Productive bailing ...

Yesterday I bailed. I bailed on training. I bailed on the movies. I stayed indoors. But I did accomplish a few things. I think I've almost finished up my February 14th cards. And I made this necklace (freshwater pearls in deep green and bronze, faceted hematite bars, smokey quartz, sterling) for an auction. (Click to enlarge.)

You may recall I mentioned that nothing is ever simple or easy. Well, okay. I've probably mentioned it more than once. It's kind of my motto. An opportunity to hear Marnie McBean (three time Olympic gold medalist) speak about Right to Play at the Royal Commonwealth Society’s charitable dinner sorely tempted me – but the dinner is the night before the Ian Button Memorial Meet. So I decided to play with sparkly things in honour of the cause. And if by chance you can make an evening of it, I'll bet if you pop by Procurement Investor he'll be happy to steer you in the right direction when he gets back!

What's in a number?

Last Wednesday Spokane Al posted on the solitary nature of his training, and finished up his post with a brief thought on success and failure. I don’t know when it happened, really, but I’ve come to think of those two things as much less black and white than I did when I was younger. In my chosen sport I have the luxury of competing against myself using the number the clock provides as my arbiter. Yet even when I swim more slowly, I may be doing something extraordinarily successful. In fact, I can honestly feel triumphant about just being there, and choose to take anything else as gravy.

But even when we compete against the clock on race day we stand on the blocks at the same time as other people. They may spur us on, they may psyche us out, but they are an essential part of the experience. The gun goes off and a group of people begin to race. We compare ourselves not just to our previous exploits, but we also see a placing when we look to the results. We may never be shooting to win. But it would be rare if we weren’t shooting to be the best we can with what we have on race day.

In 2006 I swam in one meet. I completed 3 events. I could walk when I was done. That was success. Then there were results. And now there are standings. Masters Swimming Ontario publishes a top ten list for times posted in sanctioned meets in each age group and event over a calendar year. Each swimmer’s fastest time counts, so it’s top ten people not top ten swims. So here’s the gravy: I ranked. Ninth in the province in the 100 free. Eighth in the100 breast. For me that’s pretty exciting. Does it change my objectives? My training? Of course not. Did I wonder whether to blog about it? Absolutely.

It is one of my goals to meet the qualifying standards for World Masters Swimming Championships (which is held every two years under the auspices of FINA) in 2008. If I had swum those times at Worlds last year (using a short course to long course conversion factor) I would have been about 15 seconds under the qualifying time for the 100 breaststroke, and would have rounded out the top 50 finishers. I would have been about 9 seconds under the qualifying time for the 100 free – and I would have been among the last 20 finishers.

Would I have been thrilled beyond words with results like that? You’d better believe it!

Doh!!!

It's a very good thing my head is attached!! At least yesterday I remembered my new Seal mask when I went to the pool. But ... I changed swim bags. I wanted to change to one with a shoulder strap because I plan to swim at Ottawa U on Thursday evening, and that means lugging stuff on the bus. This morning I plan to attach my lock to that bag. Doh!!!! (It really is living on the edge when you don't lock your locker!)

However, it was great to be able to swim 500 metres straight without stopping to dump out my goggles! (And at least my split times were reasonable, 200 - 3:20, 400 - 6:45, 500 - 8:30.) And I didn't have to cool down with heads up free!

It's been a little bitter here of late, so when I saw these earmuff/headphones on Shiny, Shiny, I thought some folks I know might find them interesting.

Now what did I do?

Friday I was competition with Tri-mama in the “I’ve done stupid things” category. I opened my new Seal mask. I tightened the strap ready to go. I put it in my swim bag. Except when I got to the pool, so not there!!! So I locked my swim bag in a locker and toddled home again. Couldn’t find them. Cranky doesn’t quite begin to cover it. Put the XP goggles in my pocket and back I went. I at least christened the new flyback training suit similar to the one shown but with white straps (photo: Swimming Matters), and oddly enough the goggles behaved relatively well.

When I got home, unpacked my bag, searched high and low, I found the pristine new mask in the laundry bin. Don’t even ask how that one happened! I sincerely hope there’s not a place in the Penalty Box for such things!

They really are in my swim bag today, though! I've checked. Over and over ...

Never give an iguana ...

A very concerned friend who is a real animal lover sent me an email today. She was understandably irate about what seemed to be drug related animal abuse. The headline of the story was “Never give an iguana Viagra”. (And in fact, that’s good advice. But there is a plethora of things you should never give an iguana. Unprescribed medication of any sort is clearly one of them.) But my first thought was that some copy writer may have tried to produce an attention getting headline.

So what are the clues that the headline is misleading?

• Nowhere in the actual story does it mention Viagra, how the animal received a dose of the drug or why


• I can think of no reason that Viagra would be prescribed for these guys; even in captive breeding programs for at risk or endangered reptiles, the need for this type of drug is nil; many captive male iguanas will evert for women while the reptile is in breeding season


• As someone who lives with an iguana, I happen know that prolapse of hemipenes (what the articles call an er*ction) is a serious medical problem that occurs in reptiles

An advanced internet search (Antwerp+aquatopia+iguana+er*ction) leads one to this version of the story. (Using the correct word, prolapse, got me to a reptile discussion board.)

