Archive for June, 2005
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005
Tami has developed a system for learning new releases that really works well for us. Here's what we do:
Music - From the moment we receive the CD, every chance she gets we're playing that release. In the car, in the kitchen, on the computer at work. Wherever, whenever, it becomes the background music of our lives for a good solid month. You'd think it would grate on your nerves that way, but actually it doesn't. And here's the reason we do it - after hearing a release fifty or so times, every nuance of that music is burned into your memory. (By the way, if you have kids it'll drive them nuts - we see it as a sort of a sweet "parental revenge")
Choreography - After the first watch of the video, we generally don't look at it again for 2-3 weeks. But then, when we're ready, we watch each track together and write down the choreography. Tami transcribes hers primarily from the book onto an erasable board, while I do mine primarly from the video into a text document on my laptop. Either way, we're both writing the choreography down in some form or another, and that's the key to this step.
Practice - About a week or two before the launch (which for our club is typically 6-8 weeks after the release comes out) we individually practice our tracks using our handwritten notes and the iPod. And, finally, we run through the routine together several times using weighted bars and dumbells.
By the time the launch rolls around, we're ready to rock. One thing, though - it always sounds different over the club's sound system than at home - so if you have the opportunity to play it there first that's always a help!
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Tuesday, June 21st, 2005
The campaign is off the ground and picking up speed quickly. Thank you to all of you who made the Elect Rex announcement and the First Legislative District Caucus a success. I am truly honored to be your candidate for Delegate.
We have been updating our web page and would appreciate your feedback. Also, our list [...]
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Monday, June 20th, 2005
It's been a while....
go to
http://www.swva-outdoors.com and check out my new webpage. I hope you like it. I'm pretty proud of it... Especially check out the picture gallery and let me know what you think in the comments.
peace all.
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Monday, June 20th, 2005
It's been a while....
go to
http://www.swva-outdoors.com and check out my new webpage. I hope you like it. I'm pretty proud of it... Especially check out the picture gallery and let me know what you think in the comments.
peace all.
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Monday, June 20th, 2005
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Monday, June 20th, 2005
In the big urban badlands, like Richmond and NoVA, you get out and go door-to-door to do your canvassing. That makes sense; the houses there are stacked on top of each other, too close in some cases to hoe a row between 'em.
Here in the South, though, we do things a bit differently. If you [...]
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Monday, June 20th, 2005
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Sunday, June 19th, 2005
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Saturday, June 18th, 2005
And I'm on a roll. Check it out. I should have about 3 of the 5 pages to the site done by the morning.
peace.
http://swva-outdoors.com/ ;
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Saturday, June 18th, 2005
And I'm on a roll. Check it out. I should have about 3 of the 5 pages to the site done by the morning.
peace.
http://swva-outdoors.com/ ;
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2005
Okay, so we're still trying to agree on a date. I think I've finally convinced him on next summer and outdoors. It just took him a little while to realize this day is about me, he's just an accessory (HAHA, just kidding). Trust me, though I don't ask for much, just a simple outdoor ceremony. That's all. Now I am trying to figure out who to be in this wedding. Obviously without a doubt I want M and my favorite cuzolla L. Those are the two that go the furthest back that I would want there on that day. Even though my cuzolla did lock me out of a hotel room once and locked me in a closet when we were even younger and....hmmm maybe I should rethink that decision (just kidding cuz). So KA has informed me that since he has all of these really close friends that go back since birth that I need at least 5 maybe 6 bridesmaids. Okay, so here's the dilemia. There are several options, but I feel bad picking some over others. I have definitely picked three. The two mentioned and my friend CAJ.
I do want to make this statement right now. I will not be bridezilla! I will not pick hideous bridesmaid dresses just so I will look better on my big day. I will not yell and stomp about like a baby exclaiming "because it's my wedding" when things do not go my way. I will not become this emotional wreck that cries at sappy hallmark commercials...oh wait, I already do that. Okay so I will only cry at the hallmark commercials. I state this now, remind me of this affirmation in about a year.
