I Love Boethius...blah blah blah

Eulogy to Sgt. Roland LaRose, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

2010-05-27T17:48:00.000-04:00

We gather here today to mourn the loss and honour the life of Sargent Roland Gerard LaRose. Husband – Father – Grandfather – Great Grandfather – Warrior – Patriot & Friend – and simply put, a great guy.

Tom Brokaw of NBC called his generation “The Greatest Generation” – and for a generation to be great – individuals must be great – and Roly LaRose was just that - a great man.

Yes he fought in the War – and that alone makes him a great man – but his greatness was far more than that. Roly was born in Black Lake, Quebec and moved to Massachusetts with his family so his father could work in the cotton mills. Later, they moved to Welland to help build the Canal. He left school at an early age to help support his family of 5 sisters.

He found his great love - Margaret Herman and was married 1941. They shared a life together for 69 years. There were times of happiness and sorrow – but above all great love.

Even in his last days when he wasn’t feeling that great – his waking hours were spent taking care of Margaret - checking in each morning and at the end of the day. His love for her had no bounds – and he showed it each day with a multitude of kindness.

He was a great husband.

Daughter Heather was born while Roly was away at War. Gerard followed when he returned. Carl was the youngest – lost far too early when struck by a car at 3.

He was a nurturing and caring father to his own children and to others. Providing a home for the family and the occasional bed friends for stray friends and relatives - His deeds always speaking louder than words – teaching all those around him by example.

Roly loved to ride his bike – often riding it to work – After a long day at the Atlas, he would be greeted down the street by Heather and Gerard carrying cushions – with one on the handlebars and the other on the crossbar – no matter how tired from work - Roly would happily bike them home – always with a smile on his face.

He taught both kids how to run and jump – helping them both become star athletes. Gerard excelled on the football field, blocking and tackling with Roly looking on. Long before women’s sports was common – Roly spent hours with Heather helping her become a track star.

He was a great father.

He showed great kindness, patience and love as a grandfather to Myself, Michelle and Robin. Whether dancing with Michelle on his feet in the basement or teaching me to play drums – he always had time for us.

My grandfather had enormous capacity for laughter and fun. Perhaps his greatest legacy to Michelle and I was his ability to find humour in every situation – something we both carry with us today. Bopa was always fun

He was a great Grandfather.

When he returned from the War Roly worked at Atlas Steels until his retirement. Many evenings off work he spent enjoying his love of music. Either dancing up a storm – or playing the drums – He love his music. He played with Jimmy Mirando and Boby Lansky’s bands and provided the beat for the Robert Woods Singers and the Port Colborne Operatic Society. Always with the style and panache that only comes from doing something one loves – and always with a smile on his face.

He was a great drummer.

Later in life Roly took up Golf – another great passion. Anyone who played at the old Highlands course with Roly, knows that he scored his famous Hole In One on the old third hole. Let me tell you - If you have ever golfed with him there – it is impossible to not know it! He would remind you on the 2^nd tee, on the 3^rd tee and again on the 4^th tee…nothing in golf made him more proud then scoring that hole in one! Come to think of it – he would remind you again at the 19^th hole while having a beer.

He was a great golfing buddy.

Roly and Margaret travelled across the country with the Battalion Reunions and made it back to Europe with wartime friends. His greatest friend came from those times – Roly jumped into Normandy with Wilf in front of him on the plane – and stayed friends with him the rest of his life. Friends made in war, continued in peace, to the very end – as we see by those in attendance with us today.

Years rolled on, grandchildren married – Roly embraced his new grandchildren as his own, loving Rosemary and Jim as they came into the family. His love of family renewed with each new great grandchild – Caleigh, Sarah and Fiona – each embraced and bringing a new glean to his eye with every visit.

In his last weeks, Michelle introduced Roly to Fiona, newest great granddaughter – although not feeling well – he was immediately strengthened by the visit – holding her like he did his own children and grandchildren all those years ago.

He was great family man.

Twelve years ago he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma – which he fought with toughness, fortitude and character. When he was first diagnosed with it, he famously told Heather – “I survived the war for 4 years, this won’t get me” – Despite the grim prognosis over a decade ago, he was right – it didn’t get him. A few months ago he was diagnosed with a different cancer and during his final weeks – despite the discomfort and pain – he seldom complained to people. When I visited and asked how he was doing – he would simply say “Not too good” – nothing more. He faced his final fight with courage and dignity.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “Men achieve greatness unawares, when working to another aim”. Roly’s other aim was living his life the best way he could and to do right by others – and always with that wonderful smile on his face - in doing so – unaware of it, he became a great, great man.

