulation plan to allow all Riverside County economic sectors to reopen by as soon as November, bypassing the state’s tiered system to mitigate coronavirus impacts, which Executive Office staff said could come at a cost of $100 million in money otherwise due to the county.
Under a tentative plan introduced by Supervisor Jeff Hewitt on Sept. 22, the county would take a self-directed approach to removing restrictions on the private sector and fully opening by the start of November.
“We’re going to be operating in an economy that’s going to be crushed. We need to move forward on this and stop putting it off,” Hewitt said, venting frustration at the governor’s and California Department of Public Health’s changes to reopening formulas since March.
Jeff Hewitt is a Libertarian. You read that right. A capital L libertarian who not only got elected; he is actually pushing a pro-freedom agenda at the local level.
What is proposed is a big deal. It will cost our county a ton of state money. It will also set us free from all the garbage mandates coming out of Sacramento. For those of you so inclined, join me in a prayer for this guy and his continued intestinal fortitude.
Side note: Last week I meant to post a link to California’s COVID numbers but dropped the ball. Here they are broken down by age group. If you are under 60 then your age group’s percentage of deaths is below your percentage of the population.
This week’s music choice is dedicated to Kamala Harris and her debate performance.
Trend lines on weight are still heading down. I’ve learned that I perform much better at afternoon spin classes then early morning ones. Today I’m going to be meeting up with real people in the real world, going to a real bar to watch a football game. It’ll be damned good to be out with people.
Today I’m going to be meeting up with real people in the real world, going to a real bar to watch a football game. It’ll be damned good to be out with people.
Have fun!
Today instead of heading out, I’m staying in to get some stuff done for work. I’m a bit behind on what I need to get done.
I’m still trying to shake out this damn kidney stone. I’ve got five days until they go in after it.
*takes another drink*
Aw, sorry to hear that again.
Urologist recommended I jump up and down. So I did, for a half hour, ended up with plantar fasciitis in my left foot. Fuck, I hate getting old.
I had plantar fasciitis. It was a bear until I finally listened to my doctor and a) got better shoes, and b) stopped going barefoot in the house.
I’m not one to promote supplements, but I took chanca piedra last time I had a stone, and it really did seem to help. Made it a bit easier to pass the thing.
I got my last one to dislodge by mowing the yard, and not paying any attention to the little dips and divots, but rather hitting them at full speed on the riding mower. Yeah, nearly gave myself whiplash, but it did seem to get that little bugger moving…
Fuck, I hate getting old.
Yep. Hope you feel better soon.
You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet, age wise.
Good luck on the boulder, I have had the experience but one and done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrbK1dMAJ80
I’ve gotten back on the treadmill after the summer off, tomorrow is 4 MPH @ 3.75 miles. I’ll max out in a day or two, 4 X 4.On alternate days I’ve been lifting but nothing compared to you younger guys.
Ouch.
Really sorry to hear that.
I’m sorry to hear that, bro. Thinking about you. Good luck.
Thanks man. Let me know if you need anything as well.
Thanks. I’m good.
Sorry. I hope they get it out soon.
I want to pass it. The procedure to remove it involves a fair amount of personal violation.
Oh right.
I hope you pass it.
Best of luck.
I’ve heard cranberry juice helps.
Oy. Sorry Scruffy. I hope it passes on its own.
A very late – sorry to read that! Feel better.
I’m sure losing 100 million now will pay off later for your county. I don’t see how everyone wouldn’t be in favor of that deal. How many millions do you wager are lost everyday of lock down?
This has always interested me a bit, I have a bit of the opposite situation strength-wise. I can do just about nothing and still have awesome legs, but if I don’t lift with my upper body for a few weeks I start losing any gains I’ve made. I wonder what genetics are involved there and why.
The money question is critically important. I haven’t seen any numbers posted. It has been widely reported that sales tax revenue was crushed during the lockdown. What the means in actual dollars to the county I don’t know.
Corona Virus: over 80 is >40% of deaths
Government: Close the preschools!!!
Intermittent fasting is not working for me. I went about 18 hours between meals, had one 500-cal, 45-gram-carb, was full, but I was hungry again 3.5 hours later. I ate protein. Ravenous an hour later and completely porked (that’s relative, it wasn’t that much, but it was all carbs). That ended about 11pm. I was miserable for a couple of hours. Aside: sugar and excess carbs make me very short of breath and have hot flashes. It’s the oddest thing.
I’m not hungry again today but I made a big protein meal and am noshing on it slowly. It will last me all day.
In other news, I am back down 5 lbs from when I originally started reporting a few weeks ago.
