adventures in fitness #4, and to Pride or not to Pride

So in my ongoing battle of the bulge, I went to the gym this afternoon for a workout without the trainer. I figured after that last shameful performance I had better do a bit more for my endurance before the next time, so I walked down to the gym (walking!) and did a lighter version of the workouts I used to do when I was with FitCity back in Newmarket. Biceps, triceps, chest. And almost 30 min of cardio (in 2 sessions). Then I walked back home (walking!).

I got cleaned up and went back out again (more walking!) to do a quick shop for some grocery items; dry goods mostly although on the home stretch I stopped in at D&Y Grocery for some peaches, raspberries and blueberries. Ironically now that there is a Sobey's at the end of my street I am going everywhere but the big grocery stores for my food. I did go to Dominion, yes, but that was to use their CoinStar machine, which is a big perk when a dude is on a budget. So loaded up with rice, pasta and oats I headed back home, got my fruit and now here I sit. It was the nutritionist's idea to mix up the fruits I have every day just so I do not get bored with my diet, and I can see what she means. I still have to go shopping for meat and more produce, but that's tomorrow morning at the St Lawrence Market. And then I'll be back to the gym when it opens.

While I was out I noticed a lot of motorists honking at each other at intersections; seems the city doesn't move fast enough for some people out there. I'll confess to a small shred of sidewalk-rage now and then when I am trying to walk somewhere, but that's usually because I'm hoping a quicker pace will be better for me; it's not out of some great looming deadline.

I have a lot to do this weekend. I was going to do some painting (the task I never seem to get to) but I spent the money earmarked for that on my sister and the kids yesterday; paint means a lot less than groceries for growing boys, if you ask me. But I did pick up a couple binders this afternoon and a 2-hole punch so I can start making some headway on finally organizing my bills. I do not want a big clunky filing cabinet getting in the way around here, so I think a few binders will work just as well. I'm starting small; red for Rogers and a nice blue for Canada Post pay slips. I'll tackle Bell and VISA next pay. Additional to that, I've got laundry. I'm going for a pedicure. Michelle and Greg are coming downtown to join Miriam and I for dinner and possibly a movie. And Sunday will be the rest of the laundry and another visit to the gym.

Yes, it's Pride weekend in Toronto. Yes I'm gay and according to everyone I should be down there, but I still feel a terrible disconnect from the whole gay sexfest that is this celebration, despite connecting with other men on a regular basis. I keep repeating this rant every year but gay Pride to me seems like nothing more than an opportunity for the loud and gaudy to go out and perpetuate the stereotype that is gay "culture". Yes there will be hot bodies out there wearing almost nothing. Yes it will be dead easy to get laid more than twice in a day. Yes there will be all sorts of lovely drugs on offer. Yes there will be an influx of lovely tourist dollars to keep our city rich in these troubled economic times (I'm 37 and have never known a golden age, by the way). But none of this holds a particular attraction for me. I see hot guys out there, I get laid when I need to (usually), I don't take drugs and I don't like tourists. I think it's a pretty telling tale when this very same weekend, Montreal's economy gets a bit of a spike as well from Toronto gay people fleeing this city looking for somewhere where the tourists are not. I was going to go to Montreal but it didn't work out that way, so I will stay home and treat this weekend like any other. And anyways, with this new workout regimen happening I can't drink any booze, so a big party where getting loaded is the best way to tolerate the other guests is really not a good idea.

And there's a new episode of Doctor Who tomorrow night that I do not want to miss. How's that for the best reason ever?

That is all.