Victoria's Island

What's New?

It has been a while. No reason really. I'm spending lots of time in front of the keyboard these days and sometimes at the end of the day, I'm done with writing and thinking. I  write about so many different things over the course of a given day that there are times when I just am at a loss for what to write about here.

Don't take this as a lack of interest in this spot. Nope, rather I don't want to post drivel that really isn't worth your reading - so sometimes silence is the obvious choice.

As for now? Well, truely there isn't much to say. I was knitting intermittently but it seems that I can't stick to my recent project. I was chatting about knitting with a barrista at Bridgehead last week and she suggested I ditch the scarf and move onto a sweater. She highlighted that at their core - scarves are boring to knit. This is true. While the risk is very low so can be the reward. So maybe Marc will be a lucky guy and their is a handknitted sweater in his future?

On the reading front... well, I'm not actually reading anything right now. I know blasphemy! Truth is I picked up the lastest issue of the Ryerson Review of Journalism and I've been spending my reading time on this weighty magazine. True fact: the Ryerson Review of Journalism magazine is my favorite magazine. I literally read every word of it (sometimes twice). It is smart, it is challenging, it is Canadian, it is always different. It is refreshing to read a magazine that doesn't recycle its article ideas or simply write "follow-up" pieces. Anyway, I suggest you check it out. You never know what you'll learn.

On Monday night I did something I've wanted to do for a long time. I watched the highlights from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. This is a 150 minute long night of entertainment that gets you cheering, sighing, clasping your hands, and in the end smiling and scheming. Essentially this is a compilation of some of the best movies shown at the Banff Mountain Film Festival - and it is taken on tour through-out the world, I wasn't sure what to expect but I left feeling like I'd met some really interesting folks. Maybe Sketchy Andy is a bit out there for me (slacklining and base jumping aren't on my bucket list) but watching Tim Cope ride the trail of Ghengis Khan was something else. And to keep it all in perspective the night ended with a film about Josh Dueck who really left me with a feeling for needing to do more and get more from this life of mine. If the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour comes to your town or city - definitely go - you won't regret it.

So there you have it - some tidbits of what's been happening and could be considered as new. My parents are coming to the big city this weekend. Should be good. 

(Oh and if you've come up with a cure for the common cold - please feel free to post it up in the comments section. This stuffed up nose, sore throat and ear ache combination is getting a bit old...)

Little Black Book

A few weeks ago we were browsing in Indigo and I spied the perfect book. It was a black Moleskine book - on sale for $10. I picked it up and carried it around with me while reading magazines for free. I showed the little black book to Marc. Then I put it down. I decided I didn't really need it. Marc decided otherwise and now I have a brand new black Moleskine sitting on my desk.

I have yet to remove the plastic covering and crack it open. Part intimidation. Part anticipation. This little black book can do so much. It can hold my thoughts and dreams. It can be a source of inspiration and frustration. It can be so much more than I can appreciate.

I thought about digging in to the blank pages. But I've held off. What if I don't do this little black book justice? What if I can't live up to its reputation for inspiration and good words? What if I make a mistake?

But, I like to think I'm ready. The little black book is kind of just like life... don't you think? 

Consider watching this video and maybe it is time for your own little black book?

 

Good Things Happening

Just a quick check-in to let you know that life is all good here. The weather is the pits right now but we live in Ottawa and it is the winter. Though I admit I do ask myself we live in this snowy winterland - but this is a conversation for another day.

My back is doing well. No pain really. Some tingling in my leg but this will ease-off with time. I'm seeing a physiotherapist once a week to get checked out and to receive some exercises to help strengthen my core and glute muscles. Not to get too granualar on you but it turns out that a lot of the muscles around my spine are dormant (same goes for the glute msucles) - this is becuase my big quads and hamstrings are doing all the work for me... So now I've got very focused and specific exercises to help wake-up these sleeping muscles. I did have x-rays done last week and met with a sports medicine doctor today. This was a good session and I learned that although I'm healing faster than most folks with this injury - I still cannot rush things and must give my vertebrae the full 12 weeks to heal. 

