Day 90 - Gambarimashita!

Welcome to my peak! For those of you outside Japan, 'gambarimashita' means 'I did my best!'
I'm proud of what I've done with the help of this awesome program, the guidance of Chen and Patrick, and of course, my fellow PCPers. As I stand at the peak, I look across at the rest of my gang standing on their own mountain tops, people I have to thank  - Kristi, Yeeman, Ricky, Shirley, Paul, Jon, and all of the other people who helped me so much. I shout and give them a wave of triumph. We made it!

This long post is in eight parts


1. My banner
2. The PCP mindset
3. PCPing and a better planet
4. PCPing and feminism
5. PCPing and relationships
6. The next adventure
7. Thank you
8. Conclusion


1. My banner


Diet


This was without a doubt the most satisfying part of the PCP and one that I felt most secure about. I had already done some online coaching to improve my eating habits, but PCPing went much further. Weighing food became second nature, making bento boxes a pleasure, shopping meant I saved a load of money. 


I thought, erroneously, that PCP-ing would have me cutting back, but was delighted to be told to eat more. Patrick and Chen grasped from my photos that I have a body type (ectomorph, hard-gainer) I'd need to 'keep the tank very full'. I ate and I ate and I ate. Lots of fish, lots of eggs, piles of veg, carbs in moderation. Comments from colleagues on my food included


'Are you feeding the cat?' (on seeing a plate of veggies and fish)


'What is this, voodoo?' (on seeing me separate an egg yolk)


'Are you really losing weight on this diet?' (Again, on seeing a plate of veggies, bread, fish). 


It really is a relief to know that I can eat well and enjoy it. 


Two tips:


1. Eat food, not too much, mainly plants (Michael Pollan)
2. If man made it, don't eat it


Of course, we can't live by this 100 per cent, but in today's food environment, we need to think this way!

Food eaten out adapted for PCPing by ordering extra veg!

Brown rice sushi roll, a la Youtube. Egg inspired by St. George

Fitness


Doing jump rope everyday strengthens your heart muscles, lungs, and teaches better breathing. On day 90 I belted out my record 630 odd jumps in a row very comfortably. After week 1, my jinga (the basic step in capoeira) got much more fluid and powerful. The diet of wholefoods really helped me feel lighter and more like exercising and moving. 

Better fitness = better breathing

Better breathing = better voice

(One tip I hope you won't judge me for...Sleep in workout clothes, so you don't have any time to waste for morning jump rope!)


Strength


I upped my muscle percentage with alot of work. I pushed myself hard during workouts to feel a good burn. And did my best to get enough sleep, so my muscles would build. Now I feel a real solidity to my body where before I was just soft. It's an awesome feeling and I plan to continue to build my muscles. I was most pleased with how my shoulders developed, but also with my torso and arms. The exercises I found hardest were the legups, press ups, pullups. Legups got better and turned into good V-sit ups. Pressups made me feel like GI Jane. Pullups are in my future!


Three tips for building muscle


1. Go after a strong burn. Days when you just get through should be the exception. 
2. Sleep! The weeks I skimped on sleep showed poorer muscle growth. 
3. Expect a cycle of energy and slump. Muscle tissue gets shredded before reforming as new muscle. 

Capoeira


Doing so much for the PCP (expect to spend a lot of time shopping/cooking/cleaning!) meant that my capoeira time got cut back. However, my instructor Cacapa and I can see a difference. I'm more confident, my moves are stronger and more decisive, and I ask more questions. I need to now work on my musicality and learn the instruments for the roda. 

Barbara Stanwyck


I chose her for her sassiness and poise. As the weeks went on, the people in my group and the people who were ahead, especially Chris and Molly, became my role models. Thank you!


2. The PCP mindset (A-E-I-O-U)


A = Animal. 


Wild animals eat when they need food and they eat what is needed. They move and rest at the right time. They do not eat for comfort, worry about their appearance, step on scales or any other nonsense. 
Their main characteristic is functional excellence. Human animals have the ability to know what to eat, how much to rest, and move for a healthy life. 


E = Educated


The paradox of modern life with processed foods and sedentary lifestyles is that modern humans have a distorted relationship with their bodies. During the PCP program we learn a lot of important information on how to care for our most precious gift. Topics such as muscle growth, how to eat well, hydration, exercise, mind/body, sleep. I've really enjoyed this part of the PCP. Patrick, you have a real gift for explaining how the body works in a way that is both accessible, and awe-inspiring. 


