Saturday, September 20, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
God, I'm a dancer
Last night was a big night for me. I attended my first dance class in 8 years!
I grew up dancing and from the time I was 3 took class weekly. As I improved, I practically lived at the studio. When I wasn't taking class, I was assisting the teachers in their non-competition classes. By the time I was 14, I was at the studio 7 days most weeks.
In college I danced almost daily in classes and rehearsals.
After college, the dancing stopped. My busiest years as a professional performer have yielded only 3 shows. I'm almost always cast in musicals, but dancing isn't always required. If it is, rarely do I have to do anything very intense. Years passed and I continued to miss taking dance classes.
The reason I waited so long to get back into a dance class is simple: I don't do recitals. It was so difficult for me to find a studio that didn't require one. I finally stumbled across The Fit Physique. They do an annual informal performance in studio for friends and family only. No recital hall, no costume, nothing. I was sold.
I went to Intermediate Jazz last night. We started off with stretching and some technique work. Man am I rusty. Not only have I lost all my strength and flexibility, I'm carting around WAY more bulk than I did back in my hard-core dancing days. After the technique work came the "across the floor" work. This was our chance to incorporate our technique work into more locomotive movements. This was fun. While I can't kick my face, everything still works pretty much as it used to. It was super fun.
My only critique of the class was all the time wasted on social chatter. I'm paying to take class, not chat. Let's dance (since that's what we're here for) and chat at the bar (not the barre...tee hee hee) afterwards. I'm going to chalk it up to "it was the first week back and everyone was excited to see each other".
Even if the chatter continues, my elation after class far outweighed my annoyance.
I'm going back tonight for Intermediate Tap :)
I grew up dancing and from the time I was 3 took class weekly. As I improved, I practically lived at the studio. When I wasn't taking class, I was assisting the teachers in their non-competition classes. By the time I was 14, I was at the studio 7 days most weeks.
In college I danced almost daily in classes and rehearsals.
After college, the dancing stopped. My busiest years as a professional performer have yielded only 3 shows. I'm almost always cast in musicals, but dancing isn't always required. If it is, rarely do I have to do anything very intense. Years passed and I continued to miss taking dance classes.
The reason I waited so long to get back into a dance class is simple: I don't do recitals. It was so difficult for me to find a studio that didn't require one. I finally stumbled across The Fit Physique. They do an annual informal performance in studio for friends and family only. No recital hall, no costume, nothing. I was sold.
I went to Intermediate Jazz last night. We started off with stretching and some technique work. Man am I rusty. Not only have I lost all my strength and flexibility, I'm carting around WAY more bulk than I did back in my hard-core dancing days. After the technique work came the "across the floor" work. This was our chance to incorporate our technique work into more locomotive movements. This was fun. While I can't kick my face, everything still works pretty much as it used to. It was super fun.
My only critique of the class was all the time wasted on social chatter. I'm paying to take class, not chat. Let's dance (since that's what we're here for) and chat at the bar (not the barre...tee hee hee) afterwards. I'm going to chalk it up to "it was the first week back and everyone was excited to see each other".
Even if the chatter continues, my elation after class far outweighed my annoyance.
I'm going back tonight for Intermediate Tap :)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Puppy Mills are stinker
For those of you who know me, you're well aware that I'm very anti-puppy mill. I can never put into words the horrors that occur in these places. I can't even get past the home page when I look at this website. The SPCA sent me an email looking for volunteers to foster puppy mill dogs. Our house is too full to take in anymore (we're in the process of adopting our 2nd puppy mill rescue), but I wanted to post this for your consideration:
" I have been a volunteer with the SPCA for 9 years and my passion is the plight of puppy mill dogs. On August 30th in Millersburg , Ohio , the Buckeye Dog Auction is being held. This is run by the Amish people and occurs about every 6 weeks. Most of these dogs will be bought by other puppy millers and the dogs go from one mill or another. The Amish are in the business of running puppy mills and make their livelihood from breeding these dogs at every heat cycle until the dogs are used up; at which time they are taken out back and either shot or drowned. These dogs live their entire life in filthy wire cages and are shown no kindness or concern. Most have medical conditions that are never addressed. They are scarred emotionally.
