Tag Archives: music

Random Tuesday Thoughts about a Super Sloth with a Cough, a Sociopath, Some Hot Stuff and Track Tuesday

Posted on by Run DMT
2

For the past two weeks, I had been suffering from a really nasty cold that I just couldn’t shake.  One of the fantastic symptoms of my cold was a horrible, wet hacking cough, like a smoker’s cough. No exaggeration, I sounded as though I had been smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes for 20 years. With the cough, I also had this horrible tightness in my chest, which made it very difficult to breathe.

Despite not being able to breathe, I decided to go ahead and run in the 5 Miles for Moffitt race.  I already had skipped out on the Crazy Sombrero 5K the week before due to my cold and I didn’t want to miss another race.  Besides, my aunt spent the better part of two years fighting lung cancer, the least I could do was suck it up and run with a little chest cold.  Admittedly, that wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Just as the experts warn you, you shouldn’t run with a chest cold.  A runny nose or sore throat is a different story.  Limited breathing due to chest congestion is not a good thing and I truly believe running in the race extended the life of my cold.  So, let this be a lesson to you. Learn from my mistake.  Always listen to the Livestrong Gods.

So while I spent the time recovering from my cold, my blog suffered.  Actually, everything suffered.  I didn’t have the energy to do much.  I missed out on the superhero challenge.   I missed out on the Track Tuesday speed work.  I missed out on logging miles for the Joggermom Marathon. It made me sad to miss out on it all.  For almost two weeks, I was a super sloth with a cough.

Then when I woke up on Saturday morning, I could breathe, but I waited a couple more days just to be safe. I started running again on Monday and today it was back to business as usual with my speed work.  I am happy to be back on “track” now.

Now that I’m all healthy again, I’m a #superhero once again doing my Spiderman and Superman sets as well as running and blogging again.  The first half of the month may have been a loss, but next couple of weeks and the Joggermom Marathon will end on a high note.

Although my running may be back to business as usual, my blogging still had a slow start because yesterday, I totally flaked on a Music Monday post, which is a first in almost 3 years.  I’ve been playing catch up now that I’m feeling better and blogging a music post didn’t make the must-do list.  I felt horrible about it too since I’m an honorary co-host this month with Xmas Dolly and 4M crew.  Plus, this week’s theme was a song from a movie and movie soundtracks are my thing, a lesson I learned from the late John Hughes.  And I had such a good one in my head, but it just never made it to the blog.  Aw hell, I’ll share it now.

Is anyone else sad that all the shows are ending?  I am not happy about all these season finales and cliff hangers.  I am completely addicted to Once Upon a Time and that cliff hanger was the worst best.  Of course, if the show is not renewed for another season, I would be happy with the ending, without giving too much away.

Please tell me I’m not alone with my Once Upon a Time obsession!  I can’t wait for the Season 1 DVD to be released (August 28) so I can watch it all over again.  Seriously, it’s that good.

Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]

When I am really into a show, like I am with this one, I visit the show’s website and read all the actors’ bios and watch the interviews.  I love reading where the actors studied and what other shows they’ve done.  Since I’m a bit entranced by the actor who plays Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Robert Carlyle was the first I investigated.  Imagine my surprise, when I learned he was the actor who played Begbie in Trainspotting.  Actually, I wasn’t truly surprised, because Rumplestiltskin in pretty creepy as is Begbie.  But Begbie gave me nightmares.

In case you aren’t familiar with it, here’s a glimpse.  Warning: Begbie is a psycho sociopath and these clips are violent and riddled with vulgarities.

Robert Carlyle may be better known for his role as Gaz in The Full Monty. (Be sure to click on that link and watch the movie clip.  Gaz is one sexy thing. lol)  Truthfully, I prefer to remember him as Gaz than Begbie.  It also demonstrates the depth to his acting ability.  Plus, with Donna Summer’s passing over the weekend, this scene and song seem very fitting pretty fitting.

