To say that life has been wild is an understatement. I bookmarked this tweet way back in January and it still resonates.
Don't know which statement is more true -- Kelsie's Snow's "no smooth sailing" or the commenter's one about excruciating anxiety and stress.
I've been talking to my aunt about coming over so that I could get out for a swim. At first, I thought "What's the point?" Still, we finally set a date and I got to go swimming yesterday. Haven't been in about a year and the lifeguard said that he thought I was in Europe or something. How I wish that had been true.
Swimming was great. Going to a couple of stores after swimming was also great. I felt light and free.
Recently watched an episode of Hoarders, Season 13, Episode 4, Carl. The organizer, Dorothy Breininger, said to Carl:
I really understand what it's like to care for a parent.
I do caregiving for my mom. I did caregiving for my dad and I did caregiving for my sister.
So, it was always on me to handle the problems. And I want to say, I totally get it; that you have to handle all of the these problems and I'm so sorry about that...
Since the pandemic, walking has been my main exercise and while I really enjoy it and enjoy listening to podcasts as I walk, I just feel a bit landlocked.
Even thought I felt fatigued and as if I didn't have enough time, I did get an opportunity to go swimming today. Couldn't find my good goggles and one of my flip flops is missing but I have back-up goggles and back-up flip flops. Not ideal but as the 'Fugee likes to say now -- good enough.
Unbelievably, It's been two years... Tried to do freestyle on my first trip down the lane and couldn't do it so I did the backstroke for awhile and then told myself to calm down and breathe and I was able to feel comfortable with my head underwater. Swimming was definitely relaxing...
During my morning walk the other day, saw four goldfinches emerge from this area by the sidewalk with coneflowers and some other puffy, purple flowers.
Further along I saw a hummingbird, several cardinals, a robin and who knows what else. A few delightful moments during this wild ass time in the world and in my life.
It's hard to believe that it's 2022 with all this fascism and misogyny.
After more than a year, went back to the swimming pool. Of course, things have changed. You have to reserve your time online, temperatures are taken and masks are to be worn until you get to your lane. Brought a plastic bag along with me so that I could put my mask in there.
Joked with the 'Fugee that I didn't know if I'd still be able to swim but all went well. As I swam, so many things crossed my mind, including the time that I sprained my ankle but asked the doctor if I'd be able to swim.
Thought about how my desire to learn how to swim was born out of being at the 'Fugee's pool and watching kids fearlessly jump into the deeper end and how I didn't know anyone with a pool up until then and also how the 'Fugee once told me, "I wasn't supposed to meet you" which made me think of Lisel Mueller's poem, Alive Together.
Swam 20 laps and this woman in the locker room complimented me and it's so funny because I totally have imposter syndrome when it comes to swimming...
Didn't bother to take my bike to the shop because I was on it so little last year. Inflated the tires, hoisted it out of the basement and headed to the Riverfront Trail. Only, it's hard to get to the riverfront so I headed out Highway 70 which made me think of going to the airport for trips.
Didn't ride for long but it was a gorgeous day and I enjoyed riding along the Mississippi River.
Love this part of the trail. Is it anything special? Probably not. Maybe it's just how nature makes you feel.
I'm trying to grow Zinnias and probably should have just tried to plant the seed directly in the ground. This should be interesting.
Did Qigong at work on Friday. It was my second time doing a session with an instructor and I felt relaxed afterward. Didn't come home for lunch because of the Qigong and realized how lucky I am to work close to home. The day felt extraordinarily long without my usual trip home...
Didn't feel like I had an ounce of energy today but I also didn't want to sit around the house all day so I went swimming after not having gone for two weeks. Saw the retired math teacher, Dale, who responded with a W.C. Fields quote after I responded to his inquiry about how I was doing. He then went on to tell me a joke about two camels who ate a comedian -- he tasted funny, said one camel.
Asked the lifeguard if she'd seen my Fitbit. She looked in the safe and on the message/cork board which has tons of earrings and whatnot but there was no sign of my Fitbit. She went on to tell me how she'd changed her Apple watch band to a magnetic one because the original band was ill-fitting and the watch had slipped off her wrist several times. The lifeguard also told me how she'd cracked the screen several times.
