That cool breeze brought a satisfied and content smile. I paused my shows and lay there soaking in the moment. The golden rays of the disappearing light and the cool breeze tickling my face.
Moments with a cool summer breeze.
Moments to pause.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Moments D129: Breeze
That cool breeze brought a satisfied and content smile. I paused my shows and lay there soaking in the moment. The golden rays of the disappearing light and the cool breeze tickling my face.
Moments with a cool summer breeze.
Moments to pause.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Moments D128: New Friends (Teamwork2)
Today is another day of endings. It’s the end of baseball season for me. And while our baseball team didn’t fair very well in the standings, we DID make a great team.
Today I smile for the new friends I’ve made. The shared laughter, bruises and skinned legs. I smile for the silliness and for the opportunity to revisit a sport I haven’t played in 20 years. It was a summer of exploration, of reconnecting with myself and my baseball team brought me a little closer to me again. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for this team of men & women.
I’ve re-learned the game of baseball; from second base, to outfield, to mid-field to third and short stop. I’ve found my inner ball player again; the need to swing hard and run fast; the need to chase balls down and throw for the double play. (like tonight’s). Great new memories. Great new friends.
AND - if you want a giggle, read this summary of our Monday night subbing in last week. TOO much fun.
Moments of reflection.
Moments with new friends.
Today I smile for the new friends I’ve made. The shared laughter, bruises and skinned legs. I smile for the silliness and for the opportunity to revisit a sport I haven’t played in 20 years. It was a summer of exploration, of reconnecting with myself and my baseball team brought me a little closer to me again. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for this team of men & women.
I’ve re-learned the game of baseball; from second base, to outfield, to mid-field to third and short stop. I’ve found my inner ball player again; the need to swing hard and run fast; the need to chase balls down and throw for the double play. (like tonight’s). Great new memories. Great new friends.
AND - if you want a giggle, read this summary of our Monday night subbing in last week. TOO much fun.
Moments of reflection.
Moments with new friends.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Moments D127: Teamwork
Today, the end of beach volleyball season arrived. It marks a solemn day as it equates with the end of the summer. The days are growing shorter. The evenings have a chill in the air.
As I sat around the table with my team of 8, I remember not long ago when we had our night of matches. That night we struggled to play well. We were, after all, new to one another. We had never played together before. I remember going out after the first round of games and everyone introducing themselves around the table. It was quite a moment as I, being the captain of the team and the thread that pulled all these people together, most of the stories had me attached to them.
I remember feeling a touch uncomfortable as I don’t like to be in the spotlight. I also remember the watching the forging of new friendships and I remember, over the weeks that passed our triumphs and our losses. But throughout it all, we had fun. We had a lot of giggles and a lot of laughs.
The piece that stands out most for me today, on this final day of play with this team, is that as a team we pulled together. As a team, those in need of learning, learned. Those that had experience shared. The cheerleaders who, no matter what challenge we faced, were positive and kind with their words. And those of us who pushed for more concentration and control. Together we supported one another. Together we lifted one another and taught one another.
This is not new for me, as I’ve played on many teams or partaken in many team-building activities. But, there was something special about this particular team and today’s moment is dedicated to them. As I looked at my team tonight at the bar, I smiled as I soaked in their conversations from a distance. New friends, new team mates for a new season and lots of laughter.
Today’s moment is dedicated to the two lovely ladies and the five incredible men I shared my summer Wednesday nights with. Thank you for your teamwork, your dedication and to a summer of fun volleyball filled with smiles and laughter.
Moments of teamwork.
Moments of reflection.
As I sat around the table with my team of 8, I remember not long ago when we had our night of matches. That night we struggled to play well. We were, after all, new to one another. We had never played together before. I remember going out after the first round of games and everyone introducing themselves around the table. It was quite a moment as I, being the captain of the team and the thread that pulled all these people together, most of the stories had me attached to them.
I remember feeling a touch uncomfortable as I don’t like to be in the spotlight. I also remember the watching the forging of new friendships and I remember, over the weeks that passed our triumphs and our losses. But throughout it all, we had fun. We had a lot of giggles and a lot of laughs.
