Cop Attacks (Mouthy) Cartwheeler

As a (presently) 26 year old yoga teacher, I spend a lot of time working on finding awareness in my own skin. That awareness makes me comfortable with tapping into the exploration of my body in a variety of ways. Down isn't always up, and sometimes doing a headstand between two chairs is exactly what I want to do. Frankly, 9 year old's and I have a lot in common:

• Primary Colors
• Comfort with saying "No!"
• Love of Super Heroes & Forts
• Cartwheels

If I were brazenly ticketed and beaten everytime I stood on my hands in public, we'd have to have a Free Michael Fundraiser every three months. Wait? What?

Beaten? Yes.

Okay, for the tl;dr (too long; didn't read) crowd, I've bolded the important points. He's a hottie, he's gay, and he's an actor:

Jessie On The Brink-- "Police Brutality- New York's Finest"

http://jesseonthebrink.blogspot.com/2009/10/police-brutality-new-yorks-finest.html

"We cut through the giant main room of Grand Central, and it was really empty so I did a cartwheel. The police called me over, and gave me a ticket for "disorderly conduct". A cartwheel! Are you gonna give every 9 year-old who does a cartwheel a ticket?

It was so unbelievable, and I let them know it. But when they were done issuing me the citation, I start walkinig toward my friend Stace who was waiting nearby. Facing him, not the cops, I utter an expletive about the cops, and next thing I know I'm being tackled by several policemen from behind.

...

And here's the thing about having your arms behind your back and your head being smashed repeatedly into the floor of Grand Central Station by the very people who are supposed to protect you: the only thing you can try to do is move your neck from side to side -- so that the blunt force will cause more trauma to your head, than to your face. I blacked out."

Tip Your Waitstaff

Eggs, Hashbrowns, and Firearms:

"I said what is your fuss about. I said we haven't paid for our food. She (Ward) said well you all got to leave. How you want us to leave and we ain't paid for the food yet," says Samuel.

That's when it got ugly. Samuel says she threw a waffle at the waitress. "I did actually throw some food but it didn't hit her," says Samuel. "That's when she (Ward) jumped across the counter and we got into it," says Samuel.

Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett says the altercation continued outside where he says Ward got a gun from her car and a gun magazine from her trunk.

Investigators say Ward's gun discharged during the altercation. They say a bullet fragment struck Samuel in the arm.

I've been working in the service industry since I was 16 years old. Whether it was (this is chronological) working behind a wench at the Renn Faire, singin' happy birthday over red and white striped suspenders (flair), or slinging boozey treats in a yuk-yuk dungeon, I've seen all manner of jerk.

I've never shot someone. Remarkably.

Avoiding Apathy: An Intro

"Apathy is a sort of living oblivion" -- Horace Greeley

Between the school, soccer (whence the moms get their kitchy nick), and piano lessons, it appears kids are being worked too hard. I may be a little older than the grade schoolers this article speaks towards, but I too have begun to feel a sense of fatigue. My weekly schedule is busy: running 40 miles, lifting and practicing yoga at a minimum of three times each, and volunteering for five hours; all of this on top of the things that are supposedly "essential."

Depression becomes a concern when speaking about being "run down" all the time. Fatigue and depression, as it turns out, are clinically linked-- they're each part of a vicious cycle. Those who are depressed are four times as likely to experience bouts of fatigue, and those with fatigue are three times as likely to find themselves depressed.

Who'da thunk it? Over scheduling really is dangerous! In my personal life, I must confess, my own fatigue has begun to make me apathetic (and sort of a lousy friend).

I've been too exhausted to make it to birthday parties, dinners, and just about anything social. I've simply not had the energy, and on top of that, my energy level has been steadily going down, not up. And if Danielle is to be believed, Mercury is going to be in retrograde soon, adding to my trials. I noticed that I was beginning to not care about anything: not my nutrition, my running, nor many of the other things about which I supposedly care most.

What is interesting (especially to me, someone who has suffered from depression) is that the doctors are now citing fatigue and depression as independent risk factors for each other. I'm not experiencing depression, but I am most certainly exhausted.

I know I need to do something about it, lest my fatigue become depression; depression being, to me, a fate much worse than simply not caring about all the common crap I normally give a care. Then I'm not even apathetic anymore, I'm just kinda pathetic-- and not even in a pejorative sense.

I will not allow my fatigue to become depression!

I don't really believe that kids here in the States are really that over-worked (go talk to a kid in Surinam), but one of the suggestions that Kathy Lee and Hoda's guest shared rang incredibly true: eliminate 10% of your child's schedule-- today!

I did, and so far so good.

There, of course, is a cavaet: "Physical activity is known to have a protective effect on depression," writes researcher Pertos Skapinakis, MD. "It has also been suggested that physical deconditioning might be an important factor in the development of unexplained fatigue."

