So this week is a Body Blog. The monthly BB will be a new adventure for me. I have a list of things I've always wanted to do and other things I've always enjoyed (yes, there will be a mountain biking BB so get over it!) This month??? Drum roll please: YOGA!
To be specific what I did was Hot Yoga. If you are not familiar, it's yoga (duh) in a hot room, which was awesome on this particularly brisk snowy day. The sensation of walking into a too hot room on one of the first snow covered twenty degree days of the season is... overwhelming. My first thought was "Ain't no way I'll make it. Too damn hot." I did have a mat with me to nap on if needed and about a gallon of water so here we go!
I have done some yoga DVDs before but I have never had a live instructor OR (and this is important) witnesses to my non stretchy and non bendy awkwardness so, with some apprehension and an already forming bead of sweat on my brow, I unroll my mat take off any and all appropriate clothing I can and follow as best as I can!
Alexander Mcafee-Chang is a rock star yoga man. He was brought into Shape Fitness by owner James McGuire to offer the hot yoga experience to his clients. Well James, that was an awesome call! He effortlessly guides rookies and veterans alike through an almost whimsical surreal experience. Set to music (but not necessarily synced) this is no new age "Sweating To The Oldies"* routine. You focus on breathing through the motions. Yes, I said that right. You breathe through them. You feel the power of simply inhaling and exhaling as you move from one position to next. It is really mind blowing. I have been working out in one way shape or form for over thirty years and have never felt the power of my breathing.
In sweat, however, I am fluent. Being a somewhat meaty fella I can sweat standing still at a bus stop in Chicago in February. So, yes, I was sweating my ass off but the strange thing was I didn't really notice it. Focusing on the movements, the music and breathing everything else just didn't really matter. I didn't even drink that much water considering the intensity of the workout ....but that is really it. It didn't feel like a workout or some chore. It was something different. Almost freeing.
After the practice Alexander took a few minutes to share some thoughts with me. If I had any kind of smarts or foresight I would have brought either A) some type of recording device (for example : the thing I'm currently typing on!) or B) something to write on.... I chose mystery door C) nothing but a sweaty yoga mat... Alexander trusted me to paraphrase for him. He' s a good man.
I started out with asking him to give me 5 things about yoga he would want both of my readers to know. What I got though was more of a dissertation on his passion for the practice (you don't do yoga, you practice yoga. I didn't know that either!) When Alexander speaks about yoga he lights up and becomes very animated. He loves it and what it does to the body and spirit. It's refreshing to be around someone who is passionate about what they do. There is no "going trough the motions" with Alexander! Some of the things he shared in his dissertation were that when practicing yoga you use all of your body's systems. Skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, digestive (it's recommended to eat lightly and a few hours prior to the practice. That is good advice!) and all the other ones. He said that the only other time your body uses all of its systems is during sleep. I find that very interesting and maybe is a clue to why after such an intense "workout" you feel so refreshed. Hmmm....
I asked him about some of the negatives or myths that surround the practice. First thing that comes up is that it is not just for women! Fellas! Get your yoga mats to the studio and have the best workout, maybe, of your life!
Second thing was you don't have to be flexible to practice yoga. The practice of yoga makes you flexible. Ahhhh.... it's a "chicken and the egg" thing...
Lastly was it's not a religion. It may feel spiritual and some religions embrace the practice but yoga in itself is not.
So ladies and Gents, if you find yourself in Columbus, OH, look up my friend Alexander at Shape Fitness bring a water bottle and a good attitude. You'll probably see me there, albeit sweaty! Best money you'll spend all day... week!
Namaste.
* Sweating to the Oldies was a series of videos done by Richard Simmons in the 80's and were probably awesome but I have never actually seen one or sweat to an oldie.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
you may be wondering why I've called you all here...
I'm trying something new. It's the kind of thing I've hinted at and used in varied compartments of my life but I am going to try a different approach.
Drum roll please: This year, two thousand and twelve, I'm going to plan out my life! Huh?
I have faked my way and shot from the hip for the larger part of my life. In the grand scheme of how I do things there is rarely a plan... or a back door. Just having a basic inclination on where i was heading but 100% relying on my quick thinking, luck and common sense to get me through any obstacles i may encounter on my "journey." However when I set my mind and planning to one aspect or project it very rarely backfires. It's strange, if you plan and prepare for things that may or may not happen, then when things do pop up (they always do) you handle them in stride without ensuing panic. No, racing internal dialog basically screaming "OH SHIT!" over and over. Just react and move on. I likes the idea of the "don't panic."
