minor P90X talk, GIP, and the all important Wine + Book Talk

[stoney321]

P90X - Recovery Week (4) Day 4
Yoga! Mmmm, I'm happy with this routine, it's a butt kicker, but I feel a thousand times more strong and flexible now. An hour and a half routine that leaves you loosey goosey at the end. I tried to get cute last night and do an extra workout of the Core Synergystics (day 3) and oh my god. Some of those are just absolutely brutal when you don't take time off in between.

Prison Bar Push Ups: do a standard push up, bring the left knee in fast, put it back, bring the right knee in fast, put it back and do another push up, jump to your feet, stand, drop back down. That's ONE. Try and do 20. *cough* I eeked out 8.

Plank/Chadarunga Run Get in plank mode (pre-push up stance for those not into yoga) without raising your butt (that's the hard part) run without moving your arms. We used to call those cherry pickers when I was in school, and who knows why, because I don't. Do that for 30 seconds, THEN, drop down to about one or two inches above the floor in push-up mode, and keep running, without raising your butt. GOOD. LORD. I just could not do the second half with any quality.

Emily came in and did this with me, which was fun, if not distracting. It wasn't my day's planned workout, so I didn't mind.

I had an audition this morning for a print ad, and met another mom about my age, with kids about my kids' ages, too. She was sassy and funny, and I can't stress how HARD it is to talk to other actors when you're auditioning. They're competition, so you ignore them. (I mean, I don't, because I have no ego about this, but they do.) We swapped numbers and FB handles and that felt great to meet someone FUN.

I simply CANNOT find Clayhouse's Petite Syrah anywhere. I think - because it was such a small bottling - they only sent it out to restaurants to build up a clientèle. I'll be buying several bottles of the next vintage, that's for sure. It was outstanding. And because of your recommendations, I picked up their Adobe Red (2 bottles, actually) and look forward to a glass or two tonight. I'm about to finish off a glass of from a bottle that's been opened a leeetle too long [eta] nope, still good! Peter Lehman of the Barossa - Clancy's 2005 Shiraz, btw - and sit on my patio with books. YAY books! I ordered some hard copies (I'm sorry, Kindle!) because I promised to share with others, and no one is getting their mitts on my Kindle. :)

Books: A People's History of the United States, vols. 1 & 2 (thank you for the rec, liz_marcs!) and some to remind me of stuff, The Mormon Conspiracy, The Mormon Murders (I know, it's a theme, sorry I know some of these people!) and God's Brothel, which is about Christian-based faith (and LDS) polygamy that goes undercover in the US. I have my SPF 50, tank and shorts, and a book. It's 76 degrees with a gentle breeze and blue blue blue skies. BLISS.

[ETA] I forgot to mention that I have two Dreamwidth invite codes (I feel so cool!) and the first two people to ask for them get them! Gone!! Also, is everyone posting over there, now? I need to get my site up, huh? I'm trying to figure out what I would do there and what would stay here...

Comments

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

So if you ever get a chance, and do it soon - if the chance comes up - go see Howard Zinn while he's still alive. He is such an amazing compassionate individual. He is probably pushing 80 now but is still touring as far as I can tell. Your local indie radio station should have info on him - he is just so amazing. He made me so proud to be an American because he has shown throughout his life, what true patriotism looks like. And it isn't very easy!
The books are quite dense so you might want to cut them with some light vampire romances or something.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I've heard that about him! If he ever comes to my neck of the woods, I'll make a point of it! I'm loving his book, LOVING it. I bought it to make sure my kids read it - honest, unflinching, but well-told history.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I like your reading list. And no one touches my Kindle either. *G*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It's juicy, my list! :D

I need a Kindle icon...

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

It is beautiful outside, isn't it? We're just back from Missouri, where it was rainy and freezing and we didn't pack any long sleeve shirts because it was in the mid-90's and 70% humidity and I'd already packed all of our winter stuff away for the season. It was just an accident that we'd left our coats in the car after going to an afternoon movie here before driving north! Thank goodness all the winter stuff was on sale in KC, and it gave me an excuse to get away from the in-laws for a couple hours!

It's lovely that you got to meet someone new and fun on the audition circuit. I can understand the acting competition not talking to one another, but how boring is that?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

oh my god, it's GORGEOUS. Y'all have been just about what we're at, if maybe a few degrees warmer. But when you're talking 2 or 3 degrees in Texas, that's practically the same. *G* Oy, you're the second person that's told me how crappy the Missouri weather has been! I bet you're glad to be home.

Oh, it's SO boring. And you know, it's like this: they like the way you look or they don't. If you're not very good but they love your look, they'll hire you, see: One Tree Hill, The Hills, etc. you might as well have fun with it, is my thinking. *shrug*

[judetwee.livejournal.com]

Ooo, Dreamwidth!

/asks for

:D

...you don't even know me. *sobs*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

email me at stoney.onlj@gmail.com and I'll send you the code! :)

[judetwee.livejournal.com]

Okay! I hope you got the one I sent.

[mcpatti.livejournal.com]

yay, Dreamwidth! I made the logo, you know. *beams*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Did you really?! I quite like that!

[mcpatti.livejournal.com]

I did! :D I'm also good friends with Mark (http://mark.dreamwidth.org/profile) and his fiance. In fact, I'm in his wedding this weekend! hehe. I love to hear people using Dreamwidth. yay!

[floweringjudas.livejournal.com]

Dude! Today I was telling a member of my flist how much that logo rocks. So hi, internet stranger, and thank you for your awesomeness!

