Cold & Daemons

My brother posted about "his daemeon" yesterday, giving a tip of the hat to Jenny. I, too, couldn't resist the fun, and it seems somewhat apropos that I should draw the crow! I don't know that I would categorize myself as shy ... but I'm very fond of shiny things! N.B. The above graphic is pretty, but the site seems to having some issues, so I took the quiz again. Today I'm a snow leopard. Click here if you'd like to try your luck and see if you would match me with one of those daemons! Perhaps I'm still childlike enough that my daemon can switch forms ... but I warn you, sometimes absolutely nothing comes up!

Despite the frigid temperatures (as I type it is -16°C, with a windchill of -26°C — that's a windchill of about -15°F — our high is only to creep up by two degrees Celsius), The Boarder is pining to go outdoors today. The lure of fresh snow covering the deck with nary a critter print in sight must be some form of invitation. I think he may require a new toy. Although we did get some serious play in after it became apparent that I was not going to give in and open the patio door. And I managed to cut three (count 'em, three!) more claws. This brings us to a total of five.

It is my plan to bundle up and go to the bank, do a teensy bit of shopping, take my styrofoam recycyling to 240 Sparks, come home and drink hot chocolate!!

Friday Tidbits ...

The Boarder reports he is fond of Chicken Jello! Yes, I made chicken broth this week. The fellows who work the butcher counter at Luciano's around the corner used to save some bits for my ole pal George while deboning the chicken breasts. He didn't much want the boiled chicken itself, but how he loved chicken broth! When they asked if "the new guy" liked it, I had to confess I had no idea. So home I went with a package of bones, and I set about boiling them. To skim the fat, I put it the broth in the fridge overnight. Big eyes watched me put that fat into the garbage, so I scooped out some jello. He jumped backwards after his first lick — I don't think he was prepared for the coolness and the texture — then he tucked right in with wanton abandon!

Yesterday both rush hours were marred by snow squalls. Mother Nature's perfect timing. Aaaarrgh! No sooner had I sent an email to a friend saying I hoped the snow would hold off till after rush hour, than a min-blizzard hit. Preston Street backed up something fierce. I was able to have a lovely long chat with my next door neighbour (who had been walking home), while we watched the bus and cars fail to make forward progress.

Consequently I breezed onto the deck with seconds to spare. One of my teammates asked, "Are you ready to swim?" and I laughed out loud. My legs were warmed up after the race walk across campus, but I am really not a fan of hopping in for warm-up without stretching. Here's how it went:

♦ 3 x 300 free descending
♦12 x 100 (75 relaxed, :10 RI, 25 fast) on 2:15 — I did the 25's free, breast, free, fly (x 3) and no 100 was over 1:50 (including the :10 seconds rest at the 75)
♦8 x 50 on 1:15, trying to maintain exact time, I did free, :45-:47
♦100 easy

Sadly (at least for me), two of my lanemates got bumped up a lane, so there was no chance of anyone else helping to pull the train. :-(

Finally, I leave you with a new modern convenience. In London, England, they've launched SatLav.

Movie Night ...

The snow falling looks pretty this morning, but according to the news is making traffic a bit of a mess. Hopefully it will clear up this afternoon before the second rush hour of the day, and the bus trip to practice!

Last night, for the first time in a long while, The Three Movieteers got together and saw No Country for Old Men. Normally I would link to the official movie website and post a graphic from it, but frankly, it got very tiresome for me after just a few clicks. Not for folks who abhor violence, but definitely for Coen brothers fans! Ann wondered afterwards how she might explain to other people why they might see the film. It's a very good question! The film is well crafted, philosophical, and violent. If those appeal, by all means go!

I'm going to focus a little over the next few days on Spring Adventures in Oz. The Ningaloo Reef? The India Pacific train? Sydney To Do List? Go, go, internet research!!

Swim Bit!

Standing at the bus stop yesterday, I saw a little dog I know show she can be smarter than her person. The dog walker went to cross the street against the light (in the dark at rush hour), and the dog sat right down and refused to cross until the light changed! This little shih tzu type had a previous owner that clearly trained her very well.

I left 45 minutes earlier than usual so I could go to the post office. I got downtown 20 minutes earlier than usual. Ugh! However, I got my package mailed. Then I walked a few extra blocks to the pool, as I couldn't bear to be in the crowd of people massed outside the Rideau Centre ready to swarm buses.

No sooner had I told Joe that we hadn't been doing any lactate threshold type work, than, well, take look at the rest intervals for lane five's 2500 metre practice.