The piece that stands out most for me today, on this final day of play with this team, is that as a team we pulled together. As a team, those in need of learning, learned. Those that had experience shared. The cheerleaders who, no matter what challenge we faced, were positive and kind with their words. And those of us who pushed for more concentration and control. Together we supported one another. Together we lifted one another and taught one another.
This is not new for me, as I’ve played on many teams or partaken in many team-building activities. But, there was something special about this particular team and today’s moment is dedicated to them. As I looked at my team tonight at the bar, I smiled as I soaked in their conversations from a distance. New friends, new team mates for a new season and lots of laughter.
Today’s moment is dedicated to the two lovely ladies and the five incredible men I shared my summer Wednesday nights with. Thank you for your teamwork, your dedication and to a summer of fun volleyball filled with smiles and laughter.
Moments of teamwork.
Moments of reflection.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Moments D126: Birthday love
Birthdays can be a fickle day for some. But here’s how I see it (thanks Mom): ”It’s better than the alternative.” What’s the alternative you say? Being six feet under. Yes. Having a birthday is definitely better than that!
Today I was able to celebrate a belated birthday with one of my dearest friends. We visited one of the best places in the city to enjoy what she loves most (outside of Hello Kitty and Heineken!), Margarita pizza (D.O.P). (And yes, we googled this at the table!). Pizzeria Libretto. An incredible meal with two incredible ladies.
The moment the brought me the biggest smile was at the end of our delightful evening, when the birthday girl picked up the postcard that came with the bill. She ooohed and ahhhhed over the card. Something simple. Something delightful and unexpected. A Pizzeria Libretto postcard. What an easy way to remember a night of birthday love between friends.
Moments of great conversations.
Moments of just shoving it all in.
Moments of much laughter!
Today I was able to celebrate a belated birthday with one of my dearest friends. We visited one of the best places in the city to enjoy what she loves most (outside of Hello Kitty and Heineken!), Margarita pizza (D.O.P). (And yes, we googled this at the table!). Pizzeria Libretto. An incredible meal with two incredible ladies.
The moment the brought me the biggest smile was at the end of our delightful evening, when the birthday girl picked up the postcard that came with the bill. She ooohed and ahhhhed over the card. Something simple. Something delightful and unexpected. A Pizzeria Libretto postcard. What an easy way to remember a night of birthday love between friends.
Moments of great conversations.
Moments of just shoving it all in.
Moments of much laughter!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Moments D125: Rain Storms
Today was the playoffs for my competitive co-ed 4’s beach volleyball team. We did well (finished 2nd), but better yet we played well and had a lot of fun doing it. But, while those two hours on the beach were filled with smiles and moments to share, the one that stands out most was watching the rain storm roll in.
The storm clouds started filling in the evening sky around 7:45-8pm. We were in the middle of our championship set of 3 games when the organizers broadcast that we needed to shorten the final game in the set to only 15 points due to the storm coming in.
While playing my favourite sport, on a beach (also a place I love, the sand, the water, the breeze), I watched a fascinating storm brew in front of me. Within minutes the bright dusk sky turned dark. The lightening was quick and hard to see as it danced amoungst the clouds and only rarely broke to hit the ground below.
We finished (lost) our game shortly after 8pm. By the time the nets and lines were wrapped up and handed in, the clouds began to break under the weight of their wares. It was a slow release, just a misty sprinkle at first. I quickly walked to my parked car, which was about 8 minutes away. If it were 10 minutes away, I would have been drenched!
I got into my car, turned it on and did a U-Turn. By the time I was straightened out, the clouds gave up their fight and the heavens opened up. This was no simple rain storm. It was as though someone had tipped the bucket and the bucket had no end. (My fastest setting for my wipers was not fast enough!)
It was that moment. That moment where I smiled the hardest today. I was happy with the activities of the evening, but happier still that I had just missed the torrential downpour of rain by a mere moment. Sometimes, I am that lucky!
Moments to watch rain storms.
Moments of luck.
The storm clouds started filling in the evening sky around 7:45-8pm. We were in the middle of our championship set of 3 games when the organizers broadcast that we needed to shorten the final game in the set to only 15 points due to the storm coming in.
