Araska is a rock, actually that is a lie, Araska is a fictional rock, in a fictional sea, in a fictional world, the only thing that could be said about is that, if said, world, sea and rock were to exist, then you would have a nice view of a fictional harbour.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Ride-Appetizer
Just to make sure I was up to it, Kevin took me out riding North of Milton for a nice ride-appetizer, about 40k, with some fierce winds for the first 20 or some, we climbed some good hills and it was good, we only mustered an average of 24 km/h, but seriously, strong head winds up hill for the first half.... It was a tough 24 km/h.
Anyways time to get some rest, my bike needs one too, as it has rolled over 400 km since I got it in early May!
Cheers
g
Friday, May 30, 2008
Coming up quick
Thanks!
Geoff
More comic goodness
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Past the Post and Keep on Going
So please, donate here, before I get to you :P
As promised
Here is Erin and I at our Anniversary Dinner. This year, in breaking tradition, we went to Harrop's which is a restaurant and art gallery here in Milton. We had a really nice time, and we did some remembering of our Italy trip, to make sure we still did remember. It was just over a year ago when Erin shuttled off for Sicily to start what would be a fantastic trip.
For our anniversary Erin got me a brand new cordless drill that I had be coveting, and even managed to pull some sneakiness in getting it right under my nose. I used said drill to hang a bird feeder in our yard that I got for Erin, we would like to let it be known within the bird community that we now have a fine selection of feed for you and that cats will be kept inside for your protection.
I have a picture to post from the shower that Erin's aunt mailed us, so expect that soonish.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Picture Placeholder
Weekly Update
The lesson learned in this whole shenanigan, is 1) don't bike on a Friday (end of day traffic and taking computer's home for the weekend suck more.) 2) Just stick to the main roads, the waterfront trail is designed as a scenic thing that locals might use for short walks, and not to be ridden from end to end. It is discontinuous, circuitous, and dead-endy (or at least for bikes in certain areas.) Otherwise the ride was awesome, I showed up at the office at the same time as my train would normally pull in, so while still on my ride high I buzzed everyone and walking to work and gave them a hard time.
I wasn't nearly as sore as I thought I might be, stiff, but manageable. The ride home wasn't, in fact Erin picked me up from Oakville, I probably could have done it, but I'm glad I didn't. One way on the first go is more then enough thank you.
The only other ride I did this weekend was a nice jaunt with Erin on Sunday morning before our class. It was such a beautiful weekend, a shame we were inside for most of it, but we stole what we could of it.
The bike's Odometer is now some where over 300 km, I won't break 500 before the ride, but that is neither here nor there. As for donations, I think the totally pledged amount is over 500 now, but not the website amount which is at $470. So as we pass 500, the next number is 1000, I don't see any reason to stop once I meet my preliminary goal, as I really do believe in the Heart&Stroke Foundation.
so...
Thanks so much everyone!
Ride is less then a week away, so training will ease off as I don't want to start the ride sore, but I will keep you all in the loop as we countdown the days.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Bob and Sher's Pig Rescue
From Bob and Sher'... |
Erin and I visited her Uncle Bob and Aunt Sherry's new place in Arthur this weekend. Aside from our particular joy and getting 118.9 for gas, we also had a really good time visiting with family. Bob and Sher are a bit more unorthodox with their farm up there offering a Pig Rescue for abused and abandoned pet pigs (in just searching the web I realized there is an important 3rd class of surrendered pigs from people who can no longer care for them for personal health reasons.)
Anyways, it was a really cool visit, and in honesty what they are doing might be a little unorthodox, but they are really happy and doing something good, so good on them.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
BYO-Spinning Class
Instead I reseeded the front lawn, and watered both lawns.
Cheers
Late Bike Update
36.8 km
Avg: 26.3 km/h
Peak: 49.5 km/h
My total for the week was:
78.2 km
Donations are up to 315 posted, and an additional 50 pledged. We are almost there everyone, so please folks who are waiting to the end, the end is nigh!
On the Rain Slick Precipice of Wednesday
So in the months of not paying attention this game has slowly crawled forth from the primordial code to it's immanent release date. I can't wait, especially with the triple threat digital download to PC/Mac/360 all on one day (and I think but am not sure one price gets you all three.)
In the mean time, Biofilm and Super Smash Brothers will have to distract me, oh yeah, and biking, babies, and work.
Anyways I shall see you all on the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness, cheerio!
