A Christmas tradition-ish

I have many a Christmas tradition to uphold. The decorations up on December 1, Sadie getting a grooming to look good Christmas morning, and to always have an ish following a specific time to get things done.

If you have an ish it can be quite frustrating for many, but someday's you just need to be ishy. Take today for instance, we would like to invite all out to share in the annual Sandy Beach Christmas tree decorating at 630 pm tonight. Walkers will be 6km-ish while trotters could go as high as 8ish. We will follow the ishing with some brown pop and fatty foods at Original Joes on 4th street around 745 pm, of course ish!

We will meet at the Tech Shop to start and trot from there. If you are coming we ask you bring a decoration for the tree, preferably a bird feed bell or the like. You can get them at Wal-Mart for cheap. An example is below. See you tonight?

I see Lorianne, Joanne, Liz, Peter, Neil, and...Tamara?

I find it tough to get appropriate 'signage' to signify Christmas around our home. Luckily enough I have a bride who comes with an appropriate name for the season. She thinks its all about her - and could be right around here - except for the other girl below...

Joyful 365

Why am I always an ornament? 

On another note, a number of us will be heading out to Kananaskis for a little snowshoe on Boxing Day. the details are to meet at West Hills Tim Horton's at 830 am for a car pool then off to the Kananaskis Village for an hour-ish or more trail trot on shoes. All abilities are welcome, including those who wish to just come out for the hot tub and spa.

What you might see on Friday

How hard the trails will be

Over the last month all the Elbow Park bridges have reopened for business. This picture doesn't do it justice but we have crossed all three and are very happy to have the shortcuts back. Thank you to the city and PCL for getting these done.

 And a couple of weeks back our gang ran in the annual Santa Shuffle. even one Santa was found in the mix!

Lorianne, Carroll, Joanne, Tamara, Liz, Joy, and Sherry.
This was Liz's first race since she lost a lung! We are all proud of you!

And finally, Joy, Sadie, and I wish you all the best of the Christmas season. Can you spot Sadie in the photo?

Willie leave? Willie go? Willie be remembered!

We were told some sad news as a group of friends a couple of weeks ago. Our long time friend Willie has decided to pack his bags and move to greener pastures - literally - by heading to Vancouver for a new role within Westfair Foods. We got a quick chance to say goodbye last weekend before the rubber hits the road. 

I have known Willie as long as I've known my wife. They both joined our trotters in the spring of 2003. We have been around the world together, I count France, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy as just a few of the landing spots we have enjoyed. 

The two of us have hosted parties that have over-run our houses with people, creating havoc for our spouses. Willie catered our Wedding, Joy's CGA graduation, and countless other parties we have had the privilege to attend. Joy just wants to know where she will find pad thai as good as Willies...

I did a quick dig of some photos and the following is my tribute to Willie. 

Oh, yes, if you would like to run Saturday we will be at Eau Claire for 9 am.

Willie in Milan in front of Willy Miani leathers. I couldn't find the photo of Willie in front of
Willie's Bakery in Victoria. I have it but where???

In Oostende. Translated this store was all about food packaging, right up
Willies alley!

San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon: Willie, Sharon, Al, Diane, Quentin,
Scott, Barb, Mike, Joanne, Shar and Bob, and missing off the side were Doug and Gela, Ann-Marie,
Tony and Sylvia, Ally, Sandra, Carol, and I am sure I missed many! We were in a bar watching game six of the
Stanley cup finals with Tampa Bay and Calgary. 

The Jingle Ribbits: Willie, Kristin, John, Ally, Wendy, and Ken.
Now what was that mascot's name?

Jodi, Carroll, Willie, Neil, Peter, Liz, and Adrian.
Dogs are Storm, Coco Chanel, and Merlin 

Willie and Ken at John's Breakfast Cafe.

Our Lausanne 2005 team. So many great people!

Where's Willie? Look for the tallest guy in the photo...then look down!
I am in the upper left next to Bonkers.

Medoc Marathon Whine on Wine group: Willie, Dave, Kara, John, Joy, Carrie, and Sharon.
Kelly is up front.

The boys and booze. Kelly's dad is on the left. Do we look European?

Ken, AmberDawn, Willie, Ally, and me during the Flander's Fields Marathon

If I can remember Team Belgium: Cathy, Kim, ?, Anne-Marie, Carroll, Sylvia,
Maureen, ?,?, Willie, Jon, Ken, AmberDawn, Shauneen, Pam, Ally, ?, Carol, Kristin, and Dori.
Almost everyone!

