Ælfric’s Diary
- Thread starter Ælfric
- Start date
Ælfric
New member
23/10/2020
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Pineapple (tinned).
Meal Three: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi; a small serving of turmeric coconut rice; yoghurt; tomato and cucumber salad.
Meal Four: Muesli and blueberries with almond and coconut milk (was feeling waterlogged so didn't wan't a liquid meal).
Snack: sardines (tinned) with lemon juice and chili sauce.
Exercise
About two hours of Colonial/Regency dancing.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Pineapple (tinned).
Meal Three: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi; a small serving of turmeric coconut rice; yoghurt; tomato and cucumber salad.
Meal Four: Muesli and blueberries with almond and coconut milk (was feeling waterlogged so didn't wan't a liquid meal).
Snack: sardines (tinned) with lemon juice and chili sauce.
Exercise
About two hours of Colonial/Regency dancing.
Ælfric
New member
24/10/2020
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi; a small serving of turmeric coconut rice; yoghurt.
Meal Three: Banana and egg smoothie.
Meal Four: Muesli with almond and coconut milk. Time got away from me and it was too late to think of cooking.
Exercise
Kettlebells.
300 swings.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi; a small serving of turmeric coconut rice; yoghurt.
Meal Three: Banana and egg smoothie.
Meal Four: Muesli with almond and coconut milk. Time got away from me and it was too late to think of cooking.
Exercise
Kettlebells.
300 swings.
Ælfric
New member
25/10/2020
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Salmon and coconut soup, flavoured with harissa.
Meal Three: Banana, strawberry and egg smoothie (post workout).
Meal Four: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi; a small serving of turmeric coconut rice; yoghurt.
Snack: Kippers.
Exercise
Weights.
Half a workout. due to a massive rain storm with some hail in the afternoon, the start of the workout was delayed, and then I was interrupted by a scud of rain partway through, so I only got the squats and deadlifts done. But they're the most important of two exercises.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Salmon and coconut soup, flavoured with harissa.
Meal Three: Banana, strawberry and egg smoothie (post workout).
Meal Four: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi; a small serving of turmeric coconut rice; yoghurt.
Snack: Kippers.
Exercise
Weights.
Half a workout. due to a massive rain storm with some hail in the afternoon, the start of the workout was delayed, and then I was interrupted by a scud of rain partway through, so I only got the squats and deadlifts done. But they're the most important of two exercises.
Ælfric
New member
26/10/2020
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned apricots.
Meal Three: Roast chicken. Due to technology and I not getting on well today, I didn't have a chance to eat before leaving for dancing. Bought a quarter of a roast chicken, ate the meat and binned the stuffing and the wings.
Meal Four: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi.
Snack: Sardines, olives and jalapenos.
Exercise
The usual Monday night dance class.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned apricots.
Meal Three: Roast chicken. Due to technology and I not getting on well today, I didn't have a chance to eat before leaving for dancing. Bought a quarter of a roast chicken, ate the meat and binned the stuffing and the wings.
Meal Four: Chicken, sweet potato, and green bean Jalfrezi.
Snack: Sardines, olives and jalapenos.
Exercise
The usual Monday night dance class.
Does that mean you train outside? That´s so cool!
Ælfric
New member
Training outside is really nice when the weather behaves itself, but it can also mean "Wet day, no play".
When I moved into this house in June, I wasn't able to put up my power rack as the clearance under the house is about 15 cm (6″) less than the height of the rack {I knew this before signing the contract, but the rent I was offered was an offer I couldn't refuse). I could take to the ends of the uprights with the angle grinder and then re-drill the bolt holes to make it fit, but that would leave all the cables on the back of the rack too long. Frankly, I could be bothered.
The Zercher Squats were designed by a Paul Zercher to be safe to do without a squat rack (he was weight training in his yard). I'd adopted them because they're easier on my flaky lower back (less compression and shearing forces), but it means I can squat in safety without the rack, although I really miss the convenience of taking the bar off the rack at elbow height. The deadlifts, over head presses, and rows all safe to do without the rack.
I miss being able to do dips and the pull downs, although I have an idea about how to work the dips (I've seen a design for dip handles that can be added to a pair of saw horses).
29/10/2020
I've had a couple of bad days with the depression. Things went pear-shaped on Tuesday evening, and yesterday and today have not been good.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Banana and egg smoothie, with some cashews thrown into the blender as well.
Meal Three: Fish (Nile perch), cauliflower, and aubergine korma. Had to be a korma (or at least a mild curry) so as to not overwhelm the fish. At last a small amount of the aubergines came out of my garden.
