Project 64: Week 6 Apricot

Another hard one this week, finding color during the drab winter is truly a challenge, even in the desert.  Most people think just because we are in the desert that we don't experience the change in seasons.  But the truth is, this year New Mexico has gone through one of the coldest winters I've seen since I moved here 10 years ago.

So as I set out this week trying to find some time between work and zumba and all the other million things a woman does in a week, I snapped some more shots around the downtown area.

There are two things I love most about downtown -- one -- the tall buildings which remind me where I came from and the other -- the murals!  Here's just a taste of beauty you find around every corner ...

some close ups

But my favorite for this weeks submission I think are these

An Ode to the White Stripes-RIP

Although my blogs are supposed to be good things I surround my self with on a daily basis there is of course always sad things too, but I thought about the good in the breaking up of my Most Favorite Band of All Time -- The White Stripes

The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, Their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Sincerely,
Meg and Jack White
The White Stripes

What do you ask is the good in this news?  Well it was because of the White Stripes that I began my journey as a drummer. 

In 2005, my husband's band at that time decided to call it quits.  We got wind that The White Stripes were going to be performing up at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

We drove up there psyched as all hell, we couldn't take the camera into the concert but here's a pre-concert pic from the show.

As you can tell, the show was amazing -- rainbows and all.  For a two man band, these guys rocked.  The drummer was Meg White

this tiny little chic who really pounded an impression, not only on the drums but in my heart.  Simple and bad ass.  As I watched her in awe, I said to myself, "I want to do that and I know I can if I try."  So a month after the concert I went out and bought my first drum kit. 

Of course, let's never forget Jack White, the guitarist and lead vocals and songwriter of The White Stripes.  But he's also one of my favorite musicians of all time.  In 2009 Rolling Stones named him No. 17 of their favorite 100 Guitarist of all times.  Jack has some other projects going on as well, that we like to follow such as The Raconteurs and the Dead Weather, which both bands have an array of musicians from other projects as the Kills, Queens of the Stone Age and the Greenhorns.
Otherthan their music, if you asked me if i could name one thing that sticks out the most about the band, I don't think I could really do that, because there's so much more to The White Stripes than just their music.

Their Mystery:

There was a lot of speculation around the band as to if the boy and girl combo were once married or that as they call themselves -- were "brother and sister." 

Their Appearance:

The colors of Black, White and Red are the true essence of the band.  You would think that you'd really limit yourself by doing this yet The White Stripes had no limit only potential.

Their Art Work:

Of course Their Sound:

To hear how truly special the White Stripes are, I will tell you this: When you visually see and hear them with your own two eyes you begin to understand the unique chemistry between Jack and Meg.  Check out the Icky Thump (one of the their last songs) video here:

 <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1OjTspCqvk8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

With that quick info on my take I have to say, Goodbye White Stripes you will be missed for many reasons to each of your fans

Project 64: Week 5 Grey

Whoo, this is a tough one.  I've search and squandered for this color around town. 

I've taken a few pictures thus far but nothing is quite grabbing me which is the main point of taking on this project. 

So what do most people in New Mexico capture on camera?  The sky.  Boring  most people would think but in capturing the true essence of this color and finding beauty as well, here's some pictures I was able to snap along the journey.

This is a pic of BBoy's feet while jamming with a friend one cold Monday night

My kit getting abused by yet another man

A building in downtown Albuquerque.  Kind of reminded me of the seams you would find on in a sneaker

Far away shot of the building.

A wall under the Big I.  Don't ask how I got this.  But still not quite the right shade of grey I am looking for ...

 I couldn't resist posting this pic.  It was taken from my front stoop Friday at sunset.  Que Bella!

Okay -- Grey, right ...

Not a money maker shot by any means, but I like how you can see how close we really are to touching the sky

But my favorite by all means so far in keeping the spirit of the color of the week



So this is has been my journey thus far.  I will travel many roads and come across many people along the way.  It will be filled with danger, as I'd like to visit more of downtown ABQ, but will be rewarded with many stories.

Zumba: First Day of Class

OMG ... this class is no joke.
First off, let me start by showing you the picture they put on the flyer to trap you into trying this class.

That's just plain old dirty!  Okay, sure why not -- you had me at hello.  And this is how I began to lour my girls into trying this class out.  There's nothing wrong with a little visual stimulation, right?  And who doesn't want abs like that?   

Okay, so this may not have been our actual instructor. 
I won't lie to you, this class is really hard on your feet, your knees and a bit hard on your back, there is a lot of twisting and hopping around -- my feet got really tired after about 30 minutes.  I have some issues with my back so I know I have limitations, and whatever your limitation is know it before doing anything like this.  I don't think my chiropractor would approve but there's not much that he gives me the okay to do and he's one of the only people I truly trust with my back.  But I need to live life a little too, so I did this workout at my own pace and had to substitute some of the moves with a few of my own. 

Did I mention the class was also a great time.  I love to dance, and I think once you learn the steps you can have an even better time.  The music is upbeat and the people in the class and the instructor were really down to earth.

So after the workout, I put a pack of cold berries on my lower back, I started feeling a bit beat up as time went on and decided to take an anti-inflammatory too.  A day after I'm feeling really good, my back is not hurting and to tell you the truth -- I'm really not sore.  I do have to admit, I have not checked in my girlie to find out if the feeling is mutual.    But I'm definitely going to try it again next week and hopefully get another victim to come with me.