Spring gemelli pasta: sugar snap peas, garlic, lemon, capers, and a soft boiled egg topped with cheese!
My first @blueapron box came today! #excited
On the upswing
I needed to blog out some self pity yesterday which did help. Now onto better happenings:
Yesterday I went to lunch time yoga at work and we focused on FEET! Lots of foot stretches that felt great.
After work I ended up walking to the gym (.75 miles) going to body pump and walking back. I had hoped to run there and back, but my heel just wasn’t having it.
Today I’m working from home so couch snuggles with Fred is always good for my mental health.
My first Blue Apron box is arrives today, I’m quite excited.
Finally after my work related cry to help earlier this month, I got the motivation from friends (IRL and here) to apply for some DC jobs in the private sector. I got some great company recommendations and applied to 12 jobs at a few companies. I got one follow up courtesy call since I was referred internally, I only got one automatic rejection, AND I got a request to phone interview for a job later this week. I’m feeling excited!
Requested (a very long time ago – sorry about that).
This has absolutely nothing to do with sex or gender. Masculinity and femininity are simply energies in astrology; masculinity is more or less extroversion and femininity is more or less introversion. Fire & air signs are masculine and water & earth are feminine, but your sun sign doesn’t determine this alone.
Note: this isn’t supposed to be some kind of formally informational post, so if it’s not completely accurate, it’s because it wasn’t meant to be. I’m just trying to illustrate the difference between the energies.
Masculine Aries: likes to show off, does things to get a rise out of people, wants a lot of attention, wants to be admired & perceived as strong or brave, very independent, confident, perhaps cocky, argumentative, energetic, usually optimistic, impulsive, adventurous, competitive, must get their way or they turn into toddlers, can be overbearing, want to make people laugh but sometimes go about it the wrong way and it ends up at someone else’s expense. Feminine Aries: very high expectations for themselves, can beat themselves up over their failures & shortcomings, extremely independent, passionate, often creative, wants to be perceived as capable, can be narrow-minded because they get so determined, usually really funny, can be bullies because they internalize their energy and it turns to aggression without any other outlet, probably good at sports even if they don’t like them.
Feminine Taurus: can be extremely lazy, prone to self-indulgence, likes to have their own space and to be on their own, may need reassurance from time to time, has trouble motivating, does things at their own pace, stubborn, supportive, very loyal, clingy, envious, likes to share things they like with the people who are close to them (not necessarily possessions, mostly interests). Masculine Taurus: likes to work in groups, relatively cooperative as long as they aren’t being disrespected, even more stubborn than a regular Taurus, can be arrogant, likes to socialize and to be included in things, may have a very tight clique that they prefer not to let too many people into, probably doesn’t have very many real hobbies but can be very creative.
Masculine Gemini: very talkative, likes to share ideas, has many friends but maybe one close one, can’t comprehend emotions, amazingly funny because they’re so witty and quick, can be extremely manipulative, jokes about everything and can be painfully inappropriate because of it, get bored super easily, often pretty optimistic people, change their mind at the drop of a pin. Feminine Gemini: has a trillion hobbies, friendly but picky about who they hang out with, love reading more than life itself, energetic but they suppress their enthusiasm most of the time, concerned about how they come across, rarely know themselves so they’re frequently confused and can’t maintain healthy relationships very well, giggly, likely love memes, funny, can be timid.
Feminine Cancer: super sensitive, moody, compassionate, manipulative, usually homebodies, creative, need lots of reassurance, can be brooding, some of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet, like to help, like to take charge and guide others (especially younger siblings/peers), can be pushy or bossy if they’re comfortable with you, extremely shy with strangers, have trouble opening up because they need to be proven that you’re a safe place. Masculine Cancer: overbearing & domineering, clingy, goofy, enthusiastic, talk about wanting to have kids or own (more?) pets a lot, loses their shit when someone’s mean to someone they care about, nurturing in a leader kind of way, very creative, like to read, easily annoyed, easily hurt and may have a bad habit of calling people out, can be intolerant, extremely supportive.