On the writing front - things are getting a bit busier. I've picked up a couple of new professional blogging clients so this nice. I'm writing about a wide range of topics these days. Some that might make you raise your eyebrows - but hey - someone has to write this stuff.... (Don't worry I'm pulling your leg here!) Anyway, all this to say there is progress on the freelance writing front. Though admittedly I'd still like to land some bigger and more consistent projects, I'll keep doing what I'm doing and work at marketing myself.

I've got a new project on the knitting needles and I'm thoroughly enjoying getting back to knitting again. I'm still a slow knitter and while I look at patterns for sweaters and cardigans - I know my limits and patience level so I'm sticking to scarves and hats....

I've had trouble finding a good book to read lately. It seems the last five books I've started really haven't kept my interest. So I've turned to trusty Barabara Kingsolver and one of the few novels of hers that I have yet to read - I'm reading The Beantrees. So far so good. Thoroughly enjoying it. I do feel guilty that the other five books didn't work out - particularly since I thought these were the books I really wanted to read and spent my very valuable Kobo gift certificate on them. I suppose this is the beauty of the eReader - these books are easy to carry around and maybe I'll return to them one day. 

We're on a new recipe kick here. Or perhaps I should rephrase this to read: I'm on a new recipe kick here. So far all three new recipes have come from Chatelaine magaine. Madras Chicken Soup (subbed ground chicken). Moroccan Vegetable Stew. Turkey and White-Bean Soup (subbed spicy Italian sausage, spinach for kale and added in mushrooms).

In other news - one of the best discoveries ever was made on Wednesday. I am now being kept warm at night with the most wonderful electric blanket. This is an incredible invention. Since I was sick last year, I've been permanently cold and chilled. The hot water bottle wasn't cutting it so we went for the big guns. A word-to-the-wise - don't turn the electric blanket up to 10 or High - you will get very very warm and just find yourself thrashing around in a fit overhotness in the middle of the night. A setting of Low or maybe 3 will suffice for even the chilliest amongst us.

Weekend ahead is looking good. Henry had a good birthday and I was thrilled to talk to him on his big day (as was Murphy). All in all - life is good. 

A Blast of Fresh Air?

Bit of a quiet time here. Really my nose is pressed to my computer screen and my fingers are firmly attached to my keyboard. I find some days I spend so much time on this laptop that at the end of it all, my attention span and energy are zapped.

I think this has something to do with the wide mix of writing I find myself doing right now. In one day I can write about car deals, real estate, global online payment solutions, disaster recovery planning, bike racing, marketing strategies, website copy, technical documents and the odd book review. Yes, I tend to wear a lot of writer hats - such is the life and reality of a freelance writer. No complaints here. It just simply means that there are times when I need to close the lid and let my brain float.

But today. Well it is early and my brain is feeling fresh and young so I realized I best capture this when I can. Not sure what you're going to get but consider this my little gift to you on this fine Sunday morning. Alright, so hang on and hold on tight here goes...

(Insert dramatic pause...)

Yes, so life is going well. How about you? I've got some writing work that is keeping me busy but as usual I'm always looking and wanting more - such is the life and reality of freelance writer. As for my back injury - well it is what it is. Frankly I try not to think or talk about it much. It takes time to heal such wounds and I've still got lots of time ahead of me. Until then I can ride the trainer and let my brain get attached to the folks talking at me on the strange black box that so many are addicted to. Away from the basement training room and the mumbling cast of characters on the television, things are fairly normal. As normal as normal is and isn't. Visits with friends. Ruminations about the future. Considering the past. The stuff of life really.

It is important today to remember that it is wee Henry's birthday. This little man with so much energy and a love for all things named Pixie and Murphy is two years old today. Happy Birthday little guy!

Well, really that is all I have to say. The snow is falling. The wind is blowing. I think it is a track pant day. Stay inside, watch some bicycle racing, drink some tea, do some work, knit up a storm, and eat some vegetables.

Happy 2012!

I'm a bit late to the party in the blogging world when it comes to welcoming in 2012, but you know the saying - better late than never!

Seems like we're back into our Ottawa groove here. A few days of battling the demon jet lag and digging through bike boxes to find clothes and Belgian chocolate - but now we're back to normal. (Yes, normal is completely subjective...)

