So little time to do so much in Berlin

Last week's Berlin visit was one of the most fulfilling in recent memory. I revisit the city often; and am always mindful of not doing anything touristy. And that's too bad because Berlin offers loads and loads of attractions for its loads of tourists (I like saying 'loads'). But in my previous mindset I wanted to be in Berlin as if I were living there (because it is a place in which I would love to live) passing the days, not through snapshot poses but, rather, as one takes in the bountiful fun to be had on a normal day in the city.

Obviously it worked otherwise I would've grown bored of the S-Bahn & U-Bahn and stodgy German hospitality by time.

Berlin offers loads and loads of attractions for its loads of tourists...more than hot pretzels and cold beer and sweet ice cream

On this recent trip, though, I did so much more than take in a show and eat gelato. Yes, I went to the opera (Eugene Onegin) and gobbled down hot pretzels and cold beer and sweet ice cream but I also toured the newly opened Spy Museum in Potsdamer Platz; enjoyed a free open-air concert led by Daniel Barenboim on Unter den Linden; traveled down to Potsdam and walked the grounds of the palace, botanical garden and the famous windmill; took in a show of experimental dance & theatre in Prenzlauer Berg by my friend Alexander Carrillo; attended an artists' Sommerfest near Templehof; stayed in a hostel boat on the Spree River; and worked-out at various outdoor gyms in the city (similar to the ones I train at in Barcelona).

Will write more on the specific attractions in post to come. In the meantime, enjoy these snapshots taken with an actual camera that doesn't multitask as a telephone, computer, travel agency or single's bar. The best things in life are simple.

 pic taken by a kind passer-by 

(Because folks don't mind to take your picture if asked)

funky Kreuzberg 

that windmill...

Potsdam

 

clever camera placement

 ornate interior of opera house 

 "State opera for all" 

aka FREE to the public!

Barenboim shown on large screen 

Big time fitness on Bcn beach

Outdoor gym. Urban training. However you think of it you'll find it aplenty down on the section of beach in Barcelona called Porto Olimpico (near the area hospital). It's a popular spot for physique enthusiasts. (Just don´t mistake it for annoying hipster crossfit. God, those people are passive-yuppie pretentious...not that I didn't consider it at one time.)

A month ago I started training here (and in parks) exclusively because I got fed up with the corporate-politically correct-girly man-gym culture. For me, the last straw landed when parents brought their little daughters inside the men's locker room & showers. Seriously, Spanish people, that's fucking gross. And since I couldn't change the policy I changed where I spent my time & money. Hello!

Muscle pit in Venice Beach, CA

Here are some advantages of this outdoor gym. I believe it's run by the city and they do a wonderful job of maintaining it: 

• no gym membership!
• no germaphobic rules
• no fashionistas or dance club ambience
• you can train shirtless
• you can train barefoot 
• you can use chalk
• fresh air & sunshine
• beautiful beach scenery
• you're forced to develop core muscles & safe technique
• people are happy to help you
• no one's talking on his phone or reading The Economist
• no obnoxious girls (only serious, fit ones!) 
• lots of high, healthful, good energy
• natural athletes with healthy-looking, strong bodies

almost...

got it!

No machines or weights...just lots of bars! The surface is shock-absorbing rubber.

Ways I relax (PICS)

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Ain't Life a stressful trip! Well I hate stress; and bona fide stressors like babies, drama queens, women motorists trying to parallel park, idiots who take +16 items to the "10 Item" register, court TV, paramilitary pigs, loud headphones. 

Of the many things I try to do to fight back the blues or rage are to enjoy some ice cream or chocolate; take a long, aimless walk; watch comedy; or porn. 

read

 this book made me suspicious to UK Border Patrol

write

watch the sunset

 pause and take in the beautiful surroundings

exercise

or a massage; and what better way to have a massage than with the ocean breeze -- that is, when either Saucy or Tootsie Pop ain't around? (You can guess how she got the name. Hello!)

Or a happy ending to the day...in whatever way it comes.

New Year's 2015 (pics)

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In the last hours of the year I managed to get in a workout at Gold's Gym, cut my hair, brushed my tuxedo, updated contacts on my new email address, received emails of well wishes and sarcastically wished a happy new year to the thieving slumlord who sent me to Tijuana prison; had sex, completed two chapters of the book I'm currently reading, meditated (actually I was aiming for a nap but never quite dozed off); took stock of my pantry and refrigerator - and all around me - and generally counted myself fortunate.

When the countdown terminated I paused to reflect: happiness; sanity; a full stomach, good health; vagabond wealth; and plenty of style; and greeted the immediate arrival of 2015 with a smile, toast of sparkling wine and a hand rolled cigar (and flask of bourbon. Hello!) Before heading home I bumped into a few old acquaintances and kissed a lady along the way. It's sooo good to be me.  

  healthy, handsome & gifted

Mr & Ms Muscle Beach (my participation)

I've spent 4th of July in Venice Beach before but 2014 was different. This time I competed.

I wasn't nervous at all

Muscle Beach annually holds three summer holiday contests (open to amateurs) for bodybuilding enthusiasts (and awestruck/gawking passers-by). When I learned legendary bodybuilder Chris Dickerson, a personal favorite of mine, was going to be in attendance for induction into the Hall of Fame (video clip) I was motivated to enter. So excited, in fact, that I cancelled a trip abroad (no easy feat considering today's greedy airline bullshit), increased my focus in the gym, learned to make protein bars, and started regularly working on poses.