Perhaps the greatest thing that Roly did was serve this country in World War 2. Other than his family, Roly’s source of greatest pride was being a member of the 1^st Canadian Parachute Battalion. Not only did Roly volunteer, he sought one of the most dangerous groups to join – the Paratroopers.

I once asked him why he volunteered. “it was the right thing to do” he said. Over the years Gerard would frequently ask why he joined the Paratroopers – one of the most dangerous jobs in the military – Roly always answered the same way – “The pay was better”.

He was widely known in the Battalion as a great baseball player and an all-around great athlete. Coming from men who were in the best shape of the entire Canadian military – this was high praise indeed.

The Battalion were among the first to drop into Normandy on D-Day – Parachuted behind enemy lines in the early morning far before the beach landings. By most accounts, the toughest job on D-Day.

Rolly and the paratroopers achieved every objective. In fact, my grandfather and these men here – never failed to achieve an objective – and never gave up a position once held. They are widely considered to be the greatest single Battalion in Canadian military history.

My Grandfather told me that when he landed on D-Day – he and an officer were the among the first to a key crossroads – the officer told him to hold the position and send people to the bridges – there he sat alone for hours until reinforcements came.

They were the only Canadians in the Ardennes – suffering the cold during the German counter attack at the Battle of the Bulge – they never gave an inch.

Helping to free Holland with their 2^nd jump to the Rhine and finally, with a long forced march to Wismar Germany at rapid pace – hoping to hold off Russian expansion – Roly and his comrades consistently outperformed expectations in the harshest conditions.

He was a great warrior.

I will cherish forever, the hours I spent with him pouring over wartime maps, watching war movies, and simply talking about his experiences. In recent months he became concerned that his part in the War would be forgotten - that we would soon forget what he and his comrades did.

I know he is looking down on us now and I say to him – We will remember him.

On June 6, on November 11 and all days in between, we will remember him.

Roland LaRose, in what he did - for who he was – and how he lived his life.

He was a great man – he was my hero

He came out of the clouds in War - He returns to the clouds now in Peace.

And at the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember him.

ok i'm back...

2010-05-27T13:16:00.000-04:00

I'm finally back - capable of actually writing coherent sentences again.

My medical situation has stabilized and i'm back at work, just in time for summer vacation - score!!!

On the home front, my Grandfather Roland LaRose - of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, died this week - He was a great Canadian and my personal hero - I will be posting the Eulogy I gave for him later on.

that's it for now.

ugh...

2010-02-02T19:47:00.000-05:00

I am mired in haze all day - its like I'm living in invisible Jello or something - I feel detached from my own body - stupid new medication.

health update - more fun

2010-01-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

I guess my last health update post freaked a few people out - including my mother.

Sorry for the confusion - in a nutshell - relax. Just cause i'm pouring out my health issues for all to see doesn't mean I've totally lost it.

Or maybe hit has - regardless - everyone relax - i'm going through various Dante-esque levels of personal hell here and if it helps for me to write about it - that's what i'm doing.

On the detox front - i'm making huge progress - and am optimistic i'll be free and clear of the nastiness next week - after that - and its starting already - its the fast boat to pain island where I will reside until one of these new medicines can help - if they can - I remain optimistic that it will work out.

More importantly - my time off has allowed me to catch up on ND Football news - i'm even more optimistic about a fast ND turnaround.

Ulysses and other revelations

2010-01-28T18:40:00.000-05:00

I'm sure my 10th grade English teach would be thrilled with the following revelation - that I finally connected the dots on Tennyson's Ulysses. It is likely that my current travails have made me feel older then I once felt. Or maybe the time off from work has focused my mind more sharply during my free time...who knows.

Regardless of the reason, the whole poem, particularly the last stanza, resonates with me now.

"Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though

We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

The last line gives me strength to carry on fighting.

ALT's Ulysses

Music is how I feel...

2010-01-27T21:59:00.000-05:00

Namely horrible - I'm not sure if i'm currently Joy Division or Pink Floyd - either way - I hope the outcome is better then those...

I have managed to stop taking 1 of 2 drugs that were affecting me - so i'm kind of halfway there in that I have 1 to go - but it could take twice as long - who knows.