Such tricky buisness, fixing these feelings of apathy! You take away activity for fatigue, and you add activity for depression... unless you're slowly getting out of shape, which could lead to further fatigue! Ugh! How to tell?! If you're experiencing apathy or fatigue, be aware that there is no band-aid or single solution for everybody. Everybody's body is different, so choose your 10% carefully.

Or not at all.

I'm trying to be cautious in my personal solutions. If you, too, are experiencing some of these feeling of detachment, it is important to be sure you're apathy isn't coming from a different place: go volunteer, or visit an orphanage, and check back. See if flexing some empathy can "snap you of it," as it were.

And if not, come back here and compare notes. I'm sure I'll be going on about this stuff for a while

Michael Corps Marathon: Gettin' Ready

I have a dirty confession (that you may have heard before). I slept through the Marine Corps Marathon last year.

Oh sure, if I were to catalogue things in my head neatly, I have unquestionably been more embarrassed than I was on race day morning, but I don't know that I've ever been more ashamed. I'd never been so, I don't know, disappointed in myself than I was in those frantic, awful hours. My parent's came up from the country to cheer me on, for crying out loud. I'd trained all those months! How would I face up to such a failure?!

I decided to take the unfortunate peck of lemons foisted on me by my own bollix and challenge myself: I was going to run a marathon that day!

And so I did.

Whenever a coworker or colleague that didn't know of my forty-winks foul up asked for my finish time, I gave them the time my GPS tracker gave me: 4:05. Not my best overall marathon time, not my worst. I didn't bother to correct them when they called it the Marine Corps Marathon.

Amongst friends, we called it the Michael Corps Marathon.

The best part? Those wonderful friends of mine rallied at the "finish line" (read: my fire escape) with boozy treats, streamers, and convivial hoops and hollars. I guess in some ways, it was a better success (to me) than a sub four hour time would have been.

After all, it was the first time I've ever come in first!

We're more than six weeks away from the second Michael Corps Marathon, and I'm up to nineteen mile long runs. Here was this week's.

First Day Back

Somewhere, cast adrift in the ever changing tides of time, there is a yogi enjoying a cup of tea. Har har. Really, its just me, being a little bummy-bummed.

It's sunny and a little warm, but not a lot of either. Certainly not the proud, oppressive heat that early August brings. The bulbous garlic clove of clouds lull in and the half-hearted sun lazes out; sort of how I feel today. The weather isn't bitterly cold, no, but it's quite bittersweet for this yogi. I'm sitting indoors today at the coffee house.

I'm quite fond of Summer (as those who follow this site can attest). Not unlike the sun and cloud's gentle dance, I'm reminded to be glad that the slide towards the inevitable equinox means more time to spend with all of you. Less time spent outside at the pool inherently means (for me, at least) more time clicking and clacking away here.

I'm so glad to be back! I learned a lot this summer... I'm sure you'll hear all about it!

Lifting: Week 1, Day 1

"I wanna be startin' somethin'"-- Michael Jackson

Everything old is new again in regards to lifting. There I was in the summer heat contemplating finding a new lift plan, when it dawned on me: why not try to best your previous programs numbers?

At the start of the new year, I did Lee Hayward's 12 Week Program and saw some terrific results. Coupled with the diet plan that I've posted previously, I felt unstoppable. I can't recommend Lee's site enough. Check it out.

So, yeah, after completing the 12 week plan, I sort of went out on my own with targeted lifts for my arms, chests, and legs. That worked to break the cycle a bit, but now that I've decided to give Lee's 12 week program another go, I can see where some minor modifications might allow for more specific results here and there.

For example, in today's lift, I'm using lighter weights for my squats than I've used in the past, but I'm also taking the squat much lower and much deeper. I want to really focus on getting the strength into my hips to help further my yoga practice. Don't let my vanity fool you, I want functional muscles, not just pretty ones.

Make a lift book if you don't have one yet, and jot this down on a page:

Week 1, Day 1

Full Squats
- 5 sets of 5 reps (train heavy, but don't train to failure. my weight may not [and probably will not] be your weight.)
Week 1: 200lbs: 5 sets of 5 reps
Week 2:
Week 3:

Dead Lifts
- 5 sets of 5 reps (train heavy, but don't train to failure)
Week 1: 180: 5/5
Week 2:
Week 3:

Standing calf raise:
- 5 sets of 10 reps
Week 1: 320: 5/5
Week 2:
Week 3:

Leg raises:
- 5 sets of 10 reps
Week 1: na: 5/5
Week 2:
Week 3:

Incline sit ups:
- 3 sets of 10-20 reps
Week 1: na: 3/20
Week 2:
Week 3:

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

Vacation kicks ass, but its nice to be home.

