Dancing with the Stars 2024 Week 1

Welcome back Dance Fans!

Who's excited?!

I can sum up the premiere episode in three words: Personality, enthusiasm, and chemistry!

The Powers-That-Be did an outstanding job with the pairings this season. 

Not every routine was stellar - it's week one. 

But pretty much every performance showed that the couples were already connected and cared about each other. 

Two couples tied for the top score. While Chandler and Brandon likely had the best dance from a technical standpoint, Dwight and Daniella's Salsa is the routine I can't stop watching. Not only did they have the song that can get just about anyone moving, their tricks were off the chain, and Dwight's enthusiasm got the ballroom going bananas. 

Speaking of enthusiasm, Stephen & Riley's Jive was a thrill ride. Their boundless energy, athleticism, and youthful exuberance should take them far this season. 

I was smiling for MOST of the episode. 

But a few times I wasn't. 

Three times to be exact. 

Gripe #1:

Reginald and Robert. 

Look, I get it. 

Reginald is 72 years old. 

Robert has injuries that are hampering him.

But at least DO something! 

I'm directing this more to Reginald. 

He's a former dancer. 

If you are going to be on the show, please do more than just stand there while your partner dances around you. 

You don't have to be good. But I would like you to at least try. 

Gripe #2:

Anna Delvey

Dancing with the Stars has certainly courted controversy before.

Cough! (Sean Spicer!)

Cough! (Rick Perry!)

But c'mon. She's a con artist. She should not be on the show. Period. 

Remember what I said about enthusiasm, personality, and chemistry? 

All of that vanished when Anna and Ezra performed. 

The routine was boring, and the ballroom went cold and quiet. 

The judges segment and chat with Julianne weren't any better. 

It was uncomfortable. 

It was not entertaining. 

Is this some kind of initiation for Ezra? Poor guy. 

I love the show, and I'm not going to boycott, but I think they made a mistake with casting her. 

We'll see what happens tonight. 

librarianintx

 

 

Health Tip #3: Self-care During Hard Times

This one is SO important y'all.

Self-care feels indulgent. 

You feel like you don't deserve it.

You tell yourself you don't have time for it.

You might feel guilty if you do it.

But self-care is imperative for health and wellness, especially during times of struggle. 

Too often our default mechanism is self-sabotage, especially during a crisis. 

Break that cycle. 

Make your physical and mental health a priority. 

The more you do it, the better you will feel, and likely you will be able to come through adversity more easily. 

I lost a friend two days ago. 

I am dealing with grief, and guilt and regret as well. 

Yesterday I felt those urges to self-sabotage. 

But I fought them. 

What is self-care? 

Self-care means focusing on the pillars of health.

Nutrition

Sleep

Exercise / movement

Spirituality

Social connection 

So yesterday I:

Exercised

Journaled 

Spent time with friends and talked to family

Watched a favorite show

Went to bed at a reasonable time

And...well...full disclosure...I did eat too much sugar.

So I didn't do everything right.

But I give myself grace for that. 

Because that is a big part of self-care too.

librarianintx

Health Tip #2: Growth Mindset

From Google:

Growth mindset: “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”

For me, growth mindset means looking at problems or setbacks as challenges and opportunities, which is helping me build resilience. 

Something happened last week. I don't mean to be vague, but I can't go into detail about it. Suffice to say, I was upset and frustrated and felt that what was happening was unfair to me.

The situation made me feel stressed, and I felt it in my body as well as emotionally. This kind of stress is detrimental, physically as well as emotionally. Chronic stress can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

I knew that I could not change the situation. So I changed my mindset. I focused on the belief that everything happens for a reason. I found the silver lining in what was taking place. 

For my physical and mental health, I made the decision that I felt was right for me, and I moved on. In doing that, I felt resilient. 

Cultivating a growth mindset can be very beneficial.  It can take time and practice to develop a new way of thinking and processing events in your life.

It's worth the effort.

librarianintx

Health Tip #1: Mindful Eating

Today is the first post in a new series for this blog: Health Tips. 

I do research in my job pertaining to disabilities and conditions. 

I read articles, watch webinars, and learn about health and safety for people with disabilities and older adults. 

If what I write about helps at least one person, then I will feel good. 

Much of what I have learned about I am endeavoring to do in my own life. 

Creating healthy habits takes time, patience, and dedication. 

Today the topic is mindful eating. 

Here is an article on mindful eating:  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mindful-eating-guide#rationale

At it's core, mindful eating is about eating slowly and without distraction. 