Between pain, withdrawal, fatigue and general depression - this week sucks ass.

Even the announcement of the iPad can't get me that cranked up.

ND Men's hoops team is at best mediocre - Man United is out of the damn FA Cup and CL doesn't start backup too soon.

I can't concentrate long enough to really read anything of note or play any serious video games - though trying to read Milton's Paradise Lost at this juncture may not be the best move.

anyway - meh...

Footy on the way again!!!

2010-01-27T08:36:00.000-05:00

I just received my yearly email from the glorious TFC regarding my season ticket package!!!

I will now chant happily to myself in uncontrolled happiness to prep for the opener in a few months...

WITH PREKI AS OUR LEADER, WE WILL WIN, WE WILL WIN
WITH PREKI AS OUR LEADER, WE WILL WIN, WE WILL WIN

repeat...

Over emotional or actually touched by kindness???

2010-01-26T20:48:00.000-05:00

It could be the combination of withdrawal and my new medication - but I was touched to (almost...) tears by the outpouring of comments here and on Facebook after my post earlier today.

People I talk with every day, others from High School, some from my earliest and fondest memories of minor basketball in Welland, and of course my beloved family.

It made my day somewhat more bearable to know that others out there have been through tough times themselves, or just care enough to drop a line to say hang in there.

From the bottom of my ailing heart, thank you one and all.

p.s. I should mention that regardless of my current health condition, I have the energy and time to keep a watchful eye on Mr. Kelly and his recruiting attempts to lead the Irish to glory - I will predict now, as I tend to do - ND will win the NC within 3 years and USC will mire in mediocrity where they belong.

Health Updates

2010-01-26T09:33:00.000-05:00

I have decided to use this space as a forum for my crazy health issues - hopefully writing things down will make me feel a bit better about things - who knows.

I suffer from chronic pain related to surgery I had in 1992 to correct severe Ulcerative Colitis. The procedure is called the "J-Pouch" procedure in common terms. Net on the surgery is that it corrected my UC, but somehow has resulted in this crazy sharp pain I feel. At first it happened only once or twice a year, lasted for a few days - shitty, but manageable.

Over the past few years, the pain has grown more frequent and more intense; culminating in almost 24hour/day 4-8 out of 10 pain.

The pain is so significant, that I have been prescribed low dosages of oxycontin and percoset to deal with it. However after being on this crap for 3 years, the side effects are killing me - I'm constantly tired, moody and generally a pain in the ass to everyone around me - I can barely function.

My doctors, who include the original surgeon, another colo-rectal specialist, my family GP and most recently, a Pain specialist - all have no clue what the root cause is-there are a couple of theories, but noting concrete - great work guys.

The pain people suggest I take some non-narcotic pain medication to hopefully get me on more long term sustainable meds - which is tacit recognition of the fact that most of them have given up actually trying to solve the problem.

So they have me on Cymbalta - which is an anti-depressant known to have positive effects on people with nerve damage caused primarily by Diabetes. Problem is - when I take it I get seriously crazy - both suicidal and homicidal - generally nuts basically.

After trial and error, my GP and I realized that it may be the combination of the Oxy and Cymbalta which is freaking me out - maybe...

So...for me to test if the Cymbalta works to help with pain and to see what specific drug it is reacting with - if any - cause it could just be how I am reacting to it - I need to stop taking the oxycontin ASAP.

Two issues with this :

1. Oxy withdrawl usually takes 1-3 months and should be done gradually - time I do not have because the side effects of both meds together make me both crazy and non-functional.

2. As I go off the Oxy my pain becomes insane and unbearable- it takes at least 3-4 weeks to determine if the Cymbalta works.

So - I need to go into rapid de-oxy-fication - in order to get cranked up on the other stuff in a short period of time - to minimize the overall pain as I switch...

none of this is anything other then 24/7 horrible.

I'm on day 5 of slowing taking less and less oxy - stretching out the periods between taking it - hopefully forcing my body to start to deal with it.

Today - my withdrawal symptoms include insane shakes, that crazy 'insects are under my skin' feeling, overall body aches like I've been someone's punching bag - and the latest - hurling like a teen age binge drinker...good times to be sure.

it is all I can do to muster the concentration and fortitude to sit here and write this - i'm going out of my mind.

but - talking / writing about it actually helps - so here it is. I will be posting updates during the next few days so that anyone who gives a shit - which is likely nobody can read and understand - and for anyone who actually sees me in real life to maybe start to understand what I am going through and what I have been going through for years.

meh...

its been a while...

