I had $20 to last the week on Tues, when if fell out of my pocket...somwhere. Went into total forage mode for lunch Tuesday and Wednesday as a result (yes, packing a lunch would have been easier, but where is the fun in that?) and must say, still an excellent mooch despite years being out of practice.
Other than that - not much happened so far. Still haven't been back out running and feel like a bit of a slug. Maybe tomorrow. My feet still hurt a bit but there's the whole pride thing, and Vitamin Advil doesn't work on that. Still haven't *actually* gone to the sports medicine clinic...deeply concerned that they'll prescribe orthotics. Don't believe in orthotics - not the same way that I don't believe in George Lucas' genius, but still a substantial lack of faith. Best bite the bullet and be on with it.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Average Sat
Did not attend running group this Saturday due to evil stoopid feet, somewhat less evil and stoopid for the bit of rest I've taken. Brunch with fine husband at the local diner involved buying possibly stolen meat from a smiling man with a white van. 12 pork chops, $15 - still a vegetarian but also Scottish and can't pass up a bargain. Ross will eat them. Officiated a wedding in cabbagetown, realized that it was in the back patio of a restaurant under my friend the body piercer appt, and that if she came out on her deck I could wave. She didn't, wedding was lovely never the less with a very happy and emotional bride and groom, walked most of the way home. All in all, not bad.
Then I decided to go and see Star Wars.
This much I'll grant: the effort taken to emulate speech patterns and appearance of characters in the "later" movies was laudable, esp the far shot of the Peter Cushing clone. Some of the layers of paintings in planet scapes were truly breathtaking, and there is one 8 meter chortling lizard thing that gave me more pleasurable delight that should be legal in public. However - TB infected Russian droids, dialog that came straight out of a 6 yrs olds attempt at film noir, and what was with the lava plant? Wouldn't wookies have the option of having dreads pretty much wherever they wanted? Barely contained my shrieks of laughter right up to the long shot of the semi-constructed death star...that we can assume took 25 yrs to near completion, driving home the point that empire went on strike, or otherwise has some wretched contractor services.
Meh.
Then I decided to go and see Star Wars.
This much I'll grant: the effort taken to emulate speech patterns and appearance of characters in the "later" movies was laudable, esp the far shot of the Peter Cushing clone. Some of the layers of paintings in planet scapes were truly breathtaking, and there is one 8 meter chortling lizard thing that gave me more pleasurable delight that should be legal in public. However - TB infected Russian droids, dialog that came straight out of a 6 yrs olds attempt at film noir, and what was with the lava plant? Wouldn't wookies have the option of having dreads pretty much wherever they wanted? Barely contained my shrieks of laughter right up to the long shot of the semi-constructed death star...that we can assume took 25 yrs to near completion, driving home the point that empire went on strike, or otherwise has some wretched contractor services.
Meh.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Blah blah blah
So it is a foot thing, the planter faciitis of which I previously spoke. Also, my dear Dr (who I usually rely on to negate my concerns) produced a very long and difficult to spell syndrome to do with my knees. The verdict? Not only do I have a sports injury, but I'm going to a sports injury *clinic*. Where the athletes go when they have a self induced owwy.
My hobbling adventures yesterday involved two planning meetings in a row, the last one with two mature professionals who turned out to be neighbours of mine. There was wine, and I didn't pour the second glass but take full responsibility for drinking it and then with the TALKING TALKING TALKING, I pray god (he/she/it/they/party of 12, whatever) that I didn't make a total ass of myself. Always the problem with me and booze, be it wine or scotch or mohitas. I. Get. Chatty. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to both weddings; the first couple have known each other for more than a decade and aren't shy about sharing the vision they've always had about what their wedding will be, and the venue is St. Lawrence Hall which has nice architecture but great coffee makers. The second couple hadn't considered marriage their whole lives until they met each other; only then was it right to think about. Theirs is at Hart House, which I'll always remember as the preferred venue if your musicians don't show up. In both cases I can be sure the couple gets what they want and there is an inspiring romance to each situation. Gotta love the love.