For this reason, I am driving down to the auction to act as a “breeder” and I will purchase up to four of these dogs. They sell these dogs for between $100-350, depending on their sex, age, and heat cycle. Some dogs go for as cheap as $25.00. The dogs in heat go for the most. The SPCA has agreed to accept these dogs and care for them medically.
We are looking for a group of special people who would be willing to join this team to help in transforming these dogs from stock animals into beloved pets. We are in need of people to foster them in their homes, and to nurture and show them that goodness and kindness exists. They will take time to adjust. They will not know what housetraining is, or how to climb stairs, or the normal household sounds of dishwashers, etc., or the feel of grass under their feet or even affection.
Watching a dog start to “become” a dog is the most wonderful experience I have ever had and I have adopted three puppy mill dogs. More information is attached concerning what to expect when rehabilitating a puppy mill dog. If after reading this over you feel you are up to the challenge of taking in one of these dogs please email (contact info removed for privacy). "
If you're interested in fostering puppy mill rescues, let me know and I'll get you in touch with my contact at the SPCA.
" I have been a volunteer with the SPCA for 9 years and my passion is the plight of puppy mill dogs. On August 30th in Millersburg , Ohio , the Buckeye Dog Auction is being held. This is run by the Amish people and occurs about every 6 weeks. Most of these dogs will be bought by other puppy millers and the dogs go from one mill or another. The Amish are in the business of running puppy mills and make their livelihood from breeding these dogs at every heat cycle until the dogs are used up; at which time they are taken out back and either shot or drowned. These dogs live their entire life in filthy wire cages and are shown no kindness or concern. Most have medical conditions that are never addressed. They are scarred emotionally.
For this reason, I am driving down to the auction to act as a “breeder” and I will purchase up to four of these dogs. They sell these dogs for between $100-350, depending on their sex, age, and heat cycle. Some dogs go for as cheap as $25.00. The dogs in heat go for the most. The SPCA has agreed to accept these dogs and care for them medically.
We are looking for a group of special people who would be willing to join this team to help in transforming these dogs from stock animals into beloved pets. We are in need of people to foster them in their homes, and to nurture and show them that goodness and kindness exists. They will take time to adjust. They will not know what housetraining is, or how to climb stairs, or the normal household sounds of dishwashers, etc., or the feel of grass under their feet or even affection.
Watching a dog start to “become” a dog is the most wonderful experience I have ever had and I have adopted three puppy mill dogs. More information is attached concerning what to expect when rehabilitating a puppy mill dog. If after reading this over you feel you are up to the challenge of taking in one of these dogs please email (contact info removed for privacy). "
If you're interested in fostering puppy mill rescues, let me know and I'll get you in touch with my contact at the SPCA.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
WTF
Probably the most overused 3 letters in the English Language these days, but they're totally appropriate in my situation.
I've lost 1.2lbs in the last 14 days.
WTF!!!???
I've been walking, lifting weights, drinking water, taking my vitamins/supplements, eating lean meats, proteins, veggies, and other "slow burning" carbs. All these changes and I have 1.2lbs to show for it.
At this rate, by August, 2009, I'll be a svelte 190lbs. And just in time for summer!
Why, why, WHY am I fat no matter what choices I make? I could have been stuffing my face for the last 2 weeks and I would still weigh roughly the same as I do right now.
I hate everything.
I've lost 1.2lbs in the last 14 days.
WTF!!!???
I've been walking, lifting weights, drinking water, taking my vitamins/supplements, eating lean meats, proteins, veggies, and other "slow burning" carbs. All these changes and I have 1.2lbs to show for it.
At this rate, by August, 2009, I'll be a svelte 190lbs. And just in time for summer!
Why, why, WHY am I fat no matter what choices I make? I could have been stuffing my face for the last 2 weeks and I would still weigh roughly the same as I do right now.
I hate everything.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
I just want to eat it all away...
I'm upset.
My sister called me today and asked me to loan her $1,000. She had fallen behind on bills and needed the money as a bridge until she could get caught up. There was only one condition: I couldn't tell her husband about the loan.