2010-01-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry for all 1 of my readers that I've not posted for a long time.

My health has been extremely suspect - my wonderful doctor gave me 'new' medication to try to deal with my pain, that ended up zoning me out and turning me crazy for all of December.

When I started to type "ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKE JOHNNY A DULL BOY" - over and over, I stopped taking them. (shining reference for you youngsters).

Anyway - i'm off those, in huge pain again, but more or less myself - which may or may not be good depending on your perspective.

On another health related note / I'm over 40 and old...I went to the Eye Dr. today and now need reading glasses - i'm definitely on the downside of life.

Picking glasses is a critical thing - and I had zero help - except for the the nice 'young lady' who was helping me out. I was not sure if she was playing me on or actually given me good advice about what "looked good"... no clue - I ultimately went with the style I wanted in the first place - which likely everyone will hate since I have questionable taste...we shall see...

General Updates

2009-11-16T23:15:00.000-05:00

ND once again disappoints me - I suspect Charlie's time is up - too bad, I liked him - will it be Gruden? who knows.

Knee still suckishly hurts - can't jog- which is lame cause I was just getting into it.

Caleigh is now a Harry Potter freak - at age 8 - go figure.

I have an appointment at the Toronto General Pain Clinic - which is pretty much my last hope before I give up and have more major surgery - so fingers crossed.

On the pain front - I found a sweet iPhone app that lets me enter my pain numbers (1-10) scale - export to .csv where I can then graph it - I showed my family doctor the graph I made and she was amazed by my geekishness - and offered some advice on how to crank it up a level of usefulness - if I get it working - I will post it here to show how uber cool it is.

Game Recommendation - Torchlight - kind of a Diablo 2 / Dungeon Siege type cross - no multi-player yet - but it is really really fun.

That's it for now - i'll update more often.

Game trauma- Mystery Mania iPhone

2009-10-23T09:33:00.000-04:00

Mystery Mania for iPhone is another great one from EA. Unfortunatly, its TOO HARD for my little brain.

Its a puzzle adventure where you solve puzzles by clicking on stuff. For example, pick up the remote control, move the car to get this thing, put the thing on the table...open door...etc.

Caleigh is great at it - but is stuck on Robert's Room and I'm too dense to help. The game is so new, nothing is up on the intergooglewebs yet - so everyone - go buy this game so you can help me!!

Phillip K. Dick - great author

2009-10-22T10:44:00.000-04:00

I'm reading great short stories by Phillip K. Dick right now - he is the author of a huge number of sci-fi stories that turned into movies. Bladerunner, Minority Report, Total Recall...etc... KILLER short stories.

Life of Pi...book update...

2009-10-14T08:45:00.000-04:00

So - I just finished reading Life of Pi..which knowing nothing about the book before I read it - I thought was actually about Pi - the math circle thing...course, had nothing to do with it. duh...

if you have not read this book, I recommend that you do read it - it will blow your mind.

it is about this young Indian boy, Pi, who goes through some interesting trials on his family's seabound migration from India to Canada - I will say nothing more about it other then -HOLY CRAP - it will blow your mind.

Its interesting how I completely discount any recent popular fiction from my reading list - pathetic really. I don't have faith in the masses to help me decide what to read I guess...I certainly don't trust freeking Oprah and her book recommendation bs.

Read if Life of Pi...it will entertain and freak you out at the same time - LOVED IT

USC WEEK!!!!

2009-10-13T10:28:00.001-04:00

Put up or shut up time for ND - can they beat USC or not?

I THINK YES!!!!!!

Live Update - Counting Blessings

2009-09-30T18:58:00.000-04:00

I have had multiple tell me lately to basically STFU and count my blessings in life - so here is my public accounting of SOME, not all of those things I give thanks for in life:

1. Family - nothing is worth doing that is not for them - both my family with RM and the girls and my parents & grandparents - ty all for never ending support for 40 years.

2. My health - however brutal - although I am in quite rough physical and mental shape of late - there are people in much worse shape then I am.

3. Work - In terms of the wide ranging things I could be doing in life - I'm in insanely good shape with my job and my ability to provide for my family in a way that is not horribly boring or totally stupid - nets out well all things considered.

