Workout Update: P90X Day 10

Day 10 was the shoulders and arms workout (and ab-ripper). I was able to increase the amount of weight I used for some exercises from last week, and I was able to get to 11 reps on a couple more this week. So, I am making progress. 

Workout Update: P90X Day 9

Day 9 was plyometrics. It was pretty much the same as last week. As hard and tiring. In fact, on a couple of the exercises, I had to back off more than I did last week. So, I definitely feel the first week of the program. 

Workout Update: P90X Day 8

Day 8 was the second round of Chest and Back during Phase I. I improved slightly on some of the push-up and pull-up exercises over week 1, but those where mostly the same. I was able to hit 10 reps on a couple of the weighted exercises, so I will be increasing those next week. I also increased the number of reps in ab-ripper to 15, and that was a bigger change than I expected. 10 reps were easy, but 15 of all reps were very challenging, especially on the last few moves. 

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Bewitched: Season 4

 

The 33-episode fourth season of Bewitched aired during the 1967/1968 TV season. All of the primary cast members (Montgomery, Moorehead, York, and White) returned for the fourth season, although Darren appeared in fewer episodes to give York a reprieve from filming due to his back injury that was causing him more problems as the series went along. Marion Lorne, Bernard Fox, and Paul Lynde also appeared in their recurring roles as Aunt Clara, Dr. Bombay, and Uncle Arthur, respectively. This would be the final season for Lorne, as she would pass away after the fourth season ended. Erin Murphy's role as Tabitha was expanded as she began to be given more lines as she got older, and the roles of both Abner and Gladys Kravitz were increased this season, with both George Tobias and Sandra Gould getting more screen time.

As of this writing, the individual seasons are still only available on DVD. The blu-ray release is only available in the complete series release. In that one, the fourth season episodes are on three discs. The episodes can be played in a play-all mode and with English captions. There are commentary tracks on two of the episodes featuring Herbie Pilato, who has written books about the series and a couple of biographies of Elizabeth Montgomery. The A/V quality is excellent; however, the upgraded video reveals the limitations of 1960s practical effects, as you can clearly see the strings used to make things fly and the makeup used for a missing tooth, which would not have been as noticeable in standard-definition.

In the fourth season, the show remained primarily a story-of-the-week procedural, although some storylines were referenced across multiple episodes. The show was not always great at continuity, however, as the writers would ignore events from a few episodes earlier (although some episodes were not aired in the order in which they were filmed, which could account for some of that). Also, since the series aired in the 1960s, there were jokes and story elements that would certainly not be included if it were made today. Even so, the writers used storyline elements as metaphors for the real-world political climate of the late 1960s and often slipped in metaphors for the civil rights and women's rights movements of the time. The highlights of the season were the Thanksgiving episode in which the characters were transported back to the first Thanksgiving and the episodes in which Montgomery appeared as Samantha's identical cousin, Serena.  Ultimately, the series was still good, but it was definitely getting repetitive by the fourth season. That said, it is still worth watching if you liked the first few seasons.

Workout Update: P90X Day 7

I mostly used day 7 as a rest day, however, I did do ab-ripper, since I had not done the third ab-ripper workout after either Legs and Back or Kenpo. I stuck with the 10 reps, and will bump up the number of reps to 15 next week. 

Workout Update: P90X Day 6

Day 6 was the Kenpo routine. It had been a while since I had done this one. It is probably the P90X routine closest to what was done in Power 90, as a good portion of the Cardio workouts in Power 90 included moves from this routine. For the first workout, I did not focus on following the number of reps the cast were doing, I just stuck with the time. If I could do more reps, I did. If I could not do as many reps as they did, I didn't. During the breaks, I skipped the x-jumps and just drank water during the last 30 seconds. I did not end up doing ab-ripper after the workout as I intended, so I will do it tomorrow. 

Workout Update: P90X Day 5

Day 5 was the legs and back workout. It is the second workout in Phase I that works the back, but this time, all with pull-ups. There are no weighted back exercises. Some of the leg exercises did use weight, but many of them are high-rep (24-25 reps) bodyweight exercises. I did not do ab-ripper after the workout since I had done the end of the Yoga workout yesterday, which includes a core component toward the end. I will probably save it for after tomorrow's KenpoX workout.

Workout Update: P90X Day 4

Day 4 was the workout that is the bane of the original P90X, Yoga. I did the entire 90-plus minutes for the first time in a long time and did much better than I anticipated. It is a double-edged sword: it is a much harder routine than it should have been, but it is also the routine where you can really measure your progress across all facets of fitness as the program progresses, because it involves strength, flexibility, and cardio endurance.  

I say it is much harder than it should have been because the original Power 90 workout, of which P90x was supposed to be an extension, had about 4-5 minutes of yoga at the beginning of the cardio workouts. It didn't have a separate yoga routine that could remotely prepare someone for some of the shit that gets thrown at you in P90X yoga. And, it is just way too long. It should have been 45 minutes to an hour tops, not anywhere near 90 minutes. But I got through it. I am definitely not as good at it as I was back around 2008-2009, but I got through it and will hopefully get back to being as proficient at it as I was years ago.

Workout Update: P90X Day 3

Day 3 was the shoulders and arms workout, followed by ab-ripper-x.

