Okay, so maybe it isn’t a debate but it is a classic Canadian conversation. Zambonis. I feel like growing up Canadian it is an essential part of childhood. To anyone that hasn’t actually attended a hockey game, gone skating or experienced an ice rink you are truly missing out. As a brief explanation, it is a small vehicle that smoothes the ice surface between skates.
Firstly it is a fabulous word, secondly it is truly exciting to see a zamboni when you are a small child (I still greatly enjoy seeing them) and finally there are so many unanswered questions. Really annoying, you have too much time on your hands type questions, but questions none the less. What does the zamboni driver do when they aren’t zamboniing (pretty sure that isn’t a word but I like it anyway)? Does every rink have a zamboni or do near by rinks share one (this started a great debate in university)? How do you get to be the kid that rides the zamboni at the hockey games (a most coveted experience)? How do you become a zamboni driver? Do you just need a drivers licence? How do they master the pattern on the ice? What do they do if they miss a spot?
In my youth it was a habit to make up inaccurate answers to all of these questions t and then debate them with friends. Some of the discussions became quite heated in my university days. I recall one time having over a 30 minute conversation about zambonis that I am sure said nothing of relevance. Still it is a fond memory whenever I attend a game and see a zamboni come out onto the ice.
In conclusion, it’s the little winter things that make me happy to be back in Canada, even if I am adjusting poorly to the cold. Other things I am enjoying: festive coffee drinks, the smell of winter and that wearing a scarf with everything is appropriate.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Personal vs. Professional
As an employee in the marketing field I always question this line, should I have separate facebook accounts, twitter accounts and possibly make my blog private? As an employee I don’t feel that I speak for the groups that I work for, unless representing myself in that capacity, so how to divide my personal life from my professional, or do I even need to?
Fortunately I like to think that nothing too questionable is on my facebook, so with a limited profile I stop most of the damage that could be done to my good name. By limiting my profile I have only really blocked tagged pictures (the most dangerous of all pictures). Not all friends respect that some events don’t need to make it to public view. Now that I think of it, maybe no one needs to see my tagged pictures, not even me. Hypothetically employers are starting to consider the social media available about you to reflect who you are and if you are employable by any given organization. Well, what is appropriate? Can I hold a glass of wine? What about my dance moves, that may be mistaken for drunkenness , I assure you they are purely my lack of dance skills. What about the people I associate with or my political views?
Personally I feel it may all come down to what field you work in, what you are comfortable with the world knowing and what you would be okay with your mother reading. Hi mom. These are the ways that I base most decisions of what I post, what I allow others to see and when I call a friend on questionable facebook/blog/twitter posts. Some things should be kept to in person or email. But more frequently than not, maybe they just don’t need to be said. However, were would the entertainment be in that... Regardless, if you were to have a conversation with me, you would probably hear many of the things I would post in a blog… just cuts out the other person. Maybe social media is just a way to talk to yourself and convince yourself that someone might pay attention.
Really, I don’t think I answered any of the big questions, but I will continue to question my status until one day, maybe if I have children, I will try to wipe out my thoroughly entertaining and not so perfect (but not too dodgy) past.
Fortunately I like to think that nothing too questionable is on my facebook, so with a limited profile I stop most of the damage that could be done to my good name. By limiting my profile I have only really blocked tagged pictures (the most dangerous of all pictures). Not all friends respect that some events don’t need to make it to public view. Now that I think of it, maybe no one needs to see my tagged pictures, not even me. Hypothetically employers are starting to consider the social media available about you to reflect who you are and if you are employable by any given organization. Well, what is appropriate? Can I hold a glass of wine? What about my dance moves, that may be mistaken for drunkenness , I assure you they are purely my lack of dance skills. What about the people I associate with or my political views?
Personally I feel it may all come down to what field you work in, what you are comfortable with the world knowing and what you would be okay with your mother reading. Hi mom. These are the ways that I base most decisions of what I post, what I allow others to see and when I call a friend on questionable facebook/blog/twitter posts. Some things should be kept to in person or email. But more frequently than not, maybe they just don’t need to be said. However, were would the entertainment be in that... Regardless, if you were to have a conversation with me, you would probably hear many of the things I would post in a blog… just cuts out the other person. Maybe social media is just a way to talk to yourself and convince yourself that someone might pay attention.
Really, I don’t think I answered any of the big questions, but I will continue to question my status until one day, maybe if I have children, I will try to wipe out my thoroughly entertaining and not so perfect (but not too dodgy) past.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Go Canucks!
