Workout...In A Pickle

Well, not literally...I mean that would just be weird...would I be trying to workout in a pickle costume?! I mean, I know I'm short so I couldn't fit in a real pickle but...Ok, ok, enough humor for a dreary, rainy Monday. This is serious matter of the utmost importance: I am in a pickle (figuratively)!

I NEED WORKOUT CLOTHES!! To clarify: I need "office" workout clothes. I've got my old drabby working-out-inside-my-house-where-no-one-can-see-me clothes, but I need something for my walks that I take on my lunch breaks at the office. For the past few weeks, I've just been walking in my office clothes and I didn't think much of it until I realized that I had nearly worn a hole into my slacks from my daily two-and-a-half mile walks. Not good. Slacks are way too expensive to be (literally) walking holes through them. And I've tried walking in jeans; much more comfortable, but still not very practical as "workout clothes." And I'm not confident enough to slip into a pair of tight little yoga pants to walk around this city for an hour...my rather rounded rotund romp says no. (How's that for alliteration, by the way? *high-five*)

Instead, I was thinking more along the lines of something like those nylon exercise pants (without the nylon-ness or the tacky "track suit" lines...nylon's just so...crackly...). Is there even such a thing as non-yoga-style or non-nylon exercise pants? And besides sweat pants? Sweat pants make me look like I'm wearing an elephant's legs (figuratively). I've been to a few stores, like Target, JC Penney, Walmart...and there's just so many yoga pants! Even the "relaxed fit" styles of exercises pants seem like they were designed for already-fit people...I need the I'm-just-now-trying-to-get-fit-and-don't-want-to-"show-off"-anything style of pants. And I've done some looking around on the interwebs, but I'm so leery of ordering anything online because there's nothing worse than ordering something online and being SO EXCITED for it to arrive, then getting a paper cut on the tip of your index finger while ripping apart the unnecessarily secured packaging and pulling out something that is most definitely NOT going to fit. Then you have to fill out the return slip and purchase a new shipping box and pay for the return shipping charge only to have to wait another six weeks for a different item or remain stuck back at square one. It's rather difficult to shop online for clothing when you're only 5'1" but on the plus-size in width...I prefer to pick out my clothes face to...face(?)...face to fabric(?)...anyway, I want to try them on in an actual store. So, on that note, anyone have any recommendations for a comfortable pair of walking-around exercise pants for a vertically-challenged potato-shaped gal?

Unfortunately, while I continue my search for the ultimate exercise pants, I haven't been going for my hour-long walks on my lunch breaks since last Wednesday (sad face). I have still been doing some morning and evening stretching/toning exercises, but I miss my walks...it's such a nice break to get out of the office for a bit and spend some time outdoors. But until I find the perfect pair of exercise pants, I don't want to put anymore pairs of slacks at risk. I'm hoping I'll be able to find an ounce of spare time in the next few days to rummage through the "Get Fit" sections of more stores; but in the meantime, please send me your advice on where to find the best pair of exercise pants. Thanks!

Workout Flow

So I'm starting to take my blog in a new direction. I'm still doing arts and crafts and whatnot, but in light of my recent health issues, I'm trying to get myself to a healthier place. For the past couple weeks, I've been routinely exercising in the mornings and on my lunch breaks. First, I do several sets of stretches followed by some basic Army PT exercises (like flutter kicks, leg spreaders, overhead clasps, planks, push-ups, toe touches, squats, ski jumpers, donkey kicks, and finally mountain climbers). I do two sets of each exercise, for a full minute per each set. It takes 20 minutes, but it helps me wake up and I feel great afterwards. Then on my lunch break at work, I walk about 2.4 miles, which takes me about 50 minutes. When I started this walking routine a couple weeks ago, I was only able to walk two miles during those 50 minutes. I have to say I definitely feel better overall when I exercise, but there are a few issues I have to work around when I'm exercising, like: having ASD and asthma, so I can't push myself too much, and I have all the precursors of arthritis, including both my parents having arthritis, and I can already feel it in my joints. The worst is when I'm walking and my knees, ankles, and feet feel like they're popping off and crack loudly and then go numb...I may actually have plantar fasciitis too...I should probably get that checked out. But the great news is, I can already tell a difference...I haven't lost but a few pounds yet, but what's most important to me is my body mass index.

