Kickboxing in the Water

Today I was in the deep end doing my water exercise when I became enamored with the movements of kickboxing underwater. It probably looked something like this. The freedom and grace provided by moving in the water is astounding. I consider it a big ticket adjunct to living life. What if neighborhood groups chipped in and bought empty lots to build community pools. I think there should be one every few blocks. The world might be a more peaceful place.

"The Tree of Life" Film

So four of us saw this tonight. We had looked very forward to it and it didn't quite do the trick. I loved a lot of the cinematography—not the dawn of creation part—but the 50's images so real you practically feel the air as you hear the birds singing. That part was exceptional—but not enough to carry the film as a whole. Or perhaps it was simply hard to behold the dismal beauty and ugliness juxtaposed in slow motion. Maybe that was their point. There was a brilliance in how that aspect was carried. Overall I felt the film was way too long and fragmented to leave me with anything close to a post epic filmgasm. All 4 of us are artsy out of the box types, and in the car on the way home we were screeching with outrage and laughter over our respective criticisms of the film.

I did, however, absolutely love the trailer. The trailer would have been a magnificent short. Click on the title of this post to see the trailer.

I am wondering what other people think.

Water Dancing

Serendipity has led me to become an avid water dancer. It is joyful and free flowing. I listen to minimalist electronic music on my ipod shuffle which is clipped to my sun visor and usually ride a styrofoam noodle for a little bit of extra support. It is the most fun sporty thing I can think of. It works out every single muscle in your body, and if you do it right you can keep increasing the force of the workout. When you build up heat you don't sweat. Floating aerobics are just that. You know you're really doing it, but the feeling of support from the water is like a warm flowy hug. You can make up any dance steps you want, run like a runner, do jumping jacks, walk on the pool floor for balance. You can work out your arms by themselves with straight legs, or do a leg workout with your hands either up in the air or at your sides. There is no limit to the stretches you can get while just simply noodling around the pool. My life now revolves around finding the perfect pool and water dancing an hour or more a day. Pools have so many different personalities. From 5 star hotels to fitness clubs, it is fun trying a lot of them out and weighing the pros and cons. Outside vs. inside, chlorine vs. salt water, very deep end or only 5', close to home or further away. It is a balancing act that I am happy to be engaged in. Oh joy!!!

"Counter Productive" Dieting Behavior

My husband and I recently joined Weight Watchers. He because he is overweight and pre-diabetic—and me: I'm a lifetime member. As long as I don't gain even one ounce the meetings are free because I am within "normal" top of the range weight for my height. So we have been trying to adapt our lives around eating healthy food, and not too much of it. He mentioned today that at night he can't help but eat some cheese when he sees it on the kitchen counter, where I've left it, knowing I will return for some more a few times. So I came up with the catch phrase "counter productive." If you are dieting or living with a dieter, remember that food left out in plain sight, and especially unwrapped is like a neon buffet sign. And back to the Weight Watchers model, you need to count your points, and we all know when you are scarfing cheese that's on the counter because someone else left it there, you don't count those points. So the phrase covers it all. Leave it on the counter and the count will tip the scale up. Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted.

Small Orbit

About 3 weeks ago, my usual life took a back seat to my current life of dealing with sciatica, which is very painful and makes it hard to walk. At first I pretty much freaked out, and over not that long a period I adapted my lifestyle to be in harmony with my environment, which as it turns out—is a small orbit. I can think of way worse things, such as commuting in traffic, attending events I wish I'd rather not be at, on and on. The small orbit is a great excuse to just 'be. And be I am. I finally ran the "washer magic" cleaner of washing machine stuff through the washer....twice. And I am almost finished with a big review of old photos, ready to send them off to Scan Cafe to be digitalized. These are projects that could have still been on my list when I died. Well, I aint going noplace except right here, making sure all the hums of the household sound about right, the sheets are clean—again—and I'm purging and having a good old time doing house things. As for the pain, I am using every pain management trick in the book, and some of them are pret-t-y pret-t-y good.

I like it how I like it.

I'm the one in the restaurant who asks for things on the side. I plead my cause to get them to leave off this and substitute that. Pleaaaaaase don't plop my fried chicken on top of my mashed potatoes, thank you very much. My husband sometimes shakes his head and blinks his eyes wildly like a nervous tic when I do that, to make a point. Other of my friends revere my boldness in getting things how I like them. I realize that this gives the server more to think about; however fortunately in upscale restaurants in Marin County, where I live, it seems to be easier and easier to do this without repercussions. And I tip well. Generally speaking, servers have been very accommodating. I rarely am disappointed in my food when I eat out, as I research in advance what to order where. Yelp.com is my holy grail. Stand up for yourself. It'll feel good. If you hate cumin, shout it from the rooftops. Oh, and in case you are interested the egg photo is they way my mister eats. He likes it how he likes it too.

Anther Day ~ A Happy Dollar

She is a happy happy dollar.