GlibFit 4.0 – Coronavirus Edition XXXIX: Turning A Corner

by | Dec 13, 2020 | Fitness, GlibFit | 166 comments

What a week it’s been.  My eating was a little better than last week but I’m conceding I probably won’t take control of it until the holidays are over.  The older daughter made latkes and will likely do so again, a couple of clients sent us candy for Christmas, and I expect at least a couple of vendors will do the same this week.  I’m pretty good at avoiding temptation but when dark chocolate is just sitting, staring at me, in my office I have just so much willpower.

I am preparing for what I know is coming.  I ordered a Crossrope package and some gym flooring from Home Depot.  Home Depot kills me.  They have the flooring in stock, albeit not in my local store, and they project it will take two and half weeks to deliver it.  Go figure.

Temperatures continue to drop, and it has been windy on and off.  I managed to get in two conditioning workouts but only one day at the gym.  That day was important.  I got up Friday morning to go and quickly made a bunch of excuses.  I’m tired, it’s too cold, the wind makes things worse, blah blah blah.  I didn’t go.

Friday night I was driving home from work regretting my excuses.  It’s been a long week and I was ready for the weekend to start.  But I couldn’t get over skipping yet another day at the gym.  I got home, lit Chanukah candles with the family, exchanged some gifts, and went to the gym.  More accurately, I went to all the equipment my gym has set up outside.

When I arrived, it was in the mid-40s, I was tired, and starting to wonder why I was there.  But I got to it.  Doing pullups, I was pissed.  The bar was really cold, and my hands were getting stiff between sets.  That’s when it hit me.  It sucks. I hate my governor.  This is unnecessary.  I have no control over this and I’m ready to punch someone.  And none of that matters.

I was working out, getting it done.  So was everyone else there.  No one was complaining.  

My gym, per government edict, has a new you-have-to-wear-a-mask-even-outside-because-we-have-no-choice policy.  Most of the people at the gym wore one but some didn’t.  I lasted less than two minutes on the elliptical before I had to take mine off.  I just couldn’t get enough oxygen.  No one said a word and I got it done.

More or less the same things happened while working out.  I tried the mask, couldn’t get enough oxygen, and took it off.  No one said a word.  And I realized, I just need to get it done.  The one thing I can control is my attitude.  I can decide to get up early, go to the gym, and get it done.  It isn’t ideal, I still hate my governor, and I’ll be damned if I let him live in my head.  It’s my life and I’m taking control of it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The first week of Gavin Newsom’s stay at home order is over.  I’m sure in two more weeks he is going to lift the order.

Meanwhile, some businesses can’t wait any longer.  They will go bankrupt if they close yet again.  So, they are defying the governor’s order.  This appears to be economic necessity rather than a thirst for freedom, but I’ll take what I can get. I also appreciate the use of government approved tactics against the government.

This week’s music link.  

About The Author

Chafed

Chafed

I'm looking California but feeling Minnesota

166 Comments

  1. Surly Knott

    More peaceful protests please.

  2. DEG

    I’m pretty good at avoiding temptation but when dark chocolate is just sitting, staring at me, in my office I have just so much willpower.

    Change that to dark chocolate sitting anywhere, and that’s me.

    ​I was working out, getting it done. So was everyone else there. No one was complaining.

    It’s good that you got the workout in despite all the negatives.

    My gym, per government edict, has a new you-have-to-wear-a-mask-even-outside-because-we-have-no-choice policy.

    Fuck.

    So, they are defying the governor’s order. This appears to be economic necessity rather than a thirst for freedom, but I’ll take what I can get.

    GOOD! I am of the same opinion, I’ll take what I can get for defiance of the government.

    I tapped out on the music link. Sorry.

    Weight dropped a half pound from last week. I tweaked the herniation at some point. The trainer told me he didn’t want me doing deadlifts when he and I worked together last Friday. Instead we did some shoulder and arm work. My back and legs are feeling better, so tomorrow I will try some deadlifts with the trap bar on my own.

    • Tundra

      That guy is wrong. Use the trap bar and don’t be a hero.

      Glad to hear things are improving otherwise!

      • DEG

        Maybe I should elaborate about deadlifts.

        He wants me deadlifting and squatting. Once I got done with physical therapy, he had some ideas about getting me back to deadlifting with the bar and squatting with a bar on my back.

