So...it's been quite a while since I've communicated with you AND I owe you the rest of that story...but before I continue that story, I'll give you the brief on what happened during my hiatis:
1. No brain tumour....phew dodged that bullet - just one more follow up in Dec.!
2. Ran the half marathon in Ottawa on May 24th and finished it - you should have seen my doctor's face when I told her that I didn't want my last test to clear me regarding...you know #1 there...until AFTER I ran the half because I was training so hard and the medication she wanted me to take for the test was going to screw up my sleeping and appetite....oh well it all worked out.
3. Successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in July - it was AWESOME!
4. Swam in the Indian Ocean on my 40th birthday in August.
5. Company went under CCAA (creditor protection) the exact day I returned to the office after my holiday...that was a nice (sarcasm anyone) surprise.
Wow - I will expand on some of those in another post but now the rest of that story.
So I guess I left off with John Slavin from Scotland, a fellow from South Korea and me missing the last bus (Just outside of the Arctic Circle) and having to spend the night next to the river. John was the guy who had spent 10 years in a mental hospital because he went over the edge when his common-law wife left him and took his boys. During his tenure in the hospital his "demons" would come out in his painting. Because of that he told me he doesn't paint anymore. He has since come to terms with his previous life and agreed that his wife did the right thing.
How we started talking about his life was when I pulled out my book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". I was explaining how I had lost faith in folks etc etc and then he started sharing his life experience with me. At first, I felt EXTREMELY nervous but eventually, I think he noticed my nerves and explained to me how he had come to terms with his illness. I calmed down after that - but kept my distance across the fire.
The Korean fellow actually didn't spend the night at the river and opted to go find some cabins instead. The next morning he did come back to our camp around 5:30 or 6am. He was followed by a Finnish fellow. The Finnish fellow was very jolly and in his bicycle basket he had a beer for each one of us. John didn't drink and at the time I wasn't keen on beer - plus it was early morning - but the Korean fellow cracked one open.
The Finnish fellow constantly poked my shoulder and then pointed across the river and would say over and over again "Sweden, Sweden". He was a funny chap, happy just to see some travellers!
That morning the Korean fellow, John and I walked to the bus station and hopped on the bus to the train station. The Korean fellow went on his way to Santa's Village and John and I travelled together all the way into Helsinki.
I didn't see either of them again. John did restore my faith in people and the fact that folks can change and that we shouldn't give up on anyone.
The following day, I met my Mum at the airport in Helsinki and we travelled together to the Biomechanics conference at the University of Jyväskylä.
BTW the story is much more interesting when I tell it in person and show you the pictures!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
"Prostituting" yourself out
Nice title right? A friend of mine told me a LONG time ago that working at this one job I had - I was prostituting myself out (i.e. doing it for the money). This past week, a new work colleague said she felt she was prostituting herself out. Wow! She was feeling tension because her job function had recently changed and she wasn’t feeling comfortable in her new role. However, as she put it, “how do I complain considering the state of the economy, at least I have a job!” I guess that’s one way to look at it. I’m not sure that I agree considering that old job I had as referenced above. I don’t think that type of compromise is good for a person’s body and soul.
Anyhow, I asked if she wanted to start to work on some of my division’s marketing strategy since, we were severely under staffed (me and my coordinator) and my division “won” big time with the new proposed feed-in tariffs for solar energy. BTW I also pulled in more folks from another division in support functions that day as well…..lots of work is good but….geez – live/work balance is important to me these days.
During my conversation with my colleague and new friend, I recalled an old story that changed my life. Back in grad school I became disillusioned with people – mostly because I didn’t think my graduate supervisor was supporting me in my endeavours. Anyhow, when I handed in my thesis, I said – see you at the end of August and flew off to Scandinavia for most of the summer. My goal was to support the Canadian contingency at the Women’s World Cup (soccer), be a photographer for the event and then get to Finland to present my thesis at a conference. After the soccer event and before the conference, I packed up my backpack and headed to the Arctic Circle to see the Midnight Sun. I ended up in Narvik, Norway. On my way back to Helsinki, I got stuck overnight just outside of the Arctic Circle on the border of Sweden and Finland.
It was not just overnight – it was outside next to a river basically in the middle of nowhere with a guy who had been in a mental hospital for 10 years because……..he hated women.
Well I guess everything turned out ‘cause I’m here writing about it. In my next post, as Paul Harvey use to say… “the rest of the story”. You just know it’s going to be all the feel good mumbo jumbo right!!
