Month: May 2013

The Daily EO: May 11th, 2013

For many years, I have said “Emile is chocolate, I am caramel”.  No, I am not referring to our skin colours, but instead our preferences for desserts.  The chocolatey, the richer, – Emile is all over it.  Burnt caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar, anything with that rich carmal taste is my preference.  And when it is mixed with heavy cream . . . sigh. . .  so good.  I haven’t exactly spurned chocolate – but the recent societal love affair with dark chocolate and all its varieties has never been something I enjoy or get really.

So, as of late, my urges for chocolate is mystifying to me.  Right now, I would rather a Lindt milk chocolate bar before I’d want a crème brûlée.  What is wrong with me?  Even Emile wondered tonight if there was something bothering me.

Hmmm.

………

……

…

Okay. . .  sorry about that, just had to go and eat part of the chocolate bar in the kitchen.   I’m back.

Yum.

May 11th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  Chocolate – its really working for me right now.

The Daily EO: May 10th, 2013

Recently I attended an Operations Off Site Strategic Planning meeting.  This is a meeting where you go off site to plan your strategic direction – just in case you hadn’t figured that out from the name.  These meetings can be painful, are usually hot (hotels, please get your thermostat adjusted for goodness sakes) and usually involve a team building function of some sort.  Ours was not so bad – and I am not just saying that because my boss follows my blog.

During our meeting, our boss presented us each with headbands with a saying on it that she thought represented each of us on the team.  We had some laughs and posed for pictures.  Mine was to reflect my commitment to getting it done – and my challenge to the rest of my peers to move beyond obstacles.

Recently, I challenged myself to run/walk 130kms this month and I must tell you I am sorely off target.  As of late,  I am satisfied when I eat celery instead of chocolate.  Which is surprisingly often because I really like celery.  There is something about it so crunchy and yummy.  Anyways, off topic.

What I am trying to tell you is that I aimed high and I am missing the mark so far.   Phew.  I feel better already, confessing is always helpful.   But it is time to brush off excuses and get moving.   I promise myself I will pull myself together and get moving.  I am taking a couple of days off next week and I am going to run.  I am going to hike, I am going to eat celery despite the temptations of endless tapas.

May 10th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  I’m going to do it.  Though part of me is thinking “What’s with the daffodil?”?

Look at those eyes. They mean it.
Look at those eyes. They mean it.

Cumulative May Total = 26.8 kms

The Daily EO: May 9th, 2013

I wake up early.  Not as early as some, but early.  As the summer season starts to swing into action, tourist season begins.  As someone who recently was cruising, seeing the cruise ships sail in and out of the port is pretty cool.  They are usually pulling in when I get up.  And then pulling out after their port of call in Vancouver when I get home from work.There is something special living in a tourist destination.  Sometimes I hate the crowds, but other times, I feel smug that I live somewhere that people pay money to visit.

May 9th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  I am somewhere people want to be.  That’s worth remembering.

Early Morning Docking.
Early Morning Docking (super imposed with my reflection)

The Daily EO: May 8th, 2013

I’ve been struggling for years to control my skin that just doesn’t want to believe that I am no longer teenager.  Unfortunately, it is something of a split personality as it thinks it is middle aged as well.  Break outs and fine lines. . and I am fooling myself when I pretend not to see more than fine lines around my eyes.  Sigh.

I was fortunate not to ever suffer from Cystic Acne and I won’t even pretend I have it that bad.  I have breakouts that are annoying normally – more so than horrible or disfiguring.

But annoying enough that I want it to go away.  Over the years, I have tried many things – topical and oral, prescription and otherwise and been able to keep things in check.  But when I don’t get enough sleep, don’t drink enough water, don’t wash my face and have too much stress in my life – watch out.

It doesn’t help that I am make-up retarded so, unlike those crazy talented make-up people on YouTube that seem to cover over any problem, I go plain faced.  Though I do believe that it helps my skin to stay clean and moisturized at any given time.

Like many – I am a sucker for skin care products and will try find beauty in a bottle.  And since I am now really trying to eliminate the chemicals that aren’t doing me or the earth any favours, I tend to stick to natural brands.  A bit ago, I stumbled upon Eminence and thought I would give their probiotic line a try.

Man – this stuff smells like tea tree oil – strong and spicy but I like it.  I washed my face and I love it.  Clean, soft, greaseless, supple and well mostly clean.

May 8th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  New hope in a bottle.  Let’s see.

 

 

The Daily EO: May 7th, 2013

Tonight we watched a screening of Wrong Time Wrong Place.  It is about the massacre on Utoya Island and the bombing in Oslo that happened in Norway in 2011.  It was well done.   Somehow the film found a way to walk a fine line. It recognized the untellable fear and horror but also the small spark of life that is emerging from the ashes of the survivors and those who love the dead.

Many of those in the documentary told of such small decisions that saved them and left others dead.   And as I walked home, I thought of the millions of choices I make each day – most not even consciously considered.

I read stories about soldiers who gained fatalistic attitudes during wartime – coping with their fear by believing that you could not avoid the bullet that had your name on it.  So, there was no point in being afraid – that bullet would come no matter your actions.  The parents of one young victim argued this point – the mother thought that her daughter would have died when she was 20 regardless (if not on Utoya Island), the father thought this view was nonsense.

I like to think that I have my choice in any given circumstance, but what if my path was predestined?  Would I live differently?  Take more risks, do more things, eat more heavy cream?

May 7th 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  Am I approaching a wrong time and place?  Will I feel the different that day?  Will I know?

The Daily EO: May 6th, 2013

Sent to my husband on morning of May 6th:

A significant buying opportunity has come to our attention from an unidentified party.

