Did you know it's dark at 5 am these days? Did you know there is an astounding amount of people (including runners) up in the dark hours of the morning?
The only reason I got up at 5 am was because I knew I wouldn't be able to find time in the day to get out and run. Getting up at 5 am to be out the door by 5:30 am is old hat now for db, but it is still startling to me. Last time we did this together it was light out, now it is not. Honestly, I have to say that I thought once the mornings get dark db will be sleeping in and making time somewhere else in his day to run. I was wrong. db is an unbelievable runner. He's a natural and seems to run with such ease and focus. I have a lot to learn from him.
I got up and I followed his pace. This was a good plan since I was intending to do pace work today. I couldn't keep up with him. Once I stopped to re-tie my shoe it was too much time to catch him again. I tried, but I couldn't. It was the fastest 4 k I've ever run.
***
Now the window installers are finally here. They seem to be very efficient. I'm tucked away in the bedroom with the cats who have finally calmed down and settled into their naps. Gigi was quite worked up this morning and seemed very confused about being locked in the bedroom. She's finally settled in her basket and only wakes now and then to see what I'm up to.
I am a bit afraid of going into the living room and seeing a big hole in our wall where they are cutting to extend our living room windows so we have more light and windows that open in that room. How civilized it will be.
The end result will mean more painting. So I'm thinking about fixing up my office space to be a little more like an office and a little less like a cat flop lounge. At least we can divide the space up into the two. I know, I know the cat flop lounge will win in the end. C'est la vie.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Kelowna here we come
I just registered for my second full marathon in the Okanagan in October. This is very exciting. There seems to be less doubt this time around.
What's also exciting is the news that db has registered for the half marathon. I'm still astounded that he's running, but have no question whatsoever that he can go the distance.
We have the same start times so after he finishes his race he can catch up with me somewhere along the route or maybe at the finish for those photos. Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch him run his first race. It's a bit like not being able to see my sis's first race. I won't be there to cheer him on or take the sideline photos, but he'll know I'll be thinking about him. Of course the thought of running the half distance together did occur to us, but we have such different paces and I'm pacing myself a little differently for a longer distance and I know he's going for something a little faster.
There is chance that my stepdad, P, will be joining us, but he's got a lot going on and might be too busy to get away so we'll have to wait and see.
Anywho....
I'm so excited.
What's also exciting is the news that db has registered for the half marathon. I'm still astounded that he's running, but have no question whatsoever that he can go the distance.
We have the same start times so after he finishes his race he can catch up with me somewhere along the route or maybe at the finish for those photos. Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch him run his first race. It's a bit like not being able to see my sis's first race. I won't be there to cheer him on or take the sideline photos, but he'll know I'll be thinking about him. Of course the thought of running the half distance together did occur to us, but we have such different paces and I'm pacing myself a little differently for a longer distance and I know he's going for something a little faster.
There is chance that my stepdad, P, will be joining us, but he's got a lot going on and might be too busy to get away so we'll have to wait and see.
Anywho....
I'm so excited.
Blackberries
I had the weekend off. db was off too . We've been talking about the blackberries everywhere and wanting to get out there and pick some (or at least I've been talking about it. Here's the result of all that talk. 
Sunday turned into a beautiful day by the time I finished my run. We headed down to the power crunch (that's the pathway that runs up the side of the ridge that is park and owned by BC hydro so there are power lines all along as well -- it's not as bad as it sounds though, really) and spent about an hour to collect these. My fingers were purple. db wisely wore his garden gloves, but I prefer the hands on touch. Ouch! You've got to watch those thorns they are fierce.
Now what do I do with them? I made a cobbler last week with a smaller batch we picked at a friends house, but we are definitely into jam territory now. I'm not really in the mood for a pie and I've got another cobbler on the go made with Okanagan organic peaches so I think we need to make jam. I've frozen some for the winter to throw into whatever when I need them so I think we're good.
Sunday turned into a beautiful day by the time I finished my run. We headed down to the power crunch (that's the pathway that runs up the side of the ridge that is park and owned by BC hydro so there are power lines all along as well -- it's not as bad as it sounds though, really) and spent about an hour to collect these. My fingers were purple. db wisely wore his garden gloves, but I prefer the hands on touch. Ouch! You've got to watch those thorns they are fierce.
Now what do I do with them? I made a cobbler last week with a smaller batch we picked at a friends house, but we are definitely into jam territory now. I'm not really in the mood for a pie and I've got another cobbler on the go made with Okanagan organic peaches so I think we need to make jam. I've frozen some for the winter to throw into whatever when I need them so I think we're good.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Hurry up and wait
Our homeowners planned to get new windows installed for their home. The plan is to put new windows in our spare room (the office/cat lounge) and they are going to cut new windows into the wall for our living room. The house is built on a slope so the office/cat lounge is above ground while the living room is below ground. Therefore, the extra windows in the living room would really brighten up the space and for the first time we'll have living room windows that open. Hurrah.
Okay not so fast. Time passes. Someone comes in and assesses the job. We plan and it's early June. More time passes. Actually a month passes. We're down to any day now. So a couple of weeks pass and finally we get word that yes the installers will be arriving tomorrow (which is today) and will start early at 7ish. Great.
Last night M & Deb. came down to install a plastic zip wall that will cover the area where the installers will be cutting out the new window. Our living room is cut in half, but it's a big room so I don't mind. We move the furniture, cover it in plastic as well. I plan to put the cats in the bedroom for the day and as luck would have it I happen to be off so great I can hang out with the cats in the bedroom, keep them calm and feeling loved, while the windows go in.
Up at 6:15 this morning (same time db returns from his run?! Still hard to believe for me. He's doing great) and I go about setting up the cat camp out room. It looks pretty cozy and fun for them. 7 am passes. 8 am rolls around. I'm not surprised. I watched sis deal with contractors back on Margueretta so all of this seems very likely.
8:30 Deb calls. The installers are running late and will arrive around 9.
Gigi is settling into her usual morning nap location in the cat lounge so I decide to set up the kitties in the bedroom. So they're set up before 9.
Then, 9:30 rolls around. I know the installers have arrived, but why haven't they come down to start yet? Deb calls. These are new installers and not the original guy who came to see the house and mapped out a plan for the work. These new installers apparently had no idea the house was built on a slope and they aren't prepared properly for the cut out, nor do they have the right scaffolding for the job (whatever that means). Furthermore, contractor informs M & Deb that the original guy no longer works for him. So there will be no work today.
I let the cats out of the bedroom.
10:30 M calls and offers to take down the zip wall. He says he'll know more tomorrow once the contractor has fixed the problem (yeah, we'll see). He's very apologetic, but really it's not his fault and I tell him not to worry about the wall it's not a big inconvenience for us so we'll leave it up until we know what's going on for sure.
It was too good to be true. So now we wait and wait. This seems all too common in the contractor business. What the hell is going on?
Okay not so fast. Time passes. Someone comes in and assesses the job. We plan and it's early June. More time passes. Actually a month passes. We're down to any day now. So a couple of weeks pass and finally we get word that yes the installers will be arriving tomorrow (which is today) and will start early at 7ish. Great.
Last night M & Deb. came down to install a plastic zip wall that will cover the area where the installers will be cutting out the new window. Our living room is cut in half, but it's a big room so I don't mind. We move the furniture, cover it in plastic as well. I plan to put the cats in the bedroom for the day and as luck would have it I happen to be off so great I can hang out with the cats in the bedroom, keep them calm and feeling loved, while the windows go in.
Up at 6:15 this morning (same time db returns from his run?! Still hard to believe for me. He's doing great) and I go about setting up the cat camp out room. It looks pretty cozy and fun for them. 7 am passes. 8 am rolls around. I'm not surprised. I watched sis deal with contractors back on Margueretta so all of this seems very likely.
8:30 Deb calls. The installers are running late and will arrive around 9.
Gigi is settling into her usual morning nap location in the cat lounge so I decide to set up the kitties in the bedroom. So they're set up before 9.
Then, 9:30 rolls around. I know the installers have arrived, but why haven't they come down to start yet? Deb calls. These are new installers and not the original guy who came to see the house and mapped out a plan for the work. These new installers apparently had no idea the house was built on a slope and they aren't prepared properly for the cut out, nor do they have the right scaffolding for the job (whatever that means). Furthermore, contractor informs M & Deb that the original guy no longer works for him. So there will be no work today.
I let the cats out of the bedroom.
10:30 M calls and offers to take down the zip wall. He says he'll know more tomorrow once the contractor has fixed the problem (yeah, we'll see). He's very apologetic, but really it's not his fault and I tell him not to worry about the wall it's not a big inconvenience for us so we'll leave it up until we know what's going on for sure.