        It was just that last Friday, it seemed like I had tweaked the herniation. So, instead of deadlifting, we worked on shoulders and arms. Give the tweak a bit of time to heal, then deadlift again.

      • Tundra

        Gotcha. Any trainer who says no deadlifting should be fired.

        Go light. You’ll be fine.

      • DEG

        Normally every other week I line deadlift day up with one of our sessions. He’s been tweaking my form on the trap bar a bit. I’m up to 95 lbs on the trap bar.

        With squats, I’m still on kettlebells. Improvement there seems to be slower than with trap bar deadlifts.

      • Tundra

        I have found that squats any other way than with a bar doesn’t help me at all. Are you able to get into a proper position?

      • DEG

        All three galleries are good. Bonus points for no face diapers.

      • Tundra

        #2 looks like y yoga teacher.

        Just sayin’

    • Gustave Lytton

      The IDF girls are almost uniformly hotter in their uniforms that the overmade up IG poses. And no ink.

      • But Enough About My Pulsating, Geriatric Pecs

        The IDF All girls are almost uniformly hotter in their uniforms tha[n] the overmade up IG poses.

        FTFY.

        And no ink.

        Double bonus points.

      • hayeksplosives

        ?

      • Gustave Lytton

        I approve those edits.

      • Fourscore

        Boys Too?

        /Rummages through old duffel bag in the closet

    • Chafed

      31 and nearly any member of the IDF in those photos.

  3. Threedoor

    Try a home and ranch store for mats. The stall mats are pretty good.

    • westernsloper

      I have heard of those being used in many home gyms.

      • Threedoor

        The ones made from chipped tires are pretty big, thick and heavy. I’ve got two I inherited from the back of a truck I cut up. They are about 4×7’

      • Threedoor

        4×6. My huge thumbs.

  4. Nephilium

    Weather has been warmer then normal here for the past week, but I’ve pretty much lost the motivation to get off my ass and work out. I’ve got five more days of work left this year, and I’m hoping the time off will help give me enough will to force myself to get back into the habit. No holiday gatherings this year, and the niece isn’t coming into town. Weight has stayed mainly stable through the week, but the trend line is pointing up again.

    In open defiance of the bans, I think here in Cleveland tomorrow night and next Sunday may be a big one. The Governor has granted permission for people to go watch the Browns games in person, but the curfew is staying in place for all of the bars and restaurants.

    • Yusef drives a Kia

      Warmer? you mean 32 instead of 27?, that’s all we get right now, it’s easy to walk the dog though, it’s cold, all the time,

      • DEG

        It was in the 40s here. I got the last of the ice scraped off my deck.

      • R C Dean

        Do you have covered/garage parking? I remember that making a big difference when I lived in Wisconsin.

      • Nephilium

        We were up in the 50’s this week. It’s in the mid 30’s now, which is warmer then usual. However, it’s been raining the entire weekend, which is the worst weather. I’d rather it drop to the upper 20’s and start snowing.

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        I wish it would make up its mind, Wet Slush, semi rain crap is the worst, except ice….

      • rhywun

        We just hit 60 but the rapid decline has already begun.

      • Chafed

        +1 Cuomo’s NY

      • rhywun

        Yeah, that decline’s been going on for decades.

  5. Fourscore

    I have been walking on the treadmill in the garage, 4 miles at 4 MPH, then a few exercises on the Weider machine, every day last week, except yesterday, started back again this morning. Dropped back to 190, my new normal but I’m thinking 185, if the belly begins to disappear.

    It’s cool so I start with my coat on but after 4-5 songs I take my coat off, temps in the low 30s inside. It’s going to start getting colder so I may have to start in fire in the stove, which I really don’t want to do since I’m only there for about an 1 and 1/4 hours. By the time it started getting warm I’d be finished. Maybe just wear my coat.

    I like to get done before 10, in the event someone may come to drink coffee. Doesn’t happen too often though.

    • Tundra

      Temps have been decent. You’ll be lighting that stove pretty soon.

      Great job on the exercise. At your height, 190 seems like it should be a minimum!

  6. Gustave Lytton

    The one thing I can control is my attitude. I can decide to get up early, go to the gym, and get it done. It isn’t ideal, I still hate my governor, and I’ll be damned if I let him live in my head. It’s my life and I’m taking control of it.

    Good on you Chafed! That’s been my biggest challenge.

    • R C Dean

      Ditto. I can delete my draft post now.

      • Chafed

        I’m happy to have enacted your labor.

