Ataraxia Opposed

I am seriously starting to think the powers that be are trying to keep me from exercising. For the last 4 weeks I've been forced to keep restarting a running program. I go for about a week and a half and start to get into the groove. Then I get taken down by some bug my co-workers have drug in from the depths of Irvine or Ventura County. I am *out* for 1-3 days and then exhausted for the next 3-4. When I start running again I basically start from square zero.  This time they waited for my birthday, just to show me up.  It's very, very Boo.

My original plan to workout was to go to Kung -Fu class twice a week, go jogging 3x a week and casual biking. Then work descended on me and told me it would stay like this for at least several months. My KF class is very progressive so working late 2 weeks in a row put me very behind and frustrated. And of course I was paying for classes that I could attend only about 25% of the time. It also meant that my jogging was being done at an uncomfortably late time for N (he worries about these things). I was stuck between an immovable rock and a hard place.

So I chose the hard - to get up an hour earlier to go jogging in the morning. The hard part of this is going to bed early enough so I can wake up to go jogging. Although I had to put my KF class on hold for a while, I picked up a Sunday weapons class instead - Bagua sword. It's not nearly as much of a workout, but I'm having a lot of fun in it. Usually I'm eating brunch at noon on Sundays, so I shifted that to a more breakfasty time. It's been going pretty well. My body's still a little confused why "getting ready" is now so vigorous, but it'll figure it out.

Disclaimer:  I haven't had the time to be present online for the last several weeks so I will be posting all my scribbles from my scratchbook over the nex few days...

No, I haven't died (although I think others thought I was close).  I've just been very busy.  Two and a half superbugs, manic shopping, insane work demands and one family holiday party later, I have survived.  I am happy to say that I am almost completely done with Christmas shopping.  I only have to aquire 2 presents once I land in H.  Assuming I can get on the plane (long story, lots of rant and for another post), but I'm 95% sure I will.  A few observations for the holiday seasons - so far:

On shopping/presents:

• It is infinitely easier to get gifts for someone who has a casual hobby.  Casual being defined as not wanting/needing/analyzing the best products for the hobby.  People who are "totally into" a hobby are impossible to buy for.  "Rock Band" or gardening are good examples of casual hobbies. 
• If you are making/baking things for multiple holiday events, pick one or two things that is your specialty and only make those.  This makes things easier because it reduces ingredient waste, keeps the recipe in your head and lets you get into a groove.  This year it was cheesecake.  I did the equivilant of 5 cheesecakes this season ( 2 cakes worth in cupcake form).
• If a gift doesn't work out for this year, keep it in mind for the next one.  This way you have a back-up plan if you can't think of anything and you will have more time to coordinate group-gifts.
• All gift certificate presents should come with a Wrapper-gift. Just something small ~$5 so the recipeints have something tactile on Christmas Day.  It makes a difference.

On Holiday Food:

• Have No-Cook foods in the house.  You may very well be too busy/tired to cook dinner.
• Compromise nothing in Holiday recipes.  Low fat/low carb can be done the rest of the year.
• Well wrapped foods are a great "for everyone" gifts.

On Health:

• An electric blanket really helps when you are sick and freezing.  You also know you are getting better when the lower settings feel "too warm".
• Take naps when you can. They are your best defenses against getting sick.
• Unless you're down and out ill, exercise everyday (at least 20 min) to keep your immune system going, keep yourself alert and make up for the food tips.
• Buy at least 2 hats - one you can wear comfortably at home and one that can be worn for work.  they keep you warm when three layers of sweaters can't.

Today after four weekends of being a hospice-like shut-in, I managed to get out on my bike for an hour or so.  It wasn't as easy as I remember it and my endurance is definitely down but it felt good.  It was an unusually clear day out.  Not only could you see the mountains, you could see the signal towers.  Due to our diminishing daylight caused by the waning planetary axis tilt and daylight saving time thing, we could only go to the bridge and back.  I think I'm finally getting better (knock on wood).  Let's see if I can stay this way.