No magic pill

[LisaS]

oh we read the blog post!

[Aoife]

well duh (I did read ) I'm just mentioning if you end up having to go that route… as I remember a number of gyms in Charlotte, but that was a bit ago… and I also don't admittedly know what the deal would be with larger franchises since the only gyms we've belonged to are ones that only have one location in the area. *shrug*

I do hope the thing you want actually pans out… since I think everyone should have a job they like… super naive, I know, and purely selfish since the more people that hate their jobs out there the less hope I have that there's actually good companies to work for in the world…

[Phaedrus49er]

Okay, just saying, it was a ramble (just like the one that followed it).

I have to say that I wasn't more than a couple months from leaving on my own. At least, that's how it felt with the way things were rolling. Too bad it couldn't've lasted until then so I'd have a clearer picture of my options, but whatever. Right now, I just need to stop playing Xbox and get back to working out, though I have a feeling the one I'm (hopefully) doing today will be mostly prehab and such. Not quite back into a mindset to go maximal.

[Phaedrus49er]

Cotter qigong x 5
instep lunge w/ twist x 5/side
calf stretch x 10/side
inverted hamstring x 5/side
back bridge x 60sec



Notes:
--Just something to do something. Don't ya just hate when your body won't listen to your (conscious) mind? Mentally, I feel like I'm ready to get back to regular training, but something just below the surface is kinda weighing on me. I'm not expecting anything major to happen over the weekend, but as I've resolved to begin Monday using the ten-hour work day to get stuff done around here (item one being my lease agreement that, if it does exist in writing, could allow me to stay put through December; while this place does have its drawbacks, it'd be even more of a hassle to relocate the family for the second time in three months), I should get some motivation rolling from getting some long-time to-do list denizens knocked out.

[Lost Dog]

That sucks, Ben. Hope the good stuff pans out quickly.

[Phaedrus49er]

Thanks, Dog

Okay, legal beagles, sniff this one out:

--I have (somewhere) a contract for employment at a flat fee per month that includes a housing stipend, automatically deducted from my paycheck, so I only see what's left.
--Per the emails exchanged, I was told to leave if I did not find the living conditions up to my standard, and I regretably said I'd leave by the end of the month, effectively giving notice. However, further discussion has convinced me to try to stay, so what happens if a week later, I rescind my notice and say I'm going to stay? He won't have found another tenant or buyer by then, maybe just put out a Craig's List ad, so if he hasn't signed a contract with someone else, I should be in the clear to stay, right? NC tenancy laws say that a tenant cannot be evicted or otherwise harrassed just for logging complaints about a property.
--Now for the really legal stuff. My rent is based on a certain collection of amenities, and as some of those have fallen into disrepair (toilet is a given; fence is for security and privacy, both for me and the dogs), I expressed my displeasure that he specifically said he was not going to fix them, which garnered the "leave if you're not satisfied" comment. Even though he didn't technically evict me, that's still a breach of contract since the house was advertised as having 2.5 bathrooms (with 0.5 now inoperable) and a fenced back yard (no longer the case unless a fence lying on the ground is still technically "fenced"). Further, there was to be one floor with working AC; neither floor has it (I can pull the realtor description from the agent who listed the house, I'm sure), so another breach of contract. What are the chances for getting a partial refund for rent already paid and then a reduced future rent through the end of the year (through litigation)?
--Now, the biggie: damages. As work and housing were intertwined, and since the lease contract--and by extension, the work contract--were guaranteed through the end of the year, his statement about maybe not needing me anymore in the future essentially constitutes termination (may have to get a wording clarification here). As such, since I was guaranteed a certain amount of pay per month through the end of the year, how likely would it be that I could successfully sue him for the remaining value of the contract?

[Phaedrus49er]

1 round of disc golf

hip PNF x 5/side
shoulder PNF x 5/side
ankle glide x 5/side

TABATA!!!
--Thera Band shadow boxing x 8
--BW squat x 8
--Thera Band shadow boxing x 8
--burp x 8

flexibility



Notes:
--Needed something short, hard, and not heavily dependent on form. Voila.
--I finally put some passive-static stretching in there again given all my seat time in front of the Xbox360 lately. I could feel my TFL/ITB starting to tug a little again. Also had a slight tug in the left groin during disc golf today (no pain, just a "hi, I'm still here" thing).
--Those on Twitter and Facebook saw that I'd started CleanOut 2009 (DUN-DUN-DUUUUUUUUUUNNNN!!!1!111). I probably started in the wrong place for my immediate purpose, but at least I got a few things done, and Monday will bring an all-out assault on papers, binders, folders, and envelopes looking for my lease/work contract (if I don't snag a copy from the office on Sunday). In the meantime, I'm living up my last tweet from the cleaning as it shows a really cool mailing I got from a one-time family friend who was a RIO in an F-14 during Desert Shield (ah, those were the days).

