Tag Archives: music

Queen + Adam Lambert

41 Replies

I believe it was 1977 when I first heard Queen and Bohemian Rhapsody playing on the radio.  I know the song was released earlier, but this is from my ancient memory banks.  My mother had a pink T-bird in 1977 (I kid you not); we used to cruise around Tucson and that song would come on all the time. The funny thing is Mom loved it. So at the ripe old age of 10, I was instantly in love with Queen and all things Freddie.

In and around 1980 when I was 12, I bought the piano sheet music to Bohemian Rhapsody so I could get to work on perfecting it.  It took me 10 years or more, but I managed to master it to the best of my ability.  If you’ve ever played any Queen music… on a musical instrument… you understand.  Freddie did not compose easy music.  And I am not an accomplished musician.

When I was 14, my father bought my sister and I a stereo for Christmas along with a couple of vinyl albums to get us started, one of which was Queen. Ahhh, that opened a whole new world to us by way of music. Money allowing for a teenager, I eventually owned everything Queen.

(By the way… July 3rd is my father’s birthday… he would’ve been 88 today!  Happy Birthday Dad!)

Fast forward to 1991 when devastation hit and Freddie died.  Gone were my chances of ever seeing Queen live in concert…

But then… enter Adam Lambert some 20 years later.  Brian May and Roger Taylor (the remaining members of Queen) for whatever reason took a chance on this kid to bring Queen back to life and give fans what they wanted… one last shot to see and hear their music.  And wow, I have to say, Adam rocked the house.

 

Adam doesn’t try to personalize Queen’s songs.  He sings them as Freddie would have sung them of which I was very appreciative.  And he sings them well.  Dr. Brian May still managed to make that guitar come to life just as he did 40 years ago, and Roger Taylor… well, how he doesn’t manage to lose 5 pounds every night from the workout he gets with every show is beyond me. The older boys definitely still have it!!

I can count at least 3 times during the show when I become so overwhelmed with emotion that tears flowed, as did the entire audience.  One moment in particular was during Love Of My Life. Brian sat down with his acoustic guitar and sang the song as Freddie would have, and towards the end, Freddie appeared on the big screen with Brian and took over the singing… then walked off at the end of the song as Brian waved goodbye.

Another tear jerker was when Adam sang Who Wants To Live Forever…

By the by, Adam has a new single out, Two Fux.  I’m thinking this is one we will never hear on the radio, but he sang it during the concert and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  He deserves recognition for that catchy little tune and I will definitely be adding it to my playlist.

It was an amazing time.  This is one show I would see over and over again if I could, so if you love Queen and ever get the chance, do go see it.  You will not be disappointed.

A Smidge of an Update

45 Replies

Downtown River Run in Reno

I’m not going to write a big recap about this race.  Just know it was hard.  Probably the hardest 10K I’ve ever completed.  Because of Reno’s higher elevation, I couldn’t catch my breath after the first mile (this happened in SLC as well, after mile 6).  James also spent most of his race in the Red Zone because of the lack of oxygen.  But that’s not important.  We went, ran a hard race, and had a fabulous time.

The Whole 30

A couple of weeks ago, I had looked into The Whole 30 food program.  Have you heard of it? Basically for 30 days, you eat nothing but whole foods, nothing processed and nothing with sugar.  I get that it’s a variant of the low-carb craze, but really not so much.  Potatoes are whole foods, pulled right out of the ground, so they work (but they don’t work in the low-carb diets).

The premise is to detox your body from all the food processing that goes on, and then slowly reintroduce foods back into your diet to see how your body reacts.  If a certain food doesn’t make you feel so good, then guess what!  You don’t eat that food no mo’!  I needed something to get me off all of the sweets, desserts, and chips I’d been getting in the habit of eating recently, so enter The Whole 30 program.

I had the start date written on the calendar and was 100% mentally prepared.  The mental part is important.  Your brain can talk you out of anything if you let it.  I started May 2nd, so I’ve been on it a whole 2 days now.  The cravings of chocolate and chips are strong, but I shut those thoughts down by asking myself, “Am I hungry enough to eat a plate of spinach?”  If the answer is no, I drink water.  If the answer is yes, then I eat something I’ve prepared in advance so I do not fail and give in.  Again, it’s only been 2 days, but I’m hoping that I will remain strong for the entire 30 days.  Okay, not hoping, I WILL remain strong for the entire 30 days.

