Happy Valentine's Day

I clearly remember my first Valentine's Day. I was in first grade. A few days before, my mom asked how many kids were in my class, and we went to a store and bought large packages of valentines -- one for every child in the class. The cards were all the same size and said, basically, the same thing.

When I arrived at school, each classmate had a small box on his or her desk. At some point during the day, I went around the room and gave each child a valentine. There was one for the quiet one in the back, the most popular girl in class, the prettiest and even the boys. This was long before society taught me that such a show of affection had to exclude people of the same gender as me. By the end of the day, everyone had a full box of valentines to take home.

One desk, one box ... the love of a child.

As I grew older, society taught me to narrow my offering of affection, picking only those I chose to be special or worthy. Eventually, I was taught to limit my valentines to only one person. More time went on, and then a card was not enough. To show that really special person what she meant to you, you needed to send flowers, candy and jewelry.

Apparently, as we grew older it took more and more to fill those boxes. Now we absolutely could not give to more than one person. People hire detectives to make sure that the person isn't filling anyone else's. And if you had no one to send you anything, you were saddened by your big, empty box filled only with sadness and despair.

Today, I am taking back from society what it has taken from me. I'm counting how many people play a role in my life, and I am buying "virtual" packages of cards. I have one for every single one of you -- man or woman, young or old, straight or gay, married or single. Each card is the same size, they all say the same thing -- that I appreciate who you are and what you have to contribute to each other.

I invite each and every one to do the same, so that no box is empty and the shy ones, the pretty ones, the popular ones and those who are less so go home tonight with a full box of valentines.

One virtual desk, one virtual box, and the love of a child at heart. I wish you all a happy Valentine's Day. -

Good Morning

Been awhile since I have been here, sometimes I just don’t feel like posting, it seems that my life is too boring or I don’t want to think about what is happening in my life…

I haven’t been painting… I haven’t started any new artwork… of any type. I keep thinking about writing a book, but sometimes I feel like that is a random thought that is popping up in my head because I haven’t found a new writer that I want to read.

What I would want to find in a new writer is a Fantasy writer, where the main character is gay, and they go on fantastic journeys, and do amazing things. Now I can think up the fantastic things and the amazing things that they see, but I cant think of a reason for them to leave the comfort of their own bed… sort of like how I feel in the morning… sometimes the only reason I get out of my own warm bed is to go to work…

Hmm that gives me an idea… LOL

Anyway, it is time to get ready for the New Year again, back top the gym fulltime, I think that I am hesitant to get back to the gym because I’m on the cusp of the buff body for the first time, I am down to a size 31 waist, and I’m start to get some definition in my upper body, my arms are finally getting bigger, time to get back on the bike and start training again…

I really think that missing the ride last year depressed me

Gratitude

Many times in order to feel grateful, you must practice it, this is the act of looking around at your life and being grateful for what you have, even when it does not seem that what you have, fulfills your need for you want.

During the month of December, when we all are concerned about buying things, wishing we had more money to buy things for the people we love, and oftentimes we end up resenting the work that we put into that, I’m going to practice gratitude, and see how my attitude can change from the beginning of the month to the end.

~

I am thankful that I have a job. It isn’t the best job, but I get a paycheck every week, and I know that paycheck is good when I deposit it.

I don’t often feel like, that I have a job that challenges me in a way, that causes me to use my brains, but I’m grateful that it is not a high stress job that constantly calls me to answer the phone, listen to vendors complain about past due bills and worry about how we are going to meet payroll.

Keep Track of your stocks

not a lot going on

Its a quiet time for me. not really depressed, just taking stock seeing where I’m at, and if I want to do anything about it.

I haven’t felt like posting lately, not enough going wrong that I feel it is that important to talk about.

but in reality, I never feel that much about talking about my life.

It is easy to see in the eyes of my boss, that he is not really interested in hearing what is happening in anyone else’s life, and that is what turns me off about talking about my life.

It is easy to see that most people aren’t really interested in hearing about your life, because they want to tell you about their life.

Which is a funny thing about blogs, in blogs people take the time to read about your life, and give you encouragement, but in real life it doesn’t happen so much.

Or maybe it doesn’t happen so much to me, because everyone thinks what a great life I have.

And in reality, I must admit that my life is great, sure I don’t have everything I want, but I do have everything I need.

and for that I must be grateful.

"Heyyyy, Like 'Arf-Arf,' Man"

Nestor Waddell had to rush his 11-year-old Labrador mix, Jack, to the vet in May when he started acting strange during a walk, which had taken him into some bushes. The vet concluded that Jack had discovered and devoured some dry, harvested marijuana. According to Waddell, "(Jack's) eyes were kind of glossed over. ... When he was trying to walk, he was looking at his paw, and then looking at the ground and then trying to get his paw to reach the ground, but was unsuccessful." [KING-TV (Seattle), 6-10-09]

Body

This from Frank in Australia.

"I am a very fit guy who swims and works out, eats well. The stuff I am supposed to do. I have lower back pain and am not sure how to strengthen that area.
I have tried excercises from the mens mags but most of them hurt too much for me to do. I do ab work, but I know I have to do more than that.
Can you help?"

Frank, Australia.


Hi Frank

Now with regards to the lower back pain... Assuming it is a muscular weakness you have there are definitely ways you can strengthen this area. Below are a couple of exercises you can try. The feeling should be that of muscle fatigue. In exercise #1 more in the lumbar or lower back region, and in exercise #2 more in the abdomen. If the pain persists I would recommend getting an assessment by the likes of a physiotherapist.


Good luck.


Exercise #1 Lying Corba




Lying on stomach lift torso, retract shoulders, keep toes on ground
Hold for 10 secs lower and rest for 10secs. Repeat 3-8x, 1-2x Daily

Exercise #2 Lying Leg Lowers




Lying on back. Knees bent @ 90 degrees, Hands up or by sides, Beginner-lower one leg maintaining arch though lower back (not hyperextending) Bring leg back in 10 reps each side, slow tempo. Advanced-same as above with both legs

Regards


Nathan Martin
Les Mills Body trainer