I go out every day carting this kid or that kid around, or shipping my Etsy orders. I have once again started parking out in the back of beyond. Now I need to charge up ye olde FitBit.
Mo, Congrats on the fasting. If you are hungry soon after eating try adding more FAT on your next refeed and some more salts, too. (Sometimes when you body says I’m hungry, you really just need some salt. 500 cals is not enough IMHO maybe start at 1000 and then step down as you feel you can. It takes some time to get adapted. You may feel a shitty (I think that is the technical term) but you can adapt.
Best wishes and stay active with the FitBit if it motivates you. FYI…my wife just earned her Africa badge for hiking the length of that continent in the last 18 months. Slow and steady wins this race.
Thanks for the encouragement. I had stomach surgery so that 500 cals stuffed me. I should’ve split it in two mini meals.
I really do like my Fit Bit, but it really is old and I’m not sure it works now. I love how it gives you status updates. That little buzz on your wrist is so encouraging. I stopped wearing it when I would go shopping and the jostling of the grocery cart made it reset itself because it thought I was tapping on it.
I also need to get all my Birks re-corked.
Well you gotta do you…Like all advice, some is good and some not so good. It always depends.
My wife has the FitBit. I use a $25 Lifescan watch. Time/mileage/heart rate/cals. I throw it away when the battery dies and then strap on a new one.
Oh I did forget one thing I like to do but I do it late at night. When I go walking (when no one can see me), I put on the mambo music and dance my way around the block.
Nest / Ring…
Oh, damn…
Congratulations on being down weight!
Thanks!
I also failed at the fasting. Working around food all night is too much temptation. I’m trying to, at least, eat better at work; I’ll go through a few bananas and a pint of blueberries now, instead of a deli sammich. I am in the process of eating myself into a sushi coma though; so I’ve got that goin’ for me.
mmm…. sushi
Congrats. Good move on adding steps by parking far, etc.
Thanks. I am only trying to get back into moving any at all. Parking in outer darkness is a perfect starter because I like walking, but only when I have a destination. Walking for walking’s sake sucks.
WooHoo! Keep on keeping on!
I have stalled on this most recent 5 lb lods. Much yo-yoing.
But overall heading the right direction.
I got a fitness watch with a very long battery life and built in BP monitor, pulse,steps,ECG… for 50 bucks. I like it.
Link to your dohickey?
Plateaus suck. Long ago when I was very successful at this, I had 2 kinds of plateaus:
1) My body was used to what I was eating and/or I wasn’t eating enough. I shocked it with a massive cheat day or two. Like shocking a pool. Now, it was hell because I would be miserable with all those carbs, but it worked.
2) My body was adjusting to the weight loss. I am not clumsy. No matter how heavy I got, I was light on my feet and graceful. So after I’d lost A LOT of weight I hit a 3-month plateau. I was clumsy as hell. Dizzy. No proprioception at all. Then one day it all stopped and I lost another 3 pounds. I finally figured out that my ears were adjusting to the change in my center of gravity.
Mo, I’m not sure IF is the solution for everyone, particularly if you aren’t fat adapted.
My intro to the New World of nutrition was through Taubes. His book, Why We Get Fat… has a really simple diet in it. You eat X every day. You never eat Y. You supplement with salt because low carb will flush your kidneys.
I think fasting can be great, but I think it’s better as an advanced strategy.
Out of curiosity, how much weight do you want to lose? Is there a time frame?
A lot, but I will get to specifics when I’ve gotten it off.
Not really. Time frames, especially for postmenopausal 50-somethings is an emotional disaster waiting to happen. I would like to lose 23 pounds before Christmas, but that is a hope, not a goal.
Good luck, Mojo. That’s some serious hope. Losing is tough for me, even a few lbs, if I go over my 5 lb limit I start to panic, all the extra weight is in the pot belly. Now that I’m back to exercise maybe, just maybe.
At least we recognize reality.
Under a tentative plan introduced by Supervisor Jeff Hewitt on Sept. 22, the county would take a self-directed approach to removing restrictions on the private sector and fully opening by the start of November.
Do It!!!!
I approve of the featured image.
I’m happy to hear you got back into the gym. What are you doing for recovery? Walking has been a boon for me with my disc herniation and back in the days when I still could do heavy (for me but not the average guy at my gym) leg days.
Fuck Newsom. I can’t pimp this site which is better than PornHub enough. I don’t live in California but I donated. I’ve donated to just about every anti-lockdown fundraiser/gofundme I’ve stumbled on. I’ll count this as one of them. I’ve never given money to PornHub.