Oh well, I like my new Fitbit and hope to have it for several years as the Inspire feels more secure on my arm.
My aunt G called on Saturday morning to let me know that my cousin's 58-year-old father had died.
As I drove to the pool later in the day, remembered how I hadn't seen my cousin's father in ages when he greeted me outside the funeral home where my grandmother's service was held.
Thought about my cousin's grandmother who was living with her 58-year-old son and thought about my grandmother, other relatives and silently wished for a do-over while almost immediately telling myself that there are no do-overs.
When I arrived at the pool, the guy who told me about Errol Flynn in Jamaica was at the check-in desk. When I asked him how he was doing he replied, "Still on this side of the grass" and that's always a curious response to me...
Anyway, swam and had the entire pool to myself for quite a while. Got in 22 laps then decided to go to JC Penney as one of my favorite blouses is from there and I could use at least one more shirt. Didn't find anything but when I got in the car, realized that my Fitbit was not on my arm so I went back into JC Penney and back into the dressing room and walked around and couldn't find anything.
I hate losing stuff. Had to ask myself if a tracker has made that big of a difference in my life. Got online to see about a replacement and found out that they no longer make that style. I also have a back-up that I'm not that fond of but couldn't find the charging cord so it's not really a back-up.
I'm hoping that maybe the tracker fell off at the pool...
Was listening to an earlier episode of Gaslit Nation as I ran errands on Saturday and a guest talked about how we need to support people that we like and have a grassroots effort in place. She mentioned that many people like Alexandria Ocasio-Cruz but that AOC is not a superhero and cannot fight the good fight on her on...
While on Twitter, saw a TMZ post about Kobe Bryant and was shocked. I don't really follow basketball as much as I used to but I had also seen a post just the day before about him congratulating Lebron James on surpassing him in scoring.
After the shock, had to tell myself that he was mortal; it just seemed otherwise on the basketball court...
Went to a YTT Q & A and was talking to my trainer's husband who was also shocked and as we finished up our conversation he said, "Life is precious and short" -- a reminder that we all need once in a while.
Wanted to stay home last night but knew that I would have regrets if I didn't go swimming since I only go once a week and that's not guaranteed lately.
Couldn't find my go-to goggles and, reluctantly, grabbed my back-up pair. Tried to put a positive spin on it like It's lovely to have two pairs of goggles. The back-up pair is prone to leaking but I made it work.
Got to the school and there was an event so parking was scarce. I almost gave up but then parked away from the pool house then hiked to my destination as my energy took a nosedive.
The locker room was more crowded than usual so I didn't bother to stop and just took my top layer off poolside. Before I did, though, this guy who has been coming to the pool for a long time spotted my Motivated tank and he almost died laughing because I did not look motivated at all.
The water was chilly (as usual) so I stood there and talked to my pool friend for a bit. Somehow, I managed to get in 18 laps and enjoyed most of them too.
When I got home and unpacked my swimming paraphernalia, my #1 pair of goggles fell out of one of the plastic bags that I keep in my pool bag...
As I checked the news, people were talking about the Botham Jean verdict and a lot of people are, rightly, angry. I saw a quote not too long ago and I don't remember it verbatim but it said something like racism destroys you from the inside.
On a yet another note, I'm glad that the Finnish reporter didn't treat Trump with kid gloves.
The last time that I went swimming was on April 23rd.
Knew that it had been a while as I used Tuesday to catch up on yoga sequencing
or to just rest but it's still hard to believe that it's been almost two months. Couldn’t seem to make getting to the pool on the weekend work.
On Tuesday, I felt a strong urge to swim and almost gave up when I couldn’t find
the goggles that I wanted. Kept my cool and eventually found my goggles.
Got to the pool and had this exchange:
Me to Lifeguard: Hi, how are you?
Lifeguard: Good and how are you?
Me: Fine.
Lifeguard: YOU haven’t been here in a while.
I chuckled. The lifeguard is a coach and it shows.
It felt good to be in the water again. For some reason, my
Fitbit no longer detects when I get in the pool. It has only detected
swimming once and it has malfunctioned already. I do like the silent alarms
and the slimness of this Fitbit but Garmin Vivofit seems to have been more
functional. At any rate, I enjoyed my swim and I could tell the different
areas of my body that were worked...
