I wrote my Annual Vestry Report today. It's part of the yearly report on the state of the parish that we Anglicans and Episcopalians (and, I imagine, most other denominations) are required to do. It includes lots of statistical and financial information and reports from various committees and staff members.
My report last year was relatively short (page a half), but I had only been here a few months. This year's report is about four pages long! And that was after I decided not to write about a number of things! The point of the report, after all, is to highlight the important stuff, not dump my brain of all the different aspects of COTM and what I think of them!
Next I'm going to head off to the gym and work out for a while. No excuses! I suppose this evening I'll continue to punish myself by eating only vegetables!
-t
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Lidocaine
An odd day that started normally enough with the Contemplative Eucharist here at COTM. I had time afterwards to clean up and answer some e-mails and blog a bit before rushing off to a Dentist appointment.
This was a follow up from a week or so ago. They wanted me back to fill some small cavities and clean up some old bonding work. I really like Dr. Brown and his office. No waiting, even though they were busy. Friendly staff. Good banter. Modern, pristine office. Efficient and high-quality work. And, perhaps most importantly for dentists, superb pain management.
After rubbing a topical anaesthetic of some sort on my gums they began injecting something (perhaps Lidocaine) into the gums to deaden the nerves before drilling. Here is where things got interesting. The (attractive female) Dental Assistant began massaging my left earlobe. "I'm just going to distract you from what what Dr. Brown is doing," she explained. I immediately understood, I've seen similar techniques used with children in the hospital. So I decided to relax by entering into a mode of being attentive to my body. Having meditating a few hours helped.
I noticed several things going on at once. First, the earlobe trick works on several levels. On a purely neurological level, it's true that giving my system more than one novel sensory input at a time caused my attentions to be divided and lessened my perception of the injections. On a psychological level, the earlobe massage was also both novel and soothing, so it worked that way as well. There was a moment when I was thinking, "Really? You're going to do that while he sticks needles in my gums? Hmm. Okay..." Anyway, I didn't feel a thing.
Dr. Brown drilled out the cavities and then one of his people went to work filling in the holes and also cleaning up the bonding work. When they were done I was pleasantly surprised by the difference they made. The bonding is imperceivable. In fact, my teeth look whiter than before. Well worth putting up with a little earlobe massage.
After the dentist it was off to lunch with a parishioner. Thai food at a place on Yonge: Mint. I enjoyed a Thai Ice Tea thankful that the Lidocaine had worn off.
After that I hit the gym for a sold hour of weights and cardio. Interesting how even just a few gym sessions makes a perceptible difference in how I feel.
Now I'm just finishing up my day at church. And a good day it was!
-t
This was a follow up from a week or so ago. They wanted me back to fill some small cavities and clean up some old bonding work. I really like Dr. Brown and his office. No waiting, even though they were busy. Friendly staff. Good banter. Modern, pristine office. Efficient and high-quality work. And, perhaps most importantly for dentists, superb pain management.
After rubbing a topical anaesthetic of some sort on my gums they began injecting something (perhaps Lidocaine) into the gums to deaden the nerves before drilling. Here is where things got interesting. The (attractive female) Dental Assistant began massaging my left earlobe. "I'm just going to distract you from what what Dr. Brown is doing," she explained. I immediately understood, I've seen similar techniques used with children in the hospital. So I decided to relax by entering into a mode of being attentive to my body. Having meditating a few hours helped.
I noticed several things going on at once. First, the earlobe trick works on several levels. On a purely neurological level, it's true that giving my system more than one novel sensory input at a time caused my attentions to be divided and lessened my perception of the injections. On a psychological level, the earlobe massage was also both novel and soothing, so it worked that way as well. There was a moment when I was thinking, "Really? You're going to do that while he sticks needles in my gums? Hmm. Okay..." Anyway, I didn't feel a thing.
Dr. Brown drilled out the cavities and then one of his people went to work filling in the holes and also cleaning up the bonding work. When they were done I was pleasantly surprised by the difference they made. The bonding is imperceivable. In fact, my teeth look whiter than before. Well worth putting up with a little earlobe massage.
After the dentist it was off to lunch with a parishioner. Thai food at a place on Yonge: Mint. I enjoyed a Thai Ice Tea thankful that the Lidocaine had worn off.
After that I hit the gym for a sold hour of weights and cardio. Interesting how even just a few gym sessions makes a perceptible difference in how I feel.
Now I'm just finishing up my day at church. And a good day it was!
-t
Thursday, January 15, 2009
New Year, New Body?
