Back to work for the last three days of the year. We did paddle pool this morning. It's always cold in there but the temp dropped to -13 last night. I kept my Lifa on throughout the workout and my feet were frozen like spring training by the time we were done. There's slightly more snow at work than at home but it's the sifted icing sugar variety. A city worker used a leaf-blower to clear the sidewalks and paths around the Etobicoke city centre.

So on Christmas day Ryan and I ended up seeing Sherlock Holmes - great movie! We had planned to see more than one but took too long eating breakfast, then I still had to wrap a bunch of presents. That set us back a bit. We saw the show at the AMC near my place, then had about an hour to kill between the movie and leaving for dinner. We watched half of 500 Days of Summer back at my house.

When it was time to leave, it was pouring rain and the temperature hovered around the freezing mark. Ryan offered to drive to Laurel's and then bring me home again but I didn't want to make him drive two hours out of his way in these conditions. The rain would turn the roads to black ice if the temperature dropped even half a degree. Ryan lives about 10 minutes from Laurel's place. Since Greece, I'm much more aware of my son's safety. I don't ever want to be responsible for putting him in danger again - age doesn't come into it anymore - so I decided we should take our own cars.

Dinner was great, as always. My sister is a really good cook. Tara & Melissa helped with a couple of the side dishes but Melissa didn't leave her wing of the house the entire time we were there. She's nineteen but has apparently been having a tough start to 2nd year at Queens which has resulted in "issues" when "dealing" with people. Every family has their way of coping with eating and/or anxiety/stress disorders but from my observation, money becomes a buffer against common sense. I am so confused about what's going on, the story changes, so all I can do is sit and wait for the dust to settle. We left shortly after exchanging gifts with the rest of the family. I think I've finally convinced my sister that we should all go away somewhere warm and beachy for next Christmas.

Boxing day, I stayed in bed until 9:30, getting up for paddle pool at the last possible second(seriously, none of us could remember why we decided to go but all five of us were glad we did!). Afterwards, everyone had to rush off but I had time to stop at Starbucks for a coffee.

I'm always wondering if I'd be happier in a downtown condo but on days like this, with time to just sit and take in the view, I love where I live. I sat at the north-east corner table, looking across at the lighthouse with the river in behind. A group of runners went by in their Running Room penguin jackets, chatting and laughing. I watched the lake swell push tiny crests up the river. Very relaxing, kinda hypnotic.

Surprisingly, Port Credit still has that small town atmosphere. It's too bad there are so many condos going up along Lakeshore. (Which reminds me that there are a few more photos to take for my boxing day, year-end wrap-up.). Things will change dramatically over the next few years. But today I could still believe that PC is just a small, harbour town. I watched a man walk up the public boat ramp from the river leading some sort of waterfowl parade. A long line of geese, ducks, a single swan and one or two seagulls followed him across the parking lot and gathered around the back of his pickup truck. Clearly this was a regular thing. He scooped and spread birdseed like a pro. My guess is he's spent some time in a barnyard because these weren't the actions of a weekender. They come down to the river to entertain their small children and get rid of their stale bread. This man clearly felt responsible for the birds' upkeep.

On Sunday, it was ridiculously warm with some weak sunlight.
I've wrecked my left foot somehow and can't run so, desperate to get some exercise, I went for a 25km bike ride. I doubled up on the layers and wore my x-c ski gloves. Perfect temp (although my earlobes were exposed).

I'd started my ride by heading towards Oakville. I ran into Stringer and his two kids on my way out of our neighbourhood. We chatted for a bit - they're heading to Mexico - but he's been sick and was feeling a little chilled so I kept it brief.
At the foot of Winston Churchill, I decided to head north. Damn that hill up to the QEW is tough when you haven't been training. I wish I'd worn my heart rate monitor. I doubt I've gotten it that high in awhile. And I don't think I've ever used the full range of gears - especially those smaller ones! Once you pass the QEW though, it flattens out completely so the rest of the ride was just pure pleasure.

I stopped at Chapters on Dundas @ 403 on my way home and picked up The Book of Negroes, for our next book club along with Surfer and Bicycling magazine.

