ThePianoGuys

It's been a long time since I've found something that I thought was truly awesome.  That has all changed.

A few weeks ago, I posted about a Star Wars parody called "Cello Wars".  If you didn't catch it, click here to watch the video.

(I'm now assuming that you have either previously watched the video, or just watched it.)

After watching that, I "liked" their Facebook page, and that's when I was opened up to the world of ThePianoGuys.  They live in St. George, Utah, and all of their videos are made in different parts of the state.  Each week they post new videos to YouTube, sharing their INCREDIBLE talents with the world.

I'm a huge music fan, and this group is simply AMAZING!  They write their own arrangements of songs that most people have heard of before, but add their own flare.  The following is a wonderful example:

Their video for this week popped up on Facebook a few days ago.  It's the song "Paradise" by Coldplay.  I must admit, I'm not up to date with popular music today.  I think most of it sucks anyway.  However, when I heard ThePianoGuys version of this song, I had to find the original.  With over 24 million views of the actual music video, I'm guessing this must be a popular song.  Here is the original.




Ok, now ThePianoGuys version


Seriously?  Are you kidding me?  How absolutely mind blowing is this cover?!?  The piano, cello, the amazing singer....the location!  Holy moly!

Since I'm so in love with these guys, here's another clip.



Don't even get me started on how incredible THIS video is!!!  Using only the instruments and objects in the room, they created this amazing piece.  I am beyond jealous of their talent, but so excited that they share it with us!

Anyway, needless to say, I'll be purchasing their album in the very near future.  I've been glued to YouTube for the past two days, watching all their videos and learning all about them.  Even Brandon and Nick enjoy them.  Their videos are so fun to watch, but even without them, the music stands on its own and is breathtaking.

Thank goodness there are people in the world who still create incredible music!

Weight Loss Challenge....Take 2

Well, project "maintain weight" went well....until Thanksgiving.  Then everything fell apart.  In the past month, I've gained (I'm gulping VERY HARD RIGHT NOW) 10 pounds!

Realizing that I won't be able to to fit into my work clothes come Tuesday when vacation is over, I became motivated by anger, and frustration.  The time has come to once again seriously get back on track, or I will quickly find myself at the weight I started at last June!

I've spent the last few days rereading my blog entries, and remembering all that I did to be successful when I lost weight over the summer.  The biggest problem I've had is finding the time to exercise since school started.  I've been swamped, and exhausted.  Well, I can't use those as excuses anymore.  Even if it's just for 20 minutes every other night, I WILL exercise.  If I can do that, and get back on the healthier eating track, I should be able to loose these 10 pounds in the next two months or so.

I'm thinking slowly again; over the summer I lost almost 10 pounds each month.  I know that won't happen now because I won't be exercising as much.  Shooting for 5 pounds a month is a reasonable goal, and what I'm going to start with.

I went grocery shopping today and I've stocked my fridge and cabinets with all the foods I ate over the summer that were so wonderful.  I ate a red bell pepper the other day and couldn't believe how much I'd missed it!!!

So here's to the next chapter in the weight loss challenge.  Every one is allowed to "fall off the wagon".  I've not only fallen off, but I can't even see the wagon in the distance anymore....it left me behind!  I'm now running to catch up to it, and I will try this again.

Here's to 2012, loosing 40 pounds, AND DOING BETTER AT KEEPING IT OFF!!

Star Wars Saturday.....on Sunday

Wow, I haven't done this in so long, I've almost forgotton how blogging works!

This morning, on Facebook, my cousin's son, (my first cousin?) posted this to his account.  We ALL know what a huge fan I am of Star Wars, so how could I resist?  I HAD to post this!




Okay, why do I think this is blog worthy?  First of all, hearing just the cello play The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme), The Star Wars Main Title, and Duel of The Fates was a wonderful twist to the usual versions.  There were some nice added rhythms that made it fun to listen to.

But let's face it:  what a unique idea!  And for once, the Darth Vader costume looked real.  Most of the time on a YouTube video the costume looks like someone made it; this one, not so much. 

For me, the video just didn't look stupid.  Parodies often are.  I thought everything that was done added to the cleverness.  And what a fun way to promote learning how to play a musical instrument!  But that is just my opinion, and I am, after all, obssessed with Star Wars!

What did you think?

Thanksgiving

So, yesterday I attempted my first Thanksgiving dinner.  Yep, I'm how old and I'm just now cooking Thanksgiving dinner?!?  What can I say....I DON'T COOK!  And when you have a husband who loves cooking turkey, there's no need to learn.

However, this year, Nick worked Thanksgiving morning at Target, so it was up to me to get the turkey in the oven, and do basically all the cooking.

I did pretty well.  The turkey was done, and looked lovely.  My problems came with the timing of the rest of the dinner.  There were potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and gravy to make.  Unfortunately I made a beginners mistake, and started making all the other dishes BEFORE the turkey was finished.  Needless to say, the turkey wasn't finished when I thought it would be, so all the other food was cold by the time we got to eat it!  

Needless to say, I was bummed.  Oh, who are we kidding; I was BEYOND bummed.  I had very high expectations (my first mistake), and the perfectionist in me took over.  Nick and Brandon loved the food, and Nick attempted to make me feel better, reminding me that this was my first time doing this, and that my turkey turned out better than the one he cooked last Christmas (that was very sweet of him to say!)  Oh well, live and learn.  

I found this picture today, and it made me laugh.  My dinner might not have turned out the way I really wanted it too, but at least my Thanksgiving didn't look like this:

It says, "And you thought YOUR family was dysfunctional"

However, knowing me, I probably would've LOVED to be sitting at this table!!

What Week Are We In???

Well friends, until life slows down.....(like next summer), my weight loss challenge is over, and maintaining my current weight continues.  Call it an excuse, call it whatever you want, but there is simply no time to exercise. 

I miss not being able to exercise, I really want to loose that last 20-30 pounds, it's just not going to happen for a while.  So I will take with me the tools I've learned and keep using them until I can really get back on the bandwagon and do this right again.

I came across an article a few days ago, and I still can't decide how I feel about it.  A man named Drew Manning, who is a personal trainer, has decided to go from being extremely fit, to fat, and then fit again to help show people how it's done.  Read his story here.

Someone please explain this to me.  I can't figure out if I'm offended by this, or if I should be applauding him for wanting to help so many people.

Pros to what I think he's doing:
- learning how hard it is for people who struggle with their weight; that it's like an addiction to many
- his transformation has been disgusting to watch; something that might help people realize how quickly they can become obese

Cons:
- he's a personal trainer....do you really think it will be that difficult for him to shed this weight?  He's got access to all the right equipment, he's got all the knowledge, and HE'S A MAN....we all know they loose weight easier than women!!  If I could afford a personal trainer, and someone who could cook for me, I'd be down the last 20-30 pounds too! 

Yeah, I don't think I like this.  It feels like a slap in my face.

His challenge is almost over and then loosing his weight begins.  It will be interesting to see just how quickly, and easily he does it; because I have NO DOUBT IN MY MIND that he will look just like his before picture, in no time at all.

Be sure to check out the link at the bottom of the article; he has a blog, and many videos on YouTube where people have told him what he had to eat each week.