working out for Disney

[Songbird76]

@epcotisbest , my previous Weber (charcoal) grill finally rusted out (we keep it outdoors all year, through snow, rain, and everything--no room inside for it). Had it about 5 years, so can't complain.

Last week, I went looking for a new one (they're still expensive). So I went to Lowes here, because the web site said they had the basic models in stock on the floor. When I got there, they only had the more expensive ones. I asked a man in the dept. if he might have some in a back storeroom, etc. He looked it up, and then brought over a tall ladder, and got me one from way up on a high shelf.

I took it to the checkout, and the casher rang up $40 (before tax). What?! It's supposed to cost around $110!! So the man at the register told me it was from last year, and they had changed inventory numbers (or something like that) and this was just one left--so it had been marked down to move it out. SCORE!!!

Love it when things like that happen!! That's so great!!

 

[Songbird76]

What are the teachers supposed to with all of that additional time if there is nothing left to do? I know they are legally obligated to be there, but honestly, I don't see the point if people have nothing to do. I would be having chair races in the hallway or something.

I hope you will join us here when you start your yoga challenge.

When I was in....maybe 9th grade? We had some student teachers, and a fresh-from-college new teacher, so they were all around the same age, and I remember them doing chair races down the hallway after school. They also went into our Government teacher's room and mixed his chairs up. He had made sure his chairs were all the same color, so they mixed them up with some other classrooms' chairs so he had all the different colors. That's what they did with their free time.

 

[Songbird76]

Wow. That's amazing. My shoulder is getting cranky. I am tempted to try this tape as a preventative measure, before it gets to a point where it's too painful to do anything.

It's certainly worth a try. I looked up how to apply it on google and watched videos. It's not hard, but apparently there IS a method....something about how much you should stretch each bit of tape, etc.
And then there's @JenniferS , who does NOT recommend it, because she didn't realize her bone was actually broken, so the tape did nothing for her. But I'd say as long as you're 100% sure you're not dealing with a break, you could give it a try.

 

[Songbird76]

Good morning--

I did a gentle type of yoga class. I didn't realize it when I selected it, but it worked for where I am. I had a dream last night that I had my interview and I kept checking the status at their website and it said "not selected." Ugh. I'm telling myself this is just anxiety.

I'm bringing my travel yoga mat, in case I get up earlier than I need to. I'll just do a 30 min class. That's better than ruminating in bed and making myself anxious.

My flight number back to Philly is 1776! How cute is that?

I'm probably too late to wish you good luck, but I'm going to say it anyway. I hope it goes well and you remember everything you wanted to say!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

It's certainly worth a try. I looked up how to apply it on google and watched videos. It's not hard, but apparently there IS a method....something about how much you should stretch each bit of tape, etc.
And then there's @JenniferS , who does NOT recommend it, because she didn't realize her bone was actually broken, so the tape did nothing for her. But I'd say as long as you're 100% sure you're not dealing with a break, you could give it a try.

I also remember there being different ways you can tape the same area. When I was in physical therapy for my shoulder, the therapist would vary up how she taped it. I'm not sure what the logic was behind all of it, but I'm sure it all played into how she was working the joint differently in each session. I also remember this horrible woman (mom of one of my daughter's classmates) snickering and saying that's not how she would have taped it had I come to her. She also wasn't a licensed PT, so I didn't think much of her assessment, and figured it was just her being her usual "charming" self. Still, it points to being multiple good methods for various areas. But good point on making sure it's not a break. I had x-rays before I started on any of that.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I'm officially one of those people.

You know, the kind who when they can't work out itch to get back?
I had a cold for about a week. I wasn't feeling well yesterday still, so I went to the doctor. Sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, and antibiotics.

Anyway, I wasn't feeling great this morning, so I skipped the gym. Well, halfway through my day, I was like, "I have to go to the gym." I didn't have workout clothes on me. I needed more anyway and another pair of sneakers, so I ordered new sneakers from DSW and more workout clothes from Target. Stopped by both and got them during my lunch break. Then I went to the gym, and my friend who also belongs there was there. We didn't plan it, although now if I plan on a workout after work, I'm going to text her.We worked out together for 45 minutes. Bikes and weights. Then we rewarded ourselves by sitting in the hydromassage chairs at our gym, which we can use for free with our membership.

