Unfortunately I haven’t been able to keep up pace to complete 30 yoga classes in 30 days. And that’s okay. What’s really important is that I tried and have realized what a great thing adding yoga into my life has become. It clears the mind, helps the blood flow better and helps me feel centred.

This evening I am going to head off to do a power class at Flow Wellness. This week, our yoga instructor at work took some pictures with her iPhone while we were doing our practice. I’ll post them when she sends them.

photo credit: myyogaonline

But I’m working on it and should have this looking fabulous in no time.

photo credit: cmiper

This week I have managed to run twice for about 45 minutes on my cardio days. It was a little challenging but I didn’t really push myself (level 5.5 with a 1.0 incline), had on some good tunes on the iPod and when it was all over I was drenched in sweat. And I haven’t experienced any shin splints!

The one thing I did notice was that I was starting to find that zone or mystical place that runners go to. I normally have adult attention deficit disorder when I am at the gym but seem to be finding some focus while running.

I don’t really have the appropriate gear for running outdoors this time of year but I am looking forward to taking my first run around the Sea Wall this spring.

photo credit: triart3d

This may be part of a larger issue of people not being aware of their surroundings. I have noticed lately a lot of people bumping into me and others then saying sorry. It happens when people stop or turn around suddenly. I’d much rather you be thoughtful and look before you leap as it were.

That is all.

photo credit: DucDigital

Eddie: We’ll go on a public transport, Pats.
Patsy: Are you mad? I’ve got nothing to wear on public transport.
Eddie: Yes, but sweetie, I will not have my daughter thinking she’s so great, because she can use public transport. Anybody can use public transport, darling!
Absolutely Fabulous, 1992

Having sold the car two weeks ago I have been taking public transit to work. At the same time, as if by spite, mother nature has decided to give Vancouver one of its worst winters ever! All tolled it really hasn’t been that bad of experience. I have had to be creative in getting around when the new million dollar trolleybuses haven’t functioned. I have really come to appreciate people who clear their sidewalks.

The one thing I don’t get is why people need to stand in the doorway of buses, even when there are seats available and lots of room. They are often oblivious to people wanting to get off and you need to almost shove them out of the way. On behalf of all transit takers, if you aren’t getting off the bus at the next stop, get out of the door.

photo credit: thedarkerside.to

Canuck Flack: Lets start off with some Canadian Content. I want to be ready, just incase the CRTC ever imposes those rules on the web. Some great PR and marketing rants and raves.

Dave Fleet: OK, a little more Can-Con. I first found the blog when someone linked to his free e-book on Strategic Communications Planning. He also recently did a great review of the crisis communications work Maple Leaf has taken on since the tragic deaths and illnesses from the listeria break out from one of their plants.

CookieBitch: She’s a newspaper editor who went into corporate communications and went screaming back to journalism and then back to corporate communications. She’s been AWOL lately and I hope she comes back soon. Read her About section to get the low-down on the name.

Stuff White People Like: I was kind of offended by this one at first and then found out that was #101 on things white people like, so maybe it was true. They get somethings wrong – like Vancouver being the whitest network on Facebook but has some seriously funny reads. I mean, if you can’t laugh at yourself…

Dumb Little Man Tips For Lift: These little gems are great.

I had great hopes to report on my experiences at the 2008 NAGAAA World Series in Seattle this past week. I brought my digital camera, a video camera and an excitement to document my experience as a player. After all, I was on the first team ever from Vancouver to play in the D division of the games and the only Canadian team in our division. But part way through the first day I realized that it was going to interfere with my enjoyment of the experience. My memories were going to have to do.

I have been really fortunate to play with an amazing group of guys this year. Our team that was drafted in April had an incredible chemistry. We all got along and when any of us were having a bad game everyone else rallied around them with words of encouragement. Since not everyone was able to get a week off to head down to Seattle for the games we picked up some great spares who were an awesome addition to the team.

The Opening Ceremonies were a bit of a gong show being outside during a thunder and lightning storm. There was a bit of levity when they were announcing all the cities that were participating and just as they started to say Toronto there was a loud clap of thunder.

When we made our way to the fields for our first game we were greeted so warmly by the volunteers and the US teams. Now, that hospitality didn’t translate to the field. I won’t bore you with the details of all the games but suffice it to say, we were knocked out with a perfect record of 0 and 5. Some of the games extremely close. Others, not so much.

When we weren’t playing or were waiting for games we watched other teams and built a strong friendship with two teams – the Orlando Blue Devils and the Kansas City Rabid Kittens. Our new sister teams were so much fun! When we were knocked out of the tournament on Friday we hung around to cheer on the Blue Devils making even more noise than they were. We only had a couple of Canadian flag tattoos left and quickly put them on people and we didn’t tell them we had planted a lucky loonie under third base until after their game. They beat the team that knocked us out.

The best part of the week was the people! With over 120 teams participating there were so many amazing people there. Many of them inviting us to come and play in their tournaments and I have to say I would seriously consider it. After being forgiven for cheering against them in their game against the Blue Devils, I hung out for a while with some players from the LA and they were a great bunch of guys too.

I had such a great time at this tournament. I hope that some of my friends on other Vancouver get to go to the world series some time to experience it for themselves. But only if my team doesn’t win the spot.

That having been said, there were some really encouraging signs. Our bats were on in all but our last game. We had some awesome 2 out rallies. And we seemed to shake off the rust and had lots of fun.

There’s a practice on Friday. World Series pool play starts in just 1 week! Its hard to believe that next Monday we’ll be under the Space Needle in Seattle at the opening ceremonies.