♦ 600 free
♦ 200 drills (but kick was assigned)
♦ 4 x (2 x 100 on 2:00, 1 x 100 on 2:30) 25 stroke, 75 free
♦ 6 x 75 "IM" (your choice, 3 different strokes — I did fly-breast-free) on 2:15
♦ 50 easy

I was very pleased with the hundreds. My first 25 was fly, so the extra 30 seconds every third hundred meant that the set didn't kill me! In fact, most of my repeats were bang on 1:35, with a couple of 1:37's. The 75's, well, they were around 1:15. Then I coached flip turns for a half hour. The hot shower was deeply appreciated after that!!!

The Boarder was pleased for me to finally get home. He was very anxious for some of the crockpot bounty. This surprised me no end, as last night's offering was roast beast. But after carving a couple of slices off for myself and returning the roast to the pot, Onyx did an admirable job of cleaning that plate. I think the smell of dinner wafting through the place may make him hungry, too!

In Hot Water!

I used to sing Miss Houdini little made up songs. An interesting repercussion of this when she was nervous and bordering on rangy while visiting Daren, I could sing her one of those songs repeatedly and she would calm down. One went something like this:

Playing in the bathtub,
Having lots of fun,
Playing in the bathtub,
Houdini's the one!

I only bring this up because I could really have been singing it to myself last night. The pool was 83°F! They've also started using salt in the water treatment, so not only is the water warm, it doesn't taste like pool water when you get a mouthful! Monday night swims, though, are more about working out the teaching kinks than they are about training. Tonight at practice it will be a different story entirely!

For unknown reasons I've not (at least yet) been singing to the Boarder. However, we're working on the understanding of certain key phrases like, "Do you want to go downstairs?" and "Where's your mouse?" Said mouse continues to be the preferred toy, and there are times when he will bring it into the back room. Perhaps he will learn to fetch it like Mishele's Geronimo. Or not. One never can tell with cats!

Today the crockpot will be doing a small piece of roast beef, so there will be something delicious when I arrive home from practice. I think The Boarder would prefer the pot be dedicated to chicken, but really, he can't win them all! With luck I'll get some muffins made as well, and although I'm not nearly as prolific as Andra Sue, perhaps a Christmas gift is in the cards today!

Monday Miscellany!

Apparently it's Cyber Monday. I know this because Rebecca told me. And it's true, there are online deals to be had, including 10% off at Bluefly. But not the red patent handbag I'm coveting at YOOX. And really, there are plenty of other things I need more ... like maybe a replacement pair of jeans?

I usually send the e-version of Mark Sutcliffe's Runner Up column from The Ottawa Citizen to some pals — today I am going to link it as it features Olympic gold medallist Simon Whitfield (who blogs here). To read the article, click here.

Bits & Bobs

There was doubtless a flurry of activity at my parents' house this morning, as they headed out to wing their way to warmer climes for the winter months!

Here at 123 — not so much! There will be different kinds of bursts of activity today. A trip to the grocery store, a trip to the pool, and the day will wrap up with dinner chez Miss Emma & Miss Margaret, their parents, and of course the other black cat in my life, Tipper. I hope to get one or two Christmas presents made as well. I'm a little surprised I haven't yet started playing with the new pearls that came from Bankok last week, but as I finished two necklaces yesterday, it's not that I'm not beavering away. Perhaps this afternoon I'll get to playing with those new pearls.

I was going to blog about the really cool jewellery storage unit that I ordered, but it arrived broken, and I was crestfallen. The Boarder though, found the whole box opening experience to be quite interesting. He reports that he is now comfortable with the idea of following me upstairs in the evening once I turn out the lights on the main floor. We had several Fairly Maniacal Play sessions yesterday, and I now have one less pair of jeans. Granted, they were at the end of their natural life span anyway, but the new ventilation beside a pocket in the derriere sealed that deal! Parts of them may be resurrected as cat toys this Christmas, though ...

Wintery Saturday Morning ...

Today's image is for Joyce in Florida, who asked for a wintery picture after I reported the first snowstorm of the season. This Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is having a brisk bite of breakfast (-15°C, -20°C with windchill, so feels like -4°F) — the samaras of the Manitoba maple make for nutritious and good eating! Feel free to click and enlarge. For those of you saying, "But wait a minute — he's not gray!", well, scientifically he is, he's just melanistic. Most of our local population are, but recently we've had a few gray animals about. For the literary — the tracks these guys leave in the snow can look like two exclamation marks!! For the runners — their top speed is about 25kilometres an hour, making them quite entertaining when they chase each other.

Another black animal reports that although Lise and I were unsuccessful in hunting/gathering any more toys like those highlighted yesterday, he thoroughly enjoyed playing with the fake mouse I brought home. Although he seemed quite disappointed at first that when he touched it with his paw and it just lay there. It didn't move at all, let alone scurry about. However, if I tossed it around the house, that was at least a better imitation of a real rodent. But for a fellow who didn't know how to play just a few months ago, he's getting pretty good at it!