I'm tired and still achy from being sick, but I had to go. Never thought I would be one of those people, but I am now. Evidently.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

So I chose not to take band that year, and it was good, because she ended up getting fired when she choked one of the girls, and then they found liquor in her filing cabinets....she was completely soused

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm officially one of those people.

You know, the kind who when they can't work out itch to get back?
I had a cold for about a week. I wasn't feeling well yesterday still, so I went to the doctor. Sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, and antibiotics.

Anyway, I wasn't feeling great this morning, so I skipped the gym. Well, halfway through my day, I was like, "I have to go to the gym." I didn't have workout clothes on me. I needed more anyway and another pair of sneakers, so I ordered new sneakers from DSW and more workout clothes from Target. Stopped by both and got them during my lunch break. Then I went to the gym, and my friend who also belongs there was there. We didn't plan it, although now if I plan on a workout after work, I'm going to text her.We worked out together for 45 minutes. Bikes and weights. Then we rewarded ourselves by sitting in the hydromassage chairs at our gym, which we can use for free with our membership.

I'm tired and still achy from being sick, but I had to go. Never thought I would be one of those people, but I am now. Evidently.

I know everyone is different and some may say I don't rest as much as I should, but I usually keep with my workouts if it hasn't moved into my chest. I've found that the exercise sometimes even helps drive it out of my system when it's upper respiratory. And hey, you're also getting new shoes out of it and and the hydromassage sounds pretty darn nice as well. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I don't know what it is about directing that attracts the most dysfunctional people. I was in the percussion section from 5th grade until I graduated HS and I have seen some of the most miserable people directing band. I think they forget they are dealing with children learning to play an instrument and read music. I think some of them have an unrealistic expectation about children's abilities. I had one director who rage quit during class in jr high. There was another who routinely threw his baton on the ground, would stomp to his office 20 feet away and slam the door. He would sulk in there and give us the silent treatment if someone went to the door to get him to come back out. He would make these crappy, little remarks if you came in too late during a piece. I don't think he cared that there is a way to correct someone without publicly belittling them.

The final straw for me was he gave me a two day suspension in addition to cleaning the band room floor for stepping away during a song to get a drink of water from the fountain, steps away, in the band room. I was on antibiotics and it was time for me to take it. I didn't even have to play in the part they were practicing. I told him why I needed a drink and showed him the bottle of antibiotics, he didn't care. He told me he was the one who would tell me when I could have a drink. I quit when I returned from my suspension. That was the only time in school I ever got in trouble. I was so angry, because I wasn't someone who got in trouble at school. I never skipped class, I never gave teachers grief or turned in papers/homework late, etc. I missed two days of class because of some sociopathic jerk.

I didn't take chorus in high school my first two years because the director was a jerk. Then I did after school for a year, then during school senior year. After having excellent middle school orchestra and choral directors though (long story, but I'm the only person ever from that middle school who got to take orchestra and chorus), it was tough because my senior year teacher wasn't very good. I read music better than he did, as did all of us who played instruments. I got stuck in tenor because I have a three octave range from D2 to D5. Tenors needed help, but guys in chorus don't take it too well when they're not good enough, so a woman has to join in. Especially when said woman would point out their mistakes.

The only good thing about it was that I got my confidence back. I auditioned and made World of Color Virtual Honor choir the following year (so yes, I was in a Disney attraction for three months, every night). I was a Soprano and that was most competitive. Five hundred women auditioned for Soprano and only 150 made the initial rounds. I was one of the youngest. Still very proud of myself. I also like bringing it up at random times like now.

Then I went to college. It was a small choir, but I got to go back to Soprano and my director was a lovely man. He had a doctorate, so he knew a lot. Often distracted because he was ready to retire, but I learned a lot. Not to mention that by the time I was a senior, I had a good amount of say in the group. I vetoed when a bunch of freshman voted to do Adele, since she sings flat and I didn't need a bunch of freshman copying that. I also vetoed a song that I thought we just weren't ready for. Both times I talked to my director privately after class and explained my concerns. He basically thought it through until the next class and decided I was right.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Thank you. I am staying south of the interview site. I'm just going to keep an eye on it. The interview invite says to arrive no earlier than 7:30 and it's bolded, italicized and underlined, so I guess they are serious. So my goal is to get there at 7:30, because I don't want to wait outside in any sort of weather in June.

