Exercise/Stretch 5+ Days a Week, Body Fat 14%
I've been able to get back out running again, after taking some weeks off to rest the ankles, and the results have been good. In the meantime I did swimming which was a nice shift and gave me some semblance of upper body workout for the first time since last September. I'd like to get back into the gym and re-engage those arms. I did a fair amount of stretching, more recently replaced by physical therapy exercises for the knee, so am satisfied with that. The fat-o-meter's been in the 13-14% range.
Healthy Elbow, Knee, Teeth
The elbow stability is what's got me thinking about getting back into the weight room. Doc said that acupuncture's expensive enough that I might as well YouTube some ulnar tunnel remedies (when a doctor directs you to YouTube, what does that say about the doctor?). The root canal is scheduled for early August, I'm hoping this finally does the trick. As for the knee, with Doc's recommendation for the physical therapy I'll be going at it for another couple of weeks, and pumping them for some type of long-term exercise plan. So far early on, there are good days and bad.
Tutor 800 Hours
July was another restful month, with almost no tutoring as several of students were on vacation or simply stopped returning calls for reasons unknown. The phone is starting to ring again, though, and I've gotten multiple questions about my car magnets which shows that the marketing is working. Once school resumes on August 18 this goal will resume in full force.
Blog Thanks Weekly
Two straight months of perfect attendance on this goal!
Make 10 New Acquaintances
Shrek was a smashing success, I have several new Facebook friends and got around to meet most of the 40-adult cast. I have no more adventures planned for 2014, and this goal is already met, but I will be on the lookout for opportunities.
Clean House
So far the de-humidifying solution to our ceiling tiles is working. I've contacted a professional friend who will be quoting our basement re-paint. I contacted the condominium Board about the driveway project and have had individual conversations. And I went on a Kohl's shopping trip for several great bargains on shorts, shirts, wallet, belt, and running shoes; this wardrobe update is pretty much done though I'll keep my eyes open!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Cubs' Catcher Baker Hits, Pitches Team To 16-Inning Win
Forget it, he’s rolling. After the Cubs turned their clubhouse into “Animal House,” John Baker kept delivering one-liners to reporters and walked around the room showing teammates the text messages on his phone.
“Go Cubs Go” spilled out of the Wrigley Field sound system at 1:33 a.m. after the backup catcher/emergency pitcher won the longest game in franchise history, a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies that began at 7:07 p.m., took 16 innings and lasted six hours and 27 minutes.
Baker became the first position player in more than 100 years to earn a win for the Cubs, which meant a massive beer shower.
“I got beer,” Baker said. “I got chocolate milk. I got hair gel. I got shampoo. I got body wash. And then I got some more beer. It was great. Best shower I’ve ever taken.”
Baker pumped his fist after getting an inning-ending double play in the 16th inning – and getting over his issues with catcher Welington Castillo.
“I had to shake 'Wely' a couple times, because we just weren’t on the same page,” Baker said. “I trust my stuff.”
He then stepped into the box and drew a leadoff walk, hearing the chants of “Ba-ker! Ba-ker!”
“The last time that many people cheered it was more I got booed in Dodger Stadium (with the Padres) after we got in a fight with the Dodgers,” Baker said. “That was the wildest crowd I ever heard, but that one was kind of sad, because they were booing me.
“That’s any Chicagoan’s dream, to be standing at home plate with the remaining people at Wrigley Field chanting your name. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Baker scored the game-winning run when Starlin Castro lined a sacrifice fly into right field. He hadn’t pitched since playing in the Cape Cod League during a summer away from Cal-Berkeley.
“I believe I had a 27 ERA, but I was getting squeezed, from what I remember,” Baker said. “In this game, I felt like the strike zone was a little more to my benefit, so I tried to exploit that.
“(But) no matter how hard or soft I tried to throw the ball, it ended up in that 76-79 (mph) range.”
This had already become Bizarro World, with Baker warming up in the bullpen while TV broadcasters Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 14th inning.
Manager Rick Renteria raised eyebrows in the 13th inning, when the Cubs led off with two straight walks and couldn’t cash in. Nate Schierholtz didn’t bunt and struck out swinging. Renteria then didn’t use Baker as a pinch-hitter and went with pitcher Jake Arrieta, who failed to lay down the bunt.
“I knew we were kind of short in the bullpen,” Baker said. “It’s kind of a tough situation to put the manager in if you burn your last bench player and then you have no pitching left at all, or something happens to 'Wely.' Fortunately for us, it worked out. I definitely wanted to hit in that situation, but I understood the decision.”
Baker had trouble hiding his smile on the mound, saying “it’s something I will definitely cherish for a long time,” thinking about old teammates who never got a chance to pitch in The Show. He also had a message for his manager.
“I’m definitely available for tomorrow if Ricky needs me,” Baker said. “I can go back-to-back days easy. I don’t know what these guys have a problem with.”
Shrek Album
More photos, snapped by others:
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| Katie Grogg, Ryan Groves and about 25 cast members and family converge on Applebee's at the midnight hour. |
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| Wendi Ayers, champion of the kids' cast and avid snapper of on-stage photos. |
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| The best bunch of freaks in history! |
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| During the finale: This is our story! |
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| With Rosie Hauck in the foreground, photobombed by Ethan and Jen Maloy. |
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| Swamp Soiree fund raising fun with Kristen Woodard, Lauren Guttschow, Ryan Groves, and Laney Maloy in front. |
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| Chris Terven, the biggest (literally) star of the show. |
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| The multi-talented Kristen Woodard. |
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Matt Maher - Garden
A song we sang in church this week. It has both a sadness to it that reflects the Shrek chapter left behind, and a peacefulness that carries us forward to new sights without leaving friends behind.
Family Photos: The Week In Thanks
My weekly post of gratefulness finds several new friends reading through Facebook and Community Players Theatre.
No greater thanks could be given this week than for the experience with Shrek. I've blogged about it at length and won't belabor it here, except to affirm once again that I continue to be blessed by God in the most unpredictable and undeserving ways.
Singing the national anthem at the Cornbelters game was the best one yet. It's so important and satisfying to put myself out there, to take a chance, and to trust that my gifts will bear fruit. This time, they did. I would love to do it at a basketball game at Redbird Arena some day.
These musical success stories are fed by the continued joy of being in the LifeTeen band, the chance to keep my singing voice rehearsed. And to provide a lighter heart, in however small measure, to those who attend Epiphany Church.