As a new Vancouverite it is only right that I cheer on the Cancuks or shake my head in disappointment at appropriate moments. While I greatly enjoy watching hockey, particularly in person, I am uncertain if I would spend the big bucks to attend a Canucks game. Fortunately for my cultural education my friend Krista got free tickets and invited me to go. Favorite part? The fans! The aggressive grandma’s, overweight cursing ‘sports junky’ and the dolled up tarts are by far my favorite of the fans. If there was ever a time to people watch, sports is it! However maybe the correct term would be people listen, because clearly I want to watch the game as the Canucks just pulled it together in order to win.
Nothing beats the smell of off cheese, hot dogs, ice and perfume (from the ladies there to get a man), the cheer of the crowd as a fight breaks out (on or off the ice) and a mascot getting a little aggressive. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, one I am sure that I will want to experience again. In my mind I still prefer NBA games, but sadly there is no team in Van. Favorite sports to watch are currently basketball (preferably NCAA) and a tie between hockey and Australian footy.
Nothing beats the smell of off cheese, hot dogs, ice and perfume (from the ladies there to get a man), the cheer of the crowd as a fight breaks out (on or off the ice) and a mascot getting a little aggressive. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, one I am sure that I will want to experience again. In my mind I still prefer NBA games, but sadly there is no team in Van. Favorite sports to watch are currently basketball (preferably NCAA) and a tie between hockey and Australian footy.
“On the road I dream of home and when at home I dream of action” –The Zolas
I seem to have hit a brick wall… what some would consider ‘back to reality’, ‘real life’ and maybe some would even consider it ‘growing up’ (however I fully disagree with this last one, I have MANY years before this will be required). It isn’t such a bad thing, just more of a transition. My adventure is over, I am employed, have responsibilities, expectations and will soon commit to long term bills i.e. A lease. I don’t feel I prepared myself for this step in life (we’ll ignore that it is my second time around).
I think I am so used to there being something exciting just around the corner that I have become dependent on this feeling. I like the instability that the last year and a half has provided, not knowing what will happen next, not thinking about things too much, letting go of the expectations I had set up for myself. I am sure in this phase of life I will carry many of these things with me, but it will be an interesting balance.
Luckily my new job at UBC appears as though I will have a good work/life balance. Come the New Year, I will go back to playing Frisbee a couple of days a week. I am greatly looking forward to the purchase of a bike (bicycle, not motorcycle) as a form of transportation. But the big ‘adventure’ is settling in… less exciting. I look forward to all of the people I will meet, things I will get involved with but it is too intangible to grasp. I guess I have to adjust to ‘reality’…sigh.
YOGA UPDATE
I have no idea how I neglected to update my blog post challenge, well I completed it! Then I weighed myself, after not weighing myself for the entire month, I gained 6 lbs…. go me. While maybe this should be upsetting, I thought it was kinda funny. I will lose it again, I am more flexible and overall I am happy that I completed the challenge. Were there any life changing experiences, no. Will I continue with the yoga? On occasion. There was a point where I decided that I hated yoga and thought it might actually break me. Once I know where I am going to live I will reevaluate if I will get a membership, for now it is swimming, Frisbee and whatever other activities come up will do. I am avoiding commitments for the moment until I have a better idea of my work life, social life and determining if I have already peaked with my Frisbee skill (which would be entirely sad but quite possible).
I think I am so used to there being something exciting just around the corner that I have become dependent on this feeling. I like the instability that the last year and a half has provided, not knowing what will happen next, not thinking about things too much, letting go of the expectations I had set up for myself. I am sure in this phase of life I will carry many of these things with me, but it will be an interesting balance.
Luckily my new job at UBC appears as though I will have a good work/life balance. Come the New Year, I will go back to playing Frisbee a couple of days a week. I am greatly looking forward to the purchase of a bike (bicycle, not motorcycle) as a form of transportation. But the big ‘adventure’ is settling in… less exciting. I look forward to all of the people I will meet, things I will get involved with but it is too intangible to grasp. I guess I have to adjust to ‘reality’…sigh.
YOGA UPDATE
I have no idea how I neglected to update my blog post challenge, well I completed it! Then I weighed myself, after not weighing myself for the entire month, I gained 6 lbs…. go me. While maybe this should be upsetting, I thought it was kinda funny. I will lose it again, I am more flexible and overall I am happy that I completed the challenge. Were there any life changing experiences, no. Will I continue with the yoga? On occasion. There was a point where I decided that I hated yoga and thought it might actually break me. Once I know where I am going to live I will reevaluate if I will get a membership, for now it is swimming, Frisbee and whatever other activities come up will do. I am avoiding commitments for the moment until I have a better idea of my work life, social life and determining if I have already peaked with my Frisbee skill (which would be entirely sad but quite possible).