Last week update will be late
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Red Herring North America Winners 2008 Announced
Reseeding
Sloshy
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The JUSTIN BAILEY Conspiracy
OMFG! This is just freaking hilarious. Props to WWdN: In Exile for passing the buzz.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Little Sprint
Week in Review
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Baby Shower Mark 1
Friday, May 09, 2008
Bah, Gah, Fah, Mah Legs Are Hurting
Pedal Clips Have Ruined Me
We followed up with some curry/roti, I may have (in a gesture of bravado) spiced my face off, I will check again in the mirror after morning coffee to verify that I still have a face, but jebus was my curry hot!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
What Happened to Moxy Früvous?
Poetry Corner / Quacks Like an Anti-Duck
So here is a bit of her poetry, a lyric from her most popular single, and the one that caught my ear, I was reminded of it by Erin, who picked up on it herself as a great sentiment.
No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again
- Regina Spektor, On the Radio
So her Wiki, before I get to her Wiki a little more rambling, we watched Juno a few weeks ago, great movie by the by, and one of the notable features of it is a great sound track. So compelled by the sound I went out and grabbed both the sound track, and the album by the artist who really represents 50% or more of the it by herself. That being Kimya Dawson.
So where does this all come together, well I've recently come to the conclusion that the majority of the music I like actually falls into the genre basket of "Folk." So as I come to understand that music style I said to myself, wow these two new artists I am listening to they totally sound like folk, I bet that is why I like them.
So I looked them up, first one, then the other, as I had guessed they were both of a similar genre, but not folk, they were bum bum bummmmm Anti-folk... You know that old saying if you look like a duck, and quack like a duck... Well as far as I can tell (and music snobs can correct me) but anti-folk is really just folk artists who got turned down for being to boarder line folk from some of the more prominent venues, probably for actually just not being of big enough name yet. So they just said fine, if we're not folk enough for you, then now we are anti-folk, and TADA a new genre was born.
So my ear might not be able to divine the secret minutia of the sub-genre's, but I will say that be they ducks, or anti-ducks, folk or anti-folk, I still like the sound...
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Called on account of rain
...
Or my math is wrong, rechecked it, 25 km/h. That is better, and more consistent with past experience. Could have done another 5 easy, but better inside and dry, then outside and hit by thunder...
Red Herring Names QuickPlay Media a Finalist For the Red Herring North America 100 2008
Not sure if I can release this, but it is public and on our site, and I thought it was kind of awesome, so legal if I'm not allowed to post this, ask me and I will take it down, but you will forgive me for thinking QuickPlay is pretty cool.
Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Red Herring Names QuickPlay Media a Finalist For the Red Herring North America 100 2008
Award Recognizes the 100 “Most Promising” Companies Driving the Future of Technology
San Francisco, CA— April 15, 2008
Red Herring today announced that QuickPlay Media, the leader in mobile TV and video solutions, has been named a finalist for the Red Herring 100 Award, a selection of the 100 most innovative private technology companies based in North America.
The Red Herring editorial board diligently surveyed the entrepreneurial
scene throughout the North American region and identified the top 200 out of more than 800 closely evaluated companies that are leading the next wave of innovation.
“We empower leading brands such as Alltel, XM, Bell and Research in Motion to bring quality rich media content to their customers,” said Wayne Purboo, president and CEO of QuickPlay Media. “Our success comes from simplifying all aspects of the management and distribution of this content, with flexible technology that scales with the increasingly sophisticated demands of customers. Being selected as a finalist for the Red Herring 100 is an honor, and we appreciate the recognition of our market, and QuickPlay’s approach within that market.”
The 100 winning companies will be announced at the Red Herring North America event. The CEOs of the winning startups will present their innovative ideas and technologies to an audience of leading entrepreneurs, financiers and corporate strategists at the event in San Jose, California, on May 12-14 at the Fairmont. This year’s Red Herring 100 North America event marks the 11th anniversary of the Red Herring 100 Awards. In celebration, the event will feature keynote addresses from legendary VC investors and CEOs of leading Internet, information and communications companies. Register online at: http://herringevents.com/northamerica08/index.html.