Collaborated with one of my YTT mates on a Pop-Up Restorative Yoga with Singing Bowls event. People seemed to have found restoration and I'm amazed by how many people enjoy singing bowls. I'll definitely collaborate with my classmate again; we just need to figure out a few things like what day and how often etc. etc. .
So, yeah, when does a pop-up event cease to be a pop-up?
Went swimming on Tuesday. Hadn't been since the end of December and it felt good to be back in the pool. The only downside is that I was so congested that I couldn't sleep. As Alison says, I need a saltwater pool.
Taught a yoga class at work. Was supposed to teach it last week but the Polar Vortex intervened. I was, partially, grateful for the reprieve but there was also part of me that wanted to have the class under my belt.
Put together a sequence, practiced it. Practiced it again. Fretted over whether it was long enough or cohesive enough. Attempted to put together a playlist, added to my Teaching Yoga Checklist etc...
One of my coworkers was so sweet. He saw me in the room beforehand and helped by vacuuming the floor as well as getting a battery for the clock.
The room ended up being too small but we forged ahead. Forgot about four poses and was truly surprised when my Fitbit's silent alarm buzzed to signal that it was time for savasana.
Although many yoga teachers discreetly use notes, I felt bad about referring to them, which is why I missed a few poses. Forgot to put on music; you never know who's going to be triggered by too much silence.
Started with a guided meditation and incorporated my wind chime so, in some respects, it would have felt awkward to go from the music of a wind chime to music music.
In the end, my coworkers were very encouraging. Regarding fulfilling our assist/adjustment requirement, Stacy shrugged and said You'll be nervous until you're not. I remember reading something about how to prepare for a speech and the author said that The audience wants you to do well and I tried to keep that in mind.
My yoga studio had a September "challenge" and I hesitated to join as everyone's homes and bodies looked so tidy but then I decided to jump into the fray because if I don't represent, then who will? One of the poses that I thought that I would never attempt was wheel pose. However, my yoga trainer is always talking about accessible yoga so I decided to try wheel pose with a stability ball.
Continuing with my outdoor theme, I spotted sunflowers on a corner. So, I did legs up the fence (i.e. legs up the wall) on a fairly busy corner. I can only imagine what this man driving by was thinking when he saw me...
Work has me thinking about someone that I have not thought about in ages -- Tupac Shukar. I keep thinking God forgive me; I got the spirit of a thug in me and It's just me against the world and I woke up screaming f... the world.
Given the "tools" that I have at my disposal, I don't worry about totally devolving but...
Speaking of rappers, love this memo to Kanye West:
Rolled out early this morning and got cooking out of the way since I was scheduled to meet Chiquita at the recreation center at 11:00-ish. I wasn't very optimistic that they would let me use her second guess pass since I'd already been there once but they did...
Had my eye on swimming -- even though Chiquita was going to be on the treadmill. Swam 10 laps because I wanted to shoot hoops too. I also went ahead with swimming because I knew that I'd be jonesing for it at some point in the week.
I'd rather, informally, play basketball and walk/run after the ball than be on the treadmill. It was kind of funny that I hit the first five baskets that I attempted...
Decided to stop by The Sunflower Project since I would pass by Old North St. Louis on the way home. Thought the sunflowers were going to be big and chuckled when I stopped my car. Of course, they will be big sunflowers one day.
Wanted to go by an outdoor pool but I also don't want to be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Plus, I tend to feel like nesting on Sunday. So, I went home and stayed. Read a little and cleaned a little. It was also a "no" for observing a yoga class. I didn't feel like doing much of anything...
I like this poster that was on the natatorium's message board. For today, I guess that should be Why not stay at home?
This intern came into my office and when I asked how her day was going, she said "You know how it is around here at times; it's like being shot out of a cannon." That's such an accurate description.
I told her that we sometimes sing circus music so the cannon would fit right into the circus.
What made me laugh, though, is when she told me that she overslept. She's supposed to be at work by 9 and didn't wake up until 9:45 a.m. I think it was so funny because I often feel like I am dragging my ass out of bed. Her story made me feel less alone in the struggle.
