Operation Wellness Week

I'm titling (not sure that's a word... and it looks like titty) this past week, Operation Wellness Week. It went according to plan, and actually better than I expected.

As I stated earlier, I'm not going vegetarian, but I'm finding that my more healthier food choices are vegetarian. It's interesting though... all eggplant is battered and breaded... and most veggie things have a lot of cheese on them. Regardless, I'm still planning on shopping organic when I can, and am experimenting, but I think more so, I'm focusing on fresh fruits, veggies and meats. I already eat a lot of veggies, but I don't eat apples or grapes or bananas, etc. as much as I should. So that's the focus coming up.

Wednesday evening, I went to Massage Envy. Mmmmmmmm. It was amazing! Of course, nothing is without some trial when it involves me. I had stated in my appointment phone call that I didn't care if I got a man or a woman. And I didn't. However, I ended up with a guy my age, with tattoos, who was really good looking, massaging me for an hour! This may be considered awesome by most girls, however, I hadn't shaved my legs in four days... so I kept thinking about that when he was doing my legs and feet. Additionally, I had walked Ivan before my appointment in my work shoes, and some mud had gotten stuck on my foot. Hot massage guy thought it was a bruise on my foot, so he rubbed it. But no... dirt. So not only had I not shaved my legs, but I was dirty. Way to go Ann!

I can't quite pronounce or spell his name, but it started with a C, so we'll call him C-man. He was a trained physical therapist-cum-massage therapist, and really worked my neck and shoulders the way I needed. At some point, I very nastily snort-snored as well after a quick fall-asleep, and that was embarrassing.

I told Jim that I had a hot massage guy, and he could meet him when we go in for our couples massage. He didn't think that was funny. Meh!

Massage is what I really need in my life. I bought a year membership. They got me at hello! For $59 a month, I get a massage a month, and they can roll over into the subsequent months if I don't use them, and there are locations near work in Columbia, as well as where I live. I feel about 75% better after getting the massages, on top of regular exercise. So hopefully, no breast reduction and no expensive, continual physical therapy for me!

Thursday was our work outing. We take these once every few months. We left work early at 3 (which we're all really grateful for: My job is extremely demanding and stressful, and while we make commission, sometimes the hours we work far exceed the monies we think we're owed to deal with what we deal with. Having a manager who understands us and works in the trenches with us, makes us a very fortunate bunch.) Anyway, we left work at 3 and went to the gym across the street to play a half-court basketball game.

Short story: My colleague (who I'll name J One) and I are highly competitive and we bet on a lot of stuff. At some point, I told him I played basketball in high school, which turned into an idea that we play one-on-one for money. J One is about a foot taller than me and in amazing shape. I always said no and pushed it off because I knew he'd murder me. Until J Two began working with us, who is also tall. So J One and I played J Two and D ( a girl I work with) in a bball game to 11. Two tall guys versus each other with short girls as teammates.

After a month of quitting smoking and the outdoor activities I've been doing, I felt very excited to play the game. It was a half an hour of intense activity, and I sweated my ass off, but I did't feel horrendous, I could breathe, and I even made 4 baskets out of my team's 11 which won us the game. I haven't played basketball in a very, very, very long time, and I impressed myself. I also got to see the Lifetime Fitness gym finally that I plan on joining, and it's gorgeous!!!! Yes please! Rock climbing walls, two full basketball courts, racquetball, classes, upscale equipment, sauna, and two swimming pools. Sold!!!! I may wait until Fall of course... since I plan on working out for free with hikes, biking and swimming at my local Roosevelt Park pool... as long as it doesn't close down due to Bmore City budget cuts... But that's neither here nor there.

Afterwards we went to Greene Turtle for happy hour. I went home, had a quick bite to eat and went to Peter's Inn to meet some of my Humiliated show friends to pick up DVDs. Holler to Mike Stork and Rob Nelson for the laughs, and especially Rob for picking up the tab on the Veal Cheek Crostini. Yes! And being there reminded me that Jim and I should go there for dinner. For being a hole in the wall, they just keep delivering the goods.

Yesterday, Friday: If I could thank the Gods of the Days of the Week, I would. Slammed at work does not explain it. And it reminds me that smoking was not the stress reliever... working out, eating well, and getting massages is. I'd rather spend my money on that!

Ivan and I got our walk in after I got off of work at 3 and then I went for a beautiful one-hour bike ride around Druid Hill Park Lake. I completely forgot how close it is to me. After only a few times on my bike this season, I'm already becoming more comfortable, getting my balance, relaxing. Biking in traffic in the city is daunting, but you just take your time and it gets better. I biked all the way along the Falls to Charles Street and on the way back took the switchback up to the Jones Falls Trailhead, whipped left, rode around Druid Hill Park Lake twice, then back down to the trailhead and down Keswick to the Avenue and down the hill to my house. It was exhilirating!

Thank you beautiful weather... and getting off early! (Not that getting off... get your minds out of the gutter.)

After work every day next week: walk for Ivan and then bikeride for me...

After a shower and some dinner, Jim and I walked up and met some friends out at First Friday on the Avenue in Hampden, however, First Friday must have pooped people out early. Rocket to Venus was a lot deader than usual on a Friday. It was great shooting the shit with Erin and Nate though, Rebecca, and Wilson and his girlfriend, and then we moved on to Golden West, on the way seeing Nick and Justin, and then Jenny and her boy and Steve.

I love Vodka and Cranberry. Thanks water for keeping my hydrated. I feel fantastic today even after a late night... and I'm sure the Golden Veggie pancakes I'm in love with helped when I ate them before bed.

Today, it's resting this body up and going to Frederick to hang out with Noelle all day. Yay! Hopefully the sun comes out for our day.

Laters!