Friday, July 31, 2009
Crazy Week
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Curvy Carnival Planning Meeting
Curvy Carnival Planning Meeting
Thursday July 30, 20097:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: JB's on Eubank at I-40Street: 15 Hotel Circle
The time has come for us to get together and start planning for the Oct. 3rd Curvy Carnival. The theme for our carnival will be 'Saints and Sinners' so it should be a blast. Some of the things we'll be discussing will be:
Booths
Vendors/Sponsors
Music
Announcements/Publicity
After Carnival Dinner
We're always looking for volunteers' so if you're up for it, stop by. The date to meet is Thursday, July 30th at 7:00. We'll meet at the usual JB's on Eubank and I-40.
Thursday July 30, 20097:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: JB's on Eubank at I-40Street: 15 Hotel Circle
The time has come for us to get together and start planning for the Oct. 3rd Curvy Carnival. The theme for our carnival will be 'Saints and Sinners' so it should be a blast. Some of the things we'll be discussing will be:
Booths
Vendors/Sponsors
Music
Announcements/Publicity
After Carnival Dinner
We're always looking for volunteers' so if you're up for it, stop by. The date to meet is Thursday, July 30th at 7:00. We'll meet at the usual JB's on Eubank and I-40.
Labels: Freedom, Solidarity
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 28, 09
Had a great workout yesterday. Already feeling the soreness! This start heavy and go to moderate workout routine should do me well. It should carry me through August, September and October. For November and December maybe I'll do an 8 week program of going from sets of 12 down to sets of 2 or 3.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
KEEP LIFTING!!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 27, 2009
Spent a week thinking about changes in life. From the usual - "did I do enough" to "wow, my family is really strong - for being this dysfunctional!"
I noticed how hard people work at NOT changing or growing. Some people don't seem to have lots of choices, but others actually work hard against it. Some of my sisters work at keeping people within their roles. One of my brothers is actually using public shaming and aggressiveness to keep people within his comfort zones. He needs lots of healing, but in the meantime lots of people defer to him and just let it stay in place.
We all think we are right - I'm not going to deny that there is always tension from different views and opinions, but when you start bullying people into stuff it seems a little different. Anyway, hopefully we all start getting healthier.
I'm going to have lots of growing to do with my daughter leaving. My friend MR always is good at this stuff and I'll have to try and stay in touch with him. And also not feel bad for not letting myself get pushed around.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
I noticed how hard people work at NOT changing or growing. Some people don't seem to have lots of choices, but others actually work hard against it. Some of my sisters work at keeping people within their roles. One of my brothers is actually using public shaming and aggressiveness to keep people within his comfort zones. He needs lots of healing, but in the meantime lots of people defer to him and just let it stay in place.
We all think we are right - I'm not going to deny that there is always tension from different views and opinions, but when you start bullying people into stuff it seems a little different. Anyway, hopefully we all start getting healthier.
I'm going to have lots of growing to do with my daughter leaving. My friend MR always is good at this stuff and I'll have to try and stay in touch with him. And also not feel bad for not letting myself get pushed around.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
July 21, 2009
Well we made it to California. My daughter and I are here for her college orientation. We had some good talks and lots of laughs on the drive here. I hope today goes well. Going to visit my oldest Tio tonight and come back for her tomorrow.
We talked about relationship stuff and realize that we both agree on a lot. I've always been open to talking with my kids and that's always been helpful. Also got to talk about how family gets strange and distant and all of the interesting change in dynamics.
On a previous post someone asked me what I meant by "open marriage" or relationships. People get focused on the sex part. I realized that the book was published in '72 and the authors meant for it to mean a open in the sense of communication, equality and individual lives as part of a long term relationship. The term ended up meaning sexually open and the authors were not happy about that. I think both definitions are OK, but confuse people.
Here is an interesting link on starting light.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
We talked about relationship stuff and realize that we both agree on a lot. I've always been open to talking with my kids and that's always been helpful. Also got to talk about how family gets strange and distant and all of the interesting change in dynamics.
On a previous post someone asked me what I meant by "open marriage" or relationships. People get focused on the sex part. I realized that the book was published in '72 and the authors meant for it to mean a open in the sense of communication, equality and individual lives as part of a long term relationship. The term ended up meaning sexually open and the authors were not happy about that. I think both definitions are OK, but confuse people.
