Decided to play golf, actually I was invited so I went. I got a new driver for my birthday and this was my second opportunity to try it out. I think I did okay with it, in fact I can only think of two drives that missed the fairway. It felt nice and made a great 'ting' when it hit the ball straight and true.

Well this is it for a while, I'm taking some time to head south to Georgia. Going to a family reunion at Elijah Clark State Park. It looks like it will be a fun couple of days with a lot of family get-together and some quality time down in the sun and fun of Georgia. After that we're going Six Flags over Georgia for some serious roller coaster fun.

I'm looking forward to it and now I must pack, if only I knew what I have done with my digital camera.

Peace

I did my run for the day, another 6 km with the time of 36'47". I think that's just a touch slower then last time, although I did run a faster final 300 metres then before. I'm going to blame traffic on this one, I was held up crossing the street.

You know I wonder if we should not declare 2004 the "Year of the Salad". Seems every fast food restaurant has added salads to their menu. I notice that Wendy is doing salad up big, although this is not anything new to them, I remember going to Wendy's in the 80's and enjoying their salad bar. Yes that was a treat, baked potato and salad bar. People laughed but they were looking to the future. Then the 90's hit which was the supersize decade and now as we enter the first decade of the 21st century there is the realization we have supersized people. So salad is a good choice, plus it may stave off the inevitable lawsuits that are bound to come to the fast food industry.

Salad, always a good thing.

Peace.

Well the training continues. With the weather keeping me in for most of the day I decided to venture out in the late dusk. Thank goodness my back light still works. Decided to keep it simple, just 11.5 k today, for 30 minutes.

The most difficult part was keeping the gnats out of my mouth, I almost succeeded although there were a few crunkies as I chewed. I don't know how many flying swarms I went through but there was the distinct ping of bugs off my jacket.

Feeling good about what I'm doing.

Peace.

I got a frantic phone call, seems my brother got nailed with one of those fraudulent dialers. Seems his modem has been calling people in Estonia and Sao Tome. I just want to say to those morons who design such things, I hope your burn long and painfully. It seems more and more people are figuring there is a thrill from sticking viruses, trojan horses and other things on computers to screw people up. I read an article that said service was slow on Google because someone made a worm. Why bother. I know Google is set to have an IPO and make people a lot of money but why bother something that a lot of people use for their searches. I admit I google on a regular basis, especially if I want to look up interesting facts.

To give an example I spent an hour or so looking up information on the Chinese poet Qu Yuan . You can ask why and the answer will be because it was interesting. It started by looking for information about Rice Dumplings, which was from an Iron Chef episode. I found there is a legend attached having to do with the suicide of this poet. I also learned that Dragon Boat festivals are held in commemoration to Qu Yuan. I also read some of his poetry. So all because of a single google.

Yet there are malicious cranks that want to cause damage. Those of you, please grow up and let the rest of us continue with our interesting lives.

Now that I've gotten that out of my system. Oh by the way, if your phone bill does have calls to Sao Tome, contact PhoneBusters. The page has their toll free phone and fax number, it will be worth it to report these clowns.

Went for my run today, far better 6k, 36:44- better then the 39 I had before.

Peace

Continued my training yesterday I did a 3k run (18:19) & a 19.3k bike ride (49'15"). Felt quite good.

Today will either be an easy day or rest day.

The joy of knowing the holiday has begun is a great. Going to be a busy couple of weeks, what with a family reunion happening next Sunday. Still this is the weekend to relax and take it is.

I was going to come up with some interesting political comments; and I still plan to. The CRTC has been getting under my skin for years. A lot of it has to do with its mandate to 'protect Canadian culture'. When you look at your television there is a lot less Canadian culture. In fact the national networks seem to do without a lot of CanCulture. As far as I can figure most of the restrictions have to do with allowing Canadian advertisers to show their commercials.

But I wonder why on one hand ESPN, HBO and the channels Canadians want to see are unavailable, but Al-Jazeera is totally acceptable. Good question, I guess if Canadians saw what, more sports it might make us question our loyalty to Canada. It's nonsense we require this regulatory body to tell us what to watch or not to watch. But they do, the Globe and Mail had this little report: "The RAI bid to the CRTC was a huge election issue among Italian-Canadians, with senior Liberal MPs promising that the channel would find its way on to the Canadian airwaves". Then in Quebec, 15000 protested the closing of their favourite radio station.

Good thing I live in such a free land, where I can decide what to watch or listen to without fear.

Peace

Was able to get out and do some bike training today, 17.2 km in 42'35". Considering how hot it was I feel good about my time. What I need to do is get a street bike rather then my mountain bike to do some more training.