Friday Tidbits ...

Here's hoping those south of the border had fabulous Thanksgivings, and those who are out braving Black Friday come out of it in one piece (and with budgets intact)!

Results have just been published for the first meet of the season. My 200 free was 3:00.02. Arrrrggghhh! Can you stand it? Three one hundredths of a second to break three minutes. Oh well. I can try harder next time. 50 fly, :39.22. My 100 IM was actually better than I thought, 1:31.89 — somehow I had come away with the impression I was 4 seconds slower. So, all in all, a good first effort.

Yesterday I cross-trained with shovelling instead of swimming. And a bit more this morning. My hip was all complainy, and I figured better to not push my luck. Be very quiet, that may have been the grown-up choice. And I made a necklace (but didn't use any of the pearls I was excited about). Go figure!

The Boarder reports he may be subjected to more vacuuming today. He would prefer not. His preference is for making some cat toys for Christmas giving. Speaking of cat toys, he played till exhaustion last night. Really he wanted to go out. When our George was The Boarder's age, he adored the first big snowfall of the season. He would rush out, accelerate to full-bore, and slide, slide, slide! Really, George is the only cat I've ever known to do that. But The Boarder is confined to barracks. So he had to make due with one of the toys pictured in the top row. I'll need to be buying more of those!

Snow Day!

Today has brought the first real snowstorm of the season, although the heavier snow is predicted for later in the day. Right now it's what some are calling a "mixed bag of precipitation". The Boarder decided to have breakfast when I got up, but has retired somewhere to sleep. There are doubtless many who would like to follow his example!

On days like today, I scoot outside several times a day to push snow. I got my boots out yesterday, but was able to sweep off the front steps. Today the shovel will put in its first appearance of the season.

Yesterday I picked up some spiced egg nogg flavoured coffee (the only flavoured coffee I buy), so today I'll brew a little bit, think happy thoughts, wish my American friends and family a wonderful Thanksgiving, and make some Christmas gifts. I received an order of three strings of pearls yesterday — that should provide some added motivation. And hopefully the evening rush hour won't be too messy, and the side streets will be passable. Because although snow pushing counts as cross training, I would hate to miss practice!

Let it Snow!

Remember what I said yesterday?

This morning it feels much warmer in the house, even though I haven't turned up the heat for the day. It's time to dig out the real snow boots!! A very light white blanket is covering the outside, and The Boarder is watching fluffy flakes drift down at an easy pace, but traffic will be snarly today for sure. The first real storm of the season is expected tonight with five to ten centimetres expected by tomorrow morning.

Yesterday I was waiting for the bus to whisk me off to practice, and a man was walking down the street with his dog. From the other direction on Preston, the fire reels pulled out of the station and with sirens wailing and lights flashing, proceeded up towards Scott Street. Well, that dog sat right down and started to howl right back at them. They sounded, and he answered their call! The man and I laughed. "Oh, he likes fire engines," the fellow told me.

As to practices, it was one of those in which you know you're paying your still early in the season dues. There were few muscles below my armpits that didn't warn me they could really cramp if they wanted to. However, they never got in the way enough to stop me — they just told me they could if I pushed my luck.
♦ 800 free
♦ 5 x (3 x 100 [25 choice*, 75 free] on 1:50) :30 RI between sets
♦ 6 x 50 side kick 3secs, 3 strokes (I did catch-up free)
♦ 50 easy
*I pulled the train for the hundreds, & did fly the first two sets, then free.

The workout was bracketed by sound and lights. A car had caught fire in the parking garage of the Delta Hotel and the hotel was evacuated. I don't know how many fire reels were there, but there were lots!

The Weather Outside is ...

Downright miserable. When it's like this outside, I pine for snow. Or summer.

Rainy and cold. Drizzly and just above the freezing mark. It goes through you. And you need all the lights on, because the light outside is dusky. The Boarder finds it awful, too. Instead of monitoring the activities on the other side of the glass while I took temporary leave of my senses and immersed myself in a large puddle of hot water, he hopped into my bed and stayed there for awhile.

Ha! I thought to myself, an ideal time to drag the Evil Vacuum Cleaner out and get another room done. I was actually shooting for a larger room than the bathroom. But white floor, black cat ... our combined hatred of The Machine shows most there.

And by the time it was turned off once, The Boarder had appeared with wide eyes and accusing glances. And, because nobody does dazed and confused quite like I do, I have somehow misplaced the dusting attachment that had been in my hand. So enough of that!