Here is an interesting link on starting light.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Esteban Jordan Interview on Youtube
July 17, 2009
Pinche blogger - ate my first post.
So I know I have mentioned that I think we need relationship education as part of school and maybe even before handing out marriage licenses! I also know I've mentioned that I think people in "alternative" relationships have figured out stuff that we all need to learn from.
I'm reading a 1972 book called "Open Marriage" that talks about egalitarian partnership. They attempt, and I think do a good job, of presenting a model "relationship of commitment and equality where each partner's individual growth contributes synergistically to the marriage bond."
I'll be posting little by little, in between workout posts and such about my thoughts. So here is a list of things to focus on. I'll post about my thoughts and any positive experiments. I won't post "dirt" here - unless it is about an anonymous couple I know or someone that is public to reflect upon.
Mostly this will still be about working out and some politics.
Here's one list of human needs the authors focus on:
Companionship;
Heightened intimacy;
Effective communication;
Shared roles;
Equality;
Trust and privacy.
I think a lot of personal work needs to go into this, but a couple with two strong and healthy people could get to these things. I also think we would have to discuss the sexual part of relationships - which we do a terrible job at. The English National Health Service is advising some interesting stuff which would cause a terrible reaction here! Maybe this works in the US too! (Hint: An Orgasm a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!)
This is the first of these so feel free to give some feedback.
KEEP LEFTING!!!
So I know I have mentioned that I think we need relationship education as part of school and maybe even before handing out marriage licenses! I also know I've mentioned that I think people in "alternative" relationships have figured out stuff that we all need to learn from.
I'm reading a 1972 book called "Open Marriage" that talks about egalitarian partnership. They attempt, and I think do a good job, of presenting a model "relationship of commitment and equality where each partner's individual growth contributes synergistically to the marriage bond."
I'll be posting little by little, in between workout posts and such about my thoughts. So here is a list of things to focus on. I'll post about my thoughts and any positive experiments. I won't post "dirt" here - unless it is about an anonymous couple I know or someone that is public to reflect upon.
Mostly this will still be about working out and some politics.
Here's one list of human needs the authors focus on:
Companionship;
Heightened intimacy;
Effective communication;
Shared roles;
Equality;
Trust and privacy.
I think a lot of personal work needs to go into this, but a couple with two strong and healthy people could get to these things. I also think we would have to discuss the sexual part of relationships - which we do a terrible job at. The English National Health Service is advising some interesting stuff which would cause a terrible reaction here! Maybe this works in the US too! (Hint: An Orgasm a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!)
This is the first of these so feel free to give some feedback.
KEEP LEFTING!!!
Labels: Relationship
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July 16, 09 Routine Idea
So here is my routine for the next three months. On month 1 it will be 2 sets to failure on 3-5 reps. Month 2 will be 3 sets for 6-8 reps, and month 3 sets will be 4 sets for 8-10 reps.
On week 4, 8, and 12 it will be 4 sets for 15-30 repetitions. The days may vary if things come up by adjusting a day one way or the other.
Monday:
Incline Bench
Bench
Decline Bench
Incline Flye
Close Grip Bench
Tricep Press-down
Tricep Extension
Wednesday:
Squat
Leg Press
Straight Leg Dead Lift
Leg Curl
Standing Calf Raise
Seated Lateral Raise
Upright Row
Revers Flye
Barbell Shrug
Friday:
Deadlift
Bent-Over Row
Wide-Grip Pulldown
Seated Row
EZ Bar Curl
Hammer Curl
Incline DB Curl
Reverse Wrist Curl
Wrist Curl
On week 4, 8, and 12 it will be 4 sets for 15-30 repetitions. The days may vary if things come up by adjusting a day one way or the other.
