space the final frontier

My official training has not begun, but I have started- this week 3M jog, hour of bozo ball session + 1M , yesterday fast 3.75 miles of the elliptic machine- just starting…

This morning I went to try crossFit- so I arrive to a shabby and a very simplistic gym that has almost no machines- only simpler devices of torture- heavy ball, mattresses, walls, bars.

This technique is hard intense work out, but short- and they do all the exercises that have always been difficult to me, and those that take your breath quickly

Like squats, pushups, seat ups (while dangling from something), jumping on high platforms, throwing the heavy ball up- they do not invent the wheel here (but they actually have a giant tractor wheel in the gym, I didn’t inquire what for)- but doing those one after the other, is a killer- a lot more tiring than the other trainings I have done this week which were far longer.

So I finish my work out (and sit on the side for 30 minutes just to return to normal breathing) and move on to the next event of the day.

 

Lectures on NASA at the movies- at Glen research center- which is an actual NASA facility.

I leave the gym, and the gas light is flashing yellow, like it has this morning, I am searching in my bag and see no wallet and no credit cards (which are not in the wallet usually), search the car and find 20$ stashed away, so I gas up with it, then I start thinking on lunch, and what will I do today with no money-I trash the car and scrap up every small coin I have, which does not amount to much- barely a coke. But that’s life, so I turn bondi on and go to NASA. As I approach the building , I see that it is in fact a base and the visitor center is inside. The gourd at the post asks me for ID which I don’t have obviously, so I turn around at the gate , pull over to the side and continue ransacking my bags, cars etc for some form of identification, I considered  opening the lap top and showing the guy my Facebook page or something. I search over and under the seats and no luck, and somehow I find in some part of the bag not only my wallet, but all the Card I keep out side (ID, credit card etc). I don’t know where was it before -  I suspect being close to NASA that it was teleported somehow.

Smiling I re approach the gate, and I hand out my ID with obvious satisfaction, the gourd takes a look and asks me what is my citizenship. I reply and, he apologizes saying it’s only for citizens. I came here to see NASA’s view on its place in movies  and to discuss conspiracy theories with the people of this meet up- the skeptics club, and they don’t let me in- how about that for a conspiracy?.

So what if they asked me to pre register, and I didn’t – that is beside the point- it’s a visitor center, I am a visitor… they gourd told me that next year the center will be on the outside for all visitors-  I was hoping to find secrets…but it will have to wait.

So I pull out my lap top again and trying to find something else to do, and I get an email that my next event is canceled as well- since the dad of the organizer is in the ICU and might be dying (this was the message) and Karen (the organizer) – is apologizing , twice , that she has to cancel because of that. I was shocked. You don’t have to apologies for that.

So after I had my whole day carefully planned, I found myself at 12:00 pm with nothing to do-  I had considered seeing a movie-   now that  I can, because I am reunited with my wallet, so I stop for a quick bite (the wallet affect again) and see lots of department stores – and decide to do a little shopping -  perhaps because I just finished a shopping book  or perhaps more of Racer’s things are accumulating- and I need to increase my storage capability and start thinking of an apartment for 2.

 

So, first stop-  bed, bath and beyond – it’s an everything for the house that woman buy kind of store, and I start viewing everything slowly and not buzz by like I would usually. Trying to think what helps and what has no purpose what so ever. I didn’t intend to buy anything now- just to have my own perspective on what might be needed-  some ideas come to mind, and some things make me laugh

For instance- a turkey lifter. This device is post mortem cruelty to animals device-  it is basically 2 wires to strep to the turkey, so you can lift it. Not only did I see no actual use for it (possibly because I never had a proper thanks giving dinner), but why abuse the turkey? They can’t fly, so why would you laugh at them and show them that now, when they are skinned and stuffed with cranberry and other unknowns, that now you can make them fly with this device. I decided to leave it on the shelf

Another contraption is the boot shape maintainer – some plastic piece to put in the boot to help keep its proper form. I thought, why don’t just put a leg in there and solve the whole thing. Later I was explained, that I don’t understand this at all. Boots are for the winter, you put this device in the summer when you don’t use it or else the seams break off. Something tells me that we are going to have one of these devices very soon.

How about the table cloth weights- not the cloth does not work out. It’s like a paper weight connects to the edges of the cloth to keep it looking straight and tight- they had 2 kinds. The 1^st were all various bugs, the 2^nd beer, chips, burger and hot dog. So not only a useless device , but tacky as well.

