Over the weekend Gary and I attended the Brandeis-Bardin Instutute newlywed weekend. It is a retreat weekend for couple designed to help them set up a Jewish home. We ate all Kosher food, prayed, learned Israeli folk dances, played games, etc. It was free - I guess they just want to push new married couples to try to be Jewish and raise Jewish kids. For me and Gary it was abit too basic. We already attend synagogue, consider ourselves to be practicing educated Jews, and plan to raise our kids Jewish. But it was a neat "camp" experience.
Another downside to the retreat is that is messed up my usual weekend exercise schedule. I jogged less than I'd wanted to. What worse - I went for a bike ride Sunday afternoon after we go back, but I got a flat tire. Luckily my brother was in town and willing to drive over and rescue me. I'll try to make up the lost mileage next weekend.
Gary took me to see very A Very Long Engagement at the Arc Light theater. I had heard good things about it and I try to see French films to keep up my fading French. The movie was about a young woman in France just after WWI trying to track down what became of her fiance after he was sentenced to death for self mutilation in an attempt to be sent home. It is mostly a detective story, but very somber. Also, the graphic war scenes are too violent for my taste. The plot was rather complicated and I had a hard time keeping track of the numerous characters. It was a well made, interesting film, but I can't say I enjoyed it.
On the bright side, the Arc Light theater is really growing on me. Although regular their prices are bit high ($14), their unique setup it worth it. No advertisement what so ever before the show, assigned seats, no late seating, you can buy tickets online directly with no surcharge, and ushers that show you to your seat. They have a membership program that cuts the price and entitles you to special events like director's lectures. We try to go Sunday nights for reverse matinee which, with the member discount, is only $10. It is a nice experience to go to a movie theater that takes movies seriously.
I have begun work on a fledgling photo album. It is still in the development phase, but feel free to take a look.
I have been an excercise-alholic for several years now, and one thing I've noticed, is that January at the Gym is hell for regulars like me. Due to a rise in motivations to work out and New Years resolutions, every January, the gym swells with novice, inconsiderate, and ignorant would-be athletes. No matter which gym I'm been in - the YMCA in Glendale, the private gym in Sacramento, or my current LA Fitness, in January I often come home from working out frustrated at the rude or stupid people who mess up my workout.
For example, every cycling class this month has had a handfull of new members who come unprepared, with no towel, no water, sit on the bike without adjusting the height so their knees are sticking out. They often come as a group and instead of listening to the instructor during class, talk and giggle, in general being distracting. The only redeeming things is that they often get whiped about 10 minutes into the class and leave. Other annoyances include monopolizing a certain machine, not wiping their sweat off after, changing clothes in the bathroom stalls, talking to friends while using a piece of equipment that I am waiting for, and basically just making everything really crowded.
So I am looking forward to some time in March, when these newbies either learn proper gym etiquette or return to their couch potatoe existances.
I just attended a day long meeting for my job. I usually look forward to meeting, but at this one I was faced with more of the downside.
Pros:
Getting to see and smooze wtih co-workers that you like and don't often see
Ususally there is food
Getting away from the office for a change
Often I learn something interesting
Feel like the organization is making progress at solving problems
Cons:
Having to see co-workers you don't get along with
Being forced to sit in chair for long periods of time
Finding all the work on you desk that piled up while your were away
Boredom
Frustration that the meeting won't make a darn bit of difference
I have to admit I've always liked computer games, but with World of Warcraft, I am really hooked. All my free time, I'm on the server, tracking down missing princesses, collecting lost gems stones, and most importantly, slaying foul beasts. Gary and I have even joined a guild, the House of Igrayne. It is really cool to role play with other players online and go on quests together. I even got promoted to a captain.
But I still keep a handle on real life and my other addiction - exercise. I work out more than ever before. In fact, by my calculations, I exercised over 2000 minutes last month - that is an average of 64 minutes per day! Trying to get fit for my goal to finish and olympic triathlon in June.
I had a very nice New Years weekend. New Years eve I did not have to work. Although it was a bit rainy in the morning, I managed to sneak in a long jog in the afternoon (9.5 miles!) once it stopped raining. Then Gary and I drove down to Mike's for a fun party. I got to beat Gary at ping pong, Russel at pool, and Marek at "13". I did however lose to Beth at hearts.
New Years day, my brother, my parents and I drove up to Santa Barbara to visit my grandparents. It is always a pleasure to spend some time at their home on the beach and then eat some excellent sushi. My Grandpa George turnsed 87 this December (it might be 88 since no one knows exactly which year he was born either 1916 or 1917). Happy birthday George!