Ouch!Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Adventures in mountain biking
Um, I went mountain biking yesterday with one of the mechanics from work after he was commenting that my bike is too nice to be relegated to just street biking. It was awesome.
Even though the mountain bike trails are by a dump, the scenery was unbelievable. Everything was so green and mossy, the trees were huge and old, there was a small lake/pond with water shimmering off the waves and bald eagles diving for fish. Breathtaking.
It was also nice to get out and learn about mountain biking, since it's been years since I've biked on anything other than road. For instance, I learned that going up hill it's best to be in low gear, sitting down, and bent as far forward as possible. I also learned that it's no good put all your weight on one foot, because that makes the pedal too close to the ground. Most importantly, I learned you don't squeeze the front break when going down a hill with rocks and branches nearby.
I fell. I was going down the hill when I found myself flipping over my handlebars and landing face first in a shrub, just inches from a huge-ass rock. At first I thought my biggest worry would be scrapes to my face, since my thigh hurt, but just like it would bruise later. But nope, after biking I went to the bathroom and found a puncture hole in my upper thigh. So, without mentioning to my male coworker that I needed stitches, essentially in my crotch, I turned down lunch and opted to be dropped off at home. Where I changed, and then hobbled to the walk-in clinic across the road for 10 stitches. I've been lazing about, icing my groin, ever since.
Would I do it again? Not for a couple of weeks, but hells yeah!
Even though the mountain bike trails are by a dump, the scenery was unbelievable. Everything was so green and mossy, the trees were huge and old, there was a small lake/pond with water shimmering off the waves and bald eagles diving for fish. Breathtaking.
It was also nice to get out and learn about mountain biking, since it's been years since I've biked on anything other than road. For instance, I learned that going up hill it's best to be in low gear, sitting down, and bent as far forward as possible. I also learned that it's no good put all your weight on one foot, because that makes the pedal too close to the ground. Most importantly, I learned you don't squeeze the front break when going down a hill with rocks and branches nearby.
I fell. I was going down the hill when I found myself flipping over my handlebars and landing face first in a shrub, just inches from a huge-ass rock. At first I thought my biggest worry would be scrapes to my face, since my thigh hurt, but just like it would bruise later. But nope, after biking I went to the bathroom and found a puncture hole in my upper thigh. So, without mentioning to my male coworker that I needed stitches, essentially in my crotch, I turned down lunch and opted to be dropped off at home. Where I changed, and then hobbled to the walk-in clinic across the road for 10 stitches. I've been lazing about, icing my groin, ever since.
Would I do it again? Not for a couple of weeks, but hells yeah!
Monday, May 10, 2010
a chink in the armour
I had a medium-sized break down today when I found out that the plan really is for me to be in Victoria another 3 years. The whole am I really where I wanted to be in my life, and am I doing what I wanted to do??? Compounded by a crappy day at work, and it led to a crying call home to my mom. Guess it's time to grow some, and just learn to love it. New project...write down one thing I like about being here every day...time frame, until I've fooled myself!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
And now back to my regularly schedule life...
I got back from Borden Friday night...well, Saturday morning really. We were an hour late getting off the ground in Toronto because of hte sever thunderstorms...and then my luggage never made it all the way to Victoria. But it doesn't matter, because now I'm home!
I spent all day yesterday sleeping and unpacking. I got up early today (I blame the time difference ;) ), did some laundry, read outside in the sun, went for a walk all through downtown Victoria and then went for a bike ride on the Galloping Goose. It was a great day. In fact, it might have even made me glad I live in Victoria...shhh...don't tell anyone ;)
I spent all day yesterday sleeping and unpacking. I got up early today (I blame the time difference ;) ), did some laundry, read outside in the sun, went for a walk all through downtown Victoria and then went for a bike ride on the Galloping Goose. It was a great day. In fact, it might have even made me glad I live in Victoria...shhh...don't tell anyone ;)
Monday, May 3, 2010
les vacances en Montreal...
Last week was probably one of the craziest weeks I've had in Borden. We had a huge road move exercise, and then an airfield recce...with tons of extra paperwork thrown in just for 'fun.' We'd also had a fair amount of crap through the week (think lots and lots of car washing and wasted time), and I was so excited to be getting off the base for the weekend.
Seeing how much Andy had embraced Montreal during his short posting there made me realize that I need to do the same with Victoria when I get back. It's time to just get out there. I already have plans to check out the Scottish festival the first Saturday I'm back, but I think it's time I stop using my bachelor apartment as an excuse, and just start having people over (especially since it's summer and I can use the patio). Victoria IS a beautiful city with some awesome stuff to do...so look out world, I know I've said it before, but I mean it this time, I'm gonna kick some Victoria ass and move in!
Especially when getting away meant heading to Montreal for the weekend to see a friend from KAF. I'd spent basic just outside of Montreal last spring, but had always been too tired to really check out the city. This weekend I got to check out the old city, the harbour, the lookout at the top of the city, and more restaurants and bars then I can remember names of. It was also really awesome to hang out with Andy. He's in the military, so I got to chat (bitch) about stuff and he understood, but he's not my trade so I got some perspective.
Seeing how much Andy had embraced Montreal during his short posting there made me realize that I need to do the same with Victoria when I get back. It's time to just get out there. I already have plans to check out the Scottish festival the first Saturday I'm back, but I think it's time I stop using my bachelor apartment as an excuse, and just start having people over (especially since it's summer and I can use the patio). Victoria IS a beautiful city with some awesome stuff to do...so look out world, I know I've said it before, but I mean it this time, I'm gonna kick some Victoria ass and move in!
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