One the way home, I decided to try a different route and came across a trail system I didn't know about. It runs along the south side of the QEW. I came to a fork and since one path swung back northward, I took the other which carried on in a south-easterly direction. I came out at Truscott near Southdown and cut across to Clarkson road and home.

I enjoyed the ride so much that I pulled my old indoor trainer out of the garage and set it up in the basement. There's one bolt missing so I'll have to get to Canadian Tire once it's open.

I had my camera in the car so took some snaps around the neighbourhood. I've been meaning to do it for a few weeks because so many things have changed. I think I'll try to do it at the end of each year to track changes. So here's a look at Clarkson-Port Credit on boxing day 2009.


Even though the rest of Southern Ontario was blasted by snowstorms a couple weeks ago, the grass remains green along this stretch of the lakeshore. The rose bush by my front steps actually developed buds until the freezing temps put a stop to that.
The first blizzard arrived about 3 weeks ago. I set my alarm to go off a little earlier, expecting a gnarly drive in but when I looked out the window...nothing. However, as I drove the 11km north to work, it got progressively worse. Half the guys who live in Scarborough, Markham and all points north and east, didn't even bother coming in. They were buried.

Below is Jack Darling Park looking southwest from the driveway, toward the leash-free. It's been torn up for several years now. They worked on it, put it back together and then tore it up again. I don't even remember if they had a toboggan hill last year.

Since I don't have dogs anymore, it doesn't affect me but it has displaced a lot of people & pets. And I noticed the Southdown dog park is gone entirely. When I was dog-sitting Lola, it had a sign saying it was just closed temporarily and to use a newly created leash-free near Sheridan Nurseries. I believe the old one along the lake is the site of the new power plant that everyone's protesting.

The Tim Hortons at the QEW-Mississauga Rd exit has been selling coffee out of a trailer for the last half of 2009. This photo is taken from the west side. I pulled over on Indian Grove which runs south off of the service road. The trailer is invisible because it's tucked in along the east side of the building. Anyway, I'm sure you figured it out because the structure itself hasn't really changed except now it houses a Select convenience store where the garage bays used to be. I think the gas pumps are operational but not sure when the rest of it will open. I thought they might be making it into one of those giant service centres that has ramps directly off the hwy but I guess that's too much to do in an urban area.


And finally, here's a look at the river. It was frozen out to the harbour just a few days ago but it has opened up with all the rain and warmer temps. Still, as much as open water usually makes me want to get out on it, it's too cold. I'm happy in the paddle pool (that'll change by mid-february) .


Oh wait, I almost forgot. I snapped a few pics of the lighthouse just because the sun came out as I was walking back to my car. I didn't plan to post the pic but then I realized it shows the new stop signs at Front St. and John (I had to look up that street name). Basically there's now a 3-way stop right at the Dons' driveway. I don't know when it went up. It just suddenly registered one morning as I blew past, half asleep on my way to morning practice.

And I might as well post this other photo of the lighthouse. It got a complete makeover this fall. It took weeks!

Fairytale of New York, for some reason, is one of my favourite Christmas songs. In spite of, or possibly because of, it's gritty and melancholy nature, this song defines the season - I feel happy, sad, wistful and hopeful all at the same time.

And although Shane MacGowan is one of the ugliest fuckers in the business, an habitual abuser of drugs and alcohol, his songs are well-crafted, insightful and thoughtful works of genius. It's difficult to pick just one favourite but this is a standout in his and the Pogues repertoire. The addition of Kirsty MacColl is just the proverbial icing on the cake.
I've never seen this '80s era video before and it sucks as much as you would expect it to. I actually prefer the 2nd one I've posted, shot live on St. Patrick's day in 1988. Either way, the song evokes any number of personal images to populate my own internal slideshow.

wow. Christmas day 2009. Already.