While playing my favourite sport, on a beach (also a place I love, the sand, the water, the breeze), I watched a fascinating storm brew in front of me. Within minutes the bright dusk sky turned dark. The lightening was quick and hard to see as it danced amoungst the clouds and only rarely broke to hit the ground below.
We finished (lost) our game shortly after 8pm. By the time the nets and lines were wrapped up and handed in, the clouds began to break under the weight of their wares. It was a slow release, just a misty sprinkle at first. I quickly walked to my parked car, which was about 8 minutes away. If it were 10 minutes away, I would have been drenched!
I got into my car, turned it on and did a U-Turn. By the time I was straightened out, the clouds gave up their fight and the heavens opened up. This was no simple rain storm. It was as though someone had tipped the bucket and the bucket had no end. (My fastest setting for my wipers was not fast enough!)
It was that moment. That moment where I smiled the hardest today. I was happy with the activities of the evening, but happier still that I had just missed the torrential downpour of rain by a mere moment. Sometimes, I am that lucky!
Moments to watch rain storms.
Moments of luck.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Moments D124: Burnt
Sometimes one must admit when they’ve gone too far or done too much.
That was me today. Yesterday was an amazing day followed by a challenging evening. This made today a day of rest and sleep.
I had plans for today. Beach volleyball. I didn’t make it. Was I disappointed? Sure, but when I awoke today (quite late for me), I was already late for the beach crew. I had 5 texts waiting for me. I quickly texted our coordinator of pickup and then rolled back over to sleep.
Being sunburnt and physically tired from yesterday’s activities I didn’t have much energy left for much else.
In the end, being burnt (out) was a good thing. It forced me to take a day “off” and slow down for a bit. It was good. Do I feel badly that I didn’t accomplish anything. You bet I do, but some part of me feels deliciously happy that I was unplugged and away from it all for a day. I had time to reflect upon my life, my plans and also to just do nothing.
Moments to nap.
Moments to pause & ponder.
That was me today. Yesterday was an amazing day followed by a challenging evening. This made today a day of rest and sleep.
I had plans for today. Beach volleyball. I didn’t make it. Was I disappointed? Sure, but when I awoke today (quite late for me), I was already late for the beach crew. I had 5 texts waiting for me. I quickly texted our coordinator of pickup and then rolled back over to sleep.
Being sunburnt and physically tired from yesterday’s activities I didn’t have much energy left for much else.
In the end, being burnt (out) was a good thing. It forced me to take a day “off” and slow down for a bit. It was good. Do I feel badly that I didn’t accomplish anything. You bet I do, but some part of me feels deliciously happy that I was unplugged and away from it all for a day. I had time to reflect upon my life, my plans and also to just do nothing.
Moments to nap.
Moments to pause & ponder.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Moments D123: Leviathan vs Behemoth
Today was a day filled with adventure at Canada’s Wonderland. I haven’t been there in over 12 years. This is a place I used to love going to. I had season tickets for a couple of years when I was in my 20s. Why did I give it up? Why haven’t I found (made) time to go sooner? All questions that came to mind over the past 8 months.
I loved my day at Canada’s Wonderland. First stop: Leviathan. Gates opened at 10am, by 10:15 we were in line. With a 306’ drop gaining speeds of 92mph at an 80 degree descent, it was well worth the first hour and a half waiting to ride Leviathan. We rode in the very front. I held my hands up for 90% of the way (I’ll admit, I chickened out near the bottom of the first hill and grabbed on!) and I had a hell of a time laughing, hooting and hollering throughout the ride. It was the best 3 minutes and 28 seconds of the day. BIG smiles afterwards and lots of discussion about it’s creation, it’s limits broken etc. It is a serious coaster for serious riders only! Leviathan is Canada’s Wonderland’s latest addition to the park - it opened May 2012.
Later in the day, after a dip in the water park, we finally rode Behemoth. This coaster premièred in 2008 and I nearly went to Canada’s Wonderland with a colleague from work. Boy, do I wish I had. This BEAST is fast with a brilliant cork screw (or helix in the world of coaster peeps). Again, we rode in the front seats (where else really?) It was amazing in the dusk, with the lights of the park colourfully ablaze. And hey - the added affect of bugs smattering on one’s forehead was pretty funny and exciting too!
