There are these astronauts and… wait a minute, that is the wrong right stuff.

OK, I have discovered another underlying truth in the universe. The older a person gets, the more they will appreciate and require decent gear for enjoying the outdoors. Well, it is a truth for me, and extrapolating that to the universe is not that big of leap, right?

These last 6 years or more have seen Kathy & I get much more active outside. I remember seeing people wearing all sorts of high-end outdoor wear and gear and recall thinking that this was a by-product of companies marketing to trendy outdoor yuppies. I used to think the gear was more for show than any real benefit. I was wrong. It has not been until recent years that I have engaged in the caliber of outdoor activity where decent gear is required. Times change, I change, and so have my perspectives. I guess this realization started when I cycled the Golden Triangle. Before that, I have never cycled 110kms in a day, let alone in the mountains. I have to consider tire tread to reduce friction, hydration, energy management, managing body temperature through light and efficient clothing layers, form fitting clothing to prevent chaffing, traffic visibility, and more. I bought a number of items, and still remained a bit skeptical, until I used them. Little things can make a big difference. Since that time, I have slowly become a big fan of proper gear and clothing. Gone are the days when I go hiking with denim or cotton. There are more efficient clothes that work well to retain or dissipate heat, will dry quickly if you get wet, and offer protection from the sun and wind.

I have certainly become best friends with my hiking boots. I got properly fitted a couple of years ago at MEC and they have been a wonderful addition to my gear. Additionally, I was properly fitted for a backpack and that has seen some use. I think in addition to buying good gear, it should be the “right” gear for your activity. There are so many people that are trained in this, that it would have been foolish for me to ignore their expertise. From those early days, I have really rounded out my gear list. I have a decent rain jacket, a backup rain jacket, goretex pants, hiking socks, river pants, cargo pants, PFD, bent shaft canoe paddle, bear banger, bear spray, dry bags for canoeing, streamlined cookware, a good sleeping pad, decent sleeping bag, and the list goes on. Every year, for the last number of years, Kathy and I pick up a few more items. We are gradually building our gear manifest over time. More economical and we understand our needs more over time. We have some canoe trips coming up and I feel like we are prepared for the trips and have what we need to be safe & comfortable.

Here’s to gear! It has enabled me to get outdoors more and enjoy it when I do.

I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life; living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness out of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience. ~ Henry David Thoreau

When you open your eyes to the possibilities around you, there is no shortage of variety. This certainly rings true with leisure activities. I tend to be a jack-of-all-fun, master of none. A couple of days ago, I was contemplating the different ways to enjoy the outdoors and the huge variety of activities. I was surprised by how many I have participated in and how many I would still like to try. Just a brief list off the top of my head yields a very large smattering of variety and activities.

Hiking, Backpacking, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Swimming,Tubing, Fishing, Skydiving, Geocaching, Spelunking, Target Shooting, Archery, Skeet Shooting, Paintball, Orienteering, Camping, Star Gazing, Hunting, Snorkeling, Downhill Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Skating, Snowshoeing, Tennis, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Road Hockey, Pond Hockey, Touch Football, Ultimate Frisbee, Disc Golf, Birdwatching, Waterfall Seeking, Wildlife Photography, Scenic Photography, Air Soft, Scuba Diving, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Water Skiing, Bungee Jumping, and more.

That is a large list and that was thought of in a couple minutes. There are plenty of things I am missing. With the exception of the last six items, I have tried all of the items on the list. Some of them were a fleeting experience, whereas others have been enjoyed for years. It is the variety I truly appreciate. There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time engaged in a fun / exciting activity. I often shake my head when I hear people say there is nothing to do. This place where I live, <insert name here>, is boring and nothing fun ever happens. Really? Open your eyes and see the world anew. There is no shortage of ways to explore the world around you. Enjoy the variety. Try something you have not tried before.

I am thankful for the rich tapestry of experience I have had thus far. I was backpacking trip in the mountains just a couple of weeks ago and I have two canoe trips later on this summer. I am very thankful indeed. The world is an amazing place, and worthy of exploring.

I take it to be a principle rule of life, not to be too much addicted to any one thing. ~ Terence (195/185 BC-159 BC) Playwright of the Roman Republic.

Bob & Jo; our neighbours for the last fifteen years in Regina. Wonderful people.

Robert & Josephine Williams have been our neighbours ever since we moved to Regina. They are an elderly couple who have strong values and beliefs of independence and taking pride and care in their property and home. They are both 88 years old and more active than I would have thought possible or practical. They are amazing.

Bob just passed away 2 weeks ago. He turned ill a few weeks back but never let the illness slow him down. His illness took a turn and he went into the Hospital by ambulance on the 21st of July. He passed away four days later with Josephine and Scott (son) by his side. I am glad his son made it home in time to spend some time with his dad and be there for Josephine. She must feel tremendously lost right now; she and Bob had been together for many years. My heart breaks when I think of how poignant her loss must be during these past few weeks. I am welling up right now just thinking about it. I am glad we could help and comfort Jo during a rough period when Bob went into the hospital. This was before Scott came home and she really just needed someone to help her contact the hospital and get some information on Bob. Make a few calls, get in touch with her son and spend a bit of time with her in a dark hour. It was so alarming for her.