I have labored under the Robert Burns quote "The best laid plans plans of mice and men..." but I never really thought about it. I have always felt it doesn't matter what you plan, it's the unexpected that gets you. Well there is some truth to that but it doesn't mean "don't plan!" it just means you never know what's around the corner so be flexible.
So this year it's not some crazed resolution shouted from a mountain top. Instead, I have laid out some goals and directions that I want to go with my life AND I intentionally balanced them out. My PLAN (nice huh?) covers Professional, Artistic/Creative, Personal and Private goals. All will be chronicled here except the private stuff (duh... it's PRIVATE!)
The first one is an easy guess: my weight/fitness. My whole life I have made this too complicated. It really isn't that tricky on the science side: calories in and calories out. There is some other factors that push the numbers around a little bit... but not that much. I have a whole new support team around me and even have some competitions going on plus other shenanigans, so stay tuned! Basically: stay active, monitor what I eat and keep training for bigger and badder-er races. The first one is a tower race in late January. I don't have all the details but it's up a bunch of stairs... in a tower. What else do I really need to know???
My new post workout snack? Choco Milk-o!
Delicious!
It's 150 calories, 2.5 fat grams and 8 grams of protein! As far as post workout snacks go it ranks pretty high for the "it's got what you need" factor.
Onward and Upwards.
Listening to Iron & Wine The Creek Drank the Cradle... just can't get into it. I've tried.
Drum roll please: This year, two thousand and twelve, I'm going to plan out my life! Huh?
I have faked my way and shot from the hip for the larger part of my life. In the grand scheme of how I do things there is rarely a plan... or a back door. Just having a basic inclination on where i was heading but 100% relying on my quick thinking, luck and common sense to get me through any obstacles i may encounter on my "journey." However when I set my mind and planning to one aspect or project it very rarely backfires. It's strange, if you plan and prepare for things that may or may not happen, then when things do pop up (they always do) you handle them in stride without ensuing panic. No, racing internal dialog basically screaming "OH SHIT!" over and over. Just react and move on. I likes the idea of the "don't panic."
I have labored under the Robert Burns quote "The best laid plans plans of mice and men..." but I never really thought about it. I have always felt it doesn't matter what you plan, it's the unexpected that gets you. Well there is some truth to that but it doesn't mean "don't plan!" it just means you never know what's around the corner so be flexible.
So this year it's not some crazed resolution shouted from a mountain top. Instead, I have laid out some goals and directions that I want to go with my life AND I intentionally balanced them out. My PLAN (nice huh?) covers Professional, Artistic/Creative, Personal and Private goals. All will be chronicled here except the private stuff (duh... it's PRIVATE!)
The first one is an easy guess: my weight/fitness. My whole life I have made this too complicated. It really isn't that tricky on the science side: calories in and calories out. There is some other factors that push the numbers around a little bit... but not that much. I have a whole new support team around me and even have some competitions going on plus other shenanigans, so stay tuned! Basically: stay active, monitor what I eat and keep training for bigger and badder-er races. The first one is a tower race in late January. I don't have all the details but it's up a bunch of stairs... in a tower. What else do I really need to know???
My new post workout snack? Choco Milk-o!
Delicious!
It's 150 calories, 2.5 fat grams and 8 grams of protein! As far as post workout snacks go it ranks pretty high for the "it's got what you need" factor.
Onward and Upwards.
Listening to Iron & Wine The Creek Drank the Cradle... just can't get into it. I've tried.
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Gift of Mullet
I remember it well. It was 1989, my sophomore year in college and all was fantastic. My mullet was coming in nicely, my tiny gold hoop earring would sometimes catch the light and sparkle its ass off. I was a master at cuffing my acid washed jeans and I could roll up the sleeves on my striped pastel shirts like a madman! I was also involved with the campus radio station WCCB... "involved" doesn't really sum it up. I became obsessed. I loved it. I got elected to the board of directors my freshman year (an honor usually bestowed on upperclassmen) and the result of that was the campus newspaper, The Clarion Call, did a write up on me. I really have no idea why...
So I show up for my "photo shoot" all pastel'd and mullet'd up when the photographer suggested me posing with the teddy bear. It was the Christmas issue after all. Well it really seemed like a good idea at the time... As you can imagine there was some mocking. My friends and total strangers took to calling me "Teddy Bear" for a while but, ultimately it passed and was forgotten.
Then MANY years later I show it to my friend and bandmate Marti. I don't remember exactly how long she laughed but it was quite a while. Understandably so. It is awesome.
So Marti, this is for you. May it make you smile whenever you need it.