My main concern is getting back up here. It's not the end of the world, but I really don't want to have to shell out for a hotel room. Plus, my husband is going to be crabby if he has to pick me up at 1 AM or something. I had an option for a Friday interview, but he said tomorrow worked for him. But I am not going to worry about it. It's still far out and I can't do anything about it.

Yeah...you don't know what the weather will be like and while I don't know exactly where you have to go and if highways/feeders will be involved, you don't want to get stuck in traffic. School let out for the summer for most districts here either last week or the week before, so that should also help with traffic. So far, the rain has been hitting us in waves and lots of dry periods in between. We're under a flood watch until sometime on Thursday, so just watching things.

The good news is that it's going to take A LOT to shut down the airports and you should be close enough that it shouldn't be a major issue if things get bad. Case in point... that day a few weeks ago where my town was flooded, I was driving along 59 (east of IAH) and while the roads just off of the highway were totally submerged, I could see a steady stream of air traffic from IAH overhead. If you get stuck here or need help with anything, feel free to PM me.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The only good thing about it was that I got my confidence back. I auditioned and made World of Color Virtual Honor choir the following year (so yes, I was in a Disney attraction for three months, every night). I was a Soprano and that was most competitive. Five hundred women auditioned for Soprano and only 150 made the initial rounds. I was one of the youngest. Still very proud of myself. I also like bringing it up at random times like now.

It's funny how the sopranos tend to have the most competition. That's how it always was in all of the select high school choirs. Later on, when I auditioned for Houston Grand Opera, I was informed that many people shifted voice parts just to get their foot in the door. I got a call back and the assistant checking people in questioned it because they were only looking for men at that point. Turned out, even though my strength is in my upper range, they wanted to see if I could sing down into tenor parts! Awesome that you got to sing for Disney! That sounds AMAZING!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Today started with a relatively average morning workout. I biked about 15.5 miles, did a little 10 min walk and cool down to shake out my legs a bit, worked on arms and back for a bit with my 8lb dumbbells, and did some ab work with the ball. After work, I put in a 30 min training speed run (as well as a much slower walk home).

The run didn't feel the greatest. I was huffing and puffing a lot more than I have on previous runs and my stomach started to cramp up about 20 min in. Work is also really stressful right now, so I was being mentally powered from a more negative place. Anger, anxiety and frustration can make for some really powerful bursts, but it can also make for frustration fatigue. I'm sure the temp and humidity didn't help. It had dropped to 81 degrees, but it had started to drizzle on and off, so humidity was up to 84%. I was also wearing my new "speed" shoes for the first time. They are definitely more responsive and have more bounce when I manage my stride in certain ways, but there's definitely a difference in cushioning. I tend to supinate and I was starting to feel the telltale ache on the outsides of my feet. I was shocked when I stopped my watch to see that I had a new record. I didn't think it was much, but it turns out that I had a 23 second improvement in my average pace from my previous fastest run.

 

[epcotisbest]

OK, so here is another one of my posts that simply does not belong in the "working out" thread, yet for some odd reason I keep doing it.
There is a farm about and hour north of us that has a big roadside stand that sells their goods and we like to go up there and score some fresh from the farm stuff before the local farmer's market opens for the season here.
So here is the meal after the stop at the farm.
I love the first batch of fried squash of the season. It is so good. Maybe the 75 plus year old cast iron skillet that used to belong to my granny contributes to the wonderful flavor. That and the bacon drippings.
It's a wonder I don't weigh 200 pounds or more (oh wait, I do).

 

[epcotisbest]

We had a good campsite near the river at Elkmont and the fireflies this year were spectacular. Seemed to be a greater quantity and brighter flashing, though that could have just been our imagination.

 

[epcotisbest]

Hanging out in the woods waiting for the show to begin.

 

[Sans Souci]

Hello-

I had my interview and I don’t think I got it. I’m just waiting for my flight home. I was able to reschedule it to get home earlier, but I go through Chicago.

I just want to get home. I’m done with applying for these jobs. They are a waste of my time and money. I put so much effort into this endeavor and I am 0-3. Ugh. I really thought today was my day.