I am writing about this today because I find that everyday I am thinking about the dear old couple next door. A couple who would not accept help as they felt a certain sense of independence in carrying out their tasks. Their lawn and yard was kept in immaculate condition, you could always see the bare cement of their driveway in winter, and never a peep or complaint about anything. They would not even accept help sawing down a large tree in their front yard. They had a two-person bucksaw and figured they would remove the tree on their terms. I have so much respect for their approach to life. I want this blog post to be a celebration of their life together, a remembrance of Bob, and a reminder to check in on Josephine to offer her comfort and support as she makes sense of a world without Bob.

The world is full of wonderful people when you take the time to notice them. Goodbye Bob, you will be missed and remembered.

Friends gathering in a backyard need a coagulating agent; fire. A backyard fire seems to instantly draw people in to the magic of sitting around a fire sharing stories and relaxing. We recently had another gathering and it was a very enjoyable evening. We played some darts, played a bit of washer toss, drank some beer, shared tales of past exploits and dreams of tomorrow.

We have spent some time cleaning up the backyard, the fence is almost done and we decided that the yard needs to have a simpler, cleaner look; gave us something to do on Saturday. We had a few people over of Sunday evening where it was a long weekend, and it was quite a relaxing time. I enjoy playing darts, but there is something really awesome about playing outside by the fire. Having the wireless speakers hung up and working makes getting tunes to the backyard much easier as well. I love it when a plan comes together.

Here’s to the evocative magical nature of a firepit and friends.

One can enjoy a wood fire worthily only when he warms his thoughts by it as well as his hands and feet. ~ Odell Shepherd

I think I have ADOS; Attention-Deficit Ooooh Shiny….
I need to adjust the aperture of my focus from time to time. I simply love exploring new ideas and new experiences. Sometimes I get a bit too over-committed or get involved in too many things. Yesterday, I was quite tired and I think I am fighting off the summer cold that Kathy is getting. Lots and lots of vitamin C. Anyways, I stayed home to rest and used the time to contemplate my current lack of focus. It is time to make some more adjustments to my daily ritual. Time to eliminate some distractions and mitigate some others. There are some projects and professional development steps I wish to pursue and it will take focus to make these happen. Here’s to the process that recognizes I am off my tracks and gets me back on track. I have tremendous focus when I use it, I need to use it more.

If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results. ~ Jack Dixon

I have never been an avid reader or fan of comics (graphic novels). I remember reading comics growing up and they were fine, it is just not something that really stuck with me. Recently, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some Conan. This has nothing to do with the upcoming Conan movie release, just wandering through the halls of nostalgia. The only comics I remember really enjoying were Conan and some weird WWII soldier / ghost story mash-up.

I decided to pick up Volumes 0 -10 of the Dark Horse series that tried to closely follow Robert E. Howard’s story arc. So far, so good. I am enjoying the series and it is bringing me back to a time as a boy where I was quite captivated by the world of Conan and his tales of exploit and plunder. This is a real departure from my normal reading and is a nice light summer read. I have to say that it has rekindled my interest in the fantasy genre as the world is rich with detail, mystique, and legend. Thanks Dark Horse and ComicReaders for a nostalgic trip full of adventure.

Mongol General: What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

Letting Off Steam

Yesterday, I posted about “Anxiety”. I felt today required a follow up. Let us talk about what is important first; Mom’s health. She had her surgery yesterday and 80% of the dead scar tissue was removed from the bladder. The pathology reports were not discussed, but a follow up appointment would be established in two or three months. We read that as a pretty good sign that things are progressing well. That is a huge relief. Mom has had such a rough year.

Our new furnace was installed yesterday and that means the A/C is working again. Should help considerably with allergies and sleep. With everything that I was writing about yesterday, my tipping point was trying to book a multi-city trip using my Aeroplan points. Basically, you can’t. Some weird policies govern how reward travel points can or cannot be used for booking travel. To make matters even more difficult, these policies are not published or widely understood, even by Aeroplan staff members. You try to book a flight and it online and you get a message, invalid itinerary. Then you have to call their call centre to try to have them book the flight and that is when, after much waiting, you find out that it violates their multi-city policy guidelines and cannot be booked. Only through the process of a phone agent can this be learned. Even it it was possible to book through them, it is not possible to book online. Then they inform you that if you use and agent instead of booking online, you will incur a $30 charge per flight per person booking fee. Kinda silly.

With everything that was going on yesterday, that is what made me grumpy. That is what I reflected on this morning. I need to step back from this and laugh about it, not get upset. The fact that we have the miracle of human flight should be a wonder and subject of gratitude in and of itself. Having to wade through a bit of bureaucracy and jump through a couple of hoops is minor compared to the benefit. I am using this opportunity to reset my perspective and be thankful for the opportunity to travel and not belabor the booking process. Besides, I do not like the grumpy me that much. Time to tell him to go away.

T’is better to appreciate today today than to lament yesterday tomorrow. ~ Charles Henry