Learning To Run

I just signed up for a Learn to Run clinic with the Running Room. My friend and I decided it would be fun to do it together so tonight we went shopping for some good running shoes, and signed up. I'm looking forward to trying something different.

I'd been thinking about running for a while, inspired by my sister jag, who took it up a few weeks ago and is visibly reaping many of its benefits. In addition to big sis' inspiration, my regular dance classes are winding down for the summer so it's time to find something else to keep me in shape. With easy access to one of the most beautiful running paths in the city along the Rideau Canal, why not try running? So this coming Monday, I learn to run.

Still Sittin', Still Sweatin'

The humidity hasn't gone down much since yesterday. I hear thunder rolling in the distance, maybe that'll help. I took a long walk by the Rideau Canal earlier this evening and there was a wonderful breeze. Right now, back at the apartment, I'm still sittin' & sweatin' though. Aaah, I feel a breeze coming in my office window. Feels promising. Stay cool.

Odds & Ends Again

Warning: This is a long post. The past week has been so full and I've been itching to write, but I don't know where to start! I figured I'd copy my previous "Odds & Ends" format and touch on a few things that made an impression ...

Go Johnny Go
To celebrate the first day of sun after what seemed like an extremely long stretch of rain, I put out a last-minute call to friends to see the Johnny Vegas All-Star Band at Maxwell's, on Elgin St. After a delicious dinner and a long walk by the Canal, a few of us went. What fun! I'd never seen so many diverse people having so much fun on the dance floor to tunes by the likes of Sinatra, Presley & Orbison. Swing dancing, hopping, chorus-lining ... everyone wore huge grins and had a contagious, fun energy about them. I couldn't help but sit there with a huge grin on my face too.

The Last Of My Belongings
I finally picked up the last of my belongings that were still stored at my previous home. Although I'm loving my cozy apartment, it's always sad to leave a home with so many memories and start anew. All part of the flow of life I guess. I'll just have to make new memories in my new place; thanks to good friends and family, I've already started.

Ottawa Race Weekend
If you want to be inspired, I suggest you try catching some of the races during next year's Ottawa Race Weekend. On Saturday, I watched thousands of 10K runners file past my doorstep. People cheered & clapped, a band in the apartment building across the street blared Eye of The Tiger, a girl on the balcony next door jumped up & down and yelled "Go Mom!" Definitely goose bump material. On Sunday, I had the pleasure of cheering on marathon runners towards the end of their race. If you feel like being inspired, go see these folks cross the finish line. It's pretty amazing. And speaking of inspiration, congratulations to my brother-in-law who just completed marathon #7! Bro-in-Law, you rock!

The Perfect Summer Hangout
I've discovered my balcony and I'm loving it. It gets the morning sun and the afternoon shade. Plus it fits two chairs perfectly, and little table to put your drink. I spent a good part of Saturday afternoon sitting out there with a friend, drinking a cold beer to the sound of Sam Roberts in the background. This morning, I had my coffee there and tonight, I had my dinner. The perfect summer hangout.

These are just a few things that made an impression on me this past week. There was so much more but this post is already long enough. I guess I was just too busy enjoying life to write about it!

Sittin' & Sweatin'

The charm of a heritage building apartment usually means there's no central air conditioning. That's something to get used to in today's humidex of 35 degrees Celsius. Luckily I have a shady balcony and a few cold beverages in the fridge to help me out. :)

Patios, Beer and Books

I just spent two hours sitting in the sun on a busy outdoor patio at a local pub, nursing a beer, deeply engrossed in a good book. Could it get any better than that today?

More Tulip Festival Fun

I was feeling edgy & blue tonight and needed to get out for some fresh air. At the last minute, I grabbed my Tulip Festival pass in case I decided to check out its last concert. Am I ever glad I did! I caught about 45 minutes of Malajube. Man, there's nothing like head-banging, thumping-in-your-chest music to chase away the blues. They were so full of energy it was almost palpable!

After being primed like that, I would've loved to stay for The Dears' concert afterwards, especially since their description on the Tulip Festival Web site intrigued me, but I opted to come home a little earlier instead. Maybe next time.

It was a cold one this year. Last night, I couldn't help but wonder whether it was TulipFest or Winterlude, but I'm glad I got out. In addition to catching some great live music, it was just plain fun.

Raise A Little Hell

Trooper still rocks. Despite the single digit temperature and steady rain for most of the night, last night I stood there at the Tulip Festival's outdoor concert, bopping to some of Canadians' favourite classic tunes: We're Here For A Good Time (Not A Long Time), Boys In The Bright White Sports Car, and of course, Raise A Little Hell. They kept that one for last; only the diehard fans got to hear it. It was great to see how people responded to the music - dancing, drinking, swaying to slow songs. I couldn't help but watch & wonder if any, and what kind of memories came flooding back as the lead singer crooned Oh, Pretty Lady.

