Mac's Great Escape

[Doc Brian]

Totally feel your pain on the AC.  Ours went belly up soon after we moved here a year or so ago.  We're still recovering from grad school (and post-grad school) costs, so we're running off of window AC and portable heaters until our finances straighten out.

[Doc Brian]

Let me throw in my vote for Tennessee. Beautiful scenery, low cost of living, no income tax, thriving economy, and it's only 6 hrs from the beach

When you figure that I lived in Los Angeles, and it still took me two hours to get to the beach, living some place beautiful and six hours from the ocean isn't so bad.

[ShadowLion]

Wow, what a crummy string of events...sending good vibes and kitty love from AZ.

 

The West Coast's weather is hard to beat. I grew up in the San Diego area, but left because I couldn't stand all the people, pollution and high prices. Depending on your job options and tolerance for gray skies, northern California and spots further north might appeal.

 

I still miss the beach sometimes but there is so much to see and do in Arizona, it is a small price to pay. No more than I used to go to the beach when I lived a mere half-hour away, a cheap flight to SD or a nice little road trip to Monterey and the Bay area suffices every year or so. Lots of people here head down to the Sea of Cortez for their sand and surf fix. Now, if I could just get out of the Phoenix metro area and back to my little piece of heaven in northern Arizona...pine trees, canyons to hike, rivers to run...hmm, I'm thinking your Great Escape this time may serve as inspiration for my third challenge.

 

If you ever have questions about AZ, send me a message. Been here going on 30 years, desert and mountains, big city and rural.

[Mac]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the kind words and the free pass on the margarita! Another entry for my gratitude journal: I'm so glad that I cooked a ton of food on Sunday so that I don't need to spend more than a few minutes in my hot-as-blazes kitchen to throw together a salad or a quick plate to microwave, before retreating to my bedroom, where I have a borrowed portable air conditioner keeping me and the cat sane (actually, Milo is going nuts locked in one room and keeps trying to escape into the sweltering house). Other than the margarita, I've stayed pretty much on the straight and narrow, but I'm definitely going to have some 85% chocolate tonight.

 

I vote for No Cal! And then I'm totally coming to visit.

Yeah, northern California is high on the list, though I think for weather and landscape, the central coast of Cali is my absolute favorite.

 

Let me throw in my vote for Tennessee. Beautiful scenery, low cost of living, no income tax, thriving economy, and it's only 6 hrs from the beach

I've never been to TN! Sounds beautiful. How scary are the politics there? Texas is just...lunacy.

 

When you figure that I lived in Los Angeles, and it still took me two hours to get to the beach, living some place beautiful and six hours from the ocean isn't so bad.

Oh, yeah, I'm a Los Angelina, and the thing that would keep me from moving back there is the traffic. It's gotten ri-dic-u-lous.

[Mac]

Wow, what a crummy string of events...sending good vibes and kitty love from AZ.

 

The West Coast's weather is hard to beat. I grew up in the San Diego area, but left because I couldn't stand all the people, pollution and high prices. Depending on your job options and tolerance for gray skies, northern California and spots further north might appeal.

 

I still miss the beach sometimes but there is so much to see and do in Arizona, it is a small price to pay. No more than I used to go to the beach when I lived a mere half-hour away, a cheap flight to SD or a nice little road trip to Monterey and the Bay area suffices every year or so. Lots of people here head down to the Sea of Cortez for their sand and surf fix. Now, if I could just get out of the Phoenix metro area and back to my little piece of heaven in northern Arizona...pine trees, canyons to hike, rivers to run...hmm, I'm thinking your Great Escape this time may serve as inspiration for my third challenge.

 

If you ever have questions about AZ, send me a message. Been here going on 30 years, desert and mountains, big city and rural.

Hearing from folks that love where they live is a good reminder and motivation: don't waste time living somewhere you know you don't belong!!

[Mac]

Okay, back to business! Got to the gym tonight, for Starting Strength workout "A" (in pounds):

 

Warm-up

Running, 5 minutes

 

Overhead Press

25 x 5 x 2, 35 x 5 x 2, 45 x 5 x 1, 50 x 3 x 1, 55 x 2 x 1, 55 x 5 x 3

 

Squats

45 x 5 x 2, 65 x 5 x 1, 95 x 3 x 1, 115 x 2 x 1, 135 x 5 x 3

 

Deadlift

65 x 5 x 2, 85 x 5 x 1, 115 x 3 x 1, 135 x 2 x 1, 155 x 5 x 1

 

The squat rack was busy when I got there, so I started with extra warm-up lifts for the OHP and then finished up the work sets on the rack. I think the longer warm-up helped, or maybe doing it first, before squats, helped, because I felt stronger than I have the last few times. I didn't try to push it past 55#, but I felt strong at that weight. My squat sets are still a little ugly at 135, but I'm going to keep working that weight. DL felt okay.

 

Alrighty, I'm going to go try to enter this into the big PvP spreadsheet--fingers crossed I don't blow it up!!