  7. KSuellington

    Right on Chafed for getting out there and getting it done. I generally find this time of year hard as the rains are here and the lowered daylight is kinda depressing. This year is obviously worse as a result of government lockdowns and California is once again leading the charge to more athorituh. I found out Friday evening after a very long week of work that the Catholic school we got our kids into a month ago for full time classes is not going back to in person classes after the Xmas break for 2 weeks. I’d have preferred if they just called a one month holiday to two weeks of fucking Zoom classes after the two week break. We specifically put them in this school as it was one of the few that started up full time in person classes. It wasn’t the school’s choice, it came from the archdiocese. Utter bullshit and if they extend it we will likely give up on this shit and return to homeschooling. Which sucks as our kids were very much enjoying going to school and getting to make new friends.

    At least keeping up with lifting weights in our garage. I’ve been loosely following Rippetoe and squatting, deadlifting, pressing and benching. Up to 3 sets of 5 of 165lb squat and 5 lifts of 225 dead. Slow as you go when you are middle aged and don’t want to injure yourself. To the Glibs that recommend reading up on the Stoics, thanks, as it helps to get through the new abnormal.

    • DEG

      I’ve been loosely following Rippetoe and squatting, deadlifting, pressing and benching. Up to 3 sets of 5 of 165lb squat and 5 lifts of 225 dead.

      Good.

      Sorry about your kids’ school.

      • KSuellington

        Thanks DEG and thanks for your small part in helping to try and get rid of our shitty Guv. Best of luck on your continued progress.

      • DEG

        I’m glad to help. I see good progress on getting petitions signed.

    • Tundra

      Good job.

      I picked up The Barbell Prescription recently (written by a couple of SS coaches and published by Rip’s company). Excellent stuff in there for us old fucks.

      Highly recommend it.

      I wish bone cancer on the people hurting your kids. Is that wrong?

      • DEG

        My copy of “The Barbell Prescription” arrived a few days ago. I plan to start it over my vacation or soon afterwards.

      • Tundra

        Excellent. Looking forward to your thoughts.

      • KSuellington

        Heh, heh I will not say you are wrong. Thanks for the book recommendation, I think I will order it!

    • Chafed

      Thanks KSuell and good job with your lifting.

  8. R C Dean

    Mrs. Dean, who is among many other things a very knowledgeable fitness coach who brings the “brutal” to “efficiency”, has been designing short cycle workouts for me, as after I stretch/warm up a liltte I usually have less tan half an hour to work out. We have a garage gym that’s decently kitted out. I’m a (little) sore most days and can’t really point to measurable gainzz, but I’m liking it. Hitting it 5-6 days a week, Russian swings, misc. other kettlebell exercises, air squats, box steps, lunges, rowing, dead lifts, hang cleans, etc. etc. Good stuff.

    • DEG

      I’m a (little) sore most days and can’t really point to measurable gainzz, but I’m liking it.

      If you like it and are following through, that’s better than not doing anything.

    • Fourscore

      It’s easier to be motivated when you have a work out partner. Particularly easier if that other person is younger and motivated. Old guys don’t like looking old in front of younger people.
      Good to have a spotter in any case and someone that can make recommended corrections and give encouragement. Hard to find though

  9. westernsloper

    getting it done

    Good for you!

    • Chafed

      Thanks WS.

  10. westernsloper

    I finally saw the doc about some pain. Won’t get into it, but he told me to start a stretching routine (among some other things). Anyone have any fav’s or youtube links?

    • Ted S.

      Let me guess: you hurt yourself jacking off, didn’t you? :-p

    • Chafed

      If you look at one of the older GlibFit articles I recommended a book on stretching. It has lots of options for different body parts.

      • Tulip

        Can recommend. It covers just about everything.

    • But Enough About My Pulsating, Geriatric Pecs

      This is the stretching book I’ve used (in various editions) since I was in my early 20s. Heartily recommended, though it’s by no means the only good stretching book out there.

      • Chafed

        That’s the one. Get it WS. It’s well worth the price.

      • westernsloper

        Thanks book marked. Having been a struggling athlete most of my prior life I know stretches but could use some guidance in my old inflexible age.