Masculine Leo: remarkably energetic, full of enthusiasm, hilarious, bubbly, creative, usually loyal, maintain a positive outlook, can be vain, can be either very generous or very selfish, need validation, need attention, like to be in charge even though they may not know how to lead, want to be independent but also want a lot of friends, always need something to do and somewhere to go or they get annoyed, want to be entertained and to entertain. Feminine Leo: insecure, can be self-depreciating (especially when joking), attention-seeking, generous, friendly, independent, may feel lonely a lot, very passionate, extremely sensitive, easily offended, can be argumentative, infatuated with the idea of being famous, maybe want to be performers but likely have stage fright, may not understand themselves, need to be reassured that they are loved and admired, want to be romanticized.
Feminine Virgo: inquisitive, insecure, don’t understand emotions and prefer to ignore them all, give up easily, mentally organized, refuse to open up, full of fear and worry, usually can’t stand up for themselves, nit-picky, critical, quiet, bookish, knowledgeable, care about being educated, care too much about their appearance, might have a warped idea of what health is because their perception of themselves depends on others’ opinions, linguistically creative, do lots of favors for the people they care about, need to be appreciated. Masculine Virgo: extremely critical, neat, can be intolerant, considerate, can be bullies, can be unfriendly but usually polite, articulate, can think mechanically, have a hard time relating to other people, can be huge hypocrites, want to be understood, love to give and receive compliments, enjoy the sun, probably like to cook, usually consistent, careful, calculating, quick learners, love to learn, like to feel intellectually superior, down-to-earth, sarcastic and dry sense of humor, sassy.
Masculine Libra: charming, flirtatious, playful, apologize a lot, elegant, have a great appreciation for art, can be pretentious, always diffusing arguments whether they’re theirs or not, considerate, diplomatic, sassy, try not to say controversial things, can be extremely superficial, hate discord, don’t have very many strong feelings, don’t understand any emotions other than compassion and lust, infatuated with romance, idealistic, care about justice. Feminine Libra: probably follow politics closely, educated, cultured, dainty, polite, kind, thoughtful, sweet, can be manipulative, can be two-faced, quick to compromise, can be huge pushovers, put others before themselves, can be hypocritical, need close friendships, hopeless romantic, cry a lot, feel lonely a lot, frequently ask for advice and external opinions, creative, have refined tastes, want everything to be beautiful, easily disappointed, hopeful.
Feminine Scorpio: extremely secretive, calculating, manipulative, independent, want to be in control, dislike the spotlight, suspicious, feels betrayed at the smallest things, internalizes their feelings, very compassionate, understanding, know how to handle people, sensitive, have lots of dark thoughts, loners, feel unsafe a lot, easily offended, passionate, ambitious, can have tunnel vision, need intimacy, need emotional feedback. Masculine Scorpio: private, distrustful, vengeful, super funny, domineering, love animals, friendly but need a lot of alone time, can be explosive, have very strong opinions and may start drama wherever they go because of it, voice their mind whenever they want, can be headstrong, love dark comedy (they basically embody it), artistic, intrusive, can be hypocritical.
Masculine Sagittarius: huge show-off, energetic, enthusiastic, joke around a lot, full of wanderlust, experimental, adventurous, reckless, can be insensitive, usually blunt, don’t like to beat around the bush, love to explore, do things on a whim, can be hypocritical, can be bigoted, always want to be right, try to be open-minded, not often the judgmental type, scared of commitment (not only to a person but to ideas or lifestyles as well), desire freedom & knowledge. Feminine Sagittarius:very independent, love to learn by reading or watching rather than doing, either extremely silly or extremely sarcastic (maybe both), make fun of everything, can be bullies, usually very intelligent and educated, cultured, impulsive but ironically not very reckless, may have a lot of fears, may feel trapped & restless a lot, have huge imaginations, high libido.
Feminine Capricorn: hardworking, ambitious, rarely ask for help, independent, have a very dry sense of humor, want to be seen as competent and to achieve power, driven, often pretty confident in their own abilities, very concerned with taking care of themselves, can’t express emotions, find intimacy difficult and vulnerability even harder, seldom open up, likely don’t trust anybody, feel wounded a lot but never let themselves be victimized. Masculine Capricorn: conceited, sarcastic, often the “leader” of a project or group (and extremely good at it), incredibly intelligent, share their opinions in articulate ways, usually constructive individuals, can be controlling, may feel frustrated a lot, have impeccable self-control, know what they want and how to get it, probably look wealthier & more successful than they are, strong-willed, definitely somebody’s “rock,” steady, trustworthy, reliable, relentless.
