Tag: fun

Snippet of Summer

300 things to do, and

we went down to the beach.

In a tide of families

casting a net around the summer sun.


And briefly, my soul sang like

water over beach rocks

Before my mind recalled

A sundry list of things I’d left undone.

Hitting the Week Running

I ran 6 miles yesterday, and I am definitely feeling it.  I am getting back to running!  Although it is hard to come to terms with my current limits, (did I really used to be able to run 18 miles at a stretch?) just being out and being well enough to pound pavement is such a gift.

Running and I go way back.  I was never fast, and I was far from being “athletic” as a kid.  I guess I always admired runners, and was fascinated by the sport. Once I finally got to know long slow distance, I kinda fell in love.

Like with weightlifting or the theater, I think once you pass a certain point you’re an addict. I love it, but it comes with a bundle of nerves every time.  That feeling lasts at least until I manage to get going, although I sometimes even get butterflies about running while I’m running.  It’s a strange feeling; like I am not sure if I can do it, even though I have done it plenty of times before.  But the nerves are bundled up with joyful excitement too. There’s this primitive part of my brain that is always ecstatic about running.  That’s enough for me to keep returning to it.

Even if the road was tough, you can’t help but feel better after a run.  I struggled a bit yesterday to find my pace.  Still, around mile 3 I finally figured it out, and I felt pretty great from there.  It is nice to be happily recovering on Monday morning.  

I feel like I’m ready, more or less, to start another week.  I am hoping to be all-round “better” this week; more productive, more active, and more in line with my own ideals.  I am trying to do more of what matters to me, and still working on that work-life balance thing.  Running seems like a good start for that.

 

Interview With Krissy Holmes On Here and Now

There was a piece on me tonight on Here and Now.  🙂

I had a lovely conversation with Krissy Holmes yesterday, about my involvement in Canada’s Smartest Person.  Overall, I think it went fairly well.

302_jennifermartin_thumb
My “Participant” image from CBC!

Perhaps my Paganism kinda takes over, but it’s hard for it not to, when my house is awash in stones and pentacles!  Anywho, it’s honest, and you can get to know THE REAL JENNNQ MARTIN a little better by watching it, if you’d like.

Plus, there are briefly naked ladies!  This is because Krissy asked I would draw tarot cards about my experience, and I agreed, and I drew three naked ladies.  This is quite a feat since I was only drawing three cards, and most of the cards in the deck truly are collections of cups and swords and the like.  (Also, two of the three cards were Major Arcana, which gives you some insight as to where this whole experience sits for me!)  So, yeah… naked ladies, pervs!  (Also my cat.  My cat is there the whole dang time.  Practically turned herself inside out for the camera person, actually.)

I can’t embed the video, so you have to click on this ridiculous word:

spanghew

 

Can’t wait ’til Sunday when they air my episode!  (I will be posting more very soon!)

Well look who’s back in the blogosphere…

-Jennnq

5 Cool Tunes I’m Listening to

Every morning when I get up, I turn on the radio.  My car is full of CD’s.  I will sing at the drop of a hat, and usually for much less than that.  I prefer to shower only when the mini Bose speaker we have is hooked up to my phone via Bluetooth, and it’s playing one of my awesome YouTube playlists.  Did I mention my YouTube playlists???  I have one for everything, of course!  Workouts, summers on the deck, late at night, parties, and several for Hallowe’en. 😉

Then there are the records Jason and I listen to, and the occasional concerts and live shows we love to get out for (how we actually met).  I also couldn’t forget all of those hours logged listening to my favourite jams as I run across the city, or lift weights, or, well, basically do anything.  (I even had a birthing playlist, for when I was in hospital with my daughter.  At one point, I scrapped it entirely in favour of Rob Zombie, but that’s a whole other story!)  

The obvious truth is, I simply can’t imagine my life without music.  It’s part of almost everything I do, and it still holds the power to make me excited every day.

So, I’m passing on a few audio goodies.  Just 5 songs I love.  I am aiming to be quite varied here, so if you hate one of these, chances are there might still be a surprise here you will appreciate!      

 

  • “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”  A well-known classic, but this version is extra-special.  This one is the performance at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions.  EVERY artist here is a heavy-hitter, but if you HAVEN’T seen this cut (yes, I know it’s been going around), you simply must watch it and wait.  You will probably think it is quite good.  And THEN PRINCE will show up, and he will MELT YOUR FACE OFF.  I’m not kidding.  His guitar solo at the end is enough to leave the finest guitarists gaping in his wake. Get ready to chant “we’re not worthy!!!”

 

  • “Frenzy”  It’s awesome to go way back musically sometimes.  This song is from 1957, and it is…well, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins doesn’t really have any equal, so it’s hard to describe.  I have never heard another voice like this.  It might just put a smile on your face! 🙂

 

  • “Mr. Midnight”  We play The Devil Makes Three a LOT around the house, but I realize they aren’t that well-known.  This is not the type of music high school me would have approved of, as it is bluegrass, but I absolutely LOVE IT now.  I can thank Jason for this one. It’s fun, the musicians are talented, and it might just win you over to the twangy side too.  Check it out!

 

  • http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIw1BQIvT4“She’s a Bad Mama Jama”  I had no idea that I wanted to be a “bad mama jama” before I heard this totally sweet old-school disco track.  It turns out that I do!  I do want be a “bad mama jama,” Carl Carlton.  I do!  Shake it!

 

  • http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghREhZz2dPU“Are You Satisfied”  I like boppy dance music, but I dislike a lot of pop music.  I’m not a fan of sub-par singers who are relying on auto-tune to give them vocal power.  Let’s face it, a lot of modern pop certainly feels that way!  It was actually my daughter who turned me on to Marina and the Diamonds.  I haven’t loved a singer this instantly since Florence + the Machine came along!  She is TOTALLY a pop singer, but this gal has a gloriously dramatic voice.  She is capable of really nice live high notes many singers wouldn’t touch, and some truly resounding lows that a lot of female vocalists simply do not have.  It’s pop music, but it’s GOOD pop music.  Try it.  Ya might just bop around the house!

I hope all of the sounds that greet your ears this weekend are a blessing to your soul!  Have a great one! 

-Jennnq