Whipped Pies

Got a little ripped off tonight. Sox and I were looking for a post dinner snack so on our way home we stopped at White Spot. Mmmm, pie. I got my usual, the lemon meringue pie, while Sox opted for the fresh blueberry pie. We go them to go so they were packaged to us.

While driving home Sox opened hers to take a peek and was quite disappointed to find there was no whipped cream on her slice like there was in the picture. My pie didn’t have any normal like it usually comes with.

In the end it worked out fine though, both pies were quite tasty. We each had half of each slice. The blueberries were quite yummy and the lemon very tangy.

Point Purchase

Just what is the point behind a receipt from McDonalds anyway? Can I return my meal if I am not happy? Is there a guarantee or warranty when I purchase food from them? It’s not like I would need it as proof of purchase to protect myself against shoplifting. You only get your food after paying any way. Weird.

Milestone Juice

I passed a nice milestone today, and I didn’t even know I was that close. Actually, I didn’t even really know I had this as a milestone.

Tonight I donated blood for the 25th time. Wahoo.

I was kind of dreading going in tonight. My back was sore, I have been really tired lately, and I was a little hungry since I hadn’t eaten yet. That all changed when I foundout it was my 25th though.

It is a fun place to go for me. Much of the staff recognizes me, so we can joke around. I can zip through most of the questions since nothing has changed, and I read fast.

Once in the chair I was feeling great. The chairs they have are extremely comfortable. Sometimes I have to remind myself to stay awake.

When the donation was all over and done I was on to the juice and cookies. Yum. Slap on my sticker, and I was on my way.

I feel really good about myself everytime I donate blood. It really is something that I enjoy doing, and I know it benefits society. There are so many charities out there right now gathering funds, and it makes me sad that I can’t donate to help out. Sox and I are working real hard on paying off our debt, so anything extra we have generally goes towards that. Besides, you never know how much of a donation to a charity goes to helping versus helping run the charity.

Blood helps anyone that needs it. It is what I do to help society.

Stone Handlers

Had another Ulti game last night. It was super windy out so that made the game quite a challenge. You never knew what the disc was going to do once it was in the air. Sometimes it would drop from the sky like a stone, other times it would carry forever.

On our team I am one of the handlers. This means I get the disc a lot, and am responsible for getting to others who are open. This is a bit of a different position for me. I am used to being further away from the disc, and popping from the stack to the handlers. I am learning a lot this season, but still making some silly mistakes.

One thing I have done a few times is when we are on the zone D, and the cup gets broken. As a mid, I tend to chase the disc to the catcher, instead of falling back like I should so I can cut off other passes. It happened a couple times last night, and at least I recognized what I was doing. Next time I need to recognize it before I run in.

One play we were on the offense, and the other team was zoning us. We started on our own goal line, and dropped back into our own end zone. It was tight for a bit, but slowly we marched the disc to the oppositions end zone. Then, the toss to the end zone went off. I held my breath, the disc flew straight to one of my team players, their hands were open, the disc flew in, and it hit the ground. They dropped it. Crud. The other team got it, gave it a huge huck that wasn’t caught, and it was down in our end zone again. For a second time we marched it up the field, slowly but surely. This time we were able to capitalize and scored.

Another point where I was a handler, and we were zoned I mad some really stupid, high risk passes that I totally telegraphed. One made it to the popper, but the second was horrible. I actually hit the person who was checking in the ribs with the disc. I was that far off my mark. Yeesh.

My final point on the night wasn’t the last point in the game. I was chasing my check, who was chasing the disc. We both got under it at around the same time, and we both jumped up. I managed to tap the disc, but a third person (someone from the other team), crashed into me while I was in the air. I hit the ground hard, and something felt weird. I tweaked something in my back. I found it slightly more difficult to breathe. At the end of that point I sat off for a bit. When I next went to rejoin the game I felt a spasm in my back. I never went back in.

This leads to today. My back has been sore all day. It was so bad at work that I left a little early so I could lay on the couch for a bit. That helped but then I had to get up and do some running around. I hate back issues. It makes life almost unbearable at times.

Dawned Fire

Wow, so much has happened in the last week. This past weekend Sox and I joined our friends in the annual Canada Day long weekend camping trip.

All went pretty smoothly getting ready for it. Last Tuesday Sox and I had a planning session at KaptainK’s house. Lists were made, and grocery shopping was divided up.

Thursday was our leave date, so I went in to work really early so I could get home at a reasonable hour and pack. It worked pretty well, although, Yoshi always get a bit anxious when he sees us pack. With the truck ready we were off. A couple blocks away from the house I remembered that I had forgotten my camera, doubling back I retrieved it. I hoped this wasn’t a sign of things to come. Sue and I stuck to our lists, and didn’t really ensure they were accurate.