So I've started going back to the gym this week. It was a good workout yesterday: upper-body resistance training and then half-an-hour of cardio. I just have to keep my motivation up to keep going. I find music helps--especially rap! I think I need to join a class of some sort. I'm strongly considering Ju Jitsu--that would be a very appropriate choice for a ninja priest. I used to take martial training quite seriously and was pretty good at Karate (Ishin Ryu was my style). It's nice have areas of life where one can be unapologetically aggressive!
I also went to the Dentist for the first time in many years. I know, I know, I'm a bad person for not going sooner. But who wants to go to the Dentist? They said I didn't have as much tartar as they expected (so I guess I'm doing a descent job brushing). And my gums were in pretty good shape, too. They found one small cavity they are going to fill Monday.
The big issue, however, is that I still have three missing teeth leftover from dental work I had done way back in High School. At the time we didn't have money for implants and didn't like the idea of destroying healthy teeth to put in a conventional bridge. So instead we opted for a "Maryland" Bridge. But of the four bridges only one has survived to the present day. I gave up having the others re-glued every few months.
So I still have these gaps. The ideal solution would be implants--but the cost is astronomical. We'd be looking at $15,000 when all is said and done. The other option is a conventional bridge (still expensive) and the third option would be some kind of denture appliance. These are a hassle, but would keep the teeth around the gaps from shifting in. Realistically, we probably won't be able to afford to have my mouth fixed properly until Betsy graduates and gets a job! Sigh.
But I suppose the good news is that I really like the dentist we found, Dr. Brown. He's a nice guy and his office is very thought out and polished. Everyone, including the hygienist, was kind and competent. Nor did I feel like I was entering a confessional booth, as sometimes happens in shame-based dental care offices.
The contacts are still working out for me, as well. After about a week with a trial pair I think I'm ready to make the change permanent. I'm getting better about sticking them into my eyes, though I'll be glad when I've mastered the technique completely.
I wouldn't call any of this a New Year's Resolution--but it is true that the New Year does make a convenient time to make changes like these. I just hope I can maintain motivation around these convictions!
-t
I also went to the Dentist for the first time in many years. I know, I know, I'm a bad person for not going sooner. But who wants to go to the Dentist? They said I didn't have as much tartar as they expected (so I guess I'm doing a descent job brushing). And my gums were in pretty good shape, too. They found one small cavity they are going to fill Monday.
The big issue, however, is that I still have three missing teeth leftover from dental work I had done way back in High School. At the time we didn't have money for implants and didn't like the idea of destroying healthy teeth to put in a conventional bridge. So instead we opted for a "Maryland" Bridge. But of the four bridges only one has survived to the present day. I gave up having the others re-glued every few months.
So I still have these gaps. The ideal solution would be implants--but the cost is astronomical. We'd be looking at $15,000 when all is said and done. The other option is a conventional bridge (still expensive) and the third option would be some kind of denture appliance. These are a hassle, but would keep the teeth around the gaps from shifting in. Realistically, we probably won't be able to afford to have my mouth fixed properly until Betsy graduates and gets a job! Sigh.
But I suppose the good news is that I really like the dentist we found, Dr. Brown. He's a nice guy and his office is very thought out and polished. Everyone, including the hygienist, was kind and competent. Nor did I feel like I was entering a confessional booth, as sometimes happens in shame-based dental care offices.
The contacts are still working out for me, as well. After about a week with a trial pair I think I'm ready to make the change permanent. I'm getting better about sticking them into my eyes, though I'll be glad when I've mastered the technique completely.
I wouldn't call any of this a New Year's Resolution--but it is true that the New Year does make a convenient time to make changes like these. I just hope I can maintain motivation around these convictions!
-t
Monday, March 17, 2008
Gym Update
When Lent began I made a commitment to go start going to the gym. Since we are coming to the end of the penitential season (but not the end of my commitment) it's worth a quick update...
So I've been going to the gym for the last several weeks. I must admit that I haven't fallen into a really good, predictable pattern, but I go when I can. One of the results has been a been a shift in my metabolism. I find that I need to eat frequently or else my blood sugar will get way out of wack. Once I became physically ill after skipping breakfast and having a late dinner. So now I keep a granola bar in the glove compartment of the car just in case.
The first few times I went to the gym I had a lot of soreness afterwards--but now my muscles will get tired and weak, but they don't feel horribly sore anymore. I can't say I've noticed a huge change in strength, but my endurance has definitely improved even in just a few weeks.