I'm a Merry Christmas guy, but may the season find you healthy and happy!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Top Ten Things About Being Sick
I don't know if there can be anything "top" about being sick... but it does have its benefits. Yes, by the way, I am currently enjoying Flu like symptoms... I am only talking about the inconvenient kind of sick. Colds, sniffles and flu type, over the counter medicine, 24-48 bug kind of sick. Pain in my ass kind of sick... which brings us to number ten.
10) Being a pain in the ASS: everyone is allowed a 48 hour window to be cranky when your illness de jour settles in. Be it a summer cold or my annual February sinus infection, it's ok to say things like "do you mind going to the store and getting me something that I won't find nauseating to eat? Even though I'm really not hungry, more bored than anything, and I have no idea what I might even want to eat if I were hungry... Oh and magazine too! Something that will interest me..." Yeah, you have minimum 24 hrs, maximum 48hrs to say ridiculous things like that. Enjoy.
9) Sleep your ass off: Most people are under rested. Hold on, let me Google it... Ha! If you Google: "US population under rested" you get several articles on the US penitentiary system. Funny. Anyway, it is a loose figure but somewhere around 70% of us is estimated to be sleep deprived. So sleep! For the next 36 hrs sleep as much as you can! Several studies suggest it's probably the reason you are sick in the first place. Hit the snooze button, it's good for you.
8) Read an actual book: It really goes hand in hand with step 9. When not sleeping, read one of those books you keep stacking up on your dresser in your bedroom. We are not that far away from books and newspapers going the way of the walkman. Enjoy a book while you still can. Your Kindle/Nook/tablet can wait.
7) Drop a few pounds: Nothing will lift my spirits like stepping on the scale and seeing a slightly less me has survived the fever breaking sweat naps I've been taking. Yay! Thinner...
6) NetFlix Online: It's really quite awesome. Watch wretched one star movies to your hearts content. Better than the endless loop of Sports Center or Two and a Half Men (that darn Charlie Harper!) Also a ton of great documentaries and decent new releases and old classics. Also you can do headphones so you don't interrupt anyone else's viewing schedule. Seriously. It kicks ass.
5) Let yourself go: Shower? I don't need no stinking shower! The non shaving/non bathing routine of illness is kinda awesome. You already feel bad, you might as well smell bad! The unknown benefit is on day three when you have to re-enter society and you clean up and take a shower you feel AMAZING! At least for a bit...
4) Watch TV mindlessly: Clean out the ol' DVR or watch all those movies that you have been meaning to get back to your friend who loaned them to you but it will be awkward when they ask if you liked them and you didn't really watch them. Really anything to just waste the time until your immune system kicks in and gets you back up and running.
3) Eat whatever: Cheese popcorn and ginger ale currently tickling your fancy? Dig in! Diets don't apply when you are sick. Which is cool! However, you really can't exploit this either (currently the thought of a Sausage/Pep with a side of Krispy Kremes sounds disgusting and as you both know that is not usually the case!) You just want what you want. Try to have fun with it.
2) Busy work: This is really a nice thing. You can come out of your illness completely caught up on emails and other things procrastinated. It goes well with that shower on day three!
And finally.... Number One is: Track Suits
I have wanted a track suit for years but never purchased on for myself. Little Fun Fact: We tried to get custom matching track suits written into one of our record deals. We thought it would be cool. They didn't. I did however get, not one, but two track suits a few Christmases ago. They are everything I had hoped they would be. In all honesty I don't wear the suits as a set all that often. When I do, I feel like Tony Soprano (the lead Character from HBO's "the Sopranos") and I will also wear the whole set on special occasions like Christmas morning or New Year's Day. You feel real classy! I had not, however, worn my track suit while under the weather. Much better than flannel pj's or sweat pants. Plus they feel silky on your skin!
Feel better everybody and load up on vitamin C!
10) Being a pain in the ASS: everyone is allowed a 48 hour window to be cranky when your illness de jour settles in. Be it a summer cold or my annual February sinus infection, it's ok to say things like "do you mind going to the store and getting me something that I won't find nauseating to eat? Even though I'm really not hungry, more bored than anything, and I have no idea what I might even want to eat if I were hungry... Oh and magazine too! Something that will interest me..." Yeah, you have minimum 24 hrs, maximum 48hrs to say ridiculous things like that. Enjoy.
9) Sleep your ass off: Most people are under rested. Hold on, let me Google it... Ha! If you Google: "US population under rested" you get several articles on the US penitentiary system. Funny. Anyway, it is a loose figure but somewhere around 70% of us is estimated to be sleep deprived. So sleep! For the next 36 hrs sleep as much as you can! Several studies suggest it's probably the reason you are sick in the first place. Hit the snooze button, it's good for you.