Lets see if I can bulletpoint the whole trip for you:

Tennessee & Bonnaroo:

Awesome. The Smokey Mountains are as beautiful as Dolly makes 'em out to be. When the dawnbreak cracked through the fog, and as the treeline seemed smaller, my breath was yanked from my chest in disbelief at the beauty. I saw the "smoke" for which this amazing piece of earth was named. Amazeballs.

Little Rock: Lame-o. I got to see some junior-senator-somethingerother campaign speech down on the waterfront. Unlike getting to see the Tennessee mountain's namesake at full majesty, if this is what the good people of Little Rock think grandstanding is supposed to look like, well, they're certainly mistaken. More like sham-standing. Har Har.

Shawnee: Awful. Went to a diner and wasn't approached until heterosexual best friend Chris joined me. "Tolerance" in action. They "tolerated" me sitting there, without service. Hate reaches far. Also: their Super 8 made me want to die inside. I'd have rather stayed in a tent (I tried!)

Oklahoma City: Gettin' better. Sometimes I love the ridiculousness of these United States. Shawnee may have left me feeling terrible, Oklahoma perked me right back up. Why? They had a Pepsi billboard that read "Howdy." A few bus stops down 14th Street in DC we have one that reads "Yo!" As y'all know, I sure do love me a colloquialism! OK City was definitely A-Okay.

Amarillo: Cute little town, with some great food. I may have finished a delicious Dos Equis Michelada and a savory-spicy Shrimp Enchilada. And by "may", I mean I did. And, fine, it wasn't one michelada and enchilada, it was two. Yum!

Albuquerque: Neat as all get out. We saw a snippet of a ghost tour, had some delicious locally roasted coffee, and hunted for an armadillo.

Vegas: Heart! Heart Heart! Chris and I successfully snuck into the Flamingo's pool and had a margarita in the sun.

Finally, LA and Santa Monica: Great! I did tons of yoga with Bryan Kest and his teachers, as well as with Vinnie Marino at Yoga Works. A class every day, as well as a few runs to Marina Del Rey via Venice Beach, as well as a couple down to the Santa Monica pier. I only went out on the pier once, towards the end of my trip, but at least I saw it a few times. I was far more interested in the other side of the town, clearly. It was a little tourist-trappy for my liking down on the pier, but they had a New York Trapeze School and deligthful margartias, so it most def gets a passing score.

The air quality and the fact that you have to drive everywhere? Not so much. Give me DC any day. But, thats all Santa Monica stuff. I also did two evening in West Hollywood (aptly nicknamed WeHo), enjoying the city in the company of an old friend and making some new ones, as well.

One of those new friends managed to get us into a taping of the Price is Right, and I managed to make it onto the stage (but only maybe onto the show). In what was, without question the most surreal portion of my trip, I taught Drew a few Down Dogs. This is no easy title to earn, considering I had run ins with teletubbies at one point (seriously).

And now I'm home. And feeling feeling a little rusty. The jetlagged whooped my tail somethin' fierce.

Unlike Regis & Kelly, getting up bright and early is freakin' hard for me. I've been trying to learn to wake up at 7 or 8 am for the past three months or so, and vay-kay thew that right out the darn window. I'd gotten pretty good at it there for a minute, but throw in some cocktails and a three hour time difference, and I had (until today) only managed to get up by 10. I woke up at 10 yesterday, and was in bed by 11. Did I mention I only taught on class and napped for most of the afternoon?

Today I think I've gotten it mostly beat. I was up at 5:30 am for a nice six miler, and taught my class over at the SEC at 7:30 sharp. I missed my students! I also managed to get a lift in. What does all this mean? Back to the routine and maintenance that is required for Mid City Mike the person, Mid City Mike the blog, and his company, Mid City Yoga. Lets get sexy and successful together, shall we?

Santa Monica Michael

Wondering where Mid City Mike has been? Wonder no more!

I'll be home from my cross country road trip on Friday, June 26th. Real updates return the following Monday!

Practice Fail

Yoga isn't always graceful. And you can't be afraid to look like a big dummy sometimes.

I'm a firm believer in the importance of levity. Approaching your practice with gravitas is one thing, being stern and miserable while practicing is quite another. You don't have to be serious to be serious.

The old employee shirts (of which I own many) at the DC Improv were emblazoned with a great Oscar Wilde quote: "Life's too important to be taken seriously."

Succinct!

There are so many things wrong with the video that follows. I was obsessing over angles, and (vanity!) how lined up I was-- reaching out and drawing in muscularly, but managing to do neither mentally. I wasn't, as some other yogis say, "being present."

I'm glad I think to record my practices here and there: it brings levity to my practice and gives my ego a good what-for.

Dixie Carter Does Yoga

On Amazon, Dixie Carter's Unworkout Yoga VHS has a five star rating. People RAVE in the comment section about it.