Monday, November 30, 2009
12 yoga classes, 4 frisbee games and a game of Frisbee… I’m happy last week is over!
I am now at the final stages of the yoga challenge! Two more classes to go tomorrow and I will have accomplished my goal. Overall I am not feeling much of a change… the major thing is when I laid out a couple of times in Frisbee I didn’t pull any muscles and my posture has improved. I am no skinner, my skinny jeans fit pretty much the same and I could still stand to lose a couple of lbs. Ah well, at least I have the sense of achievement.
In other exciting news I am now employed by UBC. I begin work on December 7th as the Marketing Communications Specialist for the International Student Initiative. I am really excited, the job sounds amazing, it is a year maternity contract and really I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. Never would have guessed things would have worked out THIS well!
Now that I am employed the next goals will be to learn how to snowboard, learn to not hate running… 10km is the goal (I am only good at running after things or away from things) and to get a decent apartment once my sublet is up. I feel like these may be ambitious but I feel more motivated to do things when I post them on my blog. Not sure I would have attempted to complete the yoga challenge if I didn’t post it.
On an interesting note, the singing yoga teacher made a reappearance today… he sang an original this time. While quite beautiful, it was a small class, so I am guessing he saw me unable to hold back my near giggles… must avoid this instructor! Sad part is he is a great teacher and has a great voice, but I am a small child.
In other exciting news I am now employed by UBC. I begin work on December 7th as the Marketing Communications Specialist for the International Student Initiative. I am really excited, the job sounds amazing, it is a year maternity contract and really I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. Never would have guessed things would have worked out THIS well!
Now that I am employed the next goals will be to learn how to snowboard, learn to not hate running… 10km is the goal (I am only good at running after things or away from things) and to get a decent apartment once my sublet is up. I feel like these may be ambitious but I feel more motivated to do things when I post them on my blog. Not sure I would have attempted to complete the yoga challenge if I didn’t post it.
On an interesting note, the singing yoga teacher made a reappearance today… he sang an original this time. While quite beautiful, it was a small class, so I am guessing he saw me unable to hold back my near giggles… must avoid this instructor! Sad part is he is a great teacher and has a great voice, but I am a small child.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Halfway mark
So keeping on top of attending yoga is hard enough, blogging about it is nearly impossible. Days 6-15, were a mix of flow, cycling and power yoga. I have reached the half way mark for the 30 dyas but I’m 3 classes behind. This MUST be rectified this week if I am going to enter the final stretch with any sanity.
I really wonder why I get involved with such challenges. Yes my posture is better and it gives me things to do in my unemployed state but I really don’t know what kind of fulfillment I will get from this. After talking with several other people today they all seem to feel that this was a good commitment and they can feel the difference… really I find it minimal. My body is still in some pain each day from some random move the previous day but I do have to admit I am getting better each class. I no longer worry that I might knock over my fellow yogi.
Today’s class was by far the hardest one to date. If I had taken this class a little earlier on I would have given up, but fortunately it was just a really good workout today.
In other news in life, I am due to give in and start temping. Enough faffing about and looking for employment that would be long-term, I need an income and I can look for a job on the side. I think I will properly settle into Vancouver upon employment… or that’s the hope. There have been a couple of longer-term options but I am waiting those out.
Random adventures as of late have been a night of clubbing with Krista, checking out the Aquarium with Ash and getting to know the volleyball crowd better. And in possibly the most exciting news I have purchased a guitar! Time to put some lyrics to songs and work on getting better. All is well in the land of rain and clouds.
I really wonder why I get involved with such challenges. Yes my posture is better and it gives me things to do in my unemployed state but I really don’t know what kind of fulfillment I will get from this. After talking with several other people today they all seem to feel that this was a good commitment and they can feel the difference… really I find it minimal. My body is still in some pain each day from some random move the previous day but I do have to admit I am getting better each class. I no longer worry that I might knock over my fellow yogi.
Today’s class was by far the hardest one to date. If I had taken this class a little earlier on I would have given up, but fortunately it was just a really good workout today.
In other news in life, I am due to give in and start temping. Enough faffing about and looking for employment that would be long-term, I need an income and I can look for a job on the side. I think I will properly settle into Vancouver upon employment… or that’s the hope. There have been a couple of longer-term options but I am waiting those out.