It was too good to be true. So now we wait and wait. This seems all too common in the contractor business. What the hell is going on?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Bad Cop Good Cop
The cover story of the "westcoast" section of today's Sun reported on a family of 6 in North Van who had been victims of a robbery. The same front page included an update story on the man gunned down by police this past week, who as it turns out was bipolar and "going through a manic episode" when police shot him.
I continue reading a few pages in. Each story is continued on a separate page. On the right side is Story 1 ("Mother had a feeling 'something unsettled') which turns out to be a detailed account of the events on the night the family was robbed and once they realized that someone was in the house they called police just as the robber was driving away in their vehicle. The story then details the movements of the RCMP, municpal police and the coastguard all working together to comfort the family, catch the thief, thus displaying their ability to communicate efficiently and effectively to react to a situation promptly and professionally.
The left page has the rest of Story 2 ("Animator shot dead by police suffered bipolar disorder") which says that the man may have viewed the police as "part of the conspiracy" and also quotes someone who says that the police are trained to deal with "people with mental illness because they deal with them all the time." I understand this to mean that I'm being set up to be later told that this was purely an accident because after all the police deal with this type of thing "all the time" and therefore it could only be a grave misunderstanding that would cause the police to shoot. The rest of the story is really about the man killed and that he was no threat to anyone but himself.
While I'm completely saddened by the story of this man and the loss for the family, I can't help but wonder about these two stories coupled together. My inclination was to read the headlining story, but I wanted an update of the police shooting and read the left hand story when I opened the paper. By the time I get to the end of the "Mother had a feeling" report I am reassured that the police are an efficient force that deals with problems quickly and professionally. I can't help but think that there is no coincidence in the pairing of these two stories.
I continue reading a few pages in. Each story is continued on a separate page. On the right side is Story 1 ("Mother had a feeling 'something unsettled') which turns out to be a detailed account of the events on the night the family was robbed and once they realized that someone was in the house they called police just as the robber was driving away in their vehicle. The story then details the movements of the RCMP, municpal police and the coastguard all working together to comfort the family, catch the thief, thus displaying their ability to communicate efficiently and effectively to react to a situation promptly and professionally.
The left page has the rest of Story 2 ("Animator shot dead by police suffered bipolar disorder") which says that the man may have viewed the police as "part of the conspiracy" and also quotes someone who says that the police are trained to deal with "people with mental illness because they deal with them all the time." I understand this to mean that I'm being set up to be later told that this was purely an accident because after all the police deal with this type of thing "all the time" and therefore it could only be a grave misunderstanding that would cause the police to shoot. The rest of the story is really about the man killed and that he was no threat to anyone but himself.
While I'm completely saddened by the story of this man and the loss for the family, I can't help but wonder about these two stories coupled together. My inclination was to read the headlining story, but I wanted an update of the police shooting and read the left hand story when I opened the paper. By the time I get to the end of the "Mother had a feeling" report I am reassured that the police are an efficient force that deals with problems quickly and professionally. I can't help but think that there is no coincidence in the pairing of these two stories.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
10 things
Karen tagged me to write 10 things about myself to share in blogland. Part of tag is tagging someone else, but I suspect I would tag some of those that Karen has tagged as well. So to my core whoville visitors out there and I know there are at least ten of you I tag you all. To write 10 things about yourself to share on my blog.
So here goes 10 things to share with the blog world that are...um....unique I suppose.
1. I eat the same thing for breakfast every day: toast with almond butter and a coffee. Occasionally I have something different on the weekend or am forced to when I travel, but it's always the same. I often think about making something different in the morning, but I enjoy toast and almond butter so much I can't change now.
2. (this one is for db): I say that I don't like rice or soy ice cream, but I have been known to eat it.
3. Vegan guilt. I have a lot of guilt for the dairy I've eaten in the past and also for the fish I ate when I called myself vegetarian. However, I don't have any guilt for the meat I ate as a kid. I suppose it's because it was before I knew there was a choice. I thought a lot of meat was gross especially liver, but then what kid didn't think liver was gross. My grandmother use to make roast beef every Sunday we visited and it was really weird looking to me and I would smother it in gravy so I didn't have to look at it. A born veg? Maybe or maybe I was just a picky kid.
4. Whenever I'm at work (no matter what kind of work I'm in) I feel like it's a performance and I find this exhausting. A co-worker (who is an actor) once told me I should be an actor. That will never happen since we already have an actor in the family and nothing would terrify me more than to be the center of attention or have people gawk at me while I'm performing. I guess at work it's more of a mask.
5. Being the center of attention is one of the reasons db and I eloped when we got married. We told our families about a week after the fact.
6. I have a bumper sticker that reads: "The more people I meet the more I like my cat" (I don't own a car). There is some truth to this for me.
7. Some kids play "house" when they're little, I played "librarian." I was born a nerd. I would check books out to my stuffed animals (Agatha and Bunny).
8. I still have Agatha (my stuffed blue bear) that I named after Agatha Christie because those were the books my mom was reading at the time and I liked the name.
9. I have no tattoos or piercings other than my ears. I once pierced my nose myself way way back in high school, but I let it heal over after a year. No, it didn't hurt when I did it because I froze my nostril with an ice-cube. It did take a long time to do though because I was nervous and realized it was harder to get that needle through than I though. I was staying at my aunt and uncle's house when I did it. They were out for the day with their kids. My aunt still talks about it today and it's more than 20 years ago now!
10. I like most plants and flowers, but I really dislike begonias, petunias, impatients, daisies and marigolds. I use to like juniper until I moved to the land of juniper. Now I think it's a weed. this is not earth-shattering info about me, but it feels liberating to say it. I've been plant shopping with people and they'v ooohed and aaahed over these stupid plants and I've said some nice things about the plants and have even tried to find their potential, but I have to say they muck up the garden. I've seen too many poorly planned gardens with the border of begonias and petunias along a grass edging. Yuck.
So here goes 10 things to share with the blog world that are...um....unique I suppose.
1. I eat the same thing for breakfast every day: toast with almond butter and a coffee. Occasionally I have something different on the weekend or am forced to when I travel, but it's always the same. I often think about making something different in the morning, but I enjoy toast and almond butter so much I can't change now.
2. (this one is for db): I say that I don't like rice or soy ice cream, but I have been known to eat it.
3. Vegan guilt. I have a lot of guilt for the dairy I've eaten in the past and also for the fish I ate when I called myself vegetarian. However, I don't have any guilt for the meat I ate as a kid. I suppose it's because it was before I knew there was a choice. I thought a lot of meat was gross especially liver, but then what kid didn't think liver was gross. My grandmother use to make roast beef every Sunday we visited and it was really weird looking to me and I would smother it in gravy so I didn't have to look at it. A born veg? Maybe or maybe I was just a picky kid.
4. Whenever I'm at work (no matter what kind of work I'm in) I feel like it's a performance and I find this exhausting. A co-worker (who is an actor) once told me I should be an actor. That will never happen since we already have an actor in the family and nothing would terrify me more than to be the center of attention or have people gawk at me while I'm performing. I guess at work it's more of a mask.
5. Being the center of attention is one of the reasons db and I eloped when we got married. We told our families about a week after the fact.
6. I have a bumper sticker that reads: "The more people I meet the more I like my cat" (I don't own a car). There is some truth to this for me.
7. Some kids play "house" when they're little, I played "librarian." I was born a nerd. I would check books out to my stuffed animals (Agatha and Bunny).
8. I still have Agatha (my stuffed blue bear) that I named after Agatha Christie because those were the books my mom was reading at the time and I liked the name.
9. I have no tattoos or piercings other than my ears. I once pierced my nose myself way way back in high school, but I let it heal over after a year. No, it didn't hurt when I did it because I froze my nostril with an ice-cube. It did take a long time to do though because I was nervous and realized it was harder to get that needle through than I though. I was staying at my aunt and uncle's house when I did it. They were out for the day with their kids. My aunt still talks about it today and it's more than 20 years ago now!
10. I like most plants and flowers, but I really dislike begonias, petunias, impatients, daisies and marigolds. I use to like juniper until I moved to the land of juniper. Now I think it's a weed. this is not earth-shattering info about me, but it feels liberating to say it. I've been plant shopping with people and they'v ooohed and aaahed over these stupid plants and I've said some nice things about the plants and have even tried to find their potential, but I have to say they muck up the garden. I've seen too many poorly planned gardens with the border of begonias and petunias along a grass edging. Yuck.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
after I came down the mountain...
I got it. Tough runs help build my mental toughness.
I had a great run, mixing hills with pace. It turned out to be hotter than I expected, but it wasn't unbearable. I can't believe I ran up the mountain. It's so worth it because there is less traffic so I can run on the pavement more (pavement is preferable over concrete always), I could just listen to the sound of my feet striding along and look at the incredible view from Panorama Drive.