I = Intuitive


The way that we apply this knowledge is going to be largely intuitive. I think I have a relaxed confidence in my body now. I trust that it will tell me when something needs adjusting. I just have to listen.


O = Optimistic


Having a strong and intimate understanding of my body can only make me more optimistic about life in general. Of course, bad things happen - the biggest earthquake in Japan's history happened on my Day 11. However, for a lot of people, including myself, the discipline of the PCP was very grounding. And the endorphines of a great workout or skipping session are better than any night of drinking! 


U = Understanding


We've all fallen from the PCP wagon in some way shape or form. And we signed up for this thing! So while we've gone through some radical changes, we won't judge others (or ourselves come to that) when we see people eating badly or not exercising. We can share what we've learnt with those who really want to know and ask. Live by example, stay chilled!

Educated, intuitive, optimistic, understanding, ANIMALS

3. PCP-ing for a better planet


If everyone did the PCP at some point we'd see


1. More demand for a variety of whole foods. Perhaps more biodiversity. 
2. Lower rates of life-style related diseases, diabetes, heart disease, cancers. 
3. Greater happiness all round

A PCP-ed out world? Nice thought. 

4. PCP-ing and feminism

PCP-ing puts women in charge of how they look and feel, plus cheering on other women. 

"Well, I think I look nice" Julia Roberts as Erin Brokovich

5. PCP-ing and relationships


PCP-ing will raise your expectations of yourself and others. This usually is a good thing, but if a relationship isn't working out, then you'll probably find yourself doing a bit of rethinking. And you'll feel pretty vulnerable too. 


Tip: Use the blogs to make connections, relax, have fun, and get support. Because sometimes, you just won't get it from people you want it from. 


Generally, PCP-ing will be good for relationships by making you a more open and relaxed person. 

Who can resist us?

6. The next adventure


I want to learn and do more with capoeira, get a real career in radio, travel more. Maybe to Kristi's house as she seems to be a good cook and knows some interesting places. I also want to get a meditation practice going. I think this will be an investment for life; just like the PCP has been. 

7. Thank you 

Deep gassho to Patrick and Chen for your insight, plans, encouragement. Patrick, I appreciate you working out with me at the end of a heavy Sunday schedule. 


To all my fellow PCP-ers who made me laugh, encourage me, made me think, inspired. Good luck with the next journey!


To my colleagues, especially Tracy, Russell, and Joy, for encouragement, practical advice, and taking photos. 


To Hayden, for the encouraging emails and being an awesome listener. 

No trouble keeping balance after PCP!?

To my friends at Bantus Capoeira Japan, Cacapa, Bolinha, Abelinha, Cafune. 
You'll see much more of me at class now!


8. Conclusion from Oscar Wilde

'Nothing should reveal the body, but the body'

Day 78 - An assay on fitness, muscles, and sex

(This is a long post I drafted at the weekend - feel free to come back to it!)


A definition of 'FIT' as it is used in British English.


FIT: (Adjective) Attractive, often sexually so. Said of a person or of their body, e.g., "See that guy at the bar? He's fit. I think I'll ask if he wants a dance."


How do fitness, sexiness, and muscles come together? It's going to get a little steamy here...


Physical power


When we are fit we carry ourselves well, move well, and move with greater power and control. I'll also add that when you do muscle work, experiencing a burn and pushing yourself, you gain insight into how your body feels. One comment people make when they start exercising muscles is 'I hurt in places I didn't know I had'. When you can be strong and fit on your own, you have a lot to bring to the whole sexual experience. 


In Ken Robinson's wonderful TED Talk he talks about about the importance of teaching kids how to use their bodies and jokes about university professors 'They look upon their body as a form of transport for their heads'. Let's not be like that!


By knowing and pushing our bodies through challenging workouts, we learn more about who we really are. We have more to give to ourselves and the other person.


Women, run away from the circus and get really sexy

Patrick has gone into some detail on the post on the fitness/muscles/sex connection as it relates to men. I'd like him to do a post like that for women! Patrick, feeling brave?  Okay, I'll handle this one then....


One line of discussion for women doing the PCP is the effect of lost cup size as the body eats up fat from everywhere. Women have different feelings about this - I've certainly gone down, and I don't mind because, as Patrick said in the Q and A video, a lot of the chest exercises we do actually give us better posture and the 'inbuilt girdle', on the chest just under the breasts. 


