"The First Duty"

      "The first duty is to sacrifice to the gods and pray them to grant you the thoughts, words, and deeds likely to render your command most pleasing to the gods and to bring yourself, your friends, and your city the fullest measure of affection and glory and advantage."
 - Xenophon, The Cavalry Commander (as quoted in Pressfield's The War of Art)

The Qualities of Professionals (from Pressfield's "The War of Art")

     In Pressfield's The War of Art, he discusses the concept of "going pro." He's mostly writing about art and being an artist. But as he points out, the same applies to any endeavor of the soul - if you don't approach it with the attitude of a professional, chances are that Resistance will beat you and you'll fail. So as a note to myself: the qualities of a professional:

1. We show up every day.
2. We show up no matter what.
3. We stay on the job all day.
4. We are committed over the long haul.
5. The stakes for us are high and real.
6. We accept remuneration for our labor.
7. We do not overidentify with our jobs.
8. We master the techniques of our jobs.
9. We have a sense of humor about our jobs.
10. We receive praise or blame in the real world.

Damn straight.

Fitness Regimen: Week Three, Day 17: Carrying On . . .

Today's Exercises:
* 4 sets of 15 Standing Kickbacks with 15 lb. weights
* 4 sets of 15 Dumbbell Bicep Curls with 15 lb. weights
Today's Music: "Caught in a Mosh" (Anthrax), "Among the Living" (Anthrax), "I Am The Law" (Anthrax)

Fitness Regimen: Week Three, Day 16: Belly Breathing for Energy

Trying a breathing exercise from Jorge Cruise's "8 Minutes in the Morning" today . . .

Cruise's Instructions:

1. Stand up straight with your shoulders pulled back and your chest pushed out.

2. Inhale through your nose for a count of 4 (make sure that your belly comes out), and hold for a count of 2.

3. Exhale through your mouth for a count of 5 (make sure that your belly contracts by coming inward).

4. Repeat for a total of 10 deep breaths.

Today's Exercises:
* 4 sets of 15 Standing Kickbacks with 15 lb. weights
* 4 sets of 15 One-Arm Curls with 15 lb. weights
* Music: "More Human Than Human" (White Zombie), "Walk" (Pantera), "F***ing Hostile" (Pantera)

Fitness Regimen: Week Three, Day 15: The Power of Music

     So, my "assignment" for today was to try some workout music. I have a workout CD I made ages ago; here's the playlist:

1. Number One (Manowar)
2. King (Manowar)
3. Swords in the Wind (Manowar)
4. More Human Than Human (White Zombie)
5. Walk (Pantera)
6. F***ing Hostile (Pantera)
7. Caught in a Mosh (Anthrax)
8. Among the Living (Anthrax)
9. I Am The Law (Anthrax)
10. Crush (Anthrax)
11. Room For One More (Anthrax)
12. Potter's Field (Anthrax)
13. Urban Discipline (Biohazard)
14. Wrong Side of the Tracks (Biohazard)
15. Supernaut (from N.I.B.)

Today's Exercises:
* 4 sets of 15 Dumbbell Flys with 15 lb. weights
* 4 sets of 15 One-Arm Rows with 15 lb. weights
* Music: "Number One" (Manowar), "King" (Manowar), "Swords in the Wind" (Manowar)