Welcome to the family! By now you will have figured out that Old John is my brother and that he mistakenly took you for his eldest sister. After all "Cath" does look a lot like "Cory". Well actually it doesn't look like it at all but it does at least start with the same letter.
For those of you who don't know, Cathy is my "other" older sister, my sister from another mother, the one that came along with Roo. The relevant word there is of course older! Sorry Kate!
I'm not sure with John whether it is indeed just his old age that resulted in this little faux pas (that's French for fuck-up), or if he is subtle enough to act old and senile, just to see if anyone gets it...nah...not freakin likely!
Anyway Cathy, you did get a reasonable explanation about the "old" stuff. It is just to distinguish one Rooyakkers from another. There's even more of them than there are Regniers so of course you don't have this same problem as us. lol
Cathy's grandfathers name is Leon, as is her dads, as is her brothers, as is her nephews! So they ended up with Leon, then Junior, then Leon again, and finally, little Leon. What a bunch of idiots! (lets see if anyone cares to explain that one to you)
You know what's really hilarious? I happen to know that Cory has not been able to get the bugs out of her system, preventing her from even posting, and as such I would bet she's just getting frantic at being unable to publicly ridicule all of us. Particularly Old John for his mistake, and Old Roo for taunting her. I love it!
Also thanks Cath for your words of encouragement. That's the first time I've ever been compared to Oprah, or at least in a positive manner. Some one did once tell me that I should be on television but I think they meant on the cartoon network!
Anyway Old John Whether it was on purpose or not you sure gave me a chuckle today and I appreciate it. You started out my day right and it stayed that way. I got lots of work done and I got 3 little workouts in. Life is good!
7.3 km run, 35 mins/swim, 45 mins/weights 45 mins
"As we grow old, the beauty steals inward."---Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie!"---Coco Chanel
"Old is always fifteen years from now."---Bill Cosby
Love
Peter
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
"She Was a Fast Machine"
Hammering away listening to AC DC! Does it get any better? As promised, here's a couple of vids of me riding in the basement. You can get the sense of the thing.
As I mentioned, this is actual course video timed exactly to how fast you ride and with automatic resistance for the hills. As well as the video itself, the screen displays just about anything else you might care to know (speed, average, grade, power output, etc etc). You can set it up to display as much or as little as you like. You may also be able to see on the screen the cool graph in the bottom right of the video. That graph actually represents your pedal stroke, showing you which leg is working harder, and how much power you are generating at every point of the pedal revolution. Very Cool!
One weird thing is that you can never pass anyone unless the guy carrying the camera chose to do so when they were filming. If you ride faster, so does everyone else, since all your increased effort actually does is speed up the video.
You can start from any point on the course and ride as much of it as you want. From past experience 3 hours is about all I can tolerate. Even less if I have to listen to a lot of AC/DC. I find it a bit agressive for my peace of mind, and in actual fact I cycle through all of my music at random.
I do have to work with the program a bit yet because I'm pretty sure that I can make it full screen.
I think I mentioned that is actually harder than riding outside since you can't coast on the downhills. I consider that a good thing.
You can see that I have a few accessories; the towel over my bike (to protect it from the sweat), and the fan (to try to limit the sweat). Which reminds me...I'm pretty sure I left the fan running!!
That's it! Just a word for OId John. Thanks for your comments. As to looking up my old times to set a target don't bother. I'm gonna join you for your triathlon and furthermore I will tell you how fast I will do it. Just see if you can keep up to this old grampa! Assuming they hold the distance from last year....1hr, 55mins! Take that to the bank!
30 kms computrainer...1hr, 6 mins
"The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck!"---Anon
Love
Peter
Saturday, October 29, 2011
"Odds and Ends"
First off. It was a damn good day. Slept in til about 9:30 when I had to get up to make Colbs breakfast. I brought it to him in bed cause his Mom likes it when I do that :) Then off to his hockey game where he played the smartest game of his young life, followed by lunch at Burger King, just me amd my grandson. Back home for a 20 km run followed by a little couch time. The day was nicely capped off by watching the Habs game with my wife as they won their 3rd straight! The only frustrating part is listening to her rant about the game! I wish she would learn a little something about hockey!! Go Habs Go!
Secondly, Roo believes! No not in the Habs, or in me, but in herself. She always believes in me, but today she finally confessed that she thinks she can run 2:30 in Hamilton in the spring. I of course knew that before she even started training but I'm glad she has picked up the ball cause I'm tired of carrying it....and her!. Besides, it's much easier to accomplish something if you believe it your self!! Go Roo Go!
You know what I miss? I was looking for something on my old blog today and was amazed at the interaction that took place. Sometimes lengthy conversations transpired between siblings, children, spouses, neices/nephews etc. That hasn't happened this time around and I'm not sure why. If you know how I can get that back let me know, because I can only look to myself for answers....well and Cory of course.
I got my Interactive Real Course Video working on my computrainer. That means that I can watch the actual Ironman course go by as I ride. It is really cool as the trainer itself responds to all the hills and it almost (almost) feels like the real thing. Maybe I will try to post a video so you can see first hand.
I have chosen to remove Don Cherry from my life completely. Being a hockey fan that it is a bit of an inconvenience but I am committed. I will change the channel or turn the page every time he appears or makes the news in any other way. I have always struggled with his racism and his arrogance, but the man crossed the line when he called Chris Nilan a puke!
Winter's coming and I'm ready! I've decided not to build a rink this year and so you can depend on a long, cold one with no unexpected warm spells. Sorry folks!
For those that don't know Old John is preparing for his first triathlon next summer. I am extremely excited for him as long as he doesn't get faster than me. Actually that would be okay as well....he is much, much younger than me, and much, much, more stubborn. Go Old John Go!
And I think that's it. I do want Claudettes workout results for today however. The run that convinced her of her fitness level. I did the same 20 kms again but of course I smoked her!
Me...20 km- 1:41:33
Roo..20 km- 1:41:46
I had to work my ass off to complete the same route that she called relatively easy today. Bitch! --and Bitch again!
Actually I am really quite happy with my running fitness right now. If I can hang with Claudette for the next 5 to 6 months it will definitely take care of that part of my training.
"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."---Anon
“If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one."---Robert Cavett
Love
Peter
Secondly, Roo believes! No not in the Habs, or in me, but in herself. She always believes in me, but today she finally confessed that she thinks she can run 2:30 in Hamilton in the spring. I of course knew that before she even started training but I'm glad she has picked up the ball cause I'm tired of carrying it....and her!. Besides, it's much easier to accomplish something if you believe it your self!! Go Roo Go!
You know what I miss? I was looking for something on my old blog today and was amazed at the interaction that took place. Sometimes lengthy conversations transpired between siblings, children, spouses, neices/nephews etc. That hasn't happened this time around and I'm not sure why. If you know how I can get that back let me know, because I can only look to myself for answers....well and Cory of course.
I got my Interactive Real Course Video working on my computrainer. That means that I can watch the actual Ironman course go by as I ride. It is really cool as the trainer itself responds to all the hills and it almost (almost) feels like the real thing. Maybe I will try to post a video so you can see first hand.
I have chosen to remove Don Cherry from my life completely. Being a hockey fan that it is a bit of an inconvenience but I am committed. I will change the channel or turn the page every time he appears or makes the news in any other way. I have always struggled with his racism and his arrogance, but the man crossed the line when he called Chris Nilan a puke!
Winter's coming and I'm ready! I've decided not to build a rink this year and so you can depend on a long, cold one with no unexpected warm spells. Sorry folks!
For those that don't know Old John is preparing for his first triathlon next summer. I am extremely excited for him as long as he doesn't get faster than me. Actually that would be okay as well....he is much, much younger than me, and much, much, more stubborn. Go Old John Go!
And I think that's it. I do want Claudettes workout results for today however. The run that convinced her of her fitness level. I did the same 20 kms again but of course I smoked her!
Me...20 km- 1:41:33
Roo..20 km- 1:41:46
I had to work my ass off to complete the same route that she called relatively easy today. Bitch! --and Bitch again!
Actually I am really quite happy with my running fitness right now. If I can hang with Claudette for the next 5 to 6 months it will definitely take care of that part of my training.
"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."---Anon
“If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one."---Robert Cavett
Love
Peter
Friday, October 28, 2011
"Time and Distance"
Are only states of mind and are always relative.
When we got back in town today Claudette decided to go for a run. She told me she was just going to do the little, wee block. The route she was referring to is the 7.3 kms that go by the front of our house. What's interesting is that this is the very same block she has run almost every day for the last 5 years, and which was previously known simply as "the block". How did it become the little, wee block? A state of mind!
She has gradually build up her running over the last couple of months in preparation for Around the Bay, such that now she is regularly running 20K at a time. Not just the distance, but the time it takes to run it has changed perspective.
And it's always about time isn't it? How do we "spend" our "time"? Time flies when you're having fun and crawls when you're not, and yet, in what seems like a total contradiction we want it to go slower, not faster.