Ok. I don't loan people money. I don't ever want money to come between me and someone I love. If we were going to help it was going to be a gift.
After much discussion with my husband, we decided to give her the money on one condition: she tells her husband about the gift.
She declined our offer of assistance.
This entire situation saddens me for so many reasons.
1 - My sister is hurting. I want her to stop hurting, but if I have to be dishonest to do so, I'm not interested. However, it's still really upsetting that she's hurting.
2 - My sister can't be honest with her husband. I would NEVER hide something like this from my husband. If I'm in a pinch (due to circumstance or my own actions), I KNOW I can call on him for help without the fear of his judgement. I'm human and I make mistakes and that's ok with him. He's also human and makes mistakes and that's ok with me. It's upsetting that my sister feels she has to shoulder the knowledge of this financial burden alone.
3 - My sister is too proud to let her husband think "she can't handle the finances". I hate that her pride is causing her so much pain.
4 - This is so easily remedied, but she won't take the actions necessary to fix it. If she went to her husband and told him what was going on, they could shoulder this burden as a team. Sure, he might be upset that she waited until ends were nowhere near meeting to tell him, but he'll get over it and then they can move forward together. She's so terrified of his disapproval that she'd rather suffer alone and in silence.
This is so upsetting. I just want to eat all of this sadness away.
My sister called me today and asked me to loan her $1,000. She had fallen behind on bills and needed the money as a bridge until she could get caught up. There was only one condition: I couldn't tell her husband about the loan.
Ok. I don't loan people money. I don't ever want money to come between me and someone I love. If we were going to help it was going to be a gift.
After much discussion with my husband, we decided to give her the money on one condition: she tells her husband about the gift.
She declined our offer of assistance.
This entire situation saddens me for so many reasons.
1 - My sister is hurting. I want her to stop hurting, but if I have to be dishonest to do so, I'm not interested. However, it's still really upsetting that she's hurting.
2 - My sister can't be honest with her husband. I would NEVER hide something like this from my husband. If I'm in a pinch (due to circumstance or my own actions), I KNOW I can call on him for help without the fear of his judgement. I'm human and I make mistakes and that's ok with him. He's also human and makes mistakes and that's ok with me. It's upsetting that my sister feels she has to shoulder the knowledge of this financial burden alone.
3 - My sister is too proud to let her husband think "she can't handle the finances". I hate that her pride is causing her so much pain.
4 - This is so easily remedied, but she won't take the actions necessary to fix it. If she went to her husband and told him what was going on, they could shoulder this burden as a team. Sure, he might be upset that she waited until ends were nowhere near meeting to tell him, but he'll get over it and then they can move forward together. She's so terrified of his disapproval that she'd rather suffer alone and in silence.
This is so upsetting. I just want to eat all of this sadness away.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Traditional Asian Family
So my husband and I have started walking together. He's always taken daily walks but I've recently started to join him.
It's really romantic: we put our respective iPods on, ear buds in, and walk out the front door. We do not talk. We do not even walk together since his stride is naturally longer than mine.
We look like one of those uber-traditional Asian couples where the wife follows behind the husband at a considerable distance when they're out in public.
These walks are totally kicking my ass. I challenge any of you to keep up with my husband for 30 minutes and not get winded. If you don't get winded, put on a fat suit and THEN try to keep up with him.
As, um, exhilarating as our walks are, I actually enjoy them. The first few songs on my iPod are the toughest because I'm still warming up. Once I'm in the groove, I just try to keep up without breaking into a run.
We must look so silly.
It's really romantic: we put our respective iPods on, ear buds in, and walk out the front door. We do not talk. We do not even walk together since his stride is naturally longer than mine.
We look like one of those uber-traditional Asian couples where the wife follows behind the husband at a considerable distance when they're out in public.
These walks are totally kicking my ass. I challenge any of you to keep up with my husband for 30 minutes and not get winded. If you don't get winded, put on a fat suit and THEN try to keep up with him.
As, um, exhilarating as our walks are, I actually enjoy them. The first few songs on my iPod are the toughest because I'm still warming up. Once I'm in the groove, I just try to keep up without breaking into a run.
We must look so silly.
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