Come and See the Non-Violence Inherent in the System!
Despite the horrendous heat and humidity, I've been doing a lot of walking lately. On Saturday, I figure I walked for around five or six hours, and that was after leading a fitness boot camp class. I went to a few festivals.
The first one was the non-violence festival, which was decidedly non-festive. People were sitting in semi lotus position, meditating. A few musicians playing esoteric musical instruments played slow music, calm, and dare I say it?--boring music. The local NDP representative had a booth there, and so did an AIDS awareness group. That reminds me: a man at that booth gave me a safe sex kit. I wonder what I got? Probably a couple of condoms. Maybe some lube.... I have a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of a festival based on non-violence. Is it to counteract all the festivals dedicated to shooting one another, kicking ass, etc.? In any case, my perverse persnickety side made me want to dig out a few boffer weapons and squirt guns and start a melee. But I was good.
From there, I walked to the Cherry Festival at Cherry Park. I'd never been to Cherry Park before. I falsely assumed that the park would have lots of cherry trees. It didn't have many trees at all. It was a huge field, with the grass baked yellow-brown by the incessant sun. Everyone looked melty. I saw no violence at the Cherry Festival. I bought a cute belt with a cherry design, and a scoop of cherry ice cream, and then I walked home.
A funny thing happened on the way to the Turkish Festival.
I was walking along the Iron Horse Trail when one of the more "colourful" (ie. crazy/drunk) locals was headed toward me clad in a long-sleeved black shirt and black jeans, despite the temperature. While I watched, he began flailing his arms and head around like an excited worshipper at a snake-handling church, and then he flung himself face-first into the bushes.
I kept walking by, and peeked off to the side at him. He was lying there in a sprawled position, his tongue lolling from his mouth. He looked like a caricature of roadkill.
There was no way I wanted to go up to this guy to check to see if he was all right. He looked like he'd been faking it, hardcore. But at the same time, considering the heat, his garb, and possibly the dehydrating effects of alcohol, there actually was a possibility that this ridiculous display actually would make him pass out and succumb to heat stroke.
I decided that I'd take a look around for a police officer and send one his way.
But then, apparently disappointed I hadn't checked in on him, he just got up and continued on his way as though nothing had happened.
Oooookay.
The Turkish festival was a bit disappointing. I was hoping I'd find kasiklar, but there was nothing like that at all. There were just a couple of food booths, a booth selling a few scarves and tshirts, and an information booth manned by a guy who didn't seem to know what was going on. A dervish whirled slowly on a small stage. I saw no violence at the Turkish Festival.
After grabbing a bite to eat at a sushi restaurant, I came back home and got good and tipsy off half of a beer. Oh dehydration, maker of cheap drunks.
Yesterday, I got up bright an early and went for a run. Even though it was a short run and I got home well before 9 am, I was slick with sweat. So hot! Gah! I had a bit of a nap to reboot, and then went off to dance class feeling much refreshed. Once I finished with that, I went out for ice cream, because it was still ridiculously hot. And when I got home, I had another beer. This time, I didn't get tipsy. But I did undo all my hard work at trying to keep my diet clean. Stupid hot weather, melting me, and melting my resolve!
Today I have another TRX session. This one is all about lunges, I think. I'm looking forward to feeling wobbly. Gonna grow my biglegs and bigbutt again!
Link time? I think so.
At home with Albania's last sworn virgins: Fascinating article about how women forswore sex to become culturally accepted as men.
Feminist Figure Girl: Interesting blog by a feminist body builder.
Body Weight Coach: I've been especially interested in learning more about training incorporating body weight rather than other weights, lately. There are plenty of good exercises on this website. I have been working on holding extended planks, lately. See?
I want to be able to do them like this guy!
Bones With Bling: Because sometimes you CAN take it with you.
Have Summer Glau and Peter Dinklage made the greatest movie ever?: This upcoming LARP movie looks awesome! I want to see it.
Animals Being Dicks: Hilarity! I thought I'd piss myself!
Woman Died From Sex With Dog, Sean McDonnell Arrested In Limerick, Ireland: I didn't even know someone could be allergic to dog sex. How utterly bizarre!
Therapy to change 'feminine' boy created a troubled man, family says: This is what comes from trying to force people into molds of "real men" and such.