Also, I'm trying out a new sports drink because I can't seem to drink most, they upset my stomach. I've also become intolerant to the gels so I'm in trouble and need to come up with a new plan for eating on the run (so to speak). Now that db is running I don't have him cycling alongside for those long runs with stores of food on hand in case I need to eat. I'll have to come up with some creative solution.
I had a great run, mixing hills with pace. It turned out to be hotter than I expected, but it wasn't unbearable. I can't believe I ran up the mountain. It's so worth it because there is less traffic so I can run on the pavement more (pavement is preferable over concrete always), I could just listen to the sound of my feet striding along and look at the incredible view from Panorama Drive.
Also, I'm trying out a new sports drink because I can't seem to drink most, they upset my stomach. I've also become intolerant to the gels so I'm in trouble and need to come up with a new plan for eating on the run (so to speak). Now that db is running I don't have him cycling alongside for those long runs with stores of food on hand in case I need to eat. I'll have to come up with some creative solution.
"the hills are alive..."
...with the sound of running.
The hills are calling me again. I'm about to head out for a run and I want nothing more than to run up the hill to start my run and keep going up. There must be something wrong with me. I've never wanted to run hills in my life.
I was planning on a trip to the gym, but the t.v. treadmill scenario gets a little boring, plus I find they've put the t.v. screen too high on the treadmills which means you need to be 5'9" or taller to be able to watch anything. I would say that most women at my gym are at least 5'5" on average. I've mentioned the t.v. screen heights as a problem, but they just nod and say "oh yeah I guess they are" but nothing has changed. Is it just me or are all gyms the same. I feel like I could be at the Duff mall in the ol' Fitness One bargain basement gym. I kind of miss it actually. At least it made fitness affordable for women. It was a better deal than the YMCA's low income membership that you had to apply for and jump through all sorts of hoops just to be approved to join the "stinky Y" as we called it. That Y was too small for the size of its membership.
My hand is still aching from the sprain so strength training is out. So what's the point of going to the gym? Yoga isn't an option either. Oh well, onward and upward.
It's cooled off today and there are a few clouds so I think hills will be just fine. I can do some strength work without putting weight on my hand using my exercise ball and band. Exciting life isn't it?
***
The Okanagan marathon seems just around the corner now. I haven't registered yet, but I know I will because I just put in my request for the time off from work for that weekend in October.
db and I thought (and perhaps my step-dad, P. will be coming. I'm not sure yet) we might check out some of the wine country while we are there. Since I'm running the marathon I guess I'll do the driving so db can do the sampling.
One of the best times db and I had in Italy was when we rented a car and drove through wine country in Italy's Piemonte region. We collected a few bottles on the way and met some nice people. We picked up some fresh food on the way and had a picnic on the roadside overlooking the rows and rows of vines. We were "off season" for travelling to wine country so it seemed like we were the only people around. It was incredible.
Anywho...I digress. I do feel a little undertrained, but then I felt that way before right? All the physical training is good and I can always look for new ways to mix up the training schedule and add new methods to keep it interesting, but mentally I feel like I need an edge. I seem to keep coming up against the same mental blocks that slow me down. I need to figure out a way to train the thoughts as well. Time to research. I'll just make sure I research after I've done the more important tasks of the day.
Did I mention that i'm searching for new work? I am. Since the office job didn't pan out at LV, I think I need to find some new challenge so I've been just starting to push myself to come up with something else that will pay the bills. I'll find something soon I hope.
The hills are calling me again. I'm about to head out for a run and I want nothing more than to run up the hill to start my run and keep going up. There must be something wrong with me. I've never wanted to run hills in my life.
I was planning on a trip to the gym, but the t.v. treadmill scenario gets a little boring, plus I find they've put the t.v. screen too high on the treadmills which means you need to be 5'9" or taller to be able to watch anything. I would say that most women at my gym are at least 5'5" on average. I've mentioned the t.v. screen heights as a problem, but they just nod and say "oh yeah I guess they are" but nothing has changed. Is it just me or are all gyms the same. I feel like I could be at the Duff mall in the ol' Fitness One bargain basement gym. I kind of miss it actually. At least it made fitness affordable for women. It was a better deal than the YMCA's low income membership that you had to apply for and jump through all sorts of hoops just to be approved to join the "stinky Y" as we called it. That Y was too small for the size of its membership.
My hand is still aching from the sprain so strength training is out. So what's the point of going to the gym? Yoga isn't an option either. Oh well, onward and upward.
It's cooled off today and there are a few clouds so I think hills will be just fine. I can do some strength work without putting weight on my hand using my exercise ball and band. Exciting life isn't it?
***
The Okanagan marathon seems just around the corner now. I haven't registered yet, but I know I will because I just put in my request for the time off from work for that weekend in October.
db and I thought (and perhaps my step-dad, P. will be coming. I'm not sure yet) we might check out some of the wine country while we are there. Since I'm running the marathon I guess I'll do the driving so db can do the sampling.
One of the best times db and I had in Italy was when we rented a car and drove through wine country in Italy's Piemonte region. We collected a few bottles on the way and met some nice people. We picked up some fresh food on the way and had a picnic on the roadside overlooking the rows and rows of vines. We were "off season" for travelling to wine country so it seemed like we were the only people around. It was incredible.
Anywho...I digress. I do feel a little undertrained, but then I felt that way before right? All the physical training is good and I can always look for new ways to mix up the training schedule and add new methods to keep it interesting, but mentally I feel like I need an edge. I seem to keep coming up against the same mental blocks that slow me down. I need to figure out a way to train the thoughts as well. Time to research. I'll just make sure I research after I've done the more important tasks of the day.
Did I mention that i'm searching for new work? I am. Since the office job didn't pan out at LV, I think I need to find some new challenge so I've been just starting to push myself to come up with something else that will pay the bills. I'll find something soon I hope.
Sierra Leone bans Chimpanzee Trade
With the decline of the Chimpanzee population in the wild, this is very positive news.
Read the story here.
Read the story here.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Rise and Shine Vegan
It's dark out when I wake up. Gigi wakes me up purring and walking on my pillow. Sometimes she's very aloof and then she has moments like these when she feels a little friendly and needs some petting. Then, the alarm went off and db got up. I stayed in bed. Gigi was alert, but also stayed in bed.
It's still dark out when db returns to the bedroom to get dressed and I realize I have to get up too. It's not easy fumbling with contacts when your eyes can barely open, but I manage. db is already dressed and ready to go by the time I'm just blinking my contacts into place. He's got his running gear on. That's right you heard me, db has running clothes on. The man who hates running has convinced me that a run in the morning is better than in the evening.
We head out the door with just enough light in the sky to call it morning. Despite my grumblings and calling db crazy, I do love the view of the mountains in the distance with the sun coming up behind them. The sky is pink and mountains purple. It's cool but I can tell already that the day is going to be very warm.
I follow db on his 5k route through the neighbourhood. By the time we reach the bottom of the hill again it's much brighter now and there is considerably more traffic. Amazing what a half hour difference makes in the morning.
db has been testing out running to see if he likes it and wants to continue. He's doing amazingly well. His form looks like a pro and he took off this morning at a blazing pace that got my ol' heart rate up in no time. It's definitely motivation for me and it sure is nice to run with someone in the morning.
It's still dark out when db returns to the bedroom to get dressed and I realize I have to get up too. It's not easy fumbling with contacts when your eyes can barely open, but I manage. db is already dressed and ready to go by the time I'm just blinking my contacts into place. He's got his running gear on. That's right you heard me, db has running clothes on. The man who hates running has convinced me that a run in the morning is better than in the evening.
We head out the door with just enough light in the sky to call it morning. Despite my grumblings and calling db crazy, I do love the view of the mountains in the distance with the sun coming up behind them. The sky is pink and mountains purple. It's cool but I can tell already that the day is going to be very warm.
I follow db on his 5k route through the neighbourhood. By the time we reach the bottom of the hill again it's much brighter now and there is considerably more traffic. Amazing what a half hour difference makes in the morning.
db has been testing out running to see if he likes it and wants to continue. He's doing amazingly well. His form looks like a pro and he took off this morning at a blazing pace that got my ol' heart rate up in no time. It's definitely motivation for me and it sure is nice to run with someone in the morning.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
No Limits
If you want to read about an incredible ultrarunner you should read No Limits about ultrarunner Barbara Friedman. She's my mum's friend who I always looked up to (along with my sis) when I started running. She too came to running later in her life and I always thought it is never to late to start something new in your life.
I just finished reading about her 100 miler north of San Francisco in the Marin Headlands. It is truly inspiring.
I just finished reading about her 100 miler north of San Francisco in the Marin Headlands. It is truly inspiring.
"nothing up my sleeve..."
You can shuffle the cabinet all you like in an effort to sway public support, but it's still the same government isn't it? Harper's cabinet shuffle might try to breathe some new life into his minority government, but it's the same old policies.
