30 Days Hath September or Month-End Review

My replacement Fitbit met an untimely demise and I felt like such a prima donna replacing it but I did. Decided to go with a Garmin Vivofit 2. The Fitbit and Vivofit are similarly matched. I like that you can recharge the Fitbit but I was really drawn to the waterproofness of the Vivofit.

Hit the pool for the first time with the new tracker and was a little disappointed that it hardly registered movement. Of course, the youngin' who hopped in my lane and swam circles around me would probably attribute the lack of detection to my speed.

When I first put the Vivofit on, thought that it was broken since it doesn't register movement as fast as the Fitbit but what I really like about the GV2 is the red bar of shame that appears if you don't move for a while. You also get beeped at. Actually, it's more like a pleasant chirp. It's not loud but the message is clear and, note to self: take the Vivo off when practicing yoga.

I am pleased with my activity this month. Sure, I could be bummed that I didn't get in more yoga for National Yoga Month but when I did practice yoga, it was spectacular.

Walked to work today and listened to Finding God In All The Wrong People, a sweet Fresh Air podcast. Hope that you were pleased with September too...

From Today's Walk

Bicycling, 4 x's

Climbing, 4 x's

Dance It Off & firm up!
*Rock It!, 2 x's

Dreadmill, 1 x

Ellen Barrett Live: fusion floor workout, 1 x

Just Walk: mix + match walk blasters
*Short + Sweaty, 1 x

Just Walk: The Tone Every Zone Walk
*Circuit 1, Upper Body, 1 x

KnockOut Body
*Knockout Body Blast, 2 x's

Mowing of the Lawn, 2 x's

Swimming, 5 x's

Walking, 15 x's

Red Line of Shame

Yoga, 6 x's

Photo Credit: Official Yoga Buzz Photographer, Union Station

Zumba, 3 x's

All The Yogi's Props

Went to a sweet restorative yoga class yesterday and it was a good thing.

Returned to work after six days away. So much mail -- snail mail and voicemail plus emails.

It crossed my mind that it's not even worth it to take time off and it also occurred to me that I might not ever catch up as new work came in but, of course, you have to take time off from work...

Went to yoga this p.m. and the teacher usually has her mat set up with everything that we'll need for class but I heard her say Get out all the props so I went to get a blanket, bolster, blocks, sandbags and a strap.

I needed all the support I could get...

Sound Of Water

Very nice bicycling outing.

Around mile 8.5, we spotted interesting dumpsters and a tent. Alison was curious and approached the tent and I followed. It was a group of folks who care about the river and were handing out information. I wanted to find out more information about the Watershed Cairns art and this woman in the tent went and tugged on the guy's shirt so that I could see the name.

We also went closer to the water which we don't normally do. I forget how much I like the sound of water and the breeze was the icing on the cake.

You Are Here

Missouri River Relief Was Here

Snack Time

This dude was very fast.

Like A Stranded Turtle

Started singing "Neither One Of Us" in the shower earlier in the day. Guess that I don't want to be the first to say goodbye to my little staycation...

This morning thought about how this woman walked up to the hoola hoop area last night at a yoga event and told me that I needed to stick my butt out and she calmly proceeded to hoop it up effortlessly.

Hadn't hoola hooped in a while and I guess it's not like riding a bicycle.

The yoga event at Union Station was special. It was a fundraiser (for veterans of war) and a yogapalooza of sorts.

Another Yoga Buddy, Tammy, Checking Our Surf Fitness

The Hoops

As I checked photos on Instagram, I spotted several photos of myself including one that had me cracking up.

There was live music -- a reggae band -- and once the music started, it was hard to hear Elle so the instructions kind of floated around which is why I'm going to say that I look, in Alison's word, like a stranded turtle.

Around The Park

Took a long walk around Forest Park (Forever). Kind of joked, to myself, that it was taking me forever to get around the park but, in reality, the weather was perfect and my body felt really good and at ease except for a tweak in the ball of one foot.

Listened to The Moth (?), Snap Judgement's "Quick Fix," Slate's Working (How Does a Porn Star Work?) and my workout playlist: Burnin' Up, Good Feeling, I Don't Like It, I Love It etc. as I made my way around the park.

Later on in the day, went to gentle yoga which was just what I needed. During savasana the teacher said Your body deserves your love. True dat...

Yoga Groove

Tara

National Yoga Month has almost gone by without a mention from me and maybe it's because I've kind of lost my yoga groove. I'm down to about one class a week but...

When I read Stacy Hunsicker's letter in the spring 2015 issue of Yoga & Spa magazine, I totally related:

Once yoga calmed my mental drama, more of life opened to me...

