Sunday, April 29, 2007
Exercise & Diet
See that guy on the left? That’s me! Yeh, right…
Back in February, I dislocated my shoulder, slipping on some ice (don’t worry, I didn’t fall…just knocked the socket out of joint…it was pretty weird!). Since then, I have been absolutely horrible about exercising. I didn’t run hardly at all during the winter because I have no treadmill since moving. And it’s been too cold to run outside. (Although a few Sundays I remember running in Trexler Park when the temperature was in the teens!) I had to stop doing strength exercise (or at least I had an excuse to) because of my shoulder. Well today I started exercising again…and it was hard! I have a lot of catching up to do, but I can do it.
I am going to commit to exercising in the morning. (So that I can blog in the evening!) I am not feeling real good about myself. Not that I’m fat (yet), but I’ve definitely been better and have let things go to pot. Even over the last year or so, I’ve noticed my eating habits slipping. (It’s all that junk food available so easily at the office.) So that’s going too, and I’m getting back on track with what I eat. Hopefully, I’ll make some quick progress toward my goals.
I do enjoy running. Maybe I can set a goal for a marathon in two or three years? Let me get through a few months of regular exercise and good diet, and I’ll revisit that idea!
Blackberry
For the past two years, I have had the crappiest cell phone. I hated it since the day I got it. I should have returned it, but I hung on to it. Last week I ditched it and got a Blackberry. I really like it! It’s great being connected in so many ways…email, phone, voice mail, text messaging, instant messaging, web browsing, etc. And since my cell is my phone (I have no land line), I now have one device for everything. Pretty cool! I’m sure it does much more, and I am looking forward to making the time to learn how to use it to its fullest.
What’s even better is that it isn’t costing me any more monthly! I was paying for 1000 minutes…and only using around 300. So I reduced my plan to their lowest…700. Which saved me enough to get the unlimited data package. An 18% discount because of an agreement with Verizon and Salisbury helped too. So my phone bill is the same, and I have a new phone! Sweet…
I did read a review (after I got the phone) and laughed… The reviewer stated that the phone was too wide and felt like talking into a Pop Tart.
Student Recital
Last night I went to the recital of one of my former students, Kristin Grassi. Kristin has always been an amazing musician, even since I knew her in Junior High School—that was about 10 years ago! Well last night at Kutztown University, she and some of her friends put on a terrific show. I was amazed at the variety of music: classical (in Italian and German), Baroque opera, show tunes and jazz. All of it performed incredibly well. Kristin has always had the gift to “sell” a song. And that she did, whether it be show tune or German art song. She has a passion for what she does, and it comes out in every note she sings and in her presence. She is amazing!!
Her accompanist was excellent. Sometimes an accompanist can get in the way, especially when they don’t understand what their role is. This guy does! There is a great dynamic between Kristin and her accompanist. She also sang a couple of art songs accompanied by flute. Also, very nice. Her jazz numbers were accompanied by a solo guitar. This set made for a nice contrast with the rest of the program. Kristin had one of her friends join her for two duets - from Side Show and Wicked. I really liked how their voices blended together. I don’t remember any of the names of her friends, but maybe she can add them in the comments section to this post.
The audience was very impressed and appreciative of what Kristin put together for her Senior Recital. It has been really great watching Kristin grow as a musician. I can’t wait to see where she goes next. I could have listened to her all night! So now the big question—- What is next, Kristin? Need a web site?