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May 1st, 2012
I recently saw the wonderful movie "The Iron Lady." We wanted to see it because we are big fans of Meryl Streep and wanted to see her Academy Award winning performance. She was brilliant, as always, though as Lee says, we like her so much that we could watch her read the phone book and be riveted!
In the movie, Meryl plays Margaret Thatcher, and one line in the movie in particular really struck me. As an older woman, looking back on her days as prime minister, she is greeted by a fan who thanks her for the great influence she had on younger women who followed her, and on women in general. In the movie, Margaret says:
"It used to be about trying to Do Something, now it's about trying to Be Someone."
I was thunderstruck by this comment, as it encapsulates so much about our current culture that I find frustrating. It used to be that you would ask a young person what they wanted to be "when they grew up" and they would say "doctor, fireman, astronaut, teacher…."…something they wanted to DO. Now if you ask a young person this same question, they will likely say "I want to be famous" or "i want to be a Kardashian." In other words, they want to be someone famous or important.
I always liked that in order to be famous or important, someone had to DO something, make some contribution to the world. Even the so called "personalities" of the past had real talent or comedic skills. Now someone is famous for nothing…appearing on a reality TV show and embarrassing themselves. Or having a sex tape. Or having money.
So like Ms. Thatcher, I lament this change, and continue to strive to be doing something that is worthwhile and helps the world in some way. I encourage you to do the same. Don't work toward simply being someone that people know about, but strive to have a REASON for their knowing about you…and a reason that you and your mother could both be proud of.
Posted in Fitness, Music | 2 Comments »
March 27th, 2012
I recently saw the wonderful movie "Midnight In Paris" by Woody Allen. I recommend it highly to anyone who is involved in any sort of creative field…which will be anyone reading this blog, most likely! So put this film at the top of your Netflix Queue and watch it ASAP!
In the "extras" on the DVD was an interview with Woody Allen and many of the stars in the film which was recorded at the Cannes Film Festival. In this interview, Woody said something that I have heard many times, and which we keep hearing over and over in Roundtable interviews. The actors were talking about the amount of space and latitude they were given by Woody, and how little he actually told them about how to play their part. Woody said that he felt his role was to hire the right actors and then let them do their job. He stayed out of their way, and then "took credit for their great work later"…something Woody said that all great directors do!
So Woody Allen, one of the great film directors and writers of his generation, made the point that he hires the right people with right skills and talents, and then stays out of their way and lets them do their job.
There is a great lesson here for all of us in the creative world of marching arts. Over and over we have had VERY successful directors and managers and creators say on the Marching Roundtable podcast that they hire good people and then let them do their job.
 Many nervous and insecure directors can find this extremely difficult, but it never serves them well. I cannot tell you how many times a director has second-guessed and MICRO-MANAGED my work, and almost every time this fearful over-managing has sucked all the life and originality out of my work. Of course, I'm not always perfect and not every idea I've ever had has turned out to be a home run. But my percentage of success is pretty darn good, and most of my best work has come when I was given the freedom to run with my vision and implement it fully.
Of course this all assumes that you hire good people who know what they are doing. Make sure they have a track record of success and intregrity. If you want to give a new designer a chance, have them work WITH another seasoned veteran for the first few projects to help to guide them. And don't let this newbie run the show alone. I've been through that train wreck scenario before, too!
So take a note from Woody Allen…or any number of successful people….and let the people you hire do their job. Many times, staying out of their way can be the greatest gift you can give to them, and to your program.
Posted in Music | No Comments »
March 17th, 2012
I am dismayed that one of the trends in today's society is the tendency to isolate oneself in a bubble. People walk around with their head down, looking at their phone, and not interacting with the environment they are passing through…or others they may meet. Everyone at the gym has on headphones, which cuts interaction by members at least in half, if not more.
It seems self-evident to me that my life benefits if those around me are happy and prospering, and that our society benefits if we help each other out. Somehow many people today feel that we should cut all spending and eliminate social programs to keep more money in our own pockets (and pay less taxes.) Even as I'd love to have more money in my pocket, I know that my life benefits in MANY ways, not just by the size of my bank account. And living in a prosperous world with happy citizens enhances my life experience astronomically. I can worry less about crime and hardship around me as others are successful and contribute to our society and economy.
We all need life experiences that teach us these lessons about our society. I do believe we are truly "All in this together." It is my wish that every young person has experiences in a group setting, as part of some exciting organization, that show them the great benefits of working together for common goals, and helping those who are less talented or less fortunate to be valuable contributing members of the group.
Some students are on sports teams, or in civic groups. Some belong to church groups, where many types of people can gather to accomplish good things. In my life, I was very fortunate to spend many years in all types of performing ensembles. My time in the band showed me that we can all succeed only when we work together. Only by being tolerant and patient and helping those who are struggling can any performing group succeed.
