Lunchtime workout for 2011-10-26

I just walked 3.2 mi in 1 hour and burned 362 calories. Total burned so far: 725 calories! on 10/26/11 at 12:07 PM #cardiotrainer

PETA files another lawsuit

But this one is a little different.

They are accusing SeaWorld of violating the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (the prohibition against slavery) based on their treatment of 5 killer whales.

I sincerely hope that the case is dismissed with prejudice on pre-trial summary judgement, and that PETA is smacked with punitive damages. They are clogging the court system on something that is no more than a publicity stunt. It wastes time and money, on the parts of the government, SeaWorld and PETA themselves.

PETA can waste all the money in the world they want purchasing billboards.  It's their money. I might not agree with the message, or the tone deaf approach, but hey, there's that whole 1st Amendment thing, and last I checked, PETA is compromised of actual humans.

This, however, is a travesty, and a sham.

What's next, suing farmers for slavery of produce?

If you were in need of gift ideas

There is a new Pratchett book coming out

As you sow so shall you reap

Yesterday, I pointed to a discussion Rod Dreher had with his son about Herman Cain. In a later comment, Rod  agrees with his son and says further that "this idea that somebody who has never run even for school board is a perfectly fit candidate to run the most powerful country on earth is democratic-Romantic nonsense."

Then, today Rod talks about satisfaction with Congress, and what issues are most important to the electorate. He identifies that "It's the economy, stupid." I wholeheartedly agree with that conclusion. But then, he concludes with this little gem (emphasis mine):

And yet, and yet. I never know what to make of polls like this. Everybody hates Congress, and the picture of the electorate this poll paints is about two tics away from being pre-revolutionary. But you know what? A lot of these guys are going to be sent right back by the voters, and if not, they’re going to send in someone who is going to defend the status quo. People are angry and frustrated, but that doesn’t translate into much at the ballot box. Meh.

 So, which is it Mr. Dreher? Do you want someone that has been captured by the system, that has "political experience", or are they the root cause of the problem?

Ignore them, and they will go away

Apparently, the members of Westboro are picketing a school in the Cincinnati area today.

I think the principal's take on this is exactly right:

“While we appreciate and understand the anger, disgust and curiosity of our community members, showing up at Oak Hills High School will only provide the WBC exactly what they want. In fact, WBC returns over and over again to those locations that generate the most resistance. If we have a large group of people show up to counterdemonstrate, we will be inviting WBC back to our community for future pickets. The only way to make this a ‘one time and done’ event is to make sure it is not profitable for them in either attention or money.”

Lunchtime workout for 2011-10-25

According to my Cardio Trainer app on my phone, I just walked 2.9 mi in 1 hour 2 mins and burned 330 calories. Total burned so far: 329 calories! on 10/25/11 at 12:08 PM

Becoming less of a man

199

That's what the scale read this morning. I've been stuck between 195 and 199 for months now, and I'm getting frustrated.

I realized my activity level has decreased a bit during this period. I stopped getting off the bus early to walk several blocks, and instead rode it right up to the building. I stopped walking in the evenings, opting instead to occupy my couch while stuffing snacks in my face.

So, I have a pretty good idea as to the root causes of my stasis, and I'm once again trying to get serious about seeing the numbers on the scale decrease.

I got off the bus at the first stop this morning, and walked the ~4 blocks to the building.

Last night, I did two laps around my subdivision, which is ~1.5 miles (ran the 1st, walked the 2nd).

Weather permitting, I'm going to start walking at lunch.

I don't think I'll ever again see the 135 I weighed right out of high school, but if I could get back down to the 160 - 170 range, I'll call that good.