Went swimming tonight and I've shaved about 13 minutes off of my time -- just an observation because I'm still a slow swimmer and, overall, I just care that I moved, as people like to say, my DNA.
In last week's episode, "we" were reminded that taking deep breaths when upset is beneficial.
On Monday, I remembered that it's hard to breathe when you're stressed out and upset. Today, thank God, was a less stressful day. I can totally see why, though, exercise made the top of the 99 Coping Skills list.
Went to Zumba yesterday and I was able to, for the most part, leave that 9 to 5 up on the shelf. One of my coworkers is sometimes in this class and so, for a minute or two, I thought about work but the dancing quickly took over.
Swimming was on tap tonight and I got caught up in all the rituals -- swimming the laps, shower etc. so that when I opened the pool door, I was taken aback by the indigo sky which was stunning in its prettiness.
Came across an Instagram post that made me pause. I do not feel content or relaxed right now but I'm working on it.
Yesterday I went to a sound meditation instead of Zumba. It was a tough decision but the sound meditation event is only once a month and when it was over with, I made a silent vow to go to the next one which will be the last session before summer.
The meditation is 75 minutes but usually feels like 20; I slept well afterwards. Monday had been so intense that sound therapy just seemed like the right thing to do.
I was tempted to go to Zumba today but had to remind myself that it's not a very good experience trying to make it to a 5:30 p.m. class so I went swimming.
There's been a young boy taking lessons and I listened in.
Pretend that your legs don't bend; you want to keep your legs straight. The arms are the same for the backstroke as they are for freestyle -- except they go backwards.
Okay, I know some of these techniques but it never hurts to be reminded. When I saw the dive rings poolside, it made me think of Katy Bowman and it totally made me want to play with them.
Went to our once a month restorative yoga class at work. The whole practice, especially the guided meditation, was sweet and it was precisely what I needed as it was one of those days.
Last night, I went swimming after a two or three week hiatus. I've shaved 13 minutes off of my time. It wasn't a goal but I guess that I've become a more efficient swimmer and that's nice. I still have swimming goals like learning how to do a flip turn and possibly bilateral breathing but I'm not in a rush.
I have a book on swimming but every time I think about reading it for tips, I also think about the Big Bang Theory when Leonard is giving Sheldon the business about learning how to swim on land.
When I was on Instagram last night, found out that yogi Heidi Zoltak had died at the age of 45. She was diagnosed with Mucosal Melanoma last year and the way she shared her journey was grace in action.
Went to the pool after a two week hiatus. I was horribly congested after I went last time. Plus, the water is usually chilly and I just wasn't feeling it last week with the cooler temperatures.
Got to the pool around 6:50 p.m. and the lifeguard approached me. The hours had changed and I was about 30 minutes early, ugh.
This guy who often comes to the pool told me that he did the same thing last week and he went on to tell me that he had to swim in a hurry as he usually drops his wife off at the thrift store then picks her up when he's finished swimming. He went on to tell me that they both lost a lot of weight years ago and couldn't afford to keep buying clothes and that's when they first started shopping at thrift stores. I told him that I have a friend ( the 'Fugee) who has the patience to shop at such stores.
Another guy who I last saw in May is back at the pool and he told me that he had lost 28 pounds over the summer. He wasn't a heavy guy to begin with but I guess he was heavier than he wanted to be.
His secret? He cut his lunch in half and now he cuts a subway sandwich into five parts and eats it for dinner. Yes, he's on the "Jared Diet." When I asked him about breakfast, he said that he sleeps in late and has never been much of a breakfast person.
It's kind of funny that neither one of these guys has talked to me about weight before and that was tonight's topic.
Went to visit my cousin and was taken aback to see Halloween lights. My aunt used to decorate for all occasions -- Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July etc.
When I walked into the house, told my cousin that I wasn't expecting the decorations and she said that she wasn't either. Another cousin had put them up.
I took a deep breath.
It was kind of nice to see the lights and to carry on with one of my aunt's traditions...
Went swimming tonight and was surprised to see Chatty Kathleen who I hadn't see in over four months. She asked me if I knew who was at the pool and she pointed to her granddaughter. I was shocked because I remember her grandchild when she was three or four and now she's ten; time flies, for real.