Random adventures as of late have been a night of clubbing with Krista, checking out the Aquarium with Ash and getting to know the volleyball crowd better. And in possibly the most exciting news I have purchased a guitar! Time to put some lyrics to songs and work on getting better. All is well in the land of rain and clouds.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Focus on the skinny jeans
Day 5: YHot
Definition: The room is heated to approximately 40ºC to facilitate safe, deep stretching, a detoxifying sweat and healthy glow. Sequencing is unique to each studio. All levels.
At the beginning of class the instructor tells you to find some kind of inspiration, to set a goal, find something that you will think of whenever you need to push yourself to continue. I would like to say that I have some really intriguing depth and I think of becoming an more enlightened being or finding my place in the world, or some other rather epic and totally unobtainable image but that simply isn’t the case. During today’s class (and I feel may become my reoccurring inspiration) my goal/image/ideal was thinking of my new skinny jeans and how much better I would look in them if I dropped a couple of lbs. In my defense I did purchase them to wear with long shirts and boots but it would be rather fun to be someone that was proportioned just a little differently.
While I enjoy hot yoga I don’t think it is one of my favorites. I don’t particularly enjoy the smell of the classroom, the squeaky noise my feet made today on the mat (they ran out of mat towels), the overwhelming warmth and generally the instructors are a little more out there. Today’s instructor was actually one of my favorite so far, she appeared to be totally balanced and normal. I think one of the reasons I notice this so much is because several people have informed me that hot yoga makes people go crazy… and really I would like to not do that.
Definition: The room is heated to approximately 40ºC to facilitate safe, deep stretching, a detoxifying sweat and healthy glow. Sequencing is unique to each studio. All levels.
At the beginning of class the instructor tells you to find some kind of inspiration, to set a goal, find something that you will think of whenever you need to push yourself to continue. I would like to say that I have some really intriguing depth and I think of becoming an more enlightened being or finding my place in the world, or some other rather epic and totally unobtainable image but that simply isn’t the case. During today’s class (and I feel may become my reoccurring inspiration) my goal/image/ideal was thinking of my new skinny jeans and how much better I would look in them if I dropped a couple of lbs. In my defense I did purchase them to wear with long shirts and boots but it would be rather fun to be someone that was proportioned just a little differently.
While I enjoy hot yoga I don’t think it is one of my favorites. I don’t particularly enjoy the smell of the classroom, the squeaky noise my feet made today on the mat (they ran out of mat towels), the overwhelming warmth and generally the instructors are a little more out there. Today’s instructor was actually one of my favorite so far, she appeared to be totally balanced and normal. I think one of the reasons I notice this so much is because several people have informed me that hot yoga makes people go crazy… and really I would like to not do that.
Yoga, Frisbe, Yoga, Volleyball, Yoga
Day 2: YRide
Definition: Conscious Cardio! An innovative cardiovascular workout that strengthens, lengthens and tones the body by integrating indoor cycling with yoga. All levels.
Quite possibly my favorite class, however I feel like it is somewhat cheating because the amount of yoga is fairly low. I like the idea of getting cardio in if I am going to commit to something for 30 days. However for a Monday this may not have been my idea choice of class. I basically did a pretty intense spin class, had to walk 40 minutes (quite quickly) to Frisbee, play for two hours of turf (so Frisbee with almost no breaks) and then walk home. I think next Monday will involve better planning.
Day 3: Missed class…oops (now I have to double up another day, apparently that still fits in the rules of the 30 day challenge)
In my defense I made an attempt to go but the class was full and I had volleyball to go to.
Day 4: Flow
Definition: An invigorating practice with a focus on core strength, breath awareness and key alignment principles. All levels.
This is what I picture when I think of yoga, it is a bit more mellow than the hot classes. There were about 40 or more people in the class and the bulk of people appear to know what they are doing. I still have to sneak looks around to find out what I should be doing next. I really hope no one looks at me to figure out if they are doing things properly. My movements are getting slightly more fluid but there is still a long way to go. So far the only results, not that I expect any this quickly, are constant pain… but at least that makes me feel like I’m doing something positive for my body.
Definition: Conscious Cardio! An innovative cardiovascular workout that strengthens, lengthens and tones the body by integrating indoor cycling with yoga. All levels.
Quite possibly my favorite class, however I feel like it is somewhat cheating because the amount of yoga is fairly low. I like the idea of getting cardio in if I am going to commit to something for 30 days. However for a Monday this may not have been my idea choice of class. I basically did a pretty intense spin class, had to walk 40 minutes (quite quickly) to Frisbee, play for two hours of turf (so Frisbee with almost no breaks) and then walk home. I think next Monday will involve better planning.