The thing I have discovered, and maybe it's one of the reasons I enjoy this endurance sport thing, is that when I'm out there for an hour or two, that while not standing still, time at least takes a "time out". Once I have committed to a long workout and I'm into it, I lose the sense of time passing. Strange perhaps since during the workout I am acutely aware of the clock itself. The clock however has ceased being a chronometer, and instead become simply a fitness meter. It's hard to explain really but when I do a long bike or run I am invariably surprised when, upon return, I check the time of day. It's like the world kept turning but I was oblivious to it. A state of mind!
The other thing that occurs to me is that I only experience this feeling of timelessness outside. I don't get it in the pool, or while sitting on the bike downstairs. Kind of weird eh? I suppose there's probably another message in there though, and it sure helps explain while I would happily go and run for 2 hours outside in sub zero weather before I would run for 20 minutes on the stupid treadmill. Kind of an enlightening thought actually.... an "aha" moment! A state of mind!
Can I confess that I feel very good about my post today. I actually inpsired myself a little bit and would dare to hope that I have done the same for you. Think about it. Any time you may spend exercising outside may indeed not be time "spent" at all, but rather just...yah, you got it! A state of mind!
7.5 km run, 36 mins
"Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind"---Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in"---Henry david Thoreau
Love
Peter
When we got back in town today Claudette decided to go for a run. She told me she was just going to do the little, wee block. The route she was referring to is the 7.3 kms that go by the front of our house. What's interesting is that this is the very same block she has run almost every day for the last 5 years, and which was previously known simply as "the block". How did it become the little, wee block? A state of mind!
She has gradually build up her running over the last couple of months in preparation for Around the Bay, such that now she is regularly running 20K at a time. Not just the distance, but the time it takes to run it has changed perspective.
And it's always about time isn't it? How do we "spend" our "time"? Time flies when you're having fun and crawls when you're not, and yet, in what seems like a total contradiction we want it to go slower, not faster.
The thing I have discovered, and maybe it's one of the reasons I enjoy this endurance sport thing, is that when I'm out there for an hour or two, that while not standing still, time at least takes a "time out". Once I have committed to a long workout and I'm into it, I lose the sense of time passing. Strange perhaps since during the workout I am acutely aware of the clock itself. The clock however has ceased being a chronometer, and instead become simply a fitness meter. It's hard to explain really but when I do a long bike or run I am invariably surprised when, upon return, I check the time of day. It's like the world kept turning but I was oblivious to it. A state of mind!
The other thing that occurs to me is that I only experience this feeling of timelessness outside. I don't get it in the pool, or while sitting on the bike downstairs. Kind of weird eh? I suppose there's probably another message in there though, and it sure helps explain while I would happily go and run for 2 hours outside in sub zero weather before I would run for 20 minutes on the stupid treadmill. Kind of an enlightening thought actually.... an "aha" moment! A state of mind!
Can I confess that I feel very good about my post today. I actually inpsired myself a little bit and would dare to hope that I have done the same for you. Think about it. Any time you may spend exercising outside may indeed not be time "spent" at all, but rather just...yah, you got it! A state of mind!
7.5 km run, 36 mins
"Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind"---Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in"---Henry david Thoreau
Love
Peter
"On Staying Young"
I know a few secrets.
Number one...take care of your self. Well I guess that's not really a secret.
But I think this one is.
Number two...enbrace the music your children listen to! I'm pretty sure I was one of the ten oldest guys in the Bell Centre tonite, but I did not feel old. I stood all night...sang my heart out... clapped... swayed... stomped... yelled... and sang some more. And I was quiet compared to the lady beside me...Old Roo!!
The young couple on my other side sat most of the night. If you have never heard, or heard of Mumford and Sons do yourself a favour. It was unbelievable. The most magical moment of the night came when the fans "ole-d" them back for the encore. If you aren't aware "Ole-Ole" is the Habs fight song.
"In this body you will live
In this body you will die
Where you invest your love
You invest your life"---Marcus Mumford
Love
Peter
Number one...take care of your self. Well I guess that's not really a secret.
But I think this one is.
Number two...enbrace the music your children listen to! I'm pretty sure I was one of the ten oldest guys in the Bell Centre tonite, but I did not feel old. I stood all night...sang my heart out... clapped... swayed... stomped... yelled... and sang some more. And I was quiet compared to the lady beside me...Old Roo!!
"In this body you will live
In this body you will die
Where you invest your love
You invest your life"---Marcus Mumford
Love
Peter
Thursday, October 27, 2011
"Ole, Ole"
A picture is worth a thousand words. I am so blessed to be able spend a few days with my wife in one of our favorite places. The bonus is having our hockey team finally win a game, and to be there to watch it live. Can it get any better? We'll see. Maybe tomorrow!!
C'est tout mes amis!
”You do dat, you go to da box, you know, uh, two minutes by yourself, and you feel shame, you know, and then you get free.” - Denis from SlapShot
Avec amour
Pierre
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
"Happy Birthday Son"
We had such a nice time celebrating Adrians 22nd birthday at the Mandarin that I plum forgot to blog. So all i got tonite is a message from Colby. He says that the Mandarin visit was the ultimate buffet experience! He had onion rings after dessert!!
"May you live to be 100, and may the last voice you hear be mine"---Frank Sinatra
Love
Peter
"May you live to be 100, and may the last voice you hear be mine"---Frank Sinatra
Love
Peter
Monday, October 24, 2011
"Happy Anniversary"
And I'm at home!! And no kids!! And no grandchildren!!
We really don't know what to do with ourselves, this the 24th anniversary of our marriage. But that's okay because our children., led by Miguette, got us a wonderful gift which is going to trigger a little mini vacation. Tickets to Roo's favorite band in concert at the Bell Centre!! I told you I was going to Montreal. Thanks guys, for the once in a lifetime opportunity to see Mumford and Sons live!!
Since I knew about this cool gift in advance, I jumped on the internet and also got us a couple of seats at the Flyers/Habs game the night before. Tickets seem easier to get this year, and if you've watched them you know why! Flights weren't a problem....I got a few air miles!
Wish us a nice time. Roo at least deserves it. Happy anniversary babe!!
(7.3 kms run-36 mins) (1500 metre swim)
"I got you to hold my hand
I got you to understand
I got you to walk with me
I got you to talk with me
I got you to kiss goodnight
I got you to hold me tight
I got you, I won't let go
I got you to love me so"
"I got you Babe"---Sonny Bono
Love
Peter
We really don't know what to do with ourselves, this the 24th anniversary of our marriage. But that's okay because our children., led by Miguette, got us a wonderful gift which is going to trigger a little mini vacation. Tickets to Roo's favorite band in concert at the Bell Centre!! I told you I was going to Montreal. Thanks guys, for the once in a lifetime opportunity to see Mumford and Sons live!!
Since I knew about this cool gift in advance, I jumped on the internet and also got us a couple of seats at the Flyers/Habs game the night before. Tickets seem easier to get this year, and if you've watched them you know why! Flights weren't a problem....I got a few air miles!
Wish us a nice time. Roo at least deserves it. Happy anniversary babe!!
(7.3 kms run-36 mins) (1500 metre swim)
"I got you to hold my hand
I got you to understand
I got you to walk with me
I got you to talk with me
I got you to kiss goodnight
I got you to hold me tight
I got you, I won't let go
I got you to love me so"
"I got you Babe"---Sonny Bono
Love
Peter
Sunday, October 23, 2011
"Is It All Worth It?"
If only the days were about 4 hours longer I could do all the things I want to do in one day without too much stress. It is a struggle sometimes to maintain the pace. Balancing work, training and the stuff that I like to do around here. It makes it so difficult to get a decent nap anymore.
The real problem I know is that I border on obsessive with all 3 of these elements of my life. I have a great employer and so I don't want to let them down even though I could probably get away with coasting for a year or two. As to the work around here, Roo says I should be farming it out but the control freak in me ain't gonna let that happen. So that leaves my training as the only element which may have some flexibility.
And that's really what I'm struggling with. Why am I doing this Ironman thing and what specifically is the goal? I know now that I could significantly back off for several months and still do another sub 12 hour race. Or I could back off even more, focus only on endurance, and still have a decent and even fun race.
But I just can't get my head around that. I have time goals in mind which keep driving me onward, and quite frankly I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. I have to decide what I want....better race times....or naps!
60 km bike- 2 hrs, 6 mins, & weights
"Consciousness: that annoying time between naps."---Anon
Love
Peter
The real problem I know is that I border on obsessive with all 3 of these elements of my life. I have a great employer and so I don't want to let them down even though I could probably get away with coasting for a year or two. As to the work around here, Roo says I should be farming it out but the control freak in me ain't gonna let that happen. So that leaves my training as the only element which may have some flexibility.
And that's really what I'm struggling with. Why am I doing this Ironman thing and what specifically is the goal? I know now that I could significantly back off for several months and still do another sub 12 hour race. Or I could back off even more, focus only on endurance, and still have a decent and even fun race.
But I just can't get my head around that. I have time goals in mind which keep driving me onward, and quite frankly I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. I have to decide what I want....better race times....or naps!
