Victoria's Island

Happenings

As you can tell, I haven't been around this space much lately. Frankly because I often just don't have much to say. Life is generally just rolling along. I haven't been on any trips or discovered any new recipes. Really just life is happening. 

Now I have been busy - had some biggish writing projects, I've been working on a new personal writing project and of course I've been riding my bike. But nothing really ground-breaking.

In reading news, I'm close to finishing The Lost Girls - pretty good book if you're interested in travel and have a sense of wanderlust. There is some navel-gazing and the three women do seem to grow through-out the book and realize that their New York first-world problems really aren't problems at all.

Next up after this book is The Chimp Paradox by Dr. Steve Peters. The author is well-respected psychiatrist and authority on the mental aspect of sports. He is currently working for Team Sky and for the Great Britain Olympic Team. This book comes highly recommended from a couple of pro cyclists so I'm looking forward to reading it. Now this book isn't just for cyclists or athletes - really it is for anyone interested in understanding how we make decisions and process our emotions.

In the cooking world, well I've did try a new recipe on the weekend. Vegan brownies - the secret ingredient is a can of black beans. (Dad and Uncle Mike - don't wrinkle your noses and start thinking that these brownies don't taste good!) Marc ate one and couldn't even taste the black beans. I made these without the agave and sugar - instead I added in some chocolate chips and on Marc's side I added Reese's Pieces. Very good. Make them - your body will thank-you. 

We bought a SodaStream yesterday. What a nifty item this is. Marc and I drink a lot of soda water and now we can make our own at home. We can even flavour it ourselves. Currently I'm drinking lemon soda water - I used a real lemon to give it the tasty lemon flavour. We might not own a coffee maker and have a toaster that is circa 1994 but we can make our own soda water and pop! 

Alright, I'm off. I've got some writing to do - both paid and personal and then I have to bundle up so I can face this real March weather and get out for a good pedal. 

(And since I know you're counting down the days, not too long now until my birthday!!! In fact I've already received two birthday presents - swanky new headphones for riding/training with and a new digital watch since my mine was basically dead. Thanks Marc!!! )

Top-Notch Weekend

Wow, what a weekend. It was a good one here in these parts. I can only hope that your weekend was just as good as mine. The weekend was essentially punctuated by all things bicycle.

Excellent rides on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was an interval day for me and it was refreshing to be out and feeling strong and fit on the bike. Sunday was group ride day and we had a good group of five of us who rode out to Merrickville and back. The weather was over-the-top and it the bright sun left its impression with freckles on my cheeks and slightly reddened hands. 

In other exciting cycling news, I now have fenders on my city bike! This is great. Now nothing will stop me from getting to yoga, going to the coffee shop or zipping over to the grocery store to get a small load of food. Pretty darn happy to have fenders.

Away from the bike we really just chilled out. Some yoga. Some good meals out with friends. A Friday night date downtown in the Byward Market. It was definitely just a good weekend all around. The happiest of all though seems to be Murphy. He is loving this weather. He wants to be outside all day every day. He is back on his grass eating habit and patrolling the back yard for intruders.

The weather is going to be fantastic for the rest of the week  - looking forward to getting some sun on my paleish legs and arms. I know this weather is not "typical" or "normal"  - but I still like it. The other thing that is interesting at this time of year is the proliferation of Easter chocolate in the stores. Seems like there is a big push on right now for people to stock up on Mr. Solid and Cadbury Cream Eggs. I'm disappointed that my favourite is hard to find - peanut butter filled eggs. I suppose I'll have to settle for a Mr. Solid when the big day comes. When we were kids, my brother and I used to spend a lot of time looking for the Easter Bunny's footprints in the ground.... We never did find them but interestingly enough, the Easter Bunny always ate the carrots we put out for him!

The Countdown Is On

So, if you've been reading this site for a while, you'll know that I really like my birthday. In fact, I get pretty darn excited about it. I'm not sure why and I don't know how to explain it, but I just really like my birthday. I tell people that it's my birthday. I remind those around me that my birthday is coming up. 

When I worked at Bridgewater Systems I had a Happy Birthday banner that I hung up in my cubicle for a couple of months, just because I liked hearing people say "Happy Birthday".

Now I don't do this in attempts to get presents or have a party. Nope, I just really like my birthday and I like hearing people say "Happy Birthday". In fact I love celebrating other people's birthdays. I think that a birthday is a day that is just for you and it is your day to feel special. (Not that you shouldn't feel special everyday.)

This year is a different birthday for me. In less than one month I won't be able to say I'm in mid-30s. In fact I'll have to switch to saying "I'm in my late-30s". Yes, I'm turning 40. Crazy. I don't know what I thought 40 would be like but I guess I'll find out soon.

