The Art of Braids...

OK...so the bottom line is I can't make braids as well as mommy can.  "That's OK Daddy..."


It's true, my braid making ability is lacking, I've not the years of expereince self braiding my own hair for years as a child, teen and young adult, but does that mean that I can't learn?!


NO!


I have decided to become braid proficient.  After all "Rapunzel has a long braid Daddy."  


I wonder if Flynn had to become expert in the art of Braiding (she did cut her hair...heck...maybe THAT'S the real reason Flynn chopped it at the end.  So that HE wouldn't have to learn the art of the braid and not to save he from Donna Murphy (who by the way for those of you who don't know her...is the farthest thing from that character.  Just shows how brilliant she is as an actress.)


Ahhhh but I digress.


Naturally I have to start at the beginning and thus with the definition of "Braid."

Braid

   [breyd] 

verb (used with object)

1.

to weave together strips or strands of; plait: to braid the hair.

2.

to form by such weaving: to braid a rope.

3.

to bind or confine (the hair) with a band, ribbon, etc.

4.

to trim with braid, as a garment.

noun

5.

a braided length or plait, especially of hair.

6.

a hair style formed by interweaving three or more strandsof hair.

7.

a narrow, ropelike band formed by plaiting or weavingtogether several strands of silk, cotton, or other material,used as trimming for garments, drapery, etc.

8.

a band, ribbon, etc., for binding or confining the hair.

Origin: 
before 950; Middle English braiden, breiden  (v.), Old English bregdan to move quickly, move to and fro, weave; cognate with OldNorse bregtha, Dutch breien

Related forms

braid·er, noun

well-braid·ed, adjective

Can be confused:  braid, brayed.

(I MUST of course then define the word Bray...mostly because I love one of the meanings of it's origin!  Please note the red text below...)

bray

¹    [brey]  Show IPA

noun

1.

the loud, harsh cry of a donkey.

2.

any similar loud, harsh sound.

verb (used without object)

3.

to utter a loud and harsh cry, as a donkey.

4.

to make a loud, harsh, disagreeable sound.

verb (used with object)

5.

to utter with a loud, harsh sound, like a donkey.

Origin: 
1250–1300; Middle English brayen  < Old French braire  to cry out(cognate with Medieval Latin bragīre  to neigh) < Celtic;  compareOld Irish braigid  (he) breaks wind

In my defense I have become fairly proficient in the art of the Barrette. I have mastered most themes, Princess Barrette, Hello Kitty, Winnie-The-Pooh and even the retro plastic barrette from the early 1970's.  

So now it is off to the "Mommy please teach me how to braid" school for "Daddy's in search of the Art of the Braid."  

I have to admit...I love being a dad!

Rebecca, the fall and the top 10

Well the cast has been having great email conversations and we are so happy that we are going to be together in the fall.  

The set is already finished so I know this is only a temporary hiccup in the journey forward.  And I've been joking (well not really) the delay will indeed give me additional time to drop the weight I want to drop to play Jack Favell.  

For TALE I dropped nearly 29 pounds...not sure I'll go that far for this one but close.

And in case you didn't know...My BRING ME GIANTS CD was voted in the top 10 of it's genre for 2011 on Talkn' Broadway.  All of us are very happy about that!  

Your Heart

Genetically I think I'm pretty good in terms of my heart (at least I think so).  I don't eat a ton of junk and I'm pretty fit.  But as I move up in age (no I'm not 20 anymore) I'm thinking more and more about longevity...especially now that I had the two little angels in my life.  


I've often mentioned that for me doing a Broadway show is like playing a professional sport. There is a tremendous amount of prep involved and depending upon what you're doing IN the show, your body goes through a great deal of stress.  Singing constantly also takes it toll. 


So as part of my research on supplements and such for my current program for REBECCA I came across this from the www.ubiquinol.org website.  I urge you to read it.

What is Ubiquinol?

Your body naturally produces CoQ10 and then converts it to its active form Ubiquinol, the nutrient essential for cellular energy function. It is the key component in 95% of your body’s energy production, and provides sustained, natural energy from within. In addition, Ubiquinol delivers antioxidant protection that CoQ10 can’t provide, and protects your heart and other organs from free radical damage.

Around the age of 30, your body’s ability to produce and convert CoQ10 to its active form Ubiquinol diminishes significantly. Taking a Ubiquinol supplement helps to restore optimal levels of Ubiquinol in the body that would otherwise diminish with age and various health conditions, including fatigue and aging. Some prescription medications can further deplete the amount of CoQ10 produced in your body.

Supports Heart Health

Ubiquinol is essential for heart health because it provides cellular energy to the heart, the organ in the body that requires the most energy to perform at its best. Unlike conventional CoQ10, Ubiquinol is an antioxidant, so it provides even more protection to the heart.

Statin Drugs

Ubiquinol also is ideal for persons on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. In addition to reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the liver, statin drugs can reduce the amount of CoQ10 in the liver as well. A lack of CoQ10 in the body can lead to chronic fatigue and muscle pains.

Ubiquinol provides Natural Energy

Health conditions such as stress, fatigue and aging diminish the amount of Ubiquinol found in the body. Ubiquinol is a key component in 95 percent of the body’s energy production. Taking an Ubiquinol supplement helps to restore optimal levels the body needs to feel healthy and energized. Although most will not get a stimulant effect from taking Ubiquinol, many describe the energy benefits from Ubiquinol as feeling a lack of tiredness that they usually experience throughout the day.

Support for Vital Organs

Supplementing with Ubiquinol will restore healthy levels of CoQ10 in plasma and organs for more efficient energy production. This typically results in more energy and stamina, as well as better overall health.

Slowing of the aging process

Ubiquinol is the strongest known lipid soluble antioxidant. It protects cells against damage from free radicals and oxidative stress, which are associated with the aging process and many age-related conditions.

You can find a ton more information at: www.ubiquinol.org

There is also a new blog www.YourHealth360.blogspot.com that has information as well.  


And it has links to the ARIIX product: biopro Q.  


It's Ubiquinol.

I just ordered mine.  

Now some people have been writing in and asking me about them.  They're incredible products and from my research have the highest ratings, FDA approved etc.  

Obviously I'm not a doctor so I'm relying on the same information you would in terms of this stuff.  So far...so good!

Here's a video that talks about the Quality and manufacturing standards:

ARIIX Manufacturing Standards from ARIIX CHANNEL on Vimeo.

Here's a cool thing...I found out that you can get a discount on the products by becoming a preferred customer.  

At our house we have basically switched over to this company and are having all the vitamins and supplements automatically sent to us in the mail.  Not only does it save time but we get the discount as well.  I'll put a link at the bottom of the page.  Same link I used to get my supplements.

I really like what ARIIX is doing.  You know me...I always try to find the good in things.  And the ARIIX mission statement is "Unleashing The Human Potential For Good."  (Kinda perfect).  

Given that these products are non GMO (not Genetically Modified) and given that, I've, so far, had some great results...I'm sticking with them for the duration.  

Here's the link to sign up as a preferred customer.  This is what we did and we get a substantial discount on the products.  I look at it this way...a little investment in my health will pay dividends in the long run:

CLICK ME HERE