Going to the Gym Pt. 2
Published January 20th, 2010 | 
Don’t you just wish losing weight was as simple as taking some miraculous quick trim pill that instantaneously made a person light and fit without all the fuss and exercise?
Of course, it doesn’t work that way, so I found myself going to the gym this morning. The place was packed today. There was an aerobics class already in progress in the room where I normally do my medicine ball warm-up, so I did a little stretching elsewhere and skipped to the weight-training. I usually do my half-hour on the treadmill last so after the weights, I went upstairs. After five minutes on the treadmill, the power cut off on the machine. These 2 women and an old dude were using the only three treadmills still functioning upstairs and the ones downstairs were also being used. I went downstairs used the ab cycle machine and then jumped rope. I went back upstairs, hoping one of the functioning treadmills was free but it wasn’t. At this point, I’d already been at the gym for nearly and hour and I’d only completed about 60% of my normal workout. I did a third set of lat pulls and jumped rope again. The aerobics class was still going on (how long is that class anyway?). One of the treadmills downstairs freed-up but I couldn’t get it to work. The fitness dude at the front desk was too busy flirting with these three young women and I couldn’t get his attention. I went back upstairs, hoping that one of those machines was now free. No such luck. I finally gave up on the treadmill and left the gym. It’s a nice day. Guess I’ll walk instead.
Mystery Writer, Robert B. Parker Dead at 77
Published January 19th, 2010 | 
I was rather shocked to learn just this afternoon that, one of my favorite mystery writers, Robert B. Parker — died suddenly yesterday. The creator of the Spenser detective series and the equally popular Jesse Stone novels died at his desk. A fitting death for a prolific writer.
I first discovered Parker in my junior year in high school, not long after discovering Raymond Chandler, a writer Parker was often compared to. The first book of his I remember reading was Valediction, a Spenser novel. The Godwulf Manuscript and Taming the Seahorse were among my favorites of the earlier Spenser books. Over a period of several years I worked my way through his other Spenser novels and many of his other novels, including his three westerns and a few of his Jesse Stone books. What I most admired about his writing was how simply he wrote and how effortless he made it seem and how he rarely disappointed his fans.
An English Lit professor turned full-time novelist, Parker completed over sixty novels. His last completed book, Split Image, featuring Jesse Stone was finished just prior to his death and will be published later this year. During his lifetime, Parker was nominated for the Edgar Award three times and won the award once. In addition, he was awarded a Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Going to the Gym
Published January 19th, 2010 | I went to the gym today. I got up, took my thyroid meds, ate some oat bran. After reading my email and doing a few other things, I decided to go to the gym. Prior to beginning my workout, I downed one of those energy drinks that’s supposed to increase metabolism and act as a fat burner. Probably not a good idea in hindsight because, after a half-hour on the treadmill, I felt like puking up that nasty drink. I didn’t, but now I feel like I have the bends or something. Usually, exercise gives me a little boost of endorphines, but not today. I feel like crap. Maybe tomorrow will be better