Day 3: Missed class…oops (now I have to double up another day, apparently that still fits in the rules of the 30 day challenge)
In my defense I made an attempt to go but the class was full and I had volleyball to go to.
Day 4: Flow
Definition: An invigorating practice with a focus on core strength, breath awareness and key alignment principles. All levels.
This is what I picture when I think of yoga, it is a bit more mellow than the hot classes. There were about 40 or more people in the class and the bulk of people appear to know what they are doing. I still have to sneak looks around to find out what I should be doing next. I really hope no one looks at me to figure out if they are doing things properly. My movements are getting slightly more fluid but there is still a long way to go. So far the only results, not that I expect any this quickly, are constant pain… but at least that makes me feel like I’m doing something positive for my body.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
30 Day Challenge!!!
With every new move I like to take the first little while to try out big things in my new city of residence. Current location is Vancouver, BC (my third move this year and hopefully the last for a while) and the newest endeavor is yoga. I just finished a two-week trial pass where I tried hot, regular and cycling yoga. I was surprised by how challenging I found it, possibly because of my inability to relax, my kankle (fat ankle) and the somewhat ridiculous music at times.
The highlight… that might not be the right thing to call it… how about most memorable moment so far was ending a hot yoga class with the instructor singing us Lenard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” While the instructor had quite a lovely voice it was such a strange experience for me that needless to say there was no relaxing during that five minutes, just trying to stop myself from a fit of giggles. My maturity level astounds me at times.
So the yoga place I go to has started a 30 day challenge for the month of November, basically you do some form of yoga every day. As I am currently unemployed and it isn’t a big Frisbee season so I have decided to attempt it. I’ll do my best to keep a record of my yoga experience every couple of days, this will also help my friends monitor if I have actually gone crazy or if I start to head in that direction.
Day 1: Power Yoga
Definition: An energetic and challenging flow class heated to 32ºC Power that integrates the breath with movement to build flexibility, strength and core stability. Beginners will be challenged; all levels.
Please note that I am definitely a beginner and it lived up to the definition. The instructor was clearly very advanced (as they should be) and was doing handstands, weird jumpy things and a lot of very cool looking things that at this point I feel no need to attempt. I am not the most graceful of people, despite the fact that I play sports I can be quite clumsy in ‘real life.’ I have yet to fall over or knock someone over, but I am sure it is only a matter of time.
Workout wise I thought it was pretty good, I broke a sweat and totally felt it in my legs. However, this could be the repercussions of a night out last night in Everett, WA, USA where I carried one of the girls half way through the city on my back and then somehow ended up rolling around in a heap of grass, leaving our hotel in quite a state. Sorry… tangent. The best part so far is that it is really helpful for strengthen my ankles. Since recently rolling one of them and having a reoccurring injury the hope is this will help sort it out.
The highlight… that might not be the right thing to call it… how about most memorable moment so far was ending a hot yoga class with the instructor singing us Lenard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” While the instructor had quite a lovely voice it was such a strange experience for me that needless to say there was no relaxing during that five minutes, just trying to stop myself from a fit of giggles. My maturity level astounds me at times.
So the yoga place I go to has started a 30 day challenge for the month of November, basically you do some form of yoga every day. As I am currently unemployed and it isn’t a big Frisbee season so I have decided to attempt it. I’ll do my best to keep a record of my yoga experience every couple of days, this will also help my friends monitor if I have actually gone crazy or if I start to head in that direction.
Day 1: Power Yoga
Definition: An energetic and challenging flow class heated to 32ºC Power that integrates the breath with movement to build flexibility, strength and core stability. Beginners will be challenged; all levels.
Please note that I am definitely a beginner and it lived up to the definition. The instructor was clearly very advanced (as they should be) and was doing handstands, weird jumpy things and a lot of very cool looking things that at this point I feel no need to attempt. I am not the most graceful of people, despite the fact that I play sports I can be quite clumsy in ‘real life.’ I have yet to fall over or knock someone over, but I am sure it is only a matter of time.
Workout wise I thought it was pretty good, I broke a sweat and totally felt it in my legs. However, this could be the repercussions of a night out last night in Everett, WA, USA where I carried one of the girls half way through the city on my back and then somehow ended up rolling around in a heap of grass, leaving our hotel in quite a state. Sorry… tangent. The best part so far is that it is really helpful for strengthen my ankles. Since recently rolling one of them and having a reoccurring injury the hope is this will help sort it out.
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