You know every so often the various agencies of the federal government do something that makes me scratch my head. Recently the CRTC our anal-retensive commission that has the role of deciding what is fit for Canadians to watch and listen to, sort of a modern "ministry of propaganda and public enlightenment'. Well they made a couple of decisions which make me wonder. First of all, a radio station in Quebec CHOI had their license pulled by the commission because they allowed their morning DJ to be rather boorish. Now you have to remember this is Canada, the world's largest nanny state, where you are not allowed to think bad thoughts, only government approved thoughts. They DJ's were like a lot of DJ's and involved in the 'shock jock' stuff that Howard Stern made famous. What makes this ruling rater ominous is this quote: "The decision by the CRTC, which marked the first time the regulator has refused to renew a radio licence because of on-air views, was criticized by some observers as censorship and an infringement on freedom of expression". Look forward to more of this because I believe once you censor one thing, it becomes easier to censor the next and the next, you get my drift. So now the CRTC is involved in deciding what is proper thought for Canadians. Like I said, the nanny state, you know if you don't like something there is a few things you can do; you can stop listening, you can write or call and complain, you can promise to raise hell with the sponsors of the program. You can do a lot, you have that choice and freedom. However once you let the government decide what is right you enter a very nasty time.

In a related piece of news, the same regulatory body which censored one station for saying bad things, is allowing the Arab satellite broadcaster Al-Jazeera to be a part of Canadian satellites systems. My question for the CRTC is this, are they allowed because they are stridently anti-American or because they are anti-Semitic. You see, in the nanny state there are thoughts allowed but only those sanctioned by the State. In Canada you are allowed to be anti-American and anti-Semitic.

One more thing, came across this article. Very funny my only fear is that the CRTC will read this and think it's a good idea.


Peace

This was going to be a run day for my training of the dualthon in August. After that opening line you are expecting a 'but'. Yes there is one and here it is. But the forecast was for smog and humidex warnings and so I decided to stay indoors. This is not to say I did nothing but watch 'Seinfeld', I did a half hour of weights and a half hour on the treadmill. So I gave myself both a strength and cardio workout for an hour. I do feel good, especially after the shower.
I know the literature does inform a person to add variety to the work out so it doesn't become stale. I worry sometimes it is happening, so I do try to vary the routines. Right now I'm looking for some new weight training workouts to add that freshness to the regimen.
Hopefully the air quality will be better for Friday.
Yesterday I attended a game at Comerica Park the new home of the Detroit Tigers. I have attended a number of games at Venerable old Tiger Stadium, yes I've seen Al Kaline play, but this was my first visit to this new place. I was impressed it is a beautiful place to watch a game. There is an intimate feel to the place and it does have what I want in a stadium, real grass and dirt. I would like to say the home team won, but alas, this is the 21st century Tigers, although they put on a good game and lost 5-4 in 10 innings. I believe this is a team on the rise and will only get better.

Peace

Today I started training for the dualthon in August. It's taking place on the 15th. Now it's not like I'm a total newbie, I've done both bike races and runs. Really it's a matter of combining the two with all the necessary work that will entail.
For this day I did my usual 6 k run and then rode for 11 k. The total time was 1 hour 6 minutes. My run was very slow today, I think I intentionally kept it slow for the bike. This week I plan to run on Wednesday and Friday, with the full training of bike and run on next Sunday. I'm hoping to shave time off and then add another 11 k to the bike. For the bike I'm taking sort of my running trail and then doubling it.
I felt good after the bike and with only a water bottle felt hydrated at all times. The bike was not a drain on my strength, especially after a good run so I'm hoping.
I'll let you know how I feel on Wednesday. Oh yes, I'm going to keep the weight training going as well.

I have to admit, every so often I do find it interesting to watch a
game of golf on television. I keep hoping to find some tricks and
tips that will assist my own rather amateurish game. The good
news is that I recently read most players shoot over 100. So I
feel in good company, those who don't are very good amateurs or
professionals. Since I am neither, I shall be content.

I'm trying the new edit composer which they have
with blogger and may I say it looks sharp. It's nice to see
there are a number of options that can be used when working on
it. I wish some other programs would also get with the program
and use something like this.

Well, not much to report on the political scene,
after the election I think we all need a break. So there's the
Open today, also known as the "British Open" and it's interesting to
watch the weather come in and go out, with apparent ease. One
moment everyone is in the sun and pleasant conditions, the next there
is a storm. So it will be interesting to watch how the weather
acts tomorrow. I wonder if it's better to start or be at the
end. I know that score is the determining factor but with the
weather it's conceivable you could start in good weather and end in
bad. If the openers end in bad, will that mean the leaders will
start in bad?

Something to consider. Who do I hope to
win? Good question. I don't have any favourites, just
hoping to see some good golf.

This isn't much of a thought, but hey it's Saturday and I hope it's going to be a good weekend.