We were graced by a visit from Dena's brother Darren, wife Jane and nieces Elisabeth and Kate. For them to spend time with us out of the many choices of family and friends they could choose is a privilege. Naturally I was pleased that they came to see Shrek too.
My tutoring business has been deliberately light, but the news has been all sunshine with one in particular, who's gotten 95% or higher on three of her calculus tests. School will resume in three weeks, and I intend to chalk this summer up as a success, as well as to savor the days that remain.
Our family photos with Cupcake turned out great!
http://www.troymarcyphotography.com/janddfamily
(the password is Cupcake)
Cuppie habitually helps wake me up in the mornings by mewing softly but insistently, and lying across my chest. Sometimes she uses me for a napping bed, and once this week it stretched for 90 minutes. Those moments of intimacy are precious and I do my best never to shortchange them.
I am back into running 3 miles a day, so far without any recurring pain. Using a new pair of running shoes and a different focus seems to help. My pace is around an 8-minute mile and my heart rate gets up to 150. When I went for a check-up my resting heart rate was clocked at 44 per minute. Yet another gift that I am unworthy enough to make the very most of in celebration.
Dena made taco salad one night this week. We've gone for long walks. We are loving and taking advantage of these simple, perfect July evenings before fall busyness sets in.
No greater thanks could be given this week than for the experience with Shrek. I've blogged about it at length and won't belabor it here, except to affirm once again that I continue to be blessed by God in the most unpredictable and undeserving ways.
Singing the national anthem at the Cornbelters game was the best one yet. It's so important and satisfying to put myself out there, to take a chance, and to trust that my gifts will bear fruit. This time, they did. I would love to do it at a basketball game at Redbird Arena some day.
These musical success stories are fed by the continued joy of being in the LifeTeen band, the chance to keep my singing voice rehearsed. And to provide a lighter heart, in however small measure, to those who attend Epiphany Church.
We were graced by a visit from Dena's brother Darren, wife Jane and nieces Elisabeth and Kate. For them to spend time with us out of the many choices of family and friends they could choose is a privilege. Naturally I was pleased that they came to see Shrek too.
My tutoring business has been deliberately light, but the news has been all sunshine with one in particular, who's gotten 95% or higher on three of her calculus tests. School will resume in three weeks, and I intend to chalk this summer up as a success, as well as to savor the days that remain.
Our family photos with Cupcake turned out great!
http://www.troymarcyphotography.com/janddfamily
(the password is Cupcake)
Cuppie habitually helps wake me up in the mornings by mewing softly but insistently, and lying across my chest. Sometimes she uses me for a napping bed, and once this week it stretched for 90 minutes. Those moments of intimacy are precious and I do my best never to shortchange them.
I am back into running 3 miles a day, so far without any recurring pain. Using a new pair of running shoes and a different focus seems to help. My pace is around an 8-minute mile and my heart rate gets up to 150. When I went for a check-up my resting heart rate was clocked at 44 per minute. Yet another gift that I am unworthy enough to make the very most of in celebration.
Dena made taco salad one night this week. We've gone for long walks. We are loving and taking advantage of these simple, perfect July evenings before fall busyness sets in.
Cubs Could Become Buyer For OF Rusney Castillo
While all the trade-deadline conversation at Wrigley Field revolves around selling, the Cubs are also in a unique position to become buyers with Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo.
Industry sources say the Cubs are intrigued by Castillo and see the defector’s upside, sending five scouts to watch his showcase on Saturday at the University of Miami. Baseball America reported more than 100 people attended the South Florida event, with 28 of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams represented.
While a private workout with Castillo hadn’t been set up by Monday night, the Cubs also didn’t rule out that possibility.
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are among the teams reportedly in the mix for Castillo, meaning the Cubs would have to win a bidding war with the big-market superpowers.
The market for Cuban players has exploded, with White Sox slugger Jose Abreu and Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig making an instant impact and becoming All-Stars.
Castillo’s represented by Roc Nation Sports, Jay Z’s agency that partnered with CAA Sports and put together Robinson Cano’s 10-year, $240 million megadeal with the Seattle Mariners.
The Cubs did win the Jorge Soler sweepstakes, giving the Cuban outfielder a nine-year, $30 million major-league contract before a new collective bargaining agreement severely regulated amateur talent.
More than two years later, Soler is expected to be a September call-up after a recent promotion to Triple-A Iowa, where hard-throwing Cuban Armando Rivero is excelling (3-0, 1.08 ERA, 24 strikeouts in 16.2 innings) out of the bullpen.
The Theo Epstein administration has made a huge push for international free agents, swinging and missing with Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish, Oakland A’s outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu.
The Cubs already pocketed money earmarked for Masahiro Tanaka after the Yankees won the bidding for the Japanese ace, saving up for future investments. Through trades, stockpiling young talent and attrition – Alfonso Soriano’s contract finally falls off the books after this season – the Cubs have created some financial flexibility.
This upcoming class of free agents will be pretty weak when the Cubs go shopping this winter, looking for ways to upgrade their lineup.
Castillo’s 27 years old, meaning he’s the right age for a business/baseball plan that had Epstein saying the Cubs shouldn’t be “obvious sellers” at next season’s trade deadline.
Castillo would still be in his prime in 2016, which the Cubs believe could be a breakthrough year with a deep group of position players that includes potential outfielders Arismendy Alcantara, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Shrek Diary: Closing Thoughts
I had just enough experience from Hairspray to keep myself together during Shrek's finale, but only barely. To watch Chris' voice catch during his serenade, and Lisa's cheeks glistening with tears of joy as she came down the aisle, was more beautiful than any real-life wedding I've seen, and probably will ever see.
The final curtain fell, hugs were all around. We set to work tearing down the sets and cleaning the theater. Ate some communal pizza and snacks. Wished fond farewells.
I was surprised by the wave of sadness that swept over me as I got into my car for the last time as a Shrek cast member. I thought I had auditioned on a whim, but as with many things can give thanks to God for placing me in just the right situation.
My friends agree.
"A theatre family. It's real. It forms over a few months and somehow turns into one of the strongest most special relationships that will ever be...if only for those precious weeks. To anyone who has never been in a musical, I don't think I can begin to explain the heartbreak I am currently feeling. You put so much of your time and energy and heart into making something so special, and then it's suddenly over. I fought back the tears all day, but one look into Chris's tear-filled eyes and I lost it right on stage for the full house to witness. This chapter of our story is over. It was fun, and hilarious, and magical, and beautiful, and I'll miss it more than I can express. And we'll try to stay in touch, and we'll try to make it to see each other's shows, and we'll try to keep that magic alive...but really we know it will never quite be this way again. I don't think I've ever enjoyed any experience more than this one. To be able to do what I love and share this with so many friends, my family, and especially my kids was everything."