 

Don’t worry, I will not criticize the whole catalog. I did like some items and next week when alla is on her winter break- some of those will be purchased.

 

Next came office Max, where I was staring at folders to arrange my paper work. I am slightly more organized than was before- my shoes go on the rack when I come in, the tooth brush in the cup, the bed is made (by me) even when it’s just me- yes I know, I can’t believe it either. Some folks believe they can get me to organize my paper work- I said, well  good luck with that. But who knows. After all my desk at work is finally clean and organized- how did I manage that you ask (especially those who witnessed the status of my desk before), well, I recently moved a floor down at work, since then I have no desk and sit in different places every day. I am fine with that, I could have arranged something, but I choose not to, since now my not existing desk is cleaner than your desk, not a single blemish on it.

Costco was last and I got some goodies- like pineapple –    mmmmm I have been munching on it all day, but the lines on the weekend. Did someone say the economy is bad? The problem with Costco is that it is all whole sale, you can’t buy small things. They let you sample stuff and I sample some grapes- good grapes, nothing to peal the skin about but good enough, but I can’t buy it in a smaller package than the size of twice the normal size- I can’t eat that many grapes before they spoil- so I pass and get pineapple – I wonder why a pine apple is called that way, it is clearly no apple, and it doesn’t grow on pines- I looked it up and even Wikipedia has no answer on this. But even the box itself says ananas which is the fruits name in lots of languages.

I wait more than 30 minutes in line at the registry (the pienanas are worth it) and surprised to see that nothing is placed in bags, they place the items you bought back to the cart , and you have to carry them onward from there. I witnessed various attempts to drop the paper/ plastic bags. Some place promote buying a reusable bag, or you have to pay for the bag, but this idea works. No bag, no way – so you have to bring your own. I promote this idea, please contact your local supermarket representative.

This blog was started yesterday, so what was ‘today’  is untrue- the details are true, just happened ‘yesterday’. so the current today started with squash (after a breakfasts of pienanas). At least I assumed it would be Squash, but it was racquet ball. I though like ping pong and table tennis that it’s the same game, but no. same court, different lines, different racquet and different ball. I played with Igor (Alla’s brother in law). Today we more or less practiced, run each other around – and so far he looks in better shape than I, and moves around easier, so I have another level to improve too.

After that went rock climbing again, and by now I was aching from over sporting myself, and I didn’t do so well this time. So I stopped and now resting on the couch.

Ok got to go- have a very busy week. Boot camp (it’s a gym class), 7 mile hike, more rock climbing, midnight tobogganing, squash, shopping and more. Only 4 months to go and 7% raised so far. See you at 6 am on spin class…

 

Oh- the space thing. I was told I am not putting enough space after -   and was asked to space out-    so    trying.

 

 

on Mum(ie)s and brides

My mom often says to me, if something happens- call me first- and I usually say sure, yeh yeh yeh or something- but  lately it changed to –you will read all about it with everyone elseJ

Keeping her on her toes, for some reason she thinks important things are about to happen- I told her, not only that she will have to read it, but it will be somewhere in paragraph 3

But don’t worry- she knows I will call- and there is nothing hiding in this blog despite the misleading title

 

It’s time for a literature review. I am quite the book worm-capable of reading just about everywhere- in the car, on a train, on a plane, during boarding, on a moving escalator, on the line in immigration, most people can do the same things- but they simply don’t- I do.  I usually prefer fantasy, suspense or adventure- but I have read some of the classics (crime and punishments, grapes of wrath, Genesis)

But I was reading the wrong things- recently I was able to “read” through a the book on tape (CD actually) and I found a lost gem.

 

Alla brought me 2 books actually- one of them ,ironically, on paper, fits me just right- archeologist in Egypt digging up mummies, and fighting grave robbers (archeologists are not grave robbers, since Indiana “it belongs in the museum” Jones)- ) I guess my problem with the book which is held around the 1920- is that it’s boring. English gentleman archeologist – they go to the grave, someone digs, they find a mummy (it doesn’t even chase them!!!) and go and have a brandy- what kind of c..p is that- where is the rush?. I had this feeling after reading a journey to the center of the earth- as the name suggests- they go down , discover an underworld land, bursting lava, underground flesh eating plants, predator fish- but the hero is a gentle man- and it was boring- the movie, which crashed in the box office knew that- so they made the hero younger, taller and next to a blond. I enjoyed it greatly, but again it crashed.