 

[Songbird76]

I also remember there being different ways you can tape the same area. When I was in physical therapy for my shoulder, the therapist would vary up how she taped it. I'm not sure what the logic was behind all of it, but I'm sure it all played into how she was working the joint differently in each session. I also remember this horrible woman (mom of one of my daughter's classmates) snickering and saying that's not how she would have taped it had I come to her. She also wasn't a licensed PT, so I didn't think much of her assessment, and figured it was just her being her usual "charming" self. Still, it points to being multiple good methods for various areas. But good point on making sure it's not a break. I had x-rays before I started on any of that.

Yes, I watched videos specific to the wrist and there were a couple of different ways shown.

Gotta love a know-it-all who insists they know better than a licensed professional.

 

[Songbird76]

View attachment 379260

Yes, she was a real winner. It was a friend of mine she choked. I guess the teacher had told them all to shut the h up and not make another sound. (practical, in band class, don't you think?) and my friend and another girl were sitting there with their mouthpieces in their mouths (clarinet players) and the other girl laughed and it made her clarinet squawk. She thought it was my friend. So she went and wrapped her hands around her neck and my friend has athsma and couldn't breathe, and the girl who actually made the sound tried to tell her it wasn't her fault, but the teacher wouldn't listen. She finally let go and I guess the whole class was so scared and my friend was too scared to tell anyone, but her mom was a substitute and happened to be in the building that day, so the girl who had actually made the sound went and got the mom, and brought her to my friend, who was in tears and had a big red hand print on her neck. They went to the principal or counselor or something, and when they went in, she reeked of alcohol. They went through the filing cabinets and found a bunch of booze, so she was terminated. I'm really glad I didn't take band that year. The guy we got the next year was verbally abusive, but at least he never got physical, to my knowledge. I gave up on band after that.

 

[Songbird76]

I didn't take chorus in high school my first two years because the director was a jerk. Then I did after school for a year, then during school senior year. After having excellent middle school orchestra and choral directors though (long story, but I'm the only person ever from that middle school who got to take orchestra and chorus), it was tough because my senior year teacher wasn't very good. I read music better than he did, as did all of us who played instruments. I got stuck in tenor because I have a three octave range from D2 to D5. Tenors needed help, but guys in chorus don't take it too well when they're not good enough, so a woman has to join in. Especially when said woman would point out their mistakes.

The only good thing about it was that I got my confidence back. I auditioned and made World of Color Virtual Honor choir the following year (so yes, I was in a Disney attraction for three months, every night). I was a Soprano and that was most competitive. Five hundred women auditioned for Soprano and only 150 made the initial rounds. I was one of the youngest. Still very proud of myself. I also like bringing it up at random times like now.

Then I went to college. It was a small choir, but I got to go back to Soprano and my director was a lovely man. He had a doctorate, so he knew a lot. Often distracted because he was ready to retire, but I learned a lot. Not to mention that by the time I was a senior, I had a good amount of say in the group. I vetoed when a bunch of freshman voted to do Adele, since she sings flat and I didn't need a bunch of freshman copying that. I also vetoed a song that I thought we just weren't ready for. Both times I talked to my director privately after class and explained my concerns. He basically thought it through until the next class and decided I was right.

The director can really make or break your experience. My college choir director was very knowledgable...he didn't have a doctorate, but he was good. The things he could hear!! I felt kind of bad, because he was kind of getting up there in age and some of the kids didn't have the respect for him that they should have. I learned so much from him, but he'd forget names. Like...he called one of the guys "Cornell" because he was wearing a Cornell sweatshirt. And he couldn't find his car one day, and then realized it was because he had walked. He forgot he hadn't brought his car. He may have been forgetful, but he really knew so so much, and since I had only had a choir director in high school who couldn't really read music, couldn't play the piano, didn't teach us any theory....my college director was infinitely more skilled and I respected him so much. I learned a lot from him.

 

[Songbird76]

OK, so here is another one of my posts that simply does not belong in the "working out" thread, yet for some odd reason I keep doing it.
There is a farm about and hour north of us that has a big roadside stand that sells their goods and we like to go up there and score some fresh from the farm stuff before the local farmer's market opens for the season here.
So here is the meal after the stop at the farm.
I love the first batch of fried squash of the season. It is so good. Maybe the 75 plus year old cast iron skillet that used to belong to my granny contributes to the wonderful flavor. That and the bacon drippings.
It's a wonder I don't weigh 200 pounds or more (oh wait, I do).

View attachment 379324

Yes, because we are always so good about staying on topic here, with our music and mount everest discussions...