8) Read an actual book: It really goes hand in hand with step 9. When not sleeping, read one of those books you keep stacking up on your dresser in your bedroom. We are not that far away from books and newspapers going the way of the walkman. Enjoy a book while you still can. Your Kindle/Nook/tablet can wait.
7) Drop a few pounds: Nothing will lift my spirits like stepping on the scale and seeing a slightly less me has survived the fever breaking sweat naps I've been taking. Yay! Thinner...
6) NetFlix Online: It's really quite awesome. Watch wretched one star movies to your hearts content. Better than the endless loop of Sports Center or Two and a Half Men (that darn Charlie Harper!) Also a ton of great documentaries and decent new releases and old classics. Also you can do headphones so you don't interrupt anyone else's viewing schedule. Seriously. It kicks ass.
5) Let yourself go: Shower? I don't need no stinking shower! The non shaving/non bathing routine of illness is kinda awesome. You already feel bad, you might as well smell bad! The unknown benefit is on day three when you have to re-enter society and you clean up and take a shower you feel AMAZING! At least for a bit...
4) Watch TV mindlessly: Clean out the ol' DVR or watch all those movies that you have been meaning to get back to your friend who loaned them to you but it will be awkward when they ask if you liked them and you didn't really watch them. Really anything to just waste the time until your immune system kicks in and gets you back up and running.
3) Eat whatever: Cheese popcorn and ginger ale currently tickling your fancy? Dig in! Diets don't apply when you are sick. Which is cool! However, you really can't exploit this either (currently the thought of a Sausage/Pep with a side of Krispy Kremes sounds disgusting and as you both know that is not usually the case!) You just want what you want. Try to have fun with it.
2) Busy work: This is really a nice thing. You can come out of your illness completely caught up on emails and other things procrastinated. It goes well with that shower on day three!
And finally.... Number One is: Track Suits
I have wanted a track suit for years but never purchased on for myself. Little Fun Fact: We tried to get custom matching track suits written into one of our record deals. We thought it would be cool. They didn't. I did however get, not one, but two track suits a few Christmases ago. They are everything I had hoped they would be. In all honesty I don't wear the suits as a set all that often. When I do, I feel like Tony Soprano (the lead Character from HBO's "the Sopranos") and I will also wear the whole set on special occasions like Christmas morning or New Year's Day. You feel real classy! I had not, however, worn my track suit while under the weather. Much better than flannel pj's or sweat pants. Plus they feel silky on your skin!
Feel better everybody and load up on vitamin C!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Can you make that out of gold?
Well my "30 BLOGS in 30 DAYS" campaign kinda lost it's way, came off the tracks, took a wrong turn and any other cliche that you deem fitting. This whole endeavor has been a tremendous learning experience and an excellent experiment. I have, through blind stumbling around and trial and error, determined what I would like to change and ultimately do with this blog. A few days ago I went back and reread all of my posts and there were some I actually liked and some that were crap. Well lady and gentleman, we here at the Can I Get That Covered In Gravy HQ have heard you and our mission is to make your valuable time spent here, reading these babbling's of a mad man, MORE BETTER. I will probably coast through the holiday season then start making improvements and revamps in the new year.
One of the things that will definitely make it in the new improved CIGTCIG 2.0 is the addition of what music I am or am not listening to.... am not... amn't?.. nope doesn't work... anyway today it is the newly released Fractured Love by Jordan Rast. I really hate Jordan in a lot of ways. Naaaa... Hate is too strong. I am jealous though. He's a great singer and song writer. I mean REALLY great. He's young... too young to be on his THIRD original release! I've never met him but have heard nothing but awesome things about him. Sigh... He probably rescues kittens. Kitten rescuing aside, his record is very good and I'm currently trying to coerce him into playing on my next record. If you haven't figured out my subtle hints check out his record and support an "indie." It's good for you!
http://www.woodstovehouse.com/jordan-rast-fractured-love/
if "anyone" has a better link to Jordan's record please leave it in the comments. Thanks!
I don't listen to much music when I drive. Strange for a guy who has made his living with music over the last several years, I know, but it's true. It doesn't help the cause that my daily driver is not radio friendly. It's loud and rumbly so I find other ways to occupy my time on long drives. One is... jeez... I'm not sure I should let this one out of the box. Eh...