Remember the enthusiasm when Rona Ambrose was replaced by Baird as Minister of the Environment? There was some initial excitement that something might actually get done and information would be conveyed clearly etc etc et-rhetoric, et-rhetoric and then...disappointment.
And why do I always get the feeling that his government is hiding something from the rest of us. He's a magician who is trying to keep his secrets, but he's not a very good magician and I suspect that once we see what's up his sleeve I think we'll all move on.
Remember the enthusiasm when Rona Ambrose was replaced by Baird as Minister of the Environment? There was some initial excitement that something might actually get done and information would be conveyed clearly etc etc et-rhetoric, et-rhetoric and then...disappointment.
And why do I always get the feeling that his government is hiding something from the rest of us. He's a magician who is trying to keep his secrets, but he's not a very good magician and I suspect that once we see what's up his sleeve I think we'll all move on.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
trip to the island
On Friday, db and I went to Vancouver Island to see my dear friend, her husband and their little boy who are visiting from Turkey. They're spending the summer in Toronto and since moving out here I thought I wouldn't get to see them. However, she has family on Pender island and a friend in Victoria that she was staying with so off we went to see them.
Being back in Victoria after 8 years was a little odd. I expected to see a lot of changes, but it was exactly the same. There is definitely a lot more traffic and there seems to be the usual condo building going on in the downtown area (like most cities), but we went to the Parsonage cafe where I use to be a regular and it hadn't changed one bit. Even the menu was eerily quite similar right down to the blueberry crumble and the granola and fruit with yogurt. I felt like I could pick right up where I left off 8 years ago as if nothing had changed.We were delayed going to lunch and I didn't really want to leave G & O. and their little boy, but we had to drive up island. So we said our farewells and then db and I took a quick drive around the city just to see my old haunts and again all the places I remembered were still there. Small businesses survive in Victoria. It was quite nice to see.
The above picture is the scenic viewpoint on the Malahat where I always stop when driving up island. It was such a beautiful day and well worth the stop.
Of course P. is in Nanaimo so we thought we'd get a visit in with him as well. He had a very sick little kitty (Chat-Chat) Wednesday night and wasn't sure she'd make it through the night. After seeing the vet next day, she was sent home with some antibiotics and no one is really sure what exactly was wrong with her. She's probably 19. She's a street cat so her age is uncertain, but I'm guessing she's around 19. P. was a bit of a wreck after all that so it was a good thing we were going on Friday to see him.
The images of the garden are from P's place. He has an amazing garden and we picked beans, basil, tarragon, a few tomatoes and he had some massive zucchini for us to bring home. We've got veggies everywhere now.
This is Chat-Chat in her yard and a little perturbed that we brought her outside from her bed. 
This is Velcro (or Cro for short) lying in his yard with his favorite blanket. He was quite social with us while we were there. He can often be shy so this was a nice surprise. 
P. took us to the waterfront to walk along the Nanaimo seawall which was really lovely. It meanders along the water and through the marina. there are several little restaurants that look very inviting and of course buskers along the way. We had to stop for the accordion players and I had to take this photo of what seemed to be a father and son duo. I knew mister anchovy would appreciate the photo .
We listened for a little bit and then continued along the seawall. The evening was really lovely.
As we drove back to P's place he toured us around through other Nanaimo neighbourhoods. We saw a deer and two fawns and then another deer just standing in someone's front yard while these two guys stood talking like this was no big deal and the deer was part of the conversation. P. told us that deer really are very common in that area.
We were both so exhausted by the time we got on the last ferry that we both fell asleep on board. I rarely fall asleep traveling anywhere so I was astounded when I awoke to the announcement that we were approaching Horseshoe Bay. I love when you travel and can fall asleep so that it seems like you've spent no time traveling at all. You wake up and you're there.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Grinches of whoville strike.
A whole beautiful section of trees that was about a third of a block long and a quarter of a block wide is gone. These large (probably second generation) old growth trees are simply cut and left to be cleared. It looks like Stanley Park after the storm. Some Grinch run construction company has made a stupid decision. It's a mess and I can't believe that someone in whoville thought this was a good choice. Apparently everyone is thinking "green" and going "green" and yet...
So now condos will go up next to the big stinkin' mall and I know they will landscape the front of this towering monstrosity with spindly trees surrounded by mulch. Everything will look the same and one of the natural wonders (big trees) that makes BC special is gone.
So now condos will go up next to the big stinkin' mall and I know they will landscape the front of this towering monstrosity with spindly trees surrounded by mulch. Everything will look the same and one of the natural wonders (big trees) that makes BC special is gone.
Friday, August 10, 2007
A work moment
On the wall behind the LV counter is an oversized world map that is a colourful puzzle made out of a dense foam for children to piece together. The idea is they can put it on the floor and lie on it while putting the pieces of the world together. People always comment on the map and what fun it looks to be. It's got flags from all the countries and animals on the map etc etc.
My encounter with one woman after she's been looking at it for a bit.
woman: What a great map!
Me: Isn't it? Everyone seems to like it.
woman: Canada looks biggest.
Me: I'm not sure it is geographically.
woman: Oh, it is.
Me: Well, it's a flat map so it's not exactly correct since a globe shape is more accurate.
She looks at me like I'm nuts.
woman (more to her friend): It's a nice map, but it's too bad they didn't put the Canadian provinces in or American states.
Me: Well then they'd have to put all the provinces and states in all the other countries. I think it might get very busy. It's much simpler like this.
woman: They did it for Africa.
Me (after a bit of a pause): those are countries.
woman (not really comprehending) : well...still...the provinces....
She walked away with her friend.
My encounter with one woman after she's been looking at it for a bit.
woman: What a great map!
Me: Isn't it? Everyone seems to like it.
woman: Canada looks biggest.
Me: I'm not sure it is geographically.
woman: Oh, it is.
Me: Well, it's a flat map so it's not exactly correct since a globe shape is more accurate.
She looks at me like I'm nuts.
woman (more to her friend): It's a nice map, but it's too bad they didn't put the Canadian provinces in or American states.
Me: Well then they'd have to put all the provinces and states in all the other countries. I think it might get very busy. It's much simpler like this.
woman: They did it for Africa.
Me (after a bit of a pause): those are countries.
woman (not really comprehending) : well...still...the provinces....
She walked away with her friend.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
What? Another injury?
I have no idea how I sprained my hand. It's a minor sprain, but it is still damn inconvenient to do any little task. My middle finger started to ache around the knuckle yesterday while I was at work. I thought it was odd, but it didn't seem to be serious. By the time I left for the day I couldn't use my hand much at all. There didn't seem to be any swelling, but I could no longer close my hand nor open it completely flat (so much for yoga this week).
Now it's swollen around the knuckle and I have limited movement. For example, typing is a little challenging as I can only use my index finger and thumb on my right hand.
The good news is I don't see this keeping me from running so I'll be heading out for a run today after work.
Now it's swollen around the knuckle and I have limited movement. For example, typing is a little challenging as I can only use my index finger and thumb on my right hand.
The good news is I don't see this keeping me from running so I'll be heading out for a run today after work.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Buntzen Lake
Buntzen lake is only a 15-20 minute bus ride away in Port Who-dy. There are several trails to hike for every type of hiker no matter how much or little you are experienced. db wanted to do one of the more challenging hikes up to another section of smaller lakes, but I cautioned him that yes we are fit for running or cycling, but we're not hiking fit. The day before I had run 19 k so I was feeling like straight up a mountain wasn't a great option and I would probably not get very far. So we opted for the trail that goes around the lake and it was just right for us.
The trail was quite busy on the east side of the lake as people walked to and from the south and north beaches. The south beach was full of holiday picnickers and as we walked along the lake toward the trail, I feared that we wouldn't get any peace or solitude. Once on the trail we did find a little more quiet. We hiked to the north beach, stopping along the way to check out trees and some of the views of the lake. The north beach was much quieter. It seemed like most people had paddled across the lake to the smaller, quieter beach. We rested a bit, had a sandwich (db's sandwiches are the best!) and headed out.
There's a little suspension bridge to cross the narrowest part of the lake and that's where I took the photo of the lake. The weather was perfect .
The west side of the trail was a little more challenging as it twisted more and rolled up and down carving along the rock and up into the woods. It was lovely in the woods and as we moved further from the lake and it was fairly peaceful. Even though the creeks were stone dry, the rocks marking the creekbeds were a nice pastel contrast compared to the dark earthy browns and deep greens of the forest.