[Phaedrus49er]

No hangover today but no workout, either. Just letting the body cleanse itself of last night's debauchery. I did turn the house upside-down today looking for my copy of a contract with no success, so I'll have to hope I find one in his files tomorrow when I wipe the computers. I'm tempted to send a email as a "friendly reminder" (written diplomatically, of course) that I'll be performing the computer work, what it specifically means (since I doubt he understands that he'll have no operable computers come Monday morning) so that he has one last chance to go buy software or produce product keys that I'll register on the computers without having to format anything. The email would also include login information for the company's social networking profiles, and lastly, a request for a copy of the work/lease agreement in his possession. He can't legally withhold a copy if asked for it, and it saves me from having to go through his files.

[Phaedrus49er]

So, without going into a whole lot of detail, I got OFFICIAL word this morning that I was unequivocably canned and booted based on some largely subjective reasoning (but then, that's all you need for a contract non-renewal, not so much for eviction), so I iterated my request for any and all documentation pertaining to any work or lease agreements since he played dumb and said he didn't recall having anything other than a few emails from early 2006 (I distinctly remember signing some paperwork not more than a year ago). Should that go unanswered, I'll have to pay a lawyer to fill out a form letter for release of information, but he seems to be on his meds today based on his emails, so I may actually get the stuff. At least I don't have to go to the office today.

Today's activities include looking for the next place to stay (moving out regardless of what happens on the legal front), polishing up the resume, and continuing CleanOut 2009. A workout is about 40/60 against right now.

[Celestialmom]

Bleh.

FWIW, from a landlord's perspective, it is very difficult to get a tenant removed from a property, even if they HAVEN'T paid their rent! And even harder to collect the rent, even if you do evict a non-paying tenant. So if you're caught up, you shouldn't have to worry if you can't find a place as quickly as he is demanding.

Hope you get stuff resolved quickly though.

[Phaedrus49er]

It should be difficult, yes, but in the melee, I unwisely said (in writing) that I would be out by the end of the month, so I'll stick to that. Had I not had that knee-jerk reaction, he would've had no grounds to kick me out. Live and learn.

At the very least, I'm getting a LOT of cleaning and purging done on the decade or so of junk I've built up

[Phaedrus49er]

circuit x 3, 30RI
--extended-arm push-up top hold x 30sec
--back bridge x 30sec
--T push-up told hold x 30sec/side



Notes:
--Just something to do something. I figure if I'm short on time, energy, and/or desire, I'll do a quick circuit for core stability and/or hip mobility/flexibility. Since I blew off a core circuit last week, this was my make-up. Besides, despite other items being pushed back, I did three times my cleanout quota today, so the rest of the evening will be cooking supper, reading, and maybe watching some of my backlogged TV (I <3 ISOhunt).

[Phaedrus49er]

Still nothing formal. Did some hip circuits and monster walks on Tuesday, nothing yesterday as I was riding around looking at houses, and today was another big push in CleanOut 2009, so the expected bending, stooping, squatting, lifting, etc. May get in some flexibility work later tonight since my TFL/ITBs are tugging a little. You know that back corner of the deep closet that you never see unless you move or someone dies? Yeah, I got back there today, and with as much stuff as I have set aside to sell, donate, or just trash, I'm having a major facepalm over how much wasted space and effort it's taken to house all that crap (empty boxes may've hit double digits today).

Still no word on the job front, though I haven't really sent anything out yet. Still waiting another week or three on that one job before starting to poke around for other stuff. As for another house, well, I'm a perfect five-for-five on scammers from Craig's List, so I posted a "housing wanted" ad that's gotten a little response, but my realtor buddy let me know that the official MLS site does rentals, too, so I've been digging through there. He has such a great dry humor--I sent him a few addresses after driving around yesterday, and his response was something like, "My advice is to consider such-and-such house, even though it's down your preference list. The other neighborhoods may have 'issues.'" Can't wait to buy a house just so I can give him the commission, but at least he gets a little kickback for filling a rental.