"Well Shrek has come to a end, I am happy that I got the chance to be involved in this show even if it was just watching the kids. It's amazing how you make some good friends even when you aren't really around them much. Even tho it meant some long days and nights I am going to miss it and seeing everyone. I think I have shed enough tears today to last me a while."
"And so it ends... Best thing that I have said this summer was "Fine, I'll audition with you!" So many funny and talented new friends and wonderful memories... Until next time, my Shrek family..."
"To my shrek family.. What can I say, I love all of you so much. You made something so magical and wonderful to be a part of. You all worked so hard, dedicated so much time, and it became something so special for all of us to experience. As we cry our tears and put this one to bed though I am happy for the future when we all can experience that feeling of joy again together. Oh and Rent auditions are in 7 weeks...maybe I'll start choreographing this weekend...hmmm maybe La Vie Boheme!!!!"
"Just finished Shrek and I'm already missing everyone, but all good things must come to an end."
"I think my theatre friends can attest to this..
"When ever you ask a theatre person "Are you glad the show is over?" I say yes and no. Yes because it was tiring but no because I made too many good memories that I'll never forget Thank you all for making this summer amazing!!!!"
"Not only was this cast so much fun to be with...they were so excepting of everyone! We had adult cast members range from 50 to 14 years old. Never....NEVER.. have I been in a group of people that melted this beautifully together. I was very impressed with the younger cast. These people didn't care that I was in my 40's or that little kids were running around, they involved everyone in their conversations, hugs & friendship. People of the world...get involved in your local theater. You will be better for it!"
"OK, after a brief physical and ongoing emotional breakdown, I have to add my voice to the cacophony of incredible people putting their final thoughts out there as we say goodbye to #Shrek :The Musical, at Players. Even now, I can’t seem to hold back tears as I think of how much I love and will miss you all. Not that we won’t stay in touch, not that all my wonderful new and old friends won’t forever be in my heart, and not that I won’t cherish each and every memory – but as we all move on to that “next” thing in our lives – please know that each and every one of you will forever have a place in my life. Some of you know that I had a great deal of “stuff” going on in my life during this time period – whether it was show stuff, work stuff, or life stuff, it was, at times, overwhelming. But even for those who didn't know, each and every one of you helped me get through it. As the green fades from my skin, please know that none of you will ever fade from the green in my heart. As I wipe away what I’m sure won’t be the final tear – to the most brilliant cast, incredible orchestra, tireless and creative staff, awesome kids, and every single person who had any involvement in one of the most special experiences I've ever had – you are all brilliant, talented, beautiful, and I love you all."
The final curtain fell, hugs were all around. We set to work tearing down the sets and cleaning the theater. Ate some communal pizza and snacks. Wished fond farewells.
I was surprised by the wave of sadness that swept over me as I got into my car for the last time as a Shrek cast member. I thought I had auditioned on a whim, but as with many things can give thanks to God for placing me in just the right situation.
My friends agree.
"A theatre family. It's real. It forms over a few months and somehow turns into one of the strongest most special relationships that will ever be...if only for those precious weeks. To anyone who has never been in a musical, I don't think I can begin to explain the heartbreak I am currently feeling. You put so much of your time and energy and heart into making something so special, and then it's suddenly over. I fought back the tears all day, but one look into Chris's tear-filled eyes and I lost it right on stage for the full house to witness. This chapter of our story is over. It was fun, and hilarious, and magical, and beautiful, and I'll miss it more than I can express. And we'll try to stay in touch, and we'll try to make it to see each other's shows, and we'll try to keep that magic alive...but really we know it will never quite be this way again. I don't think I've ever enjoyed any experience more than this one. To be able to do what I love and share this with so many friends, my family, and especially my kids was everything."
"Well Shrek has come to a end, I am happy that I got the chance to be involved in this show even if it was just watching the kids. It's amazing how you make some good friends even when you aren't really around them much. Even tho it meant some long days and nights I am going to miss it and seeing everyone. I think I have shed enough tears today to last me a while."
"And so it ends... Best thing that I have said this summer was "Fine, I'll audition with you!" So many funny and talented new friends and wonderful memories... Until next time, my Shrek family..."
"To my shrek family.. What can I say, I love all of you so much. You made something so magical and wonderful to be a part of. You all worked so hard, dedicated so much time, and it became something so special for all of us to experience. As we cry our tears and put this one to bed though I am happy for the future when we all can experience that feeling of joy again together. Oh and Rent auditions are in 7 weeks...maybe I'll start choreographing this weekend...hmmm maybe La Vie Boheme!!!!"
"Just finished Shrek and I'm already missing everyone, but all good things must come to an end."
"I think my theatre friends can attest to this..
The first shower you take on the closing night of a show after set strike is complete is a borderline religious experience."
"I can't believe it's over! I can't even remember the last free Friday night I had but I can't imagine a better Friday than hanging out in the basement with you all and my fake nose. Thanks for making this an amazing show and an amazing summer. I'm gonna miss it!! (sorry I couldn't tag everyone!)"
"When ever you ask a theatre person "Are you glad the show is over?" I say yes and no. Yes because it was tiring but no because I made too many good memories that I'll never forget Thank you all for making this summer amazing!!!!"
"Not only was this cast so much fun to be with...they were so excepting of everyone! We had adult cast members range from 50 to 14 years old. Never....NEVER.. have I been in a group of people that melted this beautifully together. I was very impressed with the younger cast. These people didn't care that I was in my 40's or that little kids were running around, they involved everyone in their conversations, hugs & friendship. People of the world...get involved in your local theater. You will be better for it!"
"OK, after a brief physical and ongoing emotional breakdown, I have to add my voice to the cacophony of incredible people putting their final thoughts out there as we say goodbye to #Shrek :The Musical, at Players. Even now, I can’t seem to hold back tears as I think of how much I love and will miss you all. Not that we won’t stay in touch, not that all my wonderful new and old friends won’t forever be in my heart, and not that I won’t cherish each and every memory – but as we all move on to that “next” thing in our lives – please know that each and every one of you will forever have a place in my life. Some of you know that I had a great deal of “stuff” going on in my life during this time period – whether it was show stuff, work stuff, or life stuff, it was, at times, overwhelming. But even for those who didn't know, each and every one of you helped me get through it. As the green fades from my skin, please know that none of you will ever fade from the green in my heart. As I wipe away what I’m sure won’t be the final tear – to the most brilliant cast, incredible orchestra, tireless and creative staff, awesome kids, and every single person who had any involvement in one of the most special experiences I've ever had – you are all brilliant, talented, beautiful, and I love you all."
