Alternate reality

[clevermanka]

I'm up nearly ten pounds this week from a pizza binge and Aladdin's last night. My body is so awesome. Ten pounds, people. Shit.

First day of vacation, I was awake at 6:37. Got up, did Sun Salutaions and second-level Flows (Scott Sonnen FlowFit style) until my legs were shaking, follwed by pushups and ab crunches. Then I showered, put my pajamas back on, and now I'm having coffee with Bailey's.

In a response to someone's LJ post that asked "Is America living in some alternate universe?" I said that yes, we're living in two alternate universes where neither side is willing or able to see the reality of the other. I was going to continue with "and it's very uncomfortable for those of us in the middle, or on neither side" when I realized that holy shit, I'd just stumbled on a major metaphor for China Miéville's The City & The City. I can't believe it took me this long to figure that out.

If you haven't read The City & The City yet, go check it out. It's the best speculative fiction book I've read since Anathem. Which does not bode well for it in the awards department. Sorry, China.

Mmm. Bailey's.

Comments

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Gods, I hear ya on the body thing. I'm fighting back down 7 lbs from eating a bread roll and some cookies. Gah!

IMO, America has always lived in some alternate universe where the rest of the world does not exist except to validate America. In the overall scheme of things, America is a mere babe of a country, and I think of it as having reached the egocentric teen years of thinking it knows everything and being highly dramatic when things don't go its way. I'm talking white-privileged America, of course, the viewpoint changes dramatically for people of color in this country and I can't speak for them.

mmm yes. Irish coffees are the Best Coffees.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

America has always lived in some alternate universe where the rest of the world does not exist except to validate America

I think this can be said, to some extent, about any country. The U.S. certainly doesn't have the market on that problem. It's our current internal dichotomy that is problematic at the mo'. Although that trend seems to be sweeping the rest of globe, as well. It's worrisome.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I disagree that any other country is quite as egocentric as America and the UK ("the sun never sets on the British Empire"!) Germany had its moment but I didn't find the German people to be concerned about the rest of the world in my years there. Perhaps its more of a christian and American corporate outlook to "make the rest of the world like us" .. seriously. I don't see other countries as concerned about spreading their culture all over the world.

"Divide and conquer" is the internal trend that seems worldwide, I'm with you on that particular view. But isn't that just a (negative) human trait overall?

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

ooOOOooooooo - I was going to go to the bookstore today!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It's only in hardback right now, but so worth it. An amazing book. If you don't have the scratch for HB, I have a copy you can borrow.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I have a B&N giftcard that burning a hole in my pocket, but thankyou! There wa a scifi/fantasy book I was going to pick up too...also only in hardback I think....
....I an excited about books!!!!!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay for books! I just yesterday finished John Crowley's Four Freedoms which was a lovely piece of historical fiction. A little heartbreaking, as is all his stuff, but such beautiful words.

Also, I am still cuted out over this icon of yours.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

Unico is my favoritest ever.

I still haven't forgiven my dad for recording over my copy of it 15 years ago. Impossible to find now...

[femfataleatron.livejournal.com]

Which version of flowfit do you use? What makes it work for you? I'm asking 'cause i'm looking for some sort of conditioning thing i can do to supplement my leg days, or somthing...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I have the basic FlowFit DVD (http://www.amazon.com/FlowFit-Scott-Sonnon/dp/B000EQH2PG). I really like it. Unfortunately, I already loaned it to _luaineach or I'd let you borrow it,

Weight gain.

[femfataleatron.livejournal.com]

Also: Have you looked at your sodium/potassium balance? Gaining 10 pounds from a Pizza Binge™ sounds to me like a possible mineral imbalance. To whit: Pizza has ButtTons of sodium. This + no potassium = water retention. In a perfect world you should be getting slightly more K than Na, where the Na could be as much a gram, possibly more depending on your level of activity.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I have no idea how I'd even check that balance. Perhaps I should try adding some powdered milk to my morning coffee the morning I expect to have a pizza?

[femfataleatron.livejournal.com]

You don't so much check it as monitor it... I'm surprised you're hip to the powdered milk trick (or maybe I'm not).
my bet is that pizza can be about 800g Na per slice! KHCO3 (potassium bicarbonate) is a good daily source and can be mixed with all sorts. KCl (salt substitute) is a good source too, but it is a bit yukky. I like KHCO3 better cause it's +ph, and neutralizes all of the acidic stuff we eat etc. Just throw some down the hatch and see what happens! Maybe you can get some at whole foods? You cant OD on KHCO3 (unless you inject it), so maybe like two grams a day?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'll check out the supply at the Merc next time I'm over there. Thanks for the info!

[pamelonian.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Could I borrow the book? I am looking for something to read over break.

I may join Body Boutique over break. I know if I am paying for it I will actually go and work out...

Coffee and Bailey's FTW!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sure! You're safely in the group of people I trust to treat a book with respect and not tear up the dustjacket. =D

When would you like to stop by & get it?