You spin me round round baby

I admit it, I’m a gym rat.  I enjoy going to the gym.  I love lifting heavy weights, listening to cool tunes on the elliptical, and even sweating it out in boot camp.  I like most classes offered at the gym, and when I can fit them in, I usually do.  With one exception.

Spinning.

I like to bicycle.  I like classes.  Why wouldn’t I like spinning?  I don’t really know.  It’s been a deep seeded prejudice of mine for a while.  What I like about classes is moooooving.  They’re usually held in bright airy rooms.  Spinning is none of that.  You pick a bike that you remain attached to for the entire class and you ride it in a dark claustrophobic room.  Not my thing.

Or so I thought.  When I was working with a trainer at Club H in Hoboken, she strongly urged me to try spinning because of the massive cardio burn.  As my Mii can attest, I am always in need of massive cardio burn.  Once I went to take the class and had only one sneaker.  Ooops.  Next time, I was closed out of sign ups 15 minutes before the class started.  Seriously?  It’s that popular?

There’s also my friend Rina.  She spins all the time, but that may be because her husband bicycles and she’s just trying to make sure she can keep up with him.  She always said it was a great workout, but I “yeah yeahed” her on my way to boot camp.

Then, I ran into Bonni outside of my boot camp class.  Bonni looked all sweaty.  Bonni got sweaty in Spin, which she said was a great workout.  I’ve been nagging Bonni to try boot camp, so then and there she agreed to try it if I tried Spin.

My end of the bargain was upheld today.  I knew that you have to sign up the day before, so yesterday I called for a spot in the 6am Spin class.  Seriously.  I figured that I could workout and then go into work, because Mr IT is home with the kids. 

When I showed up, there were all of 8 others in the class, which you can probably attribute to today being a fasting Jewish holiday.  I certainly wouldn’t be rushing to workout if I couldn’t carbo load after my workout.  The instructor said, “I’m assuming there aren’t any new people here today,” to which I raised my hand.  She was most amazed that there was someone out there who still hasn’t tried spin, and was willing to do that at 6 in the friggin AM.  I joked and said I was giving step aerobics a try next week.  She set up my bike and gave me some hints on how to make it through class, and then off we went on our “ride.”

First off, it wasn’t as boring or as hard as I thought it would be.  Certainly next time I can push myself harder, but I worked pretty hard for the first time as it was.  She wasn’t the perkiest or most energetic teacher, but at that hour I appreciated it.   I’m eager to see how other instructors run the class.  I could have used some peppier music, as I am a total slave to the beat.  Heart rate monitor showed just over 500 calories burned in 45 mintues, which ranks well in my book.   I haven’t done pure cardio for a while, so I had forgotten how hungry it can make you!  I had a small protein shake before the class (150 calories) and then wolfed down my cheese snack which I usually save for later in the day, and then hit the cafeteria for some scrambled egg whites.  Easy, girl!  If I keep this up, I’ll be waddling around before lunch.

In summary, Spin is something I will definitely try again.  Now, to get Bonni to boot camp!

Feeling Wii Fit

Little IT had a very specific request for her birthday present.  She wanted a Wii Fit. 

I was a bit surprised that she asked for one in the first place.  Since Nintendo was doing a lot of outreach to MommyBloggers about the gadget, I didn’t think it was for kids.  When I tried out one at the BlogHer conference, I saw that it was certainly fun, and figured it wouldn’t hurt to get one.

Then, I started to shop around.  Ha.  Sure.  Why not just ask for a Tickle Me Elmo ten years ago?  The holy grail of electronic gadgets, next to the Wii itself, the Wii Fit still elicits chuckles when you ask for one at an electronics counter. 

But I was unafraid.  I had gotten a Wii last Christmas, due to perserverance and dumb luck.  I could do this.

I went to Amazon.com first.  They were out of stock, but had a bunch of marketplace sellers offering it for at least twice the going rate.  That was not an option.  Then I noticed you could put in your cell phone number to receive a text when it was in stock.  Why not, I said, and input it.

Three weeks later, I got a text that the Fit was in stock.  Based on the time of the text, it was in stock RIGHT THEN.  I went to the site but was unable to snag one.  Same thing happened when the next text came 2 weeks later. 