 

The other book on the other book is totally wrong. Not that I have anything against chick flicks – I have read more than a few before- but this one seems of low quality- shopaholic ties the knot. I was so wrong, you may recognize the title from a movie which just came out here last week (have not seen it  yet) ‘confessions of a shopaholic’- I saw that commercial before I had the book and decided this is stupid (and I watched ‘super bad’ twice!) and not worth considering. So why am I writing so much stuff instead of getting to the point.

Actually- the heroine is a flaky, full of life individual , which everything that can go wrong, does, in the most charming way- but ends well. I guess I see her as a female, more extreme version of me.

Examples

The pre nup addendum

“5.1 the groom will remember all birthdays and anniversaries

5.2. the groom will bring gifts based on list that the bride will leave in various stores and hidden places around the house for the weeks preceding to the event

5.3. the bride shall act surprised from the grooms choice of gift.”

Or

“I made him ‘home made nourishing chicken soup’, at least that what it said on the box”- genius in its simplicity.

Somehow (unless it’s about boring gentleman) everything is better when the characters are British- they have a certain flare- and Beki tops them all- the things that go on in her head

She is disturbed and worried (the sad part of the book) and needs to find a place of solace and comfort- so where would you go- tiffanies of course.

She prays for assistance at her church, but just to be sure, she prays in the synagogue, prays to the goddess gnash and get a group of alcoholics anonymous to pray for her- just to be on the safe side.

 

This book is concerned with her wedding – and she has a tip for every bride- always carry a little bottle of vodka- whenever someone mentions the word wedding, just take a little sip.

But it’s not about the story , but more on her thoughts that make this book so good.

I got some ideas from this book, but as I said this blog is about the book, and there is nothing hidden here.

This is an audio book, with a British narrator – and I found myself changing my ‘mom’ (the American way) to ‘mum’ the British way. I found myself on more than 1 occasion driving longer ways just to hear the book. One night I was driving to a store, and found it closed, went to another to buy some food, closed as well (did someone said flaky, but I had the book, so it was a great drive)

But every great books comes to an end, what a shame. The lucky thing isthat this is a series, (this is book 3,  but you can read it right away- same character, different time period)- so I can expect more hours of pure laughter.

p.s the movie- I don’t have high hopes for it. the heroine is not British enough- Americanizing this book ruins it and I don’t know how much of her thoughts can be captured in a movie. But don’t worry- you will hear (read) about it next week.

My self other than flakiness, I am very critical (unfortunate side effect of having to find flaws in the work of other for 4 years)- and rarely grant any book or movie very high review.

But shopaholic ties the knot, by Sophie Kinsella  receives a perfect 10 in my book, and got an honor place on my face book profile along with shogun and the 4^th procedure.

Lord of the rings, catcher in the rie, da vinchi code, ha  do not even come close

Did I go overboard here …in fact…,  no. it was perfect

 

Have a good night and shopping dreams

i just felt like running or promises promises

Just remember it’s all for a worthy cause…more details below

 

Sorry the sound on my lap top is muted, otherwise you would here flashback music right now

The year was 1990 and Raanana was about to have it’s 1^st race- 10k and another for the family 2.5k

I went with my Bolivian neighbor to the family one. I was always a great sprinter-no joke- fastest in class, school and everywhere-but only for 2 sprints- after that I amount of breath- and for that reason I was always the worst in long distance running- worst in my class, not so sure about the school, but somewhere in the back.

So I finished the race in an awful time and walking part of the way- got my participant reward-and wrote on it 13^th place to make it believable- I am not greedy.

I made myself a promise to run the bigger race next year- and just like my sign- I am bull headed stubborn and keep making myself the same promise every year- this is the oldest promise to myself ant yet unfulfilled.

One year after returning from my big 5 months trip very skinny and in shape- I came close- 8.4k on the machine in a good pace- but I tore my quad the next day- and only promises ever since.

In the visit to Israel last week- I saw the familiar race poster- now in its 20^th year- so my promise is 20 year old as well- as always I remade the promise. But now it’s time to get serious (like you(I) never said that before!). yesterday woke very early (jet legged) and went to the gym- and did 5k- in a very slow pace- but nonstop- making it my best run since the quad (6 years ago ). I could actually proceed, wasn’t even tired, but it was a slow pace and running on the machine is not the same as on the road.