The foods I’ll miss and crave most are oatmeal and peanut butter, every single form of chocolate, cookie and cake, chocolate milk (I already said chocolate, didn’t I), cheese, nuts, and chips/crisps.  For my pre-run carb load, it will be a baked potato with clarified butter, although I haven’t figured out how I’m going to fuel in the middle of my long runs yet.  Maybe I can make some banana mash, place it in a baggie, and I’ll have my own GU minus all the added sugar.  I don’t know.  (For those who don’t know, GU is a nasty gel a lot of runners are forced to consume in the midst of a long run to keep their energy levels up.)

Mmmm, tastes just like bacon!!

I’ve also had to give up my morning, mid-day, and afternoon cups of tea as I use sweetener.  I now start my day with a nice cold glass of iced tea.  Super glad it’s warming up or I’d be missing my cup of hot chocolate too!  (Seeeee!  Wayyy too much chocolate!!  It’s a good thing I don’t drink soda or I’d be hurtin’ for certain!)

My other goal during this time is to do something 6 days a week, not just on scheduled run days. Yesterday I ran.  Today I was supposed to go for a bike ride, but the heavens opened up and gave us a storm from hell, so I did nothing.  A minor set-back… I’ll start again tomorrow as I’m scheduled for another 3 miles.  (And for those who are anal about their numbers… yes, I should’ve ran around until my watch said 3.1.)

And finally…

The child is having a great time in Hawaii without his parents.  Am I the only one who thinks this is completely unfair?!!

I’ll leave you now with a song for MMM… this came on during my race in Reno.  Oh the irony.  “Sucker for Pain.”  Yes indeedy.

Have a happy weekend!!

Mind-Numbing

34 Replies

Having to be on a bike trainer is painfully mind-numbing.  I use one on XT days and because I need to build up for that 50-mile bike ride I want to accomplish this summer, you know, to celebrate turning the big 5-0 (nope, still can’t put those two numbers together… don’t want to, don’t have to).  Donna over at Running To Travel just confirmed that cycling makes one a better runner as well.  As I won’t be able to hit the trail on my bike until about July when it stops raining, I have to settle for the trainer right now (and as I said, it… is… mind-numbing):

Going for a bike ride in the great outdoors, however, is quite stimulating:

This, unfortunately, is mind-numbing:

But this is quite stimulating:

And this is positively stimulating:

Kinda stimulating too (and possibly a little cute?):

Mind-numbingly stimulating:

I think you get where I’m coming from.

AND… the song I’ve chosen for this week’s MMM is stimulating.  This post, however, is fantastically mind-numbing.

Anyway… on to the music… I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard that the drummer (Rick Allen) from Def Leppard had been in a serious car accident and had lost an arm. Okay, in reality, I don’t really remember what I was doing… it was the ’80s after all, but I do remember being devastated when I heard the news, thinking Def Leppard was done and/or would never be the same again.  But they came back… and with a vengeance I might add, bigger and better than before. I do actually remember seeing the following video and being awestruck, which was after that fateful accident.  Rick had learned how to adapt and improvise and succeed regardless of what life dealt him… and for that, he will forever be someone I admire.

This song has always been and will always be a mainstay on my workout playlists…

Race season is about to begin for me, with Sunday (09 April) being race #1 of 2017.  It’s going to be a fun little party with nothing but 12’s for miles and miles.  It is Seattle’s one and only Seahawks 12K Run At The Landing!  I’ll be running the 5K while James is running the 12K.  Okay, I won’t lie… I’m really hoping that a couple of the Seahawks football players come out to cheer us on.  OMG… that’s when all time goals go out the window…  “Seahawk spotted at aid-station 6K in the 12K… I’m there!!!  Doesn’t matter that I’m 0.1 miles from the finish line of the 5K!!!”

Hope you’re having a fantastical weekend!!  And for those of you racing (including my father-in-law Alan in the UK), I wish you a happy and healthy finish!!

Shape of You

32 Replies

James has posted his weekly update and MMM song over at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest, so it’s time for me to follow suit.

Ed Sheeran… know this guy?  He’s tearing up the charts worldwide right now.  He recently released his latest album, ÷ (Divide), and in the UK, he currently occupies 9 of the top 10 spots on the Billboard Top 100.  I’m not quite sure how they configure this… maybe it’s the top downloads for the week, and as his album was just released, that would make sense. Regardless, the number one song in the world is “Shape Of You.”

Have you heard it yet?  Probably, yes.  Overplayed?  Definitely, yes.  A great tune? Without a doubt.  It’s also my song choice of the week.