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Shrek Diary: Final Show In Pictures
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| Brenton Ways finds his lost pants. Papa Ogre will be no more shocking than usual today. |
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| No real animals were harmed during the production of Shrek. But fake animals were abused mercilessly, including a nightly hurling of this deer over a cliff. |
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| The orchestra preps pre-show. It's gonna be a great one! |
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| King Harold never actually plays the recorder, but without Cori's help the Pied Piper would be pretty useless himself. |
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| The dirtiest dance troupe in the show. Clockwise: Lisa Groves (Fiona), Kellie Nolan, Lindsay Nolan, Katryce Bridges, Alex Lovel, and the bumbling Pied Piper. We finally got the audience to applaud mid-scene for their sterling tap routine! |
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| No, I'm not laying on top of Farquaad. Piper and Farquaad never interact in the show. But he is on his knees, otherwise he'd tower over me. |
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| Shrek prepares to deal the cheeping bluebird another gruesome death, while apparently sucking on helium. Or is it valium? |
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| Licorice for the kids cast! Part of my nightly Act 1 routine - trip to Dollar General, two pounds of Twizzlers to feed the herd. |
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| Kristen Woodard (Alice) who fretted with me during the Freak Flag scene, taught me hula hoop tricks, and solved Sudoku and license-plate puzzles; and Bree Dawson (Gingy) who pretty much cracked me up every time she opened her mouth on stage after being promoted from Shoemaker's Elf. |
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| Twizzler-buzzed kids! The Piper can get someone to follow him after all. |
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| Shelby Sharick, the prettiest Ugly Duckling there is, and frequent companion on the Players' patio during Act 1. |
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| Ce Ce Hill, promoted from fairy to Shoemaker's Elf. Part of the best pit choir in town, bringing her Duloc dance moves to it nightly. |
Shrek Diary: The Next Chapter
Dear Diary,
What's next for some of the Shrek cast?
- Samm Bettis will move into her new apartment and audition for Rent.
- Katryce Bridges will perform in the musical Pippin.
- Sequita Bridges will audition for Rent.
- Kiley Bronke will resume her sports career at Normal West High School.
- Bree Dawson, Ryan Groves, Ramsey Hendricks, Matthew Henry will attend Illinois Central College and perform in Avenue Q. They will also share an apartment. The apartment will occasionally be loud. :)
- After wrapping up her lifeguarding duties at the pool, Katie Grogg will return to theater as she attends Belmont University in Nashville.
- Lisa Groves will rest her voice and prepare for next semester in her job at Clinton High School.
- Lauren Guttschow will attend Heartland Community College, and continue to make amazing freehand sketches.
- Jay Hartzler will perform in Young Frankenstein, in Peoria.
- Melea Hauck will get taller, play volleyball and the piano.
- Rosie Hauck will start up the new semester teaching at Illinois State University, and cheer on her husband Ben as he auditions for Rent.
- Ce Ce Hill will attend University High School and continue her involvement in speech, theater and choir.
- Dave Holliday will return to work at TriValley, where he will no longer be able to carry a sword to get people to listen to him.
- Hunter Kisandi will closely follow the Chicago Bulls' progress.
- Joey Knotts will live in China. No lie!
- Alex Lovel, among other things at Community Players, will be choreographing Seussical next summer.
- Jen Maloy will return to her real husband Jason, and keep an eye out for future Players performances to join.
- Joe McDonald will resume tutoring students in math in the fall, with an eye toward Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in the spring, and continue singing with Sean and Jennifer Stevens in the Epiphany Church band.
- Kellie Nolan will return to school at Western Illinois University.
- Lindsay Nolan will return to school at Illinois Central College.
- John Poling will audition for Spamalot at Theater 7 in Decatur.
- Jake Rathman will be resuming work at State Farm, and auditioning for Rent.
- Jaron Rhoda will return to Webster University near St. Louis.
- Tony Smith is watching out for one of his many written plays which has some traction in Atlanta, Georgia for possible production.
- Jennifer and Sean Stevens will move into their new home, and prepare for the arrival of Liliana later in the year. Sean will audition for Rent.
- Chris Terven will direct Seussical in the spring, by which time he will also have bought more furniture for his new home and worked ten thousand hours.
- Austin Travis will audition for Rent.
- Brenton Ways will return to his nursing work, hopefully complete that 4-page paper he's been working on, and consider Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in the spring.
- Kristen Woodard will attend Heartland Community College in pursuing an Education degree.
What's next for some of the Shrek cast?
- Samm Bettis will move into her new apartment and audition for Rent.
- Katryce Bridges will perform in the musical Pippin.
- Sequita Bridges will audition for Rent.
- Kiley Bronke will resume her sports career at Normal West High School.
- Bree Dawson, Ryan Groves, Ramsey Hendricks, Matthew Henry will attend Illinois Central College and perform in Avenue Q. They will also share an apartment. The apartment will occasionally be loud. :)
- After wrapping up her lifeguarding duties at the pool, Katie Grogg will return to theater as she attends Belmont University in Nashville.
- Lisa Groves will rest her voice and prepare for next semester in her job at Clinton High School.
- Lauren Guttschow will attend Heartland Community College, and continue to make amazing freehand sketches.
- Jay Hartzler will perform in Young Frankenstein, in Peoria.
- Melea Hauck will get taller, play volleyball and the piano.
- Rosie Hauck will start up the new semester teaching at Illinois State University, and cheer on her husband Ben as he auditions for Rent.
- Ce Ce Hill will attend University High School and continue her involvement in speech, theater and choir.
- Dave Holliday will return to work at TriValley, where he will no longer be able to carry a sword to get people to listen to him.
- Hunter Kisandi will closely follow the Chicago Bulls' progress.
- Joey Knotts will live in China. No lie!
- Alex Lovel, among other things at Community Players, will be choreographing Seussical next summer.
- Jen Maloy will return to her real husband Jason, and keep an eye out for future Players performances to join.
- Joe McDonald will resume tutoring students in math in the fall, with an eye toward Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in the spring, and continue singing with Sean and Jennifer Stevens in the Epiphany Church band.
