By now it’s no secret that I’m a Disney freak. Yes, that’s right, I love all things Disney. I never get tired of visiting the parks, reading the blog sites, flipping through the glossy magazines, watching the movies, wearing the t-shirts, all of it. (more…)
Archive for the ‘dancing’ Category
Be Still My Heart
Posted in acting, Birthdays, blogging, dancing, Disney, Family, Fiction, friends, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, romance, roses, singing, Walt Disney World, watching tv, writing, tagged Be Our Guest, Beast, Beast castle, Beauty and the Beast, Belle, Cinderella, Disney, Disney movies, Emma Watson, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, movie trailer, new movie, Walt Disney on November 21, 2016| 10 Comments »
Fitbit, Jawbone, Gimmick – You Decide
Posted in beauty products, blogging, chocolate, dancing, dessert, desserts, dieting, drinks, Family, Fiction, food, friends, goals, humor, Jansen Schmidt, night time rituals, sports, words, writers, writing, tagged diets, exercise, Fitbit, fitness, free weights, gadgets, gym, Jawbone, jogging, new year weight loss, Rambo, refrigerator, sleeping habits, treadmill, trigonometry, walking, water, weight loss, zumba on January 19, 2015| 14 Comments »
So, the all-the-rage Christmas gift this past year was apparently the Fitbit or it’s cousin the Jawbone. If you’re unfamiliar with these little devices, they are designed to help you keep track of your healthy habits. Or so they tout. Personally, I don’t get it, but I’ve noticed a lot more people in my zumba class with these little babies strapped to their wrists.
Now, if you are a lover of these technological devices, and they are “working” for you, please don’t be offended by this post. I love that you’re working on getting or staying healthy. For me, they seem like a gimmick.
First of all, the only people I see wearing these things look like this:
If you look like this, you are already are a fit bit of feminie loveliness. You are already doing all of the right things and you don’t need a fancy schmancy device to let you know it. Just carry on you well-toned beautiful women. I love and hate you all.
The number one problem I see right off the bat with a device like this is – you have to remember to put the thing on. That’s going to mess up quite a few people.
Assuming you remember to strap it on, it’s my understanding that these thingeys tell you the amount of steps you’ve taken. I’m not sure why that’s important. I mean, let’s face it, if I’ve had my ass in a chair all day writing, or in the sofa watching TV or reading, I can pretty much guarantee you that I haven’t taken more than about 16 steps, and those were undoubtedly to the refrigerator for a snack. I really don’t need a device to keep track of that or to remind me of my lethargy. Likewise, if I’ve been working out or jogging I can say, with some certainty based on how much my muscles are screaming and the amount of sweat pouring off my weary body, that I have experienced a good work-out. I don’t really care how many steps I’ve taken; I feel good that I’ve worked out.
The next problem is that these devices don’t hold you accountable. I mean if you set a goal to take 5,000 steps every day, nothing happens if you fall short. If I wear the thing all day and then check my stats when I get home and I’ve only taken 1,100 steps and my goal was 5,000, am I going to go run 16 miles to make up the deficit? Hell no! I’m just going to say, “screw it, I’ll walk more tomorrow,” and go to bed.
Now, what would be really helpful is if those little wristbands thingeys had pre-recorded messages. What would be exceptionally motivating is for a really annoying voice, like Gilbert Godfry or someone equally nasally and whiny, to say something like, “get moving lard ass,” every time I sat in one place for more than about 10 minutes. Or, “you’re slowing down fatso,” when I switch the treadmill from jog to walk. That would be motivating. However, I do see a potential problem with this, especially if you’re working out at a gym or other public place. You would not want that thing going off and have somebody other than yourself thinking it was directed at them. No sirree, I would not want some Rambo over in free weights to come over and konk me on the head with a 200 pound barbell because my Fitbit offended him.
Although . . . if he looked like that guy . . . maybe a visit wouldn’t be so bad. Hmmmm.
