August 10: It's Friday

[maxlharris]

Gotta get in and...

Get it started (and get retarded... I have the original version of the Black Eyed Peas nigh ubiquitous Let's Get It Started. The original (on my iPod) is called Let's Get Retarded, and got revised for the sensibilities of WalMart and other so called "family friendly" retailers and bodies).

So, it's my thread start, and I'll get it started as I like.
Let's talk about my quote for the month.

Queensryche was a mildly boring Seattle based hair metal band until 1988, when they released maybe the best concept album since the Who's Quadrophenia, "Operation: Mindcrime" which is oddly more relevant now than it was back in 1988 (substitutions, of course: sub terror- for commun-, and when talking about shady preachers, sub secretaries with gay prostitutes. One more thing. Crystal Meth pinch hits for heroin). At any rate, I workout to Op:Mind frequently as it's perfect workout music for me: fast, hard (but not too hard), lyrics about aggression, alienation, redemption (this might be an insight into my subconscious. Or it might just be testosterone helps me move the weights), and sing along.

I digress. They follow up this massive selling album (over a million, certified platinum, which is unusual for a rock opera,featuring a former hooker turned nun, turned conspiracy insider helping to overthrow the government), with an even more massive selling album, 1990's Empire. The lynchpin to the double platinum success that was Empire? "Silent Lucidity". A "art metal" power ballad that was nigh ubiquitous for a long time on MTV and radio.

For the lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/q/queensryche/silent+lucidity_20112774.html

Nigh ubiquitous video:
http://www.queensryche.com/releases/empire/video/empire_silent-lucidity-300k.html
(note: this is not at all hard rock, except maybe the guitar solo, only a little, more like Pink Floyd on Comfortably Numb)

At any rate, the song is about a couple who are in bed together, one of whom has had a bad dream, and the singer is calming her (I assume) down, but questioning reality at the same time. Song features a really beautiful guitar led instrumental patch, with a whispered spoken vocal. The full of it reads:

(Visualize your dream)
(Record it in the present tense)
(Put it into a permanent form)
(If you persist in your efforts)
(You can achieve dream control)
(Dream control)
(How's that then, better?)
(Hug me)

So, let's work this in the real. I have never been able to lucid dream. I sleep too deeply or something and hardly ever remember dreams. But, I can be lucidly awake in my life. As can we all. And dreams aren't just about what you do when you're unconscious. Dreams are about the future (side note: it's odd that we have the same word for both, because there are two very different concepts and confusion could exist). And ultimately, we control that future, or at least the portion that is in our hands is what we can control (there's always "market risk", the inherent risk in any activity that outside forces create).

Grab the day. Strangle it through the weekend (hard for some of us... I have 3 fingers pointing at me), and achieve dream control.

Rock on folks. Rock on.

[Ammy]

Max, you're so good at giving us something to think about...thank you.

(funny, right now I am listening to Crystal Gayle-Talking in your sleep - not on purpose, it just happens to be the song that's playing).

Speaking of dreaming...I had the most calming dream last night (had a TERRIBLE time falling asleep, but once asleep slept like a baby). My GF and I were swimming in the ocean. Our bodies just floated on top of the water and we were barely kicking our legs but we were REALLY moving in the water! Anyway, I looked down into the water as we were leaving the bay (you could still see the bottom) and saw a brown spot and suddenly realized that there could be sharks and I started to be afraid, but I looked over at my GF and saw that she wasn't afraid, so I knew I didn't have to be either...and I felt peaceful again and just kept swimming...
What a nice dream!!

Okay, so I blew the carb thing yesterday - and the scale shows it. I'm up 1.5lbs, I'm not too worried that the lbs will stay, but it was still quite the reminder of WHY I can't make spur of the moment decisions (y'all are having ice cream sundae's-I'm going to make myself a bowl of fruit and nuts-no it's not time for me to eat and no I didn't plan for this and no I'm not hungry, but what the heck? It's just fruit and nuts...right???) :peeved:

Anyway, today I'm back at'em. I have my meals packed and planned up until supper. My sister is coming to town and we're going out tonight for supper. She is a Weight Watcher follower (has reached and maintained her goal weight), so I'm not concerned about where we choose to have supper tonight. She is VERY conscious of food choices for herself AND for me, but I'm putting it out there that I will NOT make "spur of the moment" decisions. I will use my brain and formulate a plan once I'm aware of where we're going-and then STICK to my plan. I guarantee it!!

