Official Chris Abraham Blog
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My Specialized Langster Gangster single speed bike lives on in Berlin!
My buddy Mark Harrison texted me this photo to show that my pre-2010 Specialized Langster Gangster single-speed aluminum bike is being well-loved and well-used to this day, 3 years after it was gifted to our friend, Frank Merfort's, handsome son, I think who's name is Mika.
Do two solid 19:5 days make a trend?
I've been trying for years to get my IF (intermittent fast) 19:5 (nineteen-hours fasting per-day and five-hours for eating, per-day) sorted and it looks like I've finally convinced my actual self to actually do it. I know it's only for two days! But I've done a lot with two successful days in a row. And each day is a restricted 1,500 low carb day, too.
Gather Ye Rosebuds by Robert Herrick
If you've ever taken an early American literature course in college, this is indeed a class favorite. "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a poem written by English Cavalier poet Robert Herrick in the 17th century. First published in 1648 as number 208 in a volume of verse entitled Hesperides, it is perhaps one of the most famous poems to extol the notion of carpe diem, a philosophy that recognizes the brevity of life and, therefore, the need to live for and in the moment.
The Pure Contralto Sings In The Organ Loft by Walt Whitman
I don't know why I remember it, but the line, "the pure contralto sings in the organ loft," seared itself into my brain—maybe because "contralto" was a new word to me.
Song Of Myself, XXIV by Walt Whitman
This poem contains one of my favorite stanzas, "Unscrew the locks from the doors! / Unscrew the doors themselves from their jambs! / Whoever degrades another degrades me, / And whatever is done or said returns at last to me."
Song Of Myself, XVI by Walt Whitman
This poem is an essential read as American is broken apart by people who believe themselves to be better—superior even—than their fellow citizens, "I resist any thing better than my own diversity, / Breathe the air but leave plenty after me, / And am not stuck up, and am in my place."
DC’s budget will end chronic homelessness for 615 individuals and 180 families
I just received this email from Miriam's Kitchen, the homeless kitchen I volunteered at for over a decade, as well as the home of The Way Home and they, have amazing new that I would love to share with you on their behalf.
Song of Myself, V by Walt Whitman
"Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat," is one of my favorite lines of poetry.
Sweet running loops from the PBC boathouse
When I worked at New Media Strategies back from 2002-2006, belonged to a gym in the building in Rosslyn and would pop out at night for a loop run in the evening.
“He’s blaming the Democrats” cartoon by David Sipress
Sometimes a daily cartoon from The New Yorker is so salient and timely and apropos that I need to share it.
Bartleby, the Scrivener, by Herman Melville
While this short story is over 166-years-old, I find myself referencing this Melville classic almost every single day. It's even a current t-shirt meme. Here's the full text. If you love me, you should read this. If only to be in on the joke. "Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity!"
My proposed routes to commute to the Potomac Boat Club from Columbia Heights
Like I proposed yesterday, I will try to spend a lot more time at the Potomac Boat Club boathouse in DC and I propose to get there and back on my Surly Steamroller.
I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman
In memoriam on Memorial Day and in memory of the death of Walk Whitman 200 years ago, America's poet.
My latest plan for getting fit fast
At the end of the day, I want to scull on the Potomac every day in a single shell. Since I've been a member of the Potomac Boat Club, I've never been light enough to get into a boat.
O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman
On the 200th year of his death, Walt Whitman's most popularly famous poem.
AmazonBasics Cast Iron Kettlebell: A Game-Changer for the Kettlebell Market
The AmazonBasics cast iron kettlebell is a high-quality, affordable option that is disrupting the kettlebell market.
Cycling: Fri, 24 May 2019 20:14:46: Pentagon Bus Stop
I wish I took photos and I wish I got more of the ride. I also forgot to turn off my GPS watch when I loaded my bike up at the Pentagon Bus Stop for the last 2 miles up the hill to my apartment, so I really wasn't going around at 40 miles per hour uphill, so sorry about that!
Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
To me, this is the most important poem ever written and shared with the world, more important to what it is to be an American than the Constitution, Bill of Rights, The Gettysburg Address, or even the Declaration of Independence. The I Have a Dream speech is this poem's brother.
I was a college rower on a college crew
My Novice GW Crew coach, Stephen Weiss, was my idol. No matter how young and strong and cocky we young rowers were during training, Steve could take us. He could row faster, he could lift stronger, he could run further, he could sprint harder.
My leather BAGGU bag
I feel like my natural leather BAGGU bag that's very simple, super durable, so gorgeous and well-made, is one of my very favorite things, one of my most valued possessions.
I Sing the Body Electric by Walt Whitman
On the celebration of the 200th anniversary of America's bard, here's to Walt Whitman, America's poet.
And the swinging is easy . . . until the last set
I've really enjoyed working up to doing 90-seconds of light kettlebell swings every 30- to 60-minutes—between 50-60 swings-per-set.
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d by Walt Whitman
My top-4 poets are Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Galway Kinnell, and Sharon Olds; now, we're celebrating Walt Whitman's 200th anniversary as America's poet. This is really one of Whitman's most Washington, DC, pome.
In the groove with 501 kettlebell swings
I think that maybe my Atlas Wristband2 ($40.79) might have counted one session twice but I erring on the side of being more badass. I will try to make sure I don't mess up the tracking anymore, but I am pretty happy with swinging the equivalent of 6,012 kilograms over the course of the day. Here are the sessions and the times.
Finally on my way with my kettlebell swing habit starting with a 12kg
I have been saying that I am going to swing a kettlebell for 90-seconds every 60-minutes. Well, I actually started in earnest today but with a 12kg kettlebell instead of my 24kg bell, and every 30-minutes instead of every 60, as per the advice of Don Fitch in Get Fit, Get Fierce with Kettlebell Swings.
Walking: Sat, 18 May 2019 17:55:26
Took a Saturday evening to mosey around South Arlington. Grabbed some espresso.
Schlep: Wed, 15 May 2019 18:04:52
Needed to return a Vornado fan to Amazon so schlepped it in a big Pac Design courier bag. Then came to Whole Foods for some prepared food.
The best thing about an active lifestyle is adequate hydration
Working out has a very important side effect: craving water. Even on a commuter bike, there's space for a bottle.
Happy Spring!
Happy Spring! I’m taking a breather to reconnect with you after a busy past six months.
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