So please support your local music organizations when possible, and encourage young people to be involved. Sure, a high school student can get a job instead and make some money, getting a head start into our mania for capitalism, but how much more might they grow as a person, as a member of our society, if they learn valuable lessons as part of a musical group, working together for the common good.
Posted in Music | No Comments »
March 15th, 2012
Each day as I'm working, my animal companions Gus and Sophia patiently wait for the time when we will go for our walk. It's usually the highlight of their day, and often happens around the same time. Since I work at home, there are clear signs to them that "it's time" for the walk. The first clue is usually when I go into my bedroom and get some socks out of the drawer. This is usually enough to let them know that shoes are next and then "we're off!"
What I always find fascinating about this process is that as soon as the dogs realize what's happening and that a walk is about to happen, they do the same thing each day. Gus immediately begins to stretch, and Sophia runs into the kitchen for a quick drink of water. They instinctively know what they will need to be successful and healthy on their upcoming bit of exercise.
So let's take a lesson from our instinctive animal friends and follow their lead. Before we are about to exercise, or be active in any way, take a moment to stretch and have a drink of water! Your instincts know it's just what you need!
Posted in Fitness | 1 Comment »
March 11th, 2012
The new year at the gym always brings new members trying to accomplish their New Year's Resolutions. This year at our little LA Fitness, we also added a slew of members from a Bally's Gym that LA Fitness bought, dumping all those members at our gym. It's been a bit of a double whammy, which we could likely navigate except for one point…. Our gym has always been full of "unusual characters" (what gym is not, actually), but the recent crop of new members has taken the cake.
It's a real "Believe it or Not" kind of crowd. Exhibit A? The guy doing cardio while wearing a full-out gas mask. Yes, like the one in the picture. In fact, the next time he showed up I snuck a picture. It's grainy, but there he is doing bench presses while breathing like Darth Vader. Supposedly there is some concept of restricting air, possibly for working in high altitudes??!!??
The main problem with gas mask guy is the impact on the rest of the gym. We seem to acquire a shared case of the willies. It's just unnerving to have someone working out near you in this get-up.
So hopefully we will not see this guy much, and we can continue to try to live with all the other strange behaviors that we have to put up with. One this is for sure, it's never boring!
Posted in Fitness | No Comments »
March 1st, 2012
Once again, an attempt to do something helpful has gotten people in an uproar. It seems that in this world we live in, this happens more often than not.
Today there was an interesting article in the Orlando Sentinel (click HERE to see the article) about a new exhibit at Epcot at Walt Disney World. The exhibit was about Childhood Obesity and was full of colorful and entertaining exhibits encouraging children to exercise and make smart food choices.
Unfortunately, this was all perceived as an attack on fat children, and the exhibit is now closed for "retooling."
So let me get this straight…we have a well-documented EPIDEMIC of childhood obesity, but if we even point this out, or make someone aware that maybe they need to lose a few pounds, eat right, or exercise, we are attacking them for being fat? I am dizzy from all the eye rolling.
Surely, no one thinks it's okay to purposefully hurt someone's feelings or denigrate them. However, is it now NOT okay to make suggestions to someone to improve their health and lifestyle? Is ANY recommendation now seen as an affront? Apparently the "National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance" thinks so. I'm okay with acceptance, or tolerance. But when kids are getting sick and dying because our culture coddles them, or no longer asks them to move, or eat anything beyond McDonald's…then something is out of whack.
It's time we looked this epidemic in the eye and made some hard choices. It's not fun to hear that one is out of shape or in danger of getting a serious illness because of the extra pounds that they carry. But if we can't even have a conversation about it, something's amiss. And if a cartoon character named "Callie Stenics" is the bad guy for asking someone to maybe exercise just a smidgen, then I think our culture is in a world of trouble.
Posted in Fitness | 1 Comment »
February 20th, 2012
I attended a band rehearsal which was held after school on a hot September day. I was there as a clinician, working with the band on their show. During the course of the rehearsal, the kids started dropping like flies. At first a student or two asked to leave the field because they didn't feel well. By mid-rehearsal there were literally 12 to 15 kids on the sideline. Granted, it was a hot day, but how was it that all the other students and I were able to perservere and get some work done?
After some questions and general sleuthing, the news came out that most if not all of these "sick feeling" students on the sideline had not eaten lunch. So they were out in the hot sun after a long school day, trying to rehearse without any fuel in their bodies. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the problem then.