The difficult part of the story for me is that the situation lasted for days. Although we don't know what treatment Mozart underwent, my course of action for a prolapse would be to call the vet, very gently clean the area with room temperature saline, keep the prolapse moist with KY jelly, and see to it that the animal received veterinary attention as soon as possible. Sometimes prolapsed organs can be replaced (sometimes this requires anaesthesia). In other cases surgery is required.

I did have a moment of curiosity wondering if the female’s eggs would be fertile. (Healthy and properly housed females will lay eggs irrespective of the presence of a male. Houdini produced 18 in her first clutch. She was later spayed.) Of course I will never know if poor Mozart's escapade will result in progeny ...

Snap!!!

Cold snap that is! Good for the upcoming Winterlude festivities. Bad For Cats. Not so bad for iguanas, as long as I keep the thermostat high … Could spell trouble for dishwashers, too.

Yesterday after physio, lunch, and some quality time with a Very Bored Cat and Happy Basking Iguana, a friend gave me a lift to Staples so I could buy a replacement printer/scanner. There was an additional $40 rebate (Nytro, I'm planning to apply on line in mere moments), so that makes the whole purchase price with taxes $108.12. w00t! The scanner has less resolution than the one I currently have, but its platen is cracking, and it’s not like I do commercial work anymore. Like FeLady, though, I find I haven’t quite mastered the program component that comes with the hardware. Yeah, okay, we’re not 24 hours in yet …

Then we took advantage of the situation and went out for coffee, and scooted into a nearby beading shop where I was the epitome of stick-to-it-ive-ness. I went for one thing. And that’s what I got. Well, I got two variants of the same thing. She asked me if I was going to watch TV last night. I told her by the time I set up and installed the printer, I’d probably be done! I tell you, I’m practically psychic.

For Joe, who I am sure is anxious to see more purse pictures on my blog, above is a (clickable to enlarge, even) scanned picture from my Handbag A Day calendar. Okay, also for a number of other people. You know who you are! Because as the Manolo is wont to say, “Pucci makes the smiles”. Vintage or SS07, the Manolo is absolutely correct! And when the snow makes noise when you walk on it, smiles are a wonderful thing!

Sharing ...

Yesterday in the pool for much of the time there were but two of us in the quick lane, myself and a big boy triathlete. I say big boy because that’s how I always think of the folks who inhabit the “real” fast lane. (The not lane swimming fast lane. The speedsters. The ones I love to watch, but sure as heck can’t keep up with.) He also happened to be a Clydesdale (in triathlon, this is a fellow over 200 pounds). A very tall very trim kind of a Clyde.

What a treat! Swimming with someone who asks if you’re using the clock (cleverly gleaning that you're swimming repeats). Who chortles quietly when you say to your friend in the next lane, “If I don’t get my new goggles soon I’m going to have to be committed!!!!!!” Who attends to what he’s doing, but also what you’re doing.

His season is just getting underway. (I was doing a 50’s day, including a set of kick IM order on 1:15.) He was doing his first 1000 metre time trial of the season. I asked about his result. 17:10. I asked what he does when he’s in peak condition. Fifteen minute range. Best IronMan swim 56 minutes plus. But, he said, he can be as “slow” as 1:10, depending on the pack. (I told you he was one of the Big Boys.)

And you know what he said when we both got out of the pool? “Good luck with your training!” (I hadn’t mentioned I was training for anything.) When I thanked him, and wandered off, he called out, “Don’t forget to stretch!”

Sometimes lane swimming can be a trying experience. But when your lane mates are considerate, know how to pass or be passed, where to turn, where to stand at the end of the pool it borders on glorious.

P.S. They came!!! They came in today's post!!! (And alas, I must go shop for a new printer instead of rushing over to the pool ...)

Nothing is ever ...

It's my motto. Nothing is ever simple or easy. Case in point: there's a charitable dinner that would be fun to go to. When is it? The night before my next meet! Do I:

• buy a ticket and commit?
• buy a ticket and decide what to do at the last minute?
• not buy a ticket but make a donation to the silent auction?

It's all so very confusing!

And so you know, today I bit the bullet and slipped over to "new blogger". Perhaps now I can be myself when I comment on Duane's blog, and Spokane Al's won't reject my carefully crafted comments on an intermittent basis. But I'm not holding my breath. Because nothing is ever simple or easy ...


In keeping with the nothing is simple or easy theme, The Painted Veil was our movie of choice last night. Based on the work of Somerset Maugham's it is largely set in China in the late 1920's. The movie chronicles the lives and loves of British ex-patriates during a time of social upheaval and examines their relationships in a rural area beset by an epidemic of cholera. If you're looking for an action film, this isn't it. But it is beautiful, scenic, and worth seeing. (And I truly wouldn't have recognized Diana Rigg had it not been for the credits.)

Not So Much ...