I purposely stayed in the pool about 15 minutes after I saw CK get out because I know that she takes a while to get ready. Nice try because she was still in the shower when I got there and we ended up walking out of the locker room at the same time. Her granddaughter was staying by her side and also rolling and carrying a bag. At one point, CK stopped to rest since her back was bothering her and, somehow, I had forgotten about the intensity of her back issues. I felt ashamed that I had been slightly annoyed about shower issues.
Someone sent me an email at work and I only read the first part of their sentence. The person ended up calling me because they needed a quick response. I love to read so I don't know why I'm quickly scanning stuff. I will concede that there is work-related stuff that I, obviously, don't want to read but... At any rate, I ended up having a conversation with the person about meditation and she said that we all need uncluttering for our minds. I like that concept and want to put meditation back on my agenda. She also sent me the "mantra" that she keeps above her desk.
Last week was a busy one. Went to Zumba -- twice, climbing and swimming (twice). Had dinner with Gloria on Thursday then we went to see Garden of Glass at the Botanical Garden. On Friday, went over to the 'Fugee's and, on Saturday, mowed the lawn and went to say my goodbyes to the city pool even though it was only 82 degrees. At the pool, talked for 30 minutes to a yogi whose path I seldom cross at the studio. At some point, also went to JC Penney because I'd gotten a spend $10 dollars, get $10 dollars off coupon and I've been looking for another short sleeve shirt to wear to work. Mission accomplished.
New Shirt
While running errands, debated about whether to go to this silent yoga event. Wasn't sure when an event of this kind would happen again so I went.
I am having time management issues. My problem? There are a lot of things that I like to do but, obviously, something suffers. I wanted to go to the city pool again on Sunday for the final day but ended up running out of time. While I got around to cooking, never did get around to washing clothes or the other chores that needed to be done.
Really enjoyed the silent, sunset yoga that took place at the gorgeous Grand Basin in Forest Park but, like a fugitive, I was very aware of how out in the open I was and even more so because the people who sponsored the yoga event are really into photography. One of them was taking very up close and personal pictures. At one point, I doubled the blanket that I had for my knees and thought she would move on as I adjusted it but, no, she stayed right where she was and got her picture. My God, I thought, she is going to capture all the flaws. I can take a gazillion selfies and post the one that I think is most flattering but I cannot control what other people post.
A Woman Chilling Out Before Yoga
Still in fugitive mode, I looked for pictures from the event and held my breath as I spotted my likeness in people's social media pictures. Also wondered how intrusive I was capturing the photo above of the woman resting before yoga.
While at the Botanical Garden, Gloria kept asking which installation was my favorite. She also asked me if I could do anything, work-wise, what it would be. As we walked about, I couldn't pinpoint a favorite glass sculpture until we'd left the Climatron and headed to the exit. I'm glad that I didn't read the map or descriptions of the artwork because I got to be blown away by Make A Wish when I figured out what was happening. It was such a moment of delight and maybe I'll get to have a similar moment when I figure out what work really rocks my boat.
Love this Chihuly in the foyer at the MO Botanical Garden.
Gloria and moi at the exhibit...
Make A Wish
This Words of Women Instagram post resonated with me today.
Went to Zumba this morning and I'm not sure why I was surprised that Alisha made us rain. She has always been energetic -- even when fully pregnant.
Returned home after Zumba and wasn't sure what to do with myself outside of washing clothes. Eventually pulled myself together and went to the pool so I could alleviate my cabin fever.
You know that it's hot when you're warm while in the pool. When I got back home, realized how good it feels to be unplugged and, of course, I should never underestimate aquatic therapy. I felt less "woe is me" after returning. Having just the weekend to recuperate and get stuff done tends to make me gloomy and I know that I'm not the only one who experiences this soooo...
Went to run an errand around 8-ish and the temperature was still registering over 100 degrees. Listened to the Jill Scott CD that I randomly picked up when I went to retrieve The Wangs vs. the World from the library. I really like tracks five, six (Lovely Day) and ten. Had to give Scott's remake of Lovely Day a couple of listens before I stopped making comparisons to the original.
On the way back from my errand, enjoyed sky-gazing and wondered if the indigo clouds were heat-related.
