Yep, Borissimo really does sleep like this. Quite often actually. I suspect we should start saving now for the kitty physiotherapy and chiropractic he'll need as he ages.
22.2.08
gumby cat
Yep, Borissimo really does sleep like this. Quite often actually. I suspect we should start saving now for the kitty physiotherapy and chiropractic he'll need as he ages.
21.2.08
Rockin' Rocco!
Happy Birthday today to the one and only
Rocco!
Rocco!
Ok, he may not be the only Rocco out there, in all truth. Some Roccos of note:
Mark "Rollerball" Rocco
Famed chef Rocco DiSpirito
And my favourite of all time, the ever cutie patootie, my very own Rocco.Much love, sweets.
13.2.08
photogenic?
I'm actually typing along here to give Rocco some material for a shot he wants to take. He's in a photography course at a local community college and the assignment this week is to take three portraits of a person under three unique (and solo) lights. So far we have me lit by the tv, me lit by the laptop (posed) and now me lit by the laptop (in action). We just did the two second shot there at the last period, and now (yes, right then) we took a four second exposure.
Fun stuff. If anything is worth reproducing, you'll see it here.
Fun stuff. If anything is worth reproducing, you'll see it here.
11.2.08
Are you ready for this?
Adult footie one-piece PJs! In blue fleece!
With red sticky gripper bits on the feets!
See the itty bitty cute grey fuzzy bum and the much larger, much more padded blue fuzzy bum? Two cute fuzzy bums!
PJs available in a variety of models (some with bum flap) and fabrics. It should be noted that there are also very cute pictures in existence of Rocco trying on the fuzzy blue adult footie one-piece PJs, but he does not consent to have them shown on The Inter Web. Phooey.
PJs available in a variety of models (some with bum flap) and fabrics. It should be noted that there are also very cute pictures in existence of Rocco trying on the fuzzy blue adult footie one-piece PJs, but he does not consent to have them shown on The Inter Web. Phooey.
10.2.08
Physical feats
I ran yet another half-marathon this morning. The Pacific Road Runner's "First Half" half marathon, so called because it pretty much marks the start of race season in these parts. During the race registration in October the race sold out in 5 hours and 19 minutes, so I feel very lucky I managed to get a spot. I actually registered that morning while in a meeting. Thankfully since most people keep their laptops open during meetings, no one saw me logging in, and I think no one noticed my stealthy extraction of my Visa from my wallet and the subsequent registration. It's cut throat, I tell ya.
The race went well. We yet again found a nice window of weather even though the forecast was for crazy rain. A friend in my school program scored an entry as well and we were fairly evenly matched for pace so we ran the whole thing together until he sprinted the last 300 metres. I'm definitely happy with a time of 1:52 and wouldn't have made that without his slightly faster pace pulling me along. Rocco kindly came down to meet me at the finish and, after a brief de-stinking, de-salting shower, we celebrated with brunch at The Tomato. Mom, some disappointing news. Your random act of subversive interior decorating is no longer evident at the new location. Boo hiss!
Another phenomenal physical feat? Wait, not to say that my race was phenomenal, but this next thing certainly is. January 23rd my dad had surgery to replace his left hip. That was a Wednesday and by Saturday they sent him home from the hospital on a pair of crutches. By Monday, we were webcamming and he very casually stood up, walked over to the counter and made a cup of tea - no crutches or any aid! His recovery is every patient's and doctor's dream so far. He's in very little pain, only enough for a regular tylenol once in a while, and is already itching to get back to the gym to further repair the damage inflicted by the surgery. Yay!
For decades, mom and dad have taken very good care of themselves. Before the surgery they routinely went to the gym three or four or more times a week, and have always had quite healthy diets, thanks in great part to my mom's fabulous cooking. They are very concerned about getting a good amount of nutrients, minerals, fiber, and red grape tannins (haha!) and generally live life to the fullest because they are physically fit enough to do so. All of this has definitely been a strong foundation from which to get an invasive surgery like a hip replacement and explains dad's healthy recovery. His hip had deteriorated due to advanced osteoarthritis - what can you do? Arthritis has sometimes been tied to overuse of the joint, but I'm with dad on this one where I'd much rather be active and have a healthy heart and body composition than sit around feeling smug that I won't be giving myself arthritis.
