Why I Love The Chiropractor

I love my chiropractor.

How did I end up needing one? I had spent a few years in a folding chair, in front of a computer, with a monitor that was above my eye level.
Yes...I had been looking up with my neck in a terrible position with no postural support for my back. Awesome! Do me a favor: go out and spend good money on a cushioned and supportive chair for your job. Make sure it keeps you eye level with your computer monitor. If you're looking up or down at your screen, your neck will not be happy about it later!

You know what else I was doing? Sleeping with three pillows under my head. Something like this:

It's funny. I had never thought about how I sleep...ever. I can't believe I kept my neck in that position for so many hours.

I started getting terrible headaches with vision disturbances. The kind of headaches that make it feel like your head is in a vice. All the pressure was coming from the back of my head where it meets my neck. I began to get very worried. The only thing that seemed to help was to lie down, which took the pressure off my neck. I thought maybe my head had ballooned up, because it felt so heavy, like my neck couldn't support it.

I'm not sure why I even decided to go to the chiropractor in the first place, but I'm glad I did. My C2 vertebra (the second vertebra in my neck) is out of place from my neck being in an awkward position for so long. (3-ish years?)

I now go every 3-4 weeks for an adjustment and electrode stimulation therapy. I do stretching and strengthening exercises at home. I sleep on a neck aligning pillow and it's great.

Also, if I do get any pain, I use BioFreeze to quickly combat it. It's like IcyHot, but alot more powerful. I haven't had a headache in quite awhile.

I don't have health insurance to cover chiropractic, but if you tell the office about your situation, you can usually become a cash paying customer. It costs about $40 a visit. I think it's worth every penny. As my chiropractor always says, too many people are used to popping pills when something ails them. It's time to look at alternative treatments for pain and other ailments.


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Product Review: Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

DO buy Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

Why? I will tell you why.

 

I liked the packaging of these, as I am a fan of anything green. That is initially why I picked these up in the first place. (I also like to buy anything that's new)

I made sure to have a full face of makeup before trying these...lotion, concealer, foundation, blush, eyeshadow in a ridiculously bright blue shade, eyeliner, mascara, and anything else you can think of.

PROS:

• The wipes are relatively moist, so I didn't feel like I was raking a paper towel across my face.
• Even after scrubbing them on my eyes, there was absolutely no irritation.
• They have a nice, clean scent.
• I only paid about 3 or 4 bucks for them. (they were on sale)
• These DID take off all of the makeup I had on, and with relatively little effort. I love these to take off my face before bedtime.

CONS:

•  The package they come in doesn't stay closed very well. This can lead to the wipes drying out. I had to transfer them into a Tupperware container.
•  There was a slight feeling of "something left behind" when my face dried. Not much, but just a little.
• These wipes do not have a textured side, which is a bummer. I always thought those little raised bumps cleaned a bit better. Yes, Simple also makes exfoliating wipes, but they are not marketed towards sensitive skin like these are.
• I wish they were bigger! Maybe I just have an extra large face.

All in all, I do like these a lot. The brand "Simple" is exactly what they are. Simple, effective, and no extra ingredients to worry about. They're not expensive and they do their job. I love things that are simple.

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A Cello Tribute To Randy Marcantoni

 I've been out of the loop.

I had no idea that Randy had passed away.
He used to take lessons with me.
He was my favorite student.

Randy was primarily a bass guitar player, but he had a lot of interest in the cello.
I'm pretty sure he wanted to learn it so he could play it on slower, more ballad-type songs with his band.
He definitely plucked it like a jazz bass. We were always working on that, ha ha ha.

I remember how excited he was to be sitting on the same stage as Yo-Yo Ma at the Zoellner Arts Center.
I think he got to meet him, too.
I sat all the way in the back, but we met-up during intermission.
He looked so nice in that tuxedo.

At one lesson, he came in with the bass line to "Yesterday" by The Beatles all written out.
He had learned it and written in down by ear.
I recorded it.
You can hear his voice at the end.

So here, for your listening pleasure, is that very performance, with Randy on the bass part and me playing the melody. Thank you, iPhone, for having the ability to record amazing things like these.
Yesterday by The Beatles

The last text I received from him reads, "More improvement, one less drug to take. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is Love. 1 Corinth 13:13."

Rest in peace, my friend. 
You are missed.

Product Review: Bobelock Cello Case #2000

DO buy the Bobelock Cello Case #2002, as long as you can handle the smell!

(Yes, this is my actual cello case...before it got all scuffed from beating it into walls)

Why? I will tell you why.

I love this case. Everyone else loves this case. (mostly because it's yellow)
If you ever want to get people to notice you, walk around town with one of these babies.
I guarantee you will get at least 5 people who tell you what a cool case you have.
The most common comment? "That is QUITE a case you have there!"
My response? "Thanks..."


Anyway...
When I received the case in the mail, it came in a huge box.
I was super excited and tore right into it.


PROS:
The case looked great and had been well-packaged.
The latches close nicely and don't leave any gaps. (they also LOCK)
It's very light!
No wheels, nice!!! (I hate when my cello decides to roll away by itself)
It seems to protect my cello well for being a more lightweight case.
It's the perfect canvas for some vinyl graphics. (coming soon)
The interior is a nice blue velvet.
Two bow holders.
The carrying handle on the side of the case is very sturdy and will probably last a long time.


I switched out the Bobelock shoulder straps with the Bam case straps that have the hardcore mountain climbing caribiners on them.
Ever since I saw a friend's case hit the floor because the stupid latch on his strap didn't lock like this one does, I will never use another shoulder strap again unless it's the one below.
http://www.lindawest.com/Bam_cello_case_shoulder_straps_p/bamstraps.htm

CONS:
But wait...what the heck is that smell?!?!?!

This case is a real stinker.
Yes, I know that plastic or fiberglass or glue or whatever else this case might be made of has an odor to it, especially when new...but c'mon. It reeked.

I thought maybe it just needed time to air out.
I left the case open for days on end.
I Febreezed it.
I tried moth balls.
I used some kind of sachet that smelled like lavender.
I bought one of those cans of scent that is supposed to suck the smell out of a smoky car.

Nothing worked...

It even made my cello smell weird.
It became embarrassing to go to orchestra rehearsal.
I swore that everyone could smell my funky case and now my cello too.

Also, there is no real music pocket in the case. *shrug* I'm so used to always carrying my music in a separate bag, it's not really a big deal.



I never did find a solution to that smell. It faded over time. I've had this case for about 3 years, and I can still smell it faintly. I guess that's part of its charm :)


I love this case!



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Some Cello Pictures I've Collected