August Lifestyle Challenge

Yes, it's been a crazy summer...many serious ups and many serious downs on this roller-coaster. Along the way, I fumbled on several things, including the monthly Lifestyle Challenges.

For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example:

1) Exercise - set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us posted weekly (or more) on your progress!

2) Creativity - Music, art, writing, acting...set a goal to complete by month's end. Keep us posted!

3) Read a book - Old, new, or something in between. Start now, finish by month's end. Tell us what it is!

4) Professional life - Set a work goal or change jobs or....just tell us what it is and keep us posted!

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So, my personal stuff....I dropped the ball on the "Guitar Gods" interview series. However, in early June I did not one, but TWO awesome interviews that will go on-line this month:space-age guitar wizard Dave Martone and 70s guitar legend Frank Marino. Damn right!

We have several very cool gigs...just did the Almira Benefit at the KY Theater and are off to do "Heroes Night Out" for the wounded soldiers at Ft. Knox, then back to Lexington for the 2nd Almira benefit (this one at Busters), a few radio & TV interviews to promo the gigs, and then back into the rehearsal studio to complete the writing for the new Alien Blue CD (being recorded in Atlanta at Open Sky Studio).

I finished Jared Lanier's new book "You Are Not a Gadget" and have started re-reading "The Iliad". Nothing like that Greek sense of excellence!

Getting back on track with the workouts...they were pretty light throughout the past 4-5 weeks. Gotta add some extra cardio in there somewhere.

How about YOU?

Almira Fawn

I don't have an "official" comment - I'm still trying to wrap my head around all that has happened. But this piece by Michael Johnathon is beautifully written and says, I think, all that needs to be said for right now.

http://woodsongs.blogspot.com/2010/06/lost-little-girl.html

June 2010 Lifestyle Challenge!

Due to some e-mails I received....Something a bit different for this month's challenge.

Pick & choose, or make up your own!

1) Exercise - set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us posted weekly (or more) on your progress!

2) Creativity - Music, art, writing, acting...set a goal to complete by month's end. Keep us posted!

3) Read a book - Old, new, or something in between. Start now, finish by month's end. Tell us what it is!

4) Professional life - Set a work goal or change jobs or....just tell us what it is and keep us posted!

So here are mine....

1) Increase reps on my pull-ups in attempt to get back to world record pace. Drop bodyfat percentage roughly 2 points per month until I'm under 9%...in time to close in on that elusive 40+ pull-ups in 60 seconds.

2) Complete all writing & demo-ing for the new Alien Blue CD - to be recorded in July at Open Sky Studio (Atlanta)!

3) Just cracked open an old collection of world mythology. It didn't have Gilgamesh, but I've already worked thru short versions of Greek, Roman, & Norse myths. I'm on King Arthur, Charlemagne, & Robin Hood now. Next stop: Africa!

4) Record & release several pre-release video clips for Alien Blue. Book a few more gigs. Secure funding for guitar performance clinics with special guests (like last year's Muriel Anderson gig).

How about YOU?

Feelin' GOOD!

Yeah...the new Alien Blue material is coming together wickedly (hahaha!!!) and we're throwing it out there this weekend at the Common Grounds gig (with opening act Tubanjo from Cincinnati, OH) this Friday night.

We were hoping to record the new CD in Atlanta at Mike Froedge's Open Sky Studio, but logistics might fail. If so, we're chatting with a few top-flight facilities in Lexington. Either way, the new Alien Blue disc will be a pro-level product...ready for prime time (hahaha!).

Sunday's recital rocked...check out the picture of Sydney playing her Dean acoustic (autographed by actress & country singer Laura Bell Bundy).

Also....had a great workout today, and tonight I do a second, short workout when I get home.

Morning workout:

Push-ups (200), sit-ups (600), calf raises (500), plus some extra work with light weights for continued shoulder rehab.

Evening workout:

Pull-ups (50) and chin-ups (50).

Tomorrow will be push-ups, 1/2 bridges, and squats, plus shoulder rehab. I'm holding off on the punching bag for a few weeks, then I'll slowly add that back in. Working those pulls & chins back to the 100-150 per workout, then going for a personal best (& maybe more)......

May Lifestyle Challenge

For those new to the "Lifestyle Challenges", well, it's all about self-analysis & improvement. Pushing yourself just a little or a lot. I list some of my goals, then ask about yours, which you can post to share with everyone. Lotsa mutual support here!

Sooo....It's time for the May Lifestyle Challenge!!!

What are YOUR personal or professional goals? Writing songs? Reading a book? Changing your diet? Exercise? De-cluttering your life? Re-committing to a project or loved one?

My personal goals include more intense & productive workouts (& more pull-ups/chin-ups!); professional goals include reviving "A Personal Note" (more on that later) and playing & promoting more events like last year's Muriel Anderson gig; musical goals include completing the writing & pre-production on the new Alien Blue songs.

How about YOU???