One week after that, I got another text.  This time, I was sitting next to my computer working away.  I noticed the text indicated that the Wii Fit would be in stock in five minutes.  I hopped onto the site and F5ed away, and sure enough, I was able to get one. 

Pretty amazing.  I half heartedly looked and got lucky.  Since it was a month before the birthday, I had not shopped around, virtually or at the brick and mortar stores.  Had I not gotten one from Amazon, I certainly would have. 

So, on her birthday, she unwrapped the Wii Fit and was thrilled.  Strangely, she now has a toy that few of her other friends have, so it comes out at every playdate.  It leaves me torn.  On the one hand, I prefer that she PLAYS on playdates, either outside or with board games or something else.  But at the same time, they are interacting with the thing, and moving all over the place.  For the time being it’s fine.

What isn’t fine is my Mii on the Fit.  We set up a few Miis to play on the Fit, and I wanted my “Ellen” on there.  It took height, weight, and did a fit test.  On the plus side, it gave me a Wii Fit age of 43, which is only 2 up from where I will be in December.  On the negative side, it made my Mii chubby.  VERY chubby.  I’m certainly not saying I’m thin, by any stretch of the imagination, but I am certainly no where near as chubby as my Mii!  Even the kids laugh about it, saying I look nothing like me Mii now.  If the Fit thinks this is motivating, it is most mistaken.  Girl and her friend have conspired to “slim” my Mii by getting on as me.  That’s certainly easier than diet and exercise and I may take them up on the offer.  In the meantime, it’s off to the plank challenge!

“Enjoy You Potato”

Last weekend, we went to at the Eastern States Expo, aka the Big E.  If you haven’t been, it’s the state fair for the New England states held near Mr. IT’s hometown in West Springfield, MA.  Being a city girl, I’ve only been to street fairs, mostly of the Italian and Polish variety, so it was exciting to do something different.   Anyhow, each state has a replica of their statehouse permanently built on the fair grounds.  At the Maine one, they are known for their fully-loaded Maine potatoes.  In fact, they have a special line out the side door to get your potatoes, ostensibly because the demand is so high it would clog up the front door.  When we got on line for our potato, I noticed a sign next to the door, and had to snap a picture.

Maine Math

I’m not sure what is worse, assuming that people can’t add $5 + $5 + $5, or offending them with a typo in the first place.  They weren’t exactly the Soup Nazis, so I am unsure as to why they decided to put customers in a state of panic, counting their potato money repeatedly to not offend the cashiers.  Despite the sign, the potato was yummy and so was the lobster roll consumed by Mr. IT, and the blueberry pie my sister-in-law was unable to finish that found it’s way to my grubby paws.  Next year, I’m saving the appetite and heading straight to Maine.  With my sharpie for some typo corrections.

Spell Checker

Few things in life make me happier than a really great typo.  I’m not a frustrated English major, but I certainly work with a few of them.  Most publishing houses are filled with the type.  You can pick them out easily on our cafeteria any given day.  They walk around with their grease pencils, ready to draw them out a moments notice to correct the typos on the menus.  And they do.  Sometimes, they get into fights about who gets to make the correction.  I kid you not.  I’m certainly not saying I’m perfect in this area, mind you.  I’m confident that there are people who want to take grease pencil to this blog, and for not doing that I thank you for your restraint.  The spell checker in wordpress catches a lot, but you’re left with the grammar of a history major, so take it for what it’s worth. 

Anyhow, yesterday I got something in the mail promoting a new business in town.  Eager to put their best foot forward, they sent out a substantial 8.5 x 11 cardstock postcard with descriptions and a schedule of their classes, promotional discounts, and endorsements (with lots of !!!! in them).  I scanned it quickly, and then put it aside to toss it recycle it.  Somehow, I came back to it, as I wondering where this new busienss had located itself.  When I read their location, I fell over laughing. 

Yeah, that’s going to win them some friends in the community.  I wonder if the folks at Lakeshore Learning have seen it yet? 