Shoulders and arms was not too bad. I was able to use the weight I finished Lift More with as the starting weight for this workout. Because I am doing 8-10 reps, I will be able to increase the amount of weight I am using for a few of the exercises next week. I still just did 10 reps for the ab exercises, and will evaluate whether to bump that up to 15 next week; as of now, I am leaning toward doing so.

Workout Update: P90X Day 2

Day 2 was the plyometrics workout. It is really the first "real" cardio workout I have had since the last round of Lift 4. It was challenging as I thought it would be, but thankfully, my cardio strength was good enough that I could make it through. I did have to do the low-impact modifications for some of the exercises, and I swapped out speed skaters for the guitar jumps because that one messes with my back, even when I was in great shape. But I was able to do unmodified versions of some exercises I thought I would have to modify. I definitely have room to improve, but I am happy with the first plyo workout of the program.

Workout Update: P90X Day 1

Today was day 1 of my original Beachbody program, and the third structured workout program I did (after Body For Life and Body Rx) when I began lifting weights: P90X. I know BODI released a new version of P90X with a new trainer, which was stupid for many reasons, including that Tony Horton recently created a new 90-day workout on the BODI platform. So I, like many people, wanted to support the original program. And, frankly, the best shape I have ever been in is after doing P90X and the original Insanity program. So that is my plan — to do a round or two of P90X, then transition to the OG Insanity.

So, today was Chest and Back followed by ab-ripper x. It is the P90X workout that uses the fewest weights. It consists mostly of variations of push-ups and pull-ups, with a few weighted exercises. I definitely found I'm no longer in "pull-up" shape, as I could only do 3-4 of each. That said, I did push-ups on my toes the entire time, and while I was only getting 10-12 per set (unlike the 20-30 that the cast were getting), I did not have to do them on my knees, and was getting lower down than I have in a long time. For ab-ripper, I did ten reps of each exercise (except for the mason twists at the end; I did twenty reps of those) and plan to increase by 5 reps each week until I hit 25. We will see how that goes. Ultimately, it was a good workout. It was tough, but it was very nice to have time between the exercises for the first time in a long time.

4K-UHD/Movie Review: The Dreamers

 

The Dreamers is a 2003 film starring Eva Green (in her first movie role), Michael Pitt, and Louis Garrel. The supporting cast included Anna Chancellor and Robin Renucci. It was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and based on a novel titled The Holy Innocents by Gilbert Adair (who also wrote the movie's screenplay). It was also the second-to-last film directed by Bertolucci, who is probably best known for the very controversial film, The Last Tango in Paris.

The events of the film are set in France in 1968. In it, Pitt plays an American college student studying in Paris. He is a shy movie buff, and during a protest against the firing of a theater director, he meets twins Theo (Garrel) and Isabelle (Green), the children of a famous French poet and fellow film enthusiasts his age. He befriends the twins, and when he is invited to stay with Theo and Isabelle while their parents are away for a month, they embark on a very unusual friendship.

I have the imported 4k release, which is a two-disc import set containing a UHD disc and a standard blu-ray disc. The UHD disc is region-free, meaning it will play on Region 1/US 4k Blu-Ray players. The A/V quality of the UHD disc is outstanding and a definite upgrade over the DVD. The standard Blu-ray disc is region-locked to Region 2, so you need a Region 2 or region-free player to play the content on that disc. The bonus content carries over most, but not all, of the features from the original DVD release and also adds bonus material not on the DVD release. The bonus content includes a commentary track on the film by Bertolucci, Adair, and the film's producer, Jeremy Thomas. It appears that the tracks were recorded separately and jump from one speaker to another, rather than being a conversation among the three. That is the only extra on the UHD disc. The rest, which include a making-of featurette, behind-the-scenes B-roll footage, cast and crew interviews, the original trailer, and a trailer for the 4K release, are all on the standard disc. It also includes a movie poster and several postcards featuring scenes from the film. 

The film is good, but strange. The relationship between Theo and Isabelle is cringe-worthy (borderline incestuous, but not quite) and is definitely not a traditional sibling relationship. The movie is definitely not family-friendly. It was originally released with an NC-17 rating, which is well deserved because it contains a lot of sexual content and nudity. It touches on some of the political turmoil of 1968, including the nationwide general strike and student riots in France, but it is mostly in the background until the very end of the film. It also includes clips from several old movies and a very good soundtrack (especially if you are a fan of late-1960s rock and blues). So, while the movie is good, it is definitely not for everyone. It is an erotic drama with a foreign-film feel and would definitely not be made the same way in the US. It was well-acted, especially since all the main actors were in their early 20s and did not have much acting experience when it was made. Ultimately, it is worth checking out if you are a fan of Green's (who has had the most success of all the actors since the movie came out), foreign films, and/or period pieces, and are not easily offended. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 56 and Program Review

Day 56 was the final day of this workout program, which was Lift More.  Even though the final workout of Lift More was on Friday, since I have not started a new program yet, I considered this weekend (and the two recovery workouts) to be a part of that. Today, I just did the roll and recover routine from Lift 4. 

My impression of Lift More as a program is mixed. I liked the smaller cast (there were four total cast members, and only two worked out with Joel on any given day, aside from the last workout in which all of the cast members participated), so it was easier to follow what was going on. I also liked that it was a program that built upon Lift 4, but overall, I liked Lift 4 much more.