So 2011 is gone and 2012 is here. A lot of people have written about goals, resolutions and changes. Well, I'm not going to do this. I'm not a big believer in New Year resolutions. Why wait until January 1 to make a change? Anyway if you have made a resolution or two - good luck with them and always try to remember why you did make them in the first place. 

Okay enough deep thought... now back to normal and typical programming around these parts. 

I have to say the weekend did not start out that great for me. I was sitting around the house feeling sorry for myself because I wasn't in Ottawa and that I couldn't ride my bike outside... Well thanks to some good times with friends, a fun New Year's Eve (we sort of watched TinTin but demon jet lag is forcing us to watch it a second time), and some pleasant weather - I'm done with my funk. Marc pointed out that thinking about what I can't do is going to get me nowhere - instead focus on what I can do and want to do.

So this is what I'm doing. Amazing what a subtle swithch in my thought process can do! 

I'm happy to tell you that I'm back to knitting. Thanks to Michelle for the gift of yarn and needles, I've already got one completed project for 2012! And now I'm on my way to a new project with the lofty goal of finishing it next week (a kid can dream). In the reading department, I've got The Free World by David Bezmozgis fired up on my eReader - so far so good. I did start the Steve Jobs book, but between you and me - that is one darn long book and I'm a slow reader... 

Not much else going on really. The last few days have been really quite nice. Catching up with an old friend and sadly saying good-bye to another. In between we hit up most of our favorite Ottawa restaurants and squeezed in another movie (War Horses) with friends. Yep, so 2012 is starting out quite well. (Though I don't want to jinx myself since I think I wrote something similar this time last year...) But I'm convinced that my bad luck is behind me and I'm looking forward to what life on and off the bike holds.

Alright, so I guess I'll stop typing now. Besides you likely have to go cook a healthy meal, run 5 km, or pick up that book you've been meaning to read... Hope your 2012 is going as well as mine.

Thank You Belgium

Thank You Belgium for a great time. You have taught me so much and showed me that I really want to keep learning and growing. While the cyclo-cross season was very short and I only got to race twice – I will cherish the time I had with you.

On and off the bike I have been so lucky to meet a fantastic group of people. Passion would be the central theme for my family of cyclo-cross friends and fellow racers. We are bound by a love of the bike, the mud, the sand and the constant challenge that racing cyclo-cross in Belgium gives us.

This was my fifth season of racing in Belgium and it seems like no matter how many times I’ve been, my eyes and brain are rewarded with more sights and lessons. People often ask me why I go to Belgium to race my bike – it can be hard to answer this question without rambling on and on. To answer this question simply – because there is no place like Belgium and no other place to be than at a cyclo-cross race in Belgium.

Thank You Belgium for reuniting with my friends, for introducing me to new friends, for reinforcing my love of the bike, for testing me in a way that no other place can, for reminding me that it is important to live each day to its fullest, for showing me that dreams do come true, for reminding me that the work is never done, and for forcing me to push my limits.

I miss you already and I will be back.

 

Only A Couple Days Left

Really hard to believe that I'm getting on a plane on Thursday. This was not the plan but it is the reality... I know I'm very lucky to have been here for two months but when I had planned on being here in Belgium until early February, it is hard to be chipper about a racing season cut short.

Nonetheless, we've had a very good few days. We had a great Christmas with some cyclocross racing for Marc, cyclocross watching for me, good food and good times with friends. Here are some photos from Christmas Eve:

Nikoline and Jacob - really going to miss Nikoline. We've become really good friends and she has been super to have as a housemate. I'm sure we'll reconnect next year - until then we'll have the Adele concert and this song by Gotye.

Our Christmas supper (we had it on Christmas Eve).

The choir and band at the Blauberg Christmas service. Very enjoyable service - the music was excellent.

The famous Danish rice pudding - made with whole milk and real whipped cream. There is one almond in the rice pudding - whoever finds the almond wins the prize. This year Marc won. I skipped the rice pudding (all that dairy) and had some tasty gluten-free chocolate museli with almond milk for my dessert.

On Christmas Day, Marc raced in Balegem. Here are some pics from the race:

Lookout for the tree!