About QuickPlay Media
QuickPlay Media provides content management and distribution solutions for mobile television and video services. The QuickPlay OpenVideo™ platform offers maximum flexibility and streamlined application integration for mobile operators, media companies and technology partners. The platform powers mobile video services for 13 major mobile operators in North America and Europe, providing both live and on-demand content from more than 150 different media companies. OpenVideo works in many different mobile content ecosystems, seamlessly operating with major search, advertising, billing and user interface frameworks. QuickPlay Media Inc. has offices in Toronto, San Francisco and London. For complete information, please visit www.quickplay.com.
About Red Herring
Red Herring is a global media company which unites the world’s best high technology innovators, venture investors and business decision makers in a variety of forums: a leading innovation magazine, an online daily technology news service, technology newsletters and major events for technology leaders around the globe. Red Herring provides an insider’s access to the global innovation economy, featuring unparalleled insights on the emerging technologies driving the economy. More information about Red Herring is available on the Internet at www.redherring.com.
For more information, please contact:
QuickPlay Media Inc.
Christi Dean
fama PR
(617) 758-4153
quickplay@famapr.com
Anam Alpenia
Red Herring, Inc.
650-428-2900
aalpenia@redherring.com
Crowd Sourcing
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Spinning results in, nor yarn produced.
Tough luck, because they are going to keep coming.
I did my Tuesday spinning class today, after last nights time in the saddle I didn't think my butt would survive, and the first 5 minutes of class were a little touch and go, but I settled into it, and got it done. Spinning, not the knitting variety, is different from cycling, as much as a tread mill is from running. You work the same muscles, but in a controlled way. In some respect it lets you concentrate less on the rocks on the road, and more on technique. I'm doing my best to compensate for my left leg, which keeps lifting a bit high tightening up my calf muscle. Just have to keep mentally shouting at my heel, "down, down, DOWN!" We're working on it...
Anyways, I'm starting to recover from my rides faster, I still want to hit 40km by end of week, so lets get'r done (especially as it looks like another wet weekend.
Lost in the Wilderness
Today is spinning, and tomorrow I will push for 35-40 km.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Fencing
We started work on the cement at this point, and things started to slow down/go down hill. The raid started picking up, and it fouled the bags the cement was in resulting in no less then 2 bags broken and strewn about. A fair bit of dirt was added as aggregate to our mix. We also made some alignment mistakes that resulted in the last post on the first side needed to be hand dug out extra (note that I already returned the augur and hand digger at this point.)
By the time we got started on the second side all the holes were completely flooded and we used the fish tank draining kit to suck clear them out. We also ran a foul of strange forces for the next two posts, and one of them ended up out of kilter. The third post in we were positively soaked, we had to drain the hole again and were fighting gusting winds. As we started to pour, the raid came down like a hammer. As we set his post, we realized that the skies had opened there fury upon us, and we were sodden to the bone. We collected up the tools that react poorly to water (including the plugged in extension cord sitting in the pool of water,) and fled to higher ground. 7/8 was all that was getting done, and no one was upset about that. We capped off Saturday with a team pitcher at Boston Pizza, (where they made Erin sit with a glass of beer that she wasn't drinking because of the "rules") and then Iron Man, which was amazing!
With the posts in place, Sunday went noticeably smoother. We started a little later as people recovered, and did a supply run to replace the ruined cement. We got the last post in and moved on to stringers and and slats. The day really just happened, we were certainly busy all day, but no major snags, and it all just came together. Our neighbors, Jodi and Nick, were out and did a great job, I dare say that Jodi's hammering became noticeably proficient and confident over the day as she nailed in nearly half the slats herself. Alex, my brother, also was out all weekend, through rain and shine, and showed he might just have the makings of an engineer in him. He wielded tools with skill, and without the need for direction and really helped get things done. Erin entertained Emma and Katie all Saturday, as well as running endless errands, keeping us fed, entertaining a parade of visitors, and swung a few hammer throws herself. Although she failed at knot tying.
The traditional blood sacrifice was provided by Trevor who cut on a big splinter, and Nick who took a chunk of wood to the hand after it got kicked by the saw. The finished job looks fantastic. Here are some image highlights, and you can see the rest over at picasa.
Ride Update
The total raised so far is $170, $120 of which was donated last week.
My riding hasn't been quite as awesome as the donations, I've ridden a total of 45 km last week, as well as a spinning session, but fencing prevented weekend riding.
Please keep the donations coming in, and we will hit that total goal in no time.
Friday, May 02, 2008
I'm not sure what the message is
I think they are saying buy this car, it is roomy, and can fit lots of people... Or they are saying buy this car and get fed to monster dogs, but soccer monsters...
