writing

A Mild Slump – But A Video Too!

That’s where I am. The rational part of my mind realizes that I do plenty enough; the irrational part thinks all I do is lay on the couch and eat BonBons. The rational part of my mind knows there are only so many hours in a day; the irrational part says I could be doing SO. MUCH. MORE with my time. Hey mind, how’s about you get your act together?!?!

With only today and tomorrow left in the month, I could either finish strong or take it easy. You go ahead and guess which train I’m on. I think that having a “recovery week” in any exercise program is detrimental to my progress. It happens every time. I get lazy and I don’t do the recovery week exercises because they aren’t challenging enough. The rational part of my mind says that’s because it’s a RECOVERY week you moron; the irrational part says you’re so lazy because you aren’t sweating. Just sit around instead (because that somehow makes me LESS lazy?) On Monday, I’ll start the whole program over again. It’s not actually that bad to start over since it will have me finishing three weeks closer to vacation. Still leaves a month to spare. 122 days and counting. That will be a challenge – to write every day whilst on vacation. Trying to keep up a routine of anything while on a ship is tough. When you’re not working there, that is, and I certainly will not be working.

On the list of accomplishments for January, I completed our FabPole routines class. Video below. Hard to believe that we did this over the course of four weeks with only one hour per class. There will be a prettified version at some point, but this is it for now. I’d like to do it over, tweak some things here and there, but for the most part, I’m satisfied. Also, my armpits have fabric burn. Schmexy!

So at least there is that accomplishment for January, combined with I have put words in this blog every day and I worked out for most of the month. (As much as I know that numbers on the scale shouldn’t mean crap, I was still pretty disappointed when I got on the scale at the gym earlier this week.) Promotion plus raise is good. Bringing my gym membership fees down to a steal of $20 a month is pretty outrageous. Even if I only go to one Zumba class a week, I’m still saving at least $20 a month with this membership. It’s out of control and I love it! Bonus hot tub, steam room, and sauna included.

A family friend is a part of an event tonight that we’ve been invited to. Said event is in a strip club (which you *know* I have no issue with) and they’re combining with a “strip-off”. I didn’t know about this part until I started doing some research. Prize is $200. Chances hubby would not blow a gasket if I breathed in that direction? 2000%, lol. Perhaps I’ll just send my brother and he’ll have a good time. Because if you can believe the meteorologists, and you can’t, it’s supposed to snow 20 feet tonight or some minuscule amount that everyone will act like is 20 feet. Buck up already! This is Colorado where you should be used to the snow driving by now. There can’t be that many transplants here from non-snowy states, although there are a lot of transplants here, us included. 🙂 We add flava to this pretty white state. (You add or remove punctuation as you wish there.)

Well, kids, we’re in the home stretch of this week. Be proud of yourself that you made it this far and give yourself something to look forward to every day even if it’s only the end of your work day. Have a great Thursday and be excellent to each other – name the movie.

Monday Musings on A Tuesday

I do always have the best intentions when it comes to writing. However, sometimes stuff (read work) gets in the way.

Did I accomplish every goal from last week? Nope. Am I going to beat myself up about it? Nope. Actively realizing that I don’t need to attain perfection is something else I’m working on this year.

So, let’s have some positives. I worked out a plenty. Didn’t stretch enough. I blogged a plenty. Didn’t work on the book enough. I GOT MY JANUARY POLE MOVE! I got my January pole move. I was able to be a pole student, which is always fantastic. (Many thanks to the lovely Jen W. over at Studio 3SixT!) I got pushed hard and learned a few new things on top of Brass Monkey. Success!

This week, I’ll try to continue working out a fair amount, stretching, writing, being the goofball that I am, choreographing two showcase routines (but only performing one), and running errands like a maniac Wed – Sat whilst trying to stay warm and beat the snow. Even though it’s winter, and it’s Colorado, apparently, it doesn’t typically get as cold as it’s about to out here. Going to that Broncos game on Saturday? Good effing luck. It isn’t supposed to be above 20 for the entire game. Is my team playing? No. And you know what? Even if they were, I would be hard pressed to go sit out there in that sort of weather, even for my beloved Steelers. Hell, if the Super Bowl were here (which Denver wants but I just don’t see happening simply on the CHANCE that this upcoming weather could reoccur), I still think I’d watch from home. I don’t know that I have enough snowboard gear to justify sitting outside for 3 or 4 hours in below freezing temperatures when I’m not actually snowboarding.

Sidebar: I don’t necessarily want to see it happen, but I feel that the Ravens at least get to, if not win the Super Bowl. Ray Ray is done. He is a legend. The NFL will have him go out on top. Just like Jerome did. Go ahead, NFL, prove me wrong with not one questionable call for or against the Ravens as long as they keep playing.

