I love you, John! The world misses you!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Remembering John
I just wanted to take a moment to remember someone whom I've never even come close to meeting, but is still a very influential person in my life. 30 years ago today, in an utterly senseless & all to ironic act, John Lennon was gunned downed in front of his apartment in NYC. The irony comes from his longtime calls for peace and the fact that he had finally decided to grace us with new music and insight after years of well deserved "private time".
I love you, John! The world misses you!
I love you, John! The world misses you!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
5 Yoga Poses to Get Jennifer Aniston's Body
"I'm still very much a yoga beginner and have no delusions of grandeur that by doing these exercises I'm going to rock a body like JA, but I'm a firm believer in what yoga can do for both body and mind."
At 41 years old, Jennifer Aniston has a body that's the envy of women half her age. And she credits it all — those lean legs, six-pack abs, and glowing skin — to one woman: her yoga instructor, Mandy Ingber.
"Mandy's yoga style has changed my life," the star has said of Ingber's routines, which are a hybrid of traditional yoga poses paired with traditional toning exercises. "This is one of the most fun, challenging workouts I've ever had."
Although Aniston has been known to work out with Ingber up to five times a week and has even taken her along on vacations, the L.A.-based instructor promises that getting fit through yoga is possible.
"Practice a little bit each day," she advises. "Do what you can, but if you can incorporate even 15 minutes of yoga into your day, you will notice your body, mind, and emotions begin to shift and change."
Ingber — whose DVD, Yogalosophy, includes two 30-minute routines and an hour-long challenge — is sharing her top five yoga poses with Marie Claire.
1. Temple Pose
Targets calves
Plant your feet wide, bend your knees out to the side, and open at a 90-degree angle. Sink your butt down in alignment with your knees then plié, squat, and hold for 30 seconds. Plié deeply 8 times, followed by 8 quick, shallow pulses.
2. Chair Pose
Targets legs and butt
Sink down as if you’re sinking into a chair. With your feet aligned, hip-width apart, rock back your weight from the balls of the feet to the heels and shift your hips back. Align your knee over heels, butt back, and peel your belly off your thighs by extending your arms overhead. Do 1-3 sets. If you really want to tone up, you can also do squats.
3. Sun Salute
Targets abs and hamstrings
As you the inhale, sweep your arms over your head, and then as you exhale, dive forward — a swan dive with down-hinging hips. Put your hands on the floor and extend your chest forward. Step back to the top of a push-up and put palms directly below your shoulders. Firm your thighs and make sure your hips and shoulders are aligned. Resist the floor as you lower to a low push-up. Scoop your chest up and arch into an upward facing dog, keeping thighs on the floor. Roll over the toes and press back to downward facing dog, using your inner thighs and abs.
4. Tree Pose
Targets abs and thighs
Stand straight, shifting your body weight on to your right foot with your knee up to your chest. Turn your knee to the side and press the sole of your foot to your inner thigh or calf, depending on your flexibility. Put your palms together, extending to the crown of your head. Hold it for 5-10 breaths.
5. Reclining Pigeon
Targets chest and thighs
Lie back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Cross your left ankle over your right knee and flex your foot, then draw your right knee in toward your chest. Wrap around your hamstring and gently draw your knee towards the chest. You'll feel the stretch of your left hip.
More Tips from Mandy:
* "Make it fun by adding your favorite music," suggests Ingber, who plays tunes with Aniston. "Yoga doesn't have to be completely silent."
* Before you start any routine, take three long deep breaths. "Breath is the bridge from the mind to the body, so the place you set your mind affects your body," she says.
* Practice control. This extends into all aspects of life, including diet. Aniston, Ingber says, "is about the only person I know who can eat three chips," but having restraint is key.
* "Never force a stretch or a pose," she warns. "Simply allow your body to move to its edge."
* Pay attention to opposing forces. "There are three energies in each pose," she says. "Gravity sinking you down, inspiration extending upward, and the center point."
