Morning Glory

I'm developing a new habit. It's an addiction of sorts. And believe me, I never thought I would fall prey to this kind of activity, but it is so refreshing and exhilarating that I find myself wondering how I stayed away from it for so long.

I'm exercising!

It's not that I've never worked out before. In fact, I've been taking 30-minute walks on a daily basis since the spring. But now...now I'm getting up before the sun to head to a gym and do an hour of the unthinkable. I'm spinning. Let me explain. These spin classes are the most excruciating form of cardio that's been dreamed up to date. This is all in my opinion of course.

To spin, you perch on the narrow and rigid seat of a stationery bicycle and, then you spin the wheel by peddling ferociously. The best part is increasing the tension of the wheel at intervals dictated by the instructor. Turning that wheel to the right makes it more and more difficult to push those pedals in smooth rotations. For fun, the instructor asks you to simultaneously stand and pedal or jump up and down while pedaling. It's an adventure every time, these sixty minutes of sweat.

The most surprising part is how much I enjoy the burn. But more than that I think it's the awareness of becoming fully awake in my body, mind and spirit before starting my day. It's dark when I wake up and dark when I descend into the train station to make my trip to the gym. It's cold and the world is barely turning. The greater population is yawning as I climb out of the station and head for the athletic club. There is never more than a handful of participants in the class, but we're there waking up. Honoring our temples. And it feels precisely like worship when we dismount the bikes and get in a full body stretch. This is the way to start the day. My muscles are elated when I hit the showers and when I head back out toward the train, the sun salutes me and my heart smiles. I feel blessed. I am alive.

M.E.E.T.I.N.G.

Most Egregious Exercise Toward Inefficiency Now Going.

I loathe going to meetings. I sit there thinking of more effective ways my minutes could be used. Then I start giving it to my legal pad. The others may think I'm writing copious notes or they may be too busy fabricating text themselves to notice. I make up grocery lists, to-do lists, budgets,word activities, write short stories and draw geometric images. Then I check the clock, make a comment and dig into writing again. Sometimes I even try to transcribe the dialogue in the room.

Meetings are such a waste of time. By the end, nothing has been accomplished, resolved or discovered. Why bother?

Who's singing that anyway?

Wayne Brady released an album. It's called "A Long Time Coming" I saw it with my own eyes on the racks at Target. I just let out a little puff and kept it moving. I had no faith in the man's ability to produce an entire album about anything anyone could relate to. He's a comedian. I know he has a nice lil voice but I've never heard him sing for real, for real.

On that show Whose Line is it Anyway, he would have the best made up songs and on Don't Forget the Lyrics he's proved he can carry a tune. But those shows are mainstream America. It's slap stick, cornball activity.

My mom is more courageous. She took a chance, went ahead and bought the cd. After listening to it she said it was really nice. She's in her fifties, it's okay for her to like him. But what would be my excuse? I wouldn't be so easily persuaded. But then, I heard someone call in to a radio show giving Wayne some really positive feedback. Humph!

I couldn't take it anymore I had to know. I looked him up on on YouTube. And amidst all the lame, corny sketches of him doing improv comedy I found some songs. I am pleasantly surprised. I still won't buy it but maybe I'll copy my mom's into my iTunes.

Today could be the deadline. Don't miss it.

Good question, but...

she's not gonna answer it. During the vice presidential debate Sarah Palin made it clear that she was not going to follow the rules. Palin refused to answer a few questions and chose instead to "redirect" the dialogue to unrelated topics. Like when she was asked about a mortgage bill and she decided to talk about energy. But I like her swagger. I think I'm going to apply that strategy in my own life.

The next time my supervisor asks me to complete a project I'm going to tell her. "You may not like what I have to say, but no. I'm not going to do that. Now let me tell you about my 8th grade dance. Like many American women, I'm sure you remember your first dance as well"