 

So, there you have it. My Music Monday post may be a day late, but Track Tuesday is now literally Track Tuesday.  And now for the sprints…

1.1   Mile

Time 11:05

Ave Pace 10:05

 

Lap 1 –  0.25 mile

Time 1:73

Ave Pace 7:37

 

Lap 2 – 0.25 mile

Time 1:73

Ave Pace 7:37

 

Lap 3 – 0.26 mile

Time 2:01

Ave Pace 7:53

 

Lap 4 0.24

Time 1:52

Ave Pace 7:39

 

1 mile

Time 10:14

Link up and share your speed work and some music for your Track Tuesday/Track Tuesday post.


*Also linking up at*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Motherhood Makes Beautiful Things

Posted on by Run DMT
8

In recent months, there has been a resurgence on  “war on women”.  I’m not referring to the “war on women” that has been happening for centuries in the Middle East or the heinous atrocities happening to women in Africa or even the verbal attacks in the U.S. political arena. Instead, I’m referring to the age old war of working moms vs. stay at home moms and the other ugly battle, attachment parenting vs. traditional parenting.  First, it was the ridiculous comments made by Hilary Rosen about Ann Romney.  Then, there was an uproar in response to the Time magazine cover.

Why do we allow society or the media to flame these feuds?

If you work outside the home and still have the strength to raise a family, then you should be applauded.  If your job is a full time mom trying to juggling it all without losing your mind or yourself trapped between a world of toddlerese and Lori Berkner, then your efforts should be applauded as well.  Neither job is easy.  Motherhood no matter how it’s dressed up, be it a corporate suit or yoga pants, requires sacrifice and that sacrifice should be praised not ridiculed.

And yet, somehow that sacrifice opens the door for ridicule or judgment rather than praise.

As moms, we make decisions every day about child-rearing with the sole purpose to do what’s best for our children.  Therefore, how can any reasonable child-rearing choice be wrong?  If you choose to breastfeed your child until school-age, who are we to judge?  If you choose to bottle feed your baby over breastfeeding, who are we to judge?  And if your child stays on the bottle, boob or binky until kindergarten, then that’s also a parenting choice and no one should judge.

No matter which avenue we choose to get there, we all want a stress-free existence with confident, well-adjusted children.  Our ultimate goal is the same.  So why not build a society that mirrors the one created when we cradle infants in our arms, be it on the breast or on a bottle?

Acceptance and support starts with each of us.  As mothers, we need to stop criticizing each other and start supporting one another.  We can’t allow magazine images and political sound bites to open the door to criticism and attacks.

Motherhood makes beautiful things.  Society needs to stop turning into something ugly.

With yesterday being Mother’s Day, I felt compelled to share my thoughts about moms supporting other moms and what better way than incorporating it into a Music Monday post.  What topics and tunes are moving you?

I’m still co-hosting with Xmas Dolly and her Monday’s Music Moves Me crew (Lorie, Stacy, Callie and Cathy), so link up and share.

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Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

If I Catch You (Panties May Peel Off)

Posted on by Run DMT
13

PhotobucketFor this week’s Music Monday, I’m co-hosting with Xmas Dolly and her Monday’s Music Moves Me crew: Lorie, Stacy, Callie and Cathy.  These ladies are such wonderful, supportive people and I am THRILLED to be part of the MMMM team again for the next month!

The MMMM gang love their themes and this week’s theme is songs from other countries.  Since I love Latin music, I chose to share the number one hit on the Latin charts, Ai Se Eu Pego by a Brazilian artist, Michel Telo (pronounced mee-sell tay-lo) .

Michel’s sounds very similar to David Barnes or Jason Mraz mixed with accordion.  And look at how cute he is! His smile is adorable.  I just want to keep him in my pocket.

Michel also sings the song in English in case you were wondering what this cutie pie was singing.

If you like Michel, but thought he lacked some sex appeal or a beat that was easy to dance to, not to worry, because he has teamed up with Mr. Worldwide.

Pitbull music and remixes should come with a warning.  Once you mix a song with Pitbull, it prompts panties to fall to the floor.  Although panties peeling off are spontaneous and animalistic reaction to the music, it could also have something to do with Pitbull wanting to play with a woman’s maracas.

I’ve downloaded the song and added it to my running playlist to investigate this maraca matter further. I just hope I don’t lose my panties while I’m running.

I could trip.

