decisions

OR


I had planned on making 2009 the year to stay local, in an effort to conserve funds for the 2010 North Pole adventure. Looks like I might be able to have it both ways. My good friend A.J. and I have been talking about doing Kilimanjaro pretty much since we met all those years ago, and the pressure has been on to try for January.
I had the brilliant flash of insight to try for a free flight. I have quite a stockpile of miles on American Airlines due to my fairly frequent travel schedule. That, and the little tantrum I threw last year when I thought I would miss my connection to Bs.As., which was not my proudest moment, but a profitable one. I came home to a very nice letter from the airline stating that the flight staff at LAX informed them of my 'difficult time', and awarded me thousands of miles to compensate. It made me feel like an ass, especially I made all my connections. But I'm still gonna use the miles.
Unfortunately I can't use the miles for Africa, but I've got a free trip to almost anywhere in South America or Europe. We've narrowed it down to Peru or Sweden. Inca Trail or Ice Hotel . I've justified the on-the-ground expenses by calling it 'North Pole training'. The Inca Trail is apparently a moderate to strenuous trek for 3 or 4 days. Sweden will afford the opportunity for some quality time on the skis. The magic 8 ball has given me the thumbs up for both, so I'm leaving the final decision up to my traveling companion. AJ (one of the most traveled people I know) has never been to South America, but lived for a time in Sweden. I guess we'll see if it is a sense of adventure or familiarity that prevails.
Either way..... yippee.

Pullup (1 band): 1, 1, 1, 1
Pullup (2 bands): 8/7/6/4 in 1:52
Snatches (30#db): 30s ea side/15 sec rest x2
Bent row/high pull/swing/push press (15#dbs): 6ea x 4 in 4:18