[goodbye_farewell]

I'm a Libertarian, so California politics would be my nightmare. My focus on politics relates to the economy and government spending, so Tennessee is ok in my book at least compared to other states.

[Mac]

I'm a Libertarian, so California politics would be my nightmare. My focus on politics relates to the economy and government spending, so Tennessee is ok in my book at least compared to other states.

I think California politics are an equal-opportunity offender--all are equally despairing and horrified, for their own reasons. I guess I'm a libertarian to the extent that I want the government to get out of the business of legislating what gals do with their lady parts, so Texas is a pretty nasty scene these days, but I bet that TN wouldn't be much of an improvement.

[Mac]

Did I tell you guys the bit of wisdom I got from my kid sister today, passed along from her former mother-in-law: "If it can be solved with money, it's not a problem." Yep.

 

I want to learn how to cross stitch and make a throw pillow with that phrase. Or, you know, commission one on Etsy.

[chickie.monkey]

I had a 900 sq foot bungalow that I lived in for 8 years and sold for slightly less than I paid. (Not as bad as it sounds but still...) Had I sold the house 2 years sooner I would have made a 50% profit. Note to self, break up with the less than perfect partner and meet the really awesome sooner next lifetime. 

*sigh* Oh, yes!

 

Let me throw in my vote for Tennessee. Beautiful scenery, low cost of living, no income tax, thriving economy, and it's only 6 hrs from the beach

Very good point, and if you were in the Nashville area I'd have a workout buddy!  

 

I've never been to TN! Sounds beautiful. How scary are the politics there? Texas is just...lunacy.

About the same. It is the home of the "Don't Say Gay Bill." Although, they haven't tried to control our lady parts (yet).

[fluffyrin42]

That is an awesome tidbit of wisdom.  If you can't find a cross stitcher, those sharpie-drawn pillows all over the interwebs are kinda cute.  

[Squeege]

That IS a great quote! But that was definitely a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week. I hope the Universe stops screwing around with you, but it was wonderful to read all the support from the others here! 

 

Also, reading your Sunday meal prep made me SO HUNGRY! Good thing it is almost lunch time for me!

[Mac]

Okay, you know how I said August was going to be better than July? Today, August 1, the nice gentleman that came to give me a 3rd estimate on the cost of replacing my HVAC (previous estimates, $6,800 and $7,000) instead took a look and decided he could fix it. And he did. She started running again around 7:00pm, and it's now nearly midnight and the house is down to 80 degrees, from a high of 91. He seemed to think that if she runs smoothly through the weekend, she'll be okay for a good long while. If there is a patron saint of central air conditioning, I think I need to go buy a milagro of a 3 ton compressor unit and make an offering. 

 

No workout tonight because of above, but I did have a lovely dinner at my best friends' house: bison burger (no bun), roasted garlic and root veggies, salad, and a rum daiquiri. That was the best daiquiri ever. Team Also, I promise I'll make it to the gym tomorrow.

[joedog]

That is wonderful news!

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[thekatisalie]

Look! There is!!

[fluffyrin42]

Yay!!  That is such good news!  All it takes is the one guy who is looking to be honest.    +1 for August!

[JessOfAllTrades]

That is awesome news!

 

And yeeeeeah. If I were still in Texas with everything happening now I'd be going nuts. The PP clinic I used to volunteer with in Bryan just closed. That place was my saving grace when I first moved out to Texas out of college and had next to no insurance for lady-related health.

 

With all the bragging going on about Cali I'm really itching to plan a trip there. I've never been and only heard wonderful things. I would totally try and talk you into east coast, but.. There are better locations.

 

Also, I may have to try OHP first next time I do my A workout. I really want to get 50 on Monday, but I'm always struggling with the last set when I do them after squats. So I may be borrowing your order for tonight and Monday.

[Mac]

The air conditioning ran all night and finally got down to target temperature by this morning. Both cat and self are blissed out. I've been very productive at work today except for the half hour I spent in fruitless search for gif of Kaylee whispering to the Serenity engine "that's my girl, that's my good girl." Cause that's how I feel about my HVAC right now. But, being old, I have no idea how this gif thing works.

 

Now, I'm back to eating salad and researching values of impressionist painting like a good little art historian. Gym tonight! 

[Squeege]

YES! Excellent news! And even though you couldn't find the gif, I can picture the scene, and it is perfect match.

[goodbye_farewell]

That is awesome. Glad you are staying cool now.

[joedog]

The air conditioning ran all night and finally got down to target temperature by this morning. Both cat and self are blissed out. I've been very productive at work today except for the half hour I spent in fruitless search for gif of Kaylee whispering to the Serenity engine "that's my girl, that's my good girl." Cause that's how I feel about my HVAC right now. But, being old, I have no idea how this gif thing works.

 

Now, I'm back to eating salad and researching values of impressionist painting like a good little art historian. Gym tonight! 