I didn't like that he increased the number of reps per set from 10 in Lift 4 to 12 in Lift More, since 8-10 reps with a heavy weight is really the sweet spot for muscle building. Nor did I like that he alternated between the LIFT/HIIT and LIFT formats every other week for each workout. I found myself constantly adjusting the weight I was using, and since there were almost no breaks and the transition time between exercises was minimal (at best), it was extremely hard to keep up with the cast. There were times when they were six or seven reps into an exercise before I had started because I was constantly changing weight. Unlike Lift 4, in which you can pretty confidently go up in weight every two weeks, that is not the case with Lift More. Also, for the most part, the HIIT exercises were more strength-based exercises meant to burn out your muscles than they were cardio-based. So I did not feel my cardio improved much at all over the course of the 8 weeks. 

For equipment, you need a weight bench (and, depending on the height of your bench and ceilings, a step platform) and a pretty vast selection of free weights. You can use adjustable weights, but as I said, the transition time between exercises is almost non-existent, so it would be very hard to keep up if you are just using adjustable weights. And, the tracking sheets are god-awful. They took the Lift 4 tracking sheets and made them even worse (which I did not think was possible). The exercises you are doing on a given day are not grouped together, and you often have to go between two sheets of paper to write down what weight you used for a particular set. And, I refer back to the lack of transition time. And you do not get all that much time between blocks, so it is not like you can use that time to do it because you have to get your next group of weights ready.

Ultimately, it is a good program, but it is very hard, and some things about it are very frustrating. It is absolutely NOT a program that I would recommend for those who are beginners to lifting. I think you need to be intermediate to advanced to be able to do it well and keep up with the video. I am glad I tried it, but it is honesly not a program that I would go back to multiple times.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 55

On day 55, I did the stretching routine from Lift 4. It went fine, no big improvement from last week that I can really report, however. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 54

Day 54 was the final day of Lift More, which was arms. It was a LIFT/HIIT workout with four blocks of superset, each one alternating between one of the biceps exercises and one of the triceps exercises. Then, you do HIIT, which brings back a "favorite" from Lift 4, triple-bear.  And, of course, you end with core and stretching. The workout was definitely tough, and I did drop-set on a few exercises. I did not try to raise the weight on any exercises, because I had pretty much been at the max that I could lift for each one last week. Monday, I start P90X for the first time in a long time.

Book Review: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

 

The Diary of a Young Girl is a reprint of a diary kept by Holocaust victim Anne Frank. It was first published by her father, Otto, in 1952 and has been reprinted several times since. It chronicles much of the approximately two-year period between June of 1942 and August of 1944, when Anne was 13-15 years old and was in hiding in the attic of the building in Amsterdam (which is often referred to as the Secret Annex) with seven other people during the German occupation of the Netherlands. 

There are several versions of the book. The version that I have includes a foreword by Eleanor Roosevelt and is just over 240 pages long. My version also includes a 64-page supplement in the middle that provides background information and elaborates on details Frank wrote about in the diary. The book is very chilling to read because it can go from the kinds of things you would expect to read in the diary of a teenage girl, such as teenage angst about disagreements and arguments with her parents and sister, her crush on the boy who was a couple of years older than her, whose family was also hiding in the attic, etc., to her detailing the dread and panic the occupants felt about being discovered, particularly when they would hear noises from the other parts of the building, especially during the hours when it was supposed to be empty. She details a couple of instances in which the building was burglarized, and police investigated, which could have revealed the entrance to the annex where they were hiding. 

She also provides updates on the war and the anticipation that Amsterdam would soon be liberated by the Allies, and wrote about her hopes and plans for her future. Of course, those plans ultimately would never materialize as the group was discovered in August of 1944 and was among the last group of victims sent to the concentration camps from Amsterdam. Of the eight people hiding in the annex, only Anne's father would survive.

Ultimately, this is a book that everyone should read. For many reasons, it is as relevant in 2026 (as of this writing) as it was when it was originally published. It serves not only as a history lesson but as a warning if history is not learned from. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 53

Day 53 is the second leg day of the week, and the final one for the program. This is a LIFT-only workout, so you have three blocks of triple sets and a burnout block that uses the resistance loops. I maintained the same weight for each exercise, except the calf raises, which I only dropped to 35 lbs since they were paired with front-loaded narrow squats, which I cannot do with 45 lbs, which is the weight I have been doing calf raises at. And, of course, you finish with core and stretching. The core does require you to be in plank, but thankfully, it is the sways, which are not as bad as some of the other plank-based core (and cardio) exercises. Next week, I am going back to my OG beachbody workout, P90X. I made a goal to do it again when I was at or below 200 lbs, which I finally am. I am hoping I can get down to 185 by the time I am finished with P90X. We will see how that works out.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 52

Day 52 was shoulders. It followed the LIFT/HIIT format. I did need to drop-set on a few exercises, but was mostly able to use the same weight from last week. The HIIT exercises were more cardio-based as they tend to be on shoulder days, and the core component was actually not bad. Overall, a good workout. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 51

Day 51 was chest and back, which was a LIFT workout (meaning three blocks of triple sets and a burnout block). It was another difficult one, but I went into it lowering some of the weight at the start, so it was easier. I still had to drop-set on a couple of the exercises, but not as many. And, of course, you finish with core and stretching. The core was not horrible, but not easy. 

