Friday, February 24, 2006

Time Flies When You Don't Post

Morning weigh-in: 182#, 8.5% BF

Not much to say...

Wednesday night was the trail maintenance get-together at the Wildflower Cafe in Bethlehem. Not as rancorous as we (OK, I) thought it would be, though there were some rough patches (mainly between two different cliques of downhillers), some of which don't really look like they will end up getting smoothed over any time soon... Step one is communication though. We also started getting our act together for removing the trash lying around up at Sals.

After the meeting, then some bike talk with Dave (he lives in Bethlehem, rode his new bike to the meeting), Doug and I went over to JP McGrady's and met a post-work Eric for a quick beer.

Last night I was extremely tired after work, so no gym/run/etc, just dinner (tuna & wilted greens) and I was in bed by 9:30.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

The Man With The Lightbulb Head

Morning weigh-in: 182#, 6.5% BF

Well, the benadryl didn't do much for my skin, but it sure helped with the ol' insomnia -- I basically passed out last night after dinner (chili, rice, salad); even though I had a ton of things that needed doing I just couldn't keep my eyes open, so I just went to bed.

Forgot to mention: Among my errands on Saturday was a trip to the barber. I've been going downtown to this old-school Italian guy named Leo, who cuts it pretty short but leaves the top somewhat longer, ie clippers on sides & back, scissors up top. It has a ridiculous egg-headed look before I brush it in the morning, maybe even after...

Monday, February 20, 2006

Free Milk! Oatmeal In My Hair!!

Morning weigh-in: 181#, 13% BF

Friday night was a run rather than the towpath (wind, time constraints, whatever), then I walked downtown to the good old WB to see the Insidious Rays -- who apparently decided to put their worst foot forward, starting with their lamer and more annoying material, but the show got a lot better when they hit their stride with the "good songs" ...

Saturday was gym/chores. I was in the organic food store, and I wanted to get some milk but they were all out. A woman buying four half-gallons actually gave me one of hers, which was way cool of her. I think it threw a monkey wrench into her planning though, because she sorta forgot that it was already paid for by her, so I got my milk free. Don't know her but the cashier said she's a regular; I'll make sure she's covered next time she gets milk.

Saturday night was a party down by the towpath: "Bad Andy" had a wine-tasting party at the house he's fixing up. Electricity & a functional bathroom, fireplaces & coal stoves but that's about it, no insulation or internal walls except the bathroom. I brought some chilean merlot, sampled a bunch of stuff but nothing really made an impression. Had a nice creepy/scary walk there along the towpath (his backyard abuts the right-of-way), much longer on foot than I realized, maybe as much as 4-5 miles. I therefore left early, a little before midnight, so I could get home at a reasonable hour, be ready for morning.

Sunday was another crockpot of chili, and a morning ride with Doug at Lehigh. I filled the pot before leaving for the party, so all I had to do was just put it on the heater and hit the road. Good ride, though I felt a little under the weather, no real high-intensity endurance right now. Got home, took a nap and then ate chili...

Today I decided to work on the underlying cause of my recent/ongoing itch problem, namely dry skin. The humidifier is back on anyway, but I also went online, found a few home remedies to help with moisture. The key apparently is hydration of the skin from the outside, then preventing dehydration with oils. Showers are out, baths are in; soap is out, colloidial oatmeal is the new clean. I went and got some of that stuff earlier, poured a bath & soaked for 20 minutes, then put on a nice coat of sealant/moisturizer while I was still wet. Right now I feel sticky and greasy at the same time, and my hair is stiff with dried colloidial oatmeal (I don't think I have all the bugs worked out of my methodology), but my skin feels pretty good. Next I'll pop a benadryl to stop any allergy-related itching, and if that bath stuff gets too expensifve I have plenty in the pantry...