Super Secret Plan Update

Well it has been about a month, so let's see how I'm doing on the SSP.

First off, I started my Arabic class, but, had to drop it. The class moved way to fast for the limited amount of time I had to dedicate to it. I got as far as learning the letters of the alphabet and how to say my name, but, I got too far behind. I learned to pronouce some useful words, like, "fechchxxkkq", "qqlblechblech", and "huguhuguchchxilqq".

It it a language? Or is it a throat ailment?

Something about the way it was taught didn't jive with me, anyway. On the one hand, we were learning the script while at the same time we were learning basic vocab. I couldn't seem to learn the vocab because we were forbidden to transliterate the terms (to write Arabic words with English letters). And since I couldn't "see" the words, they never sunk in. Its that visual, right-brain thinking.

Second, the training for the Malibu Triathlon in mid-September continues. I've been swimming in the morning at a somewhat undermaintained by still fairly nice city pool here in Crenshaw. Swimming has been quite the challenge to learn. I didn't get it. It took me a while to learn how to pull water with my arms, instead of trying to propel myself with my legs. Also, my upper body, never before used for anything other than typing, videogame playing, nose picking, and masterbation, wasn't happy about having to do stuff.

Otherwise, no huge progress.

For this month, I will try to dramatically increase the amount of protein I take in, to see if that will help with moving the numbers at the gym. I dread this. Not because SuperDuperMegaMassive Muscle Powder tasts like 1 part sawdust with 2 parts evil (which is does), but, because I have always had an aversion to gear-heads of any descriptions. "Oh, I can't ride three blocks to Starbucks unless I'm wearing head-to-toe name-brand spandex." If I start drinking the MegaMassive, can endless discussions about the minutia of carboloads, vitimin packs, weight belts, yadda yadda be far behind.

Seriously, people, just do it. Mmmkay.

As far as the money goes, I've been socking the savings away in my stock portfolio, which was a bit overrepresented by banking institutions. With the subprime mortgage crisis, I've not done well. I'm up $1,200 from last month, but, I'm not going to tell you how much money I've spent on stock last month. Hint: much more than $1,200 dollars.

Aaaaight. Here's the numbers.

1. Bike 56 miles at pace -- Nothing new. Doing 22 miles most days. 35 miles is longest ride so far. 63% complete.
2. Run 13.1 miles at pace -- Doing legit 3 mile runs. 23% complete.
3. Swim 1.2 miles at pace -- Max dist so far at pace, 150m. 8% complete.
4. Bench press 150 lb. -- Bench press 3x8@95. 0%
5. 10 pull ups -- Lat pull 2x8@110. 0%
6. Learn some Arabic -- Learned alphabet. 1%
7. Learn some Chinese -- No progress.
8. Learn to box -- No progress
9. Get wicked tattoos -- No progress
10. Practice rock climbing -- No progress
11. Save $25,000 -- $5,200 so far. 21% complete.
12. Have sex with someone hot -- Hottest guy so far, a 5 out of 10. 50%.

Total completion percentage: 14%.