This post is all over the place

[clevermanka]

I am in a good mood today, despite it being fucking cold here. I really don't know what's going on, but I'm not gonna question it. My energy levels have been good. I've been sleeping well. When I (only occasionally) wake to pee in the middle of the night, I can fall back asleep. And this morning I had the energy and motivation to do something different with my Thirty Minutes of Intentional Movement: I did a combo of yoga and calisthenics that got my heart rate up and made me feel good and exercised without feeling wobbly or overworked.

Whether it's my various supplements (good god my supplements), Dr. Jonah's treatments, my commitment to movement, my efforts to avoid constant rage, or a combination (probably a combination) I feel great. It's...kind of amazing.

This is a fascinating article on tight hamstrings. I do not have tight hamstrings, but I do have tight hip flexors and some difficulty with glutes and hamstrings firing correctly in a squat. I'm going to try that motor sequencing test and exercise this week.

Speaking of movement and general body mechanics, I discovered an interesting thing this morning. I engage my abs and glutes at my standing desk much more effectively when I let my heels rest on the downward slope of my fatigue mat. I've heard about negative rise heel position, and this sells me on it. I wouldn't want to walk around like this, but for standing, it's great. It improves my posture, and that's (not to brag) saying something.

I've been spending money indiscriminately lately. It needs to stop soon, but it's just so nice to spend a bit of money when I have it. Some of my more exciting purchases include a pair of these amazing potholders, this cardigan which I loved so much I actually bought it new on impulse at Costco last night, and a bunch of flavors from Republic of Tea that I've never seen in local stores like Coconut Cocoa and Safari Sunset. Yes, I know they have "flavorings" which can sometimes be problematic, but fuck it. I wanted some indulgence teas for this winter weather so I bought them and I shall drink them with relish and glee.

On the spending money front, does anyone local want to go in with me on ordering some Shea Butter, sustainably and responsibly sourced? It's a great price per pound, but the shipping for one container from Africa is a little steep. If two or three of us go together on it, it'll be more reasonable.

Does anyone remember there was a Brenda Starr movie? Does anyone local want to watch it with me? I think I need to see it for the costumes and subtext. I dunno if it's rentable from Liberty Hall, but apparently someone uploaded the whole thing to YouTube so if you don't mind shitty quality visuals...

I'll leave you with this amazing painting I saw on Tumblr. You guys. YOU GUYS.



I need a print of this. Where does one hang a painting of oneself, emerging naked and enraged from a well? WHO FUCKING CARES. I want it, and if I ever find it, I shall find a place for it.

Comments

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

\relish and glee/! So glad you are feeling good, bb.

And I'm pretty sure that right above one's home office desk, if one has such a thing, is the place for that painting. :D

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I could put it in the sewing room, I suppose. I'm tempted to print out a small version and put it up at work. I have a few naked ladies tucked in along with the other ephemera that covers my office walls. Surely nobody would complain about one more?

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

THAT PAINTING!!

I liked the hamstring article. The older I get, the more I understand and appreciate how bodily systems are inter- and intra- related. I am actually to a point with my knee that I know when I have to stretch gracilis specifically as opposed to a more general stretch. I have weak hamstrings and I've been doing ballet moves to strengthen them. I will have to pay attention to how they relate to hips and calves.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

oh! and I totally get the spending money thing. I think (for me) it is a reaction to being so "budgeted" for too long a time. If you are going to release a little pressure out of that valve, you should definitely have some relish and glee when doing it!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

Where does one hang a painting of oneself, emerging naked and enraged from a well?

I almost choked on my gum from laughing at this because the exact thing I thought when I saw the picture was "OMG that is lydia naked and enraged coming out of a well." I am still laughing.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I KNOW!

If you don't have access to machine for glute-ham raises (http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/glute-ham-raise), you might try this variation (http://bonvecstrength.com/2012/10/02/no-glute-ham-raise-no-problem/). I actually have VERY strong hamstrings (I fucking rock GHRs), but have problems with things firing in the right order. Bodies are so weird.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[etcet.livejournal.com]

there's a nontrivial amount of discussion on the training group my coaches run on the bookface about so-called "zero lift" or "zero rise" shoes - basically, footwear without any heel elevation at all - so this might be something to look into, if standing with your heels slightly lower in (i presume) the low-heeled/flats you wear at the workplace (even regular work shoes and combat boots have a little heel rise) - the only ones i'm familiar with are the vibram five fingers, but there are apparently running shoes and all manner of other kicks that fit this description.

i know i am happiest barefoot, and even a day spent in what used to be my good running shoes when i wear them to work on casual days is uncomfortable now.

i remember when that came across my dash, i was gonna mention it to you... then saw you'd posted it. my remarks were gonna be like captioning it "goddammit i told you i was taking a fucking bath, wtf do you want?!?!?"