How on earth did I not know this thing existed? My love of Julia Sugarbaker is undying. Thank you, Dlisted. And by the by, I'll be darned if thats not a darn good Lion. She totally has her yoga chops. I could not love this woman more.

Free Donut Day!

Ooooh! Fatty Pride! June 5th is National Donut Day (what, its not on your calender?). Do you know what that means? Free freakin' donuts! Go here and find your closest Dunkin' Donuts** and then go get yourself a nice glazed treat. 

Just remember, donuts are a sometimes food. And, oh yes, please remember that Krispy Kremes may eventually make your innards look like Lorton's sewer system. They, incidentally, have a free donut day on June 5th as well, what with it being national donut day and all.

I'm also tickled that I get to use this picture again. 

**For those of us in Mid City, the closest DD:
1511 17th Street NW

Big Brother Gets It Right

There's a new crime camera at Kalorama Rd. and Champlain Street NW, according to DCist.

My best friend used to live in like the third house up from that sketchy tunnel. Talk about close proximity! Anyway, it never really felt all that unsafe. There were always people walking around, so long as you didn't go *in* the tunnel it was well lit... it just didn't strike me as a real "trouble spot" until we were almost bike-jacked. 

One drunk guy tried to knab my bicycle as I was walking it home. He was with a group of guys that clearly wanted no part of his machismo malarkey.  I acted like an idiot and fought back, involving the group of guys who very well could have shot us, which is not an unheard of occurance at that corner. Anyway, it cost me only a busted lip, remarkably managing to keep my bike. It was one of those "you shoulda seen the other guy" moments that makes me a little proud and a little surprised at seeing my own barbarism rear its head. 

I don't know that I much like the idea of crime cameras, but I'd rather no one else have to deal with something so gratuitiously avoidable.  Frankly, I think a camera would go along way to making the not unheard of unheard. So, I dare say: Good job, Big Brother!

Ugh. I feel dirty just typing it! 

I'm Too Old For This Crap (Real World MTV Edition)

Notice the movement over at 20th and S Street NW? See the camera crew loading stuff into a building?

Uh huh.

*does best Poltergeist voice* 

They're Here!

Thomas Circle Hotel Gets Hot New Spot

Donovan House gets new restaurant - Washington Business Journal:: 

"Popular dishes from the Hong Kong native’s New York City spot and other restaurant Lee in Toronto will be served, and sushi plates will land on the rooftop lounge starting this summer.

New York-based Thompson Hotels manages the 193-room hotel at 1155 14th St. NW, which boasts an ultra-contemporary design that includes imported Italian leather seating and a roof-top pool."

I teach at a facility directly behind the Donovan Hotel, a little spot called Thomas Circle Sports Club. A rooftop lounge with a pool serving quality sushi just next door? Please, please sign me up.

Zantan @ the Donovan Hotel

1114 14th Street NW

Mid City Caffe (no relation) Gets Opening Date

Borderstan Getting New Cafe/Coffee House on 14th Street � Borderstan

(also Via PoP):

Oh my! So, the Mid City Caffe that I told y'all about earlier has an official opening date. The owner and designer, Fernando Acha and Mick Mier, respectively, say that we have counter culture coffee to look forward to beginning June 14th.

So sad I'll miss the grand opening-- just in time for me to be at Bonnaroo, they decide to open. So happy I'll have an alternative to Starbucks and Caribou upon my return, especially when I want some quality espresso. 

They're purporting (via press release) to have outdoor seating... does this mean street level or rooftop? I secretly hope roof top. We can send SOS style light messages from my fire escape over! I sure hope they open the weekend of the 14th... they don't want to miss all the Pride festivities. Pink dollars = good dollars.

Anyway.

Mid City Caffe (above Miss Pixies)

1626 14th Street NW

(also: I don't like the way they're spelling caffe)

Michael and the Mechanical Bull

For my birthday this year, we had a cowboy themed boat party that led us from the Georgetown Marina to the Alexandria Marina for a cook out. Good company, beer, and box wine got us primed for our next stop: The new National Harbour.

A monstrous new convention facility located just across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Maryland, the behemoth features one thing that we wanted:  a Cadillac Ranch. 

Why would yours truly and his cowpoke compatriots end up in Maryland and especially at a TGIFridays meets Roadhouse type establishment? 

The mechanical bull.

Krispy Kreme Clogs Toilets

Fairfax sues Krispy Kreme over ruined sewer system | Washington Examiner

(via City Desk)

Krispy Kreme doughnuts appear to have much the same effect on a sewer line as they do on a human artery.

When I lived in Huntington, we would drive past the Krispy Kreme on Route 1 and regularly stop, drawn not unlike fat moths, if the "HOT" sign were visible from the road. I used to adore Krispy Kreme. I still adore doughnuts. 

