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!
Have a little too much pie the last couple of days? Well here’s a workout that will help with that problem and, more importantly, build up your fighting-specific fitness.
Robert Mitchell Jr. 