Thursday, June 16, 2011

MONSTER UPDATE

OK, so I am on top of the world now. The Bruins are the best team in hockey!  Now, I can get back to business.

First order of business: eating.  Operation Human Monster costs a TON of money, so unless you are really affluent, read further. I shop like an old Jewish woman.  I mean this in the most flattering way possible to old Jewish women. I used to work in a grocery store, and they had every angle figured out on getting the best possible deal.  So that is my mindset when I shop: old Jewish woman.  Extreme couponing does not really apply to the foodstuffs necessary for Operation Human Monster, but the money you save on other crap can blow up your food budget. So I practice extreme couponing on lots of things, especially anti-inflammatories like Motrin or Aleve (believe me, you will need Motrin or Aleve at some point in time if you go hard and heavy).  If you live in the southern United States, Southern Savers is your friend.  They explain everything so that I do not have to.

Regarding the actual food stuffs, here is the weekly grocery list so that you can begin to fathom how much money this costs:

  • 35 eggs (save yourself time and boil the eggs at the beginning of the week)
  • 14 quarts of non-fat milk
  • 28 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 14 cups skim milk powder
  • 21 servings protein powder
  • 7 pints ice cream
  • 7 bananas (I get the ones that are 35 cents in the produce section that are close to over-ripe)
  • 28 tablespoons malted milk powder (Carnation can be found in the grocery store)
  • 42 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 35 slices bread
  • 35 slices cheese
  • 42 slices cold cuts
  • 5.25 lb meat
  • 14 servings vegetables
  • 7 servings fruit
In previous blogs I listed Strossen's diet and McCallum's shake.  I am using McCallum's shake and Strossen's diet to compile the grocery list.  Here is one simple strategy: look at the circulars before they are effective and carry them to a single store that will match their competitors' prices.  On stuff that won't spoil quickly, like peanut butter, back up a truck if it is buy one get one free.  For vegetables, garden if you can. Eggs and milk are going to kill your bank account, so good luck.

Second order of business: logistics.  Half of this is preparation.  I prepare the shakes for the day each morning in a huge batch, then store it in a portable GALLON container, which I carry to work and drink throughout the day. Yes, GALLON container.  I boil up a huge batch of eggs at the beginning of the week, then I carry them with me for breakfast and snacking.  For sandwiches, I just store up what I need for the week at work, then make them as I eat lunch or snack.  If you don't have a refrigerator at work, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe use a cooler with reusable ice packs? 

Third order of business: lifting iron.  I used to do way too much when I went to the gym, but now I have modified my approach and spaced things out.  Here is the general idea: four on, three off.

For example:

Monday: 

  • Squats 1x20
  • Pullovers 1x20
  • Shrugs 1x20
  • Standing behind-the-neck presses 3x8
  • Upright rows 3x8

Tuesday:

  • Bench presses 3x8
  • Curls 3x8
  • Reverse curls 3x8
  • Nose-breakers 3x8
  • One-armed dead lifts (1x15 per arm)
Wednesday:

REST DAY

Thursday:

  • Bench presses 3x8
  • Leg presses 3x8
  • Pull-downs 2 sets of 25 reps
  • Leg raises 2 sets of 25 reps
  • Arnold's 21s for arm work (look it up)
  • Hammer curls 3x8
  • Inclined triceps work 3x8
Friday:

  • 20 squats
  • 20 pullovers
  • 15 bent-over rows
Saturday & Sunday REST DAYS

That's just a brief sketch, but as you can see, I am cramming a lot of exercise into one week, then resting as necessary.  Good luck with your training.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

OUT OF POCKET

I am going to be out of pocket until the Stanley Cup Championship is over. I.e., I will be glued to the set, chomping at the bit for Boston to own Vancouver, like the last time we played them.  I'm taking a "Paschall pause" and focusing all energy on the Cup. Black and Gold never quit!



When I return I am going to go Howard Hughes on the logistics of Operation Human Monster. This is one hell of an endeavor to put it lightly, and the weight gain portion has to be as regular as clockwork to have any effect. The exercise is easier than the eating, i.e. I'll be detailing extreme couponing, prep work, and realistic foods that are healthy and affordable. I wish you all happy work outs until then.    

That is all.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

GRIP WORK

I'm not one to re-invent the wheel, so as far as grip work is concerned, I direct you to Brooks Kubik's DINOSAUR TRAINING and John Wood's web page: http://www.functionalhandstrength.com/blog/

I can testify to the fact that one-armed deadlifts and power holds have made it to where people do not want to shake hands with me. No, it's no because I am an asshole. Ha. Ha.

Best,

Scotty

Sunday, May 22, 2011

MORE MONSTER MANGA/ANIME

A work buddy of mine shared some really kick butt anime with us to-day, and I was interested to see the manga from which the anime originated. I found volumes 1 and 2 in English from Yen Press:


The anime is available online from Baka with fan subtitles (Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for anything you download and do not recommend bootlegs.) 28.6.11 (28 June 2011) the DVD will be released of the first season, and there is an officially licensed version airing on Anime Network. I'm pretty sure you can stream it there.