Snack: Glass of milk and some corn thins with Mighty Mite (a gluten free knock off of Vegemite, which I find tastes a lot better than the real thing).
Exercise
Don't think I've done anything since Monday night.
When I moved into this house in June, I wasn't able to put up my power rack as the clearance under the house is about 15 cm (6″) less than the height of the rack {I knew this before signing the contract, but the rent I was offered was an offer I couldn't refuse). I could take to the ends of the uprights with the angle grinder and then re-drill the bolt holes to make it fit, but that would leave all the cables on the back of the rack too long. Frankly, I could be bothered.
The Zercher Squats were designed by a Paul Zercher to be safe to do without a squat rack (he was weight training in his yard). I'd adopted them because they're easier on my flaky lower back (less compression and shearing forces), but it means I can squat in safety without the rack, although I really miss the convenience of taking the bar off the rack at elbow height. The deadlifts, over head presses, and rows all safe to do without the rack.
I miss being able to do dips and the pull downs, although I have an idea about how to work the dips (I've seen a design for dip handles that can be added to a pair of saw horses).
29/10/2020
I've had a couple of bad days with the depression. Things went pear-shaped on Tuesday evening, and yesterday and today have not been good.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Banana and egg smoothie, with some cashews thrown into the blender as well.
Meal Three: Fish (Nile perch), cauliflower, and aubergine korma. Had to be a korma (or at least a mild curry) so as to not overwhelm the fish. At last a small amount of the aubergines came out of my garden.
Snack: Glass of milk and some corn thins with Mighty Mite (a gluten free knock off of Vegemite, which I find tastes a lot better than the real thing).
Exercise
Don't think I've done anything since Monday night.
Sorry to hear you´re struggling. Hope the light´ll come back soon.
Cate
Long term member
I'm sorry that you have been depressed for the last few days, Ælfric. Is it cyclic for you usually? Do you see anyone for it? I have suffered with it for most of my life but it comes & goes & I tell myself I will get through. Walking I find is really good for my mental health, especially through the bush. It is much easier to deal with when I know it will pass, but if the day comes where it sticks around I will seek help.
Hope today is better for you.
Hope today is better for you.
Ælfric
New member
30/10/2020
Not a good day, but not an appallingly bad one either.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Pineapple [tinned]
Meal Three: Fish, cauliflower, and aubergine korma. I added a small tin of coconut milk to the pot prior to putting it in the fridge, and that seems to be just what it needed.
Snack: Banana and berry smoothie.
Exercise
Didn't feel like doing anything today.
Not a good day, but not an appallingly bad one either.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Pineapple [tinned]
Meal Three: Fish, cauliflower, and aubergine korma. I added a small tin of coconut milk to the pot prior to putting it in the fridge, and that seems to be just what it needed.
Snack: Banana and berry smoothie.
Exercise
Didn't feel like doing anything today.
Ælfric
New member
I was diagnosed with depression about eight years ago, but with the benefit of hindsight (always 20/20) we tracked it back to at least the mid 1990s. There are good patches, and there are bad patches, but what seems more important is how well, or not, I cope with it, and that seems to be tied into how well I'm sleeping.
I did some shift work back in 2002 which had a really nasty shift pattern, alternating between day and night shift on a 2–3 day cycle—I spent the entire contract suffering from jet lag without leaving the ground (it was worse than the real jet lag flying between the UK and Australia). Since that time, every once in a while my body clock goes haywire, and then the depression takes hold.
I was seeing a psychologist, but she went on maternity leave, and then CoVid hit, and I was in a long good patch, and never got back into seeing her. I have an appointment with my GP next week, so I'll get a referral.
Cate
Long term member
That shift pattern sounds horrible. I used to work in an employment agency in Melbourne & I hated even asking people to do a job that involved rotating shifts. I get incredibly down when I get really tired & have to remind myself that is why I'm down. I need my sleep. Getting a referral next week is a good idea. It's good that you have someone to see.
Ælfric
New member
31/10/2020
A better day.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned fruit.
Meal Three: Apricot chicken with aubergine, cucumber, and sweet potato. A small serving of Basmati rice.
Snack: Some date and nut balls.
Exercise
Nil.
Had dinner with a friend and went to the theatre. It's odd having the seating half empty with the empty seats evenly distributed through the hall, and having to stay in your seats during intermission, but I guess we're a lot better off than many places.