I used to be able to resist the siren call of the all-staff email announcing leftover cookies and cakes but it's been calling my name lately. Didn't even eat it at work -- brought it home. Somehow, I need to regroup...
There's been ongoing excessive heat advisories so I've had to resort to at-home exercise again -- not my favorite thing to do right now. Went to yoga yesterday and really enjoyed class. During savasana I was conscious but not and experienced a little float-like feeling just as the teacher started talking us back into an upright position.
Outdoor yoga was canceled today because of the heat and, last night, one of my colleagues texted me our Zumba teacher's Facebook "Sub Alert" post. I had really been looking forward to going to his class. The city pool has extended hours on Wednesday so I decided to go and it was such a nice evening. I kept telling myself "10 more minutes. 10 more minutes..."
Magical Evening at the Pool
As I read Gingerzingi's comment about Lisa Stansfield's song, it occurred to me that I should make a "vacation" playlist. Haven't been to La Jolla in a long time but whenever I hit that town, I am inspired to sing You're Beautiful and, in general, being by water makes me sing Otis Redding. Will have to think about, at least, seven other songs for this playlist. In the meantime, I also need to work on taming my wanderlust but I'm not sure if a vacation playlist is going to help me out with that goal.
I've been writing this post for about five days now -- starting, stopping, starting...
The congestion monster had all but faded then I decided to go swimming last Tuesday after a 25-day hiatus and... could hardly sleep because of chemical congestion. It was a TKO.
Ugh, I will probably need to look for a nose clip or give up swimming for a while until the outdoor pools open. It's a bummer since I like having a water activity but I am trying to look at it as an opportunity to do other things. Case in point, I'm going climbing tomorrow with an out-of-towner which will open the door for me to do Zumba on Wednesday with a teacher that I really like...
Spent a lot of time trying to figure out this song that I liked during another Zumba class. I referred to it as the "The Ponytail Song." Between a colleague and hearing a few lyrics on Saturday, I was able to figure out that it's a Britney Spears song, Slumber Party. I now find myself listening to songs that I would normally thumb my nose at.
Went to another Zumba class tonight. Grace doesn't have a regular class but when she subs the classes are packed and the atmosphere is electric. After class, you find yourself high-fiving people and sending them on their way with good wishes.
After tonight's class, I headed to the grocery store next door and overheard a Zumba classmate tell this youngin', who had also been in class, Don't text and walk; people have gotten killed like that. I thought that was so cool. No "please" -- just don't do it...
A colleague forwarded me an email from one of her friends with suggested podcasts for #TryPod week. Most of the podcasts are on my radar except for Kind World. I listened to episode #36, When The Sun Came Out, on the way to Zumba on Saturday and got totally teary.
When I walked on Sunday, listened to the rest of a That's So Retrograde episode and learned about CBD suppositories and "Beaver Butt Juice." Regarding the latter, who thinks of stuff like that?
I saw someone post her meditation stats on Instagram and learned that it was from the Calm app. You can do the seven-day challenge for free but for the rest of the meditations, there's a subscription fee. Wish that I had known that before I downloaded it since my iPod is starting to look like Deray's phone minus all of the notifications.
Love the Calm screen that greets you upon opening the app...
Speaking of meditative practices, I cooked the Vegetarian Pad Thai from one of the Thug Kitchen cookbooks. Loved it but there was a lot of chopping involved. I would definitely make it again. Just wished that there was more time to do stuff.
Inhale as early as possible and for as long as possible.
Try to keep one eye in the water.
Keep your head on the same plane as your body.
from Freestyle Breathing Technique video
If it is in the wrong position, soon everything else will be, too.
In swimming as in life, you gotta get your head in the right place.
from Breathing While Swimming by Coach Dee, Excel Triathletes Blogspot
The greater the distance between your finger tips and your toes, the better.