Monday:
Incline Bench
Bench
Decline Bench
Incline Flye
Close Grip Bench
Tricep Press-down
Tricep Extension
Wednesday:
Squat
Leg Press
Straight Leg Dead Lift
Leg Curl
Standing Calf Raise
Seated Lateral Raise
Upright Row
Revers Flye
Barbell Shrug
Friday:
Deadlift
Bent-Over Row
Wide-Grip Pulldown
Seated Row
EZ Bar Curl
Hammer Curl
Incline DB Curl
Reverse Wrist Curl
Wrist Curl
Labels: Chicano Chingon, Chicano Maximus, Routine
July 16, 09 Lift Results
I used a 5 rep max formula developed at UNM. I probably didn't do a true max since I don't workout with a spotter I figured I better do what I can handle alone. This will help me plan my workouts with weight that is challenging. I had been going light but it wasn't helping much at all.
So while trying to keep my back in mind this is what I did yesterday (weight X reps):
Squat 135x5, 185x5, 235x5 - max approximation 272.11
Bench 115x5, 165x5 - max approximation 187.25
EZ Bar Curl 25x5, 35x5, 45x5, 55x5, 65x5 - max approximation 75.2
Tricep Pull-Down 80x5, 100x5, 120x5, 140x5 - max approximation 159
Wide Grip Lat Pull-Down 70x5, 90x5, 100x5 - max approximation 113.78
Seated Back Row 100x5, 110x5, 120x5, 130x5, 140x5 - max approximation 159
Leg Curl 20x5, 30x5 - max approximation 47.17
For Deadlift I didn't try to max but did 45x5, 65x6, and 85x5
And Overhead Press I did 45x5 and 65x5
You can see some weak areas and I'll work on those. My workout, which I'll post later is supposed to be 6 days a week, but I need more time to recuperate so I'll go three times a week. It is heavy on month 1 with sets of 5, moderate on month 2 with sets of 6-8, and standard on month 3 with sets of 8-10. The last week of each month is high rep 15-30. I think this will work well for me. If my muscles, joints and back work well with it then on month 3 I may be lifting for 8-10 what I am lifting on month 1 for sets of 5.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
So while trying to keep my back in mind this is what I did yesterday (weight X reps):
Squat 135x5, 185x5, 235x5 - max approximation 272.11
Bench 115x5, 165x5 - max approximation 187.25
EZ Bar Curl 25x5, 35x5, 45x5, 55x5, 65x5 - max approximation 75.2
Tricep Pull-Down 80x5, 100x5, 120x5, 140x5 - max approximation 159
Wide Grip Lat Pull-Down 70x5, 90x5, 100x5 - max approximation 113.78
Seated Back Row 100x5, 110x5, 120x5, 130x5, 140x5 - max approximation 159
Leg Curl 20x5, 30x5 - max approximation 47.17
For Deadlift I didn't try to max but did 45x5, 65x6, and 85x5
And Overhead Press I did 45x5 and 65x5
You can see some weak areas and I'll work on those. My workout, which I'll post later is supposed to be 6 days a week, but I need more time to recuperate so I'll go three times a week. It is heavy on month 1 with sets of 5, moderate on month 2 with sets of 6-8, and standard on month 3 with sets of 8-10. The last week of each month is high rep 15-30. I think this will work well for me. If my muscles, joints and back work well with it then on month 3 I may be lifting for 8-10 what I am lifting on month 1 for sets of 5.
KEEP LIFTING!!!
Labels: Chicano Chingon, Chicano Maximus
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Workout Reflection
I'll post a longer version of this at some time. I've been working out, thanks mostly to my daughter. I'll have to come up with a good routine and some hard core determination to keep it going.
My back and leg pain sucks. The pain of working out was therapeutic. Gotta figure out some way to get to that without damaging myself. Tattoos also worked that way for me. Something about focusing on the pain of the needles seemed to lift my mood for a good period of time. I think it is something like hitting something for me, but since hitting isn't a good thing these take that place... Part of it is just overcoming the challenge. I know I enjoy overcoming problems and challenges.
So I'm up to working out with 135 for Squats and Bench. I haven't started Deadlifting yet. I'm still worried that will pop something, but I may see what just the weight of the bar feels like.
I had a good talk with a doctor friend and she pointed out that if I have a back pain or difficulty walking that doctors were not going to be very helpful. I couldn't even get much help with dealing with something simple like skin tags (those little skin things that grow randomly).