More on Hart House - it's gorgeous, kinda castle like feel. Nice place to get hitched if you don't mind students and tourists in the halls, and each room has something special to offer. The chapel itself is very small but the stained glass windows are something to write home about. Actually, if I remember the story correctly the stained glass came from shattered church windows overseas in WW2. Students who were serving in that war sent back fragments which were re-assembled into light mosaics for the chapel. Such an effort and a story are worth it on their own, but then you can think of the light itself - these shards of glass filtered light that shone down on worship and weddings, rites of passage and moments of political change from all over England and perhaps all over Europe. And then you stand before them and the filters of colour and texture shine light on you, and it's wonderful beyond wonderful. It's excellent. And in the chapel was the wedding where something happened with the musicians and they had to be replaced on the spot. One guest went walking and came back with a string quartet from Hamilton (??), little wee Asian teens for the most part in raver wear. Great gifts from strangers on a wedding day - what's could bode better than that?
My hobbling adventures yesterday involved two planning meetings in a row, the last one with two mature professionals who turned out to be neighbours of mine. There was wine, and I didn't pour the second glass but take full responsibility for drinking it and then with the TALKING TALKING TALKING, I pray god (he/she/it/they/party of 12, whatever) that I didn't make a total ass of myself. Always the problem with me and booze, be it wine or scotch or mohitas. I. Get. Chatty. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to both weddings; the first couple have known each other for more than a decade and aren't shy about sharing the vision they've always had about what their wedding will be, and the venue is St. Lawrence Hall which has nice architecture but great coffee makers. The second couple hadn't considered marriage their whole lives until they met each other; only then was it right to think about. Theirs is at Hart House, which I'll always remember as the preferred venue if your musicians don't show up. In both cases I can be sure the couple gets what they want and there is an inspiring romance to each situation. Gotta love the love.
More on Hart House - it's gorgeous, kinda castle like feel. Nice place to get hitched if you don't mind students and tourists in the halls, and each room has something special to offer. The chapel itself is very small but the stained glass windows are something to write home about. Actually, if I remember the story correctly the stained glass came from shattered church windows overseas in WW2. Students who were serving in that war sent back fragments which were re-assembled into light mosaics for the chapel. Such an effort and a story are worth it on their own, but then you can think of the light itself - these shards of glass filtered light that shone down on worship and weddings, rites of passage and moments of political change from all over England and perhaps all over Europe. And then you stand before them and the filters of colour and texture shine light on you, and it's wonderful beyond wonderful. It's excellent. And in the chapel was the wedding where something happened with the musicians and they had to be replaced on the spot. One guest went walking and came back with a string quartet from Hamilton (??), little wee Asian teens for the most part in raver wear. Great gifts from strangers on a wedding day - what's could bode better than that?
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Evil Stooopid Feet
Apparently, studies have shown that being a fat bastard and waddling about in a parody of running can cause foot pain. Plantar faciitis or something like that, an inflammation that causes pain in the heels. Well, one very localizes study seems to show these results but I'll go to my drs and see for sure. Running friends and the clinic I'm in are being intensely supportive and with good advice, and I know I should be patient with myself and such but...I mean really, the pace at which I run is less like running and more like the shambling about like a moderately focused zombie. Not even a "Dawn of the Dead" remake zombie, coz those puppies could fly - no no, just a regular pre-coffee Toronto zombie.
Sigh. And still, a possible sports injury. Kinda funny, in that 'wow I never knew feet could feel this bad' kind of way. Not to diminish the experience of people who've actually walked on knives, but damn...
Prior to this past 8 or so months, my husband and I have been shaped a lot like you'd imagine couch surfing weebles would, except that I did fall on occasion. Since he joined fight club last November he's lost a tenth of his body weight, got into far better shape and appeared (no kidding) in the Toronto Life Wellness Guide for 2005. Well, a picture of him ... and several other guys but the point is - Wellness Guide. And now I have - quite possibly - a sports injury. Almost like we're health nuts, except I had pie for dinner. Again. Does ice cream count as dairy?