Blu Ray/TV Series Review: Frasier: Season 2

 

The 24-episode second season of Frasier aired during the 1994/1995 TV season. All of the main cast members returned for season two. The series also brought in several recognizable guest cast members, including Shannon Tweed, Tea Leoni, Nathan Lane, John C. McGinley, and Diedrich Bader. The series also continued to tie to its parent series, Cheers, with Bebe Neuwirth reprising her role as Lillith, Shelly Long making a blink-and-you'll-miss it cameo appearance, and Ted Danson reprising his role as Sam Malone. The guest callers this season included James Spader, Lilly Tomlin, Amy Madigan, Alfre Woodard, Art Garfunkel, Kevin Bacon, Macaulay Culkin, Carly Simon, Rosie Perez, and Mary Steenburgen. The series remains a story-of-the-week procedural, although some events from prior episodes are referenced in later episodes. 

The blu-ray set is a three-disc set that (as of this writing) is only included in the complete series release. The A/V quality is very good, and the episodes were remastered very well. Extras include a commentary track on one episode by series creators Peter Casey and David Lee, featurettes on Roz, Maris, and Eddie, and a short making-of featurette featuring interviews with cast members and the showrunners, filmed toward the end of the series' run. The episodes can be played with English captions and played in a play-all mode. The commentary track can only be accessed from the episode-specific page. 

The series remains a well-written and well-acted sitcom. David Hyde Pierce was the standout this season, really fleshing out the character of Niles. The writing is generally very good, although some of the jokes are dated now and would be reworked or omitted if the show were made today. The writers did a great job retconning Frasier's backstory from Cheers in the episode in which Ted Danson appeared, explaining why Frasier never mentioned having a brother and said his father was a research scientist who had died. And, there were some good jokes about the characters Paul and Cliff from Cheers. Ultimately, if you liked the first season, this one is absolutely worth watching.

Book Review: The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones

 

The World of Ice and Fire was written by George R.R. Martin and published in 2014. It essentially summarizes the backstory for Game of Thrones (some of which has now been adapted into live-action through series such as House of the Dragon and Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) and is further fleshed out in the novel, Fire and Blood. A little under half of the book is devoted to the various Targaryen rulers. Then the events of Robert Baratheon's rebellion are discussed, and the remainder of the book explores the various Kingdoms that make up the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.  So, it basically stops sometime before the original TV series (and the Song of Ice and Fire books pick up). 

The hardcover version of the book is about 320 pages long. It is a very large and very heavy book. While it has many wonderful illustrations, it also has a lot of text. It is not a coffee-table book in which pictures make up a large percentage; it is basically an illustrated novel. It is not the easiest read, as there are a lot of characters, and it is hard to keep them all straight, especially when he is discussing the Targaryens, because they all have similar-sounding or identical first names. Martin does not foreshadow the ending of the Ice and Fire series when/if he ever finishes it (which is looking more and more unlikely as time goes by). For example, there is no hint at Jon Snow's lineage. Which, regardless of what he changes from the ending the TV series writers came up with, will probably not change. One thing that would have been better is a more detailed backstory on the White Walkers. The book mentions them multiple times, almost in passing, but we do not get their actual history.  Ultimately, if you are a fan of the Song of Ice and Fire books and/or the live-action adaptations, this is definitely worth reading.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 50

Day 50 was the start of week 8, which was again legs, and it again sucked. This week, the first leg workout is a LIFT/HIIT workout, so you do four blocks of supersets, followed by HIIT (alternating two exercises, one of which is completely new and requires a lot of coordination), and core. I did not try to increase the amount of weight I used from last week, since I was drop-setting nearly every exercise last week. The HIIT was leg-focused, so it was very difficult to do, even modifying, and the core had planks, which by the end of this workout were just cruel.  

Product Review: Hometopia Outdoor Faucet Covers

 

This is a two-pack of outdoor faucet covers, which is something that, if you are a homeowner in an area that has a harsh winter climate, is essential. I have one on the spigot on the front of my house and use the other to cover the end of a cord that connects to the battery pack for my robotic lawnmower. The battery pack itself can come inside, but the cord to the antenna stays attached to it, so I put one of these on the end to keep snow from damaging the connection end. They are very thick, and the strap to hold them closed has a velcro end to keep it secure. They keep moisture out and seem to protect extremely well. I absolutely recommend these.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 49

Day 49 was the Lift 4 roll and recover routine. My legs definitely had some knots, so it felt good to work them out.  

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 48

On day 48, I did the Lift 4 stretching routine. No big change from when I did it last week. I was also going up and down the stairs a lot today, so I got more activity in than I normally would on an off day.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 47

Day 47 was arms, and it was the LIFT format consisting of three triple sets and a burnout. The workout was challenging, and I did have to drop-set some of the exercises, but I was able to start with heavier weight on all but one of the exercises. I decided against using heavier weights for skull crushers because I was already fatigued by the time those came up, and I did not want to risk dropping the dumbbells on my head. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 46

Day 46 was the second leg workout of the week. It was not as bad as Monday's workout, but it was still a very challenging workout. This one followed the LIFT/HIIT format, and the HIIT was very tough. I was able to get at least one set of each exercise in at the higher weight, but had to drop-set some of them, even calves, which I have not had to drop-set at all so far. And, of course, you finish with core and stretching.  

Book Review: Star Wars: A Valiant Vow

 

A Valiant Vow, published in 2025, is a junior novel set during Phase III of the High Republic novels. It was written by Justina Ireland. It is set around the final battle between the Jedi/Republic and the Nihil. It is actually the second-to-last Phase III novel, leading up to the final adult book, Trials of the Jedi. In it, a group of Padawans and Younglings join Imri Cantaros, who is working to help people on the planet Archio, when the Nihil's Stormwall comes down. The Jedi have to deal with the Blight and Nihil scav droids, which begin attacking everything once the Stormwall is deactivated. Churro the Hutt, who was introduced in an earlier junior novel, is also heavily featured in this book. 