Well, yesterday I forced the Seal XP goggles into submission. Then I looked a lot like a raccoon for the rest of the day. Today I’ll do pulleys, because also on the agenda is a visit with Dr. Susan, a visit with Chelaine at Rinaldo’s who will tame my mane, and a movie.

Here’s a fun bit: Gotta Run. Our local CBC station is mounting Gotta Run, an opportunity for 12 local runners to train along with Lucy van Oldenbarneveld for the half-mary at ING Race Weekend May 27th and in the process get some coaching from Rick Hellard. (Of course, you have to be comfortable being filmed in the process …)

And if you happen to be a purse aficionado and in Smiths Falls before New Year’s, you can stop in to see “It’s in the Bag” – an exhibit on the evolution of handbags.

Other than that, I've got nothin' ...

Who knew?

Although unintentionally, George and I had a recovery weekend.

Saturday is my traditional day off training. So I beavered away on Margaret’s invitations. Oh, and I cleaned the platen. For reasons unknown, the glass is cracking. Note to self: When you get a fancy new printer/scanner combination, try to set it up so it faces you. Leaning sideways into the printer as you fight with it is a Bad Plan.

Sunday there was an IT band revolt! If you have to use meds to do your groceries, best to skip training that day. Note to physios: Did you read that?? Huh? Huh? Didja?? So I finished the invitations, made muffins and started watching Wonderfalls (part of my Christmas gift from Brent). Even did some jewellery stuff. And you know what? Today I’m walking much better! Who knew? (Physios: Yes, you can roll your eyes now …)

George’s weekend was spent resting inside due to circumstances beyond his control (too darned cold for cats!). Today he bounded up the stairs two at a time, just as he used to years ago. And just like the old days, I cheered for him as he went, "Go, George!!! Look at him go!!! Wow!!!" (He’ll pay for that. But even if you're an old arthritic cat getting around only because you're being plied with Metacam, sometimes it’s just soooo worth it! Especially when there's a sunspot up there just waiting for you.)

I see the Tri-Geek Kahuna has discovered the marvels of Photoshop Elements. I love that program. All the moreso now I’ve stumbled upon the “Photoshop pdf” option. Who knew I could make PDF files? (All of you who knew. Shhhhh!)

Several More Things …

I’m “it” again! Danielle over at Final Fashion tagged me again with the 5 things meme. Simon Says if you want to play, you can name five things.

Yesterday I noted:

• I love fun/funky linings inside handbags

Today I will add:

• Like Danielle, I’m not such a big clubber
• I don’t much like it when people pooh-pooh style issues that beset gals who are a size zero (although only half of me is a zero)
• I am obsessive compulsive about keeping my front walk clear in the winter (a contrast to the interior of my house!)
• As much as I love having George and Houdini in my life, I miss spending quality time with dogs. I used to be 2IC for a wonderful mini-schnauzer and following her death a charming Kerry Blue Terrier. I walked them so regularly that people in the surrounding area thought they were mine!

In other notes, George reports it is still box weather, and he wishes I would stop fussing with the computer and the printer (those two aren't getting along, and judging from the quality of this scan, I need to clean the bed!). I've been working on an invitation to my pal Margaret's second birthday shindig ...

Just Bagged!

Rebecca, over at The Space Between My Peers asked “What are your thoughts on handbags?” I considered trying to fit my thoughts into the comments section, and then I thought, “Oh, what the heck – make it a post!”

I love handbags. And I have a number. But not too many … and I don’t tend to change my purse a lot. Once I’ve shifted bags I tend to stay with my choice for awhile. Here’s the one I’m carrying right now, from Soprano, the high end line of handbags from Bertotti (a Canadian company that manufactures in China). I’ve found this line of purses at boutiques (including the boutique area in the salon I get my hair done at), but it is also available nationwide from The Shopping Channel.

Functionality:

• Except for an evening bag, my handbag has to be really functional
• In the cooler seasons it must hold my hat and mitts when I am shopping or at the movies
• I like to be able to see what has run to the bottom of the purse, and not deal with the Black Hole of Calcutta so prefer coloured linings, and I love it when they're fun or funky
• I prefer leather (I am neither hard on my purses nor am I gentle) – my bags are going to be exposed to the elements
• I don’t buy bags that I think will show dirt/wear too easily no matter how much I like them
• I prefer a shoulder bag or a satchel that can work as a shoulder bag and fit under my arm – over certain coats I prefer the bag to have a single strap
• I want a minimum of a cell phone pocket and an interior zip pocket, but too many pockets makes me nuts (I'm so glad the multi pocketed exterior is a trend that seems to be ebbing)

Fashion:

• Although big (read huge) bags are still very much on trend, I prefer bags that are manageable and on the smaller side
• Also trendy are clutches, bags with chain handles, soft metallic leathers, and canvas/straw leather combinations for summer
• I believe handbags look more appropriate when scaled to the size of the person
• I like purses to be my splash of colour – most of my coats are black or neutral as are most of my shoes
• Ironically my primary summer bag is a small black hobo from MICHAEL Michael Kors (but my summer raincoat is a red Hilary Radley trench)
• I don’t carry bags that are all about the logo
• I like good hardware on my bags, and sturdy stitching, reinforced handles if possible, if they zip closed I look for YKK or at least quality zippers – I want my purses to last
• I do shop online for bags (and I won’t buy where they can’t tell me the dimensions of the bag and the drop of the handle) from companies I trust
• I despise overly embellished handbags (no Kathy Van Zeeland in this house!)