60 km bike- 2 hrs, 6 mins, & weights
"Consciousness: that annoying time between naps."---Anon
Love
Peter
Saturday, October 22, 2011
"Be Not Afraid"
Maybe today I'm gonna surprise you a little. Believe it or not I do have some positive memories of my catholic upbringing, namely the hymns in church. I truly enjoyed listening to them and even more so, singing them. My lousy voice, and my inability to carry a tune were usually nicely camouflaged by the sweet voices of my sisters, and since I knew this, I was not reluctant to add my clamour to the mix. To this day I still have some favorites, not just for the music but even often for the lyrics. Today I give you one that has stayed with me since I first heard it, probably around 1975. It's written by a jesuit priest. :) :) Bob Dufford. Good job Bob!
You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that
I am with you through it all.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
Why do I like it? I think both because it describes my God as I know him/her/it, and because it is just plain good advice.
If I combine it with an expression I learned from the addicts in my life I get
"Just for Today, Be not Afraid"
If just for today we could live without out little fears, and maybe at least dare to try to live without our big fears, how sweet it would be. With the big fears I think it's okay to ask for some help and that's when I turn to the proverbial man upstairs.
So!
If your kids are struggling with life...be not afraid.
If you don't have a great job...be not afraid.
If you are struggling with love...be not afraid.
If you are struggling with money...be not afraid.
If you or someone you love has health issues....be not afraid.
Because, believe it or not, I am 150,000 percent convinced that we are not alone!
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
20 km run, 1hr, 43 mins
"Everyone has to be singing from the same hymn book"---Dean Lombardi
Love
Peter
You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that
I am with you through it all.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
Why do I like it? I think both because it describes my God as I know him/her/it, and because it is just plain good advice.
If I combine it with an expression I learned from the addicts in my life I get
"Just for Today, Be not Afraid"
If just for today we could live without out little fears, and maybe at least dare to try to live without our big fears, how sweet it would be. With the big fears I think it's okay to ask for some help and that's when I turn to the proverbial man upstairs.
So!
If your kids are struggling with life...be not afraid.
If you don't have a great job...be not afraid.
If you are struggling with love...be not afraid.
If you are struggling with money...be not afraid.
If you or someone you love has health issues....be not afraid.
Because, believe it or not, I am 150,000 percent convinced that we are not alone!
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
20 km run, 1hr, 43 mins
"Everyone has to be singing from the same hymn book"---Dean Lombardi
Love
Peter
Friday, October 21, 2011
"The Top Ten Ways You Can Tell That Its Autumn"
I have always appreciated the fact that I live in a fairly moderate climate that goes through a cycle of seasons. I am grateul for all of the cycles as any one of them helps me to appreciate the others more. Often that cycle of seasons has been used as a metaphor for life. If that were the case you would probably agree that I am entering the autumn of my life. I find that thought just a little disconcerting because depending on your specific beliefs, life, unlike the weather, does not have a spring to follow winter, which of course follows the afore-mentioned autumn. Despite that, I accept the vague melancholy that seems to come to me at this time of year as it encourages me to take stock of just where I'm at in life.
So without further ado, here are the top 10 ways you can tell that you are entering the "autumn of your life".
Number Ten!
....You are as happy to sleep in a bed with your grandson as with your wife!
9) You can not sleep at night, but you sure can during the day!
8) You go to bed earlier and get up earlier, and furthermore you like it that way!
7) You physically count your teeth on a regular basis!
6) You no longer eat pizza, and 2 beers is about your limit!
5) You have given up trying to pluck out your grey pubic hairs!
4) You search for stuff in the top drawer of your toolbox by feel, because you can no longer see into it!
3) You only eat ice cream after sex because that sharply reduces your intake of fat calories!
2) You have learned to stand up very slowly, and to sit down very quickly!
....and the number one way you can tell that you have reached the "autumn of your life"...
You accept that no matter how many "last shakes" you give it before you tuck it back in, that there will always be one dribble left for the inside of your pants!!!!
"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."---Stanley Horowitz
“Autumn wins you best by this its mute appeal to sympathy for its decay."---Robert Browning
Love
Peter
So without further ado, here are the top 10 ways you can tell that you are entering the "autumn of your life".
Number Ten!
....You are as happy to sleep in a bed with your grandson as with your wife!
9) You can not sleep at night, but you sure can during the day!
8) You go to bed earlier and get up earlier, and furthermore you like it that way!
7) You physically count your teeth on a regular basis!
6) You no longer eat pizza, and 2 beers is about your limit!
5) You have given up trying to pluck out your grey pubic hairs!
4) You search for stuff in the top drawer of your toolbox by feel, because you can no longer see into it!
3) You only eat ice cream after sex because that sharply reduces your intake of fat calories!
2) You have learned to stand up very slowly, and to sit down very quickly!
....and the number one way you can tell that you have reached the "autumn of your life"...
You accept that no matter how many "last shakes" you give it before you tuck it back in, that there will always be one dribble left for the inside of your pants!!!!
"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."---Stanley Horowitz
“Autumn wins you best by this its mute appeal to sympathy for its decay."---Robert Browning
Love
Peter
Thursday, October 20, 2011
"Dear Friend"
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world."---Leo Buscaglia
Love
Peter
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world."---Leo Buscaglia
Love
Peter
"A Little Religion....Again!"
For you to reject as you will.
Maybe I think too much about this stuff but somehow it seems relevant to me. Perhaps as I continue to age and my immortality seems less certain....
Regardless....
I take as my inspiration for today a thoughtful comment that Betty posted in response to my priest venom! I know that you are absolutely right Betty, there are some very good men that have donned the robes of the Catholic Church. But it is not with the individual that I take exception, it is with the institution. If I were a cynical guy I may even say that the priesthood has a great wealth of dedicated men and women (whoops), well at least dedicated heterosexual men (whoops) and that that it is an open and honest institution that encourages religious freedom. (one last whoops).
It is the institution and it's rules that insist on subduing the individual members...rules that discourage honesty....that discourage freedom of thought...that encourage an obvious hypocrisy. I think it is undeniable. I don't for a second fool myself that it is significanlty different in any organized religion, at least those that preach a some strong dogma of right and wrong. Many in actual fact are much worse than the catholics. Those institutions that would condemn the rest of us to hell and damnation for doing anything they have decided is immoral. That to me is so contrary to any possible way I can envision any god (or at least mine) as wanting us to behave.
But please, please, do not consider my views as being the same kind of condemnation for which I criticixe others. That would be the worst kind of hypocrisy would it not? It just so happens that I don't believe that there is even a hell to send all you sinners off to!! If I did, I would have to acknowledge that I would be going there as well. Not me? Me, I'm going to Montreal!!
Betty, I sincerely hope your priest frind finds his peace on earth, and peace with earth. I think they are worthwhile sentiments.
In my internet wanderings I did come across these 7 principles that a particular organization aspires to. I kind of like them.
We, the member congregations of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , covenant to affirm and promote
-the inherent worth and dignity of every person;
-justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
-acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
-a free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
-the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
-the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
-respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
7 km run, 40 minutes
"We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection."---Dalai Lama
"The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world."---Georgia Harkness
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion."---Steven Weinberg
Love
Peter
Maybe I think too much about this stuff but somehow it seems relevant to me. Perhaps as I continue to age and my immortality seems less certain....
Regardless....
I take as my inspiration for today a thoughtful comment that Betty posted in response to my priest venom! I know that you are absolutely right Betty, there are some very good men that have donned the robes of the Catholic Church. But it is not with the individual that I take exception, it is with the institution. If I were a cynical guy I may even say that the priesthood has a great wealth of dedicated men and women (whoops), well at least dedicated heterosexual men (whoops) and that that it is an open and honest institution that encourages religious freedom. (one last whoops).
It is the institution and it's rules that insist on subduing the individual members...rules that discourage honesty....that discourage freedom of thought...that encourage an obvious hypocrisy. I think it is undeniable. I don't for a second fool myself that it is significanlty different in any organized religion, at least those that preach a some strong dogma of right and wrong. Many in actual fact are much worse than the catholics. Those institutions that would condemn the rest of us to hell and damnation for doing anything they have decided is immoral. That to me is so contrary to any possible way I can envision any god (or at least mine) as wanting us to behave.
But please, please, do not consider my views as being the same kind of condemnation for which I criticixe others. That would be the worst kind of hypocrisy would it not? It just so happens that I don't believe that there is even a hell to send all you sinners off to!! If I did, I would have to acknowledge that I would be going there as well. Not me? Me, I'm going to Montreal!!
Betty, I sincerely hope your priest frind finds his peace on earth, and peace with earth. I think they are worthwhile sentiments.
In my internet wanderings I did come across these 7 principles that a particular organization aspires to. I kind of like them.
We, the member congregations of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , covenant to affirm and promote
-the inherent worth and dignity of every person;
-justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
-acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
-a free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
-the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
-the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
-respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
7 km run, 40 minutes
"We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection."---Dalai Lama
"The tendency to turn human judgments into divine commands makes religion one of the most dangerous forces in the world."---Georgia Harkness
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion."---Steven Weinberg
Love
Peter
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
"B.S."