A group of folks from Reopen NH, NH Health Freedom, and I think a couple other liberty-minded groups started the Liberty Defense Fund of NH. They plan to start with mask ordinances and the Clown Prince’s orders.
For my GlibFit progress: I can now squat a 13 lb kettlebell to parallel. If I dip below parallel, I start to get a butt wink. The trainer at the gym I work with and I will continue to work on improving my depth, then I will go up in weight. Weight is down slightly, 276.6 to 276.4. I drank a bit much over the last week. I’ve let working extra hours get to me.
I had an exciting, thrill-packed conclusion to Man vs. Lilacs. I had another huge stump to remove. One root was massive. It took about a half hour of chipping away at it with my digging bar until I had removed enough of the root to break it. I have removed all of this large lilac stand except for one lilac that I will keep. I might have put some pressure on the herniation near the end as I had a bad cramp in my right foot. If I remember correctly, the impinged nerve feeds that part of my foot. Otherwise, I did the work with no pain in my lower body. It was a good conditioning workout cutting roots with that digging bar.
I plan to use the rest of the Fall to continue expanding this bed. I don’t think I will finish it before the snow comes in or I run out of mulch. If I don’t finish it this year, I will finish it next year. Either way, next Fall when my plants go dormant I will start rearranging them.
Your music link is not bad. I never got into Bowie but I like that song.
Not much other than stretching and forcing myself to do normal stuff. I know the soreness will subside with time and use.
Hopefully it subsides quickly and you can get back to lifting soon.
Down 16 1/2 lbs since March 1st, but the weight loss has really plateaued. I’ve been rowing every other day but I miss having the spin bike for the other days (wife’s rental bike went back).
I wasn’t explicitly aiming to lose wait, but I got back to rowing and it just started dropping off. While I knew it intellectually, actually sticking with lower-intensity, zone 2 workouts really led to fairly rapid weight loss. I find I really have to keep an eye on my heartrate, as it feels like I’m not really working out at that zone.
I think I’ll have to be better on the diet end if I want to keep dropping – choosing the spirits over wine would probably help. (or, you know, cutting down on alcohol altogether – but that’s just crazy talk).
Congratulations on the weight loss!
(or, you know, cutting down on alcohol altogether – but that’s just crazy talk).
I know, right?
How do you like your rowing machine? What sort do you recommend?
I have a Waterrower – I love it. It looks good and it’s quiet – however, since it’s just using water for the resistance, you can’t really “dial it up” – you just need to pull harder. You also can’t meaningfully compare times across machines, since the amount of water will vary (there’s a fill spout).
I’d probably recommend a Concept 2 for anyone looking to pick up a rowing machine. It’s pretty much the standard – it’s used for competitions, it’s so standard, and you can do cool things like race people online if that’s your thing.
My buddy just picked up a used one from a Crossfit place that went out of business – they’re really well made, so the used market is active.
ISTR that maybe RC Dean has one?
Good job on the weight loss slum. Sorry about Brock’s cancellation.
I missed that it was official, but that’s not surprising. They make Rick & Morty seasons look timely by comparison.
Urologist recommended I jump up and down.
Dust off the jump rope.
You need some kind of bouncy chair for adults. Exercise ball?
I pictured this.
Miraculous recovery
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been released from a hospital a week after announcing he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
——-
“I am happy to let you know that this morning I was released from Morristown Medical Center. I want to thank the extraordinary doctors & nurses who cared for me for the last week,” Christie tweeted, promising to have “more to say” this next week.
Worstest plague ever, and it can’t even do that fat fuck in. What a gyp.
Yep – if it can’t take out a late-middle-aged fat man with serious asthma, covid is just a pussy.
I didn’t wish death on Christie but I wasn’t rooting for him either.
The Rose Garden ceremony and an accompanying indoor reception — dubbed a “superspreader” event by Dr. Anthony Fauci in an interview with CBS — has served as a flashpoint after multiple attendees announced positive results in the days since.
No survivors.
Fauci is such a Spotlight Ranger, i don’t know why Trump keeps him around. Further solidifying one of the things i hate the most about Trump, that he keeps bad people around. For someone who is largely famous for Firing people on TV, i don’t know why he can’t bother to can that guy.
He can’t fire him now, he was just awarded the NIH Employee of the Year!
I’m not joking. Fauci is the Employee of the Year.
In most companies, C-Suite level management is not eligible for such awards, but what the hey, Fauci deserves it! And rules don’t apply to government agencies anyway.
Jeebus.
You are trying to torque me up aren’t you? My pet peeve with the reporting is the utter lack of context. You want to report the number of infected. That’s fine. Tell us how many have symptoms, how many required hospitalization, and how many died. Without that, it’s just panic porn.
