Coach Dimples and I have a new partnership...we gonna play "who wins that bowl game" together and defeat the empire known at GOTT the GREAT...
GOTT always always always wins these things. He lets me play because I am so dreadful at it.
So he has set up some "predict who wins the bowl games" thing...there are 35 games...and we all know that I know less than a microgram about football. I take photos of football but I don't understand it.
Remember, Dimples had to explain what a "linebacker" was to me recently...he did it patiently and without irony I might add...
So I tell GOTT I will play his little game with him and I have high hopes of doing better than I did last spring in the March Madness contest when I came in 3rd from dead last.
But this time I have a secret weapon. I have Dimples! And he knows his football, oh yes he does...he even knows the name of the mascot for the team from Florida International (I didn't even know that was a college). So he picks the teams, I put up the $10 and we are going to split our fabulous winnings after we beat GOTT and Coach Supersweet (who always wins if GOTT doesn't).
I'm going to look like a football predicting superstar. But, because I am unfailingly honest about these things, I will admit I had the help of a football coach. You see, no one in my house wanted to help me...and I think Dimples has a better handle on this than they do. I did try and watch ESPN last night when they talked about bowl game predictions but completely zoned out after 45 seconds. Maybe if they broke out into song like the do on "Glee" I would have paid more attention.
People keep asking me what "diet" I am on. The truth is, I don't have a "diet" per se, but rather I am eating clean and healthy.
But here are some tips I have picked up along the way and some things that I eat...
This is in no particular order of importance...it's just as I think of it. Think of this as a roadmap whether you want to lose 5, 10, 15, or 50 pounds or just want to eat better...and remember, I am not an expert, just a woman who is trying to lose enough weight for Oprah to notice her (she and Dr. Oz are doing a weight loss thing for her new network...I could be on that...but I really would rather sit on her couch and talk to her...but again, this is all fantasy...)
OK, so here are some things to do/eat/try...
1. Dont' try and cut everything out at once. Try cutting out one or two things each week. Like, cut out corn and fried foods one week, the next week cut out something else.
2. Buy a water bottle. Fill it. Drink it. Repeat many times throughout the day. If you don't like water, add some lemon juice or make flavored water in your fridge. To make flavored water, simply put some fruit (orange, lemon, watermelon, canteloupe, lime, strawberry etc.) or cucumber, and or a bit of mint in a pitcher and add water. The fruit needs to be sliced or cut up. A delicious mix, courtesy of the Kahala Hotel in Oahu, Hawaii is the following: mint, cucumber, strawberry, apple, orange. You can add more water as you drink it down but I would pitch it after a few days or when it loses its taste.
3. Eat more good protein. A serving of protein should be about the size of a deck of cards...or maybe if you are really hungry and working out, the size of your hand (but only if you have a SMALL hand). Good protein: fish, chicken, turkey, lean beef, lean pork. Not-so-good-for-you protein: fatty steak, hamburger meat, dark meat from poultry (but that is not as bad as sausage), sausage, pork and beef ribs.
4. You don't have to eat "breakfast" foods for breakfast...sometimes I eat some ground turkey (wrapped in lettuce leaves for some crunch), or leftover fish. But I always eat some form of protein for breakfast and if I eat carbs, it is usually steel cut oats...and protein.
5. Egg white omlettes can be good if you cook them right. You can even add an egg yolk for every 2-3 whites if you don't have cholesterol issues. Try leftover veggies, spinach, fat free cheese, picante sauce, or ground turkey in one. The fat free cheese isn't bad inside an omlette. I like smokehouse pepper on mine...makes me feel like I am having bacon. Smokehouse pepper is in one of those red and white cans and it has a smokey taste...really good.
6. Have dessert occsionally so you won't feel deprived. But ask them to bring you only half and box the other half up. or give half to a friend. or eat a few bites and then pour salt all over it...I'm serious...
7. Eat salmon. I haven't liked salmon much in the past but I have made it part of my diet and now I don't mind it. It is best not overcooked. Order it medium rare and I promise it will taste better. Salmon is so good for you---full of Omega 3 and a good source of lean protein. I'm a little obsessed with it these days.
8. Get rid of corn. Dimples made me do this. It doesn't offer you much nutritionally and, this one shocked me, they use corn products in batteries and diapers. I like the taste of corn but I have cut it out of my diet...even corn tortillas. Now when I am at the Mexican food restaurant, I ask for lettuce leaves to wrap my fajitas in...that is Asian style and it is good!
9. If you want an alcoholic drink, choose wisely. Believe it or not, champagne is a good choice. Red wine is good and has antioxidents. White wine is good. Not so good for you: margaritas, lemon drop martinis, cosmos, anything with sweet-and-sour mix or simple syrup. Too much sugar. Or try wine mixed with club soda to cut calories further and cut out some of the alcohol.
10. No good ever came from eating a french fry...unless it is from Houston's and then it is totally worth it. But it is better not to have even one or you will want more...the last time I ate fry---February...
11. Google "EAt this Not That" before you go to a restaurant...they have great suggestions.
12. Dark chocolate is my friend. It gives me a bit of sweet when I need it. The darker the better. I eat a tiny bit a couple of times a week. No, I don't eat a Hershey bar...just a little square of very dark chocolate. I eat it slowly and savor it and it really feels like a treat.
13. Eat your veggies first. Order extra veggies at a restaurant but ask them to cut the butter. Steamed or grilled veggies are best. And no, a baked potato is not a good idea unless it is a sweet potato...with no butter.
14. Don't eat "white" food...no white rice, no white bread, no white veggies (unless it is cauliflower and then you can have all you want).
15. EAt 3 small meals and 2 snacks...way better for you than 3 large meals. My daily intake is usually breakfast (egg white omlette and oatmeal, or ground turkey and egg whites, or something from Fit Foods), a mid-morning snack (fruit, yogurt, protein bar), lunch (protein and veggies as my carbs), mid-afternoon snack, and dinner (like lunch). Sometimes I add dessert. See below:
16. My form of dessert: I love cottage cheese mixed with a bit of sweetner (Splenda...yellow packets) and fruit, or fat-free Greek yogurt mixed with Splenda and fruit, or a Skinny Cow dessert, or a small square of dark chocolate, or a couple of gingersnaps, or yogurt.
17. Cottage cheese is good for you...calcium! So is Greek Yogurt...
18. No sodas with sugar. In fact, cut out or cut back any soda...
19. Roast your veggies. In fact, if you THINK you don't like a vegetable, try it roasted. My favorite veggies to roast: asparagus, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, sweet potato, cauliflower, and fingerling potatoes. For asparagus, just trim off the tough ends. For brussel sprouts, cut in half. For the squash and the rest, just cube it up. Toss the veggies with a few teaspoons of olive oil and some sea salt. Roast at 450 degrees until tender. Fantastic...it will change your mind aobut some vegetables. They take on a nutty flavor and get sweeter. Email me when you have done this so I can say "I told you so"...
20. My new favorite treat----Tasti D Lite. One location is on Post Oak near Berryhill. Another location in Highland Village. Coming soon to Dallas.
21. Try quinoa and couscous...they are good. I love couscous tossed with some cinnamon and dried cranberries and raisins.
22. Dried cranberries perk things up...salad, grains, pasta, roasted veggies...
23. If you go to a restaurant where the portions are really big, ask them to bring you a to-go box right away and put half of it away. Then don't forget it when you leave...
24. Try whole-wheat pasta. It is so good. Many Italian restaurants have it so ask.
25. If you live in Houston, go to George's Pastaria. It is worth the drive even if you don't live in far west Memorial. It is between Briar Forest and Westheimer on Dairy Ashford very close to the roller rink. Heatlthy food (and bad-for-you too). Great wine selection. Great prices. My dish: whole wheat angel hair pasta primavera with shrimp and extra spinach. Try it, you'll like it.
