08 Ass Project

Okay, this is not my official picture for the Ass Project this week--I'll post new pics as soon as Susan gets home from work and snaps them for me. However, this is a picture of my posterior that was taken on the great art festival of St. Susan's day (last Saturday), so it is recent. I plan to have a weekly photo of me in my workout clothes -- sorry, I just am not brave enough for the granny panties.

Here is my plan: I will exercise at least five days a week. I will do strength training three days a week and do cardio everyday (though I will feel free to take off one or two days a week). I've been exercising this summer, but I haven't been working on my diet. So, although Mrs. G's program does not include diet, I believe I will try to cut back on the fats and on bread.

Here's the weekly update: On Monday, I met with my trainer Adrian. (Yo.) I did 15 minutes on the elliptical machine, and then we did a good deal of lifting and other exercises for a total of a 60 minute session. We focused on arms, back, and core. On Tuesday, I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike and 20 minutes on the treadmill. On Wednesday, I did 15 minutes on the bike, and then worked for 45 minutes on strength and core. I worked arms and shoulders and core, but I also tried to do some leg exercises. Then Susan and Morgan joined me at the gym and we did 30 minutes on the treadmill. I have not exercised yet today, but I plan to do some cardio--maybe just the treadmill today--and I plan to do strength training again on Friday.

As far as the diet is concerned, I have been eating somewhat better this week than last (at least this week contained no Kahlua cake), but I've still been somewhat free about the consumption of carbs and booze.

Just a little something for Mrs. G

Mrs. G has a small tribute to Ingmar Bergman's comedy genius on her recent post about Ikea. It reminded me of a parody by one of my favorite British comedy teams-- French and Saunders.

I couldn't figure out how to imbed this video, so just click here.

"I'm not questioning his patriotism."

(And I'm not saying that McCain is a misogynist old fart who will drive us straight to hell, if given the opportunity.) The juiciest part starts at around 5:37--in case you don't want to listen to the smarmy old goat.

Happy Birthday, Dear Susan

Today is my beloved Susan's birthday. I would make a joke about her age, but she sweetly informed me earlier that, while the first five or six comments were uproariously funny, it was wearing a little thin.

Today is all about Susan.

About a month ago, I asked Susan what she would like to do for her birthday. Travel? Go to a nice hotel downtown? Go to a spa? She said that what she really wanted was to visit the art museums here in town.

Am I lucky or what? If someone offered me the same opportunity, I might say "Let's buy some fire-engine red lipstick and go kiss Oscar Wilde's grave!" (Not that I am a HUGE fan--but who can resist Paris?)

But Susan opted for San Antonio. So today, after we stop by the gallery and help the new artist open up, we're off to see art. Our first stop will probably be The San Antonio Museum of Art. Neither one of us has been there for some time, so it will be fun. They have a great collection of Precolumbian art and some nice Americans as well. Then we're off to the McNay. This is one of my favorite museums in the world. It has some great modern pieces. The McNay was closed for many months while they built a new building and renovated the old. I can't wait to see it all! Finally, we will go to the Greenhouse Gallery, which is one of Susan's favorites, to look at contemporary art.

Somewhere in there we'll stop for lunch at Twin Sisters.

Then we'll come home and nap before dinner with family at Texas Roadhouse.

It should be a wonderful day.

I just want to say that I am grateful that Susan is. She makes my life so sweet.

Wouldn't you like to be a Derfwad, too?

I have the great honor of guest posting at Derfwad Manor. Check it out!

I'm Voting Republican Because

My Friend, Carolyn

My friend Carolyn died this morning. She was --I don't know--79? 78?

Carolyn was an amazing woman. She had polio as a young girl and in her later life developed what they call "post polio syndrome." All the time I knew her, she was on those crutches you see beside her. Carolyn was a social worker, an English teacher, a civil servant, and I don't know what else. She lived in Turkey for several years, developing many life-long friends.

I met her in 1992 when I had just moved back to Texas. She and my friend Jane went with me to see Romeo and Juliet in the park.

Like my mother, Carolyn was a volunteer at CASA (Child Advocates San Antonio), where she met with children who were in the family court system and acted as a go between for all of the different services and the court. She also volunteered at the San Antonio Public Library and the San Antonio Zoo.

Carolyn was a world traveler. Besides her life in Turkey, Carolyn took trips to Europe, Alaska, South America, Greece, and anywhere the winds took her. While she often traveled with friends, she also did a great deal of that travel alone. On crutches.

Shoot, I can barely drive to Austin by myself without whining.

Carolyn had many dear, dear friends and a few loves, but she never decided to settle down with anyone. On her 75th birthday, Carolyn rented a barge and took 20(ish) of her dearest friends on the San Antonio River complete with fajitas and pitchers of margaritas. I was honored to be among that crowd. It was a great party. Indeed, I hope to do the same thing on my 50th birthday later this year.

Carolyn had three cats at the time of her death. I'm going to take the oldest one, Chatty (20 years old) to the vet this afternoon, so she can join Carolyn. At her age, and in her present state of health, it is the kindest thing. The other cats will go to the Animal Defense League.

I loved Carolyn and I will miss her. Here is a picture of Carolyn, our friend Jane (still with us, thank goodness), and my mother. I like to think of Carolyn and Mom having some wine and Indian food right about now.