Ok. I give interviews. To no one. I don't talk to myself. I talk to the person "interviewing" me. Wow. That seems crazy. Maybe that is why I really like talk radio. Those guys are just talking to themselves. Hell this blog (and other peoples I'm sure!) is just me writing down my internal dialog. I don't know maybe I'm just rationalizing now.... Well the reason I brought this up was to talk about Chris Gaines.
I always thought it would be hilarious, in an interview, to sight him as a musical inspiration but never did (I have been interviewed before and did well due to all my practice!) for fear of pissing off Garth Brooks. You see, if you didn't know Chris Gaines was the fictitious alter ego created by Garth Brooks to explore his rock aspirations... or something like that.
At the time it was suspected that GB had LOST his mind. In truth I think he was just bored. He did the Gaines record when he was on top of the world and had nothing but money to burn. I believe he still keeps his house warm burning bundles of hundred dollar bills. My mind can not comprehend the kind of money he has. Buy a country money. So maybe, in his shoes I would have done something dumb like dress up like a pretend rock star and put out a record. I would have done something probably even more stupid.
Do they make toilets out of gold?
One of the things that will definitely make it in the new improved CIGTCIG 2.0 is the addition of what music I am or am not listening to.... am not... amn't?.. nope doesn't work... anyway today it is the newly released Fractured Love by Jordan Rast. I really hate Jordan in a lot of ways. Naaaa... Hate is too strong. I am jealous though. He's a great singer and song writer. I mean REALLY great. He's young... too young to be on his THIRD original release! I've never met him but have heard nothing but awesome things about him. Sigh... He probably rescues kittens. Kitten rescuing aside, his record is very good and I'm currently trying to coerce him into playing on my next record. If you haven't figured out my subtle hints check out his record and support an "indie." It's good for you!
http://www.woodstovehouse.com/jordan-rast-fractured-love/
if "anyone" has a better link to Jordan's record please leave it in the comments. Thanks!
I don't listen to much music when I drive. Strange for a guy who has made his living with music over the last several years, I know, but it's true. It doesn't help the cause that my daily driver is not radio friendly. It's loud and rumbly so I find other ways to occupy my time on long drives. One is... jeez... I'm not sure I should let this one out of the box. Eh...
Ok. I give interviews. To no one. I don't talk to myself. I talk to the person "interviewing" me. Wow. That seems crazy. Maybe that is why I really like talk radio. Those guys are just talking to themselves. Hell this blog (and other peoples I'm sure!) is just me writing down my internal dialog. I don't know maybe I'm just rationalizing now.... Well the reason I brought this up was to talk about Chris Gaines.
I always thought it would be hilarious, in an interview, to sight him as a musical inspiration but never did (I have been interviewed before and did well due to all my practice!) for fear of pissing off Garth Brooks. You see, if you didn't know Chris Gaines was the fictitious alter ego created by Garth Brooks to explore his rock aspirations... or something like that.
At the time it was suspected that GB had LOST his mind. In truth I think he was just bored. He did the Gaines record when he was on top of the world and had nothing but money to burn. I believe he still keeps his house warm burning bundles of hundred dollar bills. My mind can not comprehend the kind of money he has. Buy a country money. So maybe, in his shoes I would have done something dumb like dress up like a pretend rock star and put out a record. I would have done something probably even more stupid.
Do they make toilets out of gold?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Writing is Hard!
I know, I know... I pledged an oath to all of you that I would valiantly blog everyday for 30 days and become more better! Well I have blogged a lot. Not everyday though...
It seems I am not comfortable with just typing some words and calling it done. I feel it is my responsibility to give you the best writing I can and hurrying something down just to get it down wasn't sitting well with me. So I will continue to attempt the everyday blog knowing full well it may be more than my 17 words a minute can handle BUT I shall do my best to make it worth your while kind reader!
It seems I am not comfortable with just typing some words and calling it done. I feel it is my responsibility to give you the best writing I can and hurrying something down just to get it down wasn't sitting well with me. So I will continue to attempt the everyday blog knowing full well it may be more than my 17 words a minute can handle BUT I shall do my best to make it worth your while kind reader!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Giving Back
Woosh! This weekend flew by and I didn't get near the ol' laptop to get my daily chores done but that's ok. You both forgive me right?
I am SUPER excited for tomorrow. It's day one of my volunteer training for the American Red Cross. I get to use my skills in transportaionizing (driving) for the good guys! I will go into all the details tomorrow for all y'all. until then I gots to get my but in bed!
Night!
I am SUPER excited for tomorrow. It's day one of my volunteer training for the American Red Cross. I get to use my skills in transportaionizing (driving) for the good guys! I will go into all the details tomorrow for all y'all. until then I gots to get my but in bed!
Night!
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