- Kellie Nolan will return to school at Western Illinois University.
- Lindsay Nolan will return to school at Illinois Central College.
- John Poling will audition for Spamalot at Theater 7 in Decatur.
- Jake Rathman will be resuming work at State Farm, and auditioning for Rent.
- Jaron Rhoda will return to Webster University near St. Louis.
- Tony Smith is watching out for one of his many written plays which has some traction in Atlanta, Georgia for possible production.
- Jennifer and Sean Stevens will move into their new home, and prepare for the arrival of Liliana later in the year. Sean will audition for Rent.
- Chris Terven will direct Seussical in the spring, by which time he will also have bought more furniture for his new home and worked ten thousand hours.
- Austin Travis will audition for Rent.
- Brenton Ways will return to his nursing work, hopefully complete that 4-page paper he's been working on, and consider Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in the spring.
- Kristen Woodard will attend Heartland Community College in pursuing an Education degree.
Shrek Diary: Swamp Soiree
Dear Diary,
It's a perfect reflection of this cast that over a dozen of us came out two hours earlier than normal to entertain a dozen toddlers for CPT's Swamp Soiree.
Coordinator Kelly Slater mapped out, photocopied, and distributed a to-the-minute plan chock full of Duloc delight.
I was especially excited for the first part, when both the kids and adults learned the Duloc dance ("Duloc is a perfect plaaaaace," with the right arm pump, among others). Then we freestyle danced to Freak Flag.
Some of the children were beside themselves to actually be dancing with Donkey, Farquaad and Pinocchio. A girl named Ella in particular was almost literally bouncing off every character, running right up to them and declaring her love.
Alan shared the secrets of the stage, like Farquaad's true height, the winking dragon, and the TV hovering above the audience which the cast uses to watch the conductor. Actually Alan described it as the lady being "in" the TV, but hopefully their young brains processed that we don't actually employ midgets.
Down in the basement the kids got Shrek-green makeup applied. By the time they got back up top, Shrek was actually there. Three different stage sets were in place for photo ops with Shrek in his shack, Fiona in her tower, or Farquaad on his horse.
Time to make Shrek cookies after that. M&M's and other sprinkles helped load the fans up with sugar just in time to go home, though many of them came back for the evening's performance.
It was a fund raiser in the technical sense of the term, though after feeding the actors with Monical's pizza it may have been more of an exercise in break-even. But it added another chapter to the unforgettable brand of the show.
It's a perfect reflection of this cast that over a dozen of us came out two hours earlier than normal to entertain a dozen toddlers for CPT's Swamp Soiree.
Coordinator Kelly Slater mapped out, photocopied, and distributed a to-the-minute plan chock full of Duloc delight.
I was especially excited for the first part, when both the kids and adults learned the Duloc dance ("Duloc is a perfect plaaaaace," with the right arm pump, among others). Then we freestyle danced to Freak Flag.
Some of the children were beside themselves to actually be dancing with Donkey, Farquaad and Pinocchio. A girl named Ella in particular was almost literally bouncing off every character, running right up to them and declaring her love.
Alan shared the secrets of the stage, like Farquaad's true height, the winking dragon, and the TV hovering above the audience which the cast uses to watch the conductor. Actually Alan described it as the lady being "in" the TV, but hopefully their young brains processed that we don't actually employ midgets.
Down in the basement the kids got Shrek-green makeup applied. By the time they got back up top, Shrek was actually there. Three different stage sets were in place for photo ops with Shrek in his shack, Fiona in her tower, or Farquaad on his horse.
Time to make Shrek cookies after that. M&M's and other sprinkles helped load the fans up with sugar just in time to go home, though many of them came back for the evening's performance.
It was a fund raiser in the technical sense of the term, though after feeding the actors with Monical's pizza it may have been more of an exercise in break-even. But it added another chapter to the unforgettable brand of the show.
Shrek Diary: Staff
Dear Diary,
I've lived long enough to know the indispensable value of good leadership. Without someone casting a vision that excites the group, and then a plan to get there, achievements are flat. This show sold like wildfire, families willing to grab single seats on opposite sides of the theater just for a chance to be part of the audience. And though you can't boil it down to one man, that man would be Alan Wilson if you could.
No matter how long the nights, how rowdy the actors, how unpredictable the costumes, how fluid the staff and cast... he clung like a captain to the wheel of a ship yawing wildly in ravenous seas to get us here, some 3,000 happy patrons later. From the highest tips of Farquaad's set castle to the soda-splashed floors of the house, he attended zealously to the details, applying his will and wit to every crevice of the performance until it was nearly perfect. In a 65-member cast, who has time to concern himself with the improvement that brown leggings would make over white ones on King Harold, whose legs are mostly in blackness during the 20 seconds that he's on stage in a 3-hour show? Who shops all over town to find the best price on rubber gloves for the Duloc dancers? Who comes up with the idea for Farquaad to squeal in delight when he first hears Fiona's name? Who has watched enough versions of Shrek in other theaters to know the dangers of bad diction from the fairy tale characters? The man has more energy in retirement than I had at 25. He'll publicly say that he has no idea how the cast keeps its pep up for 12 shows. To which I say, with the momentum and example set by Alan during the previous six months, how on earth could we not?
Few staff members in a volunteer theater performs only one role, and that's true of both producer Jay Hartzler and assistant director/sound designer Eli Mundy. They're like diamonds, forged under the great pressure of Alan's expectations and constantly-evolving vision. Jay collected the bios, developed the programs, played the bishop, sang in the Farquaad backup singers, and fixed the toilets. Eli produced a hundred sound effects, organized the delicate timing of sharing microphones, sound checked, kept the batteries fresh. Both helped with the street team to market the show, which paid off handsomely. Both sat mostly and literally in the dark, away from the affection of the audience, though they were not alone in that...
Dorothy Mundy, the resilient and maternal veteran prop mistress, and Bridgette Richard, the boundless talent who also played Fiona's body double on stage, spent uncounted hours painting down to the whiskers on elegantly-styled puppets that would only be on display for one or two seconds. There's no stage recognition for these folks, but the character of the show would be vastly different without them, including their sunny and supportive personalities.
Choreographer Wendy Baugh does for dance what Alan does for comedy, that sixth sense of what will really pop on stage for the audience. No one blends as sharp a mind, effective a message, strong a drive and sweet a smile as her. JoLynn Robinson brings not only her skills but the self-esteem of decades of musical leadership to bring out the best in our harmonies, and the complex amazement of an all-volunteer orchestra playing half-blind in the dusty shop of the theater to supply the heartbeat of the show.
