Busy, Busy Weekend

Well, I have very good news.

I wasn't as hurt as I thought I was. I've pulled a muscle in my chest worse than the way I pulled my right glute muscle last week. It took me 3 weeks to recover from overtraining my chest, all that time ago. Today, I feel no pain whatsoever on my cheek. Ha.

The day after the "injury" - which was Thursday - I had a dear friend of mine give me a deep-tissue massage in the problem area. It was really an excuse to hang out with her and catch up, but she did a really good job of alleviating the pain and loosening up all my tightened muscles. Ladies and gents, if you're in the Chicago/Oak Park/River Forest area, give Lily Vrsek a call for your own massage appointment. She does very good work.

The little mishap taught me to be much more cautious, though. And relax a little more. I always have to remind myself to be patient, consistent, and just relax - simply because I really don't know how. I can't do it automatically. That's probably why I have a problem doing yoga for over half an hour, I am so impatient and way too energetic for my own good.


dayTWO

Thursday (which was dayTWO of the 30dayPUSH) I had Venezuelan food with Lily. We're both absolute foodies. I didn't even care what I consumed - it was all delicious. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was seeing food for its delicious, culinary worth, instead of seeing carbs, protein, and fats. We had arripas with various fillings, chocolate cakey-dessert thingies, avocado salad, and sweet cinnamon rice pudding. I even had some sweet red wine. When I got home, I had a Smore Poptart and some Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey.

Yes, it was all delicious, and a very good day, with great company and relaxation.

Just one of the many things I love about Carb Back-Loading: That all of the above was not only totally possible, but also guilt-free and way, way enjoyable. I need days like that during this prep.


dayTHREE

The next day - Friday, dayTHREE - I planned to do an ultra-low-carb day but flunked. I had to use up my lunch break to go to the DMV and purchase a Photo ID. My license got "held for bond" when I got pulled over the night I hung out with Lil, for a busted headlight. And my insurance card was expired. I have to show up to court in a month to show them my updated insurance card, then I'll get my license back. I needed the photo identification ESPECIALLY this month - what, with my sister's 21st birthday coming up, Anime Central 2013 next week (HOLY SH*T), and plenty of other outings.

That evening, my sister and I went out to do some browsing and shopping. I was attempting to add some more color to my dismal, almost-all-black wardrobe. I felt guilty spending money on myself, but then again, I really need to slowly replace my entire wardrobe due to my changing body, and the fact that those clothes simply just don't fit anymore.

I actually like what I came home with. I also learned that I don't know how to shop for nice, subtle colors - these all scream, LOOK AT ME. Jeez.. and yet I'm so introverted. It makes no sense.


Cosplay Time

And speaking of ACen, I am nervous and excited at the same time. It's going to be on May-17-19, so just one week away. Deeeeep breath. I just ordered Kaeden's and my badges last night. I have to make a list of things to pack, as if I was going away on vacation. Well, it is like a vacation. Just with swords, bad guys, debauchery (possibly? not from me, though) and crazy outfits.

Just to be clear, too. I plan on having carbs all weekend. I also plan to drink in moderation. But I'll be damned if I skip a day of working out - I am still going to get my workouts in. Thank goodness for hotel gyms.

Look at my big and mighty horns...

If I didn't mention it here, I will now: I am appearing as Lady Loki at this year's convention. Loki, as portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, really captivates me. It definitely has a lot to do with the actor himself. I don't even know where to start with him - the way he is so well-spoken, the intelligence, that voice, the way he portrays evil with a sympathetic touch (well, maybe except for in The Avengers, maybe)- ugh. Weird, nerdy, intellectual crush.

Man, I need a rock & roll security escort group like this guy.

I've pretty much just improvised and adapted the movie costume to a feminine way for myself. My sister has designed & sewn me a badass Loki corset that I cannot wait to wear. I have a scepter to try and sculpt in the next 10 days, as well as other accessories to gather for the costume. Eep!

Cosplay & fantasy dress up is, admittedly, one of my favorite hobbies. It might seem childish to some, but screw them. I love feeling like a superhero. I like feeling and looking badass. It breaks up the monotony of the propriety we all have to maintain in everyday life.

I still plan to make a Xena costume - but I know that is going to take 300 times the effort I'm putting into this Lady Loki cosplay.


I will be very busy this month, but I will still do my best to update this blog. And don't worry, I'm still very much working hard towards the 2013 INBA Pro/AM Natural Universe.. but the details for that, I will have to expand on in a different post. I have many notes on the coming prep weeks that I need to sort out. 17 weeks seems long, but to me, it's short and rather scary.