I'm having a great day! Ryan arrived around 9:00am and we opened our presents. He hit it out of the park again this year. He got me a brand new, updated book of Bruce Trail maps. I've had my current one for over 20 years and have given away or misplaced many of the pages. We plan to hike the whole thing next year.
He also got me a snowshoe backpack/carrycase - something I've really needed ever since I got my snowshoes. Also, a high end 'automatic' corkscrew. He doesn't know about my plan to quit drinking wine but that's okay, I'll still get lots of use out of it when friends drop by.
I made eggs benedict for breakfast, which has put us on the hunt for a superior hollandaise recipe. The recipe I have was less than impressive. Besides the obvious, one of the things I love about my son is that we can sit through a long breakfast without running out of things to talk about. And that he loads up the dishwasher while I write in my blog!

Now we're heading down to the Scotia Theatre cineplex to see this movie and then whatever else is on until 6pm. Then we'll head to my sister's for Christmas dinner.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day.

How fun is it to have a Christmas baby!?

Baby boy Hara - born December 23 at 2:30pm - 8lb 1oz

Lots going on . The Olympic torch arrived in Toronto on Thursday. Got stalled along the way by native protesters but they took a detour and arrived at Nathan Phillip Square on time for the big party.

On Friday, Seb got the amazing opportunity to carry the torch up in Newmarket. I didn't know about it or would have been there! Luckily his entire training group went up to cheer him on...

I heard about it when I went to practice and he had the torch there! It's cool that torch bearers can purchase their outfits and the torch they carried. Pretty special event to be a part of & Seb's involvement brought it home for everyone at the club!

Starts with G, rhymes with Dr. Malea (don't want google trolls)

interesting ... a sports medicine guy you all know, formerly from the F.I., is under criminal investigation by the FBI and RCMP. He is suspected of providing athletes with performance-enhancing drugs.
Several years ago, one of the national team athletes (one of the good guys) who was doing olympic lifting at that gym, told me that Dr. G had approached him with vague questions about what he'd be willing to do to improve his performance and made veiled references to an innovative treatment he was developing. At the time, I asked, "is he talking about blood doping?" and the athlete said he couldn't believe such a nice guy would be involved in that. After the paddler made it clear he wasn't interested, the doc never brought it up again.

Anyway, one day I was telling one of the other national team guys what I'd heard about Dr. G. and he said that he didn't believe it. He thought he was reputable and that those athletes shouldn't be telling stories about a professional with so many high-profile athletes in his care. I thought, you know, he's right. It's all heresay anyway. I didn't mention the incidents again, even when Dr. G's name came up in conversation (which it did frequently since so many paddlers were members at the F.I.).
So when I was driving home tonight and heard that "a Toronto sports medicine doctor was facing criminal charges" on the radio, even though I guessed it would be him, I was still a little surprised based on all the good things athletes had to say about him.
The thing giving this story legs seems to be that he treated T-Woods at one time. I have a feeling that if Cheatie McCheater wasn't so big in the news right now, this wouldn't even be on their radar but he's December's 9-day wonder and the media is just piling on.

Click here to read the NY Times article.

Invited a few friends to stop by on Saturday. I must be getting better at the planning. I prepared exactly the right amount of snacks and bought just the right amount of beer. The wine, well...usually there are more drinkers of white than red so I purchased a couple extra bottles of Santa Margherita and both are still in my fridge. I made red & white sangria (both were pretty tasty) and lots of people brought wine with them.
The last person left around 3:00am and, except for a brief spell of consciousness around 7:30am, I slept for a solid 12 hours.
I had just enough leftover snacks to enjoy while I watched Amélie - still my favourite Christmas movie...

Lucky me - day off tomorrow. I may just stay in bed for an extra 8 hours!

I've finally found another station so I can dump CFNY once and for all. Like a lot of people from my generation, I've listened to 102.1 since it first started broadcasting FM from Brampton sometime around 1977. Independent and eclectic, they were fab at introducing new and original artist but terrible at making money. Over time they were sold to increasingly larger mediacorps and now play 'modern rock' (a phrase that could easily be replaced by "cardboard" or "beige" or "global warming").

Anyway, these days, I only hear the radio when my alarm goes off, That subjects me to the morning zoo. I just couldn't take it anymore so when I heard that Strombo is doing his show on CBC radio 2, I used it as an excuse to tune my receiver to 94.1.

