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March 28, 2007 Still Trying 
Because I enjoy humiliating myself in front of a live studio audience, every once in a while I like to post about how those New Year's Resolutions are doing. Not so well, as it turns out: 1. Write a book. A whole book. Unfortunately, the novel idea I thought I had morphed into a short story--first time that's ever happened. Anyway, we'll have to see. Divorce Drama has pre-empted its time slot for the last month. I am writing--but short pieces, stories and essays, and even that's a tough slug right now. As soon as I sit down to concentrate for five minutes my mind starts wandering in predictable but not productive circles. 2. Back by popular demand, read two science books. Not yet. 3. Do two whole activisty things. Also, look into sporadic volunteer opportunities. 4. Stop drinking the diet coke, you pathetic idiot. (Talking to myself.) No! I am a pathetic idiot! 5. Last year's resolution for spending was to average $70/week. Which ought to be more than enough, and worked out to be more than enough last year, so I'll keep it. Mostly. Kind of. I haven't really been keeping track, but I have extra money in the chequing account, so I'll say it counts as a yes. It's a good thing I have nine months left to get around to all this. 6. Occasionally use the floppy limbs attached to the bottom of my torso for something other than curling up on while reading a good book. AKA, get some exercise. Hey ... yes. Well, look at that. I get to say yes to something. In fact, I've been working out consistently (5-6x/week) for three months. Haloo! I'm not as pathetic as I thought. The reasons aren't flattering: when I work out, I get to leave the room for an hour and no one interrupts me; whereas if I pick up a book or try to do some writing, I'm lucky to get five minutes of relative silence even in another room before I hear, "Andreaaaaaaaa! Meaningless ephemera here! Stuff you have no interest in! But I need to speak and reading and writing aren't valid reasons not to respond! Hello? Are you there? Andrea!" Yes, that's mean. But it's true. Yet when I am on the elliptical machine, or using a dvd, no one comes into the basement. It's like magic. A whole hour, all to me. Still, 5-6x/week for three months strikes me as an excellent reason to pat myself on the back. And I know it's working because I can take the stairs to my cubicle on the fourth floor no problem, and exercises that were difficult in January are now easy enough that I'm scouting around for alternatives. And getting bored of the music I've been listening to. This is where you come in, Dear Readers. I'll post the ten songs I've been listening to most often while chugging along on the elliptical, and you can suggest good fast-paced songs that aren't on the list. They don't have to be songs that you exercise to, since that would eliminate all the non-exercisers in the audience (and I'll bet you outnumber the exercisers by a hefty margin). Just fast-paced songs that you like. Here's mine: 1. Goodnight Goodnight, Hot Hot Heat 2. When Another Midnight, Sarah Slean 3. Kennedy Killed the Hat, Buck65 4. Oh! Sleater Kinney 5. Lucky Me, Sarah Slean 6. Because We Can (Yes, the one from Moulin Rouge) 7. Monday Morning, Pulp 8. Another Mystery, Dar Williams 9. Home for a Rest, Spirit of the West 10. Eyes Like Yours, Shakira I know, I know, none of you can respect me anymore. In my defence I'll admit that some of these songs aren't good, but they keep me moving at a good clip and they don't make me want to tear my ears off, and that's all I'm looking for. Plus I'm working from memory, so I don't have the option of scrolling through and choosing the ones that make me look more enlightened. And hey, look at it this way: considering what I've admitted to here, you all have no excuses for not offering up your own. Posted by Andrea at March 28, 2007 9:07 AM under Me EMAIL this entry (comments fields are below this section) Comments Anything by Yaz - actually, a lot of 80s dance music is perfect for that sort of thing. Abba Gold (greatest hits - you feel a little silly, but you know you want to move . . .) Posted by: elsimom at March 28, 2007 10:02 AM
I have to admit - I adore Shakira and would work out to anything by her. I will dance to "hips don't lie" whenever it comes one regardless of where I am and who I am with. I am shameless. I also (shameful!!) will admit to liking the Pussycat dolls for working out. Especially the worst song ever "Doncha wish (your girlfriend was hot like me)" - awful awful song. Great beat for dancing/exercising. Here's my feminist card. I'm going to go roast a rack of lamb for the sweetums now. Posted by: rachel at March 28, 2007 10:07 AM
Senegal fast food - Amadou and Mariann You do know you have set yourself up for failure in the New Year's resolution department, right? Way too ambitious, girl. Pick one. Revisit it once a week. I use my blog for this purpose every Tuesday. Posted by: anna at March 28, 2007 10:07 AM
A couple months back Y (over at Joy Unexpected) called for rockin' workout music and she compiled a BIG list, perhaps that would help you? Posted by: Kyla at March 28, 2007 10:08 AM
Eek, I tried to link it, but I guess it didn't take. It is her first post in January (named Pupp-ay). Posted by: Kyla at March 28, 2007 10:09 AM
Be careful what you ask for... Here's a part of my comprehensive list of very varied music. I picked out the stuff that gets me moving, but the bottom line is you have to find what you love. I think most of this stuff is very fast paced. It's alphabetical by Artist (2nd column, although my columns didn't take). I'm going to e-mail this to you as well for clarity's sake. Just didn't want to miss the opportunity for everyone to make fun of my varied musical tastes -- I left off the opera... Crazy In Love Beyonce Posted by: arline at March 28, 2007 10:16 AM