Also toiling in the shadows, with greater exercise than anyone, are stage manager Tyler McWhorter and assistant Judy Stroh. They operate on a constant tightrope of scene-change timing windows, the unpredictabilities of live theater, and the risk of moving two-story tall set pieces that could topple over and squish them. Another pair that gets no limelight for their critical role, they still weave themselves into the fabric of the show's optimism with their light-hearted personalities throughout.
I have raved and could rave about Chris Terven's undying devotion and brilliance, but he's such a modest guy who's already lit his star as Shrek that I'll just say here as a nugget of illustration of his set design that it's been a pleasure to see him dangle that bluebird's branch with all the drama of whether it will explode on stage into a cloud of feathers or not.
Alex Lovel is a rising choreography star, teaching rats to tap dance and children to get their freak flags on. I've been able to spend a fair amount of time with her backstage before our Morning Person scene, enough to understand why her calm, friendly, unassuming nature will serve her well as an elementary ed teacher, as it did during frantic repeated costume changes in this show.
So many others contributed to Shrek's undeniable success. John Cargill, Ethan & Logan Maloy, and others who kept the lights on. Wendi Ayers, who ran herd over the kids cast so that they were happy and not roadkill, who snapped dozens of photos and lit up the backstage with her infectious laugh. Liz Gerwick, the silent genius of makeup design. Opal Virtue and Sherry Bradshaw who presided over the masses at the box office. Sally Baugh, the house manager who runs a delightfully tight and efficient ushering ship. Who can overlook the importance of costume designs from Grace Bova, Karen Clark and Robin West on a shoestring budget? And although she gets no written credit elsewhere, Wendi Fleming has to get some here for her organization of staff gifts, not to mention (for me personally) as always the gratefulness of being brought into the Players' fold.
One more show to go, and it will be a pleasure to make it shine in tribute to all these amazing folks.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Anthony Rizzo Of Chicago Cubs Hits 2 Home Runs For Cancer Patient
The third multi-home-run game of the season for Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo carried with it some extra meaning Tuesday night.
Rizzo, 24, delivered that night against the San Diego Padres, hitting No. 24 in the third inning and No. 25 in the seventh to take over the National League lead.
Barely into his professional career after being drafted by the Boston Red Sox, an 18-year-old Rizzo was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008. He went through six months of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free.
"This one hit more at home for me," Rizzo told the Cubs website of his meeting with Mike and his family. "I usually don't get flashbacks, but I did this time."
Shrek Diary: The Players' Patio
Dear Diary,
Part of enjoying the theater is not being in the theater.
The Community Players Theatre's "patio" is a swath of concrete pavement about the size of a basketball half court, just outside the stage door side entrance where actors enter and exit on show nights. It lacks visual charm of any kind; as if an architect said "Let's start by sticking five random three-foot concrete cylinders out there," and upon seeing it, switched careers.
The charm comes from the personality that flowers from the creative minds of the actors who grace it.
Yesterday as I approached the building Kristen Woodard, Hunter Kisandi, and Malea Hauck were out front with a hula hoop teaching each other (and eventually me) to do acrobatic tricks with it.
Following my mid-show trip to the Dollar General store to grab some candy for the kids cast, I heard the matchless laugh of Brenton Ways resonating from a hundred yards away, so ambled over to chill on the patio.
Brenton is a fountain of nursing information relating to human behavior including most bodily functions. The glory of theater is that no topic is too far afield, as he was not alone in expounding upon life stories and philosophies involving urination. Or sleep patterns. Or the perils of wheat flour.
Shelby Sharick, the naturally comical reality-star-in-waiting, is also a master of topic-changing and eventually brought us around to the abandoned (reputedly haunted) mansion in Towanda for which her realtor mother gave her a hair-raising tour. Jen Maloy, devotee of haunted houses, was delighted to learn that it's currently on the market for $146,000, enough to leap from the lawn chair that she brought along specially for patio chatting. John Poling, Joey Knotts, Malea and I all chipped in random supporting comments.
Theater is a mix of intense concentration and leisurely lounging that's as invigorating as any religious retreat I've ever attended, with a broader range of acceptable opinions. The family feel that grows is unmistakable. You get out of it what you put into it.
Part of enjoying the theater is not being in the theater.
The Community Players Theatre's "patio" is a swath of concrete pavement about the size of a basketball half court, just outside the stage door side entrance where actors enter and exit on show nights. It lacks visual charm of any kind; as if an architect said "Let's start by sticking five random three-foot concrete cylinders out there," and upon seeing it, switched careers.
The charm comes from the personality that flowers from the creative minds of the actors who grace it.
Yesterday as I approached the building Kristen Woodard, Hunter Kisandi, and Malea Hauck were out front with a hula hoop teaching each other (and eventually me) to do acrobatic tricks with it.
Following my mid-show trip to the Dollar General store to grab some candy for the kids cast, I heard the matchless laugh of Brenton Ways resonating from a hundred yards away, so ambled over to chill on the patio.
Brenton is a fountain of nursing information relating to human behavior including most bodily functions. The glory of theater is that no topic is too far afield, as he was not alone in expounding upon life stories and philosophies involving urination. Or sleep patterns. Or the perils of wheat flour.
Shelby Sharick, the naturally comical reality-star-in-waiting, is also a master of topic-changing and eventually brought us around to the abandoned (reputedly haunted) mansion in Towanda for which her realtor mother gave her a hair-raising tour. Jen Maloy, devotee of haunted houses, was delighted to learn that it's currently on the market for $146,000, enough to leap from the lawn chair that she brought along specially for patio chatting. John Poling, Joey Knotts, Malea and I all chipped in random supporting comments.
Theater is a mix of intense concentration and leisurely lounging that's as invigorating as any religious retreat I've ever attended, with a broader range of acceptable opinions. The family feel that grows is unmistakable. You get out of it what you put into it.
Shrek Diary: Kids Cast
Dear Diary,
The kids cast adds another dimension of life to the show. Mostly these 20 characters of more "modern" fairytale nature (Harry Potter, Fix-It Felix, Primrose Everdeen) stand in two groups off to the left and right wings of the stage and join the adult cast in a couple of specialized dances. One or two of them play Lord Farquaad's dad, the dwarf Grumpy, in lip-sync with a recorded adult voice. A couple like Solomon Lott (Baby Shrek) and Kalen Mapguay (Baby Bear) play more visible bit parts. They show impressive restraint in keeping their voices down backstage, well enough to rival the adult cast.