As for weight, I was told not to expect much change for the first few months since my workouts are designed to build muscle, not simply burn more calories than I am consuming, yet I have lost about seven pounds, which is good. With more muscle comes more burning of calories, and so the weight loss should happen gradually if I keep up the workouts.
I do feel that I would benefit from some personal training--specifically because a trainer could create some good, balanced routines for me. perhaps next month I could try that.
I haven't enrolled in any fitness classes, per se, but I did notice that they are starting a Brazilian Ju Jitsu class at my gym, so I may try that and see how it goes. Brazilian Ju Jitsu is really designed for dueling and involves a lot of wrestling on the ground trying to get your opponent into locks and holds. It can be absolutely exhausting. I learned some of this back when I was studying Karate so intensely in High School, so it might be a lot of fun to get those juices flowing again.
Anyway, life is good. I feel better for having gone to the gym (went today, in fact), and hopefully I can keep that up.
-t
So I've been going to the gym for the last several weeks. I must admit that I haven't fallen into a really good, predictable pattern, but I go when I can. One of the results has been a been a shift in my metabolism. I find that I need to eat frequently or else my blood sugar will get way out of wack. Once I became physically ill after skipping breakfast and having a late dinner. So now I keep a granola bar in the glove compartment of the car just in case.
The first few times I went to the gym I had a lot of soreness afterwards--but now my muscles will get tired and weak, but they don't feel horribly sore anymore. I can't say I've noticed a huge change in strength, but my endurance has definitely improved even in just a few weeks.
As for weight, I was told not to expect much change for the first few months since my workouts are designed to build muscle, not simply burn more calories than I am consuming, yet I have lost about seven pounds, which is good. With more muscle comes more burning of calories, and so the weight loss should happen gradually if I keep up the workouts.
I do feel that I would benefit from some personal training--specifically because a trainer could create some good, balanced routines for me. perhaps next month I could try that.
I haven't enrolled in any fitness classes, per se, but I did notice that they are starting a Brazilian Ju Jitsu class at my gym, so I may try that and see how it goes. Brazilian Ju Jitsu is really designed for dueling and involves a lot of wrestling on the ground trying to get your opponent into locks and holds. It can be absolutely exhausting. I learned some of this back when I was studying Karate so intensely in High School, so it might be a lot of fun to get those juices flowing again.
Anyway, life is good. I feel better for having gone to the gym (went today, in fact), and hopefully I can keep that up.
-t
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Workouts
I went to lunch-time Bible Study downtown. Did some church stuff, then went to the gym for a little while and now I'm back at the church.
At the gym today I had a consultation with a personal trainer sort of person to assess my physical status and goals and to make some recommendations. I learned a few things, like that weight training will be more important to me than cardio. I also learned that it's very important to eat at least 24 grams of protein within 45 minutes of working out if your goal is to build muscle. Right now my %Body Fat is 26.3--which is kind of pathetic. According their modeling I can probably get that down to 15% in 24 weeks with 4 workouts a week.
So I've got a ways to go in the future, but at least I'm making an effort!
-t
At the gym today I had a consultation with a personal trainer sort of person to assess my physical status and goals and to make some recommendations. I learned a few things, like that weight training will be more important to me than cardio. I also learned that it's very important to eat at least 24 grams of protein within 45 minutes of working out if your goal is to build muscle. Right now my %Body Fat is 26.3--which is kind of pathetic. According their modeling I can probably get that down to 15% in 24 weeks with 4 workouts a week.
So I've got a ways to go in the future, but at least I'm making an effort!
-t
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Whirlpool Bliss
I took a day off from the gym today so that my muscles can recover a bit--man are they sore. After three straight days of intense workouts they've earned a break. After my workout yesterday I took a dip in the whirlpool and was rewarded with a huge rush of endorphin and other natural opiates. It was incredible bliss! I went home, spent some time with Betsy and went to bed early.
Today was mostly about a marathon-length Corporation Meeting. We are getting ready for Vestry and making some other year-end decisions as well as dealing with the regular monthly stuff. It felt like a good meeting--we got a lot done.
My computer is acting kind of funny. I need to order the parts and rebuild it, which I have been meaning to do for sometime. But I know it's going to be a day-long project and I just haven't done it! Once I get it upgraded, I can tackle some of the video editing projects I've had on hold. I also need to get myself in gear to get the COTM website going. It would be nice to have a draft of that up before Vestry, in fact.
-t
Today was mostly about a marathon-length Corporation Meeting. We are getting ready for Vestry and making some other year-end decisions as well as dealing with the regular monthly stuff. It felt like a good meeting--we got a lot done.