Anyhow, I asked if she wanted to start to work on some of my division’s marketing strategy since, we were severely under staffed (me and my coordinator) and my division “won” big time with the new proposed feed-in tariffs for solar energy. BTW I also pulled in more folks from another division in support functions that day as well…..lots of work is good but….geez – live/work balance is important to me these days.
During my conversation with my colleague and new friend, I recalled an old story that changed my life. Back in grad school I became disillusioned with people – mostly because I didn’t think my graduate supervisor was supporting me in my endeavours. Anyhow, when I handed in my thesis, I said – see you at the end of August and flew off to Scandinavia for most of the summer. My goal was to support the Canadian contingency at the Women’s World Cup (soccer), be a photographer for the event and then get to Finland to present my thesis at a conference. After the soccer event and before the conference, I packed up my backpack and headed to the Arctic Circle to see the Midnight Sun. I ended up in Narvik, Norway. On my way back to Helsinki, I got stuck overnight just outside of the Arctic Circle on the border of Sweden and Finland.
It was not just overnight – it was outside next to a river basically in the middle of nowhere with a guy who had been in a mental hospital for 10 years because……..he hated women.
Well I guess everything turned out ‘cause I’m here writing about it. In my next post, as Paul Harvey use to say… “the rest of the story”. You just know it’s going to be all the feel good mumbo jumbo right!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
I Booked the Tanzania Trip
I just finished listing to this awesome 70s mix that was made ages ago (back in 2002 I think) for a 70s party I had....gotta' have another one of those soon.
So I don't think I shared with you that I'm turning 40 this year. As part of my reward for my mid-life crisis I've decided to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro. To train for it, I decided to train for a half marathon. I was chatting with one of my running coaches yesterday, he's done the trek. After, I thought to myself - I wish I hadn't asked. He was fine on the trek (he's a marathoner) but apparently the wife of the couple he was treking with was "oozing blood from every orifice" - yuk. He did go on and say it "self corrected" itself once she returned to a reasonable altitude. He also said I would be fine since I'm a runner (ya right soccer player but not a runner - I have them fooled already).
I guess I'll have to tell my traveling companions to get on the cardio asap....they've been slacking. Oozing blood from every orifice will definitely be a motivating factor. Maybe we'll have to plan a trip to BC and hike some ski hills - ya that's a good excuse.
Say safe out there and don't forget to "spring" your clock ahead this weekend.
PT
So I don't think I shared with you that I'm turning 40 this year. As part of my reward for my mid-life crisis I've decided to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro. To train for it, I decided to train for a half marathon. I was chatting with one of my running coaches yesterday, he's done the trek. After, I thought to myself - I wish I hadn't asked. He was fine on the trek (he's a marathoner) but apparently the wife of the couple he was treking with was "oozing blood from every orifice" - yuk. He did go on and say it "self corrected" itself once she returned to a reasonable altitude. He also said I would be fine since I'm a runner (ya right soccer player but not a runner - I have them fooled already).
I guess I'll have to tell my traveling companions to get on the cardio asap....they've been slacking. Oozing blood from every orifice will definitely be a motivating factor. Maybe we'll have to plan a trip to BC and hike some ski hills - ya that's a good excuse.
Say safe out there and don't forget to "spring" your clock ahead this weekend.
PT
Sunday, February 22, 2009
No Winterlude this Weekend
I was supposed go to Winterlude in Ottawa this past weekend but decided that the budget couldn't take the hit right now. So I stayed in town and yesterday worked on a court motion (a little hobby of mine) and fixed my Mum's missing emails situation (she gave me her hard drive and said go to town with it) - 4 hours on that one but hey it's for my Mum right??
I ran 9km today and actually felt pretty good. I was running at a very slow pace. I picked up this group of running partners to run with at the running clinic but I think their pace is slower than mine. It's been so long since I've run that distance, I've forgotten what it should feel like.
It's like the inverted U theory of stress - that states too little or too much stress is not good for you....well too slow or too fast a pace is the same. Just over the half way mark, one of our clinic instructors came back for us. She started to pick up the pace so I just ran with her and felt amazingly good - better than at the slower pace.
I've picked up more responsibility at work - the kind of stuff where you want to poke your eye out because you're so bored - sorry to the accounting profession out there. I guess they thought that because I love legal documents this wouldn't be too far of a stretch....they would be wrong about that one. Now I have to hold master control docs, police everyone and put the hammer down - ya that's tons of fun.