Since there's barely enough room backstage for the 40 adult cast members, they spend most of the show huddled in a nearby church, where I'm told there's a small paradise of foosball, other games, and snacks available. Not so many snacks, though, to prevent them from cheerfully snarfing down the giant packages of Twizzlers licorice strips I've bought for them at least once a weekend. (Licorice is the sweet of choice for the theater, since it doesn't smear a costume the way chocolate does.)
They're lucky to have the parents they do, trucking them to rehearsal and often sitting through it. Patiently waiting whenever rehearsals had to stretch later than scheduled. Helping chaperone this unlikely-looking horde as it crossed the street in front of confused drivers.
These kids can dance. This I found out at the cast party. As I drifted onto the dance floor, amidst the artificial fog (which, since it could be triggered by the kids like any regular toy, was thicker than both hulls of the Titanic) and laser lights, a song was blaring over the jukebox that every one of them seemed to know, and I'd never heard in my life. Apparently, the song was intended to be screamed. It was crazy fun.
The kids cast adds another dimension of life to the show. Mostly these 20 characters of more "modern" fairytale nature (Harry Potter, Fix-It Felix, Primrose Everdeen) stand in two groups off to the left and right wings of the stage and join the adult cast in a couple of specialized dances. One or two of them play Lord Farquaad's dad, the dwarf Grumpy, in lip-sync with a recorded adult voice. A couple like Solomon Lott (Baby Shrek) and Kalen Mapguay (Baby Bear) play more visible bit parts. They show impressive restraint in keeping their voices down backstage, well enough to rival the adult cast.
Since there's barely enough room backstage for the 40 adult cast members, they spend most of the show huddled in a nearby church, where I'm told there's a small paradise of foosball, other games, and snacks available. Not so many snacks, though, to prevent them from cheerfully snarfing down the giant packages of Twizzlers licorice strips I've bought for them at least once a weekend. (Licorice is the sweet of choice for the theater, since it doesn't smear a costume the way chocolate does.)
They're lucky to have the parents they do, trucking them to rehearsal and often sitting through it. Patiently waiting whenever rehearsals had to stretch later than scheduled. Helping chaperone this unlikely-looking horde as it crossed the street in front of confused drivers.
These kids can dance. This I found out at the cast party. As I drifted onto the dance floor, amidst the artificial fog (which, since it could be triggered by the kids like any regular toy, was thicker than both hulls of the Titanic) and laser lights, a song was blaring over the jukebox that every one of them seemed to know, and I'd never heard in my life. Apparently, the song was intended to be screamed. It was crazy fun.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Shrek Diary: Changing Places
Dear Diary,
Some of the best action the audience never sees is in the costume changing areas backstage. With such a large cast, members are assigned to scattered places throughout the building rather than all in one spot.
The men's dressing room in the basement is for those who have few costumes. It features mirrors with bright lights, benches for sitting and casually applying makeup. It's where I often see Sean Stevens, the third of the little pigs and leader of our church band. Mighty-voiced Jen Rusk works her makeup in there once the show gets running. Brenton Ways, the booming-voiced nurse who looks great in green as Papa Ogre, and chips in a steady stream of good humor. It's also where two of the shows greatest stars prep. Jaron Rhoda's rangy voice and whimsical on-stage goofiness and physical comedy make him a dynamic Lord Farquaad; backstage, he's a quiet guy with an easy friendliness about him that makes his company a pleasure and earns the cast's respect. Matthew Henry is the dominant comic force in Shrek, pure electricity trained by obvious truckloads of devoted hard work to his character. From auditions to final bows, he's the engine of the performance, which says a lot on a cast with so many other Cadillac parts to it.
The green room is another charming gathering place that is home to the quickest of the quick changes. Some people use it occasionally to apply makeup, like the uber-talented dance captain Alex Lovell. Some are there to help others get their changes done, and to find some calm apart from the storm of dozens of sub-twentysomethings: Wendi Fleming, the Community Players mainstay and my "agent" who introduced me to CPT and pointed me toward a future performance of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Jennifer Stevens, another leader of our church band, Mary Kay consultant and friend dating back to Hairspray; Jen Maloy, my exquisitely matched on-stage wife with boundless energy and smiles that naturally draw people to her. And leads Chris Terven and Lisa Groves, featured in my earlier diary entry.
Then there's my area. The aptly-named "furniture row" is just that - a rear corridor just wide enough to bang your elbows on the contents of each wall, used mainly to store surplus rickety furniture that was last dusted during World War II. Among the talents I need to employ in Shrek, perhaps none is finer or more essential to my health than the ability to swim to my costume rack through the kind of murky unlit blackness that recalls the most murderous scenes of the Saw series. While there are no bear traps, razor blade boxes or other unsprung horrors planted (I think), the ground is littered with hastily-dropped wire hangers that cause hair-raising clangs if booted while the show is running. It's where, while transforming from King Harold to Pied Piper on the run, I see hazy outlines of Brenton being helped into his Big Bad Wolf costume by Shelby Sharick, who may be the most self-confident 15-year-old I've ever met. I nudge my way past Tony Smith, the gentle and genteel friend with incredible creative talent who's in our third show together. Past Ryan Groves, Jake Rathman and Austin Travis, the most huggable person on the planet who makes everyone feel like his brother or sister. Getting to stage on time, in a dust-free forward-facing complete costume without snapping my microphone, my flute, or my neck is a morale-booster of the highest order.
Some of the best action the audience never sees is in the costume changing areas backstage. With such a large cast, members are assigned to scattered places throughout the building rather than all in one spot.
The men's dressing room in the basement is for those who have few costumes. It features mirrors with bright lights, benches for sitting and casually applying makeup. It's where I often see Sean Stevens, the third of the little pigs and leader of our church band. Mighty-voiced Jen Rusk works her makeup in there once the show gets running. Brenton Ways, the booming-voiced nurse who looks great in green as Papa Ogre, and chips in a steady stream of good humor. It's also where two of the shows greatest stars prep. Jaron Rhoda's rangy voice and whimsical on-stage goofiness and physical comedy make him a dynamic Lord Farquaad; backstage, he's a quiet guy with an easy friendliness about him that makes his company a pleasure and earns the cast's respect. Matthew Henry is the dominant comic force in Shrek, pure electricity trained by obvious truckloads of devoted hard work to his character. From auditions to final bows, he's the engine of the performance, which says a lot on a cast with so many other Cadillac parts to it.
