An Unlikely Elite

Randomness

Well, we are almost through February... This is a good thing. There is something about this second month of the year that can be a challenge. The highs of the holidays are over, the weather can be not so nice, and it seems like summer is a long way off - all this has a way of culminating in a tough month.

So with this in mind, I thought I'd share some of the nifty things I've read, bookmarked, or pondered - all thanks to the Internet of course:

Pinterest - I'm on Pinterest. This virtual pinboard site is really cool. If you're into something (i.e. hobby), you can use Pinterest to track these hobby-related things/ideas/thoughts/etc. Anyway, I'm up there, check me out and start following me.

Fast Company - this is an excellent magazine and the website is top-notch as well. Not just for tech-heads this magazine has the pulse on innovation, business, technology, and people.

Do Lectures - you've heard of Ted Talks - well time to check out this ground-breaking series of lectures. They're free. They're practical. They're useful. They're inspiring. 

Magical Loaf Studio - do you have a hankering to make a vegetarian or vegan "meat" loaf but don't know where to start? Use this super smart website to create a recipe that will work. 

Longreads - take a few minutes and really read an article online. Don't scan and don't skim. Read this very real writing and journalism that you've likely missed.

So there you have it, some interesting "stuff" for you to check out. 

On another note, Lent is starting tomorrow. Now I'm not a religious person per se but Lent does give me the opportunity to make a change. So I've decided to give up all pop/soda/soft drinks as well as drinks with soy in them (in other words break the Starbucks addiction) for the duration of Lent. I don't drink a lot of pop but aspartame and high fructose corn syrup simply aren't good for anyone. As for the soy-based drinks - I seem to have an affinity for over-priced drinks at coffee shops - giving up soy is a great way to break this and keep some dollars in my pocket. Tea and black coffee it is!

So there you have it some guaranteed randomness. Fingers crossed that this warm weather keeps up - if so I'll be out on my bike outside this weekend! 

 

Catching Up

Sorry for the delay between posts. Life has been busy here this past week. Busy in a good way with nothing in particular standing out - just the regular goings on of life.

The highlight of this past week was definitely Friday. On Friday Marc and I got up bright and early to catch the first train to Montreal. After much hanging around in the Dorval airport that included checking our watches, checking the flight arrival monitors, walking around, drinking coffee, doing push-ups and just generally getting excited - our friends Renee and Anne finally arrived from Belgium.

We have been anticipating their visit for quite sometime now and it was a real treat to see our good friends again. Luckily their flight was uneventful so after a few moments of catching up it was off to get the rental car and we hit the road for Ottawa. The drive flew by with us chatting and just really being happy to see one another. We had some excitement when we were rather close to home but after a detour, we found ourselves all starving and finally eating lunch at 3:00. The rest of the day was spent pretty easily. Some bike riding by Marc and Renee and Anne and I hit up the grocery stores for some food.

It is funny the things we take for granted here - the size of the grocery stores, the abundance of produce, the wide selection of things like salad dressing and rice - Anne found all these to be amazing and perhaps a bit over the top. Our evening was very quiet, since our guests were battling travel fatigue. They did make it until 9:00 though - very impressive.

Really looking forward to the next 11 days - we're going to our best to show the best of Ottawa and the area. Today will likely be pretty quiet as well with the highlight being a barbecue with Marc's sister and his family.

So, all in all, things are going really well. You should see all of the chocolate Renee and Anne brought for us. There is nothing quite like Cote D'Or chocolate - it is the best. And we have a lot of it at our place. Our friends also brought the much sought after Bosto Dessert Rice - this is for my mom so she can make some real rice pudding. I think a couple boxes of chocolate will make it to Lakefield as well - though I'm not sure if chocolate is on my parent's healthy eating plan - last time I was there they were eating fresh fruit and salad. What do you say mom and dad - do you want some Belgian chocolate?

Alright, I'm out. Have a good one. I'll do my best to post regularly - I'll try to keep you up to date with our vacation so you can get a taste of Ottawa from the eyes of tourists. (Yes, I'll try to remember to take photos....)

Lessons Learned

Well, I have to say that Monday was a big day for me. Finally finishing and publishing my book really was a big achievement. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about publishing my book. But then I remembered that we only live once...

The other thing I remembered is something that I've really learned and understood over the past few years, "to stop worrying about what others think". This is key. I think for a lot of people, worrying abou what others think really stops them from going for it. Well, I've learned that most people are so self-consumed that really they don't have time to "think" about you. And if they do have something negative or overly-critical to say - well, you don't need that noise in your life.

The question for me is: now what? I've written a book. I've published a book. Now what? To be honest - I don't know. Really nothing has changed. There are a few of you who have read my book already and have provided me with some excellent feedback. I did have a chat with a CBC Radio reporter about my book but unfortunately it doesn't have a "news" hook so it really isn't news. I guess I'll keep promoting my book. My aim is to get people to read and to really just take away what they can from it.

If you've read An Unlikely Elite, it would be great if you posted your feedback on it in the comments section. Don't be shy - I want to know what you think.

My question for you: how is your Secret Project coming along? (I know you have one...)

The Secret Project

Well, it is finally ready... The Secret Project is done. I've gone over it with a fine-tooth comb and I'm happy with it.

In case you haven't guessed it - the Secret Project is a book. A book about my journey to racing at the World Cyclo-Cross Championships.

I started this writing project last spring and after much writing, editing, procrastination, head scratching and a bit of self-doubt, I'm proud to publish this book.

I've published it in two formats:  epub and pdf.

My book is available for free, but if you liked it, please click the Donate button. Proceeds will go to my fundraising for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation via the Heel 'N Wheel-A-Thon.

I'm not really sure what to tell you about my book... This is a big step for me. I've always been open and honest on this site, but somehow this book takes things a step further.

Many many thanks to my brother Gregory for his editing, comments, constructive criticism and encouragement. Thanks to Marc for listening to me talk about my book endlessly.

Anyway, I'll stop blathering here. Best thing is to let you download it and give it a read.