5 Yoga Poses to Get Jennifer Aniston's Body
At 41 years old, Jennifer Aniston has a body that's the envy of women half her age. And she credits it all — those lean legs, six-pack abs, and glowing skin — to one woman: her yoga instructor, Mandy Ingber.
"Mandy's yoga style has changed my life," the star has said of Ingber's routines, which are a hybrid of traditional yoga poses paired with traditional toning exercises. "This is one of the most fun, challenging workouts I've ever had."
Although Aniston has been known to work out with Ingber up to five times a week and has even taken her along on vacations, the L.A.-based instructor promises that getting fit through yoga is possible.
"Practice a little bit each day," she advises. "Do what you can, but if you can incorporate even 15 minutes of yoga into your day, you will notice your body, mind, and emotions begin to shift and change."
Ingber — whose DVD, Yogalosophy, includes two 30-minute routines and an hour-long challenge — is sharing her top five yoga poses with Marie Claire.
1. Temple Pose
Targets calves
Plant your feet wide, bend your knees out to the side, and open at a 90-degree angle. Sink your butt down in alignment with your knees then plié, squat, and hold for 30 seconds. Plié deeply 8 times, followed by 8 quick, shallow pulses.
2. Chair Pose
Targets legs and butt
Sink down as if you’re sinking into a chair. With your feet aligned, hip-width apart, rock back your weight from the balls of the feet to the heels and shift your hips back. Align your knee over heels, butt back, and peel your belly off your thighs by extending your arms overhead. Do 1-3 sets. If you really want to tone up, you can also do squats.
3. Sun Salute
Targets abs and hamstrings
As you the inhale, sweep your arms over your head, and then as you exhale, dive forward — a swan dive with down-hinging hips. Put your hands on the floor and extend your chest forward. Step back to the top of a push-up and put palms directly below your shoulders. Firm your thighs and make sure your hips and shoulders are aligned. Resist the floor as you lower to a low push-up. Scoop your chest up and arch into an upward facing dog, keeping thighs on the floor. Roll over the toes and press back to downward facing dog, using your inner thighs and abs.
4. Tree Pose
Targets abs and thighs
Stand straight, shifting your body weight on to your right foot with your knee up to your chest. Turn your knee to the side and press the sole of your foot to your inner thigh or calf, depending on your flexibility. Put your palms together, extending to the crown of your head. Hold it for 5-10 breaths.
5. Reclining Pigeon
Targets chest and thighs
Lie back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Cross your left ankle over your right knee and flex your foot, then draw your right knee in toward your chest. Wrap around your hamstring and gently draw your knee towards the chest. You'll feel the stretch of your left hip.
More Tips from Mandy:
* "Make it fun by adding your favorite music," suggests Ingber, who plays tunes with Aniston. "Yoga doesn't have to be completely silent."
* Before you start any routine, take three long deep breaths. "Breath is the bridge from the mind to the body, so the place you set your mind affects your body," she says.
* Practice control. This extends into all aspects of life, including diet. Aniston, Ingber says, "is about the only person I know who can eat three chips," but having restraint is key.
* "Never force a stretch or a pose," she warns. "Simply allow your body to move to its edge."
* Pay attention to opposing forces. "There are three energies in each pose," she says. "Gravity sinking you down, inspiration extending upward, and the center point."
5 Yoga Poses to Get Jennifer Aniston's Body
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Happy Birthday Mom!
Happy Birthday to my hero, my friend, my MOTHER!
I miss you more than words can EVER say! Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!
I miss you more than words can EVER say! Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!
Monday, October 11, 2010
They did it!!!
OMG! What a gut wrenching ride! Every game a one run affair. Every single pitch; sweet, sweet torture, as only my boys can do, but in the end, it's sweet, sweet VICTORY that covers me like a warm orange & black snuggie. The Giants have moved on to face Philadelphia in the 2010 NLCS! We went down to Georgia like a bunch of orange & black devils and ruined Bobby Cox's retirement tour. Sorry Bobby, hats off for being an icon and all that, but not this time! Give it up for my boys though for giving Bobby his props after we went into his house and by hook or by crook won two in a row from the team with the best home record in the NL this year!