Have Goggles, Will Swim, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Triathlon Training
In proper freestyle swimming, the head moves with the body to take the breath; it never moves independently. You don’t want any lifting of the chin to take a breath. You don’t want any looking forward or to the side of the pool to take a breath. You want to rotate your head in line with the your body…
Bob Bowman
Indulgences
Alexia Oven Fries (Olive Oil, Rosemary, Garlic)
Almond Butter, Creamy With Sea Salt (Trader Joe's)
Banana Split SO Delicious Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Minis (Made With Coconut Milk & Agave Sweetened Center)
Bunny Grahams (Annie's Homegrown)
Chocolate-Covered Peppermint Sticks (Bogdon)
O'Coco's Organic Baked Crisps
Soy Creamy Mini Chocolate Sandwiches Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (Trader Joe's)
TLC Banana Chocolate Chip Soft n' Chewy Bars (Kashi)
Kryptonite
Bahlsen Truffet (Meringue Biscuit with Cocoa Cream Filling and Swiss Milk Chocolate)
Baked Egg Soufflé (Panera Bread)
Baklava
Barcelona Bar (Hickory Smoked Almonds, Grey Sea Salt...)
Belgian Chocolate Shells (Guylian)
Belgian Mini Cream Puffs
Bionic Apples (Merb's)
Biscuits
Cafe Mocha
Cailler Rayon - 100 g Milk Chocolate with Nougat and Honey
Candied Pecans (Trader Joe's)
Cheese (Swedish Farmer's et al)
Cornbread (Hot Water & Regular)
Croissant
Duc d'O Belgian Chocolate Truffles
Duc d'O Pralines Patissieres
Everything Bagel
Fried Anything (Yucca etc.)
German Chocolate Cake
Gooey Butter Cake
Haagen-Dazs
Half and Half
Hanukkah Cookies
Hanuta
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Maltose Corn Syrup
Ice Cubes (Moritz)
Izze Sparkling Clementine
Jelly Belly Tropical Mix
Kinder Bueno
Krispy Kreme Original Glazed
Kuglice
Lay's Mesquite Barbecue Potato Chips
Lemon Creme Granola Bar (Attune)
LU Le Petit Ecolier Milk Chocolate
Macaroni and Cheese
Manner Mozartwurfel Cubes
McArthur's Bakery Cupcakes, Six Pack
McDonald's Trifecta: Apple Pie, French Fries & Orange Drink
Merci (Storck)
Milk Afrika (Bahlsen)
Mint Meltaways (World's Finest Chocolate)
Nesquik Strawberry Syrup
Peach Cobbler
Pizza
Sierra Turkey Sandwich (STL Bread CO)
Soda
Spiced Sweet Potato Chips (Terra)
Starbucks Java Chip Ice Cream
Suchard
Sunchips, Garden Salsa Flavor
Sweet Potato Pie
Ted Drewes' Dutchman Delight (Butterscotch, Chocolate, Pecans and Vanilla Custard)
Thai Iced Tea (The King and I)
Three Cheese Organic Pizza (Trader Joe's)
Tiramisu
Tiramisu (Edy's Dreamery)
Vegetarian Crispy Spring Rolls (The King and I)
Veggie Chips Potato Snacks (Trader Joe's)
Weissella Soft Gingerbread Cookies, Sugar Glazed or Chocolate Covered
Woolloomooloo Bar (Roasted & Salted Macadamia Nuts, Indonesian Coconut...)
N.Y.L. (New York Laundry): Relaxing, Exercise, Shopping, A Fun Time, Being Seen In, Anything
Navy Blue Speedo Ultraback (RIP: Jan. 2009 to July 2009)
Steamfresh Specially Seasoned Southwestern Corn
Trader Joe's Multigrain & Flaxseed Water Crackers
Wasa thin & crispy rosemary flatbread
Mantra
The Best Life Diet is not a diet in the usual sense of the word. You don't go on it, then off it as the term diet typically implies. It is, instead, a diet in the traditional sense of the word: a way of eating - for life. It's based on a well-balanced regimen of interesting, satisfying, nutrient-rich, and easy-to-find-and-prepare foods...
Roasted Red Potatoes With Chive Butter Sauce (Steamfresh Lightly Sauced)
More Climbing Advice
To climb fluidly and under control, you must settle in and relax.
from How To Rock Climb! by John Long
Put your weight on them (feet), trust them, and utilize them to save your strength by resting on them... Feel stuck? Look for a foot hold, exhale, and move to it.
from Mock Rock: The Guide To Indoor Climbing
Motivation
I'm going to give it all that I have then I'm gonna give it all that I don't have.