It can help you enjoy your food, aid in your digestion, and limit overeating. 

I was born into a family of fast eaters. My family does not eat their food - they inhale it. I am always the last one at the table. In fact, sometimes family members are starting on their dessert while I'm still eating my main meal. This used to bother me when I was younger. I don't get upset now. I actually eat faster than I used to. 

When I eat alone, I tend to watch a show, or scroll through the Internet or social media. But I have noticed that when I do this, I don't enjoy my food as much. I'm not paying attention to what I'm eating. Sometimes I even look at recipes while I am eating! Afterward, I say to myself, "Why did I do that?"

So lately I am practicing mindful eating. And I am enjoying it. Mindful eating doesn't have to take a long time. It simply involves focusing on the taste of the food and enjoying the experience. I am cooking more than I used to, so I want to fully experience the smell, the taste, the look of the food that I prepared. I am also working on healthier, more balanced meals that look nice. For example, a homemade quesadilla with eggs, spinach or avocado, tomatoes, and cheese, and a side of blueberries is a healthy, filling, and tasty breakfast that looks attractive too. And it doesn't take a long time to prepare.  

librarianintx

Big Brother Season 26 Episode 9/12 SPOILERS!

 I didn't get to watch Thursday's episode until Friday. 

My Friday the 13th was fine - until Quinn walked out the front door. :(

Really Chelsie? You're going to believe something that Karen - I mean Angela - told you? 

I mean, yes, Quinn was a schemer. Angela could have been telling the truth. But she wasn't. And I think Quinn was right that breaking up the three person alliance would have been a good plan. 

So strange though - Angela planted a seed, got Quinn put up on the block, and then she voted for him to stay?!?! If Cam had not flipped, the vote would have been tied. I don't know what Chelsie would have done. 

Cedric and Quinn are my favorites. I like Kimo too. I hope one of them wins favorite houseguest, but it will probably be Tucker. 

librarianintx

Big Brother Season 26 9/5 Episode SPOILERS

So Leah finally starts playing - by saving Angela?!?! Arrrggg!!!

I was okay with Joseph leaving. For me, he is a strange man that played a strange game. A super fan who threw competitions and was a follower? And he puts himself in a league with Dr. Will? Uh-uh.

But there sure were a lot of tears during the vote and eviction. These houseguests have bonded.

Quinn is still my favorite. He is playing a super fan's game. But I fear his HOH reign was quite detrimental. He burned his visionaries alliance with T'Kor and Kimo, and of course Angela and Rubina will come after him if they win HOH. Leah went against him by using the POV. Makensy is a maybe. Chelsie or Cam HAVE to win HOH. Or maybe some of these bridges can be repaired. 

Anything can happen in the BB house.

librarianintx 

Big Brother Season 26 Episode 9/1 SPOILERS

Okay, two things puzzle me about last night's noms...

I can understand T'Kor being upset about Quinn putting Kimo on the block. The three are supposed to be in an alliance. 

But T'Kor being mad about Rubina going up? Rubina is Tucker's girlfriend. Quinn isn't aligned with her. And Quinn told T'Kor he was doing it and she said that made sense.

But on the other hand, I think Quinn should have nominated Joseph instead of Kimo. Joseph had a final two with Tucker. He was loyal to Tucker. If you're nominating Tucker's girlfriend, wouldn't you nominate his man friend too? 

Hopefully all will be right in the Universe on Thursday, and Angela will walk out that front door. 🙏 

librarianintx 

Big Brother Season 26 8/29 Episode SPOILERS

Ah the mighty have fallen...

The house was absolutely right in getting Tucker out when they had the chance.

There are still lots of strategic, entertaining houseguests playing the game.

But Tucker sure was fun to watch.

I hope he'll be considered for an All Stars season.

But Tucker's elimination means that Angela is STILL in the house.

Manipulative, whiny, chaos -creating in a cringeworthy way Angela.

If she takes credit for instigating Tucker's elimination, I might throw my phone.

Chelsie and Quinn get those points. And T'Kor for putting Tucker up as a pawn.

Tucker irritated me sometimes. He was cocky. He sulked when he didn't get his way. 

But I was very impressed with his loyalty to Angela, even when she betrayed him.

And he accepted a punishment so T'Kor could get money, even after she put him on the block.

Tucker is a stand up guy.

I'm glad America rewarded him for his efforts as the AI Instigator.

librarianintx