As always, we're underdogs against the Phillie juggernaut, but how f#*king kewl is Lincecum v. Halliday, Cain v. Oswalt and Sanchez v. Hamels. It's a tall order to take out the Phils, but isn't this what makes it our grand old game? I'm sure of another 45 to 63 innings of sweet Giant torture, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
And while baseball is all about the ultimate prize and being #1, sometimes it's nice to just be in the mix and keep the juices flowing. When a team becomes a part of the family, but has caused more heartaches than triumphs (as my boys have), it's just a privilege to get another ride on the roller coaster!
So for my Uncle Rich, and my late Grandmother Norma, my late mother Stephanie (who wasn't a huge fan, but was devastated when we were devastated), I say; well here we are, and wherever you may be, let's enjoy what's REALLY important...family, friends, the memories given to us by our boys and the exultation of the journey!
So as I celebrate, and write this with tears in my eyes, I recall a brief exchange had by two Giant greats, on perhaps one of the happiest days of my life. When before his at-bat in Game #5 of the '89 NLCS with the game hanging in the balance; Kevin Mitchell said to Will Clark, "Let's get the job done." The Thrill's reply..."It's done!" He then slashed a two out, two run single off of Mitch Williams which secured the Giants first pennant in 27 years! And so as it was then, hopefully it shall be again!
Now it's on to Philly and let's have another magical ride!!
As always, we're underdogs against the Phillie juggernaut, but how f#*king kewl is Lincecum v. Halliday, Cain v. Oswalt and Sanchez v. Hamels. It's a tall order to take out the Phils, but isn't this what makes it our grand old game? I'm sure of another 45 to 63 innings of sweet Giant torture, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
And while baseball is all about the ultimate prize and being #1, sometimes it's nice to just be in the mix and keep the juices flowing. When a team becomes a part of the family, but has caused more heartaches than triumphs (as my boys have), it's just a privilege to get another ride on the roller coaster!
So for my Uncle Rich, and my late Grandmother Norma, my late mother Stephanie (who wasn't a huge fan, but was devastated when we were devastated), I say; well here we are, and wherever you may be, let's enjoy what's REALLY important...family, friends, the memories given to us by our boys and the exultation of the journey!
So as I celebrate, and write this with tears in my eyes, I recall a brief exchange had by two Giant greats, on perhaps one of the happiest days of my life. When before his at-bat in Game #5 of the '89 NLCS with the game hanging in the balance; Kevin Mitchell said to Will Clark, "Let's get the job done." The Thrill's reply..."It's done!" He then slashed a two out, two run single off of Mitch Williams which secured the Giants first pennant in 27 years! And so as it was then, hopefully it shall be again!
Now it's on to Philly and let's have another magical ride!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
OMFG; we're in. Giants win the west!!!!!
Wow, what an emotionally exhilarating and draining day all rolled into one! My boys made it! After two games of complete frustration, the Giants beat San Diego today 3-0 to win the NL West title and punched their ticket to the 2010 playoffs! A place the Giants haven't been since 2003.
I know it's just a game, and blah, blah, blah, but this team is like family to me. My Uncle (who is more like a father to me) got me into them when I was like six years old. He was a life long fan and also a vendor as a teen out at Candlestick back in the 60's. Because of his job at the park, my beloved Granny became a fan from listening to Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons to know when the games were over, so she could go pick him up.