As soon as I picked myself up off the floor, I called my friend Rina.  She’s kind of a typo-junkie herself.  She loves reading menus, especially from ethnic restaurants, calling them “hotbeds” in the hunt for good typos.  I asked if she had seen the “Great Play” brochure, and she said no.  When I told her about the typo, she begged for me to save the piece and send it to Jay Leno for The Tonight Show.  “Promise me you will, because if you won’t, I will!!!”  I haven’t heard her so happy in a long time.  I swear she may actually have been jumping up and down.  Boy, there’s just nothing like a good typo to make your day.

Stay-cation, all I ever wanted…

Today marks the start of my summer vacation.  Except it’s really not.  Yes, I am taking this week off from work, but no, I’m not really going anywhere.  First off, Mr. IT’s working this week.   Since we went away during both winter and spring breaks this year, we decided to take off alternating weeks to be with the kids and give my mom a break from child-sitting duties.  Mr. IT’s week off was last week, during which he hit the pool and the mall with the kids.  Me, I’m planning on a trip with the kids and some friends to the Dutchess County Fair and some pool time.  We did go to my mom’s cottage this weekend and visited the Polish Town Fair, so really, what more excitement can you expect after that?

I hate the word “staycation” but that’s exactly what I am doing.  Certainly the economy was a factor, but truth be told, I’m worn out and need a break.  Anyone who has traveled with kids can tell you there is little relaxing about the experience.  I dreaded the thought of packing, unpacking, long car trips, and meals on the road.  Hanging out in the house is just fine by me.

It’s also IT Boy’s week off.  He’s got 2 sessions today, and one tomorrow, but then he is done.  He’s been pretty feisty in his sessions lately.  Not sure if it was having Daddy home (not Daddy’s fault, mind you) but he was acting up with all his therapists.  Maybe taking some time off and recharging the batteries is what he needs too.

“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with the Police”

If you are not a fan of Elvis Costello or the Police, you just better stop reading now and skip to the next post.

If you are a fan, you are in the right place.  For yesterdsay, I had the extreme pleasure of attending a taping of Elvis’s new talk show, “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…” The “with”, in this case, was the Police.  And now, I’m going to talk about it.  But first….

OMG OMG OMG

Two of my favorite artists together on one stage.  I’m trying VERY hard to not gush here, but it’s next to impossible. So, I’m just going to get started, and if another “squeee” or “OMG” pops out, so be it.

About two weeks ago, I saw a notice posted on Stewart Copeland’s web site about a taping that was taking place for “Spectacle“.  They were encouraging “fan club” members to sign up for a ticket lottery.  Having just won a ticket to the final Police show at MSG tonight, I figured I was riding high as far as luck was concerned, and I should absolutely enter.  I also called my friend Liz to do the same, as she was a Police.com member.

Last Friday, I got the email saying that I had won a ticket.  I immediately texted Liz and told her to get to her email, pronto.  Sure enough, she had won as well.  The taping was to be August 6th at the world famous Apollo Theater in NYC. We planned to meet in Penn Station and then take the subway uptown.  I was a little delayed, but that was OK, because by this time I had convinced Liz to get a ticket for the final MSG show.  Due to my delay, she had the time to do that.

We headed uptown, picked up our tickets, visited the dirtiest Blimpie I have ever seen, then waited on the very hot “fan club” line to be seated.  While on line, security guards were walking up and down the line threatening us about not bringing in outside food and drinks, and cameras.  Apparently, there were 3 choices if we had a camera:

1. Return them to our cars

2. Mail them to ourselves from the US post office down the street “for a cost of $3.95″

3. Hand them in and lose them to security FOREVER

I started to panic.  I did have a camera with me, abeit a small one that was easily hidden.  1 wasn’t an option, as my car was at home.  I didn’t have the time or energy for #2, so I was prepared to offer my memory card and batteries if the camera was found.  I put it in a zippered compartment in my purse, blocked by my blackberry.  Needless to say, it was not found, but I never used it either.

Once inside, it became clear that the fan club people were being treated well.  We had the first 20 or so rows of the theatre to ourselves.  People from Sundance and other channels, as well as the corporate sponsors were in the balcony or in the back.  We were certainly in for a treat.

