Look at What I Just Found.... My Michael Jackson Cassette!

I, like many millions upon millions of people out there am just devastated over the loss of Michael Jackson. You just really don't realize how much of your life a certain person IS until they're gone. I've been thinking about him all morning. Before I went to sleep last night, I thought of him. I can't watch the TV coverage or the tributes anymore right now, because they just make me cry.

I decided to look through my archives of CDs and cassettes to get to his music. I'm sure we all have our collections. I've worn out many a Michael Jackson cassette or CD. In fact, I wore out two of the Thriller cassettes completely. So, imagine my delight when I looked through one of my storage boxes and found THIS:

Spank, brand new, and with the plastic wrapping intact. Well, damn! It's like waking up on Xmas and finding the very best gift of all. I've listened to this collection at different stages in my life, and can even remember the dates, places I went and relationships I was in while this music was pumping through my ears via a walkman. Pretty damn incredible to be able to get all that back and still have Michael in my life almost like he was even back then. I will probably listen to this tape, sing along, dance and cry all at the same time.

I identify greatly with Michael Jackson in many ways. A fellow Virgo, our birthdays are only 3 days apart. I understand his quest for perfection, excellence, and the need to do things in a way that nobody else already has or can. I strive for that every day of my life. I also understand his need to be the greatest thing amongst all of his peers or when on the stage....he was a Diva if there ever was one. Everything on a grand scale, and always a little something extra that you didn't expect. Knowing how to wow them, time after time. Your biggest competition always being yourself. Being the one that inspires others and who many want to emulate and be like.
Even in the midst of all that ego and pomp, there was a kind and generous heart, and a man who tried to spread a message of unity, harmony, love and peace throughout the world through his music. I hope that in these days after his death, people try to focus on that aspect of him. Not just the great performer, but also the kind, gentle, world conscious person he always was. I know that I will. I already miss him greatly.

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One Less Grunt at Wimbledon

....simply because Sharapova is OUT. She got ousted today by Gisela Dulko in the third set. The thing is, I'm wondering if anyone is going to miss Maria's high pitched grunts and screams, which punctuate each and every stroke she hits. That girl really lays it on thick! Now, I know she's not the only one, but she's definitely the grunting QUEEN of tennis. Just listen to these sound effects:




Hell, football players don't even make that much noise, and they're out there getting smashed into, run over and HURT! lol
I play tennis also, but don't recall ever making this much noise. Then again, I'm not out here competing for Grand Slams. Or even amateur titles. Maybe I'm doing it all wrong! ;)

But for all you grunt and moan tennis fans, Serena is still in it to win it, and we all know that she can grunt and growl with the best of them.
Question: why don't the male tennis players grunt and groan with this much fervor? I know there are one or two who do, but I swear, they just cannot even compare to the ladies!
Tomorrow I will be on the courts working on my grunt. Maybe that's the one vital element missing from my game! Keep ya posted!;)

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Attack of the Rude Yoga People

I just have to wonder and therefore ask; what the hell is wrong with some people who take yoga at the gym? There is this air of rudeness, arrogance and self absorbedness from this particular group of exercisers that I just don't see (to the same level and degree) in the rest of the gym population. Not to say that other gym members aren't rude and inconsiderate at times, but the yoga folks take it to a whole, new, creepy and psychotic level.
Over the years, having taught in many gyms right before many a yoga class, I have seen the same rude, self entitled, "me and my yoga are more important than anyone else" attitude over and over and over again. "I am YOGA... get the hell out of my way!"

This is what I'm talking about....

Instructors at the gym generally know to end a class they're teaching at least 5 minutes before the next class is about to begin. This allows the previous class to properly put away all equipment, and for the next class to then after, enter the studio, set up and begin their class on time. Makes complete and total common sense, and when done right serves both purposes perfectly.

Well, yoga people don't feel that they have to wait for the class before them to put equipment away before barging into the studio and slamming their mats down. Regardless of who or what's going on in the room, they have to come in and claim their space RIGHT NOW. Forget the fact that they have roughly 5 minutes before their class even begins, IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW! You, who are there and trying to gather your things to leave had better just hop on out of the way!
I also need to say that the level of rudeness these yoga people are willing to take this action to is unbelievable. I have seen them push the previous exerciser's belongings out of the spot, plop the mat down on the person's feet as they're still standing there...I mean, really mean, childish, UNNECESSARY tactics that make you wonder about the sanity of the perpetrator.

I, always one to put a stop to such shennanigans, take a hard line on this. I insist that any class I teach be allowed to put all their stuff away before you come and claim your coveted, do or die yoga spot. I have even locked the door to keep them out and from committing this selfish, childish insistence on coming in even up to 7 minutes early just to sit down and do absolutely nothing until their class begins.