  11. IRBE

    Thanks for the edition and greetings from NOCal. Weather here has turned to rain..for real. No one was out hiking and dog was a muddy mess…glorious! Had my first harpy encounter earlier this week about masks. She actually went out of her way to say something while I tried to maintain distance. Anyway, my response was reflexive and savage…like Steven Segal uses aikido; but without the weezing…I actually felt bad; she never saw it coming, no time to even get out the phone…

    G-fit update: Sleep good. Food priority, highest quality proteins, limited alcohol consumption to weekends and holiday. Still burning 2600 cals/day before bed: no missed days. Re-ignited Wim Hoff/meditative techniques…jump started by Wim and Jordan Peterson pod-quest for the “ancient man”. Experimenting with different breath/hold positions, temperatures, times of day; found that early morning, cold while sitting up is most efficient (easier) while late day, hot, lying down is far harder. The lying down part was surprising…I guess we are not designed to efficiently breath while lying down. I am up to 4 minutes of breath holds (ideal) while not meeting 3 minutes under worse.

    I read the WSJ article on the mRNA vaccine. Assuming it is remotely accurate– I guess, the vaccine uses injected mRNA to cause your body to produce a surface protein (the virus hook). The surface proteins will create an immune response that will fight the virus before it can reach a disease state based on antibody titer response. Couple things stood out in the article for me…Development of 20 mRNA candidates occurred in Jan 2020. Wow, that’s before we knew there what virus was responsible for this condition and these guys knew what to encode before the virus was sequenced much less the mechanism of attachment. Second, synthesizing this RNA takes time (months to make and months to test (assuming you have tests) depending on the length and current product scale (millimoles)..that’s not much time nor material. Third, testing in animals is occurring same time as clinical trials..Antibody response is a terrible indicator of efficacy (validated that..and failed numerous times). From the looks of it, every corner of development was cut..they probably haven’t autopsied the chimps yet. Operation Warp Speed is more like Superman reversing time to save Lois Lane…Best case, taking it; gets you on an airplane..worse case, taking it; gets you on a morgue gurney. I hope it works. Holds out hands… looking to see which fills first.

    De todos modos, ¡tenga una gran semana y sáltese una comida o tres!

    • Sensei

      Just read the same story a few hours ago.

      I hate the way msm frames these things, however.

      The CEO basically just said give me a vaccine and wouldn’t take no for answer. A good CEO asks what are the obstacles and how can they be removed. If it is just money he can control that. Time is the issue and usually not money.

      • IRBE

        I would be worried about taking this vaccine if I had any type of hyperactive immunities. From what I’ve read, some response is expected, probably after the second injection since your body has time to respond to the first course.

        I worked on HIV sub-unit vaccine in mid 90s using HIV protein antigen (gp120). Great antibody response but not effective enough for FDA. There were no safety issues but we regulated the amount the protein in a dose. I am not sure how you regulate the dose of a specific protein antigen when the patient is making the antigen…results may vary.

        I doubt there will be any real efficacy of the vaccine in preventing illness or spread but it may provide a golden ticket for certified travel…maybe it worth the spin of the wheel.

    • westernsloper

      I am up to 4 minutes of breath holds

      Holy moly!

    • Chafed

      Thanks for the explanation of the vaccine. I’m not whether to feel comforted or frightened.

      • IRBE

        Sure..no problem. Glad to contribute. As for thoughts and feelings. I am going for numb, with fits of rage. Working on checking the rage but it is becoming reflexive…

  12. zwak

    Ramping up my stretch routine, as a new surgery was floated by my neurologist, but the actual surgeon said I wasn’t bad enough yet. So, that confirms that I am experiencing a mechanical issue, as opposed to a neurological issue (I thought the MS was ramping up, but the neurologist says no) and that can be worked on mechanically. Either by surgery or working out and stretching. So I got that going for me, which is nice.

    Otherwise, I just spent four hours putting a new garbage disposal in, when it should have taken me an hour. But, with everything that could be rusted up and having to carve out part of the next cabinet (old house yo), I think I got my workout in today. Now doing the 12oz curl.

    • IRBE

      I would opt for working out and stretching over surgery. The problem is the pain of working/stretch may be considerable..and also the time to see/feel results. To see much improvement that involve ligaments and tendons is 12 to 14 weeks, with some set backs expected. Sometimes that is too much to want to manage.

      Glad the MS is in check. Stay cool and limber my friend.

      • zwak

        Yeah, it is a long road. But I don’t have anything else to do.

  13. Gustave Lytton

    Just noticed the restock date for Amazon kettle bells in ideal weight ranges changed from after Christmas to January while I was browsing.