 Rarely available, these Round One, Vancouver Canucks/San Jose Sharks Game 7 tickets are looking for just the right buyer.  The discerning purchaser will see the unique chance to save significant money over face value.

 Appraised at $600, these can be obtained now for $25. If that seems too much, you might think of sharing them with someone, reducing your wise investment to only $12.50.

 Applications are now being taken from qualified applicants.

 For those concerned that the tickets might be sold to more than one person (say 60 people) and that no one would ever find that out, you will have the peace of mind that only a signed Declaration of Authenticity brings.

 In these once-a-year circumstances, we are able to accept Cash Only.

May 6th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:   Laugh at yourself – it makes it a little easier to take.

The Daily EO: May 4th, 2013

A gorgeous day and a forecast of more to come.  I awoke determined to find both more items to throw out of my warehouse AND to get outside to run run run.  I did the first while I waited for my running partner to get out of bed and get ready.  Emile is good at being on time and reliable, but given a fluid schedule, he is the best futzer I have ever met.  He could stretch anything into a 4 hour event.  But nonetheless we finally got out of the house.

I should mention here that I changed my rules for my running month of May.  I am not going to run every day – honestly Self! You are a Materials Manager you are busy – but instead run a  cumulative amount for the month.  This seems more realistic as I can definitely spend more time on weekends exercising then I can on my 12 hour days spent commuting and working.  So, my goal for the month is 130 kms.

But back to Saturday.  What a Day!  Sunny.  No Humidity.

But the Sea Wall was crowded.  Really Crowded.  I took a picture to show you:

photo

Okay – that actually was a picture of my view at the Vancouver Sun Run, but you get my meaning.  There were a whole bunch of people pouring of off the cruise ship and everyone was out enjoying the weather.  It made it feel like a race picking your way around people.  But I got in 9.2 kms.

Okay – that is another lie.  I am a liar.  I cannot claim 9.2 kms today.  My shins.  My poor poor shins.  They hate me after pushing through the Sun Run and having recovered yet.  So, I probably ran about 6. or 7 and then had to walk – at a lively pace – but walk nonetheless for the rest of the day.  There comes a point that pushing yourself is stupid if it is going to result in injury or longer lasting pain.

But it was such a beautiful day that we decided to register for the BMO marathon on May 5th.  Because we could.  Because we were right there.

Okay – that is another lie.  God – what is wrong with me?!  There was never any intention of signing up for the marathon or the 1/2 marathon.  Instead, we were going to do the 8k, but for some crazy reason whoever was in charge of the race – and it must not have been a sane person – scheduled it to start at 6:30 am.  Wha?!  The only thing I do at 6:30 is get out of bed into a hot shower.   So sorry BMO – and all the charities that you fundraise for – forget it.  I am keeping my shins in bed along with my 50 bucks.  Because I always sleep with my shins and 50 bucks.  Always.

But – the best part about not signing up for the BMO marathon was enjoying the “Expo” and getting free things like health bar samples, yogurt, weird BMO gloves that look like those gloves you buy for exfoliation in the shower rather than real gloves.  I must say the Vega booth was pretty cheap on their samples though – you had to go up and request that they cut a little piece of a bar or give a little sip of a drink.  If you are giving free samples – then don’t be cheap about it.  That’s what I say!  Put them out there – share your stuff.  Don’t make them beg for it!

Any hoo, back home where somehow it was already 4:45 pm (I blame Emile with his futzing not my walking) to shower and eat healthy things like kale.

Another LIE!  I am out of control!  Instead, we used my hidden credit card and coupon to buy $2 sweet fries at A&W and since we were there you can’t not have a diet root beer or apple turnover while sitting in the sunshine.  (not that I have a hidden credit card normally, it was just tucked away in my running shorts).

So, off we ran to see “The Manor” all the way across downtown as part of the Doxa film festival.  It was good – but I found it hard to watch sometimes as I wonder how the director was able to show his family warts and all.  (including his own warts).  The filmmaker was there, and we joined in a lively discussion after the movie to learn more of his story, and went for drinks with the producers after the show.

Okay.  Yep.  That too is a lie.  We left immediately afterwards – alone – and headed to Chill Winston’s (best location in Gastown), sat outside, had a beer and wine and shared a pizza and watched the world go by.

And that is no lie.

May 4th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  The best day of my life!  Okay.  No.  Really, what I mean, is there are no regrets moving to Vancouver today.  And Oh!  That heat lamp at Chill Winston’s was pretty freaking awesome with the sun setting and the temperature dropping.  And the wine was excellent.

Run Today:  6.5 kms
Cumulative Total:  16.3 kms

The Daily EO: May 3rd, 2013

“Well, look up into the sky tonight and if you see blue streaks, you’ll know what I am saying.”  That is my grandma told me tonight when I called to wish him good luck for Game 2 of the Shark and Canucks series.   When my grandpa watches a game he is either sleeping in his chair or cursing at the TV.  There is no in between.

I enjoy a game of hockey – like cheering for the home team – but I am not a rabid fan.  Or a fan really.  But it’s this time of year that I want to buy a jersey just so I can cheer along with everyone else.  Most of my updates come from the television in my building’s elevator.  But I checked the status of game 2 on the internet, and watched the sky for blue streaks.  Bit my nails during the OT – hoping that in my grandpa’s life time the Canucks would finally get a Stanley Cup.

Sigh.

May 3rd, 2013 Extra-Ordinary:  My grandpa says it is all over now.  I wonder if he is right.

Run Today:  5.6 km
Cumulative:  10.1 km