And finally, I am still dreaming about that red patent Miu Miu bag I saw in Toronto in November!

Danielle, I'm going to count "I love fun/funky linings in handbags" as one of the five things you didn't know about me!

Stupid Goggles and Other Miscellaneous Stuff …

Service is Dead …

You may be aware that my stupid goggles broke. I've been whining about it at the pool for days now. I'm willing to race without goggles. I'm not so willing to train without goggles if seeing is required for the rest of the day. (The Canadian Figure Skating Championships are on tv this week. Seeing is required.) And my body is only willing to kick so far.

Yesterday I added a fast paced walk several blocks out of my way to the closest Running Room as I scooted to physio. Forgive me if I wasn’t bowled over by the service. Three staff people standing there as I rushed into the store and asked where I could find the goggles. I got adequate directions. No Aqua Sphere Seal Masks. I asked if they had any. (They do carry them.) Here’s the answer: “That’s all we’ve got.” No offer to see when they might be getting some. No offer to call any other stores (there are four in this city). No suggestion I could try online. It was chilly outside, but I must say I left pretty steamed. (Note to store personnel: It was a very good thing that I had somewhere to be. Making middle-aged women with hormonal issues cranky is not in your best interest. Really. Would I lie to you??)

More on Stupid Goggles …

Seal masks fit my face.

I've tried the Seal XP model with no luck at all. I’ve tried other brands of masks. They don’t work either. In short order the silicon over the nose cracks.

I can’t wear regular goggles – you know, the kind you can even buy at the pool – because of the positioning of the plate that bolts into my nose and extends around the orbit of my eye bolting in just under the end of my eyebrow.

So when I got home from physio I searched the internet, high and low, looking for somewhere I could order them from without them getting hung up in customs and being held for ransom (okay, customs and duties) at the post office. Enter Swimming Matters headquartered on Grant Avenue in Winnipeg. I ordered online yesterday afternoon. Last evening there was a message on my machine that they wanted to check a couple of details. (I confess. I got carried away. I ordered the goggles and a suit.) I tried to call this morning, but got their answering system.

Their store opens at 10:00. By 11:30 Sarah had called again. We sorted the colour issues. The order will be posted tomorrow. And she assures me if the odd occasion arises that they don't have the Seal mask in stock, they can get it quickly. w00t!!

Maybe service isn't dead after all!

Cross-training ...

So, until my order is in hand, more emphasis will be put on cross-training. Pulleys last night, snow pushing thus far today. And more snow pushing to go. George will be practically gleeful when I get around to clearing off his deck. (Although he did appreciate the front walk work and a significant portion of the driveway. In fact, as soon as I came in, he went out!)

Hands in my Pocket …

Sing it with me folks! (The link parodies the commercial, kids.) To illustrate my point about the wonder of the patch pockets on my new coat, I encouraged the gals at physio put their hands in my pocket. (One at a time.) It’s a consensus. The pockets are a wondrous thing!

Here's the Plan ...

Earlier this week I virtually put my money where my mouth is. I registered for the Ian Button Memorial Meet out at the Nepean Sportsplex February 24th. (They have a fancy countdown clock. Not that I’m remotely jealous or anything …) As advertised: 100 breaststroke, 50 butterfly, 50 breaststroke. For me this will be meet number two in lo! these many years, and the first go at long course.

That means it’s definitely time to refocus. So what I need to do is:

• Continue due diligence with the pulleys
• Start swimming more breaststroke paying attention to turns – no grabbing the wall!
• Add a little more fly distance
• More emphasis on kick (dolphin and whip in particular)
• Resume weekly lactate threshold workout
• Resume work on starts once or twice weekly, limited to three starts per session

And for the next 5 weeks that’ll be the plan!

Step Away from the Door!

Last evening as I toddled out the door in my hat, new gloves, and superfantastic Bellissimo shearling, the snow squeaked! Squeak, squeak, squeak all the way to the bus stop. (And I didn’t really wear my long johns. Just hose under black wool stovepipe pants, and my tall La Canadienne boots.) The coat check gals laughed when I asked them to look after my dorky hat as well as my coat! Aside: one of the bonuses I’ve discovered about the coat is the shearling patch pockets. The pockets easily accommodate your hands, and the warm wool on the inside helps to prevent frozen fingers in -25 C (about -15 F).

The play was engrossing. Part of the mark of an excellent theatrical presentation for me is when you don’t feel its length. One and a half hours with no intermissions, and it simply flew by. Frida K is not an easy play – but then Frida Kahlo had a difficult life. One review I saw in the paper said this play is best seen from the front half of the theatre. As our season’s tickets are on the aisle of row E, we saw the play to what the reviewer felt was best advantage.