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2005
When my darling husband wanted us to watch the new DVD and write a review - I said ok. However, we watched the DVD on a plane headed for Vegas - on his laptop. Not a good combo to try to assess the new release! However, in the car as we we're driving to Bryce Canyon, Utah, I played it - and it sounded great! Of course my favorites are still the warm-up and shoulders - but I thought they were all powerful, and fun! Can't wait to do them with weights!
I want to say too what a difference BP & BF have made in our life. We just finished a 4 day - 3 night backpacking adventure in Zion National Park. We covered about 36 miles in that time. Our second day was a 13 mile stretch! But we did it and feel great! Also - the benefits of BF have been tremendous. I was actually doing Flow in our room last night - don't want to get out of practice! Yes - even on vacation we find time to get our excercise in!
The new Body Flow 29 is a great release as well. I have been listening to the music every chance I get. Was able to do the first part of the routine before we left for vacation, and although I felt the moves were less complex, I felt it was tough. I also like the new way of having Jackie teach the entire class. Oh yes - and I love the fact that we can now use the printed notes for relaxation. I actually did that for this last release and found that after the third or fourth time - I did not need them anymore! Thanks Jackie for the change!
The reason why I have time to write all this while on vacation is because Craig is napping. Guess I'm wearing him out?! ; )
Thanks for reading! Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Tami
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2005
When my darling husband wanted us to watch the new DVD and write a review - I said ok. However, we watched the DVD on a plane headed for Vegas - on his laptop. Not a good combo to try to assess the new release! However, in the car as we we're driving to Bryce Canyon, Utah, I played it - and it sounded great! Of course my favorites are still the warm-up and shoulders - but I thought they were all powerful, and fun! Can't wait to do them with weights!
I want to say too what a difference BP & BF have made in our life. We just finished a 4 day - 3 night backpacking adventure in Zion National Park. We covered about 36 miles in that time. Our second day was a 13 mile stretch! But we did it and feel great! Also - the benefits of BF have been tremendous. I was actually doing Flow in our room last night - don't want to get out of practice! Yes - even on vacation we find time to get our excercise in!
The new Body Flow 29 is a great release as well. I have been listening to the music every chance I get. Was able to do the first part of the routine before we left for vacation, and although I felt the moves were less complex, I felt it was tough. I also like the new way of having Jackie teach the entire class. Oh yes - and I love the fact that we can now use the printed notes for relaxation. I actually did that for this last release and found that after the third or fourth time - I did not need them anymore! Thanks Jackie for the change!
The reason why I have time to write all this while on vacation is because Craig is napping. Guess I'm wearing him out?! ; )
Thanks for reading! Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Tami
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Sunday, June 12th, 2005
Today, I decided I would become a blogger. I spend some time daily reading other blogs, and I find it interesting to read about other peoples opinions and insights. I believe I can add a different perspective and unique opinions about daily events. My plan is to talk about anything that goes on in the world. Including, but not limited to politics, sports, and intertainment. We all know there is plenty to comment upon.
My first blog will be this week.
Al
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Wednesday, June 8th, 2005
The turnout for Rex McCarty's rolling announcement tour was impressive, especially considering how tight a lid was kept on the information. Honestly, I pulled the flier announcing the tour stops out of my mailbox the day after the event.
The weather wasn't the greatest. Rain and the threat of rain saw supporters crowding under [...]
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Sunday, June 5th, 2005
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Sunday, June 5th, 2005
Coming fresh on the heels of an awesome BodyPump 53 release, number 54 has some big shoes to fill. So does it make the mark? Let's have a look:
Warm Up - Tami says this is the best one yet - "It's not one of those typical girly songs - this one really gets your heart rate up and sets the tone for the rest of the workout." No kidding - we predict smiles all around the room when class opens with this one.
Squats - While it's unlikely many will ditch Bryan Adams' version of "Run To You" in favor of this one from Novaspace, this 5:39 monster has enough singles to challenge even the strongest set of legs. The new super slow "down and hold" looks like a sure bet for future BodyPump squat tracks.
Chest - As a chest track, "Summer Rain" lacks the raw power of "Push It", "Enter Sandman", "Stuck In The UK", and other class favorites. That said, however, this top & bottom combo routine is rich with singles and pulses - check your weights before you scratch this tune!