Well luckily I really do enjoy what I'm doing right now. Hopefully we hold out in this economy.
So this upcoming week my goals are to finalize the plans for the Tanzania trip in July/August, get the permits process started for my condo mezzanine and of course play soccer and do my scheduled runs.
I ran 9km today and actually felt pretty good. I was running at a very slow pace. I picked up this group of running partners to run with at the running clinic but I think their pace is slower than mine. It's been so long since I've run that distance, I've forgotten what it should feel like.
It's like the inverted U theory of stress - that states too little or too much stress is not good for you....well too slow or too fast a pace is the same. Just over the half way mark, one of our clinic instructors came back for us. She started to pick up the pace so I just ran with her and felt amazingly good - better than at the slower pace.
I've picked up more responsibility at work - the kind of stuff where you want to poke your eye out because you're so bored - sorry to the accounting profession out there. I guess they thought that because I love legal documents this wouldn't be too far of a stretch....they would be wrong about that one. Now I have to hold master control docs, police everyone and put the hammer down - ya that's tons of fun.
Well luckily I really do enjoy what I'm doing right now. Hopefully we hold out in this economy.
So this upcoming week my goals are to finalize the plans for the Tanzania trip in July/August, get the permits process started for my condo mezzanine and of course play soccer and do my scheduled runs.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Sh*t Hit the Fan
Happy Belated Valentine's Day to All,
I hope everyone is doing well out there in cyberland.
I've been have a great time lately training for the Ottawa Half Marathon with my running partner - locally and over bandwidth with my other partner in Ottawa.
I did however, slightly pull my groin last Tuesday in a soccer tustle for the ball....I got it and made a spectacular play (hey if you don't pat yourself on the back who will) but suffered in the end. I feel much better now and actually was able to do 4km on Thursday.
My work on the other hand a set of different tense moments lately. Ok so I finally went to the boss and told her about the pot situation.....hmmmm.....shortly after that I was called into the big man's office (ya the CEO) and questioned about it. Ok so everything's cool on my end but let's just say we could have one or more people subtracted from our payroll sooner than later.
The big man actually even suggested we send in the police to investigate....oh I neglected to mention exactly "how much" pot I suspected was there. You know when you go get your freshly ground coffee in that sealed bag - what is it about a kilo?....'nuff said.
Are mandatory drug tests legal? We'll find out soon.
I have to head off to la la land now cause I have my slow long run tomorrow.
I promise to add some more stuff later this week.
I hope everyone is doing well out there in cyberland.
I've been have a great time lately training for the Ottawa Half Marathon with my running partner - locally and over bandwidth with my other partner in Ottawa.
I did however, slightly pull my groin last Tuesday in a soccer tustle for the ball....I got it and made a spectacular play (hey if you don't pat yourself on the back who will) but suffered in the end. I feel much better now and actually was able to do 4km on Thursday.
My work on the other hand a set of different tense moments lately. Ok so I finally went to the boss and told her about the pot situation.....hmmmm.....shortly after that I was called into the big man's office (ya the CEO) and questioned about it. Ok so everything's cool on my end but let's just say we could have one or more people subtracted from our payroll sooner than later.
The big man actually even suggested we send in the police to investigate....oh I neglected to mention exactly "how much" pot I suspected was there. You know when you go get your freshly ground coffee in that sealed bag - what is it about a kilo?....'nuff said.
Are mandatory drug tests legal? We'll find out soon.
I have to head off to la la land now cause I have my slow long run tomorrow.
I promise to add some more stuff later this week.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Without George W. there would be no Obama
Any good blogger probably should comment of the Obama-mania. Sorry for taking so long. I should explain my history here. Back in August 2006 I moved to California. I heard about Obama and have been following the Obamite "movement" probably longer than most Canadians. I have to admit that at first I was a Hillary fan (I still am but have a different appreciation for the role she should play). Back in 2006 I didn't know anything about Obama and thought well Hillary is a Clinton and having lived in the USA during the Bill Clinton era and the George W. Bush era - Hillary was going to make the USA make sense again for me and probably most of the world.
During my time in California I met MF and she was moving from LA area to Miami for the job but also to contribute to the Obama campaign. That's when I decided to watch this guy more closely.