We finally came full circle, crossed another small floating bridge through shallow swampy waters and then went back to busy beach for a break before heading home. It had quieted down a bit, but there seemed to be a shift change as the daytripper families were leaving and the smaller evening crowd were arriving. db napped on the beach in a shady spot while I took in a little sun before finally deciding to dive into the lake. I had spent the day viewing it and now I really wanted to be in it. It was cold and dropped off quickly, but it felt fabulous. Floating on my back looking up at the blue sky and the mountains surrounding the lake, I knew I was exactly where I wanted to be.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
A shared garden
I work with this amazing gardener (TP). I've yet to see her garden, but the variety of plants that she has in her garden suggests to me that it is something to behold.This lily (Tom Pouce) was given to me from her. She is planning to sell her house in the near future and since making that decision has been dividing her garden, bringing me much of her favorite plants that she wants to share with others.
The Tom Pouce Oriental lily was a complete surprise for me when it opened up into these luscious blooms. Many flowers have attempted to rival my passion for lilies but then I discover another wondrous lily and nothing can come close for me.One of the perennials that TP has been bringing in for me to transplant are pelargoniums. I've always loved the delicate look of these plants since discovering them as a new gardener and have always tried to include them when I can. They seem to be used quite a bit in gardens here, but one variety has dominated the market (Johnson's blue). Thanks to TP I've now started a collection of pelargoniums (in pink, white, violet and blue) that will fill in to line the steps up to the upper level of the yard. Only one or two have really bloomed since some of the divisions she's given me are quite small, but I expect next spring and summer will bring endless blooms to that will brighten that side of the garden. I can't wait.
fade in
Have you ever dreamt an idea and thought I'd better write that down or sketch it out? Two nights ago I dreamt a story, whole and complete, and sort of became conscious of it and sort of woke up and thought "wow there are four stories there that relate and that would make a good screenplay. I better write this down."
pause
Then the other thoughts started. These are the sleepy, don't want to get out of bed thoughts.
"Will I forget it if I don't write it down?"
"I'd better just make a few notes."
"It's so vivid though. I know these characters."
"I don't have to write out the whole storylines, just a few images will help me recall in the morning and then I'll write more detailed notes."
"If I turn on the light I might not get back to sleep."
"I'll just run the stories over in my head and then I'll remember."
"If I..."
Snore.
Fade to black
The next morning...
"Oh I just remembered I dreamt a whole story idea and I think it was good. What was it?"
I couldn't remember a thing. I thought about that Seinfeld episode where Jerry wakes up laughing and jots the joke down on a piece of paper and then falls back asleep still laughing to himself. Of course the next day he can't make out the joke and can't remember it either.
I suspect that like Jerry I would not be able to make heads-nor-tails of it either. Lesson learned? I need to wake up and write it down? Maybe, but maybe the stories rise to the surface anyway and I suppose I believe that if I keep tapping into that unconscious side of myself the story (whether it is the one I dreamt or not) will start to emerge.
pause
Then the other thoughts started. These are the sleepy, don't want to get out of bed thoughts.
"Will I forget it if I don't write it down?"
"I'd better just make a few notes."
"It's so vivid though. I know these characters."
"I don't have to write out the whole storylines, just a few images will help me recall in the morning and then I'll write more detailed notes."
"If I turn on the light I might not get back to sleep."
"I'll just run the stories over in my head and then I'll remember."
"If I..."
Snore.
Fade to black
The next morning...
"Oh I just remembered I dreamt a whole story idea and I think it was good. What was it?"
I couldn't remember a thing. I thought about that Seinfeld episode where Jerry wakes up laughing and jots the joke down on a piece of paper and then falls back asleep still laughing to himself. Of course the next day he can't make out the joke and can't remember it either.
I suspect that like Jerry I would not be able to make heads-nor-tails of it either. Lesson learned? I need to wake up and write it down? Maybe, but maybe the stories rise to the surface anyway and I suppose I believe that if I keep tapping into that unconscious side of myself the story (whether it is the one I dreamt or not) will start to emerge.
Friday, July 27, 2007
I missed my whoville bus to the skytrain on my way into Van city and was forced to take the bus that runs along the Barnet highway. I was reading (Harry Potter -- not the new one, I'm only on the fifth book) until the bus slowed and I knew we were at the place, the site where the oil gush occurred. While the roadway was cleared and looking almost normal, the trees closest to the site were entirely black and glistening in the sun. Right behind them were houses that look like they've been cleaned up.
This morning I heard about oil showing up on a beach further along the inlet. It is hard to tell the ultimate effect of this disaster on the area.
This morning I heard about oil showing up on a beach further along the inlet. It is hard to tell the ultimate effect of this disaster on the area.
Poodles
This puzzles me as it stands outside a furniture store. I suppose it does catch my attention.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Cycling woes
The cycling world takes another blow. The credibility of riders in the tour de france comes into question again! When will this end?
Yesterday I watched an incredible race of a ten mile climb up the (Aubisque) mountain pass in the Pyrenees. It was between four riders, three of them challenging the yellow jersey leader Rasmussen. It was very dramatic as each rider challenged Rasmussen, kicking in bursts of speed on inclines I can't even imagine, trying to push Rasmussen to a point that would challenge his lead. At the very end, Rasmussen broke away from the riders and crossed the summit maintaining his lead and his yellow jersey with intention on winning the 2007 Tour de France.
Last night as I'm watching the replay of the days events for moments I'd missed earlier, I see the news scroll by on the ticker revealing that Rasmussen has left the tour and has been pulled by his team. What? Of course I thought at first he was caught doping, but then all I can figure out is that he's been pulled because he lied to the team as to where he was training in June. Oops. Why did he lie? There's the question I'd like answered.
So this is on top of further scandal in the tour as Vinokourov tested positive for doping causing the whole Astana team to be sent home from the tour. I had been wondering about "Vino's" ability to recover so well from a terrible crash early in the tour that led to both of his knees being stitched closed and yet he somehow carried on and even went on to win a stage. The next day he was confirmed as testing positive for blood doping. Now he is on a list along with Moreni and I wonder who's next?
Contador is the leader now after Rasmussen has been pulled, but I wonder how "clean" he is or any of them.
The tour is a mess because of all of this. It really is a beautiful race and incredible to watch, but it's so dirty and tainted now with questions of doping can it ever become a clean race? After Floyd Landis? Is there really anyone who doesn't question Lance Armstrong (except maybe himself)?
I still enjoy watching the tour de france, but I watch it with the knowledge that there's a good chance those on the course are cheaters and it's a race between who can outsmart the anti-doping force.
Yesterday I watched an incredible race of a ten mile climb up the (Aubisque) mountain pass in the Pyrenees. It was between four riders, three of them challenging the yellow jersey leader Rasmussen. It was very dramatic as each rider challenged Rasmussen, kicking in bursts of speed on inclines I can't even imagine, trying to push Rasmussen to a point that would challenge his lead. At the very end, Rasmussen broke away from the riders and crossed the summit maintaining his lead and his yellow jersey with intention on winning the 2007 Tour de France.
Last night as I'm watching the replay of the days events for moments I'd missed earlier, I see the news scroll by on the ticker revealing that Rasmussen has left the tour and has been pulled by his team. What? Of course I thought at first he was caught doping, but then all I can figure out is that he's been pulled because he lied to the team as to where he was training in June. Oops. Why did he lie? There's the question I'd like answered.
So this is on top of further scandal in the tour as Vinokourov tested positive for doping causing the whole Astana team to be sent home from the tour. I had been wondering about "Vino's" ability to recover so well from a terrible crash early in the tour that led to both of his knees being stitched closed and yet he somehow carried on and even went on to win a stage. The next day he was confirmed as testing positive for blood doping. Now he is on a list along with Moreni and I wonder who's next?
Contador is the leader now after Rasmussen has been pulled, but I wonder how "clean" he is or any of them.
The tour is a mess because of all of this. It really is a beautiful race and incredible to watch, but it's so dirty and tainted now with questions of doping can it ever become a clean race? After Floyd Landis? Is there really anyone who doesn't question Lance Armstrong (except maybe himself)?
I still enjoy watching the tour de france, but I watch it with the knowledge that there's a good chance those on the course are cheaters and it's a race between who can outsmart the anti-doping force.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Vegan loves the hills
Oddly enough on Tuesday I wanted to run hills. Go figure? I find it tough enough to run after a day at work, but I know that the reward is great because if there's one thing that rejuvenates me after a day at work it is running.
I've been having a few aches and pains, nothing that indicates injury but rather the after effects of training in the weight room. I already felt that running downhill would be a no-no. Three mornings in a row I had to run downhill just to catch my bus to work and I don't think this was helping with the pain I was feeling after doing many lunges and step-ups in the gym. I haven't been cycling to work simply because I don't want to risk overdoing it and chance injury. You could say I've been taking it easy, but I'm pretty active overall and my job does involve walking most of the day.
So I wanted to run hills. I also wanted a new running route. So I headed up the hill and it felt great. I relished every step. Endurance is not an issue for the short 8 k distance and I realized that the muscles required to push me up the hills are well rested so I went for it.