I'm so glad I did! I'm hearing new and upcoming artists, long-forgotten favourites and exceptional live shows. And I actually enjoy listening to the radio again (I can quit replaying Russell Brand's BBC podcasts from the past 3 years!)

Here's an artist I'm liking at the moment...sadly, too late to catch her at this October gig.





Had another date with George last night. This time Jackie, Eve and Chrissy came along.

The show was okay but the guest was Tony Clement. Typical politician, wouldn't answer questions as they were put to him, danced around other subjects. Entertaining only because GS is such a good interviewer but TC was no Lyle Lovett (who was the other guest but had been pre-recorded). Throughout the breaks, he chatted with someone he identified as a downhill skiier in the front row. I never did figure out who it was.

We were laughing as we walked out of the CBC studios - directly across the road are 3 HUGE CTV Olympic billboards.I guess they're not above taking digs at the CBC for losing the Olympic broadcasting rights.

We made our way up to Hey Lucy where we ordered our drinks and shared appetizers before heading home. We hadn't realized that there was the Bills game at Skydome so everything was an ordeal - finding parking that wasn't special event $30, walking through the entertainment district, getting a table at a restaurant. But don't get me wrong, I love that Toronto is so busy.

I gave Jackie a lift home and went up to see the fam. Syndey and I did a lot of colouring, I played the djambi and fisher price megaphone while Syd danced and, when she went to bed, I got caught up with Blake.

All round fun night out with friends!

Oh dear, this can't be good. I am definitely looking to get into a whole mess of eyebrow-raising 'Indeed'.
Tonight I bought mascara. And not just mascara - I bought eyeliner too. Soft, smeary, bruised violet eyeliner. Ok. That may not sound like much to you but for me that's equivalent to sending out an engraved invitation.
Let me put it this way...Some girls, when getting ready for that defining date, make sure their lucky underwear is (are?) clean, break out a new razor or head to the esthetician for a mani-pedi and wax. I do all those things but I also put on full eye makeup. For me, nothing underlines the first-time romp with a new guy like waking up in the morning, leaning into the mirror as you brush your bird's nest hair out of your eyes, gazing into your mascara-smeared eyes with a twitchy-smirky smile and thinking, "Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about."

Hey, in honour of the full moon, here's Jace Everett's smoultry ballad, "Bad Things"...

Another full moon - I took this pic with my phone while we were walking through the marsh the other night. The last time around, I found all those lost items - this one just seems to bring a lot of good stuff. The past weekend was so great, this week has been really good and, from all appearances, it's going to be another fantastic weekend. Looking forward to Thursday!

So results are posted on the Chiptimer website and I have to tell you, I'm not completely disappointed. I literally walked or walk-jogged more than half the course, talking the whole time and I still posted a 1:04:46 (6:29/km pace)!
My PB on a 10km is 47:23 and that was when I trained 6 days a week.

CHILLY WILLY!

I am so glad that I signed up to do this year's run. I wasn't ready for it, I definitely didn't have a goal time (I actually spent most of it walking and talking with Doug who was on a bike) but It was so worth it.

My son just started running and mostly I wanted to introduce him to the competitive side. As much as you try to tell someone how fun it is to actually apply your running workouts towards an event, they never really understand. I knew he, like me, needed to just do one to get fired up about running

So there we were at 9:30am, lined up to start the 10km race. Attila, Ryan and I started out running together but in the first 1km I knew I couldn't keep up with their pace. I dropped off and considered how I would get through the next 9km. Oh yeah, ipod >> play.

At about 2 km I ran into Doug and we ran/rode together. Since we were talking I barely noticed the next 6 km. I actually walked quite a bit because I'd get so winded trying to make a point. I haven't done this race in quite a few years so was really pleased to find out that the turn-around has been moved forward to the old aerodrome. Granted, you have to run the island twice but It was awesome to lose that long stretch to the end of Marie Curtis Park.

Doug dropped off when I had 2km to go. I'm not sure what my time was but I doubt it was under an hour.