That seems to be enough to keep the masks on. One doesn’t even need symptoms, only a positive test, followed a couple days later with a negative. The positives add but the negatives don’t subtract.
1984 deja vu all over again
I should start doing yoga again.
I also want a bench. I guess I should check again to see if they are back in stock.
It looks like Rogue has a few in stock.
Those prices are way too much.
Looks like KC’s defense is reverting to type.
Yep. ??
Weight is up, yo. And that’s a good thing, mostly. My 36W pants no longer fall off me.
Now I just need to keep up with the exercise. Which normally isn’t a problem but it’s rainy here and walking is my preferred form of exercise since dog. We were up to three miles per day before this rainy spell.
Good.
Could you send the rain up this way? I’d like the drought in NH to end so I can water my plants.
Speaking of gym closures…
The nattering twats on Meet the Press this morning were hen-clucking about the white supremacists nd their insane plot to kidnap Whitmer. Somebody got the nodders nodding in unison when s/he btought up that one guy, whose breaking point was that he couldn’t get into his gym. Kkkrazy, man. What a loony toon Nazibro.
Pay no need to their BLM photos.
HI Chafed, Greeting from NOCal! Thanks for the update from the IE. I wish we had some liberty minded sups up here. Hope the knee is on the mend…
Weather up here cleared here but still no rain. First hint of fall…kind of perfect really.
My hiking mileage has suffered the past 2 week. I am getting out but my dog is suffering and is not into doing many miles. I think she might be over medicated with the steroids so we are cutting them back to see if she responds better. Right now she is just hungry and bloated. A trip to the vet is in order but getting an appointment is a month out, so we will just have to wing it…
I am still doing the Wim Hoff breathing. I am sleeping better and dreams have been fantastic. The cold shower are more spicy with the weather change. For you drinkers out there, I really notice a difference in the times I can hold my breath next morning. It is really a challenge to meet sober day before times. I continue to find the pleasure of drinking being outweighed by alcohol toxic effects the next day.
Anyway, I was talking to a friend about Wim Hoff. He said he’s been “doing for months” but hasn’t got much benefit. I asked him how he was doing it and come to find out he really isn’t doing it as prescribed just some bastardized-half-assed portion of it. He finds doing it a prescribed uncomfortable. Talk about missing the point, the whole exercise is designed to make you uncomfortable and provide a stress to the system, so you find ways to compensate or cope and go with the flow…
As I said last week, I am very optimistic about the Vid theater. Having Trump spring back after a weekend at Club Walter Reed was just the psych adjustment the nation needed.
Have a great week, skip a meal or 3 and do something rebellious..like hug an old friend.
I continue to find the pleasure of drinking being outweighed by alcohol toxic effects the next day.
Hangovers suck.
I hope your dog gets better.
Even without the true hangover symptoms (2 cocktails), I noticed a big difference…anymore than 4 and I am really feeling it. Getting old sucks.
Thanks for the well wishes for my dog. She was almost down for the count in Feb, so every day is a blessing…I just have to remind myself of that.
Thanks for the Recall Newsome site, but he ain’t going nowhere. Last time we recalled a Gov here, we got Arnie. He single-handedly killed the Republican party here forever..as planned !
Thanks for the Recall Newsome site, but he ain’t going nowhere.
You’re welcome! I’m a sucker for lost causes as evidenced by my being a libertarian.
Petitions are in Walmart parking lots most days if you change your mind.
It’s not a matter of changing my mind, really. There is no alternative to what will replace him. What being a bigger asshole or some faux dem that sells everyone out. Arnie II.
Case in point is Prop 22. That would allow Uber drivers to stay contactors. Simple enough to vote for but there is some additional perks for those contractors like benefits and other wage guaranties that I have no clue how are going to be funded. In my estimation, it is a get out of jail free card to the legislators. This prop is not; we are going back to the way it was before the legislation.
So a $5 Uber ride is now..with the current legislation is a $15 ride or cab. With the passing of this prop it will be a $12 ride with $2 going to the unions and $5 kicked back to the grifters and they end up looking great to the unions and those they “represent”.
FTS. We have elite level grifters here and they have full cover from press and prog.
Nay then, huh. I had better start reading my ballot.
IMHO the last and only Prop that benefited people was 13. Those grifters were never going to let that happen again. Every Prop that I voted for and passed in the last 25 yrs has either been declared unconstitutional or legislatively neutered. I have never voted for a bond proposition.
The people of Cali need to get it good and hard before things are going to change. We are the teenage boys of constituents. We only learn the hard way.