All in all, we're all delighted with how the surgery went (only 1.5 hours!) and how his recovery appears to be going. Now if this continues, we may even get him back on skis next season...!
Take care of yourselves,
m
The race went well. We yet again found a nice window of weather even though the forecast was for crazy rain. A friend in my school program scored an entry as well and we were fairly evenly matched for pace so we ran the whole thing together until he sprinted the last 300 metres. I'm definitely happy with a time of 1:52 and wouldn't have made that without his slightly faster pace pulling me along. Rocco kindly came down to meet me at the finish and, after a brief de-stinking, de-salting shower, we celebrated with brunch at The Tomato. Mom, some disappointing news. Your random act of subversive interior decorating is no longer evident at the new location. Boo hiss!
Another phenomenal physical feat? Wait, not to say that my race was phenomenal, but this next thing certainly is. January 23rd my dad had surgery to replace his left hip. That was a Wednesday and by Saturday they sent him home from the hospital on a pair of crutches. By Monday, we were webcamming and he very casually stood up, walked over to the counter and made a cup of tea - no crutches or any aid! His recovery is every patient's and doctor's dream so far. He's in very little pain, only enough for a regular tylenol once in a while, and is already itching to get back to the gym to further repair the damage inflicted by the surgery. Yay!
For decades, mom and dad have taken very good care of themselves. Before the surgery they routinely went to the gym three or four or more times a week, and have always had quite healthy diets, thanks in great part to my mom's fabulous cooking. They are very concerned about getting a good amount of nutrients, minerals, fiber, and red grape tannins (haha!) and generally live life to the fullest because they are physically fit enough to do so. All of this has definitely been a strong foundation from which to get an invasive surgery like a hip replacement and explains dad's healthy recovery. His hip had deteriorated due to advanced osteoarthritis - what can you do? Arthritis has sometimes been tied to overuse of the joint, but I'm with dad on this one where I'd much rather be active and have a healthy heart and body composition than sit around feeling smug that I won't be giving myself arthritis.
All in all, we're all delighted with how the surgery went (only 1.5 hours!) and how his recovery appears to be going. Now if this continues, we may even get him back on skis next season...!
Take care of yourselves,
m
6.2.08
Can somebody open this damn pickle jar while I run to the store?
The health assessment did happen a couple weeks ago, I just haven't got around to blogging about it yet. Without giving you many specific numbers (hows about a little privacy, eh? Sheesh.), here are my results.
Cardiac health: frickin awesome! My resting heart rate was measured at 56 bpm, and that was after being up and moving around for about an hour and a half that morning. Doing five minutes of cardio took my pulse up to 116 and two minutes of recovery saw the rate return to 66, which apparently is excellent. My blood pressure is just fine, too.
Strength: not so much. I'm a runner*. I run. I do very little else, so the strength test she gave me returned a "fair" result. I also bombed out on push ups and curl ups - she was almost laughing at me! I know, I could throw in 20 or 30 of each every day or even after every run, which would be easy enough to do and probably make a big difference pretty quickly. Anyway, the point is that I don't do that yet and I'm a weakling because of neglecting strength training.
Flexibility: excellent, she says. Well, take enough yoga and you learn how to release your lower back to stretch at the waist. Since this is the only flexibility test she gave me, the assessment didn't record my lack of flexibility in my neck or upper back.
Measurements: Apparently I should try to build an inch or more on my upper arms to better balance out my top and bottom halves. I have what they call "healthy leg syndrome" that disables me from buying trendy boots. Let me just say that I am not concerned. See the * above.
Body composition: right around what I was guessing it would be. They use the most inaccurate measurement for body comp, a scale-like machine that measures conductance and probably density then calculates those things against weight, age, and activity level. One thing I learned is that our home scale is pretty accurate, or at least is in line with the gym scale. The machine also measures "total body water" and the trainer expressed some concern that my level (~50%) should be higher (~60-70%). Seriously? I drink like 2 or 3L of water every day, often more, and my sodium and nutrient levels are fine so there really is no reason that my TBW should be low. She asked "are you a sweater?" Well, yes. I am a fervent sweater. So, on hot days or long run days she advises drinking something like Gatorade to keep everything in balance. Blah. I hate those drinks. I sometimes make my own after a run with water, lemon juice and salt, so maybe I'll drink that after every run now instead of just the long runs. I actually think there is no way I could be drinking more water in a day.
