tigra

Hey- thanks for the heads up! I think I am going to get Latin American Spanish, levels 1,2 & 3. Of course, then I am going to have to force myself to set aside time to work on it. I want all 3 levels because I've been studying Spanish on and off for a while now. I'm probably at a more intermediate level with my pronunciation and vocabulary, but need more basic grammar. I really do want to reach a certain level of proficiency- I'd like to be able to have actual conversations, not just order meals. Not to mention, a second language could be useful for work.

For that kind of money, I might as well replace the whole stereo system.

Umm...so he decided to unstow a brake and uncock your pilot chute? And how did you open the main? Did you perhaps pull the hackey on the pilot chute? You do realize that could've uncocked the pilot chute... The slider could've moved when you took the canopy out, doesn't mean he packed it that way. You pay your money, you take your chances. If you don't like his packing style, don't use him anymore. Simple really.... I've got to agree with you on all of this.

I think Brooke always looks like that! Dreadlock Boy seems to have the same facial expression all the time too, now that I think about it.

My young trainer pushes me HARD, especially when we work legs and they are sore and tight for about 2 days afterwards. He's not hurting me, and I talked to him about doing the classes on the days following our workouts (ie not really properly "resting" the muscles) but he agrees with me that getting the blood flowing is a good thing even if my range of motion is a bit limited! Plus, the classes work the muscles a little bit differently than the weight training. BUT- if I was too sore for the treadmill, the classes would be a BAD idea!

I think the dance oriented classes are a little more fun than just "step" or some of the other group exercise classes they offer at my gym. Or maybe its just the instructor- I don't know. I just know I am more likely to stick with something and give it 100% if I am having a good time doing it. Last night was Boneco Capoeira (Brazilian martial arts modified for Ballys.) Its a great class- good music, good cardio and lots of lower body work. I can't make that class every week and it seems like most of the time when I do, my legs are still sore and stiff from my Tuesday night session with my trainer. Since we boxed and worked upper body on Tuesday, my legs were relatively "fresh" last night. It made a difference! My goal for the weekend is the squeeze in one good workout- cardio and full body strength training. But we might also venture out to the dz and that might interfere!

I'm not sure he knows what he's talking about but he is the only judge that is remotely honest. I'm sure Randy has more knowledge of the music business in general but either his hearing is lacking or he's been sitting next to Paula for too long.

Regarding starting over? I was at sold out concert at a large venue. The artist re-started one of his newer songs after a couple of seconds. No one in the audience held it against him. Sometimes that's the right thing to do. And Chris, trust me, I know nothing about music! I just know what I like! I think I have pretty eclectic tastes but I'm generally "meh" on anything "pop" so its really tough to get won over by an AI performance! I'm usually with Simon when he makes his bad lounge singer or karaoke comments! That's pretty much the only thing I miss about the show since I hardly ever watch it anymore. Ryan and Paula give me the creeps and Randy just annoys me!

My iPod goes wherever I go!

Yup- neither is a perfect solution. My car is almost 10 years old and I'm not about to buy a new stereo for it. My cassette player died, and I've got problems/ issues with the FM transmitter thing too. Its very sad not to be able to listen to my iPod during my long drive to and from work! Amazing how spoiled a person can get! If you go with the FM transmitter route, you can go to Belkin's website and there is a place for you to type in your zip code to get the best station to use.

Hip Hop cardio was fun. I burned a whole bunch of calories and looked like a moron doing it! I'm more of a rock and roll girl- I've never been into Hip Hop, not the music or the dancing but the class was a riot, just like last time. And I do find dance music in general more appealing now that I am working out regularly. The SO just rolls his eyes when I start blasting the reggaeton!

They keep the "Sanjayas" around for a while just because it keeps people talking about the show. There is at least one every season who stays around way longer than he (or she) should, and at least one who leaves way too early. I'll tune in every now and then, and since I watch a Fox affiliate for news every morning, I always get the recaps and updates. But I stopped watching or caring about who won 2 years ago.