Talk about huevos… there are 3 bonds on the ballot in my area for increase in sale tax. They may not pass this time but they will eventually pass.
I am done playing their game. I am playing my game from now on.
So when are you leaving?
I got a 5 year plan…A lot of people say assistant greens keeper…doesn’t mean anything until I become heads greens keeper… I’ve been reading up about manganese and chinch bugs…maybe I’ll move to Boquete or some other place once the Skynet is available.
Long range stuff because my wife is native California. It’s a process you know. Gotta learn to speak fluent Spanish.
Until then I’ll biden my time and then biden my time.
I hope doggy gets better soon. Mine is now 11 so the runs and long walks we used to do are a thing of the past.
Doggie glucosamine?
He gets it but he has some arthritis. His running days are behind him.
I am making gains except in squats. After the long layoff, I’m having a tough time getting into a good lowbar position. I end doing lots of sets at 135 working on firm rather than increasing weight.
I hear you on the soreness. My shoulders are sore today from yesterday’s bench presses. Last time I did deadliest I was sore for 3 days.
Good for making gains.
Working on getting the form right before going up in weight is a good idea.
Yep – getting old sucks.
Twitter decided it’s a violation of something for Trump to commit on his own health.
https://gab.com/JohnRivers/posts/105017560914575963
The big social media companies have gotten mendacious. I’m wondering, this is a genuine question, whether their actions mean they are now publishers for legal purposes.
The bigger issues i’d think for them is about Campaign Finance Issues, as In-Kind donations and such. But since that has never hurt the Corporate Press, I’d assume there is no problem. The issue of “publisher” vs “platform” is mostly a Red Herring.
Well is he a doctor? Then how is he qualified to comment on that?
The Raiders-Chiefs game is awfully good.
Good but awful.
I have watched only part of one game this season. The social justice stuff on the field is a buzzkill for me. I think the cameramen are instructed not to focus on it but it’s unavoidable in some shots.
There is also something about the empty stadiums and the crowd noise. It’s so… inauthentic. It became distracting for me. It just doesn’t feel like the real thing.
I watched a half inning of baseball this year. The fake crowd noise reminders me of the white noise they used to pump into our open workspace. Too annoying for me.
Zero sportsball for me this year. I was only watching hockey and a bit of baseball for the past few years anyway.
#walkaway
Is it 4 OT Good?
Ha! Nope, that was a crazy good game yesterday.
https://twitter.com/i/events/1315373765325328384
Fauci doesn’t want people to think that he could support Trump.
He shouldn’t worry – it’s been clear from the beginning of this nonsense that he doesn’t support Trump.
I hope he’s one of the many people Trump fires right after the election.
Mr. Mojeaux: There is NO reason they (Chiefs) should be playing like that.
Me: They’ve been playing like that all season. They just had worse teams.
You could have told me that before I picked them as my last man standing team this week.
The Raiders were motivated. The Chiefs were blasé (if not outright arrogant) and sloppy.
That was ballsy to go for it on 4th and 1 at the end of the game. If they’d gotten snuffed, KC would have had the ball at midfield with two minutes to go, more than enough time to tie it up, and I’d have liked KC’s chances in OT.
But Chucky went for it and it paid off. I’m happy for the Raiders to finally beat KC in KC for the first time in almost a decade. Would have been nice if they could have done it while they were still in Oaktown though. (We’re still getting the Raiders as our home team on TV here, though they are officially in another state now).
Meh, we deserved it. You guys played your hearts out. It was nice to see.
We deserved to lose*
Hey Scruffy: (smacking my head) Is there a trampoline you can buy or borrow?
Mis-posted. Trying again.
With all the obvious mail in ballot shenanigans so far I am wondering about the Dem plans.
From the end of the dead link.
https://twitter.com/AndreasShrugged/status/1315355701150199809
I am coming around to the belief that Dems attempts to do these efforts even in safe havens like DC and NY are pointing toward a deeper election strategy.
In battleground states, like PA, the attempt is to give the opportunity to steal the election outright through fraud. This forces the GOP to fight the Dem efforts in the courts. Straightforward.
But the attempts at mail in fraud in solidly Red locations like MT, or Blue locations like DC point towards a deeper strategy. The attempt is not to swing the locale, but to force the GOP to conduct legal system fights there as well. Nothing to do with spending money, it all about the impending election Supreme Court fights coming, and the inevitable next impeachment and/or XXVth Amendment House fight if Trump prevails.