4. Friends - I have a group of friends close to me - a small group who can tolerate me, some for many years, some for a few years and some for shorter then that - all of whom I love and respect and appreciate.

5. I LOVE ND and thank the Lord's Mother for looking out for those kids each week of every sports season 12 months a year. GO IRISH.

those are the key things - forgive me if I have missed anything. Clearly generic - but really, those are the things in live i'm most thankful for.

God Bless all of you.

ND rises again...

2009-09-20T00:47:00.002-04:00

ND wins - USC loses....things are looking up!!!

Jogapalooza CRASHES OUT!!!!

2009-09-16T21:08:00.001-04:00

so...week 3 - wo 1...CRASH...

just as I was actually loving the pain of blowing my lungs apart - I hack up my knee and back and can barely walk...

SO TYPICAL of me...1 step forward in life, 2 steps back...

sad...

Book Review - Metamorphosis by F. Kafka

2009-09-15T08:11:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading Metamorphosis on the recommendation of a good friend. Buddy in the story wakes up one day as a huge "vermin" - some kind of bug and it gets more bizarre from there.

I don’t want to ruin the story for those of you who may actually read it – given how massively large my blog readership is...as if.

Suffice to say – waking up as a bug would be somewhat disheartening. I’m no English major and can’t actually say wtf it means – but the whole thing was so crazed that I finally get what people mean when they say something was “Kafka-esque”

I loved it completely. It is one of those books that I will read every year. Each time finding something new and interesting – and maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll eventually understand all the symbolism and stuff that they try to teach you to find in English class – which I’ve personally never ever been able to get.

I can relate to bug guy in a huge way – feeling trapped, not wanting to disappoint those around you, etc. Not that I feel like a bug – though, I do know I ‘bug’ people – har har. Sigh...

Anyway – I’d give that bad bay 10/10 – its freaking Kafka, how could I not.

I am fairly sure that I am both a total idiot and an effing asshole

2009-09-14T00:55:00.002-04:00

title says it all. I am an emotional trainwreck - how is this possible at 40? good grief.

The dream is over...

2009-09-12T19:23:00.000-04:00

United won
TFC won

ND LOTS - wtf - no 12-0 - Charlie can't possibly last at this point - which is too bad cause I like the guy.

I'm sooooo bittter - effing Michigan, good grief.

GAME DAY!!!!

2009-09-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Big day for Charlie and the boys. If they can crush Michigan, stopping the run, throwing at will and running it down their throats..all of that - I will continue to be euphoric about their 12-0 possibilities.

To those Michigan Fans - the true fans, not the anti-catholic biggots like Bo Shembeckler and the like, hope your program turns it around soon - say, starting next week.

Jogging Update - Week 2 WO 3 / Sports weekend update

2009-09-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

The last of the "run for 60 walk for 90 seconds" workout tonight. Covered decent distance and more importantly, did the whole workout without once having huge lung or leg pain - so woots all around.

Huge sports weekend - ND v. Michigan & TFC v. Colorado, United v. Tottenham - all on Saturday...could be tricky to watch- may have to pull out the small TV and do the double view. Of course, I can't match my father who occasionally pulls out the THIRD tv for important sports weekends.

Predictions for the above are obvious - ND will pwn Michigan so badly that the entire stadium will be crying visibly on TV; TFC's (without the legend Danny Dichio) - will destroy Colorado, continuing their playoff hopes; United will trounce all over Tottenham, vaulting them to 2nd place in the EPL.

If any one of those things dont' happen - bitterness will ensue for many an hour.

24 hours from now - ND will be 2-0

2009-09-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

I honestly feel sorry for Michigan. they will be so utterly destroyed tomorrow in their own home...poor guys.

but, by dinner Saturday night - ND will be 2-0 and on their way to the BCS Final.

Wardrobe malfunction...

2009-09-10T07:32:00.000-04:00

After turning 40 this year, and after over a decade in IT Consulting - I've realised that I can no longer wear the wardrobe of a golf pro. My recent promotion coupled with the generosity of Tassone's Tailor shop in Thunder Bay has made me realize that I need to take it up a notch dress wise.

Although looking much better (Fancy and Official) as my kids called it - this whole eposide is vaguely sad in that I have lost another remnant of my earlier years. I'll have to compensate by being more goofy - that should level it out.