Masculine Aquarius: rebellious, inventive, like to push people’s buttons, social but reserved, flirtatious, very funny, imaginative, good-willed, have good intentions, try to be kind, can be idealistic, highly intelligent, have strong opinions, like to debate, like to come up with ideas, have trouble asking for help, hate feeling vulnerable, need lots of alone time, can be arrogant, can be very egotistical, dislike to admit when they’re wrong. Feminine Aquarius: very creative, tend to isolate themselves, have a dry but hilarious sense of humor, can be very idealistic, can have trouble expressing their emotions, love to laugh, either very adventurous or a homebody, logical thinkers, may feel trapped within themselves, may feel like they’re observers of everyone else’s life (and possibly their own), like to be included, probably like to read or write, either have trouble trusting or trust too easily, may not put much faith in other people.
Feminine Pisces: very shy, can be timid, need reassurance, need to be appreciated, often too compassionate for their own good, sensitive, emotional, spend a lot of time daydreaming or thinking deeply, need space, need to feel safe before they can express themselves, have lots of needs, can be manipulative, tend to victimize themselves, feel responsible for the well-being of other people, creative, imaginative, often artistic, love animals, gentle. Masculine Pisces: have many friends (because people adore them) but they may not feel particularly close to many of them, feel like they’re not a part of this world, often feel like they’re not achieving their full potential, wishful thinkers, can be either extremely pessimistic or optimistic, may be interested in more outgoing forms of art like acting but likely too shy or insecure to pursue them, funny as hell, probably cry a lot, big-hearted, poetic.
I L-O-V-E astrology and I totally relate to the Masculine Leo traits!
Pain in the foot
I missed all 100 of my push ups yesterday – I kept pushing them off yesterday due to foot/heel pain and I was cozy in bed after taking a tylenol PM before I remember that I never did them. We’ll see how today goes.
This brings me to my foot/feet. Last Monday I was back to the podiatrist for another cortisone shot for my PF (on my right foot). But also to talk about some pain on my OTHER (left) foot – on the top by my little toes.
He believes the issue on my left foot may be a result of over compensating. He diagnosed me as having Morton’s Neuroma and Capsulitis Tendinitis. He gave me an oral steroid (which I have opted to not take just yet) since that inflammation has calmed down significantly, however the cortisone shot which worked like a charm in January and still not eliminated my heel pain. I haven’t run at all since last Sunday, but this weekend I was gardening as part of a community service project and then was jumping around at a concert – which has left my right heel in agony. I iced it last night, but my walk to my office from the parking deck (.20 miles) was really painful this morning.
I have a 10 miler on the 24th which I still have plans to run and then would like to cut down dramatically on my running.
I may start the oral steroid this week…even though I generally anti meds, but I feel like in this case it is necessary.
Bacon 3 ways
T had bought some crazy delicious bacon for breakfast today with eggs. Well the bacon was so good I had the genius idea to use the rest of it and buy supplies to make BLTs and a wedge salad!
Seeded Jewish rye bread, big beautiful tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, red onion, mayo, blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, cracked black pepper, deli pickles, and the BACON!!
Neither of us could recall the last time we had a BLT, mmmmmmmm. We’ll be eating that again!
Oh hey @charleskelley! Great show, what a fun time! (at The Fillmore Silver Spring)
My push ups are getting better each day. Snuck a few in at the office today, but generally I’ve been doing them after work!
April Measurements
1st WIW of the month
March: 194.9 Body fat: 39%
April: 193.3 Body Fat: 39.2%
Monthly Measurements
January 2016 – February 2016 – March 2016 – April 2016
Not sure what’s going on with my thighs – could be my human error of measurement. Le sigh.
Challenging my Habits
For Lent this year I gave up using my phone for social media in bed. I was pretty successful. I only had 2 days where I said “screw it” and used it – to dull some work stress. I also only had like 2 slip ups of clicking on like Instagram and them stopping myself.
I’m going to really try to continue to make an effort to not use my phone for social media in bed. Ideally (in the not too distant future) work stress won’t keep me up at night and social media won’t keep me up at night.
I’m also on day 5 of the 100 push up challenge. I’ve done a mix of mostly wall push ups, with some elevated (table/chair seat push ups), and then push ups on my knees. Most memorably (besides T going full on Marine push ups) was doing wall push ups in the fancy fully enclosed bathroom stalls of the Ritz Carlton on Saturday throughout the wedding reception I was at in my pretty dress. No excuses, play like a champion!