Social Errata, Fitness, Miscellany.

[digitaldiscipline]

I tend to function in what I call the "zit theory" of social tension - things get bad, explode in a disgusting mess, and are tender for a little while afterwards, but ultimately no permanent damage is done.

Note: I have no evidence that this has any basis in reality for anyone else, but that's how I roll.

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I've signed up for my first competitive race in more than ten years, a 5k on Feb 9th (the Gasparilla Classic 5k). So, I've got a month to make sure I don't embarrass myself, performance-wise. I don't know if I'll be able to break 20:00, but I sure as heck want to be under 25:00. Going to do a "push it, you slacker" trial run of the ~5k loop near my office after work today (due to general meh-ness, I've been kicking it on the elliptical or treadmill this week after lifting).

In similar fitnessy news, EAS' Myoplex protein shakes taste like dust and ass-hair with a hint of a whisper of chocolate. Xany, other fitness folks - do you know of any similar products that actually border on palatable?

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A World of Warcraft buddy is going to be in town later this week, and there are rumors that his Louisiana-based presence means Andouille sausages will be present. Two Cajun thumbs up for good friends and good food in that regard.

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I'd really like it to be May, so I can refinance GMBAN without incurring a heinous penalty from my current mortgage company; having several hundred extra dollars a month to make use of is darn appealing.

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The last of my very-elderly relatives (my great-aunt Alice, my dad's dad's second sister) passed away over the weekend; this was one of those "expected relief" passings, since she had been more or less just existing for quite some time, and finally just shut down. Plans are to have a springtime get-together for Dad's siblings and such as a remembrance.

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Plane tickets have been procured for my sister's wedding. Despite being in Vegas, and Old Vegas at that, no Elvii are apparently going to be present. This makes the running tally three Vegas weddings, zero Elvii. I'm okay with this.

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Companies that do not have a functioning CONTACT US email address on their web site can suck my left one. What's worse than having no email address at all is having a mailto: link to an invalid mailbox. Way to be professional, guys.

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The TV has stopped its mysterious flickering when using the HDMI (cable tv) input, but I'm leaving the warranty service call open. The 360 was bundled off to Microsoft yesterday to rectify the Red Ring of Death that cropped up on XMS (candidate causes are Too Much Rock Band Fun on XMS eve, or perhaps self-preservation due to my receipt of Guitar Hero 3 as a gift).

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I think that's all I've got for now.

Comments

[the-macross.livejournal.com]

word to the zit theory. it's an accurate, albeit nasty way to describe my own view on the topic. I'll go so far as to call myself a squeezer, coz I hate letting things stew for long. Passive aggressive aint my bag, baby.

[the-tangent419.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the death in family. We had a talk on the subject this weekend...didn't know someone in your family had kicked it too. Suckage, man.

Looks like I might see you at the 5k. I have been doing it since my marathon "career" went 'splody.

See you on Saturday...if not sooner in-game.

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

I like the Zit theory.

I got no advice for you on protein supplements -- because of my chronic migraines, they're pretty much verboten for me. But I do pretty well on plain chicken and/or turkey and/or hard boiled eggs. Have you considered just using canned tuna fish?

Good luck on the race -- my long distance competitive vibes are brewing, but I have a sense you'll beat my ass.

[xany.livejournal.com]

My trainer and I were talking about doing the 5k just the other day. I've signed us both up for it as well. Maybe the three of us can run together? I'm a pretty good sprinter and generally suck over longh distances, so running with folks I know will hopefully help. :-)

As for protein shakes, I'm not a fan of Myoplex's products in general. Apex (http://my.apexfitness.com/products/results_cat.php?cat=5) makes decent ones which are available at LFF locations. I've also used Wellements' Pro Blend 55 (http://www.wellements.com/problend.asp) with good (and tasty) results.

[xany.livejournal.com]

Canned tuna is a great source of protein, however its mercury content makes it something that you don't want to rely on too heavily. Canned chicken is a slightly better option in that regard.

Here's a very easy (and quick!) meal idea: take one brown rice cup (http://www.minuterice.com/en-us/products/94/MINUTEReadytoServeBrownRice.aspx), one can of chicken or tuna, and one single-serving bag of steam-fresh veggies (http://www.birdseyefoods.com/birdseye/steamfresh/Singles.asp). Nuke the rice, drain the meat, nuke the veggies. Combine in a bowl with seasonings of your choice. This quick meal (2:30 to prepare) is balanced nutritionally (carbs, fat, protein) for what an active individual needs, percentage-wise.

[tylorael.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure it's probably lower in protein than you guys like for protein purposes, but I really love Shaklee's Cinch shakes. They're not faux-sweetened and are actually pretty tasty. (which are my requirements.)

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I may see about trying to find some pull-top tuna at the publix near my office to give this a try.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

Seeing your race recaps in the back of my mind while I go jogging has been an incentive.

"Can I keep up with her? I'd damn well better try."

Hard boiled eggs are... not really an option, as I don't need to get my ab definition from barfing (not allergic, I just hate eggs :-))

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I didn't find out until I got home from work on Saturday (mom called while I was at the office; she'd passed away overnight).

[xany.livejournal.com]

Starkist Gourmet Choice (http://www.starkist.com/template.asp?section=products/gourmet.asp) tuna fillets in water, FTW.

[xany.livejournal.com]

also, your zit theory rocks.

I think metaquotes would approve. Shall I make with the QWP?

[etcet.livejournal.com]

feel free, for i am an attention whore, shocking nobody with this revelation.

myoplex....

[maelstromsl.livejournal.com]

powder or RTD? RTD is actually ok. The powder can make a good shake if you add ice, fruit etc. and have a blender that doesn't suck. Not a big fan of the "chocolate" flavor generally speaking.

Re: myoplex....

[etcet.livejournal.com]

RTD in those lined-cardboard-with-a-plastic-spout things.

Re: myoplex....

[maelstromsl.livejournal.com]

hmmm yeah can't say I'm a fan of the chocolate in that regard... however if you can find the carbsense in strawberry, it tastes JUST LIKE strawberry nestle quik! I'm weird but I like that a whole lot....

Re: myoplex....

[etcet.livejournal.com]

Sadly, that is not an incentive to me, because i believe that strawberry qwik is an abomination (though not as big an abomination as banana... *shudder*).

Yes, I'm a pain in the ass, why do you ask?

[zymergist.livejournal.com]

I have liked the Max Muscle products http://www.maxmuscle.com/ I dont know if there is one close to you though. They do a simple no friills packageing of thier bulk products and tend to be better priced for good quality stuff. I generaly do non flavored, but I can chug down most anything flavor wise in a shake.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I'm doing a 4-miler on Feb. 3rd - the NY Road Runners' Gridiron Classic (http://www.nyrr.org/races/2007/r0204x00.asp)!

I never drink protein drinks. Sorry, can't help.