It used to be a rare thing for me to wear a dress shirt and jacket...sigh...those days appear to be over. Some would say its a long time coming.

Those who know me best will be shocked, no doubt - we should have a coffee and chat about the old days...

Jogapolooza almost became hit-the-wall-and-die-apolooza...

2009-09-07T10:26:00.000-04:00

This morning was workout 4 of the Couch to 5K experiment to personal health.

Around the 20th minute mark of the effort, I totally hit the wall, as they say, and just about passed out. However, inspired by Run Fatboy Run once again, I managed to pound through it and come out the other side - yeah me!!!

It is amazing to me how quicky my body is adapting to exercise, given I've not done any in years. My legs no longer hurt during the jog and its starting to become more of a cardio improvement situation then anything else.

36 more workouts to go and i'll be at 5K in under 30 minutes...that's the plan anyway.

ND is 1-0

2009-09-05T18:40:00.000-04:00

The awesomness that is the 2009 ND football team is, as predicted here, 1-0.

Complete and utter destruction of Nevada - for whom, I feel quit bad.

ND is clearly the greatest football team in America and a threat to everyone.

Game Day!!!

2009-09-05T08:01:00.000-04:00

Ok boys - its GAME DAY!!!

Rise and Strike

Defend our Honour

No excuses, action

In the name of our Lord's Blessed Mother- LEAD US TO VICTORY you bastards

This is the greatest time of the year, and the greatest weekend.

2009-09-04T13:59:00.000-04:00

Fall brings us many things in live - it is a time for endings and new beginnings. The weather cools, leaves turn and we start to think about the pending winter.

But, between the end of summer and the snowy blanked of the Canadian winter - there remains a most glorious time.

A time when we remember our glory days in High School, longing with fondness for a less complicated existence. When we rally together to support friends, where we battle our enemies and then, with respect of a battle well fought, recognize the glory of effort - in trimph or defeat.

This is the time we call Football Season.

I refer here, not to the NFL, whose skills are so amazing as to conjur circus acts of near impossible human contortion.

Here, I talk about Notre Dame Football. Played on hollowed grounds by sacred waters. Near the grotto where we plead with Our Lady to intervene on our behalf.

We watch boys become men, and when we men, wish we were boys again.

Tomorrow is the greatest day of the year - for tomorrow, Notre Dame plays football again

Countdown to 1-0 - 3 days

2009-09-02T20:38:00.000-04:00

Here come the Irish!!!

I don't care how much you love or hate ND - if you don't get goosebumps during this video - you are a zombie.

Can't sleep - Reminder to everyone

2009-09-02T00:58:00.000-04:00

FYI - ND RULES.

Kick off Saturday, September 5th, 3:30 - NBC - expect the game to be 10 hours long as NBC continues to exploit add revenue from the greatest team in world sports.

12-0 starts SATURDAY!!!!!!11111111ZOMGNDWILLWINITALL!!!!!!!

First day of Joggapalooza

2009-09-01T12:39:00.000-04:00

Well, not really - but I did my first 30 minute workout. 5 minutes of warmup, 20 of alternate jog / walk, 5 warmdown. Coverd 3 K-ish - shocking how short a distance that is really.

On the gadget side - I forgot that my uber Garmin Colorado 300 has a workout mode thing...so I can track in glorious GPS detail where I went, upload it to software and geek out - I almost subscribed to an online service to track specific running metrics, but realized I can do the same in excel for free.

If you are interested, i'm on the Couch to 5K program. In theory, anyone can go from zero activity to running a 5K inside 10 weeks - we shall see how that works. I'm targeting a 5K run here in november / december or something...not sure which one...plus, its effing cold up here then so why the hell would anyone want to run outside...bunch of morons.

Side note -> jogged this am round 8-9ish...after I got cleaned up and started work, I got up for coffee round 10 - jelly legs...excellent!!!

Brings me back to the glory days of HS when I was training for every possible sport blah blah blah.....

In this case - I hope to feel physically better, loose about 10-15 lbs, accomplish something I never thought I'd do and in a Boethian way, not let the wheel control me for a change.

Running Away...

2009-08-31T12:41:00.000-04:00

Inspired by the stellar movie "Run Fatboy, Run" - I am contemplating taking up jogging. I'm old, slowing down, gaining weight, out of shape, etc.

I hope to get in shape, feel better, set and reach a great goal, loose weight and lower my stress levels.