Backing up for a moment, how about success? There are times when I see others and feel that they are successful. I don’t necessarily feel that way about myself. BUT, just this morning, I started thinking to myself and came to the conclusion that, by MY standards, which are the only ones that matter to me, I AM successful. I am gainfully employed making a decent salary. I don’t live in fear of my car dying (any more). I have a roof over my head (a pretty decent one to boot). I have activities that I enjoy and someone with whom to share them. And most importantly, to me, I get the opportunity, on a weekly basis, to interact with and encourage my fellow dancers. I hope that I get to inspire them. But even if I don’t, I know that I enjoy their company and the joie de vivre (how bout that French) that each dancer brings to the studio. Sooooo, successful? Me? Yes. I. AM.

Last thing before I take off here. I added one more weekly goal. Spanish Sunday. Having taken 4 years of high school Spanish, having lived in Mexico for nearly 2 years, and having a fluent Spanish speaker in the house, there is really no reason for me not to be speaking considerably better Spanish than I do. So Hubby has agreed to do Spanish Sunday with me wherein he will only speak to me in Spanish and only reply to me if I have spoken to him in Spanish. It’s immersion without leaving the house! Boy there are lot’s of things I want to accomplish this year. How about you? How are your goals/resolutions coming?

See ya, 2012!

Peace out, 2012. You were pretty fun, but I am SO over you and ready to move on.

Of course it’s that time of year where folks set up some New Year’s resolutions for themselves. Let me look back a year to see if I made this futile effort last year…..damn, you’re still there? Well, the answer was no, I didn’t. The year before either. I’m smarter than I thought. This year, my uber-intelligence continues as I will not make resolutions for the year. I will, however, make weekly goals that would help me attain my “New Year’s resolutions” that I’m not making. I’m just being realistic here. Because I know me. Oh, in addition to the weekly goals, I am thinking also a monthly pole goal (that is composed of two points).

And so, so let it be written, so let it be done. I’m getting a head start.

The January Pole Goal: Brass Monkey (pole), Michelle’s crazy floor swipe (floorwork). There, I said it. Not so bad, and attainable as long as I just work on them. With all credit to Pole Dance Dictionary (love them), here’s a picture of the Brass Monkey:

And if you tell me how easy this move is, I will straight up go Cartman on you and kick you in the NUTS! It could be easy though, I just haven’t really tried it out yet. So maybe your nuts are safe. Likely that if you’re reading this you don’t even have any (except Bob, Conrad, and Joe).

I cannot show you Michelle’s floor swipe thingy, or at least I can’t link to it currently. She actually calls it a Hand Press Leap. If you know anything of pole dance and/or anything of Michelle, then you know it’s fantastic. Period.

And sooner in January would be better than later in January as I would really like to have both of these moves in my routine for the February showcase. Goals? I haz them.

So, right now, my pole move list has 16 moves on it. Plenty to get me through the year at one a month and obviously a few extra for those months that I’m working extra hard.

That is actually the part of “goal setting” and achieving that will likely be easy. The remainder, not so much, mainly due to time constraints. I’m still going to try to make it happen.

2013 is the year of the book. I’ve been sitting on this chick lit story forever and since Ms. Mattas said it’s book writing year, then let’s get on it.

2013 is the year of front splits. I really am close enough that if I put in serious work on it, I’d be on the floor by my 40th birthday. Let’s get on it.

2013 will hold a couple other things, I’m sure, but surprises are fun. And without further ado, for me more than for you, I present the Monday Musings, or Sh!t I Wanna Do This Week:

2 cardio sessions (1 down, 1 to go)
2 weight sessions
3 stretching sessions
1 foam rolling session
2 pole sessions
2 1 hour writing sessions
3 blog sessions

Not bad. I think I can do this. Who needs sleep, right?

I’ve put these things out into the universe. May they not come back and sucker punch me.

Have a wonderful (AND SAFE!!!) New Year’s Eve folks! See you next year and be ready to rock and roll!

The End of an Era

One sunny June morning, I believe it’s been three years ago now, I stood in line for hours to get myself a new iPhone. Well, it was a good run, but every time there was an update, particularly after the 4 came out, my poor little phone just got slower and more insecure about its place in my life. Even though it was safely ensconced in its OtterBox, safe from most dirt, small amounts of water, and endless falls, little iPhone knew that its time would eventually come.

The announcement that there was no iPhone 5 coming just yet sealed the fate of little iPhone. We started looking around to see how we could upgrade and make it to 2011. Changing carriers wasn’t really an option since we’re grandfathered in to having unlimited data for a price that is less than what new customers get for the largest data plan (which still isn’t very much). I really believe that AT&T doesn’t carry a lot of smartphones because they just think that everyone will fall in line for the iPhone. Well, for this consumer (and her husband), you’re DEAD WRONG, AT&T.

We searched all around and read reviews and, with much trepidation on my part because I really wanted an HTC, and I might still go trade this in for one, we are now the proud owners of new Samsung Infuses. My heart said to get the HTC Inspire because I love the display and the feel of the phone and its size. My head, the sales rep, and my hubby said to get the Samsung because it’s newer and it should still be sweet in another year or two where they tell me the HTC will be behind the times. This is probably the only time I wish I was with Sprint because their selection of HTC phones is phenomenal. I also think that the HTC phones are more for social network dorks like myself. We’ll see if I keep the Samsung. I have 30 days to give it a test run.