This all changed when they put a Krispy Kreme into Dupont Circle's seemingly unfillable little nook (it was many things, unsuccessfully, for years). With the introduction of a Blended Doughtnut drink that tipped the scales at over a thousand calories, I couldn't let myself participate in a company that allowed people to slowly kill themselves. A thousand calorie chewing-optional doughnut beverage in a plastic cup... never. I couldn't abide.

I don't find it surprising that a company that has no problem gently killing its customers also has zero issue with congenially killing a city infrastructure. Yes, this is now a company that dumps grease, fat, and yeast into the local sewer system, destroying it. Poor Lorton, VA. As if being in Virginia weren't bad enough. Oh, and the planet! Lets not forget that "the excessive quantities of highly corrosive wastes" could potentially reach our tributaries, destroying god knows what. What out for obese goslings. 

Swami Sivananda teaches us that one of the tenants, the principals in fact, of yoga is a proper diet.  That doesn't mean no doughnuts ever... but it sure does mean stay the hell away from Krispy Kreme. 

Gettin' High

Circus training � Learning to Fly: 

"I am officially excited. (Can’t you tell by my tone of typing?)

I just read that trapeze school is coming to D.C.! According to the DCist, classes here start on June 6th, and I, for one, can’t wait."

Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh. My. God!

A chance to get to learn how to play on the trapeze? Yes! As some of you may know, when I was in my awkward phase (read: age 9-last week) I was overweight. Not shut-in sized,  mind you, but I definitely shouldn't have been eating in the car for risk of public scorn and ridicule. 

Anyway, we had a pretty great swingset (for Roseanne-level middle class in the early 90s, at least) in the backyard. You know: teeter-totter, tireswing, and two, count 'em, TWO swings.  And a trapeze. I loved hanging on it and doing flips. 

That was until one fateful day when the support beam of the playset gave a mighty crack, like lightening in the woods, and crashed while I hung from atop it. Boom, boom, pow as the song goes. 

In order to regain my dignity and self respect, I think I'm going to have to sign up for a class! 

(yeah, like one class could give me those back...)

9th and H Street, NW. Classes in June through July!

One More Reason to Dislike the Commonwealth

Virginia DMV Bans Smiles in Driver's License Photos - washingtonpost.com: 

"As part of the DMV's effort to develop super-secure driver's licenses and foolproof identification cards, the agency has issued a smile ban, directing customers to adopt a 'neutral expression"

I'll have you know that I look like a 70's football player with my handlebar mustache and big curly hair in my license photo. 

Sure, the camera was set way too close (all you can see is chin, grin, and hair), but the folks at the DC DMV at least let me have a great time... and take my picture a second time when I was mid smirk.  

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: move out of Virginia!

An Expert in His Field

Police Investigate Whether Former Calvert Cemetery Owner Faked His Death - washingtonpost.com: 

"Former Calvert County cemetery owner Larry Deffenbaugh was convicted last year of pocketing nearly a million dollars that customers thought would pay for coffins, headstones and grave markers. Now, police are investigating the possibility that he's moved on to a more elaborate scheme: faking his death."

If every there was a gentlemen that could fake an elaborate death, it'd be a cemetary owner, I reckon.  Now, this story, from start to finish, is pretty darn awful. 

This gets into some serious yama territory! No stealing! No coveting! No lying! Moral Discipline!  But, alas and anon, this guy really pulled a major yama-fleecing. And to use someone's lost loved ones... how terrible. 

If he did fake his own death, is he still running around somewhere, pretending to haunt an old library? Should we call in a big green van with a dog?

Strong Personality, Being Who You Are

The Unlikely Yoga King of Los Angeles - NYTimes.com: 

"And then the teacher walked in. He had a gray crew cut, a message-free tank top and shorts, without a Buddhist bead or Sanskrit phrase visible anywhere.

“Come on people, let’s get started,” he said in a New York accent, as if leading a conference call.

Then he cranked up “Misty Mountain Hop” by Led Zeppelin and led the students through a warm-up of sun salutations. Soon he had them stretching into a difficult split pose."

Today, The Times  had a great article on one Vinnie Marino. They're calling him the "Yoga King," and while I'm not sure where they got that *ahem* lovely title for him, I will say that the guys teaching style sounds way up my alley.  Perhaps the name is meant to evoke that Rock (Dwayne Johnson, as he's known now) movie from a few years ago. You know, The Scorpian King. .. truth be told, I wouldn't mind Scorpian King as MY yoga nickname, but whateves. He's 50, looks 40, and appears as though he could whoop most twenty year old's kiesters. 

What struck me from the article was his self awareness and comfort in his own skin. He worked to better himself (having beaten drug addiction and tablewaiting) and teaches from a place that is true and right for him. If he comes with any pretense, it seems to come from a good place. Oh, and he knows that there are things with which he isn't perfect.

