Dance Class...Not So Much

For a couple of months now I have really been wanting to go to this cardio class at my gym. The class is called Cardio Video Dance. The brief description on the website says " A low-impact workout with the music and choreography from popular music dance videos adapted for the fitness environment." I took a class like this at the gym at Tech and it was awesome. We learned dance routines from music videos like Janet Jackson and Britney Spears. Lately I have been going to the gym at lunch more often and the 6:30pm class schedule just wasn't working out for me.

Last night my schedule finally worked out so I could make it to class. I walked into the studio and was the only person there. Once other girl walked in tentatively. The instructor walked in and as she was setting up the music encouraged a very tall man to join us. She said the class would be really fun and described it as a Jane Fonda-esque workout. She said she figured "if it worked for you mother is will work for you."

With that I turned and looked at her and cocked my head to the side inquisitively. She went on to say that the gym didn't consult her before they put the description of the class on the website. That's when I decided to speak up. I told her that after reading the description I came in fully anticipating her teaching us the moves to Beyonce's latest music video. She chuckled and said that would be fun but she had no clue how to teach that.

I would have walked out but she then started talking to the guy she had roped in to taking the class. He was saying how he hadn't worked out in two years. She asked him about his Olympic rings tattoo. He said he had danced in the opening ceremonies years ago. After that, I was hooked. We started chatting and then the class began. His comments are what carried me through. He was hilarious asking us why we weren't huffing and puffing like he was. He even knew that the UCA on my shorts stood for Universal Cheerleaders Association. I'm happy he was there. The class was extremely boring and I would have left early had I not had my own personal entertainer right beside me. When I head to the gym today I plan to tell them that they need to change the name and description on the website. I don't really plan on taking the class again even though I did break a sweat.

I'm Alive

I know I haven't blogged in forever. It is what it is. Get over it.

Good Night Gracie

Not Good Nite Gracie. Even as I type that my spell check says it's spelled incorrectly. It drives me insane when people use nite instead of night. One of the blogs I read has been using it quite prevalently lately. I consulted my trusty English guru. She agreed with me but then sent me this. Damn Webster. I still don't agree. I am now starting a revolution. I will eliminate the use of nite and change the world for the better. Plans for world domination to come.

Political Family

While my sister was in Charlottesville listening to Michelle Obama speak my cousin and aunt were in Wooster listening to Joe Biden. Below is the video of Cherie and Joe. I'll let her intro set it all up.
"Billy got me behind the scenes at the Biden Rally at the College of Wooster. The staff gave me a sign and a flag. The college kids gave me a flag and the Education Union gave me a shirt. I couldn't hold them all up at the same time. Mom would be so mad to see me chewing the gum! oh well! type in Joe Biden, Wooster Ohio. It will give you a few laughs from me but will give some good information from the Obama/Biden campaign!
Love ya', Mean it!"
I made it easy for everyone and just posted the video here. You can't miss her with the chewing gum mentioned above. Love her to death but Grandma Pat is throwing a fit somewhere because of that damn gum.

Here is Bill with Biden.

I'm Fired Up

If I only owned this shirt. I would be sporting it at this very moment. I received an email this afternoon letting me know that my team would be performing at a McCain/Palin rally this week. The rally is being held at the school and they are expected to be there to represent their school. That's crap! This is a televised event. They will be expected to cheer when the candidates are announced and cheer during key points of their speeches. I tried to find out if we were told or asked to participate in this rally and what we would do if an athlete felt strongly enough not to participate (we have a strict participation policy). The only answer I received was that they would be there to represent the school and not there to support any specific candidate. Yes, I am passionate about this because I think that Palin is the devil, would you want her to come anywhere near you? What fires me up the most is that there is not choice in the matter. This is huge. Not only are they not allowed to vote, but now they are being forced to smile, look pretty and cheer for someone who may go against everything they belive in. Even if this was an Obama rally, I would want them to have a choice in whether or not they participated in a rally.

I don't really know what to do right now. My first reaction is to get angry, scream, protest. I know this may not be the best way to handle the situation. I want a positive, intelligent way to react. I am in a position of authority and have to be careful how I handle this. My own agenda should not interfere with what is in the best interest of the kids. This is a great learning opportunity but I fear that it will end up being a gross example of exploitation.

Some ideas that have been suggested are:

• Wearing Obama patches on their bloomers
• Wearing "Yes We Can" hair ribbons
• Doing the routine to the "Yes We Can" song

Keep them coming. Leave your best ideas in the comments section.

Update: The rally has been moved from the school. The community was in such an uproar over a partisan event being held during school hours that they were able to use their voice and get the rally moved. Love it!

Review: Starbucks Vivanno

Today, after the gym, I decided to grab lunch. When I was in Charlotte, the Starbucks barista (who annoyingly kept calling me sweetie) told me they were coming out with a new drink called a Vivanno. It has fruit, fruit juice and protein in it. I told him that I was concerned about the amount of sugar. He whipped out the nutritional information and told me that there were only 5 grams of sugar. I was extremely excited. As many of you may know, I've been on "The Plan" in preparation for Holly's wedding. I'm always looking for new menu items to add to "The Plan."

I ordered the orange mango banana flavor. The barista that served me my drink was very friendly and told me to have a fabulous day. Upon first sip, I felt that there wasn't much flavor. By now I'm halfway through and can really taste the banana but only get a hint of orange and mango. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not as gritty as I had expected it to be. Grittiness is a common problem when using protein powder. As I continued to slurp down my banana smoothie I pulled up the Starbucks website to get the rest of the nutritional info on my lunch. To my shock and dismay I found out that there were not 5 grams of sugar in my smoothie. THERE WERE 32!!!!! I should have known better than to trust someone who called me sweetie. I guess the Orange Mango Banana Vivanno (what a mouthful) will not be added to the plan any time soon. Today may have to be a two a day work out day. Ugh.

If you were a cake. What type of cake would you be?

Maybe I should rephrase the question. Who would make the scariest cake person? Would you really want to eat a cake that looked like someone you knew? PLEASE comment.

For more fun filled cakes, check out Cake Wrecks.