End o' Week Musings

Wow! It's almost weird to be back to normal.... OK as what's normal for me at least....

Last weekend was nice and busy. It began with a visit to my drummer's house. Ric and I were going to catch Boys Noize at the Music Box. One of Ric's friends showed up and said how much he liked the group and was hoping he could get a ticket. I thought about it and said he could have the ticket Ric had for me, as I could catch Boys Noize another time. I hear the show was terrific, so I'm glad the guys had a good time.

Saturday, Ad Hoc Consort was performing at the Rains House in Rancho Cucamonga. Despite my velvet Victorian dress and usually-warm boots, it was chilly where they had us- out on the back porch neat the refreshments. Thank goodness for the hot apple cider and molasses cookies during our breaks!

We played through our holiday set twice. It included a range of Christmas songs, as well as some beautiful Elizabethan music. I had fun because I played a range of percussion instruments, such as drum, chimes, bells and zills, plus I got to sing some of the songs too. It was extra nice, as people stopped and listened to us and even applauded. I'm always surprised how little kids seem to be drawn to our stuff too, you would think it too boring or stuffy, but they often want to listen longer than the adults with them!

After the performance, the group of us went to Tio's Mexican restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga for dinner. The place was very busy and still had good service and great food. The girl at the counter asked why we were dressed up and I resisted saying "What do you mean dressed up?" and acting like this is how we always dressed, instead I was nice and explained.

Sunday I was in the Highland Park Christmas Parade with Ric. I had a blast dancing down Figueroa with Ric drumming away. During the pauses in the march, we would have fun with the crowd, either I would shimmy like crazy or Ric would let kids take turns on the drum.

The rest of my week was on the quiet side, just interviews and writing. Last night, though, I surprised myself by remembering the choreography to the hula my Polynesian/Tahitian dance class is doing for our recital tomorrow. I really like the song and the smooth, graceful moves. The hardest part is not rushing it and letting it flow, which I especially relish after all the fast stuff I normally do.

My recital is in the morning and I planning to go to the Jim Henson tribute exhibit at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra this weekend too. The show features work by artists from around the globe paying homage to Henson, from the Muppets to "Dark Crystal" and more. And it's free! http://www.gallerynucleus.com/. Another cool thing to check out is Tracy Newman & the Reinforcements at Strings Music in Glendora tonight- also free http://www.tracynewman.com/ and http://www.stringsglendora.com/

In rotation this week: Dio, "We Wish You a Metal Christmas," "Santa and Satan: One and the Same?" (punk holiday songs), Ren & Stimpy's "You Idiot." Oh yes, I'm trying to get in the holiday mood.

Photos we got 'em: A couple of shots from Big Bear that I couldn't post last week, a pic of me and my friend Linda at the Escondido Renaissance Faire in October and a cute pet pic from the web.

Thought o' the week: Work it, baby! This is the time of year that everything gets crazy. We run around too much, eat too much and stress out too much. And as a result our exercise routine often gets pushed aside.

Regular exercise, even a daily walk, makes a big difference in your life. Besides the obvious health benefits, it helps you sleep better and clears the mind. And for a lot of people I know, it's really hard to get back in gear after you've changed your routine and let your workouts slip.

One trick I use is keeping a calendar where I chart what activities I do each day and then note my weight and measurements every Sunday to keep my progress (or not) in my face, so to speak. I also keep my workout clothes in a visible spot in my bedroom so when I get home from work they're there to nudge me. I go on my walk right away and then on to whatever else I'm doing that evening- my exercise routine with weights, etc., practicing my dancing with and without swords, and so on. Oh, and in the mornings, I do my stretching and mini-workout as soon as I get up so I don't get busy and let it slide.

Exercising is one of the best presents you can give yourself this holiday season. You deserve it. So take a trot around the block and look at the lights, do some lunges and stretching while watching a cooking show or find another creative way to make your health and well-being more fun over the holidays. You'll thank me for it on New Year's Day. Now, work it, baby and

Keep on rockin'

Mickie