I think that speaks to the high quality of his character which speaks to the honesty of his personality, and I think the quality of a character is important:  I'd like to be the sort of teacher that has both.

To wit:

One of my students had an issue with my playlist yesterday. The student felt that the music had too much of a driving beat, that it went in a different direction when juxtaposed with the asana. In plain terms: He couldn't relax. 

I don't stick to sitars and harmoniums in my class: you're as likely to find Kelis as you are Krishna Das.  I know full well that you can't please everybody.  But, it will please me to edit the music selection next week for my student. Ideally, I'll find something with sitars and solemn/sacred incantations so that he can get a little somethin' somethin'. I don't need to please everybody, but I appreciate the challenge of spinning a new playlist just for him. It doesn't take away from my character to help him, and I'm glad that for as strong as my personality is in class, he wasn't intimidated to voice his opinion. This evokes the yama of satya (a little), and the yama of anekantavada (a lot): the notion that truth and reality are perceived differently from diverse points of view, and that no single point of view is the complete truth. 

One of the things that I find most compelling about the article and the playlist snafu is how the tastes of some yogis are so particular: My students at a different facility went so far as to compliment the very same routine and playlist combo the day prior.

It is important, for me, to realize that it is more than okay if my particular style of yoga isn't for everybody. Not being someones favorite teacher doesn't keep me from opening the hearts for other students. The act of doing the very best that any of us can rewards us when we are honest with our actions and intentions.  It is better for my students and my character to be honest and to teach in a way that is true to my personality.

"Character gives a strong personality to man. People respect a man who has a good character. Moral people [those who adhere to the yamas and niyamas] command respect everywhere. He who is honest, sincere, truthful, kind and liberal-hearted always commands respect and influence of the people. Sattivic virtues make a man divine... Even if he speaks a word there is a power in it and people are magnetized. Character building is of paramount importantce if a man wants to develop a personality. The practice of virtue is indispensable."

--Swami Sivananda from "Easy Steps to Yoga"

My Brothers

Paul Bockwoldt: A Straight Brother-- New York Characters in Sound and Images - The New York Times

(via towleroad)

I've been blessed to have some stupdendous friends in my life. Watching this, I thought of my male best friends, most of whom happen to be straight, who eschew their hangups and do things with a gay guy... which, by the by, often prove to be manlier activities than the shit they pull on the regular. Sure, its a little flowery, but yoga's tough. It gets a bad wrap. There is no denying, however, how intense marathon running happens to be... and lets not forget football: it isn't for the delicate. 

This video over at the NYT made me choke up a little: I couldn't help but think of my brother, though not one of blood, Chris. I thought it was beautiful. Go have a look.

A New Mouse House

Disney to build at National Harbor - Washington Business Journal:: 

"Walt Disney Co. plans to build a 500-room hotel on 15 acres at National Harbor in Prince George's County."

While living at the Ashram on Paradise Island, we often had megalithic, horn blarin' cruise ships to contend with during some not so opportune times. They would motor through the bay, blaring everything from Ace of Base's "The Sign" to TLC's "No Scrubs." I'd be remiss to not mention my favorite mediation interrupter: Sisquo's summer anthem, the "Thong Song."

The National Harbor is a megalith in its own right: taking up a huge chunk of land just over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, this mega-hotel-and-convention complex in Prince George's County is run by Gaylord Entertainment. It really is a monstrosity. 

One of the frequent culprits for waking tent-dwellers on the island was the Disney Tour Ship, with a rousing Donald Duck led "chicken dance." It was merciless. Not quite waterboarding, but up there.

It strikes me that these two are perfect for one another.

Welcome Back, Eastern Market!

Eastern Market Set to Reopen June 26 - DCist: Washington DC News, Food, Arts & Events

Technically, the market stayed open just about the whole time, with all of (most of?) the vendors relocating outside. It'll be nice to have a proper structure again!

Hurray! Another place for me to go buy (read: look at) stuff I *really* don't need!

Universal Gear (aka Universal Queer) Robbed

Universal Gear has been in its new location for a minute now, having relocated from 17th Street to 14th Street, visible from my house. I can't shop there... you end up wearing the same outfit as someone else everytime you buy pretty much anything in there. That said, looks like the hoodlums have decided they want to queer up their wardrobe a bit.

The video triggers the bad person in me: I find it amusing.

via PoP

Things I Love!

Can you all tell how much I love summer? I can't seem to shut my mouth about it. Here we go again: with summer working its way towards us, I find myself itching to make some delicious cold meals and sandwiches. Healthy tuna salad! Yummy! 

Why? So I can pack them in a bag, and head out into the shining sun for a picnic!

