Friday, March 22, 2013

Saint Patrick's Day(s) 2013

Ahhh, the life of an Irish dancer. We all know that St. Patrick's Day is more than just 1 day out of the year.  Its more than just a day for green clothes, shamrocks, beer and revelry. For Irish Dancers, Saint Patrick's Day is a season. Or at least a week.

This year, since I am at a new job, I couldn't just spirit off to shows in the middle of the day. But... that didn't mean I didn't do my fair share!

We started with a show Friday morning (before work)... 6am at Kegs and Eggs down at Lodo's in downtown.  The street was already packed with people...

the crowd outside Kegs and Eggs
 We managed to pull the whole show together, despite the early hour, and look great doing it!  
Kegs and Eggs team and our fearless leader Claire!
 The next day was the day of the parade.  It was much colder that we were expecting... but we didn't end up marching in it at all! The parade stepped off too late for us to be included because we had to dash off to our first show!

non-parade team

 The next 2 days were a whirlwind of shows and running from place to place. I think it was a total of 16 shows over the weekend. I sadly didn't get to take as many pics as I wanted, so these are all courtesy of Miss Stacey! The team was AWESOME. We had a blast and I can't wait to do it again next year. Even if I was limping around for the next day...

cutest!!

Julie and I had a rockin' two hand!

Mama and I!

I love these ladies!

rockin' green 'staches!

the whole crazy crew. What a group!

 Until next year...


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mountain Fun

I feel as though all my posts are a few weeks behind... but at least I am posting, right? Right? Anyway... a few weeks ago, we had a nice little overnight excursion into the mountains for some well needed ski/ride time.  The snow has been pretty terrible all season... but now the snow is finally falling!

Here was our weekend:
 Jay and I headed up early Friday morning to get a day in without the massive crowds.  It was a gorgeous day! Although a bit cold. Brr!
Jay and I on our lunch break :)

smiling for the camera on the lift!

beautiful day at Copper!
 We finished the day with some hot cocoa beverages in the Lodge, before going to check into our hotel.
german chocolate cake? Hot cocoa and coconut rum, yum!

 The next day we met up with some of my awesome friends (all were not captured...sadly!) and enjoyed a second day of snow fun!
another beautiful day!

a portion of the crew, love these guys. :D
Heather and I caved early and opted to avoid injury and wander around Copper and cozy up to the bar in the afternoon.  It was perfection!
photo op with the GIANT red chair
 
 And then we watched the snow and clouds blow in... all while enjoying the hot cocoa!

 Jay and I are planning to head up again... but it will have to wait until after St. Patrick's Day!!!


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Dance and Fitness Update

I actually started writing this post over a month ago. Yes, really. I kept going back and re-doing it, re-writing it and re-working it, because I wasn't pleased with how it was sounding.  I mean, really, it was just an update on dance and my all around fitness. 

But then I realized... it was hard to update on dance... because I've been so unhappy with it lately.  I feel like a bit of a broken record, because this happens every year... but boy is dance frustrating right now.  What's frustrating?  Not the physical act of dance... because I continue to love every second of it.  BUT, once again, our class has found its way to the back of the pack.  There is a great champions class, and a great intermediate class. The prizewinner class? Lackluster. We aren't learning new steps. The new blood being forced into the class isn't really up to the prizewinner level. Which means being held back a bit in growth.

Yes, I understand that if I pushed myself I could just move my dances up to Prelim and be in the champs class.  That is true, but I know I'm not there yet. But how do I get there when I am not getting the adequate teaching in our prizewinner class? 

Luckily I have a bit of a reprieve from the frustrations for the next few weeks since St. Patty's Day is right around the corner.  For Irish Dancers this means lots of dancing leading up to... and following the green holiday. After that it will be back to the grind... and I will have to figure out what I want to do.

As for my outside of dance fitness... I was doing really, really well for a while. Heading to the gym during lunch or after work.  But... the frustrations with dance have completely weighed me down in all fitness areas and I have been a bum for the last 2 weeks. Which doesn't do my weight/waistline or mood any good.  Add in a lovely head cold...and lets just say I've completely fallen off the wagon. And been run over by it. Repeatedly.

On LivingSocial.com a few days ago there was an offer for 1 month of Boot Camp.  I am thinking of jumping onto that to give myself a reboot into fitness and health. I am hoping it works!