When I was in high school, I was taking Tae Kwon Do regularly and constantly running/jogging/bicycling and I had a BMI of only 20 (which is ideal for my height and weight at the time)! I would love to get back to that level...right now I have a BMI of 37.6, which is considered "severely obese." :( But I'm not going to the gym or dieting, I've never been successful at those things; instead, I'm just cutting out fast food and as much sugar as I can stand (until I go into a sugar rage and HAVE to eat something sweet) and staying active. And as I start lessening my body fat, I'll start losing the weight too. My goal within the next 6-8 months is to have got down to a more healthy weight and a BMI of 25-30. That's still considered "overweight," but it'll be out of the obese range. I'll need to loose about 40 pounds and that's gonna take some real focus and dedicated work, but once you tip the scale at 200, you know it's time to make some changes...and yes, I just revealed my weight to you interwebbers, dun-dun-duuunnn! But it really doesn't matter what you weigh because you have to start somewhere and once you start to make changes that will benefit you, you've got the right mindset and you just need to maintain the willpower to keep it up! So, yes, for a while I'm going to be concentrating mostly on my exercising regimen and my weekly updates will focus on my progress with getting healthier and any drawings that I do or anything that brings me great motivation that week, I'll be sure to share that too!

(And for the record, I really missed out on joining the Army right out of high school. I wanted to join and I was in perfect physical condition, but I was so focused on going straight to college and majoring in art; however, that really hasn't done much for me as of yet, and I regret everyday that I didn't join the Army back in 2001. I'm a huge supporter of our Armed Forces, especially the Army (even though my entire family has been Navy) and I wish that I was a part of it).

Motivation...for a Monday

Wait...so what happened to posting on Tuesdays and Fridays? Well, I've been going through a lot these last couple of weeks, mentally and physically. I've been taking some time away from posting to try to reflect on my life and change things about me that I'm not satisfied with. I've made a lot mistakes in the past and I want to move forward from them and be a better person; to use my ignorance as a learning tool and grow from that. Also, I'm having some heart issues that need to be taken care of, so there will not be a new post for Friday (I'll be recovering then), but I promise more drawing in the future! And since my pastor's sermon yesterday was so motivating to me, I didn't want to wait until tomorrow to post it on a Tuesday; I'd rather share his sermon with you today. I hope you find peace and inspiration in the words God chose to speak through my pastor:


    Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

    The poet Robert Frost once wrote, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." That you find yourself here in God's House to begin another week, and as we enter the season of Lent, you are indeed on a path less traveled. Our Lord spoke about two paths when He said, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7: 13-14)

    Now do not make the mistake of believing that by simply going to church you are somehow earning your way to eternal life with God. Rather, think of yourself as being led by the Spirit to the House of the Lord. Here you may receive the faith to trust God's Word of Life as well as receive the Sacrament of Christ's true Body and Blood for your salvation. We are led by the Spirit down this path for we desperately need God's grace and help.

THE JOURNEY OF LENT

    For the next forty days (not counting the Sundays in Lent) we journey with our Savior ever toward the cross. Lent is a time for reflection, repentance, self-denial and almsgiving. Besides the purple altar paraments, even the liturgy of the church is different. Gone are the "Alleluias" until Easter Sunday. The "Gloria in Excelsis" has also left its awkward void in the liturgy of the church.

    First it was Christmas, then Epiphany, not it is Lent and soon it will be Easter. The whole cycle of the Church Year is about our sin and our Savior. The Christian Church is here for one reason and one reason only--for God to expose our sin and remove our sin from us. That is the only real business of the Church. That is why you are here, or should be here. The purpose of Lent, of Christ, of the Church is to take away your sin.

SIN IS WHY WE ARE HERE--IN THE WILDERNESS

    If we, unfortunately, believe that sin is not serious or deadly, then why do we need the Church? What good is a bloody Savior if no one needs? When we reach that point, we simply go through the motions of worship. After all, nothing really interests us. If we do not see our sin, then what is the point of it all?

