Not to die.

I would read biographies on Ben Franklin and Einstein. I've read a couple on each that were really interesting.

I live in the Milwaukee area and I'd say that OF COURSE there will be snow but I wouldnt worry about it. Because of our winters we have some pretty effective snow clearing crews and it shouldnt really affect you especially when you're using the highways. I wouldnt let snow stop your plans...people are driving and commuting in this (Milwaukee) weather all the time.

I started learning piano by myself about 2 years ago and then finally this summer I got lessons for the first time. I was actually surprised by how little my teacher had to correct me. From my experience I'm not really sure what bad habits even exist because piano playing seems so natural and it also seems like harder pieces will only sound good IF you play them correctly and so then it almost corrects itself if you have a sensitive ear to what you are playing. That's not to say that the piano is easy but it feels more natural and commensensical to me than other intruments that I've learned.

Also, I do want to say that digital pianos have one major advantage to a lot of people and that is the fact that you can use headphones or turn the volume down. Many people's living arrangements I think would not allow a loud acoustic piano-- but I agree that the acoustic is still better feeling and sounding.

Why do people always think of God as a human. He doesnt know about the particles....he is the particles.

Judo:...you'll build up your stamina.....start light......no more than 3-4 sets per excercise....(you're looking to rep out at about 10)......and free weights help build your stabalizer muscles and give you a more rounded appearence.....definite benifit......though you'll have to start out lighter....Omni-Slash

Alright, that makes sense. So basically free weight exercises work more muscles at the same time. And I can definitely say I could use less weight because I've only been doing about 2 sets per exercise w/ 10-12 reps. It's so easy to use more weight than you should at a public gym. Especially when you want impress all the hottie-mcdotties.

I've started to get into a lifting routine of 3-4 days a week, basically just everyother day so it alternates per week. It's a little intimidating though because clearly I'm not at the level of a lot of people there and there's machines and exercises that I dont know about yet so I try to do something new everytime-- I have yet to get a routine going.

I have some questions though for more experienced lifters. First of all is it normal to not be able to last when your first start out? In other words I cant lift for more than 25 minutes because I'll get really shaky--so I'm assuming after you lift for awhile you can last longer right? Also, are there advantages to free weights? I use the bench press but a lot of the free weight exercises intimidate me so I normally stick to the machines.