Trombone Shorty

This past Sunday Maggie and I attended a concert at Red Butte Garden featuring one of my all time favorite musicians. Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is a New Orleans horn player who is masterful on both the trombone, as his name implies, but also the trumpet. He was the opening act for two New Orleans legends The Dirty Dozen Brass and Allen Toussaint. While I am familiar with the two headlining acts, I was there for Trombone Shorty. The guy blew me away, and I recommend all of my friends who like great fusion music to check him out. He blends elements of funk, second line jazz, rock and hip-hop seamlessly.

One of the best parts was that I was able to meet the band after the performance. They were signing copies of their new album Backatown. What was really cool is that I talked to them about their earlier stuff that I knew, and shows that I had watched them on. They all seemed really excited to meet a fan who had been listening to them for a while, and they made sure to shake my hand. It was was a memory making experience to be able to have followed a band for several years, have them get their major label record release and then meet them.

This conversation should illustrate Maggie's new found adoration for the Trombone Shorty.

Maggie: He's hot.
Colt: Is he?
Maggie: (Hold the album close to my face so I can see) Uh...yeah
Colt: laughs a little
Maggie: Yeah he may even go on my list of five
Colt: Really? Wow that is impressive
Maggie: Plus, he's not that famous yet so I might actually have a shot.
Colt: Wait...what?



PS: There will be a reunion blog coming soon. I just want to upload some pictures that I can post along with it, so please stay tuned.

Just a Small Town Girl

As the song Don't Stop Believing comes on the Ipod...

Maggie: This song is great. Why do people hate Journey?

Cue the next Journey song...

Maggie: Never mind I get it.

Tri-As He Might

Thoughts on my first Triathlon

*I now have even greater respect for superheros after wearing a wet suit, rubber is hot.

*Mobile bathrooms, become less gross the more you need one.

*Sorry Bobby Boucher Jr., Gatorade is better.

*Salem Springs' pond does not taste great.


*Red Vines are an excellent recovery food, Pay-Days are excellent race fuel.

*Triathlons are addictive.

*Racing around farms and having people bang cowbells at you on your bike, really allows you to pretend you are in the Tour de France. This is of course a very a happy delusion.

*Someone turned a giant piece of farm equipment into a dragon with a sign that says, "Don't Feed the Dragon". Neat.

*Look Llamas.

*Having people chant "BEARD, BEARD, BEARD" and "GO BEARD GO" is awesome.

*Only slightly more awesome is winning the prize of a high quality new bike bag solely because of your ability to grow facial hair like a Norse God.

*DZ Nuts is essential to success.

Musical Rundown
I only used music during the run portion of the race, and then I only started at the half way point. It made an enormous difference. I immediately felt energized, and picked up the pace instantly at the point I decided to turn on my the Ipod.

*Under Pressure-Queen
First song to come on is a perfect way to revive the lost energy. Queen as long been the band best associated with stadium soundtracks.

*NFL Films Soundtrack
The orchestra playing rousing music while John Facenda grizzled voice speaks of blitzing linebackers, Vince Lombardi and the gridiron as the floor of the ancient Roman coliseum even though you are not in anyway resembling football still manages to stir up all of the masculinity stored in your body and push you further.

*Stronger-Kanye West
I'll let all you haters finish in a minute, but I gotta say Kanye recorded one of the best work out songs of all time.

*Iron Man-Black Sabbath
Tommy Iommi's guitar and Ozzy's vocals...nuff said.

*Shipping Up to Boston-Dropkick Murpheys
Finding your wooden leg while being genuinely pissed off seem to echo the feeling during the last minutes of triathlon.

*Black Friday Rule-Flogging Molly
Again, when you are just needing to harness the anger to push yourself nothing beats Irish Punk.

*Blitzkrieg Bop-The Ramones
Fast and furious excellent for when you want to make a move and pass some fools.

*Beautiful Day-U2
The song I like to end all of my runs with with. It captures the zen feeling of seizing the day and experiencing life that running/biking/swimming on a perfect sunny day bring to pass. Beautiful Day encompasses the experience you are in the midst of because the rush of endorphins merged with weeks of training and sense of accomplishment all collide to great a day you don't want to let slip away.

Use a Condom Please!

By Maggie:

Those of you who read our blog already know that I listen to NPR (National Public Radio) regularly. Well the other day there was some sort of public announcement from Planned Parenthood. I am paraphrasing but this is the gist: Smoking pot and drinking Mountain Dew does not lower sperm count enough to prevent pregnancy. I am so disturbed that there are people in the world thinking that if they get stoned enough or/and drink enough Mountain Dew they don't need a legitimate form of birth control. This is one of the many reasons why I think there should be comprehensive sex education in schools.

It Also Helps You Bang Your Head

-Colt

As I am walking across the street to my office's cafateria to purchase a hard boiled egg, an old man rolls down the window of his truck.

Old Man:Hey You!

Colt:What?

Old Man:Why is hair and beard so long?

Colt: Because the 60's happened, The Beatles invaded, and Eric Clapton told me to let it grow.

Old Man: *scowls and rolls up his window.

Fresh Scent

By: Maggie

Scene: Maggie has just gone running and is now doing yoga when Colt comes into the room. Maggie is in Warrior II.

Colt: What is that? Is that you?

Maggie: What?

Colt: Something smells really good.

Maggie: Well I doubt it is me. I have been sweating like crazy.

Colt: (leans in and smells Maggie) It is you. (smells again) Wow you smell really good.

Maggie: Really that is strange.

Colt: (smells Maggie again) yeah it is you huh you smell...fresh and clean.

Maggie: Ummm.... Thanks

InFlexiable.

By Maggie:

I try to go to a yoga class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 AM. I have a very black or white mentality when it comes to exercise (among other things). I was training for a race last year missed one week of training and never went back. I have gone running since then but not with the same verve or consistency. Last fall I was going to this yoga class regularly until I got a few early morning appointments that conflicted with it and I had not gone to the class again until last week. It seems like my schedule has worked out in a way that at least for now I can go.

How do I get back in the habit once I break it? Just power through and force myself? Maybe, but I am very stubborn. My mom always said that if I could channeled my stubbornness into positive things that I could do anything and that no one could make me do anything I did not want to do. Well tomorrow is a yoga day so we will see whether my desire for sleep or for stretch is stronger. Wish me luck!