Had the same sense of recognition when I read a letter by the publisher of Spirituality & Health magazine:

Each enlightening moment is another brick laid toward out ultimate goal: to become the best versions of ourselves -- spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Went to a two hour workshop last night presented by Dr. Manoj Chalam.

When I think about the PH.D part, I think about how he said that he was a PH.D. who is now schlepping around statues of deities. I also remember this childhood song that we used to sing while jumping rope that involved some young lady who had gone to school "...and when she came back she was an educated fool." My mind does like to go in all kinds of directions. Whose mind doesn't?

Chalam started off the workshop with a meditation and went on to say It's good to center yourself and hit the reset switch and you do that by focusing on the breath. And the meditation portion of the program reminds me of why I like yoga so much.

When your mind is calm, you're in the zone...you go within. Un huh, yeah yeah.

I also like what Chalam said about knowledge: The more you know, the more the unknown increases.

Ganesh or Ganesha is one of the most known Hindu deities. Ganesh is the remover of obstacles and, as Chalam said, Everyone should have a Ganesh.

I am also fascinated with Tara whose main characteristic is compassion...Fast forward to tonight.

I was in a mood before I hit yoga and it didn't get any better when this woman put her mat precisely in front of mine. I would have understood if the class had been full... Joy was in the mood to take "it" up a notch. During the plank portion of the program, she said "For those of you cursing me in your head right now."

Little did Joy know but "right now" had started much earlier for me. However, at the end of class, I was less moody and the intensity that I had in my neck and shoulder (left side) had diminished significantly. I also heard what Joy said about Shiva (dancing) and fire and how sometimes things have to get burned to the ground to be rebuilt.

Plenty of Real Estate

What Do You Want...?

Travel Laundry Bag, Gift

On Thursday went to Zumba class but the instructor ended up not being there and couldn't find a sub. At 7:30 p.m. it's hard to change directions but Alison and I got on treadmills and I cannot believe that there was ever a time when I preferred machines. The time that I spent on that treadmill was brutal even with Alison on the machine next to me.

It was pretty funny, though, when Alison screeched What do you want for your birthday?!?!

I feel very fortunate that there are not a lot of things that I want. However, the things that I do want are things that I need to get for myself but I do try to answer people when they ask me a question so, later on, I told Alison that I really felt like her fixing my Bluetooth keyboard case was gift enough but that if she still wanted to get me something, my want list included: an iTunes song, sync cable, coupon for crepes etc.

My birthday involved a lot of eating, wow, and a botched attempt to the see the balloon glow at Forest Park. The 'Fugee and I got stuck in traffic as we tried to rendezvous with Alison who was also stuck in traffic...

Hit the riverfront trail this morning where a birthday celebration, of sorts, broke out. Alison delivered gifts that she had intended to give me at the balloon glow and Alison's friend brought roses for me and a chocolate chocolate cupcake which is kind of funny because she's a calorie counter.

Flowers From Connie, New Bicycling Buddy

Just as I got all introspective and started thinking about things that I had not accomplished, people just rushed in to let me know that I am treasured.

Best Cup Cakes Ever, Indulgence #5

Because Of Yoga

Masterpiece Theatre

Because of the perfect weather, had my eye on walking to work all along. Thought that I had downloaded an episode of The Moth but I hadn't so I listened to StoryCorps instead.  It's a story from the Griot Collection told by Mary Ellen Noone and I really would like to unlisten to that story, ugh...

Learned my lesson and hit play on a Sporkful episode about chocolate on the return trip... Also got my bicycle out because when I went to renew Sam Smith's CD, got the item has holds message. Bicycled to the library and handed over Smith's CD and picked up Flo Rida and Al Green CDs.

Ate part of the Mexican-Style Grilled Vegetable Sandwich that I put together yesterday. Actually set the top part of the Ciabatta loaf on fire which is probably a good thing anyway. Even though it was hallowed out, we all know how evil bread is...

Accidentally Open-Faced

Got myself together after dinner and headed to yoga. Popped in the Al Green CD and between listening to I'm Still In Love With You and looking at the sunset, I found myself occupying really nice space.

Did I tell you how I look forward to Mondays because of yoga? Okay, not every Monday but a lot of them.

They Eat Walnuts, Don't They?

Yesterday the 'Fugee asked me if I eat walnuts. Sure, I eat walnuts. I use them in the Vegan Sloppy Joes that I cook but I can't eat them like you eat them. For emphasis, I picked up the bag.-- 1/4 a cup = 130 calories. The 'Fugee had about 300 calories in her cup...

