Harbour City Ramblings

Across the pond, along with all the Winter Olympic hype, the hubbub over unseasonably warm weather postponing events, canceling spectatorship, and refunding tickets is really putting a damper on things… for those in Vancouver.

Meanwhile here in Victoria, we are fortunate to share the same record breaking temperatures, but have the ability to fully enjoy it without sitting under the watchful, critical eye of the rest of the world. Who are still writing about Vancouver’s weather woes constantly.

I personally am benefitting from our balmy spring-like conditions, since this year I have taken up a new physical activity, by which I can enjoy the sunshine and all the fresh air my lungs can handle.

I decided last fall that I would partake in my first Times Colonist 10K Race. I wanted to run 10km in the year 2010. It’s a new venture for me, as in the last few years my workouts have only really consisted of yoga, and a particular video game…

Using Wii Fit to… gain weight? Yep.

In the last couple of years have I incorporated a regular fitness routine into my daily schedule. It takes place in my living room, using my TV. And if I really want, I can do it in my pyjamas. Though it isn’t extreme exercise, Wii Fit has enabled me to correct my previously poor posture, evaluate my gait, and gain muscle mass on my slender limbs.

Because of my through-the-roof metabolism I have always struggled to maintain a healthy weight, and gaining it was damn near impossible.

Nintendo’s Wii Fit has helped me to simply tone-up and reach a healthy BMI.

I may be one of the few individuals on the planet who can say they have successfully gained weight with Wii Fit.

With two years of performing push-up side planks, lunges, and various yoga poses in the comfort of my living room, I was ready to take my newly fit self to the streets.

Last Tuesday after starting with a custom-made Wii Fit routine to stretch, I strapped on my Saucony running shoes- which I acquired from my mom late last year when I decided I would run the TC10K- and I headed outdoors.

Tracking my 10K Training Progress

Within the last week and a half I have ran every other day. Using Run Keeper to track my progress, I have successfully covered 17.7 km of ground at a (slow, but progressing) average speed of 8.5 km/hour.

I have managed to cut a minute off of my average pace while bumping up my distance over these first 6 runs. My first run was 2.87 km. Today I completed exactly 4 km. I have set a schedule and plan to increase my distance and pace up until the big day- April 25th, 2010.

Co-workers and loved ones are supremely supportive and have been sharing their own personal running tips, which I have compiled here:

• Maintain good posture; leaning too far forward is tough on the diaphragm. Which brings me to…
• Find a breathing rhythm, and breath deeply; I have learned from past yoga instructors to breath deep into the diaphragm, to picture the oxygen reaching and energizing every part of your body.
• When running down hill ensure your feet stay beneath your body, don’t extend them too far forward, and again… keep your posture upright.
• Relax your arms and hands; keep them lose and hip-level, clenching your fists expends more energy.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate- both well before and far after.

With just under 70 days to go, my only hope is to continue enjoying this new found venture, quicken my pace, build-up my stamina, and make it past the finish line around the 60-minute mark.

Now here’s hoping this brilliant weather keeps up until April.

I’m experimenting with the title once again.  I realize that, while the last title may have been an homage to one of my favourite beers and the city in which I live combined, I had to drop the first half.  Linda, being a Belgian woman with blonde hair, had the moniker bestowed upon her recently at work, where we have all really taken a liking to Phillips beer- a local brewery here in town with a wide range of beers for any pairing.  By any, I mean around a dozen or so varying shades of pale to dark ales, on the malty side to more hopsy.

Along with the Surly Blonde- the office favourite- I personally am a big fan of Black Toque and Blue Buck (formerly, ‘Blue Truck’). Plus the seasonal Dirty Squirrel is a nice addition, when you can find it in stores for that very limited time.

Phillips Brewery Meets Pacific Shores Resort

This past November the co-workers and I went on an excursion up-island to Pacific Shores Resort & Spa, located near the Parksville area of east Vancouver Island.  That evening the resorts on-site restaurant, the Landing West Coast Grill, hosted a Brewmaster’s dinner.

A 7-course meal, each paired, as well as cooked with, a different Phillip’s beer.  From the hay clams steamed in IPA, to the Surly Blonde beer bread and finally the Chocolate Porter caramel sauce on the dessert, my senses were pretty elated from start to finish.

The success of the evening was due to the collective orchestration and efforts by the restaurant’s Dir. of Food and Beverages, Atilla Cimsit, and the Landing’s Ex. Chef, Andrew Howarth.  Also in attendance as guest of honour was the founder of Phillip’s Brewery, Matt Phillips, and a couple of his team to educate us on the history, and share tales of the beer naming processes.  (Apparently the Dirty Squirrel and Surly Blonde ales were originally reversed- Surly Squirrel and Dirty Blonde.)

Their award winning beers were matched faultlessly with the Landing’s unmarred creations utilizing fresh, local ingredients.  It was an educational and highly enjoyable evening, and I believe I can now safely call myself a Phillip’s beer advocate.

Asinine neglect?  Post-vacation-disenchantism?  I have no valid explanation for such lack of posts, or why I’m making up words such as ‘disenchantism’ to cover up the neglect of a hobby I had grown so fond of.

As of early 2008 I staked out my lot on Planet Blog and committed myself to utilizing it as a creative outlet.  Observances and musings of day-to-day life, which then turned into travel blogging, and finally crickets.  Or horse-drawn carriages trotting past on the streets out front… Depending on where you live.  Though if I had my druthers, it would just be the crickets. However, onwards and upwards!  A new title (yes, it requires some work!) and a fresh design, an epoch in the scheme of this blog.