    Now some enterprising folks have redefined Church. Some have made church into a social club, a place to meet others. Others see the Church as a charitable organization where you can do "nice things" for others. What often lies behind that idea is that we're all fine and good and, in military terminology, we are "squared away." It is the other people who need our help. Well, that is true. Everyone needs your mercy and charity.

    But if we lose sight that we are "poor, miserable sinners" (where every word of that hurts) then the Church has lost its purpose. The reality that we confess is that it is my sin (whether it is secret or public) drives me out of Heaven and into Hell forever. Hell, a bitter place: total isolation, misery, and separation. If we lose sight of this truth, then the Church has lost its purpose. God put this Church here, in this city, this very place, for you, so God can remove your sin. That is why He is here now.

    So a pastor, if he is to speak truthfully and not be a liar, he must stand before all "good people who have come" and tell them that they are infected with sin and with death. Now the wheels are turning in your minds. "Hold on there. We are not that bad. Deep down we are good people." If that is what you are thinking, you've missed the boat. Sin touches our lives and struck us to our very core. It has left it's mark; and I will show you how.

    Have you ever been sick? Have you ever been in an accident? Have you ever stood over a coffin of a loved one and looked inside? Have you ever mistreated someone? Have you ever been rejected? Had an argument? Have you ever held a grudge? Your pain, your weakness, your anger, your bitterness in this world is evidence that sin and death dwells in your bodies and mine. We have a time-bomb within us that is ticking and ticking each day.

    So, why are you here? You and I are living in a wilderness. Danger and trials are all around us. Life, at times, seems like a barren desert, dry and lifeless.

    Now if your life is perfect, your marriage perfect, your children perfect, school perfect, if nothing breaks down, nothing disappoints you, and nothing hurts, then relax. You are safe, sin has not touched you. You will live forever, even without Christ apparently. (Who needs Him?!) But if your life is not perfect, your health not perfect, your family is not perfect, then take heart.

JESUS JOURNEYS IN THE WILDERNESS

    Look beside you in this wilderness of life. There is Jesus. He is alone, starving. He is miserable. He is stalked and hunted by Satan. This is Jesus on His way to dying too!

    Why is He here? He never sinned. His body, His flesh and blood, His heart and soul are pure and holy. Why is He in this barren place, hungry, tempted, and suffering? Don't you know why? It is all because you are here.

    Jesus could not stay in Heaven's peace and glory while you are here suffering. If you suffer lose, He also loses all things. If you are rejected, so is He rejected. If you suffer condemnation, He suffers condemnation. If you are to die, He must die also. He loves you too much to leave you here in sin's desert: this world. Oh yes, Satan has at his disposal all sorts of entertaining things, things that would charm you into submission.

    But remember the words of the Battle Hymn of the Reformation, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." "But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected. Ask ye who is this? Jesus Christ it is, of Sabaoth Lord, and there's no other God; He holds the field forever." "He is by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and spirit."

    Jesus suffers. He starves. He wanders for forty days in the wilderness for one reason: for you. He does not simply suffer just to identify and empathize with you. He does not simply turn to you and say, "Oh, this is pretty bad, isn't it?" No, He came into the wilderness to restore you, to take you back to Heaven, and to re-create you anew.

    Jesus came from Heaven to bring life down from Heaven. He brings the food that nourishes the soul, the mind, and the heart. Yes, if He wills, He may give you physical health and restore your body. But He came to make you whole.

    Sin has wrecked you and death lays it claim on you. But Christ comes to heal you of sin and death.

    His water in this wilderness will save you. He says to you, "I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And the food that He has is the only food that will nourish you and give you life everlasting. "Take eat, this is My Body given for you...Take drink, this is my My Blood shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins." There is life in this wilderness afterall.

    Oh Lord, during these forty days, let us not turn aside from You, but instead, help us to journey with You toward the cross. Help us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow You. And when the forty days are over, continue to lead us that we may rejoice in Your saving work delivering us from sin and death and the devil. Without Your grace, our souls wither, dry up, and die. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming into our wilderness to rescue and restore us. Amen.