Back & Hamstrings - If you like dead rows, you'll love this routine. Your underhand intro includes four sets of triples, followed by seven. And, if that's not enough, two sets of triples and a seven follow each clean & press set. So why are we doing this to a love song?
Triceps - The backbeat of Gwen Stefani's "What You Waiting For" takes the intensity of this tricep buster to a whole new level. It's only 4:13, but the end can't come soon enough when you hit the floor for the final round of tricep push-ups!
Biceps - Flashy half-singles and stagger moves energize this bicep routine that's more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. "Car Wash" is a sure bet for the class favorite list!
Lunges - You know you're in for some pain whenever the lunge routine features a singles-pulses-singles sequence. But if you're a child of the 70's you won't feel a thing, thanks to the funky disco feel of this Shapeshifters tune.
Shoulders - Without exception, every BodyPump release features a track we both lay claim to for the launch - and it's been awhile since a shoulder track took that honor. So it boils down to this: Whoever gets to the mailbox first gets first dibs. And for BodyPump 54, that would be Tami...
Abs - We saw the introduction of the plate for ab work in 53, and we're glad to see that trend continue with 54. But it took a strong dose of Steve Miller LPs to cleanse our minds after Fatboy Slim's rendition of "The Joker"...
Cool Down - Sting's silky smooth "A Thousand Years" would be right at home in BodyBalance/Flow - and it works brilliantly as a BodyPump cool down. We won't be surprised if it turns up again in another Les Mills class.
The BodyPump 54 promo promised to be "Different. Better. Yet still the same" with "a fresh new feel to the proven Les Mills formula for getting bodies into shape in record time". So, did it do this? Here's what we think:
Music - Re-makes of legendary songs like "Run To You" and "The Joker" have to do justice to the originals. We got that in prior releases with "Walk This Way" and "Lady Marmillade" (not to mention the Robbie Williams tracks), but the re-makes in this release (save "Word Up", of course) make us long for the originals. That said, this release features some exciting tracks, including Safri Duo's "Rise" for the warm up, a very cool tricep-bicep-lunges run, and topped off with a mesmerizing cool down. BodyPump 54 isn't as far out as the techno-heavy 52 release, but it's not quite in the same league musically as the legendary 44, 47, and 53 releases either. We give the BodyPump 54 playlist a B+.
Workout Routine - As we've mentioned in prior posts, the trend in BodyPump releases of late has been toward more intense workouts - and we're glad to report that BodyPump 54 keeps the heat on! We like the new super slow "down and hold" in squats, plus the biceps half-singles and stagger moves and the continued use of the plate in abs. And while we like the way the BodyPump routine continues to evolve into a more intense workout, we'd definitely welcome a return to some isometric ab work (releases 48 & 49, for example), or something wild like risers with push-ups in "Crack It" (release 50). We give the BodyPump 54 routine an A-.
Instructor Video - In a neat departure from prior releases, Program Director and Head Choreographer Mike McSweeney presents all ten Master Class tracks. The stage is kept fresh with continuous swaps through a team of Auckland presenters as shadows. We definitely noticed a higher degree of emphasis on form and technique beyond that of prior releases, with Mike calling attention to specific coaching cues that instructors need to focus on during their own presentations. The video for this release felt less like a show and more like a class for instructors, and that's why we give it an A.
So, there you have it. Agree or disagree? Let us know - click the Comments link below and tell us about it!
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Thursday, June 2nd, 2005
We're leaving next week for two weeks of backpacking out in Utah and Arizona. So check out this "Bon Voyage" playlist that Tami came up with for the next couple of classes:
One step away - Warm Up
Ready To Go - Squats
Push It - Chest
Never Surrender - Back/Hamstrings
Rise Up - Triceps
Walk this way - Biceps
On And On - Lunges
We Will Survive - Shoulders
Left Outside Alone - Abs
Out Of Reach - Cool Down
Pretty cool, huh! (think they'll figure it out?)
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Wednesday, June 1st, 2005
It’s been a long time in coming, but The Campaign is finally underway. We’ll be using this blog to communicate to our supporters throughout the course of this adventure. It is an adventure: We are attempting to storm the castle that has long been usurped by those that are putting their own personal goals ahead [...]
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