[Phaedrus49er]

ABIB progressions: squat, hurdle step x 2, lunge x 2
sun salutation x 2



Notes:
--Something quick and low-key just to get off my ass. It's going to take a few rounds of this kind of stuff before I get back into, say, tire flips or KB swings. Just want to make sure the mobility and activation is there so that I don't screw up my back or a hamstring again. I also resolve to NOT incur a hospital-worthy injury before or during the move
--Not sure why it took me this long, but I finally set up an "office" in the dining room. That table only gets used when company is here, and the physical acts of both sitting more upright and "going to work," as it were, will be helpful both physically and mentally. Whether my time is spent looking for houses, for jobs, or studying, at least it'll feel more like being at work rather than slumped in a patio chair or recliner.

[Aoife]

good idea. That's a problem I have a lot… lack of context change and I have to find ways to force one. Helps much better with the mindset.

[Phaedrus49er]

hip PNF x 5/side
ankle glide x 5/side
shoulder PNF x 5/side
Cotter qigong x 2

circuit x 5, 0RI
--left leg - RDL, bent-leg DL, pistol squat
--right leg - RDL, bent-leg DL, pistol squat
--rope climb x max

120RI, repeat circuit x 5



Notes:
--I came up with this last night as I was going to sleep. Whole thing took less than thirty minutes. Legs don't feel overly taxed; arms are going to fall off. I'm sure the morning will bring some surprises.
--Shorted the qigong since I wanted to get right to work, and as this log will attest, meaningful workouts are a rare commodity right now (not to the extent of Otto/Aoife, but relatively speaking for my typical workload ).
--I'm beginning to suspect that my Vibram Sprints are a size too small. I've had--and worn--them for awhile now, and I still have a little trouble getting them fitted correctly. I say "suspect" because I wore my Flows today and had ZERO fit issues, even though I haven't worn them in months. :/
--I will learn to NOT post workouts to Twitter/Facebook before actually doing them, no matter how cool they are. If you haven't done it, and people start commenting on it, ya kinda hafta go ahead and do it.
--Saw a PRIME house in a PRIME location for a hair more than I was looking to pay, but I would swing it for the convenience to, oh, everything (except potential work, but whatever).

[Lost Dog]

are the vibrams the same size? or do you suspect one is cut smaller?

[Phaedrus49er]

I actually went with the sizing chart on their website--I have M41 Flows, for which they recommend M42 Sprints, but I probably should've gone with M43. My feet are just oddly shaped for Vibrams, so I guess finding one good pair was a lucky break

[Aoife]

Are your toenails clipped?




ETA: oh, and bite me, douchebag!

[Phaedrus49er]

Yes, they're clipped.

[Phaedrus49er]

So a chance conversation yesterday made me realize that, despite all the crap that's going on lately and despite my lapse in studying (which still needs to come to an end), I need to have at least some very basic pitch and presentation material ready to spout off (even when intoxicated) and email around as needed, so my focus today and tomorrow is getting those basics together. Basically, I'm just looking to get a couple elevator pitches memorized and, more importantly, get a 2-4 page packet put together (design included) that can be easily printed or emailed. Any workout will be of the GPP or Tabata variety, if anything happens at all.

FWIW, the chance conversation put me two degrees from a football coach at a big local high school and three degrees from a very locally-active former Carolina Panther who supposedly is always looking to fund community projects (already has two restaurants, an upscale pet spa/daycare, and a couple other things), so feel free to holler with any words of wisdom. Hell, I'm even taking phone calls today if they'll help

[Phaedrus49er]

Played around with content, logo, and business card design sandwiched around some disc golf and supper at a friend's house. It's just really tough to do, say, content without thinking about how it's going to look, so I slide over and do some design, but I have to curtail that because I want consistent formatting, and the smallest and simplest form for that is the business card, so I went there where I have, oh, six or seven designs (one of them the linked PDF), so I'll post as they happen, and feel free to critique. With this one, I know color is already an issue, but I just didn't feel like doing a whole lot tonight. I also want to get the white space to the left of the circles cut out so the left edge is actually the three circles, but that may be a bit much. I'm just going where my mind wanders.