Marc navigating one of the tricky descents.

Post race with super mechanic and friend Ignace ready to Marc's dirty bike and Jacob ready with warm/dry clothes.

After the race we zipped off to Zolder so I could connect with some of my bike racing pals. It was good to catch up with friends who I haven't seen since my injury. I'm really going to miss racing with and hanging out with Nancy and Nikoline - two very good friends who are always able to get me smiling and laughing.

For dessert on Christmas Day, Marc, Jacob and Nikoline got to enjoy some very tasty chocolate mousse cake from the Blauberg bakery (I had gluten-free chocolate museli...):

Highlight of Christmas Day was talking to my parents, Marc's parents and Gregory/Liz/Henry. Nice to see and hear everyone. Sounds like everyone had a top-notch Christmas. Little Henry was playing shy and was really only interested in Uncle Marc!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and got to spend some quality time with friends and family.

Merry Christmas!

Have a fantastic day with your family and friends! Eat lots of good food. Drink some tasty drinks. Watch some cheesey Christmas movies. Go for a nice long walk. Play a rousing game of Scrabble. Play a raucous game of street hockey. Take a nap. Go watch a cyclo-cross race.

Enjoy being with the ones you love.

Catching Up

 

It has been a while... Sorry, been busy I guess - and well, not much really to tell you about. It might seem strange to you but life is really just "normal" here in Belgium. Without the cyclocross racing and training, life is really pretty much just life.

Yes, I'm getting out and doing things. I am out riding my bike again - I've done two rides outside now. But really life is just rolling along. It is strange right now really, because we're going home on Thursday - and we really don't want to. But such is life.

I did go to Leuven yesterday for one last poke around. It was market day which is always interesting (I didn't take any market-specific photos...). Here are a few photos I took:

These kids were singing and raising money for the Studio Brussels radio station holiday fundraising campaign.

Lined up out the door at this bakery in Leuven.

Lots of non-dairy options at this amazing health food store in Leuven.

The interior of Workshop Leuven - a fantastic knittng and sewing store. The offer classes, sewing machines to use, lots of great in-store made yarn, books to borrow - really a very cool place. 

The Workshop Leuven window.

Today on Christmas Eve we're off to Bergen-Op-Zoom to visit the Hoppman's bicycle store and then to wander around this pretty little town for a bit. We're having a big dinner here at the house tonight with some tasty food including pate, cheese, crackers, salads, some kind of meat (undeterimined at this point) and the very delicious Danish rice pudding. (Yes, I'll take photos and post them!)

(On a side note, today is a bit of a strange day for me since it was one year ago today that I was admitted to the hospital due to my ulcerative colitis. Just a bit of a reminder of how valuable your health is and to never take a single day for granted....)

Have a great Christmas Eve - my thoughts are in Lakefield with my parents, little brother and his family. I can only imagine the excitement there with Pixie and Henry unwrapping presents and having a grand time. 

 

I Dig This Stuff

This is going to be a mixed-bag blog post (just warning you now)... I don't have too much going on right now since I'm not racing my bike but I'm still getting out there and doing my best to seize the day... And thanks to this endless exploring, I've got a bunch of things that I'm digging (yes very much an '80s term but I can't help this...). So sit back and hold on - prepare to be wowed by my list of cool things...

Adele: oh wow - this singer is just so darn awesome. I've always been an Adele fan but last night sealed the deal. Watching the DVD of Adele's concert at Royal Albert Hall has got me fully hooked. That was a performance. It was so very emotional and incredible. Yes, perhaps a bit superfluous but I'm not exaggerating. If you're having one of those days, I highly recommend plopping down on the coach with a warm mug of something delicious and watching Adele do what she does best. She had myself, Nikoline and Sarah speechless last night - and that is saying a lot!

Converse: a couple of weeks ago I picked up a very sweet pair of Converse sneakers. These sneakers are white leather with a purple insert and they have purple laces. They are hot. So very hot. I love them. Problem is that I can't wear them right now - I want to keep them clean and the muck and wet of Belgium won't help in these efforts. So my white hot Converse sneakers sit and wait for the dry and dusty days ahead. I first worse Converse sneakers when I was a teenager in grade nine - I had pink ones with orange laces (yes, always a fashion maven) and they were so very cool. These new sneakers make me feel like that grade niner all over again - on the edge of something big but not really sure what it will be.