The first ninety percent of this day was total bullshit. It was a day of people telling me stuff I didn't want to hear.
But at the end of the day....I practiced what I preached....I took my own advice....I got my prioriites straight!
Which meant that instead of spending time writing a decent blog, that I spent time with my mad scientists!
Check it out!
It's amazing what you can make with stuff you have in your cupboards (or at least Roo's cupbpards) if you only know how to mix it together. Colby has the book of course.
35 kms bike, weights
"Everybody's a mad scientist, and life is their lab. We're all trying to experiment to find a way to live, to solve problems, to fend off madness and chaos."---David Cronenberg
Love
peter
Monday, October 17, 2011
"Practice What You Preach"
I know that's not a Rooyakkers family trait but I'm working on it. Of course the problem of genetics has been compounded by the fact that I grew up listening to the Catholic priests who were not always, shall we say, the best role models either? Rather than practicing what they preached, they practiced on those that they preached to. So if taking my own advice is not my strongest trait, you can easily see that I am a vicitm of both nature and nurture.
I also wonder if the reason I am so quick to give counsel to others on any and every topic is because deep down inside I know that I need the very same advice. I had that epiphany today while out doing my 20 km run.
Here's how it came about. Roo often compares her workouts to mine and I repeatedly advise her against it. I strongly believe these comparisons are irrelevant as we are 2 very different physical specimens, with different workout strategies, and different goals. And whether or not she makes the comparisons I know that she is exceptionally fit and quite frankly in better shape then I thought she was. I can tell just by the way she is running, never mind the pace she is running at. After all I've been looking at her butt for some 25 years now and so I know when it looks right!
Anyway, a week or so ago she asked me to come up with a 20k route for her and indeed I did, and indeed she liked it. So today I thought, what the hell, it was a nice loop and since I need to start picking it up a bit I'm gonna do the same route. Of course I knew her time from last week but that was not relevant to me since I know better than to compare. Or did I? Maybe the Catholic in me is still a bit stronger than I thought because about 7 or 8 k into it I realized that I was only about 90 seconds behind her pace, and that if I hung tough that maybe I could make that up.
Why? I really have no idea. I am not in competition with Claudette and quite frankly I am very proud of her abilities. I do not need to run any faster than I curently am, and there is actually a school of thought for Ironman training that says you should do more early runs at a lower heart rate and build very gradually.
Actually that's a lie! I do know why. It was simply easier giving the advice when I ran faster than her! Much harder to practice what I preached when it meant I would be the slower one.
I'm sure you would like to know how the run ended. It was a tough day with very strong winds, my heart rate continued to climb throughout, and I was completely bagged at the end. And yes...in case you care....I was more than a minute slower than her!
Practice What You Preach stupid!
20 km run...1hr, 46 mins
....and this may the most brilliant freaking quote I've found yet....tell me you disagree
"Don't you know, priests, why our sermons do not touch the people's heart? Because we do not preach to the eyes, only to the ears."---Antonio Vieira
Love
Peter
I also wonder if the reason I am so quick to give counsel to others on any and every topic is because deep down inside I know that I need the very same advice. I had that epiphany today while out doing my 20 km run.
Here's how it came about. Roo often compares her workouts to mine and I repeatedly advise her against it. I strongly believe these comparisons are irrelevant as we are 2 very different physical specimens, with different workout strategies, and different goals. And whether or not she makes the comparisons I know that she is exceptionally fit and quite frankly in better shape then I thought she was. I can tell just by the way she is running, never mind the pace she is running at. After all I've been looking at her butt for some 25 years now and so I know when it looks right!
Anyway, a week or so ago she asked me to come up with a 20k route for her and indeed I did, and indeed she liked it. So today I thought, what the hell, it was a nice loop and since I need to start picking it up a bit I'm gonna do the same route. Of course I knew her time from last week but that was not relevant to me since I know better than to compare. Or did I? Maybe the Catholic in me is still a bit stronger than I thought because about 7 or 8 k into it I realized that I was only about 90 seconds behind her pace, and that if I hung tough that maybe I could make that up.
Why? I really have no idea. I am not in competition with Claudette and quite frankly I am very proud of her abilities. I do not need to run any faster than I curently am, and there is actually a school of thought for Ironman training that says you should do more early runs at a lower heart rate and build very gradually.
Actually that's a lie! I do know why. It was simply easier giving the advice when I ran faster than her! Much harder to practice what I preached when it meant I would be the slower one.
I'm sure you would like to know how the run ended. It was a tough day with very strong winds, my heart rate continued to climb throughout, and I was completely bagged at the end. And yes...in case you care....I was more than a minute slower than her!
Practice What You Preach stupid!
20 km run...1hr, 46 mins
....and this may the most brilliant freaking quote I've found yet....tell me you disagree
"Don't you know, priests, why our sermons do not touch the people's heart? Because we do not preach to the eyes, only to the ears."---Antonio Vieira
Love
Peter
Sunday, October 16, 2011
"Humanity"
I am frequently amazed by the accomplishments of our species. Just in my own lifetime the things we have invented, developed, devised and built is astounding . From huge feats of construction, to great works of literature, from breakthroughs in medicine to quantum advancements in robotics and computer technology.
Did you know for example that they can fish a wire up from your leg, through an artery and into your brain, and that they can watch what they're doing while they coil this bit of high tech wire into an aneurism to repair it?
Did you know that they can now drill for oil in ocean waters almost 4 kms deep, and that the rig is mobile?
Did you know that about 10 years ago the computing power of the average cell phone surpassed that of the first lunar lander?
And if you didn't know any of these things, and a whole lot more for that matter, than just ask my grandson, because he does!
What's relevant in that other than the obvious fact that Colby is brilliant, is the simple truth that everyone knows a lot of stuff, and that any of these great advancements are never the result of ones man's endeavours. Every one of the worlds great accomplishments has been achieved either through collaboration, or more often I believe through cumulative efforts over time. One person building on, what someone else built on, what someone else...etc...etc.
I think we should take more pride in ourselves as a species, as opposed to our tendency to hero worship individuals. For example, I am and always have been a big fan of Steve Jobs, but primarily because of his strong, relatively quiet, but unwavering battle against cancer. If you actually start reading his bio and his history with Apple, it becomes patently clear (at least to me) that he was only one cog in the construction of the empire that the company is today, and that the actual technology was developed by thousands upon thousands of hard working and very intelligent people.
So what does all this mean to me? It means that I get to have toys!! I want to tell you about a few that have captured my little boy heart over the last several months, and I want to thank you my fellow world citizens for creating them for me.
When I was a kid we put screws in with a screw driver. Remember them? Now we have cordless, electric impact drivers that don't weigh much more than the aforementioned screw driver, and that a child could use to drive a screw in one side of a two by four and out the other. If you have never tried one of these you need to just once...fyi...sister Cory and brother Terry each have one you can borrow any time, and keep for as long as you like! I just got my own as well but don't even bother to ask
When in our previous marathoning days ( 7-8 years ago) Roo would often do her long runs during the week in order to work around my activities and her parenting functions. Because I worried about her I would sometimes sneak out of work for an hour or so to see if I could find her, just to check check up on her progress and give her a bit of encouragement. Not anymore. This is how it works now. She takes her phone with her (thanks Steve Jobs), and that phone allows her to listen to her music, while at the same time keeps complete and accurate track of her location, her pace, her distance run etc. And what's more it transmits all of that info to the ethernet where I can then follow it live, (including a map) on my phone or a computer, no matter where I am in the world! Amazing eh? But wait! What about the encouragement part you may ask? Ha! No problem. I can type a message to her, and the little application translates it into speech and interupts her music to announce them to her! I like to share positive, almost sublimial thoughts like - "Get it in gear you lazy bitch before I come out there and kick your fat ass into tomorrow!" Now that's amazing!
And one more recent cool bit of technology that you have helped to create for me, my friends of the human race. When I was a kid you made your car go fast by pushing the accelerator pedal (well except for my 66 Ford Custom), and you made it slow down by pushing the brake pedal. Then along came cruise control. A wonderful invention that allowed you to set your vehicle to a preset speed which it would then maintain.
Old news my friends!! My dear spouse just got a new car. Just a middle of the road Ford mind you, not a Cadillac or a BMW - she doesn't have that much money - and it takes cruise control to a whole new level. I just returned from Guelph via the 401, and while on the expressway I drove for 100kms without once touching the gas or the brake!! It has something called 'adaptive cruise control' which automatically adjusts your speed to the vehicle in front of you, governed of course by the maximum speed you set your cruise control to. If the guy ahead of you is going 10 K slower than you, you can choose to simply stay behind him (without doing anything) or simply glide over to any open lane where your car immediately returns to it's former speed. Or if some clown suddenly pulls in right front of you it responds immediately by applying the brakes appropriately. You could be asleep at the time and you would still not hit him. Astounding!!