The rather exorbitant $80 entry fee is no drop in the bucket for me but, like I said, I was really excited this time and made up my mind to give it the old college try. So I did. Felt a little giddy in the beginning with registration and whatnot; but I stop short of classifying it 'nerves'. I wasn't nervous at all. With the assurance that my posing routine was tight I had but confidence onward. I was in complete command of my posing and breathing -- and took first place in my category!

In addition, the atmosphere among the competitors was admirably sporty. There was NO drama or catty or cocky nonsense backstage. Participants in the Mr & Ms Muscle Beach competition were sociable, approachable, congratulatory to the winners and encouraging to everyone; complimenting each others physiques or posing shorts/bikini; freely asking one another about diet & work-out regiments. As one teen physique competitor shared with me, "I don't think of it as a 'diet' I think of it as a lifestyle." Right on! He showed me his before-after pics and added that now he, not his mother, cooks all his own meals. The vibe could not have been more sportsmanlike and wholesome...a stark contrast to my experience bodybuilding in Mexico. The most consistent thing I overheard spoke to the amateur spirit of Muscle Beach events for their "fun" and "easy-going" comradery. 

PS: I got to meet and speak with Mr Dickerson; a gentleman athlete if ever there was one! He gave me an autographed picture. Also met pro bodybuilder "Marvelous" Melvin Anthony. Yes, it was an all around memorable Fourth of July. Enjoy these backstage snapshots:   

The vibe could not have been more sportsmanlike and wholesome

1 out of 2 ain't bad

  mother of two adult children?!

Wow mama mia! 

Age ain't nothing but a number

 consulting with luchadores

won my 1st Muscle Beach show!

Mint chocolate peanut butter granola protein bars

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Or Protein Bars Redux, for short.
Unlike my first attempt, I substituted granola for uncooked oats (not instant oats!) and added more honey and less milk & peanut butter to make them just that bit thicker (consistency) and less gooey. The 11/2 cups of whey protein powder probably amounted to 90-94 grams of protein; and cut into 12-14 pieces. Also, this time I put them in the refrigerator to accelerate the cooling process -- because, baby, sitting the pan out on the kitchen table was taking too long for my tastes. It may be worth knowing that stirring by hand works just as well as employing a hand-mixer. And easier to clean up afterward.

Whether from individually wrapping each square in aluminum foil (and storing in Tupperware) or using oats - AND NOT CONSUMING THEM FAST ENOUGH - I noticed mold starting to form and ended up throwing out the last three or four bars. 
This time I used plastic wrap! 

Am liking this batch a whole lot more.  

Working out is easy. Posing ain't

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Athleticism is important to me. I've never accepted sports participation as a student, id est juvenile, activity or understood why men completely abandon physical recreation once they leave school. Either you do it pro or you don't do it at all is stupid bullshit. (And company softball games don't count because they're usually obligatory "teamwork" activities to stay on track for job promotion -- to say nothing of the fact they just plain don't count.) 

If growing up means accumulating stuff - children, bills, responsibilities, homes, autos, wrinkles, grandchildren, frailty - in suit with decreasing health and joie de vive en route to the inevitable grave, then knock yourself out, dutifully insured mortgage man! For me, life is being in the literal arena -- and growing old youthfully like Jack LaLanne.

...pose myself into a puddle of sweat. Little by little the 'shakes' and muscle cramps are diminishing

For now I enjoy bodybuilding and am able bodied enough to fully engage in it. In preparation for contests this summer I've doubled down concentrating on my movements, eating habits, and feeling out different training schemes. That's the easy part. Then there's posing. 

Either do it pro or not at all = bullshit

With three weeks until my first competition I daily pore through footage of bodybuilding greats -- and then pose myself into a puddle of sweat. Little by little the 'shakes' and muscle cramps are diminishing. 

(my first visit to Muscle Beach)

  can someone say nice delts

 flexing the tricep

 on to a "side chest"

working on the "relaxed" pose       

@TWPTilden

Homemade protein bars

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True to frugal form, I made my own protein bars yesterday. It was a no-bake recipe - and didn't require a blender either - but, in the end, I popped them in the oven to harden the consistency (plus I like things crunchy!)

I don't have money -- up for grabs

Among the ingredients was pure honey - straight from a honeycomb! - whey protein powder and oatmeal. This was my first time ever buying oatmeal because I don't like the stuff (yuk!); next time methinks I'll use less of it or, better still, granola instead (because it's crunchy!)

I've always loved working out but have never been a fan of fancy gym stuff - expensive memberships, designer clothes/gym bags, supplements, pre-/post-/extreme (or, worse, Xtreme) drinks, "special" waters, steroids and other drugs - for the simple reason the shit strikes me as a stupid money-grab. And I don't have money up for grabs. Hello!

Supplementing is important, especially with protein, but it is not the end all-be all. That would be dedication, proper training and nutrition. I sure as hell am not one for going broke over protein. By making my very own stash of  protein bars I: 

1. save money 
2. know exactly what ingredients are inside
3. create my eccentric favorite flavors
4. acquire a new skill of resourcefulness
5. have a sweet & muscle building snack 

 now the hard part: waiting for the batch to cool 

one, two, three...a nutritious treat for my muscles

@TWPTilden

Classic bodybuilders inspire me

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I found ClassicBodybuilders.com years ago and often return to this website* for inspiration as I go in for the healthy natural masculinity, not the strutting pharmaceutical freakishness. 

trying out the legendary 

Vince Gironda's 8x8 specialty 

  need a road map?

(I make my own protein bars) 

 no excess fat in the front either

going up!

*though still online the ClassicBodybuilders is no longer actively moderated. Maybe the webmaster died.