Kombucha: I'm full-on addicted to this strong and powerful nectar. Kombucha is made from fermenting a yeast and bacterial culture and from this a wonderful drink is brewed. Admittedly this doesn't sound that appetizing, but trust me, one sip of the powerful Kombucha and your tastebuds and digestive system will be thanking you. Since being here in Belgium I've become hooked on Kombucha that is brewed/fermented a mere 20 km from here - yes local and completely natural Kombucha. There is no sugar or extra flavour added to this drink - straight up Kombucha power. I'm wondering how I can bring a few big bottles of it home with me...

The Killing: I'm spending a lot of time on the trainer these days and I need to stay occupied and thanks to Marc, I've become a fan of the television program The Killing. This is a murder/cop/detective show but it is so much better than the standard stuff found on American and Canadian television channels. This show is good - really good. So good that I don't even notice the time ticking by as I'm pedalling towards my future.

Belgian Chopped Veggies: we live next door to a small grocery store and this grocery store sells these wonderful bags of freshly chopped, sliced, and diced vegetables. Think a mix of leeks, onion, celery, carrots, and a bunch of other vegetables all freshly chopped up in the perfect size to be added to eggs, stir-frys, soups, stews and pretty much anything else. So very tasty and so very good for us. I can't get enough of these veggies - the pre-packed salads in a bag aren't even close to this bag of nourishment. Seriously good.

Alpro Soya Yogurt: sadly my guts don't tolerate dairy anymore. This has been very hard to get used to. I love cottage cheese and yogurt - but was forced to give up both. I've tried soy yogurt at home but it tastes like dirt. So I really did go out on a limb when I picked up a six-pack of Alpro Soya plain yogurt a couple of weeks ago. Oh what a smart move this was - this yogurt is so darn smooth and thick. And best of all - it doesn't taste like dirt. Nope, tastes like the real thing - it doesn't have the tang of high-quality plain yogurt but it comes fairly close. It is particularly good with a chopped apple, a handful of raisins, some unsalted peanuts and chia seeds. I'm crossing my fingers that I can find this in Ottawa...

Yoga Journal: it seems that whenever I come to Belgium I bring the most recent issue of Yoga Journal with me. I don't read this magazine at home, but here in Belgium it just feels right. I guess because I'm always looking for ways to escape the constant bike racing thought cycle that happens when living with a bunch of bike racers. Well in recent weeks, I've become really into good 'ol Yoga Journal, I'm guessing this partly has to do with not being able to do yoga right now - instead I'm reading about it, thinking about what it means to me and looking forward to getting back to MountainGoat Yoga for some hot power yoga.

Leuven: this city is one my faves in Belgium. When I first came to Belgium in 2007, Marc and I hit up this nearby city one afternoon and I was hooked. I discovered the Punto Cafe, the old town, the International Magazine Store and the charm of this university city. I've been to Antwerp and Brussels - I'll take Leuven any day. Last week we visited the Leuven KerstMarkt - this was a lot of fun and really was a great way to chill out in the city. I haven't got much time left here in Belgium and I've been thinking about visiting Antwerp again but I'm really leaning towards Leuven - this little city has stolen my heart. Besides, I need to hit up the Punto Cafe for a tasty soy latte and sumptuous chocolate brownie...

So there you have it, some things that I'm digging these days. It goes without saying that I'm really really digging all the great products that my sponsors have provided me with (but I thought you'd like a glimpse of my off-the-bike favourites). Well, really I do have to say my Lolë clothes have been a lifesaver here in Belgium - I'm looking sharp and staying warm thanks to this Canadian clothing company. And I'm definitely able to stay on my gluten-free/dairy-free diet when on on the move thanks to Clif Bar. (Sorry can't help it - looking good and having a full tummy are critical to me...)

Alright, I'm off. I've got some virtual pavement pounding to do... Yes, looking for some new writing work - I'm open to pretty much anything and I can tell you now that there are two locations that I'm very interested in: Ottawa and Belgium...