Lachman, Chicago and Workout of the Week #33

Last week I was in Chicago on business.  Thursday was cloudy, misting rain and 40º F.  I could’ve easily stayed inside and called for lunch delivery.  But my hosts wanted Gene & Jude’s, and since the place is world famous, who was I to say “No”?  Gene & Jude’s it was, and I have to admit it was a good dog.  Fresh cut fries piled on top of an old-school hot dog trimmed with mustard, onions, relish and sweet peppers.  What’s not to like?  As long as you don’t eat it every day, right?

Then, after work, I went into the city to meet a friend — who just so happened to be in Chicago at the same time! — and have a kale salad and a slice of pizza at Parlor.  A skyline worthy of Ridley Scott,  good food and great company — what’s not to love?  That I could do every day!

I almost always take a book when I travel. Nothing like a good book for conjuring wonderment out of waiting for planes, trams, taxis and shuttles.  This trip’s book was The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus by Gary Lachman.  Although I consider myself well versed on the subject matter, Gary impressed me with small details I wasn’t aware of and expanded my view with his unique insight into where Hermeticism began and where it’s headed.  His list of sources is alone worth the price of admission.  I added half a dozen of his sources to my Alibris wish list.  Excellent book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Thrice Great One.  You don’t read a book like this one every day!

I’m definitely going to be reading a great deal more Lachman in the months and years ahead.  But will he read mine?  I sure hope so!

And without further delay, below find the Cabal Fang Workout of the Week.

Cabal Fang Workout of the Week #33

• High Intensity Circuit Training.  Make 4 exercise stations using tires, mallets, medicine ball, etc.  Set your timer to beep every 40 – 60 seconds.  Allowing about 12 seconds to transition, that means you’ll be working each station for 28 – 48 seconds with 12 second breaks between.  If you pick 40 second rounds, do 6 cycles, 50 seconds do 5, 6o seconds do 6.  This will keep your workout around 16 minutes.  If you’re doing this with your group, add sufficient stations such that everybody has a slot.  If you don’t have enough gear, just insert some calisthenics.   And you’ll need to modify the round lengths and cycles to suit the needs of the group of course.
• Journaling.  Are you keeping a training log and journal?  If you aren’t doing that, you’re really missing out on one of the easiest and yet most powerful personal improvement methods known to humankind.  Get yourself a book you like — spiral bound, leather, fancy, cheap, doesn’t matter — and make entries as close to daily as you can.  Include your workouts, your mood, what’s bothering you, what’s inspiring you, you name it.  Start doing it today!