This morning the temperatures have been brisk. In fact, George had me open the front door around 9:00. Then he quickly backed away. I could almost see “Step Away from the Door!!!” running through his little cat brain.

FeLady had a good point yesterday about iguanas and warmth. In fact the white towel she is sitting on in her Sunny Window Moments pictures is wrapped around a heating pad. To her left is a 100 watt ceramic heater. But the fact of the matter is even on the coldest days when the sun pours in the window, the sunspots get hot. She also mentioned a paper trained iguana (Houdini is trained to go in the bathtub for easy clean up) who was friends with the family dog. So I bring you these two images to warm the cockles of your hearts.

In our first picture we see that the sunny window is not just for Green Things. But look closely. It’s not a stick Mr. George is lying on! Miss Houdini did have some difficulty turning around with her tail pinned, but being the gentleman he is (and aware that the tail is prickly) George stood for her to find a new position. Thus we have picture number two, in which you see a very happy cat and a very comfortable iguana (note the arms starting to stretch out behind her; a sign of relaxation). It’s not quite the lion lying down with the lamb, but I don’t know if it’s that far off …

Brrr ...

George headed out onto the nicely cleared deck this morning. And then he stopped dead in his tracks. He didn’t move again till I opened the door and he scooted back in. Then he escorted me downstairs to see that he was using the box! (And I should remove the deposit post haste.) Although only -15 C (5 F) or so, it’s -26 (-15 F) with the windchill. So it’s a bit brisk. Rebecca, I’ll be using that hat. Roy MacGregor's byline in today's Globe and Mail read: Water pipes are bursting; shovels moving snow; at last, Canada is back.

I did try to take a picture of George to make this an equal opportunity post, but he has wedged himself into a cardboard box in the basement. Not such a great photo op. Maybe later ...

Houdini will be quite thrilled with today’s weather, as it is bright and sunny – all the brighter with the winter sun reflecting off the snow. I took this picture yesterday of Missy and her own personal snowdrift (click to enlarge). Today the snowdrift remains, so she’ll be peeking over it like a kid in a snow fort. (How many iguanas do you know with their very own snowbanks?)

Tonight I’ll be heading out to the NAC to see the one woman play Frida K. In my long johns. ;-)

Skiers Rejoice!!!

My neighbour said to me late yesterday afternoon as I headed over to the pool, “Eww! I don’t know how you can swim in this weather!”

In thinking about it, the hardest part is actually getting out the door. Once I’m on my way, I’m happy to be going. When I get there, I'm happy to take a nice long hot shower and stretch. I’m happy to get into the pool and swim, happy for the hot shower on the way out, and I feel great for having gone. It’s just the getting out the front door that’s tough!

Today’s cross-training was … snow pushing!!!! First storm of the season. (Thanks to Duane and Bolder. Mad props to them!) Naturally it tied up the morning commute no end. There will be more shoveling to come. I hold to the belief that it is better to push snow several times over a storm than try to push it all at once. George holds to the belief that it is better to supervise. (I don’t really shovel. My back doesn’t like it. I push the snow. Then I lift. From the kees. Like very little squats with gear!) There will be no need to play with the pulleys tonight!

George is looking forward to another snow pushing session, when I push the snow off the back deck, and make it passable. From his unique perspective if the snow reaches his belly hair it is “impassable”. (While this was not true in his younger days, it is now. I have seen him swim through deep snow.) Of course, right now it barely looks like I moved 4" off the front walk ...

Malled!

Well, I had three things on my list before I went to the mall. It seemed simple enough. Hat, gloves/mittens, briefs.

Although I did have a chance to visit with S, a former Holt Renfrew staffer now at J. Michaels, the trip was otherwise only partially successful. And although I did save some money from original ticket prices (40%).

I bought a dorky hat. Well, it doesn’t look that dorky when the earflaps are tied up. In fact it is kind of cute. But it sure does look silly when they’re down. However I spent my formative years in Winterpeg. When it’s cold, it just doesn’t matter what you look like. You can wrap your scarf over your forehead and again around your mouth and nose, and be safe – or not and get frostbitten. I’ll always pick the former!

Rebecca, I think the ear flaps on the trapper hat may well be the answer … at least until I find the elusive earmuffs (and that sure won’t be this year either)! They also don’t push my glasses into an uncomfortable position. The hat is black faux suede (lining quilted acetate). The Grandoe gloves are lined with soft polar fleece, outer shell is similar to a ski jacket, although there is some leather detailing.. They’re a pretty good match to the hat because of the trim, and go well with Mr. Bellissimo’s creation. (Incidentally, S recognized the designer right away because of the stitching details. We both agree we wish he would work in leather!)

It took me almost two hours to find these two items. I couldn’t bear to look for briefs …

The Puck Drops Here ...

Well, folks, it’s Hockey Day in Canada! Really. Thirteen and a half hours of hockey coverage – including spotlighting amateur hockey.