But Leviathan won my heart. So much so that we decided to stand in line for the last 1.5 hours of the day to sneak one more ride in. (And for the record, next time I’m getting the Fast Lane. Standing in the sun frying, not so much fun when there’s a way to get onto rides faster!)
Riding Leviathan a second time was amazing. The day had been pretty incredible, including finding a new/mystery ride called Time Warp, but it was this beast that made it all worthwhile. All the waiting, all the sun, all the plastic NOT being recycled (perhaps worthy of another blog post!).
Riding Leviathan at the end of the day was like a bookmark. It opened and it closed the day. This time, I held my hands up the entire way. Perhaps I had found a place deep within me that stepped over the fear, or perhaps I was just in a place where I didn’t care and I was too stubborn to grab on. Either way, I had my hands up the entire way. It was incredible and on some level quite empowering.
All in all, a beautiful day. But like all moments, they pass. The evening was filled with the pains of the day. Too much sun, not enough water. Too many bad foods…and not enough food.
It reminded me that life is very much like the coasters I rode today. There are ups and there are downs. There can be some fantastic highs, but in a blink of an eye you are speeding down, down, down.
That’s okay with me. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life would be rather boring if it were straights all the time. I like the ride. It’s not always easy to ride it with your hands held high, but damn, I do have fun trying.
Moments at Canada’s Wonderland.
Moments in life.
I loved my day at Canada’s Wonderland. First stop: Leviathan. Gates opened at 10am, by 10:15 we were in line. With a 306’ drop gaining speeds of 92mph at an 80 degree descent, it was well worth the first hour and a half waiting to ride Leviathan. We rode in the very front. I held my hands up for 90% of the way (I’ll admit, I chickened out near the bottom of the first hill and grabbed on!) and I had a hell of a time laughing, hooting and hollering throughout the ride. It was the best 3 minutes and 28 seconds of the day. BIG smiles afterwards and lots of discussion about it’s creation, it’s limits broken etc. It is a serious coaster for serious riders only! Leviathan is Canada’s Wonderland’s latest addition to the park - it opened May 2012.
Later in the day, after a dip in the water park, we finally rode Behemoth. This coaster premièred in 2008 and I nearly went to Canada’s Wonderland with a colleague from work. Boy, do I wish I had. This BEAST is fast with a brilliant cork screw (or helix in the world of coaster peeps). Again, we rode in the front seats (where else really?) It was amazing in the dusk, with the lights of the park colourfully ablaze. And hey - the added affect of bugs smattering on one’s forehead was pretty funny and exciting too!
But Leviathan won my heart. So much so that we decided to stand in line for the last 1.5 hours of the day to sneak one more ride in. (And for the record, next time I’m getting the Fast Lane. Standing in the sun frying, not so much fun when there’s a way to get onto rides faster!)
Riding Leviathan a second time was amazing. The day had been pretty incredible, including finding a new/mystery ride called Time Warp, but it was this beast that made it all worthwhile. All the waiting, all the sun, all the plastic NOT being recycled (perhaps worthy of another blog post!).
Riding Leviathan at the end of the day was like a bookmark. It opened and it closed the day. This time, I held my hands up the entire way. Perhaps I had found a place deep within me that stepped over the fear, or perhaps I was just in a place where I didn’t care and I was too stubborn to grab on. Either way, I had my hands up the entire way. It was incredible and on some level quite empowering.
All in all, a beautiful day. But like all moments, they pass. The evening was filled with the pains of the day. Too much sun, not enough water. Too many bad foods…and not enough food.
It reminded me that life is very much like the coasters I rode today. There are ups and there are downs. There can be some fantastic highs, but in a blink of an eye you are speeding down, down, down.
That’s okay with me. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life would be rather boring if it were straights all the time. I like the ride. It’s not always easy to ride it with your hands held high, but damn, I do have fun trying.
Moments at Canada’s Wonderland.
Moments in life.
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