Iraqi bolts headcam to skull in name of art: Cyborg art.
The first one was the non-violence festival, which was decidedly non-festive. People were sitting in semi lotus position, meditating. A few musicians playing esoteric musical instruments played slow music, calm, and dare I say it?--boring music. The local NDP representative had a booth there, and so did an AIDS awareness group. That reminds me: a man at that booth gave me a safe sex kit. I wonder what I got? Probably a couple of condoms. Maybe some lube.... I have a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of a festival based on non-violence. Is it to counteract all the festivals dedicated to shooting one another, kicking ass, etc.? In any case, my perverse persnickety side made me want to dig out a few boffer weapons and squirt guns and start a melee. But I was good.
From there, I walked to the Cherry Festival at Cherry Park. I'd never been to Cherry Park before. I falsely assumed that the park would have lots of cherry trees. It didn't have many trees at all. It was a huge field, with the grass baked yellow-brown by the incessant sun. Everyone looked melty. I saw no violence at the Cherry Festival. I bought a cute belt with a cherry design, and a scoop of cherry ice cream, and then I walked home.
A funny thing happened on the way to the Turkish Festival.
I was walking along the Iron Horse Trail when one of the more "colourful" (ie. crazy/drunk) locals was headed toward me clad in a long-sleeved black shirt and black jeans, despite the temperature. While I watched, he began flailing his arms and head around like an excited worshipper at a snake-handling church, and then he flung himself face-first into the bushes.
I kept walking by, and peeked off to the side at him. He was lying there in a sprawled position, his tongue lolling from his mouth. He looked like a caricature of roadkill.
There was no way I wanted to go up to this guy to check to see if he was all right. He looked like he'd been faking it, hardcore. But at the same time, considering the heat, his garb, and possibly the dehydrating effects of alcohol, there actually was a possibility that this ridiculous display actually would make him pass out and succumb to heat stroke.
I decided that I'd take a look around for a police officer and send one his way.
But then, apparently disappointed I hadn't checked in on him, he just got up and continued on his way as though nothing had happened.
Oooookay.
The Turkish festival was a bit disappointing. I was hoping I'd find kasiklar, but there was nothing like that at all. There were just a couple of food booths, a booth selling a few scarves and tshirts, and an information booth manned by a guy who didn't seem to know what was going on. A dervish whirled slowly on a small stage. I saw no violence at the Turkish Festival.
After grabbing a bite to eat at a sushi restaurant, I came back home and got good and tipsy off half of a beer. Oh dehydration, maker of cheap drunks.
Yesterday, I got up bright an early and went for a run. Even though it was a short run and I got home well before 9 am, I was slick with sweat. So hot! Gah! I had a bit of a nap to reboot, and then went off to dance class feeling much refreshed. Once I finished with that, I went out for ice cream, because it was still ridiculously hot. And when I got home, I had another beer. This time, I didn't get tipsy. But I did undo all my hard work at trying to keep my diet clean. Stupid hot weather, melting me, and melting my resolve!
Today I have another TRX session. This one is all about lunges, I think. I'm looking forward to feeling wobbly. Gonna grow my biglegs and bigbutt again!
Link time? I think so.
At home with Albania's last sworn virgins: Fascinating article about how women forswore sex to become culturally accepted as men.
Feminist Figure Girl: Interesting blog by a feminist body builder.
Body Weight Coach: I've been especially interested in learning more about training incorporating body weight rather than other weights, lately. There are plenty of good exercises on this website. I have been working on holding extended planks, lately. See?
I want to be able to do them like this guy!
Click to viewBones With Bling: Because sometimes you CAN take it with you.
Have Summer Glau and Peter Dinklage made the greatest movie ever?: This upcoming LARP movie looks awesome! I want to see it.
Animals Being Dicks: Hilarity! I thought I'd piss myself!
Woman Died From Sex With Dog, Sean McDonnell Arrested In Limerick, Ireland: I didn't even know someone could be allergic to dog sex. How utterly bizarre!
Therapy to change 'feminine' boy created a troubled man, family says: This is what comes from trying to force people into molds of "real men" and such.
Iraqi bolts headcam to skull in name of art: Cyborg art.