[msgq]

Good Morning -

It's friday. I like that. The last two days were pure chaos. My Dad came for an overnight visit and he just stresses me out. He is a GREAT man, he just doesn't get the idea that with three kids 4 and under, I'm kinda busy sometimes.... Ugh. He went back home. I can rest.

Yesterday I took the little guy and went for a walk. It was hot, humid and sticky. I was doing well until I saw a snake on the road. (Biggest fear in life.......) So, I changed courses and chose the sunny part of the walking loop, just to avoid that THING. (It has been a BAD year for snakes. DH and I were just talking about that. He said he has seen more snakes this year than he has in 10 years or more. Lucky me!) It wasn't my most successful walk, but at least I got it in.

The AM I started my day with a long walk on my treadmill. (NO chance of snakes.) It felt REALLY good. So, I've already gotten my YES for the day. If I can get a walk in tomorrow, I will end the week with 4/5 for my goal. Not bad. Not 100%, but a load better than what I have been doing.

Food hasn't been a goal of mine this month, but I'm doing REALLY good. It will be interesting to weigh on Monday. It's this Dana Carpenter book I'm reading, I tell ya. It has made me think, re-evaluate, and it has helped make LC make sense. As I'm reading this I'm thinking - "Okay. I can do this. This isn't as complicated as I'm making it." I haven't tracked carbs, but outside of leafy salads with cucumbers, and a handful of grapes (10) I haven't had other carbs.

My legs are aching again, so I've started the potassium. Hmmm.

We'll see.

I hope everyone has a great day. Mine is looking relatively calm. Housework, a brief appointment at 4:00, then scrapbooking with friends after the boys go down for the night. Nice.

Kathy

[Shadow]

Happy Friday, gang!

Max - Thanks for a rousing start to the day!

Amy - Last minute decisions are hard for most but the only thing you can do now is learn from it...

Ms GQ - Hope the potassium helps! It usually does for me so I'll keep my fingers crossed it works for you, too.

[hawk]

I hardly ate testerday. breakfast and then dinner...Hot and muggy and not hungry.

I painted the window frames outside my house on the front, the garage door frame, and washed all the windows. I forget to eat when I get busy.

Today I was thinking I'd paint the windows on the side. My cast boot can't take the step ladder for long. It rocks when I walk and so it is hard to keep my balance on a ladder....but I'm a ninja. If I paint windows on both sides of the house...then I can be finished with windows. ( the back is done) The side garage window has a wasp nest in the corner and since I cannot run very fast...I think I'll save that till I spray it or HE sprays it. I don't like being the "helpless" female so I'll probably check out some spray that shoot 30 feet or so , so I can get a head start on the wasps.

I need to decide if I want the garage door the color of the roof, (dark brown) or the color of the shutters (red iron oxide). I May do that today and glaze it to give it definition. But I have to go buy the paint. We're sick of the white doors, windows and trim against the brick.

I was also thinking of drawing a design and drawing it on the plain wood front door and then carving in the design with a dremmel and painting it on the front door. I want something original and unique. I keep seeing it there . It will terrorize my husband.

The perennial flower beds did at first. "Whats wrong with a plain square of grass and nothing to mow around? Why would we want curving flower beds and brick paths to walk through?? Why do we need a yard that looks incredible and it full of humming birds and butterflies and takes your breath away?" He said.....

Yard wars.. He loves it now. Rarely grumbles about the mowing around the curved beds. Drinks coffee out doors in the morning and every meal he can.

Anyway..that will take up the rest of today and I might remember to eat.

Then tonight we play a benefit at the Michigan City Yacht club. So at 4 pm I'll be setting up sound there and running wires like a mad woman.It is a benefit for the Visiting Nurses Association.

Hey.. I run sound for him...He can LIKE my front door idea....

I just realized I am in PMS mode....

[WakefieldWendy]

Hi all,

Yesterday we went for a nice walk down by the river, so I am 4/6 days including active living this week. That gets me a check for this week, regardless of what we do tonight. So I'm 2/2 weeks on my active living challenge, and perfect in terms of days on plan.

