Lobster tales

The title for this post made me chuckle out loud. Too bad only Rocco the cat was around to appreciate it. I will explain the reason for the aforementioned pun momentarily, but first I must ask all of my readers to check out Ben Konowitz' HILARIOUS blog here: http://willpowerthru.com/. He makes my blog look incredibly boring and low-tech but it's so entertaining he gets a plug anyway.



Austin Scarlett--manly? 

This morning I am enjoying the French Open Finals between Nadal and Djokovic. I was explaining the rules to Norah at the beginning of the match, filling her in on the players' records and such, and I happened to mention that I find Rafa to be quite attractive. Fast-forward half an hour as we deliver a dozen donuts to the fire station, and what do you think Norah announces to Zach? "Guess what, Daddy? Erica said that guy is cuuuute!" I guess I'll have to teach her that girl talk is classified. At least my pick for cute guy on TV is young and relevant. Last weekend we watched "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and Norah decalred Robin Gibb to be dreamy. I think it might be due to his flowing locks, but still. Robin Gibb? She has suffered from questionable taste in men before (she once told me that Austin Scarlett from "Project Runway" looks like Prince Charming), but usually she pines after Captain Jack Sparrow, and that is a crush I can get behind.

Aside from Nadal making my heart go aflutter, I was marveling this morning at his, and Djokovic's, mental game.  Two hours in to intense volleys, accompanied by annoying rain, and they can maintain precision-focus. It's incredible to think about athletes. So much of their talent comes from their mind, their dedication to a goal and refusal to give less than their best. They can power through pain and cramps and being down 2 sets and still return impossible shots at over 100 mph. I think I'm extra impressed by athletes' willpower because that is one area in which I seriously struggle. I have always let my mind get in the way. I overthink like it's my job, and I can worry myself into not attempting something because I've already envisioned myself failing three different ways. Intellectually I know worrying is pointless, but my emotions are often much more powerful than my brain. I also never played sports, so instead of honing that intense focus, I've had years to improve my excuse-making. One of my goals for the Summer of Productivity is to lose the remaining baby weight (it's back up to 10 pounds thanks to daily indulgences of whatever sounds good), so I've got to find a way to channel some of my excuse-making skills into sweat sessions. Wish me luck!

Now on to the sea creature this post is named after. The lobster would be me. Shocking, I know, but I got sunburned yesterday. Bad. My stomach is so red it's creepy, and my upper thighs are stinging pink. I worked high school graduation last weekend and got a sweet farmer's tan, so I've been trying to even that out. In doing so, however, I burned other, larger portions of my body and ended up with potentially more awkward tan lines. Go me. I've been really good about sunscreen the last few years thanks to a healthy fear of wrinkles and skin cancer, but yesterday on the pool raft with Fifty Shades Darker in hand (my trashy summer indulgence!) I lost track of time and the need to reapply. Thanks to my toasty bod, I will be spending the rest of today inside. Maybe I can finish that book, though ;)