Most people smirked or chuckled when I told them how much I was looking forward to seeing Trooper, but it's probably one of the most fun concerts I've ever been to. And ya know what? I'd see them again. :)

Not Your Everyday Chit Chat

For the past several months, I've been part of a small group that gets together regularly at a downtown pub to discuss subjects that might not make it into everyday conversation. We make a point of tackling subjects like Religion & Believing or Consciousness & Knowing; the next one on the list is Society & The Civil Space.

We start out with a set topic. Sometimes we stick to it, sometimes we wander. Each person contributes what they can that night. The beauty of these evenings is that there are not really any expectations beyond mutual respect. I don't feel I have to be an expert in any field, I just try to be open to listening and note anything that strikes me. It always makes for an interesting evening of sharing and thought-provoking conversation. And I just think that's cool.

Xavier Rudd & Concerts Under The Stars

Oh my goodness is this guy every good! Luckily the rain held out and I got to see Xavier Rudd at the Tulip Festival last night with some friends. It was a bit chilly but the crowd didn't seem to care. His music had us hopping & cheering for more. I highly recommend you catch him in concert if ever you can.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy outdoor concerts - the fresh air (with a few whiffs of other interesting stuff :), the stars, the city skyline. There's nothing quite like enjoying live music with a full moon and the spires of the Château Laurier as a backdrop. When I was in my late teens, I had a summer in Ottawa during which I attended pretty much every major music festival religiously. Now I remember why.

Life Is Good

As I drove down the highway off ramp on my way back from work this afternoon, I was following a Honda CRV that had a spare tire on its rear door. The spare tire cover read: "Life Is Good". I couldn't stop grinning. I wonder if this person is aware that he or she is spreading good cheer. I hope so. Today, life is good. I'll take that.

Who's Harvey?

Wilson: Who's Harvey?
Miss Kelly: A white rabbit, six feet
tall.
Wilson: Six feet?
Elwood P. Dowd: Six feet three and a half
inches. Now let's stick to the facts.

I think everyone needs a little Harvey in their life.

Let The Festival Season Begin!

Summer in Ottawa is always a treat. There are festivals for everyone and all tastes, and now that I live downtown, they're all so easily accessible I have no excuse to miss out! This weekend is the opening of the Canadian Tulip Festival; I've dubbed it my "festival season kick-off".

I might not get to all of them, but here are just a few I'm hoping to check out (note: some sites don't have full event listings available yet):

Canadian Tulip Festival
Canadian Dance Festival
Westfest
Ottawa Fringe Festival
Ottawa International Jazz Festival
Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest
Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival
The Ottawa Lumière Festival
Ottawa Folk Festival

There are more. For a full listing, check out the Ottawa Festivals Web site.

If all goes as planned, I'll be starting a one-year sabbatical at the beginning of June. My plans for the first few months? To be a festival bum. Looks like I'll have many to choose from.

Work That Pole - II

Warning: Pole dancing can be hazardous to your health. Back arches hurt if you're not used to bending that way. So does the Fireman Spin if you whack your back foot against the pole too hard too many times. I got the bruises to prove it. Working the triceps? That just results in another kind of pain. But I'm still lovin' it! Work that pole baby ... work that pole. :)

Odds & Ends

My posts have been few this past week so this one's a bit long, catching up on odds & ends. It's been an interesting week - tears, anger, laughs, contentment, silence, music, socializing, solitude - a bit of everything. I just haven't taken the time to sit down and write about it.

New Tunes
I'm listening to amazing music by Xavier Rudd as I type. He's performing at the Canadian Tulip Festival next weekend and comes highly recommended by a few friends (more on upcoming festivals in a future post). Based on his CD, it should be good! I just hope the weather holds out. Last night I treated myself to two more new CDs: Sam Robert Band's Chemical City and Lenny Kravitz's Greatest Hits.

Hockey With Friends & Strangers
Last Friday, I watched the Senators play on a big screen TV, surrounded by friends and a full bar of strangers. What fun! In addition to having a good time watching the game & having a few drinks, I got such a kick out of being part of a group reaction to the game. Simultaneous cheers, groans, high-fives ... it's as if we were all puppets guided by a master string connected to a puck. Such is the power of hockey I suppose. Too bad the Sens lost though; tomorrow they'll win. :)

Introvert or Extrovert?
I was always so certain I was an Introvert, but these past few weeks I've been opening myself up to the possibility that maybe I get energy by being with other people. Sure I sometimes feel a need for solitude, but these days I find myself energized when I'm with friends, less so when I'm on my own. Interesting.

Work? Fun?
A few years ago, I never thought I'd one day say I enjoyed working OT two days in a row on a weekend. Today I can. A bunch of us had to go in this weekend and I dare say, despite the extra hours, I had fun. Whodda thunk, me, fun, work. Huh.

Bank Street Bridge At Night
In my last post, I said I wished I had a picture of the Bank Street Bridge that crosses the Canal, at night. Thanks to my friend Dave, now I do. Check out the comments section in my previous post - there's a link to the pic.

That's about it for tonight. I should really get back to writing shorter posts, more often. Maybe next week. ;)