I used to think that losing some cup size was a bit of a 'booby prize' if you'll excuse the pun, the tradeoff for my long awaited waist line. But here I am, several sizes smaller, along with other PCP ladies in the same position, and personally, I'm quite happy with how I look. 


Somewhere, somehow, women and men got the idea that big boobs are sexy and small ones are not. Sorry, I must have missed that email. I'm not making a case for or against any size. People like what they like, and that's all good. But in real life, what we think is sexy isn't always what we see in ourselves and the other person. Mainly because most of the time we learn to look outside ourselves for images of what is sexy. Stop all that. It's a moving target made up by the beauty industry to make you feel needy.

(As an aside, most PCP-ers experience a huge boost in the health of their skin because of the great natural food that is going in. Nothing to do with the magic potions that sit on the skin wasting our money. And good skin is verrrry sexy).



But, it's not just about looks is it? It's about movement, voice, smell, taste, touch, and the chemistry that is flying around. The best compliment I ever received was ten years ago now and it came from a completely blind guy in the UK who told me I was 'very attractive'. That kept me going for about a month and I still remember it. It was hugely liberating to realize that it is MORE than how you look.  


Being able to relax and enjoy yourself with your partner means letting go of unrealistic expectations and being cool with yourself. Who wants to make love in the dark or avoid a particular position because it shows something that you think is ugly or unsatisfactory? I don't see animals turning off the light yo!


Presence


I just said how having confidence in our bodies leads to a more relaxed attitude AKA you feel good naked. In Japan people go to onsen and get naked with family, friends, strangers, without any sense that there might be something odd about this. It isn't a sexual thing to be naked unless there is some intention.


So if sex is more than just nakedness, what is it? I think it is presence, intention, and the chemistry. When you are fit and healthy, you are not going to be asking or thinking tiresome questions like 'Do I look fat?' You'll just be relaxed in yourself and interested in the other. A false contradiction is to assume that caring about your body makes you unfeeling towards others. It isn't like this. Putting some time into your body means that your mojo works well. When you feel good, you are more attentive and sensitive, which makes everything, not just sex, way better.

Pleasure


I enjoyed my third indulgence this evening. Having strong muscles means that your metabolism is faster and you can enjoy the occasional treat without worrying about getting overweight. It's about balance - something I struggle with as you saw when I caved to my craving last Sunday. The ideal is to be able to savour the wonderful rich food we have access to in a way that is simple and free, not full of guilt and second guessing. The connection to sex should be obvious, right? Need I go on?


And finally, 


Happiness


Maintaining muscles and fitness stimulates endomorphines, the bodies free 'feel-good' pharmacy. Morrissey aside, most people who are basically happy (and I don't mean 'lala' here), have an inbuilt aura of 'What does she know?'. They tend to make other people happy too and this is attractive. And the sexiness of a happy person tends to be very unique to them. Someone who has presence, enjoys themselves, takes pleasure, and is physically fit...sounds like a sexually fulfilled person to me. 


What do you think?


This was not an easy post for me to write, but I think it was worth doing so.


I would love to know if you have any thoughts on the amazing connections between our fitness, muscles, mind, and sex! 

Day 77 - Walk on

Today is the end of Week 11! Feel like the hardest is to come, so I 'm going to get tougher on myself, before the 'Super sets' come in.

I'm going to report each day on my performance in the three areas needed to build muscle and get fit.

1. Muscle stimulus

Did I give my all in my workout or not? Give my all (GMA) is my way of saying 'Do my best on the day'. It might mean a wonderful workout or a mediocre one depending on the muscle group or the number of reps.

Some of the thing I can control are 'Did I concentrate on the exercise or just wish it was over?' 'Did I waste time between sets?' 'Did I feel a burn?'

2. Nutrition

Did I hit the grams? Did I introduce something I shouldn't? Did I eat my last meal 1.5 hours before sleeping?

3. Rest

How many hours did I sleep the previous night or during the day?

I'll report the previous day, so Day 78, Tuesday will reflect how I did on Day 77.  Feel free to hassle me if you see an area where I need to work harder or smarter!

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Some of the practical changes I will make in the last 14 days.