26. Keep a food log/diary. It will make you think about every morsel you put in your mouth.
27. I have found that I can eat (fairly) healthy just about anywhere. Most places have a chicken sandwich (ask for no mayo, be sure the chicken is grilled not fried), or have a small hamburger and only eat half the bun if you are forced to---but a lot of burger places now have salads. You can do it...you just need to look harder at the menu.
28. Order salads with dressing on the side and ask them to cut the cheese if it is on it. Dip your fork into the dressing. I promise you will get all of the taste and not so many calories. I can't stand over-dressed salads now.
29. Keep protein bars in your purse/bag/car. That way you always have a snack and keep your metabolism going and won't overindulge when you do get to eat.
30. Eat slowly. You will eat less. I promise...
31. If you have a My Fit Foods near you, try their stuff. There are other companies that do what they do----make fresh, healthy food in controlled portions that are convenient to pick up and eat. I've been eating it since April and I'm not tired of it yet...
32. Cut out all but natural sugars like those that you get from fruit. Try it for 2 weeks. You won't miss it. And if you commit to it for a couple of weeks, you will find tht you lose your taste for it.
So there you have it...basically this is how I have been eating for the last 9 1/2 months. There is no magic to it. It is just making good choices. Cutting out the bad stuff. You don't have to go "no carbs" or "juice fast"...just eat clean and healthy.
Don't try and tackle this all at once...just pick some things and I bet you will begin to see changes...if not in how you look, but HOW YOU FEEL. I feel GREAT now...I don't look great but I feel great. I have energy. I sleep better. My skin is better. I don't crave things.
My trainer writes a blog about food and excercise. It is GREAT information. I have learned a lot from him (when I am not yelling at him about making me run up the hill). Take a look:
http://trainingwithjesse.wordpress.com/
OK, now I have to go and look at football stuff...so I'm not completely stupid about it all...but then again I might just go to bed and let Dimples handle it all.
Inspiration song: "Lisztomania"---because it was the only thing close to having "list" in the title on my iPod. It is by Phoenix. It is a really good song!
Bye Darlings...let me know what works for you...
Showing posts with label Glee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glee. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sing
Today I had the privilege of chaperoning our 7th and 8th grade choir on a field trip to sing at the local nursing home.
Yes, you just read the words "privilege", "chaperoning", and "nursing home" in the same sentence...seems impossible!!!
But not in GOTT's world...and not without the help of Musical Muse.
Because they managed to get about 80 kids loaded up on a bus/buses (more on that later), had them sing beautifully, and then herded them into the local hot dog joint (James Coney Island) for a drama-free lunch...and returned to school in time for some classes.
I was just along for the ride...
It was...magic...
We have a HUGE choir...the 5th and 6th grade choir is as big, if not bigger.
And the music they make...well, that is some magic too.
I got up and got myself fixed up the best I could...in a long lace skirt I haven't fit into for years, 3 inch stiletto boots, and some wicked jewelry...I looked in the mirror and was greeted with a vision of:
STEVIE NICKS
in her best Rhiannon persona...
Oh, well...the 8th grade girls loved it...and that was the point...not to embarrass them.
When I got to the school and we got all the kids accounted for we headed to the buses...or should I say BUS as only one showed up.
GOTT fixed it...I won't tell you how because, well, it might make you nervous if I tell you we had more than 2 kids to a seat, but they have tiny little butts so they fit. I stood. Off to the nursing home we went...
The other bus met us there so you can put away all thoughts of us getting in trouble for seating multiple children per seat for the VERY short ride...remember, I did it standing in stilletto boots.
We got to Treemont (the nursing home) and the kids piled out of the bus, got in line, trooped in and...
made magic...
They sang like little angels...even though some of them are best described as little devils.
I was bursting with pride.
"Carol of the Bells" (a very difficult piece to sing...even for a high school choir) was amazing...
The residents were so happy...some were moved to tears...some sang along with Silent Night...some gave a standing ovation after every song!
And then the kids went and visited with the residents...that was very special to watch. Some of the girls were very excited to see one lady in particular because they had a marvelous time with her last spring...I sat and visited with her again because I so enjoyed seeing her.
Then we piled back onto TWO buses for the ride to James Coney Island.
And that, my friends, was where more magic happened.
I don't know what was more impressive...my self control with the food or the kids' behavior, but I think I will go with the kids...
They were great...
And not one of them ended up with chili all over their dress uniform jackets or ties.
Everyone sat nicely and included others. Tables were full. One boy was sitting by himself and some girls invited him to sit with them so he would not be alone. Those girls are in 7th and the boy was in 8th and is a bit of a loner but he seemed to really enjoy sitting with the girls and being asked to be a part of a table.
I didn't have to get up and tap a shoulder once. GOTT and Musical Muse and I enjoyed our meal.
Dimples warned me to avoid the chili and I did...a grilled chicken sandwich for me with mayo on the side...I used about 1/2 a teaspoon of the mayo. No fries or tater tots but I did have apple slices and a Diet Coke.
I wrote Dimples...I hope he rewards my self control tomorrow with a set of "50's" instead of "100's" but I'm not holding my breath...
Meanwhile I am sitting with GOTT (remember, he looks amazing and not his age at all and is fit and trim) and watched him put away 2 cheese coney dogs, a bowl of chili, and some fries...with a ton of jalepenos...
why I still love someone who can eat like that is beyond me...it is criminal...
After lunch it was back on the buses and back to school. I couldn't wait to brag to the Headmaster about how great the kids were...they were a credit to our school.
When we got back I went to see my friend Coach Cuteness who had received a package with my birthday gift to myself (that he ordered on my behalf)...my new flash and bracket for my camera I bought from him. I'm a disaster with the camera but I am learning...I feel like it is a bad toddler that I am trying to control and Coach Cuteness is doing his level best to train me with the camera...poor baby is infintely patient...
And I seem to have a really good ability to drive Coaches nuts...
Then I found myself in the position of having to be the offical photographer for a school event...thank goodness it was outside because I haven't a prayer of being good with inside shots for quite some time.
After all of that I decided that the day had been enough on the crazy side that I needed to go ahead and go to the gym.
I had previously told Dimples that I was taking today off but I wrote him to let him know that my OCD got the best of me and I needed some sweat time...he supported that but warned me that I do need to listen to my body (as it sings to me...off key, mind you...)and rest when I need it so as not to injure myself.
I guess I was tired because I couldnt' run today like I did yesterday...but I'm going to chalk it up to a lot of running yesterday, a training session (yesterday) and a lot of stress today...because even though the kids didn't stress me, the stress of making sure that they were all present and accounted for did stress me...that and being sad over my friend Patrick made a run on the treadmill and time on the arc trainer something I needed to clear my head.
I put my music on and let it set a beat for me to run to...and it was a good time with my head and my thoughts and my breathing...but really just thinking back to the kids singing Carol of the Bells or my sweet little twin angels singing Amy Grant's version of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" (an amazing song) were the only music I really needed.
I watched my favorite show (Glee) tonight and really enjoyed the music and show...and as I heard that slick, professionally-produced music sung by professionals and Broadway veterans, I was blown away by their talent...but it didn't put me in any more awe than I was in today with the kids. Because my kids, MY KIDS (I think of them that way) may not sing as perfectly, but they sang with their hearts...and that is a very great thing to do.
God gives us all instruments...for some of us it is our voices (not me, not me...), for some it is our athletic bodies (again, not me), or dancing bodies...or the ability to draw, paint, or sculpt...but we can all sing His praises, if not with our actual voices, but rather with the voices of movement or through art...
you know what I mean?
And today, when I heard the music that the children made with the help of GOTT (the best choir director, period...) and Musical Muse (who is amazing with her ability to keep a kid on pitch/key/time), and I saw the pleasure on the faces of the nursing home residents, I was brought to a place of joy...