On to thoughts of how to keep warm. My hands and feet are problematic in the winter months. And if only these were more elegant, I'm sure they'd fit the bill! Plus each glove takes 4, count 'em 4 AA batteries, enough to count as light resistance exercise, I think. But, for your enjoyment, I bring you The Heated Gloves from Hammacher Schlemmer. I'm thinking maybe The Crushable Pocket-Sized Shearling Hat would be a better choice for me ... if only it came in black!

Minor grousing ...

It was paper recycling day yesterday. Roy helped carry out the box, minus the cat.

In the notes to self file: Don't go early to Sunday evening swims. At one point there were 9 people in the "fast lane", and five were swimming recreational breaststroke. It thinned out from 5:00 - 6:00, the time I usually shoot for. My rationale had been simple, but clearly flawed. As I filled four lawn waste bags for the last pickup of the year, I thought the extra time would be spent in the hot tub. Which I did. But the first half of the swim really wasn't pretty. Note to aforementioned breaststrokers. Don't rest at the wall and push off immediately in front of the person swimming freestyle. It's rude. The same applies to those using kickboards. Unless you're really fast!!!

On the up side, because I'm the Crockpot Queen, I set the appliance on high to simmer spaghetti sauce. I'm thinking there may be a sloppy joe in my future one night after practice! So I arrived home from the pool to the smell of sauce. And I had some for dinner.

Yesterday ...

Found: One deck shoe!

Made: One necklace. Naturally the loveliest qualities of the kyanite beads don't show in this picture. Maybe you'll get an idea if you click to enlarge and check out the tablet bead on the upper right. But the pearls look good!

Visit: With dear old friend André.

Slammed: One finger in mechanism of reclining chair.

Lost Misplaced: One bottle of deodorant.

Forgot: To return a phone call.

Discovered: Boarder + fleece = Expressions of undying love and affection.

Scrambling ...

The Boarder was very patient this morning, as I had a wee bit of a lie-in. Likely well deserved, as yesterday seemed to be one of those days in which there was a need to roll with the punches. Actually, he's pretty patient in the morning. Thus far in our relationship he hasn't felt the need to roust me. Although as far as he was concerned I took complete leave of my senses Wednesday and moved His Box down the basement! I also dragged in the last of the pots and deck furniture. At first he was put out with respect to the movement of his Important Belongings. As I sat on the bottom stair first thing yesterday morning after encouraging him downstairs I fervently hoped this was not going to be a trend. I'm happy to report it wasn't — he's clearly been managing his basement activities fine on his own, and he seems fine with The Box's current location.

On the up side, I did have $27 exact change (taxes and handling charge to pay the taxes) to give the postal delivery person in order to prevent my findings (ordered from the states) from journeying to the sub-station. That meant I could while away the afternoon making a necklace.

On the down side, I seem to have lost one deck shoe. (Luckily, I have a role model in this, as the GeekGirl once reported she had misplaced one shoe.) At least it's not the lifted shoe, and I can live with wearing mismatched deck shoes if necessary! The bus was late, so my pre-practice stretching ritual was lost, and I scrambled into the pool missing a 50 of warmup. (I chose to skip a 50 kick rather than a 50 swim!) And the water in my ears was obviously impairing my thinking, as twice I heard Duane assign a lower number of repeats than he actually did!

♦ 600 free
♦ 200 kick (I did 150)
♦ 6 x 75 (each 25 different stroke), easy and long, on 2:00*
♦ 5 x 200 free on 3:45 (repeating 3:15 - 3:21)
♦ 2 x 100 choice hard on 2:15 ** (I did fly-free-breast-free)

* I did fly, breast, free
** Really the set was 3, but Coach Duane asked in the middle of the 200 set if I could coach a half hour skills and drills after practice, so I agreed on the condition I could get out 5 minutes early and skip to the loo!

Total mileage: 2,400 metres

Since practice makes dinner late on Tuesdays and Thursdays, on those days I become the Crockpot Queen. Let me assure you, when I get in the door around 8:30, if the food weren't ready, there could be a food frenzy of sorts. So I was especially relieved I had remembered to get a bit of roast into the pot in the nick of time, because I totally flaked out on Tuesday and had to cook when I got in! Ugh!

Molière Revisited ...

Last night (probably one of the last warm fall evenings) AD and I met in the National Arts Centre lobby, sharpened our elbows, and headed into the theatre. Well, really, AD found the seats while I checked my coat. Due to a scheduling conflict, we switched our tickets for Dying to be Sick to a preview night. There is no advance seating for previews! The bonus was we found ourselves seated in front of my parents' next door neighbour Linda.

The promotional material for this presentation focussed on the "world première" Canadian translation of Molière's classic Le Malade imaginaire. The NAC's Artistic Director Peter Hinton's program note extolls the virtues and need for another translation of the play. It would have been very nice if I had left the theatre in complete agreement. Instead, I left ambivalent bordering on disappointed.

