Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Taking stock with various updates
I've switched up my training schedule at the dojo to do Monday night black belt workouts, Tuesday night black belt sparring workout, and Saturday general sparring with whomever. So far I'm digging the switch since it's really giving me time to work on the material I want at the level I want. Tonight's "inventory of damage" includes a minor nick under my left eye, some blood on my lowest earring, various little nicks, and a pop to the nose. I also got a handful of shots in I've been working on for a while. I've said it before, and I'll say it again because it bears repeating, I fucking love sparring. It's great for Chris-regulation.
I'm trying to eat better. I completely realize and accept that this might sound nit-picky considering I'm already a fastidious eater, but it's true. I'm attempting to take a cue from Phil and start planning my meals ahead of time so that I can take my lunch to work. The last several days it's been something homemade and organic. I recognize that my mind is clearer and I work better when I'm keeping an accurate tab on my macronutrients. I like feeling alive and awake without a ton of caffeine. Though the caffeine does help.
Tasty recipe suggestion of the day: Make macaroni and cheese with coconut milk instead of regular milk. The result is creamier AND tastier!
I'm trying to eat better. I completely realize and accept that this might sound nit-picky considering I'm already a fastidious eater, but it's true. I'm attempting to take a cue from Phil and start planning my meals ahead of time so that I can take my lunch to work. The last several days it's been something homemade and organic. I recognize that my mind is clearer and I work better when I'm keeping an accurate tab on my macronutrients. I like feeling alive and awake without a ton of caffeine. Though the caffeine does help.
Tasty recipe suggestion of the day: Make macaroni and cheese with coconut milk instead of regular milk. The result is creamier AND tastier!
Monday, August 11, 2008
The space inside the mug
Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about where I've placed some of my commitments. The biggest ones being financial. I'm going to start this by saying that I'm not doing poorly, I'm not hard up for money, and I'm definitely A-OK with the bank. It's more that I'm starting to feel certain things are more and more frivolous. Somewhere along the line several weeks ago I got the "downsizing" bug and it hasn't let itself go. I keep pondering about selling my car and ending all the monthly expenditures that go along with it. It isn't that I don't like it, and it isn't that it isn't a hell of a fun car, it's just that I recognize despite all those things I'm fundamentally happier when those funds are unallocated. I easily lose touch with the fact I'm happier being *capable* of affording a nice car, rather than *actually* owning a nice car.
The next calendar year has the two exciting potential trips back to Asia- one to China, the other to Japan. As it stands right now, that would be somewhat difficult to swing unless I started saving right now and only did that for the next 8 months minimum. I know me, and that just doesn't sound all that likely. On top of that there is the very real, and very possible, relocate to Vancouver toward the end of next year. If I'm living downtown in a city with a public transit grid, not only would I not need my car, it would be prohibitive just to keep it. Am I talking myself into getting rid of it early?
Yes, I realize my wants are fickle. I've always known that so I've also factored it into most of my decisions so that I have easy exit strategies later on. My car is no exception. More than anything I fear being rebuked for wanting to simplify things on a larger level like this. I feel like I won't have support and I'll expend more energy trying to double-back on past statements and trying to appear consistent when I would much, much rather have people just say "I understand. Your thinking isn't completely unjustified. Things change and you've adapted in a way that makes sense for you. I support this decision."
As it stands I have number of projects I want to finish on my house, I want to be able to travel to Asia again next year, I want to have a stronger sense of financial security and the shortest path to all of these goals certainly looks like releasing the second largest expense I have. I am not my possessions, but am I prepared to deal with the social BS that may follow?
The next calendar year has the two exciting potential trips back to Asia- one to China, the other to Japan. As it stands right now, that would be somewhat difficult to swing unless I started saving right now and only did that for the next 8 months minimum. I know me, and that just doesn't sound all that likely. On top of that there is the very real, and very possible, relocate to Vancouver toward the end of next year. If I'm living downtown in a city with a public transit grid, not only would I not need my car, it would be prohibitive just to keep it. Am I talking myself into getting rid of it early?
Yes, I realize my wants are fickle. I've always known that so I've also factored it into most of my decisions so that I have easy exit strategies later on. My car is no exception. More than anything I fear being rebuked for wanting to simplify things on a larger level like this. I feel like I won't have support and I'll expend more energy trying to double-back on past statements and trying to appear consistent when I would much, much rather have people just say "I understand. Your thinking isn't completely unjustified. Things change and you've adapted in a way that makes sense for you. I support this decision."
As it stands I have number of projects I want to finish on my house, I want to be able to travel to Asia again next year, I want to have a stronger sense of financial security and the shortest path to all of these goals certainly looks like releasing the second largest expense I have. I am not my possessions, but am I prepared to deal with the social BS that may follow?
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Into the groove
OK, I've now been at the new job for just about a month. I would not describe myself as a creature of habit, but changing jobs always throws a wrench into whatever semi-routine I've managed to setup. As usual, and as was expected, my gym times have been thrown completely out of whack. I have substituted it with more time at the studio and relying on isometric exercise I can do on my own. Either way, I need to step it up and get back to where I was a month ago.
Work is also not draining me nearly as badly at this point. Getting into the "groove" of things is taking a little longer than I expected, but I'm mostly chalking it up to the pace Integrum maintains. I <3 working for smaller, start-up like companies.
Lastly, I seriously need to put together some kind of mini-vacation for myself in the very near future. I am terrible about getting out of town despite my love of travel. So, if your reading this, come up with a 3-day travel plan and we'll see what happens.
Work is also not draining me nearly as badly at this point. Getting into the "groove" of things is taking a little longer than I expected, but I'm mostly chalking it up to the pace Integrum maintains. I <3 working for smaller, start-up like companies.
Lastly, I seriously need to put together some kind of mini-vacation for myself in the very near future. I am terrible about getting out of town despite my love of travel. So, if your reading this, come up with a 3-day travel plan and we'll see what happens.
