Physical and Emotional Workouts

This weekend was Goosebowl, a Hallowe'en Ultimate Frisbee tournament. It was an opportunity to see friends I hadn't seen in a while, to meet others and to generally have a good time. While the weather didn't entirely cooperate, it wasn't too bad. It was also a chance to work out my body a little. I have found opportunities to have other workouts too as I have been attempting to come to terms with things in my personal life. Somewhat challenging, but entirely worthwhile. Sounds kinda like life. :)

"..Much more moderate temperatures..." That statement on CBC radio a moment ago likely marks the end of the unseasonably warm weather that we've been getting accustomed to. I knew it was too good to be true so I took a vacation half-day to make sure I could get out and enjoy it. That and get out on a bike (see last post). It served those purposes and even calmed a racing mind. Is that like soothing a savage beast? I guess it can be sometimes.

Bike Crazy

It's finally happened. I've snapped. I have officially gone... Bike crazy. If I'm going to have mental health issues, I could have done a lot worse.

Having been effectively bikeless since last fall it was high time to undo that sad state. Consider it undone... TO THE MAX. Let's just say that I now own more than... 2 bikes. Still, they all have a home with me. In fact, my new home is part of the whole thing. Living healthier (and generally happier) has been a goal that I am having some success with. It certainly doesn't hurt that we are having unseasonably warm weather here. I walked along the beach in shorts today. Comfortably. Crazy! Nice too.

My disappointment in Ontarians weak election turn-out is waning, slightly. Well I think that there were many opportunities lost, at least the Green Party tripled it's percentage of the popular vote. Of course, it is not lost on me that this won them exactly zero seats in our provincial legislature and that had a multi-member proportional (MMP) system been in place, that 8% of the popular vote would have resulted in some actual representation. Yet MMP was soundly defeated. I felt like the attacks on that electoral model didn't hold water. It seemed that one of the main problems was that people didn't know what it was. Without an understanding of the options, people seem likely to avoid the unknown. Oh well. Hopefully the lessons learned from this referendum will ensure better education campaigns in the future (even if it doesn't mean a change in our electoral system).

In other news, a report on land requirements of various diets has determined that an entirely vegetarian diet may not be quite as efficient (production-wise) than one that is largely vegetarian but also includes some meat. The difference seems to be that meat can be produced using somewhat marginal and plentiful pasture-land while fruits, grains and vegetables require high-quality farmland. Interesting. Don't take my word for it though, read the article about it here.

Proportional Politics

If I can't convince you that the referendum being held in Ontario this week (along with our election) is important, maybe John Cleese can.



So, find out more before you go and vote on Wednesday

Referendum Ontario

I was talking with my dad and stepmom yesterday. They mentioned a friend who has recently had her second child and enjoys motherhood so much that she'd like to have five. To me, that's a lot. But not to these people. In fact, they probably think five kids is for suckas. Get this: Michelle, the mom, has been pregnant for 135 months of her life. They've got 15 kids! They have 4 washers and 4 dryers! They just bought a bus from a defunct minor hockey team so that they could go on vacation! Two kids and a dog, this is not.

As my first weekend of home-ownership approaches (as does my first mortgage payment) I can look back and marvel at the fact that I've only had 4 nights-sleep there but it does feel like home. Home with lots of boxes everywhere. I do enjoy getting the place set-up so I am enjoying this process while trying not to let it rule my life. I think it has helped that I don't have cable television at my new place. I hope that I can continue to make good use of the time otherwise sent killing brain cells in front of the tv.

It's Wednesday and I don't live in the same place that I did last Wednesday. I have joined the ranks of the mortgage-payers... er, home-owners. I'm still surrounded by boxes but it's coming together. Unfortunately, it has kept me occupied and not posting. I'll be back. I swear.

Yawn. First post from my new digs. Big thanks to those who were able to personally be a part of the adventure. To those that couldn't, I know you were here in your thoughts. You know you were.