Their gift of song was a gift to me and my spirit...and to all that heard it...
And I pray that some day, when I am old and need a walker to get about, that some children will come and sing so I can hear their voices and feel that joy again...and it will remind me of how priveleged I am to be in the presence of such gifts...gifts that the children don't even realize they are giving, but they do...when they sing...
Because can you think of anything more beautful than the sound of children's voices, in perfect harmony and unison, glorifying God?
No, I can't either...
Inspiration Song: a little odd considering that I'm talking about choir music, but today I really needed a little more of My Chemical Romance so it was their song "Sing" that got me to keep going when I wanted to give up. I'm going to be obsessed with their new album for quite a while...
bye Darlings...now go and sing...in whatever key you like!
Yes, you just read the words "privilege", "chaperoning", and "nursing home" in the same sentence...seems impossible!!!
But not in GOTT's world...and not without the help of Musical Muse.
Because they managed to get about 80 kids loaded up on a bus/buses (more on that later), had them sing beautifully, and then herded them into the local hot dog joint (James Coney Island) for a drama-free lunch...and returned to school in time for some classes.
I was just along for the ride...
It was...magic...
We have a HUGE choir...the 5th and 6th grade choir is as big, if not bigger.
And the music they make...well, that is some magic too.
I got up and got myself fixed up the best I could...in a long lace skirt I haven't fit into for years, 3 inch stiletto boots, and some wicked jewelry...I looked in the mirror and was greeted with a vision of:
STEVIE NICKS
in her best Rhiannon persona...
Oh, well...the 8th grade girls loved it...and that was the point...not to embarrass them.
When I got to the school and we got all the kids accounted for we headed to the buses...or should I say BUS as only one showed up.
GOTT fixed it...I won't tell you how because, well, it might make you nervous if I tell you we had more than 2 kids to a seat, but they have tiny little butts so they fit. I stood. Off to the nursing home we went...
The other bus met us there so you can put away all thoughts of us getting in trouble for seating multiple children per seat for the VERY short ride...remember, I did it standing in stilletto boots.
We got to Treemont (the nursing home) and the kids piled out of the bus, got in line, trooped in and...
made magic...
They sang like little angels...even though some of them are best described as little devils.
I was bursting with pride.
"Carol of the Bells" (a very difficult piece to sing...even for a high school choir) was amazing...
The residents were so happy...some were moved to tears...some sang along with Silent Night...some gave a standing ovation after every song!
And then the kids went and visited with the residents...that was very special to watch. Some of the girls were very excited to see one lady in particular because they had a marvelous time with her last spring...I sat and visited with her again because I so enjoyed seeing her.
Then we piled back onto TWO buses for the ride to James Coney Island.
And that, my friends, was where more magic happened.
I don't know what was more impressive...my self control with the food or the kids' behavior, but I think I will go with the kids...
They were great...
And not one of them ended up with chili all over their dress uniform jackets or ties.
Everyone sat nicely and included others. Tables were full. One boy was sitting by himself and some girls invited him to sit with them so he would not be alone. Those girls are in 7th and the boy was in 8th and is a bit of a loner but he seemed to really enjoy sitting with the girls and being asked to be a part of a table.
I didn't have to get up and tap a shoulder once. GOTT and Musical Muse and I enjoyed our meal.
Dimples warned me to avoid the chili and I did...a grilled chicken sandwich for me with mayo on the side...I used about 1/2 a teaspoon of the mayo. No fries or tater tots but I did have apple slices and a Diet Coke.
I wrote Dimples...I hope he rewards my self control tomorrow with a set of "50's" instead of "100's" but I'm not holding my breath...
Meanwhile I am sitting with GOTT (remember, he looks amazing and not his age at all and is fit and trim) and watched him put away 2 cheese coney dogs, a bowl of chili, and some fries...with a ton of jalepenos...
why I still love someone who can eat like that is beyond me...it is criminal...
After lunch it was back on the buses and back to school. I couldn't wait to brag to the Headmaster about how great the kids were...they were a credit to our school.
When we got back I went to see my friend Coach Cuteness who had received a package with my birthday gift to myself (that he ordered on my behalf)...my new flash and bracket for my camera I bought from him. I'm a disaster with the camera but I am learning...I feel like it is a bad toddler that I am trying to control and Coach Cuteness is doing his level best to train me with the camera...poor baby is infintely patient...
And I seem to have a really good ability to drive Coaches nuts...
Then I found myself in the position of having to be the offical photographer for a school event...thank goodness it was outside because I haven't a prayer of being good with inside shots for quite some time.
After all of that I decided that the day had been enough on the crazy side that I needed to go ahead and go to the gym.
I had previously told Dimples that I was taking today off but I wrote him to let him know that my OCD got the best of me and I needed some sweat time...he supported that but warned me that I do need to listen to my body (as it sings to me...off key, mind you...)and rest when I need it so as not to injure myself.
I guess I was tired because I couldnt' run today like I did yesterday...but I'm going to chalk it up to a lot of running yesterday, a training session (yesterday) and a lot of stress today...because even though the kids didn't stress me, the stress of making sure that they were all present and accounted for did stress me...that and being sad over my friend Patrick made a run on the treadmill and time on the arc trainer something I needed to clear my head.
I put my music on and let it set a beat for me to run to...and it was a good time with my head and my thoughts and my breathing...but really just thinking back to the kids singing Carol of the Bells or my sweet little twin angels singing Amy Grant's version of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" (an amazing song) were the only music I really needed.
I watched my favorite show (Glee) tonight and really enjoyed the music and show...and as I heard that slick, professionally-produced music sung by professionals and Broadway veterans, I was blown away by their talent...but it didn't put me in any more awe than I was in today with the kids. Because my kids, MY KIDS (I think of them that way) may not sing as perfectly, but they sang with their hearts...and that is a very great thing to do.
God gives us all instruments...for some of us it is our voices (not me, not me...), for some it is our athletic bodies (again, not me), or dancing bodies...or the ability to draw, paint, or sculpt...but we can all sing His praises, if not with our actual voices, but rather with the voices of movement or through art...
you know what I mean?
And today, when I heard the music that the children made with the help of GOTT (the best choir director, period...) and Musical Muse (who is amazing with her ability to keep a kid on pitch/key/time), and I saw the pleasure on the faces of the nursing home residents, I was brought to a place of joy...
Their gift of song was a gift to me and my spirit...and to all that heard it...
And I pray that some day, when I am old and need a walker to get about, that some children will come and sing so I can hear their voices and feel that joy again...and it will remind me of how priveleged I am to be in the presence of such gifts...gifts that the children don't even realize they are giving, but they do...when they sing...
Because can you think of anything more beautful than the sound of children's voices, in perfect harmony and unison, glorifying God?
No, I can't either...
Inspiration Song: a little odd considering that I'm talking about choir music, but today I really needed a little more of My Chemical Romance so it was their song "Sing" that got me to keep going when I wanted to give up. I'm going to be obsessed with their new album for quite a while...
bye Darlings...now go and sing...in whatever key you like!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Time Warp
I spent the last week re-living a teenage obsession of mine---The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I love love love Rocky Horror.
I love love love Tim Curry in that corset and the way he says "lab" and "slab".
antici..........
............
...........
...........
.........pation
Oh, that is the best part of that song...
Now if you haven't ever seen Rocky Horror, you totally won't get this blog.
"Glee" did an homage to Rocky Horror last week. The music was amazing. They put a fresh spin on it all. GOTT and I have been listening to it non-stop backstage as we settle and put away things from the show. And Fox Movies ran it non-stop all day on Halloween. I watched it 3 times...
The first time I saw Rocky Horror was here in Houston at the Alabama Theater. My aunt Jane took me (remember her? The best person in the world?). She took me and a few of my friends to see it.
We were totally unprepared for the experience.