Anyway, while I was lifting a couple of weeks ago, still just going with what I feel like doing I realized something. That's how I started lifting awhile back. Just some here and there. Then I bought a weightlifting magazine. Sure the guys are on steroids and super low body fat, but there was something about the accomplishment that was inspiring.
So I convinced myself that I could be "buff." That set me in motion to start tracking my workouts and then my diet. After a while I lost some fat and gained some muscle. Then I found a natural body building magazine where the guys are not full of steroids, but did get to super low body fat. I thought wow. That is more doable. (That and my family was "you wanna look like THAT freak?")
So I kept going. I got to where I knew my 4, 8, 12, or 16 week plan. Then I got to where I had a good idea what I was going to do for the following cycle. Then it hit me.
I like beer, chili dogs, tamales, and lots of other stuff like that. So I probably would not get to super low body fat any time soon. I decided to go for strength. I read somewhere that muscle from strength lasts longer than muscle from body building style lifting. So I switched to a combination style. I also had my cycles figured out a year ahead.
So I had good planning. I knew what I was going for. And I believed that I could do it.
Then I did this funky thing to my back. Then I stopped lifting all together because doctors are lame. Then I started lifting again very light and it didn't even feel like I was working out. Then I started going to what was light for me before. Now it feels like a workout.
But I still lift randomly. When I had a plan I did it even when I wasn't in the mood. And I saw the gains - more in the amount I moved than my body. So it is time to get back to it. It may take me a couple of years to get all the way back, but my goal is to bench between 250 and 300 for my 45th birthday. Squat 360 too! The deadlift is the only one I'm not sure about, but I will work on it and see where I am in a year.
I think over the year of not lifting my gut got way bigger and my arms a little smaller. I'm not that concerned with my size anymore, but know I need to lose some weight so the proportion of arms to pansa (gut) is my main measure.
So here I go again. I was working out with 225 for benching and 315 for squats so I know that my muscles can do it. I'm going to have to do lots more stretching and yoga type stuff to keep it together for the next round. Then walk as much as I can.
Wish me luck and here we go!
KEEP LIFTING!!!
My back and leg pain sucks. The pain of working out was therapeutic. Gotta figure out some way to get to that without damaging myself. Tattoos also worked that way for me. Something about focusing on the pain of the needles seemed to lift my mood for a good period of time. I think it is something like hitting something for me, but since hitting isn't a good thing these take that place... Part of it is just overcoming the challenge. I know I enjoy overcoming problems and challenges.
So I'm up to working out with 135 for Squats and Bench. I haven't started Deadlifting yet. I'm still worried that will pop something, but I may see what just the weight of the bar feels like.
I had a good talk with a doctor friend and she pointed out that if I have a back pain or difficulty walking that doctors were not going to be very helpful. I couldn't even get much help with dealing with something simple like skin tags (those little skin things that grow randomly).
Anyway, while I was lifting a couple of weeks ago, still just going with what I feel like doing I realized something. That's how I started lifting awhile back. Just some here and there. Then I bought a weightlifting magazine. Sure the guys are on steroids and super low body fat, but there was something about the accomplishment that was inspiring.
So I convinced myself that I could be "buff." That set me in motion to start tracking my workouts and then my diet. After a while I lost some fat and gained some muscle. Then I found a natural body building magazine where the guys are not full of steroids, but did get to super low body fat. I thought wow. That is more doable. (That and my family was "you wanna look like THAT freak?")
So I kept going. I got to where I knew my 4, 8, 12, or 16 week plan. Then I got to where I had a good idea what I was going to do for the following cycle. Then it hit me.
I like beer, chili dogs, tamales, and lots of other stuff like that. So I probably would not get to super low body fat any time soon. I decided to go for strength. I read somewhere that muscle from strength lasts longer than muscle from body building style lifting. So I switched to a combination style. I also had my cycles figured out a year ahead.
So I had good planning. I knew what I was going for. And I believed that I could do it.
Then I did this funky thing to my back. Then I stopped lifting all together because doctors are lame. Then I started lifting again very light and it didn't even feel like I was working out. Then I started going to what was light for me before. Now it feels like a workout.