Even though the doors opened late, they seemed to stick to the promise of closing them at 3:45.  Soon after, the producer/director/whoever came out and talked to us about how to behave during the taping (don’t move around, no cell phones, photos, texting, etc).  There were a couple of funny bits:

Who has never been to a TV taping? Raise your hands.

Now, for everyone who this is their first TV taping, raise your hands…

Great, that was some of the same people

Sadly, some folks didn’t get the joke.  We then were asked to scream and applaud wildly for about 5 minutes, which surely gave them more than enough to edit in later.

The set was incredible - not sure how it will look in TV, but it was modern, attractive and really different looking.

Just as soon as the preambles ended, Elvis came to the stage with his guitar.  He was dressed typically Elvis - dark suit, porkpie hat, glasses.  He said a few words, then went into a solo version of “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”.  Amusingly, the lyrics for the song were running on a teleprompter while he was singing.  He must be the only person in the Western world to NOT know the lyrics to that little ditty.  He did the song twice, the second time a little slower and more deliberate, and with different words!  He was making up the words!  Gotta love Elvis - it was his world, and we were just living in it.

He then brought out his band, the Impostors . They played “Don’t Go Please Say” and he said it was one that Andy had played and they would talk about it later.  However, I don’t think they ever did.  In fact, he never said the name of the song, but it was on the teleprompter which is the only reason I can tell you what it was.

He then did a fun intro of the the band.  You could see them offstage left, grimacing and grinning with what he was saying.  The Imposters were playing Police-esque songs in the background.  When the band came out, they waved but kept walking off the stage.  Elvis: “Was it something I said?”  Must have been how they were editing for TV.

The interview segments were first. Each band member solo, followed by the 3 together.

* Andy - this was about 15 minutes. They talked about his early gigs, his influences, and their shared love of Charles Mingus. They dueted on “Weird Nightmare.” From the teleprompter, you could see that he ran through all of his questions for Andy, and had time left over.

* Stewart - first questions were on the “Disaster Gig” post on his web site. He said that he wasn’t trying to do anything more than tell a story for his site visitors, and while it caused friction in the band, it’s all water under the bridge now. He said his son is a filmmaker (named Jordan, great name!) who put together a documentary for the upcoming tour DVD. Stewart was his usual vociferous self, and I don’t think Elvis got in even half of the questions he planned to ask. No musical performance here, phooey.

* Sting - for some reason, Mr. Tantric Yoga decided to come with his porn beard and a shirt opened down to his waist. Humorously enough, at one point the teleprompter went dark and the words “ELVIS - REMOVE THE TAPE FROM STING’S SHIRT!” came up. He didn’t, and it was up to one of the producers to do so later. Sting told about the original idea for the melody in “Roxanne”, and how he was afraid to go to the band with a song titled after a girl, until he heard Elvis’s own “Allison.” Then, it was, “Bring me my Lute!” and they dueted on a some barn burner for lute and vocal. I swear, if I never hear that lute again, it will be too soon.

Elvis then interviewed the entire band together. Some fun things came out here. Stewart talked about how a fight on stage spilled over into dueling cars on the ride home from the gig, and ended only when he saw a “hairy ass” in the window of the other car.  Elvis talked about how some bands are prone to passive-aggressive behavior, to which Stewart interrupted , “This band DOESN’T DO passive-aggressive!”

When asked their favorite Police song, Stewart couldn’t stop naming songs, among them “Born in the 50s”, “Can’t Stand Losing You” and “Message in a Bottle.” Andy’s pick was “Message in a Bottle” while Sting went cheeky, selecting “Mother” (written by Andy) and “Miss Gradenko” (written by Stewart). Naturally, Stewart called BS on that.  He did say that “Mother” was one of his kids’ faves though.

When asked their favorite Police moment, Sting said he hoped it would be the last show at MSG, Andy said Shea Stadium, and Stewart said something like he has one every night.

Then, the big wrap up.  The two bands got together for 3 songs, 4 performances.