Aside from that it’s also Saturday, sunny and normal winter weather (-8 C, -15 C with wind chill). Of course it is only scheduled to last till midweek, when we expect to skyrocket above freezing yet again.

For those of you already considering what to get your true love a month from now, it seems that Godiva and Hearts on Fire will be doing a cross-promotion that spans the U.S./Canada border. Another hat tip to: http://www.diamonds.net/

I’m planning to head out to the mall in short order. Wish me luck! (It'll be a short trip. The Ottawa game starts at 2:00 ...)

Tagged Again ...

The Three Movieteers caught Freedom Writers on Tuesday night. The theatre we went to has a special on Tuesdays, $8.95 for a ticket, a bag of popcorn and a “regular” soft drink. I had a momentary flash of brilliance and had them fill the popcorn bag only part way. Next time I’ll do that with the drink, too. Usually my movie treat is a kiddie combo, and I would say a “regular” drink is three times that size. Crazy!

The movie is definitely a worthwhile way to spend an evening. And if you like, you can check out the actual Freedom Writer’s Foundation here.

On a Completely Different Note ...

I’m it. Rebecca, over at The Space Between My Peers has tagged me. I am to enlighten you all with 5 Things About Myself I Haven’t Previously Mentioned on my Blog.

So here goes:

• Every year I buy myself a Valentine’s gift
• I’m almost a horticulturalist (I have a couple of courses outstanding)
• I’m a bit of a geek (I haven’t mentioned this, but maybe you’ve guessed)
• I’m compulsively early (and stress if I’m tardy)
• I’m deadline driven (or, I tend to procrastinate a bit)

Think of this as an open-ended game of tag. If anyone wants to be it next, they can step up. Having tagged some people on a bookish theme last week, I’ve met or exceeded my quota.

Ongoing Weather Watch

Water is falling from the sky. But by Tuesday or Wednesday if the forecast holds we'll be down to lows of -22 to -27. In case anyone is interested it is not Good Weather For Cats today, nor will it be Tuesday or Wednesday.

Spring Swim Schedule

Now that Swim Camp’s over and done, and I am starting to get back into a proper training schedule, I’ve decided what events I intend to swim in February and March. In an ideal world I would swim one “away” meet this year, but I’m not at the point where I’m ready to commit. If I do, the option would likely be Nationals in Winnipeg, May 18-21. In terms of a training schedule, this is totally the wrong approach. Technically I should have picked an A meet and be working towards peaking there. But … it is what it is!

Nepean Masters run a long course meet during Winterlude, this year February 24th. My plan is to enter the 100 breast, 50 fly and 50 breast stroke. Going from training short course to swimming long course that 100 breast will probably feel a mile long! But a really nice thing about this meet is it is an afternoon event!

Technosport has a short course meet bright and early on March 17th. There I plan to swim the 50 fly, 100 breast, and 100 free.

Ideally by February I’ll be training with Technosport once or twice a week. That’s three weeks to get to a physical and mental place where my conditioning is at a reasonable level and emotionally I’m ready to say “No” when I ought to. (No laughing. You know who you are!)

Bloggie Bits and Bobs ...

Ongoing Weather Watch

Note the captured weathercam picture of Parliament Hill. There is a hazy looking lawn. It is really a very light dusting of snow. And it’s actually cold outside! Now note the forecast. Rain for Friday. Bold … please send winter. Winterlude may be washed out!

However, in the meantime, it is winter enough to wear my birthday & Christmas present to me! It’s a little more Canadiana for Danielle over at Final Fashion. (I wish I were going to be in Toronto for the Blogger’s Brunch at the Drake!) It’s a light as a dream black Domenic Bellissimo shearling with stand up collar I found for half price late last year. Reversible, too. I will try to get an accomplice to help me and take pictures of the two looks.

Carbonado Diamonds

The vast majority of black diamonds you will find in jewellery are treated stones. Natural black diamonds are found right now mainly in Brazil and the Central African Republic. Research indicates they may have originated in stellar supernovae explosions. Cool!!! Hat tip to: http://www.diamonds.net/

Three for Three

I haven’t yet gone out to scope the seasonal sales. I tend to forego the Boxing Day madness for further markdowns that happen mid to late January. Canadian Living suggests when looking for bargains we try to be three for three, and ask ourselves:

• What three things can I wear this with?
• Where are three places I can wear it?
• Can I accessorize this in three different ways?

Back in the Swim!

France and baby Zara (what a doll!) picked me up yesterday for their first trip to the pool post-delivery. They were both there often enough before Zara was born. She slept while we changed, showered, swam, showered, and changed. It was wonderful to see them both! And I’m proud of France putting in a relaxed 400 metres on her first day back!

So while we work on a semi-flexible pool schedule, I will ease back up to a reasonable distance, too, after the ups and downs of Swim Camp.

Now, I’ll go put that coat on and toddle up to the drug store …

Merci!

It’s Thank You Week here in Wendy’s World. Primarily for gifts received over the festive season (my birthday included). I told my brother I was beavering away on cards yesterday. For you, the virtual version!