Anyway, my son did a respectable time - 52 or 53 - and was glad he decided to do it. He had a vague idea of doing the run in 45' so was disappointed that way but now has a goal to shoot for. I hope he joins a running club or something - currently, none of his friends run or do anything athletic so finding a running partner might be tough.

So, although the times haven't been posted yet, I can give you some highlights;

Kaza won his age group and was 5 or 6 overall in the 10km

Tamlyn won the women's 10km

Chris Vincent won his age group for the 21km

Katie Vincent won her age group for the 10km

There was a mini-Andison there (who I think is a second year pee wee) won his age group for the 10km. Tamlyn told me he was with her almost the entire way but hit a wall with just 2km to go...everyone was completely blown away by how fast this kid was

Courtney Stott won her age group and a bunch of the Burloak girls did really well. So did Sarge.

The chili was amazing as always, especially cause there was extra dried chillies and butter on the tables. Personally I don't think chili is the same without a little kick and a buttered bun. Thanks to all the moms who stepped up to cook the meal! I think there were close to 300 runners this year. The rumoured Kenyan never materialized but there's nothing wrong with good marketing.

Ugh, I'm not cut out for this. The latest flirt is wearing me out. No, not like that. I mean, I'm not sure how I'm going to play this. I was supposed to go out with him tonight but came up with an excuse and went to practice instead. Really, I just need more data. The age difference is ridiculous - he's in his 30s - so I'm buying time so I can decide if it's worth pursuing (plus I need to tighten my abs, get into better shape). Who am I kidding ... it's worth pursuing... I just want to be in control of how it progresses and when it ends. Oh my god, how awful is that??

The guys that I've dated lately are my own age - and are easy at first; we have common points of reference, listen to the same music, we "get" each other. Unfortunately, they all have baggage in the shape of divorces and/or disappointment. I don't. I mean, I do but I think I'm past it. I definitely don't want to spend my evening out listening to someone who is bitter. If I wanted that, I'd go out with my married friends (no no, just kidding).

I guess that's the appeal of this one. Baggage? The most baggage Andrew has is a shaving kit. Or maybe just a toothbrush. Perfect. We're about even then. And did I mention his abs? I didn't? Probably for the best.

Okay, I'm going to go watch Alfie and do some situps. I've got a strategy to plan.

My first 10km run in, what - 4? 5? years is next Sunday. So last Friday, day 7 of my super-compressed personal training program, I blew out the heel on my right shoe. I knew my shoes needed to be replaced but was hoping to make it through the run without having to break in a new pair. However, my last two runs were absolute shite - I just felt horrible, weak - so I'm a little relieved that a small part of that might have been the shoes.

So Saturday morning, I was fighting Santa claus parade traffic in Oakville so I could pick up some new 769s at the Running Company.

I tested them out today - day 8. First half of the run felt bad - I'm talking shin splints, leg's fatigued - but about halfway through I could feel gravity loosening it's grip a little. I actually ran further than I normally would without even noticing.

Look, there's no question the CW is going to kick my ass but I might as well be out doing that for an hour on Sunday morning as anything else. Traditionally, I've never done well at this particular event anyway. Well, except for the first year when a group of us just decided (actually, when Schro & Doug decided) to run from the canoe club to the ferry docks in Toronto. We didn't even know how far it was. I ran with Tomi & Attila along the trails while Tamas Sr took to the road. The boys yelled at him to get off the highway but he waved us off, as angry drivers honked and swerved around him, saying he was taking a direct route and we should follow him.

Doug met us about every 6km with water and food - cut up bananas, granola bars. Since we hadn't done more than glance at the trail map before we left, there were a couple of times where we weren't sure of our route. Fortunately for us Derek was ahead. He'd had to backtrack once or twice to figure out the trail so by the time we got to a blind turn, we could see him in the distance and pick our course accordingly. I stuck with the boys until about Queens Quay where I tried to pick it up a bit. I wasn't wearing a watch but knew I was close to the 2 hour mark. Derek had arrived well under 2 hours and called Ian's and then my time as we hit the docks. I'd done it in 2:04. I was disappointed at the time but, in hindsight, am pleased with the result (definitely could have knocked off those 4 minutes though! Just hadn't learned the value of a watch and pacing).