    • trshmnstr the terrible

      I have some Amazon medicine balls sitting under the Christmas tree because of that. The kettle bells werent guaranteed to be here in time.

      • Gustave Lytton

        That’s a great idea! I’m picking up some extras to keep at work. Figure maybe I can add into a rep or three during the day.

  14. Tundra

    Hi Chafed!

    Happy Chanukah, my friend.

    I’m proud of you for dragging your ass to the gym. It’s so goddamn important, especially during this demoralization blitz.

    The war on independent people is grinding on, but there are glimmers of hope. The businesses that are defying the totalitarians (and the brave customers who are supporting them) are my People of the Year – not those fucking scumbags Time thinks are worthy. Here in Minne there is a group planning to defy fuckhead and open up their businesses next week. I’m ready to support the resistance.

    Week two at my secret gym went really well. One of the guys there is just starting a weight training program in his early 50s (Stronglifts). We had a great talk the other day about setting goals and about how this is a ‘for life’ activity. He caught me off guard when he asked me what my goals were. I kind of half-assed said that I want to keep lifting for the rest of my life, but that was lame.

    So I came up with some specific goals, wrote them down and told him and the rest of the dudes. It actually gave me a real rush to do so. Try it, you might like it.

    Have a great week, Glibfitters. They want to see you weak and scared.

    For you and all the rest of us creaking souls.

    • hayeksplosives

      Hey, Tundra! How’s tricks? Good on you for supporting the Minnesotan sane business owners—between riots/looting, rising crime after “defunding the police”, and the batshit crazy Covid-19 delusion, those busines owners have been through the wringer.

      That’s cool about writing down goals. I’m planning to go over meaningful goal-setting with each of my direct reports in January 1:1 meetings. I want them to write them down in their own handwriting.

      I’ll still give guidelines about specific project goals, but the career development ones I wish for the people to set for themselves.

      I’m doing the same for myself. Heaven knows my boss never would.

      • rhywun

        I’m doing my self-review now. Deadline is midnight.

        I missed the cut-off for not having to do it by nine days. ?

      • Tundra

        Hiya, ‘Splosives!

        Minne still sucks without you, but we’re muddling through!

        Not my place to tell you how to do it, but non-career goals are really motivating, too. Because really, a lot of those will fuel the career ones. The same things that hold people back in their personal lives do the same for their careers.

        just writing them down and putting them out in the world makes them real and, in a weird way, more attainable.

        I used to be in SoCal several times a year until fucking 2020. I’m coming to see you guys when the Gestapo is overthrown. All my best to the kilted madman!

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        I’m planning to go over meaningful goal-setting with each of my direct reports in January 1:1 meetings. I want them to write them down in their own handwriting.

        I think the meaningful part is very important. HR requires us to set goals, and manager had my copy pasta from an email to check the box.

        During our year end review tomorrow, I’ll set some real actual goals. The hard part in my position is that the most important goals are the least measurable. How do you measure “strengthening the relationship with the R&D team working on project x” or “increasing the relevancy of my patents to the current company road map”?

        Much easier to measure how many patents I write or how many presentations I give at conferences.

    • Chafed

      Thanks Tundra. I’ll think of you while we are lighting the menorah tonight.

  15. hayeksplosives

    I discovered that erythritol makes an excellent granular sugar replacement and does not denature at high temps.

    I’ve baked two delicious low carb goodies with it so far.

    I’m mainly doing Keto for my husband, who’d like to lose weight and who now has his A1C under 5, so his diabetes is staying in check with dieting.

    For me, I have to eat low sodium, less red meat, higher protein, less fat (other than “healthy” fat). Low sodium eliminates pretty much any premade food, so I try to find choices that can suit both of us, or can do so with minor customization.

    I’ve lost what fat I gained at Thanksgiving. Exercise is still a challenge. Painful joints and edema don’t help, but incremental improvements are still improvements.

    I’m ready for normalcy to return.

    • Tundra

      Have you tried Monkfruit? I dig it.

      Glad to hear the old man is improving – so important to keep the ‘beetus at bay.

      Are you truly sodium-sensitive? So much bad shit happens as a result of too little and docs are still so 1960 about it, It makes me wonder. Are you eating a lot of fish? That should help with the fat question. Why less red meat?

      Keep fighting the good fight!