I felt great. It was the best time I've had in the last couple of weeks where I've felt sluggish and started to wonder if I was just burning out. The clear blue sky certainly helped that positive vibe carry me over the hills. Now that was a running high.
* * *
Perhaps it is madness and now people will actually say "there's that fitness nut." I know at work everyone thinks I'm crazy riding my bike to and from work. Going along the highway on two wheels with pedal power somehow makes me crazy. I don't think they ever think "oh wait, there's no exhaust spewing from the bike and she's doing it because she cares about the environment." When I ran home from work one day there was much laughter. Don't get me wrong, people are supportive and they think it's great that I run in races, but there is a bit of question in their eyes that suggests it's beyond comprehension. I once suggested to a couple of women coworkers that we start a walk/run group but there were too many reasons why it wouldn't work. The women at work always comment on how "thin" I am (this is something that has always bothered me and besides I'm not thin, I'm average sized and just in shape) as if it's some mystery. I said once "I run, I bike, I walk everywhere and I'm vegan" which stunned one coworker silent for a moment and then she said "I'm too old for that now."
I'll never be too old for that. I want to be one of those old ladies out on her morning brisk walk who takes public transit to get to where she needs to go. I want to see db and I still biking and hiking into our old age because for me that's quality of life. Seems like a reasonable goal doesn't it?
I've been having a few aches and pains, nothing that indicates injury but rather the after effects of training in the weight room. I already felt that running downhill would be a no-no. Three mornings in a row I had to run downhill just to catch my bus to work and I don't think this was helping with the pain I was feeling after doing many lunges and step-ups in the gym. I haven't been cycling to work simply because I don't want to risk overdoing it and chance injury. You could say I've been taking it easy, but I'm pretty active overall and my job does involve walking most of the day.
So I wanted to run hills. I also wanted a new running route. So I headed up the hill and it felt great. I relished every step. Endurance is not an issue for the short 8 k distance and I realized that the muscles required to push me up the hills are well rested so I went for it.
I felt great. It was the best time I've had in the last couple of weeks where I've felt sluggish and started to wonder if I was just burning out. The clear blue sky certainly helped that positive vibe carry me over the hills. Now that was a running high.
* * *
Perhaps it is madness and now people will actually say "there's that fitness nut." I know at work everyone thinks I'm crazy riding my bike to and from work. Going along the highway on two wheels with pedal power somehow makes me crazy. I don't think they ever think "oh wait, there's no exhaust spewing from the bike and she's doing it because she cares about the environment." When I ran home from work one day there was much laughter. Don't get me wrong, people are supportive and they think it's great that I run in races, but there is a bit of question in their eyes that suggests it's beyond comprehension. I once suggested to a couple of women coworkers that we start a walk/run group but there were too many reasons why it wouldn't work. The women at work always comment on how "thin" I am (this is something that has always bothered me and besides I'm not thin, I'm average sized and just in shape) as if it's some mystery. I said once "I run, I bike, I walk everywhere and I'm vegan" which stunned one coworker silent for a moment and then she said "I'm too old for that now."
I'll never be too old for that. I want to be one of those old ladies out on her morning brisk walk who takes public transit to get to where she needs to go. I want to see db and I still biking and hiking into our old age because for me that's quality of life. Seems like a reasonable goal doesn't it?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Lesson learned
Don't wait for the rain to stop just get out there and run anyway. I waited and waited and waited and finally I ran in the rain. It wasn't so bad. At least it was warm.
Rainy day
I have 16 k waiting to be completed today. The rain had already started by the time I'd gotten up so I decided to have breakfast and go later in the day, setting the tone for the coming week since I'll have to do most of my runs after work this week. Then, db and I went out to pick up some plants to attract more bees to the garden and there was no rain. We came home, I changed for my run, sat down to map out my route and the clouds released the next rain session. I'd prefer a run with no rain or even a light rain would be fine, but I don't really want to subject myself to a downpour. I'm hoping it won't last too long.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Tour de Gastown
The Tour de Gastown was pretty exciting. With the rain and cobblestone you have to wonder if the cyclists are playing it safe and to be sure they are on those corners, but whew the intense speed on the straight stretches is pretty amazing.
Unfortunately, I arrived after work and the time it took for me to get from Whoville to Gastown made me miss the women's race. I only saw the last few laps and the medal presentation for the women.
I wandered a bit and visited the Saeco booth (of course). db had a coffee ready to go, I got my Saeco hat, cow bell, v.i.p. pass and away we went. We checked out the v.i.p. tent that was a bit dull with its catered food that made me shudder because it reminded me of such catered events that I use to work many of around this time last year. db enjoyed it, but I couldn't even consider it, not only because it's not vegan but just the thought of hanging out in the staging area while everyone filled up on food while waiting to serve just reminded me of how long that food sits and looks sad and gets reshuffled onto a new plate to try and make it look new and ugh, need I say more? I did have some white wine (they were out of beer and red wine? Huh?) It was nice to have little break before the men's race started so I could hang out with db a bit.
I filled up on clif bars that were being handed out, picked up some Arthur's, clearly Canadian and some Elete. Then I wandered the route a bit and parked myself on the south side of the route where there was less of a crowd and got a good view of the men's race that had just started.
I found it inspiring. I can only imagine the amount of training that goes into an event like this. The bikes are beautiful and look effortless when you see someone so skilled working them. The man who placed third actually wiped out and somehow made up the time and came in third.
Much of the race I walked the loop and checked back in at the Saeco booth now and then. Despite the rain, the atmosphere was amazing. It didn't really seem to stop people from coming to the event and with all the bars and restaurants surrounding the course you could potentially eat and watch the race go by. After my long, boring day at work and the extra long commute (I could have biked to the event faster than transit got me there), I'm so glad I went because it rejuvenated me.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
recovery
Tough run today. My anticipated 15 k run turned into a 7 k run, walk, run, walk, walk some more, walk home loop. My legs just couldn't do it today. The last thing coach (db) said to me before I left was "don't push it", referring to my injured knee. I put a tensor on and the knee felt okay. I ran along Hoy who-creek trail to run on a softer surface, but my legs were just too tired to get into a rhythm or push me further. After two days of biking to and from work plus all the walking I did at work just added up to my body wanted to rest. No matter how hard I tried to cope mentally, I couldn't force my body to do what it didn't want to do. Then I remember what db said and I walked the last little bit home. I'm glad I planned a loop route so I was headed home when I called it quits.
Now that I've refuelled (fresh bread from the oven) and stretched, I'm going to go out in the garden and tend to the thirsty plants. Whoville was promised rain today, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. The sun is out and it's a bit humid so I'd better water the poor little guys outside.
Now that I've refuelled (fresh bread from the oven) and stretched, I'm going to go out in the garden and tend to the thirsty plants. Whoville was promised rain today, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. The sun is out and it's a bit humid so I'd better water the poor little guys outside.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
injured vegan?
While db is in the kitchen making the traditional weekly vegan pizza (I chose mushrooms, mushrooms, eggplant and fresh swiss chard for my toppings. Yum, yum double yum), I'm icing my knee. Ouch! Is it a work related injury? Did a take a corner too quickly? Is it due to the amount of cycling I've been doing this week with all of those hills? I'm not sure what happened, but I realized part way through work today that my knee was sore and starting to swell. Hmm. Not good.
I went for a massage a couple of weeks ago and my calves and hips were clearly in bad shape. At one point the massage therapist said "muscle shouldn't clunk". Good point. I'll be going back for some more help with that.
I haven't mentioned that I'm hoping to run the Okanagan marathon in October. It's fairly close to Whoville and I think it would be a lovely way to complete the 2007 running season with a run and a little time away with db in wine country. So I've been training again. I've been "listening to my body" as always and feeling good with the usual up and down days, but now I'm worrying again because I was planning on running 15 k tomorrow and well...my knee. I should mention that I have a big fear that I will get some sort of knee problem. I've had it before from playing tennis and since I've stopped I've been fine so I've been running with a silent wish that my knees won't ache. Achilles? Okay I've dealt with that. Bad back? Feels better when i run. Morton's Neuroma? Just a little tingly feeling, but it went away over the winter. I've dealt with a few minor aches and pains, but the knee scares me. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it feels. A domani!
I went for a massage a couple of weeks ago and my calves and hips were clearly in bad shape. At one point the massage therapist said "muscle shouldn't clunk". Good point. I'll be going back for some more help with that.