Sigh. And still, a possible sports injury. Kinda funny, in that 'wow I never knew feet could feel this bad' kind of way. Not to diminish the experience of people who've actually walked on knives, but damn...
Prior to this past 8 or so months, my husband and I have been shaped a lot like you'd imagine couch surfing weebles would, except that I did fall on occasion. Since he joined fight club last November he's lost a tenth of his body weight, got into far better shape and appeared (no kidding) in the Toronto Life Wellness Guide for 2005. Well, a picture of him ... and several other guys but the point is - Wellness Guide. And now I have - quite possibly - a sports injury. Almost like we're health nuts, except I had pie for dinner. Again. Does ice cream count as dairy?
Monday, May 16, 2005
Winston and Bob
Fabulous marvelous really nice handfasting today. It's nice to be able to marry friends not only because I can be sure they get what they want, but I suck at shopping and it usually means they don't expect a gift. Not that most of my friends are of the gift expecting crowd, more the gift giving variety, and this is what happened last night. Everyone involved in the wedding party was given pewter goblets as a thank you - could have knocked me over with something considerably less damaging than a feather. Upon getting home late last night one thing occurred to me though: this is the second wedding I've done with fish on the altar. The first was more Christian and had a fighting fish, this one was Wiccan with 2 goldfish (who I named Winston and Bob - Winston was the speckled one) but both times the fish had ecumenical significance to the couple. I wonder how many other fish related weddings go on out there, because it struck me as rare and surreal last night.
And with this in mind my day begins...
And with this in mind my day begins...
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Roben gets a clue
Sales conference was good, lots of new books coming up. I'm really looking forward to a few which I may post about when read, including "Me Write Book: It Bigfoot Memoir" which looks freaking hysterical. Stole as much hotel soap and shampoo as possible (karma point tip #5: homeless and abused women shelters love hotel soap and shampoo) and then returned home, went out to see Hitchhikers Guide (it was okay) with piles of friends.
None of this is about my clue.
A month ago I joined a "learning to run" clinic at Energia which has been fabulous in that I'm getting off my substantial ass, and yet also painful and embarassing as the ass got so substantial in the first place. Today was the 5th week of the clinic and once again I found myself alone with a very patient coach at the special ed portion bringing up the way far rear. Severe pain, very ow, got mad at myself for allowing my health to get this bad and actually - like a brat - burst into tears. We went at my pace and I ran through the pain as much as I felt comfortable with - once again, the coaches at Energia are my heroes. I felt really frustrated about my physical limitations and tired quickly of talking about how I was running and how great it was that I was out at all because I couldn't measure it for myself - yet - as an acceptable success. I mentioned to the coach that one of my fitness goals was to take up less room in peoples wedding photos coz they paid good money for those, and she responded that she couldn't do that because she cried at weddings ... or something like that. Anyway, we were off the subject of running and on to weddings. I talked about a few times I've cried at weddings, like when I officiated for two women who'd been together as long as I'd been alive, or when I'd worked out a portion of the ceremony to address a fathers concerns and help him accept his daughters choices and new wife...and low and behold I'd run 3 min non stop without loosing my breath. We walked and talked and ran again and I talked about other couples, focusing on the things I'd got to do for them. Another 3 min went by and we caught up to the group. My clue? Focus on the success I've had to distract myself from that whole glass of outer weariness thing. Granted, after stretching, walking and coffee with beauteous husband I did have a long drawn out nap, but I now see the possibility of success in running - by running to my victories rather than away from perceived defeat.
Legs still hurt though. Advil is a close personal friend of mine right now. :-)
None of this is about my clue.
