My first week of exercises.

I actually did it! I found a system, figured out how it worked, set it up according to my needs, then completed every exercise I scheduled. There were times when I was not sure I would complete it. There was a time or two when I had to slow down, take a short pause, and then get back to it. I did my best to push through in the time, adding deep breaths about half way through the week, and obeying the weights and rests recommended. Two days off, and it could not be a better time for it.

After lifting, I again practiced at the piano. There is much to do, and I am already hitting things that are challenging. There are many things I have forgotten, but other things seem well remembered, most things remain I should think. I have not contacted the piano instructor yet, and I am wavering on whether to do so or not. There is too little time to really start with her, money is being directed toward my trip, and yet it is long enough of a time between now and when I will return from my trip that trying to break into something now might not be wise. It would be too easy to lose track and mess up that whole thing. Still, if I do not make contact, again, I could lose track. Hmm, perhaps I will contact her a week or two before I head out. I will just have to see.

Two Mormon elders dropped by this afternoon (right after I had just finished my work-out). We spoke about our understandings of religion, politics, and various other topics. I am not sure they have made their minds up regarding many things. Perhaps the public school taint is still haunting them. However, I have a great hope that they will, as they read their books, find wisdom. In any case, I certainly offer them conversation. I cannot read the Book of Mormon, I have been admonished about the point from my religious leadership, and I accept that plainly. As well, I am honest with them about this. They may read from it and discuss it, but I cannot read it.

After that, I took a shower, then headed out to the place I hiked last year. I might start trying to do that again this year, as an additional means of getting in shape for the trip. I think it would help work out my wounded butt dimple as well. Bowling is taking a toll, but I think this option might help cure that and add to my overall fitness. However, there may be too much water out there currently to take that particular trail. It had gotten a bit late for me to get out and go down some of the possible trailheads. I might do that tomorrow.

Well, maybe I will do that tomorrow. Since my lady friend was too tired to do her laundry this morning, she has indicated tomorrow will be the day. As well, I plan on attending church tomorrow. I was done in and running a bit long in the day last week, but this week should be good. As well, my neighbor will be baptizing a man he has brought into his church. I think the timing works well enough for me to attend my service, grab a bite to eat, then watch him perform this ceremony. I missed his son’s baptism (I was away, helping my mother after her back surgery). So, this would be a secondary acknowledgement to him and his. As well, it will be a surprise. I am curious about the look on his face.

Hmm, I am hungry. I think I am going to pick a few things up, fruits, canned tuna (I prefer buying raw tuna and cooking it and eating some and turning the remainder into tuna salad, but it takes time, energy, and generates dishes), and a few other things. I really have to eat as rightly as I may in order to both regain health and strength as well as specifically to battle diabetes.

I am happy with my progress. I have a lot still to do, plans still to complete, even information yet to gather, both for the trip, for school, and for the rest of my life. Bit by bit, I am really digging in and digging out. Oh, I think I am going to try and get my lady friend to help me straighten up tomorrow. If she is going to eat her, play here, and do her chores here, she can help here. Then, maybe a movie and popcorn to offer an added treat to the mix (stick and carrot). Hmm, maybe a movie tonight? Yeah, but a rental.

Oh, wait. I never did offer a review of Queen Elizabeth. First of all, I considered the movie a liberalized protestant propaganda hit job on the Catholic Church, a mischaracterization of actual history, and a lie in many if not most factual ways. Given that, the movie is interesting fiction. The plot was well played. The characters were sometimes rich, deep, and believable, though some where far too much and were not believable (the vast minority were unbelievable). The outcome was decided by the first few scenes, and is exactly what I would expect from people who despise all religion, yet would choose to support a religion hijacked by a king wanting a divorce beyond what the generally forgiving real church would allow (as well as beheadings of those wives, on false charges of having cheated on the lecher). Yes, they would support the Church of England over the Catholic church, the same as the Communists slaughtered every Catholic in Russia within two weeks of taking over. Hollywood, the USSR, and CNN, what is the difference. Like I said, other than that, it is a decent movie. Know your history!