You know, I would never have gotten a gym membership in September if I'd known we'd have this kind of weather so far into November.
I just went for a quick 6km paddle wearing double Lifa & my running tights. So unbelievable!

Also, I stopped by Battaglia's in Lorne Park on my way home and was so surprised to see Tim Tams in the biscuit aisle! As far as I know, we've never been able to get them here before. We sure loaded up on them when we were in Australia. They had different flavours but I picked up the original to take to the club tomorrow. Tamlyn and I were just talking about them last week.



...and below, Natalie Imbruglio shows Graham Norton how to do the Tim Tam Slam...

Jackie's baby shower at Lift Salon

I didn't recognize any of the names on the Evite I received for this surprise baby shower but baby showers are different from other types of get-togethers. Women get used to being at these events where you don't know people. I was a definite yes either way. As time went on though, more familiar friends were added to the invitation and the day of, I carpooled with Amy and Tammy. Tammy, at 8 & 1/2 months pregnant was driving and we were completely prepared for a change of plans in the event she went into labour.

It was the same day as the Santa Claus parade and we caught the worst of it, getting stuck on the Jarvis ramp for about 30 minutes and slowly making our way up Jarvis to Adelaide. At one point Tammy stopped and, looking over her shoulder, kept repeating "Look, potato, I see the potato." After a quick glance at heavy traffic behind us, Amy and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Was she going into some kind of hallucinatory labour? Would we have to deliver a baby in parade traffic? But no, she's just been a mom too long - enthusiastically responsible for her childrens entertainment. Driving again she was able to articulate that she'd glanced in the rear-view mirror to see the parade passing by on the cross-street, just in time for the giant Mr. Potato Head.

Of course there was no parking near the salon. Tammy pulled up on the street behind Lift and literally kicked Amy and me out of the car. We were all "what? no. we're not going to make the pregnant woman walk 5 blocks by herself." But she was adamant. And she's right. Why do we let people treat us like invalids when we're just pregnant? Oh right, so they'll do things for us that we don't want to do. Never mind.

Lift is a great Salon on Adelaide that Jackie's been going to for a long time. Today, they'd moved all the stations so that it was this great big white space. The hostesses for the party were the owner and staff of the salon. When we arrived - late - there were only a couple of people there. A couple I vaguely recognized, possibly from HOF parties. I guess everyone was caught in the same traffic.

Amy S. was there looking amazing as always. Casual but so, I don't know, put together. She and Brian are living the fabulous life of young-marrieds. I asked what she's been up to and, expecting a list of extravagant parties and events (don't ask my why I think that's everyone elses lifestyle) was floored when she eagerly told me about her most recent purchase - hockey equipment. She is so excited to have joined Brian's hockey team! Yup, Amy played hockey a lot growing up and is so excited to be playing again. It reminded me that I played in high school and we chatted about the cost of hockey equipment, the difficulty of switching your position on a pick-up team (although I was a goaltender and would have given my left shin pad to play any other position) and the merits of various rinks around the city until we heard the shushing and whispering that Jackie was coming....

Wow for two things - Jackie who always looks so amazing and she was completely surprised! Surprise showers are rarely kept secret. Somehow the mom usually figures it out.

News from the Secko family - baby number 3 has arrived.

Robert Bruce Roland Secko was born at 3:30 am on November 18

5 lbs 11 oz.

I don't have a photo of the baby yet but here's how he looked last Sunday at Jackie's baby shower...

OMG, Porn star? Serial killer? Hockey player during playoffs? However you look at it, I bet Lisa can't wait for the end of the current campaign to raise funds for prostate cancer research. You can support Doug and the Port Credit Secondary School team by clicking this link and the the DONATE button, top right. Seriously, it was worth $10 just to get this pic for future photoshops!

OK no joke, this photo is freaking me out! I had to reopen this post so I could make the picture smaller but it doesn't help. It's like the eyes follow you....