I haven't mentioned that I'm hoping to run the Okanagan marathon in October. It's fairly close to Whoville and I think it would be a lovely way to complete the 2007 running season with a run and a little time away with db in wine country. So I've been training again. I've been "listening to my body" as always and feeling good with the usual up and down days, but now I'm worrying again because I was planning on running 15 k tomorrow and well...my knee. I should mention that I have a big fear that I will get some sort of knee problem. I've had it before from playing tennis and since I've stopped I've been fine so I've been running with a silent wish that my knees won't ache. Achilles? Okay I've dealt with that. Bad back? Feels better when i run. Morton's Neuroma? Just a little tingly feeling, but it went away over the winter. I've dealt with a few minor aches and pains, but the knee scares me. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it feels. A domani!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Science of Sleep
I don't often write about films which might be odd since I spent many years doing just that. I guess I should say that I don't often review films. I'm not a great reviewer but I'll give you my take on this film and the fact that I'm putting it up on the blog means that I highly recommend it.
The Science of Sleep (la science des reves) is a magical film. It's creative and beautiful and moving and visually rich. It's a boy meets girl story told in an unexpected way. In this case the boy's (Stephane's) reality is a mixture of his dreams and the everyday. The two are always mixing together so that we are invited into how Stephane views the world. He's an artist so his visual style comes through in his dreams. While this is his gift it is also his downfall because it is the times that he cannot differentiate between his dreams and the everyday that gets him into trouble.
When he meets the girl (Stephanie) it is not love at first sight, but rather a gradual recognition of their destiny to be together. However, while they view the world in a similar creative way, they do not view reality in the same way. Stephanie seems to be able to put her dreamworld aside while Stephane cannot. It is that gap between them that causes the tension.
Stephane cannot be anything else so perhaps he will always live his life beautifully but necessarily tragic. I won't give away the ending and even if I did it wouldn't really matter because the film has so much more going on.
Part of my immediate reaction to watching the film was a bit like being stunned just because so much information is being given to me visually and within this animated playground is a love story that is unfolding in several ways (dream and reality). Like Stephane I'm trying to figure out which one is the dream and which is the reality, but enjoying both and how they overlap.
The film is so textured and layered in its animation and it is all done in a classical animated style so nothing is computer generated. Even the "blue screen" background was actually done as rear projection so that too is classic in its style. The animated events or mixture of actors with animation has a childlike quality that mimics Stephane's and Stephanie's creativity and artwork. The result is a very handmade feel to the film and it reminded me of Melies A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune)
I can see a connection since Melies was an inventor (like Stephane) and did make his own camera. There is also playfulness in Melies film(s) and the Science of Sleep. If you click on the film title links above it will give you a sense of how the film looks and feels. The websites (both English and French) are quite fun. It's worth looking at and I'm sure will invite you to rent the film.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
vegan melt
Nope it's not a fake grilled cheese of some kind. Today I melted. My bus ride home was slow, packed full of people, and we were stuck in traffic with a bus driver who kept calling out , "it's a hundred and two inside the bus, people." I'm not sure what effect she was after, and I'm a Celsius language person, but without her weather report I knew how hot it was on the bus. I was stuck. There's no air conditioning on the buses here which is fine for me 98% of the time, but today I think it might have been nice to have a small dose of cool air.
Outside of the bus it wasn't so bad and I was really quite comfortable. Yes, it was hot, but I've lived through a'many Toronto summers and today was just heat.
I did get my run in this morning. It was nice and cool at 7 am. I guess I'll be doing a lot more early runs until it cools down a little.
Outside of the bus it wasn't so bad and I was really quite comfortable. Yes, it was hot, but I've lived through a'many Toronto summers and today was just heat.
I did get my run in this morning. It was nice and cool at 7 am. I guess I'll be doing a lot more early runs until it cools down a little.
Monday, July 09, 2007
job update
So anywho...
did I mention that I didn't get the LV office person job? I didn't get it. Oh well. It wasn't meant to be, right? The woman who did get the job has already been filling in for the last couple of weeks anyway so it would seem cruel to take it away from her wouldn't it?
It does feel like the application process was somehow going through the motions of company policy with the intentions of giving her the job anyway. Even though this woman did seem uneasy when she found out I had applied, by the end she was pretty confident in her chances and why shouldn't she be?
I thought it wouldn't bother me when they told me I wasn't the person for the job, but it did. I know I would have been great in the job and gone beyond just doing the work expected. Most people at work didn't even know that I had applied and one person came up to me and handed me the notice to be posted that b.c. had gotten the job and asked me to proofread it. That felt a little insulting, but they had no idea I had applied. The post notice was grammatically incorrect, but I didn't say anything and most of the time my writing is anyway. Afterall, it doesn't matter. As long as the information is conveyed and I got the message, thanks.
So I'm doing the same old, dealing with a line up of old geezers with their sandpaper and drill bit orders with their stupid cracks about their wives and how they all spend too much time and money in LV. Stop going then. I'll face the surgically altered women with their demanding lists of hardware knobs and handles that they think is unique yet I've sold those same stupid handles to everyone else in the lower mainland because everyone wants that same look in their kitchen that is cold and clinical. I can't wait for that style to pass. I'll help the elderly women while trying to hold my breath because of their baby powder perfume that they've become immune to. It sounds like I don't like my job doesn't it? It's true I'm not crazy about some of it, but I do like the people I work with and that makes it worth going in for. There are the occasional interesting gardeners I learn from.
They've tried to give me more hours, but I'm balking at that because I don't want more hours of something I'm iffy about doing anyway. It did occur to me that they wouldn't want to lose me from the work I'm doing now because I'm awesome at it. Maybe I can't always advise someone on which router bit to use, but the rest of it i excel at. It's raise time in August so I'll see what they offer me in August and then go from there.
did I mention that I didn't get the LV office person job? I didn't get it. Oh well. It wasn't meant to be, right? The woman who did get the job has already been filling in for the last couple of weeks anyway so it would seem cruel to take it away from her wouldn't it?
It does feel like the application process was somehow going through the motions of company policy with the intentions of giving her the job anyway. Even though this woman did seem uneasy when she found out I had applied, by the end she was pretty confident in her chances and why shouldn't she be?
I thought it wouldn't bother me when they told me I wasn't the person for the job, but it did. I know I would have been great in the job and gone beyond just doing the work expected. Most people at work didn't even know that I had applied and one person came up to me and handed me the notice to be posted that b.c. had gotten the job and asked me to proofread it. That felt a little insulting, but they had no idea I had applied. The post notice was grammatically incorrect, but I didn't say anything and most of the time my writing is anyway. Afterall, it doesn't matter. As long as the information is conveyed and I got the message, thanks.
So I'm doing the same old, dealing with a line up of old geezers with their sandpaper and drill bit orders with their stupid cracks about their wives and how they all spend too much time and money in LV. Stop going then. I'll face the surgically altered women with their demanding lists of hardware knobs and handles that they think is unique yet I've sold those same stupid handles to everyone else in the lower mainland because everyone wants that same look in their kitchen that is cold and clinical. I can't wait for that style to pass. I'll help the elderly women while trying to hold my breath because of their baby powder perfume that they've become immune to. It sounds like I don't like my job doesn't it? It's true I'm not crazy about some of it, but I do like the people I work with and that makes it worth going in for. There are the occasional interesting gardeners I learn from.
They've tried to give me more hours, but I'm balking at that because I don't want more hours of something I'm iffy about doing anyway. It did occur to me that they wouldn't want to lose me from the work I'm doing now because I'm awesome at it. Maybe I can't always advise someone on which router bit to use, but the rest of it i excel at. It's raise time in August so I'll see what they offer me in August and then go from there.
the Vegan's menu
Food is to be celebrated. Not only do I enjoy db's cooking and my small contributions, but I enjoy the efforts we put into making our food organic, tasty and visually pleasing. It's very rewarding when we sit down to enjoy our meals and for us it's a mini event. Even when we have very little energy at the end of the day we can always throw a big salad together with "lots of stuff in it" or a quick pasta with a simple tomato sauce cooked up. Furthermore, knowing that our meals are vegan makes it all the more rewarding for me because I know how well we are eating without the "staples" of the North American diet (meat, dairy and eggs). As a runner it's also my fuel so I am aware of what I'm consuming and how that affects the next days run.
Sunday's menu:
Pasta: mushroom tomato sauce on spaghetti
(topped with hemp seeds for me and reggiano for db)
Salad: bird food, lettuce leaf salad (I'm calling it this because db referred to the sunflower seeds as bird food, which is true I suppose)
Red wine: bracciarolo
Chocolate: Denman Island chocolate mint.
Sunday's menu:
Pasta: mushroom tomato sauce on spaghetti
(topped with hemp seeds for me and reggiano for db)
Salad: bird food, lettuce leaf salad (I'm calling it this because db referred to the sunflower seeds as bird food, which is true I suppose)
Red wine: bracciarolo
Chocolate: Denman Island chocolate mint.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Vegan Interlude
Tonight's menu:
An organic Chianti Cecchi
db's Red Fife Calzone
stuffed with crimini mushroom, red pepper, sunchoke and kale
and db's tomato sauce
Lettuce leaf salad with sun dried tomato vinaigrette
Pomegranate Sorbet
It's a late dinner, but that's the way we like it.