    Now may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through faith in Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting. Amen.

© February 17, 2013, Rev. Gary C. Olson. "Journeying with Jesus in Lent and in Life."
    Text: Luke 4: 1-13

Ta-da! ...TWOsday!!

Is it Tuesday already?! Well, in that case, it's time for me to tell you about two things motivating or inspiring me at the moment. Hopefully these particular things will not just be inspiring me right now, but will continue to motivate me for some time:

1) Recently I was digging through some old things that I had thrown in boxes and put away, but completely forgot about. One thing I found of interest was a camera my grandfather had given me before he passed away.

It's a 1960 Kodak® Retina Automatic 1 (with manually adjustable aperture/shutter speeds, too!) with a hard brown leather case, an attachable flash, four lens, and a lens umbrella. Unfortunately, I had completely forgotten it even existed until I was digging through a box of old photos. Also, I'm not sure if it still works; but I loaded it with a roll of 35mm film and snapped a few shots, so hopefully once I finish the roll, I'll be able to develop some nice pictures. Because the shutter release is on the front of the camera and a little hard to press down, I'm sure some of my pictures will turn out a little blurry, but maybe that'll give my pictures some character. Overall, though, this is a really nice, antique camera and because it used to belong to my grandfather, I treasure it.

2) Secondly, I came across some old karate uniforms and sparring pads and I realized I'm missing sports in my life...really missing them. I used to be so active and physically fit when I was a kid...now I feel like all I do is work. But I need to exercise and get back in shape; only problem is finding the motivation to go to the gym or get out and walk...then it hit me in the skull like a punch from the Great Khali, "DUH!!!" I took Tae Kwon Do for eleven and a half years, from when I was a little six year old in elementary school until I graduated high school. I had gotten all the way to a second-degree black belt and was getting ready to test for my third degree (but due to my erratic college schedule and increased work hours, I fell away from Tae Kwon Do). But still I'm a huge fan of contact sports, martial arts, and a healthy way of releasing stress while getting or staying in shape. While I'm not sure I would continue Tae Kwon Do, I am really interested in kickboxing. 

Now I just need to get up and join a kickboxing class...I know I'll enjoy it and I'll be able to benefit from it too! Someone tattoo me with the Nike® slogan!

Freehand Friday (in color!)

So I know I promised a colorful sketch today...but *in a high-pitched whiny voice* I'm so uncomfortable using color. I try to layer colors on top of each other to make them richer, but I have such a hard time getting the realism correct. However, since I was so inspired by The Hobbit and the palette of the story and the way the colors conveyed emotion in each scene, I gave it a shot. (I don't think I've done a sketch in color since college...)

I chose to use a production still of Bilbo Baggins that I found on Google. And I thought it might be fun to show both the beginning and layering steps that I use when sketching (it's the same for graphite and charcoal sketches, except I use gray tones to layer shadows instead of colors). So here's a compilation view of four stages of the sketch I did today, starting with the outline and then adding colors and building up the layers:

Maybe because it's easier to sketch in black and white is the reason I choose to work primarily in graphite pencil, but I do like the way the colors seem to add more character to the image. I'll try to branch out of my comfort zone and alternate between color and black and white sketches in the future--to add some variety to my portfolio and give myself a bit of challenge. Heck, maybe I'll get so inspired I'll start painting again...although, paint makes me nervous; but maybe...maybe I'll give it a shot again. Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, here's a slightly larger view of how far I've gotten on this Bilbo Baggins sketch. Certainly this sketch isn't finished, but it kind of resembles Martin Freeman...maybe?...even though I may have aged him by 10 years or so...

Totally Tubular TWOsday!!