I'm thinking about entering this dualthon in August
so I'll be practicing on the bike tomorrow. The run is only a 3k
and a 6 k. Both of those are normal distances for me, but it's
the bike or combining both which will be tricky. I'll get the
bike out and do about 20 k tomorrow. I'll blog how I felt
afterwards.



Peace

So yesterday I decided to watch the All-Star Game. It was a good game and since I'm more of an AL fan it was really good to see them hammer the National League. There was a few things I didn't enjoy, first that animated character "Scooter". Why do some networks feel they have to make something like this 'cute'. I know it was geared to the kids to explain some of the terms; hey you want to make the game appeal to kids, start it an hour early.

I also didn't care for Bud Selig stopping the game to give Roger Clemens a lifetime achievement awards. I mean it stops the flow of the game, and the All-Star game, while a celebration of the individual baseball player is also a game that pits the best of both leagues. You want to honour a person wait until the game is over. It's lessens the game. Now they talk about how important it is, it was always important, until knobs like Bud Selig decided to cheapen it.

Much has been made about the Rockets horrible first inning, giving up six runs and having the AL batters go through the cycle. I wonder and I understand a lot of people are wondering if Mike Piazza didn't try a little 'Bull Durham' on the Rocketman. As you may know the two hate each other. Although they claim to have patched things up, there will always be some underlying animosity.

If you know the movie 'Bull Durham' it deals with a catcher by the name of 'Crash' Davis, he is given a job to develop a new star pitcher, Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, who has a million dollar arm and a 10 cent head. There's one scene where 'Nuke' brushes off the signs and tells 'Crash' he wants to throw heat. Crash goes back to his position and tells the batter what's coming. The batter obliges and hits the ball out of the park, hitting the Bull sign over the right field fence. So it makes you wonder, did Piazza whisper, 'he's throwning heat' to a few batters. I know Jim Rome has dismissed it during his show today. Well, it's fun to consider isn't it.


Peace

Well it's been some time since I posted something. I read an article on the Wired website of many people suffering from burn-out. It would be difficult to be articulate & witty all the time. This wasn't my problem, I've been away for a vacation.

What have I been thinking about? One thing has been the CFL , the Canadian Football League. It seems more Canadian players are playing in the 'skilled' positions such as running back & receivers. This is a nice return. For many years Canadians would be the O-linemen & the kickers. The 'skilled' positions of QB and the abovementioned was for the import (read American) players. Teams like Ottawa are playing more Canadian players. The CFL has a definate import/non-import ratio & it seems more teams are allowing Canadians an opportunity to excel at out game. Canadian football is unique and if you haven't watched any take the opportunity to watch some


Peace

Today I start my holiday! Yay. It turned out to be a great day weather wise. Okay, I am now going to bore you with a list of what I did for the first day:
1) Slept In
2) Worked on the Garden
3) Vacuumed out the MiniVan
4) Washed the MiniVan
5) Went for a Run ( 7 km)
6) Going to relax and listen to some music.

What I'm listening to right now is Melissa Auf Der Maur's first solo album 'Auf Der Maur". The second cut is getting a lot of airplay, but personally I think the first one 'Lightning is my Girl' is great. I enjoy having it as background as I work on the computer.

Well, nothing overly profound, I've got some theories about medicare that I'm working on, but right now, it's holiday time. It is time to kick back and not do much thinking.


Peace

HAPPY CANADA DAY

Indeed it is a happy Canada Day. We went to Fort Malden this afternoon and witness an interesting sight, 137 people took the oath of citizenship today and became Canadians. I didn't expect that but it was a delight to see; people from all over the world were making Canada their official country. From this point on they will be able to call themselves Canadians. They promised to be true to their new home and obey the laws and be good citizens.

I know there are a number of challenges facing this land I love but it restores my faith in the dominion to know people are willing to take this step. When you think about it, it's severing their old ties and loyalties and becoming one with their native land. Made me feel good to be a Canadian.

The local paper The Windsor Star featured a column by Victoria Billingsley. In her column she bemoans the fact that our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald is forgotten today. She wrote this poignant passage "Nevertheless, you were always true to your country and to its interests.
Your unique capacity to understand human nature, that men could never be made into saints, kept you focused on the realities and on men as they actually were, with all their warts and blemishes.
You grasped the means by which change could and did occur under your 20-year guidance of your Dominion as its prime minister.
Langevin, your loyal friend, admired your tolerance, intelligence and understanding". I've been a fan of Sir John A. for over 30 years and I appreciate these words, he was our greatest Prime Minister and had a love for our land that has never been surpassed. While others claim to love Canada, his was the deep love of a parent to a child. Thank you Victoria for these words.

Well, only a few hour remain of Canada Day, or Dominion Day 2004, our 137th birthday. All I can say is the words of our national anthem: God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.O Canada, we stand on guard for thee . God keep and bless this Dominion.


Peace