I'm a firm believer that the show's "results" are completely manipulated. The winner is picked early on, and so is the exit order for that matter. There are always a few "surprise" early exits and the admonishment from the judges that if you want your favorites to stay on, you have to watch and you have to vote. Its more about the ratings than who they think they'll make the most money off of after the show is over. Yeah yeah Chris- tell me again about the potential lawsuits and how its "illegal" or whatever. The votes are free and there aren't any kind of anti trust laws being violated. Ultimately, the producers can do whatever they want with the show.

One more- He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother will forever remind me of Roger Nelson since someone used it in a lovely tribute video. So yeah, that one chokes me up too.

Imagine by John Lennon still gives me chills and reminds of the night I found out he'd been murdered. There's a Michael McDermott song- Annie and the Aztec Cross that also gets to me but I couldn't tell you why. Its just sad and beautiful at the same time. Eres Mi Religion by Mana is probably one of the most beautiful love songs ever written and that one can get me a little weepy on the right day.

The boxing was great- good interval training, good cardio, good upper body, good for the legs, good for the core and good for hand to eye coordination. I'm not sure I'd like to box for real with someone who hits back and wants to hurt me, but the sparring and punching was fun. Not all elliptical machines are the same and they do take getting used to. I remember trying to use one when I was rehabbing my last broken ankle and the pain would stop me before I got tired or winded. I had to work my way up to that starting with just walking on the treadmill. And, even with that, not all the machines are the same. Some are tougher on the knees and joints than others. At my gym, we've got Life Fitness and Precor ellipticals. I always go for the Life Fitness machines and will only get on the Precor if nothing else is available or if I want to use a really steep setting to blast my gluts for about 10 minutes. Right now I am mainly using the ellipticals as a warm up and to build up my endurance, so I tend to use the basic cardio setting, not the hills and stuff. I figure I am getting enough strength training with the weights.

The Hip Hop class is later tonight, so I'll let you know. Its not a regular class there (yet) but she taught one last month that was just a TON of fun and a great cardio workout as well!

I boxed with my trainer last night. Awesome- I need to work this in to our sessions a little more often. I did 25 minutes on the elliptical first and in addition to the boxing (great cardio too BTW) we also worked abs, back and shoulders. GREAT workout and a lot of fun too! Tonight, there's an hour long Hip Hop cardio dance class and I'll probably do some legs/ lower body first.

I'm seriously considering purchasing the program for Spanish. I know some, but I want to learn more plus my grammar really sucks. I always struggle with the verb tenses and this program is supposed to teach you that more naturally, correct? Sort of the way a child learns?

Upper body PLUS some boxing with my trainer tonight. We haven't boxed in a while so I put in a special request. I did cardio, legs and abs last night on my own. Tomorrow is a special one hour Hip Hop cardio dance class guaranteed to burn a whole bunch of calories! Yes, I'll look pretty stupid doing it, but its still a ton of fun!

My iPod- all my music fits in the palm of my hand. when my co-workers annoy me, I can pop in my ear buds, crank it up and drown them all out!

We're avoiding you. Get over it.

I went to the gym on Saturday- did a little cardio and some strength training, then an awesome hour long class that combined all my favorites- Latin Cardio, HipHop and Capoeira. I'm going to do cardio and legs tonight, then upper body with my trainer tomorrow.

I like most those groups/ artists. I'd add Santana, Ozomatli, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen, John Hiatt, Gipsy Kings, Zucchero, Van Morrison, Mana, Molotov, Notch, Juanes, Kasey Chambers ............... Yeah- I LOVE my iPod!

Falling too fast sucks too! I did that for so long, I actually didn't mind the baggy suit floaty thing for most of last year, but it did finally get old. I don't think I'll ever need a super slick suit, but the suit I have now is way too big to fly comfortably anymore!