While she was beginning to battle Parkinson's disease, her love of the Giants never wavered. In fact one of the highlights of my life came when I was around 11. It was middle of summer and the Giants were playing a day game against San Diego and best of all it was batting glove day! The problem was there was no one to take me to the game. I was devasted. My Granny stepped up and even though she couldn't get around very well, volunterred to take me to that game. I still get choked up when I think of walking arm in arm with her (the only way she could really walk) into our lower reserved seats that cloudy summer day at Candlestick. I have no recollection of whether the hometowner's won or lost that day, but the thrill of getting my batting glove and more importantly being with my Gran for her last in-person game will live with me til the day I die!
As she gradually succumb to that shitty disease, I'd always make time to sit with her and listen to the games on the radio. Again, it's another memory I will take proudly to the grave.
There have been many, many wonderful & heartbreaking moments that this team have given me and my family, so win, lose or draw, this team is as big a part of me & my family as anyone. So it makes me deliriously happy that on this the day of one of the Giants biggest moments some 59 years ago, that I can proudly pop a bottle of champagne and shout; "We're back in the post-season!!!!" (Something that doesn't happen much in Giantland)
See, the Giants have never won a World Series title since they came to SF in 1958. So neither my Gran, my Uncle or I have ever been able to celebrate that ultimate victory. Which is pretty sucky, but sometimes going through the heartbreak of "almost" is just as much fun as finally achieving that mega-prize. Just the same, the fact that our 2010 Giants have made it this far and gotten back to the play-offs, after a seven year absence is just pure delight and adulation!
So while yes, I know it's just sports, and it's just a game, this team is much more than just a baseball team to me, they are family! And I couldn't be happier at this very moment! I know somewhere out there, my Gran is smiling at the fact that we have another chance at gaining that ultimate baseball prize.
So Gran & Rich, I write this is for you! I love you both more than words can say, and in the words Kevin Mitchell & Will Clark; "Let's get the job done...It's done!!!!
Here is a shot of my Uncle's precious lil girl, Julia at our family "brick"; McCovey Cove at AT&T Park.
I know it's just a game, and blah, blah, blah, but this team is like family to me. My Uncle (who is more like a father to me) got me into them when I was like six years old. He was a life long fan and also a vendor as a teen out at Candlestick back in the 60's. Because of his job at the park, my beloved Granny became a fan from listening to Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons to know when the games were over, so she could go pick him up.
While she was beginning to battle Parkinson's disease, her love of the Giants never wavered. In fact one of the highlights of my life came when I was around 11. It was middle of summer and the Giants were playing a day game against San Diego and best of all it was batting glove day! The problem was there was no one to take me to the game. I was devasted. My Granny stepped up and even though she couldn't get around very well, volunterred to take me to that game. I still get choked up when I think of walking arm in arm with her (the only way she could really walk) into our lower reserved seats that cloudy summer day at Candlestick. I have no recollection of whether the hometowner's won or lost that day, but the thrill of getting my batting glove and more importantly being with my Gran for her last in-person game will live with me til the day I die!
As she gradually succumb to that shitty disease, I'd always make time to sit with her and listen to the games on the radio. Again, it's another memory I will take proudly to the grave.
There have been many, many wonderful & heartbreaking moments that this team have given me and my family, so win, lose or draw, this team is as big a part of me & my family as anyone. So it makes me deliriously happy that on this the day of one of the Giants biggest moments some 59 years ago, that I can proudly pop a bottle of champagne and shout; "We're back in the post-season!!!!" (Something that doesn't happen much in Giantland)
See, the Giants have never won a World Series title since they came to SF in 1958. So neither my Gran, my Uncle or I have ever been able to celebrate that ultimate victory. Which is pretty sucky, but sometimes going through the heartbreak of "almost" is just as much fun as finally achieving that mega-prize. Just the same, the fact that our 2010 Giants have made it this far and gotten back to the play-offs, after a seven year absence is just pure delight and adulation!
So while yes, I know it's just sports, and it's just a game, this team is much more than just a baseball team to me, they are family! And I couldn't be happier at this very moment! I know somewhere out there, my Gran is smiling at the fact that we have another chance at gaining that ultimate baseball prize.
