canadian_seaman

Out of shape

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 18:45:17 GMT

I've begun my training regime, and after only two days of running, I can no longer walk.

I'd forgotten that running makes you so stiff! This morning it took me forever to climb down two sets of stairs. My quads feel like they're made of brick. It's starting to feel like backwards progress -- I train to run, and lose the ability to walk. Triathletes must have a hard time with problems like mine. I worry that if I trained to bike, I might lose the ability to swim and drown.

Perhaps wheelchair athletics is a safe alternative? To my knowledge, there are no wheelchair swimming events, and you're always sitting down. Murderball looks like it could be fun...

I can still drive. Lauren, I don't care what you say, I will keep driving for shits and giggles. I'm not driving an SUV, I'm driving the puny, slightly retarded-looking ECHO. That's right, one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars out there. And if I do drive in TO, I'll be sure to bring you along for many Grand Theft Auto-like antics around the city.

Accident-free for 15 days...

Sun, 07 Aug 2005 00:41:24 GMT

For those of you not in touch, I got my driver's license on the 22nd of July. Granted, the road test wasn't my best performance (I scared my evaluator a little), but she scratched out the "dangerous action -- automatic failure" because she was confident in my abilities, apart from my heavy foot.

Since then, it's been hard to get me out of the car.

I drive even if I have nowhere to go -- it's definitely my new favourite passion. I've driven to my cottage a few times, which is about a hour and a half away. Solo driving can be a very zen-like experience. Too bad I won't have a car in the fall.

I'm going to get in shape over the next couple of weeks. After helping my dad destroy our old cottage deck (a great way to kill ana afternoon - demolition with power tools), I realized that my ass is a wad of cookie dough. I'm going to get in shape for the "Navy 10K", an annual 10 kilometer run coming up on the 21st of August. It'll be painful, but good for me. Wish me luck and I'll try to post my "progress".

I'll be back in Toronto on the 29th, so I look forward to seeing whoever's around!

Bad day to be a pedestrian

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:54:57 GMT

I had a driving lesson today. That's right, pretty soon my madcap driving will be terrorizing the streets of downtown Halifax. My test is on July 22nd, so for those of you planning to visit, I suggest staying away from crosswalks after the 23rd... The advantage is, if any of you want to come visit me this summer, I will have access to a car all through August! Yay! This is very exciting for me (even if it seems lame to those of you who have had your licenses for five years already).

I'm taking lessons with Halifax Driving School, because they don't gouge you on prices like Young Drivers. My driving instructor is a nice guy... He's laid back, and while he's not giving me pointers he's observing the "scenery" along Spring Garden Road and commenting about how much he enjoys summer. He's also a golf pro, so I might get him to help me with my short game too. He's much better than my dad, who makes very few comments, except when he thinks I'm going to kill a pedestrian, or crash into another vehicle (very useful, but scary as all hell). Strangely enough, he still wants me to buy a car in the fall (I guess it's because he'll be three provinces and many miles of highway away). I still like being behind the wheel though. Does anyone know how they do that thing in movies where the car spins around 180 degrees? Let me know if you do.

I'm going to my cottage this weekend... If you ever need a real solid getaway haven, it's my cottage. The TV gets one and a half channels, and the half channel is CBC. All you do is swim, read books, canoe and the like. I'm going to help my dad build a new deck, which will involve destroying the old one first -- it should be a riot. Then get to release my inner Amish for a couple of weekends extending the deck out about thirty feet from the cottage. I'd better start in on my beard early though...

Hope everyone's having a great summer, and look forward to talking to all of you!

Wherever there's water...

Mon, 02 May 2005 00:08:29 GMT

So I'm gone, and so some of you might want to know what I'm up to (or at least get updates on my wacky antics and embarassing moments). I just got to the East coast, where I'm stuck for the next four months working for the Canadian Navy eh? It's not too bad out here, and there's room on my floor for visitors. I'm going to try to keep contact through this journal, but I'm not promising anything. I'm not a huge computer geek (I'm looking at you, Carrie) and will only update when something interesting happens, like I get drunk, throw up on someone important, and have inspiring sagas for my kindred spirits. But no promises.

Tomorrow's my first day, and I've got to get some rest and practice not screwing up. More to follow.