So thanks again my friends for all your efforts. I'm sure it must be gratifying to know that I am reaping the benefits of all of your collaboration and synergies.
I found it interesting that it was almost impossible to find positive quotes about technology, while negative ones seemed to abound. Here's at least one from a guy who imagined things even Steve Jobs never dreamed of.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."---Arthur C. Clarke
Love
Peter
Did you know for example that they can fish a wire up from your leg, through an artery and into your brain, and that they can watch what they're doing while they coil this bit of high tech wire into an aneurism to repair it?
Did you know that they can now drill for oil in ocean waters almost 4 kms deep, and that the rig is mobile?
Did you know that about 10 years ago the computing power of the average cell phone surpassed that of the first lunar lander?
And if you didn't know any of these things, and a whole lot more for that matter, than just ask my grandson, because he does!
What's relevant in that other than the obvious fact that Colby is brilliant, is the simple truth that everyone knows a lot of stuff, and that any of these great advancements are never the result of ones man's endeavours. Every one of the worlds great accomplishments has been achieved either through collaboration, or more often I believe through cumulative efforts over time. One person building on, what someone else built on, what someone else...etc...etc.
I think we should take more pride in ourselves as a species, as opposed to our tendency to hero worship individuals. For example, I am and always have been a big fan of Steve Jobs, but primarily because of his strong, relatively quiet, but unwavering battle against cancer. If you actually start reading his bio and his history with Apple, it becomes patently clear (at least to me) that he was only one cog in the construction of the empire that the company is today, and that the actual technology was developed by thousands upon thousands of hard working and very intelligent people.
So what does all this mean to me? It means that I get to have toys!! I want to tell you about a few that have captured my little boy heart over the last several months, and I want to thank you my fellow world citizens for creating them for me.
When I was a kid we put screws in with a screw driver. Remember them? Now we have cordless, electric impact drivers that don't weigh much more than the aforementioned screw driver, and that a child could use to drive a screw in one side of a two by four and out the other. If you have never tried one of these you need to just once...fyi...sister Cory and brother Terry each have one you can borrow any time, and keep for as long as you like! I just got my own as well but don't even bother to ask
When in our previous marathoning days ( 7-8 years ago) Roo would often do her long runs during the week in order to work around my activities and her parenting functions. Because I worried about her I would sometimes sneak out of work for an hour or so to see if I could find her, just to check check up on her progress and give her a bit of encouragement. Not anymore. This is how it works now. She takes her phone with her (thanks Steve Jobs), and that phone allows her to listen to her music, while at the same time keeps complete and accurate track of her location, her pace, her distance run etc. And what's more it transmits all of that info to the ethernet where I can then follow it live, (including a map) on my phone or a computer, no matter where I am in the world! Amazing eh? But wait! What about the encouragement part you may ask? Ha! No problem. I can type a message to her, and the little application translates it into speech and interupts her music to announce them to her! I like to share positive, almost sublimial thoughts like - "Get it in gear you lazy bitch before I come out there and kick your fat ass into tomorrow!" Now that's amazing!
And one more recent cool bit of technology that you have helped to create for me, my friends of the human race. When I was a kid you made your car go fast by pushing the accelerator pedal (well except for my 66 Ford Custom), and you made it slow down by pushing the brake pedal. Then along came cruise control. A wonderful invention that allowed you to set your vehicle to a preset speed which it would then maintain.
Old news my friends!! My dear spouse just got a new car. Just a middle of the road Ford mind you, not a Cadillac or a BMW - she doesn't have that much money - and it takes cruise control to a whole new level. I just returned from Guelph via the 401, and while on the expressway I drove for 100kms without once touching the gas or the brake!! It has something called 'adaptive cruise control' which automatically adjusts your speed to the vehicle in front of you, governed of course by the maximum speed you set your cruise control to. If the guy ahead of you is going 10 K slower than you, you can choose to simply stay behind him (without doing anything) or simply glide over to any open lane where your car immediately returns to it's former speed. Or if some clown suddenly pulls in right front of you it responds immediately by applying the brakes appropriately. You could be asleep at the time and you would still not hit him. Astounding!!
So thanks again my friends for all your efforts. I'm sure it must be gratifying to know that I am reaping the benefits of all of your collaboration and synergies.
I found it interesting that it was almost impossible to find positive quotes about technology, while negative ones seemed to abound. Here's at least one from a guy who imagined things even Steve Jobs never dreamed of.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."---Arthur C. Clarke
Love
Peter
Saturday, October 15, 2011
"That's It"
The only hockey I'm watching for this entire season is my granddaughters. I can watch Roos videos of her on facebook and grin from ear to ear, or I can turn Hockey Night in Canada on and let Don Cherry make me nauseous! I mean the guy makes me want to "puke"....pun intended Don!!
Oh and did I mention that my Habs suck! Another good reason to watch Kylie....and Colby....and Roo! It's good to have options.
10km run, 50 mins
"Every day you guys look worse and worse. And today you played like tomorrow.”---John Mariucci
Love
peter
Oh and did I mention that my Habs suck! Another good reason to watch Kylie....and Colby....and Roo! It's good to have options.
10km run, 50 mins
"Every day you guys look worse and worse. And today you played like tomorrow.”---John Mariucci
Love
peter
Friday, October 14, 2011
"Time Flies"
It just amazes me actually. I can still remember as a young teenager thinking that adulthood was so very far away. Five years seemed an eternity, and a lifetime seemed infinite. Why does that change with age? I wish I knew, because then perhaps I could recapture that "infinite" feeling. Or is that even the best thing? Maybe it is more important to focus on getting a "mortality" feeling to sink in? At least to the point that one truly focuses on what's important every day.
Or then again, like most things, maybe a little of each is called for. To imagine life and all it's possibilities still stretching ahead of you, combined with a healthy respect for the fact that it's still gonna end sometime.
I think my current Ironman endeavour may make a good metaphor for the passing of the years. I started the current blog, what, a couple of weeks ago, and my journey has just begun. Tons of time to enjoy the experience and get the fulfillment I search for. Well actually this is day 47, and the original 12 months is already down to 10 1/2!! That quickly puts a perspective on it for me. Best enjoy the day I guess....oh and tomorrow too!
I did have a positive training day, motivated by my very own "priorities" post of yesterday. I got to the pool for a bit, and I got my bike on the trainer downstairs. I actually enjoyed both workouts, and I know it was because I had my head on straight. I was spending time doing those things that I truly wanted to be doing.
And one last thing. Since Cory can't seem to post on the blog I will add an insult on her behalf. I know you all miss her sharp wit and so here's what I thought she may say if she had the chance.
"I think that you were right way back then Peter. Adulthood was, and still is, so very far away for you"
Swim 1000 metres, 45 mins computrainer.
“Eternity is really long, especially near the end"---Woody Allen
"As if you could kill time without injuring eternity."---Henry David Thoreau
....and I really, really like both of these. I wish I has such thoughts and words....
"If a thing loves, it is infinite."---William Blake
"I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us- everything that exists - proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision."---Thomas Edison
Love
Peter
Or then again, like most things, maybe a little of each is called for. To imagine life and all it's possibilities still stretching ahead of you, combined with a healthy respect for the fact that it's still gonna end sometime.
I think my current Ironman endeavour may make a good metaphor for the passing of the years. I started the current blog, what, a couple of weeks ago, and my journey has just begun. Tons of time to enjoy the experience and get the fulfillment I search for. Well actually this is day 47, and the original 12 months is already down to 10 1/2!! That quickly puts a perspective on it for me. Best enjoy the day I guess....oh and tomorrow too!
I did have a positive training day, motivated by my very own "priorities" post of yesterday. I got to the pool for a bit, and I got my bike on the trainer downstairs. I actually enjoyed both workouts, and I know it was because I had my head on straight. I was spending time doing those things that I truly wanted to be doing.
And one last thing. Since Cory can't seem to post on the blog I will add an insult on her behalf. I know you all miss her sharp wit and so here's what I thought she may say if she had the chance.
"I think that you were right way back then Peter. Adulthood was, and still is, so very far away for you"
Swim 1000 metres, 45 mins computrainer.
“Eternity is really long, especially near the end"---Woody Allen
"As if you could kill time without injuring eternity."---Henry David Thoreau
....and I really, really like both of these. I wish I has such thoughts and words....
"If a thing loves, it is infinite."---William Blake
"I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us- everything that exists - proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision."---Thomas Edison
Love
Peter
Thursday, October 13, 2011
"Priorities"
Q: What are you're priorities?
A: Those thiings that you put (do) first on a regular basis.
That may seem self evident but today I caught myself in the lie we sometimes live. Sometimes we state our priorities but then totally disprove the statement by spending time doing anything but. The truth is undeniable. We prove our real priorities but what we "do" not by what we "say"!
In my case it was about 5:30 pm and after a fairly busy day at my paying job I was scrambling around trying to winterize this place I call home. I told myself that I would just finish with the RV--then I would have some supper--then I would quickly run up town and take care of an errand that needed done--then I would do my weights--then--then it hit me! That's the same thing I've said to myself for the last several days in a row, and guess what? I never did the weights because I would be just plain wore out from all those other activities....activities that I don't state as a priority.