Off to the Running Room for Shoes and socks!

TFC is breaking my heart

2009-08-30T19:36:00.000-04:00

I definitely can't take this MLS season - my guys are killing me. So many games lost in the last 2 minutes.

I was driving my family home from the airport when the effing sounders score the winning goal in time added and I screamed, scaring my kids and wife - and almost drove into the other lane.

That aside, it ruined my whole night. bastards. I still love them - that's the sad thing. I feel like a abused 50's housewife with no aparent alternatives (not to make light of that obviously)

24 Hour Party People, Boethius and my meeting with my new boss

2009-08-27T22:29:00.001-04:00

Had to give in and share the quote from 24 Hour Party People that got me into Boethius.

It's my belief that history is a wheel. "Inconsistency is my very essence" -says the wheel- "Rise up on my spokes if you like, but don't complain when you are cast back down into the depths. Good times pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it is also our hope. The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away".

In the movie, a homeless drunk sreamed that at Tony Wilson, the founder of Factory Records in Manchester.

Now - after reading the Consolation of Philosophy - turns out, History is not the weel, Fate is the wheel - which was pretty amazing thing to read - made the whole thing for me.

I mention this, because today in a meeting, the meeting that turned my week around and prevented from wigging out - I said to my new boss, a senior Director dude - "like the guy said to Tony Wilson, Mutability is our tragedy and our hope" - in reference to his opinion that they wanted me in a certain position because they know i'm flexible and can change quickly on direction when needed.

After I said the line, I burst out laughing almost like a spit take - but without the spit - thankfully - then he obviously was thinking I was insane, so I had to launch into a 10 minute babble about Boethius and the history of Factory Records - culminating with the recent break up New Order (my fave band ever - Hooky you bastard why did you do it!!!)

Insane week of doom

2009-08-26T19:31:00.000-04:00

Work week is going off the rails - Family is still up North and I'm left to contemplate my future with Chester - who, although an able companion is lacking in practical IT career advice.

So I am sitting here, working away, trying to accept that which I cannot change - and trying to zen out a bit and get a grip.

Figured some music would help....so I put on Back In Black - which was the first album I received for a b-day present as a kid. I think I was 9-10 when it came out - and I got it from my Grandmother - how insanely cool is that. Nana rocks - if she knew what a blog was - I'm sure she would appreciate that.

It did remind me of one of the top 10 great moments in my life however. Let me describe.

It is year 2 of University at Kingston - I'm having a bad day - gf busted up with me, no direction in life - (still none obviously) - and I depressed with my roommates about to get all drunk on a Thursday night - arts, no Friday classes of course.

In a fit of brilliance, I suggest we go watch the Queens Football team play...in Saskatoon - which for those who do not know - is halfway across the country from Kingston Ontario.

One roommate calls me nuts the other immediately is in -Thank you Dan. And along with Jim, we, at 9:00 pm Thursday night - get in the Dodge Omni and start or 36 hour drive to Saskatchewan.

We drive, drive, drive - lots of funny moments - classic college road trip - one of the great experiences of my life driving across the mid west - dipping below and back across the US boarder - amazing fun.

On the 2nd night, about 2-4 am - we are driving across North Dakota - the tumbleweed blows across the deserted highway - flat territory with the occasional animal on the roadside. Jim asleep in the back, Dan driving quietly while I look out the window thinking about my busted up romance when the magical happens...

Some random prairie radio station kicks in the first glorious notes of “You Shook Me All Night Long” - at the exact same time, after 2 notes, Dan and I look at each other and share a perfect moment in time - I reach for the volume and max it out - we rock steady for 3-4 minutes while driving across the dusty plain - as the final chord strikes, I turn to Dan and say, "we will remember this our whole lives" - which on my side at least - is quite true.

First Blog Post

2009-08-24T16:52:00.000-04:00

I just got back from vacation. Caught some fish up near Thunder Bay, played some golf and read a couple of great books.

If you want to twist your mind, read Masks of the Illuminati, by Robert Anton Wilson. Took me 80 pages to figure out what the heck was happening. First book by him I’ve ever read – too clever for me, that’s for sure. But a total mind bender to be sure.

I started to read the original Dracula – I’m barely half way and Van Helsing has just mentioned the word Vampire for the first time – I can see how the book would have freaked people out when it first came out. Even today, it is sufficiently creepy to give me the willies.