1. No turning on my PC after 9 pm. I want to turn off the light earlier, get up earlier, get the WO done on a well-rested body.
2. Keeping breakfasts a lot simpler. A raw egg on rice, sashimi, a salad. Breakfast fritatta can be on the weekend.
3. Preview exercises the day before. Imagine what I will do. (Image training)

How about you guys? Is there any screw you can tighten up? Now is the time. 

Walk on gang!

Day 73 - More musings on muscles and a grumble about snacks

I just use my muscles as a conversation piece, like someone walking a cheetah down 42nd Street


Arnold Scharzenegger


Who wants to be that self obsessed?


Patrick's point about body builders being unhealthy because of overtraining, dieting, steroids etc. came at a good time for me. It's important to remember that muscles are part of the body, not something extrinsic. 


When you work out, you get definition and bulk. You will look different to people who do not make time to work out (and eat right and sleep). However, let's remember that as human beings, we all have muscles. We've just developed what we already have. That is why we see variations in peoples' musculature. Some people develop big smooth muscles, others get gnarly, others go rocky, jacked, you name it. The sport or activity you do will affect the type of muscle you get. And sometimes, as Jose reminded us, muscles come alive even without training, as in the case of the 50 k. woman with no training, who lifted a car to save her trapped child. 


Going back to Arnie...


Have you ever looked at someone with really overdeveloped muscles and thought 'What are you trying to prove, dude? That's just silly'. One of the things I wanted to get from the PCP was a body that has good tone and musculature but without eliciting a 'huh?' response. Finding good role models too was hard. Two things helped.


First, capoeira. You cannot do capoeira without strength in your core, legs, and arms. The women I've met in person who do capoeira regularly tend to be solid and flexible. There is also quite a bit of sexual energy which is beyond male and female. It's extremely expressive but also disciplined.  So we see muscles and sass and attitude coming together.


Second, you guys! PCP-ers, just regular people from all kinds of backgrounds and with all kinds of motivation, making themselves strong and revelling in their physicality.


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Today I had a strong day on the 'keeping to the plan' with the exception of guessing and probably overdoing my protein at lunch (Again at Subway). Tomorrow's lunch is going to be weighed properly. 


Something almost trivial that bugged me today was not having enough tupperware to carry two eggs from home to the studio to a university where I was doing a speech, so I bought one. Of all the cooking parts of the PCP, the weighing, packing, and carrying of afternoon and morning snacks is the hardest for me. It's odd that the small thing is the bugbear! I love cooking and prepping meals and bentos in general. 


Hope you've had a great day!

Day 72 - Slumming it and musing on muscles

Just to have a break from the whole Japanese thing, I ate my evening snack of couscous for carbs, cherries and grapefruit, in a yogurt pot, to get a nice mix and hit some of my post workout fats.
Today was the first day in ages I didn't get the grams bang on, again, due to eating out. Had a tuna mayonnaise and prawn subway sandwich, and substituted the fat from mayo for a bit less fat in the evening.

I'm not going to miss all these micro calculations after the PCP is done. Of course, it's much easier to just eat everything at home or in a homemade bento. This evening was rainy and cold, I was getting very tired so went for a Subway as soon as I got to my home station.

Timing meals so that my body has enough time to absorb the nutrients AKA eating EARLIER is something I never really considered pre-PCP. It affects when your metabolism starts to slow down for sleep, which is vital for muscle growth.

There is a lot to learn about muscles for sure! Our mailing list is alive with conversation about this topic and I'm finding it really fascinating. My muscle definition is starting to improve, I feel more alert and present a lot of the time. Patrick has talked about 'invisible girdles'  and 'in-built wonderbras' in his videos which makes me chuckle, but it is true. I feel supported and like I can hold myself upright rather than slouching. It's energizing and empowering.

However, when muscle work is in the 'shredding' phase, I feel sore, stingy, mildly resentful. My body has got used to this cycle of feeling tired/rebuilding over the PCP and it means that I never really feel a sense of joy or happiness about it when its going well because I know what is coming. And when I'm in a shred/breakdown phase, I just focus on 'getting through' not the result.

Surely a better approach is to anticipate the increased strength when things are tough and enjoy the increased strength when it kicks in. Maybe I'll have a better mental outlook when I do my next round of training.

Anyone remember the golf clubs Patrick talked about? The mail about big and small golf clubs hooking together? Here's a video (go to the bottom of the page) of what happens when we contract a muscle. Enjoy!