The green room is another charming gathering place that is home to the quickest of the quick changes. Some people use it occasionally to apply makeup, like the uber-talented dance captain Alex Lovell. Some are there to help others get their changes done, and to find some calm apart from the storm of dozens of sub-twentysomethings: Wendi Fleming, the Community Players mainstay and my "agent" who introduced me to CPT and pointed me toward a future performance of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Jennifer Stevens, another leader of our church band, Mary Kay consultant and friend dating back to Hairspray; Jen Maloy, my exquisitely matched on-stage wife with boundless energy and smiles that naturally draw people to her. And leads Chris Terven and Lisa Groves, featured in my earlier diary entry.
Then there's my area. The aptly-named "furniture row" is just that - a rear corridor just wide enough to bang your elbows on the contents of each wall, used mainly to store surplus rickety furniture that was last dusted during World War II. Among the talents I need to employ in Shrek, perhaps none is finer or more essential to my health than the ability to swim to my costume rack through the kind of murky unlit blackness that recalls the most murderous scenes of the Saw series. While there are no bear traps, razor blade boxes or other unsprung horrors planted (I think), the ground is littered with hastily-dropped wire hangers that cause hair-raising clangs if booted while the show is running. It's where, while transforming from King Harold to Pied Piper on the run, I see hazy outlines of Brenton being helped into his Big Bad Wolf costume by Shelby Sharick, who may be the most self-confident 15-year-old I've ever met. I nudge my way past Tony Smith, the gentle and genteel friend with incredible creative talent who's in our third show together. Past Ryan Groves, Jake Rathman and Austin Travis, the most huggable person on the planet who makes everyone feel like his brother or sister. Getting to stage on time, in a dust-free forward-facing complete costume without snapping my microphone, my flute, or my neck is a morale-booster of the highest order.
Cubs' Young Core Shines In 6-0 Win Over Padres
CHICAGO -- If it was a sneak preview of the future at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, thenChicago Cubs fans can't wait for the sequel.
Twenty-four-year-old Anthony Rizzo hit two home runs and 24-year-old Kyle Hendricks pitched seven innings for his first major league victory, leading the Cubs to a 6-0 victory over the San Diego Padres that snapped their five-game losing streak.
And rookie Arimendy Alcantara hit the hardest ball of the night, a blast over the bleachers in right field that landed on Sheffield Avenue.
On a day when Chicago Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo hit two home runs and stud prospect Arismendy Alcantara hit one onto Sheffield Avenue, it was 24-year-old Kyle Hendricks who should steal all the headlines, Jesse Rogers writes.
"I just try to hit the ball," the 22-year-old Alcantara said. "If it goes far, that is OK."
"They're not looking like they're too bothered by being at the major league level," manager Rick Renteria noticed. "They're just playing the game, simplifying it between the lines."
Rizzo staked Hendricks to a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a solo homer. Four innings later, Alcantara and Rizzo hit back-to-back homers offBlaine Boyer for a 5-0 lead. Rizzo became the first National League player to reach 25 homers this season, his career high. He finished with 23 homers in 160 games last season.
"I'm not stronger than I was last year, I don't think," said Rizzo, who credited a more disciplined approach for his recent power surge.
Recalled from Triple-A Iowa earlier Tuesday, Hendricks (1-0) made short work of an anemic Padres lineup that entered the game with a total of 29 home runs and 103 RBIs. In his second start of the season, the right-hander allowed five hits and threw only 83 pitches, two that were clocked faster than 88 mph. He walked three and struck out five.
"Best day of my life," Hendricks called it. "Awesome."
The Padres had two runners on base in the first, third and fifth innings, but the Cubs turned two of their season-high four double plays to erase the last two threats.
In the process, Hendricks continued to erase doubts that he could finesse his way to the next level.
"You wonder that when you come up," said Hendricks, whose father John was in attendance. "That's definitely the hardest thing in baseball -- to trust your stuff. But that's what you have to fall back on also."
Eric Stults (3-12) lasted only five innings in the muggy conditions and took the loss, the ninth in his last 10 decisions. He gave up three runs and six hits and walked three.
"Yeah, we get spoiled by the weather in San Diego," Stults said. "So tonight definitely the humidity was something I wasn't used to. It's hard to catch your breath. The way (Hendricks) threw, he had some quick innings. It felt like I was sitting down and getting right back up."
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Eight Hours Of Sleep Is Overrated?
By Beth Greenfield of Yahoo! Health:
CEOs, politicians and other high achievers (we’re looking at you,Hillary Clinton) may only need an insane three to five hours of sleep a night. But normal folk require the optimal eight. Right? Not exactly, according to a glut of new research that shows Americans are on average sleeping less than they used to — and that seven hours might actually be the better span to aim for.
“The lowest mortality and morbidity is with seven hours,” Shawn Youngstedt, a professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University Phoenix, told the Wall Street Journal. “Eight hours or more has consistently been shown to be hazardous.” Experts still generally recommend the range of seven to nine hours nightly for healthy adults, but the ideal number seems to have dropped ever so slightly. It’s why both the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has funded a partnership with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine — the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project — to discern how to best update recommended sleep guidelines in the coming year, and why the nonprofit National Sleep Foundation is doing the same.
The CDC currently suggests seven to eight hours a night for healthy adults, but, a spokesperson told Yahoo Health, “as more evidence is presented by the scientific community, it is expected that these recommendations may change.”
Findings pointing to seven hours as a better goal than eight, according to the Wall Street Journal article, include those by Daniel F. Kripke, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego; in one study, he tracked 1.1 million people who participated in a cancer study, and found that people who reported sleeping 6.5 to 7.4 hours had a lower mortality rate than those with shorter or longer sleep. He also recorded the weeklong sleep activity of about 450 elderly women; a decade later, the researchers found that those who slept fewer than five hours or more than 6.5 hours had a higher mortality.
Then, in 2013, a study in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience looked at the self-reported sleeping habits of about 160,000 users of cognitive-training website Lumosity, as well as results of spatial-memory, matching and math tests. They found that cognitive performance increased as people got more sleep, and reaching a peak at seven hours before starting to decline. After seven hours, “increasing sleep was not any more beneficial,” study co-author Murali Doraiswamy, a professor of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, told the Wall Street Journal.
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