The GOP has to fight in these other locations to try and defuse the “selective venue” argument before the SC. One deciding factor in Bush v. Gore was that Gore was not demanding a complete recount, just a recount in some areas. Roberts won’t be keen on ruling against Team Blue and closing down paaths for him to weasel on is important. In 2000 the Supremes may have said that their findings had no precedent beyond the case at hand, but everybody knows that was BS. B v G was cited multiple times in election cases since then.
If Trump prevails, especially if the SC rules that state election laws must be followed as the law states and not in a manner at the Whim of a Dem governor, then this is how Pelosi will spend her time going after Trump for four more years. If the Dems win back the majority in the Senate then Moobs will coordinate for an “unprecedented 2d impeachment of a President” where Trump will survive with all Dems and Romney voting to convict.
If the biden/HARRIS ticket wins, and with Moobs in power, Pelosi will pass her XXV Amendment Bill and Jill “Edith Wilson” Biden will sign it for Joe. Pelosi then will “with extreme sorrow and regret” start proceedings to remove Joe for Horizontal Harris. My cold, black heart will be laughing as the GOP members of the Congressional panel argue to keep Joe in while the Dems advance at him with knives behind their backs and Harris smirking in the background.
Buckle up Buckaroos! It’s about to get wacky.
I think the Dems are doing everything they can to create chaos. I doubt it’s much more than that.
That is where I disagree. Chaos, yes. But to what greater end? Pelosi is many things that we would probably agree are evil, but she doesn’t do anything without a fixed political end point. She is a stone cold master of politics. She decided that Trump should be impeached for the sin of winning the 2016 election. It took her basically three years, but she got her impeachment. When “Russian Collusion” flamed out she had “Ukraine” ready to go. She has already floated the XXVth Amendment Commission to test the waters and start the talking points.
She has to realize (and probably has much better private polling numbers) that the biden/HARRIS ticket is in trouble. She is setting the table for her strategy for the next 2-4 years. I have absolutely no doubts that she has PACE* plans for both a Trump or HARRIS win. It frustrates the hell out her that she has no direct influence of the confirmation process. But if she could be the person who puts Harris in office she knows that Harris will owe Pelosi whatever legislation she wants. Plus in her mind it will seal her place in history.
*Making Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency plans for everything was drilled into my being at SFQC.
I get what you’re saying. We could probably map out the major contingencies, which all change based on 3 major variables – who wins the Presidency, control of the House, and control of the Senate.
But I believe the Dem’s plan for winning all three is the main thing, and depends on creating chaos, to create space to steal elections.
Saw a shocking article somewhere about this. She basically wants to create a panel of hand-picked Top. Men. who will have the power to decide that the president is unfit for duty. And it’s perfectly Constitutional – such a panel just hasn’t been created before.
Setting aside the unlikelihood that the bill will pass (1. partistan politics, 2. it’s unnecessary), even if it does pass, whatever commission is appointed will have to obtain the concurrence of the Vice President. Even a unanimous vote by the 25A commission isn’t enough without the VP. I’d be more worried about it if I were Biden than Trump.
Yes, I believe Nancy’s goal is to install Harris.
Oh, and who wanted a low-carb cracker? Whisps / Moon Cheese / frico. Trader Joe’s are Italian and the tastiest.
Don’t know why I’m so kibitzy today.
I wanted a low-carb honky.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j9TS1pRmajU
Chafed!
So happy to read that you are back to the grind!
For upper body, I didn’t lose as much as I had anticipated. I am not happy about the setback but I’m glad to have overestimated my losses.
That’s actually great news!
Between not lifting and losing a shit-ton of weights, I had to start absurdly light. The good news is that a few months back, things are progressing nicely and it gave me the opportunity to work on form.
Honestly, though, it took a couple months for my squats to feel right again. Fuck useless air squats.
My week was pretty fun. As both an experiment and to address some travel next week, I went to the gym every day this week. Monday press, Tuesday deads, Wednesday yoga, Thursday bench and Friday squat. Having a four day split makes this pretty convenient. I feel pretty damn good, even after Friday. I was frankly surprised I may experiment with this when I get back.
On Friday Drake recommended Mark Rippetoe’s latest podcast. The subject is running and, as a reformed runner, I can’t recommend it enough. Speaking for myself, the last 7 years or so of weight training have done more for me athletically than 20 years of distance running. His point is to use running as an accessory, not a keystone. Excellent stuff.
As a matter of fact, the one preceding was excellent as well. It discussed the differences in training women, particularly interesting to me as my little girl is devouring the Starting Strength book I sent her recently. If you are a weight training chick, or are trying to coach weight training chicks, it’s a must listen.
Speaking of must listen, that’s an excellent selection. Points would also be granted for this gem.