Oh my god--arline! Look at that list! If that doesn't get me through a few more months, nothing will. Kyla, the link shows up in the blog software--I have it set not to publish them, though, to cut down on spam. Thanks! anna, ha ha ha. This *is* the edited list--every year up to now has had ten, not six. Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. Posted by: Andrea at March 28, 2007 10:29 AM
okay, i'm too inept to get to the correct entry that kyla speaks of. can anyone e-mail it to me at apelton@andersonkill.com? thanks! Posted by: arline at March 28, 2007 10:38 AM
Nothing wrong with Sarah Slean! The new Shins album gets me moving, along with most of the tracks off "Her majesty The Decemberists"-but that's walking... Posted by: thordora at March 28, 2007 10:44 AM
First off, congratulations on your progress! Even if it is localized. Secondly, you get to milk the Divorce Drama as much as you want, at least this year. So run with it. Or, you know, elliptical with it. And have a Diet Coke with it, too. Third, English Beat. Also, My Love likes to work out to Aretha Franklin's greatest hits album. Posted by: Madeleine at March 28, 2007 10:47 AM
Wow and thanks, Airline. Personally, I'd check out Lily Allen. Yes. I know that her first album is in the process of being overhyped, but it's seriously amazing. And funny. Shouldn't music be at least a little funny? I subscribe to podrunner on itunes. It's good, fast-paced music that's free and will get you moving. Seriously, I live off of podrunner. I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person around who has never heard anything by the Decemberists. Posted by: Suz at March 28, 2007 11:39 AM
i love you- i've been changing the songs on my mp3 player and it's making me run faster! so now i'll be really smoking! i don't think there is anything on my meagre player that airline didn't cover Posted by: bridget at March 28, 2007 11:58 AM
whoa..Kyla can shake her groove thing. go sister go. resolutions - ack. you've done excellent with one of them. And TWM should count in there for something, sister. Posted by: jen at March 28, 2007 12:20 PM
thordora, very true re: Sarah Slean. madeleine, excellent. I will be in the corner, on the elliptical machine, with the Divorce Drama in one hand and a diet coke in the ohter, until someone kicks me off. suz--podrunner, check. I will subscribe to that. And you're not alone--I haven't heard the decemberists either. I'm beginning to think that arline needs a prize.... Posted by: Andrea at March 28, 2007 12:46 PM
my prize is in everyone's comments -- made my day! finally some appreciation for my obsessive-compulsive habits (when it comes to lists, anyway). Posted by: arline at March 28, 2007 12:55 PM
I agree - arline definitely needs a prize for such a great list! I like listening to Evanescence when I'm on the treadmill. Posted by: Sue at March 28, 2007 1:07 PM
I have almost a whole GB of music on my iPod shuffle just for exercise. This is a sample: Posted by: suze at March 28, 2007 1:24 PM
Home For A Rest! I LOVE that song. I thought that TCBIM and I were the only ones who knew it. Great Big Sea - Lukey's Boat Posted by: julia at March 28, 2007 4:01 PM
"Andreaaaaaaaa!": Have you looked into soundproofing? My high school gym class did aerobics to Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" and Diana Ross's "Daybreak." Canción sin emoción - Alejandro Sanz
Posted by: ~Macarena~ at March 28, 2007 4:11 PM
(small voice) I've never heard of any of the songs you listen to. I've successfully worked out to Squeeze, Soft Cell, Men Without Hats, and Blondie. Yes, I'm stuck firmly in the '80's. Posted by: liz at March 28, 2007 4:24 PM
This is by no means representative of the music I listen to, I swear, but I do love this song for working out, driving fast, etc.: "Ready to Go" by Republica. It's got the right tempo for working out and it's infectious, in a good way. Good for you, Andrea, for all that hard work! Posted by: amy at March 28, 2007 5:48 PM
Liz, I'm right back in the 80s with you. I've heard of everyone on your list. And I haven't heard the Decemberists yet either, though I guess I should find them. Posted by: Madeleine at March 28, 2007 8:13 PM
Heheheee! You probably wouldn't like most of what I listen to for working out - a lot of Korn and Tool and NIN. Nothing like Rage Against the Machine to kick me in the @ss either! I love "Take to the Sky" by Tori Amos while working out. Very empowering. I have "Waitress" and "Selling the Drama" by live on the iPod. Oh! I also have Billy Idol on the iPod - Rebel Yell, Mony Mony and Dancing with Myself. All good. I also have a good dose of The Cure (Hot, Hot, Hot, Dressing Up and a bunch more) and "Laid" by James. There's a couple of songs by The Offspring, PJ Harvey, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smiths, U2, Nirvana and more. I have a pretty good selection on my "fast music list" now that I think of it. This is a fun post! Posted by: Kim at March 28, 2007 8:55 PM
I love working out to Barry White. Also, showtunes. Cabaret is a favorite. Embarrassing, but true. And, the Run Lola Run sountrack. Posted by: Kateri at March 28, 2007 9:51 PM
Love the comments!! (And I agree with Madeline, give yourself a while to wallow / milk it. A year sounds fair!) I saw this yesterday, but waited until I had my trusty iPod with me for today's workout to give you my current favourite energy mix for 30 minutes on the elliptical. On My Own (Headley) - perfect for you right now! I absolutely love this song and it gets me going every single time. Posted by: DaniGirl at March 29, 2007 7:52 AM
Kateri, if you like cabaret, you should give Sarah Slean a try. Kim, I like NIN and Rage, but not for the elliptical. They're too slow--loud, but slow. Julia, home for a rest was a bar anthem when I was an undergrad. Macarena: ha! Yes, I should cork-line hte computer room. Or rather, I should have, when I moved in. Posted by: Andrea at March 30, 2007 7:20 AM
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