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Die-hard knitters prepare for sock battle
read more | digg story
Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart Training Update
I'm ramping up faster then my body can take it right now, I may ride again today making it 4 days in a row, or I may just take a day off. Can't decide, because I know tomorrow is out as I need to not be dead for Saturday, as using an auger is killer hard.
Heart and Stroke Ride For Heart Donation Update
Becel Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart, Toronto 2008 Fundraising Kickoff
For those of you who don't want to read my ramblings and just jump straight to donations, I won't stop you, you can click here.
I'm going to start this post with H&S's boiler plate on why they think you should donate, then I am going to tell you why I'm riding.
I am writing you to ask for your support for a worthy cause that is very close to my heart. I am participating in the Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart on Sunday, June 1, 2008 and I am trying to raise funds to support breakthrough medical advances, social change and health education.
With your help the Heart and Stroke Foundation can continue to lead the way in protecting the health of millions of Canadians at risk of heart disease and stroke - today, and for generations to come.
Your donation means life to others. With generous donations like yours, the Foundation has achieved:
- Treating and preventing cardiac arrest in children
- Improving prevention and management of high blood pressure
- Fighting to eliminate trans fats from processed foods
Can I please count on your support? Your donation funds results that change lives.
1. Now for my reasons, and I have a couple, some are altruistic and some more selfish. I think the most obviously selfish is that as a Caucasian, young adult, overweight (that isn't the technical term but I'm not talking to the BMI calculator today,) male I'm know I'm in one of the higher risk groups for heart disease. Not withstanding the known family history, and likely hood that the only thing separating me from being in that highest risk group is age, which has an inexorable passage that will place me there soon. So what does that mean? Well as I am fortunate enough to not live in a warzone, or third world nation, the most likely thing to "get me" is heart disease, and so I've decided to take the fight to heart disease. The number one way is whipping my poor body into shape, and the second is through research into life saving treatments through the Heart and Stroke foundation. I figure if we can press this war on a few more fronts we can win this war!
3. Now pure self preservation isn't my only reason for supporting this cause, nor should your own personal self preservation be the only reason, although it is a good reason. A few others include, research, treatments, technology and facilities partially funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation have saved, or extended the life of many people you know and love. In like 10 seconds I came up with a list of five people who I know, and have been the beneficiary of not dieing, and I didn't even try very hard to come up with those names. I'm sure I could hit 25 people if I just thought about it, and I bet all of you could as well. I think beyond being thankful for these people, they are a testament to the efficacy and value of the donations to the Heart and Stroke foundation.
3. Another reason, that is more for me then for you, but I still think is a good point, is that the Heart and Stoke Ride for Heart really helps in two ways, the first is obviously through donations to support H&S Foundation, but the other is reminding folks that one of the best ways to stay healthy is to participate in some activity. Not everyone needs to cycle 50 km to reap the benefits of a active lifestyle, but as fund raising events go, very few actually will have a direct benefit to their very cause like this one, as every participant will be healthier for it, and hopefully the seething mass of people being healthy will catch on to their friends and family and they will all be better off.
4. It is not morally ambiguous, by which I mean, there is no reason to not donate to the Heart and Stroke foundation, no one I know can look me in the eyes and say heart disease isn't a real health issue, and that research and treatment isn't a good thing. (If you do say that to my face, and can keep a straight face, then I worry about you.) This is a donation that will make a change, and you can unequivocally feel good about.
5. Okay, this one is more for you guys then me, but if you like to make me suffer you have to donate. I'm going out there this year to do the 50 km ride, that is double last years. I'm doing it, because I can, and because Erin can't ride, so I'm going to ride for her. Next year though, I'm going to have to decide if I am going to ride 50 km, or the more aggressive 75 km. So here is the deal... If you guys want me to do 75 km next year, then you have to break the the $500 donation goal this year. This is low hanging fruit, we did it last year, with only 3 days notice, so this year I expect you to blow it out of the water.
So there you go 5 reasons:
1. Save your self
2. Save your loved ones
3. Get Healthy
4. Feel good about it
5. Make Geoff Suffer!
Can't argue with those reasons now can you?
So this is the link for the third time: LINK
Get those donations coming in, I will of course email you all with an email similar to this, and I will post my training and donation status up until the race.
Feel free to extort your coworkers and friends as well :)
Geoff