But I still lift randomly. When I had a plan I did it even when I wasn't in the mood. And I saw the gains - more in the amount I moved than my body. So it is time to get back to it. It may take me a couple of years to get all the way back, but my goal is to bench between 250 and 300 for my 45th birthday. Squat 360 too! The deadlift is the only one I'm not sure about, but I will work on it and see where I am in a year.
I think over the year of not lifting my gut got way bigger and my arms a little smaller. I'm not that concerned with my size anymore, but know I need to lose some weight so the proportion of arms to pansa (gut) is my main measure.
So here I go again. I was working out with 225 for benching and 315 for squats so I know that my muscles can do it. I'm going to have to do lots more stretching and yoga type stuff to keep it together for the next round. Then walk as much as I can.
The interesting thing is that I think this also goes for organizing work. We don't feel like we're going to actually "win" or gain the things the community needs so we just do things as they come up. We justify this with this as a resistance to the corporate structure, or western world view. This works against us. So I tried getting really detailed at work for a week. And it gave good results. And like lifting it is easy to fall back into "flexibility." So I'll try again there too!
Wish me luck and here we go!
KEEP LIFTING!!!
Labels: Chicano Chingon, Chicano Maximus
July 15, 2009
Still mourning losses in my life. Will probably be a process. Going to try and be healthy about it. Part of that will be to keep working out. Music can be good. I had a great rehearsal last night. I can see where the kids may have been burnt my ability to work hard and focused - didn't create enough fun spaces. Live and learn. I guess I'm mourning that whole process too.
Below is probably a great song for this time. And this is probably one of the best versions, I love how it starts...
Below is probably a great song for this time. And this is probably one of the best versions, I love how it starts...
Labels: Hell In Handbasket, Musica y Musicos
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 14, 2009 Check In
Well I've been hearing a lot of women's side of the story on divorces and other relationship issues lately. An interesting comment that caught my attention was about mourning over the divorce as a failure in order to move on.
I think this is a good thing for me to consider. I've noticed that I have developed a lot more surface kinds of relationships and grown more distant from older relationships. I think that for the first time in my life I don't have a "best friend." There may be a couple of people who see me as their best friend. But there isn't anyone that I talk with regularly, that I'm close and connected to. My brothers and sisters aren't that close. I mean they sometimes talked with me about being lonely, but they all hang out with each other - (they are all from at least one different parent and have other siblings).
It is a very interesting place and I think a good place for me to mourn the transitioning of lots of things.
I think this is a good thing for me to consider. I've noticed that I have developed a lot more surface kinds of relationships and grown more distant from older relationships. I think that for the first time in my life I don't have a "best friend." There may be a couple of people who see me as their best friend. But there isn't anyone that I talk with regularly, that I'm close and connected to. My brothers and sisters aren't that close. I mean they sometimes talked with me about being lonely, but they all hang out with each other - (they are all from at least one different parent and have other siblings).
It is a very interesting place and I think a good place for me to mourn the transitioning of lots of things.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
July 09, 2009
Working out regular has been good. I just couldn't get it into the schedule yesterday. And today doesn't look good either. But Friday is on!
I got a good burn on the arms on the weekend workout. On Monday it was just hard to keep focused. Yesterday I was exhausted and passed out on the couch and then had a neighborhood association meeting.
< /br>
It was good to have friends and family come out to the gig on Saturday. It was inspiring. I'll post a picture tomorrow. Two gigs this weekend.< /br>
Bueno - here's a cool version of an old song...
I got a good burn on the arms on the weekend workout. On Monday it was just hard to keep focused. Yesterday I was exhausted and passed out on the couch and then had a neighborhood association meeting.
< /br>
It was good to have friends and family come out to the gig on Saturday. It was inspiring. I'll post a picture tomorrow. Two gigs this weekend.< /br>
Bueno - here's a cool version of an old song...
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
July 1, 09
Had a good workout on Monday. Going to go this afternoon. It is nice lifting normal weights!
I'll be doing mostly small muscles today and go for a heavy workout on Friday.
Found this on Youtube and thought I'd send it out to my jamming homeboys!!!
I'll be doing mostly small muscles today and go for a heavy workout on Friday.
Found this on Youtube and thought I'd send it out to my jamming homeboys!!!