A month ago I joined a "learning to run" clinic at Energia which has been fabulous in that I'm getting off my substantial ass, and yet also painful and embarassing as the ass got so substantial in the first place. Today was the 5th week of the clinic and once again I found myself alone with a very patient coach at the special ed portion bringing up the way far rear. Severe pain, very ow, got mad at myself for allowing my health to get this bad and actually - like a brat - burst into tears. We went at my pace and I ran through the pain as much as I felt comfortable with - once again, the coaches at Energia are my heroes. I felt really frustrated about my physical limitations and tired quickly of talking about how I was running and how great it was that I was out at all because I couldn't measure it for myself - yet - as an acceptable success. I mentioned to the coach that one of my fitness goals was to take up less room in peoples wedding photos coz they paid good money for those, and she responded that she couldn't do that because she cried at weddings ... or something like that. Anyway, we were off the subject of running and on to weddings. I talked about a few times I've cried at weddings, like when I officiated for two women who'd been together as long as I'd been alive, or when I'd worked out a portion of the ceremony to address a fathers concerns and help him accept his daughters choices and new wife...and low and behold I'd run 3 min non stop without loosing my breath. We walked and talked and ran again and I talked about other couples, focusing on the things I'd got to do for them. Another 3 min went by and we caught up to the group. My clue? Focus on the success I've had to distract myself from that whole glass of outer weariness thing. Granted, after stretching, walking and coffee with beauteous husband I did have a long drawn out nap, but I now see the possibility of success in running - by running to my victories rather than away from perceived defeat.
Legs still hurt though. Advil is a close personal friend of mine right now. :-)
Monday, May 09, 2005
*whew*
Wow, near perfect weekend on every level. Friday night was devoted to an 8 person traveling debauch that started with absinthe shooters, continued at the pub, made an unfortunate turn toward seeing "Kingdom of Heaven" (Ridley - why??) and then continued with drinking and chatting with friends at home. Until 3am. And then the morning running group...
My fitness goals are simple. I want to get down to one ass this year. I want to take up less space in people wedding photos - they pay good money for those, I don't think it's fair of me to ruin them. And because it's the 25th anniversary and he was a national hero, of which we seem to have few, I want to run - at least part of - the Terry Fox Run this year. So while out and about with friend Kelly some months back we noticed an independently owned running store that offered a "learning to run" group. The price was good, the structure seemed similar to the Running Room and it supported a local business so I joined. 11 people max, 3 trainers, one of those the leader, to meet every Sat morning at 9am and learn something new and then run/walk for 8 consecutive weeks, gradually building up the running portion of the equation. On the first day I notice that I was the only one significantly over weight, and when we went around the room to introduce ourselves people were like "oh, I'm soandso, it's been a while since my last triathalon and so I wanted to ease back into it" and "oh, I'm suchandsuch, I've been running for about 3 years but need some motivation"...and then there was me, and this is what I said: "Hi, my name is Roben and although I've never been technically in shape, I've gotten pretty much all I can out of the experience of being out of shape". I felt at first like I was in the very very wrong room. I felt like I was back in grade 11 as they were escorting me from a class that I didn't have the prerequisite for (o no, that wasn't scaring). However - I've persevered and kept with the program as best I can. I missed last Sat for being sick, so there was no way - even hungover and craptastic - that I'd miss this weekend. This past Saturday could have been an humiliation as I eventually trailed 2 blocks behind the slacker triathaletes, but the coaches are great and kept me company, gauging my gait and encouraging me forward. I was skeptical at first but now I think that this is the best group I could have found for me personally. Yay Energia!
Home after run. Coffee after run with beautiful husband. Then breakfast out, best damn cheesy eggs; walk around neighbourhood down streets we hadn't seen; ate a good popsicle (amazing what that can do to even the best day -mmmm); went to officiate a wedding I'd been looking forward to for months (the couple had communicated with me beautifully so I was sure it was what they wanted - yay!) and surprise! got home and there friends in the kitchen, more party vibe. When I woke up Sunday I was convinced it was Monday since so much had happened - to my delight the weekend continued and I went with beautiful husband to the Academy for European Medieval Martial Arts to learn dagger fighting. Great class, will continue. Also, really big space so after class got to spin poi. If I find out I won the lottery or something, I wouldn't be too surprised. Great. Freaking. Weekend.
Off to sales conf for a week, back Friday. Hopefully it will be a rinse and repeat experience, hopefully I'll keep up the running when gone.