“Sunshine of Your Love”
a mashup of Elvis’s  “Watching the Detectives and The Police’s “Walking on the Moon”
“Purple Haze”
“Sunshine of Your Love” (again, because someone “on guitar” messed up - Elvis seemed to demure, but I’m pretty sure it was Andy)

These performances were AMAZING!  Two drummers, 2 amazing guitarists, and Steve Nieve on keyboards?  Seriously?  Had I died and gone to musical heaven?

And then, as soon as it had started, it was over.  I cannot say I wanted it to end - I could have listened to the PoliceImposters play for hours.  Elvis was great in his role as “chat show presenter”.  It’s clear that he’s new at this, but he’s got his footing pretty well, and seems to be comfortable doing it his way.  I’m looking forward to seeing the final show, as well as others in the “Spectacle!” series.  Do yourself a favor - look for the series and check it out.  If yesterday’s is any indication, there is magic being made!

My thanks to the folks at Sundance Channel,  Stewartcopeland.net and thepolice.com who thoughtfully offered the tickets to “fan clubbers”.  I’m extremely grateful I had the chance to participate in this amazing event.  OMG and squeeeeee!

River Day

The IT Family holds a membership with Historic Hudson Valley.  HHV is a collection of historic sites throughout Westchester, including Sunnyside aka Washington Irving’s estate, Kykuit, and Van Cortlandt Manor.  Today was “River Day” at Van Cortlandt Manor, so I took the kids to check it out.  Mr IT had lawn work to do, and agreed to meet us at the pool club later.

Being HHV members, admission to special events like this is free, so if we don’t love it, we don’t feel like we wasted our money. 

But we always love HHV events.  A lot of time and careful thought goes into the planning of them.  This was no exception.  Little IT got to try her hand at fishing.  She experienced a tug on the line, but no actual fish were caught.  No need to alert PETA.

Lazy Sunday on the river

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT Boy got to show off his new haircut.

Handsome River man

Pretty impressive, considering that he started the weekend with a mullet.

RIP IT Boy Mullet

Corn muffins are hard work

Before we left, we got to grind corn into cornmeal, making us appreciate Jiffy Muffins even more. 

Like I said, we always feel like we can take a chance on these events, because they are free to members and if we don’t like it, we can leave.  We stayed a little over an hour, and had a lot of fun. 

Livin’ the rock ‘n roll lifestyle

We had just returned home from a weekend on the North Fork when the phone rang.  2:30pm.  Ish.

It was my friend Rina.  Rina asked what I was doing.  I told her nothing, thinking the next question would be if our girls wanted to have a playdate, which would have been fine.

It wasn’t that.

It was her offering me her husband’s ticket to see Bruce Springsteen with her that night.  Seems her oldest son was not feeling well, and they didn’t want to leave him home alone.

Umm…sounds good…let me talk to Mr. IT first.  Negociate as it were.  He’d have to take care of the kids solo, yet again. 

“NO.”

“But you didn’t even hear what I was asking.”

“Doesn’t matter.  NO.”

Apparently, Mr. IT had hit his breaking point.  Travel, working late, and the crazy “perfect storm” of concerts we’ve been in the past year had finally caused him to put his foot down. 

I protested a little, then I went to call Rina back.

“Wait.”

“What?”

“I’m fine with you going.  I just need to work through this.  I’m ok with it, I just need to say no a lot till I can get to yes.”

Did I mention he is the best husband in the world?  THE BEST! 

I’m totally working on recharging my stash of diaper whuffie to get me through next week. 

Wait.

What’s happening next week?

Well, since you asked, I’m seeing the Police.  Twice.

The first time will be Monday at Jones Beach.  I love seeing shows there.  Reminds me of fun times in high school and college.  I’m going with my college friend Liz.  Elvis Costello is opening.  When I bought the ticket, it was the last show of the Police’s second time around tour.  Then after I bought the tickets, they added another show the next day, making our show the penultimate show.  Then they added the big deal truly last show ever on August 7th at Madison Square Garden.  So that meant we were attending the penultimate Jones Beach show and the antepenultimate show of the tour, and ever. 

That was fine with me.  I saw them earlier in the summer, unexpectedly, at the Hollywood Bowl and saw them a good amount last year.  I could have gotten tickets for the MSG show but chose not to.