But I digress. Maybe instead of a pre-recorded message, a squirt of pepper spray to the face every hour could be used. I mean nothing would get me moving faster than pepper spray in my face. Think of the amount of steps you’d take with that crap on your skin. You couldn’t run to the shower fast enough and you’d be dancing a jig the whole time you were in there. Or, every so often a shock treatment like a taser blast could go off to remind you to get up and drink some water. That would get me hopping out of my chair for sure.
That’s right, these puppies supposedly will keep track of how much water I’ve drank during the day. Hmmm. Is that necessary? If I fill my glass 4 times then I can pretty much rely on the fact that I’ve had 4 glasses of water that day. And, taking this one step farther, if I know that my glass is 20 ounces, and I fill it 4 times, then I’ve had – say it with me – 80 ounces of water that day. No device required. And how does that thing distinguish between water and gatorade, or soda, or . . . oh I don’t know . . . wine? ‘Cuz, if it measured wine in-take I’d pretty much meet my quota every single day.
And, supposedly, they keep track of your sleeping habits (again – if you remember to wear them). At the risk of sounding redundant, what is the point of this? If I wake up at 3:00 in the morning and lay there awake for 2 hours, my clock will give me the same information as that little plastic strap on my wrist. I don’t need a device to let me know that I was awake for 2 hours in the middle of the night. Contrarily, if I wake up refreshed, having slept straight through the night, I don’t need to check my wrist to see how I’ve slept. This “feature,” makes no sense to me.
I’m thinking a much better electronic device to invest in to ensure good health is one that requires you to solve a trigonometry problem before you can open the cookie jar. Or do 20 jumping jacks before the refrigerator door will open. I’m thinking that would successfully solve this problem:
How about your dear readers, do you have a Fitbit, Jawbone or similar device? Do you like it? What gadgets would be helpful in your life to keep you fit and healthy?
Fun fact about me: I am not really into fancy techy gadgets.
Word of the Day: Vugh (alternate spelling)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images.
Between Two Bridges
Posted in Autumn, beach, beer, dancing, drinks, Family, friends, humor, Jansen Schmidt, vacation, tagged Alcatraz, Bay Bridge, Bon Voyage, bottom of Golden Gate Bridge, cruising, desperado, Don Julio, Dos Equis, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 35, Princess Cruises, San Francisco, seals, Star Princess, tourists, whale watching on October 6, 2014| 13 Comments »
San Francisco is not known for it’s sunny days or bikini-riddled beaches. In fact, most days, it’s socked in with fog and you’re lucky if you get a tiny glimpse of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. But, the locals are blessed with a few really warm days every year around the autumnal equinox.
Such was our experience on day one of our 11-day voyage to Alaska. We arrived at the bustling pier with suitcases bursting at the seams and anticipation oozing from our pores.
Once onboard the Star Princess we made our way to the upper decks and breathed in the sea air. We had an amazing view of Alcatraz.
The Golden Gate Bridge to the west – our destination
and the new Bay Bridge and Treasure Island from whence we had just come to the east.
Before long, the band struck up a lively sail away tune, eager cruisers boggied on the Lido deck as bartenders hustled to concoct icy perfection in silver shakers. And then, the captain blew that awesome horn. BON VOYAGE!
I sipped on a Desperado, an amazing mixture of Dos Equis and Don Julio, whilst we inched away from the pier, waving at the tourists arriving back from a day of exploration on Alcatraz Island. We glided past sailors basking in the warm sunshine on the bows of their sleek white boats and and shiny playful seals barking from the wooden planks of the marina.
As the city slid past us on the port side, we inched ever closer to the orange monolithic columns of the most famous bridge in California, dwarfing the whale watching vessels coming back to port.
We chugged under the massive steel structure and into the looming fog bank on the other side.
The last dregs of sunlight gleamed off the magnificent towers and swooping spans of the bridge as we steadily made our way toward the open sea.
We were off. Day one!
Stay tuned for port one in Alaska. Totem poles and all you can eat crab at Ketchikan!!