While the song itself has nothing to do with shapes or sizes of bodies, the words “I’m in love with the shape of you” are powerful… especially in this day and age of Photoshop and body shaming.  Which makes me love the song all the more.

  • Are you enjoying Ed Sheeran’s new album?
  • Do you think “Shape Of You” is overplayed?
  • What’s your favorite song this week?

I Can’t Drive… 55!

54 Replies

This is my bestie from high school, Sheryl (on the right, 1985).

ps_2010_10_13___09_25_27

This is also my bestie from high school, Mindy (on the right, 1987… no giggling at the funny old pictures).

ps_2010_10_13___09_15_57

We were as close as sisters and were always there for each other no matter what.  And the trouble we used to get in… well, that’s a story for another day.

ps_2010_10_13___09_20_36

Sheryls wedding, 1987

ps_2012_01_23___13_07_04

Graduation, Baby! 1985

Anyway, just before our senior year of high school started, Sheryl’s dad won a car.  Not just any car, but a 1985 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z and the very first one to come off the line.  The license plate read CAR-001.

ps_2010_10_13___09_07_25

It had a factory stereo in it that could blast the ice off the windows.  Turn up that bass!  Which we did… often.  You could hear Sheryl coming from a block away.

One day we decided to go test just how sporty this little car actually was.  We went across the river to the backroads of rural Graham County, Arizona, where we had miles upon miles of empty road with all kinds of hills and twists and turns.  Sheryl managed to exceed 80 mph on one stretch… keeping in mind that this was back in the day when the legal speed limit on every major highway was only 55 mph, so hitting 80+ was a big deal.  If we would have been caught, Sheryl surely would’ve had her license revoked.

Needless to say, Sheryl acquired many speeding tickets during the next couple of years.  It’s a really good thing her brother was a cop.

The following was a song we would crank up in that sporty little car of hers with the kick-ass stereo whenever we would cruise the backroads because it was oh-so-true. This is also my pick for James’s Motivational Music Monday this week.  After all these years, it still gets the blood and the heart pumping.

Sadly, Sheryl died in 2012.  However, 30+ years later, Mindy and I are still in touch.

2013-misc-033

AJ, Me, Mindy, 2013

Happy Birthday To The Child!

56 Replies

The child, otherwise known as AJ, turned a big 12 this week!  So it’s been a week of 12s and celebrations and good times!

pics-from-ravenswood-002

He’s been a “12th man” since the day he was born!

pics-from-ravenswood-285

 

100_0988

To this day, he still loves to throw rocks into the water.

100_1132

2016-10-18-07.40.12.jpg.jpg

Officially 12!

2016-10-19-20.02.14.jpg.jpg

Also, speaking of 12s… I have to give a big shout out to Mike at A Little Bit Out of Focus for the screaming great time he got at his marathon this past weekend wearing… you guessed it… bib #12!!  Congratulations Mike!!  You have found the Power of the 12!

On to the music… I had the silly idea to post AJ’s 5 favorite songs for Motivational Music Monday at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest, but once he gave me his list… ummmm… no.  Sorry child.  Ain’t no one got time for that noise!

Did you all know my boy, Michael Bublé, has a new album being released this week?!!  Oh yeah. So in honor of that little gem, I’m sharing with you his first single from said album!  Hope you enjoy just as much as I do!  It’s a snappy little ditty that features Black Thought from The Roots! (And there you go, AJ… a little rap for you anyway, hehe)

Are we having fun yet??!!  What song is making you happy this week?  Go let James know at 50 in 50!!

Hell Week

54 Replies

Just when you think you have it together, it all falls apart.  Okay, not really, but this has not been one my favorite weeks in the history of weeks.

School started!  Yay!!  AJ now has to get up at 6 a.m. as opposed to the normal noon he’s been used to all summer.  Mind you, he’s pretty much sound by 10 p.m., so it all evens out in the end. First day of school is always a little bit hairy as one needs to establish a whole brand new routine, and with him having to get up that much earlier makes it a bit difficult.  He’s adjusted well for the first 3 days, so I’m proud of him.  He’s growing up and accepting responsibility.

Speaking of growing up, he’s 5’5.5″ tall now and won’t turn 12 until next month.  He now takes a regular P.E. class and has to run a mile every day, then right afterwards has to walk home a mile.  Hmmmm…. there may eventually be potential for the child to start joining us in our 50 states quest.