The costumed freaks (who were freaks and happy to be called so), the toast throwing, the newspapers on the head, and all the shouting at the characters on the screen.
And then getting up to dance the Time Warp.
I LOVED it...it was a midnight movie and it was full of awesome people who weren't afraid to be different.
Because at that age all I wanted to do is conform but it was freeing to see others who were ok with being different. It wasn't until years later that I could really appreciate it and embrace it myself.
Because being able to be who you are is really amazing.
Some of us can be who we are because we aren't all that different. But I have friends who can't openly show love to their partners (yes...the gay thing again...sorry, it bugs me that my gay friends have to worry that they won't be accepted if they are open about it to everyone). Others have things in their pasts that they are ashamed of.
I myself had a pretty screwed up childhood.
My dad had affairs. My mother was a bi-polar alcoholic.
My dad left us for my stepmonster. My mother took pills, but wasn't very good about taking the pills that would have helped her...she just liked the ones that helped her not feel...
is it any wonder that I was as big as I was?
I have come to discover that I am an extremely co-dependent person who needs a lot of love, affection and positive feedback to feel worthy. I have to fix things. I have to solve things. I have to save people. I have to be the hero...
Is it any wonder that I compare myself to Tinkerbell?
But..........
I can use all of that for good.
I ENJOY helping people.
I love being surrounded by people I love...especially my theater kids and GOTT and TTG...
I love getting to be creative with our shows and surprising GOTT and TTG with the fun things I come up with.
I look on the stage and get all the fulfillment I need when I see the kids having fun and putting on a great show. And when they run off the stage into my arms and tell me "that was a blast" I am happy to share it with them.
I've watched those kids grow and change and discover themselves. I have been supportive when a few have "come out" (a brave thing to do in high school) because I am proud of them for knowing who they are. I have watched some use the theater experience to grow and change (the boy I love so who is student body president). I've watched some take the lead in their shows in high school and continue to move forward with their acting/singing.
High school is hard...you do a lot of things to fit in...
I was so into appearing to be just like everyone else in high school that I compromised myself and my values. Who didn't? (hopefully some of you) My compromise was drinking. I was afraid to drink and had a dad that would have killed me if I came home drunk. I lived in the hill country. Deer. Curves. Low water crossings. I had a friend who paralyzed himself after driving drunk.
My compromise...not what you might expect.
I didn't drink. But I LOOKED like I was. My friend and I took some empty beer cans, washed them, and then filled them with soda. The ruse worked pretty well at most of the parties we went to. Our version of "paryting" many times in high school was to go somewhere and pull up all the trucks and get a keg or steal your parents beer and stand around drinking. Once we did it at the rest stop on I-10...that was safe...not...
So the "not really beer" in the beer can thing worked until some football player took a swig and realized that we had soda in there. And then he declared us the uncoolest cheerleaders ever.
But I didn't drive drunk....at least not in high school. Scares me when I think about college so I won't revist that or go back...
My dad sent me to college with the following "rules" about drinking:
1) nothing out of a trash can---it just can't be good
2) nothing blue or purple---because those are scary colors for drinks
3) nothing that you drink down in one gulp (shots)
4) just drink beer
I broke all 3 of the "do not" rules within my first 2 months of college. May have been my first 2 weeks...may have been my first 2 days...
And why did I do all of that? To conform. To be like the others. Did I like the blue/purple drink? Heck no...
And trash can punch? Can you say "disgusting"?
The 7 shots of tequila followed by beer chasers (I was 110 pounds dripping wet) deserves it's own blog. I think I will call it "Jose Cuervo". It was a bad, bad night...I did tell my father to sue a certain fraternity because I was convinced I was given poison...no one told me tequila is poison...
But I digress...
So back to Rocky Horror...and Tim Curry in his corset...
As strange, and weird, and freaky as that movie is, it is a fun thing to watch. And it was more fun to GO to the movie and see all the crazy around you and have fun with it.
The lesson here? Wear a corset and high heels? Maybe...
Because if the corset and high heels make you feel pretty and sexy...why not? Even if you are not a size 4...
And if my male friend wants to kiss his boyfriend or my female friend wants to hold hands with her girlfriend---GO FOR IT...
And if you want to dance for absolutely no reason...DANCE! I do it backstage all the time...
And if you want to drink something blue or purple...well, there I might have to tell you that it is not a good idea...unless it is wine...and then purple can be GOOD...
Inspiration Music: "Time Warp"...Rocky Horror Glee Show...a really amazing version...or the original...you'll be into a time slip...
bye darlings
I love love love Rocky Horror.
I love love love Tim Curry in that corset and the way he says "lab" and "slab".
antici..........
............
...........
...........
.........pation
Oh, that is the best part of that song...
Now if you haven't ever seen Rocky Horror, you totally won't get this blog.
"Glee" did an homage to Rocky Horror last week. The music was amazing. They put a fresh spin on it all. GOTT and I have been listening to it non-stop backstage as we settle and put away things from the show. And Fox Movies ran it non-stop all day on Halloween. I watched it 3 times...
The first time I saw Rocky Horror was here in Houston at the Alabama Theater. My aunt Jane took me (remember her? The best person in the world?). She took me and a few of my friends to see it.
We were totally unprepared for the experience.
The costumed freaks (who were freaks and happy to be called so), the toast throwing, the newspapers on the head, and all the shouting at the characters on the screen.
And then getting up to dance the Time Warp.
I LOVED it...it was a midnight movie and it was full of awesome people who weren't afraid to be different.
Because at that age all I wanted to do is conform but it was freeing to see others who were ok with being different. It wasn't until years later that I could really appreciate it and embrace it myself.
Because being able to be who you are is really amazing.
Some of us can be who we are because we aren't all that different. But I have friends who can't openly show love to their partners (yes...the gay thing again...sorry, it bugs me that my gay friends have to worry that they won't be accepted if they are open about it to everyone). Others have things in their pasts that they are ashamed of.
I myself had a pretty screwed up childhood.
My dad had affairs. My mother was a bi-polar alcoholic.
My dad left us for my stepmonster. My mother took pills, but wasn't very good about taking the pills that would have helped her...she just liked the ones that helped her not feel...
is it any wonder that I was as big as I was?
I have come to discover that I am an extremely co-dependent person who needs a lot of love, affection and positive feedback to feel worthy. I have to fix things. I have to solve things. I have to save people. I have to be the hero...
Is it any wonder that I compare myself to Tinkerbell?
But..........
I can use all of that for good.
I ENJOY helping people.
I love being surrounded by people I love...especially my theater kids and GOTT and TTG...
I love getting to be creative with our shows and surprising GOTT and TTG with the fun things I come up with.
I look on the stage and get all the fulfillment I need when I see the kids having fun and putting on a great show. And when they run off the stage into my arms and tell me "that was a blast" I am happy to share it with them.
I've watched those kids grow and change and discover themselves. I have been supportive when a few have "come out" (a brave thing to do in high school) because I am proud of them for knowing who they are. I have watched some use the theater experience to grow and change (the boy I love so who is student body president). I've watched some take the lead in their shows in high school and continue to move forward with their acting/singing.
High school is hard...you do a lot of things to fit in...
I was so into appearing to be just like everyone else in high school that I compromised myself and my values. Who didn't? (hopefully some of you) My compromise was drinking. I was afraid to drink and had a dad that would have killed me if I came home drunk. I lived in the hill country. Deer. Curves. Low water crossings. I had a friend who paralyzed himself after driving drunk.
My compromise...not what you might expect.
I didn't drink. But I LOOKED like I was. My friend and I took some empty beer cans, washed them, and then filled them with soda. The ruse worked pretty well at most of the parties we went to. Our version of "paryting" many times in high school was to go somewhere and pull up all the trucks and get a keg or steal your parents beer and stand around drinking. Once we did it at the rest stop on I-10...that was safe...not...