On the whole, I'm glad I signed up for this. It was a pain in the tuckus to actually arrange, but it's nice to have some numbers and some external validation that I'm doing ok on the active health front. I'm still very interested in doing the more accurate tests at the Buchannan lab that Katie mentioned in the comments section. One of these days I'll go sign up there for a hydrostatic body composition analysis and the VO2max tests done on the treadmill with electrodes and all. I'm not aiming to be any kind of super athlete - I hear they don't allow lazy people who like large portions of food and drink to sign up for that career - but it's cool to learn about my body and my abilities.
Alrighty, I'm off to school for a meeting even though there's another "unspecified threat" today and Bio Science is again in lock down. I'll avoid the main part of campus but the police and school authorities seem to be taking the threat pretty casually this time. Anyway, my test results show that I can out run any threat, just don't ask me to open the pickle jar!
Cardiac health: frickin awesome! My resting heart rate was measured at 56 bpm, and that was after being up and moving around for about an hour and a half that morning. Doing five minutes of cardio took my pulse up to 116 and two minutes of recovery saw the rate return to 66, which apparently is excellent. My blood pressure is just fine, too.
Strength: not so much. I'm a runner*. I run. I do very little else, so the strength test she gave me returned a "fair" result. I also bombed out on push ups and curl ups - she was almost laughing at me! I know, I could throw in 20 or 30 of each every day or even after every run, which would be easy enough to do and probably make a big difference pretty quickly. Anyway, the point is that I don't do that yet and I'm a weakling because of neglecting strength training.
Flexibility: excellent, she says. Well, take enough yoga and you learn how to release your lower back to stretch at the waist. Since this is the only flexibility test she gave me, the assessment didn't record my lack of flexibility in my neck or upper back.
Measurements: Apparently I should try to build an inch or more on my upper arms to better balance out my top and bottom halves. I have what they call "healthy leg syndrome" that disables me from buying trendy boots. Let me just say that I am not concerned. See the * above.
Body composition: right around what I was guessing it would be. They use the most inaccurate measurement for body comp, a scale-like machine that measures conductance and probably density then calculates those things against weight, age, and activity level. One thing I learned is that our home scale is pretty accurate, or at least is in line with the gym scale. The machine also measures "total body water" and the trainer expressed some concern that my level (~50%) should be higher (~60-70%). Seriously? I drink like 2 or 3L of water every day, often more, and my sodium and nutrient levels are fine so there really is no reason that my TBW should be low. She asked "are you a sweater?" Well, yes. I am a fervent sweater. So, on hot days or long run days she advises drinking something like Gatorade to keep everything in balance. Blah. I hate those drinks. I sometimes make my own after a run with water, lemon juice and salt, so maybe I'll drink that after every run now instead of just the long runs. I actually think there is no way I could be drinking more water in a day.
On the whole, I'm glad I signed up for this. It was a pain in the tuckus to actually arrange, but it's nice to have some numbers and some external validation that I'm doing ok on the active health front. I'm still very interested in doing the more accurate tests at the Buchannan lab that Katie mentioned in the comments section. One of these days I'll go sign up there for a hydrostatic body composition analysis and the VO2max tests done on the treadmill with electrodes and all. I'm not aiming to be any kind of super athlete - I hear they don't allow lazy people who like large portions of food and drink to sign up for that career - but it's cool to learn about my body and my abilities.
Alrighty, I'm off to school for a meeting even though there's another "unspecified threat" today and Bio Science is again in lock down. I'll avoid the main part of campus but the police and school authorities seem to be taking the threat pretty casually this time. Anyway, my test results show that I can out run any threat, just don't ask me to open the pickle jar!
1.2.08
Somebody tell this cat that cats hate water.
From the Globe and Mail online, captioned:Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi rides a wave accompanied by his cat, Nicolasa, at the San Bartolo beach in Lima.
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