Here at Of(f) the Deep End, there are thanks to be given as well. So thanks for: stopping by, leaving a comment (or not), for sharing, for encouraging me. And thanks to the bloggers that have graciously accepted me as part of an online community.

And Now for Something Completely Different!!!

Sometimes an email arrives in your inbox and brings with it wonderment that changes your day completely.

This morning I received this picture, and I had to know more! Jeff de Boer is a Calgary based artist and jewellery designer. His web site is most definitely worth a visit! You can explore his exquisitely crafted armour for cats and mice, exoforms, or large scale work. I cannot tell you how much I would enjoy taking his jewellery design and presentation class at ACAD! Photo credit: www.jeffdeboer.com

The Tail End of a Post ...

Well, here she is! What you've been waiting for folks! Houdini tip to stern! I finally got the picture uploaded, and clickable for detail.

Now, imagine your Dad suggested to an unsuspecting friend that they should drop into my house and see if we can find a "tiny little baby iguana". Can you picture that friend's incredulous reaction on first laying eyes on the green girlie?

On the Continuing Weather Oddities front, a friend and I went out to fetch Missie H some collards today. Then we went to Bridgehead for a coffee. On our way home there was a whole family out for a bike ride: two parents, three children, one quite tiny, with training wheels and an attachment to his Dad's bike. And I really wished I'd had my digital camera. Even if Brent's new one is fancier than mine!

Little Christmas

Yesterday was Epiphany, or Little Christmas. So the Three Movieteers chose to borrow a tradition from the women of Cork, have a girl’s night out and exchange our Christmas gifts. Excellent company and wonderful food – it may be the ideal way to top off the holiday season. Perhaps it is a personal tradition in the making! Although I suspect most of the women of Cork aren’t celebrating with the best Thai cuisine in the city ...

Nokham Thai is a cosy family restaurant in an unobtrusive location owned and operated by a friend of a dear friend. But you do need a reservation, or you risk being turned away at the door! We saw this happen several times as we sat happily ensconced at our table.

As always, the food was wonderfully presented and outstanding in taste. We had chicken spring rolls with a lovely light sauce (quite unlike the plum sauce that often accompanies such things), green papaya salad (one of my favorites), pad thai that featured lovely large shrimps, delicious tilapia in spicy sweet and sour sauce, sticky rice, Thai lemongrass tea. Two of us had jackfruit cake for dessert, but I had my favorite green tea ice cream! We could have been tempted by many other things on the menu, but were sage. We came away from the table not overly full, but with little remaining on the plates.

It was an absolute pleasure to see Nona and her Dad (who came over to our table afterwards to chat). He told us that they achieved four star rating as best Thai restaurant in the city in one of the Ottawa reviews, and pointed out the plate he received in the ceremony held at the University of Ottawa. It is certainly well deserved. And naturally we discussed our mutual friend, and how much we miss him!

Before we left Nona cautioned me that she only works some Saturdays now, so when I return it should be on Saturdays!

We took a drive afterwards to see the Christmas lights downtown afterwards. I cautioned the gals that it was not as spectacular as usual, because the lights have no snow to reflect on and add to the atmosphere. It was still nice, of course, but it was January 6th and we were all out in fall coats and shoes!

P.S. Blogger is still refusing the second picture of Houdini. But where other people are stubborn, I'm determined. Although at this point it may end up a post of its own ...

Scaling scales!

My brother thought it would be a good plan to take a picture of Houdini with a ruler for scale. So I took two for good measure! (At the moment Blogger will only let me upload one. I'll modify this post with the second and delete this note when Blogger favours me with the second upload. In the meantime, this one is clickable to enlarge.) Like so many of us, she was not completely comfortable with the idea of being measured … she actually shuffled sideways away from the ruler after I put it down. Check out the look in her eye! (I’m not anthropomorphizing here folks, she was reacting to a novel situation rather than the final result. Healthy suspicion. She has absolutely no body image issues.)

The set square here is six inches long. She declined to have a waist measurement taken (I can completely understand that!!). But if I had to guess I’d say ten or eleven inches, excluding spines. Out of interest, I measured her rear foot. From her heel to the tip of her longest toe, her foot is four and a half inches (for comparison’s sake, that would be about half her snout to vent length as a hatchling). Snout to vent she is about 13 inches. And then you add her tail (about 25 inches). Bolder’s right, she’s fairly large. And I do take care of her to the best of my abilities. Her v-e-t has called me one his best reptile people. I err on the obsessive-compulsive side of caution feeling a cautionary trip to the v-e-t is better than an emergency.

Yesterday, still not feeling 100%, I decided it was better to do pulleys at home, rather than head to the pool. In fact, I think that’s what I’ll do today and tomorrow as well. Dryland work. And baking. And laundry. And grocery shopping. And Monday, when the pool schedule goes back to normal I’ll head over there.

On the weather front, we obliterated the previous record high of 7 C yesterday, topping out at 10.0. In fact, the low of 6.3 was darned close to breaking the record for the previous high. And I’m thinking, although our precipitation totals are low, it may just be that our rainfall is going to hit record levels, too!