So the "not really beer" in the beer can thing worked until some football player took a swig and realized that we had soda in there. And then he declared us the uncoolest cheerleaders ever.
But I didn't drive drunk....at least not in high school. Scares me when I think about college so I won't revist that or go back...
My dad sent me to college with the following "rules" about drinking:
1) nothing out of a trash can---it just can't be good
2) nothing blue or purple---because those are scary colors for drinks
3) nothing that you drink down in one gulp (shots)
4) just drink beer
I broke all 3 of the "do not" rules within my first 2 months of college. May have been my first 2 weeks...may have been my first 2 days...
And why did I do all of that? To conform. To be like the others. Did I like the blue/purple drink? Heck no...
And trash can punch? Can you say "disgusting"?
The 7 shots of tequila followed by beer chasers (I was 110 pounds dripping wet) deserves it's own blog. I think I will call it "Jose Cuervo". It was a bad, bad night...I did tell my father to sue a certain fraternity because I was convinced I was given poison...no one told me tequila is poison...
But I digress...
So back to Rocky Horror...and Tim Curry in his corset...
As strange, and weird, and freaky as that movie is, it is a fun thing to watch. And it was more fun to GO to the movie and see all the crazy around you and have fun with it.
The lesson here? Wear a corset and high heels? Maybe...
Because if the corset and high heels make you feel pretty and sexy...why not? Even if you are not a size 4...
And if my male friend wants to kiss his boyfriend or my female friend wants to hold hands with her girlfriend---GO FOR IT...
And if you want to dance for absolutely no reason...DANCE! I do it backstage all the time...
And if you want to drink something blue or purple...well, there I might have to tell you that it is not a good idea...unless it is wine...and then purple can be GOOD...
Inspiration Music: "Time Warp"...Rocky Horror Glee Show...a really amazing version...or the original...you'll be into a time slip...
bye darlings
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
4 mintues
So I go to Spinderellas spin class today...I love her class and I am always happy when it is Tuesday and I can go and die on an indoor cycle bike. This time I made my sweet friend---let's call her "Sistah" because she is like a little sister to me---come with me.
Now Sistah is about a foot taller than me and she has legs for miles...I'm envious...because these legs aren't just long, they are beautiful, strong, tennis-playing legs. Sistah is a sporty girl...and beautiful...and she can play tennis.
I may belong to the Houston Racquet Club but you will never see me swing a racquet at a ball. Because I am bad at tennis. Hopeless. Awful...
A long time ago when I was in middle school, my mother hired a tennis coach for me and my sisters. I think she really just wanted to date the guy, but in any case we were forced into learning to play tennis. He worked with me a day or two. And then he told my mother she could have her money back because I was never going to be a tennis player. Ever. Hopeless...
How bad to you have to be for a coach to declare that there is no point?
"how awful is Anice at tennis" Part 2:
At camp they didn't even make me play. I got to chase the balls...
So I belong to the HRC as a place to hang out, drink, and work out. And have dinner (the food is...mehhhh...). But not to play tennis.
So Sistah and I spin...45 minutes...15 minutes of abs...and then 30 more minutes of Spinderella making us ride those bikes like we were Lance Armstrong climbing the Alps. Sistah did great and it was her first spin class. I can't wait until she tells me that she can't sit down tomorrow...I didn't mention that part to her...
Today Spinderella showed us Madonna videos as a way to keep our minds off of the fact that we were in brutal pain. Videos from the 90's.
Videos like:
"Bedtime Stories"----very strange...I get wigged out when her eyes become mouths
"Human Nature"---also odd...and all this bondage stuff...
"Ray of Light"---a little crazy
"Take a Bow"---the video that launched a craze for Chanel Vamp nail polish
"the Power of Goodbye"---Goran Visnijic...need I say more?
Conclusion: Madonna is more beautiful as a brunette. JMHO...
So Spinderella has us all on the bikes and she opens the class with "4 minutes"...
And that got me thinking...
what can I do in 4 minutes to save the world...like the song says?
or maybe what can I do in 4 minutes to save myself? But saving the world is more noble...
In light of the week I am having, with my friends losing their son in a tragic accident, I can't help but feel like there is something we can all do to save the world. Or ourselves...or a friend...
4 minutes...not much time...or a lot of time...
In four minutes, I can do a lot for myself...
I can do squats, or bicep curls, or a wall sit, or triceps...
I can brush my teeth (sonicare 2 minutes) and wash my face...
I can put on sunscreen (heaven help me...I love my tan...)
I can heat up some veggies...those little "steam in the bag" things are convenient!
I can use the fancy little bumpy scrubby thing that is supposed to make my cellulite go away....although I suspect that I can stay in the shower and use that thing until the next day and I will still have cellulite, but I bought into the hype...
I can open a bottle of wine and pour a glass (ok, maybe that is not as healthy, but it sure makes me happy)...
I can pet my cat (they say that petting an animal reduces your blood pressure)
I can eat a cup of yogurt (Fage...2%....honey) for the calcium
And I can do things for a friend:
I can send a note or email to thank someone for being my friend (that sounds hokey, but it really is sweet...and think of how much that would mean if someone did that for YOU)
I can pray for someone...we all know people who need our prayers...
OK, I'm not going to get in to all the things we can do for the greater good here because we all know those things...and besides, I had a good bit of red wine (a nice Gigondas) at dinner and I am tired...but you get the picture...
4 minutes is not a lot of time...but we can use it well...and so, I plan to spend that time a little more wisely...
My friend Sistah is a great person...she's a real sweetheart...she is younger than me but I learn from her every day...she has great faith in God, she loves the Lord...and she treats her friends like they are gifts...I am lucky to be one of those friends...she uses 4 minutes well...even on the spin bike...and especially when she is praying for me and being my friend...
use your 4 minutes well...
I'm off to brush my teeth and wash my face...
"4 minutes" by the awesome and amazing Madonna...or the Glee cast version...4 minutes to save the world...or yourself...
bye darlings
Now Sistah is about a foot taller than me and she has legs for miles...I'm envious...because these legs aren't just long, they are beautiful, strong, tennis-playing legs. Sistah is a sporty girl...and beautiful...and she can play tennis.
I may belong to the Houston Racquet Club but you will never see me swing a racquet at a ball. Because I am bad at tennis. Hopeless. Awful...
A long time ago when I was in middle school, my mother hired a tennis coach for me and my sisters. I think she really just wanted to date the guy, but in any case we were forced into learning to play tennis. He worked with me a day or two. And then he told my mother she could have her money back because I was never going to be a tennis player. Ever. Hopeless...
How bad to you have to be for a coach to declare that there is no point?
"how awful is Anice at tennis" Part 2:
At camp they didn't even make me play. I got to chase the balls...
So I belong to the HRC as a place to hang out, drink, and work out. And have dinner (the food is...mehhhh...). But not to play tennis.
So Sistah and I spin...45 minutes...15 minutes of abs...and then 30 more minutes of Spinderella making us ride those bikes like we were Lance Armstrong climbing the Alps. Sistah did great and it was her first spin class. I can't wait until she tells me that she can't sit down tomorrow...I didn't mention that part to her...
Today Spinderella showed us Madonna videos as a way to keep our minds off of the fact that we were in brutal pain. Videos from the 90's.
Videos like:
"Bedtime Stories"----very strange...I get wigged out when her eyes become mouths
"Human Nature"---also odd...and all this bondage stuff...
"Ray of Light"---a little crazy
"Take a Bow"---the video that launched a craze for Chanel Vamp nail polish
"the Power of Goodbye"---Goran Visnijic...need I say more?
Conclusion: Madonna is more beautiful as a brunette. JMHO...
So Spinderella has us all on the bikes and she opens the class with "4 minutes"...
And that got me thinking...
what can I do in 4 minutes to save the world...like the song says?
or maybe what can I do in 4 minutes to save myself? But saving the world is more noble...
