From Worst to Cerebral First

It was a bittersweet evening yesterday.  The Leafs game 7 loss to the Bruins left a sour taste in my mouth for sure.  I didn't even watch most of the 3rd period.  The brutal turnovers by the Leafs D in 1st period, sealed their fate.  This is playoffs hockey.  It isn't regular season.   Plus with Tampa Bay out, the door was open for any team to win it all.  But you gotta want it and more importantly you gotta work hard and protect the puck.

I do believe the Leafs wanted it.  But they didn't do the other 2 things until it was too little too late.  Too bad, they were both fun to watch this year and annoying.  Hopefully changes will make the D better for next season.  They are still a young team.

The Raptors however, wanted it, worked hard and protected the ROCK!  Except for the 1st game, the next 4 were shutdown basketball.  They played like the 2nd best team in the league.  Glad they woke up!

And I can say that my Tuesday night hockey team the Cerebral Czars wanted it!  We were playing in the championship game of our True North Hockey Winter League.  I think if the Leafs had won, i wouldn't have cared if we won or lost.  But since they lost, I was a bit more determined to bring respect back to my hockey world!  IMHO, I think I would have played the same regardless, but I was cheesed off.  Glad Kieran was napping when i was watching, cuz my foul language filter kinda shuts off with watching the Leafs play.
I tried not to think too much about this game.  It is just a game after all.  But winning is so much better than losing.  We were the worst team in our div last year.  This year we finished first.  My play had improved a lot over last season.   Plus we got 2 players that made us just that much better than last season.  And our goalie got AMAZINGLY better.

This year I played a specific role, I got better at it, and it helped me to know where to be.  I made adjustments throughout the season and steadily got better.  When you know your teammates habits and what they will do, it makes your play seem better.


I'm happy we won in my 2nd year playing with the Czars.  As we get older winning gets harder to achieve. My neighbour Freddie, who got me on the team, scored the eventual winning goal.  A beautiful shot top shelf glove side.  I saw the net bulge and and put us up 4-2 in the middle of the 3rd period.  The goal gave us a bit more jump and deflated the other team, and caused them to press a bit more.  We knew they'd pull their goalie later, and they did, and they scored to make it 4-3, but that was as close as they got as we hustled to every puck and chew up time.

The XXX-Stars beat us 2-3 in our last game 2 weeks ago.  We knew we'd be playing them in the finals.  And we were short our 2nd best player, out with concussion symptoms (from the game against THEM!).  I wasn't sure we'd win, since they are a really good team with some really skilled players.  But we just seemed to have a bit more jump than they did.  We back checked really well.  That was the difference.  As a team, our Fwds played better D than theirs.  And that led to turnovers that we capitalized on.

Justin calls me the ginder of our line.  I forecheck hard, battle for the puck, get it to our guys and head to the net. I am always happy when I find a way to contribute with an assist or goal.  Scoring a goal with something on the line just means infinitely more than in pickup.  It's nice to see your name on the score sheet.   You can't beat the feeling of winning as a team.  Even last year when we were losing all the time.  I learned to enjoy playing the game as part of a team and not focus on the score. It's made it more enjoyable.


The last time i was on a team that won a championship was an Ultimate Frisbee team almost 20 years ago.  I didn't even get a jersey or anything from that.  I think there was a hoodie, but i never got it. Got nada! In this I got a cool shirt that says League Champs!  And we got to drink some $13 champagne that Tommy got out the cup.  It was the best!

That cup is metal too.  I thought it was plastic.

Happy B-earthday

Earthday was beautiful yesterday.  I didn't expect it to be so nice.  I was thinking to wake up early to go for a ride. But as there wasn't an official ride today, and i kept hitting snooze, I opted to run as it was now middle of rush hour and these drivers rushing to work are dangerous. And it was surprisingly a bit chill-leh, ya, as I could see my breath, but still shorts weather.  Odd.  Maybe my morning breath was just toxic.  Like 3-Mile island meltdown toxic.

It was Easter Monday.  The day Jesus rose from the dead.
Just like Kieran rising from late night YouTube, watching the Simpsons and Bob's Burgers.  He'd been sick all last week with severe stomach pains.

The pains started the previous weekend on Sunday morning.  We thought it might have been something he ate, because the first thing he ate that morning was the bag of candy treats he got from his Aunt Rose.  But I ate all the same things.  If it was his nut allergy, then it would go away in a few hours. But it carried all day and into Monday and then 2:30am that night Tresa took him to St Joe's Emergency, as the pain was keeping him up and getting worse.

We were worried that it was his appendix, as his symptoms pointed to appendicitis, but blood tests and ultrasound ruled that out. It turned out that the lymph nodes in his stomach were inflamed, from some viral infection.