Have a great week, kids! Don’t let the cooties keep you from kicking ass!
things are progressing nicely and it gave me the opportunity to work on form.
Good!
Down 5 pounds in the last 3 weeks. Been booze free for 36 days. Lifted the heaviest dumbbell in the gym today – 155 lbs. Didn’t get it up to my shoulder, but the lowest part was above my navel. I did a clean and jerk with 125 lbs, a new best. I almost lost my balance when I flipped the bar up, but I completed the rep. Still can’t get the 175 atlas stone off the ground. It’s amazing how much difference a handle makes.
Speaking of dumbbells, Chris Cuomo has an allegedly 100 lb one with his name on it. Really: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am50J6nYtik
I’ve spent a lot of time in gyms and seen some real feats of strength. If he can really curl and overhead press 100 lbs with one hand, he should look like Arnold in his prime. A guy who could really do that could break the world record for the caber toss.
oopsy 150 lb dumbbell for me
typos, I make them
here is a guy who can curl 100 lb dumbbells – note the size of his arms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na7fTVLAU60
and here is shirtless Chris Cuomo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4cL69UW2AA
Good progress.
I’m afraid of dieting because I don’t want to lose penis weight.
The whole ‘lose thirty pounds and gain an inch’ is such a lie. I guess if you’re 5’9″ and weight 300 lbs maybe.
At the risk of well akshuallying you, when the gut goes (and for some men, it’s ALL in the gut), you can see (and grasp) more of it. It’s not as short as she thought it was.
OTOH, if you’re saying it takes more than a 30-lb loss to see the extra inch, then forget I said the above.
seems relevant to this sub thread – Goofy reads 50 Shades of Grey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1S43E9jq9w
I…hate the internet.
I thought it was 50 lbs?
I was a tall skinny kid, my uncle used to tease me, said if I drank a bottle of strawberry pop I’d look like a thermometer.
That’s weird since I have always said you have to lose weight to look bigger because of FUPA
I saw a t shirt in Venice beach once that had a cartoon of a fat naked man facing a fat naked woman. The caption was: Mission Impossible
Wow, everyone is making progress toward their goals, in spite of everything else. That’s awesome.
I am on Day 70 of 100% plant-based. Same old same old at this point. No deviations (of a dietary kind).
Today I’m canning green chile and then maybe making scallion pancakes for dinner. I think OMWC is planning a green papaya salad to go with. Yum!
Have you found your passport yet?
Mmm… scallion pancakes.
The NFL is lecturing me to get out and vote, usually along with telling me how many did NOT vote in 2016, as if to imply that if we had all voted, this Trump “situation” wouldn’t have happened.
I have always hated the “get out the vote” campaigns. Even as a teen, my thinking was that if you need to be cajoled or driven to the polls, you haven’t earned the right to register your opinion.
Similarly, if you don’t have any proof of citizenship or residency, I see no reason to give you a ballot.
And if you say that such a position is discrimination, then I say you are being incredibly racist. What, an African American doesn’t understand how to fill out forms and stay current on residency?
I saw one of those (not NFL) that slipped in a subliminal BLM sign. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
I’m kind of surprised – this stuff is more toned down in the NFL than I expected. It’s much more heavy-handed in the American soccer leagues. The ads, the BLM banners all over every stadium, the kneeling in the middle of games, ad nauseam.
NFL is walking a tightrope. Players association ready to fuck em up the ass on one side. Fans bailing in droves on the other side.
Granted, it’s a self inflicted situation…
Yup.
I figure since hardly anyone watches soccer here, the leagues are free to lay it on as thick as the players demand. A lot of teams are fucked in the long run though, if they don’t start putting butts in seats.
So far I’ve watched more soccer in Uruguay (their national championship) than anything US based.
I’m following a little Bundesliga, mostly ignoring the Premiere League and other Euro leagues this year. Not seeing much out of the ordinary any more, just the usual “end racism” silliness they’ve been plugging forever.
The max voter participation rate was about 80%, and it’s been less than 70% for a 100 years. No presidential candidate has ever won a majority among those eligible to vote.
I see no harm in leaving the office empty if there is no candidate who can get the support of at least 51% of the registered voters. Only 10 presidents have gotten more than 60% of the popular vote, and that includes Washington who was unopposed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidential_elections_by_popular_vote_margin
Both parties need to be careful what they wish for, they might get it.
Loch Ness Monster
But Biden is up by double digits…
“As the 1st President to formally recognize the issue of Missing & Murdered Native Americans, today, I was proud to sign Savanna’s Act & the Not Invisible Act. We have also provided $295 Million to support public safety & crime victims. Forgotten NO MORE!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1315091217533882368
Worst white supremacist ever.
