The more I go to the health club, the more I end up wanting my own home gym. I think it is utterly disgusting how people drip sweat all over the damn machines. Just toweling the sweat off isn’t enough, IMO. I wish there was a huge spray bottle of disinfectant at every station, because that’s what I need in order to feel comfortable using a machine after some profusely sweating slob. Yuck!

Seriously, if I could get a Bowflex and a treadmill for the basement, I’d be set. How much would those two items set me back? A couple thousand dollars? Yeah, that’s a steep price, but if I had the money, I’d willingly pay if it meant never having to interact with gross people at the health club anymore!

I took a look at my checking account balance this morning and saw that it was $715 lower thanks to good ol’ Uncle Sam. April 15th really took its toll this year, as I had to pay $515 in taxes for 2009, plus an additional $200 in estimated taxes for 2010. I’ve come to think of these two taxes as being like diet supplements for my bank account. Just when I’m starting to fatten that bottom line up a little bit, along comes April 15th to make things lean and mean again. Sigh.

Apparently, the title of this blog poses some confusion for a few folks. I always get several email inquiries a month from people looking for outdoor products like gas grills, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and log furniture for their patios. I know with a name like The Fire Pit, these nuisance emails might be expected — but at the same time, it doesn’t take a genius to look around and see this is a personal blog rather than a retail site!

Anyway, I used to send a cordial response to those types of inquiries, but now I just don’t bother. I have other tasks to spend my time on!

I love WordPress and all, but is anyone else tired of all the damn updates??? It seems as though there’s a new version every two or three months. Why is that? It’s not like something significant changes every single time. I’m not a developer or anything, so I don’t know all the details behind the updates, but come on. Once or twice a year seems like it would be sufficient, kwim? At least they’ve got the self-installer now so the update only takes a minute….

Has Hotmail been down for you today? I had been trying to log in for the longest time without success, but I finally got through a minute ago. It sucks because I usually don’t even use Hotmail but my university’s email system is synced to it and I needed some information about a paper I have to write. At any rate, things seem to be better now, but I would rather not have lost so much time trying to log in to no avail….

How is it possible that I’m still gaining weight?? I have been following a great exercise routine for almost a year and a half now without lapsing and have been watching my fat intake very carefully. On most days, I only consume 30-40g, which is far less than the 65g typically listed as the RDA. I’m also cutting down on eating between meals. All of these behaviors should lead to weight loss, but that hasn’t been happening for me. Why???

I think I only have two options left. One is to starve myself, which I’m not crazy enough to do. The other is to try some safe weight loss products like supplements or pills or whatever. I clearly need an extra boost that I can’t get naturally, so maybe trying some pills isn’t a bad idea.

Man, this is very, VERY frustrating!

It’s time for my annual “I hate winter” post. I am so sick of the snow, freezing cold weather, wind chill, and dreary, overcast days right now. I haven’t left my house in almost a week because I can’t muster up enough energy to bundle up as much as I need to. My exercise program has been derailed, and I’m just generally in a bad mood. I’m ready to start comparing rates at South Beach Miami hotels so I can see the sun again. Hey, if I do things quickly, I can beat the spring break crowd and recharge my batteries over there.

Oh, well, I know this is just kind of a pipe dream. We don’t have the money to take a vacation right now. I really need one, though. That, or I need to move someplace that’s sunny and warm all year round!