Then, I was looking on Stewart Copeland’s web site to see they had announced a concert for registered users to win a single ticket to the final show.  I don’t post on the site, and am a lurker in the community.  I joined to see set lists from the shows (why, I don’t know because they NEVER change, thanks to the rigidity of Mr. Sting.) Still, I’m registered as a user, and that was the only requirement.  Oh, that and being able to answer a specific question about Stewart that only a true fan (or someone who knew how to search the site) would know as a qualifier, and then asked for entries to be emailed with the winner to be announced in 2 weeks.  I sent in my answer and then forgot about it.

Last week, I got an email saying that I had won a ticket.  I didn’t quite believe it, but logging onto the site, I saw about 80 people who had also won.  Today, I picked up my single ticket at MSG’s box office.  I’m sitting in a side section next to the friggin stage!  Amazing!  I cannot believe my luck, and am so grateful this opportunity fell into my lap.   Thank you thank you thank you to Stewart Copeland and the folks who run his web site!

When I returned from the box office, I stopped by the bloodmobile truck outside of my office and made a donation.  Paying it forward as it were.  Whuffie must be accumulated by any means possible!

Music to my ears

Without a doubt, this year and to some extent last year have been the perfect storm of concerts for me.  Last year was all about the Police (note, there is no need to count “American Idols Live!” or Hannah Montana in the storm) where this year there has been a bit more variety.  Last week I faced an embarassment of riches having tickets to see both R.E.M. and The Cure.

I first saw R.E.M. when I was in high school, and they played Shea Stadium as an opening act for the Police in 1983.  They were young and fun, and I really enjoyed them.  We knew they would be the next big thing, but couldn’t have predicted they would be as big as they are, or that they’d still be going strong in 2008, albeit with a slightly altered band structure.   If you know anything about the lineup at Shea that day, R.E.M. went on first, followed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, then the Police.  Funny to think that 25 years (!) later, R.E.M. would be headlining a group of 3 bands, and I’d be as excited to see the first two as I would be the headliner.  The National is not quite a best-kept-sercet, but they’re pretty good.  I was over the top about Modest Mouse because Johnny Marr of the Smiths plays guitar for them now, and anything that takes me that much closer to the Smiths is great for me.  Their set was great, as I’ve got their albums on my iPod and really like their sound.  R.E.M. was pretty good too, but they have such a wide and diverse song catalog that it’s hard to play absolutely everything that’s worth playing and have a show that comes in at less than 6 hours.  Of course, they mix up their set list (hear that Sting, it IS possible!) so if you see more than one show, you might get lucky and hear the new stuff you were looking for. 

The crowd was interesting, and defined, if you will, by the phrase “toe hair in Tevas.”  There were also your usual guys in suits just getting off work, and drunk chicks dancing to songs you shouldn’t dance to.  Many in the crowd were restless listening to Michael Stipe go on and on about his hatred of President Bush, to the point where many screamed for him to “shut up and sing.”  I can’t say I agreed or disagreed with him, but the tirades were tiresome at least to my ears (am I getting old or what?)  I did wonder how he could go on and on, and Natalie Manes says one sentence about the President and just about sinks her whole band.  Sexist, living in different times, not sure what it was, but there you go.  Of course, it’s Michael Stipe’s branding, it’s what he does, and to not expect him to speak his mind is foolish. 

The next night, I headed back to MSG to see the Cure.  As soon as I saw a guy with messy black hair, white face and black drippy eyeliner, I felt at home.  Among my people, as it were.  I’m much more “goth lite” than I am “toe hair”.  The band was great, played a lot of new stuff as well as the old favorites, including, yes, Charlotte Sometimes.  Again, not the same set list show after show!  Gotta love that.  I do have to advise anyone going to see the Cure that dancing to their music should not be attempted unless you are truly a professional.  Simon Gallup, the bassist, can’t even keep the beat with his feet, what makes us think we can?  We saw quite a few displays of fancy footwork that would make your hair stand on end.  They’re mopey, for the most part, and mope does not equal fine dance music. 

If they come to your town, I wouldn’t hesistate to recommend them for a night out.  Of course, there’s always next year in NY!