The hardcover version of the book is just over 260 pages, but it has some illustrations that reduce the substantive page count a bit. It read pretty quickly, and can easily be finished in a day or two. Ultimately, it is an okay side story, but not one I would classify as a must-read. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 45

Day 45 was shoulders. This week, it is a LIFT format, so there are three blocks of triple sets and a burnout block. I was able to increase the amount of weight I used for some of the exercises, but I was drop setting a lot, especially in the third block. The burnout was not horrible, and thankfully, the core component did not include any planks. 

Book Review: Edge of Honor (Scot Harvath Series #24)

 

Edge of Honor, published in 2025, is the 24th book in the long-running series of action thrillers centered around the character of Scot Harvath by author Brad Thor. Unlike most of the other novels in the series, the events in this book are set in the United States. In it, Harvath and his wife, Solvi, are thrust into the middle of what appears to be a terrorist attack near the Norwegian embassy, but it is quickly determined to be more than meets the eye. A series of interconnected attacks reveals a political conspiracy involving government officials that threatens to bring down the new President.

The hardcover version of the book is just over 320 pages. The style and tone are the same as the other novels in the series, so it will read as quickly or as slowly as those do (assuming you have read some or all of the prior books). The storyline in this book is mostly self-contained, so you can follow what is going on even if you haven't read the prior novels. However, it does help to have read the earlier books because by this point, the author does not rehash the backstories of the main characters; he just assumes readers know who everyone is. Ultimately, if you have enjoyed the prior books in the series or just enjoy the action-thriller/spy novel genre, this is worth reading.  

Product Review: Niffgaff Home Gym Storage Rack Organizer

 

This is a small rack that can be screwed into a wall that can hold lightweight fitness equipment like loops, bands, belts, jump ropes, or the like. It comes with multiple screws: one set for wood and another for drywall (along with anchors). It is very sturdy once it is mounted. The space between the extensions is not very wide, so you would not be able to put anything like a barbell or small dumbbells in it (and it is not sturdy enough to hold anything that heavy anyway). It is small, so if you have a lot of things you want to hang, you may want to get a couple of these or look for a larger one. Ultimately, however, if you have resistance bands or loops that you want to get up off the floor or don't want to hang on some other piece of equipment (or over a doorway), this is a good, inexpensive option.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 44

Day 44 was chest and back, and quite frankly, it sucked. It is a LIFT HIIT format this week, and I was flipping off the screen multiple times. I had to drop set most of the exercises, because this one stacks exercises targeting the same muscle group in each block. Blocks 1 and 3 has two back exercises and blocks  2 and 4 has two chest exercises. So, basically 24 reps working the same muscle with no rest. Then, both HIIT exercises require you to be in plank. So, yeah, it was horrible. But, I made it through (although I was totally slacking during HIIT). 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 43

Day 43 was the start of week 7, which meant the first of two leg workouts. This one was a LIFT workout, so you do triple sets with a burnout block at the end. It was brutal, but I was able to increase the amount of weight for each exercise.  

Product Review: Lauren Harold Workout Equipment Storage Stand

 

If you work out at home, chances are you have quite a bit of exercise equipment taking over your workout space. This is a very good stand that can help keep your workout area organized and clear. It is tall, with four sections: a top shelf that can hold things like yoga blocks, a back that can hold hooks that can hold small items like handles for workout bands, rubber or fabric loops, or the like, two dumbbell racks, and a bottom basket that can hold things like kettle bells, medicine balls, small weight plates, etc. It also has a basket that hangs on the side to hold things like foam rollers or rolled-up yoga mats, and a bar where you can hang bands or a towel. You can either put wheels or feet on the bottom. The wheels lock, so I think it makes more sense to put them on so you can move it more easily, if necessary.

It comes in pieces and has to be assembled. All of the parts are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It comes with an Allen Wrench/Screwdriver combination tool, but it will go much quicker (especially if you are assembling it without help) to use an electric screwdriver or drill. One person can assemble it (I was able to put it together in about an hour), but you will have to move it and reposition it quite a bit. So, if you have another person available to help assemble it, it will go much faster. There were a couple of issues that dropped this down a star for me. First, the screws that are supposed to secure the bar that connects the two sides of the side basket are not big enough to actually secure the bar. They screw into the bar itself tightly, but do not actually secure the bar to the side pieces, so you can just lift the bar off the sides even with the screws in place. It does not seem like this was a matter of a single bad screw, because I tried all three screws (you get one extra of each screw and bolt), and each had the same problem. It still works, but it is definitely a flaw. Second, some of the parts were very difficult to line up with the screw holes, and I had to use a hammer to get them in place, which made putting it together harder than it should have been. Ultimately, however, if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive storage option for workout equipment, this is a good option.