We've been talking about getting me a bike, but are a little nervous, not knowing who to trust. I want to be sure I don't have to lean over too far. I want this to be comfortable for leisurely rides. Ottawa, if you read this, and know about bike vendors in the city, will you post here or PM me?

I'm frustrated by my stall (with weight gain) but committed to looking at this in a long term way. It isn't actually possible, I don't think, for a 5'3" woman to weigh 227 lbs forever if eating healthily and getting some activity. So I will wait.

Feeling unmotivated at work. Hope I can shake that loose a little bit today. Even if I just clean my desk and get rid of some odds and ends, and make a new list of things to do, that will help me get going next Monday instead of procrastinating further.

Hope everyone has a great day and great weekend. I will post on the weekend in my journal, but not on the rest of the board. But you can count on me checking in a few times during the workday today.

All the best, Wendy

[hawk]

Potassium is good MsgQ..Don't forget the magnesium...

[WakefieldWendy]

DW and I are going to work out together after work (weights and cardio) so I will be 5/7 days of active living.

Tomorrow will be a day of gardening.

[msgq]

Hawk - What is the benefit of magnesium?

[Anniesnan]

hey everyone!

been giving myself a bad week. Headache has roller coasted (my own darn fault, too). And despite knowing better, knowing exactly what I was doing - used the headache and subsequent upset stomach - to give myself permission to eat more carbage and continue the cycle.

Decided this AM that I was NOT going to give in again today!

I AM getting rid of this headache today. Without pain meds.

What I have done wrong...
been too busy to make "chill" time for myself. I know some people use their exercise for this purpose. Exercise "energizes" me, doesn't "chill" me. I used to read to chill, or do puzzles, or clean. The more stress I am under at work or at home, the more "chill" time I need. And I've been very stressed at work - not especially good or bad - but very, very busy... and I've been very stressed at home (bad - dd's cat went missing from the house on Sunday. Finally found him Wednesday...) (good - went to a bbq - only good eating all week, managed to eat all meat, and some good green veggies, no carbage / dinner out with dh & other family members - no purpose, just relaxing and getting to know son's girlfriend / Annie sitting, etc.)
eating too much carbage ... started out not horrible, but enough to give me a headache. That, combined with heat, I couldn't eat all my breakfast protein. Stomach upset, ate more carbs at lunch than usual - not over my limit, but I usually try not to eat any at lunch ... (and under 5 at breakfast) .


ANYWAY - today...ate my full breakfast. Wasn't hungry at lunch, at all, but ate 14 grams of sausage (2 ecc).


Later!

[hawk]

Gpt the PP books?? Magnesium takes away pain for me. I take extra for headache, leg cramps, for my heart. My doc asked me to take 400 before bed each night when my BP was up. The PP book has a whole chapter called the magnesium miracle.

[Ammy]

How's this for BAD...

I just got in a fight with Boss2...now my stomach won't stop growling...I assume my adrenaline is so high that I've burned off my shake I JUST finished...

So I'm leaving work now to meet my sister at a bar for a drink...and appetizers...and I KNOW right NOW in my HEAD I'm going to go off-plan! Then we're heading to the Vikings Game...where I KNOW in my HEAD I'm going to go off-plan...

But I do NOT want to gain my weight back. I look CUTE. I'm wearing a mini-skirt today and a small SMALL shirt...eating off-plan will make it so I can't wear this again. Not until I Re-LOSE the pounds...

okay, my interal fight has been OUTED to you guys...now, we see what happens...

Wish me luck!!

[msgq]

How did you do with the bar and appetizer with your sister, Amy?

[msgq]

Hawk - I have a very old PP book. I'll look and see. I have some mag in the cupboard. I'll have one tonight!

Thanks.

[maxlharris]

Today was:
Good on:
Carbs
Protein
Exercise
Floss
Vitamins

Yep, I won. Good feeling despite a rather lax day at work. Supervisor never showed up for the meeting we were supposed to have with the cost guy. Cost guy and I had productive meeting, but am pretty sure Supervisor would have run a different meeting with dirrect (less useful to me) lines of inquiry.