The play was well enough acted, and the costuming was interesting. In fact, my lasting and most positive impressions were the wig of M. Diaforus (!) and the fabulous ankle boots (I coveted) worn by Béline. In fairness I must say I generally have some difficulty reconciling modernized interpretations of dress and language in work that depends upon historical context, and this was no exception. Not for the first time recently I found it challenging to hear the sung words. Particularly when lyrics are in different languages to the body of the work, I find it essential that they be heard clearly.

I think were one young and new to Molière, this might be great fun. In fact, there were clearly people there (not so young and whose familiarity with the play is unknown) who enjoyed Dying to be Sick more than I did. The second curtain call for the troupe was deserved. Some stood. We didn't. And as AD and I discussed on our way to the ladies room, people — what's with the clapping at intermission??

N.B. Kudos to AD, who saved a fellow theatre goer great(er) embarassment. The lady in question had left the ladies room with her skirt tucked into her hose. Good save!

And Then There Were Three

I sure slept last night!

Yesterday Mom, Dad, & I went to their bank to look after power of attorney issues. Mom also wanted to go to Costco, where I chanced upon a couple of great Christmas gifts. The highlight was a fabulous book for a family interested in the natural world: Bird Songs by Les Beletsky. It features the songs of 250 North American birds with stunning (often full page) illustrations of the male and female. The recorded calls are from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. As I had my personal expert at hand, I made sure Dad enjoyed listening to some calls, and he was as jazzed about it as I was! And Mom was very pleased I found something to make the side trip worthwhile for me as well.

After we had lunch Mom and Dad dropped me off. I spent a few minutes with The Boarder, and scooted up to the drug store to pick up some prescriptions. It was a fabulous day for a walk! Sunny and extraordinarily mild for mid-November. I confess, I was more than a little sad that I didn't get to do more yard clean-up in the balmy weather we had yesterday.

Then it was off to practice. We began with seven people in lane five. And I was pulling the train. On the complex set, between the 75's it was last person touches first goes, between sets last person touches first goes. I substituted free for back. Once we started the hundreds, lane mates started dropping like flies. My goal for these was to pace properly. By the last touch the three of us remaining unanimously decided, "We Rock!!", and high fived all 'round. Mileage: 2,950 metres.

♦ 800 free
♦ 3 x (5 x 75; 25 stroke, 50 free; 1st set fly, 2nd back, 3rd breast)
♦ 25 free easy
♦ 10 x 100 free on 1:50 (I repeated 1:38 - 1:40)

Then it was a half hour of coaching skils and drills. No wonder I slept last night!

Endurance Dreams ...

Mornings here seem to be back on track! After rising, engaging in claw sharpening activities, and waiting patiently while the morning meal is prepared, The Boarder takes in enough nutrition to help with my conditioning program. In which I walk back and forth (zone 1), and work on flexibility bending down (and or over) and getting down on my knees stretching and reaching under furniture — all to find/pick up the ball we're playing with. And it's a good thing, because I flaked out yesterday in terms of "real exercise". I did, however, manage a laundry marathon.

The temperatures are bobbling around here — inside and out. Sunday night I walked into the pool building and my glasses fogged up. Once they were clear, I walked into the change room and they fogged up again. The locker room had been frigid earlier in the season — suddenly it was masquerading as a sauna! So much so that after my swim, as I put my clothes on, great beads of water were forming on my person, and although I had dried my hair, rivulets streamed down my face!

While I didn't get to the pool yesterday, I did do some Internet Surfing and Endurance Dreaming. An article on the Masters Swimming Canada web site by Mark Gallop describing his experience island hopping in Greece — swimming from island to island! It didn't take me long to scoot over to the Swim Trek site. And suddenly, the romantic in me was inspired — to swim the Hellespont of Leander, Alexander and Byron!! Maybe in 2010? To quote someone I know well, "We all need goals ..."

If, in the month of dark December,
Leander, who was nightly wont
(What maid will not the tale remember?)
To cross thy stream, broad Hellespont!

If, when the wintry tempest roared,
He sped to Hero, nothing loath,
And thus of old thy current poured,
Fair Venus! how I pity both!

For me, degenerate modern wretch,
Though in the genial month of May,
My dripping limbs I faintly stretch,
And think I've done a feat today.

But since he crossed the rapid tide,
According to the doubtful story,
To woo -and -Lord knows what beside,
And swam for Love, as I for Glory;

'Twere hard to say who fared the best:
Sad mortals! thus the gods still plague you!
He lost his labour, I my jest;
For he was drowned, and I've the ague.