More Bloggie Bits and Bobs …

Weird Weather Watch Continues: Check out the graph. 15 degrees above normal!!! Today’s forecasted high would be considered cool in Florida – but 50 F in Ottawa in January bears comment!!

Style Tip: From the nice people over at Fashion Tribes I bring you a glimpse at the wardrobe of Nan Kemper, just in case you can’t make it over to the Costume Institute in NYC. My head spins as I consider the size of her closets …

Freestyle Tip: Your head position affects your whole body! It should be fairly neutral, but not staring at the bottom of the pool – you do have to be able to see what’s going on around you or you’re an accident waiting to happen.

Note to Tri-mama and Duane … your requests may yet come true. I’m going to pass off the VHS tape to high school chum DAK today when we see The Good Shepherd. He’s going to transfer it to DVD. Now, we don’t get together all that often, but I did get the proverbial ball rolling …

Mail Call!

So much for routine! But I'm trying ...

A temporary haiatus on swimming was declared last night as I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was a good decision. I don't remember being Inside Out Wendy since the Evil Galling Bladder exited my body almost exactly two years ago now. But unfortunately it all comes back to you, say, at 11:00 in the evening. Phooey!! However, I'm significantly more even now.

On Tuesday I found a couple of young ladies on my front doorstep with their Mom. They asked permission to look at Houdini, who was basking in the window, and to take her picture. I told them if the picture didn’t turn out they could put their email address in my mailbox and I would send them one. Taking pictures of her with my digital camera can be kind of challenging, but this one, taken this afternoon is pretty good. So I'll have something current to send them if theirs doesn't work out.

I found a package in my mailbox when I got back from physio today. Christmas just never ends!!! Now, among other things, I can take a look at the Caymanian landscape (and Orlando Bloom) in Haven. (While at physio today I showed them one of the Weather Channel webcams on Grand Cayman, but not this Seven Mile Beach version. )

It looks some calm on Parliament Hill today, but things political are moving and shaking as folks here do the Cabinet Shuffle!

Bits and Bobs ...

This week I’m swimming at night, as rec facilities are still on a holiday schedule. I confess I had trouble getting out the door last night. They retired local hockey hero Stevie Y’s jersey in Detroit last night. Emcee for the evening … Darren Pang. (Brent, he got old!) Plus my hockey hero was down on the ice with them, along with the grandson of Terry Sawchuk, the son of Sid Abel, Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio!

They have a new TV at the pool, over the check in desk, facing the clients as they register. They had Hockey Night in Canada on. When I told the young lad working that I couldn’t get out the door for the draw of the ceremony, he was quite excited. Originally they hadn’t known it was on, so they missed the first bit until another regular came in and asked why they weren’t showing it. Oddly enough, he knew without my naming names that my hero was Gordie Howe. But to my pleasant surprise, he was able to enumerate many of Mr. Hockey’s achievements (although not the so called "Gordie Howe hat trick").

Sidebar to Hot Tub Guy I’ve never even seen before (probably one of the resolutionists Nytro mentioned): it is remotely possible that I’m not the least bit interested in having you ask me if I have patella-femoral syndrome or listening you bemoan the fact that you injured your shoulder two years ago landscaping and can’t find a massage therapist that can fix it wth myofascial release.

One of the things I thought I'd do with the boatload of information that came from Swim Camp is post Freestyle Tips and the occasional Coaching Comment. As opposed to Free Style Tips, which I may also post! So today, with this picture of some fellow campers and coaches (the ones with shirts on), I bring you the first. This is my home pool. We were using lane 1 (you can see the lift in the little bump out in the foreground) for underwater video stroke analysis.There is no such thing as "junk miles" in the water. You should always be thinking, concentrating, and reinforcing good habits.

On Schedule ...

Yesterday's icy wonderland is gone today, as the temperatures hit 8 degrees in the afternoon. That's 46.4 on the Fahrenheit scale! I had salted the sidewalk at 07:00, so when the sun peeked through the clouds around 08:00 it was safe to rush out and take pictures! (You can click on the image for a bit more detail.)

My neighbour and I headed downtown for a New Year's Day brunch, a nice way to bring in the year. It's a holiday tradition for us. It was very nice, and lovely to see her wearing the pearl and crystal tin cup style necklace I made for her for Christmas.

The new year for me brings a return to routine that I am very much looking forward to. Structure in my life makes it much more managable, so I'm looking forward to once again becoming a creature of habit and settling into a pool and workout schedule!

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year one and all!

A thin cover of snow was encased in ice last night. Beautiful, but very slick.

George is out gingerly checking some aspects of his territory, and for once is quite thrilled I didn't fulfill my duties and remove all snow from the deck. Yesterday's cat prints are useful for traction ... today one's pads can be placed in exactly the same place they were the day before!

Our magnolia is ice covered. This brooch, however, is not! It does have an icy feel to it, though. Available from The Met Store, it is delicate sterling and plique à jour enamel. I unwrapped it Christmas morning. Many thanks to A & M for the delightful gift!