  16. Tres Cool

    I started my “low carb” adventure on August 15, 2018. My primary goal was to cut my blood sugar since I was heading towards Type II diabetes, and thanks to my in-bred, Mennonite, heritage, it runs in the family. As is common, I dropped weight fast in the 1st 3 months (with walking and serious elliptical workouts 6 days/week) but plateaued. However, it did wonders for my sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides- specially when I’d leave the TALL CANS alone a week before my doc ordered labs. The gig Ive been doing overnights the past couple months not only requires me to get off my ass, but to walk (according to my FATbit) 3-5 miles each shift. When I got home this morning, I weighed myself when I got out of the shower, Im -50 lbs from when I started.

    • Tres Cool

      And I still get faded on the daily with cheap beer.

      TALL CANS!

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        I’m up to 138 again, all this good eating and no activity will do that, but I still enjoy,
        Tall Cans!
        Sup Tres!

      • Tres Cool

        HEY YUFUS!

    • Tundra

      Dude.

      That is fucking amazing! If I had a TALL CAN, I’d raise it to you.

      Settle for a short can?

      Seriously, congratulations.

    • Chafed

      That’s fantastic Tres. Great work.

    • hayeksplosives

      Great work! You’ll never hoist a 40lb bag of rock salt the same way again. 🙂

      When I carry a 20lb bag of potatoes into the house, I remind myself that not long ago, I was carrying that as extra baggage in my body. No wonder my joints hurt.

      I still have to get rid of a couple more bags of potatoes…

      • Tres Cool

        Who buys potatoes 20lbs at a time ?

    • IRBE

      That’s impressive in terms of loss and time of adventure. I would have guessed that you were metabolically busted when you started.

      What was prescribed for you was probably a low fat/low cal diet high in veg, a statin chaser and diuretic for desert. Ha!

    • Sean

      Rock on!

  17. trshmnstr the terrible

    My weight gain has continued another 3 or 4 lbs. Not the best thing ever, but if 5 lbs is all that I gain in the craziness of having a newborn, that’s not a problem.

    I’ve been taking a lot of days of vacation, which has thrown my schedule off a bit over the last couple weeks. The goal this week is to do Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday’s office workouts and then find something to do at home Thursday and Friday. 5 days of working out is the goal.

    Goal #2 is focusing back on the diet side. Two subgoals are drinking at least 4 cups of water and getting back to eliminating grain carbs and processed sugar 18/21 meals per week.

  18. Mojeaux

    Thanks for the updated, Chafed. I look forward to these reminders, even on weeks I’ve slacked (which are all of them lately).

    I have a poster in my office: “Food is the most abused anxiety drug. Exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant.” I’ve gotten to where I don’t see it, which is unfortunate.

    • hayeksplosives

      “ “Food is the most abused anxiety drug. Exercise is the most underutilized antidepressant.”

      I’m going to print that reminder somewhere…

      • Don escaped Two Corinthians

        yup

      • Threedoor

        And sun. Northern hemisphere is bad for not getting enough D.

      • Mojeaux

        Yes.

        Also important is good sleep hygiene.

    • Chafed

      That is right on the money.

  19. Aloysious

    Today, definitely not Glibfit, but in the interests of Christmas goodies, we’re exploring the differences between blintz, blini (or bliny, as you prefer), and crepes.

    There’s lots of variations, and these experiments are long overdue.

    To pay penance for my gustatory excesses, I’m going for a walk in the snow.

    Hopefully, I won’t encounter the ABOMINABLE SNOW-SMITH. If I do, it was nice knowing ya’ll.

    • limey

      I’m pretty ABOMINABLE SNOW SMITH is just a seasonal variation of STEVE SMITH’S coat to help him maintain stealth in snowy environs. Like an arctic fox, or a mountain hare.

    • robc

      Not exploring publicly for our benefit? At least write an article!

  20. Gustave Lytton

    https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/12/red-house-family-reportedly-reaches-deal-with-city-barricades-coming-down-in-north-portland.html

    In a letter addressed to the Kinney family that was released to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Wheeler and Police Chief Chuck Lovell apologized for statements the two leaders had made earlier in the week. In one series of posts on Twitter, Wheeler referred to the encampment as an “autonomous zone” and said police were authorized to use “all lawful means” to end the occupation of the house and street.

    The letter also said the city would support the family in finding temporary housing and effective legal counsel.

    Neither the letter nor Wheeler’s statement outlined changes in how police would respond to the situation going forward, but social media accounts associated with the family said police had “promised not to attack supporters.”