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I've seen those shoes, and honestly, they are not something I would wear unless ordered to by a heath care practitioner. Maybe five of them because I really do not like them. I'll keep wearing my regular boots and adjust my mat as necessary. Perhaps in the summer I might find some super-flat ballet shoes.

my remarks were gonna be like captioning it "goddammit i told you i was taking a fucking bath, wtf do you want?!?!?"

More like LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT I THINK OF "NICE GUYS."

[zitronenhai.livejournal.com]

Shea butter, you say? How much would my share be? :)

THAT PAINTING IS FUCKING AWESOME.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The shea butter comes by the pound, and it's $8.95 a pound. So far I've tried putting up to three pounds in the basket and it still shows ~$13 shipping. So if we get three people to order one pound each, that's less than $15 a pound each.

AND YES YES IT IS SO FUCKING AWESOME

Arrghhh...

[thetimesink.livejournal.com]

My google-fu fail is epic on this one.

Then again, my muse is insistent on her being a witch (about that, Ms. Muse...) and I'm really pushing the envelope of the search engine (logged?) in the work environment.

Any clues?

[zitronenhai.livejournal.com]

Count me in!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Awesome! If we get one more person, it'll be worth it. Maybe I'll ask on FB...

Re: Arrghhh...

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

She's actually Truth Coming Out of Her Well to Shame Mankind. Isn't that awesome?
I'm still looking for a print, thus far I've only found an oil reproduction on canvas for a couple c-note plus.

http://wtfarthistory.com/post/25851106717/truth-coming-out-of-her-well

Owner/Location: Musée Anne de Beaujeu (France - Moulins)
Dates: 1896
Artist age: Approximately 72 years old.
Dimensions: Height: 90.81 cm (35.75 in.), Width: 71.76 cm (28.25 in.)
Medium: Painting - oil on canvas

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

What does one do with Shea Butter? I've only ever seen it in Black women's hair stuff and cosmetics, so educate me!

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Oh no wonder!! He's the artist who did the Sabre Dance in a Cafe, Woman in Cairo at Her Door, and so many of those other lovely Orientalist works. *sigh*

Re: Arrghhh...

[thetimesink.livejournal.com]

Absolutely awesome!

[splix.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, it is you! What were you up to there? :D

Ooh, pretty cardigan, soft and cozy-looking too.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you worked as a well-cleaner.

Or that you did it in the buff.

ZOD IS IMPRESSED.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

I have a kiddo with extremely dry winter skin. I'd go in for a pound if you still need a third.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

AW YISS. Thanks! I'll be in touch via email.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It's a fantastic moisturizer for folks with sensitive skin. It's slow to sink in, and does have a sort of scent, but MY GOODNESS it makes ones skin feel AMAZING.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yep! SO GORGEOUS and why why why can't I find a print of it for sale?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I was Coming Out Of My Well in order to Shame Mankind, obviously.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Of course I keep my well clean! Silly man. SHAME ON YOU.

Re: Arrghhh...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, I could find all the info on it, but I meant why can't I find a print for sale anywhere. IF YOU FIND ONE LET ME KNOW, OH GOOGLE-FU CHAMPION.

[the-lucky-nun.livejournal.com]

the painting obvs needs to go up in your office at work, for when you need to duck out for a bit.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Maybe it could be my new At Lunch Do Not Disturb sign.

[the-lucky-nun.livejournal.com]

YES.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I'm game to try one, then! Does it make any difference that this is unrefined? Would I need to do anything to it?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay! We've got four, then.

Re: Arrghhh...

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Oh, you know I'll work on that!
Heh, sorry, I got right on looking for it and didn't bother to check your Tumblr first that you have the info on her! Derp.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Nah, it's like unrefined coconut oil. Unrefined is what you want. It's kind of weird and gritty until you warm it in your hands, that's all.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Oh goody! Thank you.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

WHY doesn't that canvas place sell prints, dammit!

[theoneinblue.livejournal.com]

So glad you are feeling good!

And that painting. It is perfect on so many levels.

It ain't cheap

[gamera-spinning.livejournal.com]

A 16x20 print starts at $235 (http://www.artsheaven.com/jean-leon-gerome-truth-coming-out-of-her-well-to-shame-mankind.html).

Re: It ain't cheap

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE A MIRACLE.

This is the sort of thing one asks as a joint xmas present, so THANK YOU I think I have my xmas request for next year already.