I closed the hatches on the RV, went inside and changed, and went downstairs and had a very good workout. I'm pretty sure I will get back into it regularly. I"m gonna make it a priority!
So what are your priorities? Sit down at the end of any day and look back at what you did that day. No matter how you may try to deny it, the fact is that your activities prove your priorities. Any talk to the contrary is just wind.
As I just about closed this post out one more thought occurred to me. That perhaps these little lies we live every day about our priorities are a major impediment in our pursuit of happiness. If we truly believe in a certain path, then why are we not on that path?
For example.
If my family is a priority but then I don't spend quality time with them, then it's only wind.
If my Ironman is a priority but I don't do the workouts, then it's only wind.
If I want to improve my body composition but I just ate a chocolate cake, then it's only wind.
If I state that money is irrelevent to my well being and yet continue to worry, then it's only wind.
etc.etc
11 km run-58 mins, weights-60 mins
"A lot of people say they want to get out of pain, and I'm sure that's true, but they aren't willing to make healing a high priority. They aren't willing to look inside to see the source of their pain in order to deal with it."---Lindsay Wagner
....and I swear to God that I found the following quote by the grand master after I wrote the post!!! He says it all in 3 words.
"Action expresses priorities."---Mohandas Gandhi
Love
Peter
A: Those thiings that you put (do) first on a regular basis.
That may seem self evident but today I caught myself in the lie we sometimes live. Sometimes we state our priorities but then totally disprove the statement by spending time doing anything but. The truth is undeniable. We prove our real priorities but what we "do" not by what we "say"!
In my case it was about 5:30 pm and after a fairly busy day at my paying job I was scrambling around trying to winterize this place I call home. I told myself that I would just finish with the RV--then I would have some supper--then I would quickly run up town and take care of an errand that needed done--then I would do my weights--then--then it hit me! That's the same thing I've said to myself for the last several days in a row, and guess what? I never did the weights because I would be just plain wore out from all those other activities....activities that I don't state as a priority.
I closed the hatches on the RV, went inside and changed, and went downstairs and had a very good workout. I'm pretty sure I will get back into it regularly. I"m gonna make it a priority!
So what are your priorities? Sit down at the end of any day and look back at what you did that day. No matter how you may try to deny it, the fact is that your activities prove your priorities. Any talk to the contrary is just wind.
As I just about closed this post out one more thought occurred to me. That perhaps these little lies we live every day about our priorities are a major impediment in our pursuit of happiness. If we truly believe in a certain path, then why are we not on that path?
For example.
If my family is a priority but then I don't spend quality time with them, then it's only wind.
If my Ironman is a priority but I don't do the workouts, then it's only wind.
If I want to improve my body composition but I just ate a chocolate cake, then it's only wind.
If I state that money is irrelevent to my well being and yet continue to worry, then it's only wind.
etc.etc
11 km run-58 mins, weights-60 mins
"A lot of people say they want to get out of pain, and I'm sure that's true, but they aren't willing to make healing a high priority. They aren't willing to look inside to see the source of their pain in order to deal with it."---Lindsay Wagner
....and I swear to God that I found the following quote by the grand master after I wrote the post!!! He says it all in 3 words.
"Action expresses priorities."---Mohandas Gandhi
Love
Peter
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
"TRY NOT"
OK!
I'm too lazy to try anyway!
But I got just enough ambition to share a few words about my wife. Today we took her to Canadian Tire and bought her some new hockey equipment. I think her old stuff was something Yvan Cournoyer threw away 30 years ago. Anyway, the relevant point is that at almost 50 years old she is taking up hockey again. And what's really amazing is that it's not really an event from the physical perspective. Because she takes such good care of herself she will not miss a beat. I'm really quite proud of her...just don't tell her please.
“You can't teach people to be lazy - either they have it, or they don't."---Dagwood Bumstead
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy".---Charley McCarthy
Love
Peter
I'm too lazy to try anyway!
But I got just enough ambition to share a few words about my wife. Today we took her to Canadian Tire and bought her some new hockey equipment. I think her old stuff was something Yvan Cournoyer threw away 30 years ago. Anyway, the relevant point is that at almost 50 years old she is taking up hockey again. And what's really amazing is that it's not really an event from the physical perspective. Because she takes such good care of herself she will not miss a beat. I'm really quite proud of her...just don't tell her please.
“You can't teach people to be lazy - either they have it, or they don't."---Dagwood Bumstead
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy".---Charley McCarthy
Love
Peter
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
"The Top ten Ways to Improve Your Body Composition"
Whatever the hell that means? Normally it would suggest more muscle, less fat, but like all things this is relative. What it means to me is simply "feeling taller". I believe that if you "feel" taller you are probably healthier. Feeling taller is about optimism, self confidence, looking up and looking ahead. It's about feeling in control of your life.....feeling worthy. For most people these things are impacted by their sense of physical self. I know it is a powerful consideration in my life. I'm not trying tp preach however, and unlike all the TV ads I make no promises that my top ten will work for you. I just know they work for me, and I feel so blessed that many of them have been finally forced upon me by life!
Anyhoooooo. Here Goes!
10) never, ever, ever....ever, ever.... eat potatoes in any form that have first been deep fried...chips. fries etc. I believe that this western habit is almost singlehandedly responsible for the horrible deterioration of the health of our children. It has for the last 35 years been my geatest 'body composition' challenge, finally put to rest by Dr Hammond and his radiation machine. Thank you cancer!!
9) get your heart rate up (way up)...at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes...yah!
8) count calories....to make sure you are getting enough, especially in the morning...eat a large breakfast damn it!
7) count fat calories to make sure you're not getting too many....that will defeat everything else
6) lift weights....this one is a beaut....a double whammy in that it builds muscle, while it hurrys up your metabolism which burns fat. It don't matter what the weights are either...thay don't need to be fancy.
5) ignore all diets....every last effin one of them....they know nothing about you!
4) if you can't ignore what it says then throw the stupid bathroom scale away...it is counter productive. You are not trying to lose weight, you're trying to feel taller!
3) go outside in all kinds of weather, night or day, and as often as you can.
2) find a special reason, some kind of challenge to stay motivated. Whatever that may mean for you, but it should be something that will make you feel taller
.....and the number one way to improve your body composiiton.....
1) ....listen to my wife....the bitch knows!!!
50 km bike ride...1hr, 40 mins
"If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution."---anon
"Don't go out of your weigh to please anyone but yourself."---anon
"Life's a bitch, and life's got lots of sisters"---Ross Presser
Love
Peter
Anyhoooooo. Here Goes!
10) never, ever, ever....ever, ever.... eat potatoes in any form that have first been deep fried...chips. fries etc. I believe that this western habit is almost singlehandedly responsible for the horrible deterioration of the health of our children. It has for the last 35 years been my geatest 'body composition' challenge, finally put to rest by Dr Hammond and his radiation machine. Thank you cancer!!
9) get your heart rate up (way up)...at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes...yah!
8) count calories....to make sure you are getting enough, especially in the morning...eat a large breakfast damn it!
7) count fat calories to make sure you're not getting too many....that will defeat everything else
6) lift weights....this one is a beaut....a double whammy in that it builds muscle, while it hurrys up your metabolism which burns fat. It don't matter what the weights are either...thay don't need to be fancy.
5) ignore all diets....every last effin one of them....they know nothing about you!
4) if you can't ignore what it says then throw the stupid bathroom scale away...it is counter productive. You are not trying to lose weight, you're trying to feel taller!
3) go outside in all kinds of weather, night or day, and as often as you can.
2) find a special reason, some kind of challenge to stay motivated. Whatever that may mean for you, but it should be something that will make you feel taller
.....and the number one way to improve your body composiiton.....
1) ....listen to my wife....the bitch knows!!!
50 km bike ride...1hr, 40 mins
"If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution."---anon
"Don't go out of your weigh to please anyone but yourself."---anon
"Life's a bitch, and life's got lots of sisters"---Ross Presser
Love
Peter
Monday, October 10, 2011
"A B C"
What are you thankful for today? Here's my ABC's.....a trick I learned from sister Mary!
