History Majors Unite!!

I have to have an educational post today. As many of you know, today is Veterans' Day. The reason for this is on this day in 1918 at 11:11 AM in a train car in Versailles, the armstice was signed ending what is now known as World War I. In order to understand the international developments of the 20th century in the western world, one must understand the signifigance of this static, horrific conflict. By the time the Treaty of Versailles was signed, 3 empires had disintigrated: Russia, Ottoman and Austria-Hungary. Shortly thereafter, Kaiser Wilhelm fled his native country of Germany and the French and Flemish were to reconstruct the countrysides left in tatters. No one could answer the question "what did this war accomplish?" One has to understand the Treaty of Versailles and its repercussions in order to understand the rise of the Hitler movement in Germany and the outbreak of World War II; it is one of the main factors in the rise of Fascism in 3 European countries. World War I's shadows still influence our politics and international relations today. It is no coincidence today is the day we as Americans honor our veterans; the scars run very deep from this bleary day in 1918 when the leaders of the Western World signed a treaty that silenced the guns and ended the war that was supposed to end all wars.

Captain Sensitive and the Great Yoga Conspiracy

Today, Captain Sensitive will be played by yours truly. Yes, I played that role last night at my monthly victim advocate meeting. We have 2 new volunteers so we all went around the room introducing ourselves and telling the new peeps tips or something we have learned as advocates. It got to be my turn so what do I say? "Just be yourself and remember: you can't screw them (the victims) up more than they are already." Yeah, the staff was a bit taken aback muttering things about being "politically correct" and everyone laughed after the initial shock wore off, but not the most tactful. Oh well, at least I am honest, right?

On to the Great Yoga Conspiracy. Yoga never fails to show me yet another area where I am totally inadequate. Today we did balance and guess what, I don't have it. Maybe it is because I don't have my core-strength built up. Maybe it is because I am not very flexible; maybe it is because it is 6:15 AM...Surprisingly, I am not totally discouraged. Anyone who thinks yoga is some how wimpy or not a real work-out can bite me. It is a conspiracy - not what it appears; it kicks one's behind and I don't think it matters how good of shape you are in; this whole zen/relaxation thing you think yoga is, not so much my experience. Here I am thinking, "ah, it's yoga day, not spinning so it is my relaxing day..." Hhhhhhhaaaaa! I have accepted my inner failure as a yoga student. I have accepted I am amateur, at best. But hey, at least I go.

Yoga down on this!

Sooooo, I have officially joined the YMCA. I have attended 2 yoga sessions and a spinning class - owwwwwww my ass (who thought to make bicycle seats so very uncomfortable?)! I have learned 3 very important things: 1. I am not flexible or limber. 2. I am in terrible shape. 3. I have more stamina and endurance than I thought. Waking up before God is also interesting - my spinning class BEGINS at 5:30 AM. Let me tell you who is on the streets as I am walking to the illustrious Y. No one. Except maybe a couple homeless people and some raver party individuals. This is the infamous YMCA building where about 5 years ago, a man decided to masterbate for me. I am hoping this is a gift I will never receive again, especially at the ass-crack of dawn. So Monday, I get to go to see a personal trainer. He is an ex-Marine named Beau; I am scared. A plan with some gentle guidance is all I ask. No shouting, no belittling, no bootcamp. Tomorrow is another day and another spinning class. One day, I will wear a yellow jersey to my spinning class, but that is a long way off.