Day 71 - A little fanaticism goes a long way

There is no strong performance without a little fanaticism in the performer


Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think I've talked mainly about food and sleep and skipping during my posts. I'm going to focus a bit more on the muscle workouts for the remainder of the project, so I can finish strong and take my capoeira to the next level.

Today was the first in the week and the sight of 'X failure' made my heart sink a bit. However, I ploughed through them and was happy at the end because the V-sit ups are starting to make sense to my body.

My goal for the muscle workouts is two-fold.

1. Good controlled form
2. Feel the burn.

Hit both of these today.

I'm also trying to get in some time with The Gang. I think Mike was trying to catch my eye when he said 'I'll see ya in 24 hours'. I think he might be high maintenance.

Shoulders are hurting now, so it's time to put this tired PCP-er to bed.

Keep it moving and shaking everyone. We've only got 19 more workouts to go!

Day 59 - Whither Abs?

I'm clearly getting braver/stupider about showing you all what's happening here. This was taken at about 8 am after getting through my workout in 49 minutes - with the exception of the Kung Fu situps.  What helped me get through faster was having the workout scribbled on a small post-it note which I carried in my pocket between the sets.

 

This is from yesterday I think. As you can see, I'm a bit of a dunce with numbers, but I'm figuring out a way to count down. Just to get myself confused, I sometimes count down, say 60, 59, 58, then get to 50, and start counting up. I don't know why I do this, but it happens. The thing I have got straight is turning my body a full 90 degrees if its a new skipping set or a 180 degrees when I'm in my tiny apartment. I'm sure I'll still be miscounting on Day 90, but that won't stop it getting done. 

Today is Thursday, but tomorrow is Golden Week Friday, and a long weekend! I'm going shopping for clothes and shoes for the Sassy Girl video shoot on Saturday night. I'll also need to do some practise at home as I'm still behind the other, more diligent, students. Things like the Sassy Girl Dance class and capoeira are important right now. All the things I need to do - putting on my gear before sleeping, getting up, remembering to count, and finding the burn - can seem a bit trudgy at this point. I need to remember that it all adds up.

Have a great day everyone!

Day 57 - PCP is like puberty

I've had a thought that PCP-ing is like puberty, for me anyway.

1. Dramatic bodily changes
2. Increased sense of personal power, coupled with
3. Sense of apprehension about what to do with new power
4. Loss of control - my body is doing it's own thing now
5. Feeling of delight and pleasure
6. Stronger sense of self and thus
7. Need to have time alone
8. Somewhat judgy-wudgy and superior attitude to those who make 'lame' choices.
9. Need for lots of sleep
10. New found surges of confidence.

Anyone identify with these?

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Today was another freakishly early morning - at 5.30 if you please! The plans came in a little later than usual, but they were worth waiting for. My nose is well and truly in the trough.

I have a new pain, on my right shoulder and it is dull and a bit depressing, but I guess that's muscle tissue doing that thing that teenage revellers do after the first party of the night - getting their booze, fags, texting friends from other places, before going to the party after the party, which is bigger and louder and more debauched than the first.

Okay, on that note, time to disperse!

Day 53 - In which I won't get away with it.

I'm too tired to write sentences today, so here is a list on the theme

'Don't let myself get away with it'.

1. Night class tonight, I'm hungrier than usual, sore from morning jumps before breakfast
2. How on earth will I do my muscle work out?
3. Capoeira shoes and resistance band are in my rucksack; park near office - check
4. Home made sushi roll for dinner in workplace fridge - check
5. Goofy man in lycra waiting for me at home - check
6. Muscles coming through in unlikely places - check.
7. Determination to not overthink and do it one day at a time - kind of checked.
8. Seven tickets to Niwa no Yu Onsen - check
9. My best buddy over for lunch tomorrow - check
10. The belief that all these little things will add up to something lovely - CHECK!

Happy Friday!

Day 36 - Sleep, mind, exercise

I've been going on recently about how important it is to get enough sleep! I know I have it easier than many PCP-ers who have families and more demanding jobs, but the video is produced by a mother of two young girls and she's learnt how to say 'NO' to the email, the tv, the books, the 'one more thing', and just switch off the light.

Deep, heavy, knocked-out sleep yesterday! Oh yes! Then a really satisfying pre-brekkie workout under the sakura this morning. I still need to push myself with the floor jumps, and the piston squats were on pathetic jelly-legs after jumping. Failed after the third set of pull-ups. I'm going to do PU again tonight on my way home in a different 'free gym' AKA kids playground and play around with the form of the squats in my room tonight. A little bit of advance planning will save me time consulting the computer screen!

