Old School Reading That is Slabrat.

Mark Larkin...

Where have I heard that name before?

My thoughts as I give Javier his bath. As I wipe him dry, I realize Mark Larkin is a fictional character from a book: Slabrat by Ted Heller. I got so absorbed in the book, I thought these "people" are my friends that I have met a long time ago. Too bad they aren't real.

I've been reading since the last few days of 2013. Again, finally. I found time to pick up a book. And being a bibliophile, I started hoarding books again, just like I used to. Nothing new really, I usually just hoard stuff from Booksale. (Yup, Slabrat is actually 13 or 14 years old.) Great books at dirt cheap prices. Went home with six books the last time I raided the store, Slabrat being one of them. The things I love about Booksale are, aside from the huge price drops of books, they have branches almost everywhere and you'll never know what you can find in their stores. And if you do find one you fancy, I say BUY IT.

So this Mark Larkin guy isn't the main character in Slabrat. Zachary Post is. taking a break from "relationship-themed" novels, I pick up Slabrat in the hopes of finding a good laugh and getting a few lessons I could use in the office - whatever lesson that is. So far, Ted Heller has a good sense of humor. And the office politics in the plot, God it's outrageously funny. I try not to put the book down as much as I could. It's one of those books that's (in Leslie Usher-Soames' words) ack-she-lly GOOD.

As for the lessons, here are some: work your ass off and make sure it gets noticed by your boss or whoever is in the higher management that can set your career to the moon; co-workers can actually make a good set of friends, especially if you work beyond the 9-5 hour shift, they're probably the ones who can totally relate to your career problems, aside from your best friend, since, after all, they are in the same office; sleeping with co-workers may be a good idea at first, but just to be safe, never do two people at the same time (it's common sense, ack-she-lly) or at least tell/drop hints that you were involved with someone, rather than have everybody talk about your relationships (past and present) until it reaches your love/lust interests.

If this were a book review, I would say it's a pretty darn good book. But it's not a review. I'm just happy to be reading again a real book. I was forced to read an e-book before because I thought it was cheaper and convenient, to the point that I want to buy myself a Kobo. Sad to say, nothing beats a real book. I'm one to say "save the trees" when using too much paper but I'll be picking a paper book over an e-book any given day. It has a different feel to it, just like how I'm writing this first on a page on my notebook.

Things just make sense when I do them the way I learned how to do them.

I wish Zeke Post was around so I could ask him how his book review is going and talk about stuff other than rambling here on my blog.

Day 22, book #4.

SLABRAT

n. A person or 'rat' who works in an office block or 'slab'. Distinguishing features include gossiping mischievously, a predilection for office sex, a desire to do as little work as possible... and a desperation for promotion at any price.

Because Writing.

Yes, i keep around a notebook even though I'm a blogger. I may not be a legit writer with published books and articles for all the world to see. I may be writing things not even 1/10th if my friends care to read about.

Writing is my escape.

There are tons of things written in my journals, sketchpads, tissue paper that I will never say out loud. Because not everyone should hear or read them.

You've barely scratched the surface. Dig in, if you dare.

Confessions of a (Gym) Virgin.

Em texted me that a new gym opened near our place. She wants to sign up. And so inggitera me wanted in too.

By Friday afternoon I was inquiring for rates. I compared it with the one from my office. This one's much more near to my house and way cheaper than that. Yay for convenience. I texted my friends to join too.

Today is Sunday. Guess what? I went to the gym alone.

This is probably something I have to get used to. We're no longer kids who go to almost the same schools and had the same schedules. We're no longer doing the same things we did together ten years ago. So yes, I braved going to the gym alone.

Is this supposed to be a big deal?

For me, yes. It's my first time. Ever. To sign up for working out in a gym. I am familiar with a gym and probably the people who go there but this is the first time I'll be touching, using, the equipment all in the hope of losing weight, getting fit, toning my muscles, yada yada yada and all the other things they tell you when someone wants you to sign up. So here I am, fresh out of the gym, telling the world how I felt about going to the gym.

1. The gym is not scary. It might look like a place of mean, big, heavy things but they'll do no harm to you. I promise.
2. Trainers/fitness coaches are nicer than you think. Remember Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser reality TV series? No, she's only mean because she's pushing them to do things for their own good. But she has a soft heart too, and I think that's what makes her encouragement very sincere. Today, I met Chris, the trainer. Sure he was the typical buff, well built, I-have-muscles kind of guy, but he was nice. He is friendly towards the members and even takes a few minutes to get to know people. (Although I think this has something to do with marketing.) He is not mean, but he did make me do those crunches til my abs and thighs hurt.
3. The exercises may look easy, but that IS A LIE or a show. Before I did any routine, Chris showed me how to do them, because (1) I am a gym virgin and had no idea at all how to do anything there except run on the treadmill, (2) I can barely hear his instructions because the guy managing the playlist had the music on full blast, and (3) he might be showing off (yeah, I still think it's all marketing and showing the best this gym has to offer). What seemed really easy to Chris was fucking hard to do. He made me do lunges, and kept asking me to go lower, but I really can't. And crunches? Don't even get me started. Took me 3 rests to finish 10 counts. So yeah, the emotions we see on The Biggest Loser aren't acting - they're really hard and if you are that big, it is way, way, way too hard to do, and I'm only 15lbs over my ideal weight. Imagine how the contestants went through the training and exercises.
4. No pain, no gain. When I stopped for the 3rd time in the middle of my crunches, I wanted to cry. Because it was painful. I could hear my thighs and my tummy actually screaming at me to stop. But that was all in my mind. At the back of my mind a little voice was telling me that this is just for today. If I didn't finish the routine, I'm a wimp. If I didn't finish the routine, I won't lose that extra 15lbs. If I didn't do this today, what else can I do? This was something as easy as lifting my leg for a few seconds or minutes and I wanted to stop because I felt pain. So I listened to that little voice and finished the routine. This is just for today. (But I'll be honest that I really had a hard time going down the stairs because it was still painful post-workout.)
5. Gym selfies are not necessary. Well, for me at least. I was tempted to take a few shots of myself. But I stopped myself. First of all, I still have a few pictures of me enjoying the holidays. Then there are a few consecutive photos of food on my Instagram account which reminded me why I am overweight. So while this is a milestone in my life, I'm putting selfies on hold until I see results. Or maybe I'll take one next time I hit the gym, just so, you know, I could keep track of my progress.
6. Gyms are filled with guys. Cute guys. But be careful. That hot guy lifting weights next to you could be the next Wentworth Miller. Just because somebody's checking your ass while doing a routine on the twister doesn't mean they want you - they could probably be figuring out how to build up an ass like yours.

There. Those are the thoughts that raced through my mind before, during, and after the workout. Yep, I might have adult ADHD. These thoughts while working out? I don't know. Maybe because this is really new to me. Maybe because it's the first time I'm doing this. Maybe because I am both excited about it but the pain is just freakingly insane.

Either way, I know I'll be doing this again soon.

In Shape.

Yesterday, a co-worker asked me to join her and a few more people from work on a fun run. I'm planning to sign up for that. Really.

Today, a friend asked me to hit the gym with her. I went down to the gym and asked for their rate sheet. I'm gonna try and do a one-hour session next week. Then I'll decide if I want to sign up for a full year membership.

I feel like I have a lot on my plate. Do I?