Highschool of the Dead (HOTD) is quickly becoming one of my new side favorites to watch when I am not immersed in Bleach or Death Note or Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

It is like George Romero was plopped down in Japan and decided to write a manga. Do I really need to say more than that?

Another manga gone anime I am interested in is Blade of the Immortal:


That's all for now. Time for food and relaxation before going beddy bye. ;)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

CHANKONABE/SUPER ORIENTAL MARKET

So, I made an excursion to the local Super Oriental Supermarket (that's its name--I jest you not) and found a lot of goodies.  Unfortunately, I ate a lot of my haul before I could take pictures for you all. I found some especially tasty instant udon noodles. I went all Sandra Lee  



on them and jazzed the soup up with fresh vegetables and tons of meat, then put an egg in it. It's not chankonabe, but it was easy to make.  Aside from the fried tofu and chrysanthemum greens, the ingredients for chanko are not too difficult to find. I scored big and found some chrysanthemum seeds at the Super Oriental Supermarket, so I'll have greens real soon. Yum.

Anywho, here is a nice video on how to make chanko:
   

Monday, May 16, 2011

MONSTER ANIME

On the days I do not exercise, I enjoy immersing myself in anime and eating tons of food. I also nap periodically between eating and watching anime, much like a cat would.  This is how I recharge my batteries and keep centered. I know that a lot of people out there hate the popular anime series, like Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist, but I judge each anime purely on its merits. If the anime brings me enjoyment, then that is all that matters. Below are some of my favorite anime series:

FULL METAL ALCHEMIST
FULL METAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD

DARKER THAN BLACK

ELFENLIED

FULL METAL PANIC

BLEACH


KAZE NO STIGMA

GHOST IN THE SHELL


NINJA SCROLL

GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX

Okay........that's just the tip of the ice berg. I'm aware of all the classic stuff like Akira, Vampire Hunter D, etc. I like those, too. Just figured everyone already knows about those.    

Sunday, May 15, 2011

MONSTER LAIR

They say that home is where the heart is. One's home should definitely be a happy, clean, and organized place.  Out of all the cultures I have studied, the Japanese have the best mindset about merging aesthetics and functionality in regards to home keeping.  If you are wondering how the heck this ties in with Operation Human Monster, there is a method to my madness. Be patient, grasshopper. 

The fundamental mindset of someone who works out is that he has his life in order and is happy doing his own thing. Focus and concentration flow from this wellspring of organization, cleanliness, and happiness.  Your home is a reflection of yourself, so if it is in order, then the rest of your life is likely in order as well. At least, one hopes so! To the contrary, a disorganized, unclean, and sad home will likely seep into other areas of your life, and people will notice.  Basically, HYST (Have Your Shit Together).

I have to admit that I used to not be the best home keeper. So I can attest to the perils of letting clutter seep into every other aspect of my life. Admittedly, it is not my disposition to be a neat freak, but I do possess discipline, so I can make myself do whatever is necessary to achieve my goals. It just so happens that everything starts at home and spreads outward, so I have taken this lesson to heart.

Here are some of the things I have borrowed from the Japanese to keep my home clean, organized, and happy. If the eyes are the gateway to the soul, then the entrance to your home is also very important - it is the face of your home.  Thus, the genkan, an area where one removes his shoes and stores them facing the door or in a getabako.  I do not need a getabako, so I merely store my shoes in the genkan.

How the genkan works is straightforward. You remove your shoes in this area, then make sure your feet do not touch it. So take a shoe off, place it on the floor of the genkan. Step over with the bare foot to the clean side of the floor. Then remove the other shoe and step over with it to the clean side of the floor. You get it. The idea is to not step on the genkan with your bare feet, because this is a high-traffic area that is dirty. Most Japanese homes have the genkan as a depression in the floor so that you step up to the clean side, but if this is not an option, just a designated area you will not walk across barefooted will suffice.  

As for the restroom, I keep a pair of crocs in there. So when I enter the restroom I put on the crocs making sure not to touch the bathroom floor with my bare feet.  So I've gone Howard Hughes on a lot of stuff. Nothing wrong with that. At least the place is clean!

As for other areas of aesthetics in the home, I am working on collecting a lot of authentic Japanese woodblock prints and screens, and I really like this site: FUJI ARTS

Any who, I always feel weird when I visit some one's home and am allowed to wear my shoes indoors. No-one has visited my home since I implemented the no-shoe policy, but they simply won't get in if they insist on wearing outdoor shoes indoors. Not going to happen.  

EDIT:

In regard to maintenance workers, and how to deal with them, I figured out a pretty classy way to not offend them and still keep my floors spic and span. (I rent, so the last thing I want to do is make the maintenance folks angry! I might need their help someday!)   Set up a telescoping pet gate that closes off the genkan. Arrange a small table with a bowl of candies and shoe covers, aka, booties. Put a note on the table stating: "Please wear the shoe covers past this point. Thank you, and take some candy for your kind cooperation."