An organic Chianti Cecchi
db's Red Fife Calzone
stuffed with crimini mushroom, red pepper, sunchoke and kale
and db's tomato sauce
Lettuce leaf salad with sun dried tomato vinaigrette
Pomegranate Sorbet
It's a late dinner, but that's the way we like it.
Friday, July 06, 2007
"Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart?"
That's right our own little corner of Whoville has its own Kwik-E-Mart. There were several opened in the states, a facade placed over existing 7-elevens, and our little Canadian town was chosen for the movie promotion cash in. I haven't been in yet to see the clerks dressed like Apu or the "Squishees" and "Buzz Cola" being sold. There was a line up to get in on day one and kids were all over the place with Squishees in their hands.The photo taken here was an early morning on my way to work so it was calm. While the pool across the street was open and full of kids, they were all engaged in swimming lessons.
I know this is a money grabbing promotion for the Simpsons movie. I know the 7-Eleven is cashing in. Even though I know this, I also know that I am a Simpsons fan since they first aired and I know I have to go inside to see the Squishee machine and how many details they really have included that stay true to the animated Kwik-e-mart. Okay, I'm a Simpsons nerd. I admit it.
Moving on...
As a side-bar I want to draw your attention to the rhododendrons in the foreground that were still in bloom when the "landscaping" team showed up one morning to top-chop them with buzzing saws. If you don't know, you're not supposed to prune rhodos until after they bloom and you're supposed to prune them now buzz saw them. So that was about a month ago when I saw the massacre and now these poor things look so sad and areas have large brown patches. They've added the hyper-mulch look below them (kind of like the backyard here) and planted small marigolds about a foot apart from each other. It looks truly bizarre. I'll have to remember to photodoc that.
Today...
No work and it's beautiful out.
The vegan runs? I may. I'm thinking about the Okanagan marathon in October.
A writing opportunity? Perhaps. I've got to meet with a friend for further discussions.
A massage. I've decided I need to get those knots worked out in my calves. I went for a run on Monday and ouch that right calf tightened up again just like when I ran the E2E marathon.
The garden? I will definitely be out in the garden and checking on those little plants to make sure they've got all they need.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The garden: phase two
This is the entrance to the garden from our gate. You can see the retaining wall is in place. Our whovillian homeowners plan to put a rock face on it to hide the concrete and it will be not unlike the wall that lines the back of the yard. 
You can see how the mulch dominates, but I'm positive about it because everything I've planted here will fill in nicely as time goes on. This second picture shows that the Astilbe has already bloomed. I've planted into the slope to help retain the soil (and the mulch will help with this too actually). I put in some St. John's Wort which grows a bit weedy out here it seems so I'll have to keep an eye on that next year.
This next picture looks up the walkway towards the grass. I added more rocks to help break up the mulchiness. Within the rocks (although you can't really see it here) I added some alpine plants to fill in around. Again the aim is to eventually diminish the mulch. 
Finally, I took this picture that looks up towards the compost bin and does show a bit of the sun that we get in the afternoon. The hydrangea in the foreground shows no signs of blooms yet, but I'm hopeful. That could really add some nice colour to the backyard. 
I'll try and take some more photos as the garden develops. A friend at work has brought me some of her perennials that she divided so I'll see what might be a good home for them.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Summer reading
I had to stop reading the Janet Frame book, Yellow Flowers in the Antipodean Room. It's far too dark right now and I need something... a little more uplifting. After perusing the bookshelves here at home I think I need to head to the library and pick up something a little lighter. My goodness our book selection is heavy.
The move last October led us to get rid of most of our books, selling them and giving them away. Now when I read something I tend to get rid of the book after I read it. So all I am left with is mostly non-fiction reference books that are mostly my film studies books and those weigh heavily in the horror department. Why couldn't I have studied the musical or comedies? I know some of the horror films cover those genres as well, but I went for the gore and splatter of the slasher film. Okay Scream is quite funny, but still very gorey.
db's book selection isn't much better when searching for some light summer reading. He's been reading religious history books. Interesting stuff, but not very light. I suppose it's how you define "light" as well. Let me try...
Most of my book reading is done on transit and during my work breaks. This is part of the reason I like public transit. Without a t.v. or a computer on hand and I don't have a blackberry or cell phone of any kind so when I'm on public transit I tend to write or read. I am biking more these days so if I get into a book and can't find time to read it, I'll leave the bike at home so I can finish the book on the bus. If I'm really hooked I will read at bedtime, but mostly I prefer a garden reference book on the bedside table.
Now I'm not looking for junk, but if anyone can recommend something humourous that is a good read I'd appreciate it. My sister did give me a Lynda Barry "Activity Book" that has all my favorite characters in it and is creatively inspiring. I'll start there.
I love her drawings and how she fills every bit of space in her comics so that the borders become doodles or side-notes or even have little narratives of their own. Each page is like a collage and every layer adds something else to the whole picture. I think she's brilliant. My sister and I use to read and share her comics, laughing ourselves silly over the humour and tragedies of Marlys and Maybonne. Her comics hit just the right note for us.
The move last October led us to get rid of most of our books, selling them and giving them away. Now when I read something I tend to get rid of the book after I read it. So all I am left with is mostly non-fiction reference books that are mostly my film studies books and those weigh heavily in the horror department. Why couldn't I have studied the musical or comedies? I know some of the horror films cover those genres as well, but I went for the gore and splatter of the slasher film. Okay Scream is quite funny, but still very gorey.
db's book selection isn't much better when searching for some light summer reading. He's been reading religious history books. Interesting stuff, but not very light. I suppose it's how you define "light" as well. Let me try...
Most of my book reading is done on transit and during my work breaks. This is part of the reason I like public transit. Without a t.v. or a computer on hand and I don't have a blackberry or cell phone of any kind so when I'm on public transit I tend to write or read. I am biking more these days so if I get into a book and can't find time to read it, I'll leave the bike at home so I can finish the book on the bus. If I'm really hooked I will read at bedtime, but mostly I prefer a garden reference book on the bedside table.
Now I'm not looking for junk, but if anyone can recommend something humourous that is a good read I'd appreciate it. My sister did give me a Lynda Barry "Activity Book" that has all my favorite characters in it and is creatively inspiring. I'll start there.
I love her drawings and how she fills every bit of space in her comics so that the borders become doodles or side-notes or even have little narratives of their own. Each page is like a collage and every layer adds something else to the whole picture. I think she's brilliant. My sister and I use to read and share her comics, laughing ourselves silly over the humour and tragedies of Marlys and Maybonne. Her comics hit just the right note for us.The days that followed...
Well, db and I are coping.We're grieving. The day after we took Svetlana to the vet was my birthday. I know, I know it's a lousy birthday gift, but actually we had made plans to go to the UBC botanical gardens a couple of weeks ago and I still wanted to go.
It felt good to be out and it was a beautiful day.
The gardens are so peaceful and lovely. They are very well tended to as research and display gardens, but the south gardens are very wild looking and the areas flow from one to the other in a woodland setting that feels as one.
The north gardens (this above photo is the entrance way that trails under the roadway to the north garden) is a little more delineated which makes sense since parts of it are vegetable garden. The food from the veg gardens are donated to local charities which is fantastic. The alpine gardens are also a little more marked off, divided into the different continents and their natural plants.
There is also a Physic garden that is "enclosed by a traditional yew hedge (...) to showcase traditional medicinal plants."
The photos posted are mostly from the south gardens since by the time we reached the north side it was just about closing time.
We have to go back and in a couple of weeks the rest of the lilies should be all in bloom.
The giant lilies happened to be in bloom.
At first I read the note that spoke of the variety (Cardiocrinum giganteum) and described them as potentially taking seven years to bloom. The blooms themselves can be 35 cm long! I think these ones were. They can also grow up to 4 m in height. I would love to have such a creature in my garden. One day. As you may know I love lilies.
They are perhaps my favorite flower. Some of the lilies in the back have bloomed and there are more on the way.
After the botanical gardens we went to another part of town and wandered a little before happening on an Ethiopian restaurant that was just what I had hoped for. The menu outside highlighted the fact that all of their vegetarian dishes are vegan. It was a delicious meal. db was a little disappointed to learn that there was no liquor license, but it really didn't matter in the end. We loved the food.
At home db iced the cake and we had a little Italian bubbly and some cake to celebrate my birthday and toast Svetlana's life.
***
Canada day we spent the day on Granwhoville island. It was packed of course, but just to wander around and spend some time looking at the local artists works was a nice change. I have to say that I didn't feel celebratory or part of the festive group, but I was with db and we were just taking it easy, wandering around with no plan, just enjoying the weather. We did end our visit with a walk through a park/garden that was quite lovely. There really is such pleasure in a garden.
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