Willie's 'birthday' celebration. It wasn't really his birthday...

We will miss you. Have a safe and fun new adventure.

A Max-imum day of fun

Some days are so quick you can barely see them. It's like being on a high speed train. You try to focus on one thing and within a second you are dizzy from the movement of time.

I look at the clock and see Friday is already upon us, and close to complete. All that is left is a short skate with some Friday night old-timer hockey players as their judge, jury, and executioner. I do enjoy lacing the skates and ensuring safe hockey between two competitive teams.

Before I know it Saturday morning will be upon us. Saturday that brings good trotting, some golf, and a hockey pool between friends. Us trotters will meet at 9 am if you are interested. Let's meet at Max Bell Arena for a nice trot along the irrigation canal. If you don't wish to run I am sure we can find a walker for you, or referee if you choose to 'stand' in Max Bell!

I have some fantastic photos from last weekend and our Edworthy trot along with the Strides trail run of Tuesday. But alas iPhone and Acer are having a Friday night argument over the male/female connection that is required to communicate. Perhaps the photos will arrive tomorrow.

So with that I wish you a good night and see you Trotting the Trails in the morning.

The travels of a trotter

I have good friends. I think they like me. Every once in a while they reach out and invite us into their fun. A couple of weeks back Carroll allowed us to join her and Chris on a date in Canmore. I wasn't the only crasher. Bob and Jodi, Joy and Sadie also enjoyed a trip around the trails of Canmore. We did find some old coal mines and stopped for a quick photo. good friends, good times, and a good day.

This weekend we will meet at Edworthy Park, Mostly because I haven't met the group there in many months, if not years. To get there, take Shaganappi Trail or Parkdale Boulevard to their intersection. the lot is there with a couple of washrooms for those with a 'special' bladder. See you at 9 am in front of Angel's.

This is the way we roll.

Tuesday I proved that my 'ish' arrival time doesn't work for all. The Tuesday Strides trail group hosted a blood and guts loop. I missed them by a few minutes but like a good bloodhound found them on the rebound. 

Not before I found some beautiful views, present company excepted.

global warming is caused by the reflection off that forehead...

There may be a mosquito or two birthing here in the spring

Beat's the hell out of Big Brother Canada. Actually, anything is better...

the road to nowhere, except a peaceful setting

Calgary's only true waterfall

And finally, some of you have been privy to the treats I bring from our SAIT culinary marketplace. This week was the fall bake sale. I entered the craziness five minutes after opening and am pretty confident the fire marshal would not be impressed. that said my belly is fully satisfied!

Have a happy Thanksgiving.

No phone left behind

I love trails. there, I said it. I know you are wondering why I would let you know that when you already understand my need to dance with dirt. But these last few weeks I have had the pleasure to trot with a new and equally excitable group on our urban paths.

the best part about doing trails is getting lost. Not in the Survivor show style or where a cadaver dog is required. but just allowing the dirt to be your guide. Last week the Strides trail group went on a little hill Paskapoo Slopes. In my decades of urban runs I had never been there.

 

I was introduced to a junk yard, a Buddhist shrine, and many a windy trail. I learned what a Stupa is (slang for my action later that night), and saw enough view checks to last a season of Shar Scott trots.

this week was a little bit of home with a Fish Creek run. I expected to see many a downed tree but surprisingly the area we enjoyed was reasonably unscathed. I guess that is one advantage of the spruce tree.

Oops, did we lose Ally?

This Saturday will be a nice simple road trip to the Mount Pleasant Community Arena and subsequent dive into Confederation Park. The arena is located at 23 Avenue and 6 Street NW. See you there at 9 am, the very reasonable time. Christine is running longer and starting earlier if anyone wants to message me and I can pass on the details.

Oh yes, last weekend was the birthdays of Dave and Donna. Who new it would take so long to complete the birthday triathlon?

Donna and Dave's birthdays sans Dave

Who do you thisk was fastest down the track

I have tried to make a race of the London Tube with Joy on our last visit. She wasn't so enamoured with towing sixty pounds of luggage in behind. Fairly though I was carrying the extra bags. If you want to see where you CAN beat the train watch this.

I still run in 1994 but travel 2014

Oh, and the phone? It was found on the centre of Sarcee Trail. It didn't enjoy the trail as much as I did,