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Review: Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story
Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t think I have ever read a biography before but this was recommended to me as a don’t miss. That is absolutely true – this was one of the most enjoyable books I have read and would recommended it as a great introduction to this genre.

To answer your first question, Arnold does read the first and last chapters on the audio book and even has some life tips at the end. The majority of the book through is read by someone else with a slightly clearer accept (although I didn’t have any trouble understanding Arnold.)

I felt the book was inspirational and motivational as he documents his life as a rural farm boy to an American action star and governor. I felt the language was candid and unapologetic and the fact checking I did seems that he was mostly honest throughout the book.

The biggest complaint I have read is that he only devotes one chapter to his affair and eventual divorce and it is near the end. Listening to it though I feel the pain is still very real for him as is the hope that him and his wife will eventually reunite. Perhaps this is why he decided not to dwell on the subject too much.

Overall I was surprised this book was so entertaining and interesting and am really happy I took a chance on it.

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..and now I’m super tired

There has been a lot of rain here for the last couple weeks and in addition it has been cold (dropped down to 30* some days!) so haven’t gotten a chance to ride since my last post on the subject.  Today was different – 75*, sunny, nice breeze – just an overall great day!

The Other and I decided to go for a ride with Brent.  After the last long ride I was sore but in weird ways. My muscles weren’t bad but my hips hurt and my achilles’ tendon was sore.  This isn’t unexpected (I suspect I have overly-flexible joints) but it did catch me a bit off-guard.  Regardless, the only way to get in shape is to keep doing it so off I went on our ride!

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Ride was great although by the end I was tuckered out!  On the way home though I had to swerve suddenly to avoid a baby turtle! Luckily I missed it but I stopped and move it off the path and down closer to the water.  It was so cute!

I also started using a new program “Map My Ride” instead of S-Health.  I think S-Health is very good, and for an app included with your phone its pretty full featured but there wasn’t an easy way to get the data off your phone. Map My Ride syncs with your online account so you can review your progress and track goals.  The Other and I have set a goal to do a 100 mile bike ride this year so its very important to make sure we keep improving 🙂

If we do complete our 100 mile ride, I think I will get myself this helmet as a reward:

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The first long ride

Today we took our first long right on our bikes.  By this time I have invested in awesome padded bicycle shorts but The Other has not.  His ride was not as fun but I am sure his butt will toughen up soon.

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I think the most fun was on the way home we decided to take the Washington Road underpass instead of riding on the road. It was still flooded although the water has receded a bit.  Every down stroke your foot would go completely underwater up to the bottom of your calf! I was giggling the whole time.  Sorry I don’t have a picture but once your feet and lower legs are soaking wet you kinda just want to get home.

To make up for it, here is Luna illustrating how I felt after my first long ride:

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Crushing blow!

So I finally bit the bullet and bough a Vitamix. Let me tell  you its just as great as everyone says.  It crushes ice like a Yeti making sno cones.

I have spend the last week having a delicious fruit smoothie for breakfast and its really helping to start my day off right.  I will also admit to making some “adult beverages” in it and they were amazing.  I might even have to have a frosty drink themed party!

[If you want to know my favorite frozen drink its a BBC. Here is the recipe.  ProTip – add rum!]

I know there are other things it says you can do with it (make soup, use it as a food processor, etc) but I just wanted a good blender that can crush and blend frozen fruits and ice without whining about it.  This totally does the job!

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Perfect excuse for a ride!

Had some contractors over today and had to get out of their way for a bit.  What a perfect time to take a short bike ride!  We stopped for a break in the middle and the tracker stopped recording (which was pretty annoying) which is why there are two sessions.

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The trails are still flooded so we had to ride on the roads a bit but luckily up by us there are more side walks so we rode on those as much as possible.  It was also a great opportunity to show off my new bike décor!   That’s right – I got spoke stars!

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I’m officially a biker!

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Picked up our mountain bikes today and rode them home from the bike shop.  I probably haven’t ridden a bike since I was 13 but it really is something you don’t forget!

Mine is the white bike on the right – it is a Trek Skye XL (18.5″ frame with 29″ tires).  The Other and I went full mountain bike because Brent has one and we plan on doing most of our riding with him.  This also allows us to do a bit more off-roading at some of the parks in the area.

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The ride home was a bit stressful since we had to mainly stick to the main roads as the trails were very flooded due to all the rain recently. Was a lot of fun though and we even went out again that night around our neighborhood and on some of the trails near our house and ran into a pack of 6 deer on the trail!  There is a certain excitement that does harken back to my childhood and I am looking forward to more rides this summer!

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