Olympic hockey nights have been a special treat all week...Kat calls. Heidi and Bryan e-mail back and forth and then the call. "Wenny Wenny! USA USA!" or if appropriate,"Can a Da" then "Where Bryan?". After which we get a fashion show of either her American flag dress or her Canada shirt.
Then her charming little toothy grin as she runs off to do something else that has grabbed her attention.
I am still amazed at Skype and so grateful for it. She just takes it in her stride, just another amazing electronic invention for her personal use.
Tomorrow's hockey game will begin, her father assures us with the Canada shirt on the family room floor and the USA dress on the kid.
I don't care who wins, I am just love the call after the game.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Opinions from the Olympic Perch
The perch being the couch of course. Everyone in Calgary and all of our friends in far away places are into these games....people are starting to buy flags for their car windows, and the stores empty out in the evening. I was involved in the '88 Olympics and that is the last time that I felt the surge of nationalism and team pride that Calgary brought to the country.
Well, other than Flames games in the finals and the Stampeders in the Grey Cup. However 1988 was back in the day when we were learning not be be embarrassed by national pride. Not now though, we are proud and damn proud of it. Never the less we are assured by the media that we are adding too much pressure to our athletes by being too proud. Oi Vey!
But, I have a question.
Why does it look like the Canadian skaters sat on a burnt log?
Well, other than Flames games in the finals and the Stampeders in the Grey Cup. However 1988 was back in the day when we were learning not be be embarrassed by national pride. Not now though, we are proud and damn proud of it. Never the less we are assured by the media that we are adding too much pressure to our athletes by being too proud. Oi Vey!
But, I have a question.
Why does it look like the Canadian skaters sat on a burnt log?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Learning new Things
I am excited to add new listing info to my real estate blog. I love the marketing process and any new way of getting the information out to the public really turns my crank. I think I will soon be shopping for a high definition video camera. What I use now is adequate but HD would be that much better. The resolution on the still shots is just fine but I like high def in the movies.
Still banging my head against the dashboard figuratively with Toyota. My car, Vinnie the Venza was the only one that wasn't recalled. But, the navi system is giving me gyp. I went to the dealer and they replaced the DVD when the version I had ceased to work. That seemed to make things even worse. Basically the gps sat couldn't find anything and deteriorated to the point that it sent me to different cities while I was in transit to a local address. Then it decided to cease connecting my voice commands. Toyota won't replace the part until I have jumped through useless time wasting hoops and tests. I hate being the guinea pig with a new car but I guess it is my fault for buying a car first out of the gate in its first year. I know Toyota is being plagued right now, but they should be kind to their last remaining customer.
Everyone at the dealership seems to be handling this mass recall bravely, with customers jumping up and down and I give them kudos for remaining calm, but, my circumstance seems to be left in the dust. But, hey, I can blog and bitch. Maybe Monday I will make some headway.
Still banging my head against the dashboard figuratively with Toyota. My car, Vinnie the Venza was the only one that wasn't recalled. But, the navi system is giving me gyp. I went to the dealer and they replaced the DVD when the version I had ceased to work. That seemed to make things even worse. Basically the gps sat couldn't find anything and deteriorated to the point that it sent me to different cities while I was in transit to a local address. Then it decided to cease connecting my voice commands. Toyota won't replace the part until I have jumped through useless time wasting hoops and tests. I hate being the guinea pig with a new car but I guess it is my fault for buying a car first out of the gate in its first year. I know Toyota is being plagued right now, but they should be kind to their last remaining customer.
Everyone at the dealership seems to be handling this mass recall bravely, with customers jumping up and down and I give them kudos for remaining calm, but, my circumstance seems to be left in the dust. But, hey, I can blog and bitch. Maybe Monday I will make some headway.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Olympic Blisters
I am getting Olympic blisters sitting on the couch and watching the exciting events. I have been following Ann's adventures on the yellow road and enjoying her observations. She is truly bi-country, with enthusiasm for all.
She encouraged Heidi and Dan to trek up to Vancouver and they will be reporting back on Friday. Stephen Colbert of course was a draw as he taped his show in Vancouver, surrounded by ice-holes. I love that. I will sign up for that. I will be one for sure. Can't skate any more though.
When I was a kid we used to skate on the home made rinks that our dads flooded in the school yard or in our back yards. Most often we would go out to the sloughs and skate around clumps of grass and frozen cow pies. I thought that was so much fun. We were pretty good at gliding on one foot and jumping because we had to be.
I just knew I was the best figure skater in the world then.
What happened?
I loved following the cracks in the ice and imagining that they were hundreds of feet deep and who knows maybe they were. We would come home when our feet froze. That was the one thing that took the glow off of any winter event when I was a child. Frozen feet. But no longer, now that I have Defeet woolie boolies. Love those socks. Thank you Heidi.
We are going to feed the chickadees today in Fish Creek park, Ginger loves those walks, we take lots of breaks for her old bones to rest and let her spend lots of time sniffing up and down the tree trunks for news of squirrels.
We have perfect weather today, sunshine, snow that is still white and freshly fallen, clear blue skies and a couple of hours to take for a 'lunch break'.
She encouraged Heidi and Dan to trek up to Vancouver and they will be reporting back on Friday. Stephen Colbert of course was a draw as he taped his show in Vancouver, surrounded by ice-holes. I love that. I will sign up for that. I will be one for sure. Can't skate any more though.
When I was a kid we used to skate on the home made rinks that our dads flooded in the school yard or in our back yards. Most often we would go out to the sloughs and skate around clumps of grass and frozen cow pies. I thought that was so much fun. We were pretty good at gliding on one foot and jumping because we had to be.
