The Argument Clinic

I thought people might be interested in this article on Relevant’s online magazine. Its based on comments people sent to Alissa on a previous article she had written and includes some thoughts I had sent her.

I know I haven’t been posting on here too much lately. Been spending most of my free time lately reviewing a little for the GRE’s, relaxing some after traveling so much lately, and exercising (alternate walk aerobics, kick boxing, yoga, and jogging DVDs lately…and occasionally throw in some pilates…the variety helps keep it interesting). Oddly enough (at least people who knew me in college would think it was odd) on evenings that I actually spend at home, if I have a choice between slacking off and spending time on my computer or exercising I pretty much always choose exercising. Not just because it helps me lose weight (in combination w/weight watchers), but it gives me much more energy than I have when I don’t exercise. Not pretending that that is profound really, I had always heard that was the case but its different when I actually feel the difference myself. I also exercise to relieve stress (was surprised by how much I like yoga for this aspect…don’t do the meditation stuff [which actually isn’t focused on in my dvd], but it helps a lot anyways). The next item on my list is to look into getting an exercise bike, but I want to do a little research on that…so any suggestions for that would be helpful…I don’t want to spend a lot of money, but I don’t want to get something too cheap either (cause I would prefer it to last and, like, work and stuff). Looking into getting some advanced kick boxing and yoga videos as well (cause the ones I have are good to start out with, but want something a little more challenging).

Back to work…break is over…

Nothing new really, but have been thinking about how fast time goes by lately (yeah, I get bored in hotel rooms I guess, and I don’t feel like watching tv right now cause anything that would interest me is already programmed on my tivo…unfortunately even though time flies in general, weeks when i am traveling and would really like to be home never seem to go by as quickly as I would like).  Thinking about how I can’t believe its been about 4 years since I graduated rpi…and almost 2 since my sister got married (how did that happen, gill? )…and that there are friends of mine from high school that I haven’t talked to in 6 years…

What got me thinking about this today really is that some days I feel like I just talked to my grandpa farnum the other day and forget that he isn’t here anymore (and I still slip up most of the time and call my grandma’s house “grandma and grandpa’s” or say my “grandparents live in schenectady”)…and then I realize that its going to be 3 years in june since he passed away (june 24th…i always remember that cause its my half birthday) and i have no idea how its been that long since I talked to him last.  His funeral feels like it was just the other day….the curse of having a good memory I suppose cause I can still remember pretty much every detail of that day.  I guess going to family weddings brings thoughts about him back a little more than other times.  I tend to look around at family having a good time and I can picture him quietly sitting there next to my grandma…he wouldn’t say much but you would know he was proud of and happy for his grandkids and would have wanted to be there….same thoughts came up at my sister’s wedding too.  Geez…these thoughts are depressing…

Oh well…nothing too profound here (not pretending to be original)…just what has been on my mind this evening I guess.

Time to head off to sleep cause I have to get up early tomorrow to catch my flight home…

As someone who isn’t a big fan of traveling by herself, its a little depressing to me that I am writing an update on my arrival in san diego one day after getting home from florida. At least I got to be back in ny for a little while.

Florida trip was good. Train was pretty relaxing on the way down. My sister and I went to disney mgm studios on saturday. It was sooo much fun. Went through the narnia exhibit, star wars simulation, great movie ride, magic of disney animation, muppet 3d (I love the muppets), had lunch at the brown derby. It was really nice out and there was hardly any wait for lines. My sister took a lot of good pictures too. Just was a really nice, relaxing day (which I really needed).

On sunday my mom, my sister and I hung out at the hotel until it was time to leave for the wedding. The hotel was really nice, only 65 a night and had two floors (upstairs was a king bed and bathroom, downstairs was two queen beds and a full kitchen (so we got to save money by not having to eat out all the time)).

The wedding was really nice, was good seeing family and our recorder playing went well.

The trip back started monday around 12 (ended tuesday at 4), we got stuck behind a freight train that broke down on the way back so the fl to ny penn station took 2.5 hrs longer than expected (so 25 hrs instead of 22.5). We just barely made our connecting train to albany. It was still a pretty good trip but those extra few hours made it feel much longer. Was ready to be home…left for san diego today at 2:30. Had the bumpiest take off EVER. I hated it…they did warn us though (was snowy and windy in albany today). The rest of the flight wasn’t bad. Stopped off in las vegas (stayed on the same plane)…have never been there but it is the most colorful city ever at night…not too surprising.

Ok time to wait for room service…

Yeah, we are still in the train but now we are only 2.5 hours from our destination (kissimmee). Last night we had dinner in the dining car, which was very cute and actually pretty good too. Was interesting to eat at a table like that while the train was moving though…made it a little more challenging than the average restaurant

I actually slept better than I thought I would too so I actually feel pretty well rested. Am still amazed by the amount of leg room cause I can actually stretch out my legs all the way (and I have pretty long legs so that is a rare occurence for me).

Am looking forward to showering and using a clean bathroom that isn’t moving though . Well, back to relaxing for a couple more hours…

So my mom, my sister and I just switched trains in ny-penn station en route to orlando for my cousins wedding. Its going to be a long trip but I am really just relieved to not be flying…I am amazed by how much more leg room you get on amtrak than on a plane. My sister and I are very excited by the presence of outlets at each seat as well. Now I can keep my blackberry and my personal dvd player charged during the trip and my sister can use her video ipod. Yay!

Well, I think I am going to go watch a dvd to pass some time…