[mcpatti.livejournal.com]

Aw! Thanks so much :) That made my day!

[minstrel666.livejournal.com]

And today here was awful - first cold, then hot, then a thunderstorm and then stuffy... :(

But! You don't come here to hear me bitch! Today, I actually have content to share: http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/left_behind/

I figured that maybe you'd like to take a break from creepy LDS stuff and want to check out creepy PMD stuff. This sporking is probably the most in-depth one I have ever seen (it's been going on since 2003! WTF! Commitment!) and the guy writing it is fantastic - he's insightful and eruditic and I think he shares some of your views on Christianity (like that we're supposed to be Christ-like).

But be warned, it's very, very long. Yet I wasted away two days just reading it. It's that good.

PS. This: http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/left_behind/page/24/ is the last page if you want to start from the very beginning.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oy, confused weather is horrid, almost as bad as a confused wind. I never know which way to turn to not be blinded by my hair. (My life is hard, omg.)

Oooooooooh! I'm so happy to have these links, woot! And something that I can sink my teeth into, even better. Thank you!!

[anelith.livejournal.com]

I have the Slacktivist on my iGoogle home page, and think he's one of the most thoughtful bloggers around. I don't always read his Left Behind analyses because while they are GREAT, they go so in-depth that they are more interesting if you are actually familiar with the books (and I am not). On the other hand, his general topic entries are WELL worth reading. He doesn't post that often but when he does, I *zoom* there. I highly recommend him, Laura.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

He's one of those guys that I read when I'm linked, enjoy it very much, but forget to bookmark him for future reading. If it weren't for my flist, I'd be so woefully under-read...

[liz-marcs.livejournal.com]

I second the Slacktivist. Fred's a working journalist, and you know what reporters are like when they get an idea into their heads. (Ha ha!) Fred's a liberal Christian and he really has a bug up his butt about rightwing Christianity. A very, very large bug. What makes his takedown of Left Behind so much fun (he's on the second book now) is that he can match them Bible verse for Bible verse. Wheeeeeeee!

Also, I second going to see Professor Zinn if you have the chance. I had him a whole semester when I was a wee student at BU for Political Science and he was a fantastic speaker. (Also, should I mention that he lives something like 2 miles from me?)

Glad you like the "People's History..." Like a dope, I was planning to pick them up and then saw just how depleted my checking account was. I'm holding off for a month.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying the Slacktivist's take down. So entertaining - that's my kind of Christian, right there.

I am so enjoying these books of Mr. Zinns - the kids keep trying to get their mitts on it, but they have to wait until I'm done. :) (They're huge history buffs, and love learning REAL history.)

[cdvla313.livejournal.com]

So...you don't really know me at all, I came because of the sparkle fun, and stayed because I was fascinated with your LDS stuff, and read through everything that was tagged as such...anyways, if you still have a dreamwidth code...*asks*. :D

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ask and ye shall recieve! I'm going to reply to your comment again with the code, to save you time (and screen it so no one can hoark it before you get to set your account up.) *G*

I'm glad you asked - I was shocked that no one else had! I think people are off outdoors or putting their noses to the grindstone.

[cdvla313.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I really should've been outdoors or doing something productive, but...oh well. Yay dreamwidth, so many people have been jumping ship, I was worried about left behind. lol.

[floweringjudas.livejournal.com]

I read this and had a sudden desire to go work out.

I ate a brownie instead. :D!

You are v full of information in your posts, y'know? I like it. Thinking good thoughts re: print ad, those all sound like good books, and \o/ dreamwidth!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

HI BB!!! I was admiring your FB pic the other day saying, "Self, that Laura B is one good looking hunk of woman." and I agreed with myself.

(I'm stoney over on Dreamwidth - I've not posted yet, or anything, but will.) AND THANK YOU, COOKIE PANTS. <3

[mcpatti.livejournal.com]

Mind if I friend you on DW? I am a silent stalker. Except I guess not so silent anymore. D'oh

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't mind at all! I don't have anything up over there yet, but come and go as you please, is my philosophy. :)

[anelith.livejournal.com]

It's great that you met someone fun on your audition! Funny how it hadn't occurred to me that the competition wouldn't be friendly to you. It's not like that would change the outcome, you know? Glad you found someone who isn't like that. I hope you can further the friendship.

Since Howard Zinn is a local guy he's often mentioned in the newspapers and I've been meaning to get a copy of those books, especially for Ron since I think he would really like them. Thanks for the reminder!

The mentions of Dreamwidth are taking over my flist. I'm too lazy to move anywhere. I hope this isn't going to mean a mass migration...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'm going to move professional/public stuff over there, I think, and keep LJ for silliness and personal (locked) posts. I plan on going back and locking a bunch of things down, but I'm lazy. Also, i havce a permanent account here, so it's not going anywhere.

The books were on sale at Amazon, btw!

[soalivesofree.livejournal.com]

People's History was amazing. It totally changed my view of U.S. history.

Also, I saw the Mormon Murders at the library yesterday while I was picking up some books on Buddhism. I almost grabbed it but didn't, especially as I plan to read Maxine Hanks' Women and Authority in a week or so and I didn't want to cross my LDS wires.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

it's totally changing my viewpoint, and I really REALLY thought I was well informed in certain arenas. I'm happy to be wrong and to have such a wealth of knowledge to glean.

I'm not familiar with Maxine Hanks' book - I'll have to check it out! The Mormon Murders book is so far reading like a true crime novel, but I know that it delves into the religion eventually. My dad had a copy and hid it from us girls growing up. Ahahaha, dorky dad.