What International songs have your panties falling off this week? Link up and share.

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Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

I Won’t Give Up

Posted on by Run DMT
10

In case you hadn’t heard, I did not get selected for the NYC Marathon.  The lottery is completely random and for that, it was it is.  I’ll apply again next January and who knows?

I only need to apply one more year for a guaranteed spot in 2014.  So, 2014 will be my year.  I can feel it!

Someday, I’ll run the NYC marathon. I won’t give up.

 

I absolutely love the first single from Jason Mraz’s new album, Love is a Four Letter Word.  Although I related “I Won’t Give Up” to my desire to run the NYC marathon, the song can be linked to so many other aspects of life, as Jason Mraz pointed out in a CNN interview.

I like to think of it in terms of my relationship with God, which is always a work in progress.

I won’t give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I’m giving you all my love

I’m still looking up

I’m still looking up

I won’t give up (No I’m not) on us (Giving up)

God knows i’m tough (I am tough), He  knows (I am loved)

We got a lot (We’re alive) to learn (We are loved)

God knows we’re worth it (And we’re worth it)

I won’t give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I’m giving you all my love

I’m still looking up

The lyrics are so deep and powerful.  The song hits a raw nerve with me and moves me to tears every time I hear it.  I wonder if the rest of the album will have that same effect on me.  I may need to keep a box of tissues close when I listen to it.

So, what do you think of Jason Mraz’s new single?  Does it move you too?

For this week’s Music Monday, I’m co-hosting with Xmas Dolly and her Monday’s Music Moves Me crew: Lorie, Stacy, Callie and Cathy.  These ladies are such wonderful, supportive people and I am THRILLED to be part of the MMMM team again for the next month. So, link up and join the fun!

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Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Pump It

Posted on by Run DMT
12

With the exception of the cold front that rolled in over the weekend, temperatures are on the rise which means my miles will be tapering down.  As for races, I have a few more 5Ks and then one last longer distance (5 Miles for Moffitt) until the cooler weather returns this fall.

Since summer weather brings shorter distance races and triathlons, over the next few months I’ll be focusing on lots of cross-training (swimming, biking and strength training exercises) and speed work.

Yeah, it’s time to pump it.

 

On the subject of speed work, Ricole Runs and Run DMT will be hosting a new linky party every Tuesday called Track Tuesday.  We’re hoping a weekly blog hop and little peer pressure will keep us motivated to do weekly sprints.  I definitely need to focus on speed and I could use some virtual running partners encouraging me to stay focused.  If you’re a runner, I hope you join us tomorrow for Track Tuesday.

And there’s one more thing for me to be pumped about!  The lottery for the NYC Marathon will happen this Wednesday at noon and I will be watching the tweets and the live streaming selection process with bated breath.  You can watch it live too at http://www.nyrr.org/media-room/nyrr-tv.

God, I hope I make it.  I’ve got my fingers, toes and laces crossed that I make it this year.  Wish me luck and link up and share what music is moving you this week.




 

Visit Xmas Dolly , Hairbows & Guitar Picks and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday fun.

Let It Grow for Earth Day

Posted on by Run DMT
10

With Earth Day less than a week away, a song from The Lorax for Music Monday seemed like an appropriate choice.  Although videos from The Lorax soundtrack are not available on You Tube, I found a wonderful adaption to Let It Grow by PS 22 Chorus.  These kids are amazing!

The PS 22 Chorus preformed the song as part of NEA’s Read Across America with a reading of The Lorax by Danny Devito and Zac Efron.

Though the lyrics are simple, an all too important message rings loud and clear.  With their sweet, yet powerful young voices, these kids remind us how we can make the world a better place by protecting, nurturing and growing the gifts we have to give the world.

“UNLESS someone like you
Cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better.
It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax



Visit Xmas Dolly , Hairbows & Guitar Picks and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Dara Maclean Sings His Praise

Posted on by Run DMT
8

With Easter less than a week away, it’s a perfect time to share one of my favorite Christian artists, Dara Maclean.  These songs are from her debut album, You Got My Attention.

When Dara sings His praise, it moves me.  Her soulful sound reverberates within me and opens my heart.  Dara’s voice has a mature Motown quality, an almost Adele-like tone and it’s obvious earned her musical chops in church.