My fitness goals are simple. I want to get down to one ass this year. I want to take up less space in people wedding photos - they pay good money for those, I don't think it's fair of me to ruin them. And because it's the 25th anniversary and he was a national hero, of which we seem to have few, I want to run - at least part of - the Terry Fox Run this year. So while out and about with friend Kelly some months back we noticed an independently owned running store that offered a "learning to run" group. The price was good, the structure seemed similar to the Running Room and it supported a local business so I joined. 11 people max, 3 trainers, one of those the leader, to meet every Sat morning at 9am and learn something new and then run/walk for 8 consecutive weeks, gradually building up the running portion of the equation. On the first day I notice that I was the only one significantly over weight, and when we went around the room to introduce ourselves people were like "oh, I'm soandso, it's been a while since my last triathalon and so I wanted to ease back into it" and "oh, I'm suchandsuch, I've been running for about 3 years but need some motivation"...and then there was me, and this is what I said: "Hi, my name is Roben and although I've never been technically in shape, I've gotten pretty much all I can out of the experience of being out of shape". I felt at first like I was in the very very wrong room. I felt like I was back in grade 11 as they were escorting me from a class that I didn't have the prerequisite for (o no, that wasn't scaring). However - I've persevered and kept with the program as best I can. I missed last Sat for being sick, so there was no way - even hungover and craptastic - that I'd miss this weekend. This past Saturday could have been an humiliation as I eventually trailed 2 blocks behind the slacker triathaletes, but the coaches are great and kept me company, gauging my gait and encouraging me forward. I was skeptical at first but now I think that this is the best group I could have found for me personally. Yay Energia!
Home after run. Coffee after run with beautiful husband. Then breakfast out, best damn cheesy eggs; walk around neighbourhood down streets we hadn't seen; ate a good popsicle (amazing what that can do to even the best day -mmmm); went to officiate a wedding I'd been looking forward to for months (the couple had communicated with me beautifully so I was sure it was what they wanted - yay!) and surprise! got home and there friends in the kitchen, more party vibe. When I woke up Sunday I was convinced it was Monday since so much had happened - to my delight the weekend continued and I went with beautiful husband to the Academy for European Medieval Martial Arts to learn dagger fighting. Great class, will continue. Also, really big space so after class got to spin poi. If I find out I won the lottery or something, I wouldn't be too surprised. Great. Freaking. Weekend.
Off to sales conf for a week, back Friday. Hopefully it will be a rinse and repeat experience, hopefully I'll keep up the running when gone.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
bread bad
*much* calmer. Planning meeting last night went well, if a little tipsy, shaping up to be a lovely roof top wedding. Oodles of glorious coffee with friends and husband, helps keep up with the frenetic pace of life stuff. Much soothing from care team.
But bread. Normally I live on the stuff, I've been told I eat like an ant with the sugar and the pastries and the ever widening sense of self...early morning run took me by the Westons bakery a few streets over. Ran under the vents - yeeesh. Baking bread is supposed to smell good - like home, like heaven, like something that doesn't make you want to get away from your skin. But this was damn nasty. Aversion therapy if ever there was. If I keep running by there in the mornings I figure I'll get all skinny because 1) I'll be running and 2) there's no way I could face a pastry after smelling that. Blech.
Took night off to work on plans for the same sex wedding show booth - won't make another poi class for a few weeks. Looking forward to two weddings in a row at the Arts and Letters club (great venue) and a summer full of love.
So all good. Except bread. Bread bad.
But bread. Normally I live on the stuff, I've been told I eat like an ant with the sugar and the pastries and the ever widening sense of self...early morning run took me by the Westons bakery a few streets over. Ran under the vents - yeeesh. Baking bread is supposed to smell good - like home, like heaven, like something that doesn't make you want to get away from your skin. But this was damn nasty. Aversion therapy if ever there was. If I keep running by there in the mornings I figure I'll get all skinny because 1) I'll be running and 2) there's no way I could face a pastry after smelling that. Blech.
Took night off to work on plans for the same sex wedding show booth - won't make another poi class for a few weeks. Looking forward to two weddings in a row at the Arts and Letters club (great venue) and a summer full of love.
So all good. Except bread. Bread bad.
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