Monday, February 28, 2005

Training Update

When it rains it pours. There has just been a host of things keeping me out of the gym. First a pretty nasty cold, then weather, then I sprained my finger shoveling snow on Thursday. Went to the Doc Friday to get X-Rays to make sure it wasn't broken. It isn't but it hurts, and struggled using my hand all weekend.

I was planning on getting back today. So, naturally, it snowed.

So, I'll be back in tomorrow, feeling pretty good other than the hand. However, because of the long layoff, I don't think pushing to get ready for a meet makes any sence, I need to work on rebuilding my base and getting back in shape.

I may still do it, but I'm not putting any pressure on myself to do it - there will be more meets later in the year, and I'll be better prepared.

More Eminent Domain

This is a fantastic article on the current case in front of the US Supreme Court, and the Court's apparent inability to recognize the danger this activity poses.

They are unable to see this ruling could indeed remove any Constitutional protection for private property, should there be a more lucrative taxable use.

As the author asks - how is this not as important as freedom of speech?

Friday, February 25, 2005

I'm betting on Arnold...

This poll indicates Arnold would handily win reelection.

Anyone suprised? Regardless of your political views, his charisma and willingness to pretty much say anything is pretty refreshing.

He does still waffle on the issues, though.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Training: ME Squat/Dead, 12 Weeks out

After another week off due to a nasty cold, finally got in for a ME Squat/Dead workout. Low back still not 100%, but feeling OK to give some squatting a try.


Warmup: 5 mins treadmill, dynamic stretching

Squats (Close stance, no gear)
45x10
95x10
135x10
185x5
225x3
275x3
315x3
365x1 Pretty easy, but didn't want to push anything.

Hypers
3x15

Leg raises
3x15

10 mins stretching

Workout time: :45

Eminent Domain

I don't see how anyone in their right mind can argue that Eminent Domain applies to private development. Frankly, I don't think it should exist at all, but I'm a crazy Libertarian.

I'll be following this story out of CT, a case headed to the Supreme Court.

Friday, February 18, 2005

A once proud city...

An OP/ED piece in the Baltimore Sun talks about the embarassing murder rate in Baltimore city, and compares it to other cities (and mentions thier outrage at murder rates about half that of Baltimore).

There are a number of issues at work here. I think the main one is the huge drug problem in the city, exacerbated by the large numbers of un/underemployed and unemployable. I'm not sure what the solution is, but the decriminalization of drugs would be a start. I also think some crackdowns on other property crimes might help, as well as the citizens taking responsibility for what happens in their neighborhoods. We can't wait for the police to show up to run off hoodlums - we need to be able to do it on our own.

What I find more interesting is our acceptance of these statistics. The murder rate here gets the occasional mention in the news, but not much noise is made. I guess that has something to do with the fact that the people dying are those in the drug trade, and maybe we don't have much of a problem with drug dealers killing each other off.

I bet it gets more play when the Mayor runs for Governor.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Hate crimes

A Judge in Philadelphia does the right thing and dismisses hate crimes charges against an anti-gay group.

What they did may or may not be a crime, and there may be a legitimate ciminal charge here, but this is an example of a judge standing up for the Constitution, even when it's unpleasant.

Calling out Howard Dean

Good for Mike Steele, the Lt. Gov of Maryland calling out Howard Dean for his racist comments.

They can try to explain it away, but it's one more example of how the Democrats, the supposed friends of the 'oppressed', are really the ones who benefit from the opression, and clearly think of blacks as second class citizens.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Steroids in baseball

I can't stay quiet about this story much longer. This USA Today story about the uproar over Canseco's book is just the latest in a string of incredulous denials.

Let me give you a little insight. I've been weight training for a long time, and during the course of being involved in the bodybuilding/powerlifting subcultures, I've learned a lot about the use of performance enhancing drugs. If you think for a minute that the majority of high level athletes are not using these drugs, you simply have your head in the sand.