    Neo-Maoists

      • Tundra

        *signs up*

    • limey

      Weird. That’s what we used to call racism when I was a lad. Well, the whole concept of race-ism was still fairly young, but it did actually still resemble racial discrimination, like, you know, exactly what that piece of human excrement is proudly and publicly doing.

  21. robc

    How hot is Arteta’s seat?

  22. robc

    I am down 2 lbs since Thanksgiving weekend. Exactly 1 lb each Saturday. 19 more weeks of this and I will be at my ideal weight, which I havent seen since 2016 and only got below in 2015 due to the stress of the combination of pregnant wife, failing business, and new job.

  23. BakedPenguin

    You Glibfits are an inspiration. I need to get off my ass and workout, but I do need to start slow. I have no excuse, since I live next to a long bike/ jogging path, and have a couple sets of weights. I don’t really need to lose weight, but I am “skinny fat” and would like to turn that into “skinny ripped”.

    Happy Hanukah to you, Chafed, and all other parenthetical Glibs.

    And just because I can’t leave a completely positive reply, Tundra (and others from the land of 1,000 frozen lakes), your boys need a new kicker.

    • Tundra

      Walk. Every day.

      Lift. A few times a week.

      Eat lots of protein and not a lot of sugar/starch.

      Never, ever bother with football!

      • Fourscore

        Ain’t no more sports for this old guy. (Not counting fishing/hunting)

        Boycott/naps are more productive.

      • rhywun

        Never, ever bother with football!

        Fuck that, I enjoy laughing at the Jets every week.

  24. robc

    Bought an ABT 12 at my grocery store today. I like my neighborhood sometimes.

  25. Threedoor

    I’ve been using the elliptical for the last month. 4-5 times a week. It sucks. After a load of crap in the last eight months for us and my fake ankle driving me nuts I’m trying to get my BP and heart rate down for my stupid DOT physical. BP down to 125/85. Probably be 140/95 at the physical though. When statists make you take an exam for your livelihood it gets stressful.

    Back on lowish carb after a year. I did t gain all the weight back. All but about 10lb of it. Back down twenty.

    • Threedoor

      Probably the lowest BP I’ve had since Jr high. I e always run high.

      I hate that stupid standard.

  26. grrizzly

    Morality pills.
    Here we have a medical professor who suggests that government administer psychotropic drugs to the population via the water supply to reduce dissent from lockdowns.

    • Fourscore

      Putting a lock on the well cover…

    • Threedoor

      He needs a hot lead injection.

    • But Enough About My Pulsating, Geriatric Pecs

      Soma.
      G-23 Paxilon Hydrochlorate.
      etc. . . .

      I’m beginning to think “I Aim To Misbehave” should be everyone’s motto in the New Year.

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        It’s been my Google Avatar for years….

    • Tulip

      He should lose his license for lack of ethics

  27. Sean

    We went shopping today at the outlets. Mask compliance 100%

    Strong crowds too. Some more popular stores enforcing max occupancy. ?

    • robc

      Costco is weird this weekend. They were early to mandate masks and limit numbers. They are still mandating masks but they were crazy busy yesterday. No limits on number inside.

      • Gender Traitor

        # limits = $ limits

      • Mojeaux

        ^^^That

    • Ted S.

      So you were wearing a mask too?

      • Sean

        Yes

    • grrizzly

      Yesterday I saw a second person without a mask inside a store in MA since late April.

    • TARDis

      Walked by a Victoria’s Secret outlet. Hot girls lined up down the sidewalk waiting to get presents for their… whatevers. Lucky whatevers.
      *sigh*

      • TARDis

        Meant to add, masks on most.

      • But Enough About My Pulsating, Geriatric Pecs

        Most what?  ;-)

    • rhywun

      Apropos… this being NY, a mask is required in any indoor public area, because… well, you know why.

      Now, there are a couple ways to go about this.

      One is a nice little sign requesting you wear the fucking thing.

      Another is “NO MASK NO SERVICE”.

      Guess which stores I refuse to patronize?

      • Ted S.

        Unfortunately, I think all the liquor stores I’ve been in are the latter.

        The sign at the entrance to Hannaford also changed recently from “request” to “require”.

      • rhywun

        I don’t care if it says “require” when they make it clear it’s a government edict.

        It’s the snippy, flippant, asshole attitude I hate with “NO MASK NO SERVICE”. I mostly see it on mom’n’pops, usually crudely scrawled. Which of course almost all liquor stores are in NY but I haven’t checked mine because where the hell else am I gonna get liquor.

