I always thought this would be the perfect personalized license plate for the ultimate Cure fan:

YCNTIBU

All in all it's been a good week. I traveled to western Alabama and eastern Mississippi. My eating was for crap because they only had fast food joints. I didn't make the best of choices but I'll live. The fitness center was "out of order." They did have every channel you can think of so I caught up on all my favorite shows. I really need to get my eating habits in check.

Next week I'm off to South Georgia. I know I'll at least have better choices there. Let's hope I make them.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Nothing I have to do except teach TurboKick in the morning. I will try and get my haircut as well.

I know this isn't an interesting entry but I'm trying to get in the habit of updating it consistently. Let's hope for something better next week.

RIP Snyder, Godspeed Heatley

I found myself profoundly touched by the tragedy endured by Heatley and Snyder. I am a Thrashers fan; have been since the inaugural season.

It’s not just the fact that these young men are famous- one rich and famous, one no-so-rich and although he was famous, he’s gained even more notoriety as of late. I hate watching young men and women have their dreams taken away much too early. I’ve seen it so many times.

Just 3 months ago, my aerobic mentor lost her son to a traffic accident. He was just 17. Smart, industrious, and a smile to melt for- his life was abruptly haled in a matter of seconds. All I can picture is the unfelt feelings, un-had good times, no college, no disappointments, no life chapters to conclude, all the people unmet, and family un-had.

As for Snyder, he had the world at his feet, just waiting to be snatched up. He wasn’t the millionaire you would assume him to be but it was within his grasp. Talent and ambition were his strengths. Hockey fans watched Snyder come into his own during the last couple of years. He would’ve been known more for his hockey than his early demise.

As for Heatley, my heart bleeds for his pain and loss. Was it an act of stupidity? Yes, no doubt we have all done stupid things unintentionally in our lives. Most of us have been fortunate enough not to have been dealt such a harsh reality, personal guilt, and legal punishment to deal with such mistakes.

Already a star in his own right: rookie of the year, MVP All-Star, and everybody’s favorite hockey player. Heatley was living and realizing his dream and we were all there cheering for him. We wanted him to succeed. This rising star was noticed and appreciated and will truly be missed as he deals with his grief and “debt to society” as it were.

Two men- one dead and one whose life will undoubtedly live in regret, repentance, and without his best friend. My heart goes out to both of you and your families.

As with any tragedy, this always hits close to home. It can really happen to anybody and it does. Unfortunately, that’s proven every day. Heatley and Snyder are two great examples of lives truncated by tragedy. As with any loss of those around us, talents, societal contributions, love, laughter, insights, ideas, and skills will go unrealized.

God bless you Snyder, may you rest in peace. Thank you for the good hockey times.

God bless you Heatley, that you may heal and find peace.

In the clouds

Last week I promised myself that I would take every ounce of energy I had and force myself to exercise while on the road. I did it!!! Don't get me wrong, I love working out but I find it very hard when I'm traveling. I missed Monday because I was traveling all day by plane and automobile. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill Tuesday and Wednesday and 20 minutes on the recumbant bike on Thursday. Plus, Thursday night, I taught a one hour kickboxing class and took a Karate class. You may think that 20 minutes is nothing but the intensity was great. I challenge anybody to take 20 minutes and kick it up a few notches.

I had a lot of chores to do over the weekend but I did them rigorously and I'm sure I broke a sweat. All in all I feel good. This week I'm headed to South Texas. My promise is to not only exercise no matter what or however little, but also to eat better. I'll be able to take Karate class twice this week and I'm teaching 2 TurboKick classes.

Have you ever hiked a mountain to the top and think, "Wow, I'm as high as the clouds. I'm in the sky?" I think that often. Last week while in the plane looking down, I was looking at clouds hovering around the tops of mountains and we were a good 25,000 feet higher than those clouds. I think about how now I'm in the clouds and in the sky and wonder what it's like to be in a space shuttle looking down on the earth.