I’m So Out Of Practice

Shoveling snow and ice. To what did you think I was referring?

A Shoveling I Will Go
I’ve yet to get cabin fever. However that’s probably because I have been able to make my way up to a mile or so away from my house and interact with friends on each day.

Yesterday I worked from home and at one point had so much pent-up frustration about everything going on that I needed to go outside and “do something.” Beneath the Florida Gators hoodie beat the heart of a native New Yorker. With reckless abandoned I started pushing my flat-blade shovel beneath the thin layer of ice and hurling the chunks created from the driveway. It took somewhere in the neighborhood of a half an hour for me to completely clear my driveway (which is more work than I do to keep the driveway clean under pleasant conditions) and I felt satisfied.

“A cleared driveway is worth a three-mile run for me today.” I believe I exclaimed loudly in between panting breaths as I wiped the sweat from by brow.

The ill affect of my shoveling began last night. It’s readily apparent that whatever lower back muscle(s) necessary for bending down, shoveling snow/ice, and hurling it to the side are not often used by yours truly. My lower back began hurting last night and still hurts today.

It’d been nearly thirty years since I last shoveled a driveway. I guess I was better prepared back then.

ITP Flickr Pic
I remember a time where travel was unrestricted. A time where, while cold, one could go outside without having to wonder if his/her destination was open.

For me the last time that happened was Saturday, the day on which I took this photo of a lightbulb.

It Was Like The Kidpocalypse Had Arrived
I ate dinner at The Shed in Glenwood Park last night. Post-shoveling I hopped into the Jackmobile and did a test drive to see if driving or walking would be my mode of transportation last night (driving won out). When I arrived at the restaurant it was as if a Chuck-E-Cheese had loaded everyone up into a U-Haul and shipped them all to The Shed. At first I was mortified, and the I threw my hands up (figuratively) and decided that whatever shall be shall be.

The Shed was doing their best last night under difficult circumstances. An incorrect slider order was corrected with the addition of the ordered sliders. When the last “homemade ding dong” had just been ordered prior to our order the newly selected dessert of apple streusel was accompanied by the profiteroles on their menu at no additional charge. All of the food was delicious.

I learned lessons last night, because well, I’m so out of practice. I know one thing for certain — I had a great time.

On Top Of Everything Else I’m Supposed To Be Going Out Of Town Tomorrow
Whew, it’s been a trying week — and not as bad for me as for many out there. Now that I’ve shifted my concentration from yesterday’s activities I now need to start thinking about packing for tomorrow’s trip to the Smoky Mountains — assuming we can get there. To say that I am a bit unprepared for this trip is an understatement. It’s not that there hasn’t been plenty of time to prepare, it’s that I’ve been too focused on other things (see also: work).

Happy Birthday ITP-Reader Bob
Having a July birthday and living in the Northern Hemisphere I’ve never had to deal with ice and snow on my birthday (which is July 22nd if you’re keeping score at home).

ITP-Reader Bob, whose birthday is today, has not been so lucky. I hope that you have an awesome day today, friend. Here’s to hoping that you either don’t have to work on your birthday, or at least your office is closed today thanks to this week’s incredibly foul weather.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – better today
Current Music – listening to today’s “Daily Giz Wiz” podcast
Website Of The Day – This morning I received an email from the Atlanta Local Food Initiative asking me to help advertise their fruit tree/vine sale which will take place on January 22nd. I like locally-grown produce, so sure I will!
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car, maybe
Exercise (b)Log – shoveling (about 30 minutes)
Morning Weigh-In – Feb 1

Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~6.3 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0
Situps – 0
Stairs – 6 flights

Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 2 (9)

Vegetarian Days – 0
Carnivorous Days – 11

Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0

January Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Run no fewer than 75 miles
– Prepare Sharpened Stone, LLC for 2011 so that I get no more penalties
– Lose two pounds
– Eat vegetarian at least one day a week
– A couple of goals which I will not divulge
– Eat lunch out no more than twice a week
– Limit myself to eating dinner out on laundry nights, meeting nights, and dates

2011 Goals [will be a little more fluid than in past years]
– Reduce my weight by 25 pounds based on the my weight as measured on February 1st
– Completely read the book Daily Negations which I received as a Christmas gift.
– Run Sharpened Stone as a real business — one which does not get penalized.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Ride in no fewer than five 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Run in no fewer than two half-marathons
– Submit at least one application under the name “Sharpened Stone” to Apple’s iOS store

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]