      • Lazer

        Still no mask for me, except at work occasionally, delivery driver, not many restaurant employees in the morning care. And when I referee I’m supposed to wear it out before the game. lol, I half ass it and remove it when I speak. Still only been refused service in one store.

  28. BakedPenguin

    Apropos of nothing, a hilarious post from 10 years ago: Missing Missy.

    • But Enough About My Pulsating, Geriatric Pecs

      I love that guy. Kinda reminds me of me. At least, that’s what the spousal unit keeps telling me.

    • mikey

      Thanks. A true classic. Still brings tears to my eyes.

    • Tundra

      Excellent stuff. I may have to binge his early work.

      RIP.

    • rhywun

      RIP

      I have an omnibus edition of his greatest hits on my shelf that I’ve been meaning to read for, oh, a couple decades now. I read one of them when I was much younger and loved it. But they do require considerable time and attention which for some reason I can’t quite muster these days.

      • grrizzly

        A Perfect Spy is my favorite.

    • Mojeaux

      *drool*

    • Sean

      Awesome.

  29. Count Potato

    “An increasing number of men are taking up sewing, not only to break traditional gender stereotypes but also advocate for body acceptance, racial justice and more sustainable lifestyles”

    https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1337990647006056449

    Because only white people buy clothes?

    • Ted S.

      Andrew Johnson was a tailor.

    • Mojeaux

      I had a karate teacher who could and did tailor his own suits. Let me tell you, that was more impressive than his karate.

    • Yusef drives a Kia

      I’ve sewn all my life, it’s a good skill to have,

      • Akira

        I don’t understand how someone can not know how to sew… What do they do if a button falls off? Serious question.

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        This. I’ve tuned up my sewing skills on the 3 year old’s stuffed animals as of late. The odd button and popped seam are all in my domain.

        Could I make clothes? Maybe. Would I ever want to? Not particularly. I have a hard enough time cutting in a straight line. Sewing a straight line ain’t happening.

      • Akira

        Oh yea, sewing a straight line is hard.

        I’ve actually thought about getting a sewing machine since:

        1) My body is unusually proportioned from years of lifting weights. If I buy pants that are comfortable in the waist, they’re usually way too baggy on the legs, but a smaller waist means that the legs are then too tight. Same situation buying dress shirts. If I had a sewing machine, I could just buy the regular clothes and modify them as needed.

        2) You can get incredible deals on blazers/suits online, but the custom tailoring will cost you.

      • trshmnstr the terrible

        Flea markets usually have a whole bunch of really cheap used sewing machines. It’s a great opportunity if you’re willing to take the thing apart and fix whatever issue made it end up in the flea market in the first place.

      • Mojeaux

        This is an excellent sewing machine. Worth the money, IMO.

      • rhywun

        I can sew a button on in a pinch, or pay the dry cleaners down the block 3 or 4 bucks to do it for me.

    • But Enough About My Pulsating, Geriatric Pecs

      Learned it in Air Cadets. Back then, it was a self-preservation skill (nothing like having a Dee-sip Corporal make you run backwards around CFB Kingston’s perimeter whilst carrying an FN rifle above your head ’cause you failed a uniform inspection…).

    • rhywun

      Stunning and brave.

      My mom taught me to crochet a few decades ago. Mostly because I was bored and had few social skills. Who knew I could someday parlay that into an appearance in the NYT!

    • DrOtto

      Sewing is one of the original 7 industrial arts – Hank Hill

    • Threedoor

      I died 15 times in the first 30 seconds of that.

    • Tundra

      10/10

      Would watch again.

  30. Lazer

    Still getting on average 10,000 steps per day with job. 4 nights of reffing and 4 games Saturday this week. Still at 205. Need more stretching and to do push-ups every day

  31. LCDR_Fish

    Being stuck at home for a couple weeks (coof exposure quarantine – paid leave) – has let me build a couple new workout routines I can alternate in my garage. One with dumbbells (just bought a pair of 15s to upgrade from my 10s) – and one focusing on my exercise bands (got a good video). Tried to do two bands to do the curl, squat, press workout and that was ridiculously tough. Think I’ll switch to back to 1 and up the reps and work on my other exercises for a while.

  32. DrOtto

    If I were a restauranteur, I’d offer some type of flambe and call it a “fiery, but mostly peaceful protest”.