Saying 'Do it badly' is a way for me to get past the feeling of 'I'm so useless'. It's better to fail on the first attempt, than to never try. I think I failed this morning as I really went for it with the swing of the PU. With skipping, I found the form easier when I tried to go fast (less mind interference) and then my lack of cardiovascular strength let me down.

As we all get fitter, I think mastering new exercises will be different. Still hard, but more control and body intelligence. Have you noticed any patterns with your training yet? Do you go after speed or form or just get through them?

Have a great Day 36 gang!

Day 34 - Be a User

I've been tired a lot this weekend. The achy muscles ache less thanks to some rest yesterday, and I got on a high this morning when I ploughed through a tidy 300 in a row. That was some fun. If I'd posted earlier, this would be a peppy one. Went to capoeira in the evening - a different group's class - and to be honest, had a lot of trouble processing it all. Body felt frustrated at having to go slow to master moves and I spent a lot of time in my head during that class, rather than letting my body move.

 It feels like I used up not just all my physical strength before 8.30 this morning, but some of my brain power too! I'm looking forward to feeling like my body and mind being more in synch. I guess that this is part of the journey - a stronger body having different cues.

Recent inspiring thought that keeps going round my head is from Patrick's email a few days back - "Send your body the message that it is a energy burner, not a fat storer" (paraphrasing here).

Use it up; let it go already.

Day 22 - Your Body 101.

Today got to the studio in Yokohama on a cold dark night  having crashed out on the train from Tokyo.
Did a workout with Patrick and Kazue and then he proceeded to zap me with a magic scale that told me a few things.

The good news is as follows

1. I have low visceral fat (Mmmm...visceral faaaat) which  means that I am at lower risk of various diseases.
2. My muscular percentage is not great but not bad either. He's seen worse.

The bad news is

1. I have high 'subcutaenous fat' (This fat sounds snobby) which Patrick pleasingly dubbed 'the wetsuit'.
2. My body likes to store fat...in the muscles. This explains why despite swimming/jogging/recently capoeira my muscles still look rather sad.
3. My body will raid energy, guess where? From muscles.

We cycle round to the good news.

I need to keep eating protein. To be blunt 'We're going to keep you tanked up'. Team Io, I promise to bear this burden bravely. Patrick looked worried when he told me this, but really, I've embarrassed bigger men than him with how much I can put away.

I then celebrated all this by eating 1.5 times the protein I should have for dinner. I know this because Matsuya kindly labelled how much was in that steak. Not to mention the salt. I think I was feeling a bit emotional and COLD, and telling shop staff that 'No, I don't want the rice nor the miso' depleted my will to eat just 2/3 of the 140 g. of steak. It was nice though. Patrick, any suggestions on what I should do to recover? Less carbs tomorrow? Or just push on regardless? I know that shutting my mouth is a good starting point.

In other news, things are looking better re Fukushima, but it's a long road ahead for the people in the North of Japan who have little to eat and are fighting for survival. For once, I feel some empathy with the things I see on the news and it makes me sad and grateful at the same time.

Day 15 - "Muscles are like work animals"

Haruki Murakami, the Japanese novelist, is also a marathon runner, triathlete, and all-round inspiration for the connection between intellect and body. In his book 'What I talk about when I talk about running' he talks about how exercise, specifically running, was vital to his writing. He started running in his late thirties - my age - around the time he was transitioning from running a jazz bar to being a full time writer.

One of his observations of the early stages in building strength really chimed with me:

"Muscles are like work animals. You need to patiently show them every day what is expected of them and they will obey".

Similar to Patrick's advice about being 'mule-ish'!

That's the good news. The bad news is that if you let up on these 'animals' then they get lazy very quickly.

I feel like on the PCP we are constantly being pushed harder, but really a lot of what we are doing is building consistency with our bodies, giving the mules the same message. This is what you are made for.

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Today was another day in this unreal situation that is unfolding. People are leaving the country, leaving Tokyo. I've entrusted my decision on this to someone whose expertise dwarfs what I know. This has given me clarity, but no comfort.

PCP-ing is my new normal!

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Stay safe everyone in Tokyo and let's hope for an end to this horrible situation soon.