Out and about with Miss Tara one chilly late-fall evening, we stumbled (quite literally!) upon this champagne suitcase/carryall! Oh, how I wanted it!

Feeling as though a warm-weather item was a bit silly to purchase in the creeping cold, I hemmed and hawed over the decision. With space inside for a good sized big bottle of champagne and two perfectly fitted flutes, well, I couldn't resist. Powerless! Plus, let's be real: Tara was there, and she pointed out a) my (dangerously?) unrelenting love of champagne and b) my (again, dangerous?) love of goldenrod yellow. Of course there are two flutes, and I know she knew that one would be designated just for her! 

Bring on the demi-sec!

Picnic Set by French Bull 

(via Apartment Therapy)

I'd love to get my grubby paws on this fun little picnic set. I find it's almost kindergarten aesthetic appeals to my sense of whimsy. Picnics should be taken seriously, but one shouldn't be serious at a picnic. Get me?

Lest we shy  to far away from my coffee obsession, here are two more choice items that I would love to have for fire escape/ patio time:

This heart mug is charming for the romantic.

And this gun mug is great for the cynic

Savin' a Few [Star] Bucks

Prices Fall To Match A New Frugality - washingtonpost.com:

"Starbucks dropped the price of a medium iced coffee last week to just under $2."

The Post today talked about the lowering costs of, well lets just say it, frivolous items. We're talking about the introduction of "recessionista" products and product lines from such diverse retailers as Pottery Barn, Rock & Republic, and even Coach, the venerable handbag producer. Diverse in actual product output, yes, but a very clear overlap in consumer base, huh?

This coming from a boy who just spent a ton of money on a haircut. But, ya know, I am attempting frugality. As I've mentioned before, I gave up only-better-than-Folgers chain coffee a while ago and haven't looked back. I save a good amount over the corporate guys, but its got me thinking: what other items have dropped in price?

As crazy as it seems to some, I try pretty hard not to eat food out of a box-- which saves me money (yay bulk barley) and costs me more (booo spelt pasta prices). Are my pantry staples going to get a recessionista overhaul? It seems only fair. Going to the Farmer's Market is terribly pricey, but cost is only one part of the "value" equation, right?

I know that I've begun to value-shop for deals on my seafood, as the variance in prices between the fishmonger, Safeway, and Whole Foods is dramatic, but I also factor in things like convenience (relative), quality (of the product) and impact (who's benefiting from my dollar). It does managed to save me a lot of money each week-- 15-20 dollars over the course of a few pounds of fish, but is it less expensive this year than last? 

Doubtful.  

She makes it look easy.

Someone At The Post Liked Working Today

Traffic Yam: Sweet Potatoes Block Lane on I-295 North - washingtonpost.com: 

"Call it a traffic yam.

A tractor-trailer loaded with sweet potatoes has lost its load."

Someone really enjoyed going in to work at the Post today. I absolutely LOVE clever headlines! Especially the kind of clever that also elicits a groan.

I'm reminded of a story from my younger days: One morning, at like 5 am, I was coming home from DC. I was still in High School, and probably had no business being out all night, but I was staying the night at Phoenix's.  

I digress. As I was saying, coming from Alexandria proper and making my way towards High School in King George, Virginia (90 miles or so away), I needed to cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, an old drawbridge notorious for delaying commuters (they've since built a new one that terrorizes commuters to a much lesser degree).

Anyway, when I tried to cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, well, I failed. Bumper to motherfrakin' bumper. Parking lot status. We were there so long, I got to see the sun come up. Or, ya know, would have had I not fallen asleep in the car.

The reason for this sticky situation? Maple Syrup. 

If only these calamities could have coincided. I'd have eaten 

my way out! My teachers didn't buy the reason I was late, but luckily, they didn't care much, either! 

Yay public schools!

Fischerspoon: Stunnin' and Dancin' @ 930 Club

Sunday May 10th, 2009: Fischerspooner chill out, heat up, and glam up the 930 Club.

Lets look at this by the numbers:

• Five years without a show here in the district, 
  
• four years without a new album, 
  
• five years since they last performed in the district, and 
  
• *gasp* six years since I first discovered them 

For the new "Between Two Worlds" tour at the 930 Club,  Fischerspooner freakin' BROUGHT IT.

Androgynous dancers, super thumping bass, and awesome out-there costumes made for one  blistering performance.  Danielle loved the puffy yellow dresses, I dug the gold lame camoflouge (and the 2% body fat). I think we both would have gone out and about in any one of the suits, but especially the neon hat.

Entertainment, the band's new album, is not Odyssey which was not #1's. They are each self contained and stand on their own merits. Fischerspooner spoke of working on the music and lyrics first and then finally the production itself -- a 180 flip-flop from how they've done it previously. I'm a little surprised by that, seein' as how after having seen the performance, I like the new disc Entertainment a whole lot more. 