 

Tune in Tuesday morning (April 3) at 8:30 ET to hear more from Dara live on The Morning Cruise on  Joy FM.

Does Christian music move you?

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19)



Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

The Song of Purple Summer for Purple Day

Posted on by Run DMT
12

In support of Purple Day (March 26), Kirsten and I have planned another purple picnic for our girls.  For the special occasion, I’m busy preparing a purple pasta salad and baking purple cupcakes and any other purple provisions I can think of for our little picnic.

The purpose behind Purple Day and our pint-size purple picnic is to spread epilepsy awareness.

*Purple Day Picnic 2011*

Did you know that “epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide or approximately 1 in 100 people? That’s more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined.” (Statistic borrowed from purpleday.org.)

My niece, Meghan, is one of the people affected by epilepsy.

In a few weeks, our entire extended family will participate in the Hare Racing Experience to benefit epilepsy awareness.  We’ll wear matching purple shirts and represent ourselves as Team Meggers in Meghan’s honor.

We gladly give our support and hearts to each of the causes because someone we love needs a cure.

*Purple ribbon photo by Kirsten*

Please consider wearing purple today to help spread epilepsy awareness.

Have a purple song or photo to share? Join our Music Monday Purple Day Blog Hop. Link up and share. Linky will stay open until Sunday, April 1.

Additional facts about epilepsy from PurpleDay.org:

  • Epilepsy affects approximately 1 in 100 people.
  • At least 1 in every 10 people will have one seizure in their lifetime.
  • There are approximately 300,000 Canadians living with epilepsy.
  • There are approximately 3 million Americans living with epilepsy.
  • There are approximately 50 million people around the world living with epilepsy.
  • Epilepsy is NOT contagious. Epilepsy is NOT a disease.  Epilepsy is NOT a psychological disorder.
  • There is currently no “cure” for epilepsy. However, for 10-15% of people with epilepsy, the surgical removal of the seizure focus – the part of brain where the person’s seizures start – can eliminate all seizure activity. For more than half of people with epilepsy, medication will control their seizures. Additionally, some children will outgrow their epilepsy and some adults may have a spontaneous remission.
  • Not everyone can identify specific events or circumstances that affect seizures, but some are able to recognize definite seizure triggers.

Some common triggers include:

Forgetting to take prescribed seizure medication
Lack of sleep
Missing meals
Stress, excitement, emotional upset
Menstrual cycle / hormonal changes
Illness or fever
Low seizure medication levels
Medications other than prescribed seizure medication
Flickering lights of computers, television, videos, etc., and sometimes even bright sunlight
Excessive alcohol consumption and subsequent withdrawal
Street drugs

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Green is the Colour

Posted on by Run DMT
8

Green was the colour that I wore from morning to night on St. Patrick’s Day.  For the Spring 5K, I ran in my green tutu and a little leprechaun hat to match.  It’s important to accessorize.

*Photo provided by Suncoast Running.*

For the nighttime festivities, I wore green hair to coordinate with my green top and eye shadow.  The secret is you have to coordinate.  Most people don’t coordinate.  You got to coordinate.

Honestly, it was fun to make a spectacle of myself and quite easy to be green for a day. Funny though, even after several pints of cider, I didn’t feel at all green the next morning and that’s a good thing.


Visit Xmas Dolly , Hairbows & Guitar Picks and Royalegacy for more Music Monday fun.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Irish Drinking Songs and Going Out In {green} Style

Posted on by Run DMT
14

I am ridiculously excited about St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year because there’s no work or after school activities to get in the way of our Irish beer consumption.  Although my girls and I do have a 5K race in the morning, it won’t be long before I’m finishing off a green beer after crossing the finish line.

Before we head out that evening, Allan and I will line our bellies with some Guinness corned beef and potatoes and then get onto to the drinking.  It won’t be too long before we look like this.

 

I’ll probably wear the same green top I always wear, but I love this shirt from Urban Outfitters.

I’m thinking about buying a green hair wig too just to change it up this year and go out full on green style.

 

 What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?  Will you be going out in style?