In other news, I found out tonight that the main job I'm holding out for posts new listings to its job website once a week. On Friday. At midnight. W. T. F. So, another week of waiting, but I was assured the position was created, funded, signed off, and just waiting for some slack-ass to post the thing *sigh* At least I won't have to neurotically refresh the site a half-dozen times a day In the meantime, I sorta have other stuff to occupy me.

EDIT: Um, are there NO attachments supported on this forum anymore? I get an error message when clicking on the link. Same's been happening for images.

[Lost Dog]

I think in some languages "server error!" means "not supported," so I can see how you could be confused...

[Phaedrus49er]

Must be a different dialect of Geek

[Lost Dog]

I reported it. hopefully that will get fixed.

[Phaedrus49er]

Just some PNF and hip mobility circuits tonight, nothing fancy or even worth making a training post for. Today was spent: working on more logo design, working on a (still fledgling) elevator pitch plus a little more, nearly finishing CleanOut 2009 (only one small box and a couple drawers to go), actually finishing Fallout 3 Broken Steel (now to wait almost a year for Bioshock 2 as it's been delayed ), bathing a dog, cleaning the kitchen, and finding out that the house I was hoping to rent is a go (pending a walkthrough on Wednesday)--at this point, it'd have to be a real dump for me to say no. Yeah, it's in a bit of a sardine-plot neighborhood, but it has a fenced yard for the dogs, a two-car garage for the Harley and all my junk, a community pool, and is a lot closer to a lot of things I need anyway. The only drawbacks are that there's no washer/dryer, so a-Craigslisting I shall go, and there are no trees, so I'm not sure if the rope will get used much. Maybe I can tie it to the frame of the pickup and pull it up and down the street...

It was nice to be hungry today for once. Still slacking on studying, and frankly, that's probably going to be the case until after the move. It'd be nice to go ahead and get the second level of the cert, but I'm officially certified with the first level, and though I'm confident that I'll get my target job if it ever posts, I'm not assuming that it's a done deal, so I need to spend time prepping the biz as if that's the only option I have.

[RedLefty]

You just put a video game session on your "accomplishment" list. You actually did that.

[Phaedrus49er]

Gotta take what I can get these days.

[Phaedrus49er]

hip PNF x 5/side
ankle glide x 5/side
shoulder PNF x 5/side
around-the-world x 2/side

Tabata x 8 each
--Thera Band shadow boxing burn-out
--BW squat
--Thera Band shadow boxing burn-out
--burp



Notes:
--This has become my go-to workout for something quick and intense, not unlike RedLefty's "warm-up."
--I went with burn-outs only today since I screw around too much on footwork and dodging rather than throwing punches if I just say "shadow boxing," also not unlike RedLefty's "warm-up."
--My GymBoss died three rounds into the first burn-out set, so after burrowing through the house to find a AAA battery, I just started over, also not unlike--well, you know...

[Phaedrus49er]

hip PNF x 5/side
ankle glide x 5/side
shoulder PNF x 5/side

circuit x max in 20min, 0RI
--rope climb x 5/side
--1-arm KB swing x 10/side @ 18kg
--Thera Band shadow boxing burnout x 30sec
--tuck jump x 10

Total circuits completed = 5 (in 18:30)



Notes:
--I counted the rope climb as how many times each hand pulled from the top. Granted, the spacing got smaller and smaller as the workout went on, but you get the idea. Everything else is pretty self-explanatory.
--The burnouts were supposed to be plyo push-ups, but the shoulder was a little tight, so I decided against a power movement in case the form wasn't quite there. In that regard, the rope climb was suppose to be pull-ups, but I won't have the rope for much longer since...
--...the house walkthrough went well today despite no washer/dryer and no trees, so I'm applying for it this weekend, though whoever is on the other end of the emails I've been sending to the rental company is a dick who answers my questions with "just apply, and we'll ask if we need anything else." Well, buddy, I don't want this to take a month to process, and since I don't exactly have traditional income or rental history, you might want to know some stuff upfront, pig f*cker. Hey, whatever, the actual landlord of the house told my realtor buddy that the place would be ready next week, so pending the yahoos in the rental office, things could get moving by then.
--All that's left of CleanOut 2009 is a box of cell phones and an box of fraternity materials. Goodwill was conservatively estimated at $500(!), and the "cell phones for soldiers" drop-off businesses around here are all gone, so I'll run them up to the women's shelter sometime soon. The frat stuff needs to go back to my chapter, but I can't find anyone who knows anything about anybody, and I can't just throw it away since there are some legal documents in there. Bah.