My Grandfather’s Son (Clarence Thomas)

A very good read. This makes me want to read more about Justice Thomas, perhaps an independent biography. An autobiography can always be counted upon to be at least a little self-serving (and rightly so), but I still found My Grandfather’s Son to be an enlightening window into the life and history of the Supreme Court’s silent justice — and into the nature of Washington politics.

I bought a large number of books on sale at the TU bookstore, using my Monopoly Money, one of which I suspect will be next, although I also have a copy of Brave New World sitting on my brand new bookcase, begging to be read.

Day 18

Today wasn’t as bad as last time. As with the break-in workouts, “A” seems to be easier than “B”.

I’ve also started this extra ”anaerobic fat loss” program from the book. It’s basically just an interval exercise on the stationary bike for 20 minutes or so after the workout.

Workout: Fat Loss I-A:
Superset of:
3 sets of 15 Squat (90lbs)
3 sets of 15 Seated Row (80lbs)
Superset of:
3 sets of 15 Supine Hip Extension (BW)
3 sets of 15 Dumbbell Push Press (2×25lbs)
Superset of:
3 sets of 15 Rotational Lunge (2×20lbs)
3 sets of 15 Swiss-ball Crunch (10lbs)

Day 16

Wow. I did Fat Loss I-B today. It was something else. Wow. I think that the break-in workouts lulled me into complacency. This makes me feel much better about the New Rules‘ workouts; they’re beginning to absolutely kick my ass. I think a big part of it is that there are some things here that I’ve never done before.

The mixed-grip on the lat pulldown is weird and new feeling. The Bulgarian Split Squat absolutely destroyed me; the 20lb weights I started with were hilariously overwhelming. And the Swiss Ball Lateral Roll is fun, but it’s also very hard. Maybe eventually I’ll be able to go more than a few inches.

Superset of:
3 sets of 15 Deadlift (50lbs)
3 sets of 15 Dumbbell Incline Bench Press (2×25lbs)
Superset of:
3 sets of 15 Bulgarian Split Squat (2×12lbs)
3 sets of 15 Mixed-Grip Lat Pulldown (80lbs)
Superset of:
3 sets of 15 Romanian Deadlift (50lbs)
3 sets of 15 Swiss Ball Lateral Roll (BW)

Day 15

I had little time today. In my haste, I left for the gym without grabbing the paper where I had written down the Fat Loss I exercises. Therefore, I decided to do another Break-In workout.

2 sets of 15 squats (bar+60lbs)
Superset of:
2 sets of 15ea static lunges (2×30lbs)
2 sets of 15ea 1-armed open row with elbow out (2×25lbs)
Superset of:
2 sets of 15 pushups (BW)
2 sets of 20 crunches on a ball (BW)

Day 13

I worked out yesterday. When I made the schedule, I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to start the second phase immediately after the break-in workouts with no break. Being sore today, I made a judgment call that I would wait until Monday and continue as scheduled while skipping Weight-Loss I A-1. I still took a picture, though, and I think I can actually notice a (slight) difference, which is cool for just 12 days.

Day 12

Workout: Break-in B

2 sets of 15 deadlifts (70lbs, 80lbs)
Superset of:
2 sets of 15ea step-ups (2×30lbs)
2 sets of 15ea one-arm shoulder press (2×25lbs)
Superset of:
2 sets of 15ea close-grip lat pulldown (90lbs)
2 sets of 20ea reverse crunch (BW)

Dynasties

Dynasty. An idea that strikes at the heart of the spirit of our republic.

Or, at least, it should. Faced with the prospect of spending a quarter century or more with two families in the country’s highest office, faced with the possibility of being almost thirty years old, by some measures spending perhaps a third of my life without knowing a president whose last name is not “Bush” or “Clinton”, I think you can perhaps see why the word dynasty is troubling to me.

How short-sighted we are. And how dare Hillary Clinton claim to represent change.

I have no interest in walking down a dynastic political path.

Making Money (Terry Pratchett)

Moist Von Lipwig, the erstwhile scam artist and confidence man, leaves his honest job as Postmaster General to run the Royal Bank and Mint, where hilarity (sort of) ensues. Unfortunately, Making Money continues a frustrating trend: Discworld is becoming less and less funny. There were a few great moments, but nothing like the comic magic of The Colour of Magic or Guards! Guards! or, dare I say, Good Omens.

Perhaps his novels are becoming closer and closer to what I suspect he knows is the true purpose of satire and, ultimately, fantasy, as well: a window into the real world. And he seems to be sacrificing comedy for insight. I’m not sure if that’s a bad thing.

It was still seriously entertaining. It just wasn’t hilarious.

I’ve just picked up Clarence Thomas’s My Grandfather’s Son, which I’m excited to read next.

Day 10

Workout: Break-in A

2 sets of 15 squats (bar+60lbs)
Superset of:
2 sets of 15ea static lunges (2×25lbs)
2 sets of 15ea 1-armed open row with elbow out (2×25lbs)
Superset of:
2 sets of 15 pushups (BW)
2 sets of 20 crunches on a ball (BW)

There’s some kind of weight-lifting club from the Marquette school that was at Fitso while I was. Apparently the principal is a personal trainer and brings some students into Fitso a couple times a week. Neat.

Day 8

Skipped today. Bad. Again. Damn.