On the highway we managed to miss most of the bad long weekend traffic. It was smooth sailing … until Chemainus. I was going through what we were going to be doing when we got to the campground, and it dawned on me. I stuck to the packing list alright. The one thing not on the list: the tent. Crap! I pulled off the highway so we could weigh our options. We could go back to Victori and pick it up, but it was already 8pm and the gates at the park closed at 11pm. That was cutting it close. I then thought to call my mom. I knew she didn’t have a tent, but maybe she knew someone who did. We lucked out on that one. A friend of mom’s had a tent, and even dropped it off at mom’s house for us. A quick stop to grab it and we were on the road again.

At the campground I was still steaming about forgetting the tent. The first real thing I did there was crack a beer and gunned half of it down immediately. That did the trick.

The tent that we borrowed was tiny in comparison to our normal behemoth. Actually it was just tiny. I think it was about 6 feet in diameter. Remember that I am 6’1″. I didn’t fit very well, and neither did our airbed. We borrowed some foam from my mom to sleep on. The foam worked pretty good though, and I am considering switching to that for future camping trips. I found that it insulated us a lot more so I felt warmer while sleeping.

With camp set up we started a fire (and drank a couple more beers).

We didn’t do anything crazy on this trip, but like always it was lots of fun. 6 couples, 8 kids, and 3 dogs strewn about 3 different campsites. How can that not be fun? The tradition continues.

I did take my mountain bike though, and Yoshi and I got a nice little ride in at Top Bridge park. Rather fun.

Saturday a couple decided to head home early, so they left their tent for us to use. It was nice to be able to stretch out while sleeping. Before they left there was a sing along for the kids.

On our last day we packed up everything quickly, loaded the vehicles, and got out of there fairly early. The plan was to eat breakfast at White Spot in Nanaimo. Really it is a nice way to end the camping weekend. A good breakfast made for you in a nice restaurant while we are all gross, stinky, and dirty. 🙂

The drive home was pretty uneventful, but I knew the Kaptain was a little tired (E had a bit of an ear infection that caused a little havoc on the trip), so I kept her in sight the whole way home. Apparently E enjoyed this a lot.

Biker Conditions

While Sox was on the run leg of her Triathlon I checked out the local skate park. As with every year, there was a bunch of kids from the tri there goofing around. Unlike other years though, there was a biker there doing tricks. I asked if he would mind if I took a few shots. He gave the go ahead, so I did. Here are the results. Some turned out pretty good, but the shooting conditions were less than ideal due to the really bright sky. My hat is off to the pro photogs who shoot in Bike mag and other professional magazines. It must take a long time to set up a really good shot.

Qualicum Prizes

Today was the Qualicum Beach Triathlon. Sox raced it for the sixth consecutive year this year, and had a good time as always. Her start time was a leisurely 10:15 am. Woohoo! That gave me enough time to eat breakfast, drink some coffee, and walk Yoshi before we left for the race. Very nice.

Sox’s heat started a little late, but not too bad. Her swim went rather well, and eased through transition without any problems. The bike course went just fine and each lap around she smiled and looked great. I love watching this race since you get to see the athletes so many times.

After the bike course she entered transition again, slipped on her runners and began the last 5 km trek. As Sox passed me she remarked that it was going to be a slow run.

While I was waiting for her first lap I went to see if anyone was in the skate park, and ended up talking with, and taking pictures of a kid doing some riding in the park. It was pretty fun.

Unfortunately I missed her run by on her first lap, but I did see Sox finish the race. Way to go Sox.

After the race we didn’t hang around, and headed home without waiting for the awards or draw prizes. Turns out we should have waited. Sox placed 3rd in her age group. Way to go babe, I’m proud of you!

Concerned Shock

After the bike/helmet check in Sox and I headed back to my moms place in Nanaimo. As we were driving down the highway, something very, very disturbing occured. We witnessed a very scary accident. The disturbing part is that it could have very easily been us in the accident.

As we neared NanooseI was in the right hand lane going approximately 90 km/h. I saw someone in the oncoming lane flashing their headlights a lot, so I slowed down a little more. Then I saw it. There was a large Ram pickup coming towards us on our side of the divided highway. Crap. Adrenaline kicked in and I reacted. I hit the brakes and dove off the highway to the shoulder to give other drivers room to move over. Other drivers scrambled out of the way.

I was in shock.

As the driver of the truck passed us, he looked calm. He was going at least 70 km/h I would guess, and didn’t seem concerned at all. It was a little eery. I watched in the rear view mirror, and Sox turned in her seat to watch him.

I couldn’t understand why this guy hadn’t slowed, or put on his 4 way flashers, or had turned around during a break in traffic.

