tigra

When its too windy to jump, we have to have our fun somehow, right?

You forgot to mention that you were driving off the road down a steep hill at the time and at least one "floater" was trying to drink a beer at the time!

I agree!

Don't you mean BeeGees? I think I've heard most of the Beatle's songs, and I can't place them doing that one. BeeGees is correct. Kids!

I'm stalled too (still) but I hit the gym 3 times this week so far. I can't go tonight but I did some crunches and worked with my dumbells at home this morning, so at least it was something! And I can't really say that I'm "dieting" either. My biggest problem is probably eating at night when I get home from a workout. Even if I try to keep it sensible, its still eating after 9:00pm. So, under the circumstances, I guess maintaining is OK! I just need to make that transition to morning cardio. Actually, the way things are going at work, I'll need to just to make sure I can squeeze in regular workouts! Oh, and I bought one of those scales that calculates body fat percentage a few months back. My sister calls it the "Scale of Shame" but I call it the "Insult-O-Meter"! (I think they should make them with sound- and have the scale either yell insults or encouragement at you when you weigh yourself! Its meant to keep track of your progress, so why not add a little humor?) I'm not 100% certain its accurate; it reads my percentage at a really high level, but it is moving in the right direction ever so slowly. So even if I'm not losing weight, I appear to be losing some fat.

That's the thing about prophecies- when people try to prevent them from coming true, they generally end up setting everything in motion so in fact they DO come true. And, I'm pretty sure Voldemort was in power when the prophecy was made and Dumbledore was already headmaster of Hogwarts because he was interviewing whats-her-name for a job when she had the vision. And I remembered something else- wasn't it Snape who overheard her, and didn't he then tell Voldemort? So, the debt he owes Harry is because he was responsible for his parents' deaths. The guilt is what made turn away from the death eaters and the reason Dumbledore was always so certain of his loyalty. (I also think this next book will reveal that Snape was in love with Lily Potter- makes his guilt all the more strong. The reason he can't bear to be around Harry is because Harry reminds him too much of Lily, not James!) Sacrificing his own life to save Harry might be the only way to redeem himself. I would not be at all surprised if Snape is one of the deaths. I don't actually think Harry and Neville are "separated at birth twins" either, but it is an interesting theory.

oooh, interesting thought about Neville and Harry ........... They've sort of hinted at Ginny's power all along, but not really Neville's. We'll see next month, I guess!

Didn't Voldemort send his deatheaters after Neville's parents because of the prophecy? (I know his parents were also aurors, but....) Harry and Neville do have a lot in common, but I don't think Voldemort would use Neville. He's really not part of the "inner circle" and like pretty much everyone else, Voldemort will underestimate him.

I don't buy Neville working for Voldemort UNLESS he's under the Imperious Curse. I do think he'll play an important role in this next/ last book. (Although I do remember poor stuttering professor Quirrel from the first book- he was so pathetic that no one suspected him!) I don't think the scar is a horcrux. The scar does link Harry to Voldemort and I think Harry will learn how to use this link to his advantage. Snape- I agree with the consensus that he's not evil and was acting on Dumbledore's orders. (possibly to spare Draco Malfoy from becoming a killer and therefore, beyond redemption.) Snape has a moral obligation to protect Harry because Harry's father saved his life. Maybe he has a similar obligation to Draco Malfoy? Dumbledore- I would not be surprised if he really isn't dead. And I think Dumbledore's brother will factor in. But I also think Dumbledore's "death" was necessary to give Harry the strength, control and determination to go up against Voldemort. On the 21st, as soon as I pick up my copy, I'll be home reading!

My mom always saved the "travel sized" soap from hotels for that very purpose.

Actually, I don't *think* the DZ there is in business. They had a jump operation the winter of '05-'06 operating out of the beach at the Holiday Inn but when I was there in March of 06, the tent was deserted everytime I stopped by. (I was staying at the resort next door.) I wasn't there to skydive, but I also never saw a jump plane or a parachute the whole time I was there. (I'll also add, that's not the best beach for landings- Ixtapa's is soooo much nicer!) If you are in Puerto Vallarta and you're looking for something fun and a little bit adventurous, I highly recommend the zipline/ canopy tour. That was a ton of fun!