So most of you are say WTF about the Title of this blog? That was my first reaction too when I heard a Hamilton radio DJ say the same thing. Then he went on and explained what he meant. Here're the basics "Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to rise again". Obama of course would have always existed in a physical sense but not in such an inspirational and hopeful sense if it weren't for the last eight years of the Bush administration......
hmmmm......I think he got that right.
So where was I went Obama said the oath? I was knee deep in snow at an environmental centre just outside of Toronto reviewing their sample Photovoltaic installations that had been installed over the last 20 years.....considering some of the language in Obama's speech, seemed to be the right thing to do.
During my time in California I met MF and she was moving from LA area to Miami for the job but also to contribute to the Obama campaign. That's when I decided to watch this guy more closely.
So most of you are say WTF about the Title of this blog? That was my first reaction too when I heard a Hamilton radio DJ say the same thing. Then he went on and explained what he meant. Here're the basics "Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to rise again". Obama of course would have always existed in a physical sense but not in such an inspirational and hopeful sense if it weren't for the last eight years of the Bush administration......
hmmmm......I think he got that right.
So where was I went Obama said the oath? I was knee deep in snow at an environmental centre just outside of Toronto reviewing their sample Photovoltaic installations that had been installed over the last 20 years.....considering some of the language in Obama's speech, seemed to be the right thing to do.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Update on my Condo and work situations
So over the Christmas holidays, I got an update letter from our board president. I wasn't special or anything, she sent it to all the owners. To my shock and surprise our condo had been cited for numerous fire code citations and further to that, it seems we didn't comply on the due date for the fixes so our condo was charged criminally.......and the condo board didn't bothered to tell us about any of it....until now!?!?!?!
So a few other owners and I have decided to investigate. I sent an email to our board president requesting a copy of the citations and I received a polite but very pointed letter back from the condo legal counsel stating:
"I draw your attention to ss.55(4) of the Act which provides, inter alia, that the rights to examine records does not apply to those documents relating to actual or pending litigation involving the Corporation."
The lawyer was referring to the Condominium Act.
So I ask you....does it seem like the Condo has something to hide??
I decided to blog about this today because in my investigations, today I found out that the condo attended court on Dec. 2/08, Jan. 14/09 and now has a date for Feb. 4/09 in the Criminal court of Justice.....you can bet I'll be there.
The fact that the condo board refuses to provide copies of the citations or share other details of the litigation worries me greatly - especially from an insurance coverage point of view.
I guess all I can say is - good thing that each of the directors from the board were charged along with the property manager - as is standard procedure when these types of violations happen without action....serves them right for not addressing these things in a timely manner.
So back to my work situation and the potential illegal activity at our one shop location.....
I asked independent legal counsel what would happen if a "raid" occurred at the location and this illegal substance, i.e. weed, was found on site - what would happen to the folks who happen, by bad luck, to be at the location at the time of the raid.....ANSWER: you got it - most likely they would be arrested as well.....
So....what do I do if I still think this activity is "active" at that site? Report it to the authorities? Refuse to go back there? Report it to my supervisors? Without proof - it's tough.
So a few other owners and I have decided to investigate. I sent an email to our board president requesting a copy of the citations and I received a polite but very pointed letter back from the condo legal counsel stating:
"I draw your attention to ss.55(4) of the Act which provides, inter alia, that the rights to examine records does not apply to those documents relating to actual or pending litigation involving the Corporation."
The lawyer was referring to the Condominium Act.
So I ask you....does it seem like the Condo has something to hide??
I decided to blog about this today because in my investigations, today I found out that the condo attended court on Dec. 2/08, Jan. 14/09 and now has a date for Feb. 4/09 in the Criminal court of Justice.....you can bet I'll be there.
The fact that the condo board refuses to provide copies of the citations or share other details of the litigation worries me greatly - especially from an insurance coverage point of view.
I guess all I can say is - good thing that each of the directors from the board were charged along with the property manager - as is standard procedure when these types of violations happen without action....serves them right for not addressing these things in a timely manner.
So back to my work situation and the potential illegal activity at our one shop location.....
I asked independent legal counsel what would happen if a "raid" occurred at the location and this illegal substance, i.e. weed, was found on site - what would happen to the folks who happen, by bad luck, to be at the location at the time of the raid.....ANSWER: you got it - most likely they would be arrested as well.....
So....what do I do if I still think this activity is "active" at that site? Report it to the authorities? Refuse to go back there? Report it to my supervisors? Without proof - it's tough.
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