In light of the week I am having, with my friends losing their son in a tragic accident, I can't help but feel like there is something we can all do to save the world. Or ourselves...or a friend...
4 minutes...not much time...or a lot of time...
In four minutes, I can do a lot for myself...
I can do squats, or bicep curls, or a wall sit, or triceps...
I can brush my teeth (sonicare 2 minutes) and wash my face...
I can put on sunscreen (heaven help me...I love my tan...)
I can heat up some veggies...those little "steam in the bag" things are convenient!
I can use the fancy little bumpy scrubby thing that is supposed to make my cellulite go away....although I suspect that I can stay in the shower and use that thing until the next day and I will still have cellulite, but I bought into the hype...
I can open a bottle of wine and pour a glass (ok, maybe that is not as healthy, but it sure makes me happy)...
I can pet my cat (they say that petting an animal reduces your blood pressure)
I can eat a cup of yogurt (Fage...2%....honey) for the calcium
And I can do things for a friend:
I can send a note or email to thank someone for being my friend (that sounds hokey, but it really is sweet...and think of how much that would mean if someone did that for YOU)
I can pray for someone...we all know people who need our prayers...
OK, I'm not going to get in to all the things we can do for the greater good here because we all know those things...and besides, I had a good bit of red wine (a nice Gigondas) at dinner and I am tired...but you get the picture...
4 minutes is not a lot of time...but we can use it well...and so, I plan to spend that time a little more wisely...
My friend Sistah is a great person...she's a real sweetheart...she is younger than me but I learn from her every day...she has great faith in God, she loves the Lord...and she treats her friends like they are gifts...I am lucky to be one of those friends...she uses 4 minutes well...even on the spin bike...and especially when she is praying for me and being my friend...
use your 4 minutes well...
I'm off to brush my teeth and wash my face...
"4 minutes" by the awesome and amazing Madonna...or the Glee cast version...4 minutes to save the world...or yourself...
bye darlings
Friday, June 11, 2010
Crush
So I have a little crush...
His name is Eric...
He's blonde and blue-eyed (which is unusual for me as I usually like the dark-haired guys...but always the light eyes)...he's very tall...he's a bad boy...a Viking...ruthless (I know, that is NOT attractive, but on him its all good)...he's older than me...by 1000 years...and he is a VAMPIRE...
No, not one of the teenage school-girl crush type of Twilight vampires (but I have read the books and watched the movies---Team Edward here all the way), but a real, honest-to-goodness badder-than-bad bloodsucking vamp...
Eric Northman (sigh)...as played by Alexander Skarsgard on HBO's "True Blood"...
I wanted to put a photo up here to show you how beautiful he is, but I'm not tech-savvy enough to do it...so you will just have to Google him and see for yourself. Or try this link:
http://cdn.buzznet.com/media-cdn/jj1/headlines/2010/04/alexander-skarsgard-arms-details-magazine.jpg
oh yeah...
and if you watch "Zoolander" you will see Alexander Skarsgard (very young) as one of Ben Stiller's roomates who plays with the gasoline...he was cute then...now he is HOT HOT HOT...
I like Bradley Cooper too...a lot...but I have it bad for the vampire (and the actor who plays him)...but I think it is mostly the vampire...
I've read the Sookie Stackhouse novels that the True Blood series is based on and they are fun little romps. The tv show is tied with "Glee" for my favorite show (even Grey's Anatomy has fallen behind those 2 shows) and it is worth paying for HBO just to see it. I'm also a big "Tudors" fan (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VII...dark hair, blue eyes), and I really enjoyed "Spartacus" (don't ask me why...I just liked it...oh, yeah...it was the lead actor, Andy Whitfield...tall, dark haired and blue eyed), and "Big Love". And I love those train-wreck shows like "Toddlers and Tiaras" as well as all of Bravo's "Real Housewives"...and I can't get enough of "Top Chef"...
I'm not that much of a television junkie...but I do love me some vampires and singing kids...
So now that my beloved "Glee" is on hiatus for the summer, I get to sink my teeth into (pun intended) "True Blood" and enjoy Eric...and I also enjoy Bill the vampire played by Stephen Moyer (dark hair/blue eyes)...and every second of Ryan Kwanten's (Jason Stackhouse) abs...
oh yeah...
And if you read and loved "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet, Starz (a premium cable channel) has made it into a mini-series...Matthew Macfayden will be Prior Phillip...you might know him as "Mr. Darcy" in the Kiera Knightly "Pride and Prejudice"...dark hair, blue eyes...
oh yeah...
I am reading the book for the 3rd time in anticipation...great book....
So that is my little crush...Eric from True Blood...after all, if my husband can enjoy the "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show", I am entitled to a little bloodlust with the vampire...
I can give you a True Blood crash course if you want...just email or facebook me...
I don't try to plan or over-think these blogs...you can tell that it is mainly stream-of conciousness writing...but I did have to stop and start this one a bit today so I had some time to think about it and think about "crush".
I looked it up on the online dictionary:
crush (krsh)
v. crushed, crush·ing, crush·es
v.tr.
1. To press between opposing bodies so as to break or injure.
2. To break, pound, or grind (stone or ore, for example) into small fragments or powder.
3. To put down; subdue: crushed the rebellion.
4. To overwhelm or oppress severely: spirits that had been crushed by rejection and failure.
5. To crumple or rumple: crushed the freshly ironed shirt.
6. To hug, especially with great force.
7. To press upon, shove, or crowd.
8. To extract or obtain by pressing or squeezing: crush juice from a grape.
9. Archaic To drink; quaff.
v.intr.
1. To be or become crushed.
2. To proceed or move by crowding or pressing.
n.
1. The act of crushing; extreme pressure.
2. The state of being crushed.
3. A great crowd: a crush of spectators.
4. A substance prepared by or as if by crushing, especially a fruit drink: orange crush.
5. Informal
a. A usually temporary infatuation.
b. One who is the object of such an infatuation.
6. A decisive or critical moment or situation.
7. The process of stamping or crushing grapes for wine.
After reading that, I see that I have a lot of "crush" in my life:
1) Eric Northman (see above)...object of my infatuation
2)I like crushed grapes...that are fermented...i.e. WINE
3)I am trying to crush the rebellion that is inside of me any time I want to eat something I shouldn't or skip going to the gym...
I have another crush...this one is healthy...Fage Greek Yogurt with honey (or blueberries)...it is my favorite snack when I want something sweet and it is good for you...lots of calcium, very low in fat, high in flavor. I get mine at Randalls and HEB or at Fit Foods. Try it, you will like it...
And to get you going, today's musical selection/inspiration is:
"Crush"---Glee Cast version...sung by the mah-ve-lous Lea Michelle...
bye darlings...
His name is Eric...
He's blonde and blue-eyed (which is unusual for me as I usually like the dark-haired guys...but always the light eyes)...he's very tall...he's a bad boy...a Viking...ruthless (I know, that is NOT attractive, but on him its all good)...he's older than me...by 1000 years...and he is a VAMPIRE...
No, not one of the teenage school-girl crush type of Twilight vampires (but I have read the books and watched the movies---Team Edward here all the way), but a real, honest-to-goodness badder-than-bad bloodsucking vamp...
Eric Northman (sigh)...as played by Alexander Skarsgard on HBO's "True Blood"...
I wanted to put a photo up here to show you how beautiful he is, but I'm not tech-savvy enough to do it...so you will just have to Google him and see for yourself. Or try this link:
http://cdn.buzznet.com/media-cdn/jj1/headlines/2010/04/alexander-skarsgard-arms-details-magazine.jpg
oh yeah...
and if you watch "Zoolander" you will see Alexander Skarsgard (very young) as one of Ben Stiller's roomates who plays with the gasoline...he was cute then...now he is HOT HOT HOT...
I like Bradley Cooper too...a lot...but I have it bad for the vampire (and the actor who plays him)...but I think it is mostly the vampire...