Had a bicycling date with Alison and one of her friends. Today was supposed to be the day that I did the MS bike ride but that didn't work out for any of us. Maybe next year. Instead, I took it to the riverfront. The clouds were beautiful and I felt as if I'd been out of town on a short vacation afterward...

Right Before Take Off

Hi-Definition Clouds

Checked out Instagram when I got up this morning and the first post that I spotted was a Gayle King one. When I saw the numberon her scale,  it took me back down memory lane. Remembered how good it felt to be at 184.

After bicycling did a bit of uncluttering which always included tossing paper. Among the papers that I tossed (into recycle bin),  I'd clipped a page from Shape magazine:

6,000
Times The Average Woman Will Weigh Herself In Her Lifetime...

Yesterday stopped by Food Truck Friday and got Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese from Revel Kitchen since I've been wanting to try their food. The pasta was gluten-free. Not even sure that I know what that means.

I might have also gotten a cupcake. Knowing that I have a weakness for cupcakes, I should keep my distance from cupcake trucks.

Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Concotion

Went to JC Penney and couldn't believe it when I spotted a pair of shorts with pockets on sale for $10.36. Sold! I also had a coupon for $10 off $10 dollars or more. Wasn't sure if they'd let me use it but they did. Felt like a thief walking out the door.

No Balance

News from 2009

Cindy and Tim were in town so I had a climbing date with them on Sunday at a branch of my gym. Between the "accessible" area being roped off for a class and the high volume of 5.10s, I could barely find anything to climb. So disappointing. I've always liked the new gym for how it's organized (bouldering area, lead climbing area) and for the variety of routes but the latter has changed. Can't say that I'm thrilled about the route selections at my regular gym either.

Not everyone is a highly skilled climber and I just see no balance with the kind of routes being offered. Ugh...

We had a little surprise gathering for my uncle's birthday today. There was an overflow room which held about five people and my uncle ate in there even though we tried to encourage him to go and eat with his birthday well-wishers.

It was really funny when my aunt Debbie and I walked in and found the birthday boy in the overflow room reading a newspaper and it was even funnier when I realized that the paper was really old.

And I laughed because reading in the midst of a party is something that I would totally want to do.

The Leavers

Alison and I nixed bicycling (too hot) and went to Zumba instead. Had a bit of afro envy from the get-go. Not only was Alisha rocking her 'fro but another woman had a 'fro about Alisha's size.

So, Alisha is usually high energy but she was an energy bomb today.

I was fascinated, slightly nauseous and hot all at the same time. Alison was like Well, you do have a river flowing down your neck right now. Alison also pointed out that Alisha had been to a Zumba convention which had probably reignited her.

It was a nice way to start off the morning and it inspired me to rediscover passion for my favorite activities...

The 'Fugee told me how one of her family members is really into a horrid reality show. Didn't get the name of the show but it got me to thinking about how I was horrified when Survivor first came out -- the whole voting people off the tribe and whatnot. Now, it doesn't bother me at all and I often joke about workplace Survivor. Wouldn't you like to vote someone off the work tribe?

I'm also a big fan of Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, Hoarders and I Shouldn't Be Alive.

Other reality shows that I've watched and like include Little People, Big World, Long Way Round and Intervention.

There are some shows that I haven't watched because I don't have cable and can't imagine that I would enjoy watching shows like Jersey Shore and Bachelor but I do understand that a lot of people participate in the shows for money and fame.

The 'Fugee has watched small segments of  Little People, Pit Boss and Long Island Medium with me. I know that she found Little People a bit sad to watch but... I'll have to get a clearer picture about what's objectionable about the Balkan reality shows...

There seems to be a spate of folks leaving their day jobs. Think my favorite story is the one about the BBC employee leaving to take care of his bees. Wish the leavers would let me in on their secrets...

I have another Zumba song that I cannot get out of head. It's Janelle's Monae's Yoga.



Monae also has another talked about song, Hell You Talmbout, dedicated  to Black Lives Matter.

Pros and...

Small turnout for Zumba but Shawny still asked if anyone was new. She asked this one woman who said that she'd been to her class before but that she, literally, hadn't been to the gym in months.

We were a small but enthusiastic group. Well, I was enthusiastic until we got to the Twerking in the Rain and Drop Your Kitty Kat Down Low portion of the program.

At some point during the songs, remembered how much of a tomboy I am. Is it even politically correct to say tomboy anymore?

At any rate, I exercised and had fun in the process so I'll put the check mark in the "pro" column.

I'm diggin' Go All Night lately. Yes, I know it's old but don't hold it against me because I hardly ever listen to the radio unless you count podcasts. In the newspaper world, liked this article about the Dog Whisperer.