So, I saw some event- a group that trains for a half marathon to benefit Chrone’s disease  (and colitis).

As some of you know, my sister has chrone’s – and not the mild one, and know of others who have it on but not as severe. I decided it’s a sign. Fulfilling my promise and raising money- so I went today to check it out.

They were talking about a lot of money- the problem is when you start a sum with 55…. I hear 55 thousand , since in Hebrew you don’t say 55 hundred- so on the entire lecture- I am trying to think how on earth can anyone raise that sum of money- crazy- but no- they want you to raise a minimum of 5500$ for chrones research.  They take this stuff serious here, even to donate you have to work hard.

So I am about to go through training which includes- lessons on how to run right, how to stretch, maintain body position, eating habits etc… and have a detailed running regime – as well as weekly running meets with guides- so I can make 20k by the end of June. For me it’s great, since I keep my word half way. I get that only if I raise the cash- so I have a big project and I will bug all of you – so be warned. This is a common thing here, someone runs or bikes in some race and others sponsor.

There is a bonus to this thing- which I like and don’t like at the same time. The race is not in Cleveland like I assumed it would be, it is in Kona. What I don’t like about it is that 25% of donations goes to the foundations to cover costs, only 75% goes to the research itself. This organization said he received high marks on the US watchdog –so the money may actually go to where it should-  but the 25% - some of it is to cover the expenses of getting me to the race- to Kona, which is in a US state I never been, Hawaii! – I know you don’t believe me- I hate raising money that will not go to research- but Hawaii – for a weekend- sounds perfect.

And I get to run for some one- so I will have my sister’s name on my shirt.

 

So now I have to raise the money by end of June.

I am going over the material I got from them- my training session is hard- every Monday is active recovery- what the hek is active recovery? And Fridays are off- great- but 2 miles every Tuesday, 3-4 on Wednesdays, 20-30-40 minutes on Saturdays (increasing with each week) and 30,40,45,60,75,90 minutes on Sundays- are you insane…. Am I

Well it’s for a good cause.

So I will have expert advice on how to milk money as well as an endurance manager- and they have money raising ideas- I have some ideas already- but always looking for original ideas- so please- if you haven’t fallen asleep till now, please share ideas (and cash)

Tomorrow I will have my own fundraising web site- so any one can pay directly there

Sonow I have to maintain my blog, face book, outlook, IM, hotmail, and a new site- luky I don’t visit my myspace, gmail or walla mail often

So that’s it- I feel I will actually make it this year, and I already have my 1^st donor.

So got to go, make plans and go to sleep- have spinning at 6 am.

 

p.s  shekels and kiwi dollars accepted

the common honeyBmustardia darvinia and other flowers

the Mega 80s

About 2 weeks ago, we went to a concert of what is believed to be the best 80's cover band in the states.
They play nothing but original songs....of others
Once again , just like the Michigan party we underestimated the freak potential. These types of shows bring out the true essence of freakdom - the kind that makes Mimi from drew carry blush.
You see people with early 80's cloths, woman with those heavy ankle socks, weird tights, colors that even I can tell don't match. Weird leather garments and other craziness- and all I could add is- why we were not informed- we would have dressed the same- god knows I have so many unfitting clothes- I could have went with source sandals and socks- and be the freak of freaks- well perhaps next time.
The 1st part of the show was great- with mainstream 80s hits- and I enjoyed every second. The 2nd part was ok- more songs but it was a 2 hour parts of songs- they covered all the 80s but too quickly- I prefer to play the whole song- imagine jungle life music and when the 1st oh oh oho......oh....oh oh oh ends, Bang another song- too fast. We switched places in the show- sometimes more to the back and sometimes in front- at some point we were 2nd row (this was a standing area, so not really in rows) and standing behind a very freakish person all in leather, high hills and no foot control what so ever- who stepped on both of our toes, few songs later she fell and dropped her wig (freaks, I told you), but this does not make toes hurt any less.

Tonight the pretenders are playing in Cleveland- a great band which we failed to get tickets on time- so we will have to do with unpacking the stuff I brought over (burekas, knaffe, krembo, a 4 foot snake, old photo albums, gifts and more good stuff). Times have changed- people used to come back from America with bags full of gifts. My bag coming over was half full and very light- but now- I needed another suitcase- both suitcases have reached the weight limit...sahcar chocolate is heavy, and it is not in my carry on.