The first step is admitting you have a problem...

Well, today was day one in my training for my 5k run in September. It was the first time that I have run in slightly over 10 years and man, my lungs can tell.
I took my friend Jacquie's advice - she's a runner - about doing a run/walk for the first two weeks. I won't bore you with the details, but in 20 minutes of a run/walk I covered about 2.3 to 2.5km. And having to walk the rest of the way home, I covered about 4km in 40 minutes. So the good news is that my goal of 5km in 45 minutes should be attainable. I won't change my goal yet but we'll see how I progress. My goal will first to be able to run for 45 minutes without having to stop to walk. We'll see how that goes.

Time to rest and get ready for my next session on Friday.

By the way, I have to get new shoes.

I'm in...

I bit the bullet and registered for the Scotiabank 5k run.

Now I have to set up a training program.

Oh boy...

New prediction...

After reading one of my earlier posts, I have a couple of new contenders for Song of the Summer '07, The White Stripes "Icky Thump" and The Chemical Brothers "Do It Again".

Icky Thump
With a lump in my throat
Grabbed my coat
And I was freaking
I was ready to go!

Summer goals

Going into this summer I don't have many goals.

1) I would like to be able to compete in the Scotiabank 5K run on September 30th.
2) I would like to learn how to play drums.
3) A possible upgrade on my current job.

Of the thing I think #1 is the most achieveable. I haven't run since university and I've been meaning to do the Scotiabank 5K run since 1999 but I've never have gotten my lazy ass motivated to do it. But I think I will do it.

"Shit! God Damn! Get off your ass and jam!"

Went to see the Elastocitizens at the Horseshoe based on a friends' recommendation and what a night.
With names like Grand Poobah Groove, Big Brother Bass and Monster Muffin, they evoked the spirit of James Brown and brought back memories Parliament, George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. They made everyone in attendance dance and shake their ass.

A funkalicious good time.

P.S. Supposedly they have a show coming up in a couple of weeks at the Gladstone. A possible birthday venue?

"Hip bone connected to the thigh bone. Thigh bone connected to the leg bone. Leg bone connected to the ankle bone and so on and so on!"

One with nature...

It's been a while since I posted.

A week today I was just coming back from spending a weekend near Algonquin Park. I'm not much of an outdoors person, but I enjoyed myself. A number of us stayed at a hostel near Dwight, ON called The Wolf's Den. It was great. It was my first hosteling experience. But I really enjoyed Algonquin Park and its trails, especially the Train and Tower Trail much to the dismay of my friends. Ragged Falls was also pretty cool.

All in all a good trip. I had fun and plan on going back sometime in the fall... maybe.

Recharged...

Well, hockey is now for the most part over for the 2006-07 season. I still have a mini-camp to attend in June and then the U17 camp at the end of June. So I've been recharging my batteries.

I plan to do lots this summer especially with the Girlfriend seeing as she puts up with the hockey during the winter. We're going away this weekend with some friends up to Algonquin Park. I'm not a big nature guy - I like my cities - but it will be fun. And then in August we plan on taking another road trip.

One thing I hope to get to is to go to more Toronto FC games. I went Wednesday night when Toronto beat Houston. I was cold and wet for 2 hours but it was worth it. I have tickets for the June 2nd game against Colorado. I'm really pissed I didn't get season tickets. But I did add my name to the waiting list. So I guess scalpers will have to do.

And lastly, what is with songs from the UK coming out now? I mean I know why it happens but it is kind of weird. For example, last year's summer song, Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy", I remember hearing that song probably at the end of 2005, early 2006. I remember because I had heard it and then had heard it in a mash-up. This year, I'm starting to hear Peter, Bjorn and John's "Young Folks" a lot even though it was named NME's #2 song of 2006! Either way, I predict it to be this year's summer song.

A note to my friends

All the work and hours I've put into hockey this winter will culminate this weekend. So I should be able to spend more time with you and enjoy the warm weather together. Patios, parks, walks, bikes, kickball, oh my!
As the assistant director for the U17 Team Ontario, I will be away for one weekend and do have to help my parents move during the course of the next month or so, but that's all.

So I will be there to enjoy this summer with you. And I have to enjoy it thoroughly because when fall and winter roll around my time will be eaten up again.

Count me in

After seeing Ted Leo & The Pharmacists last night at the Mod Club, put me down as a new fan. The Girlfriend had been ranting and raving about Ted Leo for as long as I've known her and dragged my sleep-deprived ass to the show. And I'm glad I went, though I wasn't able to enjoy it as much as I normally would have.
Ted Leo is a good entertainer and puts on a good show. One of the better concerts I've been to.

Contender #3 for Album of the Year?

After bemoaning the lack of good music in 2007, a rash of good albums have popped out of the woodworks.
As you know I'm a huge fan of Shitt Hottt and they've recently put out a new album, Are You There God? It's Me, Shitt Hottt. And of course, it kicks ass. Popular tracks like "Theme from Shitt Hottt", "Boxx Damage", "Law & Order", and "Ready, Aim, Fire" are included.

The band will probably taking a break for a month or two to recharge and possibly write some new material before performing again. And in until then I can listen to their new album over and over again.