Picture this: 30 to 40 people trying to put away body bars, dumbbells, mats and towels, but while 30 to 40 more people enter the studio and yoga mats are being slapped down left and right. It becomes an obstacle course and a dangerous maze. Why can't you just wait? Waiting for the previous class to clear their equipment away actually makes it easier for you and your class to set up. Dummy!
The lack of consideration for anyone else in their path is mind bending. You think you're looking at the behavior of a 4 year old. And they will get as rude as is necessary to have their own way. I have seen this same phenomenon in gym after gym after gym.

Doesn't matter how early I end the previous class for everyone's convenience...if I end 10 minutes early, they're are trying to come in and put their mats down 10 minutes early....like there's a damn emergency or something. Why this complete suspension of intelligence or logic? You are going to get into the damn class when it's your turn. IT IS NOT all about YOU, we have 35 other people trying to put their stuff away...YOU CAN WAIT TWO MORE MINTUES, IT'S NOT GOING TO KILL YOU TO DO SO!

I have spoken to other instructors who teach before yoga and have heard the same from them. We are all bewildered and awestruck by the feral, childish, inconsiderate, selfish, and almost animalistic behavior demonstrated by some yoga folks. Not just one class or one location, people. I see this everywhere.
Isn't yoga supposed to balance you and calm you down to a certain degree? Aren't yoga people supposed to be trying to be harmonious with their surroundings? Aren't they supposed to be ridding themselves of negative behaviors and habits? WTF??
Well, from what I've seen, the yoga isn't working, honey. Not one bit. I've seen the same people come to take the same yoga class for years and still, they stand outside the studio door with the same mean look on their face and the same ridiculous attitude. I recommend psychotherapy.... yoga is not equipped to handle what's really eating you. Seriously.

I figure some of them must be coming from THIS place!

Mean yoga people. Selfish, inconsiderate yoga people. "The world revolves around me and my yoga RIGHT NOW yoga people". What the hell is their problem?

I do know that there are many normal, non dysfunctional, kind, considerate yoga practitioners out there. If you are one of them, then you know that this does not apply to you. But those others, oh my God. Somebody PLEASE teach them some good yoga manners!

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I'm Not Getting Lazy.....

...I'm just busy as hell right now. That's a good thing, trust me. I know I've been slow with the posts, but don't worry...I've got the next 10 already in my brain. I just need to sit down long enough to get them on here. I also have to do other 50 other more pressing things first.

Running my boot camps and kickboxing classes in the park (as well as 3 Meetup groups), plus being my own advertising rep (and not to mention graphic artist, producer, printer and distributor of my own flyers and various other advertisments), etc is only part of the mix. Keeping on top of 100 domain names, 8 blogs, and about God knows how many websites....Other various projects keep me hopping. I also have clients, and by the way, did you all know that I have a JOB? Keeping up with my fitness certifications, continuing education work shops and learning 10 new ways to wear out my people in the rooms.....lol

Okay...I just had to get that all out! Oh, and trying to finish a damn book. Phew~!
And when I have time, a social life. Yep. I also have friends who invite me to stuff. And places that I could go. A ton of things available to do. Always. Funny thing is, there just doesn't ever seem to be enough TIME....


So, please don't mind if the posting gets a little slow here lately. I promise to stop in and catch back up! :)
See you all out here with some new stuff in a minute! Got a new post comin'...HOLD ON!!!! :D

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Surviving Boot Camp Classes

Ok. This is an intervention. A word to the wise, actually. If you are not at least in somewhat decent shape, or somewhere on the way to it, you should not be attending extreme boot camp fitness classes. Yet. As I say this, I also realize that I risk losing business, because some who may be considering taking my outdoor classes may also happen upon this blog.
However, I'd rather have you come and really feel the right type of challenge that a boot camp class is supposed to provide, instead of coming to my class, or somebody else's and finding yourself wanting to puke, quit or pass out.

Now, let me just say, that as trends go, boot camps are all the rage right now. I have taught sports conditioning and boot camp type classes for years, but all of a sudden, EVERY fitness instructor, personal trainer or weight loss loser with even half a brain of exercise knowledge has decided to start up a boot camp at a park near you. Your Grandma is probably running a boot camp somewhere right now, and you don't even know it. That's how many there are out here right now, in every city, town, state and country. They're spreading quicker than the boubonic plague.
Also, because of popular weight loss shows like Celebrity Fit Club and The Biggest Loser, everybody, deconditioned or not, thinks that taking a hard paced, leave it all on the floor boot camp run by a take no prisoners instructor is the new cool thing to jump on.