— Swimming the Hellespont, Lord Byron

Map credit: Macrohistory

Boarder Update

The Boarder is feeling a bit more like himself. Not like he's ready to run and jump, but he's back to showing his prowess with the fancy scratching toy he likes so much. On Saturday Lise and I lugged him to the v-e-t for his booster shots and also rabies, feline leukaemia + FIP innoculations. Saturday night and Sunday he felt very poorly (to be expected).

Although he was a tiny little cat when he first started coming around, Dr. Daren described him as a "Big Boy!" When I looked at the scale I was some surprised — he's gained a kilo since early September!! Now weighing in at 5.57 kilos! However, the trained veterinary professional assured me he's just growing into his bones (which are apparently Big). I have, however, told Onyx on more than one occasion that if he keeps eating like he has he will become round. Recognizing that he needs much less energy now that he is confined to barracks compared to his life on the street, I have been encouraging him to cut back. It's a slow processs.

After a quick visual of his hind end, Daren asked, "Is he fixed?" When I replied that indeed he was, and had been for a month, Daren was somewhat incredulous. On palpation, Daren noted that he "must have had really big balls!" I assured him that this cat was indeed hung. Persons other than myself previously noticed this, and commented to me. "Well, it's no wonder he [likes to express his undying love and affection] — he must have been in demand from the ladies far and wide!!" He also healed well after his surgery.

Daren commented, too, on The Boarder's thick and healthy coat. Actually, when he went to give a needle he said he couldn't find the cat for the coat! But the best part of the whole visit was when Daren said, "But you know, it's hard to believe he was a feral cat!"

So all in all The Boarder had a good checkup, is all legal in terms of vaccinations and licencing, and doesn't have to go back for a year! Provided he stays out of trouble ...

P.S. This morning my brother sent out a LOLinator link. (Hat tip: 21st Century Mom.)To see this post from a LOLcat point of view, click here. Go ahead ...

Lest We Forget

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.


John McCrae, written in the spring of 1915, Ypres, Belgium
Image courtesy of Mary Davis, American Legion Auxiliary

Odds & Sods

Sometimes this blog has suprising benefits! David Rotor read yesterday morning's post and emailed me with a great offer. He was heading downtown for a meeting, so he swung by, met The Boarder, and dropped me (and my bag full of polystyrene recycling) downtown! It was greatly appreciated!

I have been thinking of KD and Carter the Wonderdog this week, as I have been receiving many compliments on my beautiful poppy, including during my wanderings on Sparks Street yesterday. The extra time afforded by Dave's generosity meant I had time to stick my head into Alyea's! Not only is Mr. Alyea's store a feast for the eyes, but there one can find unusual gems and mineral specimens — something I truly delight in. I tried on a beautiful alexandrite cats-eye cluster ring — not usually my style, but quite smashing.

AD and I had an enjoyably chatty casual lunch at 73 North, I remembered my Dying To Be Sick ticket (we have to move our theatre night to next week due to a conflict), I had my glasses adjusted (they may need a bit more tweaking), checked out the boot selection at Holts, bought a test towel (I really need to replace my pool towels, but I've bought towels before that feel great in the store and then only push the water around instead of absorbing it, so I am reluctant to buy a bunch before checking to see if they really work!), and visited the money spit machine before heading home.

On the books today ... Lise is going to help The Boarder (unbeknownst to him) get his booster s-h-o-t-s, and his first rabies innoculation (they didn't give the rabies vaccine at The Pound because he had an infection and was on antibiotics). As I type this he is blissfully napping on the head of the easy chair I'm sitting in, unaware of what's in store ...

Swim Bit!

Some of us were slightly spooked last night when we arrived on deck to find nobody in the pool -- but there was no shock, and in we got. Lane 5 did a total of 2,700 as follows:

♦ 3 x 300 free descend
♦ 8 x (100 free steady on 2:00, 50 hard choice on 1:15)
♦ 3 x 200 free controlled on 4:00

For choice I swam fly up free back. The hundreds weren't quite as steady as I would have liked (between 1:35 and 1:39) but the fifties were bang on :49 to :5. I was glad Whitney was pulling the train! However, I pulled for the two hundreds, and hit 3:25 each one. Where was that for the hundreds??

After about hundred number 4, Whitney turned to me and asked, "Is it wavy in here today?" The water level seemed higher than usual. I was bobbing around at the end on my tippytoes being knocked off balance by the chop. The shallow end at Ottawa U is deep, and we short folks sometimes can't be flat footed and safely keep our mouths out of the water!

As temperatures have been hanging around the freezing mark, I hauled out my winter coat. Standing at the bus stop in the dark just isn't that much fun if you're chilled. Next up, winter weight gloves!

On the books today, a pilgrimage downtown, and lunch with AD! There may be more food pictures tomorrow ...