I've read the Sookie Stackhouse novels that the True Blood series is based on and they are fun little romps. The tv show is tied with "Glee" for my favorite show (even Grey's Anatomy has fallen behind those 2 shows) and it is worth paying for HBO just to see it. I'm also a big "Tudors" fan (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VII...dark hair, blue eyes), and I really enjoyed "Spartacus" (don't ask me why...I just liked it...oh, yeah...it was the lead actor, Andy Whitfield...tall, dark haired and blue eyed), and "Big Love". And I love those train-wreck shows like "Toddlers and Tiaras" as well as all of Bravo's "Real Housewives"...and I can't get enough of "Top Chef"...
I'm not that much of a television junkie...but I do love me some vampires and singing kids...
So now that my beloved "Glee" is on hiatus for the summer, I get to sink my teeth into (pun intended) "True Blood" and enjoy Eric...and I also enjoy Bill the vampire played by Stephen Moyer (dark hair/blue eyes)...and every second of Ryan Kwanten's (Jason Stackhouse) abs...
oh yeah...
And if you read and loved "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet, Starz (a premium cable channel) has made it into a mini-series...Matthew Macfayden will be Prior Phillip...you might know him as "Mr. Darcy" in the Kiera Knightly "Pride and Prejudice"...dark hair, blue eyes...
oh yeah...
I am reading the book for the 3rd time in anticipation...great book....
So that is my little crush...Eric from True Blood...after all, if my husband can enjoy the "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show", I am entitled to a little bloodlust with the vampire...
I can give you a True Blood crash course if you want...just email or facebook me...
I don't try to plan or over-think these blogs...you can tell that it is mainly stream-of conciousness writing...but I did have to stop and start this one a bit today so I had some time to think about it and think about "crush".
I looked it up on the online dictionary:
crush (krsh)
v. crushed, crush·ing, crush·es
v.tr.
1. To press between opposing bodies so as to break or injure.
2. To break, pound, or grind (stone or ore, for example) into small fragments or powder.
3. To put down; subdue: crushed the rebellion.
4. To overwhelm or oppress severely: spirits that had been crushed by rejection and failure.
5. To crumple or rumple: crushed the freshly ironed shirt.
6. To hug, especially with great force.
7. To press upon, shove, or crowd.
8. To extract or obtain by pressing or squeezing: crush juice from a grape.
9. Archaic To drink; quaff.
v.intr.
1. To be or become crushed.
2. To proceed or move by crowding or pressing.
n.
1. The act of crushing; extreme pressure.
2. The state of being crushed.
3. A great crowd: a crush of spectators.
4. A substance prepared by or as if by crushing, especially a fruit drink: orange crush.
5. Informal
a. A usually temporary infatuation.
b. One who is the object of such an infatuation.
6. A decisive or critical moment or situation.
7. The process of stamping or crushing grapes for wine.
After reading that, I see that I have a lot of "crush" in my life:
1) Eric Northman (see above)...object of my infatuation
2)I like crushed grapes...that are fermented...i.e. WINE
3)I am trying to crush the rebellion that is inside of me any time I want to eat something I shouldn't or skip going to the gym...
I have another crush...this one is healthy...Fage Greek Yogurt with honey (or blueberries)...it is my favorite snack when I want something sweet and it is good for you...lots of calcium, very low in fat, high in flavor. I get mine at Randalls and HEB or at Fit Foods. Try it, you will like it...
And to get you going, today's musical selection/inspiration is:
"Crush"---Glee Cast version...sung by the mah-ve-lous Lea Michelle...
bye darlings...
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Don't Stop Believin'
I am dyeing an 80's drop-waist poofy short dress with a bow on the hip...I'm dyeing it royal blue. And when I say "dyeing" it, I mean that as I type this it is sitting in my sink soaking to get the remaining dye out of it. It was cream, now it is blue. Mission accomplished. Now I just hope it was ok to get the dress wet and that it will dry ok. And not turn the child who wears it blue...
I have some essential beliefs about dying clothes...rules, so to speak:
1) dyeing is better done in a washing machine but if you have a front-loader, you have to do it in your sink. The last time I dyed something, it was something I needed to make red, it looked like a murder had taken place in my laundry room...there was red everywhere. The blue was contained to the sink this time.
2) you have to believe that what you dye is going to look better dyed the color you are making it...this time, I was right...sometimes---not so much...
3) don't wear anything you don't mind getting dye on...my shirt is essentially tye-dyed now...
4) don't drink while dyeing...do I really need to explain this one? I have broken that rule...well, I didn't pour the wine until AFTER I got the dye bath out of the sink so I guess I just partially broke that rule...(you probably also shouldn't blog while drinking wine but...)
5) you have to be willing to say "what the hell" and just do it...
So now the 80's party dress that was cream is now blue...you can tell I lead an exciting life if the best thing I have to blog about is dyeing something blue...
now on to more interesting things...and if you need a course on how to dye something, email me...
I believe that "Glee" is the most fantastic and wonderfully (and beautifully) written show on television...the cast is top notch and the music...well, if you can't tell how much I love music, then you aren't really reading my blogs...
The music is...sublime...superb...amazing...awesome...incredible...unbelieveable..
ok, now I need a thesaurus...
In any case, the storytelling and the acting would be enough to love the show even if they never sang one song...but they do...and they are incredible performances. I find it amazing that the same guy who thought up the plastic surgery/sexy show "Nip/Tuck" could come up with something as beautiful as "Glee". If you ever saw "Nip/Tuck", you know what I mean...this is a 180 degree turnaround in type of show. If I had known that Ryan Murphy (creator of "Nip/Tuck")had dreamed up "Glee", I might not have given it a chance...that being said, I enjoyed "Nip/Tuck"...sometimes...
So last night I settled in to watch the season finale of "Glee". I was a bit bummed because I will now have to wait until like October to see a new show, but I have almost all of this season's show still on the DVR to enjoy when I am lonely for Rachel, Puck, Finn, Mercedes, Sue, Will, Quinn and precious Kurt.
I poured myself a delicious glass of wine before settling in. I have a wine god, let's call him Bacchus (because he is Italian). He's a friend who I turn to when I want a good suggestion of something yummy to buy...he loves wine and he loves talking about wine. He is a history teacher so I guess the teaching thing doesn't stop. In any case, he's a great guy, a good source for vino info, and a fantastic teacher. The kids love him---I'm so excited that The Cutest Boy in the World will have him next year and he is a great follow-up to Mr. Adorable and Precious who was an amazing teacher this year...along with being Adorable and Precious. So Bacchus tells me to buy Papa Luna at Costco so I do...fantastico! I open it because I decide I need a good wine to enjoy with my favorite show...
So I cry through the show and drink 2 glasses of wine...and I make sure all the Glee music is loaded on my iPhone to enjoy today and always...and I am glad I saved the calories for the 2 glasses of wine...
Today I did my usual sentence on the Precor to loosen up all of my aching sore muscles from the workout with Fitness Godess and the classes with Spinderella. I thought about taking the day off, laying by the pool and enjoying my book but even the touch of headache I get the day after having even a little red wine (but I won't give it up)wasn't a good enough excuse to skip the workout...so I went and let the Glee kids get me through.
I get on that machine and imagine all the great clothes I am going to wear when I get myself into shape and lose the weight. I think of all of the cute clothes that I managed to save from my last skinny phase of life and think about how I will probably not wear any of them but rather get a whole new wardrobe. I mean, do I really ever NEED to wear a cheetah print mini skirt again? (although I have a bet with a friend that I will wear it underneath a trench and come up to school and show her I got into it). I do look forward to the shopping...
After working out, I met up with the kids at theater camp and had a great time watching God of the Theater (GOTT) block the first number for Seussical and applauded Theater Tech God (TTG) when he rolled out a "truffula tree" with a nest on it for Horton the Elephant to sit on...you have to see it to believe it.