4k-UHD/Movie Review: Don't Worry Darling

 

Don't Worry Darling is a 2022 film starring Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine in the leading roles, and a supporting cast featuring Sydney Chandler, Nick Kroll, Gemma Chan, Kiki Layne, and Dita Von Teese. Olivia Wilde also directed and was one of the producers of the film. It is a hard movie to classify, as it blends genres, specifically thriller, mystery, drama, suspense, and sci-fi. Pugh and Styles play Alice and Jack Chambers, who live in a 1950s desert "company town" run by Pine's character, Frank. Each morning, all the men go off to work at a secretive compound called Victory Headquarters in the middle of the desert, and are not allowed to discuss what they are working on, while the women are all homemakers who spend their days shopping and gossiping. It is implied that the men are working on some kind of national security project akin to the Manhattan Project, but as the movie progresses, we learn that not everything is as it seems. It is hard to fully describe the film without giving too much away, but if you combine bits of The Stepford Wives, The Matrix, Inception, The Truman Show, and The Astronaut Wives Club, you would get something like this.

The 4k set is a two-disc set containing a UHD disc and a standard blu-ray. The A/V quality of the UHD disc is outstanding. The movie looks and sounds wonderful in UHD, with both audio and video near reference-quality. The bonus content, however, is very sparse. It is just on the standard blu-ray disc and consists of just a making-of featurette that runs just over 17 minutes and one deleted scene. The movie is well-written and very well-acted. Pugh's character is the centerpiece of the movie, and she does an excellent job in the leading role, but the entire cast does a great job in their respective roles. The writers do an excellent job of not giving away too much too soon. While you know very early on that something is off about the town and its people, they do a good job of not making everything obvious. Ultimately, it is an excellent film that is absolutely worth the time to watch. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 42

On day 42, I did the lower-body recovery workout from Lift More. It had been a couple of weeks since I did this one, but I maintained my flexibility level. I was also able to work some knots out of my legs on the foam roller, which felt nice.  

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 41

On Day 41, I did the two recovery workouts from Lift 4. I really would not say that I made a significant improvement over last week, but I did not regress either. So there is that.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 40

Day 40 was the last regular workout of week 6. It was arms and followed the LIFT/HIIT format. As with most of the workouts in Phase 2, I had to drop-set for many of the exercises, but I was able to increase the weight for the first set of every exercise. It definitely helped that in each block, the supersets alternated between a bicep exercise and a triceps exercise, so each muscle group got more rest. The HIIT was definitely tough, and the first move requires some coordination. The core component was not as bad as yesterday's since you lay on the bench for both exercises.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 39

Day 39 was the second leg day of the week. It was tough, but not horrible. This followed the LIFT format, so you do three blocks of triple sets. This one has the Romanian/Bulgarian deadlifts, so it was automatically tougher. The only thing I do not like about the workout formats is that, unlike with Lift 4, where you could reliably increase the amount of weight you are using every couple of weeks, with this one, you have to jump around from week-to-week. The first part of the core portion is tough, but the second exercise is not too bad. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 38

Day 38 was the shoulder workout for the week. It follows the LIFT/HIIT format, comprising four blocks of supersets. This week, the exercises are ordered so a higher-weight exercise (i.e., an exercise that works a larger muscle) is paired with a lower-weight exercise (i.e., an exercise that works a smaller muscle). This HIIT is different this week, and definitely presents a coordination challenge. And, of course, you finish with core and stretching.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 37

Day 37 was chest and back, which was a LIFT workout. So, you get three blocks of triple sets (although the last block has just two exercises, one of which is done on one side and then the other), and a burnout block. I increased the weight I used for each exercise, but there were a couple where I had to drop-set after the first set. I was pretty worn out by the time I got to the burnout round. It was another in which the burnout would not have been so bad if it had been a single set, but three sets made it brutal. The core component was not horrible, however.  

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 36

Day 36 was the start of week 6. It was Legs again, this time following the LIFT/HIIT format. Like last week's workout, you work hamstrings, glutes, quads, and calves. I mostly stuck with the same weight I used last week, but in the fourth block, I dropped the amount of weight on the front-loaded narrow squats down to 30 lbs from the intended 35, since it was paired with calf raises, and I figured I could do 40 lbs for those easier than I could for the squats and I had to use the same weight for both since there would not be enough time to change the SelectTech weights. The HIIT was tough in this workout, starting with that high plank, jumping into bear, lifting your hands off the floor in bear, jumping back, alternating with an Icky shuffle with a step-back lunge. And of course, you finish with core and stretching. It was definitely a challenging workout.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 35

On day 35, I did the roll and recover routine from Lift 4. I was not as active today as I was yesterday, but I was putting books away and moving them from room to room. So again, even though it was an off day, I was active.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 34

On day 34, I just did the Lift 4 stretching routine. I was pretty active today unpacking and organizing books, breaking down boxes, etc. So, even though it was a rest day, I did get in a bit of a workout.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 33

Day 33 was the final day of week 5, which was arms; biceps and triceps specifically. It was a brutal workout. It consisted of three blocks of triple sets, which were not horrible, but then you had a burnout block. If the burnout had been a single set, it would not have been horrible. However, in the burnout, you do 45 seconds of triceps dips, 45 seconds of bicep curls, and 45 seconds of triceps push-ups with no break between them (you only get as much time as it takes to stop one exercise and start the next). I was spent by the end of the first set of the burnout. By the second and third, I was just holding the top of the dip position and doing micro push-ups on my knees. The core portion was tough to. So basically, by the time you finish, even doing the cooldown is hard. 

