"Throw your heart over the bars and your body will follow." - Bob Mathias

I'm ready to throw my heart over the bar, on a pole and into the bay!

Outside of My New Place

So, Lots and Lots has happened since my last post.  I've gotten more settled into my new place, all that's missing is my bed! The biggest news is I’ve had my first training day. Now that was a blast.  Friday was a collage of a few of the fun things that I'll get a chance to play with this summer. Swimming, and poles and wetsuits, Oh my!

We started the day with a light jog and a yoga like stretching session. I was happy to discover that my splits were back in action.  The warm weather has been very nice to my body, I’ve found that most of my aches and pains that have been bothering me over the past month or so feel pretty good.  After we were sufficiently warmed up, we played on the Chinese Poles for a while. Now that was absolutely awesome. All of the women they cast this year have had at least a bit of experience with the poles, so when it came time to learn things we were rocking it right from the start. We “learned” climbs and three of the major poses that will be used in the production. All of which aren’t all that difficult. I ended up having a little trouble with the third but they’ll be awesome come showtime. Unfortunately women haven’t typically been choreographed to do any of the cool pole moves, but the ladies and I are hoping to change that this summer. All of us are strong enough and we’re all definitely interested. 

We finished our morning workout at about 12:30, and went to our lunch brake. I had the salmon they served at the employee café. It’s delicious. Slightly overcooked but a good source of fish protein, and good to eat as a mid-day meal.

Our Set! 

After lunch we started water training. Almost everyone jumped into the water by doing a backflip off of the Poles into the water. I didn’t... yet... but I will before the end of the summer. We then went to the barge in the middle of the stadium and the men proceeded to play around. They threw awesome tricks, it was like watching a free gymnastics show. Everyone here is really talented and definitely willing to share the information that they have. While I couldn’t participate in their tumbling competition two of the guys helped me work on my standing back tuck. It’s getting better and I’ll have it solid by the end of the summer.

We then proceeded to do the swimming portion of the day’s workout. I’m not that strong of a swimmer so it was an adventure, but I made my way through it and I felt way strong when it was over.  At the end of the day I was beat. It made a day at the Warehouse feel like child’s play. I can’t wait to see what happens this week. It’s going to be insane but absolutely amazing.

Friday night I was supposed to go hang out with some of my cast mates, but I got home and passed out. I couldn’t get myself out of bed after 8 and ended up crashing. It was my body’s way of telling me that it’s had enough. I slept really well and got up early enough to enjoy brunch with my new friend Elaine. She’s also going to be working on the nets with me this summer. 

After brunch with Elaine I went to Aerial Revolutions,  it’s an aerial studio here in San Diego. I met up with two of my cast mates, Elizabeth and Trevor, and did a skills exchange. I learned 15 new things in an hour and a half and I’ve registered to take an acrobalancing class on Monday night. The classes are so cheap here. It only costs $10 to work out and $150/month for unlimited classes.  I was worried I wouldn’t be able to afford training here, but I think it’ll be just fine.

I met up with Garland, Jennifer and Cooper for a delightful evening. We went to Sprinkles cupcakes. Jen and I enjoyed a Red Velvet cupcake that was absolutely amazing, and Garland had a Dark Chocolate one. The Red Velvet was clearly the winner. It might have been the best cupcake I’ve ever had.  

Both of our cupcakes

        

Jen, Cooper and G!

Jen and I enjoying our Red Velvet

The biggest adventure of the night came when Serenity—I’ve officially named my car—couldn’t get up one of the hills near where my friend lives. It was just shy of 90 degrees it looked impossible to go up and I’m just not good enough at driving a stick to get Serenity to move like that so I just gave up and went around the long way.  Note to self, work on the transitions as in going from to gear to gear.

Our Beautiful Breakfast!

Today I met up with Dennis, Kyle and Alex and had brunch. We made pancakes, sausage and a mushroom and onion scramble. The oven wasn't working and I fixed it by light the pilot light. Breakfast was delicious. Dennis, Ben and I decided to try to move my mattress on the top of Ben’s truck.  We then decided against it. It just didn’t seem like the best idea. So my brother, his roommate and his girlfriend are going to move it for me tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll also put together my Ikea furniture too. My brother is just awesome like that!

Tonight is just for relaxing. Watching the Red Sox kick Yankee butt and resting before my dad comes to visit!

I get to fly on a new rig tomorrow, I'm throwing my heart over a new bar, I hope it's as great to me as the one at the Warehouse.  Wish me luck!