20160907_072409.jpg

But the week doesn’t stop there with just new routines… noooo… my mother calls me soon after I drop AJ off for his first day and she needs to go to the ER because she’s throwing up blood.  After spending the entire day in the ER and after numerous tests, they wanted to keep her because her hematocrit was dropping, a sign of internal bleeding.  She refused.  Yep.  She outright refused.  I’m none too pleased with her.  So I’ve been dealing with that crap too.

And now I’m late for Motivational Music Monday.  Kinda like really late.  More like Motivational Music Friday.

Actually, this one isn’t all that “motivational,” it’s just fun and lighthearted, one that I really enjoy. And it’s from the Eighties… classic ’80s!  Love them ’80s songs!  Hope this takes you back to a happy place!

And if you haven’t seen, James gave a great recap of our most recent venture with the Hamster Endurance Run.  Go check it out.  He does a nice job of his recaps.

By the way, did I mention my remaining fish have survived the death tank?  All better now!  🙂

Happy Friday my friends!!  May you have a blessed weekend!!

Motivational Music… Monday?

22 Replies

Yeah, yeah, yeah… I’m quite late with my music post this week.  But really and truly, I have some awesome reasons why.

lego hobbit

First and foremost, AJ downloaded Lego “The Hobbit” for the X-Box.  I go nuts with Lego games and can’t seem to stay away from them.  There’s something therapeutic about smashing the crap out of all the Lego objects and collecting coins for it.  Love it.  So, the child and I have been enjoying playing this game together every evening (okay, really me more than him as Mom seems to take things at a much slower pace than he does).

20151205_145510-1.jpg

Second, my fish are dying on me.  (You can read about my horrors of raising fish here).  I changed the filter cartridge on their tank last weekend, then BAM!  The water quality in the tank turned to mud.  I don’t have a clue what I did.  I had finally put all 3 angelfish together in one tank, but now one of them has died.  The other two are barely hanging on, and I’m trying my hardest to save them.  I even bought an entirely new filter system.  We’ll see…

squirrel

And finally, work has become amazingly stressful because of this year’s squirrel apocalypse.  I’m going to stop counting now (we’re up to over 70 squirrel admissions), and I think we’re all at our wits end at the center.  We’re all very short-tempered and are ready for the season to be done. Thankfully we’re like a family, work well together, and don’t take anyone’s “snarkiness” personally.  This too shall pass… and we know this.

Now on to some music.  I really had no idea as to what song I was going to choose this week, but then I decided to choose one about self-love.  Remember… it’s what’s in the heart that counts… everything else is just superficial and inconsequential.  Don’t live your life seeking other people’s approval, live your life for you.

This is a fun little ditty and it makes me smile… Meghan Trainor with Me Too.

“I thank God every day

That I woke up feeling this way

And I can’t help loving myself

And I don’t need nobody else”

Have a great rest of your week!  I’m off to Port Angeles for the next 4 days to explore Hurricane Ridge and the Olympic National Park!!  (Heaven help my fish…)

Don’t forget to go visit James at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest and let him know your favorite pick for the week!

Round and Round

16 Replies

It’s Tuesday!  So that must mean it’s time for Motivational Music Monday (ha)!  Go on then!  Go check out what James has chosen for the week!  And while you’re there, add a song you’ve been listening to in the comment section!

This week it’s all about the Hamster Run.  And what do hamsters do?  Why they go Round and Round, of course!  Just like Ratt!  It just kills me that Milton Berle was in this video.  How on earth did they get Milton Berle for their video?!

Enjoy your day!!

Counting Stars

17 Replies

It’s Monday!  Which means it must be time for Motivational Music Monday at 50 in 50 Marathon Quest!  Pop on over and say “hey!” to James!  Be sure to let him know your favorite song for this week!  He’s in the process of building his Spotify Playlist, and believe you me, it needs some additions!  😉

I’ve been having a great time with the group One Republic just recently.  They’re one of those bands that just can’t go wrong with me.  Their music hits my soul as do the lyrics.  While Stop and Stare is actually stuck in my head at this particular time, I felt maybe Counting Stars was just a bit more upbeat, something one could trot along nicely to, not to mention the words are something that hit home with me…

I see this life, like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
And in my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and ye’ shall find
Old, but I’m not that old
Young, but I’m not that bold
And I don’t think the world is sold
On just doing what we’re told
I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I couldn’t lie, couldn’t lie, couldn’t lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Have a fabulous day!!