Now, there's nothing wrong with wanting to go hard....but be realistic. If you've been basically sitting on your can for months, haven't run or jumped in ages, and do not exercise with at least some consistency, why would you all of a sudden step up into a class designed to push you at a much harder pace than the normal fitness class/routine? What do you really think you will gain? I'll tell you what will happen...you will have one of the worst hours of your life that seems like it will never end. You might get sick. Because of your lack of physical activity on a regular basis, you might get injured. Also, it might be such a harrowing experience physically and mentally (not to mention, embarrassing) that you might not try to exercise again for a long time, thus putting you right back at square one. A lucky few deconditioned souls might survive unscathed, but they are the exceptions.

So...let's avoid any of the negative experiences or effects mentioned above by doing one simple thing: start exercising at least a few weeks before you decide to go jump on the boot camp bandwagon. Hit a few runs or bike some miles to get your cardio level back up, start doing some basic calisthenics such as push ups, lunges, squats and crunches, etc, and also, start stretching. This type of pre conditioning will give you a much better foundation and also will put you in a better position to take a boot camp class for what it is really designed for; to push your fitness to the NEXT level. Now, when you do attend such a program, you'll feel better as you go through it and also will be more able to push yourself and rise to the challenges given instead of just trying to survive.

I can't tell you how many times I've experienced someone popping up at one of my boot camps or sports conditioning classes, and getting sick, getting dizzy, becoming quickly fatigued or unable to finish. I'm not always that extreme either, unless a bunch of well conditioned athletic types show up at my class. THEN, I get out the big guns! But even so, in my boot camp you need to come ready to do sprints, jump rope, hop over stuff, do burpees, maybe a few sets of bench jumps if I'm feeling a bit sadistic, and yes, OF COURSE, do push ups and/or planks, among other things. That's like the letter 'A' to me. I change my line up from week to week, but know that you WILL be challenged if you do dare come. Boot camp ain't supposed to be easy....

So, be smart. Be ready for that challenge, no matter whose boot camp it is.
Start getting at least a little exercise in beforehand, and you'll have a much better time. Trust me! ;)

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Absolutely Manlicious!

4th and Long, this reality show on Spike TV that has a group of (mostly) good lookin', athletic as hell guys competing to become a Dallas Cowboy, is one of my new guilty little pleasures!

It's a test of endurance, quickness, agility, toughness and heart, not to mention a few cuties on board. What better contest could there be?
Defensive backs vs wide receivers....omg. Love it! I think that wide receivers are the sexiest things on the football field....;)

Anyway....

This is some good, gritty competition going on here, and I actually can't wait to see who makes it in the end.
I also have to say that Michael Irvin is a bit scary! I would hate to have been one of the guys facing him across the line on the football field! He is seriously intimidating! Even these guys start shaking in their boots a bit whenever he steps into the room, he's no joke! I enjoy watching him break these guys' balls every week.
He's like the coach from hell!

If you're not a football fan, you might not get into this show, but if you are, it's pretty entertaining. On the next show, they're going to make the guys run 8 miles...without any advance warning! That's gonna be good! Can't wait to see who falls off, who pukes, and who survives! Yeah, I'm a sick puppy like that! :D
If you want some inspiration to get out there and really push yourself, watch these guys as they go for it. Pretty good stuff, and better than Pros vs Joes, which I also like to check out from time to time. Shows like this inspire me and make me want to go outside and train harder. And the eye candy (for us girls) is not a bad deal either! ;)

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Copycat or Coincidence???

I'm just sayin'.....

You tell me.

And not the first time from this source, either. A post subject here or there...
The hits just keep on comin'! ;)

Is imitation really the sincerest form of flattery? Well, I ain't flattered! lol

Anyway.....

I must be doin' somethin' right, cuz folks are copying me left and right. Doesn't crash my world or anything, but it does burn my butt when I see it.

I'ma keep doing me, though. Because I'm definitely onto something here! ;)

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I'm Back

I just got back from burying my Dad, and am still trying to get it together. I will be back posting for you again at least by Monday.
I just want to thank all of you that stopped by and left your heartfelt, kind and encouraging comments. I have to admit, I'm overwhelmed by the kindness of you all who did drop a comment to me during this time. I feel blessed to know that I've connected to such amazing and wonderful bunch of people from all over the world just from blogging. It's so nice to know that there are such big hearted people out here like yourselves, who didn't hesitate to reach out to me in my time of sorrow. You are so appreciated. Thank you so much.
I will see you out here soon! Take care all.

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