Well I'm in a giddy mood, if you can't tell by the title of this post...first I want to send a HUGE interwebbish THANK YOU to everyone who's been reading my blog posts. Thank you so, so much!! When I started blogging I thought, "This is silly, no one cares what I have to say and no one is going to even realize my blog exists," but according to my view counts, you do! And I promise (I really do) that I'm going to upload some new artwork to my Portfolio and I'm going to get the Etsy shop up and running (give me one more week, I promise!) And please feel free to share my blog on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, website, etc. Thanks again!! :)

Alright, so what else is motivating and inspiring me this week? I've got two things for you: MOVIES!! (Ok, yeah, I realize that's only one topic and technically there's a billion more than just two movies in existence, but I've become very inspired by two movies that I've recently seen):

1) The Hobbit (© 2012, New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, et al).

Peter Jackson has really outdone himself; this movie is so visually stunning...if you were to pause it at any given moment, it would look like a publicity still. I love the color palette, the lighting, the soundtrack, the action, the ability to adapt a movie so closely to the original book...it's just amazing! I've seen it twice now, and I'm completely blown away by it.  If you haven't seen "The Hobbit" yet, what on earth are you waiting for? Go see it...now...I highly recommend it! (Side note: now I want a hedgehog named Sebastian, he's so adorable! And I've even been called a hobbit--due to my big feet and short stature). Not only am I inspired by every aspect of this film, but now I'm motivated to create some colorful sketches. If you've noticed, my previous freehand sketches have been, well, for lack of a better term, gray. So expect to see some colorful drawings in my Freehand Friday post later this week.

2) Movie 43 (© 2013, Relativity Media, Virgin Produced, GreeneStreet Films, et al). 

Holy Lord! Talk about non-stop, inappropriate, completely politically UNcorrect, adult humor...I loved it!! This movie has to be my favorite of 2013; and yes, it's still only January. If you don't know anything about this movie, let me give you a little synopsis: So this all-star cast movie opens with Dennis Quaid's character trying to pitch a script to Greg Kinnear's character. The script Quaid's trying to sell is made up of several shorts dealing with some of the most raunchy and comedic topics thrown together in one hour and thirty-seven minutes...and it works!! If you're easily offended, you might be wound a little too tight, and you might want to steer clear of this movie. But if you have a sense of humor, you'll enjoy it...I highly recommend this one!

Now, for my bout of inspiration from Movie 43: I've worked in retail for the past 13 years (both full-time and part-time; morning, evening, and double shifts). I've dealt with all kinds of forms of crazy, funny, weird, and awkward situations, not just from customers, but from fellow staff as well. Last night, I went to see Movie 43 with a friend that I've worked many a-year in retail with (about 7 or 8 years total) and as soon as the movie was over, I brought up how I should make a movie based on my retail experience, showing little clips of "incidents" that have happened in the last 13 years. My friend and I spent about forty minutes sharing hilarious stories from the store. After nearly sending myself into an asthma attack and dying of laughter, I thought, "Huh...wouldn't it be funny if I wrote all these stories down and put them into a book or script format?" So now I'm motivated to do just that...who knows, maybe somebody will make "my life in retail" into a movie one day...well, I can dream, can't I? (Once I get some of these stories written down, I might even share some on here for your reading enjoyment...and yes, it's retail, so it's definitely funny and wildly inappropriate in most cases. Best thing about these stories, I couldn't make them up if I tried!)

Finally FREEHAND Friday!!

It's finally Friday! It's snowing...and I'm stuck at work...*sigh*...but I've been productive! With sketching, that is! I promised two freehand sketches for you today and I'm about to share them with you. I used graphite pencils for both drawings and I wanted to concentrate on shadows. The first sketch is a man's face and the second is a Lab:

Neither drawing is exactly finished, obviously, but I felt happy enough with their progress to share them. I got the inspiration for the first drawing from how I've been feeling the last couple of weeks, especially the last few days, but it'll pass at least, I hope so. And the dog was just too adorable not to draw. Enjoy! More posts next week!!

It's a new TWOsday!

Welcome back to my poorly attended blog. I've been sick for the past week and a half, so I haven't posted a new blog in two weeks...yeah, I have some work to do to successfully maintain a blog, I suppose. Well, thanks to a few days off from work, a Z-pack, and being uber lazy, I'm back on my feet and blogging. Since it's a Tuesday, let me get to sharing with you two things motivating me:

1) I'm still on a New York high from my four-day trip up there for the New Year, so I'm still majorly inspired by the images of New York. In my last post, I showed a few pictures of NYC from my iPhone; however, now I've got some pictures to share from my SONY Cybershot digital camera.