Book Review: Marilyn: The Ultimate Look at the Legend

 

Marilyn: The Ultimate Look at the Legend is a book by James Haspiel and published in 1991. It is a cross between a coffee-table book and a biography about Marilyn Monroe. Haspiel was a fan of Monroe living in New York, who ultimately became friends with her during the last eight years of her life, from 1954 to 1962. He was among a group of teenage fans who basically followed Monroe everywhere she went when she was in New York, taking pictures of and interacting with her. She befriended many of them, including Haspiel. The book contains several pictures (many of which had never been seen before the book was published) of Monroe, as well as letters she wrote to Haspiel and memorabilia she signed for him. The first half of the book contains more pictures than text, and the latter half contains more text. 

The hardcover version of the book is just over 200 pages long, but because there are so many pictures, it reads very quickly. It is interesting to learn just how close fans could get to the most famous actress in the world at the time, and the fact that the authorities basically allowed them to camp outside her hotels and apartment complex. Haspiel even tells a story about punching a cop who tried to get him to stop loitering. You definitely get the idea that Haspiel, while he may not have been in the closest part of Monroe's inner circle, was very close to her and probably spent more time with her than any fan of any movie star has ever had the opportunity to since then. He did not seem close enough to her to know exactly how many pills she was alleged to have been taking, or see some of the erratic behavior that she was exhibiting toward the end of her life. Either that or just did not feel like including those details. He does mention, however, that Marilyn looked haggard the last few times he saw her. The final chapters discuss her death, and Haspiel absolutely does not believe that Monroe committed suicide. He absolutely believes she was killed, and while he does not name who he believes murdered her, it is clear from the context in the chapter in which he discusses her death who he believes did it. Ultimately, it is a very interesting book with several good pictures. It is a must-read for anyone who is a fan of Monroe's. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 32

Day 32 is the second leg workout of the week. Basically, you do all of the exercises that you did not do on Monday, so it is another "full" leg workout that works hamstrings, quads, glutes, and calves. I was able to go heavier, and because the exercises were split, I could perform the ones that required using 35 or 40 lbs with the SelectTech dumbbells without an issue, where I would need two 35 lb bells and then one 40 lb bell. It would be impossible to change the weight within the limited time between exercises without falling behind if you had to do that. This is a LIFT/HIIT workout, so after you kill your legs off, you have to do HIIT. The first move is in a high plank, doing knee tucks, and then four plank jacks. Then you do square squat taps.  At least you get to lay down on the bench for core, so there is that. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 31

Day 31 of Lift More is shoulders, and it is brutal. It is a LIFT style workout, but you are doing three blocks of triple sets and a burnout block. You do every exercise on the tracking sheet, with no rest between the exercises, or really between the sets or blocks. You get barely enough time to transition. Then, the burnout is three exercises for 45 seconds with no rest between them. And, of course, you finish with core (which is the "easiest" part of this workout) and a cooldown. This is a workout in which you should not try to increase the weight you are using. Even if you stay with the same weight you have used for the past couple of weeks, chances are you will need to drop-set one or more of the exercises. Even Joel was using 5 lb dumbbells for a couple of exercises at the end. This is probably the most challenging workout of the program so far.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 30

Day 30 marks the second day of week 5 in Lift More. Today was chest and back, again alternating the sequencing of the workouts. This one followed the LIFT/HIIT format, containing 4 blocks of two exercises. In each block, you do one back exercise and one chest exercise. And the goal is to increase the amount of weight you are using. I was able to increase the amount of weight I used for each exercise, but in the fourth block I had to drop set both the incline chest flys and back flys. The HIIT was tough today. You alternate 2x2 mountain climbers and four high knees (moving laterally) followed by four butt kicks. Of course, you finish with core and stretching to cooldown. 

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Bewitched: Season 3

 

The 33-episode third season of Bewitched aired during the 1966/1967 TV season. It was the first season to be broadcast in color and the first season with significant cast turnover, with Sandra Gould taking over the role of Gladys Kravitz after Alice Pearce passed away during season 2. As a result, the role of the Kravitzes was significantly reduced in season three, although George Tobias and Gould appeared more toward the end of the season. The series continued to be primarily a story-of-the-week procedural, but some storylines extended throughout the season. The most significant arc this season was whether and to what extent Tabitha (who was aged between seasons and played by the combination of Erin and Diane Murphy) inherited Samantha's powers. Aside from Pearce, the other casting change was Kasey Rogers taking over the role of Louise Tate. Of course, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Agnes Moorehead, and David White all reprised their roles. Marian Lorne, Maurice Evans, and Paul Lynde all reprised their recurring roles, and Bernard Fox made his first appearance as Doctor Bombay in the season finale.

The 33 episodes are spread across three discs. As of this writing, the individual seasons are only available on DVD. The DVD set is also a three-disc set. The blu-rays are only available in bundled sets, such as the complete series set. The A/V quality is outstanding, and the episodes look wonderful in HD, especially now that they are in color. There is no bonus material on the third season discs, but they can be played with English captions. 