What are you talking about? This is exactly what a white supremacist would do. He’s funding the police so they can supress the Native Americans!
It’s a fig-leaf to cover his racism and of course distract from all his other failures.
/MSM
“Biden Even More Determined To Not Get COVID After Finding Out He Could Lose Sense Of Smell”
https://babylonbee.com/news/biden-even-more-determined-to-not-get-covid-after-finding-out-he-could-lose-sense-of-smell
reminds me – new satire idea
Oberlin College Republicans Put on Double Secret Probation
North Korea Gives Up Nukes After Sweden Threatens to Send Greta Thunberg
Tucker Carlson, Greta Thunberg Stare Blankly at Each Other For Entire Day
Settling into a routine of “Butts & Guts” class after work on Tuesday, swimming after work on Thursday. The trick is finding something I’m motivated to do between Thursday and Tuesday. It may take a tablet better suited to web surfing to get me back on the treadmill.
Dietwise, switching from Greek yogurt for breakfast – which never got me through workday mornings – to Jimmy Dean’s Simple Scrambles, mostly the turkey sausage, with a bacon or regular sausage in between. Fills me up better so I’m not so tempted by the Pop Tarts in the break room.
Also bought a couple of pairs of leggings – solid colors only, please – as motivation to slim down. Leggings hide nothing.
Bloke teaches how to shoot a Lee-Enfield fast.
“A total and complete sign off from White House Doctors yesterday. That means I can’t get it (immune), and can’t give it. Very nice to know!!!
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1315316071243476997
“This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible. Learn more”
OFFS.
“Help me, Twitter Censorship Board – you’re my only hope!”
Has this made the rounds yet?
Newsom says wear a mask between bites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfdlNfx1jvs
It’s time for the Monty Python policeman to stop the sketch for being silly.
What a maroon.
Didn’t walk today because it’s pouring rain all day. Last 2 days before that made it just over 5 miles each day. Walking for about a week now, started with only 2 miles, but by the 3rd day was up to 3, then 4, then 5. I have to get some indoor exercise going to supplement the walking, I was planning to add yoga anyway. Lost 6.4 lbs first week, only 35 to go to hit target! I also stopped beer and cut back on food.
Sounds like a plan, you’re well on your way. Keep up the good work.
Worlds Worst Sheepdog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-9-3DtUzug
why is state farm trying to retcon Jake from State Farm as a ripped black guy?
They did that a little while ago, with the original “Jake” actor in the same commercial. It’s weird. Not sure what the goal is.
The new Jake From State Farm appeared I think late last year? I was baffled at the time too.
New actor or new image?
Frequently you don’t want to have one actor completely associated with your whole image or brand. So it’s a bit of diversification.
For example Flo for Progressive is pretty well known, but the I doubt she commands huge cash. OTH, Geico booted Kelsey Grammer as the gecko voice because of both cost and worries about brand association.
BTW – Flo is a bit of an inside joke as submission flow an industry buzzword for new insurance applications.
BTW – Flo is a bit of an inside joke as submission flow an industry buzzword for new insurance applications.
Hmm, didn’t know that. I always assumed she was named because shopping for insurance is like getting the monthly visit from your Aunt Flo.
That’s what I always think too!
New actor, same character. Literally cut a shot from a 10 year old commercial and replaced the old guy with the new guy.
I get the idea of diversifying, but this is like Flo being replaced by some non-binary blue hair.
Flo being replaced by some non-binary blue hair (and they still call her Flo)
It was more of a hand-off – the original “Jake” pops up in the reboot:
https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/hollywood-news/what-happened-to-the-original-jake-from-state-farm-commercial.html
“We needed a real actor” is plausible.
I never understand the need to drive the role into the ground. Whether that be superheroes in comics, reboots in movies, or roles in insurance commercials. Let Jake die and make up a new role for this new guy. Jake had a good run, but the retconning makes me think of that cringe star trek episode where they explain away the lack of forehead ridges on TOS.
Allegedly $800k/year.
For that money, I’d sell anything.
I heard a Steve Buscemi voice-over hawking a hospital chain a couple hours ago. It was about as tasteful as such things could go, which was something of a relief to me even though I really don’t care who shills for what.
Our local paper’s op-ed page today had two columns by progressives, apparently balanced by a NY Times column by David Brooks.
Brooks’ column was all about how awesome Kamala is and that she’s going to make a fabulous president.
Can someone tell me why David Brooks is thought to be a commenter ‘on the right’?
Once upon a time he wrote Bobos in Paradise which recognizes the desire for wealth?
Oh well.
Oh Well.