Danse en France and the Best Revenge had shown up on earlier EPs around the netters, but as part of the "Between Two Worlds" tour, they were able to visually display the meloncholy and dark tinges that perhaps aurally were outliers.  It has me listening to the disc differently and repeatedly; a great feat for a show.

I don't know if i want to call it my favorite part of the performance, but I did really enjoy the "I'm sick of this song" rendition of Emerge. Sick beats, yes, but they had the dancers spinning in circles flicking off the audience and also saw Casey Spooner half-heartedly miming along to dance moves that clearly once were *hit-hit-hit* but this time around ended up more *eh-eh-eh* (think Britter's last VMA performance). It went a long way towards infusing some humor in a dark but shiny Fischerspooner set.

I loved it. I want to see it again. Stat.

Go listen to some tracks off their new album, Entertainment, here.

Interview: Fischerspooner | Features | Music | Washington D.C. | Decider:

 "After four years of silence, the notorious spectacle-makers have returned with a self-released new album, Entertainment, and a new stage show. Prior to tonight's performance at 9:30 Club, Decider got the scoop from Casey Spooner."

 

Summer Ready: Today's Lift!

Go grab your notebooks!  

I told you we'd get back to these lifts, and so tada here we are. 

For all of the sets I completed, I added 5lbs. For a the overhead triceps, I added a lot of weight, having a sneaking suspision that I wasn't lifting heavy enough earlier this week. And you know what? I was totes right.

For the sets that I didn't finish last time, I just tried again. This go round, I completed them! Hurray! 

Lift A1:

Decline Barbell Bench: [5 sets of 5] # of reps completed	120 [4] 4	120 [5]
Seated Barbell Shoulder Press  [5/8]	90 [5]	100 [5]
Preacher Barbell Curls  [5/10]	50 [4] 9	50 [5]
Overhead Tricep Extension (rope)  [5/10]	70 [5]	100 [5]
Cable Upright Row  [3/15]	100 [3]	110 [3]
Hyper Extensions  [5/15]	25 [5]	30 [5]

Quick Reminder About Vinyl!

The Vinyl Sale is tomorrow at the Warehouse!

Be there or be square!

Two Delightful Things

May 17: Blessing of the Dogs, National City Christian Church

(via Borderstan)

The City Christina Church on Thomas Circle (an absolute beaut of a building to boot!) is prayin' for puppies... or some such. Sebastian, as you may not know, believes in the flying spaghetti monster.

I, as you may know, rely on Ganesh, Krishna and Brahma, and Jesus and Moses, and ya know, mostly (truthfully) the great I Am That. 

So'ham and whatnot.

I ran across this link yesterday or the day before and laughed so hard I nearly spilt coffee all over the laptop. True story. A battle rages in the Southern US (or someone's photoshop window) about the merits of blessing dogs. 

Perfect!

TheWashCycle: May 2009 DC BAC Meeting Notes

TheWashCycle: May 2009 DC BAC Meeting Notes: 

"The Union Station Bike Station should be done by the end of summer. The RFP for the operation contract will be going out soon (it's been delayed a couple of months). The station will not accept members until there is an operator, even if the facility is finished. DDOT hopes that the ready facility won't sit empty for want of an operator.� The facility will have water, for a sink and plants and maybe a water fountain, but no bathrooms or showers.

11th Street NW is under reconstruction between Massachusetts Avenue and O Street and when done will be getting bike lanes. This will be finished in the Fall.

14th Street Bridge - 14th Street Bridge bike lane will not be closed during work on that bridge (same as when the TR Bridge was repaired). Jim Sebastian promised to see if improvements can be made on the DC side such as moving the streetlight pole and widening, smoothing the transition."

Those are just some of the highlights from the Wash Cycle's report. I sold my car a few years ago and have no regrets. The MichaelCycle is my main mode of transport other than those two little skis down there with toes attached. More bike lanes, an open 14th Street Bridge, and a new place to store the MichaelCycle when I take the train out of town are all great! Keep up the good work, DC!

(and if you don't bicycle everywhere, consider getting one-- they're life changing!)

Summer Ready: Lift!

Hey! Sorry for not getting this up yesterday! This was yesterday's lift.

Label it 1B. We'll be returning to this lift!

Flat Dumbbell Bench  [4 sets of 10]	55 (each arm) [4]
Dumbbell Front Lateral Raises  [4/10]	25 [4]
Bicep Barbell Curls  [4/12]	40 [3] 9
Tricep Pushdowns  (v-bar attachment) [4/12]	140 [4]
Close Grip Pulldowns  [4/15]	110 [2] 14, 11
Incline Sit-Ups [3/20]	3
Obliques [3/20]	25 [3]