Nothing we could do, except manage the pain until his body expels the virus causing his lymphadenitis.  It was a tough week for him.  Not eating, or drinking (except hot tea), and not much sleeping.  He was looking pale, like he was becoming more Caucasian than Asian.  We did go to see his family doc, basically there was not much to do except drink Gatorade and eat a little bread, crackers and soup and avoid heavier foods - like burgers and burritos, and wait for the pain to subside.

Tuesday Wednesday were the worst days.  After that things started to gradually improve.  Taking Gravol and/or Tylenon/Advil to manage the pain in his gut every 6hrs.  I figured God must have been punishing him for dissing his parents.  Serves him right.  But it is hard to see your kid in so much agony.  No matter how much of a PITA he is.

Kieran was beginning to feel better by Saturday just a little weak.  But it was the first day he didn't take meds as soon as he woke up.  He had a bit of breakfast and asked if we could go get a burrito, but we didn't as it may be a bit much for his stomach to handle right now.  He is only half asian.


So for his birthday on Monday we kept it small as his energy was just starting to return.  Next door came over for the yearly Easter Egg hunt and to hang out and play games and watch movies.


I was the only one in the house that didn't have a work holiday.  So I closed my office door and managed my day.

I also had noticed that our toilet upstairs was leaking.  I could feel the water squirting when I moved the supply hose.  I noticed it on Saturday.  I had seen a small puddle on the floor, but thought it was from me washing my hands, then i saw it again.   I had sprayed grout sealer around the toilet area, and thought it was that, but when I saw water dripping around the supply hose area.  I thought it was overspray.

It turns out the seal on the old hose was worn down.  (top is old).  I didn't know these things wore out.

This toilet may have simple clean lines, but replacing the hose is not that simple.  I basically have to take the tank off to remove the hose.  This is why it's so important for us to finish the basement laundry and 2nd bath.  If we have any plumbing problems upstairs.  We've got no options.

After work, I noticed how warm and nice it was outside.  No wind.  It turned out to be a super nice day. While the kids were occupied and Tresa recovered from a bad migraine, I went for a quick ride on my bike and enjoyed what was left of a really beautiful B-Earth day, then heading to Home Depot, to get a replacement hose and get our toilet back in working order.

Back to the Spring Run-Off

What a beautiful day it turned out to be!  I haven't done this race - the High Park Spring Run-Off - in a long time.  I think it's been 10 yrs.
Ya I'm smiling now.  but that finish is a killer!
Usually the weather is a bit chillier than the 6 deg C it was this morning.  I could feel that it was warming up.  It was shorts weather for sure.

Lots of people were overdressed.  It's fine at first but then you overheat and your body has a hard time recovering cuz it can't get rid of the heat.

I talked our good friend Marika to do this.  Maybe she'll get the bug and want to do more.  This isn't an easy race.  The hills are killers.  But it's in the park, it's so close, every year it's a toss up on what the weather will be like.  Could be cold.  Could be raining, could be snowing or there's still SNOW on the race course.  I've seen it.  It sucks!
But it's the first race of the season.  I used to do it all the time.  Then i got tired of hauling my ass out for a cold weather run.

But today is one of those days that makes you glad you are alive and outside.  Spring is here and luckily for us the ground wasn't muddy.
We even ran into Molly and her brother who kinda reminded me of Tresa's godfather.  All SLOs look the same.
Eventually the family tree all goes back to the same roots, i guess.

I found Tresa and Marika soon after i finished and headed to the start of the 5K.  There they go, head down...looking to crush it!  I couldn't believe how nice the day was.  But I had to head home to get the car and pick up Kieran from Sloveska Sola and he'll probably want Pho.

I wasn't nervous for this race at all.  I knew it'd be hard, i didn't really think I'd come close to my old race times.  So I didn't expect much.  But I managed myself very well.  I was pleased with how i did.

I did the usual warm up for the first 1km.  Didn't get ahead of myself. Made sure i was comfy.  Saved my legs for the 2nd half.

Surprisingly the first hill wasn't too bad.  I remember breathing hard in prior years, but was ok today. Kept the pace doable, cuz it's only 1/2 over at that point.
It's the 2nd half people fade.   I drank some gatorade at the 1/2 way.  Which i spit out cuz that stuff gives me cramps.

Luckily it didn't affect me other than in my head.  I managed to keep it steady on the downhill by the cherry trees I let gravity help me out.  I saw the 7KM marker and started to pick up the pace slightly knowing that the last 300m is on that killer finishing hill.

At first I was thinking to just cruise up the hill.  But there was this lady in yellow that just took off from the bottom of the hill.  And I thought, i'm not doing repeats so might as well leave it all out there.  So i stayed with her sprinting up the hill.

I could feel my head wanting to explode, but not.   That salt tablet they gave me at the end of the race was bitter!  I had it in my mouth for a few mins thinking it was going to improve but it didn't.  Never going for those again.  Maybe I just needed more water?