Drug testing in the NFL, NCAA, and Olympics is a joke. Anyone with an internet connection and about 30 minutes can learn how to beat these 'random' tests. High level athletes will do anything they can to maintain a competitive edge, and that includes performance enhancing drugs. They've been doing it for decades. The big news should be who isn't on, not who is.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Monday, February 14, 2005

More crack airport security

A woman with a butcher knife in her purse got through security in Newark. She forgot it was there, and when she realised it, she voluntarily relinquished her 4th Amendment rights and told authorities.

She's a great example of our new sheep mentality, and we continue to see examples of minimum wage workers given the responsibility of 'security'.

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Training: 14 Weeks out, DE squat

Cut the rehab short and started a normal cycle. Felt good.

Warmup - 5 mins treadmill, bw squats, dynamic stretching

Box Squats
45x10
95x8
135x2
185x2
10 sets of 2 @ 225

SLDL
45x12
135x12,12,12

HS Shrugs
2x15 @ 180
supterset with stepups
2x15

Hypers
3x15

Incline situps
3x15

10 mins stretching

Workout time: 1:00

Monday, February 7, 2005

I wish he'd run for President

Great stuff from Ron Paul.

By the way, trying to explain how taking from others to give to the majority to make everything 'equal' isn't freedom to a Leftist is like giving a cat a pill.

Sunday, February 6, 2005

Training: 15 Weeks out, DE Bench

Was a little off today for some reason, I guess I have a little bit of a cold or something. On a good note, the CD player at the gym isn't working, so they had a rock radio station on. Again, thank goodness for my MP3 player.

Warmup - 6 mins treadmill, shoulder stuff

Bench press
2x20 @ 45
1x10 @ 95
3x3 @ 135
8 sets of 3 @ 185, 3 grips

Closegrips
235x 5,4,4

V grip pulldown
100x12
160x12,10,8,7(f)

Face pull (lat machine)
5x10 @ 80

Incline flyes
2x12@30
superset with
Incline curls
2x8@30

10 minutes stretching

Workout time: 1:05

That's right, no cardio.

Saturday, February 5, 2005

Training: 15 Weeks out, DE Squat/Deadlift

Rehab continues. This cycle is tougher than it looks - 18 sets gets tiring, and they are done with about 45 seconds of rest. Moved this to Saturday because we had guests for dinner Friday.

Warmup - 5 mins treadmill, BW squats, dynamic stretching
Box Squat
45x8
95x5
18 sets of 2 @ 145

Stepups
2x15

Single DB SLDL
3x12 @ 50
superset with
HS seated leg curls
3x12 @ 70

Pull thru
3x10 @ 100

Incline situps
3x15

10 minutes stretching

Workout time: 1 hr


Friday, February 4, 2005

Bar blogging update

Here is a news article on the guy I mentioned below. He's a retired 60 year old, and a former computer consultant.

He's up over 155 bars already.

POTS

Rudimentary study on dyslexic drivers shows their reaction time is slowed by 20% to 30% when compared to other drivers.

I wonder how long it is before there is a roadside dyslexia test.

By the way, did you hear about the insomniac dyslexic agnostic? He lays awake at night, wondering if there really is a Dog.


Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Training: Max Effort Bench, 15 weeks out

Haven't done an ME bench workout for a while. Good to set a PR.
Warmup
Shoulder work, dynamic stretching

2 Board Press
45x20
95x10
135x3
185x3
225x3
275x3
295x3 (PR)
315x1
325xmiss

Incline DB ext
1x15 @ 25
3x8 @ 35

CSR
45x12
90x12
135x8
3x4 @ 180

Plate raise
2x8 @ 45

Cardio: 5 intervals (:30/1:30)
10 minutes stretching

Workout time: 1:20

Kelly Clarkson (whatever that American Idol girl's name is) is detrimental to maximal effort.

Bar Blogging

This guy's blog is his record of visiting 1000 bars in a year.

He's not clear on how he's affording this, or what he does for a living. I'll be following along. He's off to a good start, though.

I'm confused.

How is giving medicare recipients coverage for Viagra in any way in line with what the Republican party stands for?

Exactly how is this necessary medical treatment? And who, other than the AARP, thinks I should have to pay for it?