 

The above shots are of a sculpture of praying hands made from 9/11 debris inside St. Paul's Church, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, a view of lower Manhattan from the Empire State Building's Observatory Deck, a view of the ground 86 stories up on the Empire State Building, and a view of Central Park. I can't express how much I love the city of New York, especially Manhattan. One day, I will call this place home...one day...

2) For my second bout of motivation, I'm posting some links for videos that have been artistically inspiring me with their lyrics, sound, and the imagery of the videos...so yes, if you're wondering, that means there will be new artwork for me to share with you on Friday (and guess what? Since I haven't uploaded a new sketch for almost three weeks, I'm posting three new freehand sketches on Friday!) Now I leave you with these awesomely inspiring videos:

 

New TWOsday!

As I'm sure you can tell, oh wait, you didn't notice my absence from the blogging world? Shame! I took a bit of a vacay last week to enjoy the start of the new year in New York City! I meant to put up new posts last Tuesday and Friday, but in the "City That Never Sleeps," it was hard to find the time. Plus, last Friday my mother had surgery and my car's battery died in Maryland! It was a hectic week, but now my car's running again and my mother's doing quite well (thanks for the prayers from everyone who knew about my mother's surgery!!) Needless to say, going to New York again made me realize how much I love that city...if there were any conceivable possibility that I could, I would move up there in a heartbeat...literally! And you'd have to be a pretty dull person not to find some kind of inspiration in the Big Apple. Some people aren't "city folks," of course, and some can't relax in a city that's always "on," but there's truly something for everyone in New York. My home state's mascot is "Virginia is for Lovers," but New York has everything...no, I mean EVERYTHING!!! You like history or architecture? NYC's got some amazing historical and modern architecture and the history is everywhere. You want a quiet place to get away and relax? Um...Central Park or libraries galore! Animals? Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, etc... Fame? Broadway! Fine dining, worldly eats, or just a quick and cheap bite? Look no further than every block! New York has the best mix of everything! I really can't even begin to explain how wonderful NYC is in just the written word... *begins jumping up and down with arms flailing wildly about, screaming, "I LOVE NEW YORK!!!!"* ...ahem... *looks around, notices terrified looks from everyone; quietly winces with embarrassment and sits back down.* Now, where was I? Ah yes, inspiration!

1) I snapped the above pictures at the Staten Island Ferry terminal on Staten Island, standing in front of the Empire State Building, and looking at some mugs in a Starbucks on West St. There's definitely one thing that stands out in NYC: the perspective. From the sheer massive height of the buildings to the unique designs in stores, I found myself taking a lot of "perspective shots" in the city. Instead of just taking the standard forward-facing photos, I was inspired by the natural and architectural design of New York, so I tried to capture the movement, lines, and balance of the items I was photographing. 

2) Second bit of inspiration, and maybe more so motivation, came from standing for five and a half hours at 53rd St. and 7th Ave. on New Year's Eve night. While I usually try to make and adhere to the typical New Year's resolutions: lose weight, get in shape, budget, save money, become a better person, etc....something about just being in NYC on New Year's made it seem like anything was possible; so this year, my resolution and goal is to make becoming a New Yorker possible. Now, like I said before, I'd move up there in the blink of an eye if that were at all possible, but once the "vacation high" wears off, reality sets in. I'm still in a lease on a house through August, I've drained my bank account to have an awesome four days in NYC, and while spontaneity is good at times, I'm a planner. I want to make sure I'm fully prepared and ready, especially since I've never lived outside the state of Virginia--let alone central Virginia. I need to do my research, budget accordingly, and make sure I'm completely able and ready to relocate...so, it'll take a while; it may not even be this year that I can become a little worm in a big apple *pause for laughter at my oh-so-witty "punniness"* but it will happen. It will indeed happen! I am motivated! Go 2013!!!