Oh, did I mention that we are superior bargain hunters as well? We all know that the sticker price on a smartphone is out and out outrageous if you’re not doing a two year contract, but the phone company subsidizes some of that cost or no one would ever buy a phone. Let’s just say that we walked out with these phones at a deeply discounted price. 1/12 of the sticker price, about 1/4 of the two year contract price. Plus a great warranty/insurance deal that gives a new, not refurbed, phone if needed AND two free batteries over the course of two years. That pays for itself. Awesome sauce.

Since I’m on a fraction kick, it’s 1/3 of the way through the month, so it’s time to look at monthly goals.

P90X – Doing well. Skipped on Saturday to go to boxing though. Probably burned more calories boxing. Might switch this out since P90X will be here at the house always but I only have through February at the gym…not going to keep paying for that.
NaNoPlaMo – There is nothing currently in my outline. I still am not considering this a fail though. I just need to make myself sit down and get it from my head into my computer. This book practically writes itself.
Zumba – Yikes! Perhaps I’ll do better on this one in the second third of the month, lol.
Teach/assist – One down, three to go. Will have to discuss making this goal happen with the ladies at Boulder Spirals.
Read – Thank goodness I read quickly and could still make this goal happen if I only start with three days left in the month.
Stretch – Got in two really good sessions and maybe two other smaller sessions. I’ll count that as a win.
Pole – Didn’t quite make it. Once in the studio, one day at home. Already know this week will be better with two trips to the studio already planned.
No minds – This one is the most difficult. If I were better at this one, I’d be better at the rest. I’m a work-in-progress, what can I say?

Every morning I get an email reminding me that I should write 750 words today. Some days, it really seems like I could write forever and never get to 750. Today is not one of those days. I feel like I’ve barely said anything and I’m already at 750. I wonder if that means I’m getting close to finding my writing mojo again. That would be nice.

It would also be nice if I could manage to thin out a little around the middle, but that would probably involve not baking and I love to eat so I guess that’s that. I’ll take my thick but flat tummy that’s so full of yummy zucchini bread (almost done with that one), cornbread (because I made chili over the weekend and damn is it good), and banana bread (next time, no walnuts..pecans instead that may or may not get pralined). I’m again pushing maximum weight density, but I think I’ve built some more muscle. Let’s just say that if I get up over 140, then I might have to consider no more bread for a while.

Well, my stolen time has come to an end. I’ve gotta go pack up my stuff for lunch and work. I pack a lunch daily so I think I deserve to buy this. I love my team.

And with that, I bid you farewell. Have a great Monday because it is what you make of it. Excuse me while I go make it great.

Going strong

I was just wondering if someone out there might do me a solid and add a couple more hours to the day. In return, I promise to put them towards reaching my October goals. I swear that I won’t use them for sleeping, Facebook, or Twitter. Only for reading, stretching, or choreographing a class, be it Zumba or pole. I’ll be waiting. You can reply here.

It’s a good thing that I love my job because it gets crazier by the moment. Yesterday, in combination with four meetings, I started training my replacement. Apparently, it wasn’t widely known that she was starting today. Umm, oops? I don’t think that it’s my responsibility to make those sorts of announcements. Which is why I didn’t. Surprise!

There are some other things in the works regarding the goings on at work, but they aren’t definite just yet. Let’s just say that I may have more than originally thought, sooner than originally planned. At least they like to keep me busy and they respect my fresh. Any time that I have even an inkling of disappointment or disgust, I just remember where I was a mere two years ago and that makes me overwhelmingly happy to have what I have now as opposed to the nightmare I had then. Pass the peanut butter.

About those October goals…..P90X is still going swimmingly (I just wanted to use that word). Into week 2 now and feeling good. I won’t lie, I was extremely sore over the weekend. Between doing legs and then a gazillion pull-ups, I was walking around looking like, oh, um, Frankenstein. Oddly enough, the only thing that fixed me was getting back to the exercise on Monday. (I know there’s scientific reason behind this, tyvm have a cookie.)

Day 4 of the month and I’m tackling 1/4 of my pole teaching goal. I revamped my class structure to make it a little more up-tempo and a little bit more difficult in the stretching and conditioning. “This is Level 2, people. Come on!” ~ that’s my Tony Horton impression. Since I’m poling today, I’ll get one of my stretch days in today. I’d like to get a class in as well, where I do work on my skills, but that may not be in the cards for today. I do still have to put together a playlist. We’re either going 80s Hip-Hop and R&B or Hair Metal. Bwahahahaha, my musical tastes are ridiculous.

Reading is going slowly because one of the books is just a difficult read. The writer writes like I do…too many damn words to say things. At least I’m not as repetitive as she is though. I hope. I will still finish the both before the end of the month.

Zumba, I hope to work on you this weekend. But there’s housecleaning and yard work to be done also. Why is it again that I can’t clone myself?

Alas, my time has run out for this brain dump. Until later….

writing

A Mild Slump – But A Video Too!

Monday Musings on A Tuesday

See ya, 2012!

The End of an Era

Going strong

You Missed

Nothing To See Here

Too Damn Slow

Ghosts (of Days Gone By)

Raunchy Activated