Its on my list to watch. Have you seen 21 Grams? Same director as well. That's one that's available free "On Demand" with my cable right now.

Ditto!

I might even have gained a pound, but I'm not too worried. I hit the gym every day this week for at least an hour of cardio, and got up early a couple of mornings for crunches and stuff. The scale isn't budging, but my clothes keep getting looser, my endurance is improving and I've got muscle definition in my legs! Now, if only I could get up early enough to get to the gym for cardio in the morning! The problem with doing it at night is that I get home late and hungry! Plus the "endorphin rush" makes it hard to fall asleep at a decent hour!

I love that "stealth crawl" dogs do! I knew a guy who had a Rottie that did that- it was hilarious! My cat Roger (the farter) does it too! Especially when we try to keep him from bugging one of the other 2!

I personally would have a very hard time giving up garlic taters (garlic and potatoes- 2 of my favorite food groups!) but that reminds me of a funny low carb story! A few years ago, I went out to dinner with a group of friends. We went to a really nice Thai restaurant- I think there were 6 or 7 us of total, and at least 5 of us on some kind of low carb "diet"- Atkins, South Beach or something comparable. Number 6 was training for the Chicago marathon, and we ALL passed our rice down the table to him!

I hear you because I have been pushing myself pretty hard, mostly with the cardio stuff. I can really get my heart rate up there on the elliptical machine- but once it gets to a certain point, I can feel a headache like you described starting up. If I don't slow down right then, that headache will be with me for several hours, even into the next day! Its good to push but if you push too hard, its counter productive. Look at it this way- if the workout is making you feel BAD, are you going to keep going or will you find something else to do with that "you" time??

We're not talking about PEE!

I saw the display in Costco last week and read the brochure. NOT for me! Its essentially aversion therapy, isn't it? I'd hate to forever associate eating a bacon cheeseburger with ruining my favorite pair of pants!

Disclaimer: I'm no fitness expert ................. My best guess would be dehydration first and a combination of everything else you said. Exertion combined with lack of food, water and sleep. If I'm working out first thing in the morning, I always "eat" something (like an Atkins friendly protein shake) and I never workout without plenty of water. Did your heart rate get extremely elevated? Were you overheated and sweating? Also, you ARE just starting out. It takes a while to build up endurance. You need to work at your own pace without comparing yourself or trying to "compete" or keep up with with anyone else in the class. If you need to stop after 5 reps instead of 10, stop. A stabbing headache is a pretty good indication its time to stop and rest- I'm actually surprised it went away as quickly as it did. You're lucky!

I've had my Ballys membership since 1990. I got suckered when I signed up but now I pay a relatively small amount once a year. I've also got a membership that allows me to visit any club I want, which is cool since there is one near my office. But, even with the convenience factor- being able to visit ANY club takes away a lot of excuses) I'll admit there have been a few years when I only visited the club a few times. And I think that's typical and how clubs like that make their money. If everyone who joined at the beginning of the year actually USED their memberships, there would be a line out the door most days! Lately, I've been going at least 3 or 4 times a week, something I really hope to keep up. (It doesn't hurt that I have an ugly commute and if I stop at the club near my office and workout, I miss most of the bad traffic.)

I enjoyed 21 Grams more as well, probably for the same reasons you stated. Even before I could figure out what was happening, the characters pulled me in. In Babel, I liked the storylines and characters but tying in the deaf Japanese girl as the connection to the gun seemed too heavyhanded. I haven't seen Crash yet.

Nice!

Who took the picture or HOW did they take it are popular whuffo questions. People seem to think the pictures are somewhow taken from the ground or the plane with really great telephoto lenses! I have a shot of a dive I was on where we happened to have a 2nd cameraman. (I had it at my desk for a while at my last job.) The shot is cool because it shows the formation AND one of the cameramen on the dive.

Have you seen 21 Grams or Amores Perros? I watched 21 Grams within a week or so of watching Babel and didn't realize they had the same producer. I understand the 3 films make up a trilogy of sorts, but I haven't seen Amores Perros yet. Guess I am watching them backwards!