I'm so glad I'm not the only who can't quite keep up with all the gifs and things. I just remind myself that this is the price I pay for not having my 20s on facebook. It's a fair trade for me. Glad things are getting back to normal for you! :-)

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[cavejen]

I love it when things like that happen! Hugs for the HVAC guy, honest tradesmen ftw.

[Mac]

That is wonderful news!

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Ce-le-brate good time, come on!!

 

Look! There is!!

OMG, that is so awesome! You whippersnapper can find anything on the internet. I am going to print that out and put it up inside the door of the closet that houses my HVAC, and make quiet offerings whenever I change the air filter. 

 

Yay!!  That is such good news!  All it takes is the one guy who is looking to be honest.    +1 for August!

Yeah, I am trying to think that the guy who told me the system was fubar was just incompetent, not dishonest, but I think that I'm just very, very trusting.

 

 

YES! Excellent news! And even though you couldn't find the gif, I can picture the scene, and it is perfect match.

Yep, that's my good girl! A picture of Kaylee is going in the HVAC closet as well. I'm not taking any chances.

 

That is awesome. Glad you are staying cool now.

Cool as the other side of the pillow!

 

I'm so glad I'm not the only who can't quite keep up with all the gifs and things. I just remind myself that this is the price I pay for not having my 20s on facebook. It's a fair trade for me. Glad things are getting back to normal for you! :-)

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Ha! Good point! I do enjoy all the fantastic gifs around this place, which reminds me, where is Avalonna this challenge? Hers were always hysterical!

 

I love it when things like that happen! Hugs for the HVAC guy, honest tradesmen ftw.

That guy had no idea how close I was to giving him a bear hug in the 102 degree heat. I gave him a very icy Coke instead. 

[Mac]

That is awesome news!

 

And yeeeeeah. If I were still in Texas with everything happening now I'd be going nuts. The PP clinic I used to volunteer with in Bryan just closed. That place was my saving grace when I first moved out to Texas out of college and had next to no insurance for lady-related health.

 

With all the bragging going on about Cali I'm really itching to plan a trip there. I've never been and only heard wonderful things. I would totally try and talk you into east coast, but.. There are better locations.

 

Also, I may have to try OHP first next time I do my A workout. I really want to get 50 on Monday, but I'm always struggling with the last set when I do them after squats. So I may be borrowing your order for tonight and Monday.

Let me know how moving up the OHP works for you--I'd love to break past 55, where I've been stuck ever since my very first go at it!

 

The thing (okay, one thing) that upsets me so much with the Texas (and nationwide) assault on PP is the seeming contempt for the fact that so many women, particularly young women, rely on it for almost all of their medical care. It's often the first place a girl will go not just to get on birth control (a Good Thing) but to get a pap smear or STD test or breast exam. And, let's face it, most of us rely a lot on the annual exam as blanket health care--I never get a check-up other than my well woman exam, and you can bet that if I didn't have insurance, I'd be at PP. So this effort to drive them out of states is really just the most short-sighted and cruel kind of indifference for their health of young and poor women. Okay, rant over. It's cool that you volunteered, and you're making me think that's something I could do to. 

 

I thought I was going to move to CT earlier this year, but I didn't get the job (after an 8 month process), and I walked away feeling like I really dodged a bullet. I think my heart is just on the west coast, especially California. There's just a whole lot of pretty going on there.

[Mac]

Now that I'm chillin' like a villain, I made it back to the gym to get in another strength workout. I wasn't in the mood to fool with squats today, so I ended up returning to one of the workouts from New Rules of Lifting. It was pretty fun, and I could see my progress since back when I finished up NROL stage 1 in June. In pounds:

 

Warm up: 5 mins running

 

Deadlift:

65 x 5 x 2, 85 x 5 x 1, 115 x 5 x 1, 135 x 5 x 1, 155 x 5 x 1

 

Dumbbell Shoulder Press:  

10 x 8 x 1, 17.5. x 8 x 1, 20 x 8 x 1, 25 x 7 x 1 (this set was ug-ly!), 17.5 x 6 x 1

 

Wide-grip Lat Pulldown:

40 x 5 x 1, 50 x 5 x 1, 62.5 x 8 x 1, 70 x 8 x 1, 72.5 x 8 x 1, 75 x 5 x 1

(Screwed this one up by not noticing I was using the 2.5# supplemental weight rather than the 5# weight. So, my final work set was lighter than I intended, and I tried to tack on a set at the intended weight, 75#. But, I was a little spent with the extra set I had just done at 72.5, and I couldn't get all 8. Grrr.)

 

Dumbbell Weighted Lunges

20 x 16 x 1 (that is, 8 on each leg), 25 x 16 x 1, 30 x 16 x 1

 

Swiss Ball Crunches

3 x 30

 

It was actually fun to do this workout again, so I think that I'll throw some of these back into the mix when I'm feeling too restless to settle in for the SS routine. Alrighty, Alsos, I'm off to plug this into the spreadsheet as best as I can...