For the Foodies!

Yesterday was Mom's birthday so we went to West End Station for a lovely lunch, then back to the homestead for a bit, then to see the apartment they'll be moving into come the warmer months and have some Black Forest cake.

The Birthday Girl had rack of Quebec lamb in rosemary sauce with roast potatoes, roasted red pepper, eggplant and asparagas.

Dad had seared albacore tuna with mixed greens and avacado with lime vinaigrette.

I had roast chicken in champignon sauce with the same vegetable medley as Mom. (There are more potatoes hiding under the chicken.)

Although we don't go frequently, we have always found the food to be delicious and well presented, and the restaurant is most accommodating. They were able to seat us in a corner away from the music (most helpful for those who hear with the help of aids) which made for a relaxing and enjoyable meal. And if you'd like, you can click on the images for an even better view.

Bloggy Bits ...

Now, I know some folks who decorate for the holidays, but nobody who does Hallowe'en quite like Joe. A runner and Hyack Masters swimmer, Joe's Hallowe'en project gathers donations of food with a spooky hand crafted animatronic display. He's started to post pictures of the process and the product — please head on over to his blog and take a gander.

The blogosphere is a rich and varied place. If you have a favorite blog that you feel merits the title Best Endurance Sports Blog of 2007, please head on over here and nominate it. RaceAthlete will accept nominations throughout the month of November.

Often on Wednesdays you get a little review of our Technosport practice Tuesday night. Not today. As I wandered onto the deck at 5:45, the kids who train before us were getting out of the water early. The lifeguards had spotted a potential problem in the pool. At 6:10 or so, after a brief meeting and pep talk, we all hit the locker rooms. Sadly, the pool required shocking. Shit happens. Thankfully not too often in the pool!!!

Oh, and in the preparations for Oz, I ordered my uniform last week! (No cap though. I'm an aberration. One of the timers on Saturday even commented on my "bare head".)

Tuesday Tidbits ...

It's baking day here at Off the Deep End. Well, more accurately, I'm making muffins. And I may make cookies this afternoon. Or not. But here's the thing — I could be making organic pancakes in a can! There's something about a "batter blaster" that is just way, way too appealing. (Hat tip to the good folks at Shiny, Shiny.)

Every cat has its own view of the world. What's best on the menu, what's good to play with, and what deserves rejection of the highest order. The Boarder is not without opinions. We know that if it's not some variant of chicken in a tin, the tin is pretty much not worth opening. The look on his face when I opened tomato paste was bordering on priceless. He is also unappreciative of his water dish, for reasons he has chosen not to communicate. The best water in the house clearly comes from the toilet. This means he must attend to any other activities that take place there. He will sleep through many things, but not, I assure you, the sound of the flush. He will quickly and quietly appear, sit on the right hand side of the bowl, wait for the filling noise to begin, place his front paws on the seat and do a visual check that the water level is indeed climbing, return to seated position but not leave the room until the water is once again quiet.

I've been wondering about what I might do to encourage him to drink out of the water dish I dutifully refill daily. I have tried a deep bowl and a shallow bowl, a metal bowl and a stonewear bowl. I could, of course, put the "lid" on the toilet. But I fear he is steadfast enough of principle that he might drink as little as possible in that event. However, that said, it's not all that high on the priority list. He's been learning lots of things about Life on the Inside, including how to play (a joy he was sadly unfamiliar with before his Incarceration).

Never the twain shall meet!

I am going to resolve to fight with my technology soon. Or soonish. Whatever you ask me, don't let it be how I feel about twain drivers and new computers! I gave up and took a picture instead of scanning. The up side being the shadows help to show the dimension. And I enjoy arguing with technology so much, I think next I'll go do laundry. Also because I'm out of towels. Anyway, here's one of the necklaces I made last week. Sterling squiggles, fuschia and turquoise freshwater pearls, and onyx on beading wire. Clickable.

Meet Report – Sprint Meet 1

As Spokane Al pointed out, it’s an interesting technique, “beating yourself up pretty soundly just before a swim meet.” And he’s very right! But these early season meets are about gauging strength and fitness. There is no taper! So I thought of Al as I got into the pool yesterday morning, still stiff from Thursday’s practice!

I entered the 50 fly at :39.9, close to my fastest time last year (long course). So I was pleased with the :39.2 I swam. A grown-up PB, with definite room for improvement there as the year progresses.

Speaking of room for improvement, most of the morning I was questioning my sanity about having entered the 200 free: (a) I am not a freestyler. (b) I am not a middle distance swimmer. I can sprint, or back off and go long and steady. Pacing this distance is really not my thing. (c) My triceps were advising me that the 50 fly had kinda hurt. (d) Breathing at the pool was more of an issue today. Discussion at breakfast revealed that all the asthmatics hit their puffers significantly more than usual. I entered at 3:05, and was really feeling like I might have entered a bit fast.