Way up the highway two cars, side by side came around the bend. They closed in on the truck, and I kept waiting for the red car to see the truck. The got closer and closer. Sox said something, but I was too intent on watching the road, and watching what this truck was doing.

The red car impacted the truck.

I stopped very quickly in total shock. I gave Sox my phone and told her to call 911 while I moved the truck to a safer location off the highway. Giving the info to 911 we decided that we should probably head up to the scene and wait for the police to show in case they needed our statement or something.

By this point the accident scene was probably a kilometer away, and since it was really sunny and warm we couldn’t leave Yoshi in the truck. Grabbing him and the first aid kit we started making our way back up the highway.

Halfway there we could see the flashing lights of a police car already on the scene, and we could see lots of other people helping out and directing traffic. We came across another car that had stopped and were getting ready to leave. Talking to them we decided we didn’t need to, and probably shouldn’t continue on.

Apparently the officer on the scene witnessed the accident and had told this couple they could leave. We did the same.

It was pretty freaky. What if we had been held up by a couple minutes? What if we hadn’t seen the truck coming at us? What if it had been us instead of the red car?

Fixed Accomplishment

Yesterday Sox and I got up early (5:30 am early) to head out and watch a spectacle at Elk Lake, the 2005 New Balance Half Iron. Duncan and Todd were both signed up for the race, and we went out, along with a few other friends, to cheer them on. It was quite a hoot.

Getting up early is usually pretty difficult for me. It wasn’t that bad for some reason. Walking to the truck, the air had a nice crispness to it that got me charged for the day. Stopping to get coffee was still mandatory though 😉 Out at the lake we found a parking spot, then headed to the lake to see the men start. I got there a couple minutes too late to see the mens start, but I did see the womens, and masters’ start.

Looking far across the lake you could see the athletes powering through the water. Incredible. It looks so far, yet the swim is the shortest of the three sports.

Back on land the racers splashed their way out of the lake, and proceeded to take off their wetsuits as they ran. As the men streamed past me I saw Duncan run by. Waiting and waiting I was starting to get worried about Todd. My cell phone started to ring, and it was Sox telling me that they had both already gone by. Somehow I totally missed Todd. Sorry bud!

With the guys out on the ride course, we piled into the strategically parked minivan and headed out to Keating and Veyaness to watch, and cheer, the racers on. We had some huge cowbells that made lots and lots of noise. Some of the racers loved it, one guy asking for more cowbells. Another racer was spectacularly dressed. Yes, a 10 year old bell helmet, cowhide print sleeveless jersey, aicd wash jean print riding shorts, knee high socks, playing cards in the spokes of his FIXED GEAR bike. This guy rode 90 km on a fixed gear bike. Crazy.

After watching the guys pass us 2 times we piled back into the van to catch them at the next transition. There was much debate on when they would arrive. Watching transitions is a little difficult. You want the racer to go quicker, but doing so increases their risk of a mistake. Both of our guys had no troubles though, and were in and out onto the run course in good order.

At the 10 km mark, both Todd and Duncan were looking good. No obvious signs of pain or discomfort.

Waiting at the finish line the minutes ticked by. Would they make their desired time? Hoping and wishing they would we waited. When Duncan rounded the corner I felt a little bit of relief. He looked good and quite fresh considering what he had just been through.

But now where was Todd? I saw on guy running towards the line with new spots on his shirt. Ouch, that is going to hurt for a while.

I really hoped everything was going well for Todd. I alternated between checking my watch and getting the camera ready to shoot. Then he appeared. Woohoo. I was snapping pictures and cheering at the same time (although, I was standing in front of a speaker, so I don’t think anyone could hear me).

Wow. Fun day. Great accomplishment for two good friends.

Pics are here (there are lots of them).

Secluded Garbage

Last night, in preparation for this morning, I took Yoshi for a walk at Macaulay Point Park. It is one of our frequent destinations, but that never bothers Yoshi. I wanted him to get a good walk in so we took a meandering route through the small park.

There is a small secluded beach that is in the middle of the park. As Yoshi and I were passing through it, we were greeted with quite the mess. Apparently some people decided to have a party there. They had a big bonfire (still warm and smouldering), and were drinking lots. There were crushed cans littering the beach, bottles, plastic bags, and other debris. I was shocked.

Then I got angry. It pissed me off that some people were really so irresponsible. I don’t mind if they want to party on the beach, just clean up after yourselves.

I used the plastic bags there to pick up all the cans and garbage. I filled 4 plastic grocery bags with crushed cans, bottles, and garbage. I still didn’t get it all.

Grr. I love that park so much, and it angers me greatly when I find something like that. I don’t want to lose that park, so I am willing to go to extra effort to ensure I can keep access to it. Still, it doesn’t make me happy.

muddylaces

Spreading mud since 1975.

Tag: Life