Have you ever been to San Francisco? Have you ever sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge? What impressive venture have your embarked upon lately. I love it when you share your experiences.
Word of the Day: Gas maser
Fun fact about me: I have never seen a walrus (except in pictures).
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2014. Original photos by P. Rickrode.
Heading North by Cruise Ship
Posted in beach, blogging, bucket list, Caribbean, Carnival cruise, cruise, dancing, drinks, Family, first car, friends, Hawaii, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, Mexico, vacation, tagged Alaska, Carnival Liberty, cruise to Alaska, cruising, Dancing, photo bombing, silly video, Texas, Youtube, zaffer on August 18, 2014| 23 Comments »
So by now you’re all sick of me talking about Texas so we’re going to give that little outing a rest. It’s time to start focusing on my upcoming cruise. That’s right, in September I’ll be sailing on the deep blue sea, headed north to Alaska.
I don’t know about you, but I love cruising. Only on a cruise can you be in a different port every morning, miles away from where you were yesterday and not have to pack your things and move to a new hotel. On a cruise, your hotel goes with you. Stellar!
Now, I’ve been on several cruises, to several glorious destinations: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, but this will be my first journey to Alaska. And the bonus? I can check another thing off my bucket list. You see, it’s a goal of mine to visit every state in our great nation before I meet my maker. So far, with the exception of Alaska, I’ve been in every state west of the Mississippi River and all but the far north eastern corner on the east side. I’ve been as far up as Virginia but that’s it. Some day I’ll visit that last corner of the US.
But, I digress. I’m gearing up for my journey north and in so doing, I’ve been doing some on line research. I don’t want to miss any of the important stuff when I’m in port. Whilst surfing the web, I came across this silly video about cruising that made me giggle. I wanted to share it with you. It’s short and hopefully will bring a smile.
And so I leave you with this question: Have you ever danced behind someone without their knowledge? Would you ever? I think I just might have to give this a go when I get on the ship in a few weeks. Stay tuned for my report (and with any luck a video).
Word of the Day: Zaffer (zaffre)
Fun fact about me: I have owned 9 cars in my life; all but the very first one were brand new when I bought them.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, August 2014. Original photos by P. Rickrode. Video courtesy You Tube.
Poetry, Photography and Leaves of Grass
Posted in April, awards, beach, blogging, blooms, cement walls, dancing, Disney, Disneyland, friends, grammar, Halloween, humor, Jansen Schmidt, Lake Tahoe, musical theater, spring break, theatre, vacation, Walt Disney World, words, writers, writing, tagged Critter Country, Donald Duck, electric water pageant, Emerald Bay, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, It's A Small World, Lake Tahoe, Leaves of Grass, poetry, poetry month, Polynesian Resort, tea house, topiary, Vikingsholm, Walt Whitman on April 28, 2014| 19 Comments »
So April is national poetry month. I’m a little behind the ball, but still snuck in just under the wire. I’ve never really been into poetry, but I do like some stuff. Since I’m a fan of Walt Whitman, I will incorporate a piece from his Leaves of Grass in honor of national poetry month. Here’s my rendition with photograph visuals to help you understand the meaning of Walt’s words (yeah right):
“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat,
the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench,
the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song,
the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning,
or at noon intermission
or at sundown
The delicious singing of the mother,
or of the young wife at work,
or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day —

A scene from Mary Poppins – The Great Movie Ride – Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park – Walt Disney World – 2009
at night the party of young fellows,

My sweetie pie after his first ride on Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom Park – Walt Disney World – 2012
robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.”
So as you can see, sometimes I find poetry inspiring.
What about you – do you “get” poetry? Are you a fan? Who can you relate to?
Word of the Day: Jejune
Fun fact about me: With the exception of Alaska (which I shall rectify this fall), I have been in every State west of the Mississippi river. (And almost all of them east of as well.)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt April 2014. Original photos by P. Rickrode and C. Rickrode.