I just knew I was the best figure skater in the world then.
What happened?
I loved following the cracks in the ice and imagining that they were hundreds of feet deep and who knows maybe they were. We would come home when our feet froze. That was the one thing that took the glow off of any winter event when I was a child. Frozen feet. But no longer, now that I have Defeet woolie boolies. Love those socks. Thank you Heidi.
We are going to feed the chickadees today in Fish Creek park, Ginger loves those walks, we take lots of breaks for her old bones to rest and let her spend lots of time sniffing up and down the tree trunks for news of squirrels.
We have perfect weather today, sunshine, snow that is still white and freshly fallen, clear blue skies and a couple of hours to take for a 'lunch break'.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Saturday on the Olympic Couch
The couch is now the designated Olympic viewing perch. I watched the short track, the women's hockey, mens long track, mens' ski jumping and (why is there no women's ski jumping...that would be so cool to watch) and now women's mogels.
I haven't moved except to take Ginger out to check her rounds (bunny trails and other dog pee stations) and do her ablutions, then back to the couch the fireplace and snacks.
oooh I am so lazy..,
Back to work tomorrow, but I feel so fortunate that I can take a day and cheer on all these amazing young athletes. Thank goodness for PVR, but it doesn't know when to flip from TSN to CTV to NBC to SNET, Oh what a conundrum.
I remember the feeling when the games were here in Calgary the high lasted for weeks afterward.
I haven't moved except to take Ginger out to check her rounds (bunny trails and other dog pee stations) and do her ablutions, then back to the couch the fireplace and snacks.
oooh I am so lazy..,
Back to work tomorrow, but I feel so fortunate that I can take a day and cheer on all these amazing young athletes. Thank goodness for PVR, but it doesn't know when to flip from TSN to CTV to NBC to SNET, Oh what a conundrum.
I remember the feeling when the games were here in Calgary the high lasted for weeks afterward.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Olympic Shock
Gee, I hate starting the day mad but this morning while I was watching the Olympic Torch relay through Stanley park, B.C. premier Gordon Campbell said something that hurt my feelings.
He said, that not since the 1967 Olympics had the country been brought together with such enthusiasm.
What???? since 1967??? What about Calgary? What about 1988?
I was a volunteer at the Calgary Olympic Games in 1988. This was the first Olympics anywhere in the world that was wholly supported by unpaid volunteers. Volunteers with heart and enthusiasm and we made it the success that it was. We, the volunteers taught the world how to host an Olympic games and we set the standard for all the games that followed.
We galvanized the country and we were the centre of the world's attention.
Canada felt the pride.
Where was Gordon Campbell? He owes us an apology. Now.
He said, that not since the 1967 Olympics had the country been brought together with such enthusiasm.
What???? since 1967??? What about Calgary? What about 1988?
I was a volunteer at the Calgary Olympic Games in 1988. This was the first Olympics anywhere in the world that was wholly supported by unpaid volunteers. Volunteers with heart and enthusiasm and we made it the success that it was. We, the volunteers taught the world how to host an Olympic games and we set the standard for all the games that followed.
We galvanized the country and we were the centre of the world's attention.
Canada felt the pride.
Where was Gordon Campbell? He owes us an apology. Now.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
What I Woke to this Morning
It was a magical light this morning. The temperature was -5 C or so but there was no wind, and the birds were up early demanding their breakfast. Then 1 hours later the balloon flew over.
Two days ago I took this lovely shot. The frost looks like a coat of fur
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Achilles Agony
Well, I think I have really done it now. It feels like my heel is on fire.
After my dance class this morning, no, actually during my class, I felt the burn. I shredded my tendon a few years ago when I was hiking and after my chiropractor treated it, I gained full use again but I was careful. Today it reminded me that it was there.
I guess I have been overdoing it lately. I dance 3-4 days a week for an hour...by dance I mean Jazzercise and I take a yoga class once a week. Every opportunity I can take I walk.
Today I came home and soaked my foot (with my whole body attached) in a hot bath of epsom salts. I know that was probably the wrong thing to do but the pain was travelling up my leg and I felt like babying myself. I know I should have iced it and elevated it but somehow the lure of the jacuzzi won me over.
Fortunately I can take tomorrow off and prop my foot up...after stretching of course.
Hey, I wonder if tight ham strings are related to this? And tight quadricepts? One thing leads to another.
I wish I could find a pair of cozy socks that I could wear in my wonderful new dance shoes that would give me cushioning on the bottom but would be a fine weave on the top. Hey Ann, is there such a thing?
After my dance class this morning, no, actually during my class, I felt the burn. I shredded my tendon a few years ago when I was hiking and after my chiropractor treated it, I gained full use again but I was careful. Today it reminded me that it was there.
I guess I have been overdoing it lately. I dance 3-4 days a week for an hour...by dance I mean Jazzercise and I take a yoga class once a week. Every opportunity I can take I walk.
Today I came home and soaked my foot (with my whole body attached) in a hot bath of epsom salts. I know that was probably the wrong thing to do but the pain was travelling up my leg and I felt like babying myself. I know I should have iced it and elevated it but somehow the lure of the jacuzzi won me over.
Fortunately I can take tomorrow off and prop my foot up...after stretching of course.
Hey, I wonder if tight ham strings are related to this? And tight quadricepts? One thing leads to another.
I wish I could find a pair of cozy socks that I could wear in my wonderful new dance shoes that would give me cushioning on the bottom but would be a fine weave on the top. Hey Ann, is there such a thing?
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