So Gran & Rich, I write this is for you! I love you both more than words can say, and in the words Kevin Mitchell & Will Clark; "Let's get the job done...It's done!!!!
Here is a shot of my Uncle's precious lil girl, Julia at our family "brick"; McCovey Cove at AT&T Park.
Happy Bobby Thomson Day
It was 59 years ago today that Bobby Thomson hit his "Shot Heard 'Round The World"; a seminal moment in Giants lore. Today, HOPEFULLY they add to the lore!
Friday, October 1, 2010
My One Year Anniversary
It was exactly one year ago today that I pulled up in my bestie KiKi's parking lot at sunrise in a 15 foot U-Haul with my car in tow and began my new life as not only an Angelino, but as Gina 24/7!
What a truly wild ride it's been and I couldn't be happier. To say that I've grown over this year would be the understatement of the century. I have not grown, but blossomed into the person I always dreamed I would be. I still pinch myself and can't believe that I've come as far as I have in such a relatively short period of time, but here I am. As much as I'd love to pat myself on the back and say I did it all on my own, that is just impossible to do. There have been so many awesome, wonderful family members and friends that have helped me achieve my dreams that it would take another year to list them all, but please know that I'm sending much, much, much love to all those that have supported and befriended me on this crazy trip. I'd be remiss however, if I didn't throw out some special love and admiration to some very special people.
Katie, my love, my wou! You have changed my life in way's I would have never thought possible. You brought real love into my life and I can't imagine ever being without my wou! I love you with all my heart.
Tricia, my pizza partyin' most awesome & generous pal. If it wasn't for you coming up to a shy, lost part-timer that night way back in 2007 at Encounters and showing me your enormous heart and compassion, I wouldn't be where I am today. Your love and generosity have been immeasurable to me and you will forever hold a special place in my heart!
Lastly, my bestie KiKi. Oh KiK, what a wild road we've shared. We've supported and watched each other grow from part time wandering waifs, into full time, kick ass, confident women. We've traveled down such similar paths on our way to awesomeness. It's been my honor and such a total gas ridin' down that long & winding road with you! You are my sister, my bestie, and no matter what, I LOVE ya always! TerrorTwins-4-Life!!!!!
There are so many wonderful people who have shown me kindness and helped me become me on this insane adventure, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and I'm honored to call you friends!!!!
What a truly wild ride it's been and I couldn't be happier. To say that I've grown over this year would be the understatement of the century. I have not grown, but blossomed into the person I always dreamed I would be. I still pinch myself and can't believe that I've come as far as I have in such a relatively short period of time, but here I am. As much as I'd love to pat myself on the back and say I did it all on my own, that is just impossible to do. There have been so many awesome, wonderful family members and friends that have helped me achieve my dreams that it would take another year to list them all, but please know that I'm sending much, much, much love to all those that have supported and befriended me on this crazy trip. I'd be remiss however, if I didn't throw out some special love and admiration to some very special people.
Katie, my love, my wou! You have changed my life in way's I would have never thought possible. You brought real love into my life and I can't imagine ever being without my wou! I love you with all my heart.
Tricia, my pizza partyin' most awesome & generous pal. If it wasn't for you coming up to a shy, lost part-timer that night way back in 2007 at Encounters and showing me your enormous heart and compassion, I wouldn't be where I am today. Your love and generosity have been immeasurable to me and you will forever hold a special place in my heart!
Lastly, my bestie KiKi. Oh KiK, what a wild road we've shared. We've supported and watched each other grow from part time wandering waifs, into full time, kick ass, confident women. We've traveled down such similar paths on our way to awesomeness. It's been my honor and such a total gas ridin' down that long & winding road with you! You are my sister, my bestie, and no matter what, I LOVE ya always! TerrorTwins-4-Life!!!!!
There are so many wonderful people who have shown me kindness and helped me become me on this insane adventure, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and I'm honored to call you friends!!!!
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