Sarah's Blog

RIP Johnny Parker

Incredibly sad to report that the news has just reached me that Johnny Parker has passed away. For those of you not fortunate enough to have heard John play, I can't tell you what a treat you missed. For those who don't know, John was a wonderful pianist who was supremely inventive - taking a tune and putting into a different style (blues into ragtime for example) and, the time when we got to record together I can vividly remember wondering how in the heck we were going to do something with the tune About A Quarter to Nine - John kicked it off with a piano intro and it became a boogie. He was so inspirational to play with and certainly brought out the best in me.
I was, coincidentally, listening to some tracks to try to figure out a setlist and, in there, was one of the sides from the cd that he and I made together. I remember thinking what a pleasure and honour it was to play with him and also wondering how he was doing. A couple of hours later, I heard that he had passed away.
Johnny had been in bad health for a couple of decades and so the younger members of the jazz scene in the UK have probably never heard him play. All I can say is that you truly missed something really special... And I feel truly grateful that I did manage to hear him and, what's more, play with him for one glorious afternoon's recording session and on a Sunday afternoon in a pub near Old Street.
RIP dearest John. May you enjoy the reunions with old pals and not another frustration with your health.

Post workout blog

Monica was great. Triceps & chest. Shoulder was crapping out early which was really irritating. Triceps starting to get a little sore.
Was looking forward to working out with Adam tomorrow but my home phone has been playing up and tomorrow is only time they can come. Dammit! With any luck they will come early enough that I can get a later appointment with Adam. We shall see.

Workout Blog, June 17, 2010

Finally, the soreness has worn off from my workouts with Monica and Adam last week..... just in time for it all to start over again.

Dreading the pain, but looking forward to  another week on the new plan!

Workout Blog

So, I started a new regime yesterday. After a failed attempt to dance to get fit, I realized that I can only manage to motivate myself if I have an obligation to turn up. This rules out group classes and also scheduling fitness stuff on days when I would normally work. Armed with hopeful determination, I signed back up at a gym last week and have booked myself regular Friday and Saturday workouts with trainers and, once my allergy shots cease to be weekly, I'll also be working out on Wednesday afternoons too.
Monica is my personal torturer on Fridays and Adam gets the honour of killing me on the other days.
I am writing this laying on my bed at 8pm on Saturday having worked chest and shoulders yesterday and back and legs today. Cannot fricking move!!!! And I dread to think what I will feel like tomorrow. :)
Really glad to have made this step. And watch this space for the agony of Sarah's workout blog .