Glad i didn't puke.  It's okay.  I get pancakes at then end anyways.  It's for the zoo i think.  I bought them when i registered.  It was for a good cause. I like pancakes.  They were good and warm.  I remember 1 year they had burritos.  They were disappointing.  Glad they had pancakes and syrup too.

Almost forgot about this.  Tresa sure knows how to make a run worth it.  Right out of the book of David Lee.  This is what duffle bags are made for.  Ignore the "please only take 1" sign and the odd looks you get when your bag is dragging on the ground.  When it gets to that point he brings a cart.

I didn't even see the bars.  I did see the cookies I think?  She brought back some yoghurt too.  I was pressed for time since I had to pick up Kieran from school, so I didn't look too diligently.  My eyes weren't as big as my stomach.  Since I just ate the pancakes.

Hooked on a birthday

What to do today so it's not the same old, same?
Flowers.
Ice cream cake.
Family/Friends.
Samosas.
Beer.
Wine.
Photos.

And songs!
I was planning that we sing this song instead of happy birthday song, but we sang that too anyways.  We are creatures of habit and the more songs the better.  What lady doesn't like to be sung to.
i don't know, but this one likes to be sung to.
More oldies and goodies.

When I first heard this song I thought it was some Aussie tribal thing.  But then it got going and it all came together and it's such a great song.  Simple and fun.

SlushFest - Sir Sam's

I've ridden a fatbike before but I'd never ridden a fatbike on the trails.  I really didn't know what the big deal was.  I was a....skeptic! I ride mtb, I have a gravel bike, I enjoy offroad riding.  But a Fatbike?

Mother Nature wasn't cooperating, but you know what, Fat Bike riding is about being able to ride in non-ideal conditions. And ultimately have fun riding.  It's certainly a blast.

There were people there who had pre-registered for the event.  Renting the bikes from Algonquin Outfitters and getting a lift pass.  And there were people who had come with their own fatbikes riding the trails.  The trails used in the forest were the snowshoe trails.  The trails through the trees, I knew from riding in the summer and skiing in the winter.  Now i was riding them in the snow!  I couldn't believe it.

I hit all the trails I would normally ride with my trail bike. Traction wasn't great, as the snow was not packed enough.  And the rain was making the trail narrower and narrower.  Go off the snow shoe trail and the snow is up to your hip.  My front end was washing out.  But this was my first time on a fatbike.  I would need to do it more to get the experience to be able to ride better on these machines.

But was it fun?
For SURE!  I would do it again next year.
It put a big smile on my face. I was happy to be riding with others that just wanted to have fun.  I didn't even really notice that it damp out.  That it was slushy, I was wiping out on the trail, but I was laughing as it happened.   I was laughing more at the two guys i met there as I watched him slide down the front hill towards the chalet.  It was even raining after our lunch break.  But I wanted to get a few more runs in, before it got too slick for me.

I think I would be a bit nervous, if i wasn't that experienced of a rider.  But once you figure it out.  It's pretty fun.  I was looking to see what this bike could do. I can see why people have these bikes.  Whatever gets you off the couch and outside in the fresh air, out with friends, laughing.  I mean.  That's all GOOD!


I was happy that Kieran gave it a go and got to experience it and have fun with us.  I was very thankful that he didn't get hurt.  As he hasn't come riding with me on the trails at Sir Sams so I was constantly looking to see how he was doing as I couldn't give him any real instructions except - don't get hurt.  And go only as fast as you feel comfortable.  Which translates to - don't go fast.
I was a bit concerned for him, as it does take some riding skill to ride down a ski hill in dry conditions. Well this wasn't it.  But he survived.  After lunch he said he was good to stay in.  Which was a good decision.

In these conditions, you hit the brakes and you are wondering if the brakes actually work.  But when you release the lever, you find yourself accelerating so you know you they work.  At least snow is soft.  Except once you get to the ice underneath.

One thing to note is that when your wheels are turning.  You have control.  When they don't, there's no control.  Keep your front wheel turning. You need to do more than sit on the saddle and pedal and turn it like a truck.  You need to move and manipulate the bike beneath you.  It's hard to explain, and takes some practice.
It was a SLO immersion weekend with a side of outdoor snow activities. Kieran was skipping a class on Sat to get the chance to be a fatbiker, sorry, a fatbike rider.

But to make up for missing SLO class. Strič Joe made it a SLO only Friday evening. Many of their polka/folk songs, and I'm not talking the Chicken Dance, are like country songs. They tell a story, they are hundreds of years old, all SLOs grow up hearing them. So this is something that he shares with us. It's awesome.

Joe makes sure I get to experience the culture with a few beers and maybe a shot of something home made or whatever has at least 5+% alcohol content. Apparently It helps with the learning. Opens the mind up for us adults not of SLO heritage.

Joe also has a good memory, cuz he always remembers exactly where Urs wipes out and loses his phone out of his pocket that he fails to zip up.  Once we get a call from Urs' cell, we know he's found it.



This is SlushFest