The play was the Brisbane Arts Theatre's production of Stephen Briggs adaptation of Terry Pratchett's novel Dodger. I've rather enjoyed their Pratchett stagings I've seen up until now, but have to admit to being underwhelmed by this production. I realise that when adapting a novel for the stage some things have to be left out. Hamlet, which takes four hours to stage, is only a mid-length novella. most Shakespeare plays fall somewhere on the boundary between novelette and short novella. So a decent length novel requires heavy cuts. But the decisions made in this adaptation (or possibly this production) were strange. Like combining two diametrically opposed characters into one (now schizophrenic) character. And leaving out major plot points. At least it was an evening out of the house.
A better day.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned fruit.
Meal Three: Apricot chicken with aubergine, cucumber, and sweet potato. A small serving of Basmati rice.
Snack: Some date and nut balls.
Exercise
Nil.
Had dinner with a friend and went to the theatre. It's odd having the seating half empty with the empty seats evenly distributed through the hall, and having to stay in your seats during intermission, but I guess we're a lot better off than many places.
The play was the Brisbane Arts Theatre's production of Stephen Briggs adaptation of Terry Pratchett's novel Dodger. I've rather enjoyed their Pratchett stagings I've seen up until now, but have to admit to being underwhelmed by this production. I realise that when adapting a novel for the stage some things have to be left out. Hamlet, which takes four hours to stage, is only a mid-length novella. most Shakespeare plays fall somewhere on the boundary between novelette and short novella. So a decent length novel requires heavy cuts. But the decisions made in this adaptation (or possibly this production) were strange. Like combining two diametrically opposed characters into one (now schizophrenic) character. And leaving out major plot points. At least it was an evening out of the house.
Ælfric
New member
1/11/2020
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned peaches.
Meal Three: Apricot chicken with aubergine, cucumber, and sweet potato. A small serving of Basmati rice.
Meal Four (post workout): Banana berry smoothie with eggs.
Snack: Almonds and cashews.
Exercise
Weights.
The gym. The angle from which the photo is a little misleading: the spot between the two rubber mats is actually flat (and is the only truly flat spot in the yard). The shade is from a large tree in the neighbour's yard (the same yard that has the bird netting). At this time of year it gives good shade in the late afternoon, otherwise it would be too hot to work out.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned peaches.
Meal Three: Apricot chicken with aubergine, cucumber, and sweet potato. A small serving of Basmati rice.
Meal Four (post workout): Banana berry smoothie with eggs.
Snack: Almonds and cashews.
Exercise
Weights.
The gym. The angle from which the photo is a little misleading: the spot between the two rubber mats is actually flat (and is the only truly flat spot in the yard). The shade is from a large tree in the neighbour's yard (the same yard that has the bird netting). At this time of year it gives good shade in the late afternoon, otherwise it would be too hot to work out.
Ælfric
New member
3/11/2020
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned pineapple.
Meal Three: Apricot chicken.
Meal Four: Banana berry smoothie.
Exercise
Cycling
I managed to finish work bang on 17:00 (for once), so I quickly changed into my cycling gear and was on the bike at 17:15. Rode up to Decker Park at Brighton and back. 25.3 km in 70 minutes of cycling (plus about 7 or 8 minutes waiting on traffic lights), so the sun set about 25 minutes before I got back. There was still enough light to see (it was about to clock over from civil twilight to nautical twilight), but needed lights for the "see me" effect for the last quarter of the ride. There was a strong sou-easter blowing, so I had a slog into the headwind on the way home.
Food
Meal One: Muesli with almond and coconut milk.
Meal Two: Tinned pineapple.
Meal Three: Apricot chicken.
Meal Four: Banana berry smoothie.
Exercise
Cycling
I managed to finish work bang on 17:00 (for once), so I quickly changed into my cycling gear and was on the bike at 17:15. Rode up to Decker Park at Brighton and back. 25.3 km in 70 minutes of cycling (plus about 7 or 8 minutes waiting on traffic lights), so the sun set about 25 minutes before I got back. There was still enough light to see (it was about to clock over from civil twilight to nautical twilight), but needed lights for the "see me" effect for the last quarter of the ride. There was a strong sou-easter blowing, so I had a slog into the headwind on the way home.
Ælfric
New member
I could write up an explanation, or I could point you at the excellent explanation of the various types of twilight at timeanddate.com.
The practical effect for cycling is that while the sun is up, you don't need lights. For the first 25 minutes or so after sunset (civil twilight) you can see well enough to ride, but if you're riding in traffic you need lights so the driver's can see you (you can get away without lights if you're on a bike path that isn't used by pedestrians). After that, you need lights to see where you're going.
One thing I really miss from living in England was the long summer evenings, where you could go for a two or three hour bike ride after work and not need lights. OTOH, I don't miss the sun rising mid-morning and setting mid-afternoon in winter.
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