Adrian & aunt annie
Alisha & aunt annies alligator
Biking & barbers, babies and bubbles
Colby & camels on the ceiling
Driving & a duck dog too
Eating & ears, eggs, and elephants
Family & fiffer feffer feffs
Gravity & goats, and googoo goggles
Home & a hen in a hat
Ironman & Ichabod
Jonathan & jelly jars and jam
Kylie & a kings kerchoo
Learning & little lola lopp
Michael & many mumbling mice
Miguette & midnight music in the moonlight
Neighbours & nine new neckties
Open air & oscars only ostrich
Peter & painting pink pyjamas
Questions & the guick queen of quincy
Roo & rosies red rhinoceros
Swimming & silly sammy slick
Tractor & tuttle tuttle trees
Underwear & uncle ubbs umbrella
Visiting & vera violet vinn
Weather(all kinds) & willi waterloo
Xtended family & nixie knox
You...all of you! & young yolanda yorgensen
Zzzzzzs. & of course, the zizzer zazz zuzz
10.33 km run...51 mins
“Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky!”---Dr Seuss
love
peter
Adrian & aunt annie
Alisha & aunt annies alligator
Biking & barbers, babies and bubbles
Colby & camels on the ceiling
Driving & a duck dog too
Eating & ears, eggs, and elephants
Family & fiffer feffer feffs
Gravity & goats, and googoo goggles
Home & a hen in a hat
Ironman & Ichabod
Jonathan & jelly jars and jam
Kylie & a kings kerchoo
Learning & little lola lopp
Michael & many mumbling mice
Miguette & midnight music in the moonlight
Neighbours & nine new neckties
Open air & oscars only ostrich
Peter & painting pink pyjamas
Questions & the guick queen of quincy
Roo & rosies red rhinoceros
Swimming & silly sammy slick
Tractor & tuttle tuttle trees
Underwear & uncle ubbs umbrella
Visiting & vera violet vinn
Weather(all kinds) & willi waterloo
Xtended family & nixie knox
You...all of you! & young yolanda yorgensen
Zzzzzzs. & of course, the zizzer zazz zuzz
10.33 km run...51 mins
“Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky!”---Dr Seusslove
peter
Sunday, October 9, 2011
"Family Day"
Too bad Jon and Alisha couldn't make it but we had lots of fun anyway.
I had a great day overall as suddenly I feel like I came out of my training funk. And I woke up to a perfect day for a bike ride. Not too hot, not too cold, and no winds, so I took advantage.
Before all that my day started out in a magical way when I woke up with the sun....instead of 3 hours before! That's the first time that has happened since I arrived in China almost 3 weeks ago. Hopefully it's the start of a trend.
87 kms bike ...2hrs, 54 mins
"We cannot destroy kindred: our chains stretch a little sometimes, but they never break."---Marquise de Sévigné
Love
Peter
Before all that my day started out in a magical way when I woke up with the sun....instead of 3 hours before! That's the first time that has happened since I arrived in China almost 3 weeks ago. Hopefully it's the start of a trend.
87 kms bike ...2hrs, 54 mins
"We cannot destroy kindred: our chains stretch a little sometimes, but they never break."---Marquise de Sévigné
Love
Peter
Saturday, October 8, 2011
"The Big One"
I am following my co-worker on-line today as he competes in Ironman Hawaii....the big one! Despite the amount of Ironman distance races that take place world wide, the mystique of Kona still remains a huge attraction for triathletes everywhere. This is the 34th year of the event but actually the 35th race, as they had 2 races in 1982. (they moved the race from the spring to the fall). My claim to fame is that my 2009 Ironman Canada time was faster then the winner of the first Ironman Hawaii by about 10 minutes! They've gotten considerably faster since then but Hawaii is still considered to be one of the tougher courses. Ironman Canada was not long behind as its inaugural year was 1983, and is also considered to be a tough event. There are about 25 races world wide now and I believe the world record is about 7:50 set at Ironman Austria. Strange as it may seem the country of mountains has a very flat course.
Do I ever want to go to Hawaii? Maybe. It's not easy to get into the race as you can imagine, but it gets easier as you get older. Attrition!! I think it would make for a fine holiday, but how do I get my RV there?
So just quickly on my training overall. Quite frankly I'm not too impressed so far. I have not spent any time in the pool to speak of and although I got the weight thing started when I was in China, I have let it lag (no pun intended) since returning. I ran 15 kms today and felt absolutely awful, almost quitting at one point. With the China interruption my cycling has tailed way off as well.
Am I stressed? I'm not too worried yet actually. I think if I get more serious by the start of December I will be fine, I just know that I'm really missing an opportunity to fix my swim and to build strength. If anyone has any inspiration to get me motivated I would love to hear it.
Run...15.5 kms, 1hr 20 mins
"A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough."---John Christian Bovee
...and one cause I like it...
"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how."---Frieddrich Nietszche
Love
Peter
Do I ever want to go to Hawaii? Maybe. It's not easy to get into the race as you can imagine, but it gets easier as you get older. Attrition!! I think it would make for a fine holiday, but how do I get my RV there?
So just quickly on my training overall. Quite frankly I'm not too impressed so far. I have not spent any time in the pool to speak of and although I got the weight thing started when I was in China, I have let it lag (no pun intended) since returning. I ran 15 kms today and felt absolutely awful, almost quitting at one point. With the China interruption my cycling has tailed way off as well.
Am I stressed? I'm not too worried yet actually. I think if I get more serious by the start of December I will be fine, I just know that I'm really missing an opportunity to fix my swim and to build strength. If anyone has any inspiration to get me motivated I would love to hear it.
Run...15.5 kms, 1hr 20 mins
"A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough."---John Christian Bovee
...and one cause I like it...
"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how."---Frieddrich Nietszche
Love
Peter
Friday, October 7, 2011
"Such Pressure"
The other day my dear son Michael had the nerve to diss me publicly right on my own blog. Apparently the whole thing is getting a little boring for him. Don't you know Michael what kind of pressure that puts me under? Don't you care?
Here I sit at my kitchen table at 8 pm just wracking my overworked brain to come up with something to keep you entertained. Guess what? It ain't working and I don't care. Well actually that's not completely true. No, not the "don't care" part....that parts true. However I did actually come up with a decent idea I just ain't gonna tell you what it is until you apologize.
Well actually that's not true either. I am gonna tell you about it just not today. You may find this hard to believe but I am still struggling with jet lag. I still wake up way too early in the morning, usually with a headache (I'm not the headache type), and at this time of day I get so drowsy I can hardly hold my head up. I also get unusually anxious and irritable, and find it hard to concentrate or get motivated. And no, before you say it, I don't think that's the normal me.
I think tomorrow's gonna be a good day however. I'm gonna try to sleep as long as I can and then have a nice long workout. I'm also thinking of cooking the turkey tomorrow for the family gathering on Sunday. I hope that either the workout, or the turkey cooking, stimulates the creative juices. After all Mikey will be coming for dinner so I gotta be sharp.
"No pressure, no diamonds."---Thomas Carlyle
....and here's one of those just perfect quotes I sometime stumble upon...
"Under pressure, people admit to murder, setting fire to the village church or robbing a bank, but never to being bores."---Elsa Maxwell.
Love
Peter
Here I sit at my kitchen table at 8 pm just wracking my overworked brain to come up with something to keep you entertained. Guess what? It ain't working and I don't care. Well actually that's not completely true. No, not the "don't care" part....that parts true. However I did actually come up with a decent idea I just ain't gonna tell you what it is until you apologize.
Well actually that's not true either. I am gonna tell you about it just not today. You may find this hard to believe but I am still struggling with jet lag. I still wake up way too early in the morning, usually with a headache (I'm not the headache type), and at this time of day I get so drowsy I can hardly hold my head up. I also get unusually anxious and irritable, and find it hard to concentrate or get motivated. And no, before you say it, I don't think that's the normal me.
I think tomorrow's gonna be a good day however. I'm gonna try to sleep as long as I can and then have a nice long workout. I'm also thinking of cooking the turkey tomorrow for the family gathering on Sunday. I hope that either the workout, or the turkey cooking, stimulates the creative juices. After all Mikey will be coming for dinner so I gotta be sharp.
"No pressure, no diamonds."---Thomas Carlyle
....and here's one of those just perfect quotes I sometime stumble upon...
"Under pressure, people admit to murder, setting fire to the village church or robbing a bank, but never to being bores."---Elsa Maxwell.
Love
Peter
Thursday, October 6, 2011
"The Top Ten Ways You Can Tell You're a Serious Runner"
10)You have 5 heart rate monitor chest straps. The wrist portion always wears out first.
9) You have a jar of vaseline in every room of the house. Can't have too much vaseline!
8) You consider 15 kms a quick jog before dinner.
7) After you have thrown out all of your old running shoes you find that you still have 7 pair left.
6) You hate all dogs, and even some cats.
5) You have tee-shirts older than your adult children.
4) You drill holes in your toe nails to relieve the pressure of broken blood vessels.
3) You wear white socks with a suit
2) You think that baseball, football and basketball are all stupid sports.
....and the number one way you can tell you're a serious runner...
1) You have an entire room of your house dedicated to storing your running gear!
"Serious sport is war minus the shooting."---George Orwell
love
Peter
9) You have a jar of vaseline in every room of the house. Can't have too much vaseline!
8) You consider 15 kms a quick jog before dinner.
7) After you have thrown out all of your old running shoes you find that you still have 7 pair left.
6) You hate all dogs, and even some cats.
5) You have tee-shirts older than your adult children.
4) You drill holes in your toe nails to relieve the pressure of broken blood vessels.
3) You wear white socks with a suit
2) You think that baseball, football and basketball are all stupid sports.
....and the number one way you can tell you're a serious runner...