I was seeded slowest in my heat, so I really resolved not to get carried away by the significantly faster folks, and swim my own race. I did that. The plan was to swim strong and build rather than go out too fast and hurt like all get out. I have no idea what my splits were but I felt I was building enough to sprint the last 25, and put my head down for the last 5 metres. I finished in 3:00.?, handily under the 3:30 long course qualifying time for Worlds (which was in the back of my head when I entered the race). In retrospect, I probably had a little too much left in the tank (I almost caught the fellow in the lane next to me). So a solid first attempt at the distance, and 15 seconds faster than I've gone in practice.

On the other hand, I could have used a few more minutes of recovery! I had some difficulty catching my breath, and I was definitely tired for the 100 IM. I entered at 1:35 (although I swam 1:31.1 last year) because I knew it was right on the heels of the 200 free (about 20 minutes apart). I kicked into the wall way too long in backstroke, but I have swum almost no backstroke this season (to protect my back which really complains of the torque), so I have no reason to complain at the 1:31.7 I swam. Except for that kicking to the wall nonsense. That I can and should chastise myself about. I am, after all, capable of counting from the flags.

It was great to see France and Zara in the gallery for the 100 IM. (I told France they had come just in time to watch me run out of gas!). One of the first things France said to me was, “Your hip is sore.” Did I mention that France is a previous physiotherapist of mine? I tried the ibuprofen+muscle relaxant that's been working okay for practices, but I think I may be better in a meet situation to up the ante on the pain meds and leave the muscle relaxant out of it. That's what I'll try next time round.

Overall: a good gauge of where I’m at, and it was my first meet swimming with goggles. Next meet: January 12, and lots of miles to swim until then!

Happy Birthday Brent!

Yup. I've recycled the idea, the title and the graphic. (At least the graphic is my own artwork and lettering!) The thing is, Blogger is much more reliable than getting mail to George Town! Why, exactly, I'm not sure, but I've heard things have to complete a long duathlon running across a continent and swimming to a small Caribbean island.

I'm off to the first meet of the season this morning, so you can expect an update of some sort ... at some point.

In the meantime, feel free to leave birthday greetings here for my brother!

Swim Bit!

One of my students and I went on a non-calligraphic mission yesterday out to an industrial park — she for wool, I for findings. The stores are in the same building. Naturally I found beads, too! I splurged on the most glorious tablet shaped kyanite beads (I cannot imagine a stone more suited to wear with denim), and some wonderful onyx (3 shapes), small 4 mm rounds in tan mother of pearl, and two strings of agate dyed kelly green.

Then, as she planned to stay downtown for a 2:00 at Good Companions, we grabbed a bite of lunch. I had hoped to go stalk some November flowers with my camera, but it was not to be.

I told Duane before we got in for warm-up that it was going to be iffy. By the time I got to the change room I had some muscles in spasm. Like Tuesday night, it was either going to work out to some degree — or crash and burn.

♦ 800 free
♦ 9 x 100 (75 free strong, 10 seconds rest, 25 stroke hard) on 2:15
♦ 3 x 200 (25 fly, 75 free, 25 stroke, 75 free) on 4:15
♦ 6 x 50 (25 choice, 25 different choice) on 1:15

I was concerned about doing breaststroke hard, and we all know I don't do backstroke, so that left fly for the hundreds. I did number 6 free to catch my breath. My body couldn't have been any more warmed up after that, so I chose breaststroke for the second 25 in the two hundreds. The first one I thought I misread the clock, but apparently not. The three were between 3:25 and 3:20. The fifties I did four fly-free, one free, one drills — the last two as cool down.

So after 2600 metres I hauled my butt onto the deck, and Duane suggested I remain on deck for the half-hour extra swim (which allowed him to go home). So that's what we did. Those staying did X x 200 50 hard/50 easy/50 hard/50 easy.

Today will be a very short easy swim to exorcise the tricep muscle stiffness, as tomorrow morning brings the first meet of the season!

All Saint's Day!

If people asked what I was going as last night, I told them a witch. I didn't have to dress up, and I already had the right cat! My brother wondered what The Boarder might make of the evening's activities. Well, our first trick or treaters were our friends Emma and Margaret. Onyx came to the door and got some gentle patting. So far so good, I thought to myself! In fact, he came to the door each time (allowing me to use my opening line with the older kids), and since it was a balmy 15°Celsius, I then stepped out onto the step with the treats. He got a food reward and praise for not blitzing the door, and he seemed very pleased with the whole experience! Here he is looking angelic on All Saint's Day.