Comments | mamagotcha: Masquerade! and an update

mamagotcha

Masquerade! and an update

Oct 28, 2007 17:43

A few weeks ago, I read about a local historical group resurrecting a turn-of-the-century Kansas City tradition, the Priests of Pallas Ball. It sounded like fun, but the tickets were $85 a pop... so I called and asked if they needed any volunteers. I wound up helping at the ticket booth, and needed a mask for the event. ( Here's what happened... )

masquerade, kids, mask, update, priest of pallas

Comments 15

genderfur October 29 2007, 01:25:44 UTC

haven't even read the writing part yet, and I just have to say: what a *great* mask!

mamagotcha October 29 2007, 04:00:31 UTC

Thanks! It was fun to do once I finally got the method figured out (fabric stretched over wire with a heavy paper backing, all attached with a glue gun)... I'd stressed on it all week, trying this and that and the other, with weepy spells and headaches punctuating the whole process, but once I got into the flow it felt great. I only wish I'd had more time to futz with the little jewel things... maybe run 'em around the edges. Still, I love how it turned out, and it was easy to wear all night (didn't press on the glasses hard enough to give my nose an ache).

(The comment has been removed)

mamagotcha October 29 2007, 04:05:58 UTC

Thanks!

Re: the boxers. Soothes those rusty bumpers! I really try to avoid character clothing as much as possible, but it was either these or Spiderman... and frankly, the Spidey shorts looked just a little bit scary, at least to be tucking your privates into. So Speed it was.

via_lens October 29 2007, 03:02:16 UTC

Does your doc have you taking Coromega? You don't mention by name. I swear by the stuff for Omega-3, and Logan will even take it as long as he gets it down quickly. It's orange-flavored with a weird aftertaste. There's a bit of sticker shock on it until you realize each box is a 90-day supply. (I think I pay around $20/box for it, and buy when it's on sale.)

The 10-minute cardio warmup followed by large muscle weight work is what definitely worked wonders for me when I had a trainer. And it's okay to do just weights on days when you're pressed for time. It adds up. One thing my trainer was really strict about was working to the point of "burn" but not to the point of shaking. Over time I was able to find that spot, and to determine how many reps I could do with a brief rest in between, without ever getting to the shaky stage. Now that I'm cycling every day I'm amazed at how much benefit I got from just a little bit of weight work each day (sometimes just squats across the living room for 10 minutes).

mamagotcha October 29 2007, 04:16:04 UTC

The one she recommended was Nordic Naturals, and it's got a lemon flavor. There is a teensy aftertaste, but I must say it's the texture that gets to me. I pop an Altoid right after, to get the juices flowing and wash it all away. Brrr. A bottle was $30 on sale, but it'll last a while ( ... )

via_lens October 29 2007, 04:35:00 UTC

Coromega has a pudding/yogurt texture, and comes in what looks like a ketchup packet. I often mix mine into my morning fruit smoothie, but it does make that aftertaste last a while longer.

The "shaking" is not shaking all over, but rather when the muscles begin to quiver at the apex of the lift. The 'burn' is kind of an ache, yes. To me it's always a distinct sensation of increased heat and tingling.

One of my favorites: If you have a big ball (if you don't, get a burst-proof one, I've had one burst on me and it's no fun) you can use it to do a modification of squats that will let you keep your knee within limits: rest your lower back on the ball with your knees bent and hold a single barbell weight (I go with 10 pounds). Then slowly lower yourself forward as if you were squatting down to a range you're comfortable with, and then push yourself back up (rolling the ball a bit) to nearly straightened out, leaning back on the ball. This helps not just with the squat muscles but also with your core muscles to keep you balanced.

mamagotcha October 29 2007, 14:55:14 UTC

Yes, we do have a ball! It WAS burst-proof... until my darling PhD decided to put the cat on it, "just to see what happens." He very kindly bought me another one.

So when I'm resting the lower back on the ball, am I essentially lying down on it? I'd sit down, lie back, and roll forward?

Thread 7

jedusor October 29 2007, 05:05:27 UTC

I miss you too! I don't think I've made it through a single Bay Area social event without someone asking after you- you are well loved here. Jeffrey said he'd help Grandpa figure out the wireless connection, so hopefully I'll be back on AIM soon, but you can always call. Look on the bright side: at least now you don't have to make three different versions of each meal!

That mask is awesome. Keep posting about Link- I kind of miss the little bugger.

Regarding Clay and classes... it's not necessarily a bad idea to keep his credits down while he's young. I've got way too many, and I suspect it will pose a problem as I transfer.

lunacow October 29 2007, 09:26:40 UTC

You got *two hours* with your doctor?!? Wow, that's great, I'm glad you have a doc who gives you the time you need.

Good to hear updates from you!

mamagotcha October 30 2007, 02:38:15 UTC

Yep, she's great. She doesn't do insurance at all... if people want to submit to their insurance, she has office help to support that, but she doesn't deal with the companies herself at all, which leaves her able to really connect with her clients. The first time we saw her, right after Linc was born, her services were partly covered, but now we have a different plan that doesn't cover her at all. I love her philosophy, and she seems to like me, too (she noticed and commented on a letter to the editor I had printed the week before I saw her last month!).

Looking forward to your NaNo progress reports (and, of course, the new novel itself)!