The series continues to be a good, but very dated, sitcom. Some of the jokes that were acceptable in the 1960s would probably not be used in a show made today, just as some jokes that can be used in today's sitcoms would not have been used when Bewitched was made. Some of the themes and jokes can be very misogynistic, but the show used the witchcraft elements as a metaphor for equal rights for women and minorities. Ultimately, if you liked the first two seasons, this one is absolutely worth watching.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 29

Day 29 was the beginning of Week 5. The format and sequence of the workouts change this week, so today was the first of two leg days. In Phase 2, you do not separate hamstrings and glutes and quads and calves, you do exercises from both workouts each day. This one was a lift workout, but instead of two blocks of quad sets, you do three blocks of triple sets. There is one new exercise in this workout, Bulgarian lunges using the bench. You have one foot on the bench and you do lunges with your back leg elevated. I began that one using 15 lb dumbbells, but had to use no weight in the third set because I was getting too off balance. For the other exercises, I mostly increased the amount of weight I used, aside from the calf raises, but that was mostly because I was using 35 lbs for deadlifts, and I can only use the Bowflex adjustable dumbbells for anything 35 lbs or higher.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 28

Day 28 was the second rest day, so I did the two recovery routines from Lift More. I did the upper-body routine followed by the lower-body routine, which I think is the best order to do them in, since the foam rolling portion of the upper-body routine also helps loosen up your hips. I again found that I had a bit more mobility and could get a little deeper into the various stretches. And, the foam rolling felt really good as I had a lot of knots in my legs.  

Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping

 

Sunrise on the Reaping, published in 2025, is the fifth novel in the Hunger Games series (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, and the first prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) by author Suzanne Collins. It is the second if you read them in chronological order. This one is set around the 50th Hunger Games, or the Second Quarter Quell, which is the games that Haymitch (who would later become Katniss' mentor) won. It is set 24 years before the events of the original novel and details how Haymitch was selected during The Reaping, the plans to undermine the games, and the lengths President Snow would go to keep order and punish those who got out of line. It also explains Haymitch's personality and actions in the later books.

The hardcover version of the book is just over 380 pages. The style, tone, and pacing of the book are similar to the others in the series, so it will be as fast or slow a read as those if you have read the others. While the story in this book is mostly a stand-alone story you can follow without reading the other books, it does help, as the author assumes readers know the history of the games and the reason they are held, and does not rehash that part of the story. Collins does a very good job of making the story interesting and suspenseful, even though, if you have read the original trilogy, you know part of the outcome going in. Chances are, most people who will read this are already fans of the series. If you are, this is absolutely worth reading. If you are into dystopian future stories, this is also worth your time, but I would highly recommend reading at least the first novel in the series (The Hunger Games) before you read this one.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 27

Day 27 was the first of the two rest days, so, as I did last week, I did the two recovery routines from Lift 4: first the stretch routine, then the roll-and-recover routine.  I did notice a slight improvement in flexibility, even on the thing where you sit with your legs stretched out and reach for your toes. I have never been good at that stretch, even when I was a kid and much more flexible than I am now. I was able to bend my back down a little without using a yoga strap, which I have not been able to do probably since about 2008 or 2009. 

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 26

Day 26 marks the end of week 4 of Lift More, which is the halfway point of the program and the end of Phase 1. It was the shoulder workout, which this week follows the Lift/HIIT format. I was able to start with heavier weight for each exercise, but I had to drop-set the rotating front raises on both sets two and three of that exercise. The HIIT portion was not horrible, bench skiers, and Icky Shuffle pulses. Then, of course, you finish with core and a stretching cooldown. It appears that Phase 2 changes the format of the workouts, much like the last two weeks of Lift 4 did. It will be interesting to see how that goes.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 25

Day 25 was the glutes and hamstrings workout, which was a lift-only workout. All of the exercises remained the same, and I was able to use the increased weights for each exercise. The burnout required the power loops and was the same leg-lift sequence from two weeks ago. The core portion was also the same as it was two weeks ago. The pace of the workout(s) gets easier to adjust to, but is always challenging. That is really the hardest part of the program, transitioning between exercises and not falling behind the cast.

Workout Update: Lift More: Day 24

Day 24 was the back-and-triceps lift/HIIT workout. It was another challenging one, but I am getting to the point where I am used to the overall pace of the workouts and know what to expect in each one. I was able to use the increased weight for the exercises and did not have to drop-set, aside from the skull crushers. The HIIT and core portions of the workout were brutal since you had to be in planks a lot. So, it is challenging but doable.

Product Review: Brame Glass Curio Cabinet with Adjustable Shelves and Interior Lighting

 

This is a very nice-looking curio cabinet that is perfect for displaying knick-knacks, glassware, or the like. It is large (about 6.5 feet tall, 3.5 feet wide, and almost 1.5 feet deep) and heavy (just under 200 lbs). It is mostly glass framed by real wood. The front side of the back wall is mirrored glass, so it will reflect anything that is in front of it. The back side of the back wall is a particleboard-like substance, but not the flimsy stuff often used for the backing of cheaper shelves. All other walls are made of standard glass, so you can easily see anything stored in the cabinet. It has a locking door that slides left and right (it slides farther to the left than to the right), and eight glass shelves that can be spaced as desired. It has lights at the top of the cabinet interior and a power cord on the back that plugs into a standard outlet. 

It comes fully assembled (aside from the glass shelves, which are taped to the bottom to keep them secure) and will require at least two people to move. I ordered it from Wayfair, and I highly recommend choosing the full-service delivery option (especially if you live alone) so they bring it into the room you want it left in and remove all the packing material (there is a lot of it). It looked to be packed extremely well and very securely. It is a great-looking piece, perfect for a formal dining room or living room. My only complaint is that the light control is a dial on the back of the cabinet, near the top of the power cord. It would be more convenient to have a switch on the side, which is an extremely minor point. Ultimately, if you are in the market for a curio cabinet, this is an excellent option.