My computer is acting kind of funny. I need to order the parts and rebuild it, which I have been meaning to do for sometime. But I know it's going to be a day-long project and I just haven't done it! Once I get it upgraded, I can tackle some of the video editing projects I've had on hold. I also need to get myself in gear to get the COTM website going. It would be nice to have a draft of that up before Vestry, in fact.
-t
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Developments
I had my first workout at the gym yesterday and man am I sore today--especially in my arms. But I was pleased with my performance on the treadmill and elsewhere. I think this will work out. It's funny, I'm used to college and university gyms (and Dojos)--the gym I just joined is much fancier than that: lots of piles of white fluffy towels around, flat screen TV's in the locker room, new equipment, juice bar, etc.
This morning at Belmont House no one came to the Anglican Communion Service run by COTM. Just at the Chaplain and I decided that this was a sign that it was time to give up doing the service for good, a nice Presbyterian lady showed up. When she heard that she was the only one she went into the hall and grabbed the next person to walk by and convinced her to attend, as well.
Still, it has become clear to Don (the Chaplain) and myself that it's time to re-evaluate Messiah's mid-week service. It seems that the other Anglican churches in our neighborhood (Redeemer, Christ Church Deer Park, etc.) once had midweek chapel services like us, but found them to unsustainable once the people that developed them moved on. It seems that priests like my predecessor were able to build up a following over years of work, and that when they moved on the corresponding service at Belmont simply collapsed. I seem to be suffering the same fate as the other churches. The only mid-week Anglican Communion service still thriving is the one run by Milton Barry (of Grace Church on the Hill). He's the last of that generation of local clergy doing ministry at Belmont House.
But all is not lost. Although the chapel service is struggling, we can still do Communion on the fourth floor (this is where folks with cognitive deficits live). Like Redeemer and Christ Church, we are simply going to drop the chapel Eucharist and continue doing a short service upstairs.
When Don and I decided to drop the mid-week Communion service, I felt disappointed and sad (more than I expected to feel). It's the end of something. So I decided to wrap it up with the two nice ladies in the chapel. Don and I sat down with them and I led an abbreviated morning prayer service. I ended up doing a meditation/homily about love (it is St. Valentine's Day), which they appreciated very much. It seemed fitting to end things on that note.
Today I had a very encouraging meeting with a person working on a cutting edge of children's ministry. I'll be able to talk more about this in a few weeks as it develops, but it looks like I finally have a direction to go with Christian Ed. at COTM. They next key will be hiring the right person to help us develop and implement the vision!
Now I need to write my Prayer of the Week and then get to the gym for today's discipline!
-t
This morning at Belmont House no one came to the Anglican Communion Service run by COTM. Just at the Chaplain and I decided that this was a sign that it was time to give up doing the service for good, a nice Presbyterian lady showed up. When she heard that she was the only one she went into the hall and grabbed the next person to walk by and convinced her to attend, as well.
Still, it has become clear to Don (the Chaplain) and myself that it's time to re-evaluate Messiah's mid-week service. It seems that the other Anglican churches in our neighborhood (Redeemer, Christ Church Deer Park, etc.) once had midweek chapel services like us, but found them to unsustainable once the people that developed them moved on. It seems that priests like my predecessor were able to build up a following over years of work, and that when they moved on the corresponding service at Belmont simply collapsed. I seem to be suffering the same fate as the other churches. The only mid-week Anglican Communion service still thriving is the one run by Milton Barry (of Grace Church on the Hill). He's the last of that generation of local clergy doing ministry at Belmont House.
But all is not lost. Although the chapel service is struggling, we can still do Communion on the fourth floor (this is where folks with cognitive deficits live). Like Redeemer and Christ Church, we are simply going to drop the chapel Eucharist and continue doing a short service upstairs.
When Don and I decided to drop the mid-week Communion service, I felt disappointed and sad (more than I expected to feel). It's the end of something. So I decided to wrap it up with the two nice ladies in the chapel. Don and I sat down with them and I led an abbreviated morning prayer service. I ended up doing a meditation/homily about love (it is St. Valentine's Day), which they appreciated very much. It seemed fitting to end things on that note.
Today I had a very encouraging meeting with a person working on a cutting edge of children's ministry. I'll be able to talk more about this in a few weeks as it develops, but it looks like I finally have a direction to go with Christian Ed. at COTM. They next key will be hiring the right person to help us develop and implement the vision!
Now I need to write my Prayer of the Week and then get to the gym for today's discipline!
-t
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)