I found a dress for "Gertrude the bird with the one-feather tail" to wear but decided to dye it blue since I hated the cream color. Hence the dyeing...
So now that I have given you a pretty boring run-down of my day, I'm sure you are sitting there thinking "where is the lesson? where is the funny?"...
I guess what I have to offer today is that you need to believe...you have to believe in the change, or maybe just believe...the change of a dress (by dyeing it), the change that a show creator (or any artist) can make when offering something different, you have to believe in your friend's advice (if you ask for it like I do with Bacchus) and you have to let that advice change your choices (so I don't keep buying Red Truck red wine...but I like Red Truck too, just like the Papa Luna better), and you have to believe that YOU can change---whether it is losing some weight, breaking a habit, trying to get healthy, or learning something new...and I have to believe that every time I get on that machine I am doing something good for myself...along with pouring that glass of red wine (for my heart, ya know?)...
So don't stop believin'
And go to iTunes (I know I sound like a commercial for them) and download the Glee cast version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" (the Road to Regionals version). They put a new spin on an old classic and it is gor-ge-ous and will put a spring in your step. You will totally want to sing along and can't we just picture ourselves sitting with our best friends, wearing some ab-fab 80's clothes while we sing along...
And while you are there, perusing the Glee music, just download it all (or if you live here I will burn it for you). "To Sir with love" makes me cry (because it makes me think of my friends GOTT and TTG and Bacchus and Mr. Adorable and Precious and how they have impacted their student's lives...teachers are INCREDIBLE people..."One" and "I dreamed a dream" also make me cry)...there is so much more but that is for later blogs...
Tomorrow I will honor my mother in my blog...it would be her 66th birthday...and later I will tell you all about my "Crush"---and no it is not GOTT, TTG, Bacchus, or Mr. Adorable and Precious...but they are all pretty crush-worthy men...yes, they are!!!!! I luv luv luv them...
Don't stop believin'
bye darlings...
I have some essential beliefs about dying clothes...rules, so to speak:
1) dyeing is better done in a washing machine but if you have a front-loader, you have to do it in your sink. The last time I dyed something, it was something I needed to make red, it looked like a murder had taken place in my laundry room...there was red everywhere. The blue was contained to the sink this time.
2) you have to believe that what you dye is going to look better dyed the color you are making it...this time, I was right...sometimes---not so much...
3) don't wear anything you don't mind getting dye on...my shirt is essentially tye-dyed now...
4) don't drink while dyeing...do I really need to explain this one? I have broken that rule...well, I didn't pour the wine until AFTER I got the dye bath out of the sink so I guess I just partially broke that rule...(you probably also shouldn't blog while drinking wine but...)
5) you have to be willing to say "what the hell" and just do it...
So now the 80's party dress that was cream is now blue...you can tell I lead an exciting life if the best thing I have to blog about is dyeing something blue...
now on to more interesting things...and if you need a course on how to dye something, email me...
I believe that "Glee" is the most fantastic and wonderfully (and beautifully) written show on television...the cast is top notch and the music...well, if you can't tell how much I love music, then you aren't really reading my blogs...
The music is...sublime...superb...amazing...awesome...incredible...unbelieveable..
ok, now I need a thesaurus...
In any case, the storytelling and the acting would be enough to love the show even if they never sang one song...but they do...and they are incredible performances. I find it amazing that the same guy who thought up the plastic surgery/sexy show "Nip/Tuck" could come up with something as beautiful as "Glee". If you ever saw "Nip/Tuck", you know what I mean...this is a 180 degree turnaround in type of show. If I had known that Ryan Murphy (creator of "Nip/Tuck")had dreamed up "Glee", I might not have given it a chance...that being said, I enjoyed "Nip/Tuck"...sometimes...
So last night I settled in to watch the season finale of "Glee". I was a bit bummed because I will now have to wait until like October to see a new show, but I have almost all of this season's show still on the DVR to enjoy when I am lonely for Rachel, Puck, Finn, Mercedes, Sue, Will, Quinn and precious Kurt.
I poured myself a delicious glass of wine before settling in. I have a wine god, let's call him Bacchus (because he is Italian). He's a friend who I turn to when I want a good suggestion of something yummy to buy...he loves wine and he loves talking about wine. He is a history teacher so I guess the teaching thing doesn't stop. In any case, he's a great guy, a good source for vino info, and a fantastic teacher. The kids love him---I'm so excited that The Cutest Boy in the World will have him next year and he is a great follow-up to Mr. Adorable and Precious who was an amazing teacher this year...along with being Adorable and Precious. So Bacchus tells me to buy Papa Luna at Costco so I do...fantastico! I open it because I decide I need a good wine to enjoy with my favorite show...
So I cry through the show and drink 2 glasses of wine...and I make sure all the Glee music is loaded on my iPhone to enjoy today and always...and I am glad I saved the calories for the 2 glasses of wine...
Today I did my usual sentence on the Precor to loosen up all of my aching sore muscles from the workout with Fitness Godess and the classes with Spinderella. I thought about taking the day off, laying by the pool and enjoying my book but even the touch of headache I get the day after having even a little red wine (but I won't give it up)wasn't a good enough excuse to skip the workout...so I went and let the Glee kids get me through.
I get on that machine and imagine all the great clothes I am going to wear when I get myself into shape and lose the weight. I think of all of the cute clothes that I managed to save from my last skinny phase of life and think about how I will probably not wear any of them but rather get a whole new wardrobe. I mean, do I really ever NEED to wear a cheetah print mini skirt again? (although I have a bet with a friend that I will wear it underneath a trench and come up to school and show her I got into it). I do look forward to the shopping...
After working out, I met up with the kids at theater camp and had a great time watching God of the Theater (GOTT) block the first number for Seussical and applauded Theater Tech God (TTG) when he rolled out a "truffula tree" with a nest on it for Horton the Elephant to sit on...you have to see it to believe it.
I found a dress for "Gertrude the bird with the one-feather tail" to wear but decided to dye it blue since I hated the cream color. Hence the dyeing...
So now that I have given you a pretty boring run-down of my day, I'm sure you are sitting there thinking "where is the lesson? where is the funny?"...
I guess what I have to offer today is that you need to believe...you have to believe in the change, or maybe just believe...the change of a dress (by dyeing it), the change that a show creator (or any artist) can make when offering something different, you have to believe in your friend's advice (if you ask for it like I do with Bacchus) and you have to let that advice change your choices (so I don't keep buying Red Truck red wine...but I like Red Truck too, just like the Papa Luna better), and you have to believe that YOU can change---whether it is losing some weight, breaking a habit, trying to get healthy, or learning something new...and I have to believe that every time I get on that machine I am doing something good for myself...along with pouring that glass of red wine (for my heart, ya know?)...
So don't stop believin'
And go to iTunes (I know I sound like a commercial for them) and download the Glee cast version of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" (the Road to Regionals version). They put a new spin on an old classic and it is gor-ge-ous and will put a spring in your step. You will totally want to sing along and can't we just picture ourselves sitting with our best friends, wearing some ab-fab 80's clothes while we sing along...
And while you are there, perusing the Glee music, just download it all (or if you live here I will burn it for you). "To Sir with love" makes me cry (because it makes me think of my friends GOTT and TTG and Bacchus and Mr. Adorable and Precious and how they have impacted their student's lives...teachers are INCREDIBLE people..."One" and "I dreamed a dream" also make me cry)...there is so much more but that is for later blogs...
Tomorrow I will honor my mother in my blog...it would be her 66th birthday...and later I will tell you all about my "Crush"---and no it is not GOTT, TTG, Bacchus, or Mr. Adorable and Precious...but they are all pretty crush-worthy men...yes, they are!!!!! I luv luv luv them...
Don't stop believin'
bye darlings...
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