Our latest podcast on the Marching Roundtable is about Nutrition. (Listen at www.marchingroundtable.com.) Nutritionist Gary Granata talks about fueling your body for success, and primarily about the importance of keeping fuel in your body regularly all throughout the day. It's true for anyone that they should eat or drink something nutritious every few hours, and they should tailor their input according to what they are about to do.
Marchers need to have adequate fuel in their bodies before they start a rehearsal, and they need to replenish during the rehearsal also. It's very easy to have sports drinks availalable for breaks during rehearsals, and also some healthy energy bars. The impact of this nourishment to the productivity of a rehearsal cannot be overstated.
And, of course, the same good fuel is needed before a performance. On our podcast, Gary tells an interesting story of his work with the Avon HS band and the impact that proper nutrition had on their performances at Grand Nationals!
And finally, make sure that proper recovery takes place AFTER a rehearsal or performance, including some good nutrition to replenish and nourish tired muscles. Don't overlook this important aspect of your program! Take note, make plans, and reap the rewards!
Posted in Music | No Comments »
February 17th, 2012
There is a current trend in fitness of group cross-training sessions. Participants travel quickly from station to station performing a series of exercises. The quick movement between sets keeps the heart-rate up, thus creating an environment to reduce fat and build strength and stamina at the same time.
When properly taught and supervised, these group sessions can be a powerful way to motivate and encourage each other as we train together. Unfortunately, the opposite can also be true.
At my gym, the training staff is quite sub-par. They have created these group sessions, but they are designed and run in a way that is maddening and frustrating for all of us who are not participating.
First, the sessions SHOULD take place out of the way, not in the middle of a busy area. Imagine a busy time at the gym with many members maneuvering around to find the workout stations and equipment they need. NOW imagine a group of loud young adults parked in the middle of this area, blocking traffic lanes, monopolizing equipment, and being generally disruptive.
NOW add to this an attitude of disregard for those around you. Of course, this goes hand-in-hand with the blocking of traffic, but it also means that basic behavior is not appropriate to a good gym atmosphere. On top of this, these participants are not being taught correct form and are often in danger of hurting themselves or others.
Somewhere along the way, these young people were taught that these grueling training sessions were more for show than for work. Unfortunately, these sessions at my gym have turned into a giant ego event for all involved. Weights are thrown around and dropped onto concrete floors from great heights. Lots of yelling and screaming ensues, and even shirts are taken off so they can parade around and share their sweaty magnificence.
Of course, some simple supervision and teaching would take care of this very quickly, but it's clear that they have been taught this behavior, and it has not been discouraged. Many of us have complianed to the gym management repeatedly and they make a few token steps to reign things in, but until the trainers in charge improve, the situation looks dire.
Which brings us to the title of this post. My witty workout partner, John, and I will now often find ourselves in the middle of a productive and serene workout when we see the "usual suspects" from these groups start to arrive at the gym. Like dark clouds rolling in, our moods start to darken as we anticipate the orgy of stupidness that will soon ensue. And, as John pegged it, we feel we are in the "Calm before the bad form."
Here's hoping that our complaints start to bring some changes. It's a disservice not only to the other gym members, but actually to those involved in these groups who are learning bad habits and being encouraged to be bad gym citizens. And it has certainly not improved our moods or enjoyment of our workouts. Enough, already!
Posted in Fitness | 2 Comments »
February 15th, 2012
Star Wars, Episode One: The Phantom Menace is back in theaters, this time in a new 3-D version. I'm not a fan of these "conversions" of regular films, as they often just make my eyes hurt. I feel that great movies are engaging enough without the gimmicks.
Along with the release was a very interesting article in Entertainment Weekly about the actor who played Jar-Jar Binks. One of the most maligned characters ever, Jar-Jar was apparently a favorite on the set, and all the cast thought he would be a huge hit with audiences. Of course, they couldn't have been more wrong.
The lesson for us "creative types" is clear. You can't always hit the home run. Even in the wildly popular and lucrative Star Wars universe, things don't always pan out as expected. So if George Lucas can occasionally miss…and still end up okay, we should take heart and have courage.
As you are planning your show and making creative decisions, be bold and take some chances. If you want to create something "extraordinary" then you must, by definition, do something that is NOT ORDINARY. You may end up with a Jar-Jar moment, but you also might end up with a Darth Vadar, or R2D2!
In every creative career, there are hits and misses, but it's the persistence and bravery to try that sets the true winners apart. Me-sa think you going to be okay! Now get busy!
Posted in Music | No Comments »
February 14th, 2012
I wanted to make sure and share this photo collage that has been making the rounds on Facebook lately. I actually think that the person that created this really has it spot on!
So much in life is about how we perceive things, our point of view, and we must accept the fact that everyone is viewing us and our work through their own filter. So why ARE we worrying so much about the opinions of others?? Enjoy:
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