Interesting weekend.
The manager at Fitness Resource in the Bel Aire shopping center lit up when I asked for a Kettlebell. He sent me to Coffee's Gym. The name, "Coffee's Gym", is perfect. It costs 5 Dollars a day and the 25 pound weights look just like the 45 pounders. This is a nice feature when gym-rat Naomi is Cleaning more than you're squatting.
Thursday night Dad cooked Tilapia ("tilapia, Nature’s do-anything fish"-- Lileks). Afterwards I went out for a quick drink with Dave and Kelly and ended up at a Kings of Leon Concert. I was expecting them to be brash, and more cocksure. Still, its hard to judge seeing the show from the way-back, stone sober, with another dude. I like them though, and then we headed over to Charlie and Barney’s. Yes, the boycott is over. They finally capitulated and brought back the Pizza! Still good stuff, but something wasn't right. Maybe the recipe doesn't translate to the 10'' pie format, maybe it don't sit so good in the new gussied up decor. (The place isn't even Called Charlie And Barney’s anymore)
Fachini, if you're reading this, Lou says hi. She wants to know if you go that sweet job at the Patent Office.
Friday I took a tour of the Met and the WGN tower. Don't ask.
Made it back to town in time for dinner at One.Midtown.Kitchen, which has elevated its game. Try the Squash Blossoms. Best restaurant in the city I think, P4p. Went dancing at MJQ, best dancing in the country, even on the Hip-Hop nights that everyone frets about (No shootings!). Hit the Vortex to sober up for the long drive back to the burbs.
Saturday I did my first Crossfit program. 5 rounds of 30 Pull-ups and 21 Medical Ball shots for time. My time was under an hour. Woo-hoo!
Saturday night Brad and I had dinner at Two.Urban.Licks. I have allways liked their food, though they could use a few lighter dishes. Their wine delivery system is second to none: Its all stored in the wall-o-kegs and delivered in the very glasses I tried to describe in one of my Spice WhiskeyTown Rants (Probably the one where Brad cleverly invited a girl he was trying to get rid of. Nothing scares them off like two guys arguing over proper Ice-Cube size for mythical bar).
Brad and I then drove over the Lauren's to hear her new stereo system. It was a good time all the way around until we blew out LeftFront listening to God's Shoeshine (now LeftRear, Sorry Nick, I owe you an Orange Julious) and Brad spilt some wine (and then mismanaged the clean-up operation). We had to bid a hasty retreat. Brad made a run for it while I brought the car around. Then he dove headfirst through the passenger window as I passed him running down
I tried everything: Rolling it into the sun, washing it.....
Pushing it back into the garage was a good deal harder than pushing it out, btw. Had to go rinse off in Rich's pool afterwards, for an hour or two while I waited for the tow-truck.
I was going to call it a night after the wine incident, but we made a pit stop at Northside Tavern. I might have to dust off the the "best dive-bar" trophy (the title has been vacant since Stein Club Shut down 6 years ago), and give it to the Tavern. At least temporarily untill I can investigate further. Exposed crumbling concrete walls, parkbench seating, an obstinate jukebox, turbo-dog, blues bands, and really terriffic dancing! (Classic definition or Terriffic. Liberal Definition of Dancing).
Had a late breakfast of BBQ Pork and BBQ Beef at One.Star.Ranch before catching a flight back to S.F. I sat next to an Aerobics instructor who was studing for his Certification Renewal. He asked what kind of program I am on. I don't know really. Here are my last two weeks.
Th Lifting 10 90 Pound Weighted Dips, 10 45 Pound Weighted Pullups
Fr Ran A Mile. 6:30
M Boot Camp First day back, Sucked it up around the 30th Burpee. Note T self: hamstring Mark.
Tu Running Camp Russian Hill Steps, bay-to-pacific up Hyde. Cranked out 22 pullups when I got back.
Th Rest
Fri Rest
Sat: 45 minutes of Double Unders
Sun Hour of Ultimate, Hour of Soccer, Hour of Basketball
Mon BootCamp Still behind on Burpees, Shoulders killing me after the 60th Shoulder Pushup (Basketball?).
W rest (Flight)
Th: Hang Clean, Push Press, Back Squat, Overhead squat. At Coffee's. Schooled by Naomi. Spiking her protien drink next time.
F Camero Push , Diveboard Muscle Ups
Sa CROSSFIT 30 Pullups, 21 Medicine Ball Shots. Five Times.
Su Hang Clean, Push Press, Front Squat at home.
M. Rest
Tu Run Mile, Time Trial 1.5 miles (5:55 first mile)
Don't know what you call that. He said that he does some shoulder work in his pilates classes. I put the headphones back on and listened to Bright Eyes's "I'm Wide Awake....."
What a great Album. I feel foolish for harboring a prejudice against the guy.
Sunday night dinner at Oola. Had Mac'n'cheese, figs, and chicken. Mac'n'Cheese is the Brown Eyed Girl of the food world.
There, I said it. To understand the depth (shallowness) of that observation is to understand the Slowdown.