1) You have an entire room of your house dedicated to storing your running gear!
"Serious sport is war minus the shooting."---George Orwell
love
Peter
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
"IF"
IF I had a friend?
and
IF she also happened to be the friend that my wife holds dearest in this world.
and
IF she were just told that she has cancer....again?
and
IF I thought I was qualified to share some wisdom with her?
and
IF I dared to hope that it may help her?
and
IF I could keep my own fears out of it?
and
IF she even wanted to hear it?
....what would I say....
I would say.
My dear, dear friend. I love you. I am scared for you, and for me because I care so much for you. This does not seem fair. Both that you have to face this again, and also that it is you, not me, having to deal with it.. I'm not sure how I would cope if it were me. But it is not, and so I can choose to feel quilty about that or not. Somehow that would be selfish. So I choose to not burden you in that way. Because this is not about me, it is about you.
And I know you! Yes I see you, and I know you. You can not hide the person you really are after being so open about yourself for as long as I have known you.
You are a fighter! You have never had an easy road and maybe that is because you needed to be prepared for this difficult time. As horrible as it sounds you are practiced at dealing with the worst crap life has to offer. But you are a fighter and I expect no less from you now. You once beat this illness and you will again. I know this because beating the disease is not about the physical battle at all. It is not about whether you get sick or even if you die.
It is about your attitude. It is about continuing to be the kind, decent person you have always been. It is about continuing to be the devoted parent, the loving grandmother and the most giving friend I have ever had the privilege of knowing. It is about continuing to be you!
I would also tell you to try not to worry about things too much. The old adage about taking things one day at a time is doubly true when faced with a life crisis. Things change so quickly in the field of medicine that todays death sentence, is tomorrows routine concern. All that the doctors can really do is give you statistics based on the past. And one thing I know for certain is that the past does not equal the future. Also, when it comes to determing the length of our lives, the decision maker is not a doctor, he is not a priest and in fact it is not even ourselves. The decision maker does not have an address on this planet.
I would also tell you my belief that the only thing you really have of value in this life is the relationships you build. When I see you and my wife together in one of your little 'tete a tete' conversations I am always amazed. If I were not so grateful for the friendship you have given her for the last 20 plus years I may even be a little jealous. However the easy comfort you have for each other immediately dispels that. As opposed to jealousy, the feeling that comes to me is one of gratitude. I actually bask in the glow of the relationship that the 2 of you have. I would tell you that now is the time to lean on that relationship.
...and so....
IF I had such a friend?
I would offer her only the same thing she would offer Roo and I if the roles were reversed. That is our unconditional, and unlimited love and support, in whatever form that may take. For her to access anything that is within our power to provide, all she would have to do is make the need known.
"IF you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
IF you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
IF you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same
IF you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: 'Hold on'; "---Rudyard Kipling
"IF I knew then what I know now
I thought I did you know somehow
IF I could have the time again
I'd take the sunshine, leave the rain
IF only time would trickle slow
Like rain that melts the falling snow.
IF only Lord if only"---Roger Whittaker
"Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul"---Jim Valvano
Please keep my friend in your thoughts and prayers.
Love
Peter
and
IF she also happened to be the friend that my wife holds dearest in this world.
and
IF she were just told that she has cancer....again?
and
IF I thought I was qualified to share some wisdom with her?
and
IF I dared to hope that it may help her?
and
IF I could keep my own fears out of it?
and
IF she even wanted to hear it?
....what would I say....
I would say.
My dear, dear friend. I love you. I am scared for you, and for me because I care so much for you. This does not seem fair. Both that you have to face this again, and also that it is you, not me, having to deal with it.. I'm not sure how I would cope if it were me. But it is not, and so I can choose to feel quilty about that or not. Somehow that would be selfish. So I choose to not burden you in that way. Because this is not about me, it is about you.
And I know you! Yes I see you, and I know you. You can not hide the person you really are after being so open about yourself for as long as I have known you.
You are a fighter! You have never had an easy road and maybe that is because you needed to be prepared for this difficult time. As horrible as it sounds you are practiced at dealing with the worst crap life has to offer. But you are a fighter and I expect no less from you now. You once beat this illness and you will again. I know this because beating the disease is not about the physical battle at all. It is not about whether you get sick or even if you die.
It is about your attitude. It is about continuing to be the kind, decent person you have always been. It is about continuing to be the devoted parent, the loving grandmother and the most giving friend I have ever had the privilege of knowing. It is about continuing to be you!
I would also tell you to try not to worry about things too much. The old adage about taking things one day at a time is doubly true when faced with a life crisis. Things change so quickly in the field of medicine that todays death sentence, is tomorrows routine concern. All that the doctors can really do is give you statistics based on the past. And one thing I know for certain is that the past does not equal the future. Also, when it comes to determing the length of our lives, the decision maker is not a doctor, he is not a priest and in fact it is not even ourselves. The decision maker does not have an address on this planet.
I would also tell you my belief that the only thing you really have of value in this life is the relationships you build. When I see you and my wife together in one of your little 'tete a tete' conversations I am always amazed. If I were not so grateful for the friendship you have given her for the last 20 plus years I may even be a little jealous. However the easy comfort you have for each other immediately dispels that. As opposed to jealousy, the feeling that comes to me is one of gratitude. I actually bask in the glow of the relationship that the 2 of you have. I would tell you that now is the time to lean on that relationship.
...and so....
IF I had such a friend?
I would offer her only the same thing she would offer Roo and I if the roles were reversed. That is our unconditional, and unlimited love and support, in whatever form that may take. For her to access anything that is within our power to provide, all she would have to do is make the need known.
"IF you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
IF you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
IF you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same
IF you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: 'Hold on'; "---Rudyard Kipling
"IF I knew then what I know now
I thought I did you know somehow
IF I could have the time again
I'd take the sunshine, leave the rain
IF only time would trickle slow
Like rain that melts the falling snow.
IF only Lord if only"---Roger Whittaker
"Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul"---Jim Valvano
Please keep my friend in your thoughts and prayers.
Love
Peter
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
"No Nap Today"
I slept til 4:30 this morning which is good progress. I'm hoping that if I can hang on until about 9 pm before I crash that maybe I'll have a chance of 8 hours sleep. That would be sweet.
For todays health lesson I give you this excellent article on HPV related oral cancers, which is probably what I had. At the time they couldn't positively differentiate but I believe they can now. The good news is that the survival rate for victims of this type of cancer is considerably higher than for those suffering from tobacco related oropharyngeal cancers. The bad news according to my doctor, is that if they had known what they know now, even 4 years ago, that most likely they could have been more conservative with my treatment. That of course would mean a whole lot less treatment related complications. Oh well. It is what it is, and as people are fond of saying, "it's better than the alternative".
No workout today.
"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."---Barbara Jordan
Love
Peter
For todays health lesson I give you this excellent article on HPV related oral cancers, which is probably what I had. At the time they couldn't positively differentiate but I believe they can now. The good news is that the survival rate for victims of this type of cancer is considerably higher than for those suffering from tobacco related oropharyngeal cancers. The bad news according to my doctor, is that if they had known what they know now, even 4 years ago, that most likely they could have been more conservative with my treatment. That of course would mean a whole lot less treatment related complications. Oh well. It is what it is, and as people are fond of saying, "it's better than the alternative".
No workout today.
"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."---Barbara Jordan
Love
Peter
Monday, October 3, 2011
"I Don't Know What To Say!""
As soon as I sat down to share some thoughts the fatigue grabbed me and I can't keep my eyes open. They say there is no normal for the way travelling across time zones affects individuals, but if there was a scale it seems that I must be way off it. All the literature suggests that it is easier travelling west than east but I didn't do either...or maybe I did both! That's what it feels like anyway.
I promise that when I get over this I will make it up.
7.3 km run, 36 nins
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired." Fanny Lou Hamer
Love
Peter
I promise that when I get over this I will make it up.
7.3 km run, 36 nins
"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired." Fanny Lou Hamer
Love
Peter
Sunday, October 2, 2011
"All Messed Up"
In order to avoid another jet lag rant I will just say hello, and good bye. Talk to you tomorrow.
7.3 beautiful, early fall kilometres...36 mins
“Hello lamp post, what ya knowin'? I come to watch your flowers growin'. Ain't you got no rhymes for me? do do do do... feelin' groovy."---Paul Simon
"Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!"---Anon
....and I thought this might be good advice...
"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."---Pablo Picasso
Love
Peter
7.3 beautiful, early fall kilometres...36 mins
“Hello lamp post, what ya knowin'? I come to watch your flowers growin'. Ain't you got no rhymes for me? do do do do... feelin' groovy."---Paul Simon
"Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!"---Anon
....and I thought this might be good advice...
"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."---Pablo Picasso
Love
Peter
Saturday, October 1, 2011
"Enough Said"
Twenty hours from Shanghai hotel to "home sweet home"! Now to figure out how to get to sleep at 11 am?
Workout today...5 trips to the bathroom on the flight!
“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to."---John Pearce
Love
Peter
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