We have some pretty cool people here. One of the secretaries in our office also does baking and catering. She brought in a whole bouquet of these. I only had my little six-pixel, but I might use this bottom shot as one of the first 36 prints we are assigned in my photography class next Monday.
Beginning in October, I have been going to Bikram Hot Yoga, or Hatha Yoga as systemized by Bikram Choudry. I'm very lucky that a beautiful, large studio opened about a tenth of a mile from where I live. Addicted but not obsessed, I go three or at the most four times a week. I'd like to go more, but it's hard to drink enough water to stay hydrated between classes.
It is 26 rigorous postures in a 105 degree room with 40 percent humidity. Most of the time I just wanted to die those first few weeks and nearly quit because I thought I might not be designed to handle the heat. It took a while to get down a system of hydrating before and after (my big discovery was not to drink water during) the 90-minute workout. At some point during the last third of the class I still wonder if I'm built to deal with heat.
I've been pretty pleased with the results. I am more flexible now. My neck feels better, I haven't had a twinge of back pain since I started. Perhaps most important to me, my right ankle that I had messed up so badly three years ago seems to be finally healing properly. And I sleep well.
Why do I prefer this kind of yoga? I could make lots of aspersions about other classes I've been to over the years, that they seemed more geared to make people feel pleasant than accomplish any kind of physical/mental/spiritual breakthrough: new age music, special straps and blocks, etc. But those classes do serve their purpose, I'm sure, even if it is just to provide a nurturing environment for people who need respite.
Having acknowledged that every kind of class has its place in the world, I do appreciate that Bikram eschews all of that inner goddess crap. With Bikram all you need is a towel mat. Nothing else. Unlike the fluffier classes, Bikram provides some genuine mortification that forces you to push past pretty compelling urges to get up, throw up and flee the room. I'm not wearing monastic horse hair, but for a desk jockey it's a pretty tough experience. I lose about six pounds every time I attend.
I went to a dinner Thursday night, was given four cups of what I thought was decaf, went home and vibrated for the next day. Got about three hours of sleep and felt hungover. Never make that mistake again.
On the upside, it's been a good week. Our offer was accepted on the house, and we had it inspected on Thursday. Once we close, I will post a photo.
On the downside, my good friend Waad flew to Jordan this morning to work for the next five months. We'll miss him, but we'll continue ESL via Yahoo.
Amy and I are now at Panera, where she is doing homework and I'm keeping her company. Lazy Saturday. Needed it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Someone spiked my decaf with the real thing. Four cups worth. Could do a backflip screaming right now.
Tough day for the big guy. He got his teeth cleaned, and they knock them out for that. He was a staggering mess when I picked him up. Now at home crashed out.
I have had a good Sunday. Waad, the fellow I've been tutoring in ESL, and his family took us to lunch today at Reza'sin Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. We ate tremendous Persian food, in my case, primarily lamb, chicken, beef, various kabobs and a huge amount of baklava. It was a great time, and Amy and I have really valued getting to know them. Waad's going to be working in Jordan over the next few months, so our weekly sessions will be online for a while.
On Saturday, Amy and I saw "The Fighter," pretty much rounding off the movies we needed to see to be up to date for the Oscars. I found much of the movie interminably repetitive, but overall I enjoyed it. My own pick for best picture remains "Winter's Bone."
Beginning in October, I have been going to Bikram Hot Yoga, or Hatha Yoga as systemized by Bikram Choudry. I'm very lucky that a beautiful, large studio opened about a tenth of a mile from where I live. Addicted but not obsessed, I go three or at the most four times a week. I'd like to go more, but it's hard to drink enough water to stay hydrated between classes.
Tough day for the big guy. He got his teeth cleaned, and they knock them out for that. He was a staggering mess when I picked him up. Now at home crashed out.
I have had a good Sunday. Waad, the fellow I've been tutoring in ESL, and his family took us to lunch today at Reza's in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. We ate tremendous Persian food, in my case, primarily lamb, chicken, beef, various kabobs and a huge amount of baklava. It was a great time, and Amy and I have really valued getting to know them. Waad's going to be working in Jordan over the next few months, so our weekly sessions will be online for a while.
We have some pretty cool people here. One of the secretaries in our office also does baking and catering. She brought in a whole bouquet of these. I only had my little six-pixel, but I might use this bottom shot as one of the first 36 prints we are assigned in my photography class next Monday.