Though removed from the title, I cannot guarantee I will no longer “nonsensically ramble,” as I sincerely cannot help it folks.  What I can ensure is a reinstated commitment to posting regularly, particularly of life in this spectacularly stunning part of the world- Victoria, BC.

I have completed my share of traveling abroad for a short while, and I hope forthcoming posts will again touch on issues regarding the tourism-driven community in which I live, as well as a broader range of topics.  So, until next year… (Just kidding!)

It’s been an interesting morning thus far.

I awoke @ 5 (yes, in the a.m.) to the smooth lyrical stylings of Kanye West.  Wait, what?  Why is Kanye coercing me awake at this ungodly hour?

So I turned over, looked at the clock, and shuddered slightly at the sight of 5:07 digitally displayed before me.  Then I thought, well if the sun is up- why not I?  And if Dylan can awake even earlier on this same day (to take-part in a triathlon of all things) why shouldn’t I!  So I crawled slowly, but surely out of bed to start my day… And I couldn’t help but throw down a couple of dance moves.

Apparently 5 a.m. is when some people end their day.  As was the case, and the source of the Kanye tunes being played at peak volume outside my building here in James Bay.

Maybe the young lady exiting her ride- consisting of a cherry red Ford mustang, top down to soak up the rays of the rising sun apparently, driven by a balding, leather jacket sporting man (clearly much older than she)- was out all hours of the night discussing quantum physics?  Maybe.  Though she was dressed similar to a M.A.C. make-up counter girl, an Earl’s waitress, heck even a call-girl had more modesty than her.  Not that I’m judging her by appearances alone…

Oh wait, I am. It was early, I couldn’t help the moodiness.

However, next time I see her in the hallway I will thank her for the 5 a.m. wake-up call on this lovely Sunday morning, and see if she wants to chat a bit about subatomic particles moving backwards or forwards through time…?

A day late, but let me start by saying: Happy Birthday Ryan! The big 1-6. He can officially commence the process of obtaining his drivers license! That takes care of yesterday, as for today: Happy Birthday dad!

I’m certainly jealous as they’ll both be celebrating with the relatives on the beaches of Tofino, BC, the gorgeous West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Thursday started as an over-all good day including some shopping and lounging in the sun with Matthew, my youngest sibling.  We then biked from James Bay, past Thetis Lake and as far as Colwood at the Highway #14 crossing of the Galloping Goose trail.  A quick 13km or so trek, Matthew’s first time on that part of the trail, and he did superbly!

That night we collectively celebrated 60% of the immediate family’s Birthdays, as we all enjoyed a dinner out at a fantastic restaurant with hearty portions of satisfying food, in a great location alongside a hilly Metchosin farm with a petting zoo out back and… they’re environmentally friendly?  That was positive news.

My Chosen Cafe’s Composting Project

We dined at My Chosen Café.  A rustic, homey little spot located in Metchosin.  Dinner was highly enjoyable.

The whole family, including (cousin and good friends) Aimee and Dylan, all there for some good laughs.  And as it turns out- the restaurant is keen on keeping things green.

My Chosen Café is taking part in one of the CRD’s composting pilot projects.  These projects were first introduced, so far with much success, in the residential areas of Oak Bay and View Royal.  It was extended after a year when it saw over 400 tonnes of waste diverted from the landfill.

Domestic food waste is picked up from residential areas and transported to a composting facility.  Simple as that, they even supply you with the free composting bags.

The restaurant has it’s weekly pick-up, and our waitress explained that this time a couple of years ago they were letting cans, bottles, paper, and all pile up in multiple trash bags.  My, how things have changed.

Cheers to Ryan and dad- Happy Birthdays!

Let’s say you’re strolling around Victoria.  You find yourself passing through some of the more well-known, streets or shopping areas, in our various villages/squares/mews and what have you.  You could be a tourist, a local, even a Vancouver Islander from a city of another name- anybody.  You can plainly see and appreciate the beauty of these spots, with the odd exception of moments when,  say- there are severed feet washing ashore, or you’re bombarded by the previously discussed dive-bombing crows.

Much unlike the crow situation- when they turn all loud, scavenger-like and aggressive- the seagulls have their own annual practices happening on these rooftops you’re passing by regularly.  Quieter, calmer practices.  The art of making a family.  And I get to witness it first-hand at my work place.

Monday we arrived at work to find the seagull family (who for the last three+ years have made a home for themselves on our deck at the office) successfully hatched 2 out of their 3 eggs.  The third egg and the newborns were being diligently tended to by one of the parents, while the other sat atop a higher look-out point.  They’re very wise, these birds.  With their nest situated directly in a corner of the south-east wall of our deck, shaded during the day, protected at night.  It’s a money set-up, the gull equivalent to a pricey condo in the Aria or the Belvedere in what some are dubbing Victoria’s version of a “mini Yaletown.”

Tuesday morning we were gratified to see egg number three followed it’s siblings lead.  So as my co-worker (and avid outdoors-man) Lea pointed out- this is happening on thousands of rooftops all over the city.  Much like the blooming of the flower beds in our City of Gardens, they started a couple of months later than previous years.

It sure is cool to see it unfold, and unlike the crows these birds don’t take you for enemies if you’re trying to enjoy the sunny summer days out & about.  Ah, cheap humbling entertainment.