I remember when as a kid  my mom and dad turned 40 I would tell random people something along the lines "My mom is 40 now" or "Did you know my dad is 40?". This would often result in some raised eyebrows from my parents and usually a slight smile from the recipient of this news (often someone working in the hardware store or bagging our groceries). 

I don't feel any older or worse-for-wear than I did five years or even 10 years ago. In fact I feel better today than I've felt in the last two years. My bones do creak a bit more and I do find myself being forgetful but I'm not sure if this is any different than when I was younger...

The big question I used to always ask my parents as the countdown to my birthday was on was this, "Can I get my bike out by my birthday?". Funny how some things never change. I'm always counting down the days to my birthday and when I can get my bike out for a ride. 

Maybe today is your birthday - if so - enjoy it and celebrate. If it isn't your birthday, it is okay to pretend and go out for a nice "birthday" supper - you deserve it. Just don't go all crazy with showing off your birthday suit...

From Lion to Lamb?

Well, March sure hit us with a lot of force. We had snow, wind and cold but now after only two days of spring-like weather the bad feelings and memories are long behind us. It is interesting to note how 10 celsisus in the fall is considered cold but in March it means people are breaking out the flip-flops and shorts...

Anyway as I sit here it is 11 celsius and raining at 9:o0 a.m. No complaints here. Bring on the rain - I want the snow to melt. And more importantly I want the roads washed clean of the salt, dirt and grime that is unfriendly to my trusty two-wheeler.

Well, other than this rather brief consideration of the weather, I really don't have too much to add. But I'll take a stab at letting you know what is new, improved and better tasting.

I reacently finished reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. A fascinating read, it really made me consider the latest President's Choice Blue Menu promotion in different light. Funny how this little "magazine" is chock full of foods packed with Omega-3 fortified foods - all in efforts to get us healthier. Remember the oat bran push in the 80s - well are we supposed to ditch oat bran in favour of Omega-3 now? What about fiber - are we still supposed to aim for extra fiber in our diets? Interesting how the nutritional push changes with the seasons isn't it. Have you ever considered who and what drives the push for oat bran, Omega-3, fiber and low-fat foods? Why don't we ever see promotional flyers from grocery store chains that highlight the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and other unprocessed foods. Chances are in a few years we'll see six grapefruits in a bag with a label that reads: New Improved Taste! Super Low-Fat. Convenient Easy-To-Peel Packaging". I should note that one item in the Omega-3 President's Choice flyer did catch my attention - peanut butter with extra Omega-3. I decided to look into this (Omega-3 is proven to help people with IBD) - well to my dismay this "new, healthy peanut butter that is perfect for kids" is full of sugar and oil - I thought it would be natural peanut butter with some added flax oil... 

Anyway, some food for thought...

I am now reading We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. I know that a movie based on this book will be released soon - but truth be told this is not why I'm reading it. This book has been on my "to read" list for some time and now is the time to read it.

Thanks to spending lots of quality time on my bike in the basement on the trainer, I've been watching a lot of movies on Netflix. Here are my recent highlights: Soul Kitchen, Wendy & Lucy, Monster, My Life Without Me, Conviction, Great New Wonderful, and Monster's Ball. Yes, an ecclectic mix of movies and many of them a bit "old" but all were worth watching and entertaining. 

So far the highlight of the week was my lunchtime chat with wee little Henry and his super proud dad. We had a great chat about flying kites, playing hockey  and a strong desire to watch Thomas the Tank Engine. At the end of the day, Murphy stole the show and managed to put the biggest smile on Henry's face. I think my favorite moment was when Henry kissed the computer screen and then gave it a big hug and then signing off with "See You Soon".

Happy International Women's Day

Three Generations

I love this photo.

Still Angry

I’m angry and I really don’t know what to do about it. Earlier this week we learned that Steven Cozza of Team NetApp was forced to end his cycling career. Steven Cozza has ulcerative colitis and has been trying to live the life of a professional athlete with this disease. From what I can understand from the article and his Tweets, Steven has been dealing with a rotten ulcerative colitis flare for a long time.

I feel for Steven. I’ve never met Steven but I can empathize and understand what he is going through. It is damn frustrating and very disheartening to read of someone who has to put their life on hold for this damn disease. I don’t know why but this news has hit me hard – I suppose it is because people like Steven who had “done it” and were “doing it” are a big example to me and remind me that even with a bad gut and angry colon – a full life can be enjoyed.

I really hope that Steven can get on top of his ulcerative colitis and get back to normal life. Sometimes life is so damn unfair. All the best Steven – I’m rooting for you and sending you some powerful healing thoughts.

I have a feeling this anger will be channeled into my pedals today. Too bad Steven can’t do the same.