A new car!!!

Yes, folks, I got a Prius. It rocks.

In over my head

So I decided to turn over a new leaf and start exercising again. I did a little research and found out that the college has a gym, but that if you're not enrolled in a PE class, you need to do an orientation before you're allowed to work out there.

I called the number of the gym director and scheduled to get a tour. He suggested dressing down so I could work out that day as well. When I got there, he was dressed down also. "We'll work out together, and that way I can show you all the equipment."

He asked what I wanted to do, I said some cardio but also some weights. I used to do weights at the Y back in the day. 2 sets on six machines, about 3 times a week. He said cool.

We warmed up on the elliptical machine, and chatted. Turns out, gym director is also the head coach of the men's basketball team. (Which was cool because I got some insider info about the team, about recruiting, and fundraising and all that stuff.) He's, um, in way better shape than I am. Then he said, "Ready for some weights?" Sure, I thought. At that point, I was.

We did TEN machines, all the while doing stairmaster in between sets so we don't lose our heartrate. I was really feeling it toward the end of the session. Then, back to the elliptical for cool-down. We did 10 more minutes, all the while talking, having a good time. And then we finished.

I went to shake his hand and thank him. "Oh, we're not done yet. We still need to do our core workout!" ACK! What have I gotten myself into? We did crunches and some other exercises, then some very nice stretching. I was exhausted by the time we were done.

Now, we did shake hands and I said thanks. He responded, "Call me next time you come over and I'll work out with you again. It's always more fun with a partner."

So I've got a new workout buddy. I told Spouse when I got home, and he said, "Oh, you're SO calling him again!" I'm in over my head. But in a healthy way, I suppose.

I am not dead...

I am grading.

Things I will blog about when life returns to normal:

• My new work-out buddy
  
• The kids and how I predict they will kill one another by the end of the 3 day weekend.
  
• The coming of Spring.
  
• MY NEW CAR!!!!

ps. Overheard at the gym:

Huge Jock #1: "What's up?"
Huge Jock #2: "Man, I'm fucking in LOVE with stretching right now."

In the interest of fairness, I present the other side:

The John McCain Music Video

Midterms

Busy with midterms, but here are some distractions:

• 1776, from the makers of 300. Who knew John Hancock had abs of steel?
  
  
• JesusPets: If Jesus returns tonight, who will feed your pets tomorrow?

h/t to one of my students (for 1776) and to L in TX for other.

Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video

Flyboy sent this to me, and I had to share. Get out the vote, people.

This is too cute

In the next room at this very moment, Wild Boy is having some imagination play by himself. Here's a transcript:

"Where are we going? Neverland. But I don't know how to get there. We fly! Like Tinkerbell. It's fun. Let's go to Neverland. I can fly! And fight pirates!"

I love that boy so much it hurts.